The Path of the Tornado
By quijibo7609
There was one glaring problem with Jaune's initial plan. It took Junior nearly ten minutes to discover it, but by the time he did the consultant had formulated a workable solution.
Junior's grin became all hard lines and uncomfortable angles when he heard that solution… and grew to the point where it nearly took in his ears.
"You're sure you can convince him to do it?"
Jaune wasn't remotely sure of any such thing, but he was getting pretty good at faking it.
The Club was empty. It was kind of sad if one took the time to think about it. Roman was on a deadline, yet he still believed taking the time felt warranted. Hollow now, with police tape dragged over the beautiful bronze and glass doors, the headquarters of the Red Axe gang was completely silent. The rays of the setting sun splashed the structure with a heavy mix of orange and gold light, washing out its natural colors. It looked like something ready to be forgotten.
Not that Torchwick was surprised of course. Two months ago, news of what had happened was the hot topic in Vale. In fact, it was a leading story for weeks. Lisa Lavender herself had done several pieces right in front of the taped-off glass doors, and had even snuck inside to film numerous chalk outlines and blood splatters. Vale's government allowed this of course. For some reason, the city cheered when the bad people, the right people, died. Roman closed his eyes briefly.
It was hard not to root for the Grimm sometimes.
Suitably dramatic ennui aside, Roman could never be melodramatic after all, Torchwick puffed on his cigar and mulled over his remaining options. They weren't very good, hence the cigar. Smoking was a tell of his of course, which is the main reason he often tried to quit. When the end approached however…? Well it was time to grab whatever enjoyment you could find. For Roman, there was undeniable joy to be found in a hand wrapped Cohibas Cigar. True, a joy heavily spoiled by the fact that, for Roman Torchwick, the end was nigh.
Still, beggars can't be choosers after all.
Okay that was a bit melodramatic. A bit.
Roman felt a little melodrama was highly excusable given his circumstances. For the last several weeks, dust shops were getting hit. Dust shops were getting hit hard… and Roman wasn't the one doing it. His own intake of dust had slowed to a crawl, as more and more of Vale's resources were dedicated to protecting the shrinking dust supply. Cops, some that were all but old chums, were no longer willing to look away. Some even refused to take bribes! One even had the unmitigated gall to threaten him with arrest. A threat Torchwick made an example of when he sent Neo into his home to take pictures of his sleeping children. It was crass, it had no subtlety, and it was what Roman had been reduced to in order to steal two cases of mid quality crystals.
Roman was dancing on a shoestring ever since that flaming bitch walked into his life, and now that shoestring was fraying. Fraying before Roman was even halfway across the abyss. Sad thing was, it didn't even matter how deep the abyss was, because he'd be burned to ash before he ever hit bottom. He puffed on his cigar once more, before grinding it out on the sole of his boot. A hundred lien cigar, squashed against the heel of a boot before being tossed aside. There was a metaphor in that.
Okay he was being melodramatic. He could admit that. It happened to even the best of people.
Roman glanced at Neo, and she looked back at him. Her illusionary disguise today was that of a girl sporting classic Neo pink and white, a moderately ridiculous combat skirt (which irritated him because it reminded him of Little Red), freckles, bright orange air, and rather fetching turquoise eyes. Roman briefly wondered what had inspired this look, and that made him wonder what illusionary disguise he himself now sported. Ultimately, Torchwick dismissed it as unimportant. Neo's inspirations were her own.
Her thoughts though, well right now, they were written plain as day on her face.
There was naked worry in Neo's expression. Something that she almost never showed. Worse, there was still a lot of trust and belief, and fuck did that hurt. Believe it or not, that fucking hurt a lot. No one had ever believed in him like Neo did. The situation was only made worse by the fact that Neo could cut bait anytime she wanted. Cinder hadn't met her, and her semblance would make finding her nearly impossible regardless. Thus, Neo could run anytime she wanted to, but Roman knew she wouldn't. Not without Roman. The thought should have been cheering, but it wasn't. He thought of everything his little accomplice had gone through. She deserved a better end than sharing whatever shallow grave he'd be buried in.
Or, more likely, whatever gust of wind carried their smoldering ashes.
Roman took a moment to feel his own anger. Despair made you give up, but anger… there was power in anger. Roman needed that power and a focus for his anger. That focus was now Junior. Junior knew the answers to many questions, and Roman wanted several questions answered immediately. None more than, "Why the fuck was every two bit gang suddenly in the dust heisting market!?" Aggravated, Roman decided he was done staring at dead things and turned away from the hollow building in front of him. With a subtle indication of his head, the thief informed Neo it was time to move on. They had an unscheduled appointment to keep.
Not that Roman had any burning hostility towards Junior himself. If there was one good bit of news, it was Junior was making his quotas. Exceeding them in fact. Junior was now way ahead of schedule, and Hei assured Roman he would be able to meet his obligations by the end of the month. That was nearly a full month early. Roman, given his circumstances, would normally be thrilled with this news, but it came with a caveat. Junior wanted out. Obligations met, contract fulfilled, and everyone went their separate ways. That was all Junior wanted. Despite the much more lucrative offer Roman offered, Junior was done. He wasn't even tempted, and Roman had long ago learned to read these kinds of situations.
Roman had pushed hard after Hei informed him that the Red Axes were keeping their heads down and their noses clean for the foreseeable future. Hard, but Roman had not pushed too hard. Squeezing Junior now would definitely make him balk. It could also make him dig in and go to ground, or worse make him run (although that wasn't very likely), and Junior's dust source would dry up. That would seal Roman's fate and end his admittedly fading hopes.
So, the Red Axes were out, but they obviously did have a dust contact somewhere. So Roman's second question was where Junior was getting his supply. Roman hoped Junior would sell this information willingly, and not be reduced to callous threats, but Roman had a deadline. So forcing a face to face, one where Neo could be Neo, was warranted. Much like a now terrified Vale police officer had learned, right now subtlety was out the window.
As Roman pulled his head out of his darker thoughts, he took in his surroundings more closely. Neo, who had been laying some groundwork for tonight's incursion, was absolutely right. The neighborhood was on the rebound. Roman recognized this with a glance as a hundred little things jumped out at him, all signaling the area's changing socioeconomical climate. Little things, like graffiti being painted over with the correct paint said people now cared. Bigger things like a few store fronts getting remodeled, legitimately remodeled mind and not some petty scam for insurance fraud, shouted that some businesses were doubling down with their money. The thing that shouted change most of all though, was the people.
While the neighborhood wasn't exactly bustling, there was still the quiet hum of people. The section, so near the docks and uncomfortably too close to the wall, had always attracted a certain strata of Vale's population. Now it felt better, like a blue collar neighborhood with aspirations. People who looked at their surroundings and believed this was fine for now, but tomorrow would be even better. And not all those people would be looking for their better tomorrow elsewhere.
That attitude reflected in the businesses around them, and the growing abundances and varieties of them. While shop fronts along the docks weren't exactly known for being empty, they were known for catering to very specific clientele. True, there was still an excess of bars, dingy diners, pawn shops, and money lending signs offering fast and discreet pay day loans, but Roman knew their days were numbered in this new environment. They were no longer among the most reputable business establishments on the street, and that meant realtors would be able to charge higher premiums soon. These new business's, with their fresh paint and bright new awnings, would frown and bully most of these older establishments out of the area. Pretty soon, a dockworker would take his wife and children to a silly little chain restraint that was housed in the very unit that once contained the Mistral Massage parlor he used to visit every payday.
Okay, Roman was feeling very melodramatic today. So sue him.
The Red Axes were still seen here or there as well. They were still wearing their trademark suits and sporting their trademark weapons, but they walked the streets and seemed to avoid the actual shops. Roman paused. That was new and rather interesting. Typically, ganglanders hung by certain establishments, near certain alleys, or near certain street corners. These guys looked like they were patrolling. Gangs patrolling was nothing new, but they did this in heavily armored vehicles with very tinted windows. Not on foot where any two bit thug could take a pop at them from concealment. What the fuck kind of tactics were these?
Granted the Red Axes were more or less at peace with their neighbors. Roman guessed that the Bowery Boyz getting too big for their britches, and then subsequently being slapped down hard, had served as a warning to some of the lower level scavengers. Thing is though, there were predators that were much bigger. Why the fuck are they allowing the Red Axes to recover?
Something clicked, and Roman had to fight the urge to reach for another cigar. Torchwick's third question dawned in his mind. Who was the consultant? Roman knew Junior's mysterious new asset had to be involved somehow. Allowing Junior to bring him or her in had allowed the Red Axes to hold up their end, but Roman hated mysteries with a passion. Not knowing things got you killed. Like how this person was able to get these kind of results.
While Junior's mysterious asset hadn't caused some strange rapid expansion in the gang's territory, Junior's organization had definitely stopped the bleeding. Granted, the Red Axes and their consultant doubtlessly benefitted from the general mayhem. Mayhem that was generated by all these small and midsized gangs who were now slitting each other's throat for a simple uncut crystal. Since so many gangs had to keep their eyes on the home front these days, that obviously gave Junior a fighting chance to draw a desperate line in the sand.
Thing was, that still didn't feel right. It couldn't be the entire story, because the Red Axes didn't feel like they were holding on by their fingernails. In fact, their territory felt like an island of calm in a sea of chaos. It was really weird.
Roman stopped. Even musing through the sights around him, his situational awareness kept him alive. So he stopped, because Neo had stopped. Not that Roman truly felt threatened, well any more than normal, because Neo hadn't tensed when she stopped. She had simply just ceased walking. Since the sphere of influence for her illusions was relatively small, barely twenty feet in any direction, and it noticeably shrank when she got distracted, Roman knew better that to wander too far from her side. Roman decided he'd better look and discover what it was that interested Neo so.
He might have known.
With a sigh, a sigh caused by her adorably pleading expression, he nodded in acquiesce. Roman, being obviously distracted, had allowed Neo to guide him in front of a brand new ice cream parlor. Really, Roman thought to himself, no psychopath should ever be blessed with these frighteningly high levels of sneakiness, manipulativeness, and just pure cuteness. With a melodramatic sigh, his standards now thrown entirely out the window along with his subtlety, he opened the door for her so she could indulge her sweet tooth.
The little parlor wasn't exactly packed, but it wasn't completely empty either. A few kids and a few parents sat in booths here and there. There was even a pair of Red Axes in the corner eating cones, although the rest of the clientele were giving them a wide birth. A blond teenaged boy quickly forced Roman to amend that thought. Almost the entirety of the clientele. The teen, who looked vaguely familiar for some reason, talked happily with the pair of Red Axes, who were actually rather friendly in their responses.
Roman narrowed his eyes, but made sure not to stare. He didn't want his surprise visit to Junior to be spoiled. The gang members did cause Roman to reflexively check his reflection in the large mirror behind the counter, and in doing so, nearly did a spit take. Ugh, long black hair with pink highlights? Really? And teal? Who wore teal? Neo, still sporting her illusionary orange hair and turquoise eyes, caught him looking at his reflection. His disgust caused her to silently laugh at him. Honestly, Roman had half a mind to storm out of the Ice Cream Parlor, and Neo could wait until tomorrow for her snack. He didn't though, mainly because Neo was on edge as well. A little fun at his expense wasn't the worst way she could occupy her mind. Still, what had Neo seen that could possibly inspire this level of horror? It was just awful on so many levels, and her having fun or not, Roman still planned on having a long word with her about her stylistic choices when it came to himself.
Grumbling a bit, Roman plopped a twenty lien chip on the counter. "She'll have a triple scoop. Chocolate on the bottom, strawberry in the middle, and vanilla on top." The man, who looked to be rapidly approaching middle age, smiled and nodded.
"Anything for you young man?" the question was polite, but Roman had always disliked his teenaged years and really hated being called that back then. In fact, it still felt demeaning.
Roman's fake teenaged smile never wavered though as he shook his head. He watched his illusionary hair sway when he did, Neo was going all out with this. Still, this disguise was so anti-anything Roman Torchwick, the thief smelled opportunity. For some reason, the Red Axes were in here, the first time he's seen them coming in or out of any of the new businesses. A little fishing never hurt anyone.
"You the owner?" The question was loaded of course, especially with gang members in the actual store. The man tensed, and one of the Axe's tensed as well, but Roman pretended he didn't notice. Don't worry about me, I'm just your typical teenaged sheople asking dumb questions, he thought.
"Yes I am," the man replied cautiously.
Roman nodded, "Well congratulations." Roman still found himself inwardly wincing at his own reflection. Sheesh, he even had pink eyes. Torchwick continued, "I'm glad to see the old neighborhood make a comeback."
The man relaxed, and the Red Axe went back to his ice cream. The owner spoke, "This is a neighborhood rapidly on the rise. Are you from around here? I don't think I've ever noticed you, although, to be honest, I'm still new to the neighborhood myself."
Roman lied easily, "Yes and no?" the man looked at him confused and Roman laughed sheepishly, "I guess I really could have explained that better. We're students from Shade, in a bit early for the Vytal festival. My mom lives just down the block you see," Roman noticed the flower emblems on his, ugh, attire, "I thought I'd pick her up some flowers and surprise her early."
The man beamed, and slid the twenty-lien chip right back to Roman, "Well now, can't exactly charge such a courageous young man," Roman was almost certain he heard Neo laugh at the hated title, "and his lovely lady," now Roman silently laughed at Neo who couldn't even stomp on his foot without risking a disruption in her illusion. The man continued, "There's a lovely woman named Lindsay who just opened up a flower boutique around the corner. You stop in, tell her Thom sent you, and I'm sure she'd cut you a deal my young friends."
Neo smiled pleasantly, but Roman could see the measuring scales in her eyes. The proprietor was skirting disaster. At least he used the word, "young," and not, "little." Roman had tried to explain to Neo numerous times that arson was to be reserved for the proper places and times, but it hadn't really ever stuck. Roman rather hurriedly handed over the ice cream to her. One bite, and her more violent tendencies were buried under her one true obsession.
Roman smiled at her lovingly, then continued with his lie, "Well mom said our neighborhood was doing better, but wow. I mean wow, even the graffiti is gone!"
The man puffed up, and given his expansive waistline, that wasn't a very good look. The guy's tone became a bit sly, "Not many know this, but there is a rumor the City rezoned a bunch of land so they can build a new arena. One of them fighting arena's for young hunters and huntresses such as yourself to compete in. I figure the kids at the school, which is over a block, and the big apartment buildings down the street will keep me busy until it opens. Once it does, every summer weekend, this place will be hopping!"
Roman blinked, and his brain had a moment of vapor-lock. This was the silliest thing he'd heard all day. It really was, and he was feeding a short psychotic ice cream (thank the gods Neo isn't a mind reader). Still, mind reading psychotics aside, what kind of fucking graft was this?
Roman asked, "How did you hear about that?" His tone was bemused even if it was an obvious question.
The man smiled wide to point of absurdity, "I got lucky! When my old lease ran out, my realtor told me. Turns out she knows a guy on the board! I got this place for a song compared to my old place! Sure business is a bit slower right now, but it ain't bad, and I'll be doing even better than my old place once the arena opens. For half the rent!"
Roman blinked again. Something suddenly smelled fishy. This answer did not lessen any of Roman's misgivings, his danger antenna fully extended itself. Still, he wanted answers, "Aren't you the least bit concerned about the violent shootout that happened just down the street? My mom was, and is, still freaked out about that." Roman voice was a bit harsh since he was losing some composure. He wasn't even sure why.
The man's smile became a bit troubled. "Yeah. I guess it was really big news if it got all the way to Vacuo." The man again puffed up, and almost pantomiming the act of putting his big boy britches on. "Kid," right then and there, Roman vowed to never refer to a teenager as a kid again, "You got to understand how things are." Roman blinked slowly. He looked at Neo, who blinked slowly back, "Now I admit I don't rightly feel good about it either, but my realtor told me how she leveraged that to get me such a good deal… We all have to make compromises to get by in life, you know?"
Roman thought this was way too much irony for him to take when he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder. Roman half-expected it to be Neo telling him to let it go, but it wasn't. It was, in fact, the vaguely familiar boy in the hoodie.
"Mr. Candlestick?" he asked.
Roman didn't freeze, but he had to fight the urge to reach for a cigar. The obvious allusion to his real name was a threat, but what made it dangerous was how close the kid… okay so I'm a hypocrite… actually was. The k- blond wasn't across the room, he was standing right next to the thief, even touching Roman on the shoulder. How had the kid… guy… gotten this close to him without him noticing? And why did he look so damned familiar?
Neo stepped behind the teen, and Roman smirked even as he relaxed. That was a neat trick, and Roman fully intended to understand how the kid… young man… the fucking blond had managed it, but unless this was some kind of world class hunter, Roman was pretty sure he would be just fine.
Roman smiled one of his best predatory smiles. It was still put to shame by the one Neo now wore herself.
Jaune closed his eyes and breathed in deep and slow. Junior had told him how dangerous the shorter one was. She was supposedly more dangerous than Millie and Mel put together, and then some, and she was standing behind him. It should have been terrifying.
But it wasn't. Not even remotely. Because it wouldn't make sense for them to kill him. It didn't matter how dangerous they were. It only mattered what they would do, not what they could do. Thus, Jaune could see them as just like anyone else. They two were just two people with problems, problems Jaune might be able to help with. That didn't make Roman Torchwick look any less ridiculous right now.
Seriously, who wears teal?
The man, who also sported pink highlights in his hair for some reason, smiled big at Jaune, "Yes I am. Have we met? You look familiar somehow."
The man's smile was a warning and a threat, but Jaune let it all go. This was just one more step forward in getting Junior clear. That was all. "We did in fact. I gave you some directions a couple months back and you were nice enough to pay my bar tab. Thank you for that by the way." Jaune smiled for the benefit of the curious shop owner, "I didn't realize you were a student at Shade."
Jaune saw recognition dawn in the man's illusionary, but still arresting, magenta eyes. "That's where we met! Damn kid, I have to admit that was going to bug me all day if you hadn't just told me."
Jaune smiled politely, "Kid? Honestly, you don't look any older than me, but then again maybe it's a huntsman thing."
The illusion, that was in fact Roman Torchwick, smiled sheepishly, "Sorry, we don't really mean anything by it."
Jaune shrugged affably, "No offense taken, and, again, thank you. Want to meet with my boss tonight? He's looking for some moonlighters if you don't mind interrupting your visit with your family."
The thief looked intrigued, "Boss?"
"Yes. Believe it or not he hired after watching me help you out," Jaune smiled carefully, "He said I have a knack for this thing."
"Really?" Roman's black eyebrows went up further.
The proprietor coughed, and fixed Jaune with a disapproving glare, "I know your boss there young man. These young defenders aren't the type to get mixed up in that kind of nonsense."
Jaune smirked, and he saw Roman notice the expression, "You're probably right sir. It was just an honest question."
Jaune saw Neo laugh silently in the mirror at the statement. It was kind of eerie to be honest. Junior didn't know much about her. When Jaune had pressed for whatever details Junior could offer, his boss had mentioned a few things though. Roman admitted she could do illusions. Even Jaune realized that admission was meant to draw attention from her other skills. Junior also said she was silent, completely silent. He's never even heard her utter a grunt. Other things were she likes sugary alcoholic drinks with lots of ice, was highly partial to certain colors (chiefly white, pink, and brown), and could plow through a half gallon of ice cream like she was immune to even the concept of ice cream headaches. Lastly, Junior assured him that he could tell she was extremely dangerous. Not because of her illusions, or because her rumored skillset, but because Neo was the kind of person who just didn't care. Junior warned Jaune that people that don't care also don't have rules.
Jaune looked at her in the mirror. She saw and offered a sadistic wink in response. Jaune smiled politely back at her, which obviously left her somewhat confused. Jaune took a moment to briefly imagine not caring about anything or anyone. It took just a split second to decide Junior had probably made an error. Neo doubtlessly had rules, she just wasn't inclined to explain them. That made her way more dangerous than even Junior could imagine, because if there were rules, someone could break them while dealing with her. Jaune was new to Vale's underworld, but Neo did not look merciful.
Still, Jaune had already discovered a few of those rules. The fact that she had been spotted so easily was evidence of this.
Jaune took slow regular breaths, an action that kept him calm. The not-Roman looked on smugly, but Jaune saw that was a front. Jaune had noticed Roman's façade waver a split second when Neo's expression faltered.
Jaune decided to deliberately ramp up the tensions. "The choice is yours of course, Mr. Candlestick, but I would still like to escort you there so he can personally make you an offer."
The notorious thief tensed. The Neo in the mirror borderline snarled. Jaune's polite smile did not waver though. Of course Torchwick managed to hold on to his own smile, but it no longer touched the pink of his eyes. "Is that so? And If I refuse that request?"
Calm, steady, Jaune explained. "You'll go about your business unmolested. No one wants to cross a huntsman, and I understand that."
The proprietor, obviously emboldened by whom he thought he had in his store, decided enough was enough. "I think I'm going to ask you and your friends to leave. Right now young man."
Jaune turned, now putting Roman and Neo out of his immediate vision. The two of them seemed frankly shocked by the gesture, but Jaune paid them little mind as he focused on the store owner. Jaune smiled the same polite smile he always wore for these occasions.
"If you ask nicely," Jaune said calmly. The man paled, and Jaune honestly felt bad for him, but there were rules. Rules that actually kept this man safe in spite of himself.
"Please," the suddenly terrified man rasped, although not before a desperate glance at the illusion-clad Roman and his accomplice.
Jaune smiled calmly to the proprietor, he then slowly turned and nodded politely to Neo and Roman. "I'll be outside for a few minutes if you change your mind." Without another word, Jaune walked out the door. When he left, both Red Axes left with him.
Roman gave Neo twenty full minutes to eat her ice cream. The owner seemed somewhat hurt that Roman and Neo hadn't completely destroyed his establishment while apprehending the mean people that had dared threatened him. Roman thought of Little Red. What a fucking idiot. Roman still left a twenty lien chip on the table when he walked out. He did it not because he felt like the shopkeeper deserved it, but so that it maintained his illusion of a young man who felt bad about not being able to right all the world's wrongs.
Once outside, Roman reached inside his coat, or whatever it looked like he was wearing right now, and pulled out a little bit of joy. Really Neo, fucking teal? The sun had finally crept lower than the wall, and the streets were covered in the fading light of dusk. Roman considered his options as he clipped the cigar's end neatly. Junior knew Roman was coming. Junior obviously thought he was ready for Roman. So ready, Junior had decided to warn Roman. Roman knew, bravado against the cops was one thing, but bravado against Vale's underworld was something else. It got you so far, then it got you killed. However, Roman was feeling just desperate enough to be brave, and that thought was every bit as scary as it sounded. So lost in thought was he, that Torchwick nearly jumped out of his boots during the first puff of his cigar.
The blond teen coughed politely right behind him. Right fucking behind him. Neo's umbrella came up, her expression far from amused, and Roman was startled to realize he had snuck up behind Neo as well. Startlement turned to anger. Growling, Roman grabbed the blond idiot and moved to drag him down the first dark alley he could find… which turned out to be harder than initially expected given how many street lamps had been recently repaired.
"Um, that place looks suitably dark." the blond pointed out helpfully. Roman started that way, then cursed himself for an idiot. Why was he listening to his kid? Was it some kind of semblance? Roman looked at the dark alleyway with dawning trepidation. Suddenly, he had no desire to wander into any dark alleys. Neo or no Neo.
Roman felt a hint of defeat, but he didn't let that note touch his expression or his voice. "What do you want?" he growled instead.
The blond smiled, "Answers, Mr. Candlestick. That's all."
This time Neo didn't work her way behind him, she stood directly in front of Roman. Roman was honestly touched, but he noticed how this mysterious kid… young man… this whatever noted her positioning with cool blue eyes. His expression reminded him of Cinder Fall in most of the worst ways. The thought of that flaming bitch caused something to finally, finally click in Roman's head.
"You?" Roman mumbled. "You're the Consultant?" Neo took her eyes off Junior's new asset to look at Roman, and Torchwick really wanted her eyes front and center. He might not look it, but he was almost certainly exceedingly dangerous.
Junior's asset seemed to wince, "More or less," he stood there at ease but his voice sounded sincere, "Listen, we only want to talk. Junior just wants to fulfill his contracts, and move on with life. Nothing more."
Roman swallowed. His brain screamed at how obviously suicidal it was to listen to this guy, but all his instincts told him this guy was nothing, a complete non-treat. Roman trusted his intuition, but when it told him stepping off the cliff was a good idea… it was just way more confusing than it really needed to be.
"If," Roman could not believe he was about to say this, "If I go with you, I need you to answer one question first."
The consultant turned and pointed to the ice cream parlor still barely fifty paces away, "There are two practical approaches to Junior's temporary office. This one has an ice cream parlor and a brand new custom tailor with a well-stocked haberdashery. The other has a huge smoke shop specializing in cigars with a walk-in humidor as well as a bar that specializes in those mixed drinks with tons of shaved ice in them." Roman blinked. "The buildings themselves are owned by Xiong Incorporated of course, which found suitable reasons to make excellent deals with realtors for businesses that looked suitable for the neighborhood's new feel."
Roman actually gaped. "You mean that were suitable bait." For the first time in his life, Roman felt like a rat. Like a literal rodent.
The consultant shook his head, "Of course I don't. We signed nearly thirty leases in the last month, and have more pending. We were rather forced to do so on favorable terms for our renters, terms that look incredibly enticing given the rumored new arena project due to be announced during the Vytal festivities." The dangerous man, whose Roman's instincts still viewed as a non-threat continued, "We needed a revenue stream that didn't rely on things like protection or vice. Granted, it's a short term solution at best, but it helped us keep up appearances and everyone paid. Plus the property is now more valuable, so it works as an investment as well should Junior decide to sell at a later date." The consultant sighed, "It's kind of obvious when you think about it."
Roman felt vaguely insulted, but let it slide. He was about to say something when the consultant raised his hand. The dangerous man in front of Roman continued, "That doesn't mean we didn't watch certain establishments for people showing certain preferences." He reached into the pocket of his hoody. Way too late, Roman tensed as he had to logically deduce the danger instead of just react to it. Neo was a bit quicker, but she was so unnerved she pulled out the hidden blade in her umbrella. The consultant looked at the weapon curiously for a moment, then finished making his move. Again both Neo and Roman were slow to react. Before Torchwick knew it, it was already too late. Roman moved to pull Neo behind him.
Only to wind up staring at a brand new wooden box of hand-wrapped Cohibas cigars.
"Your brand right?"
Roman stared at him dumbly.
"We only want to talk."
Slowly Roman nodded. Even Cinder Fall had never made him feel like this.
Pyrrha dropped the Ursa assaulting Cardin Winchester with a gesture. To most it would have looked like her shield had a lucky bounce off the tree before it rocketed into the backside of the creature's armored skull. As it slumped weakly at her feet, she drove the spear point of Miló straight through its eye. Cardin looked at her with something strange mixed in with the gratitude of his expression. Pyrrha sighed, as much as she didn't like the bully, she really couldn't blame him for the fear in his gaze.
Pyrrha partner had made it her life's mission to make every waking moment of Cardin Winchester's life absolutely miserable. Some time ago, Bleiss had noticed the boy pulling on Velvet Scarlatina's ears. Pyrrha had made the point of saying it was disgraceful, but Bleiss had decided to take it several steps further. When Cardin winked at her and asked, "Want to help me tame it?" Bleiss had reacted rather violently.
A white fist, glinting like steel, had materialized behind Winchester, sucker punching him through the wall. Team CRDL tried to rally to their leader's defense, but the cafeteria rapidly began to swarm with dozens and dozens of sparkling white or black Grimm. And all of them were only interested in Team CRDL.
Bleiss was going to be serving detention for the rest of the semester for that one. Not that it deterred her. Pyrrha's partner showed no signs of slowing down. In combat class, she still challenged CRDL's members eagerly, and enjoyed insulted the size of their, well members, while doing so. Glynda Goodwitch, who was nearing her wit's end, had recently forced Bleiss to face off with Pyrrha instead.
Bleiss hadn't lasted two minutes against her. She also hadn't taken her defeat well. Unable to assail Pyrrha herself physically, she decided to humble the Mistral Champion by making her defend Winchester at every turn. This left Pyrrha with relatively limited options in making friends, and that hurt as much as anything possibly could.
Pyrrha looked at the beaten boy, face swollen from rampant stings, the odd rapier wasp buzzing around his head, with mixed feelings. Truth be told, Pyrrha Nikos couldn't stand Cardin Winchester, but not liking him did not mean she was going to leave him to be crushed under Bleiss Schnee's heel.
"Head's up bitch! Coming through!" Speak of the devil, and she appears, Pyrrha winced as her partner rode in on the shoulder of her personal Armored Gigas.
Pyrrha didn't move though, if she did, she knew full well Cardin would end up being accidentally stepped on. When she didn't move away, Pyrrha noticed her partner's expression darken. Still the giant metal golem was brought to a halt a few feet away, and started to dematerialize as the Schnee hopped of its shoulder. Mostly likely dismissed because Bleiss had already learned if she didn't put it away, Pyrrha would put it away for her.
Yes things between them could be better.
"So what happened to your little shitbag over there?" she smirked, "he looks quite the mess."
Pyrrha didn't look back at the boy behind her. She winced though, gods to be reduced to standing up for him again… "Cardin, do you mind if I have a word alone with my partner?"
The weary young huntsman climbed to his feet with a nod. Bleiss smirked at him, and smirked harder when she realized he couldn't even manage eye contact. Rather forcibly, Pyrrha physically spun her partner around to face her before Bleiss started spouting insults.
"Fucking hands off!" the gothic huntress snarled as she slapped Pyrrha's hands away.
Pyrrha let her go. "What's wrong with you?" she hissed.
"Me?" The Schnee shaped pain in the… rear… shrugged. "I'm not the one that spends half her day defending a racist fuck. I do know a person who does that though. Wanna guess her name?"
Pyrrha felt her self-control slip a notch. Pyrrha led Team PRNS, Team Princess, and she hated almost every minute of it. It was a wonderful headache Beacon's headmaster had saddled her with, although, honestly, Pyrrha knew her fame meant team leadership was probably unavoidable. At least Nora Valkyrie and Lie Ren were nice enough. Thankfully, they didn't take well to Bleiss's insinuations to Pyrrha being a closet racist, but there was still problems. The two of them were from Mistral and way too starry eyed for Pyrrha's personal comfort. The other half of the team were too eager to please, and always quick to take Pyrrha's side. This actually had the opposite effect of what the other two partners obviously wanted, and made Pyrrha want to hold them at arm's length. Still, PRNS's leader could easily tell that her partner constantly felt ganged up on.
It was all going wrong, and Pyrrha didn't know what she could do about it! However, that still did not excuse Bleiss from some personal responsibility!
"He could have died!"
The Schnee casually inspected her nails, "So?" Pyrrha stepped forward, and Bleiss rolled her eyes, "Okay the sap and the wasps were me. The Ursas that chased him through the forest were kind of an accident."
Pyrrha growled, "You understand that if Goodwitch finds out about this, you're going to be expelled for it!"
Bleiss yawned, completely unconcerned. "He won't say anything,"
"That's not the point!"
Bleiss smirked, "Then why'd you bring it up?"
Pyrrha was at least a foot taller than her partner, and so much physically stronger than Bleiss the disparity was laughable. Normally Pyrrha tried to rein herself in, but Bleiss brought out the worst in her. She stepped into Bleiss's space and shouted, "This needs to stop!"
There was a wavering moment in the Schnee's expression, but it was only a moment. Dark amusement danced through her eyes instead, "Make me."
"You think I can't?!" Pyrrha almost screamed her challenge.
Bleiss smirked, "Nope. I just know you fucking won't."
Pyrrha saw red, and Miló actually vibrated in its sheath. The powerful student closed her eyes and counted backwards from ten to regain control. When she opened her eyes, Bleiss was walking away. "Get back here! We're not done!" Pyrrha shouted starting to run after her.
Bleiss continued to walk away, waving a middle finger over her head while doing do. "Like my last boyfriend once said, 'Well, I'm done. The rest is on you.' Of course, I do remember how unsatisfying that was, so I sympathize. Still, it's going to be at least a ten more minutes before I fucking feel like continuing."
Pyrrha hated that she blushed. Gods how she hated that she blushed. Bleiss mounted her newly re-summoned Armored Gigas with a smirk at her team leader's expense. Then it stomped off the same direction Cardin had just gone. That left Pyrrha completely flat footed in a clearing all to herself.
After a second… "Oh that… that… BITCH!" Pyrrha shouted as she charged off before Bleiss tried to drown CRDL's leader in the river or something. No one could make anyone as furious as Bleiss Schnee could.
Roman was obviously pretty fucking furious at this point. Junior thought he was probably angrier than anyone else currently on Remnant. "What the fuck do you mean the robberies are your fucking fault?!" the thief shouted at the top of his lungs.
Case in point.
Junior held up a hand to mollify the furious thief and spoke the obvious, "Give me a better plan, and I'll apologize." Neo moved, the twins intervened, Junior tensed, and Jaune… yawned. Seriously, what the fuck was wrong with that kid?
Roman breathed deep, ready to continue shouting profanities, but Jaune spoke next. "He can't which is why he's going for more volume." And just like that, Jaune somehow made the situation worse.
"Fuck me in the ass…" Junior might have mumbled that out loud.
Mel snickered, at Jaune's joke Junior hoped. Roman rounded on her, but Junior stood before he could say anything to his second in command. Roman was tall, but even he had to crane his neck up to look at Hei Xiong. Not that he was intimidated, in fact Roman looked like he was ready for some good old fashioned violence. Junior, not for the first time or the last time, thought Jaune's planning sometimes left some things to be desired.
"Please remain calm."
Junior was shocked to see Roman actually flinch when Jaune spoke. Junior looked at Roman and saw a flash of naked fear in the man's eyes. That fear wasn't aimed at Jaune, but it was absolutely revealed by Jaune. Well, fuck this is a thing. An honest expression from one of the most guarded men in Vale's underworld was definitely a thing. Junior backed off immediately, before even Roman, giving the thief the space and pride he deserved.
"I apologize Roman," Junior said as he waved Mel and Millie back. They weren't happy, but they complied. This gave Neo a clear run on him, but Junior knew she wasn't going to take it. There was some power in that. Neo would not move without orders. It was now Roman's call.
Roman looked completely flatfooted, but he waved Neo back with barely a moment's hesitation. Tension slowly seeped out of the room.
After about thirty seconds, Jaune spoke next, "Roman we just want to clear our debts and move on. We need to know why you won't let us."
Roman Torchwick hung his head. Junior thought Neo looked on the verge of crying at his defeated posture. Junior made a decision. "Mel you can stay. Millie do a perimeter check." Millie looked at the thief, nodded once and left. The fact that Neo let her spoke volumes.
Roman barked a rueful laugh, "I'm tired Junior, so fucking tired."
Junior nodded, he reached into one of his drawers, something Roman would never normally allow him to do. Under the large handgun was a bottle of thirty-year-old single malted bliss. He placed four glasses on the table, and poured a double into each.
Roman took his gratefully. Neo and Mel were a bit slower reaching for theirs. Junior then took his, and drank first. The rest followed. Junior placed the bottle on the desk within easy reach of any who wanted it. It was a weapon, but for the first time in his career in criminality, Hei Xiong was sure no one would use it as such.
"Your consultant not having one?" Roman asked.
"He's not allowed. Mel says Vomit Boy is a miserable lightweight and I need his brain functional." Jaune looked mildly offended by that, not that Junior really cared.
Roman barked another laugh, "That's quite the moniker."
Mel spoke for the first time, "Trust me. He earned it." Junior was secretly pleased. Mel was still slow to speak at these meetings, but she needed to be more vocal. She wasn't just a bodyguard anymore.
Roman laughed again and relaxed even further. Going so far to reach for the bottle and pour himself another double. Yes Roman Torchwick was actually relaxed. It was now up to Junior to find out why something that bizarre could possibly happen.
"I need dust." Junior nodded, but let Roman speak. "A lot of dust. An absurd amount of dust. And I need it fast."
Jaune spoke next, "Do you know why?"
Roman looked at him, "No idea. I just know the consequences if I fail."
"Which are?" Junior glared at Jaune for asking such a stupid question, Jaune looked back with that weird glint in his eyes.
Fine then, Jaune, on your head be the consequences if you keep pushing him.
Roman noted the exchange between Junior and Jaune, then turned to look to the teen more fully. "No offense Vomit-Boy, but just how old are you?"
"Seventeen and you didn't answer my question."
Roman crossed his arms defiantly, "If I fail, I die. There, happy?"
"What about Neo?" Junior sucked in his breath as the room began to fill back up with tension.
Junior was about to kill Jaune, the gun was in his desk after all, but something odd happened. Neo walked up behind Roman and put her hand on his shoulder. As soon as she did, the last of Roman's defiance evaporated. Just like that, the other shoe dropped. Junior couldn't be sure, but he thought Roman might be silently weeping.
Jaune nodded, "I see."
Roman remained silent.
"I think we have a solution."
Roman's head snapped up. His mascara was running. Junior silently pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and placed it on the desk in front of him. Roman didn't notice however, Jaune had his undivided attention.
"We've been casing numerous businesses." Roman stared at Jaune with intent. "For a percentage of the successful take, we offer solid plans for entry and exit. There are rules for every heist of course. No rule more inviolate that any civilian that gets harmed leads to sanctions." Mel smiled politely at Roman. Junior knew Melanie Malachite wasn't someone Roman was afraid of, but evidentially so did Jaune. "We don't like to state what form those sanctions take, but our lack of further co-operation is to be expected. Heists have a near eighty percent success rate, a number that speaks for itself given some of the people we've been forced to work with."
Roman nodded, and Junior watched as someone else was put under one of Jaune's spells. It never ceased to be creepy. It was also highly effective. Jaune even once mesmerized the leader of Red Axe's closest rival. Junior still couldn't believe the treaty he walked out with after that meeting. Junior refocused his thoughts on the here and now.
Jaune was continuing, "Understand we do not take sides. If someone robs you afterwards, that is none of our concern. 'Dust is at a premium right now,' are watchwords to live by these days. Still, these are special circumstances. So we will offer a contract with very specific conditions given those circumstances."
Roman bit, "What kind of conditions?"
Jaune smiled his creepy smile, and everyone looking at it shivered. "Condition one, we wish all our debts immediately cleared upon successful completion of the operation. In exchange for that, we offer to cease issuing any plans for any dust robbery for no less than one year. Is that acceptable?"
Roman nodded, "Providing we take in enough, sure that works."
Jaune continued, "Condition two, you use or offer contacts that will help expedite the official investigation at The Club. Vale Police are dragging their feet, and Junior would very much like to go back home." Junior was a bit startled, and honestly touched by this. It hadn't even occurred to him to ask Roman for help with the matter.
Roman, eyes still locked on Jaune nodded, "That seems reasonable."
Jaune smiled, "Condition three. If it is safe for you to do so, we would like a name or description of the person who is threatening you.
Roman blinked, "You're leaving it up to me?"
Jaune nodded, "Of course. If he or she kills you for talking to us, you are just as dead as you would be if you missed your quota." Junior knew Roman was now completely toasted. Jaune was almost bullying him. The thief had conceded all power in the conversation to Jaune. Like previously mentioned, this wasn't the first time Junior had seen it happen, but it was awe inspiring all the same. It had to be a semblance, one that fucked with your brain.
"C-Can I get back to you on that?" Roman actually stuttered those words.
"Of course," Jaune replied. "Condition four is a private concern of mine, and my fee for these negotiations."
Junior suddenly scowled, What the fuck?
Roman looked to Junior, and Junior only half-heartedly tried to hide his expression. Jaune had just overstepped. Some things weren't done, especially in front of outsiders. Eventually Junior nodded to Roman, and Roman stared at Jaune. "And your personal condition is?"
"I would like someone to unlock my aura."
Junior did his level best not to gape. Mel wasn't so quick, and Neo noticed her counterpart's lapse. Roman looked honestly shook. Of course, Junior felt honestly shook. This kid didn't have his aura unlocked? Seriously? Didn't he mention he wanted to be huntsman that first night when he was drunk off his ass?
For the first time since Junior had met Jaune, there was a bit of nerves in the kid's expression. Roman looked like he didn't believe Jaune on a fundamental level, but slowly Roman nodded nonetheless. "Okay. Weird, but okay."
Jaune nodded, and that strange façade of his clamped back down, "Thank you." Jaune then looked at Junior, and after a moment's hesitation, Junior reached in the cabinets behind him. Behind that, there was a safe. When it was opened, Junior handed Roman several heavy and detailed files.
Roman was hooked the instant he laid eyes on the first page. Junior knew it, Jaune knew, hell everyone in the room including Torchwick himself knew it. Still the offer needed to be clearly stated. So Roman asked, "How much dust are we talking about?"
"All of it." Mel stated with admirable aplomb.
Jaune smiled, Roman sagged in relief even as he read. Junior hid a small grin. It was almost over. It really was almost over. Then Hei noticed Neo.
Neo, well Neo looked downright ecstatic.
That can't be a good thing.
Much later, an exhausted Jaune got a call from his sister. He forced some energy into his voice. It was probably midmorning in Argus. "Hey Saf, how's Terra doing? Is the baby here?"
"Any day now! Terra's fine, though she's at the point where she just wants the kid out! I guess kicking is no longer cute." Saffron laughed. Jaune smiled wanely in response.
"I'm glad she's doing well. Do you mind if I put you on speaker, sis?" Jaune absently thumbed through the local crime section of the paper?
"Not at all!"
Jaune smiled as he set the scroll down and began cross referencing the news with Miltia's own reports. Saffron said something, and Jaune, who was now frowning very hard, missed it.
"Sorry sis, I didn't hear that."
"You sound tired. Like really tired."
Jaune sighed so Saffron could hear him, "I'm just a bit stressed. This new job… well it's a big responsibility." The news article spoke, Elderly couple killed in dust heist gone wrong. Jaune double checked his clients list. Nope, not one of his.
"I can't believe you got that kind of job at your age! I know you and dad won't talk, but even he was impressed."
Jaune jogged some notes half-listening. Not one of his, but still his responsibility. "Sis, do you mind not talking about dad? Please?"
Saffron sighed over the line, "Listen Jaune, he means well."
"Saf."
"Yeah?"
"Last warning, I will hang up the scroll on you."
"Fine!"
Jaune added the news clipping to his own private folder. That made seven. Jaune had now killed seven people. "What are you going to name it?"
"It?"
Jaune checked his private funds, there should be enough, "You're the ones that decided you didn't want to know until the baby was born."
"Still, calling my baby, you're niece or nephew, 'It,' feels wrong."
Jaune hummed to himself. She hadn't answered his question, which meant she was dodging it. He inwardly sighed, there was no real reason to force the issue. Saffron was seldom this energetic, the baby must be really close. "Sorry, Saf. Can I ask you a dumb question?"
His sister paused, "Sure, I guess."
"Do you know what aura is?"
There was an exasperated noise made on the line, "Damn it Jaune! I thought you were going to ask something stupid and awkward, like that time dad asked if we flipped a coin over who was having our child. Remember? Back when Terra and I decided to start our family!?"
Jaune smiled to himself, "Yet you keep pushing for me to make up with him. You didn't answer the question."
"Of course I know what aura is! Dad's a huntsman after all!"
Jaune nodded to himself, "I didn't know what aura was until a couple months ago."
Saffron paused, "Really? That's weird."
"I agree."
"Is that why you're so mad at dad?"
Jane hummed again, "I think it's symptomatic. Hey, Sis?"
"Yeah?"
"I hate to cut this short, but I really have a lot to do."
"Fine. Promise me you won't stay mad at him forever."
"I promise. And an Arc never goes back on their word." Forever was a really, really long time after all.
"I love you."
"Love you too." Jaune hung up gently.
Seven innocent people. Jaune had traded seven innocent people for the lives of Miltia, Melanie, and Junior. Gods help him.
Crocea Mors stood silently in the corner, and Jaune remembered something his grandmother used to say. "The gods help those that help themselves."
A plan for redemption had not yet occurred to Jaune, but he prayed that one day soon it would.
Idiot's Note:
Hello, sorry I wrote an earlier chapter, but kind of ended up being the stop-gap to keep the story rolling. Better people will be along shortly. Thank you for reading.
Princess is a color by the way. Color #EDB8C7. Nora would approve the choice. Be well and safe.
L/N: Hopefully we can get some fresh faces in here for the next chapter, but hopefully this will be enough to tide you guys over for a while!
