RWBY: Team CRML
Chapter 59
Team CRML
The morning after, Chrome walked into his team's room to wake them up. Starting with Nicci, she rubbed her eyes as she yawned. "What time is it?"
"Four." Chrome replied.
"What?!" Nicci jumped out of bed, waking the rest of her team. "We're gonna be in so much-"
"Clover and Ironwood are giving us the day off." Chrome told her.
Immediately, Nicci calmed down. "Oh..."
"Really?" Liam asked as he sat up. "What's the occasion?"
"Ironwood said: 'After tonight's election, we'll be waking up to a very different Atlas tomorrow. I need you rested and ready for whatever that may bring'." Chrome repeated the General's words. "So, we got the day off."
"Why wake us up so late?" Marek asked as he got to his feet.
"I was going to wake you up sooner, but Winter told me it'd be best to let you guys get as much sleep as possible." Chrome replied.
"Well, I feel rested." Liam said as he stretched. "So, since we get to do...whatever...what are we doing?"
"I was going to go with Ruby, Ren and Nora to the election party." Chrome replied. "I want to see who this Robyn woman is that they mentioned. Apparently she's the one going against Jacques."
"Ooooh." Nicci smiled. "May I tag along, leader?"
"If you want." Chrome shrugged.
"I...guess I could come with." Marek said slowly. "I wouldn't mind spending time with Ruby..."
"Oh yeah... Aren't you two a thing?" Nicci asked. "I saw you guys cuddlin' in the airship while we flew into Atlas."
Liam glanced at Marek, narrowing his eyes. "I, uh-" he was interrupted as a soft knock came from the door.
Looking to one another, Liam went to the door and opened it, seeing Weiss standing with her hands folded behind her back. She was wearing a light blue hoodie with black jeans and a pair of light blue shoes instead of her battle outfit. Her hair was also tied in a neat braid that flowed over her right shoulder. "Oh, sweet! You're up."
"And you're...dressed casually." Liam said.
"What did you think I was gonna wear on our day off?" Weiss asked while placing a hand on her hip. "Can't really say the same for my team, but I wanted to actually relax today."
"It's... strange seeing you wear a hoodie."
Weiss raised an eyebrow at him while crossing her arms. "Well, I thought I'd take a page from your book. You used to wear hoodies a lot back at Beacon... If I recall. They seemed comfortable, so I thought 'why not?'" she paused as she twirled the end of her braid. "It doesn't look bad, does it?"
"No!" Liam said suddenly. Weiss' eyes widened a bit as Liam covered his mouth, clearing his throat. "I mean-"
Nicci walked over to stand next to Liam, a smile on her lips. "What he means to say is: Wow, you look amazing, Weiss! I love the changes. Especially what you've done with your hair." she said in her best Liam impersonation.
Liam looked at his teammate. "Thank you." Weiss closed her eyes as she smiled. "So, what would you like to do today?"
Liam was about to answer when Nicci spoke for him once more. "How about dinner at a nice restaurant? Or maybe there's a movie you'd like to see? I'd just love to spoil you as much as possible today!"
Liam stared at his teammate as Weiss chuckled softly. "I'd love that."
"Great!" Nicci said, continuing to answer for Liam. "Which would you prefer?"
Turning to Liam, she smiled up at him. "Both." Weiss told him. Weiss then grabbed Liam's hand. "If that's okay."
Liam's face turned a soft pink as he rubbed the back of his head. "Why not?"
Weiss smiled and began walking away. Before Liam could follow, Nicci grabbed his arm. "First off, you're welcome. Second, you seriously gonna go on a date in pajamas?"
Liam looked down at his clothes before looking down the hall to Weiss. She was looking back at him, waiting patiently. "I need a moment." he said as he held up a finger.
"Take your time." Weiss said. "No hurry."
With that, Liam went back into the room. A few minutes passed before he emerged wearing a red zip-up hoodie, black jeans and white shoes. He was going to grab his cloak but decided against it for today.
"You ready?" Weiss asked.
"I was about to ask you that."
"Let's go." Weiss smiled as she took Liam's hand.
"What first?" Liam asked. "Movie or dinner?"
"Movie." Weiss replied. "There's this...action film going on right now down in Mantle. It's about a Faunus Huntsman that's part Grimm. He has a bit of control over the Grimm as well as summon them with his Semblance. I thought it looked interesting and...might be something you'd enjoy."
"It does sound interesting." Liam said. "But it doesn't really sound like something you'd really care for."
"Oh..." Weiss placed a finger on her chin. "There is a film based on 'The Man With Two Souls' book. I actually...really wanna see it. Blake let me borrow her copy one time, and it was a page turner. Keeps your attention the whole time. I was upset about the ending, though."
"What happened?"
"That would be spoiling it." Weiss said with a smile. "The ending was soooo good." Weiss sighed. "I bet it's gonna be a great movie..."
"Let's go see it, then." Liam said.
"Really?!" Weiss smiled as the two made their way to the airship to Mantle.
Three hours later
Leaving the movie theater, Weiss was holding Liam's hand as the two walked down the street. "So," Liam said. "The movie anything like the book?"
"Actually, it was." Weiss said. "I was honestly amazed at how much they made it resemble the book. Even the main character looked the way I had imagined." Weiss then looked up at Liam. "Did you like the movie?"
"Yeah. I had a blast, actually." Liam replied. "You were right about the ending, too. Leaves off as the 'evil' soul takes over the body. Just cuts to black and the credits roll as his eyes slowly change from a sky blue to dark red."
"Just like the book." Weiss said. Suddenly, her stomach growled, getting their attention. Her face slowly began to turn red as Liam smiled.
"Dinner?"
Weiss nodded in reply.
Finding a nice, sit down restaurant, the two began looking through their menus. "This is pretty fancy." Weiss said as she looked around. "I'm surprised there wasn't a need for a reservation."
"I kinda feel like we stand out a bit." Liam said.
"Me, too."
"I've never...really...been out to eat in a nice place before." Liam added.
The waitress suddenly came over to take their order. "You two got everything you need?" she asked politely.
Liam glanced over his menu. "Medium rare stake and a-"
"Two glasses of your best wine." Weiss suddenly cut him off. Liam looked at her over the menu with a shocked expression. "And a medium rare steak for me as well."
"Okay!" the waitress smiled before taking the menus and walking off.
"Wine?" Liam asked. "But-"
"I think we've been through enough to be considered 'adults'." Weiss told him. "Besides, we're here to have a good time."
Liam just shrugged. "So," Weiss leaned forward. "I want to know more about you."
"Hm, alright." Liam leaned forward as well. "What would you like to know?"
"I want you to reply as honestly as possible." Weiss told him.
"As long as you return the favor, it won't be a problem." he replied with a cheeky grin.
"Fair enough." Weiss said. "So, I want to know, did you ever date anyone before me?"
"Nope." Liam replied. "You're the first."
Weiss smiled at this. "Good."
"Alright, your turn." Liam said. "What's your favorite thing to do?"
"Oh, that's easy." Weiss replied. "Sing. Not in front of a big audience but more like...just by myself."
"Really? I'd love to hear you sing some time."
"I can do that." Weiss said. "Alright, I wanted to ask, what's your dream life after all of this is over?"
"I...I want to live in a... two story house. Out in the woods, in a clearing, just surrounded by trees. A couple kids, maybe a pet. And nothing but free time. And my beautiful wife by my side."
"That...sounds really nice, actually." Weiss said.
"And you can come, too." Liam added with a grin.
Weiss gasped at what he said. "You're funny." she said as she rolled her eyes.
"Okay, your turn." Liam said. "I always wanted to ask: how'd you get the scar over your eye?"
"This?" Weiss ran a finger over it. "Oh, I got it during a training session against my sister's Arma Gigas."
"Really?"
"Yep." Weiss nodded. "She wanted to test my skills. 'You may use your semblance but you cannot engage your aura'." Weiss said, quoting and impersonating her sister. "The giant knight punched me into the ground and as I got to my feet, I felt the blood run down my face."
"Dang."
"Okay!" Weiss said. "I have one that's a...bit difficult, at least for me, to answer."
"Shoot."
"What's your biggest fear?" Weiss asked.
"Oh!" Liam rubbed the back of his head. "My biggest fear? It would be...dying alone. Not 'alone' as in single but actually alone. Just gone. Without anyone there. That's what really scares me."
"Oh..." Weiss said softly.
"Nicci fears the same thing." Liam continued. "It's what happened to her parents. They left one day and never came back."
"That's terrible."
The waitress came back with their food and wine. "Here's everything!" she said with a smile.
"Thank you." Liam said. The waitress walked off again, leaving the two alone. "Shall we?" Liam gestured to the food.
Weiss nodded as she cut a small piece of her steak.
A couple minutes later
Weiss was laughing at a joke Liam had made. Grinning at her reaction, he took a sip of his wine.
A couple more minutes later
Liam was covering his mouth, trying not to spit out his food from what Weiss had told him. "Yep. I tripped and spilled an entire paint set onto my fourth grade teacher."
A few minutes passed
The two were now laughing together at Liam's story. "So, I walked into the kitchen and see Ruby sitting on the ground, crying. She was holding the side of her head, so I think, maybe she bumped it."
"But that's not what happened?"
"Nope." Liam chuckled. "I removed her hand and there's just a wad of gum in her hair."
"No!"
"I'm telling you, she put gum in her hair!" Liam said.
"What did you do?"
"Being the caring cousin, I grabbed a pair of scissors and found the best way to cut it out without the missing hair being too noticeable." Liam replied. "And, to this day, she hasn't gone anywhere near gum."
"That was nice of you." Weiss said.
Looking down at their plates, they had both finished their food. "So," Weiss said. "Not to bring the mood down, but...are you still having nightmares?"
"Yeah..." Liam sighed.
"Well, what do you say we make sure both of us have good dreams tonight?" Weiss asked, her face turning a soft shade of red.
"How so?"
"Let's go rent a hotel room." Weiss replied.
Getting the hint, Liam's face also turned red. "Weiss, you sure?"
She had her head turned slightly away but she was looking at him out of the corner of her eye. "Never been more sure of anything before in my life."
Chrome/Marek/Nicci
At the election party with Ruby, Ren and Nora, the six of them were lost in the massive crowd of people. Hearing loud feedback, the three members of team CRML covered their ears. "Ha-ha. Well, that worked." the girl at the mic cleared her throat. "I want to thank everyone for going to the polls today. This is Mantle's moment. I know that, like me, you're all thrilled that we chose Robyn as our voice in Atlas. No one has fought harder for Mantle than she has. And…" She covers her mouth, trying not to cry as she wipes a tear from her eye with her palm. "I know Robyn will continue that fight on the Council. Will you share a few words?"
She turns to look at Robyn, who is off stage, and the crowd begins chanting Robyn's name again. Robyn walks onto the stage, causing the crowd to cheer. She gently takes the microphone. "I've never been much for public speaking, probably wasn't my best idea ever to go into politics."
The live election results show Jacques has 45% of the votes and Robyn has 55%.
"Thank you so much, everyone, for choosing me. You said you believe in me. But I'm the one who believes in all of you. You've proven to me that as individuals, we are strong. But together, we're unstoppable."
Nora looks at Ren. The live results shift to Jacques with 46% and Robyn with 54%.
"So no matter what happens tonight, win or lose, we will continue to fight for our city, because it is this city that brings us together."
The crowd cheers, and upbeat music begins playing. "We're in the final minutes now, and it's looking to be a closer race than anticipated." the newscaster said.
As the members of team CRML shared glances and smiles, Marek placed a hand on Chrome's shoulder. Glancing back, Chrome saw Ren and Nora kissing. "Guess they're celebrating in their own way." Nicci said.
"The polls are about to close." the newscaster said. "Twelve, eleven… ten, nine, eight..." the crowd began chanting down the numbers. "Seven, six, five, four, three-"
"Chrome, watch out!"
Marek, Nicci and Chrome looked over at Ruby as a hooded figure rose behind Chrone, chuckling silently. As the power to the building was cut, a sharp pain rushed through Chrome's back. Looking down, the tip of a metal scorpion tail stuck out of his side. The hooded figure grabbed onto Chrome's shoulders, leaning forward to whisper into his ear. "Jacques Schnee sends his regards." he said with a laugh before pushing him off his stinger.
As soon as Chrome hit the ground, Nicci knelt down next to him. Rolling him onto his back, Chrome winced in pain. Seeing his wound, Nicci scanned the room, her night vision making it easier to see in the dark but she wasn't able to see much with everyone running around and panicking. As she looked around, she saw someone killing countless people with ease, however she couldn't see their face.
Coughing, Nicci turned her attention to her team leader. "You're gonna be alright!"
Marek knelt down next to them. "We need to get him out of the way." he told Nicci before beginning to drag Chrome to the stage. Leaning him against it, the lights suddenly came back on.
Countless people were laying dead on the floor. With Penny standing in the center of the stage, her weapons out.
"A surprise victory by SDC Mining Corporation's CEO, Jacques Schnee. Last minute voter turnout produced a dark horse victory for the Dust industry leader." the newscaster said.
End of chapter 59
