Volume CRBN!

by Dancesnapple

Four individuals. Four different people of different walks of life resulting in an adventure. Hopefully, a bond that can last. Team CRBN (carbon). Features: OC Main character, main team has two OCs alongside a lovable crime duo, and some family drama on all sides. Features a 'soundtrack' element for the fic. ENJOY! Story begins on third listed chapter. Very slow start.

16. 14 Three Times the Confidence

Chapter 14: Three Times the Confidence

"Ah, good to see you up so early." The professional, yet amused voice radiates through the room. The training chamber with hexagonal walls echoes as the headmaster strolls in, cane lightly tapping. Ozpin's ghost like grin curls up at the sight on the boy. "Well, perhaps not 'up', as it were."

Across the entire room, from wall to wall, a single hexagonal bar extending out and connecting the barriers about four feet off the floor. Atop the sideways column, Carmine rests, laying on his back simply staring at the ceiling, arms rested behind his head.

The boy blinks wide, but doesn't actually face his father. "Holy crap, you're actually early. No wayward teens needing your indirect guidance today?"

The smirking headmaster walks his way to the control panel without a care. "Just yourself today, I'm afraid." With no prompting, he resets the control panel.

Carmine's dead pan face doesn't react as his makeshift spot begins to retract into the left wall. Sighing, the boy contorts his body in a stretch before he rolls backwards. Rolling to standing, he faces away from the wall and walks along the retracting rail.

Marching to the end of the rail, he hops off and lands with a light thud. He goes ahead and takes a spot across the room from Ozpin, a far off look in his eye. "Did we train last week or the week before that?" He questions out loud.

Ozpin's smirk disappears, but his voice remains as professionally upbeat. "Our last training both was two weeks ago, I believe. Lost time creating new strategies, Carmine?" However, his brow rose in question, noticing the lack of acknowledgment from the teen. "Something on your mind, then?"

"Hmm?" Carmine flinches, realizing he was being talked to. Shaking himself off, he stares ahead to his father, determined. "I'm fine. Let's do this."

. . .

Elsewhere, deep underground, a concrete chamber spanning 50 yards. Three canal runoffs split the room into four parts, a raised catwalk on one side connecting the sections. Upon the catwalk stand four individuals: A man in a lab coat, a suited goon with sunglasses, the green haired suited man Spyyra, and the blonde newbie doctor Gale. 'Gale' stands closest to the catwalk railing with a clipboard.

Spyyra walks to the rail, grin wide, as he announces. "Alright! Tomorrow is your big day, and we need a display of your abilities, children!" He winks down to the individuals below.

On one of the far ends of the room, on the section labeled 'A', stands Neo. Wearing a themeless white sleeveless shirt and black pants, she stares out emotionless. Across on the next section, labeled 'B', stands a black boy, taller and older, wearing the same. The next two sections, labeled 'C' and 'D', have other children on them, uniform in their plain attire.

Each of the children, Neo included, wore a thick black collar around their necks. Each one lit with a green light woven into the fabric on the side.

Spyyra snickers. "Of course, this is all for price scaling. You want a bright future, you need to sell yourself at a high performance and price." He grins at the mixed reactions among the three others, but he frowns at Neo's lack of response.

'Gale' Steps forward and speaks. "This will be a four way fight with one rule: Knock your opponent into the waters. Your performance will be rated based on multiple factors as follows: Subtlety, Control, Forethought, Execution, and Adaptability."

Spyyra takes over. "That last quality will be based on this." He raises a bag, metallic clanging sounding. "Four random weapons will be distributed. You will need to adapt your fighting based on the weapon given. Now, sync up your collars, children!"

Each child raises their off hand, pressing a button on the side opposite from the light. Pressing for one second, Blair looks down at her clipboard to a scroll, immediately lighting four Aura monitors on the screen.

. . .

Ozpin nods, syncing his scroll to the screen on the far end of the room, displaying his aura monitor on screen. Carmine draws his scroll, doing the same. Keeping an even stare, Ozpin nods in approval. "On you marks. This bout will only be to first blood."

Carmine's armored arm reaches down, hand resting on the grip of Heulin Noon. "Get set." He announces instead of his father, narrowing his eyes for the challenge. (Guitar begins with symbol percussion)

. . .

Spyyra grins wide, throwing out the weapon bag. From it, A handgun, a rapier, an escrima stick, and a whip. They sprawl out in the air and spread. The small brown haired deer faunus girl on section D receives the rapier. The even smaller boy on section C receives the whip. The older boy on section B receives the gun... leaving Neo with... ("Maybe life is like a ride on a freeway")

She watches with half lidded eyes as the escrima stick clatters on the ground next to her. Really..? She gets a stick? She sends a dull glare to the catwalk, finding a grinning Spyyra winking at her. Her eyes narrow. Random her slave ass. ("Dodging bullets while you're trying to find your way")

Without any of the children being given enough time to pick their weapon up, the green haired man calls out. "AND GO GO GO!" ("Everyone's around, but no one does a damn thing. It brings me down,-")

. . .

Carmine draws Heulin' Noon. "Jager!" His armor flickers, the plating moving over his calves. He thrusts backwards, firing three shots. ("-But I won't let them-" Bass and drums start)

Ozpin ducks and weaves keeping a rigid posture as he advances. Carmine fires a double shot as he propels himself into a flip up and over the headmaster. Ozpin's cane shimmers with aura as swats the double shot to the wall. ("If I seem bleak, well you'd be correct, and if I don't speak,")

Landing the flip, Carmine fires his last shot before recall reloading the next cylinder full of dust bullets. He immediately recalls back to in front of Ozpin as the man turns around to deflect the shot from behind. ("-It's cause I can't disconnect. But I won't be-")

The boy fires two double shots at Ozpin's legs. The headmaster dodges back, the shots landing just where he'd stood. While the man's feet are sliding with the dodge, Carmine aims to fire his double shot while the man can't shift his momentum. ("Burned by the reflection of the Fi-ire in your eyes.")

Ozpin leans and contorts his back while sliding to a stop, the double shot zipping over his head. He jabs his cane into the floor to leverage himself up into a sprint at Carmine. The boy's eyes widen, quickly using Jager's boost to jump over the coming cane swipe. (Chorus begins. "As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

Mid air, Carmine shouts out. "Zero!" The armor flashes to his left arm as he tosses his gun to his right hand. He drops and punches down, Ozpin dodging back. The boy's fist crashes into the floor. ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

Carmine raises his gun to fire. In a flash of movement, Ozpin throws his cane point first. The cane catches the gun, taking it from Carmine's hand and pinning it to the wall behind. The boy growls as he activates his aura to recall the gun back... until Ozpin's green aura flashes around both weapons. It doesn't recall. "What?!" ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

Ozpin advances on him, throwing precise jabs. Carmine uses his armored arm to deflect the strikes, then ducks a hook... down directly into Ozpin's follow up kick. He puts his block up, but is knocked back, hitting the ground hard. ("As you're staring at the Sun..." Chorus builds up to an end. "As you're staring at the Sun!")

. . .

The tall boy dives for the gun near him, grabbing it and rolling to a firing position. Checking the chamber, it's loaded, and he fires at Neo. The bullet hits the girl in the head... and she shatters. The boy then finds Neo far from the starting position, sliding and grabbing her weapon. (music dims and bridges to next verse. "HEY-")

The boy takes aim and fires two shots. Neo ducks the first shot, then leaps into the air over the second shot. She crosses the canal with the leap, landing on section B. The boy scowls, backtracking and firing. ("When I ran, I didn't feel like a runaway!")

Neo zig zags back and forth while closing the distance, the shots narrowly missing by inches and sparking off the ground and wall behind her. Just before she can reach him, his aura shimmers as a clear barrier forms between the two, like a flat see-through wall. ("When I escaped, I didn't feel like I got away!")

The 'wall' shimmers before showing a reflection of the girl. Neo sees herself and the area behind her, not the boy or the area behind him. Suddenly, a spot of the wall pulses as gun shots fire through. Oh split reflex, Neo blocks the first shot with the escrima stick, then ducks and weaves further attacks. ("There's more to living than only surviving.")

Suddenly, two shots land, hitting center mass. On the other side of the barrier, the boy smirks satisfied. The girl slumps back onto the ground. He ends his semblance, the barrier disappearing... shattering. As it shatters, the girl is gone. ("Maybe I'm not there, but I'm still trying.")

The boy back steps, gun trained out as he rotates, looking for the girl. As he turns his around, the real girl climbs up from the drop to the water behind him. ("Though you hear me, I don't think that you relate. My will is something that you can't confiscate.")

He turns to fire, but she kicks his forward leg out, grabbing his wrist. The gun fires, then clicks out of ammo. With him off balance, she wrenches his arm down, crouching the boy. She rolls forward, placing the escrima stick under his chin, gripping both sides, as she rolls over his shoulders behind him. ("So forgive me, but I won't be frustrated by destruction in your eyes-")

Landing behind him, she pulls the stick over her head, catching the boy's head and pulling him over as well. Releasing one end if the stick, the boy is flung off the section, into the water several feet below the edge. Neo steadies herself, looking over the room. ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

The boy from Section C is whipped back, knocked over the edge as he begins to fall into the canal. Neo's eyes lock onto the rapier in his hand as she takes fires off towards him. ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

She leaps from the edge across the canal. She strikes the boy's arm with the stick, making him release the sword. She releases the stick, catching the sword as she lands on section C, leaving the boy to fall onto the canal. ("When I ran, I didn't feel like a runaway.")

Turning, Neo finds the other girl, slightly taller with brown hair, brandishing the whip. The girl narrows her gaze and twirls the whip in a flourish. ("When I escaped, I didn't feel like I got away.")

The girl advances, whip lashing around with the twirls and striking about wild yet precise. Neo's eyes widen as she's driven back, holding the rapier with both hands. She blocks and deflects but the whip merely bends around the block, lashing her with red welts. ("There's more to living than only surviving. Maybe I'm not there, but I'm still trying.")

The girl throws a hard lash, the whip smacking Neo back. The tri-colored girl glares at her, rewarded with a confident smirk from her opponent. Neo shifts her weapon to her right hand, but the older girl reacts immediately. ("Though you hear me, I don't think that you relate.")

She swings the whip, the end of the material wrapping around Neo's wrist and taking control of her weapon hand. The girl pulls, dragging Neo until the younger girl digs in her heels and halts herself. ("My will is something that you can't confiscate, so forgive me-")

Suddenly, Neo smirks, the weapon in her right hand shattering. Her eyes blink, swapping the pink and brown, an edge of excitement. The illusion shatters, revealing the rapier in her LEFT hand, not the captured right. Neo pulls at the whip, charging the older girl with the rapier in a thrust. ("-But I won't be frustrated by destruction in your eyes.")

With the whip occupied, the older faunus girl can't defend herself. Her aura blocks the thrust, but she's Knocked back, feet sliding from the concrete... Neo wins. ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

. . .

Carmine stands up, finding Ozpin standing with one hand behind his back, the other raised in forward fist. The boy growls, bringing his arms up in a cross block pose. "SCHNEIDER!" He shouts in anger. ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

His armored arm flickers aqua before both forearms and fists flash with his aura. His armor enters it's third form. Close combat form Schneider. Instead of a full sleeve and breastplate, both forearms are armored. At each elbow was a bladed spike. The backs of both hands had blades extending over half a foot past his fists. He lowers the block position, scowling at his father before brandishing the new attached weapons. (music dies down to only drums. "Maybe life is like a ride on a freeway. Dodging bullets while you're trying to find your way.")

The boy kicks off into a sprint. With a jump, he slashes down at Ozpin. The man dodges, so the boy pirouettes, attempting to hook the headmaster with the elbow spikes. Ozpin tilts back, the spike zipping in front of his glasses. His expression is neutral, unfazed. ("Everyone's around, but no one does a damn thing. It brings me down, but I won't let them.")

The headmaster slaps the side of the next blade attack down. Directing Carmine's momentum, he throws the boy away. The boy rolls to his feet, taking the next swipe. Ozpin catches his arm at the wrist, an iron grip. He twists the boy down into the floor. ("If I seem bleak, well then you'd be correct. And if I don't speak,-")

Carmine once more rolls to his feet. He crosses his arms, palms inward. The same components for Jager's thrusters activate dust at the base of the blade. The blades heat, dimly changing red hot. ("It's cause I can't disconnect. But I won't be-")

With a roar, he charges his father. The silver haired man raises one hand, his aura projected in a clear barrier, it blocks both Carmine's blade tips. With no change in expression, Ozpin pushes back, the boy's feet sliding along the floor. ("-Burned by the reflection of the fire in your eyes, As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

With a one inch push, the sheer power of Ozpin's aura throws Carmine off balance. The boy spins, swinging the blades, but after one rotation, Ozpin is gone. The boy halts stops, eyes darting side to side, scanning for the man. ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

Ozpin lands beside Heulin Noon, still pinned to the ground by the headmaster's cane and green aura. Stepping down on the gun, he grabs his cane's hilt. Carmine narrows his eyes before stubbornly charging with his dust infused blades. ("As you're staring at the Sun! Ho Oh oh OH!")

Ozpin's lip curls to a smile before, in a blink, he smacks both Carmine's bladed arms out, opening him up to attack. Carmine's wide eyes watch helpless as the man jabs his cane forward... stopping just a hair off the boy's throat. ("As you're staring at the Sun! As you're staring at the Sun!")

Carmine stands stunned as Ozpin lazily withdraws his cane, standing up in perfect posture. "That was far better than usual. Your transitions are getting faster." The boy sneers at the compliment, huffing.

. . .

Neo stands tall, smirking in satisfaction up towards the peanut gallery. 'Gale', she had to remind herself, looked on with a raised brow, impressed. The other two lackeys seemed ti be in awe, sharing a look with big smiles. However, no look was quite as predatory and gleeful as the green haired man's. He begins clapping his hands uproariously, shouting out. "Oh, darling child, that was an amazing performance!"

He sends a sad look, shaking his head, towards the three children in the waters. "Oh, uh... you all did well, too."

Blair cuts in, stepping to the edge of the railing. "Each of you will receive an evaluation of your ability and what that means for you moving forward." She locks eyes with pink and brown, but quickly moves to the others. "You'll get cleaned up before meeting me for said evaluation. The next time you see me will be tomorrow before the ceremony. Now, off with you."

Without word, Blair leaves the room, briefly catching Neo and the other kids be approached by more men in suits and sunglasses. Disgusting goons. However, one annoyance quickly catches up to her, walking in step.

Spyyra waltz next to her, a pep in his voice. "Why, Miss Gale, you have such a way with words. So business like. You know? I really like watching displays of... authority like that." She found his real smile a hell of a lot creepier than his fake mask of a smile. Ew, was he genuinely interested in her?

"Mr Barnall, I have business to attend to."

"Good. That's great. I love assisting coworkers with the odd jobs. Builds bonds among comrades, am I right?" He was still smiling at her, so genuine. It was unnerving. Suddenly, he's gushing, one hand on each cheek as he... sways back and forth swooning. "Plus, I'm always just so giddy watching the kiddies grow up! It happens so fast-"

Blair huffs, catching his attention enough to stop rambling. "Do you pester all female staff like this?"

Zero hesitation or shame. "Oh, just the one's as striking and powerful as you." This sleezy piece of- "Plus, I do need to inform you to be on your best behavior." The shift from gushing tone to gravely serious is off enough to draw her eyes to him. His eyes are hollow, smile muted, even looking a touch paler with his grim tone. "Tomorrow is your first glamorous event with us, and the boss will be here."

She stops walking, the two now in the lesser lit stone halls. "The boss boss? You're serious? I still haven't heard the man's name, and he's just going to show up without care?"

Spyyra sighs dramatically. "It can't be helped. Tomorrow is our biggest sale in years, so he's just adamant about showing up for all our buyers." Suddenly, his orange eyes lock onto the woman. "And seeing as I am in charge if security, I need everyone on their A game."

Blair composes herself, nodding. "I see... thank you for the notice." She turns to continue walking, only for the man to slide in front of her, smile back like nothing happened.

"Aw, your welcome. We're becoming closer every second. I think we should get a nice seafood dinner under candle light. What do you say?"

"..."

He smiles wide at her even stare, inching into a lean in anticipation.

"I'd rather slit my wrist and ease into warm water while the water turns pink." She walks right around him, leaving him in place.

He clutches at his heart, smiling after her before taking notice of the suited man walking up. He smiles at the man warmly. "I think she likes me."

. . .

The boy scoffs, deactivating the dust in the blades. "Zero." In a flash, the armor flickers back to an armored sleeve and top breastplate. "Whatever." He holds his hand out, recalling Heulin Noon to his grip. "How did you stop my recall?"

"Truthfully, I wasn't sure it would work." Ozpin comments, a light twinkle of mirth in his eye. "Although, all I did was channel my aura through both our weapons together. If you could still recall it, it would have called both our weapons to you, but since your semblance does not work that way, it couldn't recall your gun while my cane was attached."

Attaching an object through aura that couldn't be recalled? Hmm... He should check into projecting an aura shield around his weapons... if that's possible. Granted, only high level Hunters like Ozpin, or maybe Qrow, were likely able to reliably do such a thing. Shaking his head in a grunt, Carmine runs a hand through his hair. "Okay."

He looks up at the screen on the far wall. His aura dropped to 70% just from that bout. His fists clench tight, a wave of anger boiling over at that. Burning his stamina too fast. A simple look at his father's aura bar, and that anger turns tenfold. 95%!

"Your manner of comparison is off." Ozpin states, almost like he read the boy's thoughts. The boy flinches, eyes back on the man. "You've adopted an unorthodox method of fighting with your semblance that will undoubtedly expend your aura far faster than all prior tactics. It is true that this style you've taken to is quick to tire."

Carmine's fists clenched, eyes narrowing downward. The headmaster continues. "Your aura will grow, like a muscle getting worked. You will adapt, and you will be able to extend your stamina. Rather than compare your current stamina to my own, compare your ability to counteract and contend for advantage." A smirk finds itself on the man. "For you are most definitely making great strides in actually challenging me."

However, the boy didn't seem convinced... With a shake of his head, he relaxes. "Whatever..."

Ozpin's smirk pulls to a frown, sensing the off tone. He noticed it when he first entered, when he saw the boy two days ago... "Think on your progress. Do not be so rigid on percentages, useful as they can be." Seeing the downturn of the boy's mood, Ozpin nods. "Perhaps we should perform a different exercise today before you venture out to the city again-"

"What?" Carmine demands immediately after the word 'city'. At Ozpin's blank look, the boy urged further. "What makes you think I'm going to Vale again today?"

"It may have something to do with your consistent ventures out from Beacon for the last several days. Shall I assume you'll remain on campus tonight then?"

The child sighs. Kinda obvious what he's doing when saying it out loud. "I won't be going to the city tonight, no."

Ozpin waits a moment for more, but the boy doesn't elaborate any further. He looks deep into Carmine's dark blue eyes, as if searching, but coming empty handed. "I see. Perhaps today is better spent on oneself. You seem like it would do you wonders." With a click of his scroll, his aura bar disappears from the screen. "Let's call today a time for realization, shall we?"

He had meant that to give the boy time to air his struggles... to clear his mind and build himself up from his frustrations and doubts. Maybe open up and come to Ozpin and share his troubles.

He did not expect the boy to glare back at him. "What? That's it?"

Ozpin raises a brow, still calm and collected. "Pardon?"

"Not gonna ask what I'm doing in Vale? Not gonna ask how I am? Or even just the fact I KNOW you think something is up, but you won't even ask." Carmine scoffs, an angry groan coming out. "You seem to know anything and everything in the world. What? You just need to watch everyone else piece things together themselves?"

At that, Ozpin remains neutral, speaking politely. "Carmine, I'm afraid you're vastly overstating my reach and insight. I do not, in fact, 'know anything and everything'. If there is a problem, I'm more than interested in listening and providing assistance as I can, as is my job-"

"Tch! Right." Carmine scoffs. The headmaster's eyes widen a touch. This behavior is new... "Your job." He parrots. "Even though the person who has taught me the most here was expelled with her dream shattered."

"Carmine, what Miss Goodwitch did was-"

"I know! That's not the point." The boy cuts him off with a heated glare.

The headmaster pauses for a moment, placing both hands on the top of his cane. He eyes his son curiously. "Carmine..."

"Don't you mean, Mr Uhlric?"

The man's eyes widen in recoil at that. "Carmine." He reiterates. "What is it that you wish to say?"

Carmine's teeth clench as he growls under his breath. "What I wish is for you to act more like a father, and not my fucking teacher!" At that, he turns and storms out of the room, leaving the headmaster alone frozen in place.

. . .

Probably shouldn't have started his day yelling at his father... That was a bad move. The teen moved about Beacon, sulking around each and every hallway. Such a bad way to start, especially since... well, he had nothing to do for the rest of the day. He'd originally hoped to waste time with his father until he could go see Oobleck for a lunch session. BUT here he is with a whole hour to kill.

He didn't want to think about tomorrow... mostly because he was sick and tired of thinking about it...

. . .

Carmine catches up to Roman, the conman having made it onto the streets. The criminal had a wide smile, thoroughly pleased with the world. Carmine winces with hard breaths as he finally falls into step with the man. "Wait, what was that back there?!"

Yesterday, Post Junior's Bar

The orange haired man huffs a laugh. "Just securing a plan for us, my ignorant companion." The two come to a stop at a cross walk, the man using his cane to cut Carmine off from walking into the street.

The boy scowls at the weapon. "What is it with older people using cane's as weapons?" He swats the weapon down in a huff. "Now, what the heck are we doing?"

That gets an eye roll from the conman. "What we're doing is laying down our plan." A soft chuckle comes from him unbidden. Perhaps he's more excited for this than he thought. "Two days from today, AZRL will be holding an auction for all the children they currently have at the ready."

The boy's breathing halts. In a cough, he rushes in front of Roman. "WE HAVE TO-" The criminal once more swats his cane in front of the boy, the movement making the teen flinch. He glares down, the unspoken command to be quiet. Carmine whacks the cane away. "Stop that!"

Roman feeds off the frustration, smirking. "Like I was saying. Two days, at night, will be an auction for the sad children in cages. So, nothing will happen tomorrow, but you'll meet me back there at Junior's back in two days at 3 pm."

Carmine's full attention locks on the man. "Alright..." He gestures for Roman to continue, a little incredulous in tone.

"Our... shall we say, Sponsor, will be providing me, and subsequently, you, with access to said event of terrible sadness." His smirk widens to a full grin. The challenging glint in his eye was unnerving to the boy.

"Really?" Carmine cocks his head confused. "That easily? Then we find the kids and break them out!"

"No." The idea is shot down immediately. At the boy's rising temper, Roman wags a finger. "Two, would-be party crashers would not last long just busting through the play." Suddenly, his smirk falls. "No, we'll be making a purchase."

Fury! Carmine grabs Roman by the arm, halting both. The two glare at each other. Calm smolder looks down on the furious child. "The hell are you talking about."

Calmly, completely unaffected by the threatening posture, Roman responds condescendingly. "electronic trail. Purchases at the event are too much for hard cash, so all purchases are done with cash transfers. Typically thought untraceable, but our friend is setting up a mock account with a unique routing configuration. We make a purchase of one sad child, and trace the money route providing your lovely hunters with in-depth knowledge of exactly where AZRL's money goes."

He sees the information process through the boy. It slowly dawns into him. This was a long play then. Roman adds further. "BUT, to answer your need for immediate results..." A predatory smile comes on. "I might whip something up for that, and you should be ready for a fight, just in case."

He roughly shoves the short teen off him. He takes the time to flick the brim of his hat to knock it back into place, then gives a smarmy grin. "So, take tomorrow to prepare, brat. Bring lots of dust." He ends in a sing song manner.

. . .

He should tell Ozpin... But, the very idea burns under his skin. Hell, at this point, he might already know!

No. He made his promise. He needs to do this. He needs to save those kids... Just gotta actually do it... Yeah, Carmine grimaces as he enters his room, looking over his collection of dust...

. . .

Neo grunts, opening tired eyes as her door opens. She was still clad in the simply white shirt and black pants. A suited goon enters the room, stern faced. "Come on. It's time for your evaluation." His rude demand immediately gets a dull glare, but she complies without issue, standing and following.

Moving through the halls towards the checkup office, she spots the older teen boy she'd eliminated in their match. He passes with his escort, giving her an dull glower. Actions like that used to bother her, but she only smirks back at him in response.

She both understood and couldn't fathom the idea. They were all here against their will, taken from whatever circumstances befell them. The idea of being resentful towards those in the same position as you just... didn't make sense in that way.

However, then there was the extra treatment one gets for performing well. Not that she gets that given her... history, but any of the numbers that do well just get sneered at by anyone under them. In that sense, she almost understood it. But, one would think that anger would mostly go to their captors, not someone who is just a slightly better prisoner than them.

Entering the room, she finds the now familiar sight of 'Dr Gale' taking notes on her clipboard. Upon entering, Neo smirks, batting her eyes coy. The blonde raises an unimpressed brow, but the goon beside her grumbles. "Smartass mute." He turns towards the girl, but he's beaten to the punch.

"Leave us." Blair commands before the man 'disciplines' the girl. Her tone holds the full undercurrent of anger and disgust. The goon stops, taking a moment to glare at the woman, but thinks better of a response. He leaves the room, shutting the door, leaving the two inside the clean white room. Blair gestures to the chair across the center counter from her. "I'm not exactly in the mood to waste time, so tone down your habits, please."

'Habits'?! The hell did that mean. Neo's mismatched eyes give a dull glare as she puffs her cheek. However, she complies. Allies, right? Or, whatever they are.

Blair nods at the acceptance of the order. Her focus momentarily checks her surroundings to be sure it wasn't another shatter trick. Neo does that again now, she will definitely regret it. "So, evaluation, since it needs to be done. I'll be skipping the long explanations, so we can talk about other matters after."

Neo smirks, gesturing to herself with her left hand and holding up one finger with her right.

Blair's attention goes to her clipboard, flipping through papers. "Yes, you're the pick of the litter. On paper anyway. Each category has a rating out of 20. Subtlety: 16 with good use of your semblance to hide yourself for sneak attacks. Control: 10-"

Neo cocks her head, giving a stink eye with a clear 'what the hell?' face.

"Your fighting style centered around letting your opponents think they were in control, true, but your willingness to let them fully utilize their strategy for you to take advantage of that false security still lowers that score."

The girl scowls with squinted eyes as she purses her lips. A low growl comes from her, getting a half groan, half laugh from the blonde.

"Forethought: 15 for your traps. Hiding which hand actually had the rapier was a well thought out move that brought this up. Otherwise, it would be average. Execution: 13, letting your last opponent gain ground and hits on you lowered this along with your control. Finally, Adaptability: 18."

At the girl's sudden bright perking, she answers. "Using a simple stick to manipulate your opponent, using your illusion semblance to trump another, taking chance to obtain a superior weapon, then hiding said weapon for a final strike against an opponent with much higher reach. You performed astoundingly well in this category."

The girl just... looks back at that. Eyes were wide, back slightly straighter. Probably the most genuine praise she'd received since... Well, she can't quite place another time. Still, it felt... nice.

"Do you have any other questions before we move on?" Blair urges.

Hmm... 16, 10, 15, 13, 18... 72 out of 100. Her face scrunches at the total. Cocking her head to the side, she conjures a sign in her hand, reading 'Average score?'

"The average would be 47 for special operatives like you."

JEEZ! High standards, much? Still, quite nice to know you're ahead of the curve. The sign breaks, reforming with a new query. 'Highest score recorded?'

Blair raises a brow at the competitive nature on display. However... "I'm not privy to the records of past participants, but... for pricing interests, they do keep the top total around for reference. 85 was the total." Suddenly, she grimaces in disgust. "And you know who it was, too."

Neo narrows her gaze at that, confused. She knows who it was? What? Her father? She hadn't let Blair know about her old life THAT much, so that-No... No, nononono. Her jaw drops, shaking her head. NOT that green haired ASSHOLE!

Blair nods with a sigh. "Yeah. Apparently, he was too skilled for them to risk losing control of. Rather than sell him, they kept him into their ranks." She then lets out an 'eck' in disgust. "I only know because he thought bragging about it would woo me."

Ew.

"On that note, I should tell you that you'll have the highest price tomorrow. Despite your supposed history." Neo smirks at that, raising Blair's brow. "This is your third time being auctioned, Neo. Why is that?" The girl quirks her head a touch, but the doctor answers the unspoken question. "Spyyra told me this was your third time."

Neo scowls before rolling her eyes dramatically. She then shrugs, holding her hand out flat and tilting it side to side, a 'so-so' gesture. At Blair's silence, the young girl sighs. She waves her hand to conjure her sign again. 'Is 'cause screw em' an acceptable answer?'

Blair smirks for just a second, but quells it. "Well, considering neither of the previous sales lasted a day before you were forced back here... I suppose that is an acceptable, if rather ill thought, answer." Her tone dips, double checking the doorway. She speaks lower. "Now, here's how tomorrow will go."

The girl straightens, paying full attention now.

"The auction begins at 22:00, 10 o'clock at night. From 19:00 to 21:00, I'll be giving a final quickened checkup to each of those who are being sold, special operatives, trained servants, and all. Afterward, you will remain in your cell until you are displayed to the crowd." Blair takes a moment, eyes clenched before opening with resolve. "I need you to NOT be sold."

Neo's brow raises... Then her eyes widen. That's... a dangerous proposal. Not good. Her hairs stand on end.

"I've only recently been informed what occurs when one of the 'numbers' doesn't sell." She keeps her eyes on pink and brown, her lips pulling into a frown. "You escaped that punishment the last two times because you were technically sold. You understand what not getting sold means, right?"

Neo's hand raises the conjured sign, but it shatters. Her eyes trail down, fists clenched. Slowly, her semblance forms words on Blair's clipboard... 'Death Match Betting'.

The blonde grimaces and nods... Below the sub levels, further down that that, lies what can only be called a dungeon. Primarily used as a storehouse for hiding product... At the very least, the sub level cells the children are in can be argued to be used for animal events if any city official were to inspect the building, but this further level is completely hidden...

Neo finally glares up at Blair, eyes slightly too wide. The words on the board change. 'They keep Grimm down there. They have them nearby any auction. 'Bad product' get's used for live survival entertainment for the guests.'

The blonde's eyes narrow. She wasn't quite aware of using it for entertainment purposes, but that checks out. She returns her eyes to the smaller girl, for the first time seeing a genuine fight-or-flight response... The girl is debating running from this plan.

"Neo, you will not die tomorrow." Blair says with finality. "There's a reason that's part of the plan." The girl looks unsure, but Blair continues. "They thought the entrance to the lower level was well hidden, but I found it myself. Both entrances, actually."

At Neo's slow perking, Blair continues. "The more... theatrical trap door is the one that they will be using tomorrow. I need you to enter it. I've rigged it with a trap." That gets the girl to recoil slightly before looking far more calmly. "Upon entering, two alarms will go off. The first is the fire alarm that will alert Vale PD and Vale respondents. This will alert the city to come here."

The girl scrunches her brow, frowning. She holds up to fingers, raising a brow.

"The second alert will lock down all entrances and exits to the entire building." Blair keeps her features schooled, but her eyes hold an iota of pride. "The auditorium and sub levels are affixed with barricade drop doors. Once they come down from my trap, they won't come back up, even if they try to enter the commands."

"With Vale's officials unable to enter, and all those in the building unable to leave, that means Vale's officials will only have one alternative to 'rescue' the building's occupants." She pauses, waiting for the girl's eyes to show recognition... and it came quickly.

The dual hair colored girl mouths the word. 'Huntsman'.

Blair finally allows a small ghost of a smirk, but soon quells it. "AZRL doesn't have a Hunter on payroll, it seems. A Huntsman responds to the scene, no one will be allowed to leave even after exiting the building. And once everyone is questioned and identified..."

AZRL will be discovered by Vale's Huntsman and Huntresses... The organization then ousted to daylight and has its power upturned... The girl has to admit it. She likes the idea. Well, fuck the Huntsman, but AZRL can definitely go first!

But still...

Neo conjures her sign again, eyes fluttering to fear once more. 'But that leaves us in here with them for who knows how long.' The sign shatters, Neo's skepticism came back. If they have to just hunker down and wait, that still leaves the problem of her dropping into said dungeon of terrible beasties.

The blonde nods. "Yes, well." She brandishes her weapon from under her doctor white jacket. "First option is I get you out from the entryway before they drop you in... Second option is I go in after you, and get you out." With a huff, she continues. "First objective is getting you out. Second objective... we find Spyyra."

Right... Even with barricaded doors, that green haired jackass could still rip a way out of the building... Fighting him, though... Neo grimaces, keeping eye contact. Slowly, she shakes her head.

Blair frowns back, an air of understanding. "I know he's supposed to be powerful, but know that I was tied as the best Huntress in my graduating class, even without me finishing." Pride enters her gaze, straightening her back. Full authority enters her. "I will fight him alone, if need be, but I would feel better with backup."

Neo's grimace remains until she glances away. Fists clenched, she releases a sigh, nodding... It would make her life to finally, FINALLY break that bastard's teeth in. She slowly forms a smirk on her face, despite the nervous sweat, nodding more vigorously.

Blair nods with her. "That means you must do anything and everything to sabotage your... sales pitch, for lack of a better term. When they bring you forward, act out, disobedient. Your price will be as high as I can help them make it, but it's on you to make the buyers feel you're not worth it to deal with the trouble."

Chaos. That gets a sick grin on the little girl's face. The hard eyes, too wide smile, on her soft young features... Well, it's about time for some retribution. She nods.

A knock comes at the door. Blair raises a brow at it, but sighs. "Seems like our time is done." She fixes Neo with a judging stare. "Rest well." The girl simply nods, getting up from her seat before leaving the room.

The plan is coming together rather nicely. What could possibly go wrong besides everything?

. . .

Rapid scraping of lead on paper sounds. Professor Oobleck speed writes perfect calligraphy, filling nearly a full page in just ten seconds. Upon filling out three pages, he stacks the pages and folds the corners to keep them together, placing them in a desk drawer. Taking a long drink of coffee from a thermos, he's instantly back to a literally pile of submitted papers. Thirty two reports on the establishment of Mistral's trade routes amid rampant banditry.

The man begins speed reading the reports, face impassive. "Would you like to voice what's on your mind?" He rapidly asks of the room.

Across from him, in his guest chair, finds Carmine. The boy is draped on the chair upside down, head tilted back off the cushion and his legs up and dangling over the seat's headrest. The boy opens his clouded eyes, nonplussed at being addressed. Why did he even bother coming here if he can't really vent to the professor?

It's not like he can just go 'Hey, I just need to get off my chest that my father, your boss, scrapes by the bare minimum of having anything positive in a relationship cause he's an absolute fuckwit!'.

No... talking about Beacon's headmaster would not run well. Begging the question... what CAN he talk about?

Can he talk about how he's going to be infiltrating an evil criminal underground tomorrow night? That's off limits. Can he talk about how he's now in league with a narcissistic bastard of a man who helped kidnap him seven years ago? Probably not a venture to undertake. Can he talk about the extreme lack of sleep he's had? Sure, like that hasn't been discussed to death for years on end. How about his pathological need to see red and immediately devote himself to righting wrongs he finds out about, putting himself in shit situations? Well, that's just rephrasing the first subject...

Okay, maybe he can approach those topics in a vague way?

"I don't... know what I'm doing." He starts, hesitant. "Like, I know what I need to be, but I don't know what I'm doing to get there."

Oobleck pauses in his rapid movements for a second, looking the kid over. "Is this related to being a Huntsman? Or is this something else entirely?" The boy's brow scrunches at that. "With any goal in life, any occupation, or any lifestyle, there are multiple ways to go about it. With most subjects, one can simply look to those in history who have tried the same thing. See if the answers of the past line up with your thoughts."

Hmm. Of course, there's a thousand ways to go about being a Hunter. Means of honing and nurturing oneself to be recognized by the academies, become accepted, and moving on afterward. Still, that did little to ease the boy.

Carmine sighs, eyes closing once more. "And what if the paths laid out don't work? Like, they CAN work, but aren't enough for me."

The professor inquires, leaning on his clasped hands over the desk. "Are these concerns about the deadline for deciding to enter Combat School?" Maybe? In a way. The teen cocks his head, still upside down and eyes closed. Honestly, he hadn't been thinking about that these last couple days so much. "Perhaps, start with what you know, and work from there. Do you wish to be a Huntsman?"

"Duh." Carmine answers dryly, opening his eyes to meet the professor's.

"Do you wish to go to Signal Academy or any other Combat School?"

"... No." The boy glances off. "I'd be wasting my time."

Having had enough debates over whether that's true before, the professor allows that to slide. "Do you wish to remain here at Beacon Academy?"

"No." was the lightning fast response. Oh... His eyes widen at that. It was... surprisingly easy to say that, and that just let him know that was more true. The only reason he ever begged to stay here was to ground himself. To put a stop to the rapid change, the rapid losses around him at the time... Maybe it was this place that was the issue... Maybe...

Silence meets him for the moment. The professor seems to only look at him. No, through him. It... was starting to eat at the boy that the man simply refused to say anything. Nothing. The man let the silence drag. The man who questions someone when they're most certain. To reveal that they were the most uncertain instead.

The two sit there, simply staring at one another, as Carmine realized what that meant. Slowly, he rolls forward off the chair, flipping and landing on his feet, back to the professor. He turns to the man, scratching the back of his head. "... I'm sorry."

"Never a reason to be sorry with me." The professor finally smiles. "I will not tell you that you don't belong here. I want you here, but more so, I want you to find where you feel you belong." With that, the two exchange smiles before the boy turns to leave.

Immediately outside the door, Carmine sighs. Wonder if there are some sleeping meds the infirmary would be willing to give out? After all, tomorrow is show time.

. . .

The next day.

The man rises to the shine of the sun through his window. A low humming tune comes out as he exits his bedroom, moving to his cluttered bathroom. Roman blinks the sleep from his eyes, green eyes gaining an alertness to them.

He takes a moment to read his own expression reflected back in the mirror. Cocking his head, he smirks. "Handsome and crazy. Best way to live."

Twenty minutes later, he emerges from the bathroom, dressed fully and cleaned up. Smirking, he snatches his hat from the table, his cane in hand. "Today's the day, huh?" He chuckles to himself in thought. "Decade and a half? Guess it's time to say hi."

. . .

Briskly strolling down the street, Roman checks the time on his scroll. The sun was now getting blotted out by the gray of clouds. He slides the device back into his pocket, entering his destination, Junior's Nightclub.

Entering the fine classy establishment, he finds a decent number of customers inside for once. Sending a glance to one of man terrible, ugly, steel faced goons, Roman scoffs, rolling his eyes. He marches past, moving around the lit dance floor, only a single couple dancing. Eh, give a few hours and it'll fill to the brim.

Spotting his compatriot at the bar, he approaches, saddling up next to a line of couples being served by the main man, Junior, himself. The bar man turns with a smirk. "Welcome to Junior's, how can I..." His smirk falls, a light scowl coming on at Roman's appearance. "Help you..."

The orange haired man' smile grew. "Yes, I'd like a Strawberry Sunrise with some extra oomf! Got a hard day ahead of me."

Unimpressed, Junior gives the man a dead stare, slowly blinking. Glancing to one of his fellow bar workers, he calls out. "Hold down the fort. The lovely ladies over here want an Orange Schnapps and a Black Russian!"

The worker gives a thumbs up, beginning on the drinks before the words register. The bartender whips his head towards Junior, face in complete disgust.

"Yes I know. Just do it." The boss waves him off before sending the conman a cutting look. "Come on."

As the two move towards the door to the offices, Roman slaps the counter for the Bartender's attention. "Make me something for the door, Barkeep."

Within seconds, the two men march through the door behind the bar, through a hall, cutting into a side room office, Junior's office, monitors up just like yesterday. Shutting the door and locking it, Junior sends a glare at Roman. "You're early."

"Oh, I like to be ahead of schedule to hedge my bets and increase odds. You know? Make sure I won't die and all." The criminal snaps back sarcastically. He casually moves towards the owner's desk and leans on it, eyes back on Junior. "Hit up a Ma and Pa dust shop yesterday just in case for supplies. AFTER dealing with a drug dealer dispute your old man was too busy to deal with himself."

"And how did that go?" Junior moves around to the chair of the desk, opening a drawer with a key off his key ring.

"Standard. I ask a question. He makes a bluster about not talking. Ten minutes later, he's tied up and begging me to only take his left pinky."

Junior snaps a look to Roman. "You actually took his finger?"

Roman barks a laugh, head coked at that. "No, no. See, his head was forced to the other side, so I used a little wire and creative placement to make him THINK I was taking it off." He chuckles under his breath, shaking his head. "Should've taken a picture of his face. It was fantastic."

The bar man smirks at the conman's mirth. Finally, he draws a card from the desk, "Remember... ONE purchase. It's all you're allowed."

Roman's smirk falls, eyes widening at the black card. "Uh... Juny Boy... I knew you'd be setting up a mock account, but that's a black card... how much money did you put on that thing?"

He's given a death glare by the bar owner. "More than you've ever seen combined under my father." His gaze narrows as he holds out the card. "You destroy it after use. I'll just get another one with a new number."

Roman raises a brow, slowly accepting the card, gripping tightly, as if it would disappear. "So, what's the pin?"

Junior's face falls, a deep scowl. "Roman!"

"What? It's money transfers, so it's not like I can do credit!"

The crime boss scowls, holding the scolding gaze. "... 6088."

For a moment, Roman simply raises a brow. A sneak glance towards the table finds a box of hard candy... Gobstoppers? Then, suddenly, he snickers, eyes widening. "Wait. As in GOBB?"

"As in shut yours." Junior cuts back. "Now, off with you before I change my mind! Remember. ONE PURCHASE!"

The orange haired man snickers, waving him off. "Alright, I'm off." Marching out of the office, Roman files out from the hall, coming out back to the bar area. Smiling, he finds his drink waiting in the closest counter. He snatches it, taking a sip through the straw. Immediately, the taste makes him cough. "What the- who the hell orders a drink virgin? This supposed to be a joke?"

Junior smirks behind him. "You need to be sober tonight. Off you go!"

Roman scowls, but marches out, glass in one hand and cane in the other. He exits the club, going out to the clouded streets. He checks the sky. Not rain clouds, thankfully. Rain is annoying. Ah well, it's nearly 3 in the afternoon. Maybe the kid is also one to be early-

Roman stops, face falling in mortification.

In broad, albeit clouded, daylight, Carmine stands, leaned on a light pole, with an oversized jacket, sunglasses, and a fedora... what is this? An 80s cartoon?!

Wasting not a single second, Roman marches over, behind the boy, and swats him in the head to knock the hat off. Carmine yelps, the hat falling off to reveal his crimson into silver locks. "Ow! What the-" Roman grabs the back of the teen's giant coat, dragging him around the corner of the building and disappearing into the alley.

"Take!"

"Ow- Hey! Get off- AH!"

"This!"

"Gah! OO! Give that-"

"OFF!"

Roman emerges from the alley, holding the jacket, hat, and sunglasses in a bundle. Immediately, he chucks them into the nearest garbage can. Behind him, a disheveled Carmine bursts from the alley, furious. "HEY! That cost like 50 Lien- AH!" He yelps in an octave higher at the sight.

Roman picks the hat out of the container, igniting his lighter and setting the hat on fire, returning it to the bin. "Absolute garbage." He then turns to the boy, matching fury on his face. "Are you that much of a daft cunt? You have any idea how little you fit in looking like that?"

Having stewed for a few days, the boy bites back, temper flaring. "Oh, eat a wang, Jerk!"

Roman turns his nose up, flared nostrils. "Good lord, have you ever said a curse word? You sound like a Care Bear trying to insult someone."

Carmine's eyes twitch, face blushing, as he looks away. "I said one yesterday..."

"Good lord, the fact that I believe you when you say that in itself is a tragedy." Roman groans, turning away from the fuming boy. "Come on. We gotta prepare for tonight."

The boy glares at the now flaming trashcan. "You're paying me back for that..."

"Oh, you have jokes. Just come on." Roman snarks back without looking the kid's direction. Carmine silently fumes as he follows. A million ways of revenge he knows he'll never do go through his mind like playback. HE actually likes fedoras...

. . .

Roman's door opens to his apartment, both he and Carmine walking in. The boy's nostrils wrinkle upon seeing the empty cigar cartons, and his eyes lingered for a second on some empty bottles, but it didn't take him long to see the pinup board of plans presented on the dining room wall.

Maps, blueprints, highlighted entry points. Sure, he'd learned how yo read some of it after learning to make his armor. Blueprints are blueprints after all. However, the level of detail, as well as the scale of the structures on the papers went over his head.

Guess being a criminal doesn't really mean you're stupid.

The criminal gestures to the couch, Carmine sitting down. For as cluttered and messy the apartment way, the surfaces were at least dusted and wiped at least recently... begging the question of just how much this guy smokes... The boy glances up to find Roman glaring at him.

"Alright, Silver Streak."

"My name is Carmine." The boy cuts in, irritated.

"I don't care. Silver Streak, We have roughly five hours before we need to head to the Silver Auditorium. Once we get there, I will be entering as an agent of Junior, easy, however, there's the issue of explaining them letting you in."

That would be an issue... Carmine scowls. "So, I'm gonna be smuggled in?"

Roman smirks at that, shaking his head. "Nope. You're going right through the front door in plain sight." At the questioning gaze, the man continues. "AZRL excels in training the equivalent of child soldiers, BUUUUT they also are a proud group. Rather forget and erase all information on their failures than ever be reminded of them."

"How does that help?" Carmine recoils at the influx of information.

The conman simply plows ahead. "It helps because the children in their ranks are numbered, and when a number dies... they typically re-use it, forgetting the original kid or kid before ever existed." Even Carmine noticed the man's grimace at that. "I believe I met four kids in that bloody organization numbered 1222? Or was it 1122? I can't really remember."

Carmine gulps. These are the types of monsters he's up against... "How do you-" He gasps, realizing the idea. "Ew NO!"

"What's the harm in using a dead kid's number?" Roman states nonchalant. "You can't go back in tine and save him, so his number can help you do your stupid heroic journey or whatever."

Carmine scowls at the man, growling under his breath. He felt ill... like suddenly having the flu. However, he takes a moment, moving past it. "But... if they replace them, why would the number still be vacant?"

"Because too many kids died with the number." Roman stated as if it was that simple. "I'm not superstitious, but when seven kids in a row die with the same number in only one year, I imagine they get tired of looking at the number and just move on." He smirks at the idea. "So, you'll be entering under the guise of a previous purchase, number 1313."

At Carmine's silence, Roman continues. "We get in, and I'll need little ole you to be a good previous product and follow any and all instruction. No matter the order, you need to do what I say, when I say it. Children from AZRL are child soldiers and slaves. Even being a smartass pushes that line." He waits a second, maintaining eye contact with the boy. "Understand?"

To save the kids. To save the kids. To save the kids.

Carmine gulps down a breath, nodding. "Okay... then we wait for the auction to start and... buy someone." The words nearly bring bile up from inside him. Ugh... "Your friend set up the account to be able to trace it. So, after it's over, you give the information to Beacon."

Roman nods, satisfied. "Which covers parts A, B and D of our plan, leaving C..." With a sadistic grin, he stands. Walking off, he enters a side room. He comes back, holding two devices in his hands. Each are about five inches long, four inches wide, and three inches thick.

Carmine notices that all four sides of the devices have dust casings. Two sides with a dark brown/yellow dust, two with dark indigo. If he knew his dust right... "Is that... earth and lightning dust?"

The man purses his lips, almost in a pout. "Well... Just kill all the fun, why don't you?"

"Someone likes being the smart one." Carmine snarks with a small smirk forming.

"Hmm." Roman refuses comment on that. "But yes. This device here combines earth dust blended with ores of easily magnified metals with a specific charge of lightning dust." He goes into a show man performance with gestures, placing the two devices on the table by the couch. "Now, material that can be turned magnetic, combined with the electrical charge, set out in a single all at once burst?"

Burst? Like... "Electromagnetic pulse?"

"Yes!" Roman proclaims with a grin. "The good ole EMP." He snickers, proud of himself.

Carmine scrunches his brow. "I always called it an emp."

And proud expression gone. Roman gives the boy a dry look. "It's an EMP."

"That's three syllables. Why not just say emp? It's so much faster. Goes against the laws of slang." The boy says again, oblivious to the rising nerves of the conman.

"Laws of- UGH! You don't know anything about slang, and I'm starting to think you're not even a person, you Alien!" The orange haired man slumps back into his chair, glaring at the boy with a sigh. "ANYWAY! After phase B of purchasing said depressed person from the firing line, we will be brought to various back rooms for screening."

Carmine raises a brow, pointing to the devices. "Um..."

"Getting to that. After the screening, we will sign the papers, make sure the sad puppy has had their shots. What have you." Roman ignores the narrow glare from the boy. "However, that process occurs entirely behind closed doors. That's our chance to be..." He gestures to the devices. "Sneaky."

"So, we use these devices and shut the place down, find the prisoners, and free them." Carmine summarizes.

"Negative." Roman grunts. "Useful as these are, there's not nearly enough dust in both combined to shut down the whole building."

"Then... we use one to disappear. Then, we use another when we need to blend back into the crowd... after we sabotage something?" Carmine slowly articulates, unsure yet pushing forward with it. His assumption gets a smirk from the man.

"Exactly! You DO still have brain cells! Good." The conman lets loose a chuckle. "So, we disappear after our purchase and, with our new addition, find where the scared kiddies are, release them like caged birds, set off an alert for the Hunters, and out we go!"

"So, the only thing we need is a way to smuggle these devices in." A smirk of his matches the criminal. Nice! This could actually work.

Suddenly, Roman sulks a little, grumbling. "And... there's the gamble. We kinda just have to hope we can smuggle them through."

Suddenly, the boy's jaw drops. "You- Wha- You came up with all of this and don't have an answer to that pretty big hole?!"

"Well, some things just need to be addressed in the field! I'm not used to smuggling things like this through actual security. I'd like to see you do better Mr Beacon's archives."

That set off a panic. He looks to the devices. Just.. Too big for pockets, under clothing. Maybe in a waistline, but if they're gonna be searched... Maybe they could take them apart and put them back together inside? Carmine gestures to them and opens his mouth-

"Too much intertwined wiring for connecting the dust cylinders. Unless we were able to hide for about twenty minutes, I wouldn't manage to out then back together." Roman cuts the boy off, accurately reading the teen's concerns.

Well, crap! They need a way to buy time for that... then. Buy time... Time...

Carmine brightens, standing up in a flash. "Do they take away your weapons?! How strict are they with what you can bring in?"

Roman raises a brow. "Well, so long as it's properly disclosed, as I'm aware, they won't care. Pretty sure that line ends at bombs and terrorist tools such as this. They realize the buyers need to be able to defend themselves if their new product decides to attack them immediately."

Perfect! The boy flourishes his armored arm. "Jager!" In an aqua flash, the armor disappears from his arm and chest, appearing on his calves and shins.

The conman recoils at the flash. "I wondered what all that flashing was at Junior's. I thought your semblance was just teleporting."

"Recall." The teen corrects with a grin. "I can recall myself to a previous state, as well as recall objects I interact with to a previous state I interacted with!" He explains, boasting, PROUD even. It's... a rare feeling. He points to the devices. "I can infuse my aura with these, take them apart, smuggle them in, and recall them back together on the spot in a second tonight!"

It took a few seconds for that to click in the criminal's mind. "You're serious." He locks a skeptical eye with the boy's bright look... Suddenly, he swats the device across the table in front of the boy. "Prove it, brat."

. . .

Thirty minutes later... Carmine grins, wiping sweat from his brow. "Done!" He proclaims! All the pieces of the device sit on the table. With a focused gaze, but a challenging grin. "Now... Rewind!"

In a bright flash, a flickering silhouette of each and every piece comes together: The casing, the dust cylinders, the wiring, the connectors, the switch. All form back into the complete device. With a grin, Carmine waves over it in presentation.

Roman glances over, tapping his chin in thought. Slowly, a grin formed. "If it works, then I am more than happy!"

The boy smirk, reaching to the device. "Oh, it will work. Watch-"

Horror came over Roman's face as he reaches out. "Wait! Stop-"

An electric burst sparks as the entire apartment complex darkens. All lights, air conditioning, and sounds throughout the wall die simultaneously. The room goes black, save for the beam of sunlight piercing through the curtains.

A wide eyed Carmine stands, blushing furiously the same red as his hair. With pursed lips, he chances a look at Roman, barely making out a narrow green glare in the dark. "Heh... Um. It works." He makes out the critical eyes squinting further. "Um... you got another one?"

"It's amazing going from impressed to immensely disappointed in just two seconds." The surprisingly even voice comments. "I can reuse the casing and just use some spare dust. Don't. Touch. It. Until I say so."

Carmine scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, um... Does all this need replaced now?" The boy gestures to the television and electronics. Suddenly, he flinches and reaches for his pockets. "Crap, my scroll!"

Roman rattles off. "The earth dust is dispersed over a wide area with the lightning dust constantly radiating in the air. Instead of outright frying everything, it just interferes with it. It'll settle and let electronics work again in about ten minutes."

Suddenly, the teen is clenching the shut off device to his chest. "Oh, thank god!"

. . .

"I would've called earlier, but the all electronics around the building just shut off." The dry drawl sounds over the end of the scroll call.

Ozpin stands in his office, eyes out watching Vale with hard eyes. One hand holds his scroll up, a thoughtful expression on. "You believe they caused it? What are they doing right now?"

A dry chuckle comes back. "Oh, they definitely caused it. Perched myself on the window for ten minutes to hear bickering. The kid's gotten into something big, and this orange haired nobody seems to be his ticket in."

Ozpin grimaces... Thoughts running wild. The boy is concerned for others and taking matters into his own hand, that much is obvious. However, the what and the who he was up against remained a mystery. Just on the tip of his tongue, he almost demanded to have the orange haired man brought in, but...

The image of a blonde flashes through... perhaps that could have been dealt with better? No, what happened needed to happen. Still, it may be better to support rather than take over? A learning experience.

"What I wish is for you to act like a father, and not my fucking teacher!" Ozpin grimaces at the words that were screamed at him yesterday...

Maybe it's been far too long since he acted as anything other than a teacher... lifetimes. Many, MANY lifetimes.

Just another mistake to add to his history. "Keep a distance. Learn whatever you can. Interfere only if it's required."

. . .

"Understood." The slow drawl sounds as the scroll call ends. Standing atop the building from the apartment complex is the professional huntsman, a red draping off his white jacket. Qrow glares across at the complex as he pulls a flash from his jacket.

Taking a long swig from the chrome container, he puts it away before he seems to disappear. A large crow flies from the building top, the red eye in the sky.

. . .

The sky had become a great orange hue, the dome of the sun slowly being overtaken by the horizon. The great giant Silver Auditorium, the size of a battle ball stadium, stands as a marvel on the outer edges of the City of Vale.

Before it was a grand sized parking lot... mostly empty, but lines of cars begin to file in. The twenty story sleek black building with ornate silver trim and designs of swirls and jewels stands. Men and women, faunus and humans, dressed in business wear or exotic garb, exit vehicles, moving towards the grand overhanging signage to the entrance. The front doors are lined with men standing at attention in black suits and sunglasses.

Atop the grand structure stands a man in a sleek black suit, gray undershirt. Spyyra grins, orange eyes matching the horizon as he gazes over the city. He takes a great breath, releasing it slowly. "You know? In hindsight, I'm glad things didn't work out with ole Rocky."

Behind him, a line of twenty men in riot gear and helmets with three eyed skulls painted on stand in a line. All are in formation around a landing helipad, but the nearest to Spyyra turns away to stand beside the guy. "Sir?"

"Don't get me wrong. He had a good work ethic. Damn good, actually. I really admired the guy. He just... didn't have the right resources, right?" He lets out a loose chuckle, rolling his eyes before taking in the city. "I mean, even I didn't dare thing that we could be here, in Vale, standing atop this principled auditorium, having our largest sale to date. WITH Rocky's daughter, no less."

The helmeted man nods. A low chuckle escapes him as well. "It IS pretty good progress. I can't believe it eith-" The man freezes, rigid, finding Spyyra was now turned towards him. The easy smile was still there, but the eyes...

The eyes were threateningly wide, pupils quivering, hollow. There was an intensity to them, yet held no discernible emotion. "That's why... if anything happens to disrupt tonight's festivities... a wrinkle in any plan... I'm killing you first." The eyes didn't blink... the only frightening thought was the wish for them to stop staring. "Understand?"

The man flinches back. His voice comes out tighter, choked. "A-A-Ah y-yes sir!"

Suddenly, Spyyra's disposition returns to a jovial happiness, patting the man on the back. "Good man! I believe in all of you, by the way!" He shouts to all the rigid, frozen guards. "Now look alive, the president is coming!"

All present turned... finding a helicopter in the distance coming in...

A buzz calls Spyyra's attention to his scroll. Answering, he chirps happily. "Hello, sir! I see you on your approach!" He gushes and waves in the direction of the far off chopper. Suddenly, he stops, eyes focused and serious. "No, everything is operating as expected."

He's silent, no doubt listening to a string of words from the line. "Well, that decision is up to you, but I can't exactly promise a job well done with that kind of security risk."

Another pause before the man smiles wide once more. "As your weapon, I am your will, sir!" He gives a cheeky salute to the far off aircraft. "You see me? I bet you can!" He chuckles lightly. "Fine, fine. I'll go check on the children. If any of these ruffians make mistakes, by my hand, I'll take care of em for ya! Chow!"

He hangs up, shoulders sagging as he marches towards a door into the building. "Alright, men. Don't fuck up. Cause remember!" He turns, looking at the same guard from before. "Anything at all. You're first."

The men flinch as the forest haired man giggles and leaves.

. . .

"Next!" Neo's eye twitches at the gravelly tone. Wearing black pants, a brown corset, and pink tank top, white arm warmers, and white boots. She rolls her eyes at the line of other Numbers in front of her. The dim hall lead once more to Blair's lab.

Their checkups were in order. Considering just how long she'd been standing out in the halls, it had to be close to the beginning of the event. Glancing behind her, she finds only five people behind her.

It wasn't until that moment she realized that all those at the end of line were their special operatives. The younger boy, older faunus girl, and black elder teen were all behind her, as well as another older teen girl.

Ah, the "best for last" as it were.

"Next!" Another escort guard takes a child past from the lab. The next person files in. Neo glances forward to only find two people in front of her. Almost there... almost show time. She'd be lying if she said she didn't have some form of anxiety.

She'd heard the news... that the leader of the organization will be a special part of the ceremony... Which gave her a good idea of what to do for her 'presentation'. Granted, she still felt sick imagining her most certain death coming soon.

Blair. Former Huntress-in-training. Trust her. Trust her. Trust her.

Oh, who the hell was she kidding? She didn't trust. Her biggest selling point was screwing these guys over cause fuck em! "Next!" The line bumps forward. Only one person in front of her now.

To think. She could be dead in just two hours. Not even that. Most likely, she would be dead before the stroke of midnight, and what would she have to show for it? Thoughts strayed to a violet haired woman... accompanied by mere annoyance that such a wretched whore of a woman would have outlived her.

The mental image of a black haired man in a rolled up shirt, red cloak, carrying a transforming scythe. He... she couldn't remember his name. He was a Huntsman, and he murdered her father. Granted, her father kinda asked for it. She didn't know how she felt about this man...

"Next!"

Then there was Spyyra. That grass haired slimy, sadistic, arrogant, creepy piece of human garbage! Yeah. If she could watch him die... maybe she could die satisfied. However, that surface of acceptance didn't last.

She'd really die before being able to experience one more second under the Sun? Without feeling wind of open air? Without... having anything to her name? Without having her name? 2814. That's all she'd leave this life with, and even then, they'll simply replace her for that number. Not even a number would be left to her.

"Next!"

Damn it... Why was she going down that rabbit hole of thought? Right. Blair. That doctor thought she could walk in and, what? Save Neo from all this? Now, here Neo was, lamenting her fate. All because that doctor dangled some hope in front of her. Damn ridiculous.

The guard glares at the girl, raising his hand threatening. "I said..." He moves to strike the girl who stood lost in thought. "Next-"

A rough grip snatches the man's hand, then twists. He yelps in pain, dropping to a knee. Neo blinks wide eyes, following the hand up to Blair, who stands in the doorway. "Don't. Touch. The children please."

The tone was crystal clear. The man winces in a cry once she releases him. He flinches back. The blonde looks down at Neo. "You may come in, now." Neo simply stares for a moment before slowly stepping into the room.

Moving away from the door, Neo sits herself on a stool, Blair kneeling before her. "So, you seem to have a lot on your mind. Care to share?" Like she's on autopilot, Blair begins taking a slow check on the girl's arms, checking pulse, and tapping areas for reflexes.

Neo doesn't look her in the eye at first, thinking to herself. Then he interjects. "She's probably just overwhelmed with emotions." Blair glares at the door as Neo freezes, her face ridding itself of any emotion, masking on reflex. Spyyra stands in the doorway. He wipes a tear from his eye. "Oh, it gets me all worked up too to see them grow up."

The lax man grins, walking into the room, Blair standing. "You are interrupting. Leave."

"Aw, come on. I came to tell you that we're to be seated on balcony C, booth I." He leans in towards the blond, toothy grin growing. "And, the caterers will bring us food. What do you want? I'll get it for ya."

"I'll have you not being there and a water. Now leave." The blonde bites back.

"Gasp! 2814, do you see how ruthless this woman is?" Spyyra leans to the side to meet Neo's masked look, giving him nothing. "You know, she kinda reminds me of you if you add ten years! I'd take that as a complement."

The 'shing' of a sword draw and the whip of air sounds as Florescent Finish's blade edges against the man's throat. The man side glances, meeting Blair's cold glare. Just a glance lets him know she wouldn't care if she'd slit his throat.

A shaken shuddering breath comes from him, almost a moan. "Oh, gorgeous just give the time of day." He sighs, as if his mind is in fantasy, before returning his gaze to Neo. "And you! I'll have to check in on you from time to time. I don't say this often, but with you, I've gotten kind of attached!" He then glances back to Blair. "Still think you should lower the price though."

"You. Will. Leave." Blair speaks clearly.

The man finally backs off, waving his hands placating. "Alright. Alright. Jeez, fine." As he exits, he calls out. "See you lovely gals later!"

Spyyra exits the room, quickly sauntering down the hall into a stairwell. Coming out of the stair well several levels up, he enters a hall and comes out backstage of the grand hall! Moving around backstage, he comes around to the front stage, a grand, polished and shining showcase, blocked by a grand red opening curtain.

He smiles, as he walks to the end of the curtain. Walking through, he takes a quick scanning gaze to the auditorium... a thousand immediate rowed silver seats. They were sparsely populated with guests. They were early, but these seats were for those purely here to buy and leave.

Eyes traveling further out and up, he finds four levels of black balconies, each filled to the brim with leather booth dining seats, five star clean and open to catering for on site services. The patrons occupying those are the high end partners. Long time friends.

There were more up there than in the traditional seats just before the stage. It brought a smile to his face. From beside the main stage, he scans several dozen entrances, finding each with two suited guards. Good.

Walking from the stage and up a white walk way carpet, he reaches one of the entrances of the auditorium, finding the open grand halls and stairways for guests to navigate from outside. Each door has guards. Good. The ways are shining white carpet with black and navy blue detailing.

He chuckles to himself at the sight of a line of guests at the main door. He turns, marching away to investigate his security. "This is gonna be fun."

. . .

Watching him go, Neo releases the breath she didn't know was held. Her shoulders sag as her breathing pick back up. God... she hates that man.

Beside her, Blair sheathes her weapon, groaning. "Gods, I hate that man." Suddenly, Neo's shoulders shake, quivering in silent chuckling. The only words going through her mind being 'Fucking right?!' Suddenly, Neo flinches as Blair plants her hand onto the girl's shoulder.

Blair's stony expression softened just a touch. "As I was saying before... You will be fine." A quick glance to the doorway, she sees the guard looking in suspiciously. She was taking far too long. Returning her gaze to Neo, she nods, speaking low. "I promise."

The mismatched eyes meet amber, silently judging the sentiment. The little girl gives a mute nod, before more confidence comes in. Causing chaos before her death? What could be more fun? (Bass strings sound, a slow instrumental start)

She rises, exiting the clean white room to the dingy hallway. The guard sneers at her exit as another leads her away. "Next!" The gravelly voice snarls. The girl merely smirks to irritate the man before her escort back to her cell. (Bass rhythm repeats with added percussion and energy. Tune softens as verse begins)

She enters her cell, the door clamping shut and locking. The room's been cleared out in her short absence. Only herself and the four walls remain as she looks up. The tall, tall barred ceiling shines with lighting, and the sounds of clapping begin... the show is starting. ("Broken bone and liar's lead. Caught off guard and left for dead.")

. . .

Inside Blair's lab, she finishes with the last child, watching them leave. Taking just a second to lean against the counter, she affixes her weapon at her hip discarding the doctor jacket. ("Luck keeps turning as the light begins to dull~")

Satisfied with the fit, she tucks the hair framing the left side of her face behind her ear. A sigh escapes her. "Plan is made. It's all up to whether Ozpin's grip on Vale still exists at all." ("And by healin' hands I'm saved. Pulled from my shallow grave.")

She moves to the door to go find her spot in the auditorium. "Here's hoping nothing sabotages me." ("I can feel reprisal achin' through my skull~" Music picks up)

. . .

Heulin' Noon clicks, cylinder locking a full load in. The cylinder spins as Carmine's armored hand twirls the weapon into its holster at the left thigh. ("Set my sights on shinin' spires.")

Roman's cane jabs the ground as the suited man's off hand flips his bowler hat. Setting it on his head, he smirks. Challenge accepted. ("Set out on the highways tired.")

The duo stand in the parking lot of the Silver Auditorium, the building towering over them like a giant. Roman chuckles. "Alright, brat. Follow my instructions exactly, and we'll be fine." ("On the desert sands and ruined roads I roam~")

The conman marches off to the shortened main entrance line, Carmine hesitating for a moment. Keep calm... Don't get angry. Shaking off his nerves, fists clenching, he marches after Roman. His eyes dart to nearly every guard and patron. ("And this ole lonesome road... shall bring me what I'm owed.")

Handing off a paper for himself and the boy, Roman smiles easily at the guard. The guy looks the two over, suspicious when his brow furrows at Carmine. A tense second passes before he gives a jerky nod for the two to enter. ("These new empires on old stone shall be my home~")

The two walk in, Roman swatting the boy's arm casually. "Keep calm and let me talk." The two march through the grand open area to the auditorium entrances. Moving to the first two guards, Roman smiles wide. "The easy seating for me and the help here." He gives off a smarmy tone with his gesture to the boy. (the tone softens in an acoustic melody. "Under the Mojave sky...")

The man nods, handing an auction number sign for the conman. The number '343' is bold on it. Carmine's eyes widen, but he jerks his head down. THERE'S THAT MANY PEOPLE BUYING SLAVES HERE?! Fuck, keep calm. Keep calm. Don't blow cover. The door opens for the two... (Melody repeats. "I'll find a flag to fly~" Music enters chorus)

Both infiltrators' jaws drop, the boy's more obvious, at the grand silver, black, navy blue, and white décor around the entire gigantic auditorium. The two stood upon a white carpet pathway down the aisles of silver seats, with a look to a grand gigantic stage with a crimson curtain. ("To tip the odds and rig the game." "Deal another hand and play!")

The room was only about half populated, but the upper levels were bustling with high class people, eating food and ordering from suited catering. Roman bumps the boy, taking the shock away as they walk the white aisle. ("Every card a shift of cir~cum~stance!")

Finding a seat in one of the lesser populated aisles, the man jerks the boy in as they sit down, getting comfortable. "Show's starting." Roman smirks, getting a side glare from the boy. ("Let every better state their claim!" "Deal another hand and play.")

Unbeknownst to them, on the balcony directly to their left, Blair steps in and enters a booth. The woman finds her seat, with a sickening pinup note and a bottle of wine. The note read 'Be there soon' with a drawing of roses. She rolls her eyes in disgust. ("Stack the deck. I'm letting No~thing fall to chance!" music dies down, a softer melody beginning. Beginning base cord begins again.)

The crowd claps, hushes coming down as, from behind the curtains, Spyyra steps through. A mic is pinned to his lapel as he flourishes his hands. "Ladies and Gentlemen!" He announces proudly, voice blaring out the auditorium speakers. (Instrumental plays)

Carmine's eyes widen like saucers, twitching as he tenses. Green hair. Orange eyes. Black suit and tie over a gray button up. The EXACT man described by Cyrus! His left hand twitches for his gun, but he reigns his impulse in simply staring daggers at the stage man. ("..someday the change will come." Beat picks up, building.)

Spyyra grins to the crowd, bowing. "Tonight, we have a lovely event, but don't let me explain. Let tonight's grand host explain it himself!" (Instrumental continues to build.)

Behind the curtain, dozens of barred openings line the floor. Under one, several stories down, Neo hears the commotion, sneering in disgust. Narcissistic bastard. ("Scattered strays who lost their meani'.")

Up on the balconies, Blair glares at the man, waiting to see this mystery 'boss' they all have. She twirls a glass of wine she'd poured herself. ("Brotherhoods who hide and hoard.")

"He's the one. I know it." Carmine grumbles to himself. Beside him, Roman raises a brow, recalling Carmine's description of the kidnapper. He also found that he had to agree. A new front face of the training division it seems. ("Followers of help and healin'... The addicted, lost, and scorned.")

The green haired man snaps his finger. "Now then, folks. I present to you, the one and only, leader of our fair, respected, and loving organization. The man who built ALL of this! Come on, guys and gals, can you get some cheers coming!" ("Someday the change will come and wash the doubt away...")

The people begin an uproarious collection of clapping, echoing throughout the room. Even half filled, it was lively. And sickening to Carmine. The sounds brought a furious scowl to him. ("The heart of the desert will beat harder in that day~!")

Blair remains composed, save for a twitch of her right eye at the crowd. Savages. Sophisticated, pompous savages. She drowns them out with a long sip of the wine. ("Someday the change will come and wash the doubt away...")

Spyyra, eating the attention, smiles wide. "Well, come on stage hands! Reveal our gracious host!" The green haired man dramatically bows before leaping from the stage. Landing among the seating, he immediately lets the rising curtain take the crowd's attention. ("The heart of the desert will beat harder of that day~yeah!")

From her cell, Neo watches as a figure steps over the bars far above her. Polished white suit. She'd never once seen the so called leader of this organization... The bastard himself was here? (Instrumental plays out. "This day!")

Carmine and Roman watch as the curtain rises. First seeing polished white shoes, then a pure white pair of pants, then a full white suit. All around a rotund, overweight body... (Instrumental repeats, then silences. And acoustic melody begins to play out.)

Past the suit, the first thing the infiltrators registered was the unworldly large toothy grin, shining pearly white teeth. Each one held a different reaction...

"He's the one?" Carmine thinks to himself, open confusion coming on.

"He's the bastard?" Neo thinks, narrowing her gaze at the barred opening above.

"He's the target." Blair thinks with certainty.

"He hasn't changed." Roman darkly ponders. His grip on his cane tightens.

To Be Continued... And finally, all four of our main characters are in the same building at once. Some tensions between Carmine and Ozpin, and some plans on all sides.

The first song used was Staring At The Sun by Offspring, removing some repetition in the final chorus.

The second song, Mojave Sky by Miracle of Sound. The parts specified here are the first verse and the third chorus onward, removing two lines and ending repitition.

Carmine's third armor configuration is shown. "Schneider" (Sh. Nye. Der) is full focus on close combat with blades mounted at the back of the hands and elbows. Difficulty with ranged combat, making it an emergency form when overwhelmed.

We will see the results of those plans next time, in Chapter 15: Reunions