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.

19. 17 On The Road Again

Chapter 17: On The Road Again

Day 2...

The rumble of wheels on the road, the faint roar of the engine. Around the vehicle, trees blur by as lines of color, a testament to speed, currently ticking off 80 mph. The constant hum was the only sound, however. The four occupants remained, each set on their own.

Neo had finally started to tire of the view of the windows. However, each and every change of view lead to a knew perking. Like her eyes were recording everything they saw. That being said, she also grimaced more than anything, passing by a farming town an hour ago. Her mind raced, but not by taking in the view... Every so often, she'd eye a location, picturing- no. Formulating how she would move about the environment if she had to.

It was like she was casing each place. She smirks as she reflects on that realization.

On the other side, behind the driver side, Carmine lays down, head draped over the middle seat, on his back. He gazes up at his scroll, currently plugged into the front for recharging power. On the screen, he swipes a border, pinging a bouncing ball back and forth. The game gives a very light beep as he scores, knocking the ball around the AI barrier.

The chime makes the girl next to him twitch. Slowly, she turns her head, cocked down at the boy, then locks on the cellular device.

It takes a moment, but Carmine shoots his eyes to her, raising a brow. "Hmm?" Neo huffs, turning away. Frowning, he shrugs, turning attention back to the scroll.

Shatter!

His scroll falls to aura shards, pinging off his face and fading away. His eyes shoot wide as he jolts upright! The sudden movement gets a questioning glance from Roman through the rearview mirror.

The boy ignores him and turns about, looking all over.

Then he stops when he hears the game chime...

He turns, finding the game now in Neo's hands. The girl cocks her head at the screen, swiping her finger to move the player barrier. The AI scores on her again, as her gaze brightens, moving the barrier to successfully bounce the ball back.

Carmine's jaw drops, looking to his scroll in her hand, to his own hand. Double take. He looks between them again. A very soft 'what!' comes out before he reaches for his scroll.

In one deft movement, her left hand swats his hand away. Her focus remains square on the device. Carmine growls before reaching again.

Slapped away. Another reach. Slapped away. Another reach. Slapped away. Now, twice as fast. Slap. Slap. Slap. Slap.

5 minutes later...

Carmine now lays across the left and middle seats, a bored pout on his face. The chime gets a cringe on his face as his eyes tiredly gaze 'up' to see Neo's smirk at his game. Well, HER game now. He continues his pout, crossing his arms. His eyes might trick him, but he swears he sees her smile grow as he does so.

Up in the front, Roman ignores the children, but Blair looks out the corner of her eye. A small sigh escapes her as she returns her attention to the map. Another 60 miles until the next road split. Going to start hitting mountains within a few days, which will definitely slow them down. Wow, she never actually took notice of how much bulkhead transports helped with Hunter missions and continental travel.

Granted, she KNEW it had an effect, but it's the HOW MUCH that's surprising. At current pace, they should arrive at the kingdom borders in... A week. Her nose wrinkles in thought. A week couped up in this van.

On the other side, Roman passively drives along, his own gaze dragging over- shock! Another tree line! Ugh, nature was overrated. So is silence, for that matter! His finger finally goes to the radio, catching all three others attention. He turns to radio on.

"-will be the day we've waited FOR! This will be the d-"

Click. Roman switches that immediately with a grimace.

"-for kill. Eye for eye. Time for blood, it's time-"

Roman sighs. Too gritty. No fun. He switches again.

"-eeed liiiike roooo-"

He shuts the radio off and growls under his breath. Well, radio distraction isn't more painful than helpful. Just as he wonders about other options, his narrowed gaze finds the blonde's hand reaches for the radio instead.

Blair flips it on, immediately searching through stations. Finding her choice, she turns it on.

"-eaks about the new coming pack of Ursai roaming around the southern rivers. Fishing towns discovered the bear creatures when the steady population of fish coming from up river suddenly had a sharp decline. Residents within the area of Outpost Kannan should take shelter. We do have confirmation from Vale officials that two teams of Huntsman and Huntresses from Beacon and Atlas academy will be cooperating to end the threat."

The station continues on. Roman rolls his eyes. "Grimm in the woods. Stop the presses." Ignoring Blair's cutting side eye, he sighs. "The path we're taking is fairly untouched with Grimm sightings anyway."

"It's still best to be prepared. Grimm aren't part of nature. You can't accurately predict their patterns." Blair pinches the bridge of her nose. "You can't rely only on base knowledge when it comes to them."

"Wait, why are we avoiding them though?" Carmine sits upright, raising a brow. "We'll need to get some money eventually, so wouldn't taking some Grimm hunts help along the way?"

"Oh, hi Death. I'm on my way." Roman snarks off sarcastically.

"Seriously. Shouldn't we help where we can? Heck, aren't you trying to make money?"

Before the conman can argue, Blair turns to meet Carmine's stare. "We are not going off Grimm hunting before we start actually getting a feel for how we fight." Looking at the orange haired man, she states clearly. "Stop at the next town before sunset. I need to evaluate these two myself."

At 'these two', Neo's head comes up with wide eyes. She leans up, latching onto the back of the blonde's seat. Blair turns and the two meet glares. Neo's obviously screams along the lines of 'Bitch, I just had an evaluation three days ago. YOU graded it.'

"I need to see how Carmine's coming along, AND what type of fighting style to pursue with you." At the girl's questioning look, Carmine suddenly grimaces.

The boy gasps, life breathing into him. "You're gonna train us?" Neo cocks her head at him, but he suddenly smiles brightly. "It'll be just like be-" he stops, paused. Slowly, Blair turns her amber orbs on him. He chokes and stutters out. "B-be j-just-t like bef-fore."

"Is that an issue?"

"NOPE!" He forces a smile, sweating nervously as her eyes began to stare burning death his way.

Neo follows the looks, smirking lightly. Given his initial excitement, she feels almost like he's exaggerating his fear. Still, she narrows her gaze at the thought of the one word. 'training'. Ew.

Blair turns her eye to Roman. "You too, by the way."

The man breaks out a laugh. "HA-he-xcuse me? Not happening. I don't need training in anything other than thinking of a solid nickname for you." He paused in thought. "Something with witches."

"Sabrina?" Carmine offers helpfully.

"She's not-" he stops, eyeing Blair. "You still a teenager?"

Before Blair unleashes anger on the man, Carmine latches onto Roman's seat. "Eyes on the road! And come on! You can train with us. Why wouldn't you?"

He huffs at the boy. "Any and all self respect. Besides, I'm trained."

"Everyone can be improved." The boy perfectly mimics the wording of his biological father. "You could learn all new things."

"Brat, I kidnapped you once. You know I'm trained." Roman bristles annoyed. The sudden annoyed bite hits like a slap to the face. The boy recoils before scowling.

"Same asshole that needed to be warned about his drug addict friend about to shoot him." Carmine snaps back. Neo and Blair both share a look at that.

Rather than be offended, Roman deflects with a laugh. "Oh, the Addict! Fun times. Don't you agree?" The boy absentmindedly works his jaw, a brief phantom numbness at he recalls a certain raccoon faunus... "Wonder what he's up to."

A flash of blood. The ringing of a double gunshot over him. Carmine flinching hard and shaking himself off. He ignores the look from Neo as Blair snaps back. "Either way, you're training with us. You can't expect me to believe you don't keep up with training at all."

"Ugh! Fine! Happy, Barbie?" Roman's scowl suddenly lifts in thought. "Oh! Barbie! That works for you."

As Blair tosses around the idea of murdering the driver, Neo cocks her head at Carmine. The boy rubbed at his own eyes, something up. Rolling her eyes, she holds her hand out, offering his scroll back to him. Carmine flinches as he sees the device, then smiles. "Thanks-" it shatters as he grips it... Lips pursed, he looks to Neo, who no longer has it. Deadpan toneless. "...Where is it?"

She smiles as she shrugs her shoulders innocently. The next half hour was spent with the boy rummaging about the back seat for his scroll, an amused Neo poking fun the whole time.

. . .

The sun had long begun its decline towards the horizon, Roman catching sight of a scratched sign on the road. Passing by, he notices just enough undamaged portions of the sign to see 'next exit'. The sign was a dirty blue, but the clawed damage was a clean silver. Like the damage only recently removed the paint.

"that's welcoming." He mumbles under his breath before calling out. "Alright, mad lads. We'll be making our nightly stop at the next exit." In the back seat, a disgruntled Carmine and curious Neo perk up.

"Not exactly a friendly place, but the next stop is 30 miles." Blair sighs, shutting the radio off. The group sits quietly as Roman turns off onto the exit. Moving through a cleared path of woodland with a broken concrete path.

The trail leads to a basic outpost, concrete ten foot walls containing a dozen buildings, varying shades of white and tan. The van stops at a gate for the community, Roman scoffing at the gray haired old timer who waves them on in.

His green eyes scan across the structures. A white main building was a level higher than the others, a CCT antenna on top. The skinny building's door was open, a casually dressed woman with a gun at her hip.

Next was the general store, brown and plain, with a gas pump. Unimpressive. Then a medium sized gray motel with only a few rooms. It seemed to be mixed with a pub. There is the impressive bit. Then, nine varying cabins with gardens and crops inside the walls.

Stopping at the gas pump, the four exit the vehicle, stretching their legs. The group glances over to the approaching woman from the CCT building. Brown haired, wary blue eyes. "Greetings, friend. What brings you all this way?"

"Just travelers on our way to the countryside." Roman starts with a smarmy grin. Having known him for only a few days, the group can tell his fake voice. An obvious superiority hidden under word choices as he proceeds to speak with the woman.

Meanwhile, Carmine takes in the surroundings. The general goods shop has a wooden sign with golden lettering for 'Cimo's Trade'. Hmm. He'd never heard of it. He blushes as he wonders just how often he'll be hearing of something new. Gosh, he's supposed to be a leader, and he's so clueless!

Roman leaves the woman, returning to the three. "They got enough rooms for us all, and we can be restocked easily." He glares Blair's way in particular. "There's a clearing about a quarter mile South that we can use. Told them you all were health nuts for exercise."

"Then let's settle into some rooms." Blair starts, setting a glare Carmine's way. "You and Roman will share one room. Neo and I will take another. Try not to strangle each other, children." Neo giggles at the jab at the men, only for the blonde to turn on her. Neo pauses, wide eyed. "And you're with me because neither of them will keep you still."

At Neo's deflation, Carmine cracks a grin. "Ha. ha." She cuts a side glare at him before the group gathers necessities from the van, getting things settled.

. . .

Finding the clearing, a break in the forest to a fair sized prairie, the group marches out over the grass. The ground was uneven, grass and growth moving around the rocky portion of the forest. Finding a rock to sit on, Carmine plops down, crossing his legs. "Alright, how we doing this?" He checks Heulin Noon at his thigh, then the armor on his arm.

Blair steps forward, Florescent Finish strapped within her belt. She starts with a huff. "We shall pair off." The blonde sets eyes on Neo while drawing the yellow blade. In a fluid motion, she throws the weapon's sheath at the little girl. "Use this for now."

Neo catches the sheath, a small pout coming on as she eyes the blonde's golden blade... then the conman's cane, and finally, Carmine's gun. Waving the sheath, her semblance forms a white flag on the metal shaft as she waves it lightly.

"Get over it." The blonde looks at the boys. "You two should have a spar while I see what we should do about Neo. Roman, I would appreciate it if you would actually critique and assist with evaluating him." She narrows her gaze at him as she ends.

He holds back a yawn, smiling at her. "Oh? Did you say something?" At her rising anger, he brightens, acting as if he just heard her. "Ah, check Silver Streak's form and tell him he's terrible? Sure." He waves her off before she can speak further. "Come on."

Carmine sighs and gets up. "I'm so going to punch him." The two march to the other end of the clearing, leaving the women alone.

Blair sighs, shaking her head, uttering under her breath a mantra. "'Bonding. Bonding is important.'" A head of violet hair comes to mind, painfully so. She takes notice of Neo cocking her head at her, earning another low sigh. "Nothing. A painful saying my last partner pushed on me for years."

Neo raises a brow, gesturing between the two of them while wrinkling her nose.

The blonde pinches the bridge of her nose. "Well, it's either you or Carmine, and somehow the boy already has a... rapport with the criminal." She side glances in direction of the boys, who she can tell are already in another verbal dispute. "Something I'll have to ask about later, but back to the matter at hand. Can't believe I have to do this a SECOND time." Full attention goes to the girl. "I have a gauge of your fighting temperament, but throughout your previous evaluation, it seemed like you had no preference in weapon types."

Neo recalled how the weapons in her evaluation match were randomized between the combatants. Nodding along, she gives Florescent's sheath a wiggle in her hands.

Blair nods. "When you picked a weapon for your auction, you chose a sword. So far, that choice is all I have to go on for what you'd prefer to use once we get you your own weapon." Slowly, she slides into her Kendo stance. "So, use my sheath as a stand in. We're going to work on your form. See if that's the best direction for you. No semblances."

The girl's head hangs, a low 'hmm' coming out. She looks up, feeling up the shaft of what amounts to a club. Finally, she twirls it, gripping the container at the mouth. With a near silent high growl, she charges, moving into a series of swings at odd angles. The blonde expertly deflects with minimal movement, sharp and quick as she moves between guards.

Off to the other end, Roman scoffs, placing Velvet Valentine off to the side. "Alright, brat. Armor off." He comments as he flawlessly tosses his bowler hat perfectly onto the handle of the cane, like a coat rack.

Carmine scowls. "Huh?"

"No guns. No weapons." He comments, rolling his neck like it's obvious. "All your weapons off."

The boy scowls before sighing. "Fine." Closing his eyes, he punches his left fist into his right palm. "Base." The low utterance is punctuated with his armor flickering in place in a flash of greenish blue. All the locked connectors undone, the armored sleeve falls to pieces off his arm, the small chest covering plates falling as well. With all the pieces on the ground, Carmine sighs, unstrapping Heulin Noon's holster and tossing it and the gun on top of the piece pile.

Roman scoffs, walking a short bit away from his belongings. Turned to the side, without looking, he gestures for the boy to come at him. "Come, kid. Let's get going."

With a raised brow, Carmine groans, irritated with the flippant disregard. "You're asking to be hit."

The man laughs. "Wow, can't do it for real, so you just say it. I'm hurt."

That's it! Carmine charges him in a sprint, cocking his arm to punch him. The man, still not looking the boy's way, smirks before chucking his hand out... releasing a handful of sand into the boy's face! "AH!" Moving with the throw, Roman twists, grabbing Carmine's punching arm, tossing the teen over his shoulder and into the ground behind him. Carmine hits hard.

"Oh, so close." Roman smirks, smacking his hands together and patting off sand from his gloves. "Yet, so far."

The boy writhes, pawing at his eyes. "Ah! Why would- Where did you get sand?!" He roars out, trying to get his bearings. The stinging pain in his watering orbs burned.

The conman snickers. "Oh, I was grinding dirt in my off hand while you were politely taking your time."

Carmine finally opens a painful eye, still only barely rolled onto his front while on the ground. Seething, he snarls. "You asshole! Why would you do that?"

The anger chills as Roman's hand grips the boy by the hair, wrenching up to look in the eye. It wasn't truly fear... Well, not fear of Roman, but the dread and shock he felt looking into the green cold eyes left in stunned. Roman's voice speaks dead cold, no jovial nature in his tone. "We're up against murderers, boy wonder. You're gonna have to fight dirty."

Hiking his leg back, Carmine only saw the conman kick forward. The beginning of a quite painful hour.

. . .

"That will do for today." Blair announces, standing tall. Near her, Roman marches over, patting the dirt off his hands, hat perched again on his head. Seeing his snicker, Blair glares at him. "... And this will hopefully get more of a set schedule." The two look in the direction of dual panting.

Across from them, Neo sits on her sprawled knees, barely keeping herself upright using Florescent's sheath. The girl is covered in bruises up her arms, hair a hot mess. Her shoulders rise and fall in deep breaths.

Beside her, Carmine lays sprawled upon his back, both arms draped over his head, equally pained. His clothes were covered in dirt and grim, testament to being dragged around by the clean conman. He growls, throwing his arms out to reveal a black eye. Seeing Roman's grin, he snarls. "I'm gonna shoot you."

"Oh, don't get upset Silver Streak. Get good." He kicks his cane up, snatching it as he begins to walk away, winking at Blair as he passes. She bristles at the gesture, which even she can tell makes him even happier.

Sighing, she addresses the kids. "Let's turn in and get some food." While the tricolor girl still holds her sheath, Blair jams her sword into its container before pulling it away. Losing her grip, Neo falls onto her hands, pouting up at the woman. Blair suppresses a smirk as she holds one hand out each for the children.

Neo huffs, taking the offered hand and struggling to her feet. Carmine lazily swings his hand into Blair's and pulling himself up. Various muscles strain and protest to the way he gets up, but he's too mad to care. Blair is already turned, walking off from the children. Standing on wobbly feet, he closes his eyes.

His left hand moves to his side. "Return." Then his hand flicks up to a fist and extends out to his side. "Zero!" At the thigh, his holster flickers into place, Heulin Noon inserted, and his Buster Armor appears in the default Zero form on his left arm like a sleeve.

Neo gives a sympathetic smile, bobbing her head towards the retreating adults. He huffs in a pout, but does so, walking one step ahead of Neo as she follows. Her smile washes away with a feeling. Her eyes dart to either side, not entirely sure what it is. Like a phantom pain, she feels a pressure prickling at her mind... like she's being watched.

She shakes it off, moving after the redhead as distance grows between them. It's likely nothing...

Save the red eyes in the shaded darkness.

. . .

Drinks hit down on the wooden table, the four of them sat in the corner of the small pub. To Carmine, it looked like it came straight from the pictured pages of a Dungeons and Grimm Dragons handbook. Hardwood flooring with an excellent wooden bar/reception desk for the motel attached outside. The walls were covered in various paintings, low light lit candles, and some mounted animal heads which consisted of three wolves and fourteen point deer. The center of the room was covered by a large bear skin rug, even.

Hell, the only thing that made the room modern by any means was the CCT connected television running Vale territory news. Only a few patrons were in and being served small meals and drinks, leaving the team to take their spot in a booth along the wall.

On one side, Carmine and Blair sit, the boy staring daggers of concentrated acid filled fury at the orange haired man across from him. Blair sat opposite from Neo, both fairly calm as the blonde looks at a paper and takes notes. Neo flicks her eyes to the angry boy, snickering. The action is directly in line with Roman's only cocky grin. "Something on your mind, Silver Streak?"

"You're a filthy cheater." Carmine grumbles. He cuts an eye to Blair. "I don't want to sleep in the same room as this jerk! I'll end up killing myself."

"Oh, good. Entertainment."

"What can he improve on?" Blair cuts in before the two enter a full blown argument. "If you bothered to notice anything." Carmine pouts as he crosses his arms at being the target of conversation.

Roman drops the smile, deciding, for once, to be serious. "Kid is malleable to a lot of different styles with weapons, sure, but he falls for the same pitfall of all you do good brats of the Academies."

Blair bristles at that, but chooses not to take the offense. "And that would be?"

"Sticking to learned patterns too rigidly." Roman explains. "You Hunters make your own weapons and master these grandiose and flashy fighting styles, but it won't fit when three people shiv you in the back while your gun's aimed forward. Take some studio black belt out into the streets, and he'll still get killed by the man packing a strapped surprise in his belt." He pauses to take a long drink, then sets a cold glare. "In short, you all need to fight dirty if you're gonna survive."

"What's the point in telling me it's hand to hand if you're gonna be a cheating ass?" Carmine defends himself, only for Roman to roll his eyes at him.

"I said 'no weapons'." He explains slowly with open hands up. "The point is to always find that loop hole and take every advantage one can. Instead, you just assumed how I would fight you. That assumption will get you and the rest of us killed, dumb ass."

Despite the tone being mocking, the serious nature of the man's face hit the point home, successfully pacifying the boy and leaving him to stew. Seeing Carmine's silence, Roman shifts his look to Blair as she speaks. "That's more honest than I expected. Thank you."

Carmine mumbles beside her. "What about a weapon for Neo?" The girl perks at that, unconsciously rubbing a sore spot on her arm.

However, the blonde huffs. "That's between me and her." She gives Carmine a side eye. "I gave you free reign when you wanted to design your armor. You may not help her. You, as our leader, should work on interpersonal relations."

The boy pouts, looking off and mumbling under his breath. "Weapons are cooler than people..."

Roman, equally childish, looks off and mumbles under his breath. "This is our leader? God kill me." At the words 'kill me', Carmine's eyes narrow, gazing at the wooden wall. His fists tighten a moment until he forces himself to calm.

Meanwhile, Neo just... watched. She took a moment, watching just how each of them interacted. A glance at Roman saw that he was obviously irritable about their circumstances, but seemed to be trying to get the most enjoyment out of it. At the same time, she casts a glance at Carmine, whose own eyes seemed to trail off any moment he wasn't fighting with Roman. Like his mind keeps going somewhere else. She'd roll her eyes and ignore him as an airhead if not for just the way his eyes darken when he's in that place... wherever his mind is.

Roman hadn't seemed to notice that. Or, rather, he probably has and doesn't care. As opposed to Blair, who was generally awkward and stiff in how she conducted herself. Perhaps Blair knows something more about where the boy's mind goes?

Speaking of Blair, Neo meets the woman's amber eyes, breaking the mute from her thoughts like a splash of cold water. Deep inside, she feels almost... burning, but she quells it, plastering on her trademark smirk. The same she'd given each and every captor of AZRL.

Blair raises a brow at the mute, but the tricolor girl gives her nothing as the group receives their drinks. Diet Soda for Carmine, regular for Neo, wine for Blair, and a mug of Ale for Roman. Carmine wrinkles his nose at the adults. "Drinking is lame."

"Says the boy with diet soda..." Roman groans.

"Pop."

The orange haired man glares at the boy. "... So... Da." He enunciates each of the syllables like talking to a toddler.

Carmine scowls. "It... is... Pop!" He rises to the challenge.

The man bristles. "Only children and hillbillies call it 'pop'."

The boy growls. "No, it's pop because soda POP! WHY would I shorten it to a two syllable word when I can shorten it to one? It goes against-"

Roman's mug hits the table as he juts a finger at the boy. "YOU don't know the laws of slang you sheltered alien of a stupid brat!"

… And there went polite conversation out the door for the remainder of their team dinner... One girl watched ashamed while the muted one enjoyed the entertainment.

. . .

After their stint at dinner, the women had already gone to their room, Roman deciding to go... somewhere, Carmine didn't bother to listen. The boy walks from the pub, shaking his head and kicking a rock on the ground. "Freaking jerk." He grumbles a moment... No, jerk doesn't cover it. The boy flushes, but embarrassed and angry. "Ass." Yeah, that fits Roman better.

Shaking his head, he groans. He'd have detention at Beacon for a lot of the language he was using in relation to the orange haired menace. Certainly, Roman falls under the 'bad influence' category, yet the boy rationalizes that the conman is simply worthy of the bad language. He's not influencing the boy. Never. Nope.

… God, he needs a pick me up.

Carmine walks into Cimo's store. Still open for about fifteen minutes. Entering, the store has a fairly wide variety, but is cramped with two extremely small aisles, walls covered in other products decorating the room all around behind the counter and behind the shop keeper. Just some grungy looking guy with long hair and glasses. "Sup, little man. Have a look around."

At being acknowledged, Carmine scratches the back of his head and nods in response as he looks about. Much of it was travel or sustainability related. Very little stood out as an item of convenience. However, he quickly spots the small patch of the candy section.

His eyes brighten with a sparkle at spotting his favorite! Gardelli White Dream vanilla bars! His broad grin grows as he reaches for it... then freezes. The corner of his eye catches the color of violet with a brown cartoon cow mascot. It was a prepackaged juice box type of container with the large golden title 'Choco Moo'.

That's right... He hadn't slept in the same room as someone else since... her.

His smile was gone, staring half lidded at the bright container. Slowly, a sigh escapes him as he reaches for his choice.

. . .

Roman enters the motel room, looking at the dreadfully dull, toneless colors. Two single beds, thankfully. He's irritated enough at the idea of sleeping in the same room as the teenager. Said teen currently sat on the end of his bed, armor and gun discarded, holding a juice box worth of Choco Moo chocolate milk drink.

Great. So the child has his milk too!

Ignoring the kid, he goes ahead and discards his cane and hat. As he moves about the room, hears the kid make a small noise of acknowledgment. He looks to see the boy still looking off at the wall. The boy takes another sip of the chocolate drink, but noticeably grimaces at the taste. "Someone piss in your milk, brat? It's what you get for buying convenience store treats."

His biting tone was met with no anger from the boy, who might have tuned him out. Carmine numbly pulls the drink away, shrugging. "No. It's a good drink. I just like vanilla more."

That makes Roman seize for a moment, turning irritated. "Then... get vanilla?" He states with a dramatic hand wave towards the door. His eyes squint as the teen fails to get riled with anger. More annoyed, Roman simply scoffs. "I got first shower, Silver Streak."

"Hmm." The boy utters before continuing with drinking.

Slowly, as the sounds of a shower go underway, his eyes glance towards the restroom. So, this was going to be his situation for... who knows how long? This was only the end of the second day since leaving Vale, and they had only been working together three days before that.

A mirthless laugh escapes him as he thinks back to Sanctuary... back to the ocean. Technically, he's known him longer than five days, but what does he actually know? Against his better judgment, he allows an all too chipper voice to ring in the recesses of his mind...

"Introduce ourselves! Get to know one another. Just, tell whatever we want about us..."

His grip on the Choco Moo box squirts some up into his face, getting the boy to spat about as he wipes furiously. "Ugh, fine..."

Minutes later, he hears the shower shut off, and Roman emerges in simple pants and a white short sleeve shirt. The man sees that the boy is still just sitting there, leading him to scoff. "Jeez, you Beacon brats really just take the fun out of even breathing, don't you." He gestures to the television in the motel room. "Not even a fan of television? I already think you're an alien."

Don't rise to him... Don't rise to him. Carmine meets the conman's gaze. "I, uh, wanted to talk?"

Roman groans. "Look kid, I'm not exactly chipper about a lot of this arrangement. I just want some peace and quiet." He speaks while setting up on his own single bed. He settles a mild glower towards the boy. "And that peace and quiet doesn't include playing Buddy ole Pal with a kid."

Having expected this, Carmine hums. "But it WILL make things easier in the long run. Please?" The man turns, sitting on his bed and scowling. Carmine takes that moment to continue. "We can start over and introduce ourselves?"

"Hi, I'm Roman. We're done." He speaks quickly, emotionless. "What else do you possibly need?" He adds with building annoyance.

Carmine pouts. "Well..." The chipper voice in his mind chimes. 'Things you like.' "Uh... what things you like?" He says like a question. 'Things you hate.' "Stuff you hate..." Before the voice can ring in his head, he goes forward. "And what dreams you have."

"You seriously are like an alien or a robot, you know that, right?" Roman mouths off sardonically. The boy is left stunned as the man gestures stiffly with his arm, voice stunting in a robot impersonation. "Hello. Fellow. Hoo man. Please designate yourself and your thoughts."

Anger finally builds in the boy. "Would you just do it, damn it!" He catches himself and shrinks back, blushing. He really is cursing a lot... Ozpin would drown him in homework.

Roman eyes the boy with contempt... finally sitting straighter. "fine... Let's do this."

A moment passes before Carmine takes the cue that he's going first. He perks up. "Oh!" He ignores Roman's under breath 'moron.' "Um, my name is Carmine Uhlric... Of course, you know it's also Carmine Ozpin-"

"What IS Old Man Superior like, anyway?" Roman interjects. "Every criminal worth his salt is always buzzing about the celebrity man of mystery who guards the human world." He mocks with a sarcastic drawl.

The boy doesn't even hesitate as he scoffs. "He's distant and expects you to be manipulated to do what he needs and learn your lesson without ever talking to you himself. He's never around and impossible to read." His tone gets more heated as he rants off.

Roman laughs at that. "So, about what I would expect." Carmine pops his head up, giving a look. There was almost... sympathy there? Roman then huffs. "Go on with your introduction speech, Silver Streak."

"Um..." The boy racks his brain. He could talk about comics... food... none of that really matters. "I like helping people... I like feeling like I've accomplished something." He mulls that wording over, not entirely satisfied, but continues. "I hate people. I hate people who do stupid things like hurt others, or make stupid, dumb decisions that hurt others."

Roman snickers. "Oh, you're going to have a heart attack in your 20s if you even make it that far." When Carmine doesn't continue, the orange haired man snorts. "Also, speaks wonders to your self esteem kid. You need to not give a rats ass."

When Carmine glares his way, Roman continues. "People are bastard coated bastards with bastard filling. The good people of the world? The heroes? You just don't know the bad things they've done." He looks the boy in the eye. "I'd pay a fortune for whatever skeletons are in Ozpin's closet, personally." He then pauses, looking at the boy fully. "Then again, you ARE one of them. So, I can say I'm ahead of the world on that front."

The boy stews on the man's words a moment, but manages to speak the last bit. "I want to be like them... My parents and..."

One part of Roman was curious exactly how that confrontation between Super Cop and his Hunter pals against Killian. However, the other part of him asserts that he does not care. As such, Roman huffs. "And my turn." He gets the boy's attention. "My name is Roman Torchwick."

"Not your real last name, I take it?" The boy interjects, eyes focused on the man.

Impressed and annoyed, Roman frowns. "And how do you figure that?"

"You put more emphasis on the last name. Not much, but I figured you just push it." The boy explains casually, like it's obvious. The man is stunned a moment at the observation. Even he hadn't noticed he did such a thing.

"Huh... I guess you CAN be observant, Silver Streak. You're correct. It's not, in fact, my real last name." He admits with a light growl.

"What's your actual last name?"

"Not giving it." Roman smirks. At the boy's oncoming protest, Roman cuts him off. "Unlike you, I don't let that secret slip."

"Wha-... but YOU'RE the one that told Neo!"

"And that's your fault for not securing my silence." Roman remarks with a grin. The boy groans, throwing himself back over his own bed before straightening up with a scowl. Taking pity, Roman continues. "I like winning. I like the challenge of outwitting a would be opponent. In fact, I love it, if you can't tell."

"Gee, I couldn't guess." Carmine mutters dryly.

Roman smirks. "Keep working on your sarcasm, brat." He sighs. "And I hate virtually anything and everything else. Particularly, stupid idealistic sods who march off to their deaths earning nothing."

A short pause silences the room as the two meet stares at one another. It didn't take much for Carmine to know the man was talking about Huntsman and Huntresses. Marching to their deaths for nothing? Part of him wants to blow up on the man... but it hits a little close.

Three adults pop into mind when Carmine reflects on that... All for him. He's the wrong person to argue with Roman on this, he realizes and drops his gaze. "I see."

The two sit a moment as Roman lays back. Seeing the conversation as over, he turns on the television. "Get your shower brat."

As Carmine gets up to gather some sleeping clothes, he realizes he didn't ask the man about his dreams. A part of him wondered if Roman even had them.

. . .

Blair settles, spreading a few pads of note paper on the room's small end table. Having freshly showered, she looks at the papers. Old notes... Old notes on Carmine's blood. She grimaces, recalling that the information she had on that page was paid for by her expulsion from Beacon. Still, she decided it was worth expanding on.

Looking it over, she recalls how his semblance works. Recall semblance, ugh. He mentally groans at the unintentional pun. Carmine would likely give a dopey smile had she voiced that out loud. Still, his semblance. The ability to recall any object to a previous state he'd infused aura into it. Then, the ability to recall himself to a previous position or physical state.

Both of these abilities were significant, yet quite indirect. He seems to have gotten a solid handle on switching his BAS forms. The armors held up remarkably well, it seems. A small well of pride came at the thought of the weapon.

Bringing her to the other notes, made about Neo's semblance. Her Shatter semblance, that is. The ability to craft physical illusions that shatter upon a strong hit. Upon creation of the illusion, the caster and those under the casting gain short term transport, able to appear within a short distance of the initial casting.

Very powerful, but that begs the question. What weapon works for her? Being able to sneak in and out of combat with illusions would be advantageous for a sniper, perhaps. No, Neo's general fighting style is based around flexible acrobatics, outpacing and leading her opponent on. Unless it's low grade, guns won't work well.

Which sticks her to melee. This, Blair felt, should be easy. The girl has shown a preference for weapons with a grip. The sword for her sale demonstration. The prods during the auditorium break. She even had a preference to hold Florescent's hilt at the base.

However, she has a penchant for sliding her hands up the shaft to support the weapon and strikes. A single blade sword would work, perhaps. But with her size, she has enough issue defending attacks. Her ability to deflect blows is dependent on how well she can control the weapon. Simply a single edge sword doesn't perfectly fit.

As she speaks, the bathroom door opens, Neo emerging with her hair down and damp, in the same clothes as before. Blair's face scrunches at that. She herself was in an actual violet and white night gown. "Take those off. Your clothes will need washed."

Neo blinks at her, like a deer in headlights. Cocking her head, she gestures to herself and flicks her hand. The simple meaning 'into what' going unspoken.

Blair sighs, moving to her clothes bag. Fishing through she moves over to Neo. "Here." She hands the girl the clothing. "It'll last you until we get you new clothes." With that, the blonde returns to her notes.

She hears the little girl retreat to the bathroom, shuffle about, before returning. A near silent 'Hm!' catches her attention. Blair flicks her gaze over and-... right. Neo stands in Blair's workout clothing. Black shorts that SHOULD be tight drifting to the little girl's knees, as a simple violet under armor t shirt that's WAY too big, drifting down one arm entirely.

The tricolor girl looks unamused at the selection, half lidded eyes twitching. Her hands reach out, showing how loose the clothing it, as she swiftly double slaps her own chest. She hopes to convey the message. 'I don't fill this out'.

With a sigh, Blair crosses the room. "Come here." Crossing the room to the now startled tricolor girl becomes a storm of movement, the woman manipulating the girl to fix her up. "Stop... loosen up! There."

Blair steps back from Neo. The girl's shirt was now tied back in a ball between the shoulder blades, pulling the front tight. The bunched up ball was held together by a hair band. The shorts' strings were pulled and tied so long the strings moved past the bottom of the clothing. Neo huffs, shrugging. It's tight enough to fit, and that's all that matters.

"Better?" The woman asks.

Under the blonde's gaze, Neo feels... twisted. She'd forgotten what it was like to wear her own clothes even, so used to just being given presentable clothing by a stuffy guard. Yet, she felt both of those things were worlds apart from wearing someone ELSE's clothes. She frowns, eye twitching for a moment.

The blonde internally sighs. As much better as she's getting with interpersonal stuff since Carmine, she still doesn't like it. "What is wrong?"

Neo's eyes cut to the woman, narrowing. Slowly, her features school as she smirks. She shakes her head, but Blair raises a brow.

"I saw you use that mask on Spyyra. I know you're faking it now."

The smirk remains, however, as Neo huffs, pushing around Blair to walk off. In a split second, the blonde figures she'd try what worked with Carmine... physical contact. Stiffly, she manages to place a hand steadily onto the little girl's shoulder.

Neo's eyes snap wide, twisting out of the grip and throwing a spinning high kick at the blonde. Blair barely reacts in time, blocking the kick and grabbing at the ankle to hold the limb. Neo pulls herself up to kick, but the blonde twirls the girl into a spin.

Spiraling, Neo lands on her hands, kicking into Blair's guard to gain distance. As she assumes a defensive stance, her mismatched eyes narrow at widened amber. Blair remains in place, hands up peacefully, though stiff. Clearly, physical affection was not appreciated. Good, they were the same in that respect.

"Neo... I am trying to help. That is all." Okay, maybe her voice could have been gentler... however, the message seems to hit as the girl relaxes her stance. Neo's fake smirk appears once more as she turns as gets onto the bed.

Blair keeps her gaze on her for a full minute, waiting for any flash or sign of the girl's semblance. Thankfully, she doesn't find any. Good. She turns back to her notes in a sigh... and stops.

An illusion sign sits over her notes, words inscribed. 'Help doesn't exist for free.' Blair watches the message shatter, bringing her attention around to see Neo still on the bed. She does notice the girl scratch away at the fabric of Blair's violet shirt.

Blair sighs, moving to speak again.

"AHHHHH!" Both females flinch at the sound of the blood curdling male scream from outside. Neo is up and alert, Blair already having Florescent Finish in hand. Neo watches Blair burst out of the door, waiting a moment before she decides to follow. She pauses at the sound of gun fire.

. . .

The brown haired woman from the CCT building dodge rolls, a set of claws missing her. The woman tucks into a crouched position, aiming a rifle at the monster, a beowolf. The snarling monster roars as she opens fire. Four shots and the beast is knocked down, unmoving.

The woman shudders with a breath, but a man's scream pulls her attention to the side. Another citizen, wearing simple flannel clothing, hits the ground, trying to pull a pistol up. However, another beowolf lands onto him and pins the gun to the ground.

The beast prepares to gore the man with its claws as a lightning fast slash bisects the beast in two. Blair lands, twirling blood from Florescent's golden sheen. The blonde evaluates the situation around her, the man getting up and moving to the brown haired woman.

Eight beowolves within the community walls. The town's remaining three gunmen, were inside the CCT building, firing out the windows as one Grimm attempts to break in the front door. Three others were running about and dodging the gunfire, the remaining four glaring Blair's way.

Behind Blair, the woman and man stand together, and the beowolf previous shot through gets up. The beast snarls and lunges at the distracted woman. The two let out a collective scream before Neo catches them both on one shoulder each and the three shatter. The injured beowolf turns about, confused, finding the two villagers stumbling about by the motel.

The woman's blue eyes widen as Neo rips the pistol from her hip, aims, and empties the clip into the injured beast, putting it down for good. She returns the weapon to the shocked woman before running out to Blair's side.

Blair slashes one beowolf in half, then uses her sheath to jab into the next beowolf, holding it off the ground. Pulling the sheath back she slashes up through the falling beast, killing it.

A third lunges at her as she slashes twice, letting the third drop without either of its arms. It writhes on the ground as Blair stomps onto its back and impales its head with her blade.

The dodging beowolves take notice of the former huntress. Four of the five rush in, Blair dodging and weaving through them before speeding to the one besieging the CCT building. Closing the distance, she thrusts into the beast, activating her semblance.

A faint, violet shroud clouds over the Grimm as it gurgles in pain and drops. Removing her blade, she leaves the beast helpless. She decapitates is, turning to the remaining four.

Two of them charge forward until the conman leaps in from the side, swinging Velvet Valentine's pick side into the beast and hooking into the jaw. He twists and wrenches the beast and directs it into the second, knocking both off balance and screaming.

The man twirls the cane, using the hammer side and swinging up into the second and knocking it back. Twisting around, he palm strikes the first beast onto its back as well.

Both beasts, with broken jaws, pick themselves up as Roman smirks and twirls his cane about. The first lunges as the man grabs the cane head and jabs the cane's end into the monster's head. The tip of the cane sinks in several inches as the beast goes slack.

He rips it out, dodging the second. He swings the cane in a twirl, digging its pick side into the beast's skull. For good measure, he pulls it in to a flying knee, knocking the beast free of the weapon with a caved in head.

He smirks, settling into a defensive stance against the remaining two. Then a whistle catches their attention, turning to the left.

BOOM! BOOM!

Two double shots after another hit each of the beasts, blowing them apart. Carmine marches out, hair dripping, blue shirt and black pants damp as he frowns. Heulin Noon smokes as he pulls back. "Uh... what's up?"

The defenders all come together, looking around. No more Grimm climbing over the walls. A man shouts from the CCT building. "Scanners all clear. They left."

Blair rounds on the woman. "There are more?"

"We have directed motion sensors from the tower." The woman responds with a drawl. "Counted some 17." She gestured to the ones dissolving around the town. "This all is ten of em. Means at least seven more out there."

"Shit." The male villager grimaces as he stands. "Theo and Will are still out hunting over the mountains." He looks around at them, getting frantic. "They're sitting ducks if those monsters go for them!"

"Calm down." The woman tells him. "We'll call them on their scrolls."

Another voice shouts from the CCT. "Gonna be a problem, boss!" The group looks to see another man in jeans and a jacket pointing at the tower... a tear sparking on the side of the plating. "One of the suckers climbed over head and gashed the metal and connectors. That's gonna take a while to fix."

The woman grits her teeth. "Damn... we can't send a large enough group to fight off seven beowolves alone AND leave the village defended."

At that moment, the tired members of team CRBN look at one another. Neo simply blinks, Roman frowning, and Blair scowling at Carmine. "Perhaps we-"

The boy is already jumping the gun, proclaiming. "We'll do it!" Getting the town defenders' attention. "Which way did they go?"

The woman looks the group over suspiciously. "You'd just... do that?"

"For a price." Roman starts with a smirk. Carmine immediately swats at him, but misses. "Obviously, we'd require enough to replace any used ammo. We're quite low."

Behind him, Carmine gawks. "We have like- OOF!" He's elbowed by the conman before he can manage to mention their dust stockpile.

"It doesn't matter because we aren't in a position to do so." Blair pushes forward. Both men immediately double take at her. The blonde looks to the brunette town leader. "We are a newly formed team and do not know what exact numbers we are up against." She growls out.

The brunette looks them over, frowning. "I... see. Then-"

Carmine shouts over. "Two Hunters and two Hunters-in-training are more than enough for a pack of beowolves." Both Roman and Neo flinch at being referred to as Hunters, sharing an awkward look. The boy continues on. "We'll take on the job!"

Blair turns her furious glare on the boy. "We are-" Her glare widens in surprise, seeing the equally burning look from the boy. His blue eyes clash with her amber hazel, the communication simple. 'This is my first order'. The boy could almost scream it, and it wouldn't be more clear. Blair's lip twitches as she turns back to brunette. "Very well, we will accept the job."

Immediately, the tension in the town defenders eases. The woman nods. "Thank you."

Blair resists the urge to sigh, a familiar professionalism taking over. "We shall leave at daybreak." At Carmine's coming retort, she cuts him another glare. "It's suicide to travel at night with Grimm packs. Since we'll have a general idea of where to go, we can make up time quickly."

The boy bites his tongue, the logic winning out. The group looks themselves over. "Okay... Guess we need as much sleep as possible." He receives a nod from the woman.

"thank you." The brunette comments, then asks. " Um, who are you?"

Carmine pauses, immediately caught like a deer in headlights. Looking around, he gets a look of expectation from Blair, a grimace from Roman, and a blank yet amused one from Neo. He forces a smile. "Um, I'm Carmine, leader of Team CRBN." He spreads his grin in what he hopes is comforting. "We're on the job!"

Immediately, Roman grabs him by the back of the shirt, dragging him back to their room. "Good lord, you have zero charisma." He easily drags the stubborn boy away.

Blair sighs and ushers Neo along. She really can't believe they already have a job. It's been a while, and she hasn't decided if she feels excited or filled with dread. Whatever the case, she'll need to keep them on course.

. . .

The crack of dawn. A mild blue sky slowly brightens with light coming onto the village. The workers begin exiting their houses to begin their work for the day, rubbing sleep out of their eyes and waking up. The brunette woman stands at the gate, exhausted as some of her guards march off to catch sleep. She points South to a set of peaks miles into the distance.

"Will and Theo have a hunting ground for wildlife food about 14 miles in that direction. A river splits the area between the mountains with tall cliffs. Follow the first peak up to find the trail, and it'll lead you to rope bridges. There's other paths, but that's the most direct."

Standing at the village gate, Carmine straps Heulin Noon to his thigh. He wears black pants, a silver tank top with a blue high collar vest with his wolf sigil in silver on his back. "Jager." The cool gray armor forms around his calves. He gives a tired smile to the woman. "Thanks!"

Roman ties a wide ascot, wearing brown gloves, dark red button up with rolled up sleeves and top buttons undone, a black vest over, brown pants, and black shoes. He leans on Velvet Valentine, taking a last huff of a cigar as he flicks it off. His weapon's drum magazine hangs from a string laced around his shoulder like a bag.

Neo stands in her AZRL clothes, freshly washed. Pink top with brown corset, black pants, white arm warmers, and white boots. Her eyes trail about, scanning the trees ahead.

"What kind of Grimm frequent the area?" Blair asks, herself in a different outfit. Black and violet boots, black leggings, white tight top with violet trim tucked inside black cuffs. A violet belt holds a clip hooking Florescent Finish's hilt at her hip.

The woman nods. "We've only ever seen a Nevermore once six years ago, but otherwise, just a Boarbatusk every few months. Will has a high impact rifle that can pierce their defensive bones, so it's typically not an issue."

Blair scrunches her face at that. Grimm are that rare in this area? Strange to draw a full beowolf pack. She nods. "Thank you for the information. We'll be back in a few hours." Her look draws to Carmine, the boy struggling to keep his mouth closed forcing down a yawn. "Let's go."

Two fingers snap for attention as Neo walks up to the brunette. She glances at the woman's pistol at the waist and points to him. The brunette blinks, sharing a look with the others. "Um, what?"

"She needs a weapon." Carmine tiredly says. "Can she borrow your pistol?"

"Oh, um." The woman looks down at Neo, raising a brow. "... Sure..." She slowly removes the holster, giving it to the young girl. Neo accepts the weapon and gives her smirk mask. "Be safe." She says as the foursome leaves the village.

Already walking, Carmine resists a yawn as he eyes Neo strapping the gun and holster to her waist. "How are you awake already? Jeez."

Her smirk drops, simply staring back. Her lips purse as she pinches two fingers together in front of her neck and pulls out, miming a tug. His eyes scrunch at the action. Something with her neck- OH! Oh... Her slave collar. People woke her up all the time.

The thought brings a frown on. "Oh... sorry."

The girl's eyes widen a touch at that as she almost pauses her step... then they narrow as she walks ahead of him. She quickly moves to the front of the group by Blair, leaving Carmine with Roman.

"Dumb ass." Roman mutters as he adjusts his hat. He begins to pull ahead of the boy, who is left stunned.

"W-... What did I say?!" He exclaims, left confused. Catching up to Roman, he sputters. "Seriously, what did I say?" The man disregards him, walking ahead.

The boy's voice then echoed in the woods. "What did I say?!"

. . .

Hours gone by, the team had made it up the mountains to a cliff side path. The beautiful view of the surrounding valley, and of the other mountains was serene. Low hanging clouds were so much closer up here, looking more like hanging pieces of fog adrift in the blue.

They happen upon the first of several rope bridges zig zagging between the cliff faces of the two mountains. Blair puts a hand up, halting the group. "Hold here and take five."

Roman scoffs, taking a seat on a rock. "Great. More time in the wilderness."

Ignoring him, Blair walks off from the three. "We should survey our surroundings and make sure not to enter battle winded. I'll be right back." Without waiting for a response, she leaps up over a ridge and disappears.

Carmine grimaces, but nods. Having learned to leave Hunt decisions to the former Huntress. Taking a moment to the side, he glances over the cliff, eyes wide at the LONG drop to the ravine and river below. A low impressed whistle escapes him. Really high.

At which moment, Neo brushed by behind him, hands behind her back... then nudges him forward...

"WHA-AH!" Carmine flails in place, feet catching at the edge as he teeters back and forward. His arms wave in dramatic circles with panic striking him. He finally throws his weight back, falling onto his back and gasping in fright.

The boy's eyes track and fine Neo a fair distance away as she sits atop a rock, facing away. He catches a narrow glare and a smirk as she sits and turns away.

"Good recovery." Roman remarks in a snicker from his rock. "Terrible start though."

Carmine rolls to his feet, eyes still on the girl. "What did I say to make her so..." The boy gestures uselessly with his arms, struggling to come up with the right phrasing.

"Pissy?" Roman states plain as day. "Like you took her panties and twisted them into a pretzel with her still in them?"

The vivid imagery bursts a blush on the boy mirroring his hair as he screams, flustered. "Roman, STOP!" His hands slap over his ears, waiting for the furious coloring to die down, and seeing Neo eye the two from her distance away.

Roman sighs. "You'll know why if you answer one question, moron. What kind of person is she?"

The boy hunches, double checking to see that Neo is turned away again. He wonders that. "Um... She was a slave for AZRL... She came from a rich family."

Green eyes narrow, unimpressed. "And?"

Carmine's interactions with the girl begin to play in his head. A girl with no respect for boundaries and takes what she wants? So, a rebel? That certainly fits with their first interaction all those years ago... she screwed her mother's trip in order for a flaunting jaunt in the woods and found Carmine covered in tried blood. Rather than screamed, she used him as leverage against her servant.

"She's a rebel. Hates authority." He says, image becoming clearer.

Roman smirks. "Good, but is that everything she is? What did AZRL do to her?" Took everything away from her, down to her voice. Yet, she still defied them whenever. Carmine's lips purse, looking at the con man uncertain. "There's the recognition. She's a survivor, brat."

Carmine wrinkles his nose. He can't argue with that, but decides to argue differently. "How would you know?"

Roman scoffs and gestures to his back with his cane. "Call it the same experience." The orange haired man then holds a finger up for attention. "Now, you get a rebellious preteen with a spirit to always come out the other side, and what did you do?"

The boy cocks his head. "All I did was say so-" His pauses...

Seeing the pause, the conman snickers. "You showed pity. I don't know about her fully, but I don't expect any either. I got out, and done my damnedest to earn freedom. That's my pride, you spoiled Beacon Summer child."

The boy recoils at that, narrowing his eyes at the man. "But... that's not how I meant-" He stops. Isn't that how he meant it? He felt bad that she had gone through that... Is he being told to feel happy for her making it out of it? Well... maybe? His mind immediately turns to a scenario of getting shot and surviving. You don't feel pride for surviving the gut wound, do you?

Then he grimaces. On some level, yes, that is what you do. But on the other, you don't glorify bad things that happen to you like a badge of honor. Which begs the question, what can he do about that?

"Should I apologi-"

"No." The conman cuts him off.

"But what about-"

"No."

"But I can-"

Roman snaps, swatting Carmine's head with his cane lightly for emphasis. "You. Do not. Apologize. For apologizing! You do nothing! Don't show pity, don't celebrate it, you moron!"

Shaking himself off, Carmine sneaks a glance back to N- And she's gone. A light double tap on his shoulder makes him turn to face the girl in question, who gives a dry look. "O-Oh! Um..."

She holds up a conjured sign. Reading it off, his stiffens. 'I can hear your whole conversation, you know?'

Oh shit. Carmine turns to Roman for help, but the man smirks on. "Oh, don't mind me. This is entertaining." Bastard!

The boy faces the mute again. "Um... I didn't mean... I mean, I'm so-" Neo's brow twitches, clamping the boy's mouth shut as he re-evaluates his words. "Look. You're... a lot stronger than me for what you lived through, and I just want to help. I don't pity you, so... we cool?" His voice lifts a full octave with the last words, awkwardly

Silence rains for a minute until the girl gives her trademark smirk, a challenging glint in her eye. She holds up one finger. The sign in her hand shatters as she puts both hands behind her back, a sweet smile on display.

The boy rightly doesn't trust it, opening his mouth. "Um... pardon?-" CRACK! Carmine lurches forward, legs tilting inward as both hands go in... finding Neo's foot thoroughly lodged into his groin! She removes her foot, still smiling as she skips away.

Carmine's bug eyed expression trails as a hollow, hoarse, old man like groan escapes him. "Hooooooo-rhhhnnn." He gurgles as he falls forward in the ground, massaging his diligent doubles. His twin battery hammer. His, for lack of a better term, fun bags.

Roman snickers. "Did not disappoint." He shakes his head as he stands up. As if on cue, Blair rounds the bend of rock formations, landing with the group.

Blair's gaze immediately falls onto the boy. "Let's move on- what happened?"

Roman's laugh and Neo's smile meet her as both start walking around her. "Oh nothing! Just kids being kids." That seemingly gets a full laugh out of the mute, leaving Blair with a twitching Carmine.

. . .

The group crosses a rope bridge, leaving one peak behind completely as the path circles the next. Up ahead, another bridge should connect to the largest peak where the hunting ground is. Marching from the bridge onto another rock path, Blair calls out. "Alright, let's double the pace. We're close."

She finishes as she takes off into a sprint. Behind her, Carmine, Neo, and Roman rush on in order. Mid run, Carmine's leg twitches, forcing him to catch himself from falling. The boy sweat drops, ignoring the chipper smile from the girl behind him. Funny how a nut check can make a girl as pleasant as can be.

Running along the path, the boy notices dozens of prints in the rocky terrain. Looking sloser, he can make out claw marks. Damn it. "Do those look fresh?" He calls out.

"What? You're just now noticing?" Roman snarks. "The main road sign was gashed with fresh marks on our way in last night, too."

Blair grimaces in front. She had been paying attention to her notes at the time. Taking her own glance mid stride, she grinds her teeth. "Yes, they're fresh. Hard terrain gets eroded under longstanding weather, more smooth or broken over time. The marks are too cleanly made."

BOOM!

The gunshot echoes in the distance. Blair huffs. "I think we're running into trouble." The group runs around the bend, finding a final large rope bridge linking the cliff to the final upward incline of the largest peak of the next mountain. The connecting bridge hangs over a thousand foot fall to the dark crevice below. The long connector lightly sways in the wind, 100 yards long.

Blair rushes on without hesitation. Behind her Carmine and Neo both look with wide eyes, taking uneasy strides. That is, until Roman swats them both. "Quit gawking!"

The group crosses the threshold. Looking upward, the inclined path splits the mountain top in two spiking points. One side is decided smaller, but both have rough cliff like walls making the sides of the path cutting through.

Running through the split, they come to the mountain's summit, a wide hunting ground with various canopies lining the sides of the mountain, likely to aim at any prey down the mountain. In the large open area, log cabin sits, but that doesn't take attention.

The four stop. Carmine's jaw drops. "Um... we expected seven, right? Not seventy?" Before them, a sea of black fur and bone white mask faces whirls about with teeth and claws ripping around around the log cabin. Another gunshot sounds out from the cabin's window, hitting a one of the dozens of beowolves and putting it down.

Roman groans. "I'm not counting." He twirls cane and inserts the drum magazine, gun handle and grip popping out into gun mode. "In fact, we can turn around."

"No!" Carmine draws Heulin Noon, spinning the cylinder. "We're not abandoning them."

Blair sighs, drawing Florescent Finish and unclipping her sheath. She tosses it back to Neo. "Here. It'll have to do." The little girl nods.

That's when the first of several Grimm turn, seeing the four. A snarling howl releases as, like a massive pack of hyenas, the beowolves charge like a wave. The four tense and ready themselves. Roman sighs, stepping forward and loosing a spray of fire dust shots from Velvet Valentine.

The barrage of explosive bursts blow the first several monsters to pieces, the next several climbing over the pieces feral. Roman keeps firing as he shouts out at Blair. "Feel free to jump in, Barbie!"

The current threat takes precedence, or she'd slit his throat for the nickname. Blair sprints forward, popping wind dust into her hilt. The golden blade shifts sky blue as she slashes. A great gust of wind blows over the exploding barrage from Roman.

With a twirl of her blade, she casts the wind with the exploding fire dust, blowing a plume of flames like a tsunami over the next wave of beowolves. The result is a solid wall of flames, halting the Grimm advance.

"Oh? Nice trick." Roman remarks.

The blonde cuts a glare at him as she swaps to ice dust. Her blade shifts from sky blue, to golden yellow, to white clear blue. With a great leap, the woman launches herself over the wall of flames. She drops down, activating the dust and casting ice over the area below her. Four beowolves are encased in ice, killed, as Blair lands on the ice, sliding down to the next two Grimm and slashing through with her golden blade.

Carmine looks at Neo. "We gotta get to the cabin! Come on." He holds a hand out. Neo nods at him, accepting the hand... before the girl shatters. Carmine double takes as he can't find Neo anywhere. "What the-... Oh, son of a-. Ugh!"

He has no time to dwell. The people in the cabin need help. He kicks off, his Buster Armor Jager form firing off so he can power jump over the flames. Looking down, he sees Blair tearing through the Grimm pack, and he's falling right to the mouths of others.

"Whoa!" He activates Jager's thrust to propel him over more of the pack, landing in an open area. Surrounded by beowolves closing in, he leaps again with another boost. He uses the Jager booster to steady himself through the air and land on the cabin roof.

He steadies himself, spinning about and firing Heulin Noon six times, knocking four beowolves off the roof. With a twitch and flash of blue green around the gun, he reloads, the begins firing at any beowolf climbing onto the roof.

He hears glass shattering, a beowolf smashing its way into the cabin. He hears two men scream out inside, a loud ear piercing shot blowing the Grimm back out of the building, dead.

Carmine scowls as he reloads again, firing another load and downing two more Grimm. Using Jager, he leaps into the air on high. "Schneider!" The armor flashes from his calves, forming the gauntlets and four blades.

One more beowolf climbs onto the rood as Carmine comes down on it like a missile, double stabbing the beast and shoving it and himself through the roof into the cabin interior. The inside is hardwood floors, much of its furniture cleared and used to board up the ports of entry. A small fireplace is going on the far wall.

Two men, one with shaggy black hair and a mustache holding a shotgun, the other a blonde with spiked hair and a high power rifle, both yelp at the sound. "Whoa!" They shriek in unison.

Carmine rips his blades free from the monster, giving an awkward grin. "Pardon... Um, cavalry is here?"

The two mildly terrified men brighten significantly, speaking in unison. "AWESOME!" Loud cracks echo as another window breaks inward. A beowolf lunges through at the boy. Carmine recalls, flickering from the floor back to the roof hole.

He drops, slashing the beast twice, then spin slashing forward and knocking it back. It crumples, dead, as two more rip through the growing hole in the wall. The two men fire upon the two beasts, downing them.

Both men reload as one more rips through. Carmine meets it, jabbing both forward blades into the charging beast and halting it. The beowolf, despite the pain, pushes in against the boy. Gritting his teeth, he calls out. "Zero!"

In a flash, the bladed gauntlets flash to a full left armored sleeve. He brings his arm up, the monster's teeth clamping on the covered arm. Carmine struggles against the monster with his right hand out. "Return!" Heulin Noon appears in his right hand as he presses it to the beast's throat and fires, blowing a hole through its neck!

The beast crumples backward as Carmine catches his breath. He looks at the two men, giving a tired wave. "Hi, I'm Carmine."

The blonde gives a sigh of relief, pointing to himself. "Hi, I'm William. This is Theodore."

The black haired man waves. "Yo. You alright, little man?"

Carmine chuckles. "Oh, I'm fine." At that moment, the front door bursts inward, a large beowolf smashing the debris into the boy, whose image shatters like glass. The boy appears, flush against the floor confused, Neo landing on top of him. "Thanks, Neo!"

She smiles and draws her borrowed pistol, unloading the clip and downing the Grimm. She rolls off of Carmine as two more Grimm enter. She scowls, taking Florescent's sheath and running forward. She leaps at the first, hooking the sheath into the monster's mouth while leaping over it.

Twisting as she lands, she throws the first off balance, then swats the second across its face to knock it down. As each beast attempts to steady itself, she moves back and forth, nimbly striking once, twice, thrice. Until each wolf's head is bashed in and gurgling to death.

Standing over the dissolving corpses, Neo smirks at the three onlookers. Will chuckles, slapping Carmine's arm. "Dude, your girl is rad."

Upon seeing the girl's glare, Carmine groans and looks out the opening. The majority of the Grimm pack is now honing in on Roman and Blair. There has to be a faster way to take them out. He looks to the split peak they'd arrived through.

The boy blinks in thought, snapping a glance to Neo. "I have an idea. One of us needs to protect these two. The other needs to be a decoy." At the word 'decoy', Neo's posture slouches. As if mulling it over, she sighs and gestures to go on.

Carmine gives an apologetic smile. "Right. Get the attention of the entire pack and lead them to the peaks while I escort these two to Blair. You'll have to tell Roman-" He stops, lips pursed, as his gaze lowers. "Right. TELL Roman."

He looks to Neo, finding her pointing at her mouth.

"I KNOW!" Carmine states flustered. "Right, new plan. I'LL be the decoy and get their attention. You get these two to Blair and give her a message." He points to the peaks. "I'll lead the pack through the pass, and Blair can use her sword to cut the peak. Rocks collapse and splat! No more Grimm pack."

Neo processes the plan, eyeing the cliffs, then back to the boy and nodding with a smirk.

"I'll have to shout at Roman for his order. Hope he hears me over his ego..." The boy shares a glance with the girl, the two nodding. The girl suddenly pulls a conjured sign up. 'Don't get mauled and eaten alive' Reading it, Carmine gives a dry tone. "Thanks for the detail. Helps morale."

He only gets a smile in return as she turns to the guys and ushers them off. Theo salutes the kid. "Good luck little man!" The blonde shouts out. "We believe in ya!"

The boy resists the urge to face palm at them. Both adults acted like they were high... in fact... Carmine takes a whiff of the room. Outside the decaying Grimm, he coughs at the other smell. Choosing to ignore it, he rushes out of the building, seeing the Grimm pack. He puts his fingers together, then into his mouth, letting out the loudest whistle he can.

The whistle sounds out, catching the ears of the pack. Several turn away from the blonde sword saint, eyeing the boy. Carmine cups his mouth and shouts out. "YO! FIDOS, COME GET LITTLE TIMMY! HE'S THIS WAY!" He punctuates with waving up and down.

The bulk of the pack turn, taking slow, stalking, lumbering steps towards the boy. The lead creatures salivate with attention falling solely on him.

The boy's arms drop limp, nerves racking up with thirty plus pairs of eyes zeroing in on him. "Oh... Son of a b-" The lead Grimm snarls as the horde moves into a sprint at the boy. Carmine immediately bolts backwards towards the cabin. "JAGER!" His voice shrieks as the armor flashes back to his legs.

Blair slashes down two more beowolves, double taking as the Grimm rush off from her, giving chase to the boy. A quick intake, she shouts out. "Carmine!" Moving to a sprint, she halts as two Grimm remain on her.

A rifle shot rings as one is blown through from the side. The remaining beowolf turns as Neo flips up and over from behind, cracking the sheath in her hand off its head. The beast falls forward, a growling whine escaping.

Neo lands and park swings the sheath down with a satisfying pop. The girl huffs a tired breath and smirks, holding her hand up to stop the blonde. "Stop!" The two men skid to a stop beside the tricolor girl. "Your little dude has a plan!"

Blair recoils slightly at the smell these two give off, but pushes through. "What are you talking-"

Neo conjures a sign with her semblance. The sign shows a picture of the split peaks around the mountain pass. On one side, a chibi Carmine labeled 'idiot' leads a pack of baby Grimm.

The picture shatters, now showing chibi Carmine out the other side of the pass, and the twin peaks have collapsed and crushed the Grimm with a 'splat' next. Standing atop the destroyed twin peaks, a chibi Blair with a dry look holds her weapon labeled 'Sword of Awesome'.

The blonde absorbs the plan, taking a look at the mountain peak. She nods as she pops an empty canister from her hilt, inserting violet blue lightning dust. "Understood."

At the other end of the summit, Carmine rounds the edge of the cliffs, a sea of black snarling behind him. His sprint turns erratic as his eyes bulge out, stiffly and dramatically swinging his arms and legs with the strides.

Turning the bend, some of the beowolves split off to cut him off at the side. Splitting like a wolf pack. As they swoop in, the boy yelps as he activates Jager, the boost letting him power jump over the lunging beasts. Landing he keeps the boost to increase his strides and speed.

Near the pass, standing atop a high rock, Roman twirls Velvet Valentine, using the drum mag as a club head and bashing a beowolf away. Twirling it back to hold it by the gun grip. As he takes aim, he pauses, lowering the gun. "What's that idiot doing?"

Running Roman's direction, Carmine shuts off Jager's boost to steady his stride as he flails his arm. "Roman! Keep them behind me! Don't let them split up!"

The man scoffs, eyeing the some several dozen Grimm. The pack begins to split off again. "Kid is suicidal." He mutters before opening fire on the sides of the wolf crowd, forcing the large pack to run in a mob line behind the boy.

Carmine passes Roman's position, the stampede of Grimm rushing after him in tunnel vision. With each stride, the boy shouts out in building volume. "Crap, oh crap! Oh CRAP! OH CRAP!" He frantically sprints between the peaks, shouting out. "NOW PLEASE!"

Atop the cliff like walls to the mountain's peak, Blair leaps on high, rapidly scaling to the tip. He lands atop the highest peak, activating the lightning dust in Florescent Finish. He blade flashes, sparking and arcing electricity as she twists to a reverse grip, stabbing her weapon into the peak.

Igniting, lightning casts into the rock and arcs down the cliff wall, completely shattering the taller of the peaks. The crumpling mass of rock and dirt collapses in on the mountain pass as Carmine sprints through.

The panicked boy flails out as the rocks crash down behind him, directly atop the large pack of Grimm! The loud cracks and blows of the landslide rumbles the ground as Carmine fires himself away with Jager. Tumbling along the ground, the boy trips and rolls to a stop at the rope bridge.

Weakly, he lifts his head from the ground, seeing the large pile of rock and rubble that used to be the mountain pass. "Hehe.." He breaks into a chuckle, face brightening as he stands. "Haha! It worked! Yes, it worked!"

The dust began to clear, revealing more of the rocks... And five beowolves shaking themselves dirt free. Groggy, they look about, then find the boy looking back like a deer in headlights.

"Mostly." He corrects himself with wide fearful eyes. "It MOSTLY worked." He takes a cautious step back as the five beasts lumber forward. "Oh, crap."

The lead Grimm roars as all five begin their charge. Taking a glance back to the rope bridge, Carmine sprints onto the structure. Okay, time for a last, LAST ditch effort. The five beowolves follow out along the large rope bridge.

Continuing out to the middle, Carmine stops, turning to face the five. The bridge shakes wildly, knocking his footing. As they close the distance, Carmine activates his semblance, disappearing in a green flicker.

At the beginning of the rope bridge, the boy appears where he had been before, behind all five beowolves. Breathing in relief as he he aims his gun. He fires on all the connecting ropes, one after another, and disconnects the rope bridge entirely!

The bridge collapses as the five confused beasts fall... and fall... and fall... all the way down to the ravine below.

Carmine leans over the edge, watching the drop captivated. "Ouch..." He chuckles to himself, holstering his gun with a giggle. "Yes- AH!" A shove from behind knocks him off the edge. He screams and narrowly catches himself on the cliff edge.

Looking up with wide eyes, he sees Neo kneeling over the edge meeting his gaze. She makes an obvious glance around him at the drop before mouthing 'ouch' at him. She freaking pushed him! She giggles and conjures a sign again. On it, the words 'Now, we're cool.'

His mouth hangs open, shocked at the sadistic girl's joy. "No! We are SO not cool! Help me up!" He stews furiously as the giggling mute pulls him up. "Are they all dead?" He asks aggressively. The girl nods as she heaves him onto solid ground.

. . .

Sunset, the sky shifting orange. William and Theodore wave friendly before high fiving one another, retreating to their homes. At the main entrance of the small town, Team CRBN finds themselves tired. The young boy and girl are each sitting against the wall, out of breath. Meanwhile, the adults stand with the brunette woman, who bows to the group.

"Thank you SO much for saving those two. I know they can be a handful." The town leader gives an apologetic smile, repeatedly bowing.

Despite Roman's satisfaction at being graciously thanked, his spite took focus. "Their response to having to take the long way down the mountain was and I quote, 'Time for an excellent adventure' and they high fived. 'Handful' is a bit of an understatement."

Blair hushes him, standing forward. "It was no issue. It's what we do." She ignores the snort from the conman. "Now that we've finished, you said you would give a standardized payment?"

The man scoffs. "Standardized?! We should- Oof!" Blair elbows him into silence.

The brunette gives an awkward laugh. "Yes... well... you said you counted about 57 beowolves?" At the curt nod from Blair, the woman sighs. "A standard payment for a Grimm pack that large is about 15 thousand Lien."

Immediately, Roman's head perks up. He almost mouths 'How much?!' before Blair glares him down. However, the man was left reeling. Sure, dust replacement and equipment repair, but damn that's a lot!

"Unfortunately," The lady continues. "We can only scrounge up 8 thousand, but would like to offer you free resupply of food and gas for your travels if you will accept it." She holds out a large bag for the two.

"We'll accept it happily." Blair bows to the woman as Roman reaches for the bag. In the blink of an eye, Blair snatches the bag from him and glares him down, met by his smirk. "Will you be able to rebuild your hunting grounds?" She asks hesitant.

The brunette chuckles. "Those two morons will be at it by the end of the week. It'll be fine." She then nods to them and the children. "I wish you safe travels, friends!"

Neo lifts a brow, squirming a bit uncomfortably for a second as she awkwardly nods. Beside her, Carmine scratches the back of his head, giving a bashful nod and a light blush. "No problem. Hopefully nothing else comes through for a while."

"That's right. You never mentioned your team name for us to report your mission to Vale's Hunter registry." The brunette states. Instantly, all four members of the team sweat bullets.

Carmine, eyes beady as he stresses, awkwardly laughs. "Right. Um. It's... Team CRBN." He then swiftly adds. "But since you wont be able check until the tower is fixed-"

"Carbon? Okay. We'll be sure to tell your superiors that you came through for us." She gives a friendly wave, turning away. "Safe travels, Team CRBN!"

"Ha... yeah." Carmine trails off. All four meet gazes. "Uh, it'll be fine... Buuuuuut, we should leave." In agreement, the group immediately scatters to get their belongings and supplies.

. . .

Half an hour later, sunset in full swing, the four enter into the van, same seating as before. Roman starts the van as the team pulls out from the small community, entering back onto the road. Setting off, the group begins to relax once more.

Leaning heavily into her seat, Blair releases a low sigh. She adjusts her seat back, allowing herself to lay down. Thankfully, the van leaves more than enough space to not knock her seat back into Neo. She allows her eyes to close. "Roman." She catches his attention. "Wake me in five hours, and we'll switch off driving to regain lost ground from today."

Rather than a sarcastic response, the man chuckles. "Alright Barbie." Okay, maybe a little sarcasm. He grins hearing a muffled groan from the woman. However, he does turn the radio on at a low volume, the Grimm Watch station. Blair peeks her eye open questioning, so he responds. "Might as well know what towns as can... 'help out' along the way. I didn't know your jobs paid that much."

"Hmm." She eyes him a moment longer before closing and getting as comfortable as possible. Probably the closest form of cooperation they'd shown yet.

In the back seat, both Carmine and Neo blink tiredly. Not yet ready to conk out quite yet, the boy reaches into his bag in the back. Pulling back, he withdraws a pair of plug in headphones. He plugs them into his scroll, preparing to watch a video.

He pauses as he side glances the girl, whose eyes were already on the window. Carmine purses his lips and scoots towards the center back seat. "Hey, wanna watch?"

The girl snaps her gaze to him, eyes wide. Curiously, she eyes the scroll, cocking her head at the paused screen. Turning her gaze on him, she narrows her eye suspicious. For a split second, her gaze flicks to Blair, before she leans towards the center seat to get an equal view of the screen.

The boy smiles and offers one of the earbuds for her, placing the other in one of his ears. The screen lights up as the her one ear catches rock music. "Alright, this is Royal Remnant Wrestling! There's currently a feud going on between the Graveman of Vale and the Iron Sheik from Vacuo..."

Carmine softly delves into a detailed explanation of current story lines of the show, as well as the mechanics of the sport. Fake or not, he soon grins getting the sadistic girl hooked on the athletic pains and brutality! The team continues as such into the night. The end of their third day as a team.

Another one down. This is fairly growing pains and Grimm based. I will say that, in universe for this fiction, the travel between kingdoms at this point isn't NEARLY as difficult as portrayed in canon Volume 4. Although in canon, it was also explained that Beacon's fall was brought alongside with massive waves of Grimm attacks, so Team RNJR's time in Volume 4 could be attributed entirely to that. I like trying to somewhat be consistent in relation to things I like.

References:

Dorky dude burnouts named William and Theodore... I don't even know why I did that. I just needed names, thought of the names, and let it happen.

Join next time in Chapter Eighteen: Fly Like An Eagle.