Chapter Twenty One: Safe Haven

The red haired boy scowls at the map. The big letters listing 'City of Mistral' showed above an illustration of a mountain range on the map. His reading on the subject was pretty interesting. Multiple layers to the city with Haven Academy at the top, all built into and around one of the great mountains. Super cool.

He decided to check his scroll, looking online as soon as he could connect to a local CCT tower. Thankfully, they hadn't had TOO many problems getting here. Looking through some sources, he found that Haven just... didn't have many prominent huntsmen or huntresses trained up within the last few years. All the world's top operatives were coming from the remaining three academies.

Not a good look. What he couldn't find in prominent hunters, he found in abundance of social issues: Bandit raids on roads leading to and from the city. Motivated violent crime. Worst of all, clear defined social classes.

Many blogs compare it to Atlas in that regard, but comparing faunus rights in Atlas to class restrictions is muddy. Suddenly, an overload of charts of multiple years of crime rates, differential rates for poverty vs the rich, waves of arguments of activists and traditionalists over ways to fix it, all bore into his mind in a scramble that none of the information sticks.

Sighing and shutting off the scroll screen, he sinks into the seat. Glancing to his right, he finds Neo appraising her white gild bracelet... which he narrows his gaze at. Still mad at not noticing she took that until after leaving Mibu, she didn't miss a single chance to rub it in his face.

Gah! Stupid. So STUPID! Crime is stupid. Criminals are dumb asses.

The boy shakes his head. He's been cursing a whole lot more since forming this team. No, he blames Roman, sending a scowl to the orange haired man driving. Yeah. Likely influenced by him... Bad man. Carmine pouts, the fact that Roman was here at all though was somehow comforting too. So... not entirely bad man?

Bad or mostly bad, the conman is still an asshole.

Although, bad influences reminded him of someone else... His father, Ozpin. Not because the professor himself was a bad influence, but because of the man's own views on the fourth member of this team. His eyes gaze over to Blair, who looks over a notepad.

"Once we arrive to Haven, we'll have to store the van somewhere and get a bulkhead to Vaterra." She looks to her scroll, scowling lightly at her searches. "One day travel one way to Vaterra, that's two days of storage alone. How many days do you feel we'll be there?"

Roman hums. "Almost better to just ditch the van entirely. It could take weeks. AZRL is hard to find."

Neo peaks her head up, flicking her hand to conjure a sign for the two. 'Towns for training have agents all over. Locals will almost all be against us.'

Blair narrows her glare at that. "Would that not make it easy for us to find them?"

"Yes." Roman answers in a sarcastic tone. "As well as all the more easy to alert the entire town to someone poking around. It goes both ways." While slowing at a sharp turn going down the mountain, he glances over. "TDLR, we're going to get caught. I just need to plan around it."

"You plan around it?" Blair cuts eyes at the man. "After your plan in Vale sabotaged MY plan, I don't believe you can be the only lifeline here."

A twitch of the conman's eye is suppressed, sucking in irritation. Roman rolls his eyes and gives a smarmy grin. "I'll have you know, Barbie, that I am above and beyond the best suited person to try to hide our little group from prying eyes. But please, if you have any experience hiding from deadly global organizations, please by all means enthrall me with knowledge."

The man gains a small satisfaction as all Blair gives is a furious glare. Carmine feels that twitch of anger too, speaking on her behalf. "Fighting bad guys IS kind of a job Huntsmen and Huntresses have to do. We can just work together?"

Roman sends a scolding glare through the rear view mirror at the boy. A hot second passes before he states slowly. "Working together sounds more like me hand holding you three." At Neo's cocked look, he adds. "Yes, even you." He stares forward once more and nods. "Thank the gods, we're here."

Before them on the road is woods throughout a majestic mountain range. But, on a large mountain in the center of the range, structures could be seen, lights, civilization. All of modern life built directly into the mountain. Carmine perks upon seeing it. It was BIG, spilling around the base of the mountain as well. Similar in size to the City of Vale if it was flattened out, maybe?

Then a thought occurs. He glances at them all as none were giving much of a reaction. "Have you ALL been here before?"

Roman scoffs. "Not a big fan. Little too exotic for my tastes." He relaxes slightly. "Strangely, a lot more hunters just rolling around within the city, but crime still as high as anywhere else. My people here are just more suicidal I guess."

Carmine turns a look at Blair, who nods. "My second year Vytal Games Tournament was held by Haven Academy. The city is visually pleasing and enticing to tourism, but in many ways, crime is more vicious here than in Vale. We should be careful."

The boy nods before glancing at Neo. He half expected a chipper nod per the usual, but her grimacing frown catches him off guard. She shrugs and nods before glancing out towards the city again. The words 'what's wrong' were on the tip of his tongue when he remembered... The image of a stern business woman with violet hair.

Right... when they had met. Neo and her mother had been coming to Vale from Mistral. When they had met-

His eyes clench shut for just a moment, fists clenched so his nails bite into his palm. Just the slight pain to stop his mind from moving to it. With a sigh, he opens his eyes, orbs shooting wide at the faint dried red caked on his forearms... With a shaking blink, it's gone.

Eyes closing, he feels his heart rate skyrocket, quickly attempting some breathing exercises. It takes a moment, but he brings his heart down to a... somewhat healthy level before turning to Neo. Strangely, he finds her staring right at him now. He can't tell anything with her expression... did she see that? His heart hammers hard at that, but he grasps for the distraction.

No sooner than him opening his mouth did he flick his eyes to Blair and Roman, both still gazing out towards the encroaching City of Mistral. His lips purse and he looks away. Not a conversation to have in front of those two. The two kids awkwardly make faces at one another before both give up, riding out the remainder of the travel.

. . .

Getting through a checkpoint of local law enforcement, the van pulls into the exotic streets. Much like Mibu, but massively blown up, the ornate artistic decorum captures the view with the gorgeous mountain range. Although, the slums at the bottom of the mountain don't quite take to the magical pull of a nice attractive location.

Carmine particularly raises a brow at one detail... a surprising amount of more faunus than in Vale. Not TOO much but full gatherings worth of the animalistic peoples. The image brings a smile, hugging himself as he thinks of a certain blonde dog faunus' own protective hug.

The warmth passed soon after, the van parking at a large airport of bulkhead platforms. The lock of the parking sounds as Roman shuts off the engine. He suppresses a groan and looks at Blair. The blonde nods. "I'll check the flight schedules and see when we can get a good transport to Vaterra."

"Yes, yes." Roman sighs, pulling out a paper and pen. He begins scribbling down on the sheet before he folds it. Reaching back, he holds it out to Neo. "Be a dear and get all the items on that list."

The girl blinks at the paper, taking it gingerly before cocking her head at the man. Carmine beside her speaks slowly, suspicious. "Wwwwwhat are you sending her for?"

"Bomb parts." Roman speaks plainly. The three others flinch and double take. Roman, without looking, points at the wide eyed Neo. "She's the only one that won't get preachy about it."

"Like actual bomb bombs? We're not terrorists!" Carmine exclaims loudly.

"Correction. YOU'RE not a terrorist." Roman dead looks the boy over the seat. "We're against an organization that kidnaps and trains killer slaves! Don't pretend for a second that there isn't a reason to have insurance."

Blair sends a scolding glare at the man. "A nuclear deterrent? You're an actual madman."

Roman snaps his fingers at her. "And it would save a certain group of four from getting captured, mauled, potentially taken for the r word, and slaughtered, failing in their quest to bring said large organization to their proverbial knees!" He scowls the blonde down as he continues. "Leave the angel guardian crap for those who also don't live in the real world." He moves to exit the vehicle, stepping out.

Carmine sits paused for a moment, but suddenly bursts out from the van and shouts out. "NO!" The proclamation stops the thief. "We can't risk hurting innocent people with bombs."

Roman scoffs, turning away. "Oh, darn. And here I was planning on setting off an orphanage and torching the religious hospitals." Ending the sarcasm, he flicks a wave. "No serious harm will be done."

Gritting his teeth, Carmine stomps his foot. "No, you won't, because you're not making anything. That's an order!"

The man freezes mid stride.

Slowly, a green eye sends a piercing gaze over his shoulder at the boy. Carmine locks in place, eyes widening. "Excuse me?"

The boy takes an instinctual step back as the criminal walls slowly back, towering over and looking down on him. His jaw locks as he tries to stand tall. "An order. You won't make any bombs." His confidence fell though, tone quieting.

Roman's hand slowly grips Carmine by the collar. "Let me be real clear about this, brat." He takes a chilling breath. "The only man that solidly controlled me just got sold out to the buzzards not a month ago." The grip tightens, eliciting a wince from the boy. "YOU will not ever, EVER control what I do. Remember that, brat."

He throws Carmine to the ground, scoffing as he stomps around and begins storming off. The boy winces and watches the man begin his retreat.

Roman brushes by Blair, looking at Neo, the two having exited the vehicle. "Get those materials to the letter please. I'm off to see what the locals might know." He tips his hat and marches off without further ado.

Blair sighs, looking at the girl. "Are you in agreement with that madman?"

Unfortunately, Neo merely shrugs and nods. The little girl sends one glance at Carmine, frowns meeting before she marches off. She soon disappears entirely as the boy picks himself up from the ground.

Confused, he looks to Blair. "What... did I do?"

She meets his expression neutrally. "I don't know... what do you think you did?"

He scowls back at her. "You're gonna make this a teaching moment? Really?" He grumbles incredulously. At her simply raising a brow, he sighs loudly. "It's so... STUPID!" His arms throw out, gesturing widely. "You can't endanger people. What's so complicated about that? I mean, you disagreed with him too!"

Blair nods in understanding. "I only commented that he's a madman. Which, he is."

"So, what? You actually agree with him?" Carmine flicks his hand up frustrated.

"I don't know. I haven't heard how they'd be used, what kind he would be making, or how dangerous they are." She eyes the direction the man had walked off in. "He did make valid points, even if he was going about it in an... unhinged way."

The boy snaps his gaze at her like she'd grown a second head. "But that's-... it doesn't-..." His hand goes to his head, struggling. "Like, isn't there a line to what should ever be used?"

She nods. "Interesting way of saying it. What's the 'what' in that phrase?" At his confusion, she continues. "In this case, the 'what' can be a tool. Even a weapon that can endanger others. Or..." She draws Florescent Finish. "Or an actual weapon. They can all be dangerous, but-" She sheaths the blade. "-they have a time and place to be used."

As he looks down, she continues. "It isn't like a comic book. The line is very rough to see, even if it's there at all."

At that, Carmine glances at her weapon, then at her. "Is that why you crossed it?" She visibly stiffens at the abrupt switch around. "Look I-... I pieced together that I was the reason you were caught at Beacon."

Blair shuts out the world, breathing in and out a moment as her cold demeanor solidifies. "I was careless and took a risk. You were not to blame for me being caught." Hoping to end the conversation, she turns to leave, but Carmine has other plans.

"But..." The word pauses Blair in place. "I just-. Why wouldn't you just ask me?" He wonders, almost pleading. "You were working on AWESOME stuff. Like, you could have just... asked me for what you needed, and others too!"

The blonde clenches her hands to fists, seeing no way out of the conversation. "I won't say whether what I did was right, but I will give my reasoning." She sighs before continuing. "People are fools. It is simple. A flaw of people is a tendency to ignore a greater picture in favor for themselves. Believe me when I say that, had I relied purely on the cooperation and offerings of others, I would not have made a fifth of the advancement in my research as I did. Nor would I have had the learned notes to construct Florescent Finish as I have."

The boy's face scrunches at the explanation. "But why? Why wouldn't people just-"

"Because as Roman is so keen to point out, the world is selfish. It's no different even among huntsmen." She glares into the boy's soul. "Do you realize how little the average Hunter knows about others semblances?"

His face scrunches, confused. "But... Ozpin told me to check the records. A lot of semblances were recorded."

"Yes. YOU were given that access by one of the few men who controls said records." She waits for his face to light upon this information. "The average Huntsman and Huntress can only have access to hunt records of other Huntsman and Huntresses. Students couldn't even see details about any of said hunts. Meanwhile, YOU were given unfettered access when you searched for Spyyra in full database."

Carmine thinks back, recalling no one matching both Spyyra's appearance and possible semblance. Whether they be Hunter or criminal... no one matched. "But... we're all on the same side, right? Why wouldn't we all be honest with each other?"

"We're not some league of super heroes, Carmine." She softens ever so slightly. "Many will take their Hunter training to other careers. Either as I did or... in unfavorable means. Such information can make or break the kingdoms. Upon entering the academies, it's understood that one will only USE their semblance in the open, not discuss it openly."

She continues. "Some semblances are well documented, like the Schnees, and some openly show theirs, but many never disclose it publicly. They do this both for the surprise of their own tricks and to keep criminals from having a counter. Some of those very criminals being former Hunters themselves." The boy's eyes cast down. She turns away. "I'm going to check the flight schedule. Then, I'll find a storehouse to keep our van in."

She marches off, leaving the boy alone. So, he sighs.

Carmine glances in one direction, where Neo walked off toward the markets. He really wants to talk to her about her family... how she got here. Plus, he KNOWS that she's likely gonna swipe some items. She shouldn't steal.

But... he looks in the direction Roman stormed off. He wriggles in place, a wince coming out. Maybe he should just go after Roman and... what? He had no idea what to say. He groans and scratches the back of his head. "Frick... I need to think."

So, he picks a direction and walks in it.

. . .

Back in Vale, he'd sometimes walk through the docks for the sea air. It would calm him with the breezing blanket of wind draping over him in a constant current. Easily the best feeling in the outdoors. Wind always comforts, hot or cold. If it was hot, it cooled him down. If it was cold, well, wear more clothes!

Ha! He smirks at the thought. Anyone who always whined about the cold was silly. You can do something about the cold. Wear more clothes. But when it's hot? There's only so much you can do before getting way too many disgusted looks. That is until a nice breeze cools it down. Right! The wind.

Carmine walks along up the mountain. Up higher and higher. The markets passed, high class residential districts littered about. The multi faceted cultural architecture, mixture of Chinese and Japanese, is certainly beautiful. A mix of white, brown, golden, yellow, and dark green building materials. Exotic and beautiful.

As he moved higher up the city, higher up the mountain, he wondered more about Haven Academy. Built upon the mountain summit, it must exemplify this last just as grandly as Beacon for Vale! It wasn't like he would be able to waltz in and look around... Neo probably would want to.

But, the altitude and orderly location breathes a specific atmosphere. Home. Or rather, the home he left. It calmed him. Hmm! After the hectic last month, he finally felt he could reflect a bit, and... well, he felt tired, certainly. His brain was fried. Not just with the current argument.

Still, after Mibu, and the Grimm hunts, he feels satisfaction. They can do good, even if its not much yet. Although, with that satisfaction comes confusion. They ARE operating outside the law. They're merely pretending to be Huntsmen and Huntresses. Hell, Neo and Roman have already done petty stealing IN FRONT OF HIM.

His fists clench. Compared to an organization kidnapping and abusing children, it isn't a question of what to focus on. But, how can he stop things from going too far? He can't allow them to do whatever they want.

"YOU will not ever, EVER control what I do. Remember that, brat."

The conman's words rang. Yeah. He can't exact stop them. Gah! What can he do?! His limbs flail as he punches his head in a last hope to beat an idea into existence.

Screw it! Maybe food can help!

Although... a slight curiosity... A very large CCT pole sticks from the road path. He's close to the summit... Just a peek won't hurt. "Jager." The armor flashes to his calves as he leaps up high. Mid leap, he boosts from the plating and runs up the length of the pole. Reaching the top, he lands and balances himself.

The great pole was just tall enough, he looks through the curving streets below him and straight out, he can make out the gates. The gates of Haven Academy. Ornate, well made, and rich in the land's culture... And not nearly as grandiose as Beacon's white arches.

He pouts. "I mean... it's cool I guess... Feels like an art museum. Doesn't scream esteemed academy."

Satisfied, if slightly disappointed, he hops down the length of the pole, using the booster to slow the fall and land just slightly rough. "Now, food! Zero!" The armor flickers into place as he runs down the streets.

. . .

The sizzle of chicken on a hibachi grill fills the air with fires lit on the cooking surface. A chef garners oo's and ah's as he squirts water to instantly boil onto cooking noodles. Next to him, an onion volcano with the layers neatly stacked and cooking flames out the top. Chopped vegetables, cut up chicken glazed in teriyaki sauce, topped with shrimp.

Carmine absolutely salivated at the sight, eyes shining saucers absorbing all the light of the image before him. A large plate clacks in front of him, chicken and shrimp teriyaki meal, noodles and vegetables on the side. A steaming cup of miso soup taps down on the side. His hoarse voice lowly escapes. "It's beautiful... Mistral isn't so bad..."

The chef places a pair of chop sticks with the regular utensils, Carmine's expression ghosting with jaw dropped. He hadn't used chopsticks, but they're SO cool. "Never mind, Mistral wins." Instantly putting the chopsticks in his hand and... dropping the chicken...

He goes to use the sticks- dropped the chicken. His lips purse... Alright, Carmine Uhlric isn't a quitter damn it!

Five minutes later, and the only thing he had consumed was the soup. He stared at the food with dead eyes. "I wanna eat it..." He goes at it with the sticks again, fingers hurting... Chicken drops. "Kill me!" He grits out frustrated.

"uuu-WAH!" His head perked at the sound... the awkward, throaty high pitch sound.

He looks up, then down, up and down the open front restaurant. He shrugs. He goes for another bite- "uuu-WAH!" The odd sound punctuated him dropping the chicken back into the plate. He scowls. He looks out the restaurant. It came from outside.

He looks up. "Can I get a to-go box?" As he places the lien on the counter and quickly leaves with all his food in the box.

Exiting the building, he glances around. The outward side if the street was an open cliff, with sparring trees and a wooden railing. Since the road mostly spiraled down the mountain, with sparse tunnels creating variation, the drop merely lead down to a much lower level of the mountain.

Nothing over yonder, so, he glances down the streets. People walked about, minding their business. All shapes, sizes, and colors, but same attitudes. Nothing out of the ordinar-

"uuu-WAH!" The sound echoed now, ringing and bringing an irritated twitch to the boy. His head whipped at the sound, eyes wide and bulging. Target locked. The alleyway between the restaurant and next building. He moves around corner and looks in.

Down the alley is a back door into the restaurant, as well as various vents with steam lifting out at an angle. There were some... grumpy looking people at the far far end of the location. Homeless? This high in the levels of the city? But, his eyes drew to a small girl, bigger than Neo, but smaller than himself.

She looked about the same age, too, with a fairly oversized white shirt, almost a dress, and brown shorts. She had orange hair, shoulder length, which looked about shoulder length, but was messy. In fact, she looked a sweaty. Not unclean like the clearly annoyed people, but more like she'd exhausted exhausted herself.

The girl met his blue eyes with blue-green. Turquoise or aqua color? They were wide like a deer in headlights. She turned away in a silly attempt to play cool as she looked at her nails and bobbed back and forth on the balls of her feet.

He just gave a half lidded stare. Not amused. His mouth popped open with an intake of air to speak-

The girl rose to her tip toes and cupped her mouth towards the open vents. "uuu-" Then her hands separated out, mouth going wide. "-WAH!" She instantly drops and bobs back and forth, looking anywhere but at Carmine.

He recognized her state. She held a bag in her left hand, arms having red spots that marked future bruises. She was truly tired, like someone having done a severe workout Sweat still dripped from her, and her breathing was a touch fast.

Seeing as he just stood there, she immediately smiles at him and greets in a high voice. "Hey, what's up? Isn't this such a cool place?"

He blinks, eyes lidded in annoyance. However, he covers that with a nasally curious question. His mouth opens with a pop. "Whatcha doooooin'?"

She at least has the awareness to blush a touch, but flies into a ramble. "Oh, got lots of stuff done today. Lots and lots and lots. Oodles of stuff done and just need to talk to my friend. He's this tall goof inside working as a bus boy, but he said he'd go on break when he heard our super secret animal call. One sec."

As her 100 mile an hour speed sped up, she snaps her hands to cup her mouth to the vent. "uuu-WAH!"

Then she's looking back at Carmine. "And once he's out here, we can go over our stuff together for housing and stuff."

Alarm bells ring to the boy's head... No, this girl couldn't be an AZRL victim... could she? She's accomplishing stuff and reporting to a man who works in an establishment... He can't let that go. His eyes narrow as he crosses his arms. "Go over your 'stuff' 'together', you say?"

Suddenly, she snorts and shakes her head. "Well, together, but not 'together' together. He's my best friend."

Carmine squints at her, discerning her honesty. Was it an act? Given Neo and Roman, he couldn't imagine someone this friendly and boisterous over their handlers. But, he had to be sure. "Uh huh. Tell me, how do you feel about four digit numbers?"

She blinks her eyes shining wide. "You mean like a code?! That sounds awesome! It could be the date he and I met! Or my birthday! Or the day the Iron Sheik defeated the Real Atlesian in a Falls Count Anywhere match!"

The boy's eyes glowed in excitement. "You watch wrestling, too?!" FOCUS! He jolts and shakes his head back and forth, breaking the thoughts away. "Never mind, forget the numbers. Just, what the heck kind of animal are you trying to imitate? Cause I'd like peace and quite to eat my meal."

The unknown girl snorts again. "Eat, right. You couldn't get anything with those sticks." She breaks and doubles over into laughter at his expense. Shaking her head at his growing flustered blush, she holds up a finger. "One sec." Mouth cupped towards the vent. "uuu-WAH!"

His eyes twitched from the sound, flustered face growing worse. "Maybe that would work better if you didn't sound like a goose getting decapitated." He then processed what she said. "Wait, were you watching me?!"

She giggles. "I saw ya dropping chicken when I was moving around the building to come here."

A burst of anger burns as bright as this daft girl's hair, but Carmine gets an idea. If he wants to be sure whether she's with AZRL, he needs to see the man inside. So, he should use this. "Tell you what..." He gestures to a small clear spot along the wooden wall. "You teach me how to use chopsticks, and I'll help you get the correct sound for your butchered animal moan. Deal?"

She brightens up and nods. "Oh it. is. On!"

. . .

His hand held. Despite the awkward twitch in the abnormal hold, He pressured the second stick to hold the chicken with his middle finger and- It started to slip! His head shots forward as he catches the chicken in his mouth! VICTORY! Maybe. Just a little. Still!

He was able to start munching into his food! Cold or not, still delicious! Meanwhile, the girl cups her hands dramatically and grunts out. "OO. OO. AH!"

Carmine twitches, but manages to get a piece of zucchini in his mouth after a yum-yum sauce dip. "Mm... That's a monkey." He sat cross legged, back against the wall, with his open to-go box on his lap.

Standing beside him, the girl shifts her face. "SSSSSct ct ct." The hiss turning into choppy gurgles.

He slurps noodles, not trusting his chopstick to keep hold. Suckling down, he wipes his mouth. "Alligator."

She wriggles in place as she opens her mouth wide. "Nyaaaa."

"That's a cat." He states, downing several vegetables. After thought, he just drapes the yum-yum sauce all over the veggies. There. No worries about losing pieces dipping.

She lurches back and forth before a guttural roar comes out. "Ohhhhrrrr!"

He looks up and nods. "That one was good. I can BEARly believe it."

The ginger lights up. "Really?! You mean that?"

"Were you trying to imitate a bear?" He asks. Confused, she shakes her head. "Then it was just a pun. Keep trying." She deflates.

It would certainly help if the girl would just tell him WHAT she was trying to imitate. Then, he could just tell her which to do. But that would 'defeat the purpose of the secret'. So, instead, she just shuffles between animal sounds until she randomly did the right one, AFTER he accurately identified which sound she made. Frankly, if not for the wonderful food, he would have broken his skull against the wall and refused to use aura healing.

Pigging out on his food, she begins going through a series a squawks and screeches. In order, Carmine correctly calls out. "That's a mouse." "Was that a hawk?" "Miss Piggy." Each response progressively got more and more annoyed.

A hinge swinging sounds as the metal door to the hibachi restaurant opens. Both kids perk up as... another kid exits. A boy, just as tall as Carmine, maybe an inch or two taller, with a black shirt, green apron, and white pants. His hair was black, combed mostly to one side. However, the tip of the longest hairs on the one side were pale pink. His eyes matched the tips.

Stoically, he found the two of them, peaking inquisitively between Carmine and the girl. "I heard workers inside complaining about animal sounds from the alley." He spoke simply, polite and studious.

The girl brightens, grabbing her bag. "FINALLY! Don't you know how gophers sound?"

… Click... Carmine blew up. "GOPHERS?! You were trying to imitate GOPHERS?! Do YOU know how they sound?"

Looking between Carmine and the girl, the new kid simply directs his look to the girl. "Nora, I don't think gophers sound like any of the calls the workers heard." Nora, that's the girl's name! Now, Carmine has a name to apply to that spike of pain in the back of his mind. The boy sends a small look to Carmine. "You made a friend?"

Nora Valkyrie

Age - 12

Nora snorts and points her thumb at Carmine as he closes his to-go box and stands. "Yeah. He was helping me with my impressions if I helped actually use his chopsticks." She leans in, one hand covering her mouth, but speaking too loudly. "He couldn't use them to save his life."

Carmine's eye twitched. For once in his life, he actually felt an inclination to hit a girl not out of self defense. Bad. Reign that in. He breathes in once, then out. "Yeah... sure." He struggles to be that calm. He was quickly finding that, almost as much as crime, that stupidity made him angry.

Nora grins and holds up the bag. "I finished everything for old Jenkins down the road early! 500 big boys!" Her eyes carry mischief. "Even had time to get Massey to 'apologize' to the old man. Isn't that great?"

The boy, who looked mildly pleased with the first news, suddenly deflated. "Nora, we shouldn't get involved in their petty fights. Why would you put us to one side?"

"I didn't!" She held up her hands defensively, but didn't look apologetic. "He vandalized the old man's fence, so I threatened to break his legs! That's all!"

"Nora, Jenkins ruined Massey's marriage. We promised to be neutral, and he is understandably mad." He commented, still in a calm tone. The implication of the events between the unknown men suddenly brought a blush to Carmine's face.

She deflated only slightly, holding up the bag. "But it DID throw us in another 100 Lien and some fruit?" Suddenly, she's bright again. "Also, I should totally get in with Kennan's again!"

The boy seemed to blink once at this, contemplating. "Won't be still be mad over last time?"

Nora waved him off. "I only hit him once AFTER he cheated! Come on. It'll be fun. PLEASE? It'll be fun and help."

The boy deliberated for just a moment before nodding. "ONLY if I come along, and you promise to behave."

"YES! I'll go let them know!"

"Nora, wai-" She leaves her bag in his hands before running out of the alley, nearly running over Carmine. Both boys watch her chaotically leave before they each sigh. The boy looks at Carmine. "Thank you for keeping her company."

The shift in atmosphere from the chaotic girl to calm boy was jarring, but welcome. Carmine relaxes and nods back. "Uh, no problem." He chuckles awkwardly. He then points where she left. "Um, should someone..."

"She'll be fine. She's wild, but not untamed." The boy sagely informed.

God if that didn't describe his entire team. "Preaching to the choir, huh?" A thought occurs as he looks at the bag, then the restaurant door. "So, uh... mind if I ask what this is about? How do you work here?"

"We're doing small and odd jobs until we can pay our way into combat school here." He looks off for just a moment. "After that, we're hoping for scholarships to get further to one of the hunter academies."

At that, Carmine blinks wide, smiling. Yeah, no AZRL involved here. These two were good. "Whoa, that's awesome! Which one you planning for?"

The boy's lips curled up just a touch. A small change. "We do not want to get ahead of ourselves." His face momentarily tenses. "Well, I don't want to. Nora's talked about Haven. I think a change in scenery would be good from Haven, and don't believe Shade would be wise."

"Beacon?" Carmine says before he realizes it.

"That is our current agreement." The boy nods, but his expression falls. "Although, paying for temporary housing is a far more pressing issue."

Jaw parting, Carmine scrunches his face. "You don't..?"

The mystery boy shakes his head. "Neither Nora or I have any family left." His fists were clenched, yet his face remained neutral. Carmine saw it... it was an open wound. One he very much identified with. "We stick together. I don't wish to discuss it."

Carmine nods. "Same." At the boy's quirked brow, showing surprise, Carmine flinches. "I-I, uh... Well... in a similar... Yeah." He trails off lamely.

Yet, the boy nods, understanding. "I'm sorry for your loss." The words paused Carmine, but he knows he can't hide things to save his life.

He takes the easiest route to change the topics. "I'm sorry for yours. I also feel the pain of disagreeing partners." Mind back to Roman, Carmine pouts. "How do you deal with her, actually? I can't control my... friends at all."

The boy shakes his head. "I don't control her at all. Why would I?"

Carmine raises a brow at that, double taking in the direction she left in. "But... Okay, you can't say nothing bad will happen with how hyper she is."

This brought a small ghost of a smile to the boy. "You can't control a friend, and there isn't a need." At Carmine's wide look, he speaks softly. "It's not about control. It's about a give and take."

Interested, Carmine leans against the wall of the restaurant by the door. "How? You just let her do whatever?"

He shakes his head. "Sometimes, I direct her. Sometimes, she directs me. If I made all the decisions, she'd be akin to a slave. Likewise, if she made all the decisions-"

"-Hell would appear on Remnant?" Carmine interjects a joke. However, he looks off at that. "But still, there's just some things you can't let someone do." Mind back to the conman, he knows his position. But a nagging thought twitches the back of his mind. "Right?"

The boy shook his head. "That's the wrong way of looking at it." The boy faces Carmine fully. "Apply that logic to a tool. A wrench."

Carmine gives him a cocked look. "A wrench? Replace an action with a wrench?" He rolls his eyes, but... this boy didn't look dumb. So... "Fine. A wrench builds stuff. Nothing bad about that." At that, the boy nods his head for Carmine to continue. "It also takes things apart when needed." And the boy smiles small. "What?"

"You're catching on. What did you say?"

Carmine gives the stink eye in a huff, but obliges. It was that last sentence... "It takes things apart?" The slightly taller boy leans barely an inch for more. Carmine scrunches his face. "When... needed?" The small smile grew ever slightly.

"Any action, much like any tool, accomplishes something. And, any action, like any tool's purpose, can become necessary." The boy nods to the distance. "A wrench could take apart a bulkhead transport, which would break and shut down the transport in flight. Would you ban wrenches?"

"Well, no! That's because someone directly went out and took the stupid transport apart." Carmine explains like it's obvious. At the boy's raising brows, Carmine begins to show irritation. "Are you saying no one should be punished for doing anything because SOMETIMES it's good?"

"Not in the slightest." The boy says. "But, a give and take."

Give and take. Carmine wonders. What the actual hell is this kid talking about? Give and take what?!

CLICK.

The redhead gives a suspicious look. "You're saying... instead of banning an action... control-"

"Direct." The boy corrects.

After a pause, Carmine continues. "DIRECT... when and where it occurs?" Suddenly, Blair's words echo in his head about Roman's plan.

"I don't know. I haven't heard how they'd be used, what kind he would be making, or how dangerous they are."

Then Roman's phrase repeats. "YOU will not ever, EVER control what I do. Remember that, brat." Carmine's face lifts. He can't one hundred percent get his way, so... direct it... A bell rings, calling the other boy's attention.

The mystery boy bows. "My break is over. Apologies." He turns to walk away, but...

"Wait." Carmine calls out, stopping him. The two pause before Carmine fishes into his pocket. He withdraws Lien from his wallet, a decent chunk. "Here."

Pink eyes widen. "I... cannot accept this. I haven't done anythi-"

"Give and take, right?" Carmine smirks. "And you just helped in a big way. Take it." His pushes his hand out. Slowly, the boy accepts in and nods.

"Thank you." The boy then smiles. "What's your name?"

"Carmine Uhlric of Sanctuary. It's awesome to meet you."

"And I you. My name is Lie Ren of Kuroyuri Village." Ren nods respectfully before turning and entering the restaurant door.

Lie Ren

Age - 12

Carmine nods and begins to turn before jolting. Thoughts race... Lie Ren... "... Can't tell a Lie Ren- DAMN IT!" He flails his limbs. "I missed the pun opportunity!" He face palms, shaking off the momentary anger. "Ugh! Whatever, Carmine... you got important crap to do."

Walking out of the alley, he begins his march back to the bulkhead platforms. He has some conversations to work out...

. . .

Back at the van, Blair looks over her notes, standing studiously by the driver side door. In her hands were older notes... Notes on semblances she'd studied before... Carmine's. She sighs. Her free hand fishes into her pocket, withdrawing blood capsules. Mentally tracking, she counts the semblances at her disposal.

Tora's, the ability to increase muscle capacity. Increases speed and strike force. If she faces someone strong, she may need that. Ururu's, the ability to siphon aura from another with a similar trigger to her own semblance. Reserve that for a difficult fight that is prolonged. Zaku's, to control flames and expand fully. If she can combine that with fire dust in her sword, activate both the dust and the semblance at once... that's a devastating combination attack, but a one shot.

Her ruminations are cut short at the sound of footsteps. Glancing up, the ginger returns. Roman walks looking none too happy. Upon meeting amber with green, Roman brightens naturally. Ah, so he DOES force it sometimes. "Ah, time away from the brats. So rare these days."

"Hmm." she utters for a moment. "The next flight to Vaterra is tonight, overnight flight. We got hours to store the van at a warehouse down the road."

Roman raises a brow and nods. "Ah, so only a few hours of Kiddie Watch before I can nap. Lovely." He marches over and leans against the van, disinterested with the world around him. "Kill me."

"I just might if you ask nicely." Blair finds herself responding. She pauses... Hmm, she hadn't given quips like that since... her team. She shakes it off, looking at the conman. "What did you discover?"

"Besides relearning how quaint Mistral is compared to Vale..." He whimsically recounts dramatically. He then swaps tones to dead serious in a heartbeat. "There doesn't seem to be any AZRL activity in the City of Mistral at all."

Blair looks incredulous at that. "How do you figure that?" She shuffles her papers, withdrawing the transaction sheet given to them by Dory. "We know that they're rife throughout Anima. Are we supposed to believe they haven't touched the capitol at all?"

Roman smirks. "Well, as it would turn out, the city is absolutely TEEMING with Huntsman and Huntresses." Blair recoils at that. "Oh I know." He says in full satisfaction. "Regular crime is still an issue because, well, people are garbage, but organized crime is all but obliterated within the city's walls."

"I... suppose that's a good thing, but I don't see why Lionheart would pull so many of his Huntsmen in. It's no wonder AZRL has run rampant in the country side."

"Couple that with some well placed bets and payoffs in the local trap houses, and I can confirm no sign of the AZRL skull on any officials either. All disappearances here are your run of the mill kidnappers and deviants."

She glares at him. "Don't joke about that please." She says exasperated. "How did you even find trap houses that quickly?"

He brushes his arm and fakes looking at his nails, contained in his gloves. "Oh, I have my ways." His cocky smirk falls after he sighs. "How long until Silver Streak comes by? I could use a power nap that won't do with a migraine."

Blair gives him a side glance. "He's not that bad. He's learning."

"Learning? I was better equipped to deal with this when I was first hitting double digits! An idealistic moron isn't going to accomplish anything against AZRL." He flippantly gestures as he complains.

"Well, not everyone can roll with the punches like you." Blair goes with sarcasm. "And getting into arguments doesn't exactly put you on that much higher a pedestal."

"Yeah, right. Sitting back and letting Mr black and white lead is going to end in disaster. Mark my words."

. . .

Carmine continued his march through the streets. No box anymore, his stomach could finally remain full. He walks by the stalls of the markets, briefly glancing about for Neo. No sight of the white, brown, and pink menace.

He scans once more before sighing. "She'll turn up when it's most inconvenient, I'm sure." A quick glance at some passing cops brings a sigh of relief. A couple stand next to a clothing vendor, chatting on relaxed. Doesn't seem like either has seen any action today.

With that in mind, he could continue on to the bulkhead platforms, but something catches his eye...

A wanted board... what?

A large wooden post board between several of the shops. Papers and advertisements covered it all over, as well as attracted more lookers than just the boy. Waiting a moment for the current watchers to leave, Carmine approaches the board and looks.

Hunting jobs. Not want ads for the shops. These were errands and unique requests involving interpersonal issues and defense. Some were based on settling disputes, and others simply demanded physical labor to resolve homestead issues. Several were marked out right on the papers, publicly declared to be taken by specific people... Some names he recognized now.

"Job is mine!' - Nora."

Carmine chuckles at that. Seeing a lot of names in a similar practice. Even some other scribbles are names. Sun... Wukun? Wukang? Whoever that is has terrible writing.

What caught his eyes next were posters. Wanted posters. Criminals that were wanted. He grimaces at the posters, one after another. No, Spyyra wasn't on there. Of course, if he wasn't on there, then Zandril wouldn't be either.

A few low level criminals with bounties also littered about. Hmm. Some members of bandit tribes. Naam tribe, the Meren gang, the Branwen tribe, and more. One thug wanted for a petty crime robbery. And then-

Pft! A sharp intake of breath punctuated a shuffle. His legs give out as he stumbles back. A heavy thud gets a couple patrons' attention as Carmine lands on his back, frozen looking at the poster... His eyes impossibly wide, breathing ragged. The picture. Bug eyed yellow, tan skin, a blonde Mohawk, sharp features with a Cheshire grin. Several teeth were golden covered. The picture only showed to the shoulders, a grayed duster.

'Name: Killian Gonzola

Species: Faunus

Sub-Species: Mixture Chameleon and Horned Dragon. Features tail and removable spikes along spine

Age: 39

Height: 6'3"

Build: Muscular, Lean, Athletic

Skin Tone: Changes. Often dark tan

Hair Color: Changes. Often blonde

Alias: Killa

Crimes: Arson, Assault, Robbery, Murder First Degree, Manslaughter, Criminal Conspiracy, Extortion, Blackmail, Battery, and more. Total counts of infractions and charges: 2421.

Last Known Location: Solidad, Anima. Three weeks prior to posting

Reward: 20 Million Lien'

Carmine gasps for breath as he scrambles to his feet. He inches away, eyes on the gleeful picture. Him. HIM. That smug expression. The exact. Same. God. Damned. Expression!

"I used this hand..." The dark, chuckling voice echoes in his mind.

"AH!" He yelps, jolted back two steps from the board as his hand reaches for Heulin Noon... Mom. Dad. Sum- His hand grips the double revolver.

A pair of hands grip him, one on his left shoulder, the other on his wrist to keep the weapon holstered. The hands grip tight. He's being grabbed... No, NOT AGAIN-

His wide fearful eyes jerk to the left, meeting mismatched brown and pink. Neo's eyes are equally wide, in shock and confusion. Her right hand steadies the redhead at the shoulder. Her left keeps Heulin Noon firmly in place. For a moment, just a second, he doesn't hardly register that she's there. Almost like... he doesn't even recognize her.

A little girl with pink and brown hair in pig tails. She extends her hand, eyes with mischief. "My name is Neopolitan. What's yours?"

He blinks several times, eyes focusing more. "N-Neo?" As he looks from her, he finds people in the crowd looking at him. Eyes all on him. He releases a breath as hos shoulders hunch up, as if to hide. "A-ah... um..." He swallows the lump in his throat.

By Neo's feet are two bags. Ah, she got Roman's items... She slowly releases his wrist and shoulder, looking unsure herself as she raises a brow and points at the boy.

His eyes flick to the crowd and back to her as he shrinks a bit. "Um... s-sorry. I-" His eyes flick back to the board. Suddenly, his eyes clench shut. "I'll, uh... see you back at the van." Without waiting, he twists in place and walks from the girl.

As he storms off, Neo blinks in confusion, slowly glancing at the board. Her eyes find Killa's bounty flier. The girl takes a moment to read it over, assuming it's the one he saw. Making a decision, she rips the flier from the wall, folding it and placing it in one of the bags. She picks them up and follows after the boy.

. . .

At the van, Roman sleeps in the passenger seat, leaned back with his hat covering his head. The back of the van is open, Blair going through supplies. She glances up at the sound of footsteps. Carmine walks along, head down, left arm crossed and gripping his right in a vice. His eyes clench closed, then slowly open and look at his right hand. Clench closed. A few steps. Open. Snap closed.

Blair hesitantly asks. "Carmine? What's wrong?"

The boy jolts at the question, looking up with eyes just a bit too wide. His breathing is off. Choppy. "O-Oh, um..." He flicks his gaze to his hand, then snaps his eyes forward. "Nothing. I'll be just a minute..." He marches around the van towards the bulkhead platform buildings.

The blonde tracks him walk around, and Roman even rouses as he raises a brow. Carmine's right hand twitches as he keeps glancing at it... The conman cocks his head, slowly exiting the van and walking round back. "Is there another catastrophe going on?"

"I don't know. He looked spooked by something and said he'd be back." The blonde answers honestly. "Can't be related to you then."

"Good. Maybe I won't have to listen to him ignorantly complain." He grumbles and turns. "Oh, hey Ice Cream." Blair turns as both see Neo approach. The small girl pauses and pouts at Roman for a second. She slowly hands him the bags. The man brightens. "Ah, the big guns."

"Neo, do you know what happened to Carmine?" Blair asks of the girl.

Neo scrunches her face and shakes it. She conjures a sign. 'He just freaked out at the markets when he looked at the wanted posters.' She points to the bags as Roman sets them in the van. Blair opens into one, finding the folded paper.

Giving it a once over, it tells her nothing. "A high level criminal?" However, her eyes widen just as Roman takes interest in the paper. She remembers the boy, then in his bedroom, pouring his heart out to her.

"I... unlocked my semblance... Caught the wrong attention. These... T-t-these guys, they... took me. From home."

Roman swipes the paper from her hands, taking a cursory glance before he chokes on his breath. The man coughs out and gasps for breath before beating his chest for air. "This bastard is still alive?! How haven't Huntsmen killed him yet?"

"Given your reaction, would I be correct assuming he was the one that murdered Carmine's family?" She asks straight forward. Neo directs her gaze to Roman, who rolls his eyes.

"Yes. He ran the job. I and two others were the hired workers. One dead parent and an abused kid later, I screwed them over and let the hunters in on the trail." He scrutinizes the page for a moment. "But Killa went MIA as far as Vale was concerned. Then again, his relationship with Senior was soured, so maybe that was just kept out of my ear."

Neo changes her sign, wagging it. 'Is he connected to AZRL?'

"Hmm? No, not at all. He's just your run of the mill psychopathic terrorist doing it all for shits and giggles." Roman waves off the concern. "Although, a reward like that would certainly go a long ways towards mending things with Junior back in Vale..."

That cracks a smirk on the girl, being the object said issue was based around. However, Blair gives the man a scrutinizing look. "Are you suggesting we start bounty hunting then?"

Roman scoffs. "Hardly. I'm not messing with Killa willingly. Force me with him? Sure, I'll poke the bear, but not interested in voluntary suicide." He pops out a cigar, lighting it with his eye trailing in Carmine's direction.

"You know something." Blair says, eyeing the conman.

"I know a lot of things." Roman dismisses her, taking a puff of the vice.

"You can help him right now." The blonde presses.

"I CAN help a lot of people. I don't." He blows smoke out in her direction before reaching for the bags of parts- Neo has the bags back in her bags. Roman eyes her. "Come on. Give em over." He holds his hand out.

Instead, she smirks devilishly as she holds the bag out over a nearby garbage can. His eyes widen, then narrow. Seeing this, Blair crosses her arms and raises a brow. "It seems you won't get what you want until you help."

His eyes twitch, flicking between both of them. "You can't be serious." He watches Neo bob the bag up and down over the garbage can. With that, he groans. "Frickin- FINE!" The man storms off towards the building in a huff, leaving the females alone.

Blair smiles and holds her hand out for a handshake to Neo. "Good job." Neo squints at the offered hand before giving a hesitant sideways high five slap. The blonde perks as Neo accepts the small camaraderie for once. Progress!

Immediately after, Neo conjures a sign. 'Wanna write bad notes in Carmine's stuff?'

Blair's face pulls down, unimpressed. "Does all your entertainment relate to someone suffering?"

Rather than answer, Neo smiles wider and changes the sign. 'Carmine's... AND Roman's stuff?'

Blair keeps her lips pursed... before sneaking a glance towards the building.

. . .

Inside the platform's public building, Roman enters and saunters through. Rolling his eyes, he can't believe he gets to play cheer up buddy with the sad child. Tapping his cane on the marble floor, he glances at the paper in hand. On the one hand, he truly expected Huntsmen to kill the bastard, but on further thought, he isn't surprised.

Folding the page, he stops at a corner, a gruff man passing by in leather armor. The mystery man has a LARGE musket with an ax head, dust modification and scope on it. Roman scoffs. "Huntsmen... Useless."

If Carmine were out and about, he'd have already awkwardly bumbled into a conversation somehow. So, if not in the open, then that leaves... Ah! He spots two doors moderately distanced. One had a stick figure with a dress on, the other was just a stick figure.

With a pep in his step, mostly for show, he marches to the door and opens with his cane.

. . .

It's sticky...

Arms scrub with a wet paper towel, under running water. The sink was filling with the soapy liquid. A rinse and the blue eyes opened again. It's crusted, numb. He closes his eyes again. "Stupid." He mutters under his breath. "So stupid..." His eyes open.

A long sleeve shirt, sleeves and hands caked in red of varying shades. Parts are crusted, flaking off.

A sharp intake of a gasp before he viciously scrubs at the limbs. His eyes flick up to the public restroom mirror... and sees a figure in white- He flinches violently, turning around to find a man in a white button up shirt drying his hand.

The man, normal looking guy with black hair, slightly narrow eyes, gives Carmine a snobbish huff before walking out. Soon as the door closes, the boy releases a breath. He turns and puts his weight on the sink.

His heart pounds like drum, reverberating through his chest. His attention off his hands, he reaches out to the paper towel dispenser. Drying his hands, he flicks the wadded paper towel into the garbage.

Dirt lands over a cooling shape. Fabric tightly wrapped around the face, red seeps through the wrap at the chest. Dirt continues to cover the corpse.

Carmine sucks in breath and clenches his hands to fists... "It... isn't... there..." The whisper grinds out. "It... isn't... there... GAH!" the boy's arm flails as he punches the wall.

CRACK

The wall splinters as he pulls his hand back, red now trailing over his knuckles. The sting annoys him, hand numb, but brings a surprising clarity. He looks at his hand, wincing as he opens and closes the hand slowly. "Stupid." Leaning back over the sink, he groans in frustration.

"I'll agree to that." Roman's voice echoes in the restroom. The boy jumps in place and looks at him like a ghost. "You seem emotionally healthy." He sarcastically drawls. Carmine blinks and wipes at his eyes before pouting and looking away. Roman huffs before pulling out the wanted flier. "I'm impressed he's still kicking, given his work ethic."

The boy's eyes flinch closed as he inhales deeply. His breath shudders out choppy. "Yeah..."

Roman huffs a laugh. "Well?"

The laugh earns a heated glare from the boy, rims of his eyes irritated red. "Well what?!"

The orange haired conman matches the heat in intensity. "What are you going to do about it?"

The boy pauses at that, eyes darting away. "I-I don't... What would-" His breath sucks in as Roman steps closer.

"Are you going to shut down like this every time you hear of him like a child? News travels in the world we've entered kid. Are you going to demand to avoid him like the plague like a coward? Are you going to derail our goals entirely, trying to find and kill him to satisfy a couple decaying masses in the ground? What. Are you going. To do?"

His fists tighten around the edges of the sink. Carmine's glare narrows... That man. That monster. His evil cackle, chuckling at loss of life. His lazy acceptance of ruined lives. Carmine's mother... his father, killed by THAT MAN. The chance to see that face, terrifying him in his nightmares, grovel and brought down... The words hung on Carmine's lip. His mouth opens-

A sloth faunus mother wraps her arms full around the boy, pulling him off his feet. Placed back on the floor, dazed, he finds the rescued teen Ronson back with his family, surrounded by loved ones. All of their bright, tear filled faces smiling at one another. And to the boy.

His grip of the seat releases as he gulps a breath down. He speaks in a hoarse voice, low. "I'm not important." Slowly, his blue eyes raise. "We ignore him. He's not a priority here. Not to any of you. I'll deal with it..."

Roman raises a brow, but nods. Wordlessly, he turns to leave the restroom. The sound of the door echoes as Carmine releases a breath, getting breathing in order.

"I'm not important..." The boy mutters to himself, alone.

. . .

The conman pauses upon finding both females leaned into the back of the van together. Apparently doing something as partners. "Something going on?" He questions out loud.

THUD! In a flash, both Blair and Neo are out of the van, doors slammed shut. Blair had a full poker face, Neo smiling sweetly. "Nothing of importance. How's Carmine?"

"He'll be fine." He dismisses. "Far from worst case scenario." The females each lean and look around him, Roman following the gazes to find Carmine shuffling towards them. "How is it, Fearless Leader?" The comment earns a glare from the blonde, but nothing comes of her.

Carmine looks at them, far more composed, but scratching his head. "I'm fine. Sorry."

"Carmine, do you need-"

He cuts Blair off, shaking his head. "No. We have more important things to talk about." He eyes all three of them before raising his hand. Three fingers extend out: Index pointing to Roman. Middle pointing to Blair. Ring pointing to Neo. "Speaking of... I have something to say to each of you."

While Roman and Blair perk at the declaration, Neo cocks her head at him pointing at them with three fingers. Her brow raises, finding it silly, but knows it's supposed to be serious.

"First thing is first. We are a team." He seems to scowl as he says the word, but keeps eye contact. "As a team, when something becomes important, we share it with each other." His eyes flick to Blair. "That means, no secrets. If it comes up, you can't hide it."

Immediately, Roman and Blair eye one another. Sure, all of them knew Carmine, and both seemed to get along with Neo. However, the two adults seemed almost hostile to sharing information. Given Blair's lecture earlier, it made sense. So, to drive the point home, Carmine sets his eyes on her.

"Give and take." He starts, pausing for them to listen. "We can't help each other if we all don't know what you're doing. Blair, you were expelled from Beacon for stealing blood from others for semblance experimentation." Roman actually double takes at that, the blonde's eyes open wide, shocked the boy would just say it.

The blonde twitches at the eyes before growling out. "That information is dangerous and is not important to HIM."

"Because you're going to continue your research." All three teammates snap incredulous looks to him. "And all of us will help you."

Roman puts his hands up for a time out. "Whoa whoa, now. Since when am I helping a mad scientist?" He lets out a laugh at the blonde. "Sure, I knew she was a doctor of sorts, but I'm not about to let someone convert me inside out."

Blair groans. "That's not what I-"

"Give and take." He forces out, getting their attention. "You wanted to continue your research at Atlas?" He waits for her to cool, looking at him. "You can continue your research in the open with us, We will assist you obtain samples even, but that's the give." He narrows his gaze for effect. "Because the take is you cannot steal blood unethically, and you can't do anything that the rest of us disapprove of. Stop looking at your notes behind our backs. It's all in the open."

She paused, thinking this over. Beside her, Neo smirked and huffed. The little annoyance knew for a while about the notes, but seemed happy for Blair to be more open with it. "I..." Her eyes go to Roman, who looks back suspiciously. "Fine. I'll accept the limitations... IF you help and give information I ask for."

"Humph!" Roman grunts back. "No means no, and we're good."

"That means revealing everything on your semblance and letting us all in on what you do too, Roman." Carmine cuts in.

Roman glares at the brat. "And why should I?"

"Hold that thought." The team leader glances away from Roman, leaving the conman to stew. He looks at Neo, eyes moving over her neck and arms. A new brown rope necklace with a sculpted kanji made of white stone. Also, a braid bracelet around her wrist. His eyes met her's as she smirked devilishly. "You stole those." It wasn't a question.

Her face breaks, still lightly smirking, but her eyes narrow. Irritation. She obviously didn't care at all.

"I get it." He sighs. He understood to a degree why she stole. She was robbed of everything in her life and lived as a slave for years with nothing to her name. If she had a chance to have something, she was taking it. Granted, she was always a troublemaker. She likely also got off on the issues. He locks on her gaze. "Give and take... You deserve your own stuff, but you don't deserve to steal from just anyone."

He continues as she finally drops the smirk to glare. "That said..." He gives her a hard glare himself. "Anyone we find ourselves against is free game. Whatever you want. I'll even help."

She slowly leans away, wide eyed. After a second's thought, she cocks her head with narrow eyes. Clearly, the girl doesn't believe him. Both Blair and Roman share the first reaction, simply looking stunned.

Carmine raises a brow in a challenge. "Give and take. I let you get free reign on some. you don't touch anyone else. Deal?"

The girl purses her lips, glancing down at her three bracelets on her arm. She looks back up and smiles, stiffly nodding. At that, Carmine turns to Roman.

"Well?" The man gruffly growls.

With a flicking glance, he finds the bag of parts still in Neo's hands. Reaching in without warning, he grabs the bag out of Neo's hand. The girl blinks at the open hand as Carmine tosses the bag at Roman. The man catches it, wide eyed. The boy glares at him. "I can't control everything you do... but you can't just do whatever you want."

Roman's wide eyes turn to a scowl meeting the glare. "Excuse me?" Hairs stick up on the female's necks watching the two glare at one another, a short pause in the conversation as the words sink in.

"Make whatever you feel will help us, but you go into every detail about each and every action you take. Whatever you action you do, WE ALL have to agree to it. We'll do what is necessary and use your tools in a way WE approve." He clenches his eyes shut for a moment, breathing in. "You're not a slave, but we all get a say in how things go."

Roman narrows his gaze as Carmine softens and gives a neutral gaze. "Humph! Give and take?"

The boy nods. "Give and take."

A pregnant pause later, Roman softens as well and gives his smarmy smirk. "Fine. Maybe now, we won't get killed being altruistic." He twirls his cane one handed dramatically as he walks around the van. "Let's get this underway. We got two hours to store this van somewhere, right Barbie?"

Neo grins, holding up a sign. 'So, Roman's showing ALL of us how to make these things?' She shatters the sign after Carmine freezes his gaze on the question. She gives a silent chuckle and pats his shoulder, going to the van.

As she leaves Carmine with Blair, the boy shudders. "Neo with explosive knowledge... What have I done?"

The blonde hums. "A not TOO terrible decision, but we shall see." Her lips curl up. "But all that talk extends to you too. No secrets. Are you really okay?"

He picks his gaze up to her, body tense. His muscles feel tight throughout his body, painfully aching to relax. Yet, he finds himself nodding. "It can wait til after the mission. I'll be fine."

She nods, walking around him. As soon as she's around him, her hand raises as she looks unsure what to do. Unsure, she stiffly pats his shoulder, a poor attempt at comfort. Yet, it brings a smile from him anyway. She goes to the van as the three Team CRBN members begin making their preparations for the leave in the few short hours.

Carmine remains, standing stiffly, willing the tension away, but nothing comes of it. Exasperated, he looks over the large bulkhead platforms in the distance, the sunset beginning. For just a moment, he closes his eyes to breath. In through the nose. Out through the mouth.

His eyes open... then sharply widen as he freezes. His breath intakes as his gaze locks onto a figure on the platforms. Far, far away.

A white cloak without any shading around it.

His eyes close... "It's not there..." A small voice comes out. Hesitantly, he opens his eyes.

It's gone. He releases a shaky breath... Shit... That reminds him. The anniversary is coming up...

But he can't focus on that. He has to focus on the mission. "It's not important. I'm not important." He whispers to himself.

And here we have established Haven. A short pit stop on their way to Vaterra. As a warning, once Vaterra's arc is over, time skips will start occurring. Most will be short, but we have roughly five years of time between this and the start of RWBY proper, so there's going to be skips every so often as CRBN acts and grows.

References:

Short cameo for Ren and Nora. Slight foreshadow to canon history of Hunters disappearing in Haven. Nothing major. Obviously putting this after Ren and Nora's backstory from Volume 4 and them surviving in the world as they can until they can get to combat school or Beacon.

Join next time in Chapter Twenty Two: Terra Vaterra.