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.

78. 76 Irreplaceable

Chapter Seventy Six: Irreplaceable

"Are you okay? Your eyes have turned white." The girl, self proclaimed 'Neopolitan', leans towards Neo with a slight look of concern. "Never seen eye colors go pale. It's neat if it's not serious."

Neo blinks in surprise, unaware that her eye color had subconsciously faded to white. Shut down, like her current state of being. She turns away, eyes flickering between her natural pink and brown, her illusion violet, and her disturbed white.

Regaining control, Neo blinks her gaze back to violet. Neopolitan looks at her. "Should I call someone? You don't look like you're doing well."

Neo snaps wide eyes back on the girl, making her flinch back. The mute tenses and takes a deep breath. Slowly, she holds up a hand to stop, then she nods. Neo proceeds to open her mouth, pointing in before she makes a cross gesture over her throat.

Neopolitan straightens. "Oh! You're mute." She then smiles with a slight tilt of her head. "That's not a big issue. Do you have a way of telling me your name?"

The mute girl twitches but thinks quickly. She reaches into her illusion pocket, creating a shatter note card within and pulling it out. Holding it up, Neopolitan reads, 'Hi, I am Vanille. I am mute with a condition. I know sign language.'

The fake girl smiles at that, but looks apologetic. "Sorry, I'm not good with sign language. But, maybe we can use text to speech on a scroll?" She stands straighter and looks at Neo. "Would you like to come in?"

Neo twitches, gulping down a lump in her throat before she nods.

. . .

Drum beats rumble through the van from the outdoor festivities. The CRBN van rolls slowly down the street as a full on street festival appears before them.

Entertainment and stalls set up for multiple groups are situated on all sides. The van is directed towards a parking complex by an Atlas soldier. Despite the festivities, authorities stood by fully armored with side arms ready. Or rather, they're so armed precisely because of how many people are present.

Speaking of the people...

"Silver Streak, get that dopey smile off. It isn't that big a deal." Roman snidely cuts in as he exits the van.

The boy is unabashedly brimming with giddy excitement. "Dude!" He bounds from around the vehicle. "This is the most amount of faunus I've seen since Menagerie. We've been in Atlas five months seeing depressed people, so..." He grins in the conman's face. "-You can't bring me down, bitch!"

Roman raises a brow. "Just try to keep from over generalizing and fetishizing the unfortunate."

"You mean like how you make them all out as resources and targets?" The boy quips with a smile.

"Exactly."

"Enough." Blair cuts in. She eyes Makara, who cranes her neck around to look at the stations for entertainment. "We can afford to have some relaxation seeing as your father is not slated to speak for a few hours."

Makara frowns. "Putting it off will only make me worry. I'd rather get it done first." She takes two steps before halting. Her lips curl down. "... On second thought, perhaps some festivities could help us unwind?"

Roman's scoff sounds. He lightly bobs Makara's back with Velvet Valentine before moving into a walk. "Don't procrastinate. It brings other problems." He takes the lead. "Worst case scenario, he's a right bastard and nothing changed. So, only good things can come, right?"

"Translation. He wants to get business over with, then take advantage of people, rather than take advantage of people and get our business later interrupted by angry victims." Carmine cynically chimes with a glower. "Tell me I'm wrong."

"Ladies. No more arguing. You are both pretty." Blair sighs in exasperation, belittling both boys. "We should expect to find Mr Riviera at the theater itself."

"He is not one for interacting with the public outside of speeches." Makara sours. "He is obese and ill suited to physical activity that isn't golf related. He's a backer of the SDC and at least a little tech savvy."

Not long into their walk, the group finds themselves moving by several set up stages sectioned off. Some local groups are performing for small gatherings, other stages are being used for interactive setups like stand up and improv comedy. At the end of the festival stretch they find a large grand hall building, a mix of concrete and brick construction.

Its entrance is overshadowed by a large screen lighting up! Hard light dust in the form of alternating signs. However, the hard light dust dissipates as the traditional screen lights with a broadcast...

On the screen appears a man. He has silver hair outlining a visible bald spot atop his head. His skin is lightly tanned, a crooked nose balances golden reflective glasses obscuring his eyes. A silver beard hangs enough to stroke elegantly with a golden, finger-less pair of gloves.

A black tailed coat drapes his top, showing a rotund belly, gold trim thread throughout. His off yellow undershirt shows through the top undone buttons, and has jet black pants below. A gold chain connects his waist line to a pocket, the edges of a gold trinket poking out of the opening.

Makara stares wide eyed at the screen. It catches the others attention.

"Greetings. Salutations. Welcome and Good Day, dear visitors. My name..." The man's face, first brimming with excitement, chills to a somber look. "... Is an afterthought. Today is not for me, no no. Today is for you! You who have not been heard before. You who have watched opportunity through a gated view, just outside of grasp. You... who have dreamed."

The image shifts away from the man, showcasing an itinerary of the evening performances. One of the faunus bands is currently playing inside the theater.

The other CRBN members take note of Makara's focus, her eyes threatening the start of tears. "Dad..?"

His voice returns through the speakers. Obviously, it is a pre recording. Yet, many people stop to listen. "If you are an aspiring talent, please put forth your information to the Riviera-Revival Foundation. Expand your horizons at one of six yearly calendar events. Earn the means to claim YOUR opportunity!"

"No tricks. No underhanded legalities. All agreements are subject to termination at a single party consent basis. All that is required is to have that spark for more. Aim for fulfillment... Be the leader that paves a new avenue for others to follow." The man appears once more on the screen, looking more tired, yet somehow more determined. "Be the best you. Be better. And most importantly, be true. Enjoy yourselves, friends."

The transmission cuts off, turning into ads for the entertainers. But all of it is forgotten.

Carmine looks to Makara, a slight smile. "So... was that Garland Riviera? Guy kind of literally left his name out to make the message about others."

Makara's lip quivers as she hugs herself. "He... actually changed." She moves forward to enter the theater, but is halted. Doors are closed during performances. She stands not knowing what to do.

Roman and Blair share a look before the blonde eases in. "The performance will last a while. The doors should open at the top of the hour. Do you want some food before meeting him?"

The amnesiac woman frowns. "I... don't want to forget what I just saw. That... meant so much..." She frowns and turns. "But, I guess we've got to pass the time somehow." The group begins to leave, but notice Carmine staying behind fiddling with his scroll.

Blair raises a brow. "Carmine? Is something wrong?"

The boy tenses, but gives a shaky smile. "I'll catch up in a minute." He thumbs towards the screens. "The message seems to replay every few minutes. I, uh... was gonna record it so you wouldn't worry about forgetting..."

Makara dead stares at the boy for a few silent seconds before completely engulfing him in a hug! He can only yelp in surprise as the two adults watch in mild amusement. Makara cries out. "Thank you! That's so thoughtful!"

Carmine flushes embarrassed, looking away as the warmly dressed woman tightly squeezes life out of him. Still, he smiles. Feels good to do small things.

. . .

Neo follows Neopolitan into the suite. The large, open living room space is organized, yet dolled up in pleasant lavenders and browns. Neo sucks in a breath, recognizing the color scheme similar to her parents. The couch is a false leather, dark near purple with dark brown wooden designs in its legs. The pillows and chairs in the room likewise follow the comfy violets and purples, while the tables are dark browns.

Next to take her attention are the photos throughout the room... Her mother is in all of them.

Varying in age, the youngest of the photos shows a young violet haired woman in a school uniform. The ages seem to flow in time, the violet haired woman showing as a business woman, to photos of her on a stage for some public show, and finally with a man. Neo gulps, spotting a single wedding photo between a young Misty Rhodes and her then husband Brock Rhodes.

Neopolitan notices Neo's eyes on the wedding photo. "Yeah, I keep telling Mom to take that down. People don't like seeing a criminal like that. Still, I think its a good photo." She happily chirps. "You know what he did?"

Numb, Neo slowly dips her head in a nod, not removing her eyes from the photo.

The girl wearing Neo's life frowns. "He was a good father. I didn't know about all the things he did, so that... still shocks me. But, I can't exactly blame anyone but him for what happened unfortunately."

The words were normal.

Perfectly expected actually. Neo didn't expect she would say anything different if she lived this life.

Yet, the CRBN member caught the girl's face. The melancholy and frown... is performative. It's a front. A fake face. It's PRACTICED!

Neo's eyes flash dangerously, hand tightening around Hush as she prepares to strike down this witch wearing her life as a skin suit-

Foot steps, heels, click off the wooden floor from around a corner. "I see you've found another stray."

Neo's heart stops. That haughty tone. Diminutive speech and superior attitude. Neopolitan looks passed Neo and perks with a smile. "Hi, Mom. This is my new friend, Vanille." She grasps Neo's arm, but stops upon feeling the girl's stone posture.

Stone. Cold. Rigid. Neo's wide, wild eyes are locked on the wedding photo. For just a second, the iris color shifts wide. This time, Neopolitan sees the change, immediately letting go but keeping her calm attitude.

The authoritative voice responds, moving into the living room area a second later. "She seems enamored by my wedding day rather than properly introducing herself."

Neopolitan gulps, but smiles at her 'mother'. "She's mute, Mom. How do you expect it to be proper?" She quips and jokes, like a light chiding.

"Oh, so we're entertaining cripples now. Lovely." The sarcastic tone finally pulls Neo's eyes over. Sharp, furious anger spikes as her eyes return to their illusion.

The woman hasn't changed, truly. A dark gray business skirt suit, light gray heels, and white jewelry adorn her. A large, fluffy gray and white fur coat covers her neck to calves. Her shoulder length hair is only slightly dulled from age, but still neatly groomed in a bob cut. Makeup is applied, but thin and tightly fitted sunglasses hide her eye color. Reflective glass. It's like condensed aviators.

Misty Rhodes holds her purse close. She continues to talk down. "Next, you'll bring a bear boy from Mantle, bag full of pot, and smoke away in a liberal wonderland in here."

Yep. She hasn't changed.

"Mom..." Neopolitan frowns and pouts. "You're being hostile again."

"Tsk. You're right. I've already become late. The conference calls took too long." She spares the two teen girls a look. "If I come back and find one item of worth missing, I'll have your guts for garters!" She lowers her glasses ever slightly, peaking brown eyes at the girls. "Understand?"

Neopolitan tenses under the look, gulping and nodding. "Yes, Ma'am."

Neo feels the pressure. She hasn't felt it in years. Yet, she remembered it clearly. Misty's semblance: Eye contact allows her to assert her will over yours, a subconscious sway and shifting fluctuation of your aura. A power she'd never managed to turn off.

Of course, it is also a power easy to overcome when the victim is trained. In fact, Neo's felt far more oppressive abilities now than she ever had as a kid.

The mute can't bring herself to show her cocky smirk. She simply stares back for a moment before barely nodding. She doesn't give a damn about the apartment anyway. She came here for her!

Yet, something stops her. Hush could easily slice through anything the two women have. Neo could remove all obstacles and unleash hellish vengeance upon this wretched hag and impostor! She could... kill them. Vigorously. Righteously! There is no reason not to!

But... Her hand stays.

Misty huffs and leaves the apartment, the end of the moment coming with a dramatic click of the door.

Like that, Neo watches as her opportunity quite literally walks away from her.

Why did she stop? She doesn't know. All the heat and anger just... vaporizes into an invisible weight keeping her in place. Her lip curls down as she looks at the door. A silence comes through until she sees the faker step up with an uneasy look.

"Sorry about that. She can be a real chore to deal with." Neopolitan nudges Neo, unaware of all the still numbness coursing through the mute. "Here, let me get you something. You like orange juice, pop, or milk?"

Neo purses her lips... just one word breaks her hyper focus. Pop... Carmine uses that for soda pop. He argued with Roman just the other day...

Slowly, a wry smile comes. Unhappy, she manages to hold up three fingers.

Neopolitan clasps her hands in a cheer. "Pop it is! I go for orange juice, myself, come on." She nudges Neo to follow her to the kitchen... and Neo does. For some reason, she just wants to observe.

Observe the illusion, maybe? Even if not a genuine experience, see what this... alternate life looks like. A what if...

She ignores her heart squeezing with each step. Clamp it down and hide it. The girl's mask against genuine emotions back in place.

. . .

Carmine halts mid stride, half stumbling. Eyes wider than normal, he glimpses up to gaze upon the City of Atlas in the sky. A grimace comes on. A low growl comes, so he quickly pulls his scroll out. He finds Neo's number and sends a quick message.

A hand rests on his shoulder, pulling his attention to Blair. "Are you okay?"

He blinks, noticing that the line for the theater is moving in. Roman and Makara are holding their place in line. Carmine spares another look up before shaking off the feeling. "Just sending another message for Neo. We heading in?"

"The last performance ended, so they're moving in and out for the next showcase. We're getting advanced seating to get closer to Makara's father." Blair explains as they begin moving to the line.

"Right. Do it as normally as possible without attention unless that fails." Carmine summarizes. "But, privacy would work better for them, right? Should we let the performance go normally, then follow him into wherever he's staying?"

"That was my thought, but Roman is keen on sneaking past to him as quick as possible. Apparently, the next act is a comedian stand up." She side eyes the boy. "Your Megaraptor group performed an hour ago and is not up again until the evening."

Carmine halts, wide eyed. "Are you kidding me?! They're who I'm excited for the most!" He deflates in a pout. "Hope you know I'll be 'that guy' who doesn't stop messing with the comedian during his show. I'm grumpy now."

"I am most certain that Roman will beat you to that." Blair quips with a light smirk.

Moving inside, the group pays their way into the booth seating on the upper floors. The entire way, Makara is twisting and eyeing about, head on a swivel. Roman nudges her and directs focus to areas with more guards. Still, the group's seating is a full level below a reserved area.

Upon finding their seating, Blair keeps herself between Makara and Carmine, ready to check them if needed. Roman sits on the other side of Carmine, the group ready to sit and enjoy a nice and simple show.

Just as they assumed, a level above them, a wide and special seating area is occupied by a rotund man. Exactly the same as his pre recording counterpart, Garland Riviera sits and observes the opening of the stand up show. His expression starts off proud as he begins to clap with the crowd, curtains opening on the stage. Yet, once the sound dies down, the performer coming on stage, Garland's expression downturns, eyes gazing off. A trail of thought distracting him...

. . .

Distracted focus as dull violet shatter eyes gaze upon a wide recreational room. Neo sips at her drink seeing the decorated wooden room. The far end has a rounded window with a telescope. Some television setups with a sort of home movies orientation is also telling. It looks tidy, but not unused. Of course, because Neopolitan told her how she invites friends over whenever possible.

Neopolitan is grinning as she presents the scope. "It's day time, so can't exact use this right, but that is... why..." She reaches around the scope, releasing and showing a secondary view. "I have this." She flashes her teeth. "Bit of voyeurism never hurt anyone, right? You never know the type of stuff you see up here."

Neo allows a small sense of her curiosity to lead her. She eyes through the secondary view, quickly able to distinguish the hard light dust barriers at the edge of the city! Impressive, as she then twists around to be able to spot spires in the distance... Atlas Academy. Unfortunately, the view of the SDC is obscured.

Much like Malum, the city's elevation alters based on the area. The spires of Atlas are clearly the highest points.

"Someone likes the academies, I see. Are you looking to join them?" Neopolitan chimes in.

Neo pulls away, regaining some lively movement as she glowers back. She vigorously shakes her head no, thumbing towards the school before making a yuck face.

The impostor giggles. "Hey now. They're not... Okay, they're total dorks." She slouches with a smile at her failure to defend the army. "Complete sticklers, all of them. Even the cute ones." Neo sends a raised brow to her doppelganger. The girl blushes and grins. "Oh, I see them a lot at Mom's public appearances."

Neo rolls her eyes. Her heart aches, yet she ignores it. Memories of being dragged to business conventions and the like as a young one come back to her. So annoying. Yet, she smiles lightly at it. She then glances, curious. She starts to sign, but remembers. Quickly, she types a message out on her scroll. 'Shouldn't you be at said academy, actually?'

Neopolitan gives a cocky smirk. "Well I am home schooled. Mom doesn't want me held up by a static schedule in case I need to be presented as her good image child." She then loses the arrogance for a genuine sigh. Neo's eyes widen, registering the actual exasperation. "It's exhausting, but I get by I guess. What about you? Why aren't you in class right now?"

The CRBN girl gives her own small cocky smirk, shaking her head. She points between herself and Neopolitan and nods.

"Really? You're home schooled too?! How is your tutor?" The girl asks genuinely interested.

Memory flashes of Blair beating her in spars and threatening her into reading from certain books come to mind. Neo cringes with pursed lips.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." The impostor giggles. "I know your pain."

No. You really don't. Or rather, Neo doesn't want you to understand anything.

Neo pushes that thought. She eyes her doppelganger wondering something new. If this girl is simply living this life... she surely can't be blamed for any of this. Neo wonders how much of her bottled emotions can rightly be lashed at the teen before her. Heck, this girl's need to be social says something about how happy she is, though. She seems to be starving for consistent interaction.

Still, Neo's spent too long here. The mute sighs and gets up. She types another message to show the girl. 'I actually need to go'.

Neopolitan frowns a moment before recovering. "We'll exchange numbers! But first, let me show you my room. It's so cute." She tugs Neo along, but the mute spots something curious.

She halts, pointing at what appears to be a split in the floor.

"Hmm? Oh, that's... not something I can use well. Mom got it for me, but I'm no good at it- ah!"

Neo pulls from her grip and moves to a panel on the wall. The setup is the same! She blinks wide before tapping the controls. Neopolitan jumps as the floor opens up. From the floor, a sequence of contraptions. Bars, twisting handles and pillars. A full on obstacle jungle gym flows up from the floor...

Exactly like the one Neo had at her father's mansion... years ago.

Neopolitan grimaces. "Mom tried encouraging me into acrobatics and gymnastics, but... I'm not the most flexible." She eyes Neo. "You know these things?"

Without any acknowledgment, Neo shifts before the now moving contraption. With a single popping of her shoulder, she takes a single step...

The girl bounds forward into a cartwheel! She hooks a leg on one of the shifting bars. Getting lifted into the shifting obstacles, Neo begins to twist, split, and contort herself around the bars! Even moving and shifting Hush one handed, Neo manages to bound through the whole set into twisting to her feet on the other end of the room!

All in less then ten seconds, Neopolitan stands, mouth agape. She blinks wide eyes at the mute while Neo slowly twists back.

"That was amazing! You were flawless!" Neopolitan grins wide at the mute.

Neo flicks her illusion blue hair aside and smirks. She'd conquered that obstacle course back when her age was single digits. It was barely a warm up. Yet, she somehow felt giddy from that stunt. She shrugs at the girl with a cocky demeanor. She dips into a bow before moving to the panel and letting the device sink back into the floor.

"Seriously, you're really cool!" Neopolitan grins. "Like, you could find a bunch of parkour adrenaline junkies and embarrass them! Totally hustle them in a scam, even."

Neo blinks at that. This girl... isn't THAT different from her. She nods with that and points back at the impostor.

"Oh, I'll be your camera gal and get the embarrassment immortalized!" She then giggles. "Of course, then the guys will flock all over you." Neo wrinkles her nose at that. She huffs and looks away as the two walk through the home together. Neopolitan raises a brow. "Not interested in boys?"

The mute jolts and whips around, lightly blushing and nods that she is.

The taller girl giggles. "Then why not have the attent- Wait!" She suddenly bounces excited. "Do you already have a lucky someone."

Neo, still blushing, looks to the side and gives a light smile. She nods.

"You'll have to tell me about him! But, if you have to go, come on. Let me show you my room at least." Neopolitan grabs Neo by the hand and tugs the mute along.

. . .

The crowds cheer as the performer, a porcupine faunus bowing lavishly to laughter. He blows a kiss to the crowds as he leaves. An announcer begins to call for the audiences to clear out, hordes of people getting up from their seats.

Team CRBN eyes the exits, then peers to the upper balconies. The group moves together into the lobby of the theater. However, they do not head to the exits with the crowds. Instead, they move to the stairs, where two guards stand in their way.

Makara gulps and begins walking towards the two men. "Excuse me. I need to see F-... Mr Riviera."

The two guards snort, sharing a look, before one nods to the exits. "Yeah right. Off you go."

"No one is allowed by except authorized personnel." The other adds.

The amnesiac frowns. "Please. I'm his daughter."

"Pft. Yeah right." One scoffs. "You'd be what? How many other girls have tried that?" The one on the right chuckles.

The other grumbles. "The last one was the seventh to say she wanted to meet her 'Daddy'!" He mimics a sexual tone before hacking up a breath. "No more role players."

"Beat it." They order as Makara flinches back. Her fists clench as she knows she could wipe them both out.

A hand gently tugs her back. "Please, allow me." Roman moves around with a chipper tone. He flashes a grin and twirls his cane. "Hello, Chums!"

The conman begins conversing with the two as Makara and Carmine shift towards Blair. The amnesiac wrinkles her nose. "They... they accused me of..." She lurches, covering her mouth. Shaking it off, she heats up. "They think I was just some..."

Carmine speaks up, helpful. "To be fair, literally all the others who claimed to be you could be called gold diggers and whores. Assuming probably helps." He shrugs until noticing both Makara and Blair sending looks at him. "What?"

"Not helpful." Blair notes. "Correct or not." She eyes Roman speaking with the guards. "I'd also prefer not to be out another few thousand Lien for bribes." She slips by the two members to join the conversation between Roman and the two men. Just as Roman seems to have a grin, the woman crosses her arms behind her back and coughs for attention.

He turns confused, a hint of irritation at her interrupting his bribe. "Yes?"

Behind her, Blair narrowly exposes Fluorescent Finish's blade, digging her palm in to allow red to seem from her hand into the blade. Semblance loaded. Blair activates the trigger of the sheathed weapon, doubling her influence.

The woman snaps her hands out, one of each guard as her violet haze washes over both men! Double dosed, her influence pushes into them and seeps into their minds! "Go to sleep, boys."

"Ah-!" A slight pained yelp chokes out of both men as they seize and lock up. Slowly, they each crumple as Blair and Roman catch them both. They quickly set about removing them from view.

"Well, that was a good deal more violent than usual, Barbie." Roman smirks, patting his hands. "Not up to my dazzling smile winning today?"

The blonde smirks. "By the time they wake, we shall be on good terms with their boss. No harm will be done. And, we do not lose thousands for bribes." She watches him give a performative gasp, earning an eye roll from her despite the small smile.

"You DO know how to play for money! I am rubbing off on you, Barbie." He signals to Carmine and Makara. "Come now! Don't waste all day!" The foursome bounds up the steps, wasting very little precious time. Makara hastens her steps to take lead, but Roman snatches her back. "Easy. You'll blow our cover going too quick."

Makara does as told, but remains stone faced as the group comes upon a large open lounge area... Mahogany furniture, silver cutlery and glassware, and paintings adorn all the sides. At the far end of the room is an opening to the VIP seating, and near it is a collection of large, surely expensive, chairs situated around a false fire place heater.

Two individuals are currently conversing in the area... one of them a rather rotund old man the group is familiar with. Garland Riviera sits yet unaware of the group's approach...

. . .

The two girls move through the steps into the upper level. A bright pink hallway holds several deep brown doors. One of which Neopolitan skips ahead to and opens the door. The girl shows Neo into the room. Her room. Her, meaning Neopolitan's. What would have been Neo's.

Her eyes are hit with white walls, brown furniture, and pink drapes. Yep, definitely would have been hers. Neo watches as Neopolitan plops herself over her fluffy pink sheet covered bed and sighs. "I'll definitely have to get you over here again!" Neopolitan grins bright at the girl. "Maybe the wicked witch will even let you spend the night if I get ahead on my homework."

Neo blinks wide at that. She takes the impostor in and... feels curious. Obviously, the answer to her query is no. Yet, is this girl really that starved for attention and friends? The mute smirks. She... could honestly appreciate such an offer if it weren't the way it is. She actually sort of likes the faker.

Which confuses her. How in the hell would she possibly manage to connect with this girl who stole her life? The impostor knows she stole it. She absolutely has to, barring some sort of mental tampering.

Neo giggles and turns to examine some of the props and décor. Even a corner shelf of picture-

Her heart stops.

Neopolitan perks, hearing the mute suck in a sharp breath and stiffen. The faker sits up in a mild groan and a look of concern. "Hey, what's... up?" She slows as Neo can be seen shivering. Shaking. The mute's jaw locking. "Hey, are you alright?"

No response. The mute takes a shaky step toward the corner shelf. Audible intakes for air sound. Her face is locked on the pictures.

A mother and daughter photo of the impostor and her mother. The faker is sitting with a junior graduation cap on, her brown hair tucked in the cap with only her pink bangs swept to the side. Behind her, Misty smiles proud, showing her chocolate brown eyes and a proud smile standing behind the girl.

Wrong. It's wrong.

The next picture is of Neopolitan taking a picture of a mirror, showing herself and the large, expensive camera in hand. She's grinning wide and clearly is a few years younger than she currently is... Behind her, Misty can clearly be seen poking her displeased head around the corner.

This was hers... This IS hers This life the fake's lived, it belongs to HER!

"Hey, talk to me. What..." Neopolitan angles herself to look Neo in her face and pauses... She pales, eyes shooting wide.

Shatter!

Cracks of fading aura breaks down, following by trickling specks of tears.

Neo's pink and brown eyes are wide, bloodshot. Her face is twitching, morphing in horror and pain as she sucks in breaths. Tears drop freely as her focus is fully on the top picture.

A photo, much older than all the rest... Because it's not of the faker.

A young, three year old Neo, dressed in a tiny brown dress, black shoes, white socks and under sleeves. Her hair is very short, but that doesn't stop the twin pig tails poking out the sides, almost like tiny side horns. Her hair is evenly split between brown and pink, the key difference between herself and her faker. The tiny near toddler Neo is held up on the shoulders of a broad shouldered man. The man has brown hair, light facial fuzz, and bright pink eyes. He grins for the camera in the sunlight holding his daughter.

Neo and her father, Rocky Rhodes.

Shatter!

More fading pieces of aura break off as cracks appear in the visage of Vanille Carson. Strands of pink and brown hair poke out from the cotton candy blue. Neo's breath chokes, holding in a sob.

Neopolitan falls back... doom filling the girl's mind as she stares at Neo. The impostor trembles, hands hovering out reaching. "I... I..." The girl gulps, eyes watering lightly as she feels a certain end. Realization. "I... can't possibly know... how you feel right now... I'm... SO sorry."

Neo's head snaps aside, pinning the impostor with a look. Pink and brown mismatched eyes meet pink and brown staring back. Dire rage meets quiet fear.

"I... I get it... You're her, right? Like, ACTUALLY her?" Neopolitan gulps, forcing a smile that doesn't affect her fearful eyes. "I get it... this is what I expected sooner or later." She shakes her head, shivering in fear visibly. Both girls are shaking, boding wracking. One with fear, the other in heartbreak. "Please, don't make it hurt." The impostors eyes break downward, closing. "I-I'm s-sorry!"

For a moment, no sound echoes in the room save for the trembled, choked breathes and sobs...

Shatter!

The sobs cut out, the sound leaving only the impostor's breathing. Ever slowly, Neopolitan's eyes open as she gazes up...

The window is open, window blowing shivering cold air into the room.

Neo is gone.

Neopolitan blinks as she tries to get her breathing under control. "She... left?" She speaks out loud, barely processing anything underneath her voice. Yet, something remains. A shatter card sits on the floor.

It simply reads, 'Do not tell her. I was never here.'

Neopolitan gapes and sucks in a deep breath, hand clasps over her heart. The faker gulps and keeps an eye out to the window view. "... Okay..."

. . .

The middle aged man runs a hand over the silver hair swept down the back of his head. Despite the small aviator glasses obscuring his eyes, his fully visible brow furrows showing a measure of concern. His gloved hands come over his lap as he exhales by the fire place. It isn't real, but does give off enough heat for the ambiance.

Just let the heat wash over you, Garland. Sooth out any aches.

Vaguely, he's aware of footsteps. He can't help his hairs standing on end. He flinches, but not as bad as he used to.

"You didn't seem to enjoy the stand up. Too low brow?" A respectful tone sounds, but comes off familiar as another man sits near the false fire place. The man wears a light brown suit, nearly khaki tan, with onyx shoes and tie. His tanned skin is partially covered by groomed reddish brown fur swept back over his head and grown around his neck.

A lion faunus.

The faunus eyes the man and smiles easy. "I could tell the delivery boy to get us something to ease you."

Garland coughs to clear his throat, sitting up straighter. "No, no. It's alright." He takes another breath. "You'd think I'd have a handle on this by now." He grumbles to himself loud enough for his company to hear. "No, the humor was actually a hit. I'm just experiencing a spot of anxiety. It's not an issue. Just jumpy with all the..." He works his mouth before shaking his head. "Almost went too far, again. Sorry."

The faunus smiles. "Relax, friend. You're clearly trying, and habits can be hard to overcome. You've done a lot for faunus here. Unwind a bit so that you can enjoy the moment they repay the favor."

The older man scoffs. "I'm not looking for repayment." He then slightly perks. "Though, if their support does win me a primary, I most definitely will not complain about it." He then leans forward with more energy, hands coming together in a devious twiddling. "Oh, if I can wipe that smirk off of Rhodes forever. Work my way up and start making some bigger changes."

"New ideas you want to add to the journal?" The lion faunus asks inquisitive.

"Nothing serious at the moment, no. But, if I see another faunus performer who thinks wearing chains makes his look stand out, I may hinder chain clothing outlets."

The faunus hums a chuckle with a growing smile. "Personally, I agree with that notion. But, it might hurt in the long run."

Garland snaps his fingers with a growing grin. "Damn. Youth fashion spits in our faces again." He moves to speak again before the two men catch a foot step from behind their seats.

Both men twist in their chairs, peering to find four newcomers, Team CRBN. Garland scrutinizes them, but finds his eyes drifting over Makara for a few seconds longer than the others.

The faunus is on his feet instantly. "This area is reserved only for approved staff and Mr Riviera! Please leave, now."

Makara freezes in place, eyeing her father while standing partly behind Roman. Blair steps forward. "I apologize for the interruption, but Mr Riviera would very much like to meet our friend here. It's personal."

The faunus raises a brow, his chocolate color eyes looking respectful, yet doubtful. "I assure you, he has no need for escorts or consorts, Ma'am."

Carmine's voice breaks from behind. "Why does everyone keep making that assumption?!"

"Gold diggers are a thing, Silver Streak." Roman quips. "The profiling makes a lot of issues quicker to get rid of."

"That's what I said down stairs, but at some point it has to be pushed back on." He grumbles.

"Whatever the intent is, there are avenues to get there. Please leave now-"

"No... no." Garland holds his hand up. His furrowed brow holds as he removes his reflective glasses, revealing hazel eyes. "Let them speak." He waits for the faunus to double take between him and CRBN. "Mind you, if you waste my time, I WILL use full legal authority to ruin you." He speaks plainly, almost amused at the possibility.

Carmine grimaces. "That doesn't sound hospitable."

Garland allows a smile. "People try to mess with me professionally and illegally. One finds amusement dismantling those that attempt such."

Roman smirks. "Man isn't wrong."

"Familiar thinking." Makara mutters. She frowns, but steps out from the boys to stand by Blair. Her hazel eyes lock on the man's.

Garland's gaze narrows. "Well? What is it... you..." He trails off, eyes widening as he examines the woman. "You... are you..?" His voice quivers lightly as all focus hones solely upon the lavender haired woman.

Makara gulps, eyes darting back and forth, almost guilty. Yet, she manages to meet his gaze. "H-hi. Hi, Daddy." She tries a smile, but finds her throat dry. The man gapes at her as his faunus friend double takes between the two.

The man's gaped look etches into his face like stone. He leans forward in his seat and rises, nearly stumbling with his hands reaching out. As if he's expecting them to dispel some illusion. His voice, previously slightly gravelly, now turns wet and slightly up as he quietly squeaks out. "... Maka..?" He shifts closer, a shaky breath coming. "M-... My Maki? Baby, is that you?"

The woman's jaw locks, tears prickling the edges of her vision as she manages a small nod. She then breaks and nods as vigorously as an excited child as a choked breath breaks. The two break forward.

The room respectfully remains silent as father and daughter come together into an embrace. So tight, as if the other might disappear before their eyes.

. . .

The temperature rose.

Not by much. Literally only enough to melt some ice directly on concrete and stone surfaces. Surfaces that absorbed sunlight much more than others allowed some of the white to melt and drain. Despite the change, it still remained frigid.

And yet, meaningless to the girl.

Neo sits, arms wrapped around her torso tightly, Hush in one hand. The girl's breathes cloud the air from the cold. The illusion is gone. Shattered off. Neopolitan Rhodes, the REAL Neopolitan Rhodes, sits with her legs dangling over the edge of a building. Not far from the designed apartment complex. Her eyes are forward.

Thankfully, the tears had dried. Her face was cold enough as is. Having small icy trails stick to her cheeks would certainly not help things. Not that it would change too much. Feeling the stinging numbness would at least be more than nothing.

Ouch... Nothing.

She tried to focus on CRBN, her family. Yes, HER family. To hell with some witch who would rather doll up an orphan in her old daughter's namesake. To hell with Misty Rhodes. In fact, to hell with Neopolitan Rhodes! The last name means nothing anymore. With no family tie to relate to, why should she even remember it?

Mononyms are cooler anyway.

She's just Neo now. Just... Just...

Her gaze remains on the penthouse of the complex. She can still see through the windows from this distance. Her impostor is still home. Shockingly, she hadn't called the police. They'd be there by now if she had. That... should be a relief.

Yet, instead it hurts. She can't even bother throwing unrelenting anger upon the girl who honestly had nothing to do with the circumstance. That girl was benefiting off Neo's pain, sure. Yet, she was innocent, surely. No, the only person to take it out on would be Misty, and Neo allowed her to slink off to the capitol building.

Her ire was ebbing away to nothing. What would the point even be? Apathy washes over her.

It's past noon. Nearing two o'clock, in fact. She should move soon...

Birds squawk around her, but she tries to ignore-

Wait...

Her face twists, eyes screwing shut as she takes in a breath. Upon opening her eyes, her emotions are masked. Pink and brown eyes side eye, finding a presence beside her. She cocks her head at it.

A great big black crow with red eyes is perched on the rooftop near her.

Is today just a concentration of nostalgia to beat her down like a bat? Seriously, seeing her father's likeness in photography alone wasn't enough? Now, once again, the girl finds herself on a roof top accompanied by a large, mysterious bird-

Neo's eyes widen, locked on the bird.

It's... Is it..? The same bird..? The only days she ever seems to see birds like this one always prelude the arrival... of...

Neo's gaze closes, face turning down. Her lip twitches a small smile, brows twitching a furrowed irritation. It can't be. Yet, she feels for just a moment that this animal may actually be him.

Thus, a split second sparks movement.

The mute twists from her seated position, blade exposing from Hush as she slashes at the large black bird! The bird chirps as it obscures in an expanding black shadow of movement!

CLANG!

Metal strikes and knocks Hush away! Neo's forced back in recoil of the hit. The girl is thrown along the building edge, twisting and rolling to her feet half staggered. Her pink and brown eyes widen in shock! Two black feathers flutter through the air from the wind, but the bird is gone.

"Hey kid." Qrow Branwen stands where the bird had just been. His face is bored, yet his eyes somehow look... somber. He tucks Harbinger back behind him into its sheath, keeping his red eyes on the mute. "You look like you need company."

. . .

Father and daughter separate, Garland moving to soak in the girl's appearance. "I just- You... You grew! Ha!" His face splitting smile twitches away for milliseconds, the slight injections of guilty strings pulling. Yet, the sheer euphoria beats such things back as he rapidly blinks and adjusts his vision. "You actually came back! W-where have you been all this time?"

Makara grins, wiping tears away as she nods to the CRBN crew. "It... would be best to sit down and allow my friends to help explain. It's..." Her radiant expression sours ever slightly. "It's a long story, and not all of it good."

Garland looks over the other three, but Makara waves her hand to them.

"Dad, this is Team CRBN, of which I am an honorary member."

"Team C-." The man turns fully to the three. "... I've heard of you. Heh. Small whispers in the shadows here and there, but yes, yes, I've heard of you!" Garland takes them each in. He then looks to his faunus friend. "Let's grab some extra seats. Go clear them with Security."

"And maybe apologize on our behalf for the two guards we knocked out down stairs." Carmine raises his hand. Instantly, the faunus man freezes in place.

The suited lion faunus signs. "... Of course, sir." He looks to Garland. "I'll be right back. Anything happens, press your alert-"

Garland waves his friend off in a huff. "Yes, yes. I know! This is a happy occasion. Don't spoil it."

The faunus moves away, but spares a second look at Carmine. The boy gazes back with a raised brow. Something feels off about looking at the guy. Not a bad off, but like he's... It doesn't matter. Suddenly, Garland is slightly swaying.

"Ha... Sorry, I... Whew, guess I got too excited there." The man wipes sweat from his brow, backing to his seat and plopping down. "Ah... that's better."

Makara steps with him, concerned. "You were never able to be up too long. I'm surprised you're this active, actually." She smiles. "You seem much more physically healthy than before."

The old man smirks, giving a chuckle. "Well, as said. It is a long story, but one I'm eager to tell, and hear yours in return." He smiles for them. "Now, hello. As I'm sure you know, I am Garland Riviera, part time scientific genius, the most handsome man of the timber lands, and philanthropist." Though his introduction drips with self gratification, his tone is light, matching that of the pre recording that explicitly did not mention himself. He's jovial, though that may be his current mood carrying.

Carmine smiles. "I'm Carmine Uhlric, leader of team CRBN."

"You? Leader of these adults? Why, you must be quite the prodigy." Garland reaches and shakes the boy's hand.

"Well... I just keep them from killing each other. Which isn't much an issue these days since all these two do is fu-" Blair jerks the boy back, cutting him off from slandering her and Roman while her face heats in a flush.

"Time and place." Blair glowers at him as Roman steps to the amused upper class gentleman.

"Roman Torchwick of Team CRBN, at your service." Roman gives a light bow, removing his hat before taking the man's hand.

Garland maintains a smile, gaining a knowing look. "My, so this is what you look like now. I've seen your wanted posters before on the news. Vale right?"

The conman perks, brows raised. "Ah, from jobs I didn't quite do as well as I'd wished. I'm much more tame these days. Though, I can tell you've experienced my kind often." He gives his smarmy smirk.

"Oh, please. Just look at the company I keep these days." Garland cracks a grin, but loses his expression at the same moment Makara and Carmine snap their faces towards him. He groans and looks away. "Oh, that was not the tone I'd wished. Apologies. I'm working on that."

Moving on from that, Blair speaks up "Blair Goodwitch, aspiring scientist in the field of genetics and aura applications. The B in CRBN."

The old man shakes off the prior embarrassment and smiles. "The B in beautiful as well. I see the point the young man was seeking to make regarding you and Torchwick."

"See, he gets it." Carmine grins at the two adults' expense.

Garland holds his arms out. "Well then?" He looks between the crew. His gaze loses some light, some hurt breaking through. "Tell me what happened?"

Makara looks to the others for help. Upon Blair easing Makara towards a seat, the amnesiac sighs. "Well, I'll go over what I remember until... they take over." She purses her lips. "I... ran away after our fight..." The tale begins for a long explanation.

. . .

Metal impact sounds over the roof as Neo skids away on her feet to a halt. She grits her teeth, moving in a semi circle before charging the man from another angle. She lunges for an piercing strike!

Qrow side steps the attack, quick sliding and ducking to and fro. Neo's piercing jabs turn to quick slashes. Each miss their mark as Qrow expertly moves away before remaining in a relaxed stance. Seeing the man standing unharmed, Neo's gaze twitches.

Guttural growls rumble in her throat as her grip tightens. Lashing out, she misses a wild slash. It's a cover. Shatter! Qrow's eyes trail to the side.

The huntsman drops and sweep kicks the snow around him. The kick throws the white frost up as a cloud. A cloud, mind you, that bellows around an invisible attacker. He twists and dodges a lunge just as Neo's short term invisibility ends!

Neo stumbles and catches herself, breathing heavier as her vision prickles with frustrated tears. Teeth bare as a barely audible snarl comes out. Hush slashes around, striking Qrow's block with Harbinger. The man bats her away with his sword, sending her twirling and struggling to retain balance.

The girl shakes her head wildly, whipping the tears away, before she charges! She uses her semblance again! This time, she slashes right as a Shatter illusion slashes left! She almost catches him, buy he ducks back, still observing her.

With those irritatingly calm eyes! If he has something to say, then say it! Neo seethes as she continues her attack.

Qrow plants his feet, transforming his sword into its scythe form. In a twirl, he both breaks her fake Shatter slash and batting away her real attack! Shifting his stance, he begins to whirl the scythe in a shifting circular motion, changing its angles of swings with each go around. Every angle attack finds either the scythe head or end lance to parry or block with a minuscule time table to attack between.

Neo's gasps and ducks back in shock, but quickly narrows her glare and charges again. Self preservation be damned, she strikes, conjuring shatter illusions to distract and attack from alternate angles! It doesn't matter anymore. She NEEDS to land a hit on this bastard!

And yet...

Shatter! Clang! Shatter! Clang! Shatter! Clang!

Over and over and over and over again, Neo's real attack is parried. Her false attacks are harmlessly cut down. Neo's illusions cease, exhaustion beginning to set in with the aura expense. Her movements go wild, slashes feral that get wider and less controlled!

Qrow deflects another hit before seamlessly shifting Harbinger back to sword mode. He shifts to static blocks answering each of Neo's lashing swings! He uses minimal effort to withstand each of her strikes!

The whole way, his red eyes remain soft looking at the furious girl.

Her attacks begin to slow, more grunting and gasping for air. "Ha... ha... HA!" Neo swings again. Her panting chills with her clouding breath bellowing over her eyes. She shakes it off as her throat reacts. The strain of the cold air with her animal growls and howls finally pains her.

She wracks and coughs out violently, gasping for air between hacks. Forcing herself up, one eye squeezed shut, the other straining, she slashes again!

No contact is made. Qrow side steps as Neo tumbles forward, balance completely lost.

Yet, his off hand holds out, catching her just below the neck line before she can fall forward. Her eyes soak in the image... the streets below. She hadn't even noticed the two were that close to the edge. Meaning, he just caught her before she could fall off...

"Watch your step." Qrow speaks plainly. He removes his arm from her, letting her slink down to a half crouch. He moves a few feet back and almost sheathing Harbinger. "There any more you need to work out of your system?"

Neo purses her lips, struggling to get her breathing under control. She lowers herself to sit again, stewing in anger. He takes that as permission to sheath his weapon behind his back for the second time.

A flap of fabric rings in her ears. She turns up, noticing Qrow has unclipped and removed his red cape. He swiftly whips the fabric around as it drapes onto the girl's shoulders. Neo sits frozen, half glaring and half too drained to show any more anger.

The man looms over, but shifts away slightly and sits down as well. He rests one elbow on a knee, letting his other leg drape off the building. A silence hangs over as the two both sit at the edge of the building. Just as before, the complex containing her impostor is ahead in view.

Neo grimaces, body chilled after expending so much energy trying to attack the man. A slosh of liquid pulls her dull attention... Her brow furrows and notices Qrow removing a metal flask from his inner pocket. Alcohol. He lifts it to his ear and shakes it, evaluating how much is inside.

Satisfied, he holds it out for the girl. "Here." Neo looks disturbed as the man holds the drink out to the sixteen year old. "It'll warm you up. I've got plenty of aura to shield off the chill for a bit. You tired yourself out."

She raises a brow, narrowing her gaze in suspicion. Slowly the pieces form. He hadn't actually attacked over the course of their engagement. Merely, he allowed her to unleash all her energy on him, no harm done.

The fact that he had her so easily figured fuels her rage further. What gall does he have to appear now of all times? Neo hums a growl and reluctantly takes the flask from him. She opens it and smells, recoiling slightly. Whiskey, she thinks. Still, she sighs and takes a drink. A good. Long. Filling drink of the substance.

She pulls the flask away, throat burning from the foul liquid. He accepts the flask back, inspecting the contents before he finishes off the container. The man pockets the empty flask and sits.

It's strange, yet Neo remains too drained to do anything about it. Part of her wants to kill the man who slaughtered her father. Part of her wants to flee the man who is under the order to arrest her team. Part of her wants to sit and wallow in numb pain. And yet, a part of her confusingly wants to appreciate the weird man for keeping her company... and let her process that HE was the bird that she saw that night.

"Guess I gotta be the talkative one, huh? That's never been my strong suit." Qrow starts off, slow. Neo keeps her gaze forward as he speaks. "If you want me to stop, I know your blade will let me know. So, guess I'll break it clean."

He's right. She would let him know he's talked too much. Her silence acts as consent in the situation.

"No two people can ever fully know what the other has gone through. Even if their experience is identical, the individual personalities will react differently to the stimuli. Sometimes with little difference. Often with major difference. I can't ever say that I know how you feel, but... I can say I at least understand the concept."

Neo frowns at that. Just what is he getting at?

"My sister and I were disowned by our clan. We hailed from one of many in Mistral. They're a dime a dozen. They thought that we could be of use to them. Thought they could exploit us, by sending us to Beacon to learn how Hunters fought from the inside. They thought of us as resources, and little more... That's something I know you understand."

AZRL. She was their resource. Her mother. She disowned the girl by replacing her with a fake. She was replaceable. Damn it. Please don't have a point. The last thing she needs is to sympathize with him.

"But there is a saying among the academies. 'Your team is your second family'. This is true for most, but for those rare and generally unhappy few..? Their team is more. They become their first true family." Qrow lets a smirk come on. "My sis and I found that."

Like she did... Three faces immediately come to mind, followed by a newer fourth. She frowns, gaze downcast.

He side eyes her for the moment, sobering. "I check in here anytime I'm in Atlas, you know." Neo snaps her gaze up at the subject change. At her curious look, he continues. "Your mother has always been on our watch list... I noticed fairly early on into your disappearance that it wasn't you with her. For starters, the girl there, while on paper is your age with all your records, is easily two years older than you."

A small pause hangs as he stares at the complex. "I may have barred myself from working in Atlas for about a year at the time..." Neo's narrowed confusion amuses the man, earning a smirk. "When General Ironwood stated I couldn't act on it, I sorta broke into his office and nearly came to blows arguing with the guy."

Neo recoils at that, eyes wide.

"Yeah, wasn't smart, but I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Misty Rhodes had allowed something despicable to happen. However, whoever orchestrated it was thorough. Even her DNA tests came back positive as you." He loses any mirth, aware as the girl's expression chilled. "Someone tampered with her so that there would be no legal manner of distinguishing you two."

He continues. "Now, the General agreed that something did occur. Hell, he even put some of his best men to investigate Misty for two years. Yet, no contacts were made. No suspicious activity. The only thing we had was mine and Oz's personal knowledge that the girl in there was not Neopolitan Rhodes. The general knew we were telling the truth, mind you... but if he broke the law to persecute the woman... Well, he views things rather narrow when it comes to legality. A tight fist and all that."

A grumble comes from the man. "He believed that if people saw the head General of Atlas break down legal barriers on what legally classified as a hunch, then that would pave the way for compromised individuals to wrongfully do so in the future." Qrow's expression darkens. "The lesser evil. Allow a bad act without proof to go unpunished to prevent punishing the innocent. It's what we all aspire to, but this was a case that never sat."

He takes a moment to reach into his jacket, pulling out... another flask. He has two? Neo blinks and watches the man take a drink as she soaks up the information. They've known about this fake for years, but hadn't done anything because of an adherence to legal process?! Lesser evil, her mute ass!

Qrow shrugs. "So, every time I'm here, I check to see if they've done anything shifty. Anything to reopen an investigation..." He side eyes the girl, meeting her gaze. "Been doing that a heck of a lot more ever since learning where you actually were."

Her heart clenches lightly at his words. He doesn't make sense to her. She grimaces and looks away, but raises a hand to sign. "You've done a terrible job looking out for me if that was some goal of yours."

He shrugs and nods. "Yep!" He pops the P, almost making light of the discussion. "Not that I was ever going to do a good job of it. I can barely maneuver guiding and teaching my nieces... No way in hell you would have agreed to any of my help after what happened."

Neo snaps a look back at him. Her mouth works, despite knowing she can't speak. She focuses and signs. "You were the bird. You saved me when I fell from the roof that night." He holds her look and slowly nods. "Why? You weren't there to play company to me. Why did you even bother flapping your wings there to begin with?!" Her signing gets quicker, more aggressive.

"Originally, I was scoping out the mansion before I made the bust." He answers honestly. "You're right. Messing around with you had nothing to do with the job. We'd planned for a night time operation both for speed and believing you and your mother would be asleep and not in the danger zones of the property."

"But, lo and behold. You were up and about like any mischievous kid." Qrow's gaze lose focus, slowly glancing off. "I put off the operation for a bit to hopefully put you in your room. Hope that you'd stay put while everything happened. Obviously, that didn't happen... but, the operation needed to go ahead."

Neo narrows her eyes on the man. "For a guy who skewered my father, you spend an awful lot of time and effort on me and Carmine."

Qrow snorts. "That's what happens when you help raise kids." Neo cocks her head at him, earning a chuckle. "My girls. One's the same age as you, other is younger. When that happens, you tend to have a changed view of the generations, I guess."

Her thoughts go back to Signal. Context clues obviously means his nieces were born to Taiyang... which means... Neo huffs and signs. "I remember. The blonde bimbo who you and Taiyang kept Carmine from."

The man keeps an amused smirk, though his eyes hold an edge. "I'm going to let that insult go. If she heard you though, those would be fighting words."

Neo snorts and looks away. She signs while smirking. "I'm sure I can take her. Easy."

He raises a brow at the girl. "I see... You were jealous." A dangerous look comes from the mute. He knows she can't hurt him, so he continues. "Carmine and Yang have a lot in common in terms of personality. Must've boiled you seeing them hit it off so easily. It's okay. I get picking your territory."

The girl's twitching face and flushing cheeks give away how right the man is. She raises Hush threateningly, making the drunkard wave off the subject.

Another silence. The unlikely duo look off, gazes inevitably falling back on the penthouse suite in the distance.

Suddenly, a snort comes from the man. Neo looks over, raising a brow. He smirks, but his eyes don't share mirth. "Just a thought. How much of the current problems could have been avoided had me and Tai simply followed Summer's will."

Neo furrows her brow. Summer. She's heard that name a number of times muttered in Carmine and Roman's arguments... She signs. "What would she have done? How would she have solved everything?"

"By being Summer." He sighs. "She would have adopted Carmine in a heartbeat. I know that in my gut. And, I get the feeling she'd have twisted my ear incessantly until I did something similar for you." Neo grimaces at that. "Course, expecting a natural rebel child of a guy you took down to grow up under you isn't exactly a realistic goal. Still... If she were here, I find it hard to imagine it not working."

Neo side eyes the man. Confusion hangs, but stubbornly she banishes it. Stupid. Such a fairy tale is absolutely stupid. "That would have failed."

"You don't know Summer." Qrow's smile fully reaches his expression. A look of longing. "It's too bad we failed on both those fronts. She's gotta be looking down on us screaming her head off."

This gets a small giggle out of the girl. "I'll agree to you being terrible at your job."

"Ouch. You brat." Qrow grumbles, smile fully washing away.

"Hmm..." Neo considers the moment and slowly signals. "Thank you... But I still hate you. I can't not hate you for it." She slowly removes his cape and hands it back.

"I know." Qrow acknowledges fully. As if he was simply stating a price for a drink or talking about the weather. A fact. "You have a way back to your team?"

Neo checks her scroll... Shit. She spent too much time sulking.

Noticing her grimace, the man reaches into his pocket and removes his wallet. He takes out Lien cash and places it beside the girl. Her furrowed brow and off look question him, yet he simply stands. He clips his cape back connected to his jacket collar and shoulders. "Easy. I'm letting you go today. Feel free to wash that money however and pick whatever place you want. I don't care."

She double takes between him and the money, slowly taking it. She stands, eyeing him.

"If I bring you in now, all I'd be doing is engaging in conflict with your team. Then, both our targets would get away from us in the meantime." He meets her mismatched gaze with his red. "Though, after we get our guys, I'll be back for you and Carmine."

Neo tenses, a fierce glare pulling. The man steps away as she slowly moves back as well.

"A last word of warning." Qrow's word hangs ominously to grab her attention. "I get the feeling you already know them. You all have made it this far, after all. So, it bears mentioning... Do. Not. Trust. The Cult of Salem."

That name... the group that Watts was a part of? She sets her jaw, realizing that at some point here, the team will come into contact with them.

"Whatever you think of AZRL... Whatever AZRL is capable of doing... Whatever AZRL MIGHT accomplish if they win... The cult is worse." Qrow turns off, giving a lazy two finger salute. "Later."

In a form shift of shadow, the man is warped into the visage of the large crow, flapping its wings and flying off into the sky! Neo stares wide eyed after the man's departure, pursing her lips. The girl is left alone again. Yet, she feels slightly lighter.

And more exhausted...

Neo spares a final look to the complex in the short distance. Her doppelganger hangs in her mind. But... it isn't an issue. Neo turns away.

She needs to find a hotel to spend the night now that she's missed the bus times. Probably better to recycle the money at a few shops. Give Carmine a message. SHIT!

Neo pouts and glares at nothing.

… She meant to ask the man about the bird thing... Such a weird semblance... Is it a semblance?

. . .

Over the course of the story, Garland's ability to express went from various highs and many, many, many more lows. He sat and listened to how his daughter placed herself into struggle on the street of Mantle just as he thought. How she succeeded in surviving the harshness of the world. How the world then lured her into a dark place he could not fathom.

AZRL... They stole hos daughter, made her a killer, abused her, and then... then...

"You... have Aurstigma?" His voice cracks and rasps, barely audible. His heart seizes as he looks in disbelief. "You... Surely this is a mistake. There, has to be..." He shakes his head in sheer denial. "I can find you some doctors. Hell, I can pay for Doctor Polendina if-"

"Dad." Makara sternly brings him back as she smiles at him. "It's okay. I've come to terms with it."

"But I haven't! You can't... just tell me I finally get my baby girl back, only to inform me she'll likely be gone again in only a few short years!" The man's hands come up to cradle his head. "That's... just not fair. To you!"

The woman brings her hands up to his, gently prying them from his now hidden face. She speaks soothing. "Dad, were it not for these people with me, I'd have died just a few months ago." His horror gives to her gentle tears. "You think I'm being cut short, but that already happened. I'm not looking at it that way. Instead, each breath I take is a gift given to me by my new friends. I intend to do something to repay such a gift... which is part of why I'm here."

Garland takes the words in, but slowly takes a grim acceptance. "At least. At least let me try to give you a full life. I have the resources, after all. It's worth trying."

Makara sighs, but the smile remains unchanged. "Of course."

"Just let me at least touch you through to doctor Stein. He's the best surgeon in the world-"

"Absolutely not!" The heated snap from Blair cuts the man off just as his faunus friend steps back into the room. Carmine, Roman, and Makara all snapped to heated smolders the moment Stein's name was invoked.

"What..?" Garland mutters.

"Any doctor... BUT him." Makara says firmly. "He's actually part of why we're here, but that can... um..." The group slowly follows her gaze to the unhappy looking faunus.

The suited man straightens his tie and purses his lips. "Apologies. I see things have gotten emotional here." He glances to Garland. "Security has been made aware. The two knocked out guards are being tended to and will be sent home upon waking up with the rest of the day's pay."

Garland clears his throat. "Right. Well." He looks to his friend. "Maka, Team CRBN, allow me to introduce my chief lawyer, co council, and friend, George Elder."

The lion faunus does a slight bow with a polite smile. "Hello, everyone."

Carmine jolts. "Wait... George?" His utterance is quiet, but he scrutinizes the well dressed faunus.

Makara brightens immediately. "Really? I didn't think faunus were able to practice in Atlas! That's wonderful!"

Garland gives a light chuckle as George speaks. "Mr Riviera has acted as a door to many avenues. Though, I only practice in Mantle currently." He gives a side eye to his friend and client. "That is until the dust acquisition meetings come underway."

Roman even looks impressed. "Defense attorney?"

George waves a hand eager. "No, no. I am a civil retainer, though if such a case does come..." He gives an unsure look to Garland. "I would do my best to get better leading council in that case."

The conman hums a laugh. "Of course the trail blazers are the blood sucking lawyers."

"... Thank you." George hesitates his response, clearly annoyed.

Makara looks between them, bright. "How... How did this happen? I mean. I..." She shakes herself, finding the words. "You changed so much, and I just... don't understand. I like it, but..."

Garland grimaces. "Still changing. I haven't gone as far as I'd hoped. Still need to watch my mouth."

"Now, that's not true. You've made tremendous strides." George tips his head graciously.

"After you left..." He coughs to get the nerves out. "Well, for a while, I worked with police, used everything I could spare to find you. Mind you, that obviously didn't work. After that, I thought about luring you back by doing the things you talked about." Garland looks uncomfortably at George then away.

He continues. "You know... throw an event. Give lip service. Turn some heads. Thought you would head home after, then I could tell you how silly you'd been." He sighs. "But, when that didn't work right away, I suddenly found myself losing some money when not fully committing. I then thought, 'I know! I'll get some workers and she can't possibly say I was against them.'"

Needless to say, Carmine's and Makara's attention soured at the insincerity of the man's charity. Yet, his clear discomfort stays their hand.

Garland chuckles. "Of course, my health wasn't helped when I got really paranoid about all the faunus suddenly being around me. Whether it was public appearances or my offering of positions, originally superficial. You know my heart is bad, nerves giving out. I needed to take a time out. Needed some new butlers to care for the manner. Stressed or not, I thought I could kill two birds with one stone." He ends looking at his faunus friend.

George chimes in. "I was studying to pass the bar exam, but needed money to survive. Mr Riviera was one of only a few to give me a call back regarding a job. I became a butler for his home and quickly worked up the staff." With a hint of pride, the lion faunus smiles. "I aim to please, after all. Ill intent aside, Mr Riviera's mind was interesting to pick for his less than typical technological exploits."

The lawyer continues. "When I finally passed the bar, I was halted in my progress by requiring a physical location to place my practice. I'd found a place I believed would work out and placed my notice to Mr Riviera. However, two days before my notice was worked off, I was informed I was not allowed to fulfill my rental of the practice location."

"Poppycock reasoning." Garland mutters, grumpy. "They quoted an eighty four year old statute to refuse him while every other business around broke the same rule."

George brims happily. "Your father forwarded some paperwork to the Marrow district near Venza, and I had an in to rent the location of my practice. He gave me a start." The sheer praise makes the rotund man look away. Everyone shifts their looks at him. Save for Roman who merely shrugs, seeing the through line.

"Competence demands reward... My motto." Garland shifts as if a weight inside wouldn't settle. "I just didn't follow it as well as I believed." He grimaces and shrugs. "I don't know. I looked around and saw some things here and there and decided they could be worked slightly different. Change an interest rate on this property here. Increase budget for additional positions there... I can't tell when the belief switched, but it did."

He looks out to the open doorway to the boot overlooking the theater. Sounds of an audience gathering can faintly be heard. "I don't know when I started doing it just for the sake of it. It just happened. Most of the middle areas of Mantle were areas of ill keeping, but also areas of opportunity. Though, the outer areas are still too crime ridden to start any worthwhile establishment. Still trying to figure something there." He mumbles and trails off.

George smirks. "During one of his first political runs for office, I offered an assessment probono as thanks for the opportunity. A few conversations and paper signings later, and I've been on retainer ever since."

The group is stunned at that, Makara working for something to say. Blair glances over to Carmine, keeping a gauge on his reaction. Pleasantly surprised, he simply leans back and smiles. "Perhaps you may be one of many that changes things in Atlas." The scientist comments.

Garland grimaces. "Still gives me a jump whenever I see unexpected ears. Trying to control my reactions. Though, the heightened hear rate part started after one sullen pleb tried to knife me at one of my events. He nicked my eye!" He points up to his left eye. "Had to get a prosthetic eye implant."

Makara is on her feet immediately, leaning in to her father looking worried. "Oh gods. Are you okay?"

The man smiles. "It was years ago. Don't put stock in it."

"So, you're George?" Carmine speaks up to the faunus.

The lawyer eyes him. "I am indeed, young man."

"George. Lion faunus George?" The man raises a brow. "Lion faunus George who worked for the Rhodes family?! That George?!" His questions get louder, excited.

The faunus recoils slightly at the mention of the Rhodes name. A mild panic flashes over the collected faunus, a flash of... almost post trauma. He jolts back and jabs a pointing finger at the boy. "You're the young boy who almost shot me!"

Everyone whips their heads over at that. Confusion and bafflement at the recoiled faunus and the smiling boy.

"Wow, you really moved up in the world. That's awesome!" The boy grins happily for the faunus.

George cringes back, eyeing his Buster Armor. "And you are more armed. That is alarming."

The boy is oblivious to the wariness, too happy. "Wow. Neo is going to flip when she sees you again! You basically raised her!"

The faunus furrows his brow at that. "Miss Rhodes- You still speak with her?"

"Yeah. She's been on our team for the last few years. The N in CRBN?"

George simply stares back, even Garland confused. "Miss... Rhodes has publicly been here in Atlas all this time. Not traipsing around the world within a shadow hunter group."

The CRBN group share looks at that. "Uh... no. She's been with us. For four years now." Roman speaks up. "We're talking the same pink and brown haired little thief, right?"

The faunus frowns. "I... Look. I have not seen Miss Rhodes or her mother in person for seven years. But I also know for a fact that Neopolitan Rhodes has and still is in Atlas."

"No..." Carmine starts to sound like he's addressing a child. "She was given away to AZRL by her mother before she made it to ten years old." The boy frowns at the man's sudden confusion. "They tried to sell her as a mercenary slave until WE-" He points to himself and Roman. "-bought and freed her."

Both sides pause as they look to one another looking for some help. Some detail of mistranslation. Garland frowns. "Not to take sides, but Mayor Rhodes has a thing for parading her darling girl for press. I've seen her."

George frowns, looking between them and finding the newcomers viewing himself and Garland as those misinformed. The lawyer straightens himself and asks softly. "Just... what sort of organization is this AZRL, and what are they capable of?"

. . .

Atlas, Hospital Surgery Room

A running faucet of water echoes as the professional surgeon removes two bloody gloves and begins to wash his hands. Scrubbing away, the lanky man's expression is shadowed, a light reflection off his glasses as he cleans his hands. Doctor Stein dries his hands and removes a surgeon cap from his head, allowing his black hair freedom.

Onyx eyes appear bored behind his spectacles. Yet, a barely visible smile curves at his typically stoic visage. He removes his green gown as a younger female doctor steps up. A surgical resident, the girl smiles brightly. "Doctor, thank you for letting me close. It's amazing watching you work. I just... I have no idea how you got so fast at that."

Stein hums. "It comes with years of diligence and practice. Knowledge certainly helps. That's why it's important to allow understudies to take part in the less risky parts of the job. Sooner or later, it will be you leading with the knife."

The woman gives a smirk, eyes half lidded as she leans near him. "Thank you, but you're no old man, and competing with you will hardly ever get me the lead. Maybe you could teach me how you prep?"

The man offers a pleasant, yet detached smile. Placating. "Now, now. If I showed you all my tricks, then I'd be out in no time."

"Fiiine. If work secrets are off the table, then maybe you could join me on break? My treat at the deli?" The woman's hopeful expression brightens, big brown eyes hopeful and... clearly interested beyond professional means.

"Apologies, but I won't be available." Stein comments. "The sooner I finish the rest of my work today, I can get started on a new experiment at the SDC. Excuse me." He moves away before the woman can respond.

Her hopeful expression falls immediately, a sad pout as the woman moves another way. "Oh okay. Good day, Doctor Stein." The crestfallen woman marches off.

Stein wastes no time retreating down the halls. After all, his mind has been adrift throughout the entire surgical procedure. His pupils contract and dilate. Mechanical eye implants taking all the information in. And yet, it pales in comparison to the information he's actually perceiving.

After all... He's been keyed in to the conversation since minute one.

Must get to his office. He requires his control.

. . .

Mantle

"Which is why we've come here." Blair finishes the group's explanation. "We require your private access into the City above. From there, we require a means of breaking into the SDC to acquire evidence against Doctor Near."

George blinks at her, just trying to wrap his head around it. "And you are sure that this doctor Near is in fact Doctor Stein?"

Carmine snorts. "He scraped my ass across a hospital roof while telling me a few months ago." He then glares up. "And it was his lab we saved Makara from. AND he's the one who messed up Neo."

The faunus stiffens and stands straighter. "Excuse me? Miss Rhodes..?" A pang of worry pokes through, softening the boy to him.

"Point being, we know. He's also half cyborg, by the way. His chair turns into a scythe that ACTUALLY is pretty cool. Its name is Sound Soul." Carmine explains and grimaces. "Hurts like a bitch."

"I'm sorry! Just- Hold on a second." Garland flippantly whips his arms out as he presses off the chair. "I cannot just accept that as truth. I know Dr Stein. I've supplemented dozens of charity cases for him to fix." The man begins to pace, head shaking in denial before waving to George. "You remember Harold's boy needing nerve reconnecting surgery to walk again. Wilkins with his Parkinson's disease-"

He interjects his own statements by pointing behind his head to the base of his skull. "-My nerve regulator! He was the pinnacle of professional and cordial in every interaction I've had with him! I wouldn't have a third the energy I have if not for him!"

Makara shrinks to herself as her father was proudly defending the man who tore into her. The man who nearly killed her. A thought occurs, a contemplative glance down. She stands up during the man's tirade. As he gestures to the base of his head, she's slowly undoing a strap to her coat.

The CRBN three glance over, which catches the two others attention. "Makara?" Carmine checks in.

Still slightly heated, Garland snorts. "Her name is Maka. You can at least... get her... name right..."

He falls silent, losing his voice as Makara opens her jacket and lifts her undershirts to reveal her naval up just under the breast. A massive, silvery flesh scar sees the light of day, utterly dismantling the man's ability to speak.

The girl's voice shakes with an undertone of anger. "Doctor Near... Doctor Franklyn Stein left me to die in his lab... hooked to his current obsession of a device known as a Soul Servo. He wished to steal my aura and encase my life within a metal orb. Not to save my life, but to perpetually abuse me beyond my body's years."

Her brow knits together, but she takes a deep breath. When her gaze returns, she's blank. Disassociating again. The same look when she's behind her sniper. A focused voice comes out. "All people deserve a chance at happiness, but he is no longer human, and I know that I am NOT his most heinous project... He is my target, and he will be stopped. Period!" Slowly, a shiver runs through her as she covers herself again.

Seeing the scar be covered up, Garland notices her quiver from the cold. Yet, she's covered head to toe in warm clothing. They're indoors, near a fire place no less. Confusion mounts and mixes with his heartbreak. "... You used to not be bothered by the cold..." He chokes up, working his jaw to speak slowly. "Use to go out in the snow in flip flops of all things..."

Of course he knows why she's cold. Aurstigma is afflicting her body's stability. She can't maintain temperature properly. Just one more piece of his daughter tainted by this ordeal. Her ordeal to which he's not even been a spectator, but completely oblivious to.

"What do you need?" Garland speaks, words choked as heat rises within him.

. . .

Stein's posture remains stock still as the elevator halts on his stop. The man now has his chair, leaning over the back while sitting the wrong way. He pushes off and rolls through the halls as he tilts his head up to read a form before him.

His vision, a technical display analyzing all in his view, is only a fraction of what he's currently perceiving. In his hands, he verifies the reports from his second chair doctors for his next procedures. However, his cybernetic connections provide him many more updates. A time table until his next procedure, lists of prep resources, reminder messages pulled from his subconscious memory.

To say the man has a heads up on coming problems would be an understatement. Surprising Doctor Franklyn Naero Stein is one of the highest bars to achieve...

Today, CRBN failed to surprise. In fact, they played exactly how he'd expected. While the timing was not ideal, the result would be the same. They walked right into his trap.

His office is ahead. His pupils focus, whirling as his electronic view zooms in and out of specific details. Four minutes, twenty seconds to goal.

. . .

"We require transport to Atlas. We believe you are able to provide transport that is not subject to checks from the authorities." Blair states clearly. "From there, we will pool our resources and infiltrate the SDC, only Near's, or Stein's rather, quarters to locate evidence against him. We previously had the Soul Servo device, which would have had tells of his engineering, but an engagement with one of AZRL's agents destroyed it."

Garland and George share a look. The older man huffs. "My personal transport is authorized, yes. And, it would seem you would require something like his blue prints for the device. He'd be foolish to delete them and must have them either on a private server, or yet better, a physical copy." He looks to his faunus friend. "George keeps copies of the paperwork regarding all my procedures... in case of medical complications and what not. Whatever directory is attached to those works should be the same for all Stein's project works. Logs and information regarding his implements. He designed my implants. George?"

The faunus works his mouth to speak for a moment, speaking plainly. "I realize that the current implications here are disturbing for you, sir, but please keep in mind that this would classify as aiding and abetting conspiracy against a central power within the kingdom." He spares a look to CRBN, no malice or distrust, just trepidation. "I've worked for someone who trifled with the kingdom before. For your own sake and the programs and progress we've had, please reconsider."

The businessman looks back, glasses on and brows knit. "It's my daughter, George." He says simply. His head shifts, surely a glance at his girl's now covered gut. "Consequences are moot. The line has been drawn and dismantled."

George deflates, face palming. He looks between them and shakes his head. "... I will submit a report that my records were compromised. Will give us plausible deniability."

"Here here!" Garland smirks, but then looks down. "You can walk away from it and not play a part though, George."

The faunus scoffs. "Perish the thought of abandoning a client in need." He looks to Carmine. "Where can I send it electronically?"

Blair steps forward. "I've a network of applications and stations we've visited to make it impossible to trace our wiring for payments. Here, I'll show you." She approaches the sulking faunus that's about to stand by his client.

Garland is pensive as the blonde and his lawyer huddle together, exchanging information. The man is joined by his daughter. The woman is hesitant, but smiles. "Thank you... You know that means I'm going to go with them to do this, right?"

He double takes, and looks anywhere but at her. "Oh, yes. Of course..." He shakes his head, thoughts visibly going a mile a minute, both processing and developing the information that's gone through him in the last half hour at best? "Do you have to? I mean, this can all wait and we can enjoy the week... please?"

That hurts her. Heart clenching at the sight of the proud man pleading honestly to her. Still, a smile comes. "This time, you know where I'll be, and you'll know what I'm doing. I'll make it back here one way or another. Then..." She trails off, losing the will to go further.

A furrowed brow meets her. "... Then you'll be leaving with them? Leaving again?"

That gives her pause. She stares back, blinking. "I... don't know yet." Staring at the man, she notices something. Her gaze narrows as she reaches up. Gently, she pulls the man's glasses off. He allows the action, slightly confused. "Your eye color is supposed to be the same as mine." Her hazel eyes scrutinize his.

One of his eyes is onyx black. The left one. His cybernetic implant.

"I like the hazel better. Could they not at least make it the right color?"

The man snorts. "Well... Yes, they could have. Honestly, my style has always had the dark glasses on, so I hadn't cared much about the coloration." His story sours as he remembers the name he has to mention. "Dr Stein did the implant. I spared no expense for what the implant could do. It comes with a scope and various detection software translated directly into my nerves to focus my vision on items I subconsciously heighten my awareness around. Adding color to the high tech was an after thought expense I hadn't paid attention to."

"Sign me up for one." Roman mutters, removing a cigarette for a light. Carmine raises a brow impressed. Just as he raises his hand ready to light the smoke with his semblance, he stops.

"..." Roman is stunned rigid, green gaze locked on the man.

Carmine notices his frozen posture. Recognizing it, he tenses. "What is it?"

Roman steps forward, flicking the cigarette away harmlessly. "Egghead, you said Dr Stein did you implants? Both of them?!" His voice raises, catching everyone's attention.

Garland raises a brow. "Yes... He did. My eye is connected to my nerves-"

"And your spine implant you pointed at earlier? What functions does it have?" He's nearly yelling at this point. "Leave. Nothing. Out."

The businessman flinches, staring wide eyed. "Um... It controls impulses to prevent loss of muscle control. It regulates reactions and communicates projected information to the brain, obviously." He strokes his chin in wonder. "And, if my nerves or mind suffer extreme damage, the implant connects to the CCT network to send for an ambulance immediately."

All four CRBN members freeze.

"It... connects by wireless... like a scroll..?" Blair starts soft before getting loud and clear.

Garland's eyes dart around. "Well... Yes? What? Many medical attachments have these sort of life alerting functions."

As he darts his eyes, his onyx left eye visible contracts and dilates... zooming and observing each of the CRBN team members.

. . .

Identical cybernetic eyes drink in the information of the halls as Stein arrives to his office.

The door bursts open, the man rolling in on his chair as he tosses his paperwork expertly. It lands in a desk tray beside his computer as the man halts directly in front of his computer. The screen lights up for the password.

'42-42-564'

The console lights up as the doctor then opens up a program. A remote access program that, after two more successful passwords, log him in to his lab console within the SDC itself. Mirroring the screens, he remote controls the other computer from his hospital station, quickly opening monitoring programs.

An image road map of the City of Atlas appears, as well as the City of Mantle below it as a sub level. Across all the miles and miles collectively within the cities, over a hundred dots appear. Blue lights sparkle on the map. Yet, he's looking for one specific dot in particular.

A message label appears in his search of the network.

'Connected implants: 132'

However, one light within Mantle is blinking not just blue, but yellow as well, the map around the lights a cool green. Only the one. Another popup message highlights.

'Implants meeting alert parameters: 1'. Followed by, 'Alert parameter triggered: Identified high priority targets'.

Stein watches the screen emotionless. His own cybernetics received the alert that the parameter trigger was met thirty five minutes ago now. He'd still been in surgery and forced to high tail its end faster than he would prefer. Yet, here he is.

He opens a subject panel on the screen from the blinking light. 'Garland Riviera: Neural and eye implants'

A button highlights a prompt. 'Remote view?'

He clicks it.

Immediately, an image comes through, communicated via the wireless connects within the city. He sees what Garland sees. The same system that allows him to see out of his other creations. Any he can. A monitoring network to observe and document the habits of certain individuals.

"Lovely... It worked like a charm." He mutters out loud.

The screen before him shows that Garland is looking directly at Roman Torchwick. Darting his look around, Stein can observe Blair, Carmine, Garland's lawyer, and his escapee from Malum.

He'd deduced the girl's civilian identity months into her stay at AZRL. He would like to say that necessitated his surgical offerings to her father, but her father was already one of his patients regardless.

Life just has a way of working out sometimes.

And so comes the trap...

Stein hums over a command. 'Execute compromise function.'

After all... if Team CRBN were to be implicated in the sudden death of a Mantle and Atlas business tycoon... then Atlas could get rid of Team CRBN for AZRL. They wouldn't even have to lift a finger.

"And..." Stein mutters to himself... and clicks the execute function... "The game begins."

. . .

Picking up on CRBN's extreme mood flip on the dime, George astutely asks. "What compromise does a connection bring?"

Blair bounds across the room. "Close your left eye, now! Stein knows we're here!"

Garland flinches, darting his look between them. "I-I don't under..." He shudders as his left arm begins to twitch and quiver. "What?" He reaches behind his head. "Is it... a malfunct- AH!"He chokes outs, eyes bugged wide. A pressuring heat builds in the back of his head.

All the CRBN members knew the function being activated.

The Johnsons in Mistral... high value assets in Vale... the series blacks in Mountain Glenn...

A function of all AZRL implants to silence a party, except now being used to set off new events.

Self destruct.

Roman shouts out. "Barbie! Fry it!"

Blair, mid stride, is opening a lightning dust vial from her inner chest pouch.

Carmine looks to George. "Jager!" His armor flashes to his legs as he boost dashes into the man, bringing him behind a corner for cover.

And Makara stares in wide eyed horror, eyes locked on her father's. Her father whose life very well ends in the next few seconds...

Golden yellow aura sparks to life in her hands as she raises both before her. She has to stop it. Whatever signal, whatever pulsing power communicates through the air, she MUST stop it. The chaos of connection.

No. She will NOT allow her father to die, as an inhuman, banshee shrill rips from her throat. At the gathering of tears, the woman calls out to stop what's happening.

"CONTROL!"

Yellow flashes on all sides... all lights die out, all devices blinking out. All aura connections disconnect. All dust connections disconnect.

… Did it work?

A lot of Neo and Makara in this chapter. I really wanted the contrast of Neo's harsh realization of being swapped out against Makara(or Maka) being so warmly accepted back.

Throughout this story, there is a lot of focus on Carmine, with some ebbs and flows of focus on the others. Blair took over the last arc as its chief carrier, for example. Roman had an entire center stage during the Wilted Rose arc in Vale. It's a long time coming, but this is Neo's chance to take a central spot.

Neopolitan, as she'll be referred to for simplicity, is the girl who replaced Neo following AZRL's abduction of our favorite mute. The girl was given a normal and eventually lavish life as Misty Rhodes put herself back on track in the realm of business. She also served as physical proof to Atlas that dissuaded Beacon from being able to pursue Misty in any legal way, even after Beacon was CERTAIN that she'd given up her daughter.

But maybe all isn't lost for Neo? After all, George is back!

I guess we shall see.

Also, some Qrow. Just a sprinkle of Qrow because I enjoy him.

Join next time in Chapter seventy seven: Life's Many Doors.