Cinder had to admit, she was intrigued.
The young boy, barely a man whom her two proteges' had found alone and naked far from any form of civilization and brought back from the forest certainly was interesting. Clearly no ordinary teen if this tale was truly to be believed. She studied him, sitting directly across their table. Her own hands intertwined beneath her chin above firmly planted elbows.
Their group of now four was currently in the empty restaurant of the lodge resort. Braced by the artificial warmth of the dwelling that was a welcome reprieve from the deadly chill beyond the walls. It was surprising to Cinder that Atlas had such a vibrant tourist industry when the primary income for the country came from the ever valuable Dust exports through the Schnee Dust Company and a few of their lucky competitors who desperately clung to mineral rights on this Dust, and metal rich land.
Some enterprising locals decided that the visiting executives needed a place close to their mines and ironworks to unwind after grueling inspections and often brutal negotiation with their competitors, buyers, or work forces. However when none of those high and mighty types were in town this place still had decent business from the more fortunate denizens of Atlas and their families who could afford to take a vacation from the never ending thankless toil through which the world got its Dust.
Cinder had ordered a heavy lunch for her returning students and the boy. A hearty soup made from some type of meat mixed with a lot of local winter vegetables along with fresh bread were placed on the pine green table cloth draped on the heavy table. The mysterious boy's table manners were atrocious, he ate like a starving dog. Tearing into the food after seeing the others be served their slighter share of the meal. He practically inhaled three large bowls of soup, and shredded two loaves of bread and was busily working on half of a third as a waiter who had given him more than a passing stare of concern returned with more food.
She couldn't help but keep a lingering gaze on the boy. Everytime she looked at him again she caught something more mysterious. Like looking at a master carved Mistrali statue from the age of antiquity. Strikingly handsome, subtly delicate but built solid to his bones. That she could easily tell. There wasn't a single blemish or scar on his pale skin. He had intriguing eyes, a shade of pale orange with a bright spark of intelligence at their core watching the world around him. Short fuzzy dark hair which looked like it had seen better days covered most of the top of his head. He was somewhat taller than Mercury but not by much. Lengths of muscles wrapped themselves around his body, plainly obvious through the borrowed grey clothing that wasn't exactly the right size for him.
But he had still not said a word. That was among the things which confused Cinder the most.
The silence.
She knew size and strength could be deceiving in regards to one's age and sometimes maturity as well as education level. But the boy's actions and demeanor so far had only been those of a child, surprisingly calm and composed but of a child nonetheless. Strangely still, nothing of his temperament or physical state gave any suggestion to a feral upbringing.
The boy looked at everyone when they spoke. And seemed to understand the tone of voice they were using. As well as managed to respond to hand gestures and other broad non-verbal strokes. Yet he didn't try to ramble or talk slowly in any language at all.
He was a blank slate, slowly being filled by what little was offered to his mind.
And then there was the mystery of his Aura. Or lack thereof.
All people of their world possessed an Aura, that gift from the life force of their soul that girded their flesh and granted them strength to wield against the uncaring universe. If it had been unlocked. One of the first things Cinder had tried to do was get a sense of his strength in that regard. However when she laid a hand on his arm and cast her mind out for that innermost light she was shocked to say the least. She sensed his soulfire of course.
But only as a distant awareness of light and warmth. Like a candle far away at midnight, a solitary spark in darkness that barely caught one's notice. What anyone with their Aura still locked would project to one trained in these ways. Cinder did not sense the sort of outward energy that a practiced and seasoned warrior or Hunter of Remnant with control of their soul shield and power of a unique ability that it also granted of a semblance would project.
And even one of those powerful individuals who would be capable of surviving in the highlands would logically pick an easier place to live. There were certainly no hermits in these mountains. If there were, they were probably criminals of the most desperate kind. Hiding from the world thinking they could disappear into the wild. Those theoretical persons would still have copious amounts of well-made survival gear and weapons with some idea of how to use them. Otherwise there were uncountable ways to part violently from the world, cold and alone so far from any form of help up in those trees.
The odds were astronomical that anyone else she could put in a similar situation without an aura would survive.
But this boy had. He had strength already. He survived, and had come right into her hands.
So she was intrigued.
Emerald once again told Cinder how they had come across him, and what she and Mercury thought about his origins. However Cinder was dubious of their theories being tossed back and forth.
"Atlas deep state experiment," The green haired girl offered, "Like from the war. Emotionless, nothing for the Grimm to sniff out."
"Bad trip," Mercury mused, kicking his feet and gun boots up on an adjacent chair "Fried his tiny brain I still say."
"Semblance blast, someone blanked him out."
"Why?"
"I don't know. That's a part of a mystery. Moron…"
"Yeah. But I've seen some people who could do things to other minds. Never seen them able to wipe someone this bad."
"Hey. I'm just saying it's possible."
"And I'm just saying that's stupid."
The two continued to bicker and debate while Cinder silently mused about their guest who did his best to follow the conversation. Watching his mouth subtly moving and mimicking words as they passed his ears. Not quite yet sure of their meaning but set to learn she thought.
Until one of the hotel staff came over to the table. A grey haired and aging man bedecked in the tailored green suit all the employees wore.
He spoke quickly, "Pardon me Miss Fall. Your last guest has arrived."
Their guest, and the only one whose arrival Cinder had given instructions to be informed of. A representative of the storied thief and gangster Roman Torchwick out of the Kingdom of Vale. Everyone who was anyone on the outside of respected society such as she was, knew who Torchwick was. And that to get something done below the approval of a Kingdom's ruling council's approval they would need his assistance.
She wasn't surprised the man had not come himself, in fact she knew perfectly well he had not thanks to some other contacts near that particular Kingdom. She remained irritated nonetheless. Knowing that she would have to continue leaning on the proverbial carrot for a little while longer.
"Thank you," Cinder answered, dismissing the man with a wave of her hand. She had matters to attend to, ones that did not involve the uninitiated.
"Mercury." The lady in red began, commanding the attention of her male protegee.
"Yeah?" He answered gruffly.
"Please get our new friend to talk."
The boy she was speaking of looked up to her away from his food. Cinder almost smirked, seeing that this strange one recognized that they were talking about him.
Mercury flicked his gaze between the two of them in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I would like to hear what he has to say about himself."
"Nothing that's what he's got to say I'm telling you." He growled, leaning back in his dining chair. "Guy's a whack job. Didn't even thank me for stitching him up."
Cinder turned her iron gaze on Mercury. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. If not, teach him."
"Excuse me?" he replied, raising an eyebrow.
"I am beginning to believe he doesn't know how to talk at all. Start teaching him Vytan."
Mercury managed to straighten up his posture in pure indignation, "Are you kidding? You're really planning on keeping this shrub? How the hell am I supposed to teach him?"
She gave a frustrated groan of displeasure at her pupil, "If you can get him to communicate in any other language that will suffice. I want to hear him speak. So, ensure that he can."
When her stubborn apprentice made to open his fool mouth again to protest, Cinder grit her teeth and called upon her Aura. Scarlet flames lit the corners of her nearly yellow eyes as she reminded Mercury of her power and the one tennant drilled into the heart of all her teachings,
"Don't think, obey…"
As quickly as it arose Mercury's indignation was quelled beneath a cold wave that rushed through Mercury's veins. He did not have to like it, but he would do as Cinder commanded.
With a slow blink Cinder quelled her building power, stood beckoning her other pupil to follow her with a few curled fingers. And turned to be on her way.
Emerald shot up like a bullet in eagerness, giving Mercury a grin of triumph before turning around and taking off hot on the heels of Cinder.
Mercury looked to his new student and saw another pair of ember like eyes looking him square in the face like pondering this development he didn't understand.
"Guy who can actually really speak says what?" The grey haired boy rattled off as quickly as he could.
His large compatriot across the table furrowed his brow, mouthing through the words silently again in confusion. Silent as he ever was.
Mercury gave a sigh, "Damn thought that'd work… I hate you, you know that?"
All his loathing was reflected back in that quiet stare.
Not for the first time Mercury cursed to himself as he walked across the brown cobblestone paths through the resort. As more snowflakes fell from the iron grey sky onto his head,
Cursed gods he didn't really believe in, cursed his long gone father. He thought about cursing Cinder but thought better of it, just in case. But mostly he cursed the person behind him.
He was supposed to be a warrior. His own little super power in his semblance left little else in prospects for a career. Especially after the particular upbringing Mercury had been saddled with.
In no way did he consider himself a patient man. Yet still not one so easily frustrated, but Mercury didn't have a clue how he was supposed to get this guy to talk, or even if he could. Again swearing quietly whilst marching his new charge across the resort ground, shuddering with cold.
"Emerald would probably have more success with this," He thought in a grumbling tone. "That bitch's all kinds of patience for little detail work."
Why she got to go be important while he was stuck playing babysitter was beyond him. Their final guest definitely didn't have anything worth stealing as was Emerald's forte. Nor did Cinder's talents for word weaving need to be augmented by the aforementioned thief's powers of illusion. As far as he knew in either case. So Mercury decided finally that it wasn't up to him, if Cinder was looking for more diplomatic uses of him then he would make certain...
She was thoroughly disappointed in the results.
Passing through one of the empty lobbies of the hotel buildings which housed the lower end guest rooms. The only kind of rooms Cinder deigned to acquire for them, her minions. His shared room was on the second floor a fair ways across the building. But tucked away down the main hall was a quiet corner some might have considered a library. Mercury took a quick survey of the space confirming it would fit their needs.
Finding a fairly spacious spot filled with children's toys and books primarily, meant to occupy ankle biters while their parents checked in. Though there were some other books on various topics, fiction and otherwise. Scattered on the low shelves beneath a few paintings and other brown furniture. Along with a television and a radio handy for other asinine ways to pass the time.
Mercury didn't really have any other idea how to do this. And he was still certain this silence was just an act anyway, so if this guy wanted to be like a child that's how Mercury would treat him.
He quickly located one of the books which was supposed to teach toddlers their letters. It had the whole common alphabet spelled out in big letters and adorable examples throughout. Flicking his wrist the young Huntsman flung it through the stale air to land open on one of the coffee tables close by and beckoned the big guy over.
"Alright buddy here ya go, A,B,C,D…." As quick as he could Mercury read out all of the letters to the stranger.
As he read the silent stranger loomed overhead, following every utterance like a hawk. And as he finished Mercury once again looked to see if there was any sign that his suspicions were confirmed.
But he found none, just a quizzical stare looking back at him equally if not more eager for answers.
Answer Mercury could not bother to provide. So with a hearty yet ineffectual slap on the stranger's shoulder told the other boy, "Have fun."
Then turned on his heel and departed for the solitude of his room
Clenching and curling his fingers that felt as if he had smacked them into a steel door.
While the meeting with Cinder's last guest had been brief. It had finally made the culmination of years of searching and plotting for her arrival back to the Kingdom of Vale worth something. Only a certifiably insane criminal would turn down the benefits she could provide. While she knew plenty of the unhinged. This other woman from Vale's underground, one Neapolitan who was a short and mute woman who put her silence to great advantage. Much to Cinder's irritation. Had proven to be quite reasonable.
The proverbial bait had been taken. Cinder again let out a deep breath in the freezing Atlas air, pure relief flowing free in her veins. Her road forward had been laid. She knew progress on this goal she had dedicated her life to.
Reality soon reared its head back into her wistful day dreaming of a better tomorrow. Now she needed to talk to Mercury and the boy.
Emerald had been forced to track Mercury's scroll back to their lodge as he was refusing to answer calls at the moment. Storms of ill intent formed in her head. Cinder was going to remind Mercury irrefutably why she didn't like to be ignored.
However when the two of them entered the lobby, and laid eyes on the side room where Mercury unbeknownst to them had left his charge. Some reasonable doubt sprung up to them that Mercury may have genuinely been busy.
Books, magazines and other reading materials strewn across the floor. A radio was tuned to a Hunter's talk show and the two televisions in opposite corners of the room played some manner of news show and a children's education program.
In the center of this great mess their silent guest sat paging through several magazines and a dictionary he somehow managed to acquire. Cinder spied Mercury leaning against the wide archway that led to the lounge looking very confused. She decided to try and relieve him of that.
"That wasn't so hard," She said. Taking a detailed look in towards the peculiar scene, surprisingly pleased with her protegee' though she would never admit it. "You seem to be making progress."
"This wasn't me," He muttered.
All her good will vanished like spilled water in the Vacuan desert. "Really, slacking off again?"
"Honestly yes…" Mercury admitted at least, "I just read him the alphabet and took off, hoping he would drop this quiet act. Then came back and found… Whatever this is."
"Well has he, 'dropped the act'?" Cinder asked.
"In a way."
One black eyebrow raised in renewed interest, Cinder stepped in and approached the boy sitting at the low table. Gracefully she knelt down on the carpeted floor by his left hand side before speaking softly.
As they locked very similar sets of eyes Cinder asked, "Can you understand me?"
The boy replied, "Now…yes."
His voice was just on the edge of deep and he spoke slowly as if he had to choose each word very carefully. Cinder blinked a few times in surprise before continuing with her questions.
"Why didn't you talk with us before?"
"Not... know words…" He slowly enunciated. "Never talk."
Several times she repeated that phrase to herself. Coming to terms that it was the truth as she fitted it into the answer she wove from all the little clues gleamed not so long ago.
But that still only led to more questions. She asked the boy, "Why?"
Despite the heated air a cold shiver ran down his spine.
The boy broke eye contact and turned his head away, rolling his stout neck in uncomfort. Staring deep into the dark corners of the nook, lost in what thoughts Cinder could only guess. Clenching and relaxing his square jaw trying to conjure what words to say.
Cinder beckoned Emerald and Mercury over to her. Quickly giving command, "Leave us."
The two had almost identical looks of indignation across their young faces. Certainly not fond of the idea they were to be banished just when the mystery might be unraveled.
The older Huntress scowled before telling them, "Honestly if you won't do what I tell you to, then you shan't reap the rewards of something Remnant just dumps into your klutzy hands."
And Cinder had a strange premonition that whatever was about to come to light might best be known to as few as possible, even among her inner circle.
Fire in her tone, she said one last time, "Go, now."
With no further encouragement needed her students made their exit, once again quietly bickering and blaming the other when they thought their distance safe enough to do so. Though Cinder waited a few more moments until she heard the front doors of the building open and close signaling their exit into the cold. Well out of eavesdropping distance
Then she asked the one question that had been on her mind since she met this mysterious boy.
"Where are you from?"