A/N: Things have been hard for me the past 6 months. I've made a mistake and a friend of mine just went and admit my story work is as bad a Sexual Abuse. I'm trying to move on from it, trying to work on my stories as well, but it's just hard. I get we're only human and make mistakes, but I just hate making mistakes. It just feels like there's no escape.
Onto Team PASM. We continue on with the school life of Patrick and the rest of Team PASM. Patrick pretty much has nothing to do on his spare time, so that just leaves a certain teacher to put him through some chores. Lucky him.
Chapter 9: After Classes
"With the Grimm at his side, General Schnee had the advantage over the battlefield against the rebels. No one knows for certain how he was able to have control over the Creatures of Grimm. One thing's for certain, he had his goal set on capturing a woman named Fria. Lady Fria and Captain James Ironwood lead the rebellion into the Kingdom of Atlas, and eventually, General Schnee was removed from power. Thus bringing an end to the Atlesian Civil War."
Remnant History Class with Instructor Mashika Kirei. This class is always a fun time for the students, for every boy in this class is daydreaming while hopelessly staring at Mashika's beauty.
The young instructor is in Red Short Hair with bangs covering the left side of her forehead, violet eyes, a beauty mark below her right eye. Wearing a blue top under a silver jacket, a white skirt that appears tight, and wearing black high heels. The women's beauty is beyond limit, no boy can resist falling for her...All except for one.
Patrick finds himself annoyed at the environment around him. He softly growls as he continues to write while the lesson goes on. As he writes, he gets distracted when something wet is dripping onto his paper. He looks at the source to find his desk neighbor, Peter, is helplessly staring and daydreaming at the instructor.
Patrick gives Peter an aggressive look. He starts kicking Peter on the leg...no response. He tries again, then again. Nothing. Then resolves to stomp on his foot hard. Still nothing. Then right after, he just removes Peter's arms and lets his face fall, and crashes face flat on the desk. Annoyed at the failed attempt, Patrick grabs Peter's hair and pulls him up, then slams a thick book right in his face hard.
Still nothing. It's like hitting a body of steel. Patrick groans annoyed as he lets go of Peter. He puts a hand on his head. "How does she even handle this?" He asks himself.
Just then, the bell rings. Mashika is caught by surprise. "Oh, class is over." She closes her book and turns off the monitor. "That concludes today's lesson."
All the boy students just moan in disappointment and sadness. Even Peter. 'Sure, the end of the class period gets your attention.' Patrick thoughts.
Everyone packs up their things and starts heading out of the class. Mashika reminds everyone to make sure to study for tomorrow's test on the Great War. Patrick is all ready to take his leave when...
"Mr. Aki?" Patrick stops and turns his attention to Mashika. "I would like to speak with you if you please."
Just when things didn't get any worse, all of the boys were surrounding Patrick. All of them arguing and jealous about how Mashika wants to see him and not them. Patrick becomes agitated as they go on arguing about him. He's on the verge of losing his temper, and he assumes Mashika might have sensed it given to what happens next.
"Oh, boys?" Everyone turns their attention to Mashika, who, after a flip of her hair, starts to become looking even more beautiful with her eyes turning pick and in heart shapes. "Would you lovelies be a dear and allow Mr. Aki and I to chat in private?" All the boys shout with excitement and love stroke. They all obey her demand without question or complaint and leave the room. Once they're alone, Mashika returns to her normal state.
"You know, your Semblance frightens me," Patrick says. "I sometimes think you are using it doing classes."
"Oh please, they wish I did," Mashika says with a chuckle. "But I do find it surprising you're the only one who's unaffected by it."
"Well sor-ry that I'm not interested in being in your Fan Club," Patrick says in a dull sarcasm.
"Now, now. Don't be like that, Love." Mashika walks to her desk. "Please, have a seat."
Patrick sits on a chair in front of Mashika's desk. "What do you want this time?"
"I wanted to check and make sure you're enjoying your time here in Beacon," Mashika says.
"It's nothing but a waste of time. Just like this conversation." Patrick says.
Mashika sighs in disappointment. "Look, I understand you feel this way, but you need to understand-"
"I don't need to understand anything," Patrick says. "I should be out there hunting down the Assassilant that took my sister, the ONLY family I had and yet I'm stuck here learning how to be a Huntsman."
"Patrick." There's a pause before Mashika continues to speak. "Listen. You and I both know about what you've been through. With your past."
Patrick slams a fist on the desk, its grip tightening in boiling rage. "You swear you'd NEVER speak of THEM." He says, growling.
"I know, I know, Love. I'm just saying. I use to be involved in their..." Mashika doesn't dare to bring up what happened. "Well, you know. During my time there I have seen you. A scared little boy separated from his own mother and father." Patrick's fist shakes and tightens, rage boiling. "But after all that happened, we are finally free of them. Look at me, I'm now a teacher of Beacon like I've always wanted to be. But you...Even though we went separate ways, I've still heard all the things you've done, at least for the past three years. You still hunt for them even after they're long gone, this desire for Vengeance. You let it control you, cloud your judgment, lashing out by harming others." Mashika crosses her arms. "Did you really think I didn't notice the way you were hurting Mr. Kazuto?"
"While I admit I hate that jerk as much as those monsters, the real reason I was doing all those things is cause Clawdia asked me to do it," Patrick says. "You know how she is with him. Trying to 'keep him in check' as she says. She wanted me to do it in her place because he's in this class with you and she isn't."
Mashika takes a deep breath while thinking about the situation. "Well, I supposed that is understandable. But is all that really necessary?"
"If I knew how to snap him out of it the way she does I would have done it that way. I don't even know how she does it." Patrick says.
"Probably years of experience," Mashika says. "Back to the topic: The point I'm trying to make is that you can't live your life for Vengeance. It's not the way to live. It's not freedom. You can't change the past, all you can do is move forward. Embrace the present and build a better future." Patrick doesn't say anything. Mashika realizes she is not getting through to him. "Look, I know you don't see me as a mother, and I'm not saying that I want you to, but you should know that I do care for you as my own son."
"If you think you can ever replace my mother." He starts to build aggression.
"I'm not trying to replace her. I am just saying that like any other mother to her child, I am just concern for you. I want you to try to live a positive life. Away from the Pains of the Past and Desires of Anger and Vengeance." Mashika reaches across her desk to grab Patrick's hands. "I may not know your mother, but I do know it is what she would have wanted for you."
Hearing that gives Patrick a startling feeling, and a memory flashed. Where he sees Amber looking down at him, a hand reaching to his face with a smile on hers. He's nothing but silent, then Mashika speaks. "Your friends told me about how you turned down the After School Clubs. I'm not gonna force you to join them, but I don't want you to waste your time doing nothing." Mashika referred her hands. "Do you know my Niece?"
"You mean the Student Council President?" Patrick asks.
Mashika smiles and nods. "She is overworked and she would appreciate some help. It's not much of an idea of trying to get you to enjoy life, but it is a start."
Patrick doesn't say anything for a while, then speaks. "Fine." Patrick gets up from his desk and takes his leave. But comes to a stop just before he heads up the stairs to the door. "Just so you know, you don't know them as I do." Mashika feels concerned about what he's saying. "As long as they're out there...as long as HE lives...I'll never be free." He then leaves.
Once he's out the door, out of the room, Mashika lets out a disappointing sigh. "That's what worries me, Love."
Patrick now stands in front of the Student Council Office. He's taking in the words from the conversation between him and Mashika. That comment, "It is what she would have wanted for you." It really sticks into his mind.
He has a flashback when he was young. Helpless, scared. Deep in despair. Amber kneels before him. She puts a hand on his cheek, wiping a tear with her thumb as she smiles. "You should try to enjoy life. It is what our mother would have wanted for you."
Patrick closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "I hate it when they're both right." He tells himself, just before he knocks on the door.
The door only opens so slightly and a Student Council boy peeks his head out. "I'm sorry but we aren't accepting any visitors at the moment."
"I was sent here by Instructor Kirei," Patrick says.
There's a voice from within the council room. "Auntie Mashika? Let him in." The Student Council Boy opens the door wider and Patrick walks right in. He approaches the desk of the Student Council President, an 18-year old girl with beautiful long black hair and Gray eyes. Much to Patrick's surprise her desk is completely cluttered and stacking. The girl stands to greet Patrick. "Hello, My name is Rin Zai-Jin, Student Council President. You're...Patrick Aki right?"
"You sound very unsure about my name," Patrick says.
Rin looks stressed. "Please don't mess with me. I'm already stressed and overwhelmed with work."
"And yet Mashika doesn't stop you meanwhile she's preventing me from my own goals," Patrick says in a whisper.
"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" Rin asks.
"Nothing," Patrick says. "Your aunt send me to lend you a hand?"
"Yes, I would very much appreciate it," Rin says.
"Whatever. Let's just get this over with." Patrick says. "So what do you want me to do?"
Rin laughs nervously. "To be honest, I didn't expect to prepare any assignments since it's last minute. But I'm sure I have something simple for you to handle." Rin runs through her paperwork. A lot of them. Patrick can even feel his patience is being tested. "Ah, here we are." Rin approaches Patrick with a scroll. "We are preparing for a lot of upcoming events, from Halloween to the Vytal Festival. Each of the Beacon Clubs has signed up to participate in the events. However, there are a few of them that are missing their Permission Forms. Be a gentleman and collect them for me?"
Patrick takes the scroll. "Fine."
He leaves the council office. The second he stands out he takes notice of Clawdia and Peter moving down the hall passing him. Clawdia drags Peter by the ear who is wincing in pain.
"Ow, Clawdia stop! Not the ear! Ow! I wasn't staring at her in class, I swear! I have only forgotten our lessons and my face hurts, that's all it was." Peter says.
"I swear, Mew are just Im-Paw-ssible, Peter. Im! Paws! A! ble!" Clawdia says.
Patrick sighs tiresome seeing the two. "Honestly, how does she even do it?"
Patrick walks all around the school grounds heading for the clubs that are listed. The first one he goes to is the Kendo Club. They are having a training session in the courtyard. Among the crowd, Patrick finds the Captain of the Kendo Club. She's observing a match between Akira and Male Member. The two ready their weapons, wooden swords, and begins.
Patrick doesn't bother to stand and watch the fight. Only approaches the Kendo Captain. He begins to speak but she cut him off immediately raising a hand at him. Clearly, she wants to observe the match. With no other choice, Patrick watches the match. Akira shows the same skill and agility she has during the fights. The male student matches her level of skill.
The match comes to an end with the two of them have their weapons clash, then a repel and Akira delivers the blow to the head. "Point: Akira Rhysenshi." Sakura says.
Akira sheathes her wooden sword and gives a respectful bow to her opponent. Her opponent, on the other hand, is not taking it well. "I've lost? To a Faunus? This is unacceptable!"
"Kasheer. This behavior will not be tolerated." Sakura warns him. "Straighten your attitude or I will have you reported to Glynda." Kasheer just groans as he gives Akira a cold stare. Without saying a word, he just walks away. Sakura sighs in disappointment. "What am I gonna do with him?"
Akira leaves the ring and approaches Sakura and Patrick. "A surprise visit to see you here, Patrick."
Sakura turns to Patrick. "Oh, so you are the leader I have heard of. What brings you to the Kendo Club?"
"Student Council has sent me to collect permission slips for events." Patrick looks at the scroll he is even. "I believe you have one for Halloween Protecting?"
"Oh dear, I have forgotten about it. Thank you for the reminder." Sakura takes out her scroll and transfers the permission slip to Patrick. "A pleasure." Sakura bows before Patrick then turns to leave.
"You are working for the Student Council?" Akira asks Patrick.
"More like I was forced to work for them," Patrick says.
"What do you mean by that?" Akira asks.
Patrick turns his head away. "Nothing. I should get going."
Patrick moves to his next destination. He arrives at the Auditorium where the Drama Club is at. He searches around for the Head of the Drama Club, but stumbles upon Ernest.
"Earnest?" Earnest turns to see Patrick. "I did not know you were here."
Earnest speaks to Patrick in Sign Language. 'I JOINED THE DRAMA CLUB BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN. I DID USE TO DO MAGIC TRICKS.'
"And here I thought you would join because of your Mime Skills." Earnest gives a disappointed look. "Anyways, where's your Club Leader?"
Earnest holds a finger up, telling him to wait here, and then leaves. He shortly returns with the Leader of the Drama Club. "Hello, what brings you to the Drama Club?" He asks.
"David, was it?" Patrick asks. "I need your permission slip for the Drama Club to run a Haunted House."
"Oh, of course. Hang on, I'll need to get my Scroll." David leaves Patrick and Earnest alone.
'SO, WORKING WITH THE STUDENT COUNCIL?' Earnest says.
"Don't start." Patrick warns him, annoyed. He looks around to notice something. "Hey, where's Sherry?"
'SHE HAD SOME BIG PROJECT TO DO FOR PROFESSOR OOBLECK...WHICH IS WEIRD SINCE SHE AND I ARE IN THE SAME CLASS AS HIM.'
"Sounds like Extra Credit to me," Patrick says, but thinks differently. 'More like having some 'Selena Time' to herself.'
David finally returns to the Scroll and then downloads the signed permission slip to Patrick's Scroll. With that done, Patrick leaves the Auditorium to head for his next destination. He arrives in a classroom where the students are having cooking classes. Among the crowd he finds Rayla.
"Rayla?" Rayla turns her attention to Patrick
"Greetings, Master Patrick." She says with a smile.
Patrick groans in annoyance. "Would you stop calling me 'Master'? Anyways. I need your...Classes Permission Slip for running Vendor Booths during the Vytal Festival."
"Mistress Violet is out for the day but I believe she brought this up before leaving." Rayla feels around her pockets in her uniform. She finds her scroll and transfers it to Patrick. "I take it you're with the Student Council?"
"Against my will sadly," Patrick says. "What about you? I thought you can already cook, being a maid and all."
"I'm a fine cook but I joined to hone my skills. After all, one cannot face an enemy with a knife unless it is sharpened." Rayla says.
Hearing that strangely made Patrick feel awkward. "Uh, right."
After collecting the permission slips, Patrick returns to the Student Council's Office. He reports to Rin, who gladly thanks him for his assistance. "You know, we might be able to have a place for you among the Student Council."
"I'll pass," Patrick says, uninterested. "One thing I've been wondering. These Club Activities. What's the whole point of having them? I mean, Kendo and Archery would make sense, but cooking and drama. Isn't this supposed to be a Huntsman Academy?"
"Believe me, you're not the first person to ask that question," Rin says. "I believe it's something that's happened when Professor Ozpin was made Headmaster. He opened having activities outside of fighting and training. Something about us being children and we should play the part, for it isn't a rule we'll have forever."
"That makes no sense at all! The students here are being trained to be huntsmen and huntresses. This shouldn't be a place for fun and games!" Patrick protests.
Rin couldn't help but laugh. "You really are just as Auntie Mashika says."
Hearing that really turns on the switch to Patricks' irritated mode. "And what exactly has she been talking about me?"
"Oh, nothing Mr. Aki," Rin says. "Anyways, I still have one more favor to ask you." Rin takes out a clipboard from the stuff piled on her desk. "This is a list of supplies the school needs. Study books, event decorations, Dust, Materials. Et Cetera. I need you to go into town and purchase them." Rin also hands him a credit card. "Here's the card to the school's funds. Have them delivered the goods to the school."
Patrick just takes the stuff he's given and leaves. He makes his way out of the school, grumbling and complaining about what he's being put through. "I'm a Shadow Hunter Mercenary. I've broken into unreachable places like the Schnee Mansion and made it out alive. Like at me now: Demoted to some Errand Boy for a school."
Patrick leaves the school grounds. At the end of the bridge, he is surprised to find Selena. She appears to be on the Scroll with someone. As he draws closer to her location, he can make out what she's saying.
"It's a little nerving, but I've been doing fine...Yes, my team knows who I am. One of them was, accidental...He's kind of cold-hearted, hard to understand, but he's not a bad guy...Don't worry, I'm being careful. I'll talk to you later."
Selena hangs up her scroll. "You sure you want to be talking about me behind my back?"
Selena screams and jumps. She turns to see Patrick. "Wha-It's you! Geez! Don't sneak up on a girl like that!"
"My sneaking skills are gonna be the least of your concern," Patrick says. "I already have one Instructor talking about me behind my back. Just be glad you're not the third."
Selena sighs. "Just relax. I was just talking to my mother. She's just a bit thorough in getting to know my life."
"I've heard parents wanting to be into their children's lives but I didn't think it's literal," Patrick says.
Selena offers a hollow laugh. "Yeah, well. She actually has her reasons for doing so." Selena clears her throat. "Anyways, what brings you here?" Patrick tells Selena about what he's doing, under the suggestion of Mashika. "Well, I understand the feeling of being told to do some things with no other choice, but I do think it's a good thing for you to do. You really do need to loosen up."
"I wish people would stop telling me that," Patrick says. "I just wanna get this over with."
"Let me come along. There's somewhere I wanted to go to in town." Selena says. Patrick isn't fond of the idea of detours. "Don't worry, it's on the way and it'll be quick."
"Fine," Patrick says.
Patrick and Selena wander into town. Selena takes the lead until they have arrived at some karaoke lodge. Patrick finds it surprising she would stop here. For a certain reason. "A Karaoke Place?"
"Yeah, I've been wanting a place to sing. I just don't feel safe doing it at Beacon, even in our dorm. Plus, I feel like singing helps strengthen my Semblance." Selena says.
"And how well is that going for yea, Miss-I-Can-Only-Charm-One-Grimm," Patrick says. "But all seriousness aside, isn't singing at a place like this just as risky as doing it at school?"
"It's fine. I happen to know the person that's running this place." Selena says before walking right in. Patrick still has a bad feeling about this, but he follows her in. The check-in room isn't large. Looks about as roomy as a living room in an average home. Selena approaches the man behind the counter, who seems to have his attention glued onto his computer. "Uncle Gaia."
Hearing that actually surprises Patrick. "Uncle?"
The man looks at Selena and smiles. "Well, hello there stranger," Gaia says. "Do I know you?" Selena removes her disguise. "Selena, nice to see you drop by. I just met this strange little girl who looks just like you, I think you two would make good friends." And then the two of them are laughing.
Patrick sighs annoyed. "Just what are those two even doing?" He asks himself. As the two of them talked, Patrick can't help but stare at the same...with a familiar expression. "Hmm...?"
Just then, Gaia turns his attention to Patrick. "Oh, who's this young man? Your boyfriend?"
Like a flip of a switch, the two of them freaked out. "B-BOYFRIEND!?" They say in unison. Then Selena speaks. "Ah-ha-ha-ha. N-no! It's not like that. H-he's just a friend from School. Teammate even."
"Is that so? Well, he seems like an interesting young man." Gaia says. "I'll go check out your room." Gaia leaves the counter, leaving Selena and Patrick alone.
Selena must know how Patrick is feeling, for she turns and apologizes to Patrick. "I'm sorry about his behavior. He's always like this."
"He's got nerve, I'll give him that," Patrick says. "I didn't even know you had an uncle."
"He's not my real uncle. He's a close friend of my mother's. They were like brother and sister." Selena says.
"I-I see..." Patrick thinks for a bit. Then says in his thoughts: 'Gaia...I know that name from somewhere.'
Gaia returns to the counter. He hands Selena a key. "It's all set. I just need you to fill out a form." Gaia hands over a form for Selena to sign. "It will be a great pleasure to have you here." Patrick feels alert hearing that comment. He keeps his attention onto Gaia, where he takes notice of an unusual smile Gaia is making, followed by licking his lips. He is shocked taking notice of Gaia's actions, then feels his rage building. But he knows this isn't a good time. Selena finishes her form and returns it to Gaia.
With that done, Patrick and Selena resume their errand run. By the time they're done, it's nighttime. They begin making their way back to Beacon. "Tell me something, Selena...What do you really know about your 'Uncle'?"
"Uncle Gaia? Well, I only met him recently. But he seemed very friendly." Selena says.
"And what of your mother? You said they're as close as brother and sister?" Patrick asks.
"That's what she said. They've been inseparable...Well, at least until a couple of years ago." Selena says. "I rather not talk about it."
Patrick doesn't say anything. He caught on to what could have happened. Selena returns to the dorms while Patrick sends his report to Rin. She thanks him for a job well done and dismisses him. Patrick exits the Council Room. He can't take his mind off of what he has witnessed earlier today.
"Gaia...He must be one of them." He says to himself.
If his suspicion is true, then Selena is in danger.