Frank wakes up once again.
Frank's eyes opened wide, as he immediately got up, placing his hand over his face to find the mask in place still, and hearing the scoffing sound of Carmine clearly being fed up with something.
'It's still night-time.'
The moon was still up, which meant that the ceremony had been completed, with none objecting to it from an Aura stance. He remembered his master and father, teacher and educator speak about it.
"Never give them a reason to think you weak. You are composed and calm. They feel the fear in the air and they call forth the Grimm."
Blood was hardly spilled with a cautious intent, as Frank's attention went to his students, Rudolph looking distrustful while Carmine looked like she was about to burst into a swarm of woman-sized bats, her ears flapping almost, as she hissed at him.
"You! You passed out! We had to carry you to a comfortable place while the bandage woman laughed."
Frank gave a soft groan, knowing that now he would probably have to address her as 'Carmine' rather than the more formal 'Miss Von Blut', seeing Kleo Parsley-Trappe already getting up from her comfortable spot, the woman's expression almost mournful for a moment.
"You were out for around an hour. Your Aura should have recovered at least by a fraction."
He felt it flex and pulse a little, looking at his hand and seeing the fingers flex, his expression hidden behind the mask as he felt everything work still.
'Not dead. Good.'
Carmine was starting to make a fuss.
"Why are you doing that?! COME ON, TEACH US!"
He looked at her, her enthusiasm clearly showing through in her actions, her gaze burning brightly with that eagerness, even though he knew she really should not have wanted to become a Huntress, but he was set in this path now.
"Calm…"
Kleo's voice was quiet, slower than before, as her expression looked at Carmine, whose face definitely was turning redder and redder again.
"WHY NOT?!"
Just as Carmine's voice raised to a high pitch, Frank felt the dizziness hit and he rolled over before vomiting, the mask being a hindrance to that, as he felt the puke drip down his face, his whole body feeling the cold sweat go through it.
"Damn it! Don't die on me yet, you stupid!"
Carmine grabbed the mask and pulled it back just a little, Frank too busy with throwing up to really care that his face was exposed, as everything in his stomach started to bubble and boil, the acidic puke coming out no matter what, his whole body tingling with that acrid bile welling up, his throat aching and burning, as he took the offered water to wash his mouth out.
"I told you that stew was funky! Now look at the mess we have here! Stone! Are you feeling better?"
Carmine almost seemed concerned, clearly not looking like she was up to her usual high-strung antics. Women shouldn't be Huntresses with a male teacher, Frank resolved himself. There were many fewer sounds with boys, or so his teacher had told him.
'Kleo should take care of them.'
Already, his attention was going to the others. Thankfully, the mask had been angled like that to make his facial disfigurement be barely seen, even with the pale light of the shattered moon brushing over the foliage around them, trees still askew like some sort of vision of nocturnal horror.
'Grimm could be in the bushes.'
He immediately pulled himself up to his full height, drinking from the water and washing his mouth of the taste, making a low grumble at the thought of being seen without the mask. The disfigurement of his face, the accursed mark of the Grimm, an ill fortune that came with every breath he took, weren't pulsating or throbbing yet, but he was aware of how it felt to be around those that he should trust
There was nothing to do right now, nothing that could be brought as evidence against him as he had two students now. They could grow together, he supposed, unsure what to do.
"Mask man!"
Carmine used the least flattering epithet for him, Frank stoically gazing at her, letting out a soft little hum, as his attention shot to their surroundings. Kleo looked relaxed, Rudolph looked like he wanted to bolt and Carmine seemed to just have a bad time, her expression sharp, crimson eyes glinting.
"You'll teach us now! Do the funny weird glow thing! Teach us what the hell it is and we'll do it!"
He would need to take a little while to recover from it, but Kleo spoke up, unusually animated for some reason.
"It is Aura, the force that is your soul, projected outward. It is- Achoo!"
The woman sneezed mid-sentence, Frank worrying for a moment that she might be coming down with something, her bandages shifting a little.
"It is all that keeps you from death in a pinch. You will not suffer great injury with it working to defend you, but its amount is dependent on the strength of one's more soul you have, the stronger your aura is."
The explanation was a little different from what he had heard, but they both had different Masters that taught them, Kleo having taught her husband, apparently.
'Perhaps she is willing to impart Carmine with the training that I have lacked.'
"Aura, when it is at its base form, is the power within you that shields you from danger. It was explained to me that within you is the power of your soul, projected into the shape that makes your body protected."
He added, steadying the mask a little, despite the spew that covered the side, unwilling to let his face be seen. They might be his apprentices and students, but his markings would bring out the truth of his corruption, his curse, the ugly appearance that would bring forth revulsion and more.
'I am someone who doesn't need to be seen.'
He was Frank Stone and he had two apprentices now, until Miss Parsley-Trappe took one of them.
He'd take the young man and she could take Carmine.
Carmine's ears fluttered, as she gave a glare at the man's masked face. He'd been sick and he'd washed his mouth, only to give a lame explanation like that. Her pokey stabby sword was going to poke at him if this kept up.
"Tell it plainly!'
Already, the mutt was getting that look on their face that told her that it would be another taunt.
"Batsy wants to listen to her little master explain eeeeeverything. Aww, are you stupid? He told you what it was!"
The power inside her made her feel warmer than she'd been during the cold night, her gaze shooting around teh darkened surroundings, the night's light barely illuminating the surroundings, but everything continuing to be perfectly clear to her gaze. She knew that the masked huntsman would hide things from her, but she was no easy girl that was led astray by fireworks!
'My parents didn't raise a fool!'
She might have some… weird thoughts about Frank Stone, thoughts about those big hands touching her in places where her body was weak and womanly, but that was nothing to worry about! She was strong! She was Carmine Von Blut, maybe Von Blut-Stone in the future!
It was perfectly normal to think about marriage, cute kids with masks and nice bat traits and-
'Aaaahhhh!'
She felt frustration rise inside her chest at the thought of dealing with more of these issues, knowing that he should teach her more! She wasn't weak! She wasn't frail!
"I don't want anything like that! I just want him to tell me in simpler terms, Muttface! You're going to be a nuisance, so be quiet!"
He was annoying! Always complaining, always taunting her.
"Oh, can't take the criticism?! He's our teacher now, even if he's-"
Carmine poked at Muttface, the shimmering Aura popping up and bouncing her weapon off, looking at it, while Frank sighed.
"It works like a shield. If you run out, it doesn't work. Is that simple enough?"
'That's okay.'
That made sense to her, as she turned to him.
"Alright! Now go and teach us some useful stuff! Rudy here has a bow, I've got a gun, I'm pretty sure that I can poke some holes in Grimm to be badass! Don't you go off and be ill!"
She paused, and Mutty the wonder Faunus started to laugh. Carmine's pale cheeks flushed.
"STOP LAUGHING! I don't want him to die because he's not well! He put this glowy goo in us two and now he threw up!"
Stone was stupid for daring to forget about it! She was just concerned! Just a little bit!
Maybe a bit more.
"That he can't handle it means he's-"
The quiet 'shut up' from the bandaged woman made Rudolph shut up, and Carmine gave a little glare at the woman, who moved faster, the large weapon that she carried with her enough.
"Do you need some time to rest? I can take care of the formalities. I was the witness, after all."
The witness to her glorious skill in beating monsters and making sure that she had a legend! The Legend of Carmine sounded like a perfect good fairytale!
"I'm fine. I can continue-"
Stone toppled over, the woman easily catching him, her dark eyes looking at the two of them.
"You two. Move."
Her body moved instinctively, as the weapon's massive bulk shifted, as the woman dragged Stone towards the other end, away from the sick, hands prying at the armor and then tugging open the large coat.
Carmine didn't stare, but she was giving it a cursory look.
'Muscles.'
He was muscular, even when he wore the covering clothes that kept him looking like a tall masked warrior. Perhaps she should call him Stone… or Frank. Frank would be personal.
"He's burning up… Not good. Not… good."
The woman looked at him and then snapped her fingers.
"I… will… do… this… then."
The woman got up and turned to the two of them.
"Strip. Weapons… only. You go to the stream. Fetch water. He needs cooling."
There was a threat in the woman's voice, as Carmine looked at the mutt, who clearly wasn't going to be seeing her naked.
"You're not-"
BOOM.
The massive cannon-like weapon fired, and Carmine shot up, even with her ears ringing like a bell had been struck, her eyes closing as she fought to keep her balance, everything spinning.
"You… strip. Run to… The stream. Get… water… For your master."
Carmine looked defiant. Rudolph looked defiant.
"You can't go and make me do that, you crazy woman! I'm not letting Batsy the beauty get herself-"
Kleo looked at them and the woman's movements were unusually fast.
"Do… not… make… me… kill… you… whelps. You… obey… or… die."
The woman's slow grating voice was enough to tell the two of them that they would obey or the woman was going to finish them off. That sword-like thing that she had in her hands was definitely used to this, as the shield-like thing looked like it could shift to something deadly.
"Hey! I'm not stripping to-"
Kleo laughed.
Around her, a palpable glow started to radiate out from her.
"I… suggest… you… do…"
Carmine's hands went to the laces that kept her corset from going off. She was getting naked, because she didn't want to face that big bulky shield thing hitting her again when Kleo got annoyed with her.
"I'm doing it, I'm doing it!"
She didn't feel cold, though, feeling the warm brush of the air against her, as she pulled the corset off, Kleo looking at her for a long moment before going to Rudolph, who looked like he was going to protest even more.
"You… too… Mutt-face."
'Ha!'
Mutt-face was getting to be the nickname! She wasn't Batsy or anything.
"I don't have to do anything!"
Carmine could feel the pressure of the woman's body shifting a little, as Kleo's weapon raised.
"You… do. Strip. You run to the stream and retrieve two buckets of water."
The tone of the woman changed, and Carmine was stripping off her shoes and leggings, before grabbing one of the large pots and going on a run towards the stream. Her weapon was awkwardly pinned there, and she had left the gun there to remain, hearing how Mutt-face complained!
'I'll get the water first!'
Kleo was not nice when she was getting into that mood where there'd be pain.
She ducked under a low-hanging branch, pushing herself through the short gap between two large bushes, somehow feeling better and faster than she'd felt before. It was almost unrivaled speed that she'd felt, as her body twisted over one of the Grimm that had been in the shadows, her legs kicking off the ground and then grabbing her rapier.
"Die!"
The tip stabbed into the Grimm's hide, the beast jolting once, as she drove it down onto the beast's flesh, piercing through it without any sort of hesitation, her body trembling with the force of that kill, as she pushed off the cold body of the Grimm, her pokey pokey sword pulled back and then stabbing it once for good measure.
"Yeah! That's it, die! I'm-"
A growl came from her left and she screamed as the paw of a massive bear-like Grimm slammed into her, knocking her into the brush. Stinging aches formed her experience of being ambushed (with a literal bush) like that, as she got up and then stabbed at the bony plates of the Grimm.
"Diiiieee!"
She wasn't a poet or anything, but the way that her sword-tip glanced off those plates just made her madder.
'I can't die here! I haven't learned anything proper Huntress-ey yet!'
She rolled to the side, nettles stinging a little, but hearing the crunching sound of the bush getting flattened, getting up, her hair full of twigs, a few scratches and smears on her skin, stabbing with a frenzied stab into the side of the creature.
Words were failing her, as an animalistic high-pitched screaming came from her lips, and there was a satisfying sound in the air as the Grimm collapsed, its dark ichorous wounds starting to smoke and evaporate.
"Take that! I'm not going to be bushed by some soulless creature like you! Yeah, who's the best now, huh? It's Carmine Von Blut, awesome huntress!"
She felt pumped, before she realized that she definitely should be getting the water for Stone.
'I can't get this done without at least spending some time with the guy… ugh.'
He wasn't too bad-looking, she had to admit. Not too bad looking either, but the mask was kind of his thing. Not that she could see his face properly, she had always had more of a 'kinetic' way of viewing things, more with touch and sound than with her sight, but he wasn't too bad, save for the weird stuff on the cheeks.
She recalled his features and wondered how they'd look when he was with a woman.
Kleo came to mind and she shuddered, grabbing the pot and making greater haste for the stream, knowing that a swift action would make things over quicker for her, showing obedience to the bandaged-up huntress, whose expression had been definitely more domineering than she'd expected.
'Scary…'
Not that she'd admit that, of course.
She'd make sure to get the water and to see about getting Frank healthy again!
'And then he'll teach me things.'
Her mind drifted to weird places, as a blush came to her cheeks at what sort of things she could do with the man, knowing that right now, she was as naked as the day she was born, only with a weapon, another thunderous booming sound from the direction of the ceremony spot and their little camp.
'Damn it! I told you that you'd better do as she said! That woman is crazy!'
A huntress like her was strong though. Even Stone treated her with meant that Kleo was someone that Carmine would have to… ugh, respect.
She wasn't thinking about Frank Stone in any way that was weird!
She most certainly was not.
She ran up to the rushing waters, the sound of a waterfall in the distance telling her that it moved down, the murmuring of the eddies in the water making her wonder whether this place was haunted for a moment, as she looked at the water that was rushing, putting the pot to the side, knowing that she'd have to carry the water to Stone.
Carmine dipped the pot into the water and then raised it, the cold barely affecting her fingers, as she looked at the amount within, the pale moon reflecting within the surface.
She'd have to wash him too! Who knew what the bandaged woman would do to him?!
Her cheeks just flushed an even deeper cherry-red color as her ears fluttered a bit, the trait barely controlled as she knew that there'd be…
'I wonder if it's true what they say about tall men with big hands and big bodies…'
She looked at her reflection, finding that her face was flushed and that she wasn't really thinking clearly.
He would be someone that would keep an eye on her, when she was learning.
He had treated her well, for a Faunus.
'Mutt-face doesn't need to be a bother! I'm-'
Speaking of Mutt-face, Stone was spending a lot of time around the other Faunus.
'He's not into men, is he?'
She'd heard weird things about men who did things with men. Stone never really had looked, even though she'd offered! She'd offered, and he'd just been stone-faced and told her to not-
'Did he ever…'
That was a thought, as she grabbed the pot and then shook her thoughts off, the rapier now held between her teeth. It wasn't ideal, of course, but she knew that she'd be able to get to deal with any Grimm problem and getting the water back to the man who had made her a full Huntress under his tutelage.
'Yeah! I'm going to make him better! Kleopatra can just bite the dust, I'll make him teach me stuff and stuff those whole weird notions about me being a civilian down his throat and make him accept me as his only student! Rudolph's just weird!'
She was Carmine Von Blut and she was amazing!
She wasn't batty! Or Batsy!
Eliza-batsy might be a nice nickname though.
'No! I am not Batsy!'
Maybe as a pet name or something, if things with her and Stone became something more.
"Damn you, Kleo! Now I'm thinking about him! Curse you and your weird obsession with being slower than molasses! I don't like him!"
She most certainly didn't like him.
'Damn it!'
She'd get the damn pot to the woman and then let her do her weird bandage magic with it or something!
Frank Stone would rise because of his best apprentice, not of the worst one! Mutty the woof-woof wasn't going to upstage Batsy the Carmine Huntress!
'Yeah! I'd like to see you take on Batsy the Carmine Huntress!'
It was a moment after that she realized that she'd just intentionally mangled her own name and reputational title if she ever called herself Batsy.
'Oh, mighty Gods… I am going to take on the habits of the mutt! What's next?! I won't be defeated!'
She'd thrive! She'd become amazing!
She was Carmine Von Blut-Stone!
The latter would be worked upon until morale improved…
But she was amazing!
Returning to the bandaged woman, finding the woman currently sat upon the shield-coffin thing that she had as a weapon, she set the pot down, Kleo hopping off and giving a small smirk of sorts.
"Good… daughter. You… were… first."
Carmine couldn't help but feel a little splash of pride well up inside her.
It wasn't small, because it was praise. She'd done the right thing, as Kleo put something into the pot and then motioned to the ground, where some firewood had been gathered.
"Make… fire. We cook soup. He is cold. Aura is life. You took his."
Now Carmine felt a little bit bad about it.
She didn't want to kill the guy.
"Will he be okay?"
She asked, not sure whether he would be able to get up yet.
The bandaged woman grabbed a hold of something from inside the shield and then pulled something out, bundled in cloth that smelled strongly, Carmine's eyes closing at the smell.
"He'll… be… fine. You… should… get… fire."
She made the fire rise up, and the feeling of warmth spread through her body, hearing the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees, Kleo watching over her like some sort of ancient spectre that had no other purpose than to annoy her, the water starting to boil after a little while, the strong-smelling herbs added to the pot of water.
"Your… fellow… apprentice… comes… back. These… aid… in… recovery."
She wandered over to Frank's silent form, laying there as if he were some inhuman puppet, the sky still clear above them, and hearing how someone came at them.
"I've got the water! Damn it, this is hard to carry!"
Carmine was about to look at the other student that she had to share her teacher and maybe-future-husband with, only to see the pot being put down, the woman with the bandages getting up.
"Make… soup… with… Car…mine. I will… make… the… ointment. It… is… for… a… Huntress."
The woman clearly seemed to have different plans, as Carmine didn't look at Rudolph, as he came closer, sitting down at the fire and warming himself.
"Well, your husband lies there, Batsy. How come-"
Carmine's head shot up.
"I don't need to hear that from you, Mutt-face! I'm-"
Carmine blinked twice, staring at her fellow apprentice. The same hair, the same facial features, but also a conspicuous lack of certain things that she expected.
"YOU WERE A GIRL?! WHAT THE HELL!?"
She most certainly was not going to be the last one to know about this, but there was NO penis there between those legs! She could see it! She wasn't blind!
"I- Shut up!"
'What the helllllll!'
Frank was floating into the void, feeling nothingness go through him like some fog, emptiness and more, as he felt thunder and lightning burn and sear the air around him, hearing the breath of someone, before he was pushed out into the world.
A cry of a child, a baby, came and he looked at the face of a man, who clearly was someone that felt familiar. The same features, save for the markings, untainted and uncorrupted by the Taint.
"What kind of monster have you birthed?! His face! Woman! Look at his face!"
He was held up to his mother's face, her dark hair and deep blue eyes making her look like she was like him, yet beautifully accented in her expression, the facial features so similar that he barely recognized it.
"He's our son, he's not a monster! It's just- It's just coloration! He's not tainted with the curse of the Grimm!"
His mother's words filled him with warmth, before the scene faded.
Lightning flashed in the sky as he felt cold, a small basket put outside somewhere in the cold, only covering his body with the faintest warmth, as he wailed at the cold, a man walking up to him and then picking up the basket, holding it up.
"All alone, eh? What a face… I need a student, anyways… I can barely move. You'll be a good child…"
Another wail from the child, as Frank watched how Percy pulled off his jacket and then carried him with him.
"You'll learn, kid… I found you on a stone… So your surname shall be Stone, and we'll have to be frank with… Hmm, I guess Frank is a good name for a kid. Percy and Frank… not bad."
He had been abandoned by his parents because of his misshapen, accursed face, and his adoptive father and teacher had found him.
He was just Frank Stone, an orphan of two parents who had abandoned him.
Floating through the void, Frank could not help but wonder what his name would have been, had he been aware of it. He had never been told where he had been found, or maybe he might have sought out his parents, to bring them a visit from the son that they had cast away.
Carmine appeared in front of him, her expression once more like a woman, her red eyes blazing and her trait fluttering, hissing angrily at him, her features as cool and collected as a raging fire. She wanted to be a Huntress, but she should pick a civilian occupation where she could be safe. The world was not a place where a woman could be a Huntress without the casualty that came with it being forced to travel and fight.
Frank knew no other life, except for the time he had been young. It had been yet another momentary flicker of something that tugged at him, Carmine's form standing before him as someone that he was now responsible for.
She would not wish to be around a tainted man like him for much longer, had she known of the stigma that laid around those afflicted with the markings of his face. The bulging black veins that throbbed around the presence of the Grimm, the curse that it marked him with as something tainted…
All signs pointed towards death being in his future, as he fought to keep the world a better, safer place for the people.
Rudolph appeared, wearing his furs and his claws in hand, features looking fierce, the auburn-reddish hair loose, and the young man's face clearly twisted to the point where he looked like he would be a fierce fighter. Carmine would probably enjoy his presence more if there was a mutual understanding, Frank supposed.
They could work together and Carmine would have a partner, while he introduced the mysteries of Aura to the boy. Eighteen or not…
Perhaps he had made a mistake, but teaching women just wasn't something that he thought he could. A huntress should be with a huntress and a Huntsman should be with a Huntsman.
They were ill-suited to the lifestyle, if taught by the wrong person. A good strong boy was best, but he had to work with what he had to work with right now.
At least Rudolph would be a passable student while Carmine might benefit more from Miss Parsley-Trappe's teachings.
"Why are you hiding your looks?! Don't tell me you've got a crush on Stone!?"
Carmine was asking the salient and most pressing questions first! This was news! This was horrible news! She had bigger breasts, but Mutty here was not-
'She's got a bigger butt than me!'
Carmine knew what her posterior looked like! She knew that she looked pretty decent with all the people trying to go and ask her to do weird stuff with them and how some men looked at her! Kleo wouldn't let her hear the end of it, but now, they had this!
"What?! No! Why would I have a crush on him when you're the one throwing yourself at him!? I bet you fuck him every damn night when I'm sleeping too!"
'I'd never even thought about that!'
Today, at least. She definitely wasn't thinking about it today, since she knew that the heat of rage was preferable to the chill of nothing.
"You're wrong! I'm-"
The sharp sound of Kleo clearing her throat was loud.
"Children… focus… on… soup. Bicker… later."
She most certainly wasn't bickering! She still had bigger breasts!
'Thank the Gods that I have one benefit!'
They were nice, they were full and they fit in Stone's palm if he were to touch them, with those big hands of his! She wasn't some bitch in heat like someone like- Mutty!
"What girl is named Rudolph, anyway?"
Rudolph's cheeks flushed with anger.
"It was my brother's name! Shut your face, Batsy! You're just trying to get the big guy to go and do weird stuff with you, kissing your boo-boo's when you're hurting!"
Carmine's blood was raging, as her eyes narrowed at her fellow student that had turned out to be a girl. She wasn't second place to anyone!
"I don't want to sleep with the guy! Mutt face! Why don't you go and do that, huh?! Or-"
There was a loud smacking sound and Carmine turned to see glowing eyes in the light of the fire, as Kleo had gotten up, silencing herself immediately at the presence of the woman.
"Silence. Soup. You will eat after you have been marked. It is the old way."
Carmine saw the woman come with a foul-smelling paste in the pot that Rudolph or whatever her name was, had brought, the auburn-haired wolf Faunus giving a mistrustful look at it, the older woman dipping a finger into the goop and then smearing it over Rudolph's side, forming a slow stripe-like pattern that led up, applying it with the skill of a woman that knew her thing.
'It's kind of strange, I don't feel cold.'
She didn't feel much of anything, since it felt like there was an insulating layer covering her skin, the scratches already mending, as her body trembled a little before Kleo made her way over to her. There were circles painted on the body, as Kleo applied the similar markings to them, giving them a look.
"You will mark yourself as Huntresses. I- ACHOO-"
The woman sneezed again, wiping her nose, her eyes glowing dangerously.
"I will not follow you. You are marked by the sun and the shattered moon on your flesh. It is the way of the Huntsman to be the sun, while under the moon. Go out with your weapon and return to us when dawn comes. Returning alive will mean that you are ready to learn. Go."
The woman's strange sword flicked out towards the opposite direction of the stream where they'd gathered water.
"Go. Live. Return. You may be naked, but you are not unarmed. In this world, you are naked to the power of the Grimm and you will find your path when the light comes again."
Carmine glanced at Rudolph or whatever her name was, she didn't care, nor did she think much about it, throwing a look back at Frank Stone's silent body.
"Take good care of the mask man! He's going to teach me a lot!"
Rudolph gave a scoff, as her new fellow apprentice gave a definite challenge to her.
"You're going to be his girl, aren't you? Batsy, you're-"
She nearly shrieked in rage at her fellow Huntress, before she calmed herself, knowing that this was what the mutt wanted. Clearly, hiding her body from sight and not showing that she was a woman too was some sort of insecurity. She'd seen that before.
"I'm just who I need to be. At least I don't hide what I am."
She knew that it wouldn't be too bad a thing to gamble on, but the frustrated growl that she got from the other girl was enough for her to understand that there was a sore spot there, clearly something which was a place where she could attack at, knowing how it felt to be someone that was outside of the normal pace of things.
Stone might be the one that would be teaching them and Kleo would be a menace to deal with with those weird comments of hers, but she most certainly knew that she hadn't hidden what she had been.
'Damn it…'
"Shut your face, Batsy. Why don't you go making kissy faces at Stone, huh?"
Kleo cleared her throat behind them.
"Move."
Carmine was in motion already after hearing that, no desire for another of those ear-blasting shots of the woman's weapon to deafen her again, Mutt face coming right after her, as they moved together, not willing to let the safety of company be disturbed.
Through the woods, her body moved with the grace that had been absent before, as her body felt like there had been a new life poured within it, as her attention went to Rudolph or whatever her name was, her eyes looking sharply in the dim gloom of the night.
"You're sure that we can survive, right?"
The mutt asked her and she gritted her teeth, knowing that her weapon was only in her grasp now for the time being, that there was no ranged option for her to wield. Kleo would be taking care of Stone and she'd pester him in the morning, giving him time to recover or eat more of that filthy stew thing!
'Ugh…It needs more good flavor than bad flavor.'
She was testy when it came to flavors and the like, so it meant that she'd have to maybe cook for the guy. A path that wasn't unlike what he seemed to have wanted for her, but she was a Huntress first and a woman second.
Maybe a woman third, if she counted her desire to be away from the worries of the world, exploring the realm and to make some gains in what her body demanded of her to become the most kick-ass amazing Huntress in the world.
"Yes, Mutty! What's your name anyways?"
Rudolph shut her face, and that was all right and good with her, because they had another challenger to their evening stroll, a Beowolf ripping itself out of the underbrush and charging at Rudolph, who moved like a stalking wolf, Carmine's pokey sword stabbing right at the Beowolf's tender sides not covered by armor, piercing through its hide without stopping, the stabbing thrust allowing her to feel that roughness of resistance, as Rudolph's battle cry was loud, goring the beast until its motions ceased, blood-like ichors smoking as Rudolph got out from under it, the beast now thoroughly murdered.
"We did it. Now, let's not get sloppy."
Stone had taught her for a longer while and she knew that he was cautious to a fault. It was perhaps wiser to be more cautious at any rate, since they were not in known territory and they might hurt themselves and be stranded here for a night or so with little mobility.
'He's pretty smart when it comes to such things…'
Even if they'd had to bail on the people in the settlement before they'd ran into Rudolph. It was clear that they could've fought, but Stone had just taken control. Not that it meant much, but it was still enough for them to have survived, which fit with Stone's perception of events, even if he wore that crummy mask!
"Slow and steady… Find a defensible position, mutty!"
They were at odds at the best of times and at the worst of times, enemies. There was just something about the mutt that rankled her.
"Fine, Batsy. Why don't you tell me all about how you and the wrapped woman get along, pleasing your big guy, huh?"
Kleo didn't have any such feelings for him! If she had, she'd had plenty of opportunities.
"She's not going to do that! Just focus!"
Carmine felt like she was the adult, even if the other girl was maybe a year or so younger than her. For an adult, Kleo definitely struck them as the type that wouldn't do something like that. She'd been married, for the Gods' sake!
'Ugh…'
Already, he was making her feel annoyed at merely being around the woman and Stone didn't even do a thing with Kleo watching over him.
"We're surviving this! He's got to get the two of us back to him, this whole freaking ceremony stinks!"
They had a night to survive.
Frank got up immediately when his consciousness rose once more, feeling the warmth of a blanket over him, his coat no longer worn, hearing the quiet sound of someone chipping away at something, a sharpening sound, like a blade was being whetted by a whetstone.
'I must've passed out.'
He still felt sick, hearing the quiet sigh of miss Parsley-Trappe from the surrounding, his voice sounding a little cracked when he spoke up.
"I'm awake."
He groaned, his voice a little rough, still feeling the roughness as he lifted the mask, wiping at his face and then lowering it again. Miss Parsley-Trappe didn't seem to pay him much mind, as she sharpened the edge of her sword, looking at it while she worked, not stopping with the smooth whetting motions, until her movements ceased and she got up.
"Good. You… are… awake. I… sent… them… out. Survive… the… night."
The woman's voice was quiet, though still slow. Frank remembered his own first task, after the Aura had been awakened. He was supposed to have instructed the boy to slay three Grimm and Carmine to handle at least two. Women were different creatures from men, after all, his teacher had always lent him that feeling of surety.
"Thank you, Miss Parsley-Trappe- no, Kleo."
The woman's small smile, as her eyes looked up at him, brought a sensation to his chest, as she looked at him for a long moment before she moved, speaking while she did.
"You… do… know… about… Rot, yes?"
He blinked at her, unsure whether he was sure.
"Rudolph? A good lad, I'm sure."
A successor, when Carmine would turn out to be something a little different, to go with Kleo in the future when he had taught her. A woman should teach a woman, a man had no use for a woman student. Kleo started to laugh softly, but didn't elaborate.
He didn't know what to feel about it, save for the fact that he was a monster, someone who would barely fit the criteria of what would be considered normal, the marks on his face still there, as a hot cup of soup was held out in front of him, the mask on, as he looked at it for a singular moment.
"Soup. Eat… it… will…make…your…strength…return."
There was a strictness to her voice as she spoke, her voice not showing any sign of ever lessening in its potency, as he grabbed the cup, drinking from the soup, feeling the hot brew slide down his throat slowly like a thick jelly that had been heated, the soup obviously reduced to a thicker soup than it originally had been, the fire still crackling a little in the small pit where it'd been made.
"They… are… to… return… at… dawn."
He supposed there was time for waiting now, as he looked up, the warm soup filling him with greater strength, as he took a deep breath.
"I'm perhaps a little early by asking, but would you take Carmine?"
The bat Faunus would be better suited to train under a woman than under a man. She had some potential, at least as an alarm with her high-pitched shrieking, but he was not sure whether he could be the teacher that she would want.
"No. She… is… your… student, Frank."
The first name, what had been his own now, as he felt like he was being lectured by her, leaving out a small little sigh at the feeling that burned in his chest, his attention going to the shattered moon that hung in the sky, slowly starting to fade down into the sun's rays, as he looked up to the sky that was reddening.
"Do you ever regret something, Kleo?"
They had time to talk without the students there, Kleo looking at him for a lengthy moment, as her eyes glanced at him.
"My… past. You… have… not… taught. I… have."
He didn't want to pry. The story of a Huntress was different with every single soul that had its Aura burning brightly within the hearth of one's existence. He was a monster, a misshapen, ill creature who would never find love. When his face was seen, she would recoil, to immediately leap to the offense, as many had.
'Worry…'
He felt like it was too much. Carmine was more interested in her own training than to be scared of him, even if his features made her gag and throw up, should she see them.
A hand on his shoulder, as the woman sat down next to him. He smelled something around her, a scent of something which held sand and yet spice, a smell that he hadn't smelled before, as the woman leaned against him, speaking up a little later.
"They will return. Do you think they would survive the night alone?"
They would. Rudolph was trained enough to avoid the Grimm and to deal with them, while Carmine had her weapons. They were armed, clothed and-
He noticed two piles of clothing, not-so-neatly stacked up, his attention going to the corset and Carmine's boots. Those he definitely recognized, since she had been insistent on wearing them.
The underwear was something he didn't expect, and he saw a stack of clothing that looked like what Rudolph had been wearing laid next to it.
"You made them go out in the wilds naked?!"
He was definitely going to have to save them. Carmine would be screaming her head off at him and Rudolph might be hurt because of the scratches, since Aura wasn't always on!
"I… did… the… same. Venom… spitting… Grimm… are… worse… than… these."
That was true, but they were still only new at the job! He had planned on letting the two of them hunt together, with a tally kept with him following after them and then some celebratory meal and drinks at the next settlement. They had earned that from their first touch of Aura, the first illumination of their soul with the light of their predecessors.
"But…"
The woman held up a hand.
"They… will… be… fine. You… are… not… bad."
He didn't know whether they would be. All his planning was going awry, even with the lack of-
'Ah…'
He should be calm. If they perished, they could move on. There might be yet another student, perhaps a better one, right at the next settlement. A student that wouldn't be loud like Carmine or abrasive like Rudolph, a young man that would need the guidance of a teacher who could impart the values of what a Huntsman was like within their mind.
They weren't to be trained from the age of eighteen, that was too late in the development! Six or seven, maybe eight at the latest, to be imparted with the values and the skills, to grow and learn with the stresses of Huntsman life, rather than to be spilling their blood with only half-trained bodies.
There was nothing else to speak of.
"How young were you when you were… Called?"
Making small talk while his apprentices, students or whatever you would call them in the more popular vernacular, was just normal. Since Miss Parsley-Trappe hailed from Vacuo, it would probably have a different term, the woman's face quietly twisting.
"Young. I'm… still… young. My… husband. He… and… I."
The loss of her husband was clearly a thing the woman carried with her, Frank remembering the lessons of his own teacher.
"Don't let the emotions become too heavy. The Grimm will come."
Already, the markings on his face were aching, as Kleo's face looked drawn and worried, her expression more worn-down than before.
"I… am… aware. We… were… young. You… are… young."
They had a silence that stretched for a while, Kleo's expression neutral in the dim lighting, the sky turning slowly more purplish as the sun rose, the markings on Frank's face growing more irritated, as he could feel the Grimm nearby. The black markings, bulging veins were aching and pulsing with that faint buzz of pain and displeasure mingling within, as nothing but the relief came, his whole body trembling for a moment as he got up, his hand on his axe.
'A fight will be had.'
He was not disappointed. One Ursa cleared the treeline around their impromptu campsite, Kleo on her feet in a flash, her shield in motion immediately, as she moved faster than she should have, her body faster than her speech, as she caught the Ursa on her shield, before the next Grimm came.
A thin scarecrow-like shape, mask twisted with a red glowing eyesocket like a cyclops, shooting right at him with the force that a Dust-propelled bullet would have, his rifle loaded.
Blitz fired once and the Grimm lit up with a flash of electricity coursing through its form, Frank carving through its flesh with a singular strike.
It was nothing special after that. The Ursa's massive bulky frame was no match for the two of them, as Frank chopped through the hide as Kleo arrested him, more Grimm joining them undoubtedly due to the burst of emotion that Kleo had felt. Warmth was far to find, as they worked together.
The shield to block, his weapons to destroy.
Decimating, slashing and chopping, and Grimm bodies, soulless and cold, falling like wheat before the scythe of the farmer, Kleo striking with her sword at times and slamming with her sarcophagus-shield.
"And that's the last of them."
No more twitching from the corruption on his face, the marks burning with that hint of pain no longer, as he took a moment, looking at their campsite.
"Some… more… soup?"
Kleo asked and he gave a nod.
"You… wear… the… mask."
That he did. It hid the world's judgment away from his face, and he had anticipated the question, knowing that it would come.
"I am not blessed with pristine features."
The mask was important, as it held the safety for his face. Wood was easier to carve than metal, wood splitting when struck with sufficient force, while metal could twist into a shape that would break the flesh open with the force of a Grimm behind it.
"It… is… not… bad. Wood… does… not… bend… but… splinters… yes?"
He nodded in understanding, knowing that splinters were one of the dangers… but that metal was rarer to find out in the wilds.
"It serves its purpose. With a bit of bending, the wood can be stretched to guard the face."
As long as it was still youthful wood, it had a suppleness to it. He had never really desired to think more about it like making a clay mask or some-such.
It was his burden.
It was his yoke.
"Car…mine… does not… mind."
He didn't understand the question. He was marked forever. There was no escaping it, as Kleo looked at him, pouring a larger cup of the soup for him, the metal cup heated, some of the gel-like soup still within.
Hot warmth filled his mouth, as he drank it, letting it seep into his bones. It was stronger than he'd expected.
"You are wiser than me, Kleo."
The woman laughed slowly.
"Wisdom… comes… with… age. I am… wise."
He heard the sound of someone, or two someones, coming towards them.
"It's daylight! Damn it, mutt! Don't chase my heels!"
Frank stared as two young women came from the direction opposite of the stream that they'd found earlier, as he looked at what definitely was an embarrassed-looking Carmine and a not-at-all friendly-looking auburn-haired woman of Faunus origin came at them.
"We're done! Those things were merciless! What the hell! Stone! Stop staring!"
'Rudolph was a woman?'
Since when were women called Rudolph?!
Frank really would have to question his ability, because the world wasn't making sense anymore.
"Get dressed. There's soup."
He lifted his mask and drank, before lowering it again.
'What in the name of the Brother Gods happened?!'
He had two female apprentices now!
He definitely was born under a bad sign.
Carmine could see Frank being up. That man was definitely cursed by bad luck or good luck, regardless of what you thought. It was clear to her that there was no real damage done, but muttface definitely was getting on her nerves!
Not that the bitch wasn't getting on her nerves before, but this was just ludicrous.
'He's going to whip that puppy into shape!'
She could get a whip from the nearest stable and let Frank tame the pup and make her bark!
It'd been a lengthy, horrible night full of the Grimm just popping out of nowhere and trying to maim them with only that glowing light around them to protect them.
"We're done! Those things were merciless! What the hell! Stone! Stop staring!"
Her belly did weird flops-flips-flaps when he looked at her! She wasn't thinking about anything like that! She was naked, a little cool and she definitely wanted to have a long rest and a comfortable little spot in the shadows where she could wait out the rest of the day.
The guy was so tall! Taller than her still with those big hands of his rubbing at his face below the mask. He should ditch the mask and get some sunlight! She didn't like sunlight much, but it had been like, three or so times when she'd seen him maskless and it was still a rare sight at that!
'It's not like he's ugly!'
That thought was not good for her fluttery stomach feeling.
'Ugh!'
"Get dressed. There's soup."
Typical Frank Stone! He was just looking at her naked body as if it was some sort of prize, as if she wasn't buck naked with everything on display and-
She snuck a glance at him, at a certain part below the belt.
'What the heeeellll! He's-'
Curses! He was into other women or something! She knew that she should have done-
'That way lays weird thoughts that I don't need! I'm going to be a huntress, not a housewife!'
That nagging voice in the back of her mind saying in a sing-song tone that she wasn't a housewife yet was getting ignored! Woofles the mutt who didn't shut her mouth-hole was getting herself dressed, and Carmine shelved the utter lack of response from Frank Stone for the time being.
"Mutt-face! We're getting soup and then we're getting mask man here to teach us crap! I'm not going to be the only one getting educated, you're suffering with me!"
Having an ally in suffering would be more preferable than to suffer alone.
They had more to do than to just be naked in front of their teacher!
The nagging little voice in the back of her head wanted her to be like that, because it wasn't going to be any easier to find someone to be around for the long time with her career. The guy was frustratingly obtuse when it came to watching her charms…
Not that she was trying to do so, of course! She wasn't trying anything at all!
Frank looked at Rudolph, or at who had said that their name was Rudolph, remembering the introduction and how it'd been a close call at the time. The shotgun still was a weapon of last resort, still important, but the way that the young woman, for it most certainly lacked the important part of a man between the legs, moved was more lupine, comparing it to Carmine's rather fluttery motions.
'Perhaps it was a bad call to not inquire first…'
He'd definitely have to do an inspection before the aura ritual with the next student that came on his path, after he had assured himself of the two being with a huntress. A lonely path for a monster like him was the best, since the people around him would not tolerate the markings on his face, letting out a deep sigh at the feeling that welled up within.
"So, Miss Rot…"
The wolf Faunus brushed her hair back, looking sharply at him, as he tried to infuse his voice with as much strictness as his teacher and adoptive father had been able to muster with him.
"Care to explain why you definitely do not look like a 'Rudolph'? I do not tolerate liars among my students."
He acknowledged them for now, knowing that they would be somewhat accepted by the time that it was all said and done, his attention going right to the womanly shape of Carmine, who was stuffing herself back into the corset, grumbling under her breath and shooting dark looks at Rudolph.
Lies were the easiest to filter out, of course, knowing that it wouldn't be something that would go unremarked upon, his attention going straight to the facial features of the young woman.
"My brother's name was Rudolph. We were twins. He died."
Emotions quivered on her face, as he closed his eyes behind his mask, knowing that death came for all who dared to brave the outside of the settlements, the Grimm not allowing for easy deaths, as they soullessly stalked among the wastes.
"What is your name?"
Her eyes met his, dark emotions flashing through them. He didn't give it enough attention, as his mouth formed the words that he could feel were on his lips.
'It definitely is close to your heart.'
Already, the markings on his face were starting to ache, showing that Grimm had been attracted to the negative emotions that the wolf Faunus girl radiated, her eyes glinting with unshed tears.
"Your name, girl."
A girl she was, compared to his own age. He was easily nine years her senior, even if her age had been a falsehood as well. He wasn't taking care of someone who would stab him in the back.
"Rudi."
A name that fit, since her brother's name must have been Rudolph. Not a bad change, Frank supposed, Carmine hissing at her fellow student.
"We're going to have a talk about that, Rudi! Mutt face! Whatever! I'm-"
Frank held up a hand.
"Get ready. We're getting Grimm rushing towards us."
Already, his aching markings made him feel that hard burning sensation in his face, clearly a sign that the rampant emotions were summoning the Grimm to him. It was the warmth of the soup that filled him, as he flexed his Aura, feeling a little worn down, but feeling it having recovered after having been used to awaken two auras in one night.
"Show… your… skills."
Kleo was ready as well, bringing her weapon to bear, ready to deal with whatever Grimm came past them.
"Rudi, Carmine… You're taking care of the vanguard."
He instructed, seeing the two of them get into the ready state, one of the Beowolves ripping itself from the underbrush, bursting into the scene without any sort of warning, Frank's body shooting into action immediately, as his rifle was raised, the Dust crystal pushed into the socket and the charge starting to buzz. An arc of lightning blasted through the air, sizzling the Nevermore that was about to swoop down, knowing that Carmine and Rudi wouldn't have the time to respond to it, as he saw Kleo twist something in her large shield, the shield broadening a little.
"Yaaaahhhh! COME AND GET US, YOU MEALY-MOUTHED MONSTERS!"
'Carmine's enthusiastic…'
Rudi was anything but, screaming loudly at the Grimm with barely any words used, as he took aim at the next, feathers flying at him from another Nevermore in the sky, the shield that Kleo wielded growing more, as he took shelter behind it, the woman smelling of herbs, as the thudding sounds of the feathers impacting with the shield was loud. He loaded another slug, knowing that the ranged fighting would require heavier loads, as only the older Nevermore could shoot their feathers at Huntsmen out in the field.
He didn't hear Carmine or Rudi cry out in pain though, as he raised his weapon again, taking aim at the Nevermore and then firing the slug that he had loaded, the flicker of the barrel and the explosion that followed, blazing fire illuminating the sky as the Nevermore burst apart.
"Keep it up!"
The aching grew worse, as he grabbed his axe and then raised himself up, seeing Carmine's stab at one of the Beowolves be followed up by Rudi going in low, before pouncing like a wolf would, his body moving with intent as he joined them. With the Nevermores taken care of, there was nothing but the fearful task of getting up close and personal, Kleo there to keep a good look out for anything more dangerous, seeing Carmine twirl around like a dancer, stabbing at the Grimm like it was her personal quest for revenge. She couldn't easily get herself out of the fray, her movements as swift as a bat, while Rudi's movement was agile but slower, goring the soulless Grimm whenever her motions carried her into sight, aware of the combat around, Frank joining the melee.
A swing of the axe caught an Ursa in the chest, slamming through the large bony growth of the creature's protective armor and then cutting through it, Frank using his momentum to shoulder-slam into the creature, his Aura still dimmer than before, but his body moving with the practice that he'd always kept up, as he forced the Grimm back, before delivering the final strike.
Seeing Rudi pull the bowstring back and unleash an arrow through the head of the Grimm, Frank could only nod his head a little in gratitude, as he whipped his axe around to slam into the claws of a Beowolf, before a shriek caught him and he could see the Apathy, lurking behind the Beowolf, stunned for the time being at the shriek, as he felt the corrosive effect of the Apathy working on him as his mind started to slow down.
"Watch out, Stone!"
He slammed against the ground when the Beowolf's other paw slammed into his head, planting him face-first into the ground.
"STONE! YOU-"
The string of expletives that Carmine was letting loose was scorching and vile as Frank got himself up, feeling his Aura still being active, but numbed.
"Strike… them… first. The… big… beanstalk… ones."
Carmine's boot hit him right on the mask, as Frank's nose definitely was squashed, Carmine's loud war cry blocking out his thoughts as her body moved, his body pulled upright by Rudi.
"Get a move on!"
He moved on, his axe striking another Grimm that lunged, and he saw Kleo move out of a corner of his eye, her massive shield smacking an Ursa in the face.
The Grimm turned to smoke and shadows in the morning sunlight, as the sky brightened further, hearing the sounds abate, as the burning of his markings ceased and he felt ease slide back, Carmine's expression fierce.
"Hey! Show me your face! There's blood dripping down your mask!"
He would deal with it himself, as he walked towards the pack, plucking the small mirror out, and inspecting his nose.
"Just a bloody nose. It happens."
Aura would fix it, as he pulled the mask back down, before his attention went to the young students that he had attained.
"We are going to move after we've had breakfast. Since I was indisposed… I will have to do your formal acceptance a little bit later. Let's get some water from the nearby stream to wash ourselves with, before-"
He paused, and realized for the first time that it was a pretty good idea for him to go and wash himself first. He had realized that women valued their time alone while washing, while it didn't matter one bit for himself.
Carmine could be so loud when he intruded, though for a monster like him, the thought of it was something that was only a mere figment later, his body brushed off with his hands.
"Before we continue. I will wash myself first. It would be improper of me to…"
He didn't know how to deal with women and their weird habits, looking at Kleo, trying to signal that he needed her help with this.
"He'll… wash. He can… get… the… water… too."
A solution came, with Kleo gladly offering it.
He took it.
"Yes."
Rudi and Carmine, two horror staples of the werewolf and the vampire… and the mummy.
Truly a lineup made in hell.