The nine men disembarked the bullhead and watched as it took off into the dimming evening light. The sound of Port clearing his throat drew the eight boys' attention. "Now then gentleman! This is the town of Figura! A modest population outside of Vale's walls with modest defenses to match! Now can anyone tell me why we are here?"
Silence reigned as the sound of the only other bullhead on the cramped landing platform started its engine. "Anyone?" asked Port. "No one?"
Caelum spoke up. "No bullhead will fly us straight into a hostile area."
"Correct! May you tell us why Mr. Hyalus?"
With an annoyed exhale through his nose, Caelum complied. "Vale is without a military and therefore only fields state-funded defenses outside of volunteers and contracted huntsmen. Bullheads meanwhile are civilian or company-owned. Without profit or incentive, they won't risk assets let alone life."
Port stroked his mustache with a pleased hum. "Quite impressive Mr. Hyalus. Very astute. Can anyone else tell me what our destination is? Come on now, surely you read the dossier on this mission?"
Silence returned as Caelum began to believe he would be the only one with answers. Suddenly a loud yawn from a stretching Lukas drew attention as he groaned in satisfaction. "Eclipsis right? Town little smaller than this with a railway connection and little over half a day's walk from here by a huntsman's pace."
Team SSSN seemed impressed by their counterpart's attention to detail but none were more surprised than Lukas' team members who turned to him in shock. "Quite so Mr. Coil, quite so. Now we'll be staying here for the night before departing at dawn to make the trek-"
Before another question could be hurled, Sun raised a hand and a question. "Wait! I understand why we didn't fly in but why are we here if we can just take a train?"
Port was quick to reply, seeing the condescending expression on Caelum's face he answered the innocent question. "Because Mr. Wukong, the railway was originally made for the nearby mine shaft of Eclipsis. When that dried up, as it was a relatively small resource vein, traffic slowed. In fact, no train has made the trip in years due to the lack of travelers. With the lack of communication, civilians have even stopped going by foot and cart as of late. The request for our assistance came around that time."
Sun exaggeratedly mouthed the word "oh~" as he finally understood. With clarity achieved Port continued. "Now gentleman, This mission will be a simple reestablishment of communication between towns. We shall rest here for the night. Make the trek tomorrow, inspect the town and its communication capabilities, and if need be clear any grimm. Once that is achieved we will return here, escort a mechanic and engineer to repair their devices, and escort them back. Once that is all said and done we may return home triumphant and with a new story under our belts!"
The responses were less enthusiastic as it seemed the two teams were still wary of each other. With that, Port enacted his first plan. "Now, gentleman, I will find us lodging and some warm grub. You will split into teams of two and explore this quaint little town. However! There shall be no violence unless against a criminal or Grimm in which you are to inform the rest of us and no getting handsy with the ladies here unless they act first, am I understood?"
The suggestive statement drew a pregnant pause as the professor began to slowly smile under a wriggling mustache and drew in varying responses from his students, the most agreeable of which were Sun and Neptune cheering at his suggestion.
"Now then each team of two will be made of one member from each of your teams. Take this as an opportunity to become acquainted once more! A manly undertaking to build character!" The declaration ceased all cheering and drew even deeper concerns from the rest. Sun reached a hand out unable to request any reconsideration as Caelum stepped forward and loudly voiced his own.
"Sir, I must ask you to rethink-" But to no avail. Port was already whistling to himself as he jaunted down the open street. As the two leaders' eyes turned back to their teams, they found the six already walking off in pairs.
Niel and Sage were the first to take off. The two found solace in their similarities and therefore sought to find a quiet area of town to wander. Quickly they found one disagreeable trait with each other. Sage was too quiet for Niel and Niel, too talkative for Sage. What little conversation did happen transpired with a question from Sage.
"How do you handle your team?"
Niel's reply was instant. "I let them do the thinking. It does me little good to overthink and I am a better warrior. But most of all I can trust them. Or so my gut tells me."
A glance at Niel's earnest blue eyes left no room for doubt in his words. Sage could only think over his grievances with his team. All he could think was 'Wish I could say the same.'
Following them, Lukas dragged off a reluctant Neptune who seemed frightened to be around the lackadaisical and mobster-like student. Their relationship flowered unfortunately for Neptune and his wallet as Lukas coerced his way into Neptune's good graces. It didn't take long before they had blown through what spending money Neptune had on street vendors and trinkets. All this while Lukas was enjoying his poor peer's generosity and had him smiling about it.
Finally Scarlet and Raiden snuck away. The blue and red boys found themselves silently walking along the brightly lit commercial street adorned with stores and window shopping. The bright lights and flashy merchandise were barely able to fill the awkwardness between them. Both were observing the other, both unsure of where to start.
Scarlet took the dive to initiate conversation only to feel snubbed as Raiden would let the topic die as he was unsure how to carry it. Scarlet misunderstood and was unsure if he was cocky or just disinterested in him. Raiden was more preoccupied with why his counterpart was trying to repeatedly talk to him while progressively staring more and more daggers at him.
Left to their own devices and with explicit direction from Port, Caelum, and Sun took to wandering the streets of Figura. Hardly a word was exchanged without Sun clearly conveying the awkward tension he felt through body language and Caelum ignoring him.
Soon Sun took to walking ahead of Caelum and letting his inner explorer take hold. From brightly lit main roads the two found themselves traversing through dark and damp back alleys with strange routes and twists.
Sun's mood slowly brightened once more as he notably avoided trying to strike up a conversation after Caelum had told him "I prefer silence. So long as we stay in eye sight of each other we aren't disobeying Ports orders so keep wandering." With that cold dismissal, Sun gladly complied.
For some reason, everything the faunus boy did irritated Caelum. He felt as if he was babysitting yet somehow worse. This specific child thought himself a full-grown adult and acted without restraint. The irony of Caelum himself partaking in dubious affairs was not lost on him yet he would not lower himself with the thought of being compared to this.
While watching from a few meters behind, Caelum caught sight of Sun being caught in conversation. As he blushed and shook his head, two lightly dressed women, despite the cool night air, embraced his arms and slowly began pulling the boy towards a dingy building with a dim pink lantern. Unable to reject their advances and fumbling at the mouth for words, Sun was slowly succumbing to their insistence.
With a light groan, Caelum intervened. One hand grasped a woman by her hand lightly pulling her away as the other gripped Sun's shoulder and ripped him back. The second woman released him after seeing him being yanked so violently. The two women shot glares at Caelum before looking up the small set of stairs on the building where two large and gruff-looking men stood.
Seeing the girls annoyed looks, the two men uncrossed their arms and took a step down the short stairwell when Caelum spoke up. "I didn't harm your merchandise here," he said, pointing a glare at the girls. He then tightened his grip on Sun's shoulder who winced at the grip. "Besides, this kid's broke."
At the revelation of their target being underaged and penniless, The two women clicked their tongues and stormed inside. The two men held the door open and closed it behind them before tipping their hats at Caelum for avoiding a scuffle. Caelum returned the gesture, mimicking the same with two fingers at his brow before dragging Sun out into a properly lit street.
Sun was bewildered and began asking fervent questions about what just happened, exposing his surprising naivety to the world at large. Caelum gave a disgusted expression at his peer before simply answering "Everyone's trying to make a living." Thankfully he didn't need to explain any further as a message from Port interrupted Sun's inquiries.
With vague directions from their teacher, The two boys found themselves in front of a large multi-storied brick and wooden structure. Its age was prevalent by the design and material, perhaps one of the first founding buildings of the town judging by the date on its front sign. Entering, the boys found a large table at the back of the inn with everyone else awaiting their arrival with fresh meals and drinks.
The nine men stood out in every way. A large group of fit and combat-capable individuals with weapons. All dressed in peculiar bright clothing, even Caelum's dull attire stood out from the locals. Eventually, despite garnering suspicious and disapproving glares from local male residents, a few girls from the town showed their interest.
The conversations started innocently. Curiosity as to where they were from and what they were here for. Some of the older girls were more forward with their interests. All this occurred as Port turned a blind eye, something he explained to the boys as "all a part of the adventure" with a wink.
Team SSSN's members were more obliging yet tame with the curious lasses. Omitting the information that they were students and insisting it was "official huntsmen business." The girls seemed to eat it up.
Team CRLN meanwhile was split. Lukas was playing along as wingman to Niel. Raiden joined for the simple conversation but seemed to have become a target for a predatory woman. Disinterested, Caelum focused on his meal. Thankfully there were only four curious town girls present so he was left to himself in peace.
Despite the boy's efforts, the girl's interests were as clear as day. One had tagged Raiden, One had begun sticking to Sun, another with Lukas's assistance took interest in Niel, and the final girl had initially taken interest in Neptune before seeing past his facade of 'coolness' and to the surprise of all, went after Port.
The senior man brusquely laughed. He rejected her advances though not without raising an eyebrow to the boys, whispering "I still got it." Yet the girl stayed, interested in speaking with the experienced Huntsman.
The other girls tried to sway their interests as Scarlet and Sage watched in displeasure, Neptune pouted, and Caelum enjoyed a surprisingly delicious apple pie from the inn. Sun recalled earlier in the night with Caelum and felt wary of the locals. Politely he refused, insisting that he had his eye on someone back at Beacon.
Incidentally revealing his age, the girl didn't take kindly to his fib and left. Raiden was perhaps the most subjectable to being scooped up. As the girl nestled into the seat next to him, leaving him sweating from more than the newfound warmth next to him, he began to fall apart at the seams. Caelum nonchalantly provided aid but the troublesome girl would not be deterred so easily. At Port's orders, Caelum took the troublesome yet cautionary route of deterrence rather than threatening her.
Niel was the most smitten. In part by the girl's charm as well as Lukas's passive semblance intertwining the two's interest with each other. A smiling and flustered Niel excitedly chatted with the girl when Lukas asked her to get them two more drinks and passed her some lien. Once she was off, Lukas pulled his partner in close, offering a warning.
"Head out of the clouds. I may be smiling and playing it up but this is just practice. Ya ain't gonna seal the deal, ya hear me?"
Niel gave a bewildered look as his partner slid a hand down his face and groaned. "Listen here. Be careful of these town lasses. Gals from small towns and villages are usually two things. Bored and trouble."
Niel's confused face earned another groan from Lukas. "That means they're gonna seek something to break the monotony. Whether that's eloping to the city or a story from a night with a guy who can spin a good tale, you need to be neither."
The deterrence worked. Along with his confusion, Niel felt discouraged at tempting fate. It didn't stop Lukas from laying into him any less. "Not to mention the fact that you're greener than the tatted bloke's hair. I'm sure you wouldn't even be able to tell if one of these gals left a present for ya from their last lover."
The none-too-subtle suggestion had Niel take a nervous sip from an empty glass.
"Always remember, ain't nothing in this world too pure for you to doubt."
The girl came back with some drinks for the entire table, this time some alcoholic beverages courtesy of the innkeeper since they had mentioned their profession. Port turned a blind eye to the alcohol for the night, laughing it off as another experience so long as they remained out of trouble.
The night drifted on with conversation between them and their guests until finally, the women retired having had their fill of talk and realizing there was no adventure to be found here. This left the men next to a cozy hearth and little alcohol left as they felt the buzz of their drinks.
Port seemed unaffected by any amount he guzzled down, amazing his students. Of which only four seemed able to withstand their drinks, Lukas, Sage, Niel, and surprisingly Caelum despite his distaste towards the flavor. Sun and Raiden suffered as much as one would expect of inexperienced drinkers while Neptune and Scarlet were nearly unconscious in their seats, propped against each other.
Idle chatter began to shift into intrusive curiosities as the drink loosened their tongues as well as their restraints. Port, still remarkably sober, seemed delighted at the interactions and interest. His bushy eyebrows ruffled now and again as he looked over to Caelum who remained quiet and isolated in his seat, having run out of food and drink.
Despite his introversion, the other boys shared stories of battles, their schools, and funny stories, even Lukas left Port in awe with his stories of past female 'friends.' Raiden had seemingly almost revealed a damning story himself as both Lukas and Caelum quickly shot a hand to cover his mouth and wring his neck.
Laughter emerged from the table at the antic as Scarlet and Neptune slurred their own story to share. Soon the night seemed to calm down as a serious atmosphere arose with a solitary question Port raised himself.
"Tell me, lads, what is it that you dream of? Not aspire to nor work for. But what you dream."
Niel was the first to speak with confidence. "A future!" he shouted, stumbling as he stood from his seat. "One where I can have a beautiful wife and daughter! With my tribe and no fear of what may happen to them!"
His drunken fervor seemed to rally a few raised glasses at the table and some across the tavern. Sage crossed his arms and spoke firmly. "Allies. Those whom I can trust my life without worry and can lay it down for without regret."
Raiden ran a thumb over his mug, sheepishly looking at the table with flushed cheeks. "I want to stand on my own feet. Surpass my parents and be a beacon for Remnant." His cheeks grew red, whether from embarrassment as his dream or from the alcohol heating his body was left to guess as another spoke up.
Neptune leaned forward, his arms knocking a glass of water over and his sudden movement left Scarlet without support as he drunkenly fell over and onto the ground. "I-I wanna be brave! A-and no- not a lia-lia- umm"
"A liability?" asked Lukas.
"Thash it!" declared Neptune embracing the cool wood of their table.
Silence fell as Port eyed the remaining students. They seemed to be racking their minds for answers. Scarlet was indisposed, Lukas seemed uncaring, his own life too luxurious to ever desire more. Caelum seemed to have his answer but as he stared firmly ahead, Port knew he would not reveal it. Sun finally spoke after raising a finger, having discovered his answer.
Flexing a bicep, Sun confidently placed a foot atop his seat and looked up at the ceiling. "I'll be a hero! For both faunus and humans! Someone who kicks bad guy butt and maybe even gets to save my damsel in distress if things go well." Ending with a confident shrug as if the answer to his plausibility was inevitably a yes, he earned a few varied looks.
Ports mustache ruffled, it seemed Mr. Wukong hadn't understood the question after all. Perhaps due to the intoxication?
"You really are a purebred idiot."
Port's eyes shot to Caelum who had spat the visceral insult. Sun faltered as if having misheard giving a blank expression while Caelum continued, drawing a chuckle from Lukas and surprise from Niel, Raiden, and Sage.
"Immature, slobbish dressing, horrid eating habits, redundant and obnoxious speech, everything about you is disgusting. And no this isn't a faunus thing. This is a you thing. You aren't a successful person, let alone a huntsman."
The condescending sneer Caelum sent stunned Sun who stared back blankly. A pregnant pause ensued as no one at the table dared to speak, all except Lukas who was fighting to restrain his laughter.
"W-well who asked you?!" demanded Sun. "And what's your problem? I haven't done anything-"
"That's the problem, you haven't done anything worthy of respect and I assume you never will" interrupted Caelum.
As the two argued, Port watched with a nervous sweat, unsure if to interrupt or let it proceed. Any bad blood should be aired out before a mission, something he had scars to prove. But would these juvenile youths be mature enough to not let it affect them after airing their grievances? Amidst his internal deliberation, the two continued.
"You just met me today!" defended Sun.
"And the list of regrets is already the longest I've ever had congrats."
"What is your problem?!" shouted Sun.
"You. I think I made that clear. Do you even know your purpose?" grit Caelum.
"What kinda question is that? To save lives and protect people, duh!" rebuked Sun as he slammed his hands onto the table.
"No! You're a weapon!" hissed Caelum tightening his grip on his mug. "You are sent to kill and defeat every enemy you're sent after whether it be Grimm or human! Or did you think this is some fairytale?"
Sun let out a sarcastic laugh. "Pfft, So some crazy kid is gonna tell me to kill people. News flash, Grimm are bad, not people! We need to save people not kill them!"
Caelum ran a hand through his hair in frustration, as if arguing with a child. "We'll never be rid of Grimm! Some are older than everyone in this town combined and you think we can just get rid of them? Let me ask that low IQ brain of yours, who do you think kills more people annually? Grimm or people? And before you run that mouth ask our dear Professor!"
Sun gave a defiant look before turning to Port. His expression faltered as he saw the dark expression on the elderly man's face. Port drummed his fingers against his mug as he nodded solemnly. "With advancements made in technology, we have come up with contingencies for Grimm safety and precaution. But little can be done to mitigate the greed in man's heart. Sometimes, a Huntsman is called upon to correct this."
A stunned silence enveloped the table as Caelum's grip relented on his drink, his intent to bash it against Sun's skull having dissipated with the faunus' temper at the realization.
Suddenly a hoarse howl rose up as an old man crashed into an empty seat at the table, slamming a metallic disk onto the wooden surface. With his sudden arrival, the scraggly man laughed aloud. "Got a fire in your bellies or under your arses?"
All eyes turned to the man as Port and Caelum eyed the metallic disk. On closer inspection, it was a shield that had a built-in lever action shotgun within the center. The man was clearly a huntsman, judging by his age that surpassed even Port he was perhaps living out retirement in this town with the occasional odd job.
Lukas seemed the most displeased the with dingy-looking man's appearance, a far cry from the girls earlier. "Lemme guess, some old man out of pocket change is coming to trade stories for drinks?"
"Haha! Close but not quite! Though I won't refuse a drink or two if yer offerin!" laughed the man. His raucous laughter soon settled down as he gave a sharp, discerning look around the table. With a mocking chuckle, he took a swig of his flask. Giving a sideways glance to Port he gave a backhanded compliment. "Gotta say, ye seem quite the tough one. Though your youngins could use some work."
Port gave a short reply with a wrinkled bushy brow. "They are young and studious. In time they will achieve more than I."
The man mockingly shook his hands. "Ooo, let's hope they live to learn it, mind if I ask the youngsters somethin? Perhaps even ye could answer a question or two seeing as yer still young and hot-blooded" he said sarcastically.
Growing quickly tired of the man, Port obliged the senior huntsman with a warning. "Please, proceed. But be advised, I will not tolerate any harassment of my charge."
The man shrugged. "I'll take note. Ain't much good for ya to beat an old man nor me any good to be beat" he snickered. The man then shifted in his seat and leered at the boys. His eyes drifted from one side and back at the silent group, both conscious and unconscious.
"Do ya think Beowolves and Ursa are the worst things out there? Course not. But, I bet ya haven't heard of the myths, that the unlucky few hear of, and even worse off the few who experience it. Wait until it sees you from the treeline, you'll never forget it. The skull, its eyes that pierce you like the coldest steel on remnant. Its voice that rattles in your mind as it makes you beg for death."
The man looked over everyone once more, baited breaths mixed with fascinated gazes and fear. Port himself raised an eyebrow at such a description but all showed the expected response, ignorance. Then the stranger's gaze stilled on Caelum. He cracked an ear-to-ear smile with hazy eyes. "Perhaps… perhaps one of you have seen such horror."
The man released a macabre cackle as Port suddenly stood. His short stature scooted back his seat with a scrape and an irritated tone. "We appreciate your warnings as my peer and their senior in this line of work. But I must insist, it is getting late and we must rest. May I ask you to be on your way?"
The man's eyes lingered on Caelum before he turned to Port with a sober expression. With a sudden smile breaking his unexpectedly serious tone, he nodded and downed his drink. "I best get back to guard duty anywho" he laughed as he stumbled away.
The sound of chairs skittering across the floor broke the strange silence as the innkeeper approached Port with apologies. "I'm so sorry. He's a respectable fella, honest. He's had a few traumatic memories and knocks to the head so he's not all there. But he does a good job around here. He just gets paranoid and warns others when he gets drunk. Especially those in the same line of work.
Port regained his cheery disposition. "Hoho, no worries madam. Caution and advice are always appreciated no matter the manner. Some ways are simply easier to digest than others. Thank you for the clarity."
With that, the innkeeper guided them to their rooms. Varying emotions ran rampant as some of the boys were upset, annoyed, curious, or blacked out. The night had held some favorable experiences yet it seemed to drain all heavily.
It wasn't until midday that they all awoke despite Ports' efforts. Last night's drinks having left incapacitating hangovers to most. The sun had already reached its climax when the men departed Figura. On the road, very little was said as they made pace to save on time. They were expected and other than a few stops for 'relief', eating, and for Neptune who vomited on the go.
The tense atmosphere from last night had not dissipated and the old stranger's words clung to the minds of those who were conscious to listen. Only the cool autumn air seemed to relieve their minds and hangovers during the strenuous march.
-Chapter End-