"Good morning, Mr. Crocodylus!" Greeted a lanky man with bear ears. Dressed in the typical set of overalls, a silver pin with the initials RDI was pinned to his left suspender.
Joe, who'd been off for the past week, seemed over the moon about being back at work. Apparently, his wife had run all the way home and shoved the cheque of one-thousand lien right in his face the second she stepped past the door.
"I almost died of shock!" Joe remarked as he recounted the joyful expressions of his wife and children.
"Hm, who are these kids?" The Faunus tilted his head at the two younglings behind his employer.
"These are my brats, I'm just showing them the ropes of how I operate things around here."
All eyes landing on the redhead and pinkish brunette, the workers offered them a happy greeting with pearly smiles and polite bows, then got to work. With the hums of the conveyor belts and clunking crates echoing through the room in harmonious rhythm, the new additions to the RDI observed their surroundings with wonder.
Daz, who'd been standing guard at the entrance, felt the corners of his mouth twitch upward. It was rare for people to celebrate having his boss in their presence, but perhaps Crocodile was right in taking the slow route in earning his place in the dust markets.
"Excuse me, is this the RDI?"
His attention drawn to a set of well-dressed gentlemen, the one who spoke had a thick mustache and heavy-lidded eyes. His curly brown hair covered by a red striped bowler hat, he asked for the man in charge of the building claiming he had business with him.
Daz arched his unibrow. Crocodile hadn't scheduled any meetings, and if he did he would have notified his right hand.
"Do you have an appointment? My boss is a busy man." The west blue assassin crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.
"Not exactly, but my colleague and I were hoping to offer some of our services in your potential company. It's quite rare to see a new competitor in the dust industries these days, and since we're representatives of the SDC, we were hoping to extend a hand to our fellow dust enthusiasts." The man showed a seemingly warm smile, but Daz knew better than to trust a hungry snake.
"I'm sorry, but unless you've set up an appointment, you aren't allowed entry. I'd suggest the two of you leave before I'm forced to use express my duties of security."
The men frowned, but they quickly recovered and asked the guard when his boss would be available for negotiation.
"I don't know, but you'll find out once you make a call." Handing the pushy gentleman a business card, Daz guided them off the premises with a warning not to overstep their boundaries next time.
Once they were out of sight, the assassin sighed. "So we've already garnered the attention of the big shots eh?"
/-/
"Tug~"
"Huh, what is it, Neo?" Roman followed his sister's pointing finger to the main doors where their uncle stood watch.
"Um, pops, it looks like you've got company."
"Hm?" The warlord curled a brow and pulled out a cigar. "Just some chumps hoping to poach my resources and potential capital. I'm not surprised that they showed up, but I figured I had a few more weeks before they decided to take action."
Neo tilted her head as did Roman.
"Come on, you've heard of the SDC haven't you?" Crocodile grunted.
"You mean those fancy dust shops around the city? Yeah, Neo and I have snagged a few crystals to sell on the black market, but we haven't tried a robbery in a while since ever since they improved security." The ginger nodded.
The warlord hummed. To think a brat like Roman would thrive in the black markets, perhaps he'd get a few more benefits than he anticipated. While Neo had that special power of illusion, it appeared that her brother was usually the brains of the operation.
"Aren't you going to see them? What if those guys come back, won't you have to deal with them?"
Crocodile smirked. "I'll speak to them when I want to. If those greedy snobs think they can push my timetable around, then they've got another thing coming. Besides, we've got an important day ahead of us."
"We?" Both Roman and Neo tilted their heads.
"Don't make me repeat myself." Crocodile snapped. "If I'm going to provide shelter for you brats, then you'd better be willing to meet my standards. First things first, I need to get you some proper clothes. It'll bring shame to my name if you're not properly dressed."
A puff of smoke drifted into the air as the warlord strutted to the exit. Giving Daz his orders for the day, the scarred man and his new family left for the shops huddled in the upper sections of the mountainous city.
Neo hesitated. She knew better than to cross the line that separated the poor class and the rich nobility, but here she was, standing before a tall pavilion gate decorated with a plethora of Chinese flowers and Mistralian symbols. Roman also appeared less enthusiastic about the idea of entering the rich sections of the city. Petty crime was easy to pull off in the lower districts, but in the higher parts, there were hunters solely dedicated to crime patrol.
The new Crocodylus siblings turned to each other with worry etched on their faces. Other families could be seen in the distance, the mothers adorning fabulous dresses that radiated their wealth, with their husbands and children amplifying the fact with their own finely stitched cloth.
When compared to the simple rags Neo and Roman wore, it was like having a cactus in a flower display.
"Oi, get a move on. I don't have all day." Crocodile's low voice shook the two kids from their thoughts. Peering up at the daunting man, he rolled his eyes and stepped forward.
"Well, come on, Neo." Roman gulped and fixed his hair the best he could. Neo did the same, and soon they were having difficulty in keeping up with their father's long strides.
/-/
"Who is that man?"
"I've never seen him around these parts. You think he's a businessman?"
"Hmph, look at those drabby kids he's got behind him. Does he have no standards for his own?"
The Crocodylus troupe had made it no more than a block until the whispers of the surrounding pedestrians reached their ears. Neo clung to her brother's sleeve like a lifeline. She tried to tune out the voices, but given her lack of experience in dealing with strangers, she found it difficult to stomach the rude comments. Thankfully Roman seemed to have stronger nerve, or at least he was able to mask his discomfort to a higher degree.
As for the golden-hooked warlord, his lips remained pressed together save for the spot where his tobacco stick stuck out. He continued to lead for what felt like hours, before finally selecting a shop and gesturing for his kids to follow.
Neo's feet felt weighted by stone. The triple floored building dwarfed those around it with front glass displays that showed a myriad of fashion that Neo could only imagine. A fine blue dress, its hem and long sleeves littered with tiny emeralds that glistened under the sunlight. On another side was a line of spiffy suits, each with their own unique trademark ranging from stripes to plaid, all the way to ties with more colors than the rainbow.
"Oi, what's with the holdup? I thought I told you brats to get moving.' Crocodile grunted and nudged Roman's and Neo's back with his hook.
Her nerves rattled, the moment Neo entered the store she was immediately met with questioning glares. There were plenty of girls her age around, and each of them seemed to have their own spiteful sneer for the pinkish brunette. As for Roman, all he could do was rub his neck as a few beads of sweat trickled down his chin. He tried to shield Neo from the unwanted attention, but his small body and nervous demeanor did little to deter the unwanted eyes.
"U-Um, can I help you, sir?" Asked a lady dressed in a scarlet uniform with blonde hair that was neatly tied into a ponytail.
Crocodile's stone-colored pupils narrowed on the female. Internally smirking at the sheer panic on her face, the warlord demanded his brats be dressed in the best clothes the store had to offer.
"O-Of course sir, please follow me." The lady said with a forced smile. Her employer had given her the task of getting the unsightly family out of the building as soon as possible, but given the scarred man's intimidating aura and his massive golden hook, the job was easier said than done.
Guiding the trio through the aisles, they were brought to a display of racks and shelves stacked with kidswear.
Pushing Roman forward, the boy was quickly dragged to another section where a male dresser got his measurements and began to sort through a selection of shirts. Without her brother to rely on, Neo latched on to the only comfort she had. Clinging onto Crocodile's coat, the warlord rolled his eyes and snagged her by the collar with his hook. He instructed the saleswoman to select an outfit for her, and she did just that.
Minutes passed by, and the Crocodylus siblings emerged from the changerooms. Gone were the simple rags and in their place were intricate and carefully chosen fittings. For Roman, he adorned a long-sleeved sweater with a thick collar and black buttons lined from the hem up to the throat. His black pants ended with white cuffs with a matching set of polished shoes and gloves. To finish it off, a folded red handkerchief had been tucked in his breast pocket.
"Come one dear, don't be scared, you look wonderful!" Cheered the saleswoman as she gently pushed Neo into the spotlight.
Her hair combed into a long ponytail, she wore a dark pink, short-sleeved dress, that reached just past her ankles. A pair of knee-high black socks covered her legs and ended with a cute pair of single-laced white slippers. A set of cream-colored gloves fit snuggly over her small hands, and to complete her attire, a thin brown belt had been fastened around her waist.
"Not too shabby." Crocodile hummed with a skeptical eye. "But there's something missing."
Glancing around, the warlord narrowed his sights on a jewelry section with a set of hand-sewn hats next to it. Dismissing the dressers, Crocodile left the scene with a curious Roman and Neo in tow.
"I'll take these ones here." The man ordered over the counter.
"Of course sir," the male employee popped open the glass and patiently waited for his customer's selection.
"Well, pick one already." Crocodile shoved Neo forward and the girl almost fell over.
Blinking rapidly, Neo's head snapped from the glittering gems then back to her father. He... wanted her to choose? His features unmoving, the hooked adult remained silent during Neo's internal struggle. Was it really okay? Usually, the pinkish brunette would be stealing these kinds of things and exchange them for a hefty meal. Her pupils shifting colors, Neo kept her gaze on the floor and rubbed her arm. Did she... really deserve to be spoiled like this?
"Hey, what about this necklace?" Roman stepped forward and pointed to a line of small red beads woven together by thin black strings. While beautiful, the accessory didn't take anything away from Neo's new outfit but added a humble and delicate look to it.
With a warm smile accompanied by confident green eyes, Roman plucked the item from the display and placed it over his sister's head. Her head tilting upward, Neo showed an equally bright smile and turned her attention to a rack of hats. Tugging on Crocodile's coat, she waved at a black bowler hat with a sharp red feather tucked into its red band.
With a smirk, the warlord obliged and plucked the item from atop the pile and plopped it on Roman's head. It fit him quite well, and he seemed very happy with his sibling's selection. Daring to take a peek at her father's expression after their outfits were complete, Neo felt a comfortable heat rise in her chest at the approving smile of her adoptive father.
/-/
Once again on the streets, Neo happily skipped behind her dad with an ice cream cone in hand. Roman munched on a cookie beside her, and Crocodile opted to burn another cigar. The morning-long past, it'd been hours since the trio entered the rich parts of town, and the shops around them began to pack up for the night.
"Oi, keep close now, we're heading back to the lower sections of the city." Crocodile warned as they approached the giant pavilion.
Instantly, Neo tucked herself behind her brother and clasped his right hand. The boy chuckled and beamed a cocky grin as they returned from where they came. No longer were there any stares of spite, instead, the locals appeared to be in awe at the sudden transformation of the Crocodylus siblings as they strutted out of the area.
"You were out for a while," Daz commented as he opened the front door.
"Don't blame me, these brats can't make up their minds to save their lives." Crocodile sighed as he went straight to the living room.
"I set your meals on the dinner table. If you need a drink or anything, there's a pitcher of water in the fridge and a few soda cans if you want." Daz guided the two to the kitchen and took his seat.
"You're going to eat with us?" Roman asked.
"Is there a problem with that?" The assassin snapped.
The boy shook his head and hastily seated himself. Neo joined shortly after, and the three feasted on their roasted chicken and mashed peas in silence. Dinner passed in no time, and Daz excused himself without saying a word.
"Do you want to take the first shower, Neo? I've got a few things I want to set up in my room before I hit the hay." Roman said.
His sibling complied, eager to get the dust she'd gathered from the muggy streets out of her hair, and skipped down the hallway with a smile. However, her brother had a hidden motive, instead of heading to his chambers, the ginger made his way to the roof, where he found the broad back of his adoptive father facing him.
Taking slow steps, Roman kept his head low and pulled on the collar of his new sweater.
"If you're gonna be a wuss about it then you might as well go to your room."
Roman's throat hitched as his footing stumbled. Quickly picking himself up, he straightened his hat and gulped.
"If you've got a question, then spit it out, I'm not in the mood for petty banter."
Positioning himself beside the scarred man, Roman took in the pleasant moonlight that twinkled in the night sky before shifting his attention back to the warlord. He didn't bother to glance down, seemingly content with keeping his condescending stare on the many stars overhead.
"W-Well, Neo and I were wondering what we should call you." The boy muttered.
"Call me whatever you want, as long as it's not insulting, then I don't give a damn."
"How does pops sound?" Roman asked.
With a slight frown and roll of the eyes, Crocodile accepted this arrangement.
"Huh, that went easier than expected," Roman whispered under his breath.
"Well, are you going to ask me your real question? Or are you going to keep wasting my time?"
"W-What do you mean?" His son rubbed his neck and looked away.
"You think I was born yesterday? I've seen the way you glance at me when you think I'm not looking. I don't appreciate bastards who can't voice their ideals, so hurry up and spit it out."
Amassing his courage, the young thief gazed at the moon and voiced his thoughts.
"Why did you take me and Neo in? Are you planning to have us under your thumb and dispose of us once we've run our course? I've heard plenty of stories on the black market about punks younger than me who were written off the moment someone better came along. Heck, you might be leading us on for all I know, secretly bribing us with all these fancy trinkets so that we grow to rely on you and only you."
Hoping for a reply, Roman grew annoyed when one never came.
"Well, doesn't my question deserve an answer?"
"...Ahahah...AHAHAHAHA!~"
Crocodile's outburst of laughter sent Roman for a loop. Wiping a tear from his eye, the warlord peered down to meet a pair of slanted green eyes.
"I don't pick up just any shitty brat that I see on the road. I chose you because unlike most of the scumbags who populate the slums, you actually have some tact and a brain to boot. Do I plan to use you? Of course, I do! But isn't that a fair deal for keeping you brats off the street? Don't get me wrong, if you do disappoint me then I won't think twice about throwing you away, but the same goes for me in that regard."
"W-What does that mean?" Roman stuttered.
"Hmph, it's one thing if you let me down, but wouldn't any sensible father feel ashamed that their own kids disowned them? You and your sister are an investment Roman, one that I have high hopes for. So as long as you keep your wits about you and strive for success, then by all means I'll spoil you and your sister rotten. However, make sure you keep this in mind..."
Spitting out his cigar and snubbing the embers with his heel, Crocodile patted Roman on the back with his hook.
"Don't you ever insult Daz. He's been my right hand for over a decade and I hold him in great regard. You got that?"
Roman nodded dumbly, unsure if his mouth would manage a proper sentence for the situation.
"Good, now get your ass in bed. We'll be going back to the rich part of town tomorrow."
"F-For what?"
Crocodile sighed with a knowing smirk. "I need to get you brats a bunch of books. I don't want to be known for having stupid kids."