Hey everyone, hope yall are having a great new year! I'm sorry that this series has been on the back burner for a while, I just struggled to find the desire to continue this series. Well, for what it's worth, I'll be trying to get more chapters done and move on with my other stories as well.
Cheers, Searoar.
"My head..." Hawkins rubbed his bandaged skull and lifted the lids over his crimson eyes. Hawkins blinked. He didn't recall mending his wounds or adding splints to his broken arm.
Then it all came back to him. Like a thunderclap, Hawkins' brain recalled all of its previous memories, but at the expense of a severe migraine. His battle with Mad Treasure, his watching of Jaune being beaten unconscious, and lastly the ruins caving in. Hawkins massaged his forehead. No, there was another important scene that he was forgetting, one that involved-
"So you're finally awake. You move a lot when you sleep, did you know that?"
"...I'm surprised you're still here." Hawkins showed no emotion when he spoke. "That, and you put in the effort to help me instead of leaving me for dead."
Crimson eyes meeting with a set of dark blood, Hawkins eyed Raven with a curious outlook and forced himself up. He stared at her, and she returned it with a meticulous glare of her own. They were judging each other, ensuring that if the threat of violence were to arise, they would be ready.
Hawkins noticed that Raven still had his sword. A necessary precaution, the magician assumed as Raven lacked her dust-based katana which was lost by Hawkins when the ruins caved in. Thus, the Branwen made do with what she had, and her hand rested firmly on the longsword's hilt.
"I'm in no mood for a fight," Hawkins sighed and sat himself down on a flat slab of stone. There was no point in unnerving the woman across from him, as she was a competent fighter and the magician was in no condition for an all-out brawl.
That, and Raven had fear and desperation as a motivation, which was a wild and unpredictable mindset that required caution.
"Nor do I intend to harm you on the baselines of revenge." Hawkins kept his sincerity, even when Raven unsheathed his blade and raised it toward him.
"Don't take me for a fool," Raven hissed, "I'm fully aware that you can sprout your straw and all the sharp nails that come with it when you please."
"Yes," Hawkins rolled his eyes, "but if you were anticipating a fight... why go through the trouble of mending my injuries?"
Mistrust evident on her pale face, Raven stepped forward and held the longsword but an inch from Hawkins' chest.
"Is this really what you want? Because from the twisted expression that I'm seeing, your actions are impulses of cowardice, not your conscience."
"You love making yourself sound smart, don't you?" Raven growled through a bitten lower lip.
"I don't intend to come off that way, but if that's your interpretation then there's little I can do to change your mind." Hawkins shrugged. "However, if you are willing to hear me out, I believe there's a way we can both benefit from this situation."
Raven sneered but her eyes were still scared.
Hawkins took note of the injuries that racked his cohort's body as well. Being freed from the chains had left deep imprints on her skin, and from how stiff her stance was, there appeared to be limitations that Hawkins had yet to realize.
"Can't we agree to a mutual agreement of no violence?" Hawkins deadpanned. "I've already been through one monumental battle, and I'm not interested in having another. Especially one that's mentally taxing."
"Do you really give up that easily?" Raven sulked.
"In regard to you, yes." Hawkins nodded. "Believe me, there are many things that I want to sort out with you, but your former teammates should get the first swings I suppose."
Raven winced. Of all the things to bring up, her traumatic separation from her team had to be one of them.
"Hmph, and what about you?" Raven scowled.
"What about me?" Hawkins curled a brow.
"I bet you're still obeying Ozpin like a blind mutt, isn't that right? Wearing a smile for the spoiled citizens who can't raise a hand to defend themselves while your pockets are stuffed with lien. Isn't that the base characteristic for a Valesian hunter?"
The magician shook his head. "I rarely go on team missions, and when I do, Summer is briefed before we head out. I haven't had the opportunity to interact with Ozpin, despite being affiliated with him on the basis of being a hunter. That, and I took your warning about him wholeheartedly."
This made Raven's eyes widen, but only for a moment and they were back to their narrowed vision. Yet, when Raven looked at the stoic face set in front of her, she couldn't help but feel that Hawkins was trying to pry something from her. What could he possibly want? She already told him about Ozpin, and she definitely made her impression in regard to her old teammates.
"What do you want?" Raven blurted and lowered her sword.
Hawkins sighed. "My son, first and foremost. Second, a way out of these abandoned ruins, and lastly; to return to the life I had in Vale."
The blunt delivery sent Raven for a loop. Not because of what was listed, but rather, that the bandit was never mentioned on it.
Was Hawkins trying to deceive her? Or... was he really as lazy as he appeared?
"That said," Hawkins stood from his rock and let his arms fall limp on his sides, "I also wish to know what you plan on doing after we've concluded our business here."
"Oh? Now I'm an interest to you?" Raven snapped.
"Well..." Hawkins pulled out his tarot cards and began to shuffle. "The likelihood of you interfering with my life stands at thirty-six percent, so I am a little curious as to what you will do. Also, knowing that you won't be trying to abduct my nieces would also be a great relief."
"Tsk," Raven clicked her tongue.
"However..." Hawkins shuffled some more and placed three rows of twelve cards in front of him. This reading was rather elaborate, and the meticulous nature of these specific draws did perplex him.
The numbers... kept swapping between five percent and ninety-five percent. This was unusual, and every time a card was changed or put in a different line of order, the numbers refused to shift from five and ninety-five. What burdened Raven so that she wanted to abandon, yet keep it at the same time? Hawkins lowered his cards. He stared evenly at the woman in front of him and drew the most tired breath he'd made in his whole life.
"This sister of yours is on an entirely different level of complexity, Qrow..." The magician sighed under a harsh breath.
"I will ask this with no intent of malice and only curiosity. Ms. Branwen, do you still want to be a mother?"
"W-What the fuck did you just ask me?" Raven reeled back and her fist clenched so hard that a dribble of blood spilled down her finger. "Do you have any idea what you're implying? Or are you trying to be a smartass with that question because you already know the answer? Qrow told me how prideful you were about reading other people's intentions, but this is on a whole other level."
Raven shook her head and crossed her arms. It was taking all of her willpower not to lunge forward and snap Hawkins' neck or any of his other body parts, and the only thing that was keeping her back was her common sense and realization of her own injuries.
"You would not have notified me that time on Patch when Jaune and the other kids disappeared if you did not care for your child. That, and your brother has confided in me on how he had to fight through you and his former tribesmen to bring Yang to Vale. These actions of yours do not speak of a person who wants to abandon or cut ties, but I've drawn a few reasons as to why you wanted to cut ties with your former lover and teammates." Hawkins said calmly.
"It sounds like we're going around in a pointless loop. Why do you have to keep bringing up my past?" Raven snarled.
Hawkins observed the distasteful visage that adorned the pale woman's face. He wouldn't be able to reach the information he wanted while Raven's emotions were still rattled, so he decided to initiate one of Carla's personal techniques that always calmed a child down. However, truth be told, Hawkins had only witnessed the use of this trick when Sam was under too much stress, or when Jaune and Trifa did something seriously bad, but nonetheless, a proper technique should never be underestimated.
"H-Hey, what the hell are you doing?!" Raven thrashed as Hawkins took hold of her wrists and delivered a strong kick to his gut.
The magician lurched forward, but he pushed on and spun Raven around so her back faced him. She was still cursing, but grew silent as the night when Hawkins plopped down... and set Raven on his lap like a parent would their child.
"W-What the fuck?!" Raven screeched at the top of her lungs and rattled the magician's eardrums.
Yet, Hawkins paid his temporary loss of hearing no mind and continued to carefully wrap his arms around Raven's waist. The bandit showed greater resilience and opened her mouth to sink her teeth into Hawkins' forearm. Again, the blonde winced, but his touch remained gentle as a feather as he placed his forehead against the back of Raven's head.
"I know you're angry, with me and your current position, but I need you to be cooperative. Otherwise, neither of us will be able to move on with our lives. So just this once, allow me to be an unbiased man who will listen to your honest whims and complaints."
"Do you really expect me to melt like putty in your hands? Just because you've beaten Mad Treasure once, that doesn't mean I owe you any bloody favors!" Raven spat Hawkins' blood and the liquid red stained her teeth.
"We're both tired, in no condition to settle our difference in a fight, and neither of us has the ambition for needless violence. From what your brother told me, the reason you cared for being strong was due to a need for strength, but if you'd take a minute to look at your current predicament... brute strength is the last thing that is needed."
Hawkins' voice was patient and soothing, and one you'd associate with a wise grandfather who was remedying his tyke's naughty behavior. The whole situation made Raven's stomach twist. The last time she was held like this...
"Hey, easy Raven, this isn't a submission hold. I'm just trying to cuddle with my girlfriend, it's a normal thing that couples do! I swear on my honor as a boyfriend!" For a scant of a moment, Tai's face appeared along with his jovial attitude.
Raven brushed the thought aside as quickly as it came, and refused to seek comfort in Hawkins' hold. It was a pathetic attempt to gain favor from her, as her physical vulnerability made it so that she instinctively wanted to seek comfort. How much of a sleazebag could Hawkins be? To massage her shoulders, to straighten the knots in her hair, to fix the ties of her makeshift bandages? Raven didn't need those things...
"There, this should keep you going a little while longer..." Hawkins peeked with his peripherals to witness Raven's scowl cooling if only just a little. She still struggled in his lap, but he could tell that she was slowly getting comfortable, and given his larger frame the bandit's head nestled perfectly below his neck and right on his chest.
"I don't understand you nice types," Raven sulked, "why is it that you all think an issue can be solved with a simple apology and pat on the head."
"I'm not exactly the nice type that you describe, that falls more in line with my pun-adoring teammate and my weapon-loving partner." Hawkins shrugged. "I've already accumulated a number of reprimands from Vale's Hunter's Mission Assembly (HMA) for my aggressive methods. It's foolish when you think about it, as violence is often the only choice when it comes to dealing with armed ruffians."
"Hmph, tell me about it," Raven pouted.
"I see we agree on something, that's a rarity." Hawkins mused.
Raven's eyes snapped wide. "Don't think I'll play into your hand that easily..."
"That's why I opted for my lap," Hawkins replied with a slight chuckle, "and you're surprisingly pleasant to have as a weight."
"...Is that supposed to flatter me?" Raven wanted to vomit, but she'd ruin her already torn outfit. The tears were bad, but carrying the stench of stomach rejection was worse.
/-/
"Oh my gosh... " Jaune couldn't believe his eyes. To think his dad would give him something so amazing as an early birthday gift...
He'd always wanted a sword, as it was his father's preference, and Jaune recalled the times he'd spar with his father using sticks. Yet, to witness the transformation of the saber first-hand was unthinkable, but life loved to surprise people and this instance was no exception.
"Pao!" Said the white elephant as it picked up a rock with its trunk. A leather harness around its torso extended to a mask, and there were round decorations at the sides of the harness, but Jaune didn't have a clue as to what they were for.
The boy had read all about elephants in the library and in Mr. Tukson's store, but to meet one in person was an absolute treat. Then again, Jaune had seen elephants at the zoo in Vale, but they had gray skin, not white, and their tusks were bigger too.
"Hi," Jaune beamed and waved his hands. "My name's Jaune F. Hawkins, what's your name?"
"Pao?" The elephant turned to look down at Jaune and squinted at him.
"Oh, that's right," the blonde tapped his head with a gentle set if knuckles. Though to his surprise, the elephant leaned down and lifted its left ear. Along the bands behind the elephant's head, a name was engraved in the leather which read, Funkfreed.
"Wow, that's a cool name. Funkfreed..." Jaune stared at his companion in amazement. "How about it, wanna be friends, Funkfreed?"
The elephant nodded and patted Jaune's head with its trunk. Despite being traumatized for the rest of his life after witnessing the battle between Mad Treasure and his father, Jaune was oddly cheerful, though maybe that was because his innocent mind was trying to distract him in an act of self-preservation.
"Pao?" Funkfreed hummed as its stomach rumbled.
"Ah, sorry, I don't have any food on me. Though my friend Sun did have an extra apple... wherever he is."
"Pao?" Funkreed pointed his trunk to someone, but when Jaune saw where the trunk was directed, he was shocked to witness a teenager with short, curly brown hair and a light dusting of freckles on her tanned face.
The girl stood no higher than his Auntie Summer, with a leather jacket over an orange shirt and matching combat boots. In her hands, were two Sickles, but they were elaborate in design with dust modifications at the hilt.
"Um... hello, my name's Jaune F. Hawkins. Oh, and this is Funkfreed." Jaune said with a nervous smile.
The girl clicked her tongue and shook her head. "Of all the places for a bandit dispute to happen, it had to be where I just set up camp."
The girl's voice was rough, and her glare cold as she evaluated the situation. The boy posed no threat to her, and she didn't feel like spilling the child's blood to start her day.
"That bandana around your neck, you're a Branwen aren't you?" The girl said with distaste.
"Nope! Not anymore! For I am Jaune, son of the mighty Hawkins, and hold allegiance only to the kingdom of Vale!" Jaune announced while raising a fist in the air. He'd copied the speech from a book he'd read, but adjusted some of the words to better suit his circumstances.
"Vale..." The girl lowered her weapons and they transformed into a pair of fancy revolvers that she tucked into two sheaths opposite of each other on her hip.
"I came to this stupid desert so I wouldn't have to worry about the high brass in Vale or Mistral, but here comes along a child from the former... I hate my life."
"Um... I'm sorry?" Jaune rubbed his neck and tilted his head. The girl looked upset, but Jaune didn't have a lot of experience when it came to calming girls down. Though, when Trifa was sad, all she needed was a hug to feel better.
With a snap of his fingers, Jaune approached with confident steps and wrapped his arms around the girl's waist. The girl retracted but felt her heart crumble at the innocent smile that was presented to her. She couldn't find it in herself to push the boy away, but she couldn't bring herself to accept him either. So, the girl just stood there with her arms crossed as Jaune hugged her to his heart's content.
"There, do you feel better now?" Jaune asked.
"This isn't the time or place, kid," the girl sighed and gently pushed the boy off her. "If you're looking for a way out of here, follow the symbols on the roof, but not the ones that look like a serpent."
"W-Wait!" Jaune hurried after the girl's footsteps. "I can't leave without my dad or my friends!"
The girl shook her head. "Consider yourself lucky that you didn't die when you fell from the ruins above ground. Though I wouldn't say the same for the bandits and tribesmen who were recently at war. Even if the fall didn't kill them, their wounds from battle will definitely finish the job. It's best you get out while you still can kid because I also took note of the SDC's movements and the guys under that rich company were given permission to shoot if they encounter any bandits."
The girl shrugged at Jaune's downtrodden visage and continued to head in the other direction, but Jaune would not be so easily denied and wrapped his arms around her leg.
"P-Please, my dad's the only dad I have! I don't even have a mommy! I don't wanna lose my dad!"