Back is all better, but hips are still messed up. Probably head to the doctor next week. I had surgery on both of them when I was a teen (bone spurs tore up the cartilage). Hoping it's nothing that serious this time around, though. Might chat with my boss and ask if I can have extended telework as well. Hopefully I'll have better news by next chapter.
Had two very different reviews recently. Not sure about the random one that said "only 5 reviews" but since it's a guest account, I couldn't send a response of "6" just to be funny. So consider this my response. On the other hand, I really enjoyed hearing feedback on Raven's involvement last chapter. Hit the nail on the head with the rationale I had, too. Always appreciate hearing feedback, as it helps me know if things are being conveyed the way I'm hoping they are.
"Leaving? What do you mean, leaving?"
Soji being the first to speak didn't surprise Adam in the slightest. The man's mind was fast. It had to be to keep up with his mouth. But knowing what was coming and knowing how to respond were two very different things.
"I'm leaving the caravan," Adam said, somehow surprising Soji even further. What did he think Adam meant? You didn't gather everyone around to tell them you were leaving to run some errands and that you'd be back in a few hours. He'd thought his formal announcement would make that clear.
Apparently not. "What?"
"I'm leaving," Adam repeated, wondering exactly how many times he'd have to say it. Maybe if he explained, it would make more sense. "I've been thinking about it for a while, actually. I figure it's time to move on." No, that wasn't right. "I…that is, it's better…" How could he explain? "You shouldn't suffer because of me."
"We're not-"
"You are." They both knew it. Everyone knew it. Losing a single business deal wasn't the end of the world. But it hadn't been just one. Soji tried to hide it, but Adam knew. Soji had taught him too well to miss the signs. Lighter loads. Shorter stops. Different goods. Little things that spoke volumes about the recent change in their fortunes. Not to mention the look on Soji's face after some of the meetings went south. Not making a sale was part of the job, but being refused because of Adam always put the man in a foul mood.
And it wasn't just small sales they'd lost out on. Fletcher in Shion had been one of the biggest losses, but even the smaller ones added up after a while. Only two months ago, they'd left a town without a single sale. Adam couldn't remember that ever happening before. Sure, it had been a smaller place that didn't usually buy much anyway, but it still hurt to not make a single lien.
On top of that, some of their regular trades had gotten a little lighter. It didn't take long to figure out the pattern, either. Faunus-owned businesses were struggling in some places. As their sales dipped, their purchasing power waned as well. One or two had closed up shop completely.
None of which should've been Adam's fault. He was just a kid born with horns on his head, yet those same horns threatened the very livelihoods of the only people he actually cared about.
The only people who cared about him.
Adam sighed as he tried to push on. "I've seen the numbers, Soji. Something has to give." If they couldn't raise profits, then they had to cut expenses. And the biggest expense was people.
"We'll find a way," Soji insisted, turning to the rest of the group for help.
"No." Adam didn't give anyone else a chance to volunteer. He knew them all too well. Jean spent most of his earnings buying extra food for the group. Jesse barely earned more than Adam and would probably cut it back further if asked. He couldn't ask them to sacrifice more for him. That was his job. "I'm leaving. It's for the best."
"The best for who?"
Jean's words - the first he'd spoken since Adam's announcement - bit deep. It wasn't the words, though. They both knew the answer. His voice was low and calm, almost harsh in its lack of emotion. But that perception vanished the moment Adam looked his way.
Jean stood unwavering, the steadfast protector that he'd always been. The mountain of a man seemed every bit as intimidating and in control as the night Adam met him in Katai. And yet, the Jean that stood before him now looked resigned. He'd been on the receiving end of Adam's stubbornness too many times not to recognize a hopeless battle. With just a few words, Adam had accomplished something he'd only ever dreamed of. He'd beaten Jean. Brought him low with a simple announcement.
Winning never felt so bitter.
Soji missed the obvious signs and rushed to Jean for support. "Stop him, Jean! Tell him he has to stay."
This time, it was Jean's turn to refuse. "No."
"But Jean-"
"You can't force him to stay." Adam wasn't their prisoner. He'd started out as a burden - a runaway they'd agreed to transport away from a vile place. He'd stuck around and earned a place in their company, training under Soji and even Jean to become the young man he was today.
And now, he was leaving them.
"Let's go get a drink, kid."
There should've been something concerning about being asked to a bar by a man more than twice his age, especially since he wasn't even old enough to drink. Not legally, anyways. But that had never stopped him before. It was all about confidence. If he looked like he belonged, everyone assumed he did.
Jesse had loudly announced that they should go check in at the hotel the moment Jean steered Adam away. Soji wisely took the hint, though Adam had a feeling he'd only postponed the rant rather than avoided it. Jean led them away to a familiar bar, not a single word passing between them along the way. Adam kept waiting for Jean to tell him he was making the wrong choice. Beg him to stay. But they made it all the way to the bar in silence. Jean ordered two drinks and claimed a table near the corner, but still said nothing. They drank in silence, neither of them choosing to address the Goliath in the room.
When a second round came and Jean finally spoke, Adam prepared himself for whatever came next.
"So you're heading out."
Adam hadn't been prepared for that.
"You're okay with that?" Adam questioned. It felt too easy.
It was. "Hell no!" Jean smacked his glass down, splashing droplets of beer on their table. "If I had my way, me and Soji would tie you up and toss you back in that wagon until we were halfway across Anima." Adam had a feeling Soji would agree with the new plan in a heartbeat. Jean took a deep breath, and when that didn't calm him down enough, followed it with a long sip. "But I can't tell you what to do."
"Why not?" He'd told Adam what to do all the time. Start a fire. Load the crates. Run laps. Guard the wagon. Jean had been an absolute taskmaster, both in work and in training.
Jean upended the rest of his drink and waved for another. "Because I can't live your life for you. Besides, I knew it was coming. You've got that look."
He'd known? "What look?" Adam had only just made his decision. How could Jean know before even Adam did?
Jean's eyes drifted over Adam's head, caught in some far off vision beyond the dark walls of the bar. "Do you know what my mom said the day I told her I wanted to be a Huntsman?" Adam shook his head. Jean had never talked about his parents before. "She just laughed and said 'about time' like it was the most obvious thing in the world."
"She wasn't surprised?"
"Not in the slightest." Jean seemed to come back to Remnant, focusing on Adam once more. "Said she'd known for months. Something about seeing a look in my eye. I didn't get it at the time," Jean's melancholy smile mixed oddly with his chuckle, "but I do now. Because I see it in you."
Adam still didn't understand. He hadn't acted any differently, had he?
Thankfully, Jean explained. "There's been this restlessness about you lately, like you knew it was time for change. Always been there, if I'm honest. But I could see the wheels turnin' recently and knew it was comin'." A new drink, a slow sip, and Jean was right back at it. "We're men of action, Adam. We don't always know where we're going, but that doesn't stop us from pushing forward. Sometimes that gets us in trouble, but it's the only way we know how to live."
"Is that what your mom said?"
Jean's mouth quirked into a smile. "More or less."
"What did your dad say?"
"He wouldn't have said anything, but I think he would've been proud." It didn't take a genius to figure out what Jean's tense meant. Despite the somber turn, Jean's amusement didn't lessen. "I'm proud of you Adam."
"For leaving?" Then why didn't he want him to go?
"For never giving up," Jean corrected. "I remember when you came to us back in Katai. Ol' Taylor showed up with a scared little runt tellin' us to sneak you out like some sorta covert op."
Adam took offense to the description. "Runt?"
"Yeah, runt," Jean reinforced. "Looked ready to run, but with nowhere to run to."
"I had just broken out of jail." For someone so young, Adam felt his fear justified at the time.
"You'd been walked out." Semantics. "Still remember looking you over that night. Know what I saw?" Adam sensed another insult coming his way. "Trouble. I knew you were trouble the moment I laid eyes on you. Boy was I wrong."
"Not as bad as you thought." Adam beamed with pride at proving Jean wrong.
It didn't last long. "No. You were far worse. If I'd known what sorta chaos Taylor had brought our way, I would've told him to take you right back to that cell." From anyone else, the suggestion of leaving Adam to rot would've been a huge slap in his face. With Jean, though, they both just laughed it off. "You were a mess. Stubborn as a mule. Smelled like one, too. Not to mention all the whining."
Whining? It only took a second for Adam to guess what he meant. "You could've just trained me."
"You could've given me a choice."
"I asked!" A dozen…no, a million times. "I had to beg you for months just to teach me the basics."
"You mean you badgered me for months. Couldn't so much as stop for a piss and you'd be all 'teach me, Jean!' Nearly drove me outta my mind." Adam knew his voice hadn't been that squeaky. "Then, when I said no, you spent the next few months attacking me!"
As if his pathetic attempts were anything more than an annoyance. Jean swatted him down like a bug every night for what felt like forever. "You were askin' for it."
"Next thing I knew, I wasn't enough of a challenge and you tried your luck on an Ursa."
"He didn't really give me a choice." And Jean was still plenty of challenge, even now. If anything, the Ursa had been easier. After all, he'd actually won. "Besides, it all worked out in the end."
"Thank the gods." No, thank the distracted Ursa and Jean's training, as reluctant as it may have been. "Point is, every time I thought you couldn't get any more frustrating, you proved me wrong. And I wouldn't change a thing."
"Not even when you-"
"Okay, I might change a few things." Adam grinned mischievously as Jean cut him off. "What I'm trying to say is, I always knew we were just a temporary stop on the trail for you."
Really? Adam hadn't. He might've at first, but the Yama caravan had become home for him. He'd found a family. He'd found purpose. And if it wasn't for a bunch of racist morons, he would've stuck around a lot longer. Maybe even long enough to take over from Jean someday. "Why's that?"
"Because you're meant for more than this," Jean promised, waving his beer to the side. "I don't know much, but with your drive, you'll go on to bigger things than either of us can imagine."
"Really?"
"Way I see it, you're one of those people who'll change the world or die trying." The surety of those words had Adam sitting a little taller. Him? Some faunus orphan from a tiny village in the middle of nowhere? What could he do? A familiar phrase answered for him.
I condemn you to greatness.
"Don't you go makin' a liar out of me," Jean demanded. "I expect to read about you in the papers someday. You got me?"
"I'll do my best," Adam promised, polishing off his own drink.
"Soji's gonna be a pain tonight." Adam didn't disagree. As stubborn as Adam might be, he had nothing on Soji. "I'd offer to let you stay in my room, but I really don't need him joining too."
His room? "You mean I can still stay with you guys?"
"I mean you don't have a choice. You aren't getting out of a proper goodbye if I have anything to say about it." Goodbye. Hearing it said twisted Adam's gut uncomfortably. It had a finality that hadn't truly set in yet. And he wasn't ready for it. Jean wasn't either, apparently, steering them for safer waters. "Any idea what you'll do next?"
Adam shrugged. "Find a job around here, I guess." Mistral had to have something for him. There were more people within these massive walls than in most of their stops combined. Every square inch of the place was dominated by all sorts of businesses. Surely one of them had to be hiring. Or maybe he could set his sights a little higher. "Maybe the guards could use an extra set of hands." A set of hands with aura. He'd be a gold mine for them, and he could continue training to get stronger.
Jean seemed less certain. "Maybe. Just promise me one thing. Don't get wrapped up in the lower levels."
The lower levels of Mistral. Even the brightness of Haven at the peak of the city couldn't pierce the darkness hiding below. Kuchinashi was a rough place, but they were nothing more than offshoots of the real terrors hiding within Mistral. The crime families here practically ran the Kingdom, and everyone knew it. It was a cutthroat place where some of the most dangerous men on Remnant reigned supreme. You were as likely to find your fortune there as a knife in the back. Maybe both at the same time.
Or you could make a living wielding that knife. A teenager with aura and training could probably do well down there, as long as he didn't mind using that training for…unsavory purposes. No one would expect someone so young of being that dangerous. He could wreak some real havoc for the right people. And the right price. Maybe work his way up to some serious trouble as he got older. As long as he tied himself to the right group. In time, he might even find himself standing alongside one of the heads of the underworld, ruthlessly enforcing their will upon anyone who dared oppose them.
The thought sent a shiver down Adam's spine. That was no way to make a living. He might as well have joined Raven's tribe if that was his goal. Probably safer out there, too. No. He wouldn't be setting foot down there if he could avoid it. "Don't worry. I won't."
"Good. Don't let someone waste your life on garbage, Adam. You're meant for better than that." What that was, he'd have to find out someday. Jean looked at the clock and sighed. "Best get back before Soji comes lookin' for us. You ready?"
Not really. Instead, Adam nodded and went to fish some lien out of his pocket, only for Jean to push him away and toss his own on the table. Adam had an okay amount saved up, but he'd have to make it last until he could find a job. Hopefully, he could find something with a decent paycheck and settle into city life quickly. After all, others had made it in the city, so surely he could. Right?
But he'd have to worry about that later. He had a far more daunting task ahead of him right now.
Saying goodbye.
/- - - - - - - - - -/
The rest of Adam's small family were waiting for him when he got back. He'd expected Soji to start fussing over him and demanding he change his mind, but the man seemed brighter than before. Adam knew he was forcing it a little and wondered who had calmed him down. When Rikyu took the lead and announced that tonight was a celebration. Adam wondered just what he'd gotten himself into.
The evening turned into a whirlwind of activity. Soji offered to let him have the room to himself, but Adam declined, instead insisting they share as always. He must've answered correctly, given the cheerful smile it brought to Soji's face. Moments later, Aiden appeared and ushered them all into the hotel's conference room. A small feast sat waiting for them - on the house, according to Aiden. Adam sat at the head of the table, stuffing himself as he tried to keep up with everyone talking to him through mouthfuls of food.
Morning didn't mark the end of the festivities, either. Soji and Rikyu took him out shopping, saying he'd need new clothes for the next chapter in his life. He modeled each outfit for the brothers, the two nitpicking details and adjusting things until they felt he had proper business attire. Collared shirts. Slacks. Even a suit and tie, which Adam endured as best he could. Each came with hurried instructions on how to wear them properly, all in the hopes of helping him land a serious job once they were gone.
Not that they were leaving anytime soon. They normally stopped in Mistral for a few days, but Rikyu insisted they had extra business to attend to and extended their stay beyond a week. Adam had a feeling it had more to do with him than any sales, though. Jean and Jesse had to drag him away from the brothers, telling them they still had work to do. Rikyu agreed before Soji could make any excuses, and soon Adam found himself in the middle of training with the two. They tried to cram in as many tips and pointers as they could, all while letting him hack at their defenses and work out the nervous energy.
They wore themselves out, then drowned their exhaustion in drinks at a much more rowdy venue than Jean had chosen last time. Speaking of Jean, the man wasted no time loudly announcing they were celebrating Adam's engagement and ordering a round for everyone. Adam quailed under the sudden attention as random strangers cheered for him, several even stumbling over to join in their celebration. Drinks flowed. People hollered and sang. Old men shared tall tales. At one point, someone hoisted his chair up in the air, bouncing him and his drink above a cheering crowd. Adam had a feeling Jean was to blame, but between the excitement and the liquor, he didn't have a chance to complain.
They stumbled back to the hotel well after dark, all three of them sloshed and leaning on each other for support in what could barely be called a walk. Normally, they'd be in for a lecture, but Soji simply welcomed them back, shoved food in front of Adam, and then led him to bed afterwards.
The days flew by. Adam bounced from one activity to the next. Soji took him out to meet with a few business partners, selling Adam more than their goods at each meeting. A few sounded interested, but no one made any promises. Unlike on the trail, they were mostly dealing with low level executives, not business owners. They said they'd pass the info on to HR, asking him to check back in a week. Hopefully, one of those would pan out.
Before he knew it, their days of celebrating drew to a close. The caravan needed to set out on the trail once more, no matter how much Soji claimed otherwise. They gathered once more in the conference room downstairs on their final evening to celebrate in true Yama fashion.
With tea.
The lights were dimmed. The large dining table was gone. Instead, they gathered in a circle around a fire pit the hotel had brought in for them, sitting on large cushions as the smell of dinner began to seep from the nearby kitchens, promising another bounty. But that could wait. In the darkened room, Adam found his thoughts drifting back to a familiar scene. Much like his first night with the caravan, Rikyu stood in the center of their circle, the table nearby holding the true tools of his trade as he began to speak.
"Friends, tonight is a night of celebration…and of sadness." Adam gulped as he hung on Rikyu's words. "For tonight, we must say goodbye to one of our own. The trail of life is a mysterious thing. It twists and turns in unexpected ways. And one blessed night, ours intersected with Adam's.
"But for every meeting, there is a parting," Rikyu continued. "Adam's trail diverges, and he must follow it. We do not know what wonders it may take him to. What heights of splendor his eyes are yet to behold. We can only wish him well and wait for the day we meet again, in this life or the next."
So saying, Rikyu got to work on the ceremonial drink, painstakingly preparing their tea as he had so long ago. It had seemed so strange and mysterious that first night. He watched it all once more, following the purposeful movements with a trained eye this time. Each step had a purpose. Each slow movement showed the importance of the moment. This was no rushed affair. Rikyu took the time deserving of such an important moment, his actions speaking as loud as his booming voice had moments before.
Finally, the task was done. A familiar bowl was held aloft, steam slowly rising into the large room as it had drifted among the trees near Katai so long ago. "Years ago, I raised this bowl to Father Bernard. As he watched us then, so now does he join us in honoring his son, Adam Taurus. Let us all share in his pride at the man his son has become."
Adam wasn't crying. It was just the smoke making his eyes water. Yeah, that was it.
"To Adam Taurus! May the Gods bless him as they have blessed us with such fine company." Rikyu stepped forward, carefully passing the bowl to Adam. "And may the world someday see you as we see you now."
Adam held the bowl before him, staring down at the mixture within as he had so long ago. It was the same bowl. The same ripple snaked its way to the lip, rising up to meet him as it had back then. He rotated it slowly, studying the chaotic blending of red and brown that made up the simple-looking vessel. He could see the little imperfections that most would disdain. Slight variations that made it less desirable to most of the world.
Just like him.
He raised the bowl to his lips, savoring the tea as it filled his senses and carried him back to that first night. They'd gathered then just as now. The same bowl. The same drink. The same people.
No, not the same people. They were different now. Back then, they'd been a bunch of strangers putting up with him as a favor to Sheriff Taylor. Now, they were family. He was different, too. No longer was he the frightened, timid child they'd whisked away from a terrible fate. The pains that brought him to them hadn't gone away. Alyssa's wounds had scarred him. Life had scarred him. But he refused to give up. Imperfect. Damaged. Different.
But still valuable.
Adam handed the bowl back to Rikyu. "A drink only bested by the quality of those I share it with." Rikyu nodded at the compliment, pleased Adam remembered his lessons on ceremony. The bowl passed down the line with deliberation. No one rushed. No one hurried. For one night, time no longer held sway over them. It didn't matter how long they had together. It was the quality of the time that counted.
Once they had all drank, dinner began in earnest. The room fell to noisy chatter as familiarity claimed them once more. No one spoke of the coming parting. The future could wait. Instead, they spoke of the past. Jean embarrassed him with stories of their training. Soji shared conversations they'd had in their wagon. Jesse joked about little mishaps they'd had. They went on and on, well after the food had gone and the fire had died. Adam wished it could last forever.
"Enough of this," Soji announced, waving at someone behind Adam. "It is time for gifts!"
"Gifts?" Adam turned to see Aiden wheeling in several boxes on a luggage cart.
"Gifts," Soji repeated. "We wanted to send you off with a few tokens of our appreciation. Open this one first!"
Soji shoved a small box into his hands and stepped back, bouncing with excitement. Adam laughed before sliding the top off the box. What sat inside made his eyes widen. "A scroll?"
"Surprise!" Soji slid beside him and hit the power button. "You can't be a city boy without a scroll."
Adam turned it over as the screen lit up. He'd never held one before, but he'd seen enough ads to know this wasn't the newest model. But it was still way beyond anything he'd expected.
"It already has your information loaded for you." Sure enough, when Soji pressed an icon on the screen, a picture of his face popped up with his name beside it. Some of the other entries stood blank, including his address. "You can add that stuff in later. It even comes with an instruction book so you can personalize it and everything."
"You shouldn't have." Even a lower-end scroll like this one was still pricey. Pricey enough that they had no business buying one for him.
"Nonsense."
"You deserve it."
"Enjoy."
Adam barely had time to acknowledge their comments before a larger box was dropped in front of him. Some of them were practical, like a backpack. Others were small trinkets that he treasured just as much, like the Beowolf tooth necklace that he tucked under his shirt. They all knew it wasn't real, even if the large fang looked convincing, but that didn't make it any less special.
But as nice as their gifts were, the last one stole the show. "Really?"
"It's yours." Rikyu handed him the bowl. His bowl. They'd cleaned out the tea from earlier, leaving it spotless.
"I can't-"
"Keep it," Rikyu insisted, pushing it further into his hands. Adam tucked it against his chest, treasuring it more than any other gift of the night. "May it celebrate many more meetings in your life. Perhaps it will even see us again someday."
"No, it won't." Adam's denial quieted the room, but he pressed on before anyone could complain. With an exhausted smile, Adam explained. "Ichi-go ichi-e."
Soji stumbled at the familiar motto being turned on them, but Rikyu's smile broke into a chuckle. "Ichi-go ichi-e," he repeated. "We shall meet again, Adam Taurus. And when we do, I cannot wait to hear of the great things you have done."
A little shorter this week, but I didn't want to drag it out more than it needed. After all, this entire chapter is just a goodbye. Sort of a transition chapter as we enter a new arc. Couldn't stay on the trail forever. Will probably take a chapter or two before we get to the next arc, though. Can't just throw him directly into a new setting and all.
Didn't want to overdo the farewell, but hoping this conveys the weight properly. Unlike Shizukana and Katai, Adam is actually leaving on a high note (sort of). Yeah, his reasoning is from external factors again, but it's his choice for once. Major improvement compared to his reasons on the other two. I'm sure things will just work out great, too. Nothing bad will ever happen, right?
Random small note that I actually meant to put in last chapter. Some of you may have noticed that I alternate between Gods and gods quite a bit. There's actually a reason for that, so I figured I should explain. Capitalization is kind of a big deal in a lot of religions. In Christianity, for example, a lowercase g is used to denote a false god. Capital g is only for the real deal, so to speak. Even though characters are referring to the same deities here, the capitalization is meant to show their attitude toward them. Capital for truly believing. Lowercase for more dismissive. You'll also notice Adam fluctuates between the two, using lowercase more as he becomes more jaded by life. Just a fun little fact I wanted to point out. That's all.
On a more serious note, I watched the goodbye scene in Fox and the Hound to help get in the mood for this chapter. Way underestimated how hard that scene hits as an adult. As a kid, it's a plot device with an annoying song. Now, it's an absolute sucker punch. That is all.
Next chapter: The caravan leaves and Adam starts his new life in Mistral.