"Creep!" I hear Yang's overly aggressive yell from behind me. I sigh before turning to face her, "I've been looking for you! Where have you been, Creep!?" Looking for me? Looking for me!? Come on... Is this a sick joke of some kind? I spread my arms before letting them drop against my sides. Sunlight shines in through the windows to illuminate Yang in golden light. It sparkles along her hair.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Very funny, Yang! Do you know how long I've been looking for you?" Her lilaic eyes roll as her red skirt bellows from a warm breeze courtesy of an open window. She's sauntering down the hall like she hasn't been missing for half a day, "I've spent NINE hours looking for you! Where were you!?" Yang comes to a stop about ten or fifteen feet down the hall. I frown and groan at the same time as she flashes me that stupid little smile that says 'What's the big deal?' I'm exhausted... I haven't slept in nearly twenty hours and this is what I have to look forward to? I wish I drowned with the Super Grimm.
"I was busy, Creep. I had a very long and insightful conversation, 'k?" So that makes it all better now, right? She had a chit chat with someone more important then me and now I'm suppose to forgive her? She is such a... So... Ugh! There's a thousand words I'd like to say right now but half of them would have me jailed. The other half would get my ass kicked by a pissed off blonde and/or murdered. One such word begins with a c and ends with a t. It rhymes with cut.
"What was so IMPORTANT about this chat, huh!? It better be great, Yang! Better be fuckin' world shattering!" She steps back as her eyes widen. She looks shocked as her face processess my words. I fold my arms as I scowl at her. Normally I'd do that 'mask' shit but I'm too angry right now.
"D... Did you just say 'fuck'?" Yang says that like I just told her I found a Grimm that talks or something. Her eyes are wide and skeptical. What's her problem? Is she deaf now, too? I wish I was eaten by that Super Grimm... Would've been easier being digested alive then having to put up with this shit!
"Yes! I did! I'm sick of your Grimmshit, Yang! I agreed to help find Ruby - Not to be your punching bag!" Her lilac eyes narrow as her palms ball into fists. Yang's lips thin out as she takes a deep breath. Her golden hair shifts as she tilts her head down before looking to me.
"Punching bag!? I SAVED you from the Super Grimm! I stayed by your side the entire time you were in a fucking coma! I even stuck up for you against Ony- t-the Professor!" Why the sudden stutter? Yang bites her lip slightly as she begins scowling. She was going to say someone's name, wasn't she? Ony... Ony who? There is no Profeesor here whose name has the word 'ony' in it. Don't know why she's so secretive over something so simple.
"The first time we spoke, Yang, what did you do to me?" Her scowl falters for a moment. I take a step forward, "You attacked me. What happened last time we saw each other?" Yang's cheeks flush red as she looks away. Good... I hope she feels embarrassed now, "You attacked me again. The third time will be a pattern." I'd sue her if this was Atlas but Vale's a lot more tight and strict about those kinds of laws. I also don't have the money for it either.
"I... Your being unreasonable! I thought you were a creep when we first met! And YOU put YOURSELF into MY fight! What did YOU think I would do after YOU grabbed me like!? I'm the one constantly saving your ass!" I turn from her as I glare at the ground. Thought I was a creep... Does she not remember the first time we met? Actually met? Not while she was gearing up but before that poiny. I feel my fingers dig into my palm as I breathe deeply. Am I really so easily forgotten? Or is she that self-absorbed?
"Your leaving out the detail where you nearly crushed my windpipe with a Scroll. Or how about how I saved your life twice back in the Forest? You don't even have the basic respect to stop calling me a creep, too! How many times did I ask you stop that!?" I'm starting to feel like a fucking servant! Not a partner! I'm so sick of this shit... I think it's time for a change of plans, no? I'm gonna talk to the Headmaster about enrolling me in a new team or something. I know he said that's not possible during his speech yet it's worth a shot.
"It's a form of fucking endearment! I give everyone I like nicknames!" I stifle a laugh as I glance back to see her red eyes glaring death at me, "What do you want!? A sorry!? You're not getting one! I did nothing wrong! YOU'RE the one acting like an asshole right now!" I throw my hand in the air as I roll my eyes. Real hilarious. So very funny. Should I laugh and clap, too?
"I see how it is, Yang. Consider our partnership to be over from here on out. Find a new chump you can bully and terrorize 'cuz I am done!" I bite my lip hard as I feel a cold twisting inside my gut. I fight back the guilt, "Oh, and before I forget: I'll find Ruby by myself! Not for your sake, or mine, but for her's!" That kid needs someone to be there for her... Clearly Yang can't or won't. I'm done with these idiots! I'm gonna get outta here and... I'll enroll at Shade Academy. They're more lenient about team formations and repositioning over there.
"Crimson! CRIMSON!" I stop. I feel my hairs stand on end as my head goes tingly. Yang sounds mad... She's always mad, though, "Look at me! Look at when I talk to you!" I shake my head as I start down the hall again. I'm done listening to her. I don't care about any more sob stories! I can't let myself feel guilty... I can't let myself care. I can't care anymore.
"C-Crimson..." I bite my lip hard as my walk picks up pace. No... No more of this. No more friends. No more Beacon... I'm gonna go home and find a nice, cozy, ditch to die in, "I-I... You can't do this to me, Creep! You can't leave me!" Is that all she has to say? Maybe I should feel falttered that I'm finally the one walking away rather then being the one walked away from... I don't, though. I hate everything about this place, "I-I-I HAVE AN ALIEN IN MY HEAD!"
"Y-y-y-yo-you WHAT!?" I turn back to see her wide eyes almost - Almost - Wet from tears. They look a little red. Not glowing red but puffy red, "You have a WHAT inside your head!?" No fucking way I heard that right! No! Fucking! Way! S-surely I misheard, r-right? Wh... I... No! No way! What!? "T-that's not funny, Yang! I-If this meant to be a joke it's not fucking funny!"
"It's not a fucking joke, Crimson! I - No! I'm telling him! I can't NOT do it now!" Yang's arms spread about as her brows furrow. She groans before protesting some more. I back away... My legs feel wobbly. I stumble into a wall. I feel a little lightheaded... "Creep, are you... What's wrong?" This can't be right... Aliens? Since when were aliens involved!?
"Y-you... Alien? Head?" No, no, no! This can't be right! I-I just - It's not - What!? It doesn't make any damn sense! "How!? When!?" Yang's lilac eyes meet mine. She shys away slightly. This isn't right... This can't be right! "Are... Are you sure it's an alien?"
"Oh, NOW your interested!?" She glares down at me as her face scowls. Is she really turning this on me!? Does she really think I'll sit here as she criticizes me!? "What happened to your silent treatment, huh!? You care now that you know I might be—"
"Yang! Shut the fuck up! For five minutes!" I struggle back to my knees as I stand. This is a nightmare... "How! Long!? A day? Two? A week?" Her eyes shrink slightly. I can see so many little emotions inside her. Maybe she's experiencing a mwntal breakdown? Or... "Alien...? I-Is... Is this about the slime-Grimm?"
"Yeah... Yeah, it is. But it's not a Grimm, Creep. It's an alien," Because that makes it any better? I've had a hell of night and now my day is shaping up to be so much worse. I hate this Academy with all my heart, "It's been with me for a couple days. Why does it matter?" So the thing that gooped me was an alien and not a Grimm? I don't know if it's worse or better. Both? Does this make me the first person to establish contact with an alien? That's kinda awesome... Maybe I can get my name into a book or something. Whatever! I gotta focus!
"Ok, ok, ok... Only two days? Tha's not terrible. We gotta move quickly!" I grab her by the wrist. I hear a complaint as I turn down the hall, "Weiss has a bunch of Dust." Lightning... How much Lightning, though? I'll steal it if I have too! Take it and use it to save Yang. R-remove that thing and... And kill it I have to! But... Hmm. I should try capturing it actually. I could poke around and see what makes it tick? Give myself an advantage should I encounter another one in the future.
"What are you doing!?" I hear Yang's angry voice growl out. I feel Yang pulling against my grip, "Where are we going!?" Ugggh, questions, questions, questions! When she pulls me by the wrist it's all 'Follow, follow, follow!' But when I do it she needs an answer!? I don't understand women.
"To our dorm! Or the lockers! Wherever Weiss is!" I glance back to see Yang's eyes seething at at mine own. The anger is still present but it's masked by confusion now, "And... You said it's an alien. How could you possibly know that?" Is she just guessing? "And where did you get gooped at?" That's a quasi important question.
"I... Gooped?" Yang repeats with an incredulous expression, "I guess it happened back during Initiation. Did you really have to chose the word 'gooped'?" Yes, I did. It's quite fitting, "And I know because it told me so. Why do we need Weiss?" I stop. Did... Did she say it talks to her? Talks...? Surely not. I must have misheard her.
"So... I'm guessing the Super Grimm infected you. Fuck! I was really hoping that was something that wasn't sludge related. If you were infected what are the chances Pyrrha was? Or Cardin? Or me?" I look down to my left hand. I... I think I'm in the clear. I'm not starving, hallucinating, or freezing. But the others, though... I have to test them, "And how did it tell you? What did it say?" I turn to Yang so we're face to face. I feel her finger's gripping my hand tighter as she lowers her face slightly. She seems shy for a moment.
"Why... Why are you looking at me like I'm some... Some kind of caged animal?" Her hand squeezes mine to the point of pain. I bite my lip to silence my grunt, "Why care now...? You were deadset on leaving just a minute ago! Why should I answer ANY of your questions!? I thought we weren't friends anymore!" Yang pulls away as her eyes darken into a glare, "You don't fucking care! Y-your only here for Ruby! You said so yourself! Who cares about me, huh!? Not you! Not dad! Not even Ruby!" Yang pulls her hand free of mine while pushing me with her right. I stumble back yet remain on my feet as the blond turns to leave. She starts speed walking as her shoulders slouch and her posture droops.
"Yang wait!" Me and my fat mouth! Wonderful... I always piss off the pretty ones, "I didn't mean it like that!" I care but not enough to let her step all over me! I'm a person with limits, after all! "Yang!" I jog after her. It doesn't take me long to catch up. I can't let her leave my sight with that alien or Grimm or whatever in her guts!
"Just go away, Creep! Leave me alone!" She doesn't look at me as she speaks. Yang's voice sounds strained - Struggling and on the verge of screaming or crying. Maybe both. I can hear quiet whines. Is she crying? "You don't care! No one fucking cares...!" I reach my hand out to grasp her shoulder. Yang's body freezes as my hand meets her arm, "D-don't touch me...!" Her voice is a low hiss. I breathe deeply to calm down my racing heart, "Creep, get aw—"
"What are-" I hear Yang cut herself off as I pull her by the shoulder towards me. She spins until our fronts are facing each other. For a moment her eyes spark red before I pull her into a hug. My arms wrap around her back as my hands come to rest underneath her shoulder blades. This could easily get my ass out back into thr medical pavilion if I'm not careful, "W-w-wh—"
"I care. I really do care... I don't always express it very well but I do care," I can feel her hair and neck against my face as I awkwardly hold my head away from her neck. It'd be weird if she could feel my breath against her. Yang lets out a quiet whine, "I... Care about you, Yang. I-In a platonic kinda way of course! Like an older... Meaner, slightly unhinged sister," I hear a weird grunting cry after that. Yang's arms wrap around me in sudden motion. Her arms hold me tightly as her legs shake against mine. I feel her face bury into my neck. I can feel her warm tears against my skin, "I... It... It's alright? It's ok! It's ok..." I pat her back with my right hand as gently as I can. Yang's sobs aren't so quiet anymore. I feel... Weird. This is weird. It makes my skin crawl just knowing one of those thingd is just underneath her skin.
"Cr-C-Creep, you - I - th-that was - I just - you - Fuck you!" I flinch when her grip tightens three times over. I think I can feel my spine being bent like a pretzel, "Creep! I-I-I - yo-you r-really - I just - Damn it!" I've never heard Yang so... So... Crossed? Before. She's stumbling over her words just trying to spit something out. And she's crushing my ribcage, too! That one hurts quite substantially.
"Y-Yang... T-too tight! I'm dying over here!" Yang squeezes even tighter. Is this her form of revenge for me almost walking away? Are we friends again or is she gonna fold me in half like a lawn chair? "Yannng! C-can't breathe!" I think I can feel my liver being flattened... And my spleen, too.
"Asshole! Y-your an sshole, Creep!" Her arms release me slowly and shakily. Yang's face leers before me with red and teary eyes, "Fuck you!" She punches me in the shoulder. I sway slight but my grip on her shoulders prevents me from falling. I flinch and have to struggle to pretend I didn't feel it, "I just - Ruby is - you - Fuck! Why do you have to complicate things!?'
"I guess I'm just a complex person. Do... Do you still wanna be friends?" Her eyes flicker between red and lilac as her hands grip at my wrists. Tears roll down her cheeks as she slowly nods, "We're friends then, ok? No need to worry anymore. We're still good friends. No harm, no foul."
"Y-yeah. Friends..." She doesn't sound so certain. She looks away for a moment... Even while crying she's still picturesque. Not many people can pull that off, "C-Creep... I-I.. Slime... Ruby...?" She looks to me out of the corner of her eye like a little kid. She looks a lot like a kid right now.
"We'll go look her for later, ok? But first let's get that... Alien... Off of you. Weiss has—"
"NO!" Her hands crush down on my wrists like a vice! Her eyes widen as she pushes herself against me untill we're eye to eye, "I need it! It can find Ruby, Creep, it knows where she is! Onyx can help us find her!" Yang's eyes are desperate, her lips are quivering, and her hands are bruising my skin so badly my Aura flickers blue. I think my wrists are sprained... Onyx? Is the 'ony' she was talking about earlier?
"Ok, ok, ok!" It's worse then I thought. She... She must already be experiencing the hallucinations. The auditory ones at least. That means it's progressing faster then the one I had. A LOT faster, "Are you... Are you in pain? Hungry? Can you stop crushing my wrists into powder?" Yang doesn't break eye contact for a second. She does, however, release my left hand. Only my left, though, as she tightens her grip on ny right, "Thanks, I guess."
"I'm fine, Creep, I... I... I am thirsty," Yang's eyes shudder slightly when I press my palm against her forehead, "I'm not sick, Creep! I don't have a fever! I'm not fucking sick!" I pull hand away and try to put on a gentle smile. Her features relax, "I-I... I... Y-you... Said you... Care about me, right?" I feel a pit forming in my stomach as Yang says the c-word. I can't help but grimace for a moment or two. Yang looks down to her feet. I pull my palm away from her head only for Yang's hand to slowly grab my wrist just as my fingers begin to break contact. She holds my left hand against her cheek instead, "Brotherly love or whatever it is you said. I... I... I'm not... Doesn't this scare you?"
"Scared? No. Not at all. I'm not scared of a little slime, ok? It's not... Ok, it IS a big deal but it doesn't scare me," Maybe it scares me a little but she doesn't need to hear that. Yang's cheek feels cool against my palm. I shift my thumb to rest under her eye while the rest of my fingers extend up her cheek and towards her the side of her upper neck just below her ear. Her hair feels soft against my knuckles like the fur of a fawn, "But... Yeah, I... I care about you like a sister. I'm bad at showing it but I do. I hope this doesn't change anything between us..." I think it already has for better or worse. Yang looks down to her feet as she bites her tongue. Her hand holding my right wrist releaes only to grab my palm. Her fingers interlock around mine before she shyly looks into my eyes.
"But... But... W-what if I want them to change? What if..." Yang's voice sounds uncertain and slightly confused as she sheds a final tear or two. I furrow my brows. What is she saying? "What if I want more then just... Just being friends?" I blink a few times. I tilt my head. I... I'm a little lost here. What is she trying to imply? And why did she word it so... Ominously?
"I don't understand," Yang almost deflates as her posture drops and her eyes narrow into a mild scowl. All that uncertainty from before melts into annoyance, "I am sorry but I genuinely don't understand what your saying. Are you saying we should be... Besties?" Now Yang is staring at me like I just said something extremely stupid. Did I? I don't think I did. But the way she's eyeing me up and down says otherwise.
"You're a fucking idiot," Ouch. That stings. Yang shakes her head before letting go of my right hand. Her fingers tighten around my left wrist as she leans into my palm, "Maybe I should call you idiot instead of Creep, huh? Idiot... How could anyone be this stupid?" I'm regretting not walking away now. Too late to go back... Or is it? Yeah, it's too late. After she put on the water works my fate was set, wasn't it? I can't stand idly by while someone else is suffering - Especially if a damn goop-Grimm-alien thing is involved. It's not my nature, "I love you, Creep... Even if your a Godsdamn idiot I love you."
"Like a brother, right?" Yang's lips pull in a small smirk, "Right?" She doesn't answer. Instead she leans closer to me as her eyes soften. I watch as her hair obscures her features before I feel a warm press against my cheek. It lasts for only a second before Yang pulls away with a grin. Wh... She... Was that a...? "Wha... Did you jus—"
"Kiss you? Yeah, I did. Would you like one on the lips?" L... Li... Lips? Kiss? Wait what? I... Huh? Kiss? My cheeks feel warm. My fingers squeeze Yang's hand without my desire to do so. I-I-I... What!? "I... I don't care about you like a brother. I never have. I love you. Kinda like I do with Ruby but... Different, ya know? It's not sisterly love it's... I'm sure you get the idea. I... Fuck this is awkward. Normally the guys are the ones asking me out. But, I, ehhh... Do you wanna go on a date with me?" S-s-s-SAME!? WHAT!? I-I-I - Uhhhhhh... Ehhhh... Huh? Me? Kissing? Kisses? Love? Oh... Oh... Oh shit! Not again!
"O-oh, I... Uhmm, I-I didn't know you... F-felt that way. W-we only m-met half a we-week ago. Isn't th-t-this too s-soon?" Yang's eyes shrink in on themselves. She almost seems to shy away as her eyes begin to dark. Her smile drops, "N-not that it's bad or anything! I-It's great! I feel the same way!" No I don't. I am so fucked now... Fuck! FUCK! And I accepted!? FUUUUUUCK! Damn me! Damn my fat mouth! Damn it! Fuck! Everything that can go wrong is going wrong... It's happening all over again.
"You do!? I-I mean... Of course you do! What guy - Or girl, really - Wouldn't wanna shoot their shot with me?" Yang's strong hands grasp at my sides as she pulls me closer until our chests are touching. Her... 'girls' are... Kinda distracting this close up. I can feel them against me. She pulls me into a strong hug as a smile spreads across her lips. I feel my face warming up. I really hope I don't 'act up' right now. That'd be embarrassing, "You ok, Creep? You look worried. Never had a girlfriend before?" I did once for like... Four days? Then she died. So, yeah, I feel a little nervous. But Yang doesn't need to hear that now does she? It'll ruin this moment for her. We can talk about that at a later time.
"S-something like that," It's a little tough to think with Yang's balloons pressing into my chest. They're warm compared to her hands. Her face so close to mine... Why is she getting closer? "W-what ar—"
"Stop acting stupid. We gotta make it official, right? Seal the deal..." We d-do? Her eyes close as she leans her face towards mine. Are her lips pressing together!? Oh no! I'm gonna be kissed!
My hands squeeze her shoulders as her surprisingly cold lips press against mine. My eyes widen. I-Is this really happening!? What do I do!? S-stand here...? Kinda awkward. Everything is awkward. How did we go from arguing to aliens to this!? I feel stiff. My legs feel their frozen solid. I'd rather be fighting a monster then... Then this. People... People are complex. Emotions are complex. Monsters are simple. I like simple things... Math, observation, fighting, or reading. This... This isn't simple.
I... It does... Feel weirdly nice though. This... K-kiss. Her arms around me are... They feel... I don't know. Feelings are complex. Words struggle to convey complexity. I... I can feel my heart pounding. Why is it beating so fast? This feels so very... Very... Warm. If Yang's wasn't hugging me so tightly I think I would fall. Uncle always said... My uncle, befor use to say 'You only ever get one shot at life so make the best of it,' So... Why not make the best of it? How many opportunities am I gonna get to kiss a girl this beautiful anyway. It probably won't last long anyway...
I slide my arms underneath Yang's own limbs until my hands are able to grasp her shoulders from behind. Ican hear her mumbling something that gets lost in our kiss. I forgot what a kiss felt like. I didn't even know Yang felt like this for me... Were there hints? Was I really an idiot? For how long? She didn't like me at first. When did she have her change of heart? I feel nervous. My legs are shaking. Why? I gotta calm down... What's the worst that could possibly come from a kiss?
I close my eyes. Yang's body feels warm against mine yet her lips are cold. Isn't that weird? Weird... Weird... Weird... Yang is a weird girl. She has weird feelings... A much weirder way of showing those feelings. I like weird... Weird is good. Normal ain't all they say it is. Normal people are boring people. This feels weird. That's better then feeling normal. I like Yang's weird kiss. It's tough - Harsh, even. Like she's putting all her effort into crushing my lips with her own. What a weird way to kiss someone... Weird girl. Weird. Weird... This whole situation is weird.
I can faintly smell Yang's breath. She smells like tulips. Does she use a mint or spray? Mouthwash? Or maybe her breath naturally smells this good. Maybe it's toothpaste? I don't really care to know. I never once thought this was how my morning would go... Not a bad way to start the day. Could've been a lot worse.
I almost feel safe here. Not at Beacon, or with my... Teammates, but in Yang's arms. Wow... That is so cheesy. Am I becoming a cliche? I really have fallen off, haven't I? The old me wouldn't of let this happen. But he also wouldn't ever have considered Beacon as a viable alternative, either. Old me was a lot dumber then current me, but he was also a lot more stubborn... He'd punch current me if he were here. Good thing that me is in the past and not the me I am now then. I feel the kiss growing softer before it ends.
"Creep..." I restrain a sigh as Yang's features pull away. I open my eyes to see her lilac ones staring back at me. Their big but not wide; focused and full of positive if erratic energy. Her smile is so soft... I've never seen Yang give such a gentle smile before. I like it more then her angry grins or smug smirks. It's a genuinely happy smile... It's almost hopeful, "Your breath smells like piss."
"I... Thanks. Your so kind, Yang," I roll my eyes. So much for all the mushy romance stuff. Who cares about that when insults suffice? She sure has a funny way of expressing her feelings, "Your breath smells like Thioacetone," Her brows furrow as her lips purse. Yang has a cute face when she's confused... Did I just say 'cute'? That's pathetic. Who unironically uses the word cute in this mordern era? "Ass. Your breath smells like rotten ass." She smirks at that. We're so close... Hugging each other like the world won't give us another chance. I... I wouldn't mind being called an idiot every day if she'd just hug me like this. It's a sacrifice I'd happily make...
"I lov—"
"Crimson! Uhhhh... Blonde girl! Where ya guys been?" My eyes widen. I know that voice! I glance back and... Jaune's here! For how long!? I turn back to Yang, "What are you guys doing?" I push against Yang's shoulders to make distance yet she refuses to let go. She smiles up to me with a smug grin. She better not be... If she is then I'm going to have to reconsider that sacrifice crap I was yapping about a minute ago. I know that grin... She better not!
"N-nothing! We're onl—"
"Sharing our first - But totally not last! - Kiss of course. Isn't it obvious?" I glance back to Jaune and... His vacant face and furrowed brows tell me he's either dumber then I thought or doesn't care in the slightest. Or he's suddenly and miraculously gone deaf. I hope it's one of those... I really hope he's deaf or something! If this gets out then... Well, it's not against the rules but it's definitely frowned upon. Two teammates dating? Rarely ends well for either party. Yang lets go of our hug only to wrap her arm over my neck as we turn to face Jaune, "He's my boyfriend! MY boyfriend! So if you see any ladies fawning over him let me know, 'k?" Yeah. Now I can't have any girls who are also friends, huh? Two of our teammates are girls. One of them's our leader. How am I suppose to function properly on the field if I can't respond to commands? I hope she's being at least slightly hyperbolic with that question.
"Ohhhhhhhh! Cool, cool... Yeah, sure thing! But, Crimson, your partner, ehhh... Cardin? He was asking around for you. He knocked on my door and we had a chat. He was a nice guy... Little rude but nice enough," So much for secrecy... Guess it really was a sacrifice, huh? Or, rather, any ability I had to not involve myself personally in this mess is out the window 100% now. I hate my hormones... My stupid hormones that force me to make terrible decisions! Like involving myself with a borderine nutcase suffering from what I am increasingly suspecting to be undiagnosed bipolar disorder by becoming her damn boyfriend! I hate my life... I look to Yang's smiling face as she stares off towards Jaune muttering words I can't hear. Her eyes are almost sparkling with the way the sun shines around her featurs. Her arm is cool against my skin. I... I guess there's a few perks to this mess, "What's your name...?" Only a few.
"Yang Xiao Long. Just call me Yang," She sounds so excitied now - No hint of the anger or pain or tears she had been seething just ten minutes or so ago. She looks carefree. It's like she had forgotten her sister was missing and gooped by an alien parasite, "And you are?" Fuck... I forgot Yang was gooped as well. I... When I kissed her did that mean I also kissed her parasitic roommate? Oh Gods... Am I the first man to kiss an alien? That's deeply unsettling if true. Hope I don't get space STD's.
"Jaune! Jaune Arc the... Eh, it doesn't matter. I'm Crimson's best friend," Yang looks to me with a suddenly not so carefree gaze. Her eyes narrow slightly as looks to me accusingly, "Practically known him my whole life!" I frown. I never said that...
"Really now? So, Creep, you two have been pals for ages and you never thought about telling me?" I scowl at Jaune. He shrugs and looks confused as he scratches his head. What a great friend he is! Already getting me into trouble with my... Girlfriend. Never thought I'd string together 'my' and 'girlfriend' after Ivory but here I am regardless, "What other secrets have you been keeping? Do you have another girl on the side!?"
"Wha- No! I just got here not even a week ago! You're the only girl in this building I've had a conversation with!" Her expressions soften as she realizes how stupid her accusation was, "I only met Jaune five days, three hours, and twenty six minutes ago! That's hardly 'My whole life!' now is it? And he's not my best friend!"
"Wait, I'm not? I thou—"
"You've been keeping track of the exact second you met us?" Yang steps back a little as she loosens her arm from my neck, "Do you know how creepy that is?" Totally. That's why I avoided mentioning it up until now. I... Sorta got a restraining order because of that psrticular habit BUT Yang doesn't need to know that, now does she? There's a lot she doesn't need to know right now.
"In my defence my nickname is Creep," She smirks for a moment. I hope she doesn't view that as me accepting the name, "But I'm not keeping secrets, ok? I..." I glance to Jaune's sad looking face. His head is lowered to the floor like a puppet with no strings. Kinda funny how dramatic that pose is, "Told you about my 'thing' right? The gooy thing." I was honest about that. I was honest... I haven't really lied about anything yet, "Oh, uhh... Sorry, Jaune. In my defence I never said I would be your best friend - Just a friend."
"It's cool, I guess... I don't min—"
"I'll trust you, Creep. I will trust you," Her lips press against mine for just a moment before she leans away. Her arm releases my neck as she loops it around my right arm, "It wad nice seeing you Jaune, but Creep and I got work to do in town. Real important stuff. Goodby—"
"We're looking for Ruby, right?" Yang looks to me with a slightly annoyed scowl. It quickly melts away as she realizes what I said. She nods hesitantly, "Well... Why not bring him with? Surely an extra set of hands and eyes will help, right? It'll increase our odds of finding her at least." Yang's eyes flicker between annoyance and understanding. She bites her lip before looking away.
"Is anyone gonna ask if I even wan—"
"Yeah... You're right, Creep. I guess he can come," I smile up to Yang. She smiles down at me. She does have a pretty smile. It reminds me of running water for some reason. It makes me feel like nothing bad will happen, "Only because I love you, though. I only trust you because I love you." She is way too careless with the L-word. I always feel all... Nasty when I say it. It's an uncomfortable word.
"But guys, I got things I ne—"
"Are you reeady to go then?" She nods, "What about you, Jaune?" I look over to the blonde boy only to see his jaw hanging open slightly. He shakes his head before nodding and giving a half-hearted 'yeah' as his sole verbal response, "Cool. So, Yang, you said your 'thing' can help track Ruby down earlier. How?"
"Oh... Well from what Onyx told me - Oh, yeah, Onyx is the name of my 'thing' - But it told me that..."
"I hate being the third wheel..." No one ever tells me anything! I'm sick of constantly being in the dark. It's really annoying. Now I'm out here on the streets when I could be back at my dorm, "Maybe I should've applying at Shade Academy instead?" I heard they teach you how to cook over there. I like cooking... Smells nice and the food doesn't berate you if it's not cooked well.
"Is your 'thing' telling you we're close yet?" I look up from my feet and towards Crimson's back. His blue shirt wrinkles as Yang slides her arm over his waist. Third wheeling... That's all I'm doing here! I hate third wheeling. I've been a third wheel my whole life! I'm tired of it. What am I even achieving by being here?
"No. It says she's... North," I keep my head down when a truck drives by. I don't like being seen in the Beacon uniform. It feels weird. The roads are crowded today based off all the traffic. Lots of people walking the streets, too. I keep hearing mentions of a Grimm, but I don't know what. Maybe one of those monsters somehow snuck into the city? I don't know. I doubt a single Grimm could really cause much harm or damage anyway, "It also says she's moving at a steady pace. Don't know where to, though."
"Hey, guys—"
"Are you sure she's north of us? How do you know for sure?" I hate being cut off. Crimson was a lot more fun before hooking up with Yang... At least he talked to me then. Now he ignores me. It sucks! It doesn't even feel like we're friends anymore... It's sad. Dad always told me his would happen, too. He said that most guys - Or at least a lot of theem - Ignore their friends once they get a girlfriend. Seems he's right... If- No, when I get girlfriend I won't ignore my friends. I guarantee that! I just... Just gotta get a girlfriend first. Shouldn't be too hard, right?
"I just know, I guess. It told me she was sleeping in a car somewhere," Yang keeps talking about an 'it'. It's kinda creepy. I don't like it... I don't like her much. Yang seemed off from the moment I first heard her screaming cuss words. What does Crimson see in her? "Or maybe she was sleeping under the car? Onyx doesn't seem sure. Either way she's in an alley somewhere. I don't think she's alone..."
Onyx? What does an onyx have to do with that Ruby girl? And why does Yang just 'know' where Ruby is if she's missing? Kinda... Kinda suspicious, really. Weird. I'd ask but I know I'll just be ignored again. Maybe I should go off on my own or something? I do have a bit of spare Lien. I could get a drink or something. AND if I find that girl - By myself no less - Then Crimson can't ignore me! Yeah... Oh, I'm a genius!
"Hey, guys, I think I'm gon—"
"You said Ruby likes weapons once. She likes the mechanics and the techniques that go into forging them. Why not stop by the Mechani Sisters then? They're usually open around this time and they're one of only five stores in this block that sells weapons." I raise my arms before letting them go limp at my sides. How does he know which stores sell weapons and which don't? Maybe he's more familiar with town then I am. I look around the crowded streets to see dozens of people just living their lives. If... If I died right now how many of these people would even notice? How many would care? How long would it take Crimson to notice? If he noticed.
"Mechani Sisters? Ha! No way. Ruby's banned from all of their properties after the railgun incident," Railgun... Incident? Sounds kinda cool... What even is a railgun? Does it shoot rails? I thought rails were for trains, though. That's weird... Is it a gun that shoots trains? Must have a pretty big barrel then, "Those were simpler days... Even if it was only a month ago." What would a gun that shoots trains even be used on? Leviathans? That's the only type of Grimm big enough to warrent that much firepower.
"Hey, guys, what's a rai—"
"I'm not going to ask any questions about that. Chances are she isn't very far from a hotel or something... Where does she normaly frequent?" I'm starting to think they're ignoring me on purpose. It's really grinding my gears. It's like I never even left home! It's like Saphire and Tulip all over again! This sucks... I hate third wheeling! I cross my arms and glance towards traffic. I see a red car with white strpes driving down the road. There is a blue truck with red tire rims trailing behind it... If I threw myself into traffic would anyone even care?
"Hey, guys—"
"Dust shops and weapon shops mostly. Sometimes she'll go to the library. Every now and again she'll visit PlayEnd to try out a new game or two. That's really it." I grind my teeth. I am starting to get upset... It's really starting to tick me off! I wanna say something but it's rude to interrupt them. I'm not a rude person! Mom always said I was a good guy. I AM a good guy! But even good guys have limits, right?
"Hey! Guys, I—"
"That's not very helpful. Does she have any friends in the area? Relatives? Anyone?" I shake my head. Why did I even come here? Should've stayed at Beacon. I'd rather be hanging out with Blake or having my ear talked off by Nora. Sure, Blake might not talk much but at least she listens to me! I think she does at least. Kinda hard to tell 'cuz she never really talks.
"Guys! Can yo—"
"Nope. Not a soul," I scowl at the back of Yang's head. She is really getting me mad. I don't like her even a little... She's the one causing this! Crimson never ignored me before her! Never, "She'd be alone out here... Except for her 'thing' that is." I ball my hands as I press my lips into a thin line. I'm not standing for this! If I gotta be rude to be heard then screw it! I'm gonna be rude!
"GUYS! Can you PLEASE stop ignoring me!" Blue and lilac eyes look to me in an instant. Crimson looks confused while Yang looks annoyed. They are both half turned to face me, "I've been trying to talk to you for an hour and a half! It's... It's very disrespectful to keep ignoring me!" Enough is enough! I'm not going to be ignored!
"Sorry, I didn't hear you talking. What... What do you have to say, Jaune?" Crimson adopts a smile as he gestures for me to go on. I take a deep breah. At least their listening now... At least I have their full attention in this moment. I'm sick of being ignored... Get's me mad. I'm not just a kid anymore! People have to respect me... Right?
"Well, now that you ask, I was thinking we could split up! That way it's more likely we'll find Ruby," Crimson nods his head slowly while Yang's eyes narrow. Why is she looking at me like I punched her sickly grandmother or something? I don't like it. I don't like her... I don't think she likes me. Does she like anyone? She must like Crimson.Then why does she call him creep all the time? Seems kinda insulting to me, "It's just an idea..."
"That's stup—"
"Great! That's a good idea Jaune," Crimson cuts off Yang. She scowls at him yet he's too busy staring at me to notice. I can't help but smile at that, "Spliting up would let us cover more ground and search a wider area. What do you think about this, Yang?"
"Yeah... Great idea..." She says that like it's not a great idea, "I guess that works if we really have to," She seems upset. Kinda mad based off her glare that's boring into my eyes. I scratch the back of my head as I look away, "But don't you think we should stay together? In case Ruby's you-know-what gets... Cranky?" Is this some kind of girlfriend/boyfriend thing I don't understand? Do all couples speak in codes? Did mom and dad do it without me ever noticing? Am I stupid?
"Depends I guess... What about we put it to a vote, huh?" Crimson looks up to Yang with a smile... Weird. It must be weird having a girlfriend whose taller then you - Even if only by a few inches. Is it rude to think that? Maybe. I don't know, "We'll do it on three! One... Two—"
"But how we will know who is voting for which option?" Crimson raises his eyebrows towards me, "Like... Do I raise my hand if I vote to go alone? Fist bump? A handshake?" He tilts his head as his lips purse. Yang rolls her eyes, "What? Was it something I said?"
"A fist bump? Who votes by bumping fists?" I shrug. Pretty sure I saw that in a movie once... "Obviously if you wanna go alone you give a thumbs up." Crimson says that like it's, well, obvious. It wasn't to me... Not at all. Kinda confusing really.
"That's kinda weir—"
"Who votes with a thumbs up, Creep?" Crimson looks to Yang with a confused expression, "We should raise our hands if yes! Stupid otherwise..." Yeah! Yang's right. It is sorta dumb otherwise. Who does a thumbs up to vote anyway? That's silly.
"Really? Raising your arm? That's just goofy, Yang! Thumbs up or I'm going full dictatorship with this democracy!" What's a dictatorship? What's democracy? He's just making up words, isn't he? That sounds fake.
"That's illegal! I'll start a coup!" She says it with a smile. Crimson isn't smiling, though. He's frowning, "Don't go Atlas on me here, Creep! Freedom of choice is highly valued here. How 'bout we compromise like proper adults and vote for it?"
"How do you vote for a vote!? That makes no sense! Ughhh... How about on the count of three we all yell which option we vote for, ok?" Sounds good enough for me. I'll vote for... Handshake? Yeah, I kinda prefer the handshake in hindsight. Seems more offical, "One... Two... Three!"
"Split up!"
"Stay together!"
"Handshake!"
"The fuck is a 'transmogrifier'? And why do I need to pluck it into a 'neruon processor'?" Sounds like something out of a comic book. I take a long puff from my cigar as I stare at the hastily written note, "And how the hell am I supposed to get one? Where do I get one?" Doesn't sound cheap. Nothing with fancy sounding names are cheap these days. What do I even get out of this? I shake my head before focusing onto the note again.
"If you are concerned over financial motivation then fret not," Whoever wrote this did so in a hurry. This writing is chicken scratch, "I guarantee you enough riches to afford a small Kingdom." Yeah, right, sure. I've heard that before. I crush the note into a ball before throwing it out of sight, "I'm not wasting anymore of my time."
Waste of my precious time. I sit back in my chair before resting my feet on my desk, "I've been sold enough gold-painted shit to recoginze the stench." I'm not falling for another scam. Nope! Not again. I slide my hand into my pocket as my fingers grasp a warm vial. This... 'Benefactor' of mine is full of shit. I'll gladly take any free gifts but I'm not doing shit for a promise. I need a guarantee not a promise.
I pull the vial free before holding it close to my face. The milk-white liquid inside sloshes about as I shake the vial between my fingers. The goo moves like water yet sticks and oozes like pine resin. I spin it between my fingers as I stare. I've found myself staring at it a lot... Like a 'lot' a lot.
What if it's just rotten milk and this is one elaborate prank? If so then it's probably Neo's doing. She's always scheming up some kind of plan or trick - Most of the time purely for her own amusement. She can be funny, I'll give her that much. I still remember when she locked one of the Faunus boys inside a cage with a hungry lion... I think that kid was a cousin of Ghira or something. I don't know - All those animals look the same to me. Especially the lizards. Scales are gross.
"What if it's some kind of... Trap?" Maybe it turns into poison gas when exposed to air or something? Don't know. I do know it's warm... Very warm. The glass burns slightly when I touch it. Strange... Very strange. I find it messmerizing to upon. Sometimes I'll stare for hours and hours without even knowing... The way the liquid sloshes about is... Not very water-like. It almost doesn't seem fully liquid or solid at times but inbetween. Strange stuff, "Wonder what it tastes like?"
I probably shouldn't drink a vial of mysterious chemicals again. Didn't end well last time. Doubt it will this time, either. I twist the the glass vial between my fingers again... How much would it sell for? Probably not much. And, honestly, I don't want to sell it. I like it... I really like it. I feel naked if I don't have it nearby.
Is that brat dead yet? Neo never messaged and the goons haven't reported in so probably not. I hate brats who poke their noses where it's not wanted. They really get on my nerves like little else can. Maybe... Maybe this gunk could help? I should get it anaylzed by someone. I'll kidnap a chemist! Or hold their spouse or kids hostage to ransom them. Either way I'll get someone to figure this thing out. Or, rather, Neo will.
I reach out to my desk and grab my Scroll. I swipe through a few contacts until settling on Neo. I begin to type.
'Kidnap a chemist. Make it subtle,' Kidnapping has less witnesses involved then ransoming. It's more... Ehtically paletable, too, 'And grab a burger, too.' I'm starving here! Nohing to eat but dust bunnies or hairballs. Should order Neo to kidnap a chief. Yeah, a chief... My own chief. I'd like that. My own personal cook.
"Five-star meals all day every day. I'd be livin' life like a king... Yeah, that's the dream." One day I'll be a king. Or close enough to one, at least. Cinder said there'll be a place in the world she's building for men like me. Do I trust her? No. I want her gone but that's not so easy considering she's a literal witch, "Maybe I can learn some of that witch voodoo, eh? Be a witch myself. Then I can be the one with fire hands..." Or is it warlock? Isn't a warlock the male equivalent of a witch? Not like it matters. I just wanna be able to shoot fireballs with my hands.
Maybe that vial is some kind of witch crap? Probably not. Smells more like a freakish science experiment to me. Some weird crime against nature crap must've gone into cooking this thing up. The liquid is always hot and warm. Maybe's it's infused with Fire Dust? If so why isn't it orange or red? I don't know. That's why I need someone who does know to take a look at it.
Wonder if anything good is on CCTS? Probably not. When does that Vytal crap start again? I can't remember. I think I had a heist planned today, right?I'm not feeling it. The boys can handle that... Or—
"Zzzzhhhh!"
"Hmm?" I hold my Scroll as a notifcation appeared. Neo messged back. Good. Let's see... 'Where am I supposed to find a chemist?' Good question, 'Figure it out.' I press send. Neo's a resourscful girl. She'll figure something out, 'Is the brat dead yet?' I press send again. Hopefully she responds soon. I hate waiting.
I look up to the gray ceiling as I rest my head against my hands. Is Junior still alive? Guess it's not too important if he didn't survive his underground surgery. I don't need him anymore if what Cinder said is true. He is still somewhat useful until the main event, of course, so I'd prefer for him to not be pushing daisies.
"Uuuhhhhh... I'm bored," There's nothing to do, either. No hookers to plow, no pills to scarf down, no liquor to drink. This place stinks! I miss the strip club. A lot more entertaining there, "I should install speaker system and rave lights. Call in a few of the local gals, too. Get a real party going! Yeah... Cinder wouldn't like that, though." Sooner or later Cinder and her brats will be outta my hair - The only question is how will I fair? Plans are changing from what I heard. The real boss of this operation has had a change of mind or something. Guess Cinder and her brats will be enrolling in Beacon a few months ahead of schedule. Personally I wouldn't degrade myself like that but I'm not the one calling the shots now am I? It should be me in charge...
"Zzzzzhhhh!"
"Ah! Better be Neo..." I look to my Scroll and yes, indeed, Neo has messaged back. Wonderful, 'Mr. B and Miss. A say they both encountered your brat last night,' They did? I guess they must have, "Hmmm... Guess that's good news." I quickly type a question in response, 'Is she dead?'
Hopefully so or this is a waste of my time. I hate wasting my time. Did she kidnap a chemist yet? That'll probably take a day or two. Can't be too hasty... That's rude. I am a gentleman, after all, not an animal.
Is that Tangerine guy dead yet? Did I ever order his hit or was that a dream? It's tough to tell the difference between reality and dreams when your coked up for fifty six consecutive hours on some Dust-laced aphrodisiacs and Adderall. Maybe some Ecstasy was involved, too... Like I said it's hard remembering it all. Just bits and pieces are all I got left of that night.
"Is Tangerine even real or did I dream him up?" Is this another Lazuli situation? I hate tricking myself into hating imaginary people. Only part about the withdrawals I genuinely hate. That and the week long nap that comes after... Or the waking nightmares, "Living a fun life isn't easy. There's a lot of work that goes into it." It's not always so fun, either. Mostly boring work and murder and etxtortion that is capped off by a day or two of partying.
"Zzzzzhhhh!"
"'Bout time," I look at my screen, 'The brat is still alive.' Really? That fucking sucks. Annoying, "Never could trust a cripple or a dame." Unreliable with getting real work done. I'm not surprised, 'Take care of it personally, would you? Thanks.' That'll solve it I dare say. Between the boys, the animals, Neo, and whoever else she pissed off I doubt Little Red will be kicking for much longer. Shame, though. She seemed like an alright kid aside from her stupid habit of playing hero. If she really cared about helping people she'd have become a doctor or robotics expert working for those Atlas mooks. Not my fault she was stupid enough to buy into that 'Hunters are heros!' shit. If anything it's her parents fault.
"Should I tell Cinder about that brat?" Ehhh... Probably not. It's not her problem anyway. If I told her she'd get her panties in a twist about it. I created this mess and now I have to clean it up... Or Neo will, rather. Besides, I got nothing to worry about! What's the worst that could possibly happen to me? Some brat beats up a few drug dealers or street punks thinking that'll harm my bottom line? Please, "Don't know why Junior is so pissy about this kid. What's a few tentacles going to do to me that I haven't done to myself?"
I'm more worried about the kid's uncle. Or her dad. I had a background check performed yesterday morning and appearently the brat's dad and uncle are both members of team S.T.R.Q. How annoying... Those pricks had quite a name back in the day. A lot of powerful people were afraid them... Not so much anymore. There was a time where those pricks were a housebold name - Almost as famous as that Ozpin guy or that General from Atlas. They were like movie stars except they hunted down monsters and so-called 'supercriminals'. One of 'em, one of the girls, even had a fuckin' fanclub! Must be the only Huntress in history with a damn fanclub.
Their kids aren't up to snuff though. A second-rate wannabe Huntress with a rose fetish and a flaming bimbo with anger issues? If I were their father I'd kill myself out of shame. These guys are the kids of Summer and Raven? And... And... Who was that other one again? The dad. What was his stupid little name? T... Ta... Taifu? Close enough. But these are the daughters of Taifu and his whores? One of 'em is too young to know her ass from her elbows while the other failed basic maths... Three times. I'm so scared.
"Maybe if they were a older they'd be a threat. But a bunch of kids? That's almost as easy as drowning a paraplegic. But that uncle could be a pain in my ass," I'd have him poisoned or something but no one knows where he lives. The fucker is off the grid or something. Very annoying, "Whatever. He already has liver cancer so all I gotta do is wait out the clock." Fucker must've been born with a bottle in his mouth or something. Most of his purchase history was copious amounts of booze and a few condoms.
It's funny how many 'great' or 'strong' people die pathetic deaths. Unmemorable deaths. Lonely deaths. Ugly deaths. No one likes to talk about how corpses shit themselves, do they? Or how they decompose and release gas. No one wants to acknowledge the stink or the liquids. No one told me that dead people like to sing...
"I'll go out in glory, though. An explosion! Hahaha..." No way in hell am I gonna get eaten by a Grimm or gunned down. I mean... That's just anticlimatic! Uninspired, really. Especially if I go out with a silly speech! Screw that. I'm not dumb enough to put myself into that position. Nope... Never, "Only thing worse then that is if Neo went on a silly revenge quest after my death while wearing my hat or something. Now that's just silly." Or if she somehow got sucked into a weird fairytale land to hunt down my killer. Ha! That's just childish and stupid. Revenge is for the stupid.
But that'll never happen, will it? This isn't some soap opera or romcom shit. It's real life. Well... Maybe not. I talked to a guy once back in the Vacuo who told me the reality around us is like... An illusion? He described it as being more like a suggestion than an illusion. I can't remember much - I was baked at the time - But it all sounded real gobbly gooply to me. He said you could 'Warp the deep layers of the intermittent programs' or some crazy shit. Then he started talking about spoons and how 'perspective is everything' while bending the spoon without touching it. That was a little weird but... Eh, it is as it is.
"I'm bored as fuck," All I do these days are sit around my office. It's too hot to prowl the streets after the Little Red hickup - Hence why Neo has taken over that little prospect. Does absolutely nothing to alleviate my boredom, "Maybe I should play a game of poker with the boys?" I doubt many of them know the rules of poker. Maybe I should go for a walk? I don't know. I'm suicidally bored.
What to do? What am I gonna do? I'm dying over here of boredom! What the hell am I gonna do? I haven't the slightest hint. Guess I'll stay bored then... I grasp the vial in my pocket. I smile a little.
"Actually... I do have one idea."
"Stupid handshakes... How was I suppose to know we were voting on leaving or staying together! He wasn't clear enough..." I kick an empty tin can down the road. I keep my hands in my pockets and my head low. It just sucks... I feel like Crimson is a stranger again. I mean, yeah, I know we only really talked a couple of times but... It still stings. I guess he did vote for my idea. That means something, right? Either he still likes me or at least I'm capable of a good idea! Hopefully both...
We all went separate ways. Easier way to find that Ruby girl, right? Cover more ground. But what's the odds of the three of us finding the one of her in a city packed with tens of thousands of people? Millions of people, actually, but at that point it's just nit-picking.
What does Ruby even look like? How old is she? They never told me anything. Maybe we should print out flyers? I don't know. Why not call the cops? Isn't this their work? Huntsmen kill monsters! Not track down missing people. Unless a monster is the reason their missing, I guess.
But it would be a bad thing to ignore someone who needs help, I guess. What if she doesn't want to be found? What if she's living a new life or something. How do they even know Ruby's in Vale?
What am I even suppose to do if I find her? Bring her to Beacon? A hospital? Call Crimson? I can't do the last one. He never gave me his caller ID. Bet he gave Yang his caller ID... Bet he told Yang everything! Feels really unfair to me how in the dark I really am. Do they not trust me? I just... I'm not an idiot!
"I'm not stupid... Ok, I'm not THAT stupid," I can tell their hiding something from me. I don't know what - But it's something! Maybe it's nothing that concerns me, right? Whatever Yang's 'thing' is sounds interesting, though. What is the 'thing'? Hmmm... "Oh my Gods! Is... Is... Is she... Actually a he!?"
What if her 'thing' is a massive 'thing'! Like a shotgun or something... Is Crimson gay? Why wouldn't he just say so? But Yang doesn't look like a dude at all. Dudes don't have boobs! What if Yang was a dude that became a dudette? Huh... Maybe. That would explain all the 'thing' talk. But how would her 'thing' be able to find Ruby? Is... Is it her Semblance? Does the 'thing' downstairs sniff out Ruby's scent like a dog? That's just gross!
"Hope I'm wrong about that. Like I don't care if Yang's was a dude or whatever - But a bloodhound for a penis? That's just messed up!" I-I... I gotta stop watching so many of Nora's 'special training tapes' she keeps suggesting to me. They are never about training! It's always weird stuff like videos of a man doing a handstand with his penis or a woman knitting together a shirt out of teeth. One was borderline porn! They're filling my head with filth! FILTH! That girl is a bad influence me... Mom wasn't lying about how crazy redheads can be, "I need a normal friend. Someone whose not crazy or hiding things from me."
I'm probably wrong about the bloodhound thing. Maybe Yang was a dude but I doubt her 'thing' is the 'thing' I'm thinking of. What could it possibly be, though? Her Semblance? Maybe it's some kind of tracking device? All I know is I've been listening to Nora's tapes way too often and it's filling my head with weird fetish stuff. I gotta watch real movies again.
I lean against a wall as I look out towards the crowd. So many people. Some are busy men in suits while others are rushing women in dresses. I look to my feet as I raise my hands and open my palms. I think I'm getting tired of all this... I can barely sleep at night. Nora NEVER shuts up! Blake barely talks. Ren's alright but I get the feeling he's nice more out of pity then anything else. I... Maybe... Maybe if I find this Ruby girl I can get some respect on my name? At least from Yang and Crimson. Hmm... Maybe. What if I... No. That's never gonna happen.
Let's be serious here: I'm never finding Ruby. I won't change anyone's mind about anything what so ever. I... I'm alone, aren't I? I have nothing here but a dream. I just don't get it... Why does Crimson have to ignore me now? It's like we're not even friends. I might as well go home back to mom. I'm nothing but a fake anyway. I don't belong here... I'm only here because I managed to forge an enrollment paper. Sooner or later I'm going to be exposed.
What's the point? I have more in common with these civilians then I do a real Huntsman. Might as well join them... Get a boring job as a cop or something. I'm never gonna find Ruby. I'm just a fake. A fraud. I should just go back home. Mom wouldn't mind. She told me a hundred times that if Beacon doesn't work out I'll always be welcome back home. Maybe I should listen to her over a friend who isn't a real friend. Maybe I shou—
"Hiya! How ya doing?" I glance to my left to see a short girl. She's about to my chest in height with soft features. She has a baby face. She's wearing... A... Suit? It covers her entire body except her head. It's pitch black and eflective. It almost looks like it's melted candle wax. Is it dripping? I think bits of it are falling off like water droplets. It clings to her in a tight and uncomfortable looking manner. It squeezes around her neck so tightly as to form a bruise circling her entire throat like a dark purple snake, "I couldn't help but notice you looked pretty blue. You feeling ok, buddy?" The girl has black hair that runs red at her tips. Her right bang is almost three times longer than her left as it dangles over her right eye. Her eyes are silver... I've never seen or heard of silver colored eyes before. Are they natural or contact lenses?
"Oh, uhhh... Me? I'm fine... Perfectly fine. I was just thinking about some stuff," She has a bright red flower on her chest. It looks neatly designed, smooth, and almost life-like. It resembles a wilting rose, "I, ehhh... Uhmm... I probably shouldn't ask, but have you ever felt... Ignored? Like your friends aren't really your friends anymore?" She has a small smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. The girl leans againsy the wall next to me. I look back to my feet as I interlock my fingers. This feels awkward. Who is this girl anyway?
"A lot of people are like that. Most people are selfish liars. I hate those kinds of people..." The girl's voice sounds high-pitched and quite young. She sounds like she's twelve, honestly. She doesn't look much older then thirteen or fourteen, "Have you ever considered teaching them a lesson? Give them a reason to listen to you again." I look to the kid's face. Wha...? Why does she looks so serious? Her eyes are thin and narrow as she stares at me with a blank face.
"Uhmm... N-no? Not really," The way she said is kinda freaky. Like... Like she means something else by it. I rub the back of my neck, "What do you mean by that?" She smiles and shrugs. Her smile looks kinda nice - But... There's something about her mouth. Maybe her teeth? I'm not sure but something doesn't feel right. I feel my hairs standing on end as she steps closer to me. We're about arm's length away from one another now.
"It means whatever you want it to mean. So... Why are out here today? You look like you came straight from the Academy - Uniform and all." I glance down to my brown pants and shirt. Yeah, I guess I didn't have much time to change clothes, huh? None at all with how Yang was rushing me.
"I am from Beacon. I'm helping a friend. Actually I'm helping my friend's girlfriend," I scratch the back of my head. I feel a shiver run down my spine. Is it just me or is it a lot colder all of a sudden? "I'm suppose to help them find a girl named Ruby... Rose? Yeah, Rose! That was it. Don't suppose you happen to have seen her?" The girl's smile drops slightly but she otherwise remains the same. Weird...
"Ruby Rose? Nope! Don't know anyone by that name anymore. I... Was... Was she a good person?" I cusp my chin. Tough to say, really. I'd assume she's a good person but I don't know for sure. And... And why did this girl ask about Ruby in the past tense? She's not dead, "Is m... Is her sister looking for her?" The girl's pale smile slips slightly. She's really pale... I've never seen someone so pale their skin is almost gray in color.
"From what little I managed to piece together this Ruby girl seems like an alright gal. And, yeah, her sister is... How do you she has a sister?" I look into the pale girl's pretty eyes as I tilt my head. I never told her Ruby has a sister... That's creepy. The girl smiles up at me. She holds out her left hand as she extends her fingers. I stare at her palm... Something about her fingers aren't right. Their too long.
"I just guessed. Your said your friend's girlfriend is the one your helping. I just... Assumed, ya know?" I slowly grab her hand before shaking it. Her skin - Or maybe clothes? - Is freezing to the touch! I can feel my skin shivering as we shake hands, "Our name is... My name is Black by the way. One of my names, anyway." I blink. 'Our'? This girl is getting weirder. It's almost like... 'Nothing. I should ignore it. She's just acting a little strange... She's probably never seen such a strong or handsome Hunstman before. It's only natural for her to be act a little off. Right, Jaune?' I... Yeah. Yeah, I guess so, 'Who wouldn't be stunned in my presence? I am marvelous! This girl clearly has a crush on me. All women do,' Yeah, obviously, who wouldn't? I have a crush on me! 'Who wouldn't? Men wanna be me and women are all over me. We... I am perfect in all ways.' I wouldn't go that far, but... Close enough! I am pretty handsome, ain't I? 'Y... Yes, you... Really are something to behold.'
"So where is Yang right now?" I look down to the palm I had just been shaking her hand with. For a moment I see something black before it melds into my skin. Wh... What the hell? 'Just a trick of light. Where is Yang anyway? Surely she isn't far...' Did I ever mention Yang's name to her? I... I don't think I did...? 'Yes, I did. Remember? It was only a moment ago...' I don't remember, though. I... I can't remember ever saying it, 'Must be our- my short memory. Never could be trusted to retain vital information, could I? That's why Crimson betrayed me,' I wouldn't quite call it a betrayal, but... Yeah, he did screw me over, 'Answer this intelligent and clever girl. Keeping her waiting is very rude. It's what Crimson would do. We're better then him, aren't I?' Am I? I don't know... I like to think I'm nicer, 'Then be nice to this girl. Answer her.'
"Uhmmm... She went searching in the market district. Why are you so curious?" The girl shrugs. Her smile seems off. I don't know exactly what it is but her smile seems... Plastic-y? Forced? That doesn't seem right, though. Weird... Very weird. It's like... She's not a real person. Like a life-like doll more than a human. She's creeping me out. Something about her is really... Just... Wrong, 'Isn't that quite a rude thought, Jaune? Why are you judging this sweet little thing with such harsh words? Because she is different? Is that how my mom raised me? To be so judgemental?' No! No, it's just... She's creepy. Something is off about her. She's super pale for one thing; like her skin is almost see-through she's so pale! 'So very rude. Apologize! Say sorry to her for thinking such nasty thoughts, Jaune,' Wh... Why would I say sorry for having thoughts? 'Because they're bad ones.' Alright... The logic seems fine by me. Can't argue there, "Sorry Black. I was thinking bad thoughts when I shouldn't be..."
"I know. You are so much easier to... 'Talk' too then I expected you to be," The girl says that with a smirk as she folds her arms over her chest. My brows furrow. Is there a joke or something I'm missing? "I want to have a word with her. Not now... It'd be too soon right now. Will you tell her that I said hi?" I nod my head. Wha... What did she mean by the 'You are so much easer to talk too I expected you to be'? That's not exactly something you say mid conversation. Pretty weird, honestly, 'Why so judgemental, Jaune? You've said strange things before so why can't my dear friend do so as well? She is such a pure human unlike the rest of you... Of us, I meant. Is she not permitted a few odd phrases?' When you put it like that I kinda sound like a bit of a bully... 'Maybe I am a bully. I need to be nicer to this kind girl. I should give her anything she asks for,' Anything? 'Yes... Anything. She deserves it more then me.' I guess so...
"I'll let Yang know, I guess... My name's Jaune by the way. Jaune Arc! But the ladies call me... Eh, nevermind," Only one lady calls me handsome and that's my mom. It's kinda embarrassing... "Nice to meet you, Black. Nice... Name you have. Ehhhh... Cool suit," The girl's smile stretches as her lips slightly part. Her eyes almost seem to sparkle. Her posture rises as her head cocks, "Where'd you get it?" Her smile is a lot more genuine now. Less creepy and more... Relaxing? I guess so. Her smile - Her real smile - Is a lot less creepy. I don't know why, but... But her smile reminds me of mom when she used to read me bedtime stories as a kid.
"They're so cooooool! They can do anything! Heals themselves, me, o-or even others! They... They make me like... Like a... I don't even know. They make me badass! My suit is... So fucking cool! And the best part? They're alllllllll mine! Mine and no one elses. Mine... Mine... Mine," Black's eyes are wide and gleaming and distant. They almost look foggy. Her right hand clasps at the rose on her chest as she smiles ear to ear. Her voice is higher-pitched then before. She takes deep breaths as her smile widens even further somehow, "I... Hey, Jaune, wanna see something cool? It's a little scary but VERY cool!" I'm not sure about the sudden f-bomb from a moment ago. Makes me a little uncomfortable... Mom and dad said swearing is bad. I also don't like how she talks about her suit. Why call it 'they'? Seems offly... Obsessive. And... And it heals her?
I feel my hairs stand on end as I stare into her silver eyes. They look so happy yet... There's something inside them. Something that looks just... Just wrong. Almost... Predatory if I had to give a name. Like she's eyeing me up for dinner or something...
"U-uhhmm... Do I have to?" Black's eyes shrink before she shies away. Her smiles melts into a frown as her face quivers. The kid grabs her left elbow with her right hand as she shifts away. I feel like a bully now... "I-I mean... Yeah, sure!" Her eyes quickly widen as she stares at me with anothet plastic smile. Wait, wait, wait... Are her teeth... Sharp? Oh! I get it now! 'Get what, Jaune? What is it we understand now?' She's a Faunus! It explain her teeth and eyes. Don't know any animals with silver eyes, though, but I do know Faunus sometimes have animal eyes! 'That is all you suspect?' Yeah! She's a Faunus. Explains a few things, really, 'Yes, well... Treat this 'Faunus' with the utmost respect. Doing otherwise would be evil.' I'd say rude more then evil but... Ok, I guess your right, inner me.
"Thanks! The others didn't like my tricks... Kept screaming at me to stop," She says with a sad frown. My eyes soften. Really? Why would they do that? Pretty rude way to treat a kid... "Now look at my hand, ok? Right at my palm." I watch as she raises her hand a few inches before my face. She extends her fingers unil the oily black of her palm shows. Nothing happens.
"What am I suppose t—"
"Ssssssllllllllltttttssssshhh!"
"Uuurrraaagggh!" I hit the ground after something wet yet goopy hits my nose, "Owww!" I grasp at my nose. It burns! I look up to—
"Bbbrrrggghh!"
"Uuurrrraaaagggghhh!" Something hard connects with my stomach. The world spins. I taste something metallic against my tongue, "Uggghhuuhhh...!" My head is slammed into the concrete. I see black spots... I hear ringing. I clutch at my stomach, "W-wh-wha—"
"Shut up, Jaune! I know the real reason your here. You might be able to trick those two idiots but not me," She kicks my chest. I try grabbing her ankle but something wet holds my hands down, "Never! Me!" Another kick to my chest. I grunt. I taste something metallic on my tongue, "Just another mindless drone buzzing around looking for validation you haven't suffered enough to earn."
"I-I do-don't—"
"SHUT! UP!" I feel her hands clamp down on either side of my head, "You WILL go back to Yang and her little... Boyfriend and you WILL tell them nothing of our little talk, ok? But... But you WILL tell her... What do I want you to tell her?" I can feel her cold breath against my ear. I feel her fingers digging into my skull as she keeps me pinned to the ground, "Tell that bitch that Ruby isn't ever coming home. Tell her... Tell her there's only a Shadow left of Ruby now." I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die to a little girl! I'll say anything... Anything!
"I-I'll do it! I-I wi-will!" I'm too handsome to die here! I-I... I got classes to attend! Friends...? There are people counting on me! "I und-u-understand! I get I-I-It!" She presses her knee against the back of my neck. It's hard to breathe! I don't wanna choke to death, "Pl-p-please!"
"Since you asked so nicely... Sure! You can go after your done napping," N... Napping? What does she mean by that!? Am I gonna die!? "When you do wake up, Jaune, just remember our talk. I know who you are now. I... I can make bad things happen to you. And your mom. Be a good boy for her sake, ok?" M-mom...? No! I won't let anything happen t—
"Bbbbrraaggghh!"
"Goodnight, Jaune. And - For what's worth - I don't hate you. You seem like decent guy... Stupid, a little vain, but decent. I'm sorry about kicking your ass... Just gotta make sure you know I mean business," Mom... N-not... My mom... So dark... "If they ask about the bruises just say..."
Aria of Ashes here.
I hope your all doing well. Things have been pretty terrible on my end. If the ending is a bit clunky it's becsuse I struggled capturing Jaune passing out and this was the best I could do.
I know I said quite awhile ago that there wouldn't be romance but, eh, things turned out differently I guess. To be fair I also said I might end up going back on that choice so none of you can say I didn't give a warning first. Speaking of which; how does the relationship feel? I really hope it doesn't come across as forced or rushed. I really, really hope it doesn't feel like BS considering I've spent roughly 60,000 words on building up their relationship.
And if it does? I don't know. That sucks, I guess. I suppose I should talk about some important stuff, huh? Alright. Next chapter is a Ruby one and it will be the proper introduction for Neo. Black Stars will mostly likely come to an end at chapter 23 or maybe chapter 26. Depends on certain elements I am not at liberty to discuss here. Point is: where in the homestretch now. Nearly a year into Black Stars and the end is finally in sight for all of us.
BUT that isn't where Ruby's story will end. Black Stars will have sequel. Two, actually, and potentially a prequel. I'm tentaively calling the sequel story Red Stars. Why? Let's say I'm going to introduce the only major player from Venom's rogues gallery yet to make a on-screen (on-text?) appearance in this story. I haven't been alluding to something red, black, and hungry lurking about in the backround of almost every single chapter for nothing after all.
The final for my trilogy I'm going to name Dead Stars. I'll say very little other then this story will be set twenty-ish years afrer Red Stars ends. The main villain will be someone from Black Stars - A pov character - But exactly who I won't say. You guys can guess.
In other news I'm working on a third story. It's gonna be a Transformers/Rwby crossover set after Volume 9. Speficially it's a crossover if the Michea Bay/Bayformers interation of the Transformers continuity. It will follow Megatron and Galvatron as the main protagonists. For those of you familiar with transformers your probably thinking "Wait, Megatron and Galvatron? Aren't they the same person?" And the answer is... Sort of? In the Bayformers series Galvatron is a rogue AI with Megatron's memories downloaded into him but he's not actually Megatron.
The main themes of this story shall be redemption, damnation, and identity. I will also say I won't treat team Rwby as heroes. Why? They're not heroes. Not by Volume 9 they aren't. I will depict them accurately; I.E they are genuinely awful people obsessed with looking like heroes without doing the work that comes with it. Team Rwby by this point has become as bad (maybe wose) than the people their fighting against. This is where the "redemption" part of my plan comes in. It's also why I settled on Megatron and Galvatron being the primary villain protagonists - Because for a truly evil person to change they need to encounter someone far, far, FAR worse than themselves. Megatron - and especially Galvatron - are as close to pure evil as anyone can get. And... Yeah, that's all. It's comment time, I guess.
bjllpcell - Thank you. I'm glad I've been able to retain your interest for so long. Next chapter will be a much more tense one, I assure you. I do hope this chapter caters to your intrigue as well. I hope to see you next time!
Kenny9x3 - Thanks for the compliment. I'll say there aren't going to be many too many Red pov's but this also isn't his last outing. There are big things in his future. Ugly things, too. The "goop-tracker" is also going to play a critical role in the coming chapters. It's a bit more than meets the eye, really, but that's spoiler territory. I hope to see you again next chapter!
That is all I believe. I nearly have a hundred of you guys reading my story now... Kinda wild. Even if most of you got bored and never came back it's still impreesive (to me, at least) that my concept was interesting enough to at least hold their attention temporarily.
On a sidenote, any of you watch Venom 3? I did. I thought it was... Disappointing. It had a lot of potential yet it was wasted because the director wanted a comedy. Not to mention it breaks continuity with the first two as well. Oh well, at least Venom has a trilogy I guess. It just sucks because it's not really Venom in these movies. It's just some clown calling themself Venom. Spiderman 3 Venom is more Venom than the Venom from the Venom triolgy. That's a lot of Venoms! I still prefer the solo Venom movies depiction of the character over the Spiderman 2 (Insomniac) version of Venom. But that's only my opinion on the matter.
Goodbye for now. I hope you all do well and have a wonderfull day/night.
For now: I will return to the void and fade into ashes.