Howdy Folks!

much MUCH longer chapter than usual. Long story short, was on a bit of a roll and couldn't find a good stopping point for a while.

so yeah, enjoy the long chapter.

(I don't own RWBY)

VOLUME 1 CHAPTER 8 - Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor Rich Man Poor Man Beggar Man Thief

Someone once told me that if you've had more than three major concussions before the age of seven, you're fucked. I'm pretty sure I had at least four, each one more deserved than the last but I'm not going to get into it. So, I guess what I mean, is that I don't really know things that are…the O word. It's part of why I have that saying.

I'm the type that would wrongly presume Ireland was an axis power but retain the completely useless fact that the Greeks invented anal. When it comes to fiction, I'm better…but not by much.

"This shit isn't working."

Ren opened his eyes and regarded me calmly. A gentle and cool breeze hit us as we sat cross legged across from one another in the grass.

"There's got to be some other trick. Maybe you could just unlock it for me, consequences be damned?"

"No."

I groaned. Yang snickered on a bench nearby, Ruby covered her mouth with both hands and a pout. My teammate tried prying her little sister's hands off of her, to almost no avail. Then they both started wrestling with one another in a somewhat distracting way, and I only just resisted the urge to stare angrily in their direction before speaking.

"What? Need to get to know me? Isn't that a prerequisite since it's so 'personal' apparently?"

"You're dumbing it down a bit but…sure."

"Alright, I'll give you a rundown. I'm a simple man, I like the McRib, I like vanilla ice cream, I like big booty latinas-"

"-It's not something you can force." He interrupted my deeply personal admissions.

"What's so bad? What could happen?"

"Any number of things. Organ failure prime among them." I winced at that. Then sighed.

"So what? I just keep on meditating until my Aura pops up?" I asked, my irritation rising.

"Yes."

"But that's gay." I refuted with a childish pout.

He deadpanned at me, almost unfazed by my constant remarks. The two of us sat in the shade of a tree just off a campus path. Cast the eyes onwards past the asphalt sidewalks that zigged and zagged through Beacon's grounds, and you might see a few spots here present a comfy little place to laze about, if students ever wished to. Hammocks hung between two close trees (even though most of them are crusted with dried bird shit), a picnic table here or there, the fountain and maybe a few small locales off the beaten path that could be improvised into something akin to a built-in hang out spot.

Off the limbs of the tree above, hanging by the back of her knees, was Nora. Her appearance startled me and I definitely didn't yelp like a little boy, yep, definitely not.

Yang snorted again from her place on the bench, and this time I glared at her, only for her to grin at me as she held her sister, who was still wrestling with her, at bay. The expression made my eyes twitch in vexation. I suppose in some ways, this is her revenge on me, laughing at my little struggles. But she has at least been a little helpful this past week (something I can't say for Weiss or Blake) so I'm doing my best to just let it slide off.

I tried to focus on the breathing exercises that Ren walked me through. Assuming a less tense posture.

"It's like making a wish from an invisible genie!" Nora snorted, almost like what she said was too funny for her to make a straight face.

"Wow! That almost made sense!" I said.

"Uhm, It does make sense." I looked sullen at her insistence.

"HOW!? I'm just sitting here, my thumb up my ass and no lamp to rub in sight."

"She has a point…in her own way." Ren said softly. His eyes gently close and his breathing is almost too slow to be noticeable. "You need to picture how it comes to you in a different way. Helping your own soul navigate your consciousness and rising up to meet who you are. Because your soul, at its core, is primal. It's just life, its nucleus, far from its vertex. When it meets you, it becomes saturated and in that, manifests more corporeally."

"I can't understand a single word of what you just said."

Ren sighed. Then opened his salmon-pink eyes. "I'm saying you're easily distracted. You have no focus. You need to find a way to conceptualize what Aura means to you. What it means when your soul is something you can use tangibly rather than simply something abstract. Which of course means something different for everyone, but ultimately yields the same results."

"Except when it comes to bullshit powers, that is." I yawned out. He smiles but doesn't say anything, closing his eyes again and slipping back into some kind of stasis he could pop in and out of at will, it seemed.

"Semblances are just a facet of Aura…" His voice softer, I exhaled through my nose slowly. "Which means it technically manifests with it…they just don't reveal themselves until the time is right."

Whatever that means. Spirituality is always something I viewed as a waste of time. I don't believe in deep downs. The only thing that a person could ever be is the sum of their actions. What's inside doesn't count for shit. Being 'spiritual' just tires me out. I scoffed and stood, making some old man noises as I did so.

"I'm taking a break." Twisting a bit, I cracked my back and other joints. Ren shrugged at his spot.

"Suit yourself." Shaking my legs out a bit, I bimbled over to Yang and Ruby.

"Wow. I'm inspired by your tenacity." Yang drawled.

"Evidently." I rolled my eyes. "It's not working. That's plain to see." Ruby crossed her arms.

"Because you're not working hard enough at it." Ruby spoke.

"I'm not sitting hard enough?" I deadpanned, a little heat in my voice. She frowned at me and Yang punched my arm and raised a brow. I hissed and then sighed.

"Yes, you're right Ruby. I will endeavor to sit harder in the future." Yang punched my arm harder. "Ow!" She glared at me.

"Fine!…sorry, I'll…I'll work harder at it. I just think I can be more productive today." Ruby looked up at me, her expression relaxing a little.

"I asked them to help and they said yes, Jack. Don't just throw it away. Please."

"I won't! I won't!" I tiredly reassured her. "I just want to do something else besides sitting around all day."

Ruby seemed to sigh again, training her gaze back on her teammates before looking back up at me. "They're helping someone else later today too, so I guess that's ok." She meant Jaune. I was privy to the group chat after all. And he seemed comfortable sharing with us that he never had an unlocked Aura, even though I'm guessing the entire staff here at Beacon probably already know. He said nothing about fake transcripts or being a regular dude though, so I assume he's trying to keep that lie going.

Whatever. I'm already keeping secrets for Blake. Only difference is she has no idea I'm even aware of them.

Contrary to popular belief, keeping secrets is really easy! Oh wait, I forgot. Unbalanced superego.

On a side note, why are you telling your secrets through text messages? I found it to be incredibly silly. Maybe it's just the schizoid side of me…

"If you're looking for things to do, you could workout a bit. Twig like you isn't gonna get very far without some dedicated Huntsmen muscle." Yang said. A faint hint of…not quite revulsion, but it's clear my stick-like body isn't going to wrestle any Grimm down. And I suppose that would probably rub any huntress in training, who actually worked to get into Beacon, the wrong way.

"Unfortunately for you, I'm already in my prime." I struck a pose akin to a Greek god. Flexing my non-existent muscles. Vanity is a virtue!

"Uh huh, and how is it to my misfortune?" She asked amused, roving her gaze up my body.

"Because everyone's looking at me instead of you. I'm a hunk. A hot piece of ass. All people see when they look at you is a busty mustard bottle." She stood quickly with clenched fists and a half grin/half snarl. I yelped, hiding behind the nearest child like the courageous hero that I am.

"You two are getting along better." Ruby said happily as I curled in on myself behind her like she was my shield. I peeked outward and immediately stood taller, brushing myself off as I spotted Yang's smug look.

"Define 'better' for me."

"Aww, Twiggy, are we not getting along?"

It was hard to say really. It wasn't as easy as 'me and Yang are friends now'. She was still a little cagey around me. However, in the week since we've known each other, she seems to have marginally adapted to my personality.

But just because she can adapt to it doesn't mean she likes it. At least, I think that's the case. Seeing as we're teammates, I presume she came to the conclusion that attempting to build a rapport is still better than having none at all. Weiss disagrees. And I have no idea what is up with my own partner.

Blake's been distant and quiet (big fucking surprise). So I have no idea what to do about her. But I have a feeling that building trust with her will rely on intuition. And that, in of itself, is a little like an asshole. When it puckers up, you better listen.

In the meantime, I have contemplated greatly about my weaponless woes. Financially I'm the equivalent of a slavic family during the 80's. To change that I've come to a wonderful solution!

"I will gamble."

Yang snorted as the three of us meandered around campus. "What?"

"Seriously, what better way to earn money?" She stared at me with pity.

"Jack…just…no."

"90% of gamblers quit just when they're about to win it big this time, for real."

"Sure, but you have no money to gamble with."

"Ah shit! You're right." Blast! Foiled again!

"You could just get a job?" She said like it was the O word. I was about to point out that I couldn't since I didn't have an ID, when the realization hit that…I actually do have an ID now…

My Huntsman in training identification on my scroll. This means…this means…

I stopped walking and they both looked at me strangely. I gripped my skull and let out a piercing war cry at the sky, my expression twisting into insipid rage. They both seemed to recoil at my action. Giving me strange, worried looks. I hunched over, wide manic eyes darting around as I breathed heavily. Ok, I probably don't need to be so melodramatic about it. But still, fuck Ozcuck and his expectations. I'm on a time limit for crying out loud!

Hell, I couldn't even participate in the combat class. All the Goodbitch does is make me sit down in the corner and watch! And the worst part is I can't have my thoughts to myself because Jaune is pestering me with useless ass comments and worries about whether or not he'll be good enough or if he'll actually get his Aura unlocked, blah blah blah. He hasn't actually been picked for a fight yet in that class, and it's clearly because the MILF who teaches it is aware of the fact that he has no Aura too.

Whether or not any of the professors are aware of the fact that he has no training and that he faked his way into Beacon, I have no idea.

But, digressing…I rubbed a hand down my face and sighed, exasperated.

"Can you not act like a fuckin' tweaker at random points in the day? It's starting to get our team some weird looks." Yang said.

Ha, right. Apparently everyone thinks I'm the 'weirdo' at Beacon. Oh, how history is condemned to repeat itself…

I can't tell if it's the perceived oddness of my behavior or just my general incompetence…I mean, just a couple days ago while experimenting in shop class, I ended up electrocuting myself with lightning dust rather painfully. Then Weiss screamed at me to be more careful after naming me a few other choice adjectives before attempting to leave the class early for fear of, and I quote: Having my life being threatened by the uselessness of some foul, unthinking simian.

"Get used to it. I'm not changing who I am…well uh…not that much, at least." Yang glared at me for a moment before her expression softened and she sighed.

"So, is that what you're doing then?"

"Yeah yeah yeah, I'll get a job." I couldn't keep the irritability from my voice.

"I could show you around Vale…" Ruby suggested.

"Uhhh, Ruby…" Yang interjected, rubbing her neck in awkwardness. "You set up sparring with Pyrrha in like twenty minutes." Ruby blinked.

"Oh! Yeah…" Ruby took off, turning around briefly to give us a wave. "Bye!" Then she bolted it with inhuman speed to the sparring arenas. We both looked at her run off for a moment before returning to the conversation.

"There isn't anything on campus, like little coffee shops I could apply at?" I asked, a little confused. Yang shook her head.

"Nah, they like having a more 'Hunter' focused campus culture. Screw all the commercial entities and shit. Better to pivot towards more boring academics or white bread social activities." Yang said as she rolled her eyes. "I can show you around Vale a little…but I got stuff to do later too so I won't be able to for very long…"

I shook my head. "No. I'll be ok."

"You sure?" Yang asked. Woah, is that concern? What the fuck? Uhm, I don't have the social skills to know how to react to this.

"Yep." I gave her a thumbs up as my lips turned into a thin line. She glanced at me for a few moments.

"Ok, well, word of advice at the very least then. Don't go to the industrial district, Junior's or the Treszker hotel." She winked.

"The what?"

"Tallest building in the city, dude. C'mon, everyone knows that."

"I'm not from Vale so I wouldn't." She giggled a little.

"Then where the hell are you from?"

Goddamn it…What the hell am I supposed to say?

"South." She waited for a moment as I twitched, expecting me to say something else. Then she deadpanned.

"Ok? Does that mean you're from Gloam Marsh?"

"No, I'm from a little town in the south…west. Southwest. Real out of the way, back country, barely even heard of. Goes by the name of…Arizona." I awkwardly swung my arms in a clapping motion in front of me for a few moments as I let a disquieting wave of emotions pass me by. Of course, be as vague as possible. Yeah, what better lie there is than a half-truth?

"Geez…how'd an idiot bumpkin like you manage to con your way into Beacon?"

"I am not a bumpkin, you turd!" She bursts out laughing as I frown deeply. "Ozpin just…let me in because whoopity fucking doo dah!"

"Aww, lemme guess why: Jack and Jill went up the hill so Jack could lick her candy~"

"Don't. Don't you dare finish that!" She leveled a shit eating grin at me as I turned to her angrily and jabbed a finger of warning in her face.

"But Jack got a shock~ and a mouth full of cock~ 'cause Jill's real name is Randy!"

"If anything, Ozzer was the one white knuckling my peener."

"Eww, don't say it like that, fuckin' gross." She scrunched her face up and pushed me backwards roughly. I stumbled back with a grin. "Besides, you were the one who said you gave him sloppy toppy."

"And you were the one who brought it up as if it wasn't a joke." She sighed at my words.

"Whatevs. I can't tell with you sometimes. We're here, by the way."

What? Oh. I looked around, spotting the Bullhead nearby that takes students to and fro. A bit of trepidation tingled my skin at the sight. I didn't quite know what to expect in Vale. I know it's the nearest city, and I know it's the place to be if I wanna find a job and make money so I can get a weapon, but I guess there was at least a little validity to me being a bit of a rube.

I've been to cities before. But this is obvi-I mean, it's just apparent that it's different.

"So…I guess I'm off…" I said. She smiled at me.

"You'll find something if you look hard enough. There's always something to do in Vale." She places a hand on her hip. "Me or Ruby will probably call you later."

"Sure." I sighed as she flicked her hair and began jogging back to Beacon's main buildings. I turned my attention back to the Bullhead and mentally braced myself for what I expected to happen next.

Vale is huge.

Not the country, the city. Was always a bit perplexed at why they stick to the same name for the city. It just causes confusion. At least the continent has a different name.

But this place? I don't even think calling it a mere city would even do it justice. It was…very impressive to say the least. And I had a pretty decent view on the Bullhead ride down. Scrolls also don't have GPS. So that's fun.

A car honked near me and a driver leaned out of his window screaming at the driver in front of him. I impatiently waited for the crosswalk sign to instruct me in the ways of crossing a street. My foot tapped anxiously on the pavement as the timer counted from twenty and I sighed as a group of high schoolers passed me by with a glance.

I didn't think I standed out that much. My jeans were a little loose but I borrowed a belt from Jaune. Maybe it's my shirt?

I was wearing my favorite one today. Maybe that's why. I mean, it's not exactly subtle having a - PLEASE HELP ME - plastered on the front of an annoyingly neon colored green t-shirt. But I thought it was kinda funny.

Yes, and almost certainly isn't an actual cry for help. Right?

Whatever. The crosswalk changed and I lost myself briefly to the passing of pavement below and buildings beside. Skyscrapers stabbed at the sky further into the metropolitan nightmare, and a touch of intimidation at the mere quantity of them trickled into me. Seriously, I hope I find my way back.

One building stood higher than the others, and it bore passing resemblances to the Burj Khalifa. If different in some ways. From the distance I was at, it was probably miles away from me. The building stood out among other skyscrapers, towering over them with an almost pathetic ease. The high rise was black as night, a finish so dark it sucked in light from the sun like a black hole was forming right smack dab in the middle of the goddamn city. Big letters that I could only spot because they shone like pure gold on the side spelled out:

TRESZKER

Well, not like I would approach that shit in a million years. Yang said it was a hotel, but for who? I'm too soft in the head to understand, let alone attempt to make guesses as to in's and out's of Valean culture. Expensive trap for tourists, maybe? I shook my head as I tore my gaze away from the building, turning instead back to the sidewalk in front of me.

No clear course was in mind besides the vague direction back to the Bullheads that took me back to Beacon. My eyes roved windows for 'help wanted' signs and side streets for any trouble I could run into. Yeah, I know these streets yo!

"-And further, authorities are baffled by the recent string of precise robberies done by the infamous Roman Torchwick, targeting high-profile dust stores and warehouses across the city. Store owners are also left asking questions as the why the thief only took Dust, and left anything else of value, including money, untouched.-"

I stopped. Backtracking a bit and coming face to face with the holographic digital signage displaying the news. Dust stores huh? Hmm…

"-despite recent security measures, Torchwicks evasion of authorities seems to be an unattended issue. Earlier today, in a statement by the chief of police, it seems-"

LALALALA! Don't care about the rest. Dumb bitch! I already got what I needed! I flipped off the news lady on screen and began walking down the street again, a few pedestrians giving me nasty looks.

Dust stores are perfect! I could have access to dust for any Hunter weapon that I buy, and I'd have steady income. If I get hired though…

I walked under the shadow of an overpass with a bit of pep in my step for once. Vehicles vrooming across the elevated highway with the strange sounds that only engines running on Dust could make. The very thought made me feel even more motivated to find any kind of shop that could take me.

Soon my feet found a solid stride and my head was held higher than before.

If I were to choose my favorite hole to be buried in, it would be one of inebriation. Of course, I'm not much of a drinker. I got someone to buy me a pack of beers from a gas station once. They rolled their eyes as I handed them a twenty and told them they could keep the change if they got it to me.

He then proceeded to purchase a brand that tasted like piss. But, given I was a stupid little fifteen year old, I drank it, acted tough, drank another…then bumbled home to my aunt worried sick as I was supposed to be in the midst of walking home from school. Usually that'd take me about twenty minutes, but evidently I lost track of time once I hit my fifth beer.

I was a lightweight then. Still am now. Because I don't drink often. Only when I'm really sad and think I can get away with it…

…I guess there's really no one to hide it from now. No reason to be careful.

I dunno why I thought about this. This random memory. It doesn't mean anything. It's just neurons firing. Just a tally in the book of decisions I've made that have hurt people who've cared about me or hurt myself with thoughtless actions and a desire to feel something else other than…whatever it is I felt. Feel. It's still there. Not quite as strong. Not quite as pronounced. Mostly replaced with sadness and regret and internalized grief and stupidity.

But it's there…

I wouldn't consider myself a misanthrope, I don't hate people. I'm not prime Ebeneezer Scrooge, power scaled to RWBY level. I'll crack jokes, talk to people now and again, attempt human interaction for nothing else but distraction.

But the aversion stems from my limited experiences with the shameful parts of humanity.

I kicked the homeless man's hat. He was using it as a makeshift little money jar. For all the donations from the overly-compassionate people he could squeeze it from. Money he would use on drugs or drink, not because he wanted them, but because he needed them.

Needed to feel something else.

Which, as you may know, is something I can understand. Which is why I disliked him. And perhaps I was also feeling grumpy at my less than stellar success at finding a dust shop that hires. Four stores now and every time they refused, saying they weren't hiring.

A few people gave me passing glances of judgement. But they predictably didn't do anything. The homeless man tried to speak in slurred words that came out all wrong due to the black rotting teeth in his mouth and the way his tongue looked swollen like it was a pregnant snake. Slimy and disgusting and bulging like there was an egg inside it. Probably from drinking.

I opened my mouth, glaring down at him. Before realizing I didn't really have anything to say to him. Nothing that would make it better, at least. Nothing that could convince him to get off his bum ass and do something else besides wallow. Because if I was him I'd probably do the same thing.

I am him.

I frowned. I picked his hat back up, brushed it, then picked up all the coins and put them back in the hat, holding it in my hand. The memory flashed into my brain once again. Me, drunk, stumbling home midday, only fifteen and lucky barely anyone noticed.

I knelt down, trying to look at the homeless man's mildly unfocused eyes. He blinked lazily, his Faunus dog ears twitching slightly above him. One of them was scabby and leaking puss and patchy with barely any fur.

"Buddy, can you tell me where the nearest dust store is?" I snapped my fingers in front of him. He grumbled out some nonsensical garbage and tried a few times to reach for his hat full of coins in my hand. I kept it just out of his reach and he moaned in drunken protest. A bottle near him fell over.

"You'll get it back if you tell me, yeah?" He let out something akin to a growl.

"Hey now, bad dog. C'mon, isn't that hard, tell me where the nearest dust store is." I waited.

The vagrant scrunched his face, closing his eyes and rubbing his forehead, his hands and nails filthy and cracked.

"Guuuh…rrr…round corner. Olive street. White building…" He tried his best to sound coherent. I hummed and set the hat in front of him. All the coins still clinked inside. He grunted and stared at the ground. Ignoring me with a depressing scowl.

I turned and walked down the street again, keeping an eye out for the building he described to me.

"…fucktard…" I heard him drunkenly grumble. I didn't pay it any mind.

Olive street seemed about as appealing as any of the other streets I strolled down. Dirty roads, graffiti, countless vagrants (Faunus and humans alike). I think I might have seen a few dead bodies in the alleys too! How very twee.

Anyways, the dust store stood out, a little newer looking then whatever else stood adjacent or across from it. I read the name of the store out loud.

"Olive's Dust & Blade Emporium…" And thankfully, hanging right behind the glass door, a help wanted sign.

I pushed the door in and the bell above jingled. An old woman behind the counter jolted and made startled noises, without hesitation I walked up to her as she adjusted her spectacles with a surprised expression.

She had these dainty, wrinkly hands that she rested in front of her. They have this almost immutable texture to them that catches my eye for a moment, like she gave her hands a permanent minor wood burn. The old lady smiled and adjusted her glasses again and I shifted on my feet for a moment as I scratched at my cheek. I could feel my eyebrows contract together in reflexive focus.

"Hello…uh…miss." Before I could really chastise myself for being awkward, she responded enthusiastically.

"Why, hello young man! Come to browse and buy? Do you need Dust? Oh what am I saying? Of course you need Dust! Well I'm here to help if you need it, young man. Ask me any questions you may have." She adjusted her spectacles. The eyewear seemingly minimizing the size of her peepers in a cartoonish way. Like staring into a teddy bear's beady little eyes.

"Actually, I was hoping I could help you. I saw the sign on your door." I rested my hands on the counter as well and she raised an eyebrow.

"Oh..yes yes yes!" She seemingly panicked for a moment, her physical movements sporadic. Like she was planning on reaching for something but her brain, followed by her muscles, told her 'no'. My eyes widened at her until she finally reached under the counter and plopped down two separate piles of paper.

I blinked. "Uhh…" Before I could really think of what to do next she smiled brightly as she plucked a piece of paper from one of the piles and set it in front of me with a pen. Much to my surprise, thank god it seems like this store is actually giving me a chance!

The old woman took another paper from the other pile and set it in front of her.

"alright young man…" She blinked before realizing.

"Oh! Forgive my manners, Freda Olive dear boy. Good to meet you!" She took my hand gently and shook it, the exact type of way you would expect an old woman to shake someone's hand.

"…likewise. Jack Horus." I picked up the pen cautiously as I eyed her.

"Now, you seem a good fit so why don't we just skip to the interview?" Suddenly she took the pen and paper from in front of me, startling me, and interlocked her fingers. Her wrinkly, weirdly inured hands to an unknown condition rested on the counter.

I blinked in rapidly approaching confusion as she smiled at me.

"I'm so thankful someone's finally come in! It's…well, business has been slow. That ghastly Torchwick fiend has made the people of Vale far too frightened to even go shopping at Dust stores anymore for fear of him showing up! I encourage you to look around a little when we've finished, young man! Anyways, tell me about yourself! Why do you want to work here?"

Holy yapfest. My brain struggled to catch up with her for a moment, fast talker that she was. But I registered that she was desperate enough to take anyone if she's skipping straight to an interview.

"Uh…well, I suppose it's because I'm currently in Beacon. Trying to get my Huntsman training and all of that. And I figured this would be a good learning opportunity."

We went on like this for several minutes. She asked questions and talked…like, a lot. And I stood there and gave the best answers I could, while simultaneously nodding or making an acknowledging sound to her ramblings while waiting for her to continue.

The door was pushed open and the small bell above rang. Freda didn't seem to pay it much attention, primarily because she kept speaking to me. And I myself barely even registered if someone else had walked into the store for a moment, focused as I was on her questions and making sense of her tendency to talk a hundred miles a minute and occasionally get off track.

"-that ghastly man should be summarily arrested, I say! The law mustn't dawdle as they have!"

"Uh huh." I tapped my finger on the counter and resisted sighing tiredly.

"Perhaps they should get some strong Huntsman after him. That would certainly get the job done!"

"Yep." I responded, bored. C'mon Freda, just give me the goddamn job already. I can already tell she wants to hire me!

It went on like this for a few more minutes. She talked and talked and I struggled to paddle through. I could tell, however, that we were nearing the end of the interview when my bipolar luck decided to grace me with a little gift.

"Stop! STOP! Thief!" The old woman stopped and suddenly waved her hand melodramatically in the direction of the door. I sighed and swung my head over just in time to witness the interruption.

A soot stained boy with black hair, sharp canines and pointy coyote ears gave me a toothy grin as he threw the door open. The bell sounded loudly at his aggression. He ran with a brown paper bag a little on the larger side. Apparently not so large that it seemed to hinder him though, as he held it tight and handled it with care.

The old woman was in hysterics as I stared slack jawed at the kid running out across the street, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic.

"The little miscreant stole all of the fire Dust crystals!" I groaned in irritation as I marched out the door quickly.

"Just stay here, I'll bring them back...I hope." I grumbled the last part to myself as I ran out the door until I caught sight of him. Just before he turned the street corner he turned back to me with raised eyebrows…

Then he gave me a shit eating grin as he held up something that made my blood boil.

My fucking scroll.

I patted my pockets and when I didn't find it, I felt my face twist in rage.

The kid took off and I wasn't far behind, moving fast enough so I didn't lose him as he disappeared around the corner. My blood pumped as my eyes searched for him.

The little shit couldn't have been older than twelve, and he was out robbing stores? And more importantly, me?!

I spotted the boy attempting to wade through a decent sized crowd. I pushed after him, my breath steady but quick. He changes directions, I do too. Once free of the crowd he breaks into a full blown sprint, I follow quickly. I push myself almost an embarrassing amount just to get on his tail. It seemed almost uncanny how slick he was. His ears twitched and he pivoted down an alley just after turning a corner, turning on a dime. He also narrowly avoided a tacky looking guy in a suit.

The man yelled out his grievances at the boy as the faunus kid retreated down an alley.

I wasn't so lucky in avoiding a collision, however. I struggled to get to a stop as I rounded the corner, instead bumping into the man. The man was bowled to the ground and splashed into a puddle.

"Hey! What's your problem, asswipe!"

"Get out of the fucking way next time." I snapped angrily as I got my bearings, peering after the kid just as he whirled out of sight down the alley. I raced, feeling myself run off of frustration and anger alone. The cat and mouse game between us lasted a little longer before he cut down into the subway, swiftly treading the stairs underground.

I followed, jumping down sections in order to catch up as I was losing ground. The boy slid and weaved between people as I was forced to push some out of the way, much to their irritation.

As he made his way onto the platform, my eyes widened as he didn't hesitate to slide into the metro train. The countdown began, and the crowd on the platform thickened as I was forced to just barely enter the train via a different door. They closed not even a moment later, and I found myself scanning the passengers, looking for his smug little face.

I took a moment to catch my breath as I moved slowly, making sure not to miss any visage. I navigated from train car to train car. The clock was ticking down, minutes passing to the next stop and my ears drummed with the pounding of my heart.

A twitch, a movement, my eyes snapped in its direction. Then I lost my balance briefly as the train came to a quick stop.

"Shit." I gritted out. The kid wasn't far in front of me. He turned, his small and furry pointed ears wiggled at the mumbled curse. He shot me another shit eating grin, still clutching the bag as he rushed out of the train the moment the doors opened.

I tried to reinitiate my equilibrium. Planting one foot after the other, briskly respiring again and shaking off a small dizzy spell. Christ, I needed to get out and about more. I wasn't particularly in the best shape, and if a kid can game me then talk about a rough wake up call.

I stumbled out onto the platform, nearly planting my ugly face in the ground and despairingly trying to keep my gaze locked on the boy making off with my scroll. His dexterous form practically skated away from the platform and up the stairs, back into the streets. I wasn't too far behind, but I was slowing. This wild goose chase was doing a number on me and there was no telling how long I could keep this up. The kid had the upper hand from a physiological standpoint. Faunus have more enhanced senses than humans from my understanding, after all.

I could only guess as to how that differentiates between the…sub-races? They're all faunus but they aren't the same faunus after all.

I tramped back up into the street, keeping my head on a swivel and just narrowly missing the boy turning into an alley about half a block away.

I suppose if I couldn't outrun him then I'd have to outsmart him, banal as it sounded.

Spending no more time in a state of inaction, I rushed to where I believed the other side of the alley would be, turning the corner and seeing the boy come out of that side. I kept myself hidden, just peeking out, a few pedestrians passing me by with weird glances.

The thief looked around too, trying to catch sight of me. I retreated out of sight, and waited, counting a few seconds away before chancing a glance. He briskly hustled to another alley entry on the other side of the street.

Rather than rush him then, I ran across the street and prayed he didn't see me, then kept running parallel to the building he was aiming to walk the path between. I turned once I reached the end of the block and hurtled myself into what I presume would have been the expected egress for the thief.

Oh, what a genius play by me! A simple cut off was all it took! The look on the boy's face as I barreled into him, barely giving him any time to react. It was a dopamine hit in a league of its own.

The force from the collision had him tumbling to the dirty ground and clutching that same brown paper bag to his chest. He didn't stay there for long however, as my hands found his collar and I hoisted him to his feet with a scowl.

"C'mere you little cunt!" My voice was raw, low and furious. My breathing labored as sweat soused my brow.

"W-Wait wait wait!" Still clutching the brown bag, he set it down gently. "You can take it back, ok!? I give up!" My hands lifted him off his feet a little more, they dangled fearfully as his eyes widened and he squeaked a bit, black eyes focused on me more closely. My arms burned from holding him up, despite not weighing all that much.

"You know what you took, animal boy!" I shouted at him. "Give. It. Back."

The fear in his eyes grew a little more pronounced and he bleated a bit as he fumbled in his pockets midair, pulling out a scroll. I let go of him dismissively as I snatched and turned the scroll on, checking if it was mine. A small sigh of relief escaped me as I found it was.

"What's your deal, bro? Actin' like a psycho for no reason." He said. I glared at him as I pocketed my scroll. Keeping my hands close this time to make sure I didn't get punked again.

"And you're acting like a useless thieving shit." He upturned his chin at me and crossed his arms. As I looked at him more closely, He seemed maybe a little younger than I had initially guessed. A few freckles dotted his dirty face and his ragged clothes seemed to subtly pronounce a gaunt body. I frowned.

"Yeah? Still more useful than you! Maybe you should take up a career in begging, you seemed to be doin' it well in that store…" I glunched.

Then I ambled to closer in what I hoped to be a menacing manner. "If you don't move your animal ass away from me right now, I might not be able to control my temper."

The boy might've gotten lost like I was hoping. But he looked mildly unbothered, and he bore his narrowed eyes into my own. For a split second, it was like he was staring into my very soul. But that soon changed to confusion as a shadow loomed behind me and a hand clamped down on my shoulder.

The beat of confusion that ran through him, and ultimately through me, made my heart leap in my throat. I could only manage a meep when whoever was behind me forcefully pulled me back like I was nothing, pushed me up against the wall, and rammed their forearm against my throat to choke out any expletive response I had ready to bubble out into their face.

Yellow eyes, slanted with fury bore into me. My own widened in response.

"Gloomy!?" I choked out. She pushed her forearm into my throat a little harder, I struggled and gasped as I fought for breath. Then she relented. "Sorry…I meant Blake…" I heaved out quickly.

She didn't say anything for a moment, her gaze and demeanor cooler than an ice cube. My own hands clutched onto her forearm, waiting to see if she would try anything again and preparing to push back.

"You really are pathetic." She said. I groaned in frustration.

"Go to hell, Blake! He robbed me!" I spoke through clenched teeth, she put more pressure down on my throat.

"He's a child, and you were about to hit him. He's just out to survive like the rest of us!"

Rest of us huh? Real subtle, dipshit. No wonder she can't keep a secret for very long.

"I wasn't going to do anything! I was trying to scare him off." She narrowed her eyes and a beat passed before I continued. "And it's just classic you to decide that now is the best time to actually get involved in what your fucking team is doing! I know you don't talk to Yang or Weiss. So what is it? Huh? Were you following me!?" She put even more pressure down on my throat as I struggled to speak, her teeth bared slightly.

"Turns out I was right to, racist fuck like you isn't any kind of teammate I could bear. Nor are you any kind of partner to me." She responded. Before I could even have a chance to retaliate via insults, her forearm left my throat. Then her hand found my collar as she pulled her other hand back…

She punched me. Hard. I saw stars as black swimmed in my vision. Crawling in from my eye line fast. I think I was acutely aware of the fact that I was now face down in a dirty alley, and thus my face twisted in disgust. A few words were exchanged between Blake and the thief. They were really more passing than anything. A bleary part of me thought that was bullshit. She just wants to feel better about herself. Terrorist bitch.

'Step away fellow faunus! For I have saved you! Go about your business now!' type shit.

Then two pairs of footsteps patter away, drifting away for a few minutes, riding the waves of darkness. Another quick patter of footsteps getting louder. Something poked my face. I groaned. It poked again. I sighed and just barely managed to pry open my newly rebruised and inflamed eye.

The thief boy crouched beside me. An amused look on his face.

"Trouble in paradise?" He asked.

"Fuck off." I answered, tiredly. I trembled from exhaustion for a moment as I sat up against the alley wall behind me.

"Tch, yeah. You didn't look the type to brutalize little ol' me. So for what it's worth, I believe you." I stared at the ground.

"What are you even doing? Take your Dust crystals or whatever and get lost." He rolled his eyes. I ran a hand down my face, prodding a bit at the swelling bruise.

"If I knew taking them woulda had two Hunters, including a racist, I wouldn't have swiped it in the first place. So nah, you take it back! I got plenty of other places to hit." The boy crossed his arms, his furry ears twitching in irritation.

I groaned again as I shakily got to my feet.

"Hang on, how did you-?"

"So, your name's Jack Horus eh?" My head snapped to him, he once again dangled my scroll in his hands. I scoffed at him and snatched it out of his hands, just resisting the urge to smack his grin off his face.

"Why do you keep calling me racist, anyway?"

"You called me an animal, bro…It doesn't get more racist than that. Well, actually, that's a lie. But still…"

"Well, sorry…now can you get lost already? What's with you trying to act all buddy-buddy all of the sudden, slick?" I grumbled. Kneeling down to the bag and dilating it, peeking at the bright red and orange crystals inside. He leaned to look in just beside me.

"Pfft, You're a Hunter. It's in my best interest not to get on you or your pals' bad side. I'm in a competitive business you see? Have to make sure I'm not fighting on too many fronts! So you go spreading that me and you are tight, yeah?" I sighed.

"Look, slick, I don't really give a damn if you go around robbing people. Just don't rob that place anymore. And don't even think about robbing me." He held his hands up and gave me another toothy grin.

"I swear! On my honor as Libero Gray, I will not rob that store, or you, again!" He spoke dramatically, holding his hand over his heart as he stood so rigid he looked like he had rigor mortis. I couldn't suppress a snort.

"Your name is Libero?"

"Yeah!? What of it!?" He waved his fist at me in indignation. His prepubescent voice climbing in pitch.

"Nothing, slick." He tutted at me and crossed his arms.

"I suppose you ain't all bad for a human, even if you're a little ugly and racist."

"I'm not racist." He laughed at me.

"Yeah uhh, you're probably a little racist even if you don't realize it." Huh? The fuck does he mean by that? "Well, I'm gone, gotta hit a few more places before going back home." I was struck with a sense of surrealness to the situation. Just several minutes ago I was basically threatening him and now he's chatting me up a storm like we're pals.

"What're you-?" Before I could even voice my confusion at the thief's behavior, he interrupted me.

"Look me up at 14th and Aurantiaco. Maybe we could help eachother out…financially. I mean, that is why you're applying to that Dust shop, right?" His ears twitched rapidly as he gave me a half-lidded look. I stared at him for a moment.

"You've got the wrong idea about me, slick…" I closed the paper bag of fire Dust crystals and picked them up gingerly. Then moseyed out of the alley.

"If you say so…a dopo."

I could hear him patter away for a few moments before he was gone. I sighed before gingerly adjusting the bag and beginning to head back to the store.

I took out my scroll, navigating my contacts down to Yang. My foot tapped as I swiped, the park bench making me uncomfortable.

When I found her I tapped the call button. A few moments passed before she answered.

"Heyo. How's it going?"

"I got a job. Wasn't particularly easy though, the place got robbed while I was in the middle of the interview."

"Ooo~, sounds like an eventful day for you. This I gotta hear." I sighed.

"Not sure I find it as exciting as you do, but yeah. This little shit lifted a dozen fire Dust crystals like it was nothing and ran off. I was….able to get most of them back to the owner though."

"Most of them?"

"Uh huh. Turns out there were only two of the crystals unaccounted for. I think he hid them under his shirt or something. For a kid who isn't even a teen yet, he was a slick little bastard." I leaned back on the bench.

"That's the street urchins of Vale for you…slippery as an eel. Glad you got most of them back though. You did good." I coughed a bit, clearing my throat.

"Yeah."

"So, when do you start?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Sweet. Well, I'll-"

"Have you seen or heard from Blake?" I interrupted her.

"Uhh nope. I haven't really seen her all day. I'd bet she's still quiet and mopey though. Why do you ask?"

A beat of silence passed.

"No reason. Well, look, I'm heading back, thanks for…well…you know." I heard her click her tongue.

"You got it. See you in a bit." I hung up.

I ran a hand down my face. My other clutching onto two fire Dust crystals. The crystals themselves are still dangerous and need to be handled with a bit of care, but not nearly as volatile as the powdered stuff to my understanding.

When I had returned to the old lady in the store, she showered me with praise and hired me on the spot. Said I was a young man of honor.

I gently rolled the crystals in my hand.

Some man of honor…

feel free to leave a review if you feel inclined.

next chapter in a couple weeks.