In the previous chapter we saw what eria and company were up to mainly the princess to the ice queen throne suffering from nightmares. Though lets return to her cold father of belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum. I own the OC's,
.Hope you enjoy
Chapter 15:A charming Lion
After they made a quick stop to have a bite to eat since the three didn't have breakfast they heade further into a deeper part of the city. As jaki was trying very hard to figure out who this benefactor was because had very few friends in vacuo. He was going through the list of possible secondary places if this person was rude.
But for some reason he couldn't get what that lilith women said early out of his head. Rather strange to meet someone actually mourning for that boy except for people he knows would mourn for him. She was a surprise but as he was in his own world he was soon snapped out of it.
"Hello earth to hayley are you their?"will voice spoke up brining him back.
"I uh yes what do you need is something wrong?"jaki replied
"No because you were spacing off because we should be arriving at your new temporary dwelling soon"will reminded
"Ah yes that i take it you know this person very well?"jaki asked as the married couple eyed each other on how to respond it seems.
Meg hummed at that"we sort of do though he been letting someone stay with his family. Someone that been going around and starting fights"she sheepishly said.
This brought a confused but puzzling look to the man face as he tried to wrap his brain around who it might be. Because as they were walking around he noticed one thing because it stuck out to him mainly.
That being from the looks of it a dogo with a rather large door but it was opened. Which revealed several people in the modest of training with sandbags and several piece of exercise equipment being in used. While he wondered if that was where he was staying.
"So are you taking me to some dojo since that is pretty noticeable. The owner i presume?"jaki asked as they shook their heads at that.
"No that would be oh who was it…ah Yongshi wukong. "Meg stated
"Ah i think i know his son. He was on team SSSN correct?"will asked as he nodded recalling that boy making it to the top three actually in the final round. That boy father must have been proud still despite him losing he was too until that day happened.
"Yes indeed. Though rumor went around that he left for menagerie to check on his friends correct?"jaki asked as will tapped his chin thinking about his boat trip their.
"Oh probably and . Those two might have been friends with him and he must have been worried about them"will added making him feel slightly guilty hearing that wondering how that girl is dealing with the grief. He had a cold demnor but he was still a man with compassion at time.
"So how far are we from the house exactly?"jaki questioned because he was getting rather tired from lugging this suit case around.
Meg looked straight ahead smiling"oh where here and it seems that his wife is outside right now"she said before waving to someone to get their attention.
"Bastet dear were here!"meg called out as the house they were heading to was the home of fenix neaman. As on the porch right now was bastet who was in something different right now trading in her usually attire. That because she was in her usually attire for the day.
That being a pair of deep maroon jeans that seemed slightly tight but she wore a pair of tan sandal to match with it. While over it she wore a simple golden color t-shirt underneath a dark red jacket button up that presented her modest bust. The buttons of the jacket were gold color as she had space for her tail that was free.
Though with her was her daughter lavi along with someone else.
That person being who appeared to be a little girl around six to seven year old with short black hair and yellow colored eyes. She wears a white jacket along with a pair of black shorts and sneakers while sporting a simple yellow t-shirt on underneath the jacket. Though on her head was a pair of black sunglasses to cover her little eyes from the behind her back is a long black monkey tail gently swaying back and forth cutely.
Baster smiled setting a cup fo tea down"ah meg their you are dear here i thought you were going to be late"she greeted with a hug.
"Oh we ran into a small problem. Some crazied individual was planning to blow up that moneutment in town"meg said as the lion knew what she meant.
"Those darn cultist i swear they've been getting worse since the fall happened."bastet said before looking at who she with.
"Ah you must be jaki i think i've heard about you"she added
Jaki groaned internally"let me guess you took me in out of pity i take it since my daughter current reputation"he asked coldy receiving a strange look from her shaking her head.
"No because my husband used to be friends with your…brother dravan"bastet corrected to his shock as he tried to wrap his head around his brothers friends back in vauco. He hasn't really kept in touch with anyone that his brother knew or sparred with mainly.
"I see sorry for my cold demnor. Its how i naturally am just a warning"jaki warned ahead of time.
Bastet chuckled slightly as her tail swayed"so i've heard though if i need to introduce myself"she said with a handshake as he took it shaking it.
"Bastet neaman. Or by what some people call me still lionheart daughter of the current havan headmaster"bastet introduced herself as jaki raised an eyebrow upon hearing of that name,
"Ah i think i know who your talking about leonardo i take it. Though that name your husband wouldn't happen to be.."it was on the tip of his tongue until a loud voice called out.
"That would be I the great fenix neaman!"fenix voice called out as they looked toward the source that being in a nearby dead tree planted right infront of the house. Lavi noticed him up their giggling stopping from playing with the lemur faunus.
"Daddys stuck in the tree"lavi said giggling right now.
"Do we need to call the fire department to get him down"the little girl asked sweetly.
Which made bastet laugh slightly walking over with an annoyed look at her husband right now as her tail swayed
"Fen get down from their now. Your making yourself look bad infront of our guest along with our temporary tenannt"bastet demanded.
The lion then decided to make his way down by diving off the tree into the dirt before rolling into it for a bit kicking some dust up. Then once he rolled far enough shot up presenting himself before crossing his arms leaning against a mailbox infront of his home.
"I take it your the guest my wife mentioned. If you don't recall me i…"fenix was stopped
"I recall you know. You and my brother dravan got into sparring matches back then when you attended shade then transferred over to havan correct?"jaki coldy asked making fenix laugh at that.
"That would be me though still a shame what happened to that old jackal. "Fenix sombely said as the man sighed rubbing his eyes
"Yes his death would be marked about six years now if i recall. Though i take it your taking me in out of the ties with my brother?"jaki asked shaking his hand as the man shook it quickly before releasing.
"You can say that in a way. I'm also the one holding onto a lynx eared boy. I was good friends with his father and aunt long ago"fenix replied which made jaki assume who hes talking about that being that wheeler boy he heard about around the capital for the last month. Lately hes been getting in fights with anyone disrpecitng his family members that he lost recently which he could understand.
"Ah yes that boy. Though i see that you have a guest who are you sweetie?"meg said to the lemur faunus.
The little girl titled her head confused at the question"Why do you wanna know"she said simply
"Because i just wanna know your name sweetie. I'm meg scarltina and you are?"meg introduced herself.
"I'm Saru wukong. I live over their"the girl itnroduced herself as sun wukong little sister pointing toward the dojo.
Will looked surprised"ah you live over their at that dojo we passed by. Though why are you over here?"he asked concerned.
"Oh were just keeping an eye on her since Nuwa is still recovering from delivering her bundle of joy right now. She should be back tomorrow"bastet said ruffling Saru hair to her annoyance.
"Hey! I just brushed this!"Saru whined pushing her hands away from her hair.
She chuckled at her actions as she was trying straighten her hair out.
"Ah that would be her home yes kapi lives their. But right now hes rather busy running his dojo although let me show you inside our home real quick"fenix said as they walked into his home as jaki dragged his luggage with him.
Opening the door to the home it was rather simple might you add the grimm like trophies on the wall. Along with tht once inside fenix quickly guided him to a hallway before pointing down the hall.
"The door on the right on the far end is your room. While the one next to it would be the wheeler boy."fenix said before looking rather annoyed.
"If that dumb fish eating cat didn't go in that city again"he added grumbling as his ear kept twitching around in anger and with annoyance. Lavi frowned slightly as her tail swayed before wrapping her little arms around his legs.
"Daddy is uncle vance going to be okay?"she sweetly asked making the man demonor change as he picked her up.
"He will, because don't worry when that ship comes by to take people to vale. I'll go make sure he's alright then we might go visit his aunt then maybe your grandpa"fenix sweetly said making her smile hugging him.
"Yeah grandpa!"lavi cheered
Meg smiled giggling at that"that qutie adorable i'm guessing your father must love his granddaughter?"she asked
"He does despite his status he made sure to make time to visit here. Though…he doesn't like my husband being so careless. It made my daughter take up his habitat"bastet called out her husband.
Fenix leaned against her shoulder"well i'm sorry dear but i have a sense of adventure at times. Along with the thrills as well. "He said before peeking her on the cheek.
Which made jaki think about his wife right now wondering if she was alright being on her own right now. Probably crying her eyes out for their daughter that are both missing which made his cold heart ache right now.
"Besides all that we really need to get going. Our ship leaves in the next half hour i take it this is where we leave off"will said before offering an embrace which was accepted by jaki.
"That we are my friend. I'll hope to see you again when i come by atlas best of luck"jaki said as will nodded at that. Then meg picked up the basket before giving it to bastet who opened it to reveal some chocolate chip muffins.
"I also made these since you requested them"meg said as the smell wafted throught the air making Saru and lavi eye the basket.
"Can i have one?"Saru innocently asked
Lavi was set down before jumping up for one"i want two…no..four!"she cheered as the adults laguhed at the two antics.
"You two can have them after we have diner tonight alright. "Bastet stated to the two little girl giving disappointed sigh
"I wanted a muffin"lavi grumbled as her tail flicked around.
Fenix ruffled the hair on her head"well you can get one later dear because we'll have diner and your friend here will be sleeping over tonight"he said brining a smile to her face.
"Yah sleepover!"lavi cheered switching her attitude as meg and will were making their leave. But as they did meg recalled something before reaching into her purse out pulling out a book as she sighed.
"It slipped my mind i borrowed this book from that store here in the capital. And we really need to get to our ship. Dear would…"meg was stopped as bastet took the book retrieving her own purse herself placing it over her shoulder.
"I don't mind i need to head to the only other bookstore we have in town anyway. Might as well make it a little family trip. Care to join us ?"bastet offered as jaki thought about it for a moment he has been the capital for a long time. But this is the first time hes actually going to explore it after being here for so long. He nodded at that before placing his luggage and bag in the room but kept his axe just incase.
"I might as well i haven't explore much of the capital surprisingly. it 'll be nice since i do have to kill time before those ships arrive for vale"jaki replied as they nodded leaving the house as fennix locked it up. As the scarltina then left the group as they headed off to their ship bidding them farewell.. As they ventured into the city to explore it while also returning a book.
Elsewhere in the entire the continent of vacuo right now was carmine was who riding on a camel right now for easy transport since most people in vacuo rely on these animals for trnasprotation. She was traveling a long time until she was reaching her destination. It was about west of the capital in the lower parts of the mountains.
As she approached it looked like the entrance was heavily guarded from the looks of it. From just looking at the etrnace their were maybe four guards patrolling it out front holding automatics weapons with a wooden entrance along with tree spikes tied together. Around the entire property it was covered by a thick wood wall all meticuiosuly tied together so that their wasn't an entry point to go through. Once she got close one of the guards raised a hand up to stop her.
"Ah miss escalados you returned how was your trip to the capital ma'am?"a male aksed as he along with the rest of them sported the same tattoo like the one on her torso. Carmine hoped off the camel grabbing it by the reigns guiding it forward.
"It went well stopped a bombing from those psycho cultist from the unseen eye"carmine replied handing the steed to one of the miltia as one of them scoffed heavily at that.
"When the hell is the vacian council going to deal with those psychos? Because all they've been doing is terrozing from here all the way to gossan"a female milita replied
"I know that's a problem i'll probably meet up with theo or deck later to discuss on dealing with them. For now i need to take a small break for a bit"carmine replied as the guards nodded before opening the large gate behind her.
Inside their were several houses varying from sizes and shapes as they all had green banners with the same tattoo on her hip emblazoned on all of them. As she walked several people varying from faunus and human alike that are young and old as they saw carmine come inside as some of them immeidialty swarmed her.
"What did you all miss me or something?"She said with a smile as she was immediately swarmed by some adults and kids.
"Welcome back miss. Esclados. We were worried if something bad ha dhappened to you"a man siad
"Thank you for worrying everyone though give me some room please i'm rather tired"carmine said gently as they backed away giving her some room.
Though an older gentlemen in his mid thrieis walked up to her holding an infant in his arms.
"Though good news miss esclados. We had a baby born in the property while you were away"a man said as he carefully handed her the infant to her.
"Alright lets take a look at you shall we"she said as she held the young infant in her arms carefully.
"Ah…hes a healthy one. Were their any complications with the birth?"she asked but the man shook his head.
"No thanfkully. We were wonderi what to name him"he said as carmine gently handed the infant back to the man
"I'll leave that to you and your wife. I wish you well"Carmine said as he gently bowed to her then she returned the gesture as the crowd dispaared. As she kept walking soon enough someone called out to her
"Red where the hell have you been you were due back an hour ago"a gruff voice said to her.
Turning to their direction she was met by a tall man standing at roguhyl six feet and six inches tall. He had a broad and muscular build to him as he had a green mohawk on his head with a matching goatee to boot. While his attire consisted of a brown hooded cloak and a green chest plate over a black tunic. While on his right forearm was a long scar.
"Sorry i ran into some trouble back in the capital"carmine replied as the man walked with her through the property.
"What kind of trouble extaclty? Let me guess you got into a fight with someone being handsy?"he smuggly aksed
Carmine scoffed"if you count those psycho cultist trying to blow up that monument to the people we lost during the fall"she replied making the man go wide eyed growling right now upon hearing that
"God dammit! We keep telling theodore that we need to deal with those dam cultist. But he refuses to listen"he growled in rage as they apporahced a simple house like the rest as it had some simple furnishing for the room that being a couch with a simple tv. Along with a dining table to eat some food big enough for a few people. While their also is a couple other rooms perusambly her sleeping quarters along with her bathroom.
But once inside she took a seat on the couch as the man took one of the chairs bringing it over to face her right now. As she was twirling around a knife for a bit as he stared her down.
"Are you going to ignore what i'm telling you or what?"the man growled
Carmine sighed as she stabbed the knife into the table with several other deep grooves suggesting she used the table before for this one reason.
"I'm sorry bertilak kinda hard when they won't listen after what happened in vale"carmine replied to the man known as bertilak celadon.
Bertilak growled before dipping his head"your not wrong about that. But we need to solve this issue with these cultist pronto right now"he firmly stated again.
"And how do you suggest we do that because no one knows where their base is. Hence their name"Carmine smugly replied to his annoyance right now.
"I know that. But as of late have you not seen the reports from out scouts lately"bertilak said before pulling out a map of vacuo with the capital along with the neighrboign cities and settlemnts around the entire continent. But all of them had circles that said caravans were attacked along with settlmetns being raided. Their were also cases of people of being kidnapped across the deserts of vacuo right now.
Carmine sighed rubbing her temple for a moment on how to solve this issue. She understands this is a big issue but right now she needs time to think. After running around the capital this early in the morning to deal with a few troublemakers it made thing exhausting today.
"I understand this is a big problem tell yah what, let me freshen up realy quick. Get some fresh clothes then something to eat then we go and talk to theodore alright?"carmine replied as the man weigh his option before sniffing her then recoiled from her.
"Fine but seriously you smell what you crawl through a pit of animals guts or something?"he asked before he lokoked at him before tapping him in the side.
"I get it i smell fought a couple sobeks on my way here and a couple sulfurs"carmine said before entering a room perusambly the bathroom.
It was a simpel set up with a sink, shower and a toilet. Inside the shower was some shampoo and conditioner along witha towel hanging off to the side. Carmine started the shower head as it poured down water from the head making sure it was the perfect temperature for herself. After ahceiivng the perfect temperature for herself she casually stripped out of the gear she wore before getting into the shower as the water made contact on the skin. Flicnhing a little from the heat but eventually got used to it as she let the water run down her naked form as she made sure to get her boyd soaked in the water.
As she began to wash herself for a bit making sure to get every spot to get cleaned up but after fives minutes soon enough the water started to slow down for some reason. This confused her as it soon immediately stopped confusing her as she twisted the handle to get it going again but nothing. This made her wonder if something was happening as she quickly dried off wrapping a towel around bursting out of the bathroom to beritlak their at the sink. With some of her milita.
"What going on with the water did a pipe bust or something?"carmine asked as some of them averted their gaze from her naked form still as water dripped off her.
Bertilak looked at her gornaing"First put some dam clothes on. Secondly we got a problem i checked the caritage value its working. But their not even a drop of water coming through"he replied
"Yeah and i was trying to get water from the pump but it suddenly stopped we don't know why?"a milita added as she gornaed rubbing her face because she wanted to just sit down for a bit to relax.
"Alright i'll get dressed and were heading to theos office to talk to him. Make sure everyone doesn't freak out we'll get this issue solved."carmine ordered as the milita nodded as she decided to get dressed back up before deciding to confront the headmaster of this potnetnial problem.
However venturing through the downtown portion of the city right now was decker on his way to meet someone right now. But he traded his military gear for something simplier that being a pair of blue jeans with some pouches on his hips. While he sported a pair of cowboy boots that seemed to be made of rattlesnake skin. Along with that he wore a grey t-shirt with a smoke cloud on it as he sported a pair of shades on his face.
He was just taking in the scenario right now since he had some time off before he had poker night later today. But he was mainly observing his remaining soldiers hard at work patroling the city. He is a mercenary captain but he knows a problem when he see one. The only reason he having his soldiers patrol the streets is because of an increase in bandit and grimm activity.
But mainly he was heading to one place that being the illustrious shade academy. That being the very large building with a wide entrance almost seeming pyramid shaped but it layered. On the slides are the giant banners flying with the picture of three golden swords the vacuo kingdoms ensignae.
"Well seems like i'm finally here…better be here headmaster"he muttered to himself stepping inside
As he did he accidentally ran into someone as the clanking of something could be heard as it startled him a little.
"Dang nabit alright whos the wise guy that…"Decker stopped before looking at who was on the ground right now. That being nolan portfiro sprawled out on the ground right now out of his wheelchair.
Nolan looked up slightly"oh..uh sorry i…um was..just.."he coudlnt' find the words but decker sighed.
The man hoisted the boy up back into his wheelchair to help him be able to move around again. But as he did he noitced the prosthetics leg on him confusing him for a moment. Until the sound of footsteps could be heard.
"Nolan! Their you are i was worried when you ran off"a male voice called out that being scarlet david running to his side
Nolan sighed rubbing his eyes"i'm fine scar…just ran into this guy is all. If you want compensation take it aint got much anyway"he said with a sorrowful tone. This made decker eye the kid for a moment seeing his eyes because he seen them several times survivors guilt along with those dark bags under his eyes.
"Poor kid must be one of those people who survived the fall, poor bastard lost both his legs."he thought before kneeling slightly.
"Eh your alright kid though i wasn't looking for where i was going. I take you two are huntsman at this academy here?"decker asked as scarlet nodded.
"I'm from team SSSN, my boyfriend here is from team OZNE. Who are now in the grimm infested city right now"Scarlet replied with a worried look as he pieced together who he might be talking about.
"Oh those kids theo sent in that city."decker replied as he nodded but from the side someone else joined in on their conversation.
"Their you two are, wondering where you ran off to got worried for a bit."a male voice said that being sage walking over with one new face it seems.
That being a girl who seemed to be eighteen as she had light blue hair styled into a braid parted to the left side while she had golden eyes. While she had an athletic build wearing a pair of tan booty shorts showing off her toned legs. While she wore a medium blue croptop longsleeve with a pair of black snekaers. While she had a tan harness on with several pouches on it with her gear pesurmbaly inside it. She had three slash mark scars across her stomach.
While strapped to her back was a hammer and sickle on her back.
"Yeah seriously you wheeled away from us before we left to grab a bit to eat"she replied
Nolan looked down rubbing his prothseitc knees"sorry i just wanted to get some air…thought you were going to be with your teammates zydra?"he asked the girl known as zydra.
"Nah those two are still well…um grieving for our leader you know"zydra replied sadly.
"Look we all lost alot of good people that day kiddios. My opinion watch each others back if theirs trouble because you'll need it. If you survived that hell will be a cake walk for yah"decker said wisly boasting their spirits slightly it sems. Zydra tapped her chin for a moment.
"I guess so though uh you seem a little familiar. Have we seen you somewhere before?"zydra asked before decker crossed his arms.
"Decker shaw leader of the despardos. "Decker introduced him with a wave to the four relazition who they were talking to.
"Oh right your that guy that torchwich apparently hired. Though i suggest staying clear of the academy right now. Alot of students here don't like you guys or students from beacon especially our buddies"sage warned
Almost immediately a few shade students were messing with a couple beacon students in the crowd right now. As they were taking turns throwing rocks and pebbles at the two laughing at them taunting them right now.
One of them threw one square at one head"your a disgrace to the huntsman name! You guys can't even protect your school and you had a monster attending your school. Your all disgraces!"a student shouted at them. Decker growled at them before stepping forward as one was about to throw another rock but grabbed them by the wirst.
"Drop it you dam brat before i give you all a dam lesson in repsect. Your all fighting for the same goal drop the attitude or i'll beat some sense into you"decker demand emphaizing it squeezing on the students wrist.
"Arghhh! Fine you psycho let me go!"he demanded as he did as this caused the students to retreat as zydra rushed to the air of the two as one of their heads were slightly bleeding.
"Hey you two okay?"she asked as the girl nodded rubbing her head.
"I'm fine…serioulsy i'm getting sick of these guys giving us crap. Not our fault that thing ruined our school name"she growled before zydra gave a glare to her for some reason.
But from behind them someone spoke up"it seems the students of my academy are still treating you all rather harshly. Why don't you take these two to the nurse office miss. Autumn"theodore voice spoke up.
"I will sir, i'll meet you guys later so we can hang alright"zydra said taking the two with sage help as scarlet wheeled nolan off somewhere.
"I take it your here to meet with me ?"theodore asked
"Percisly that being a current problem i've been having along with an increase in you know what activity"decker replied as the headmaster sighed nodding.
"Very well we can come to my office to speak on the matter"theodore said as they walked toward his office to discuss the matter right now.
After a short elevator ride to get to his office at the top of the academy they walked into the office as theodore assistant xanthe was already their waiting for them with some paper work in hand at the ready.
"Ah headmaster i see that you brought a guest today"xanthe replied
"Of course dear. I was a little late after some of our students had a small spat they got a rather bit rowdy."he replied
"That quite alright though a pleasant surprise i take it your here to help beef up our securit on the academy?"she asked as theodore took his seat as decker took one across from him.
"Not exactly because for starters i need some help. Lately my troops have been dwiniling everysince the fall happened. I've been doing my best to supply the city to prevent another attack like vale or beacon from happening again"decker explained as theodore sighed collapsing his hands together.
"Look i know we have a major problem of that right now and i can't thank you enough for your support. But you know how i've been sending small groups of huntsman to deal with the grimm in vale. Those awful grimm knights are making such a hassle"theodore replied tapping his finger for a moment.
That was when xanthe sighed getting a good look at decker"yes, though surprising that a merc would even help our school. I thought you'd be doing this for money"she snarky replied
Decker growled slightly at that accusation"i do do this stuff for money. But right now i know a bad situation when i see one. I may be ex atlas but i did hail from vacuo long ago. But right now i need help gathering more troops to protect your academy and this kingdom"he firmly demanded
Theodore thought long and hard on that for a moment before coming up with something.
"Look i don't think people will wanna join a military that might be like atlas. Along with the threat of those cultist running around we already have…"he was stopped as his intercom buzzed for a moment confusing them as he answered.
"Yes what is it?"he pressed a button answering it
"Sir you have some visitors that really need to see you one miss escalados and nr celadon"a recptionist said on the other end causing him to groans lgithly.
"Alright send them up we can see what their problem is now"thoedore said wondering what other problems are being brought to his office now.
Although in the downtown portion of the capital right now after two hours of walking around and exploring the place right now was jaki and company. As mainly the people were busslign around not even knowing what they were doing as the huge walls surrounding the city standed at about easily forty feet high and three feet thick.
As they ventured through the city to return this book to the book shop fenix continued to explain to jaki on the amount of stuff their in in the capital. A restaurant called bug burger which according to him served all kinds of meals for both faunus and human alike. Then explained the large wall circling the city right now. According to what he heard it gathers the water from below and the people of vacuo sell it for a price. He went on to explain some of the nightclubs in the area one of them being the oasis his favorite place.
They continued this on for a bit as bastet was ahead of them slightly talking to a fruit vendor to get some fresh fruits for tonight meal since they had guest. While lavi was on her fathers shoulder while Saru held jaki hand so she didn't get lost.
As the two men stood their jaki found it rather strange for a man his age to have a child so young. But the two were having some casually conversation.
"So my friend i take it your not used to the harsh desert landscapes of this place?"fenix asked smugly
Jaki laughed at that"i'm a huntsman remember? Despite having so much money in my bank account i'm a simple man"he replied
"I don't like being flashy like most elites. I like the simpler way of things and i taught that for my girls. Making sure they aren't rude making them do chores to earn their allowance. Along with teaching them the importance of doing the right thing"he explained before he paused with a somber look forming across his face as he sighed.
"That would be the case if one of my daughter didn't go out to kill people while the other gets kidnapped"he added with a sadden tone.
Fenix noticed his upset look as she sighed before bending down slightly removing lavi off his shoulder to her annoyance.
"Daddy i wanted to go on the ride more"lavi whined in annoyance
"Your father needs to talk to someone my little lion. Just stay right here after we talk then i'll probably throw you in the air if you want. Ok?"he said as this made her smile in agreement at that.
Then he turned his attention to jaki as he decided to give him a small tale.
"Do you wanna hear about how i met my wife?"fenix suddenly asked to his confusion but nodded in agreement wondering what this was leading to.
"A long time ago oh i don't know seventeen years ago in fact. I was a huntsman back in havan me and my team became good friends with the headmaster leonardo. We get sent on these missions usually but for starters one day we get asisghed with some old friends of mine. If i recall diego taupe, aarne crowrly, diamond and who else…ah a tiger boxer"he begun.
"Ah you mean i recall her back in beacon. She was…rather stubborn if i recall"jaki replied
"Indeed but here the kicker. We all get asked by him since most of us were natives to mistral and knew the place. Tells us their was this raid on a village. That he'll be sending someone with us to make sure we don't cuase trouble. That being bastet lionheart his only daughter who was a huntresses at the time. Someone who hated my guts from the day we met"he added which didn't surprise him.
"She does seem to hate your antics, but you two seemed to have made a connection"jaki replied slightly shocked
"Ah yes she hated me for my charm back then. But we were tasked with dealing with bandits in mistral we did. But then couple years later got wind of slavers in vacuo me. Her and a women named amber along with tiger ears. We get their find them doing…"he paused for a moment until an upset look came to his face.
But quickly composed hismelf"but we saw them burn a pit of bodies their women, men, eldery and.."he paused looking at his daughter which made jaki understand.
"I assume that you all arrested them and saved the slaves you could?"he asked but he was wrong.
"Nope we killed all those slavers few got away. But heres the thing a grimm tried to sneak up on bastet and well.."he paused before turning around to reveal a very old and deep scar on his back before pushing his shirt back down.
"You saved her life which in turn made her fall for you?"jaki asked as he nodded
"She did but do you wanna know what else made her fall in love with me. It was when we found some poor kids who all lost their parents. Amber took most of them while some of them were scared of us."he continued
Jaki had a thought cross his mind for a moment but lost it as soon enough bastet came back with a basket of fresh apples along with some oranges.
"Alright i got some fruit for tonight, we should head to the book store its not that far now. "Bastet said as they nodded cotinuing their way through the streets of vacuo and after ten minutes they arrived.
That being their desitnaiton a medium size book store. It was a two story building with a tile roof that seems rather knew still holding strong colored dark grey. On the outside of the building it had black paint on it making it stand out like a sore thumb in the sandy area. Along with two big window showing a row of books with cardboard cutouts of characters in the window.
Their was a sign on top of the building that reads" The crypt"the sigh itself read made complete out of wood with a skull with a candle atop it with a pair of crow statues on opposite sides of the sigh.
"Well this is a rather dark looking bookstore i might say"jaki commented coldy.
Bastet chuckled"oh its not that indaimting once your inside. The owner here is very sweet along with her kids. Lavi and Saru here play with her youngest on little playdates"she said as they entered the shop.
Once they enrtered it was rather large at it had a wide selection of books varying from different subjects on fiction, mythology, fairytales. Along with the occasionally books for the shade academy students to brush up on any topics that they need to study for an upcoming test.
Their were two stories to the place as their was a set of the stairs on opposite sides of the store that led to the second floor. But right now behind the counter was the current person checking people out. That being a girl.
That being a girl with light tan skin as her eyes were pinkish red as she had dark purple hair cut short. While she seemed about sixteen with a slender build to her. As she had a modest bust to her. While her attire consisted of some black yoga pants with purple lines on the side as she wore light purple sneakers to match. Along with sporting a long sleeve shirt that presented a bit of clevage with the middle having a v-neck on it. While on her nose piercing of a skull in the middle of it.
The door rang as she looked up at them greeting them"oh its the lions…let me guess your here to pick up my little sister?"she asked in a monotone dead voice.
Bastet chuckled"no yama where here to drop a thing off. Though is your little sister or mother in right now?"she asked sweetly as Saru and lavi went with fenix deeper in the bookstore as the two wanted to look at some books to read.
The girl known as yama sighed as she got up as her chair spun for a moment seming rather annoyed.
"No little sis is with grandma or whatever talking with dad over something. "Yama said
"Mom! We have some visitors that wanna talk to you or whatever!"she added calling out to someone. From the back another person emerged from the back with a stack of books as jaki was surprised to see lilith from early.
Lilith set the book down cracking her back"thank you dear, be a good kid and return these books were they belong"she asked as yama rolled her eyes picking them up placing them on a cart to do just that. As lilith noticed bastet smiling.
"Oh bastet dear what brings you here today? I take were still on tomorrow to visit noira with her new bundle of joy?"lilith sweetly asked
"We are but i'm also here to make a drop off for meg scarltina. She had to leave for mistral today and forgot she had one of your books she borrowed"bastet said retrieving the book from her pure giving lilith it as she scanned it as a machine told her it was returned. But sighed placing it with some books on a shelf behind her.
"The man with two soul, a very interesting read myself. Though i'm assuming your husband and daughter are here"liltih said glancing toward her right seeing fenix helping Saru reach for a book on a higher shelf she wanted to grab.
"They are but sorry to interrupt, you were that women at the monument i ran into early today"jaki spoke up
Lilith turend to his direction"ah yes. You were that man who was confronting carmine. Your not that much a native to the place but she may look like trouble but in reality she very sweet"she replied
"I take it you two ran into each other early?bastet asked as jaki nodded before that thought about who she was mourning for early surfaced for some reason. He didn't really care but was just curious since most people depsie his daughter and her teammates at times along with their friends.
"Yes we did after the bomb threat. We mourned for a bit though early you said you knew my daughter team leaders. Actually mother correct?"jaki asked as this made lilith have an upset look come across her face as she rubbed her eyes as some tears formed. Bastet noticed this sighing before taking her hands for a moment.
"Dear are you alright? I'm still very sorry that we were the ones that brought her to you"bastet suddenly said surprising the man hearing that guessing that these two found the same slaver camp that nadia raided long ago.
Lilith sniffed slightly"your fine dear, it still hurts at time hearing my old friend was killed by some…slavers."she replied softly
Jaki could sense the tension around her right now but was just a little curious he's heading to vale himself. He could maybe tell that lynx that someone is at least respecting his cousin name it seems.
"Sorry if i sound rude but did you and that women have close ties?"jaki asked
Lilith looked down before retreiivng a picture frame flipping it to reveal a younger lilith with another women that being hel graves as the two were in wedding dresses right now. While hel was in a brideman dress with several other women.
"I do, we knew each other most of our lives. We both originally came from vale but i moved to vacuo where my family was. We tried our best to stay in contact. Though i was even their when she had her first born…her only child"she begun
"At the time we did get in some fights but we still were very close friends. Though one day she was planning to visit me when i got some mail from her. But after maybe a month she never came which got me worried. But then a week later bastet…and some of miss. Escaldos miltia they came back with several bodies. Two of them being her and her husband azaril"she continued
"I didn't think about her son she had thinking he perishsed alongside them. But it seems he was alive but is now with her it seems."she finished her small tale as they were in silence for a moment until she clapped her hands.
"Depiste my sad tale, this right here is my bookstore that i run with my kids. Along with some people close to my family. We have most books from here to atlas thats our moto"lilith siad with a chiper tone.
Jaki chuckled slightly"it appears you do, i'd like to catch up on my reading but i'll be leaving for vale soon though. But.."he was stopped as fenix called out.
"Hayley we got a problem theodore just requested me to come to the academy. "Fenix called out to their confusion.
"Did something happen?"bastet asked
Fenix sighed rubbing his eyes"i don't know he said it was very urgent. I may need a seasoned huntsman opinion on this"he asked as jaki thought for a moment its been a long time but he might still have what it takes.
"Alright then we should head over their quickly as we can. Will you three be to walk back to the house?"jaki asked just incase
"Oh don't worry i'll be fine though yama dear could you accompany us just incase?"bastet asked as the girl was about to argue but her mother gave her a look.
Yama groaned"fine i got curfew tonight anyway lets hurry this up or whatever"she replied as she helped escorted the three back to their home for the night. As the two huntsman traveled to the academy to see what the problem was right now.
Jaki is now staying with the neaman family along with hearing of sun wukong father and meeting his baby sister Saru. Along with that it seems we encountered liltih again with her daughter yama their. But it seems someone shut the water off in vacuo to run their wells dry. Thanks for reading!