Sorry for my bad English.
That was quick, wasn't it? Let me explain.
While I was looking around my notebook for old files to delete, I ended up finding a nearly done chapter I was working on. I planned to post this a little before the second round but I end up forgeting it was in my notebook (How did I forgot about this, it was almost done?). Reading I realise I just needed to change a few things and I could posting it as Another Day chapter.
I planned to wait a bit before posting this but then I thought why wait?
So that's that. To the fic!
Headmaster's office
Putting the documents down, Ozpin did not know what to think about it.
After reading the content, he finally knew how Ironwood already had the resources to build the machine under the academy, and so fast. The question at the moment is, what do to with the information they have?
-Should we continue with the Challenge? -Goodwitch asked.
-Mr. Forest has not shown any problem so far. -Ozpin answered putting his hands together. -Neither our students who went through the same thing. And their presence is not causing any trouble.
-Not causing? -Glynda asked, remembering a few scenes where the duo caused some problems.
-Okay, not so much trouble. -Ozpin conceed.
-Besides, I think hard to believe in the effects of this... Project Santa since neither Mr. Forest nor Mr. Hanabi showed any sign of the side effects.
-But the effect varies from person to person. -Ozpin pointed out. -Ms. Rose could be called one of those causes of her behavior alone.
-We are talking about Milk, right?
-Do you need to ask?
As they continued to discuss the topic, they wondered about those side effects. Ryan did not unlock Jaune's aura while in the forest, probably because his aura could affect Jaune's in an unknown manner. So probably was for the best for Jaune to wait until he was back in the academy to have his aura unlocked.
Their thoughts were interrupted by the call from the general. Ironwood had a lot to explain to them.
Vale
The Feeding Warriors
-I can't believe we have to do manual labor because of your stupidity, Xiao Long! -Weiss complained as she changed her clothes.
-In my defense, they started. -Yang said, trying to defend herself.
-But you had to break most of the restaurant to teach them a lesson? -Blake asked.
What happened there is that as a group of guys tried to hit on the girls from RWBY and CNVL, one of them approached Ruby, igniting Yang's older sister's instinct and starting a fight inside the restaurant. The tables were flipped, some chairs broken and worst of all, the food was scattered on the ground.
Seeing the food he put such passion into making on the ground and no more edible to eat, Brick was furious. Merely the act of clenching the fingers of his foot cracked the ground beneath his feet. He scared the teams and of course the duo, more than any grimm in the past. Brick called the police on the boys for harassing his customers and ordered the teams and the duo to work in his restaurant for the day to pay for the damages.
Some of the girls were sent to work as waitresses, so they wore the standard uniform of the restaurant, a white shirt with a black tie, black skirt, black heeled boots, and red aprons.
-Not bad. -Chocolat commented seeing herself in the full-body mirror.
-Would you look at that? -Yang said, posing in front of the mirror. -I look good in any style, it seems.
-I must admit those uniforms have a certain charm and class. -Weiss added, seeing herself.
Pyrrha stepped by their side, admiring her reflection as well. Champion or not, she still is a girl and likes to look good in whatever she is dressing.
The doors of the Feeding Warriors opened, the three boys entered for the first time in the restaurant and were greeted by Chocolat.
-Welcome. -She said with a smile on her glossy lips. -Table for three?
-Make four and you can join us. -One of them said.
-Please, follow me. -She ignored the comment and showed them the table.
-You, I would follow to the end of the world, sweetheart. -Another one commented.
As they sat at the table, Yang approached them with a notepad in her hands.
-What the fine gentlemen wish? -Yang asked.
-How about your number? -The third one asked.
Flirting was not so fun when she was already interested in another guy.
When Brick mentioned she could not use her bow with the uniform, Blake insisted she should work in the kitchen. With most of her head covered, she was taking care of the dishes with Ruby, Ren, and Nora.
What worried Ren was that every time Nora was done with one plate, she would throw it in the air where it would land perfectly in another plate.
-Nora, be careful with those. -Ren commented. -We don't want to add more to our bill.
-Relax, that's why I'm taking special care with those. -Nora commented, throwing another plate in the air.
Blake had to admit it was quite impressive.
The duo were put as janitors and were making sure each tiny place in the kitchen was free from any dirt and microbes. Jaune comes face to face with a small stain on the tile floor. With a brush, he scrubbled the stain but it didn't come out. He scrubbled and scrubbled again, but the stain still didn't come out. He scrubbled, and scrubbled, and scrubbled, but the stain still didn't come out.
He scrubbled, and scrubbled, and scrubbled, and scrubbled, AND SCRUBBLED... but the stain STILL didn't come out.
-Dammit! -He cursed.
-Welcome! -Chocolat greeted. -Table for... four?
The brunette was confused upon seeing team CRDL wearing long coats, fedora hats, sunglasses, and ridiculously obvious fake mustaches on their faces.
-Yes-I mean... cough cough... yes, table for four, please. -Cardin said in an obviously fake voice.
Despite all the questions appearing in her mind, Chocolat guided them to an empty table. As she left, she noticed Yang's confused expression as she approached CRDL's table.
-It must be because Brick is a faunus. -Chocolat commented.
Meanwhile in another table...
-What do you recommend in the seafood session? -A businesswoman asked.
-The chef's grilled salmon with vegetables is highly recommended by magazines specialized in cooking and dishes. -Pyrrha commented, remembering seeing an article once. -The chef carefully massages the salmon meat with his skilled hands to ensure the texture is a pleasant chewing experience.
-Sounds divine. -The woman said.
-Please wait five to ten minutes. -Pyrrha said and took her leave.
-What did the gentleman wish for? -Weiss asked a man in a suit.
-Say, can I request the redhead or the blonde? -The old man asked with a smirk. But an ice glare from Weiss told him it was not an option. -Just some coffee, please.
-Right away, sir. -Weiss said in clear frustration.
Not only did she have to deal with those types of customers but feared that someone reckognize her serving tables and taking orders from people like this pervert old man.
-Ruby, don't you think you are carrying too many plates? -Jaune asked seeing the silver-eyed girl carrying a lot of dishes.
-It is fine. -She said.
This was until she stumbled into something and nearly dropped all the dishes. Luckily for her, Ren was able to grab all before it fell on the ground, standing on one foot with her arms stretching and carrying all the dishes like some circus act.
-Good work, Renny! -Nora said. -We are ready to hit the road.
-Can someone please help me? -Ren asked through clenched teeth.
Brick Stronghold once was a huntsman and thus, faced many dangers and was in many life-threatening situations. However, no amount of training and experience could prepare his nerves to deal with a prejudiced health inspector.
-Let me get this straight. -Brick began. -Are you trying to give my restaurant a fine because I'm the cook?
-Who ever heard about an animal in the kitchen? -The well-dressed, bald bespectacled old man said.
-I'm a citizen of this city as decreed by the citizenship system of the city of Vale. -Brick retorted, much to the old man's chagrin. -Unless you have a better reason for this fine, I will bring this to your superiors and see if they appreciate your behavior.
-How about I ask some of your customers if they ever found fur in their food? -The old man asked with a smirk.
Brick answered by flexing his huge arm below the old man's nose, showing the impressive lack of hair in his skin.
-Ask if you want but witness how smoothly my muscles are. -Brick said. -Each morning I shave to make sure my customers will not complain about hair in the food. The same reason I wear this cloth in my hair. So go ahead, ask them. I challenge you.
The old man could feel how smoothly his muscles were, compared even to a baby's butt. Growling under his teeth, he exited the restaurant while muttering it was not the end of it. Brick just sighed in annoyance. It was not the first time someone tried to close his restaurant because he, a faunus, was the one cooking the food.
They can try but will never succeed, Brick swore.
-What does the fine couple wish for the meal? -Weiss asked. -Given the lady's current weight, may I recommend a salad?
-Young lady, I'm pregnant. -The woman said with a scowl.
-... Yaaaaang! -Weiss called and quickly left the couple.
Jaune and Ryan stood straight as soldiers as Brick walked past them to enter the bathroom. Wearing a glove, he slowly checks the place. He traces his finger on the sink, the toilet, the window, and finally the floor.
He brings his hand near his face, turning left and right while checking for any signs of dirt.
-Great work, boys. -Brick said. -Not even a speck of dirt in this bathroom.
-Thank you, sir! -The duo loudly says while saluting.
-Now, you both can move to the male bathroom.
-Yes, sir! -They both said again.
Putting on soldiers' helmets and raising mops and brushes, they go into battle with the filth.
-Make me proud, boys. -Brick said.
Nora ran from left to right while putting the dishes back in their respective places and eyeing a chocolate cake resting on the table near the wall.
She knew she shouldn't but could not help but give it a try. Making sure no one was seeing her, she reached with her finger but only touched something as hard as a brick.
Oh...
Nora stumbles back while smiling nervously, Brick eyeing her with annoyance.
-Go take out the trash. -He ordered.
-Yes sir. -Nora said and ran away.
-Happy birthday, congratulations. -Yang, Pyrrha, Chocolat, and Weiss sang. -Happy Birthday, with salutations. Happy birthday and may your sky stay blue... Happy birthday to you.
They finished and Yang put a cake on the table occupied by a family of five celebrating another year of an old man with an oxygen tank by his side.
-No candles? -Chocolat asked.
-There's no need. Why would I ever want to wish for anything if I have the best gift of all right here? -The old man said, gesturing to his family. -Another wonderful year with this wonderful family.
Upon hearing his words, other customers around start to clap, the girls accompanying them.
The male bathroom was clean like it was never used for the day. Their reflex could be seen on the ground and not a single mark could be seen on the mirror. The toilets were white as pearls and the dirt would not remain even if someone used them.
All in all, the duo did a terrific job.
-One more point for the huntsmen. -Ryan commented putting the mop away.
-A clean victory with lemon freshness. -Jaune said.
-Yang. -Chocolat called the blonde. -Natsu is here, alone.
Hearing that, Yang smiled.
-Thank you. -She said and walked to the table on the window, and found the boy alone while reading a book. -Yo, Natsu. Fancy meeting you here.
The boy takes his eyes away from his book and looks at her. She thought to show off herself in the restaurant's uniform but he did not show any reaction.
-Need something? -He asked.
-I'm... here to take your order. -Yang said.
-Are you working here?
-Just for today. -Yang was able to hide her disappointment as she continued. -May I recommend the spaghetti? Is Mr. Stronghold's new recipe.
-Yes, please.
As she went to ask for the spaghetti, she could not believe that once again her charm didn't work with him. She's a killer in that uniform and yet, Natsu didn't show any noteworthy reaction. She thought his glasses must be malfunctioning or something.
No matter how many times she flirts with him with corporal messages, winking and looking suggestively at him, the boy still didn't show any reaction. Did Ryan lie when he said Natsu was kind of shy around girls?
As she continued to wonder what she was doing wrong, Ryan noticed the blonde attempting to impress his old friend and sighed.
If only she knew.
-Ugh, it is finally over. -Weiss said and started to remove the uniform.
-Oh c'mon, Weiss. It was not so bad. -Chocolat said.
-It sure was an interesting experience. -Pyrrha commented.
-I don't suppose we can keep the uniforms? -Yang joked.
As the four girls left the locker room, they met with the rest of their friends. The duo especially seemed pleased with their work.
-So, how was the work on the front? -Nora asked.
-Exactly what you expect. -Chocolat answered before asking. -And how was everything in the kitchen?
-Ren is ready to perform in the circus.
This makes those who have not worked in the kitchen look at the male members of CNVL.
-Don't ask. -Was all he said.
-Well, you guys did a nice work. -Brick said approaching the teams and the duo. -As I promised, everything is officially paid.
-I hope that this morning's incident doesn't stop us from being welcome in your restaurant, sir. -Chocolat said with a nervous smile.
-Don't worry about it. I banned some troublemakers for way worse. -Brick says and gives a package to Ryan. -Here, a little extra for the good work.
-I'm smelling cheese breads? -Ruby asked.
-Thank you so much, sir! -Nora exclaimed and reached for the package, only to be stopped by Ryan.
As they leave the restaurant, Brick watches with curiosity the future huntsmen and huntresses who will protect the city. Some of them remind him of his old comrades who are resting in peace.
A nostalgic smile comes to his face before he turns to close the restaurant. He really would like to see them continue to come to the Feeding Warriors.
End of the chapter.
The birthday song is from the game Metal Gear 5. At first was going to be the version from Emperor's New Groove but as a game fan, I thought to use this one. I plan to give Brick some more spotlight along my other OCs so I giving him some time in the chapter to assure that.