A/N Back to bullshit
Alt title: Crash out
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Dreamer Of The Infinite: Cyril was keeping his outburst in check to not put Weiss in a worse situation.
Prr6755: I don't know who that is.
Blazinglowe2491: Yes it is.
Emp781: I iz evil~ hehehehehe
goduckyourself321: But, what?
FinalKingdomHearts: Here it is!
GideonBlackthorn: At this point Weiss recognizes that everyone wants to leave. The only thing keeping Ruby and Blake there was Cyril and Weiss, and the only thing keeping Cyril there was Weiss. And she's not so self centered that she wouldn't recognize that.
And stressed Weiss is horni Weiss.
Guest: Just you wait.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
(Text)
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-Wood's Island, Drachen's Castle, North Eastern Vale, 11/25, 5:20am-
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Cyril Leon POV
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Stepping into our the bullheads parked on the courtyard's landing pads. I sigh as I take a seat in the smaller aircraft. Right next to the door with Ruby to my left. Blake sitting across from Ruby on the opposite side. The soft curved metal makes them, not the most comfortable seats, but also not the most uncomfortable. Like the hard plastic seats in schools.
It wasn't even that hard to find which one was meant to bring us back to Beacon. Seeing as it's the only one that's standard issue. As in small personnel transport aircraft. The rest are larger or have some level of personalization to them.
"Take us back to Beacon." Weiss announces, not even bothering to look towards the pilot as she climbs in after me.
"No can do miss." The pilot, a tired sounding man with short, greying brown hair says lazily as he scrolls through his scroll. "Bossman gave me a time to fly, and it's not time to fly."
Without missing a beat, Weiss turns and walks to the front, reaching into a small pocket on her dress as she takes out a few cards and slaps them on the middle console between the two front pilot seats. Prompting said pilot to look down at the cards as Weiss walks back.
"Sorry about that boss." He says as he pockets the Lien and grabs his helmet from the passenger pilot seat. "My watch must've been broken."
'Twenty bucks is twenty bucks.' I snort derisively as the doors to the bullhead close and Weiss sits next to Ruby on my left.
We take off in relative silence. The only sounds being the rhythmic thrum of the engines, and the soft buzz of the propellers. Craning my neck to the side, I watch through the door's window. Quietly enjoying the expanse of trees turn into the deep blue of a lake as we leave the island.
Wood's Island is actually set in the middle of a large lake. Making it relatively safe from potential Grimm attacks. The only issues the castle would have, would come from the air. Which is probably the reason for the turrets on the various balconies and terraces. Now visible in the morning light.
There's also a village nearby on the lake shore. Set up with docks and houses.
"Well… that could've gone better." Blake draws out.
"Could've also gone a lot worse." I comment as I look up to her.
"I think it went, um… okay I've got nothing." Ruby tries to add to the conversation, but gives up.
Weiss just sighs and leans forward. Resting her face in her hands. Before running her hands up and through her hair. Removing her ear clips and hair tie. Letting her ears and hair free as she pockets the accessories. Not saying anything. Leaving to another awkward silence.
"Sooo." Ruby clasps her hands together and slowly taps her feet. "We still have all day to ourselves. What uh, any plans?"
"Sleep." I answer immediately.
"Reading." Blake says as she leans back fully and crosses her arms.
"I'm, probably going to be answering a few scroll dials." Weiss says tiredly. "Scroll… scroll dials. Calls, god I'm tired."
"Soooo. No one has plans?" Ruby asks.
"Nope." I cross my arms and let my head rest back against the bullhead. Closing my eyes as I take a deep breath.
"Then, does anyone want to join me in Vale later today?" Ruby asks eagerly.
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-Meanwhile-
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Drachen Brand POV
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My blood feels like ice in my veins as I walk to the landing. Preparing myself to give the address and announce the brightest mind of the year as I descend the black marbled stairs. Looking out at the gathered crowd, my face feeling heavier and heavier as I struggle to keep my pleasant smile up.
More than half have no right to be here. Invited solely because it would be more of a headache not to. At some point I invited a few because they kept insisting. Wanting to attend to meet the brightest minds and glean some insight from them. Or at least, that was their reasoning.
Maybe that was the case, once upon a time. And perhaps I grew complacent in that excuse. They weren't causing me trouble. So I allowed them to attend so long as they continued to not do so. And I fell to the singular thing I despise so much.
Complacency.
I extended an invite to a man who, while not of a revolutionary mind. Still contained the intellect to retain a method of dustless, endless energy. And he managed to recreate it of his own merit. That speaks to a mind full of potential that is being unutilized.
'And these halfwit bastards and whores drove him off.' I think bitterly as I walk past Valentia on the stairs. The blonde beauty that is my wife following suit.
"Are you alright dear?" She asks in a hushed tone as she tails me. "You have that look in your eye."
"What look could you possibly mean, my dear?" I ask as I continue my stride.
"It's the same look you had when you'd caught wind of one of the maid taking pictures of Emerald." She says, causing a twitch in my eye at the recollection.
"She did make quite a mess in the garden." I quip. Pushing the unsettling memory from my mind before the pit in my chest starts to burn from a paternal anger that I was unaware I had.
The ending was cathartic at least.
"You made a mess and I feel as though you're about to make another." She whispers harshly as we reach the landing, the ceremonial goblets set upon their pedestal against the wall.
"Perhaps." I nod as I grab the two ceremonial goblets and turn to her with a smile. "Though I promise this one will require less bleach."
I walk past her and take my place on the landing. Setting down the golden goblet on the carved marble as I keep the purple one in hand. Ignoring the snide remark from my wife on how hydrogen peroxide was used.
"Ladies and gentlemen." I announce to the gathered crowd. Speaking from my chest to allow my voice to carry, without needing to shout. "It seems so short a time, this last year. But the march of time is ever advancing, and so too is progress! Advancements in medicine!" I gesture to Dr. Callows in the crowd, currently ignoring me as he plays eenie meenie miny mo with the snacks. Then towards Dr. Angelos, a thin older man in a blue tux and with balding white hair. "Advancements in computing and micro technologies!" I wave towards Watts and his secret creation. "Advancements in history, civil engineering, nautical engineering, aerocraft and more!" I pause to let my words sink in as I take a calming breath in through my nose.
And I set the purple goblet down. Confusing a few of the guests who know of the tradition. That I'm suppose to now invite the one I believe to have the most beneficial invention or innovation for the people.
Last year it went to Dr. Merlot for his research into dark frequencies and how they may be used against Grimm. Potentially wiping away hordes at once with the use of a single machine. Shame he died in his first test. And with it, all of his research.
"But first, I would like all those who believe they don't belong here." I say as I place my hands on the railing and lean over as I lose my smile. "To leave."
The guests all look to each other in confusion, no doubt wondering just what it is I mean. Though comically enough, I spy as Nikel Rein shrugs and heads for the exit. Only for Watts to grab the back of his collar and stop him. But the rest just stand around, looking to one another dubiously. Too oblivious or too arrogant to see my meaning.
"Allow me to rephrase." I say as I push off the railing and look down on them all. "Anyone not here for their contributions to the scientific community. Get out."
I watch as some of the "nobility" here have the grace to quietly leave. Encouraging their extended invites to just stay quiet. Lord Eisen surprises me by being one of them. Then again, he understands the value of avoiding a spotlight.
But Holz, Licht, Fluss, Foret and Chene, decide to stay.
"Lady Licht." I look to the woman in a red dress as she is the closest to me. "By what merit are you here?"
It takes the blonde woman a moment to realize my address was genuine and that I expected a response.
"Uh, are you serious?" She scoffs as she crosses an arm under her chest, pushing her breasts up while lazily holding her other up. Doing her best to appear as though she's looking down at me, despite our current elevations.
"I am." I give a patronizing smile to the noble lady. "Now, please answer the question."
"Drachen dear, I hardly feel-" She starts.
"That's Lord Brand to you, Rouge." I glare down at her. "Do well to remember."
That causes the uptight ponce to redden darker than her dress. And her son taps her on her shoulder, whispering something I don't quite hear. Before she shrugs him off while glaring directly into my eyes.
"What's the meaning of this, Lord Brand?" She snides sarcastically with an ugly glare. "Are we not among polite company?"
"Before asking that, ask if you could stand being alone with yourself." I roll my eyes and bring a hand up to snap my fingers. Several of the servers knowing what to do as they approach and escort the belligerent woman out. Much to her protest as I make a mental note to send a few mercenaries after the caravans she has supplying her illegal drug ring.
'The next one should be, two weeks out from now?' I think to myself as I look to Vert Foret.
"I presume you have the foresight to understand what it is I will ask?" I inquire with a raised brow.
Though I already know the answer.
"My land holdings house most of Atlas's research outposts so-" He starts to say.
Nothing.
"Leave." I shoo him off.
"I beg your pardon?" He scoffs.
"Anyone can buy out your land and leave you destitute, Vert." I sigh as I look to the man as I watch his face grow pale in fear before my eyes. "Leave before I do so."
He opens his mouth to say something. Before wizening up and leaving. By this point, the others have caught on to what it is I'm doing. With Fluss, Chene, and Holz having decided to take the initiative and remove themselves.
"Lord and Lady Holz!" I call out with a smile, causing them to turn around alongside their two daughters. A curious and rightfully worried look marring their pale faces.
I raise the purple goblet in a mock cheer as I speak. "Look forward to a large check in the mail sometime in the near future."
This confuses Lord Holz, who is not the head of the family. Just the face of the family he married into. His wife is the brains of the operations, problem is that she has a tendency to think with her crotch when around too many people.
Though, she seems to be out of her own fantasies enough to recognize the hidden meaning behind my statement. If her furrowed brow and widening eyes are an indicator.
"For, for what purpose if I might ask, Lord Drachen?" He nervously shouts from across the room.
"Termination fees of course." I nod. "After due research, I believe Brand Health Industries will be stepping away from any and all partners with what I have deemed, poor character." I say loud enough for the retreating nobles to hear. "It's a matter of image and security, you understand of course."
Considering thirty percent of Holz construction contracts are with BHI, well. I perceive some scrambling in the future.
"Lord Brand!" Brau Holz calls out as he steps forward frantically, even as his wife tries to reach and stop him. "Think about what you're saying! Surely you don't realize the extent of what this means."
"Are you implying me to be short sighted?" I focus my gaze on the pale man.
"N-no, I just believe these sort of things should be discussed at length before any decisions are made." He starts playing damage control. "I feel there's been a misunderstanding somewhere and-"
But it's far too late for that with me.
"And I don't believe there to be anything to discuss." I say dismissively as I look away from the man.
"Lord Brand, please-" He says as he steps closer, getting closer to the stairs.
"What are you still doing here?" I glare down at the man, causing him to freeze in place.
"W-well I just, I was." He pauses to think of something as he smacks his lips nervously.
"Leave." I say sternly.
He stumbles over his words as he tries to say something. But I don't afford him the dignity as I snap my fingers and have the help escort him out. Leaving the room, much less crowded as the twenty or so people I actually invited are left. Alongside their plus ones.
I close my eyes as I take a deep breath in. Then exhale to calm myself. Looking out at the curious, concerned and confused faces of the proper guests.
"Sorry about that ladies and gentlemen!" I clap my hands and rub them of the nervous sweat that seemed to gather in my anger. "But it seems I've disrupted the occasion. Please, allow yourselves to converse amongst yourselves while I see to more private business. And if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask the servers."
I turn from the crowd and march back. Leaving the ceremonial goblets as I head up the stairs to my left and make for my office.
"You understand you just cut ties to our primary construction firm, yes?" Valentia asks angrily as she follows behind me.
"Forty percent of our construction contracts are through them." I nod absently. "Yes I'm aware."
"Forty two percent." She stresses, as though the extra two will break us. "Do you have any idea how much the termination fees will be?"
"Compensational, I'm well aware." I nod as we reach the top of the stairs and turn left down the row of archways. "But they're also negotiable. All I have to do is pull a few strings and get some rezoning done before the month is out."
The bureaucracy alone will have Brau tearing his hair out.
"And have you thought of how to get these zonings done without it being traced directly back to you?" She insists as we keep walking. "Or is that to be my priority once more? And what of the abandoned projects the rezoning will create? Have you considered the effects of needing to outsource? You know the issues in setbacks and pick ups."
"Valentia." I turn around to face her. Concern and frustration marring her features. "What is this about?"
"I just don't think you've considered all of the long term consequences to this." She says with a worried tone. "Even with all your experience, as good as you are with people. Even you cannot read the future. What if Holz anticipates the rezoning? What if you can't bribe the evaluators on time? What if-"
"Oh Valentia." I say softly as I extend a hand to caress her cheek. "I promise you, I'll address all your worries as they come. Trust me." I say, validating her. While assuaging her concerns.
She sighs with a smile as she brings a hand up to hold mine in hers against her cheek. Taking a breath in and grounding herself as she recognizes her anxiety talking.
"You always know just what to say." She replies softly after a moment of calming herself. "How do I know you're not manipulating me?"
"It's as I said." I answer as I lean down for a kiss. "You'll just have to trust me."
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-Meanwhile, Ozpin's Office-
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Lyman "Ozma" Ozpin POV
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I sip my coffee as I stare out at the horizon. Watching as the various individuals and cargo arrive.
The Vytal festival is soon to be in full swing. And we'll soon be seeing several more attendees. For now though, it's the few Atlesian forces the council would concede to, and the various stands and stores here to set up shop and take advantage incoming tourism.
The cult has been oddly quiet as of late. And it fills me with a quiet apprehension that the last noticeable thing they did was to attack Mr. Leon. I can only guess as to what they're up to.
I expected them to do something by now. Something that would cause a ruckus and give me the leverage to allow James to order the Atlesian fleet over. But as it stands, he brought the flag ship and a small contingent.
I look over as I notice a bullhead coming from a peculiar direction. Most of the bullheads are coming from the south, from Vale proper. This one is coming from the north east. Meaning it can be only one of two things. And checking my watch, I see that it's about an hour too early for Team Silver to return. And three hours too early for Councilor Fola to return from his visits to various supporters. So, it's likely that one of the two are early.
'And it's Team Silver.' I think as I sip my coffee and watch the bullhead make a turn for our landing pads. 'Wonder what could've happened. I likely be getting a call from Lord Brand in the near future.'
As I muse on this, I hear the elevator door open behind me. Turning around, I give the Atlesian General and my deputy headmistress a warm smile. Even if only one of them returns the expression as the other carries a stack of papers.
"James, Glynda." I raise my mug in greeting. "Coming together? Coincidence, or is there something more going on?"
James, stoic as ever, gives no visible reaction. While Glynda's face twists down further at the minor joke.
"I would appreciate you not make such comments, Headmaster." She says sternly as she sets the papers down on my desk with a harsh thump. "Especially not in front of high profile individuals of which whom might get the wrong idea."
"And just what idea might I perceive so incorrectly?" James asks with a squinted gaze and thin smile. Taking a pittance of offense at the quip directed towards him.
"That you have a chance." Glynda shoots him down without even granting him the dignity of looking him in the eye.
"You wound me, Glynda." James utters softly with a softening of his eyes as he places a hand over his heart.
"If words were weapons." I mutter as I take a seat. "So, what brings the two of you to me so early in the morning."
"I have business to address with you." James nods his head to the side, his version of a shrug. Developed over years of getting used to a prosthetic arm. "You wake up early, so I figured I'd get it out of the way sooner."
"I'm much the same." Glynda says as she adjusts her glasses.
'No rest for the wicked it seems.' I hold back a sigh as I grab the first of the oncoming headaches on the stack Glynda set down in front of me.
Seems the Food Nutrition and Quality Department needs our Inspection License to sign off on allowing us to approve the set of food stands on academy property.
"Didn't we send our license in for review last time we hosted the Vytal festival?" I ask as I look up to Glynda. "Why do they need it again?"
"Ozpin." She levels me a flat stare. "That was ten years ago. The license expires every five."
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'Two, times four, no five.' I think as I keep forgetting there are five academies now. 'Huh.'
"I still don't see why we need to send our license every time." I mumble as I fill out the form and open the drawer to my right. Pulling out an envelope and a paper copy of our food inspection license. "They have access to Vale's internal database."
They can literally just check their records.
"I imagine the extensive bureaucracy keeps more than a few people employed." James adds.
"You'd know all about that, wouldn't you?" Glynda says snippily.
James's head twitches back slightly. A minor recoil to the unexpected quip as he furrows his brow and looks to the side, before looking over to Glynda.
"Did… did I do something to offend you?" He inquires to the stern woman.
Glynda takes a deep breath in as I go to the next paper. A request from Port to have Oobleck's coffee tested for, "Secret Government Enhancement Paraphernalia."
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He means drugs.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes as I set the paper aside. Only two documents in and I'm already making a later pile.
Though I will admit it is beautifully worded.
"Nothing you can undo, General." Glynda says begrudgingly. "So it's not worth making an issue over it."
'A smart man would take the olive branch.' I think to myself as I half pay attention to them. And half to the documents before me.
"You say that, but you seem rather insistent on bringing issue to my attention." James says, causing Glynda's eye to twitch.
'But for as intelligent as you are, you still can't read women.' I think to myself as I see the tells of Glynda restraining herself.
"Ms. Goodwitch." I look up to her. "If you would, I'd like for you to see to the workers currently setting up the stalls in the designated fairgrounds. Make sure no one places a barbeque too close to a ring toss."
Or an angry headmistress near an oblivious general.
"Oz, come on." James looks to me as he holds his hands out from his side. "Doesn't she have-"
"Of course Headmaster." She nods and turns on her heels, already heading for the elevator.
"Glynda, stop." James calls and reaches out in a tragic misplacement of concern. "Aren't there are others who can do that, others whose time isn't as stretched thin?"
It's almost painful, watching him say all the wrong things so genuinely.
'Though, perhaps it is that geniality that makes his attempts so… humbling and wholesome to watch.' I muse to myself as Glynda steps into the elevator without another word.
James sighs as the doors close, and Glynda descends with the lift. Shaking his head softly as he turns to me, schooling his expression as he shifts his attention to me once more.
"How may I help you James?" I ask the general as I set down a document pertaining to a third year's disciplinary.
"I was just curious as to your current plans." He asks as he steps forward and takes a seat. "I haven't heard any news regarding, well… anything."
"That would likely be due to how there is nothing to inform you on." I say as I clasp my hands in front of me. Noticing a certain pressure in my knuckles that lets me know I'm starting to develop arthritis. Again.
'At least this time it wasn't in my twenties.' I muse to myself.
You'd be surprise how often that happens. Almost anytime I don't have my aura unlocked before I hit sixteen. Aura has a sort of, stabilizing effect on the body. But all things break down eventually and there are some things aura doesn't protect against. A poor diet, certain diseases and viruses, various natural bodily functions.
I snort as I recall some odd two thousand years ago, it was a common misconception that aura prevents pregnancy. And so some areas would ban women from having aura unlocked. Never realizing that stress is a much bigger factor towards infertility than aura is.
"Something funny?" James asks with a raised brow. Likely deciding whether he should be offended or not.
"Just recalling the past." I wave off his concern. And while I can tell he doesn't fully believe me, he doesn't press the issue further.
"Right then." He mutters softly while looking down to his good arm and hums in thought. Then looks back up to me. "So, all quiet with the cult?"
"Surprisingly yes." I nod as I go back to the dreaded papers. Knowing that they won't simply disappear.
No matter how much I want them to.
"What about the collection of relics?" James asks.
The relics. Truthfully, so long as all twenty are kept separate, then I consider them a non-threat. None know how to use them to their full extent like me or Salem, and no one can hope to gather all twenty in a single lifetime. Besides that, the cult has only persisted for the last hundred or so years. Hard to say really, I was unaware of them when I was Osk. And when I became Lyman, I suddenly started seeing the signs.
"We have some leads on a few relics." I say as I sign off on the proposed punishment for destroying one of the columns in the courtyard. "Most of the leads point to the Tarakian Warband being in possession of one."
"And what are we doing to obtain it?" James asks immediately.
'This again.' I hold in a scoff.
"Currently I'm sending out agents into the desert on specific patrol routes near Tarakian encampments." I say as I move to the next paper.
"Why not go in and-" James starts to say.
"Because Eagle's movements in response to the movement of my agents will tell me whether or not he has the artifact." I answer preemptively as I focus on the papers. "And if he doesn't have the relic then I won't do anything."
"And leave Vacuo at the mercy of the Warband?" James asks more pointedly, not hiding his displeasure for the answer he knows is coming.
"I will not use our resources to meddle in the affairs of a nation's development." I remind him. "Too often it only leads to corruption and the nation's fall."
Nation's need history to pull answers from. Otherwise they'll never grow as a people. Even if that history is a rough one, a nation with no strife grows complacent and lacks the tools necessary to handle issues outside of their control.
That and pulling a nation up, preventing every tragedy and spotting instability before or as it happens requires such a level of micromanagement that it simply isn't worth it. And those nations often tend to fall faster than nations that are just, left to their own devices.
"And what if Vacuo falls? Or the Warband announces their own nation and declares war?" James challenges impatiently as he rests his head on his fist, leaning to one side as he taps the arm of the chair.
"Are you asking we manipulate Vacuo and interfere with their development?" I carefully phrase the question. "Last time that happened, it lead to the fall of two nations."
"Mantle didn't fall." James defends as his back straightens. "It merely… rebranded."
New government, new national identity, new capital, new system of bureaucracy, new flag. It fell. It just didn't have as spectacular a fall as other nations tend to have. Only things that stayed the same were the location and the upper class.
"Regardless James, my stance is known." I assert as I finish the current document.
James is quiet a bit longer. Ruminating on my answer and wrestling with his personal feelings on the matter. His savior complex wanting nothing more than an excuse to go off and start a war in the name of protection. A bit of an exaggeration, sure.
But I've been here before.
"What about the boy?" James asks after a brief pause. "Any updates with him?"
Several.
"Aside from his grades steadily improving and him reaching the top five among Beacon's first years." I say playfully, knowing that's not what he wants to hear. "He's developing his magic steadily. He's shown himself capable of mimicking young miss Rose's semblance, at least in part. And the same for young miss Schnee. He's also shown an ability to augment his strength with his magic, and has mastered the basics of conjuring it."
As well as using his Silver Eyes. But that was once, and when he was irritated by Alice Blue. So I'm unaware if he can consciously call on it, or if he's like most his age and uses it more instinctually.
"Have you thought of teaching him?" James inquires.
"Of course I have." I say absentmindedly while moving to the next paper.
"Then why haven't you?" He asks.
'Because it would cast suspicion on me, and draw attention to him.' I think to myself.
"Because as he is now, he won't accept." I tell the man across from me. "In our first meeting, he made it abundantly clear he had a disliking of me. Whether that be due to my being an authority figure or he sees me as his captor is anyone's guess."
It's not my authority. I know that for certain considering he was cordial and courteous to the police. Perhaps it's higher authority specifically, but my gut tells me no. No it has to do with his situation. And he sees me as taking advantage of it.
Not to say he's wrong. But anything I do, has to not trace back to me.
Like putting him under clan Rosaceae's protection. All I had to do, was not catch Summer when she entered Vale, and let Qrow run his mouth.
Summer's protective streak, combined with stressed nerves from a recent mission. Combined with regret, then guilt did the rest.
"Why would he see you as his captor?" James asks the more pressing question. "Surely he knows he has no other options, by god Oz he's been attacked by the cult already."
"As a headmaster." I pause to look up at him. "You of all people should know how stubborn teenagers can be."
"Which is why a firm hand is needed." James insists. "Before he makes a mistake and gets someone hurt or worse."
That would honestly be the most ideal. His magic going haywire would give me the perfect excuse to force him under my tutelage, and not have him question ulterior motives. And if he were more reckless it might have come to that. But he's remarkably careful in training his abilities.
"And that hand may just as easily push him away, if not careful." I warn him.
James opens his mouth to say something more. But the scroll on the edge of my desk rings. The one connected to her.
"I suppose that's my time." James says as he gets up and calmly heads for the elevator.
"I understand your concerns, James." I call to the man as he presses the button. "But you'll have to trust me with this."
"I always have, Oz." He says as he steps in and allows the door to close. But not before leaving me with one more line. "I just wonder if you trust me."
…
I take a breath as I reach for the scroll. Answering the only individual it could be.
"Salem." I say softly.
"Ozma, you don't sound too terribly happy to hear from me." She says from the other end.
"I answer the same way as I always have." I tell her.
"Which is how I know." She sighs. "You never put any effort into it. A, how are you? Or a, hello dear, or even a simple greeting."
"Because if I do, you'll think it means something." I say.
"Wouldn't it?" She asks coyly. "That's why I want it. I want it to mean something."
"And it never will." I tell her sadly.
"Oh Ozma." She sighs. "You and I both know you're lying. Eventually, one day, it'll mean something again."
"Why did you call, Salem?" I try and get to the point.
"Hmm." She hums sadly. "Just wanted you to know I found a little rat. One of the chief smugglers in Vale has jumped ship it seems."
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-Beacon, PRJN Dorm, 11/25, 7am-
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Jaune Arc POV
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I swing my legs over the side of my bed and stretch my arms up. Groaning and letting out a sigh as I feel my muscles warm up from the strain. Huffing out a breath as my arms fall back to my sides.
…
I fall back onto my bed.
Today's an Atlesian holiday. So we have the day off from classes.
Most days off from class are due to some culture or another's holiday. Mistral had a holiday a few days ago that was, interesting to say the least. Ren disappeared for the day, Nora wouldn't comment on it, and Pyrrha kept giving me weird looks anytime we were alone.
I'm ninety percent sure I was supposed to do something. But since it never got brought up again, I just chalk it up to not being important.
…
Yeah, I'm gonna regret that thought one day.
"Jaune, are you awake?" Pyrrha asks groggily from her bed ten feet away.
"No." I wave an arm and let it fall back down.
"Good." She says with a moan as I hear her bed groan under the movement of her getting up. "Then you won't mind if I get the first shower."
"Don't use all the hot water." I say as I hear her walk past.
"Only conscious people get to make requests." She says jokingly as I hear the door close. Casting the room in a silence broken only my the birds that lives on the roof.
…
"Ren, you awake?" I ask.
…
"Nora-"
"Don't." Ren says. "Let her sleep."
"I thought you were asleep." I comment with a yawn as I sit up.
"I am." He says, not moving from his spot. Just laying there with his arms on his chest.
I'm quiet as I just watch him not move. Appearing dead for all the world as he lays there. My brain not activating yet as it chooses Ren's form to stare at vacantly as I zone out. Nearly forgetting to breathe as I take a deep breath to wake myself up.
"Fair enough." I breathe out as I stand up and go to my dresser. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a black shirt alongside underwear. I head for the bathroom to get a shower in.
Opening the door, my brain catches up to me and I close the door immediately as soon as I more clearly hear the running water.
…
"Nora, Jaune?" Pyrrha calls out as I walk away and pretend I didn't just almost pull a cliché. "Hello?"
"Not gonna answer her?" Ren asks quietly.
"If I don't talk, I don't have to lie." I say as I sit back down.
Ren says nothing more as he sits up. Like a puppet as he just, sits straight up.
"Ren, you perplex me sometimes." I say as I reach over for my scroll and check the time. Seeing the hour, I decide to make myself useful and go get the team breakfast.
"Hey!" Me and Ren look to the door as we hear Cyril's voice. "What was that for!?"
"Because you're you." We hear Blake say before the door across from ours slams.
"No more cheese!" Nora shouts as she sits up. "Uh, wuh?"
We look to Nora as she goes from wide awake, to half asleep, to falling back down asleep in the span of three seconds.
…
"You want pancakes or oatmeal?" I ask Ren as Pyrrha steps out of the bathroom in a towel and walks past me. Heading for her dresser to get her clothes for the day.
"Oh, I'll get breakfast while you get a shower." Pyrrha says with a smile as she grabs her clothes.
I open my mouth to say something as try really had to maintain eye contact. But my brain still doesn't want to brain today as I just don't say anything. Causing her to give a strained smile. And then tight her grip on her clothes a little, pushing her chest up and drawing my eyes down.
"Um, uh, sure." I say as she gives a more genuine smile. "I'll just get my shower in the meantime. After you get dressed."
She just smiles and heads to the bathroom to get dressed. And I feel my eyes drawn to her hips as she walks.
Rrrzzt.
I look over to my scroll as soon as the door closes. Picking up the device, I check to see what the notifications about.
"Huh." I nod as I look up to Ren. "Wanna head to the docks later?"
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-Vale City, Port District, 11/25, 10am-
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Cyril Leon POV
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"So where are we going?" I ask as Ruby guides us.
"It's a surprise!" She says for the fifth time today.
She's dressed in a cute black blazer with a plaid red skirt and a red beret. Black leggings and red shoes. The outfit I said she looked good in when she tricked me into a date.
Weiss is in her season two outfit. The black and white one. Though the skirt isn't nearly as puffed out as the show made it.
Blake, is in her usual purple dress with black vine designs.
And I am in a red shirt with a blue jacket and jeans. My weapons on my sides considering I almost never leave Beacon without them.
"You've said that three times now." Weiss utters with exasperation as she crosses her arms.
'One of us is right.' I say to myself.
"I just want to go back to our dorm." Blake groans. "It's where my bed is."
"Mine too." I mutter.
"This isn't about you." Blake shoos me off from the side.
I roll my eyes. Not feeling particularly into starting something right now. Because I honestly feel the same as her. A nap sounds amazing right now. And lunch, lunch sounds good.
"Look guys, it's just around this corner and-" She takes a large step back on the sidewalk and pivots to look around the corner. "Tada!" She throws her arms out.
Walking around the corner at the end of the sidewalk, we stand behind Ruby as we take in the site. The concrete docks are bustling with workers and, oddly enough civilians of all kinds. All moving about from ship to ship. It looks like the entire dockyard is filled to capacity, not just with cargo freights. But commercial fishing boats as well.
What's odd is that regular people are freely walking the gangplanks and onto the ships. Walking all about and talking amongst each other. Eating various meals and carrying all sorts of items.
And the smells. It's like a giant fish fry!
"Hhoooo spirits above." I think Blake just came as the scent hits her.
"Ruby, what is this?" Weiss asks.
Ruby pivots around and puts her hands on her hips. Nodding to herself, or us, as she starts talking proudly.
"This is Vale's Free Sail merchant fleet!" She waves over to the boats as though a curtain just fell. "Tada!"
I look around at the, I want to say it's an oddly designed fish market? Like, looking closer I can see that several of the commercial fishing boats have racks of fish and booths set on their decks as they serve lines of people. And looking over to the cargo freights, I see the lines of people disappearing behind the shipping containers on the ships. And the people walking off with various items.
I even see two guys carrying an expensive looking red table with gold accents.
"Okay, explain that like you're talking to a five year old." I say as Ruby's answer leaves, much to be desired.
"Well, how much do you know about trading laws and tariffs?" Ruby asks as she lets her arms fall to her sides.
"Does it involve fish?" Blake asks in a daze.
"A lot more than I did a month ago." I cross my arms as I lean to one side.
"Do you even know who you're talking to?" Weiss flicks her hair back with a confident smile.
"Uh… my team? You, my girlfriend?" Ruby tilts her head curiously, prompting a flat stare from Weiss as her ego deflates.
"… Just explain what this is." Weiss says dryly as I smile at her expense.
"Okay! Well, um, so legally in order to sell in Vale, you need to pay tariffs and taxes and all that on imports, right?" Ruby starts.
"Naturally." I nod as Weiss gives an affirmation of her own.
"Well, legally speaking, in Vale. There's this nice little loophole in the laws that basically say, if it's not in Vale, then it's not taxed." Ruby starts to look off to the side as though she's explaining something shady while she starts walking backwards and beckons us to follow.
Which we do.
"Okay?" I say, following along but still not getting it.
"Well, due to how the law is worded and how the zoning blocks are drawn up, the water in the docks, don't legally count as Vale city territory as far as taxes and commerce are concerned." Ruby says with a grin as she turns around and starts guiding us properly. "So every year around this time, the Merchant's guild of Vale sets up this market event! The merchants don't have to pay income tax on items sold, they don't lose out on material tariff for things they bring in, and because the tax is cut out, things are cheaper!"
"Like the fish?" Blake persists.
"Yep!" Ruby nods as she turns back around.
"This sounds like a serious undermining of the government and market regulations." Weiss crosses her arms.
"How has this not been shut down?" I ask as I look around. "Untaxed? Back, back home something like this would not last."
Unless it was for politicians only.
"Because we don' do it often of course." I swing around to see the source of the light, airy voice. And see a curly white haired and golden eyed man about my height. Sleepy eyes and a boyish face with an easy going smile set upon olive skin. Wearing a purple, short sleeve robe that buttons on the side and opens at the waist. Revealing white pants with a pocket watch chain, and a compass dangling from his belt. A halberd holstered on his back. Purple scarf around his neck.
Think, Ottoman merchant meets British privateer. And that is this guy.
"Guild Master Mekon!" Ruby calls out as she pushes herself between me and Weiss.
"Well if it isn't the little rose." He says in a light tone as he puts a hand on one hip and nods. "Your mother or sis around by chance? I might have an in with a set of wrenches from Atlas for her."
"I'm not sure." Ruby answers. "I can give her a call if you want."
"It's alright." He shakes his head softly and looks up to us. "And who are these young folks with you? I recognize Miss Schnee and Miss Belladonna, but who are you?"
I look over to Blake with a raised brow. Wondering how he would know her. Though all I get is stonewalled as she refuses to look over to us.
"Well, I'll have you know that these are team mates, and my dates." Ruby says the last bit like a it's some sort of saucy secret.
"Well hot damn." Mekon smirks. "Whole team? You truly are your father's daughter."
"Ew!" Ruby shivers and steps away while shaking her head and holding her hands out like they're covered in slime. "Ew! Ew! Do not want! Ah! Get out of my head!"
Turning from the girl currently spazzing out. I regard the man softly shaking his head with a smile as his eyes are closed. He opens them and looks to me with that same easy going smile.
"Mekon, pleasure to meet you." He extends a hand.
"Cyril, likewise." I take his hand in turn. Noticing that despite how young he looks, as in my age, his hands are rough as leather.
"I won't bore ya with the details, ya kids are out of class not in it." He starts as we let go. "But this all started coupl'ah years ago. 'Bout the better half of a century. And yeah it would be an issue for the council, if it was enough of an issue for them to get off their asses and do something about it."
"It's money." I point out.
"Exactly so!" He gives a short laugh. "We only set this up once a year, so it'd be more expensive in the short term to get the bureaucracy involved and, blegh." He gives a wave. "I'm boring myself! It's a boat market, it's legal, have fun!" He waves around at a few boats. "Get yourself a new desk chair from Vacuo, or a few repair kits from Atlas. Heck, just enjoy the discounted fish."
Either this isn't one hundred percent legal. Or he just doesn't like explaining things too much. Or he just genuinely hates talking about bureaucracy.
As one who has been forced to read up on the headache that is the decentralized trade laws in Remnant. I can relate.
"How discounted is the fish?" Blake asks seriously.
"Eh, 'pends on the monger I suppose." He shrugs and looks around the place, standing up on his tip toes to look past the crowd. "Oh! Breeze's here!" He points over the crowd. Causing Blake to snap her head over towards a larger fishing boat with a sky blue hull, the one where the back is full of open space and the front has the cabin. White cabin, blue roof, and the mast flying Vale's flag, alongside two others. One being a bark blue with a white wave line through the middle and the top half of a trident poking up from the wave line. The other being a green flag with a blue bird emblem on it.
Though the back has a crew of fishermen all cooking behind a netted off stand as people line in for it.
"He pulls in a lotta tuna and sardine if that's yer fancy." Mekon says. "Sells it decent too."
"The purse seiner?" Blake looks back as she points towards the boat.
"Aye, you know your-" He starts.
"Thank you!" Blake takes off and disappears into the crowd.
"-stuff… huh." He places his hands on his hips. "Certainly not beating the stereotypes, that one."
"Be glad she wasn't close enough to hear you say that." I mutter as I look back to him.
"Hmm, well, I'd love nothing more than to not do anything and laze about and chat." He says curtly. "But I have things I need to do. Unfortunately."
"I imagine you're busy organizing and coordinating the event." Weiss gives a small bow. "Thank you for taking the time out of your day to speak with us."
"Pfft, organizing? Who do you take me for, an Atlesian?" He scoffs as he turns around. "Nah! I just gotta find something for the missus before she bites my head off!" Without looking back, he waves a hand while walking away.
Weiss is stock still as I start looking around the "market". While Ruby just looks between me and Weiss expectantly.
"Come on!" Ruby grabs me and Weiss by the hand as she starts dragging us along. "We need to catch up to Blake!"
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"And what would you like?" The balding blue hair, webbed handed man asks as he looks to me.
"You wouldn't have any cod, would you?" I ask as Blake eagerly stares at her order of seared tuna on the grill.
"None for sail kid, sorry." He shakes his head with an upturned smile. "Tuna and sardine for the people."
"I thought this was a free market kind of thing?" I ask with a furrowed brow.
"We still got contracts to fill, boy." He scoffs. "What you get here is surplus that'll be taxed if it makes it to the storehouses."
"Fair enough." I nod as I uncross my arms. "Just give me what she got, minus the peppers."
"Three lien. Cash box is at the end of the line." He hands me a note and turns around, opening a cooler and grabbing a few slabs of tuna meat. He then dips it into a bucket of salt water to make sure it's cleaned. Then, slapping it on the counter in front of me, he turns to the grill and flips Blake's food before turning back to mine and using a cleaver to cut the fish up.
To my left, ten feet away. Is another fisherman who is skinning the tuna and cleaning it. Putting it into coolers and kicking them over to the guy cooking.
"Alright lass." The man says as he puts Blake's tuna on a paper plate and drizzles some sort of sauce on them. Then sprinkles some herbs and hands her the fish. "Enjoy."
"Oh, Varaal's blessing." Blake says as she drools and takes the plate.
"Uh, sure." The man says before he turns back to me, and nods his head for me to move along.
I do, and Weiss takes my place.
"Watcha want lass?" He asks with a nod of his chin.
"Hmm." She hums in thought.
"Weiss, I want you to know that I love you and you are super awesome." Ruby says as she moves to stand beside the indecisive Atlesian. "But this isn't a restaurant, and this isn't like Bubba Bubba Boba. If you take too long, someone's probably going to throw you over the dock."
"Ruby don't be ridiculous." Weiss scoffs and rolls her eyes and addresses the man again. "Excuse me, what type of tuna do you sell?"
The man stares her dead in the eye for a tense moment. Blinking once before answering.
"Tuna." He says plainly.
"Well yes but what kind of tuna?" Weiss stresses.
"The kind you eat." He says.
"What speci-" Weiss starts.
"Next!" He calls out as he goes to the grill and flips my tuna.
"But I wasn't done order-" Weiss starts again.
"You got five seconds." He says as he looks back to her and sets the tongs down.
"I just want to know what species of tuna you sell!" Weiss stomps her foot.
"Mostly Valian red fin and Moore's tall tail tuna." He says. "They taste the same when cooked."
"See, that's all I wanted." Weiss says the worst thing. "Now, I would-"
"You ordering?" He points to Ruby.
"Not hungry." She shakes her head.
"Next!" He calls out.
"Hey!" Weiss gawks.
"Hay is for horses, grass is cheaper." He quips. "You had your chance, move on." He goes back to my tuna and finishes it as I pull out four lien and put it in the deposit box at the end of the table by the grill. "Here ya go, enjoy."
"Here's hoping I do." I say as I take it, earning a dirty look from the cook. "Never had seared tuna before."
"You'll like it." He says dismissively and I turn to follow Blake off the boat.
"Rmmm, hmmm!" Blake moans as she eats while walking.
…
Not commenting on that. I use the plastic fork given to me and take a bit into my own tuna. And credit where it's due. It's pretty damn good.
"I can't believe that guy." Weiss scoffs behind me as she walks the plank back onto the commercial dock.
"I warned you Weiss." Ruby says lightly. "This whole thing is only here for today, anything they don't sell here gets sold to the guild and the city tomorrow. And they get taxed on the profit for that."
So they sell as much as they can now, because then the profits are untaxable. So they aren't willing to put up with people who take too much time.
"I thought this all was a legal loophole." Weiss comments in a huff. "Why are they so concerned with making sure it all sells today, when they could just sell whenever?"
"Because if they sold whenever then the council would have no choice but to fix it." Ruby says. "That's why it's once a year."
"That's stupid." Weiss huffs.
"It's a tradition!" Ruby defends.
"It's delicious!" Blake moans.
"It's Team Prussian." I call out as I point to our fellow team across the dock.
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Bonus
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Remnant Heroes: Basilarius Nikos
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Time frame: Age of Heroes: 200 years ago.
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Basilarious Nikos was born in Mistral proper. The second son to his father, Thacian Nikos, and the only child of his mother Fiume, a human slave his father had bought to be his mistress.
Keep in mind that slavery in Mistral was a matter of economic standing, not race. Though that would yet change in the coming years with the Atlesian Culture Trade. Known by the Atlesians as the Mistralian Trade Disaster.
Basilarius was not allowed to take his father's family name at first. Being the child of a slave, Basilarius was also a slave. Though written accounts do show that Thacian showed his son care. Basilarius could read and write, read maps, had a higher understanding of mathematics, and when he was seven years old he was instructed in swordsmanship.
All things he did, Basilarius showed exceeding promise in. Something his tutors and father took great notice in. The only notable struggle the boy ever found, was in art and music. One of his family instructors even commented on this in a journal recovered from the Nikos historical archives in Argus.
"Of all logical pursuits the mind and body produces, little Basil takes to like a bird to the skies. But when concerning matters of expression, rocks make better musicians. And I feel chickens may master the brush before the boy."
Basil's older brother, Gretician, was noted as the opposite. Two years Basilarius's elder, and he could hardly write his own name. He had no prowess with the sword, and struggled in matters of academia beyond multiplication. This is not to say he was disadvantaged, no. He was, by all accounts, merely an average boy, while Basilarious was exceptional. It was impossible for people not to compare the two. Comparison's that only increased as the boys aged. despite what one might think, Basilarius and Gretician had a friendly, if not cordial, relationship.
However Gretician's mother and Thacian's wife, Aletia, hated Basilarius. Ranting on about the boy any time he was mentioned. Aletia believed that her son's position as heir was threatened by Basilarius. And would often go out of her way to omit him in writings unless it was to paint him in a negative light. Calling him a thin tailed scorpion, poisoning the people around him so subtly that they do not realize.
Whether she truly believed this or not is up to speculation. Many historians believe she merely wrote bad of the boy in order to tarnish his image.
At the age of twelve Basilarius was given his freedom after his mother had paid for it with earnings she had gained working jobs outside of being Thacian's concubine. This upset Aletia as she now believed more firmly that Basilarius, now a free person, could make a claim over the Nikos name and be elevated to its head. In response, Thacian offered Basilarius a position as Gretician's personal guard in the future. And Basilarius accepted. This seemed to appease Aletia for the time being.
At age sixteen, during the rise of the Mistralian slave trade, Thacian moved his family to the small port village of Argus on the northern coast of Anima. The move would take a year and a half to complete, traveling such a long ways.
The trip was unremarkable, having been accompanied by a small company of soldiers. Three of which were Vlosyroni, the closest thing to what we would call Hunters.
Basilarius would be seventeen when he first arrived in Argus. Much of the next year of his life went mostly undocumented until his younger sister, nine year old Hyrialia would die of poison during lunch one day.
Hyrialia was Atilia's only other child, and Aletia was quick to blame Basilarius for her death. Basilarius was imprisoned for the accusation, where he was tortured by an inquisitor to get him to confess. Of which he never did. And he would remain for a month until the true culprit was discovered.
The stew that Hyrialia ate from, was Basilarius's. Hyrialia had taken his food in jest, and ate the poison meant for him.
All signs pointed to Aletia, she was the only one with desire to see Basilarius dead. But no definitive proof could be found. Until Basilarius was released, and vowed to brutally end Hyrialia's killer. Aletia grew into a deep paranoia as Basilarius set upon his own investigation. Destroying journals, documents, and ledgers to hide any evidence. Aletia was eventually caught when an herbalist in the now thriving port city was attacked by bandits and almost killed. In Aletia's desperate rush to erase all ties and wash her hands of the event, she had paid a group to kill off the young woman she had purchased the poisonous herbs from.
With the herbalist's testimony, Aletia was formally connected to the murder. And it was handed over to Basilarius to choose her fate.
Basilarius then shocked the young court system of Argus by demanding she trade positions with his mother. Believing he had shown the killer great mercy by merely changing her title from Noble Lady Nikos of Argus, to Concubine Slave. They approved.
However, what the justice court did not know, is that the day before he announced Aletia's punishment. He had guilted his father into formally signing over his mother's slave contract under the presumption that he intended to free her.
Thus, when all was said in done at the end of the day. Aletia had become Basilarius's slave. And Fiume, had become Lady Fiume Nikos of Argus. Making Basilarius, legally, Basilarius Nikos.
When asked if he planned this, Basilarius said.
"I promised a punishment most brutal. What could be more brutal for a woman who wished nothing more than to see my failure, to be forced and watch as I succeed?"
Basilarius still had no intention of becoming the Nikos family head. And he made that abundantly clear when he refused any inheritance of land offered to him. Only accepting the offer of a small property on the Nikos family conpound.
Aletia fades from the records for a time after this. Though it is believed she became a wash maid until she took her own life five years later. Basilarius's denouncers would claim he used Aletia as a concubine during her time, and would brutally force himself upon her as revenge for her horrible treatment of him as a child. Though it is to be noted that there is literally no evidence of this. And there is in fact some level of evidence to the contrary, seeing as it would later be revealed that Basilarius preferred men.
Over the next several years, Basilarius would maintain the position as his elder brother's guard. When at the age of twenty five, Gretician, age twenty seven, would take up the mantle as Lord Nikos and allow their father to retire.
Argus would thrive under Gretician's guidance. Elevating it to a level of prosperity that is still seen today. Becoming a major port for trade between Mistral and Mantle, with its slave trade bringing in fortunes on the foreign black market.
Basilarius would be twenty eight when the slave trade would encounter the first of many upcoming disruptions to the slave trade. Many caravans had been delayed on the roads to Argus, and were eventually declared missing. Some carrying food, some armaments, others various miscellaneous goods. But most, were slave caravans. Gretician would ask Basilarius to investigate and put an end to the bandits that were plaguing their trade routes.
And so, Basilarius would take a contingent of twenty guards and travel further towards the center of Anima. And it would be here, that he'd have his first encounter with his fated rival in what would be called The First War of Freedom.
Alexander Arc.
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Bonus 2!
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Heroes of Remnant: Aegean Roselia, Part 1.
Ruby's ancestor
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Time frame: 200 years ago, Age of Heroes
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Born to a Ylvtan crew on the south eastern shores of Sanus in Vale territory. Aegean was originally born Aygia, but would later change her name to match her father's ship after he was captured by Mistralian slavers and his ship was commandeered by the Mistralian government. Which, is ironic considering she was named after the ship in the first place.
The wolf faunus would grow up in the port village of Yewliat, where a statue of her resides after the village was rebuilt. Here she learned all the things a Ylvtan child would know. Fishing, foraging, forecasting, and star reading. She had some prowess with whip, but focused most of her time learning to be a navigator.
When she was six years old, her father would take her aboard his, and after a the large traditional Ylvtan feast, she'd embark on her first voyage across the Misthurmoz, to Galios Island in the tropic crescent islands region on the southwest of Anima.
She would continue voyaging with her father and mother for six years, until her parents separated on friendly terms and her mother joined another crew. Aygia would stay with her father and continue living on the seas for another year whereupon her thirteenth birthday, she would make her first voyage back to Sanus, as The Aegean's captain. A rite of passage for Ylvtan at the time, was to sail back to their place of birth.
It took three months, having gotten thrown off course twice. But she made it to back Yewliat. Where she and her father's crew would celebrate her becoming an adult in her culture. It is also implied in her father's journals that she experienced her first time during the party, having snuck off with his helmsman's daughter, Xeliav, during the festivities.
This would cause issues as, despite Xeliav being two years older than Aygia, she had not yet made her own voyage to her birthplace. Making her a child in Ylvtan customs. It is unknown how the issue was resolved as the journal of Captain Reyln cuts off from there. Being too damaged to properly decipher.
Aygia would travel with her father's fleet of four ships. Traveling from port to port along Sanus's east coast. She would be his chief navigator and would be known for her beauty. Constantly getting into trouble with peers her age anytime they docked. One time forcing her father's fleet to set sail early when she had slept with a port town's mayor's wife, and his son in the same night.
She would be fifteen when they sail back across the sea to Anima. Trading goods gained from Sanus.
Aygia would be gifted a schooner from her father's fleet on her sixteenth birthday. She would name it, The Phlox Tide. And would have its sails dyed pink.
The next year, her father's five ship fleet would be captured by Triastix (Mistralian Noble/Crime family) slavers. Cornered in a port village, Reyln would try to negotiate their freedom. Only to watch as his daughter's ship was burned, and Aygia was thrown from her ship in chains alongside her crew.
Knowing that negotiation would not be an option. Reyln commanded his man to fight to the last. The combined crew of one hundred fought valiantly against the slaver band of fifty. However, they had two Vlosyroni. And Mantle weapons. Whereas Reyln's crew had seven members with aura, a few with swords but no extended formal training to fight.
The fight dragged out, and Grimm ended up raging into the village. Half of Relyn's crew would wind up dead. But only three of the Triastix slavers died. And the crew was captured, and Aygia, along with seven other captured crew members would be used as "relief" for the slavers.
In one day, Aygia would lose her home and her dignity. And in the following weeks, she would lose her father as he was separated from her in an auction. She would be sold off to a brothel in Hyuryuki, a coastal settlement that is no longer there today.
She would be here for a full year, before one day, she woke up and awakened her powers as a maiden. She would raze the brothel to the ground. Indiscriminately slaughtering the people inside and taking her wrath to the city, she would be joined by her fellow slaves in leading a revolt on the city. Over the course of two days, Hyuryuki would be razed to the ground and Aygia would take the ships docked in the port. Seven in total, she would set sail with two brigs, one brigantine, a frigate, and three schooners. She would take the Frigate as her flag ship and set sail from the city with her crew of freed slaves. Leaving Hyuryuki to the Grimm that had been drawn in by the chaos.
The name of her flagship, The Broken Chain. And changed her name from Aygia (I-Gee-ah) to Aegean (A-Gee-Ann) to separate herself from who she was in the brothel, and to remember who she was before she was captured.
Aegean would then sail south and sack the coastal village of Shakaris. A decent sized fishing village. Holding the village hostage as they procured weapons and armaments, before leaving after taking every valuable that not nailed down.
And one that was in the form of a bronze statuette of Hekitate, a northern anima goddess of love. Literally ripped from a marble pedestal.
After that, Aegean would sail across the sea to Sanus and trade all of their stolen goods. And properly arm her small fleet. This is also where she met a silver eyed mercenary. Ivan Roselia, of the Rosacea clan. Recalling how half her father's crew was slaughtered by Grimm, and how she was driven from Hyuryuki by a Grimm horde. She would hire him on, knowing of the legendary prowess Silver Eyed Warriors have in regards to fighting Grimm.
Aegean would sail back to Anima, but encounter a Mantilian merchant carrack along the way. The ship would spot her fleet, comprising mostly of faunus, and open fire in order to capture what they could.
Severely outgunned, but not outmanned. Aegean would use her powers to summon a storm and capsize the carrack while keeping her own fleet safe in the eye. Afterwards she would use her magic to flip the ship right-side and commandeer it for her own fleet. Now armed with a technologically advanced Mantillian Carrack and all of its cargo. Aegean would become a terror on the northwestern coast of Anima. Targeting Mantilian and Mistralian forces alike as she carved her way through.
Interestingly enough, Ivan and Aegean seemed to have a mutual dislike for each other. With Ivan's carefree and easily distracted nature often irritating the more serious yet equally mischievous Aegean. In fact, she was known to literally kick him off the ship at random times. As in, he would be fishing off the side, and she would walk by and kick him over. Often saying she did it for something he'll do later that'll piss her off.
Ivan, for whatever reason, found Aegean to be endearing. To the point that, one year into her terrorizing the coast of Anima, she would have to return to Sanus to see her pregnancy to term. Seeing as the child was silver eyed, there was no doubt whose it was. The pregnancy was well timed however, as Aegean had left as soon as the Mistralian fleet had mobilized hunt down her fleet, only to find nothing.
The Mistralian royal fleet would patrol the western coast for four months before returning to the main ports. The whole time, Aegean was nursing her newborn. Once her newborn was weaned, she'd give the child over to the Rosacea clan and head back for Anima. Aegean would be accompanied by Ivan once more.
Aegan would have her fleet's sails dyed pink before she set off. Her fleet, eight ships strong, would strike the rebuilt town of Hyuryuki. This time, sieging it and capturing the town as a port base for which to rest between raids. This would only last three months however as the Gaelio family forces would retake the town. In retaliation, Aegean would have her fleet blockade the town and open cannon fire. Reducing the town to rubble, and destroying the Gaelio family's main forces.
Aegean would sail south where she would come across a royal convoy and attack it. Caring not for the consequences, she would seize the ships and all their valuables. Of which their were a lot.
It here were her second child was, conceived, right on the convoy captain's desk. In front of him. He would write in court.
"I called her a baseless whore meant only for the stocks. And she proceeded to… display her prowess and contradict my statement. Fornicating with a silver eyed warrior right before me. She commanded him and he obeyed. Not that I blame the man. Still, it was as base, barbaric and uncivilized as you come."
This would be in the released captain's call for mobilization of the royal fleet. And the fleet would set out to capture and or kill Aegean. Only to find, nothing.
She had returned to Sanus, in order to see out her second pregnancy. Another silver eyed child.
Aegean would return to Anima in another eight months. Laying siege to three more villages, and evading a Mantilian bounty hunter ship. She would sail south and conjure a massive rogue wave that would fling the ship over, bow to stern. Causing it to snap at the middle and sink. After this, Aegean and her fleet would capture Galios Island and form a settlement. The settlement of Aegis, which still stands to this day. Though it was rebuilt twice.
It is from this base that Aegean would send out her fleet to harass the ports of Mistral. Often times sailing on her ship the Broken Chain when they would head after a large convoy or siege a larger town. Summoning storms to mask or announce her arrival.
When Aegean ransacked Port Harakus, she had capture a series of Mantilian dignitaries. In the middle of talking to them, she would expose her chest in efforts to unsettle them. She would then, order Ivan to, assist in tormenting their sensibilities.
The Mistralian fleet would once again mobilize, this time with the help of the Mantilian fleet. Only, they would patrol for seven months and find nothing.
Aegean was on Sanus, nursing her third child.
This, would become a pattern of fortune that would utterly humiliate the Mistralian government to the point that to this day. Mistralian schools teach that Aegean would use her magic to evade the patrols, rather than admit she kept getting pregnant and would just pirating for long stretches of time as she recovered. And the Mistralian government failed to figure out how she kept evading them.
It would be another year before Aegean would set sail again. But this time, she had amassed a fortune, and a massive following.
With a fleet of twenty seven ships. Including her new flag ship, a man-o-war name The Burned Flower. She would sail north, and blockade Argus. Holding the port city hostage just as its greatest warrior, Basilarius, had left to uncover the source of the missing caravans. She would blockade the city for five months. Summoning storms anytime relief came to Argus. Earning her the name, Aegean the Tempest.
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A/N
The chapter was going to be a bit longer, mainly because the bonuses alone are 3k. But my writing process got interrupted by damn tornado.
How inconsiderate.
So, the 1-2k segment I wanted write will just have to wait until next time.
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More comments! I want them all! Every one of them! Especially speculation, I love speculative comments.
Fuel me my NOOBIANS!
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