Chapter 27: Escaldado
Escaldado is a typical dish from where I came from, so don't be surprised that I hyped it up so much in the text.
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[Pietro Polendina]
The clock on the wall said seven o'clock at night, I would have gone home more than an hour ago, but ever since I read young Mr. Arc's projects I was overcome by an explosion of inspiration.
"Hehe! I haven't felt this motivated since I started working at Penny."
Even though it's early, I feel a slight drowsiness finally hitting my eyes. I had been poring over the Arc reactor prototype for hours, the project that had consumed every last ounce of my time and energy over the last few weeks. It was an unbelievable dream, the promise of a future where we didn't depend on Dust and everyone had access to clean, cheap energy.
PING!
A sharp digital ping snapped me out of my daze. The computer in the center of my desk was receiving a call.
Using my chair with spider legs I move to the device. At first I was going to answer it as if it were any other call, but as soon as I noticed the caller ID displayed my eyes widened.
"Impossible." I murmur in disbelief.
There was nothing written where it should have been identified which kingdom and CCT Tower were calling me.
I have been called a few times by authorities who have devices and programs designed to hide their information, but even these devices could not hide the towers' identification code.
There are only two possibilities here, the person calling me is one of the greatest Hackers in all of Remnant, capable of breaking the defenses of Atlas's highest echelon or -.
PING!
The sound of the call cuts off my train of thought, bringing me back to the call on my computer.
"I think I better answer it and see who it is." I grumble, reaching my hand towards the keyboard. "And is not like anyone would be able to communicate without using any of the CCT Towers."
Accepting the call, the image of a soldier in modern armor appears in front of me, it is all bluish and appears to be semi-transparent with blue codes pulsing across its plates.
{{Sup Doc. }} The soldier said in an informal but polite tone. {{My name is Church and I would like to have a chat with you. }}
The young soldier's language takes me by surprise, not that I mind talking to less restricted people. But it was certainly rare in Atlas to see someone wearing cutting-edge military equipment being so 'relaxed'.
"A good night to you too." I responded in a friendly tone, trying to appear calm despite being apprehensive that a stranger was communicating with me on my secure line. "What would you like to talk about?"
At the same time, the holographic projector on the ceiling of my laboratory turned on and in front of me the figure of the soldier that was on my monitor materialized in three dimensions.
{{Sorry for the invasion and manipulation of your stuff, but I prefer to talk eye to eye, you know. }} The figure in blue armor said while he wasn't at my eye level because I'm in a wheelchair. {{Oops, my fault. }}
Its size began to shrink, stopping when it was at the right height to talk to me face to face.
{{ I didn't want to say it like that, but the truth is...}} He begins to speak with a hesitant and slightly embarrassed tone. {{ I'm like a secretary for Jaune Arc, I think you might be familiar with that name by now?}}
My eyes widened in surprise as my body lost all the tension it had built up over the last few minutes.
"Yes! Yes!" I speak excitedly. "I am familiar with the name and his work, but unfortunately I did not have the pleasure of meeting this person with such a brilliant mind."
{{ Ish!}} Said the image, shaking its head negatively. {{ Oh you poor sweet summer child.}}
Without understanding his reaction and the reference, I shrugged my shoulders while graphics were projected in front of me.
{{ So, let's get straight to the point. According your data research that I borrowed for a quick reading, the Arc Reactor project is almost ready for the preliminary testing phase, but it's missing a crucial piece to make a functional prototype, right?}}
My mind started working a mile a minute, mentally reviewing every component, every circuit that I had examined and reexamined over the past few days.
"What is missing?" I asked, already anticipating that it wouldn't be something trivial.
Church made a pinching motion with his fingers, and a detailed hologram of the reactor appeared between us. He pointed to a specific point inside the nucleus.
{{The missing element is called Badassium. It is a unique creation, developed by a unique mind.}}
"Badassium?" He questioned in disbelief. "How is it possible that a new element was created without the scientific community knowing about it?"
Church laughed, as if he had been expecting that question.
{{ That's the point, doctor. Badassium is a material that only we know how to synthesize. It is a compound that has extraordinary energetic properties, capable of stabilizing and amplifying the flow of energy in an efficient and safe way. Without it, the Arc Reactor will not function as intended.}}
A hologram then displays an animation of Badassium being integrated into the reactor, showing its unique properties in action.
"Fascinating…" I murmured, amazed. "But why tell me this now? How can I help you?"
Church took a holographic step closer, his voice becoming serious.
{{ We know that Atlas is interested in the technology, Weiss Schnee will contact you offering the knowledge and, if necessary, even Hardware to synthesize the element in exchange for political agreements with the council of Atlas." On the holographic display several topographic maps showed deposits of minerals and Dust that the kingdom of Atlas would love to get its hands on. {{But let's focus on what we can do now, I need to speed up your research and I would like something in return.}}
I felt a shiver of excitement and apprehension.
"First, I would like to know what you mean by 'accelerating research'?"
{{Best case scenario you'll have a working prototype for field testing in fifteen months, which isn't bad, but to help my boss I need you to be faster.}}
I nodded, curious to know how he intended to help me.
{{ Most of this time you will spend trying to synthesize a stable form of Badassium, adapt your hardware to Arc Reactor power, and write code to handle energy fluctuations and other small things. But with my help you will be ready in less than two months for field testing after receiving the element.}}
My eyebrows raise in surprise.
"And what does Sir Arc want in exchange for this help?"
{{Relax, I have a list.}}
On the hologram a list of requirements was projected.
"But I do not understand." I commented confused. "Mister Arc is Miss Schnee's partner, why would he want something separate without her knowledge?
{{ Let's say Jaune doesn't even know we're having this conversation.}}
[Audra Taurus]
I was furious.
Furious at myself for letting my guard down and almost costing the life of the only human who cared about Menagerie.
Furious at Jaune for convincing me to give this terrorist intern who tried to kill him a chance and also for stopping me from taking her head off and leaving her body to rot in the desert.
And most of all, I'm mad at myself because part of me agrees with the blonde boy.
Part of me thinks that Ilia is just a deluded girl, who still has salvation... just like Adam once did.
With Ilia trapped in the trunk, we made a tense and silent trip to the Blackbird.
A trip that Jaune made a point of going over all the rocks and jumping over all the dunes he found on the way, laughing that Ilia always got hurt on the bump.
As soon as we entered the Blackbird Jaune tied the prisoner to one of the ship's seats.
"You're not going to torture her, right?" Boudicca Nikos asked, pointing to Ilia. "Because I doubt she will cooperate by telling the truth without some kind of 'incentive'."
In this the human is right, just because we spared her, doesn't mean she will tell the truth.
"I could try to talk to her, show her that she's wrong, but my 'talk No Jutsu' isn't that good."
"Talk what?" Nikos asks, confused.
Without answering, Jaune walked over to the prisoner and crouched down to look her eye to eye.
"Last chance." Jaune said in a serious voice. "Will you pitch in and answer some questions?"
Ilia's only response was to close her eyes and turn away.
Jaune sighed tiredly and held out his hand with a strange golden mist emerging from it.
'His countenance?' I thought to myself.
As soon as the fog dissipated, a strange orange weapon appeared in his hand.
"This's a ray of truth." He said pointing to the toy gun. "It turns off all of a target's brain inhibitors, which makes them incapable of lying and also makes them reveal the truth."
(Avip: No Image this time, I want to see if anyone knows the reference in the comments for this ray.)
We were all shocked, the boy had revealed never-before-seen technology as if it were nothing.
"Unlike the original version, this one only lasts for 3 questions, after that the person returns to normal and the person is immune for 1 hour." Jaune said, pointing the gun that looked like a toy towards Ilia.
But before he could fire, I walked in front, putting my hand on the gun, pointing it downwards.
"Not that I'm against using the little psychopath as a guinea pig." The human said in a worried tone. "But how do you know it really works?"
Behind the human, Ilia was in a cold sweat, finally realizing the risk she was taking while Jaune faced the weapon sideways and analyzed it.
ZAP!
That is, until he shot himself.
"Try to lie while answering these questions." Nikos said. "What color is the Blackbird?" Nikos asks.
"Easy, black." Jaune replied without realizing what he had said.
Her bodyguard didn't seem convinced, so what followed was a battery of questions where Boudicca tried to make Jaune lie.
"Is Glynda an easy going person?" The human asks for the second time.
"Not even sleeping makes that woman relax."
"Is Port a straightforward person telling his stories?" And that was the third done.
"He's only direct when it comes to punching you in the face during training."
If what Jaune said is true then next time he can lie.
"Does Professor Oobleck speak slowly and calmly?"
"He sure doesn't look like he snorts a mile of powder cocaine mixed with coffee."
From the look of Boudicca the first three had been true and the last had been a lie as Jaune had explained.
"And you're immune now?" I asked curiously.
Without thinking twice, Jaune shot himself.
ZAP!
I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and try to find out Jaune's opinion on the SDC.
"In your opinion, is Jacques Schnee a good man?" I asked swallowing hard.
The question about the CEO of the SDC caught my attention from Ilia who stretched out to hear Jaune's answer clearly.
"That's a good one." Jaune said, giving a genuine laugh, only to change his posture and tone of voice to something more aggressive. "He is certainly the kindest, most honest and charitable living soul in all of Remnant." Replied Jaune laughing in a sarcastic tone.
Those words removed a weight from my back, even though he wasn't under the effect of the truth ray, it was good to hear from Jaune that he wasn't a jerk from the SDC.
"To be honest, if their daughters didn't have any appreciation for him, I would punch that asshole in the face until he swallowed all his teeth. Only to then break his hands and legs and throw him into a Grimm-infested forest to be eaten alive."
…
I hoped that Jaune wouldn't like the old Schnee, but his discretion in violence only made me feel more relieved to trust him.
"Isn't that a bit hypocritical coming from the guy who wants to give his killer a second chance?" The nosy human asked.
Jaune looked at her, but instead of answering he just shrugged before firing his truth ray at "Ilia".
The girl stared at Jaune terrified, as if the young man was really going to torture her.
ZAP!
"Why did you try to kill me?"
The young red-haired faunus squirmed in her seat, using all her strength to hold back her words as she simply responded.
"Because you want to colonize the island and enslave the faunus."
Confused by the statement, I tried to question it.
"What-."
But before I could ask, Jaune raised his arm, silencing me.
"What does the White Fang want with me?" Jaune asked this time in a more serious tone.
Ilia tried to hold on once again, but this time her resistance was less.
"Ideally, we would like you to die in one of your stupid practices fighting Grimm, but if you could leave and never come back that would be perfect. Preferably before you gain the trust of more faunus."
This is interesting, it seems like Jaune's good reputation is bothering the Fang leadership.
"If I free you, will you try to kill me again?"
The question was met by an uncomfortable silence in the ship. Ilia was in a cold sweat as she panted tiredly, as if she had run a marathon.
"I have no orders to kill you, my paranoia took over me and in the heat of the moment I tried to kill you. I won't kill you on my own, but an episode like that in the car could happen again if I stayed close to you or if it was direct orders from the great leader I would execute you without thinking twice."
"I see…" Jaune grumbled, digesting the information he just received.
Paranoia or not, a cold-blooded murder attempt is something that haunts anyone's thoughts. No matter how kind Jaune is, it is impossible to simply forgive or ignore such an action.
"You can let her go."
…
"WHAT!" Nikos and I shouted.
[ORIGINAL POV]
Despite it being a cold night in the Menagerie desert, sweat dripped down my forehead, mixing with the dust on the ground and forming a thick paste that stained my cheeks.
It was a very long and busy day, so I decided to indulge and relax a little.
"CHEERS!" We shouted together toasting.
I raised the wooden mug to my mouth and drank the golden, icy liquid of the gods.
"Finally!" Exclaimed Amber using her disguise. "I needed a beer. But you could have gotten an IPA instead of this cheap stuff."
"Don't bother rude girl." Said Audra who had already dried her fifth mug. "You're drinking for free."
"My dad always said, 'beer can be cheap, as long as it's stupidly cold, there's no problem'." I commented smiling at both of them.
Earlier, Audra and Amber complained a lot when I let Ilia return to Fang unharmed, to calm them down I decided to reward them in the best way a Brazilian can do.
Barbecue and alcohol.
Multiverse Crafting System
What would you like to do?
Magic: 75,287 Points
Aura: 100%
We were all exhausted so we ate and drank without restriction, anticipating this I ended up spending 200 points on supplies to stock the ship's freezer with meat and drinks, in addition to the 10,000 I spent creating new security equipment.
Amber wasn't eating much, but when it came to drinking, it seemed like she was trying to make up for lost time from the coma. The cachaceira drank about three liters of beer in less than an hour only to then move on to the caipirinha.
[Image]
"This is delicious." Amber said, downing her fifth drink. "So sweet and lemony."
"You shouldn't be mixing it up like that, kid." Audra said wisely.
"I drink to make myself sick! If I wanted to feel better, I would take medicine!" Amber said laughing at her own comment like crazy.
Audra, on the other hand, was drinking like a camel and eating like a horse… I love that woman.
"I thought the people of Vale didn't know how to roast meat over wood coal." Comments Audra attacking the flank Steak.
Trying not to arouse suspicion, I respond with a shrug.
Thanks to the alcohol, Audra didn't delve deeper into the subject and Amber started to draw all the attention to herself.
"THANK YOU BROTHER GODS !" Amber screamed, crying as she raised her ninth glass of caipirinha. "I SPENT SO LONG STUCK IN THAT TU-hic-TUBE... BUT NOW I'M HERE EN-hic-ENJOYING LIFE DRINKING AND EATING!"
She finished her shouted speech by taking another sip of her drink before staggering towards me.
"And it's all thanks to this kid-."Amber cuts herself when she trips on a rock hidden by the desert sands.
Lucky for her I managed to catch her before she fell. I try to pull her to her feet, but she holds me in a hug.
"Thank you Jaune." She whispers whimperingly into my shoulder. "Thank you for giving me my life back."
Despite her rum breath, I feel touched by Amber's speech. I return the hug trying to comfort her, I even think about saying something to calm her down, but...
"Grrggghhh." Snored the girl in my arms.
She fell asleep hugging me.
"I'm going to take her to bed." I said turning to Audra. "I'll be back in five minutes."
Audra nodded, drinking another beer.
After putting Amber in her bed and asking Delta to keep an eye on the ship, I went back to the grill that Audra had just put out.
"I took the last meat off the fire." She said, placing the sliced picanha in front of me.
As we were alone, Audra seemed tense and reflective. But even with the charged atmosphere of the night, I didn't hesitate to indulge in the meat in front of me.
"Jaune." The redhead said while I was enjoying my meal.
Still with my mouth busy, I raised my face to look at her curiously. And to my surprise I came across an Audra that I had never seen before. The confidence and determination that characterized her seemed to have dissipated, replaced by an aura of uncertainty and melancholy that I had never noticed about her before.
"I just wanted to…" She began, but stopped abruptly as she reached for the bottle I had used to prepare the caipirinha. "I need some courage."
I froze, wide-eyed, as I watched her begin to drink directly from the bottle of sugar cane liquor. This was not something I would recommend to anyone, considering the high alcohol content of pinga, which exceeds 50%.
I swallowed the barely chewed food and tried to take the bottle from her hands, but it was too late. Audra had already consumed more than half a liter of its contents.
As soon as she finished, she wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her t-shirt and approached me with a confident, drunken step, grabbed me by the shoulders and lifted me up without any difficulty. Even though I was barely taller than her breasts, I used all my willpower to look her eye to eye.
'I will never make alcohol with my semblance again.' I thought to myself before she spoke.
"I wanted to thank you for stopping me from killing Ilia." She said, with an aggressive breath of cachaça, making my eyes water. "What she did was wrong, but killing her wouldn't have solved anything."
"Good." I responded with tears streaming from my eyes.
Audra, now unarmed and vulnerable, her green eyes filled with tears and guilt. The relentless warrior I had known was falling apart before me, revealing a soul weakened by pain and doubt.
"I didn't want to hurt her." She murmured, her voice hoarse from the drink. "But she reminded me so much of Adam that anger consumed me at once."
A pain in my heart dominated me. Audra's fury was understandable. Adam was walking a path of no return and when she saw Ilia take her first step in the same direction she lost control.
She looked down trying to ask me a question, but nothing came out of her but babbling and whimpering. Trying to encourage her, I held their hands.
Audra lifted her face stained with tears and desert sand and swallowed hard before asking me.
"Could you do the same for Adam?"
[Audra Tauros]
The number of bodies my son left behind and the unhealthy fixation he has on Blake combined with the ideology that the end justifies any means... make Adam a difficult person to forgive. Jaune's bodily reaction, combined with his delay in responding to me, ended up being enough to make the boy's intentions clear.
"I understand…" I replied bitterly, looking away. "Some people are beyond saving-."
"NO!" Shouted the boy looking at me.
I stared at the young man, surprised by his cry of denial, waiting for what he was going to say.
"Ilia is a deluded girl and Adam has been at it for so long that…" He trailed off trying to find some way to finish the sentence. "Like… I don't know if I can redeem him… how about if I capture him alive?"
Silence hung between us as I processed Jaune's words. His blue eyes, now more determined, studied my face for any sign of doubt or hesitation.
Finally, I let out a heavy sigh, as if releasing a burden I had been carrying for a long time.
"Capture alive." I murmured, considering the idea.
"But it will be a dangerous mission." Jaune continued. "Adam will not give in easily. He is a competent combatant who would not hesitate to kill me if I got in his way."
I nodded, accepting the grim reality of the situation.
"But I'm going after that idiot, I will lasso him, knock him down and castrate him as a gift to make him softer." The young man added, giving his classic idiotic smile.
My jaw hit the floor instantly, and the boy was smiling as if I hadn't said something really stupid.
"You just compared my bull faunus son to a calf in a rodeo."
Jaune's eyes widened, finally realizing what nonsense he had said.
"My Saint Benedict I'm so sorry-." But he cuts himself off mid-excuse.
He stops in the same place, only to then look at me blinking his eyes confused, as if he is unsure about something.
"Did you say son?" He asked in disbelief.
I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, confused by his question, but I nodded as if the young man had asked the stupidest question in the world.
Shocked, he stuttered trying to process the answer.
"Mo–mo-mo-mo-."
'Why is he stuttering?' I thought to myself. 'Good thing I know the cure.'
SLAP!
A slap to the face.
"ARE YOU HIS MOTHER?!" Yelled Jaune in surprise.
"We have the same last name."
"I thought you were his hot older sister."
"Ha! That's funny!" I laughed in a sarcastic tone.
"Funny?" He questioned in amazement. "You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. And you live on a desert island, you're practically dehydrated and you do manual labor on the sun every day. It's impossible for you to be over 25."
Blushing at the boy's praise, I coughed into my hand, trying to regain my posture.
"There's no point in throwing false praise my way." I refuted, raising my voice. "I know you're disgusted or at least don't trust me."
"What?"
He seemed sincere in his doubt, but my blood boiled at his hypocritical response.
"I'm talking about your distrust." Encouraged by alcohol, I decided to get everything off my chest at once. "It infuriates me every time I see you looking at me from the corner of your eye, looking like you're judging me and waiting for me to betray you. Your eyes fixed on me, without blinking, made me nervous and embarrassed. I feel a mixture of frustration and hurt every time I see that look of disdain on your face. I wonder what I did to make you not trust me."
Jaune was completely frozen, unable to answer me, so I continued to speak.
"At first I thought you were a racist, but you treat all the faunus on the island with kindness and generosity, even that brat who tried to kill you, you treated her with respect…" I stopped sighing, holding back tears. "Why is it only me that you look like that? What's wrong with me?" I asked desolately. "Is it because I'm related to Adam? Is it because you are so close to the Belladonna family that you cannot tolerate me?"
Jaune began to shake and break into a cold sweat, his eyes moving in every direction but me. He stared down at his hands as if he were lost.
Frustrated, I grabbed his head and focused on my eyes.
"What's wrong with me?"
My alcohol-laden breath made the young man's eyes water but he swallowed hard and answered me with his eyes closed.
"Your breasts!"
…
"My what?" I asked confused.
"I was staring at these divine pillows you call tits… where I dream of hibernating."
I took a step back in disbelief at the answer. After all, it couldn't be that simple.
'Was it all this time just teenage hormones?' I thought to myself. 'Impossible, why would someone so young be interested in an old woman like me?'
"There are also these toned thighs that I want to use as headphones."
My face turns red as a tomato, embarrassed and a little flattered by Jaune's lewd comments.
"And look at that ass!" He said pointing to my back. "Perky and perfect…" Jaune comments, sighing at my behind.
'Surely he is exaggerating.' I think forcing myself not to believe him.
"I would commit war crimes just so you could sit on my face with that wonderful dumptruck."
An awkward silence ensues as I process everything Jaune had said.
"So, all this time, it was just carnal desire? Was it just physical attraction?"
He gave a yellow smile, avoiding looking at me directly.
"I... know it's not the answer you were hoping for, but it's the truth. I was attracted to you from the first moment I saw you."
"But I'm a faunus!" I protested. "Much older than you and on top of that I'm the mother of a wanted terrorist!"
In response he simply shrugs his shoulders as if the differences were no big deal.
'I haven't thought about that kind of thing in a long time.' I reflect internally. 'I think… since my husband's death to the Grimm leviathan, Dread Shadow.'
Since that time I have focused on protecting the faunus of Menagerie, and as a result I have built a reputation as a feared and respected fighter who has alienated anyone who might be interested in me romantically or sexually.
'And now comes this young, muscular, blonde human, with blue hair and a sculptural body.' Before giving in to my carnal instincts, I cut myself on the spot. 'Stop it Audra, he's younger than your son.'
Dormant feelings begin to boil inside me, mixed with the alcohol. A strange dizziness takes over my mind as I feel my stomach twist, giving me a sick feeling.
"I-I'm flattered that a young man could be attracted to me, b-but I think you exaggerated a bit, don't you?" I asked, trying to make the subject lighter.
Unlike me, Jaune was completely sober and for some reason, he seemed offended by my question.
"Exaggerated?!" He exclaims indignantly. "I have to wear 3 pairs of underwear when I go out with you without armor so people don't notice when my dick is hard."
"STOP LYING!" I shouted embarrassedly, not knowing how to respond.
"Do you want me to prove it?" He asked, gesturing to the belt of his pants.
"Wait!" I asked, taking my hands to his pants.
But as soon as I bent down to reach my pants I felt a nauseating dizziness that threw me to the ground.
POF!
With my face covered in sand I looked ahead and noticed that I had pulled down Jaune's pants, I slowly looked up and when I saw the piece... I vomited.
"Oh no." Jaune grumbled. "My shoes."
I tried to get up to apologize and offer to clean up what I had messed up, but the dizziness and nausea hit again causing me to fall to the side this time.
"Audra?"
Jaune's voice echoed far away as my vision darkened.
[Ilia Amitola]
I walk alone through the halls of the White Fang base, my heart heavy with a bitter mix of frustration and shame. Sienna Khan's words still echo in my mind, each syllable cutting like a sharp blade. I never imagined that my loyalty and determination would take me to this point, a public reprimand, a humiliation that burns more than any physical wound.
I shouldn't have acted on my own, attacking Jaune Arc was a mistake according to the venerable leader Khan. An unprovoked assassination attempt on a VIP visitor would tarnish the honor of the White Fang and provide more ammunition for those who label us as bloodthirsty terrorists. The only reason I'm not expelled from the order is because the human won't announce my attack.
"Greetings sister Amitola." A sneaky voice comes from a dark corridor.
I turn to the newly arrived voice and come across Fennec Albain.
"Greetings, brother Alvian." I respond by giving a small bow to the veteran of the order. "One more time I beg-." I tried to apologize once again, but he cut me off by raising a hand.
He gives me a smug smile that sends shivers down my spine.
"I'm not here to judge, much less punish you, Sister Amitola." He says approaching me and placing a hand on my shoulder. "Actually, I came to congratulate you."
My eyes widened at the statement, I look the veteran faunus in the eyes looking for some lie or trick on his part, but all he offers is a friendly smile.
"Although I agree with the venerable leader Khan that it was not wise to act spontaneously guided by your emotions. I know you were seeking the good of the people of Menagerie and all Faunus."
Your words are like a balm for the wounds in my ego, I silently focus all my attention on Fennec Albain's words.
"The venerable leader is strong, but she carries the weight of our entire organization on her shoulders. That's why she punished you for acting in such a way." He says in a sad tone, as if he is disappointed in this way of thinking of Sienna Khan. "Still, she needs reliable allies, people willing to act in the shadows when necessary."
"In the shadows?" I repeated, frowning.
Fennec smiled, a more sinister smile on her thin lips than the last.
"You are very special, sister Amitola, your gifts allow you to be our best intelligence agent."
Without noticing the compliment, I relaxed my body, making myself feel special for the cause.
"From what I heard, you know where the human hides his Bullhead, don't you?"
I swallow hard, but respond by shaking my head.
"Perfect." He whispers. "I have a secret mission for you, you will lead a group of the White Fang's most loyal members to the human's ship."
"To do what?" I ask curiously.
Fennec laughs softly, almost whispering.
"Unfortunately this is a compartmentalized mission." Explains Fennec in a dry tone. "But I guarantee you that if you accept this mission, Jaune Arc will be driven off the island by the population and will never return." He finishes speaking by extending his hand to me.
Swallowing hard, I accept what needs to be done and raise my hand to shake his. After this informal pact, Fennec raises his hands in front of his body and connects his fingertips, speaking in a suspicious and sinister tone.
"Excellent…"
[Audra Taurus]
"Aaargh…" I moaned loudly, regaining my consciousness.
My eyes slowly opened, like lead weights, and the sunlight made me moan even more. My mouth was as dry as the desert, and each breath felt like the scrape of sandpaper across my throat.
I tried to move, but my body protested with every muscle aching. My thoughts were cloudy and fragmented, like pieces of a puzzle that didn't fit together.
'Where I am? What happened?' I questioned myself mentally.
I looked around and recognized my bedroom. Broken swords and rusty axes and other irreparable weapons hung on the walls, trophies of my past battles. But something was different. My books and other papers were arranged in piles on the table next to the wall, layers of dust that were common in the corners of the room had disappeared, and a lavender smell permeated the place.
The room was impeccably clean, with no traces of dust or clutter.
"Who did this?" I questioned out loud.
With a monumental effort, I sat up in bed. Nausea overcame me, and I had to fight the storm in my stomach to keep from vomiting.
"What the hell happened last night?" I muttered to myself.
I tried to remember once again, but my mind was still a confusing jumble of memories. Little by little I remembered having beaten that crazy girl, arguing with Arc and then he offered drinks and food to make peace.
But after that...
A pain makes my brain throb inside my skull as I remember some sort of conversation with Jaune, and then I remember throwing up on his shoe.
"Oh shit." I complain loudly.
I got up carefully. Every step was a battle against dizziness and pain from a damn hangover. Arriving at the bedroom door I hear a noise coming from the kitchen, a soft sound of dishes clashing and the bubbling of something cooking. With my curiosity aroused, I headed towards the sounds.
"Who's in my kitchen?" I ask myself in a whisper.
My bare feet touch the cold wooden floor as I walk towards the kitchen. The noise that woke me up still persists, a metallic sound that leaves me intrigued and cautious.
Sunlight invades the house through the windows, creating golden streaks on the floor and illuminating every corner. I smell a delicious scent filling the air, something that reminds me of chicken and vegetable soup.
The metallic sound intensifies, coming from the kitchen. My steps become faster, curiosity drives me forward.
Upon entering the kitchen, my eyes widened in surprise. The scene before me is surreal, like something out of a horny teenager's dream.
[Image]
Jaune Arc, esteemed friend of the Belladonna family, the first non-faunus to visit Menagerie as a VIP and also the human most committed to helping all faunus is standing in the middle of the kitchen shirtless, wearing a blue apron, with a pan in his hand and a friendly smile on his face. As soon as he notices me he opens that bright smile even wider, as if he's trying to stun me with happiness.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." He says, with an amused tone in his voice. "Actually, good afternoon, almost night." He says looking out the window at the setting sun. "Looks like someone overslept."
"Jaune?" I ask, stunned. "What are you doing here?"
He ignored my question and approached me, handing me a bowl with some of the soup that was in the pot he was holding.
The aroma hit me before I could even see the dish. It was a mixture of complex and comforting fragrances of chicken cooked with different seasonings, which immediately made me salivate. I had never felt anything like this before. The smell was like a warm, enveloping hug, a promise of flavor that I couldn't wait to taste.
"Before eating, drink some water." He says, heading back to the kitchen. "Sit down and eat slowly, you need to eat after last night." He says pointing to the soup in front of me. "That's called 'escaldado', my countrymen created this dish specifically to deal with hangovers."
"Last night?" I repeat, still confused. "What happened last night?"
Jaune sits at the table and looks at me with a knowing smile.
"Well…" He begins. "Let's say you drank and spilled a lot…and I'm not just talking about you throwing up on my shoes."
"Nooooo." I whimpered helplessly at what I did the night before.
He tells me about the events of the night before, about how I drank too much, how we argued about Adam, how I ended up throwing up on his shoe only to lose consciousness and have to carry me home. The only thing that makes me feel relieved is that Jaune said that no one saw us in the dead of night entering my house.
As he spoke, I remember it all in fragments, like pieces of a puzzle starting to fit together. I feel my face flush with embarrassment, and my eyes drop to the floor.
"Sorry about the shoes." I murmur, not knowing what else to say.
"Don't worry about that." He says laughing. "I already washed them and after a day of Menagerie, they are already dry."
He serves me a plate of toast and encourages me to eat the soup while it's still hot.
Paying attention to the food in front of me, I see generous pieces of shredded chicken breast floating on the surface, mixed with diced tomatoes, onions and peppers, which give the soup a welcoming and colorful appearance. The egg yolks inside are intact, firm and shiny, like little yellow jewels nestled in the broth. The surface is sprinkled with the bright green of chives, coriander and parsley, adding a final touch of freshness.
Carefully, I pick up the spoon and bring it to my mouth.
"Huuuuum." I moan while enjoying the soup.
It's like an explosion of flavors! With every spoonful, a new discovery. The soup had some kind of flour, added carefully to avoid lumps, this provides a creamy and comforting texture to the soup. And the eggs are a revelation in themselves. Carefully placed into the simmering broth, the egg whites cooked perfectly, while the yolks remained whole and deliciously rich. Each spoonful that includes a piece of egg yolk brings a velvety flavor that mixes wonderfully with the broth and other ingredients.
'He cooked this wonder all by himself?' I question mentally. 'I thought rich humans were lazy useless people when it came to domestic chores.'
The food is delicious, warm and comforting, and slowly the fog of pain and tiredness in my mind lifts.
'It's like this food really can cure hangovers.' I think to myself.
While I eat, I talk to Jaune about the night before, about Adam and what happened between us. He listens to me with patience and understanding while he washes the dishes, and helps me process my emotions.
At the end of our conversation, I feel lighter, as if a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I realize that Jaune doesn't judge me, but rather welcomes me with understanding and empathy. He assures me that the simple act of talking about my afflictions is an important step towards overcoming them, and that his presence as a listener is something natural and that anyone could have done for me.
'This kid has a heart of gold and doesn't even know it.' I reflect while looking at him.
Jaune takes the bowl away from me as soon as I finish eating that wonderful soup. Seeing the boy washing the rest of the dishes with his back turned, I remember something I wanted to ask.
"Were you the one who cleaned my house?"
Jaune turns around, still holding a bowl he had just washed. He smiles, that radiant smile.
"Yes, it was me."
I looked around, seeing the spotless kitchen and remembering my room, so clean and organized. I feel a mixture of gratitude and shame rising inside me for having my home organized by a teenager.
He not only took care of me while I was vulnerable, but he also cleaned my house. This gesture meant more than he could imagine.
'How long has it been since someone took care of me?' I reflect in silence as old memories surface in my mind.
I've been alone for so long, no one has had dinner with me since my husband was killed by the Dread Shadow and Adam abandoned me. Having someone here looking out for me makes me let my guard down and relax for the first time in a long time.
"Jaune, you really didn't have to do all that." I say, trying to hide the blush that spreads across my face.
The boy, still smiling, responds.
"I wanted to help you, so it wasn't a big deal." He adds, shrugging.
As he puts away the dishes, I see him flexing his arm a little, making me notice how fit he is. His defined muscles stand out in the kitchen light, and I can't help but feel a shiver run down my spine.
'One night of drinking and dinner and I already want to jump on him?' I question myself internally. 'What's wrong with me? I'm too old for that and I have too many problems for someone who still has their whole life ahead.' I cut through my self-reproach for being attracted to Jaune when he shows something shocking.
Jaune turns his back to put a pot in a low cabinet, revealing the type of clothing he was wearing from the waist down.
'By The Animal God, what are those shorts?'
The boy was wearing one of those running shorts, made of a light, breathable material. It fits perfectly around his hips and thighs, outlining every muscle and curve of Jaunes body. It's hard to look away, and I feel warm inside just watching him.
When Jaune turns around he seems to notice me looking at him, and our eyes meet. He gives me a bright smile with zero malice, and I feel my heart beat faster. I look away quickly, embarrassed, but I can't help the tingling sensation running through my body.
'Yesterday he said I was one of the most attractive women in the world, but instead of taking advantage of me while I was defenseless he cleaned my house and made food for me.' I think, looking at the young man who was now cleaning the sink. 'If I were younger and he was a little older… I would break his pelvis beneath me giving him a Vacuoan rodeo.'
A big part of me knows I shouldn't be thinking those things about him, but I can't help it. He is simply a kind, strong an beautiful man, with big muscular arms, a toned back and a little ass that I want to leave full of bite marks.
…
And also him wearing an apron without a shirt and wearing tight shorts is making me salivate across the north and south.
'Damn it!' I scolded myself for being so obsessed with his body. 'I need to distract myself with something.'
I took a deep breath and forced myself to look away. My mind needed an urgent escape. Jaune was a dangerous distraction, but maybe I could use him to distract me in another way.
"A good-looking boy like you who can clean and cook must be popular in Beacon." I started by trying to sound casual. "There must be a girlfriend or two waiting at home, right?"
Jaune pauses for a second looking at me, he seemed caught off guard by the question, but his smile remained. She giggled as she turned to dry her hands on her apron.
"That's a complicated story." He replied, his blue eyes shining with a mix of nostalgia and humor. "There are one… or two girls that I think are into me…" He said slowly. "But no girlfriend or anything more serious."
The answer intrigued me, so I decided to continue and get more information.
"Why?"
He sighed and sat across the table from me, crossing his arms and leaning back, balancing on the back legs of the chair looking up at the ceiling.
"When I got to Beacon I had zero training." He responds hesitantly, as if he's not sure what he's talking about. "I think I was so focused on getting better that I didn't try anything with anyone."
His tone didn't show confidence in what he was saying, but I wasn't sure if he was lying or just withholding part of the story. I think it's better to get straight to the point.
"Are you gay?"
THUMP!
My response was Jaune falling backwards onto the ground.
"Ouch." He speaks sarcastically lying on the ground, but he still responds. "I am straight."
"Huuum." I murmur looking across the table. "Are you sure?"
He jumps to his feet and frowns at me, more irritated than angry.
"Yes, I am." Replies Jaune in a dry tone.
An uncomfortable silence settled between us, although Jaune was irritated, he didn't seem so uncomfortable. Proof of this is that the young boy still glanced at me from the corner of his eye when he thought I wasn't paying attention.
In the past I thought he was making sure where I was, as if he was making sure where his enemy was, but today I know that this boy-. NO! This man was admiring me… desiring me.
"Are you really sure?" I asked with a lewd smile appearing on my lips.
Now frustrated, he throws his arms up in surrender, as if he had given up answering me.
'Don't give up, you hot blonde idiot.' I begged internally to any deity that could hear me.
He gets up and walks towards me frustrated, next to me he slams his hand on the table and asks confused and irritated.
"What do I need to do to convince you?" Jaune asks with his chest puffed out, imposing an authoritarian air on me.
I grin a wild, hungry smile, excited about the prey that has fallen into my trap, ready for the taking.
I slowly stand up, looking deep into the young human's eyes. As soon as my eyes pass the height of his forehead, the young man's shoulders begin to deflate, his posture that portrayed him as an authoritative figure evaporates. When I'm finally standing, Jaune's eyes are a little higher than the height of my cleavage.
At first I stay silent, trying to read his reactions, to see if he still shows any interest in my body.
"Mgnn." The young man grumbles as if he were making a physical effort.
My worries disappear when I notice his trembling and hesitant eyes, it wasn't like someone avoiding direct looks so as not to discover his secrets. Jaune Arc's eyes were twitching because the young man was using all his concentration to look at my eyes instead of my cleavage.
Licking my lips, I slowly approach him, supporting his chin to help him keep his gaze on me.
"Glad you asked my little calf." I get even closer, with my lips close to his ear, I whisper. "Would you like to show me if it is true?"
Jaune's body shivers all over, up close I can even see the hairs on the back of his neck standing up.
For a second I worry that maybe I've gone too far and he'll reject me in disgust, but to my surprise Jaune grabs me by the shoulders with a firm, powerful grip and pulls me away just enough to look me in the eyes and show a sudden change in his behavior.
Shocked by the change, I stand without reaction, trying to process the transformation before me. The tension in his body was gone and in its place was an intimidating serenity, as if he had finally found his purpose. His gaze was unwavering, piercing my soul, resolute and firm like steel beams forged in the best factories in Atlas.
I couldn't help but feel attracted to him, intrigued by this metamorphosis. He made me feel a strange mix of nervousness and excitement, like a girl on her first date.
"Let's fucking go!"
[Avip: Remember when Ozpin called Jaune in the middle of the night in chapter 23? After the Vacuano Rodeo that scene takes place.]
[Ps: I've been writing smut on other accounts of mine, would you like me to write Audra and Jaune's scene? Does the platform where you are reading this story allow this type of content?]
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E ai gurizada?
I'm glad to see that the Grimm Sharks pleased you all, and after the last chapter I noticed that you are waiting for the clash between Jaune's sisters and Adam Taurus... when we get to that scene I hope to live up to your expectations.
Likorin:
Please tell me jaune gets a warlord class titan.
Avip:
I was seriously thinking about putting one in the story, but the biggest problem is that the weapons of these monsters (If I'm not mistaken), are capable of melting mountains, vaporizing oceans, triggering volcanoes and fracturing technical plates. If this is true, this setting cannot survive 5 minutes with one of these walking freely.
Jao:
{Cobras fumantes, eterna é sua vitória}
Is this part supposed to be in Portuguese?
Avip:
It is supposed to be in Portuguese, in the original song this part is in Portuguese. The music 'smoking snakes' is about three Brazilian soldiers, who fought against a much larger and much stronger force of German troops.
They fought until they ran out of ammunition and engaged in close combat with their bayonets. They were immediately shot dead and the Germans buried them and placed a cross with the inscription "Drei Brasilianischen Helden" (Three Brazilian Heroes) on their grave.
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