Once the initial shock wore off a much more important realization had hit me.
"Are you okay?" I quickly turned to Scáthach to make sure she wasn't hurt as my Power of Destruction ran rampant for a moment.
"I am well." She was healing her hand, and it was barely noticeable, but there was damage.
"I hurt you." I frowned. "I'm sorry, I lost control, I don't know what happened, and I accidentally –"
"Dear." She spoke softly. A word I've never heard come from her mouth before, it made my ramblings come to a screeching halt.
"….you've never called me that before."
"You turn into a blushing girl the moment I say a single word." She chuckled, placing a hand on my cheek. "Have you calmed down?"
"Yeah…"
"That's good." She smiled warmly. "Now, fix your expression. Did you intentionally wish to harm me?"
"No." I quickly shook my head.
"Then do you think this Scáthach is someone who can be significantly harmed by your accidental actions?" She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"I'm sorry." I whispered.
"Come here." She held her arms open, I accepted the hug and she pulled me into her bosom. "You are forgiven."
I felt something strange as I nestled between her boobs. A sensation I can honestly say I'd never felt before. "Are you rubbing my horns?"
"Yes." Was her simple and blunt reply.
"Oh."
"Do you dislike it?"
"I don't know, I'm still trying to comprehend their existence and it's making me confused." I confessed.
"Yet your hand still grabs my rear."
My hand was in fact, squeezing her butt. "Yes."
[Take me out, I think I know what's going on.]
"Hang on, Ddraig wants to come out." I relayed.
"Does the Dragon know why you changed?" Scáthach inquired, separating me from her chest.
The Gauntlet Appeared on my had. "[Hello again.]"
"Greetings, Dragon." Scáthach spoke with a small amount of politeness to her tone, one reserved for those she seemingly respected. "What wisdom do you have?"
The jewel on the Gauntlet lit up again as Ddraig began to speak. "[Well, he looks a lot like his ancestors.]"
"Like a cliché 'demon' described in most Church texts?" I asked a little skeptically.
"[Where do you think those 'cliché' texts originated from?]" Ddraig responded. "[The original Satans were called 'Demons' for a reason.]"
"Really? I thought it was more of a terminology thing, or a title of respect in my birth world. Was there actually a difference?"
"[I don't know all the details, I didn't exactly fly in the same circles as that lot, but I know a thing or two. And I've met them before, a long time ago. They tried getting me to join them or some other crap, I didn't really care at the time. But I met Lilith, the original Lucifer and those original 'Demons' that they call the Satans.]"
"You know, I feel like I probably should have looked into my own history before this point. But please go on, I want to know why I suddenly have a tail and –" I felt a shiver go up my spine, I looked down at Scáthach's hand, grabbing my tail.
She met my eyes and there was the faintest little blush on her cheeks that quickly disappeared. "It is cute." She said rather quietly in her defense once I glared.
"[The originals were like you. Don't know how it happened now that I think about it. Lilith was originally human – I'm sure you know the legends and all that crap. Lucifer as well, he was originally anAngel. But at some point they turned all demonic and what-not. Wings, Horns, Tails, blah blah. A lot like you as I said.]"
"What changed? Because I'm fairly sure Venelana doesn't have a tail, as the only other Devil I've thoroughly inspected."
"[Yeah, as you noticed after banging your Grandma.]" Ddraig snorted. "[Devils pretty much only inherited wings as a 'physical trait' more or less. The other Demons besides Lucifer – Asmodeus, Beelzebub, Leviathan, they inherited much more. And I can take a guess or two at the reason this didn't trickle down anymore. Basically, the original Demons were only a little bit weaker than that Fallen Brat.]"
"And that suddenly makes a huge amount of sense. Devils back then being the stupidly evil villains depicted in most literature, I'm sure Lucifer couldn't stand the idea of anyone able to usurp his 'throne' so they intentionally stymied how much was 'passed down' when Lilith created the next generation of Devils, yeah?"
They wanted a strong army to wage war, but not too strong. Seeing how the other Satans were just little under him must have hurt his Pride.
"[It's funny considering that the current generation would wipe the floor with the old guard. Hell, the weakest of the current Satans could handle the entirety of the old Satans bar Lucifer and most likely win.]" Ddraig laughed. "[If the brat wasn't so stupid and paranoid, he might have won the war.]"
"Isn't that a terrifying thought?" I muttered.
"[Actually, now that I think about it, he had a son that was born stronger than him. I vaguely remember something about Lucifer throwing a tantrum at the news and there being a big incident or something when he found out.]"
"The mystery of his new appearance is solved. However, the question on how it has occurred still remains." Scáthach commented, her hands inspecting my horns without holding back.
"That…is an interesting question." I ignored her touching. I grabbed at her and she never complained, I didn't mind if she was touching my 'new' body parts. "The Hogyoku was shifting one type of energy into another without any noticeable problems. But when it came to my Demonic Energy, it did more."
"I believe the answer is a simple one, my student." Her fingers were running along the tip of my tail and it felt really weird, but not….bad. "It simply could do more so it did."
"If you keep touching me, I'm going to touch you back."
She chuckled, grabbing my hand and putting it on her own breast. "This Scáthach's body is already assailed by you every day, such a threat is meaningless."
A fair trade.
"Have you figured it out?" She asked.
"Yeah, I realized as soon as you said something. The Hogyoku was breaking down the boundaries between my types of energy, but when it got to my Demonic side, it simply had the ability to go further. My Magical Energy, there is nothing to reach into. Same with my Aura, and the same with my Reiryoku. They are at their most basic without disrupting their actual purpose. Whereas my Demonic Energy came from my Ancestry, something I have just barely tapped into due to the nature of my birth. There was room for the Hogyoku to break down further into my bloodline to pull out the hidden potential there that I normally couldn't reach."
It basically made me similar to my progenitors because the 'concept' was hidden within my genetics.
Scáthach hummed, nodding to my explanation. "What are the benefits?"
"Uh, the physical benefits are not worth really mentioning. But my Demonic Energy feels like it's overflowing." I held my hands up, letting my Bloodline Power to come out. My hands alighted with my Destruction, the intensity and quantity was on a whole other level. "If I could compare to a bucket of water before, I feel like a small pool now."
"Hmm, similar to Venelana still, but there is room for improvement."
"Well, I doubt even with this I'm going to compare to someone who's developed their Demonic Energy for centuries. But I should catch up relatively quickly with some training." I dismissed my Destruction. "And I can bring out a significant amount without the need for a catalyst."
"The benefits of your sword should be amplified then."
"Good point." I agreed.
"Come, we shall return you to your original state." She beckoned me to sit down again. "I am aware your Demonic side brings you uneasiness, I will assist you."
I worked on using the Hogyoku to run in the opposite direction, letting my Demonic Energy shift back to Magical Energy. I could feel Scáthach too, her gentle hand working alongside me to facilitate the change. It was more difficult as this apparently brought a physical change along with it. But with some effort on both our ends, I felt the Demonic features rescind. However, there was a side effect that seemed obvious in hindsight.
My actual 'pool' of Demonic Energy still remained just as large as it was when I became more Demonic. Unfortunately, in this state, my Demonic Power itself was still miniscule in practice. In that it would take forever to refill this 'pool' and the amount I could bring to bear would be significantly less. And I was fairly sure I couldn't bring the degree of Destruction out that I could a moment ago.
I felt the top of my head and my horns were now gone. And my tail, thankfully. I didn't know how to feel about that. it was…..odd. "Back to normal."
"Do you feel better?" Scáthach's arms wrapped me up from the back, her head sitting on my shoulder.
"You always make me feel better." I tilted my own head to meet her eyes, giving her a smile. "You're the best."
"Yes I am." She quirked a little smug smile of her own. "You may lavish me with your due praise, my student."
"My beautiful and wonderful Scáthach."
"Hmm, you can do better."
"The amazing and breathtakingly beautiful Scáthach. The unparalleled Witch, the greatest Teacher ever, only slightly sadistic – "
She pinched my cheek, cutely puffing up. "You are asking for a swift beating, my student."
Seeing her in a mood like this was something that never ceased to warm my heart. Her cold exterior melted and I could see the warm and kind woman she was underneath. "You're always here for me. Any time I have trouble or I need help, you're here for me and I feel like I can rely on you for anything. You're one of the brightest lights in my life. You're my rock, and I can't see myself living without you by my side."
One of those very rare times, I watched her genuinely turn a rosy red. The confident and stoic Scáthach looked shy and bashful at my confession.
"Foolish student." She lowered her head, burying it into the crook of my neck. "You say such words to me, yet I have already given you my body and my heart. What left do I have yet to give but my womb to bear your children?" Her hands tightened around me and there was a faint trembling. "Speak to me the same words you have given to the Goddess and the Knight."
"I love you."
"And I will love you until you grow tired of this Scáthach."
"Which is never." I gently took her hand.
"[Don't mind the Dragon, just sitting here watching.]"
"Thanks Ddraig, ruining the moment." Stupid Dragon. I admittedly had forgotten I still had the Boosted Gear out and on my arm.
She chuckled, kissing my cheek. "Come, we are here with a purpose. Call back your Demonic Nature and we will practice with it. There are monsters to slay and I think it will be beneficial for you to indulge with your Demonic side."
"Alright, let me try to call back on it." I touched on the Hogyoku again, letting my Demonic Energy roar to life. I felt the same 'transformation' occur, but it was much less aggressive this time. I know that it worked because a certain someone was holding my tail again. "Is it really that interesting?" I looked at her.
"If such a change occurred in myself or your other lovers, would you not be just as fascinated?" She retorted.
"You….raise a fair point."
"Yes." She let go, standing up. "It is time to deal with these creatures."
I dismissed the Boosted Gear and rolled my neck and back, stretching what I felt were some new muscles due to my Tail swinging back and forth. "I've never had this much of my Power of Destruction available before." I admired how it engulfed my hands with ease. "Let's see what I can do with it."
"I will allow you to take the lead." She stated, spear already in hand and a quick stab on her part saw to all my Talismans pierced, destroying the barrier.
"How kind of you." I rolled my eyes, hand snaking through the air as I caught one of those Chills trying to phase into this part of the building through the wall. My Destructive Lightning crackled, and it made a strange noise while being utterly destroyed.
"Is this the creature that frightened you so, my student?" Scáthach held her spear up pointing at an Apathy that stumbled down the hallway. "Shall I deal with it? You can close your eyes if you need to."
"Hilarious." I said dryly, flexing my Power of Destruction. I was here to test things, so test I would. I allowed my Demonic Energy to pour out, bringing my bloodline power to life around me hands.
I moved with a burst of Shunpo, arriving in front of the Grimm that would probably give me nightmares later. Gathering my Destruction in my right hand, I swung it downwards from above. Inch by inch, the Grimm was utterly disintegrated as my palm fell down before touching the floor, sending waves outward in all directions. The Hallway in the immediate area was eaten away on contact, shaking the whole facility before I mentally dispersed my power.
"Well that was certainly something." I looked at my hand, a little in shock. That was significantly more powerful than I had originally thought.
There were more sounds coming further within the facility. I could see red glowing eyes appearing in the dozens not far down the black corridor.
I reached out my hand and called my Sword of Destruction. The Sword that had been nurturing my Demonic Power and Destruction all this time. It was a catalyst that I attuned myself to and even now, it still worked for that purpose.
My Destruction that I channel expanded several folds. I nearly lost control of myself at the sudden power that enveloped my sword.
I looked down at it and had an idea.
Raising my sword up, I swung it downwards, focusing on keeping the shape that I wanted.
A blade arced forward, slicing through everything in its path. The Apathys that were in the path of my attack were utterly annihilated. The remnants that were simply sliced apart were then eaten away and consumed by the ensuing Destruction that was left in the wake of my attack.
The ceiling and the ground were also gouged out and once more the whole place shook violently.
"I will be upset if you bring this building down on us." Scáthach lightly chided me, her finger tapped my cheek.
"I'll keep that in mind." I couldn't help but feel a growing grin tugging at the corners of my lips.
She sighed, shrugging her shoulders. "You say that but I can see the battle lust in your eyes. Have a go at it my student. But don't be consumed by it."
I didn't need to be told twice.
I shot down the hallway, swinging my sword at any Grimm that was still nearby, or any pieces of them that remained.
My movement didn't stop as I slid into another room, a much larger one with much more equipment about. There were computers, and large test tubed housing other types of Grimm that seemed to be in the process of being Mutated.
There were, of course, other Grimm walking about. I noticed the Nightmares I had been told about, the parasitic Grimm that hung near the ceiling. My Sword of Destruction flashed through the air, carrying my Bloodline with it, handled them with ease.
My own claw-like hands swiped through the air, gouging out parts of the facility in the process and cleaved through Grimm in a matter of moments. My Destructive Lightning went rampant, and I had no thought to reel myself in.
I was letting loose and it felt good.
I stopped generally thinking and just went on auto pilot. I allowed myself to enjoy the slaughter and it felt satisfying in a way I was not accustomed to. How many rooms did I tear through? I lost count after the fourth.
There were plenty of other Grimm, the 'normal' kinds that tried to stop me, but they were all just calf's to the slaughter.
Really, I only came back to my senses once a roar resounded, shaking the whole underground facility. And I walked towards the source of it, a massive creature barreled through a wall, claws and fangs fully on display, along with many green, mutated, protrusions on it. I could see why they called it a Sphinx, a serpent tail, a feline body, and feathered wings. Even if the face wasn't particularly humanoid.
Roman had told me about Sphinx Grimm, but I don't think they were supposed to be this big.
"I would feel bad if I didn't let you have some fun." I tilted my head back to Scáthach who was behind me. She had been silently following me the entire time. "Do you want the big guy?"
A bloodthirsty grin formed on her face, one that I can only assume was similar to the one I had previously. "Oh my dear student, you do know how to win this Scáthach's affection."
Seeing her tear into it with a laugh of pure glee was honestly one of the most attractive things I've ever seen in my life.
Did this count as a Date?
@***@
A/N
If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m / astoryforone
'Can you hear me….?'
'My name is – %$&* %*#&@'
My eyes snapped open and I immediately sat up, twisting my head every direction, looking around the dark room.
The only sound was my Scroll buzzing on the nightstand next to me.
Well, that and the shuffling of sheets to my left.
"Time?" Scáthach shifted on her side of the bed.
I grabbed my scroll reading the message I had been sent. Apparently Pyrrha and her team were going to be coming to Vale from Beacon around noon along with another team they're friendly with. I sleepily responded to her that I'll text her a place to meet up for lunch and then tossed my scroll back onto the table, only for it to miss and fall to the floor.
"Little after Seven." I fell back down into my pillow.
"I have become lazy." She muttered, scooting closer, her head resting on my chest. "I am normally awake hours earlier. You are to blame, my student."
"Yes, it's all my fault." I ran my fingers through her long hair. Scáthach being 'lazy' was always cute, the few rare times it happened. "It's alright to take it easy every once in a while."
"Why did you become startled in your sleep? That device should not have caused such a reaction. If the Bounded Fields were not still up, I would assume we were under attack."
Yeah, the Bounded Field was still up, I don't know why I was jittery. It was pretty standard to put up Bounded Fields in any room we stayed in, like this hotel room we rented for the night. "Honestly, I don't know. I felt like I heard a voice I didn't recognize and…I just reacted."
I lifted up the blanket a little to peek underneath. Scáthach's naked body was pressed against mine.
She playfully pinched my hand. "Do not get any ideas. I am still sore and you spent more than enough time this previous night enjoying yourself."
"I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one though."
"It was adequate." She replied, a little grin made it easy to know she was intentionally being vindictive in her words.
"I'm going to meet up with Pyrrha, the red-headed girl you met before. She enrolled in Beacon and is bringing her team and some friends outside for the day. Do you want to stick around, or do you want to do your own thing?"
"I would like to see if that child has furthered her training, however, it is best that I stay away from….Beacon and its students for now."
"…do I want to know?"
Her only response was muffled giggled into my chest.
"Alright then."
"I wish to see this Vacuo."
"I heard it's pretty much just desert. The Kingdom is barely more than the Huntsman School and the surrounding…city, if that can even be used to describe it."
"Yes, Salem spoke about it. I am intrigued and wish to explore; the weather holds no bearing over me."
"You can obviously take care of yourself, so I won't say anything to dissuade you. Do you need a hand or can you find your way there?"
"I can manage." She tilted her head up, smiling at me. "However, your concern is appreciated."
"….sleep for a little while longer or do something else?"
Her red eyes stared into mine for a moment before rolling over on top of me.
Guess that answered my question.
[***]
"I went ahead and ordered some Coffee for you two." I said as Artoria and Rin sat down at the table to join me.
"This is perfect, thanks Schweinorg." Rin practically collapsed into her seat while Artoria gracefully slid into the one next to me.
"Late night?' I asked.
"Vale has an interesting night life." Artoria calmly sipped her beverage while Rin nearly inhaled hers.
"The Twins didn't give you too much trouble?"
"Ugh, they're such bitches." Rin groaned. "Not in a bad way though."
"There's….a bad way to interpret that?"
"You're such a boy." Rin rolled her eyes. "They aren't like that Edelfelt Bitch."
"Right, that explains it perfectly and I'm left without questions." I didn't even bother asking for a better explanation. "Did you have fun though?"
Rin held a thumbs up as she downed her coffee. "The clothes here are actually really nice and they aren't that expensive. Those two took us practically all over Vale to shop and see everything. We didn't even hit a Hotel until late into the morning."
"It was a pleasant experience, despite my reservations. I enjoyed meeting your friends." Artoria added on.
"You should thank me, Schweinorg."
"Why's that?"
"Dragged her into a lingerie shop and helped her pick out a few things."
"R-Rin." Artoria puffed up, looking a little red.
Well, I'd certainly enjoy that later. "How about I buy you another coffee as thanks?"
"Deal."
My Scroll buzzed.
'Pyrrha: Just got off the Bullhead, heading there now!'
"They're on their way." I informed the two, putting my Scroll to the side.
"Speaking of, anything we should know about your friends?"
"Singular in this case. I only know Pyrrha, and she's bringing her team and friends or something. But everything but Magic and all that good stuff is still a secret. I've basically just been playing it off as having a Space based Semblance."
"Really? And people actually believe that bullcrap?" Rin looked at me skeptically.
"How many people do you think actually know the full depth of something as vague as 'space manipulation'? I can bullshit pretty dam hard with that kind of thing."
"You're right. And I've seen you do more with less."
"Well, it shouldn't really matter. Pyrrha's a sweet girl, and it's not like we're going to be interrogated….much."
"I'd ask if you're trying to screw her too, but I think she's too young for you." Rin snorted.
"Are you calling Artoria old?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh don't even try that." Rin huffed. "She's eternally going to be young. Actually, did you know she grew an inch since I summoned her? I thought Servants couldn't change? Beyond…your weirdness and stuff."
"Well…." I rubbed my chin. "Artoria isn't even a real Servant from what I understand. And technically, she shouldn't even be a Servant as Avalon has a claim on her. Avalon is one of the few places that can stop the Throne from claiming a soul after death."
"Yes, my true body still waits at Camlann. My contract was originally to fight in the Grail War, but things became messy, and my contract seems to have become void. I assume if I ever die in my Servant existence that I would return to such and then be sent to Avalon as you said." Artoria nodded.
"Yeah, that's about what I thought. However, I think it should be noted, if you ever die, we're invading Avalon."
"Does that even need to be said?" Rin huffed. "Don't talk about your death so emotionlessly, Saber." She nudged Artoria with her shoulder.
"I apologize." She responded with a small, but happy smile.
"Going back on topic. I think she should be slightly changing? Since she's not exactly a 'real' Servant, thus her Servant body is more of a reflection of her actual body? I doubt that when you made the deal with Alaya, that the entity even bothered to consider the happenstance that you survived years afterwards, thus didn't waste the energy on facilitating the same conditions of a 'normal' servant."
"Do you believe I will age to some extent?" Artoria asked.
"I can't claim to know for sure, but I think there will be some slight changes? Being away from that world-line is probably helping in that regard. Since there is no force that wants to squash a spiritual existence like a Servant on sight, your existence is….solidifying, for lack of a better word. And it's already something not normal for any other Servant, so there's the possibility of side effects like this."
I did wonder how Artoria would look if she reflected her age a little more….
Maybe I'll get to see that in the future.
"I'll be sure to thoroughly check you for any changes in the future~"
"Wil…" Artoria dipped her head cutely.
"That them?" Rin interrupted, jerking her thumb at a bunch of people walking right outside, past the front windows before opening the doors.
"Looks like it." I stood up, walking towards the entrance.
"Wil!" Pyrrha happily called out.
"Hey there, Red" I offered her my arms and she gladly accepted the hug. "And teammates?" I looked at the group following behind her. "Ruby?" I tilted my head, remembering what Roman told me.
She beamed. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe you know Pyrrha and I know Pyrrha too! I saw the competition, and then you became a criminal and I finally got that metal you gave me to melt and then –"
"Ruby, pace yourself." A blond girl walked up, grabbing her head.
"Right, I got a table. I'd love to get a proper introduction." I offered.
"Oh great, I'm starving. You think they serve pancakes here, Renny?" A orange haired girl happily walked over, pulling a guy with black and pink hair along with her.
"We'll find out, Nora."
Though, not everyone was as…excited? A white-haired girl gave me a death stare the moment she walked in.
And another black haired girl with a bow that looked at me strangely but didn't speak a word.
Last of them was someone else I recognized.
"Well, if it isn't Rufus." I hadn't seen him since the tournament. I remember we had a chat in between fights. He was pretty skilled too from what I recall.
He perked up at me calling out his name and gave a smile.
I went back to my seat as they all sat down too. Though it was a little awkward at first.
"It's nice to meet Pyrrha's friends and teammates." I decided to break the ice. "I heard that you get partners and teams and such."
Pyrrha nervously smiled. "The first person we ran into during the test became our partner. Then once we finished the test, we were assigned another pair for a team."
"Yup! I'm the leader of team Raspberry!" Ruby stood up, proudly proclaiming.
"Context?"
Pyrrha chuckled a little. "They give us color-based names depending on our initials. We're team RSPR, which is Raspberry."
"Team Raspberry, role call!" Ruby called out. "I'm the leader, Ruby Rose!"
'Uh, Rufus Hedge…" Rufus introduced himself with a lot less enthusiasm. "I'm Ruby's partner."
"Hello, I'm Pyrrha Nikos." She smiled towards Artoria and Rin, both of whom nodded towards.
"Weiss Schnee." The white-haired girl turned her nose up. "Partner to Pyrrha Nikos, which is the only reason I'm here, in the presence of criminals."
"…Weiss." Pyrrha sighed.
"Ignore Ice queen there." The blonde spoke up, making Weiss scoff. "I'm Yang Xiao long, Ruby's older sister."
"Blake Belladonna." A girl with the bow was curt with her own name.
"Oh my turn! I'm Nora Valkyrie!" The bombastic orange haired girl introduced herself next.
"Ren." The quieter boy next to her politely introduced himself as well. "I'm the leader for team…Rainbow."
"Team RYNB, woo!" Nora threw her hands up.
"It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Artoria Pendragon, Wilhelm's Girlfriend." Artoria took the reins next. "This is Rin Tohsaka." She gestured next to her.
"Hey." Rin casually waved.
"And I believe you know Wilhelm."
"I doubt there's anyone on Remnant that doesn't know him." Weiss scoffed again. "One of the most wanted people in the world."
"Not according to Vale." I pointed out.
"As if anyone is stupid enough to believe that ridiculous nonsense they said when they withdrew your wanted posters." Her face turned sour. "Probably bribed and extorted your way out of trouble."
"Come on Weiss, you don't know that." Ruby tried to calm her down.
"Actually, that's fairly accurate." I hummed.
"Wil." Pyrrha face palmed.
"I knew it!" Weiss raised her hand, pointing at me in accusation. "And you even admitted it, just wait until I report you to the proper authorities."
"….you mean the ones he allegedly bribed?" Rin raised an eyebrow.
"Pfft." Yang snorted under her breath. "She's got you there, Ice Queen."
"H-how can you take their side, Xiao Long!? He's a criminal who just admitted to….to illegal activity!"
"I'm not really crying over some thief. Point me at some Grimm instead, you know, the things actually killing people?" Yang shrugged.
"B-but he's a criminal!"
"Wasn't it revealed that your family was using literal slaves not that long ago?" Blake spoke up, the quiet girl taking a jab.
"T-that was not us. They had nothing to do with us and they were rightfully punished!" Weiss defended herself. "And he's wanted by Atlas for several murders because of that!"
They all looked at me. "I'm not going to explain myself for killing people using children as slaves. And I don't mean the labor kind."
But I didn't know I had new warrants out for my head.
Neat.
"Huh, what do you mean?" Ruby looked confused.
"I'll tell you when you're older." Yang put her hand on Ruby's head.
"I heard that you rescued a bunch of Faunus. People have been saying that you're secretly a Faunus too." Blake looked at me questioningly.
"Nope, no Faunus blood."
"Oh, I heard about that too!" Nora rumbled, shifting the morbid atmosphere from my earlier remark. "Wasn't there a thing about the head of Menagerie wanting to give him a medal or something?"
"It was a ribbon." Blake clarified. "And it's a symbolic gesture to show that you're a friend to Menagerie."
"Huh, I didn't know that." I replied. "Maybe I'll pop over there later. I hope that Dust was useful for them at least."
"That Dust was property of Schnee Dust Company!" Weiss practically screeched.
"The Dust that came from slave labor?" Rin raised an eyebrow. "Seems like a weird hill to die on if you're trying to protect your image."
"As if a criminal would understand anything about image." Weiss scowled.
"Excuse me?" Rin's tone shifted. "Since when am I a criminal?"
"You are consorting with him." Weiss gestured to me. "What else would you be?"
"By that logic, wouldn't your Partner be a criminal too?" Rin retorted.
"O-of course that's different!"
"Right." Rin rolled her eyes. "You have my sympathy, Pyrrha."
"What's that supposed to mean!" Weiss demanded.
"It means, I sympathize with her for having to put up with you for however long your partnership lasts. Barely ten minutes and I'm at my limit."
This was not how I expected things to go, but I didn't want to interrupt.
"Pyrrha doesn't need the sympathy of some criminal associate! And I certainly don't have to explain our relationship to some common vagrant."
"Ugh, a brat trying to play at being an Aristocrat."
"How dare you! I am Weiss Schnee. I am the heir to the Schnee Dust Company. Who are you, some no-name ruffian?!"
"Weiss, Calm down." Pyrrha finally interjected. I think she was just taken off guard by the argument that popped up and didn't know how to react.
"You're right, I am better than rising to the provocations of a criminal." Weiss turned her nose up again.
"Cleary not." Rin said dryly. "But if you got the mental gymnastics to not feel bad about the slave labor your family was using, I doubt you'll care about this."
"My family does not use slave labor!"
"I think there's evidence that contradicts that…"
"That was not under our authority!"
"That makes it alright then."
"That's not what I meant!"
We were all sort of whipping our heads back and forth as they argued across the table.
Frankly, this wasn't Rin being outraged at the whole 'save labor' thing, not to say she condoned it. But this was her being annoyed at Weiss' attitude from the start and decided to snip back at her. Rin wasn't one to take being talked down to like this.
It reminded me of when I saw her with Luvia.
Though for some reason, Blake had the biggest grin on her face. Actually, the other team seemed to be amused by the whole thing as they silently watched.
"Oh brothers, just fight or fuck already!" Though Yang finally let out a frustrated grunt.
"Yang! Language!" Ruby huffed.
"Please, I have standards." Rin scoffed.
"What's that supposed to mean!" Weiss screeched in outrage.
"Exactly what I said."
"Y-you!" Weiss stood up, sneering like she was about to explode. "For once, I agree with Xiao Long!"
"Oh, you wanna fight?" Rin chuckled.
"Weiss, you're a Huntress in Training…." Pyrrha interjected.
"I got my Aura Unlocked, let's go brat." Rin made a 'bring it on' gesture.
"Miss Goodwitch said we'll get in trouble if we fight outside of school." Ruby said quietly, pulling her hood a little down her face.
"So do it at Beacon." Yang offered as everyone stared at her. "What? You're allowed to bring people over if you get permission. Go ask her and get one of the sparring rooms reserved. There's no rules against it."
"I'm surprised you know anything about rules, Xiao Long." Weiss looked at her skeptically.
"I like to know what I can get away with." She shrugged.
"Fine." Weiss slapped the table. "I'm going to call Miss Goodwitch, and I'll arrange everything." Her eyes landed on Rin. "And then I'll make you eat your words." She turned her nose up, walking out the door with scroll in hand.
"Well, that escalated rather quickly." I noted.
Well, I did want to check out Beacon? What's the worst that could happen?
[***}
A/N
If you want to read 7 chapters ahead or support me, visit my p.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m Wilhelm's Zanpakuto revealed. Name and Power is shown.
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