#small girl big hat big jacket big weapon she swings around

[m0ssy-p0ckets]

so.i got into guilty gear

[doodler-jpeg]

Life [Wilbur Soot/Fundy]

BOOOM HI HELLO HOW ARE YOU UH UM SO I WAS INSPIRED WHILE I WAS BORED AND THEN THIS IS HOW THIS ONESHOT CAME TO BE. ITS NOT GOOD, BUT ITS DECENT. You’re gonna be taking Sally’s place so, uh, I’m sorry, Sally, you’re just another salmon. Still love you though  THIS TOOK SO LONG TO MAKE DEAR GOD ITS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR LIKE A MONTH LMAO

ALSO, KEEP IN MIND THIS IS C!WILBUR/SMP!WILBUR

⚠️CUSSING, AFAB READER, PREGNANCY, THIS IS A REALLY LONG ONE SHOT OH MY GOD, PLATONIC FUNDY RELATIONSHIP SO YEAH⚠️

Pronouns: she/her or they/them [you’re referred to as wife, mom,, that stuff, but you can change those if you want]

You hummed as you strained out your clothing beside the river near your home. A smile graced your face, [Eye Colour] eyes glinting happily in the warm sunlight of that fine summer day. Autumn would soon turn the land into a seemingly barren wasteland, though, so you decided to savor every last bit of happiness the hot days brought you. 

Hanging the large amount of clothing upon thin clothing lines, you dumped out your bucket and made sure nothing got in the lake. Walking back inside of your home, you set the buckets in the corner of the cozy cottage and walked back outside. Your brown boots thudded quietly against the cobblestone path that lead into the woods around your home that would eventually be covered in snow.

A sudden childish giggle made you turn to the fields that were a ways away from your house, right in front of the sparsely scattered trees to the right of your little house. You furrowed your brows in confusion as a blur of yellow, white, and red rushed over to you.

“Hello there.” You couldn’t help but stare as the child looked up at you silently. “What are you doing here, little one?” He only blushed, his face flushing a vivid red before he ran off. You shrugged and continued your trek into the forest.

//

You watched as flakes of snow fell delicately onto the muted green coloured grass, bundled tightly in a burrito of quilts that you and your mother has made together. You shuffled slightly from your position on your warm bed, closing your eyes as you waited for sleep to consume you.

It seemed life had other plans, though, as a faint light came toward your home, edging closer and closer until you could make out a figure, their clothing a great contrast to the paw snow. They were shivering visibly, clutching their arms as their lantern shook in their hand.

You frowned as you peeled your blankets off of you, pulling your boots on quickly. Grabbing a lantern cage, you lit the candle inside of it and hurried outside, feeling nervous as the figure hurried over to you.

Soon enough, they were standing in front of you, a miserable look on their face, their eyes red and puffy as their teeth chattered together.

“Come inside,” you didn’t care for introductions or your safety. This person seemed nice. “I’ll start a fire. Uh- there should be a few blankets on the sofa. Would you like anything to drink? Warm milk, tea? I’m not gonna offer coffee because it’s late, so I’m sorry about that.”

“Just water, please,” they croaked out. “I’m sorry for the intrusion. I was headed off in search of territory to claim. Turns out I chose the wrong day. God, it’s cold.” You let out a quiet laugh as you carefully tossed some wood into your fireplace, lighting the material on fire. Almost immediately, the flames grew and you sat up, placing your flint and steel on the fireplace mantle.

“I’ll go get you your water. Go warm up.” You urged before you walked into the kitchen to get the brunet some water.

//

““And then Tommy ran off!” Wilbur howled with laughter as he told the story of how he managed to lose his father in the forest close to his family home. ““Phil was looking for us for hours!” You smiled at the story as you carefully sewed up your friend’s heavy coat, making sure the patches were relatively the same colour as the rest of the jacket.

“You never really tell me about your family, so why are you telling stories now?” You commented, threading the needle in your hand through the fabric and back out of it, pulling the thread tightly. You snipped it with your scissors, placing the needle down to look for any other holes as Wilbur flushed a bright red.

“W-well— one day, I want you to meet my family, so- this sounds so fucking stupid. Never mind, forget about it.” He covered his face in his hands as you bummed, picking up a patch and laying it out on the brown fabric.

“What you’re saying is that you would introduce me to your family because you like me that much, huh?” No answer came from Wilbur, though he did let out a flustered groan as you chortled.

//

You placed a kiss upon your new boyfriend’s cheek, causing the brunet to laugh as he shrunk away from your lips

“Stop it,” you only grinned at the man, kissing various areas of his face in retaliation. Wilbur laughed harder, pushing you away gently as his face scrunched. ““It tickles!”

You grabbed his face in your hands and he looked into your eyes for a moment before you began attacking his face with kisses. When you pulled back for a break, Wilbur copied your actions from earlier and rubbed his thumb across your cheeks with a smile. He leaned his forehead on yours and let out a breathy sigh, closing his eyes as he basked in the moment.

“I love you so fucking much, [Y/N].”

//

““Dont be scared, darling,” Wilbur mused as he gently rubbed his thumb in circles on the back of your hand, lightly squeezing every few rotations. “Techno’s made sure to keep any weapons away and Tommy might be a little less wreckless. I’ll make sure to tell them during dinner.” You nodded uncertainly, playing nervously with the bracelet Wilbur had made you way back when the two of you first started as friends.

Wilbur rapped his knuckles on the door, his other hand never once letting go of yours as the two of you waited. A bit of shouting was heard through the door, slightly muffled, though it was evident that it was coming closer.

The door was flung open by a blond boy, his blue eyes shooting us to meet Wil’s not even a second after he opened the door. A grin was on the boys face as he turned and shouted for Phil [who Wilbur had told you was his father]. Soon enough, a blond man with a bucket hat trodden over, frowning at Tommy.

“Listen, motherfucker, you may be living here, but I’m not gonna fucking let you live if you keep fuckin shoutin.” You froze nervously and glanced over at your boyfriend. He just sent a small, awkward smile onto reassure you before he turned to look down at the two.

“Are you really gonna argue in front of my wife?” Wilbur piped in, feeling himself become giddy as Tommy and Phil shot their heads over to look at you.

“You brought a girl over?!” Tommy yelled in surprise as he stumbled back, eyes wide as he observed your movements skeptically.

“Wil? Can you come over here real quick? I just need to talk to you.” Phil forced a smile as he grabbed the taller man’s ear and yoinked him over to a different room, leaving Tommy and you alone.

“Hi,” you smiled nervously, raising a hand in a half assed wave.

“Do you happen to be American?” The blond asked, leaning his face over to stare at you.

“I mean- I’m a water nymph. I don’t really know if that counts because we usually just have different accents, but we never take into account where anyone’s from.” You laughed, scratching your cheek.

“Well where are you from?” Tommy urged, crossing his arms.

“To be specific, I came from the North Sea right by the Netherlands. I don’t really think that’s important though.” You shrugged.

“So you’re Dutch? Speak it.”

“Im not necessarily Dutch, I was just born in the North Sea, Tommy- I think you’re a Tommy. You seem like a Tommy.” You cleared up, ““The only reason I learned English was to communicate with certain humans.”

“Okay.” The boy sighed, shoulders slumping forward as you let out an amused chortle, “I’ll leave you alone. For now.” Tommy backed up, turning into a room while a big, burly pig person ducked under the doorway, a large sword in hand and an uninterested expression on his face. As he turned to the door, he spotted you and his eyes widened momentarily before going back to their half lidded position.

“Who’re you? Phil didn’t- oh. Oh, today was that day. Oh my god, how could I forget it?” The hybrid smacked his forehead harshly, ““I’m so sorry.”

You laughed, waving your hand dismissively as the pig moved to the side to let you in. You carefully stepped into the warm house and the tall hybrid closed the door behind you.

“Dinner’s nearly done, so you can go sit down in the living room. If you need anything, Phil has ears all over the place. Just look at those crows.” Techno motioned over to the few crows that perched themselves on the window, letting out quiet caws. You waved at the birds and they flapped their wings in response.

“They seem nice.”

//

You sat next to your husband, hand intertwined with his as Phil smiled over at the two of you.

“So, anything new happening with you two?” The blond man inquired, placing his hands on the table. 

““I mean,” Wilbur laughed, turning over to look at you. “Would you like to tell them, dear?” You nodded, a grin on your face as you sat as straight as you could.

“I’m pregnant,” you said, your voice surprisingly calm. Tommy let out a shocked ‘‘what the fuck??’, while Techno choked on his food, slamming a fist onto his chest.

Phil was quiet, eyes wide in shock as he took in the information.

“Pregnant? With Wilbur’s kid?” You nodded, swinging Wilbur’s hand as Tommy cheered.

“Im gonna be a fuckin uncle! Yeah! I’ll be the best damn uncle ever!” He cackled, leaning back as Techno snorted.

““Can I teach them PvP?” You and your husband glanced over at each other before shaking your head.

“Maybe when they’re old enough to know what they’re doing.”

//

““Hello, my precious baby,” you cooed gently, holding the newborn as they let out a quiet sigh. ““My baby. You look just like your father.” A warm but tired smile was on your face as your baby opened their eyes, brown meeting [Eye Colour].

“Love, is the baby okay? Is she doing alright?” Wilbur called nervously through the door, to which you laughed.

“Yes, they’re doing great,” placing a gentle kiss on the baby’s nose, they brought a hand up and lightly tapped their nose.

//

““Fundy! Come here!” You cheered, reaching your arms out to the toddler. They giggled, waddling over to you. Their scab covered knees were littered with bandages and the red overalls they wore were much unlike what Wilburs would have wanted your child to wear, but it was your kid! They deserved the best!

““My precious baby,” you placed a kiss on their cheek, causing the brown haired child to giggle and wipe the kiss from their cheek. You grinned, littering their face in kisses as they squirmed, ““My little champion!”

“Yah! Cham-champion!” They babbled, bringing up a finger to chew on as you set them down and smoothed out your dress. 

““Alright, sweetheart, papa will be here soon, so make sure to tell him what you want to tell him, alright?” Your boy nodded, a goofy grin on his face as he reached over to one of the toys you had brought.

//

You cradled your son’s head as he sobbed, shaking his head in denial as to what had just happened.

“He-he’s gone, mama!” He choked out, wrapping his arms around you tightly. His tears stained your shirt, though the feeling didn’t bother you as you rocked your son back and forth, combing your fingers through his hair.

“Fundy, it’s okay,” you cooed, ““He doesn’t have to live with all the mistakes he made in the past anymore. Who knows, maybe he’ll come back?” 

““But what if he doesn’t? That was his last life and- and it’s gone! My dad’s gone!” Letting out a pained wail, he continued to sob. And you let him.

He had gone through so much.

//

““Who the hell are you and what are you doing around my son?” You sneered, standing in front of your son as the transparent figure stared at you curiously.

“You don’t remember me?” They asked, voice echoing as they tilted your head. “I- [Y/N], it’s me! Your husband! I- I am your husband, right?”

“My husband didn’t push away his son and focus on a failed country more than his own fucking family.” You loaded your crossbow, aiming it at the ghost. ““You didn’t come to his birthday parties, didn’t get him anything, you barely paid attention to him when your country was in the spotlight! You’re no husband to me.”

“Mama-” Fundy gulped nervously, ““Mama, please.”

“You know what, whoever the fuck you are? You’re no damn husband to me and you never will be. Now leave me and my son alone, for fuck’s sake.”

The ghost was silent as you turned, leading the man beside you toward the house at the top of the hill, though a small smile made its way onto his face.

“She’s the one I married?” He murmured, moving his hand to where his heart was, “Was she really the love of my life?”

[godofsexdrugsandrocknroll]

On A Tropical Island

Jaune: Great. Just great. Now I’m lost and all my friends are missing too! I’m too angry to be depressed!

Neo: *Head pops out of the sand, spitting it everywhere*

Jaune: Oh, even better. Now I have company. This can’t possibly get any worse! *Ignores Neo glaring*

-----------------

Jaune: Stop following me! You’re a bad girl!

Neo: *Cocks eyebrow*

Jaune: *Blushes* Not what I meant! I mean you’re evil! And all you’ve done to help so far is poke me with a stick! *Is poked with a stick* Dammit, stop that!

Neo: *Pokes him in the butt instead*

Jaune: OW! That’s not what I meant you menace!

Neo: *Preens at being called a menace*

Jaune: And stop trying to be cute, too!

----------------- 

Neo: *Tapping bare foot*

Jaune: Okay, so maybe my sense of direction isn’t the best. *gets The Look* Alright alright already, jeez. We’re back where we started, your shoes, your jacket and my armor are now forever lost to the wilds and it’s not my fault!

Neo: *Stares*

Jaune: *Shifts guiltily* Okay maybe it is, but if I had a map *Neo crosses her arms, reigniting The Look™ * we’d still probably be lost since the rest of team RNJR banned me from the map after reading it backwards and upside down.

Neo: *Nods firmly, taking the lead*

Jaune: For the fourth time.

Neo: *Turns, gapes in shock, shakes her head and grabs him by the hand*

Jaune: *Offended* Hey, I’m not a child! I won’t get lost!

Neo: *Looks at him through her eyelashes*

Jaune: *Sighs* Okay, fine. But only because getting lost in a weird jungle is way worse than getting lost in the grocery store at 14.

Neo: *Stops, removes belt, ties end around his wrist and grabs the other end*

Jaune: *Starts whining*

----------------- 

Jaune: Dear diary *ignores Neo’s pointing and silent laughter* today is day 17 on the worst island to ever exist. Butthole and I -- OW, SHIT-FUCK-SHIT! I really hate that you sharpened your stick into a spear! Fine, Neo and I finally have a a good system in place for food. We’ve got our firepit, Neo turned my armor we found into a pan, one pot and a skillet, my impeccable home economics have saved our asses and we’ve got a spit for roasting things over the fire!

Neo: *Munches happily on roast rabbit*

Jaune: It’s really working out! Neo’s great at the spotting and tracking, I get to use the spear to hunt and there’s plenty of these really stupid semi-intelligent rabbits that seem to have a language of their own that are really good when you cook ‘em just right. *Pauses* I think they might have stolen my shirt though, I haven’t seen that thing in like four days.

Neo: *Mentally reminds herself to burn the eye candy’s shirt before he finds it*

-----------------

Day 28

Jaune: Ow, stop kicking me! I said I was sorry!

Neo: *Jumps on Jaune, bites his ear*

Jaune: AAAGGHH!!! Dammit Neo, how many times do I have to tell you not to bite me! It’s not my fault that seagull stole your hat! In case you hadn’t noticed, it stole Pyrrha’s sash too!

Neo: *Jumps off him, gestures emphatically*

Jaune: I know, you angry little troll! *Instead of attacking him again, Neo just stares at him sadly* I-I... *sighs* I know. I know. I really wanna kill that thing too. It’s...it’s all I had left of her too. All you had left of Torchwick. But we’re stuck here. We can’t find my friends and this island is huge.

Neo: *Nods unhappily*

Neo: *Jabs him with her stick spear*

Jaune: Yeah, we can kill any seagulls we see. *Neo blinks, considers trying to get her point across but nods*

-----------------

Day 49

Jaune: How do you set everything on fire! I told you we needed just enough to warm ourselves!

Neo: *Lunges at Jaune, leaves fire to burn*

Jaune: *Is strangled*

-----------------

Day 54

Neo: *Admires Jaune’s ass in jorts*

Jaune: I still don’t understand why you had to ruin my jeans. Tossing the boots into that bottomless pit, I get. My feet thank you. Uh, except when I keep stepping on sharp rocks and twigs. But really?

Neo: *Points at him, hand fans herself and panics, shaking her head rapidly*

Jaune: *Oblivious, insulted* Yeah, yeah, I’m sweaty! Fine, fuck having pant legs! I wanna get scratched and bitten by those weird little blue people again!

Neo: *Blinks, shakes her head in exasperation and relief*

-----------------

Day 59

Jaune: I can’t believe you committed genocide because those blue people stole your top! Neo, they just wanted a tent!

Neo: *Glares murderously at Jaune, covering her frilly pink and white bra with her hand and arm*

Jaune: *Gulps* I-I-I-I know! It’s upsetting, but murder isn’t always the answer!

Neo: *Uses free hand and makes bunny ears*

Jaune: Hey, those rabbits might be really stupid but they’re super mean spirited! One tried to drop a rock on my head and don’t you dare say it’d be an improvement!

Neo: *Startled, laughs*

Jaune: *Sheepish, laughs too*

Neo: *Continues laughing, eventually noticing Jaune has stopped and is red in the face, wide eyed*

Neo: *Notices she moved her arm and Jaune is staring at her chest*

Jaune: *Notices Neo’s glare and red face* W-wait, hold on a minute now, I didn’t mean to--

Neo: *Glomps, bites his nipple*

Jaune: *Girlish screams that can be heard for miles*

-----------------

Day 72

Jaune: No, put the berries down. You can’t just keep eating fruit all the time, you’re already very small and need to keep yourself healthy if you don’t wanna lie rotting as a corpse on this island forever.

Neo: *Grabs a huge handful of berries, shoves them in her mouth smugly*

Jaune: Dammit Neo, stop being so bratty! I’m only trying to help! *Grabs Rabbit jerky* Now do your body good, open your mouth and eat my meat!

Neo: *Gags, chokes, spits mushy berries out and kicks Jaune in the solar plexus for the phrasing*

Jaune: *Wheezing* I swear I didn’t mean to OH X-RAY AND VAV, SAVE ME!

Nearby Seagull: *Hearing the abyssal, shrieking screams of the Tall One, flies off in terror and decides to move the family nest*

Neo: *Biting, kicking, punching and pinching*

-----------------

Day 88

Jaune: I can hardly shave Neo, if you don’t remember my sword’s a jagged piece of sharp metal these days!

Neo: *Shows off shaved armpits, shows off shaved legs having long since created shorts from her capris and shows him a wooden knife*

Jaune: I should be concerned that you’ve created another stabby, but somehow -- GASP! *Actually gasps, clutches his beard* No! You wouldn’t!

Neo: *Grins*

Jaune: Please don’t, beloved friend of mine.

Neo: *Touched*

Jaune: What? We are. I mean sure you bite and attack me way more than most normal people do but you did save me from that rabbit mercenary group that tried to use a swinging log to splatter my brains against a tree. You might’ve been a bad guy once, but it’s nearly been three months and you’ve more than proven yourself. And I can’t really not call you a friend when I feel guilty about how I treated you.

Neo: *Smiles, undoes her bra*

Jaune: Wait, WHAT!? *Neo jumps on him and smiling happily, gives his cheek a kiss and starts shaving* WAIT NEO NO, THAT’S NOT FAIR YOU CAN’T USE BOOBIES AS A WEAPON LIKE THA- *Neo shakes her body side to side* -GGRRRGGG! That is so cruel. You’re the worst friend ever. I’m glad you have to sit on my ribs and not my lap because that would be even worse.

Neo: *Continues shaving*

----------------- 

Day 146

Jaune: *Using his semblance* See, what’d I tell you? They get smarter! No way are those little demons gonna fall for the same trap twice.

Neo: *Lets Jaune heal the bloody bite marks from a rabbit, squirms*

Jaune: Stop it, you’re fine. *Kisses healed hand* Booboo be gone!

Neo: *Blushes brightly, stares wide eyed*

----------------- 

Day 179

Neo: *Spinkicks boulder about to crush Jaune*

Jaune: Thanks Neo! *To a small, derpy looking anthropomorphic rabbit* Your wretched plan is foiled you vile creature from the deepest pits of hell! Now do me a favor and get stabbed!

Neo: *Spins away, clutching her beating heart as the sound of a vicious goring occurs*

Jaune: Another day, another dead rabbit! Oh look, there’s more! *Offers the Spear of Ultimate Stick to Neo* You wanna eviscerate the next couple?

Neo: *Wonders what this feeling is*

----------------- 

Day 187

Jaune: *Gaping stupidly at Neo’s perfectly lit fire* W-wha? How!? Two months ago you lit my hair on fire *brushing hand through short, unstyled blondeness* but n-now...

Neo: *Smugly roasting bird meat*

Jaune: *Scoops Neo into a hug, spins the wide eyed mute* I understand how Dad felt when I finally learned to tie my shoes in the 6th grade now! I’m so proud, Neo! OW!

Neo: *Spits Jaune’s shoulder blood out, turns away blushing*

Jaune: Still proud. *Notices Neo blushing, deliberately not looking at him* Uh-oh. *Quietly, to himself* Oh no. I recognize this feeling. Ohhh shit. Okay, what the hell Jaune!? You see her boobs and you feel awkward about your boner for three days, but she looks all cute and embarrassed and that’s what does me in!? What kind of bullshit is this!?

Neo: *Oblivious, cupping her cheeks and cutely twisting back and forth*

-----------------

Day 219

Jaune: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Neo: *Silently screaming at the top of her lungs*

Jaune: OH MY GOD NEO WHY THE FUCK IS HE SO BIG!? *Looks fearfully back at a 12 foot tall, musclebound, derpy looking anthroporphic rabbit sprinting at them with rage in its unthinking eyes*

Neo: *Frantically mimes stabbing*

Jaune: NEO, WHAT THE FUCK, I THINK HE’S TOO SWOLE FOR HUSHABYE!!!

Neo: *Heart flutters at Jaune’s name for their spear*

Giant Rabbit: ▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!

Jaune: *Ears ringing*

Neo: *Points at Jaune’s crotch, mimes stabbing*

Jaune: *Pales* THAT’S PROBABLY THE MOST EVIL THOUGHT YOU’VE EVER HAD IN YOUR LIFE! *Neo pouts, mimes it again* I’M JUST SAYING, NOT JUDGING, LET’S DO IT! *Uses semblance*

Neo: *Commits murder most foul*

Jaune: *Whips out the wooden knife* I’M SO SORRY FOR THIS, YOU OVERGROWN FREAK OF NATURE! *Jumps on the screaming body of the mutated rabbit, starts stabbing*

~~5 Minutes Later~~

Jaune: *Covered in blood, wipes forehead* Phew. Killing something this big really takes it out of you.

Neo: *Covered in blood, staring at Jaune wide eyed*

Jaune: Kind of a shame he looks basically human. Save for his stupid head, I guess, because I kinda don’t wanna eat anything that’ll make me feel too cannibally. *Puts hand on chin, blood drips* But I kinda think this is like the Final Boss of those rabbits. Maybe chop his head off and put on a pike like you did with that poor little blue guy that seemed to be the other blue people’s chief? *Nods resolutely* Yeah, gotta establish dominance and fear in those godless little fucks. *Looks at Neo* What do you think, NeeeMMMMPPPHHH!!!

Neo: *Glomps Jaune, shoves her tongue into his mouth*

-----------------

Day 237

Neo: Gakgh gakgh gakgh!

----------------- 

Day 243

Jaune: Oh god, yeah, fuck yeah, you like that don’t you? *Grabs Neo’s hair*

Neo: *Likes that very much*

-----------------

Day 249

Jaune: *Waggles knife* So, uh, aim for the kidneys?

Neo: *Nods emphatically*

Jaune: Huh. I guess I’ll test it out on Cinder. Thanks honey. *Kisses cheek*

Neo: *Swoons*

-----------------

Day 251

Jaune: *Naked, washing grumpy Neo’s hair* I really mean it! I am so sorry. Just, well, uh...okay, you give amazing head and I wasn’t expecting you to go for the balls. Or, uh, the other thing, but well, um *sighs* look, the taint thing was just really unexpected and I’m really sorry I came in your hair! *Blushes*

Neo: *Can’t help but be proud, leans into his hands*

-----------------

Day  268

Jaune: Is there no end to your flexibility!? *Chokes on air* Nope. Guess not.

Neo: *Doing the splits smugly*

-----------------

Day 274

Jaune: And that is why, despite what people say, Immortal Konflict is superior to Road Combatant!

Neo: *Nods seriously*

Jaune: Wanna play when we get back to Remnant, maybe after we kill Salem in her sleep or something?

Neo: *Nods excitedly*

Jaune: You’re the best! *Kisses temple* Ow, why are you hitting me, I thought you liked kisses!?

Neo: *Liking forehead and temple kisses but not wanting to admit it*

-----------------

Day 296

Jaune: *Cumming inside*

Neo: *Toes curl, signing ‘I Love You’ over and over again*

Jaune: *Panting* God I love you too, Neo.

Neo: *Gapes, signs*

Jaune: *Panting decreases* Uh, yeah? My Dad has permanent hearing damage from his Huntsman days. Some chick had a mortar-giant cudgel-battering ram weapon and you can guess about how well that went.

Neo: *Signs more*

Jaune: I-- *realizes* ohhhh. I get it. Uh, I didn’t even think about it. You never signed so I figured you never learned. Ow, my ass!

Neo: *Stops pinching his ass, signs again but slower*

Jaune: *Blushes brightly* Um, yeah. I did. Is that-- *Neo flips him onto his back, kissing him and rocking her hips*

-----------------

Day 338

Jaune: *Contently holding Neo* This really was the last thing I expected to happen. *Neo nods as she leans into him* I...I don’t think I can ever really not miss Pyrrha, or despise Cinder from the bottom of my soul.

Neo: *Signs rapidly that she feels the same way, that she misses Roman*

Jaune: Yeah. I know. *Clears throat* But I think it’s okay. I mean I didn’t expect this to happen, but I’m glad it did. *Snuggling occurs* We’re gonna get out of here. We’re putting Cinder in the dirt. Then we’re gonna do the same to Salem. Then buy a house.

Neo: *Signs*

Jaune: I’ve kinda been a country boy my whole life. It’s up to you *is headbutted* OW! *Neo rubs the back of her aching head, signs, Jaune rubs his chin* Then it’s decided.

*Enjoying each others presence*

----------------- 

Day 362

Weiss: Actually, the amount of slashes in the trees could just mean some new terrible creature of ridiculous origin could have made this area of the forest its stomping grounds.

Blake: *Flatly* As long it’s not the flying piranhas with steel teeth that drip acid, I’m fine.

Ruby: *Shudders* Please don’t remind me! I’m suppressing, Blake! Do you want to ruin fish sticks and mustard for me!?

Blake: *Grimaces* Yes.

Yang: *Ignores the bickering* Not gonna lie Weiss, after that giant crocodile with the crown and the cape and the penguin with the hammer, something a little more normal and horrific sounds just like home. *Adjusts cheetah print bikini, shifts hips under her grass skirt*

Weiss: *Eyebrow twitches* Right. Home. Which you clearly miss. *Eyes Yang’s flawless tan*

Yang: Huh? Well, yeah! Not to devalue the disaster we have waiting for us when we get back but I’m dying for a cheeseburger and a *in singsong* Strawberry Sunrise!

Ruby: *Cutting off Weiss and ignoring a fuming Blake* It could be Jaune though!

Weiss: Yes, possibly, but you have to consider the fact-- *Steps around tree, goes silent at the sounds*

Neo: *In a mating press clutching her feet, biting her lip and then silently moaning*

Jaune: *Going so hard he’s clapping Neo’s cheeks*

Weiss: --that maybe those living, spiny fruits got us again and we’re all on a very bad trip. *Can’t look away but wants to*

Ruby: *Blushes furiously*

Blake: *Covers nose, turns away*

Yang: I really wanna be there for our boy but *ignores Jaune’s cursing, Neo’s nodding and Jaune pushing in deep and creampieing the silently screaming mute* a really big part of me wants to punch him in his stupid face. Really!? Her!?

Blake: *Muffled* You sure you’re not just salty that it’s Neo?

Jaune: *Awkwardly, wide eyed but happy* Oh. Guys. Hey! Hi! *Weiss screeches as Jaune stands, Neo breathes heavily but grins smugly*

Yang: Nope. Not at all. *Clenching fist*

-----------------

Day 363

Yang: Okay. I’m cool with whole... *gestures at Neo and Jaune holding hands*  thing, because honestly I’d have to be a condescending and arrogant bitch to look down on you because of that, but really?

Ruby: Yang has a point, little blue people and psychotic but also really stupid rabbits and their super-duper-strong Daddy Rabbit? And you killed them alllll oh wow. *Staring at something that Jaune pulled from a bag* That’s a weird looking skull. *Whispering* Why does he have a skull!? Oh no, Neo really did corrupt him and not just with that!

Yang: *Gapes, recovers slowly, sarcastically* She is such a good influence on you Jaune.

Jaune: *Grinning* I know, right? I mean imagine if Neo wasn’t here with me! I probably would’ve survived but I would’ve been so depressed that I’d probably be coming back eyeless and with a ton of PTSD! And maybe a quirky catchphrase!

Yang: Because that’s important. *Rolls eyes* Besides, you couldn’t pull off a catchphrase to save your life.

Jaune: *Face goes slack, contorts stupidly in a scream* BWAAAAH!

Team RWBY: *Jerks*

Neo: *Bites Jaune’s pinky*

Jaune: OW-OW-OW! Take a joke, Neo!

Yang: No, yeah, pretty much on the shrimp’s side.

Weiss: I have no idea what that was but never do it again.

Blake: *Forgives Jaune and Neo for their crusade against the rabbits*

Ruby: *Giggling at the derp face Jaune made*

Jaune: Fine, fine, you win. *Pouting* Using their war cry would have been so insulting to their memory though.

Neo: *Smiling, kisses Jaune’s cheek, signs that he’s a big baby*

Weiss: Getting back to the point though, we didn’t think Jaune would be in nearly as good shape as he’s in now. In that regard I feel we owe Neopolitan a good deal of gratitude.

Blake: And like it or not Yang, having her not just be an enemy of Salem but actually on our side?

Yang: Yeah, well--

Ruby: Plus he’s happy! And I think he kind of needs it. *Sadly* We all do. A-and if Neo is what makes him happy, then I think I’m happy too.

Jaune: *Touched* Rubes...

Ruby: It hurts, Jaune. But I can’t imagine...well, I can’t imagine if it were me. So it’ll take time but the best thing I can do here is be happy for you and get us outta here! *Pumps fist*

Neo: *Signs rapidly*

Jaune: *Grins* And make Cinder and Salem unalive! And in the days leading to that, make them wish they were already dead!

Ruby: *Uncomfortable at the bloodlust* Umm...

Yang: Ah fuck it, you speak my language like that and I can’t stay mad at you! Let’s do it! *Slaps Blake’s ass*

Blake: *Yelps, blushes and glares at Yang* Is this really the time for that!?

Weiss: *Rubbing the bridge of her nose with her eyes squeezed shut* Ah, the onset of a pounding headache. Truly the gang is back together again.

----------------- 

Day 365

Jaune: Kinda conveniant that exactly one year after falling into the mythical island of who knows where we find ourselves back in the real world, isn’t it?

Neo: *Hand on her hip, staring at him*

Yang: I’m with the midget. *Grass skirt swishes* Are you really about to complain we’re free of that hellhole?

Weiss: They have a point. After everything we fought there you’d think you would be more appreciative.

Jaune: I am. It just seemmmmpph! *Is kissed by Neo*

Neo: *Happily shuts Jaune up*

Ruby: Alright, let’s do this!

*Action pose except Yang’s tan, in a cheetah fur bikini and a grass skirt, Jaune has a handful of Neo’s ass and Neo is grabbing Jaune by the hair, clearly using tongue and Hushabye is aimed in a slightly red faced Blake’s direction*

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I got the chance to see the RWBY finale today and rather than be depressed and think about Penny, I decided I’d go ahead and write a Silent Knight fic instead. It’s all over the place but really, that’s to be expected since I went in with no plan. I know people are already bitching over on Reddit about Jaune possibly getting attention, but like with most people who dislike a character I decided to pay them no mind whatsoever.

Because honestly, with Dragonslayer never happening I’d be perfectly fine with Jaune x Neo.

As for this entire thing, I had way more fun with it than I should have and I hope anyone reading it has just as much fun as I did writing it.

Oh. And yes, there were plenty of Rabbids and Smurfs harmed in the creation of this lengthy drabble.

[thesightstoshowyou]

Prey in the Snow

Featuring Marigold, my Final Girl OC and Graham, my Slasher OC

Summary: An unconventional love story: Girl meets boy. Girl flirts with boy. Boy roofies girl. Boy hunts girl for sport.

Warnings: Violence, blood, gore, swearing, drugging, drinking, weapons, supernatural elements

~~

            Raucous laughter erupts near the pool tables. The match has finally ended, Jeff victorious and rubbing Derek’s loss in his face. Marigold smiles over her beer at the antics. She shrugs further in her jacket when the front door swings open, icy air pouring into the little bar along with a couple that must stomp off the snow clinging to their boots.

             His gloating now complete, Jeff asks, “Where’s Tanya and Silvie? It’s their turn.”

             “Oh, they’re trying to flirt with that guy at the bar,” Marigold motions to the bar top with her beer. Two of her friends stand giggling next to a good-looking guy in a camouflage baseball cap. He’s hunched over his beer and Marigold has yet to see him crack a smile.

             “Yeah, he’s not biting. Go and rescue them, would ya?” Jeff asks, batting his eyelashes. Marigold raises an eyebrow, fixing Jeff with a withering look, “Oh, c’mon, Goldie. You need to get laid. It’s been foreverrrr. Besides, he’s been looking at you all night.”

             Marigold is taken aback by that. She hadn’t caught him looking, but Jeff wouldn’t lie about something like that. Peering at the guy out of the corner of her eye, she must fight to keep herself from bristling with excitement. He certainly is cute…really cute.

            Marigold sighs dramatically before downing the rest of her beer and standing.

             “That’s the spirit!” Jeff shouts, clinking her empty glass with his own.

             As she makes her way toward the bar, Marigold musses her dark locks and straightens her jacket. A few butterflies flap annoyingly around in her stomach. It’s just a guy. She can talk to him, no big deal.

             “Better hurry up ladies, or Jeff’s gonna steal your turn at the table,” Marigold announces, slipping into the chair on the other side of Baseball Cap Guy.

             “Oh, he better not!” Sylive warns, grabbing Tanya’s jacket and hauling her away. Marigold suppresses a grin and nods to the bartender at the other end of the bar.

             “What’re you drinking?” Marigold’s hazel eyes meet deep green as she turns to face Baseball Cap Guy. He’s even better looking up close; tan skin, strong jaw covered in a light dusting of dark stubble, full lips, long eye lashes, shaggy chocolate colored hair. His soft, deep voice has the slightest hint of southern drawl.

             “Oh, that’s nice of you,” she replies with a smile, “Just a beer. Whatever you’re having.” The guy nods and gives the order to the bartended.

             “Was nice of you to come get your friends,” he explains, turning back to his beer and tracing a thumb along the rim of the glass. Marigold searches his profile for a hint of expression—is he annoyed, amused, interested—but his face is blank.

             “Ah, they’re not so bad. They just thought you were cute,” she teases, a small smile pulling at the corners of her mouth. She takes a sip of her beer and notices Baseball Hat Guy glance at her out of the corner of his eye. He only hums in response before sipping his own drink.

             “Not your type?” Marigold asks. She picks at a fray along the cracking leather edge of the bar top.

             “Not really,” he says. She glances up just in time to see a small smile fall from his lips.

             “What is your type?” she asks, biting her lip before taking a nervous sip from her glass. He looks over at her out of his peripheral again, this time meeting her gaze.

             “Brunettes wearing leather jackets,” he says, the small smile returning. Marigold giggles, fighting a blush. Dear god, he has dimples.

             “What’s your type?” he asks, finally turning to face her.

             She grins before replying, “Soft spoken, stoic guys wearing baseball caps.” He chuckles quietly, looking down at his muddy boots then back up to Marigold’s face.

  ��          “I’m Graham.”

             “Marigold,” she says, taking his outstretched hand. His skin is warm against hers and his calloused palm grates pleasantly against her own, “But everyone calls me Goldie, cuz of my hair. It’s funny, you see.” She motions to her dark locks with an eyeroll. Graham smiles in response.

             “Goldie, that’s—

             “Goldie! We’re going down to O’Neil’s! Let’s goooo!” Tanya calls from across the room as the rest of her friends don their jackets and hats.

             “Guess that’s you,” Graham says, smiling wryly and leaning back in his chair. Marigold curses their timing.

             “Graham, it was nice to meet you, but if you don’t have anything else to do tonight, you know where to find me.” She winks and slides out of her chair. Giving him one final smile over her shoulder, she pulls her hood up and heads out into the chilly winter air.

             Marigold and her friends spend the rest of the evening at O’Neil’s, a sticky Irish pub with the best beer prices. She dances, she drinks, she laughs, all while keeping a close eye on the front door. Her heart leaps every time it bangs open, but there is still no sign of Graham.

             “Last call!” shouts the bartender.

             “Shots, bitches! Drink up!” Jeff returns to the table, hands full of little glasses of Patron. Everyone groans, but takes their drink anyway. Everyone but Marigold.

             “Jeff, take mine. That last beer didn’t sit very well.” Her stomach churns as she speaks, her head beginning to pound.

             “Pfft, hoe, drink your damn shot!” Tanya shouts, tossing back the burning liquid.

             “I got’chu, baby cakes” Jeff slurs, retrieving Marigold’s shot.

             “Love you. ‘M gonna go ousside for a minnet.” Marigold slips out of her chair and makes her way to the door, stumbling a bit as she goes. Her surroundings spin and blur as she pushes against the door. She hadn’t had that much to drink. What is happening?

             Outside, a blast of icy air hits her exposed skin and she stumbles, stomach dropping in anticipation of a fall. Warm hands seize her shoulders and push her upright. Blearily, Marigold glances up to find dark green eyes searching her own.

             “Oh, hey, iss…it’s you. Grahaam cracckerrr,” she slurs, “I think sommin’ was wrong wif my beeeer….”

             Graham says nothing, instead bending down and lifting Marigold off her feet, carrying her bridal style down the street and into the alley.  

             “Where…where’re goin’?” Marigold’s eyes drift shut. With difficulty, she pries them open, only to snap them closed again as the world shifts and lurches. Distantly, she hears a vehicle door slam shut, then another, then nothing at all.

***

             It is the silence that finally wakes Marigold. Before, the noisy hum of an engine and the gentle rocking motion had kept her in the surreal state between waking and sleep. Is that music? Maybe this is a dream….

             When the noise and movement suddenly stop and a vehicle door slams, Marigold cracks her eyes open. Gray cloth seats stare back at her. Turning her head, Marigold finds she is laying in the back seat of a car—or truck, she isn’t sure. Her head pounds with the movement and she must close her eyes again.

             Suddenly, the door by her feet opens. Blinding light pours into the cab and Marigold groans and throws her arm over her face. Hands grasp her ankles and pull hard. She shrieks as she is yanked from the warm interior of the vehicle and thrown to the ground.

             Her bare hands plunge into icy snow to catch herself. Hastily, she pushes up to her knees and looks furiously around for the asshole responsible for the freezing snow now buried in her jacket sleeves. Her brows furrow in confusion when she takes in her surroundings.

             Marigold finds herself in a forest, bare oak, ash, and birch trees dotting the snow-covered landscape. Fat snowflakes drift lazily down from a gray sky. Her breath curls white before her when she releases a tremulous exhale.

            Her skin prickles, and not just from the cold. The forest is quiet, oppressively so; no bird song, no wind, no noise from a nearby highway. Her surroundings do nothing to jog her memory. What is she doing here?

            The who, what, and why escape her, until she turns around and finds Graham leaning against a black pick-up, hands in his pockets. Graham, right. Last night, the bar, her friends…. Where are her friends?

            She notices Graham has changed clothes. He’s now wearing camouflage from head to toe. Marigold is instantly on her feet.

            “What’s going on?” she demands, unnerved. He watches her blankly, eyes cast in shadow under the brim of his hat. He doesn’t answer, instead strolling over to the bed of the truck. He unlatches the tail gate and lets it fall open with a noisy clank that makes Marigold jump. Graham seats himself on the open tail gate and fiddles with something inside the truck.

            Tentatively, she follows, stepping carefully around to the back of the pick-up, only to recoil in shock as Graham slides a hunting rifle out of its case and lays it across his lap.

            “What’s going on!” she shouts, eyes wide, heart hammering. Her voice is deafening in the near-silent forest. Graham glances up at her, adjusting his hat and leaning back casually against the bed of the pick-up. His expression is still unreadable.

            “Run along now, Goldie,” he says softly, turning his attention back to the .30-06 in his lap.

             Marigold gives him a blank stare. Run along? Where is she supposed to go? Why is he acting so weird? And why the fuck does he have a gun?

            “Graham, you’re really freaking me out. What are we doing here?” Her voice shakes as she speaks. She wraps her arms around herself to keep her hands from trembling. Graham ignores her. He loads a shell into the rifle, the loud click making Marigold flinch. Her already racing heart begins to beat wildly against her ribs.  

            Graham’s eyes meet hers again and he looks at her expectantly. When she doesn’t move, he looks down to his watch, tilting it against the glare from the snow.

            “I’ll give you a three-minute head start, sweetheart. You better get going.”

            “A head start, for what?” she demands, fear ebbing slightly to make way for anger. Graham sighs and reaches behind him, producing an enormous hunting knife. He cocks his arm back and chucks the blade. Marigold leaps backwards as sharp steel embeds itself in the snow where her foot had been a moment earlier.

            “Run,” Graham says firmly, sliding off the tail gate and slinging the rifle over his shoulder.

            “Jesus, fuck!” Marigold turns on her heel and flees, sprinting as fast as she can through the snow. Her mind races. The clank of the bullet sliding into the chamber replays vividly in her mind and one, morbid thought makes itself know above all the rest:

            Is that bullet…for her?    

            Marigold runs until her lungs burn, ducking behind trees and leaping over fallen branches. She has to reach a road or a house or something eventually, right? Keep going, have to keep going….

            After several minutes of hard sprinting, she slows to a jog, glancing behind her. Her breath comes in furious pants, white mist pouring from her mouth with each exhale. She can’t see the black pickup anymore, or Graham, but he will be hard to spot in all the camo. She looks down despairingly at her own clothes. Her black leather jacket and dark hair will stick out like a sore thumb against all the gray and white around her, but she can’t take off her jacket, not in this weather.

            She glances up at the sky. The sun is hidden behind silver clouds. She has no way of telling what time it is or in what direction she’s heading, but what does it matter? She doesn’t even know where she is anyway.

            Marigold suddenly skids to a halt. Her cell phone! Why hadn’t she thought of that before? Frantically, she searches her pockets, but comes up empty. Of course, he took her phone. It was ridiculous to think otherwise. She swears under her breath.

             She chews on her lip and rubs her hands on her jeans to warm them. Another thought sneaks to the forefront of her mind.

            Maybe she shouldn’t run. Maybe she should wait for Graham to find her and let him do whatever he has planned. Then he’ll see this is all pointless—

            Marigold feels the shot before she hears it. The ear-splitting crack follows the white-hot path of the bullet as it tears through the back of her shoulder, exploding out the other side and splattering the snow with scarlet gore.

            The force of the shot sends her crashing to the ground. A scream of agony tears from her throat as she rolls on her side and grasps her mutilated shoulder. Marigold sobs, pushing herself to her knees and curling in on herself. Nauseating, miserable pain wracks her entire right side and she grits her teeth, forcing herself to stay conscious.

             Hesitantly, she looks down at the bloody mess that is her shoulder. Shallow pants pass her lip as she shakes from head to toe. Marigold waits anxiously, watching her wound, praying the process will being quickly, before Graham can get another shot off.

            Slowly, her flesh begins to move. The edges of the wound gradually to knit together, muscle, bone, and sinew realigning themselves in their proper place. Her skin works itself closed. Soon, nothing remains of the bullet hole but the blood smeared across her skin.

            That psychopath shot her! He really did it! He is actually hunting her! The shock and rage send her reeling. Marigold exhales sharply and grasps her healed shoulder, bringing herself back to her senses. The pain is gone, but the memory persists. She doesn’t want to experience that again.

            Shakily, she gets to her feet and stumbles into a tree, leaning against the bark for support. She raises a bloody, trembling hand, curling it into a fist. She slowly extends her middle finger, flipping Graham the bird and glaring in the direction from which the shot originated.

            Quickly, she ducks behind the tree. Half a second later comes the deafening crack, the bullet shattering the bark of the tree right where her head was a moment earlier. Time to run again, quickly, before he can reload.

            Sprinting is much harder the second time. Marigold’s quivering legs struggle to keep up the pace. Her gait is awkward as she continues to clutch her shoulder. Graham must not know she is no longer injured, not yet.

            She takes more care to weave between trees and make herself a more difficult target. Marigold does her best to keep breathing, keep her legs pumping, but all too soon, she begins to slow. The one downside to her regenerative ability is the energy it takes to heal.

            Fatigued, chest heaving, Marigold must stop her frenzied retreat and lean against a scraggly oak. What now? She isn’t sure how much longer she can run. Maybe she can double back, sneak around to the truck…. But then what?

            Pushing away from the tree, she takes one step, two, three, still not sure of her plan, but the urge to run is too insistent to ignore. She trudges forward, feet numb from the cold, shoulders slumped, shivering from head to toe.

            One hundred yards away, Graham exhales slowly. Marigold staggers into the cross hairs. Finger steady, he pulls the trigger.

            A third crack rips through the silence of the forest. The bullet plows through Marigold’s right leg, breaking bone and shredding flesh as it bursts out the front of her thigh before coming to a halt in the trunk of an ash tree.

            Her leg is knocked out from under her and Marigold crashes to the ground a second time in a flurry of snow and blood spatter. Her anguished scream disturbs the hush around her.

            “FUCK!” she wails, jaw clenched, hands shaking uncontrollably. She grips her thigh, just above the wound as blood stains the snow around her in a near perfect circle. Her surroundings darken.

            Marigold comes to a few seconds later to find her wound healing, flesh and bone repairing themselves until all that’s left is scarlet painted skin. Panting, she lets herself fall onto her back. The putrid ache of the wound is still fresh in her mind. She can still feel the sensation of the bullet rending her thigh.

            She can’t run, not anymore. She doesn’t possess the strength There’s probably no chance of finding her way out of this god forsaken forest anyway. She’ll have to wait for Graham. What will he do when he finds her uninjured?

            She doesn’t have long to wait. All too soon, Marigold hears the unhurried crunch of boots on snow. He probably thinks she’s dead.

            With gritted teeth, she slowly pushes herself to a sitting position. Graham spits into the snow when he meets her furious gaze. Leisurely, as though he has all the time in the world, he strolls toward her, stopping a few feet away to lean against an old birch.

            “You’re one tough cookie, Goldie,” he comments nonchalantly, unsheathing his hunting knife. His head jerks up in surprise when Marigold laughs sardonically.

            “You redneck…piece of shit….” Using all her remaining strength, she stands. Graham’s expression remains blank, but his eyes narrow. Taking a handful of snow, she scrubs away the blood on her thigh, revealing smooth, unmarred flesh. She does the same to her shoulder.

            “Surprise, asshole,” she grits out, sneering. Marigold watches him closely. His face remains impassive but she can see his eyes flicking in between her shoulder and leg. She can almost hear what he must be thinking, can see the gears fighting to turn.

            Did I miss? No, there’s blood everywhere, I definitely hit her, but where are the wounds? I couldn’t have just grazed her, not with that much blood. How is she standing?

            A beat passes between them. Neither looks away from the other. Graham taps his blade against the back of his hand. He’s thinking, deciding, but what? She almost wishes he would just do something. Her legs won’t hold her weight for much longer.

            Suddenly, Graham lurches forward. Caught off guard, Marigold staggers back and falls on her rear. In one smooth motion, he pins her on the frozen ground and buries cold steel into her neck up to the hilt.

            Shocked, eyes wide as saucers, Marigold chokes. Blood fountains up from her mouth when Graham rips the blade from her flesh. Arterial spray paints the front of them both and the surrounding snow.

            Graham sits back on his heels and watches Marigold splutter and gurgle, expression unreadable. She grips her throat, fingers searching for the wound. Panic, panic. She can’t breathe, hurry, hurry. When she feels the flesh knit together, she turns her head to the side and hacks, focusing on clearing her airway. The horrible, coppery taste in her mouth is overwhelming and she must fight the urge to vomit.

            Once she takes a few huge, gulps of freezing air, Marigold meets Graham’s incredulous gaze. His blood splattered, expressionless façade has finally cracked. Exhausted, eyes half lidded, minutes away from passing out again, the side of Marigold’s mouth quirks up in a smirk.

            “What is this?” he asks quietly, wiping the blood from her neck to make sure he is seeing what he thinks he sees. His green eyes grow wider when he finds no wound. In response, Marigold spits blood in his face. The wet smack as it lands on his cheek makes him flinch.

            “I’m unkillable, you fucking hick.”

            “I don’t…. I don’t understand.” His voice is still soft but there is an edge to it; a hint of fear. It is more satisfying than Marigold thinks possible.  

            “You can’t kill me. Nobody can kill me. This whole thing you’ve got going here is pointless—

            Graham doesn’t let her finish. He cuts her off with hands around her throat, squeezing until her mouth opens and closes in a fruitless attempt to inhale. Marigold kicks and bucks under him, adrenaline giving her strength she didn’t think she had. She reaches for his face, hoping to claw him or gouge out his eyes, but Graham merely tips his head back, avoiding her reaching fingers.

            Darkness creeps in from the edges of her vision. Blood vessels break in her eyes. Her chest burns, desperate for air. Her limbs grow heavy. Slowly, her hands fall to the ground and her legs cease their flailing. Marigold’s body stills.

*

            Graham keeps pressure on her throat for another minute, for good measure. His hands ache when he finally releases her. He stands, regarding the still body at his feet warily. He taps her leg with his boot. No response. She looks dead enough.

            He turns away, pulling handkerchief from his pocket and wiping the blood from his face. What in God’s name was that? He still doesn’t believe what he saw.

            He shakes his head. Think about it later. Go get the truck, bring it as close as he can so he doesn’t have to haul her far. The ground is too frozen to bury her here, he’ll have to find somewhere else. He begins to walk away.

            A deep gasp behind him stops him dead in his tracks.

            Rasping coughs, more gasping, and then, “Is that the best you can do?”

[aboyandhisstarship]

Delta AU 2

4 heads emerged from under the water, the 4 suppressed rifle barrels dripping with water as the team advanced to shore with rain coming down.

The swamp hat clad team waded out of the water. David said into his ear piece “Dog patch we have passed Boston.”

Miller responded “roger Sand man.”

Jasper cut a hole in the fence surrounding the small hut as the rain pelted down.  David and the team slowly advanced on the house before David and Tabii raised there gun barrels in a “ready” motion.

Nurf kicked open the door and David and Tabii rushed in with Jasper and Nurf covering the rear the man stood up reaching for a weapon but David was faster 3 shots later the guy fell over dead.

David walked over pulling up his sleeve and picking up his sleeve confirming “Dogpatch we have passed Cleveland.”

Miller nodded “roger Sand Man, you are RTB.”

Los Angles California:

Gwen adjusted her suit jacket as she groaned loudly. One of her camera man said “it’s not that bad.”

Gwen groaned “she sued us for airing the transcript…on the other side of the country.”

Her camera man chuckled “yea…but at least the company is paying us to pretty much take a vacation!”

Gwen laughed “well I’m glad you’re having fun.”

Gwen’s phone rang and she looked down and saw it was Sarah; she shook her head “I have to take this.”

The camera man waved his hand as Gwen answered saying “Sarah…thank you for getting back to me.”

Sarah laughed “you’re kidding! You asked for a man’s number you really think I would rush head first into that!”

Gwen blushed “look…you may be over reacting…”

Sarah countered “he asked for your number you know, I didn’t have time to give it to him, but he is interested.”

Gwen blinked “didn’t have time?”

Sarah sighed “he and Jasper work so much, he was over for dinner and asked…then the dreaded phone rang…I swear those two work almost as much as you do.”

Gwen asked carefully “what exactly do they do?”

Sarah sighed “I don’t know much…something for the army…they don’t talk about it.”

Gwen thought to herself “something like rescuing pop stars?” before saying “sweet…listen Sarah… can I have his number?”

Sarah laughed “consider it done!”

 Fort Bragg North Carolina:

David walked off the plane as Tabii said “Boss…unless the world is ending I better not get another call!”

Nurf eat a power bar asking “how is Erin doing?”

Tabii softened “busy for her as well…you know how hard they work teachers these days.”

Jasper chuckled “at least she hasn’t asked you to talk to the kids yet.”

Tabii grinned “that would go over well…what do you do Miss Tabii?” she said in a little kid voice, before saying “I could tell you…but then I would have to kill you.”

Nurf shrugged “sounds pretty badass to me.

Tabii shook her head “doubt the school board will go for it,”

Nurf countered “don’t know till you try….just don’t try too hard.”

Tabii waved a hand “yeah yeah.” Before freezing as David’s phone rang.

She slowly turned around as David lifted it to his ear saying “go for Greenwood.”

Tabii almost sighed in defeat before David smiled “of course I remember you Gwen.”

Tabii resisted the urge to whoop in joy before saying quietly to Nurf “ohhh she called him.”

David rolled his eyes as he walked away from the team.

Gwen smiled “is everything ok David?” hearing the sound of snickering in the background.

David answered “oh it’s fine Gwen…what can I do for you?”

Gwen took a deep breath asking “listen…I uhhh got a company party…I have to go, it’s going to be miserable…and I liked talking to you, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me.”

David chuckled “are you asking me on a date?”

Gwen gasped “yes…or no! we can go as friends if you want!?”

David grinned “sounds like fun…text me the details.”

Gwen nodded “it’s in two days…thinks David…for accepting an invitation to a party from a girl you barely know.”

David filtered “what can I say…I like mystic.”

David ended the call as Jasper yelled “DAVIE HAS A DATE.”

David shook his head as Nurf and Tabii whooped.

David’s apartment:

David walked to his apartment as Gwen fired him a text “hey David…it’s Gwen…I hope you know that, I hope that this is ok…contacting you out of the blue like this?”

David texted “it was good timing actually I just got back.”

Gwen responded “yea me too, had to go to court.”

David asked “court?”

Gwen sent a frowny face “yea, you hear about that country pop singer that was rescued by the army about a month ago, well she is suing my bosses for airing the transcript the army sent us.”

David muttered aloud “well that’s the least surprising thing I have heard in a while.” Before typing out an “I’m sorry, that sucks.”

Gwen added “I mean those Soldiers saved her life and she acted like that! Insane, I guess some people just want attention.”

David typed “I would not know.”

Gwen returned a bit too quickly “oh no of course you wouldn’t! Sorry I’m just venting.”

David responded “that’s fine, so the company party…anything I should know?”

Gwen answered “keep it casual but professional…thanks for agreeing to come.”

David grinned “it will be a nice change.”

Gwen said “well I should go…”

David said “of course…one more thing, are we meeting/ car-pooling?”

Gwen asked “I can pick you up?”

David “I will meet you outside the gate…see you then.”

2 nights later:

David was wearing a nice Dress shirt and a cardigan, his phone in one pocket, his wallet and keys in the other as he waited Gwen pulled up in a VW bug, she was wearing a lavender dress and said quickly “David thanks again!”

David got into the car smiling “it’s my pleasure plus it should be fun.”

Gwen drove to a high rise where the News agency was located and swiped to allow herself and David in when they entered the party was in full swing.

45 minutes later:

David shared a drink with Gwen’s main camera guy, a student named Preston who got the job to “experience life behind the camera!”

David thought the kid was vaguely ridiculous but he was fun to talk to, after slipping away he plucked down next to Gwen saying “why do I think you invited me here so you would be left alone?”

Gwen chuckled “guilty as charged…sorry?”

David smiled “Why are you apologizing, if I wasn’t here…I would be binge watching national geographic and waiting for the phone to ring.”

Gwen laughed “Sarah was not kidding when she said you work a lot.”

David laughed “it is a busy world, and from what she tells me, you could give me a run for my money.”

Before Gwen could agree Gwen’s boss rushed in saying “party is over! A story just landed in my lap!”

Gwen at forward as David felt his phone go off Gwen’s boss said “Big Up hovel in New York over so some…hey who is this guy!?”  

Gwen saw David’s phone for a just a second the flash of the word “redacted,” On his caller ID as he said “oh he is my plus one…”

Her bosses grunted “then get him outta here, while you’re at it…you and the intern…what his name bad show or something?”

Preston said “Goodplay…sir?”

The boss grunted “whatever just get on it.”

David sat in the car as Gwen back toward Bragg saying “sorry to cut the party short.”

David waved his arm “I got called into work as well.”

Gwen nodded “of course, but thinks for coming David it was a good time.”

David got out of the car “yes it was.”

Preston who had up until now been quiet yelped saying “I ship it!”

Gwen punched him as she said “I will call you when I get back.”

David entered the gate firing back a “sounds good.”

Fort Bragg, Briefing room:

Jasper teased “well Davie, you are now 2 for 2.”

David asked “what are you talking about Jasp?”

Nurf answered after sipping from his water “Gwen, first it was the bar you were dragged to and now your date.”

David countered “it was not a date!”

Tabii looked at him saying “and my shoes are made of gold.”

David blushed “I don’t have to put up with this…”

Tabii grinned “you don’t have to boss…but you love us to much to lecture us!”

David groaned “you got me.”

An agent entered saying “Sargent Major….the rest of you, good to see you again.”

Nurf muttered “here we go again.”

Miller glared at him quietly saying “welcome back to our humble aboad Agent Milton.”  

Agent Milton nodded coldly “just keep your people on mission this time Captain.”

David sighed “ma’am as you recall, our previous outing with you had to be aborted due to bad Intel…I hope that is not concern with this mission?”

Milton smiled “let me worry about that Sargent Major, now then to business.” She showed a picture of a building saying “we have reason to believe that a rogue group is producing Weapons of mass destruction in Turkmenistan.”

Jasper groaned “I have heard this one before.”

Milton answered Jasper saying “I am aware of the…dubious results such intel has produced in the past.”

Tabii grinned “under statement of the century.”

Milton rolled her eyes as David said “what makes this place stand out?”

Milton answered “our satellites have determined that the activity is unusual, and they made a number of strange orders leading to this conclusion.”

David silenced his team likely Glib response as he said “we kind of hostile presence can we expect?”

Milton sighed “depends usually ranging from heavy to medium.”

Nurf asked “mission objectives?”

Milton answered “get samples of what they are making, Kill any scientific personal, render the facility in operable.”

Miller asked “questions?” who no one answered he nodded “wheels up in one hour.”

    New York:

Gwen grabbed her bag glancing at her watch saying “so this press conference is in 2 hours.”

Preston grinned broadly “I’m getting so many air miles working with you!”

Gwen groaned “how are you this happy?”

Preston laughed “I love new York! Come on Gwen I will show you the sights!...after the conference of course.”

Gwen shook her head as she was dragged towards baggage claim.

Turkmenistan:

The team patrolled in the arid air towards the target building, they scanned the hills but had yet to encounter anyone, hostile or otherwise.

Jasper said aloud “I don’t like this…”

Nurf nodded “this feels wrong…”

Tabii added “it doesn’t help the agent at the helm, does not exactly inspire confidence.”

David said simply “keep your head in the mission.”

The team nodded as they crested a hill and he said “Dogpatch, we have passed Human torch.”

Miller responded “roger that Sandman we read Human torch.”

The team lay down as David pulled out binoculars saying “I got 3 guards, AK’s…no sign of any kind of chemical protection gear on their person.”

Tabii groaned “does not mean that it does not exist….”

David rolled over onto his back “Dogpatch, Sandman we are preparing to engage, any changes?”

Miller responded “no changes Sandman, you are free to engage god speed.”

The team quickly advanced, waiting for the right moment before shooting the guards dead, Nurf put on a Gas mask as Nurf complaining “ I hate wearing these.”

Tabii voice was muffled by the gas mask as she said “stop whining.”

David lowered the mask over his face saying “focus up, Cool Breeze kick it.”

Jasper kicked open the door as the team advanced into the building sweeping the sparcly populated building,  Tabii rounded a corner opening the door to a small room and stared saying “ you have got to be kidding me…”

New York:

Gwen bit her lip as she sat in her hotel room; the Press conference had been rather anti climatic. And now she sat in front of her laptop, a google tab open and the name “David Greenwood” typed in she leaned back in her chair saying “this is probably creepy isn’t it?”

Gwen exhaled “I need to know who I am dealing with…I don’t like surprises.” She justified hitting enter

After a second the results kicked back, the entire first page was filled with social media accounts, of other David Greenwood’s. Nothing on the David she knew she considered giving up before on a hunch added “Army.” To the end of her search

A second later an article popped as the top result, it was from the San Francisco Chronicler and was titled “Single Mother and Young Son killed in hit and run”

Gwen blinked not sure what that had to do with David, so she clicked.

Turkmenistan:

Tabii took off her gas mask As David said “coming in.”

Tabii groaned “come on in.”

Jasper asked “Redcap…why did you take off your…no fucking way.”

Inside the small room was a box full of Poppies, next to that was a pallet of Heroine.

David asked still wearing his mask “we finish checking the building?”

Tabii replied “yep.” Popping the P

Nurf entered saying “I took out the scientists as per mission sir….uhhh where are the WMD’s?”

David took his gas mask saying “looks like it was never here.”

Jasper poked the drugs saying “we risked our lives and invaded sovereign soil, for what exactly?!”

David ran his hand through his hair “Dirt diver on watch, Dogpatch Sandman, we have passed Doctor doom over.”

Miller responded “we read Doctor Doom, do you have a jackpot?” 

David answered “negative Dog patch, dry hole.” 

Miller asked “no chemicals Sandman?”

David pursed his lips before asking “is Heroine a chemical?”

There was a long beat before what sounded like shouting the background as Miller came back on the radio saying “Sandmen are you sure there are no WMD’s present on Target?”

David grunted out “we have swept the entire building; there are no mission objectives on site.”

The shouting grew louder as a woman said “I’m telling you it’s there! I don’t care how long they have to stay, tell them to find it!”

David said simply “Sir, are we aborting the mission?”

Agent Milton came on “Sargent Major I am ordering you to search the target Area again!”

David paused before saying “Wilco, sweeping again.”

He lowered the mask back over his face as the team looked at him with the same look he had before pulling their masks back down to recheck the entire building.

 New York:

Gwen read the article, her mouth slightly a gape as it talked about a young Mother named Amaita Chabra was taking her son Max to School, when  a drunk driver ran a red light. A police spokesman said they didn’t even feel it. Gwen scrolled down to see that the boy’s father, A Staff Sargent David Greenwood was unavailable for comment. Gwen felt a wave of sadness when the recommend article screen popped up showing two headlines about 2 months from the original publication date “stock broker found not guilty of drunken driving charge.”  About a week after a simple headline that chilled her to the bone “Stock broker Missing, police ask public for help.”

Gwen scanned the articles finding out the way guy walked…and was not exactly feeling guilty for the alleged crimes…he then disappeared, Gwen thought to herself “or someone disappeared him.”

Fort Bragg:

David threw the drugs on the table “here are your drugs Agent Milton…you mind telling us what this was all about.”

Milton sighed “I know you’re angry, you risked your life’s…for…”

David said simply “we risked our lives because that’s what are asked to do, but don’t look me in the eye and tell me you thought this op was legit, it took one close look to see that’s BS, so talk…it’s just us here.” He softened

Milton sat down gingerly “I’m sorry for lying…but I can’t let this keep going.”

David sat across from her “what, let what keep going.”

Milton produced a photo sliding it to him saying “this man, he killed my family…and I want him dead…he was supposed to be there.”

David looked down “so what, we are personal hitman?”

Milton deflated “I never thought of it that way…”

David stood up “we did…we have killed a great many people some deserving some not, but we always knew what we were walking into…if you are ever allowed to task a team again…I would be very careful about your targets.”

And with that David left with a groan.  before perking up thinking “I wonder if Gwen is Back from New York?”

[ifionlyhadmorepaper]

It was a cold Christmas Eve in the Bella house, the rest of the Bellas had gone home for Christmas except Stacie, Jessica and Ashley, Emily, Beca, and Chloe. The heater was cranked up to eighty-five degrees, all of them, peacefully asleep during this silent night until- “Chloe!”

Her eyes quickly blinked open, and all her muscles jumped as Stacie hissed her name again. “Chloe, wake up!” she rubbed her eyes sleepily, and she stared at the three women in her room, clad in wooly holiday socks and onesies.

“What?” Chloe whispered.

“We think there’s someone in the house!” the statement lit a fire under her rear end and she looked at the other girls for confirmation.

“There’s someone moving around down there!” Stacie said. Jessica and Ashley nodded rapidly. Chloe got up and tiptoed across the hall to the spare closet, quietly turning the doorknob and gently pulling the door open, she blindly reached in for anything she could use as a weapon, the only things they had were a ratty pair of ice skates and Ashley’s badminton racquet. She held it in her hand, bouncing it and turning it, evaluating it’s dimensions, and testing its weight and swing. She looked at all the girls around her, waiting for her to act, and catch the intruder.

“Follow me.” she mouthed. They all slinked down the staircase, trailing Chloe down each step, stealthily. Chloe poked her head around the corner, followed by Emily, Stacie, and Ashley and Jessica, creating a totem pole of Bellas. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of a very tall man in a leather coat, standing in front of their Christmas tree. All three women shoved Chloe forward, making her stumble slightly, she turned around to scowl at them, and she turned back around, brandishing her weapon, watching the thief carefully.

“Oh my God…” the burly man's head snapped around at the sound of her voice, revealing a large beard, enveloping all his facial features. They all screamed unison, he stepped forward, and Chloe swatted him with the racquet.

“Get him, Chloe!” The man grunted as he fell to the ground with a large thud, he yelped and swatted the racquet away. Then stomping was heard from the stairs and Beca came bounding into the living room.

“Chloe, stop!” She grabbed her arms and tried to yank her away. “Stop! Stop! You're hurting him!”

“That's the point, Beca!” Stacie yelled.

“He's trying to rob us!” Emily cried.

“He's not trying to rob us, Em.” Beca took the racquet away from Chloe, and she quickly moved to stand with the rest of the girls. Beca helped him up, he stood in the middle of the living room and the lights came on. The man had a white beard, and a blood red leather trench coat with a hood lined with brown and white fur. His hair was tousled and Chloe could make out two deep blue eyes.

“Hey, Bow.” His voice was gruff and the nickname tumbled out from his lips smoothly as possible.

“Hey, Uncle Nick.” Her voice was breezy and light, all of them gasped and shouted:

“Uncle?” she walked over to stand next to him.

“This is your Uncle Nick?” Chloe exclaimed.

“Yeah, um, Uncle Nick this is Stacie, Emily, Jessica, Ashley, and Chloe.” He bent down to her height and whispered.

“Is she the one in your Christmas letter?”

“Shut up!” She said through clenched teeth. Chloe quirked an inquisitive eyebrow at her. I'm in her Christmas letter? She didn't even know she wrote Christmas letters anymore. Then it occurred to her that her uncle wouldn't know what was in her Christmas letter unless she told him, and Chloe doubted that Beca would ever do that.

“Beca… why is your uncle in our house at one in the morning?” Chloe asked, peering around him, seeing the big red rucksack behind him beside the couch, and the new gifts underneath their tree.

“Um… Uncle Nick, I think you can get this one.” Her voice was pinched and nervous. Chloe was just waiting for him to reveal himself, and say what she was thinking.

“Thanks, Bow.” He said sarcastically. He cleared his throat and looked at the expectant group before him. “Well, ladies, um… I'm Santa Claus.” All of them laughed, except for Emily who squealed in delight.

“Like the Santa Claus? Like Chris Kringle? Saint Nicholas? Papá Noel? ” She questioned, fearlessly taking a step forward.

“In the flesh.” Stacie scoffed and stood next to Emily.

“I don't buy it.”

“It's true.” Beca replied.

“Prove it.” Uncle Nick looked at Stacie right in the face.

“Anastasia Conrad,” he prompted, using her full name, and causing her to straighten up and open her eyes wide. “For your fourth birthday you wanted Moon Shoes and a Reptar costume.” Stacie's mouth dropped open and a small gasp made itself known.

“Ashley Jones, when you were fourteen you wanted a Juicy Couture perfume and lotion set.” He looked at Jessica. “Jessica Smith, when you were fourteen, you wanted some Baby Phat high tops and Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics album. Chloe Anne Beale, when you were ten, you wanted a red horse named Pepper and a Strawberry Shortcake diary with a strawberry scented pen.”

Chloe laughed, surprised, remembering that exact letter she'd wrote to Santa. “Me! Me! Do me!” Emily begged.

“Emily Junk, two years ago when you were sixteen, you wanted a cherry red 2014 Mustang GT and a mistletoe kiss from Taylor Lautner and if I couldn't pull that off, then a New Year's kiss.” she nodded, standing proud and tall, content with his memory. All of them stood there, with totally awestruck smiles on their faces, and Beca stood beside her uncle with a smirk glued to her face.

“What about Beca?”

“I didn't write letters.” She supplied, but Uncle Nick laughed like thunder and patted his mostly slim tummy.

“But you did sit on my lap until you were twelve.” All of them collectively laughed and Beca was poinsettia red.

“Shut up, Santa." she grumbled

“I distinctly remember you asking me for a pair of new ballet shoes and a Bette Midler record when you were nine.”

“Don't you have to deliver other presents or something!” She yelled, clearly irritated with the turn the conversation took.

“Okay, okay, I'll go.” He laughed, hugging her, and picking up the large sack, and putting the iconic Santa hat on. He brushed off the lapels of his leather coat, and Chloe inwardly grinned because, of course, her uncle would wear a leather jacket.

“Can you say 'ho ho ho’?” Emily's bright honey eyes looked up to him and he clicked his tongue.

“I don't go 'ho ho ho’, that's a myth.” She pouted and guilt immediately fell over his face. “Okay, but I’ll do it just for you.” He smiled, there was a slight pink tint to the apple of his cheeks.

“Bye, Uncle Nick, merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, Bow.” He turned to them and winked, he tapped the very tip of his nose and materialized up the vent.

“Twelve years old? Really, Bec?” Chloe said and all of them collectively giggled.

“You're all getting fucking coal.”

[theonetheycallsagey]

Back to the Streets

First time I’m doing this on Tumblr, so here goes nothing. This is a one-shot RWBY fanfic prompt involving both my and @gruntnuker-rwby‘s OCs. This takes place after the Fall of Beacon, as we catch up on Jade Meadows trying to start over with a new life post-Beacon invasion. But, chaos doesn’t stay away for long in the world of Remnant. Enjoy!

JASR belongs to @gruntnuker-rwby

DASH and The Leash belong to me

“The campus and surrounding areas remain inaccesible. Try as they might, the remaining huntsmen and huntresses cannot seem to get a hold of the situation at Beacon Academy.”

Jade sighed as she watched the news through the window of the television store. The on-display TV’s usually played the news, and it felt like every time she passed by, the headline was the same. It was almost as if it was the same rerun for the past couple months, but Jade knew the fact that Beacon’s condition was not improving. Each time she saw the broken campus, it was too easy to close her eyes and recall the times when she called it home. The images of being with her team in the dorm and causing trouble with their friends were all still so vivid in her head. But, she couldn’t focus on that past life right now. She had to go to the store and pick up groceries to make dinner tonight.

Jade adjusted her beanie and kept her head down as she approached The Lanes, a district of downtown Vacuo notorious for gang warfare. It seemed that every gang that called Vacuo home resided there, and fights over turf were regular. With every pair of eyes outside that turned to watch her as she walked by, she could feel her pace quicken. Even as she left The Lanes, she barely slowed down until she reached her destination.

Stood before Jade was a little convenience store located on the corner of Carob and Hickory. Before she walked in, a buzz from her hoodie pocket made her draw out her scroll. On it displayed a message from her friend and former teammate Riley Currant asking Jade to pick up some chips for her. Jade shook her head and smiled at the screen, typing up “We’ll see” as a response before entering the store. 

Upon walking in, she noticed a dark-skinned wolf faunus near the entrance. His short white hair was tucked under a fedora, and he was sporting a black bomber jacket. His attention didn’t shift from the newspaper he was reading, and it seemed he was oblivious to the world surrounding him. Jade took a few minutes to go up and down the aisles, scratching off the items on her shopping list one by one. She even made sure to grab Riley her snacks. Once finished, she went to the register, greeting the small elderly man behind it with a warm smile.

Midway through checking out, Jade noticed two guys come from the back of the store, one with sunglasses on and the other with a bandana covering most of his face. Two more walked through the front entrance, with one standing in front of the doors and the other standing next to the wolf faunus. Before Jade could even react, she felt something cold press against her neck. She froze. Her hands slowly and shakily raised above her head.

“Down,” the scratchy voiced leader Shades said. Lester, the bodyguard that accompanied him prodded Jade’s neck with the gun harder, forcing her to her knees. The one that approached the wolf faunus, named Aries, suddenly sprinted toward him and put a knife around his throat. The wolf didn’t tense up or even look away from his newspaper.

“Now. Give us the money,” Shades said with bat in hand. He feigned a swing in order to scare the cashier enough to start emptying the register. But, all of the thugs were suddenly caught off guard by the sound of light chuckling coming from the faunus.

“This ain’t gonna work,” he said, smiling while putting the paper down. His icy blue eyes glinted in the light, and he showed no signs of fear.

“Quiet, fleabag!” Aries said. “It don’t work that way anymore! You got no power!”

“Just figured I would warn you. What do you think, guy?” he said while motioning to the one guarding the entrance. They all turned to see him bright red in the face, violently trying to grasp for air with a chain wrapped around his throat. A face suddenly peeked from behind him, one that Jade immediately recognized but never thought she’d find here. The familiar brown fox ears and mischievious crimson eyes.

“Auburn?!” Jade exclaimed.

“What?! We got Leash!” Shades said as all of the gang members simultaneously readied their weapons for a fight.

“Miss me, boys?” Auburn said. Shades charged at her, so she rammed the one she had in a choke into him. She then jumped off of his back and nailed Shades with a big punch. Acting quickly, Jade used the distraction as an opportunity to elbow Lester in the knees. He groaned angrily, then aimed at her but before he could fire, Auburn had thrown an entire display of candy bars at him. It knocked him back and forced him to drop the gun, giving Auburn a chance to run at him. She quickly nailed a left jab to his stomach, then a right. He swung wildly, which Auburn easily ducked. She spun around him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and lifted him over her shoulders, suplexing him into the shelves. She stood over him, her body now glowing.

While this was all happening, the wolf smirked and delivered a headbutt to Aries to get him off. He reached into his jacket and slipped on a pair of brass knuckles. When Aries went to retaliate, the wolf nailed him with an uppercut, flooring him in the process. He landed next to the gun, which he scrambled to grab and point at Auburn. Jade saw this and ran toward him, hitting him with a kick to the chin, but not before he fired it twice at Auburn’s back. While she winced slightly, the bullets just bounced off of her. She turned around with fury covering her expression.

“Kinetic armor, bitch!” she said before wrapping her chain whip around his waist. She ran past him and yanked him off his feet and through the front window, sending him crashing to the sidewalk outside. The only one left was Shades who was staggering to his feet. He tried to punch the wolf, but he intercepted it and wrenched his arm backwards to its breaking point. He fell to his knees and looked up at his assailants.

“Did The Lanes miss me? Because I’m back to reclaim what’s mine,” Auburn said while wrapping her chain around her fist. “See, I had to come back. Because scum like you never learn.” She then suddenly rained down a hard right to his temple, then a second, then a third. The last one knocked him out and sent his trademark glasses flying off his face, shattering on impact. Jade couldn’t help but cringe slightly, even though she knew what Auburn’s wrath was capable of.

“That feeling never gets old, Revan,” Auburn said to the wolf before turning and finally facing Jade. Jade smiled softly at her, unsure of how to greet her friend from Beacon. Their teams were close, and after the fall, she wasn’t even confident that she would see them again. It had felt so long since the last time they were together. However, Auburn did her the favor and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Why do you have to do this? You’re making me miss Beacon,” she said, smiling the whole time.

“Glad to see you too, Foxy,” Jade said in response before stepping away. Revan looked at the two with his head tilted in curiosity while dusting off his fedora.

“You know her, boss?” he asked.

“Hell yeah,” Auburn said. “I told you Beacon had some great people.”

“I could tell by the way you fought. Most people just hide in the corner,” he said while handing Jade her bag of groceries. Once she took it, Revan pulled out some lien and tossed it on the counter to the shaken cashier. “On me, don’t worry.” Before Jade could protest, the sound of incoming sirens cut her off.

“Welp, time to go! Mika’s waiting out back,” Auburn said. “Jade, you’re coming with us. We have some catching up to do.” Jade could only nod as she took her food and followed them out the back entrance. Behind the store laid waiting a yellow sportscar with the engine still running. Revan slid across the hood and got into the shotgun position, and Auburn opened the door to the backseat to let her in. As soon as everyone was in, the car sped off, away from all the incoming police cars.

“Picked up a hitchhiker?” said the female driver. She had shouler-length navy blue hair that faded into yellow, and she had yellow markings painted on her face. She was wearing a white and blue hoodie marked by a #00 and had on a pair of cut-up jeans.

“Right, introductions. Guys, this is Jade Meadows. She’s a close friend I made from Beacon. Jade, let me introduce you to the crew. Revan Polaris”

“M’lady,” Revan said on cue while tipping his fedora. Jade rolled her eyes and Auburn knocked the hat off of his head.

“And the driver is Mika Inari.”

“Whaddup, girl?” Mika said. “Where are you going by the way?”

“Could you bring me to the ice rink? I’m meeting a couple of friends.” Mika nodded and Auburn chuckled to herself.

“Guess Riley is up to her usual. What about the rest of the team?”

“Well, Amber, Riley, and I are fine here in Vacuo,” Jade said before trailing off. Auburn turned, now looking a little worried, and waited for her to go on. “But... we lost contact with Sienna. We have no idea where she is.” Auburn clenched her fists hard enough to where her knuckles cracked.

“She’ll be ok,” Auburn said, mainly to reassure herself. Jade nodded in agreement, also trying her best not to think about it.

“What about you guys?” Jade asked in an attempt to change the subject.

“We got split up. When Atlas called back all of their soliders from the other kingdoms, the upper class got paranoid. Dash got called back, so Sapphire went with him. I hope she likes the trophy wife lifestyle. And Solomon is currently in a group tasked with fixing communications in Vale.”

“You know how much Amber misses him?” Jade said.

“Hell, I miss him,” Auburn said back. “I miss all of them. Even Ospreay.”

“Yeah. But at least you have a good crowd here.” Jade’s words prompted Revan to take a bow in his seat, and Mika shot her a thumbs up. “So... is this what you’ve been doing since Beacon? Leash?”

“It’s what I did before Beacon too,” Auburn replied.

“Isn’t The Leash the gang that got charged with arson after the old Arashi warehouse burned down?”

“Yeah, the same Arashi warehouse that got linked to faunus trafficking a few months later,” Revan added.

“Don’t listen to the cops. Don’t listen to the news. We’re different. We only target other criminals,” Auburn said. But Jade crossed her arms, not quite swayed by her words. She had heard a lot about The Leash, and although most of it was just rumors, she knew they were a group shrouded in mystery.

“Why should I believe that?” she asked.

“Because I was its leader!” Auburn said, legitimately shocking Jade. “Well, at least I used to back when it actually existed. After I left for Beacon, the group bascally disbanded. When I came back and tried to get us all back together, I couldn’t get a hold of most of them. The only ones I could get were these two.”

“Those vixens ain’t loyal!” Revan yelled. Jade looked down and processed what Auburn told her. She knew her friend to be loose with authority, taking orders more as suggestions, but she knew Auburn would never be a criminal.

“What made you make The Leash then?” Jade couldn’t help but ask and learn more about Auburn’s past.

“Because there’s a lot of injustice in this world that needs dealing with,” Auburn said. “I remember my first day of school. Little cutie Vulpes was about 6 years old and ready to make friends. What I got instead was kids a few years older than me picking on me for being a faunus. My dad and I watched some boxing movies together, so I decided that it would be best if I used some of those moves.” She was then cut off by Revan and Mika both trying to hold in their laughter.

“Yeah, you guessed it,” she went on. “Got my ass handed to me that day. I ended up getting used to it the teasing at least. Still made some good friends, like Mika. Until one day when we were about 12, and this group of guys stopped us on the street. I was ready for whatever crap they had to say, but they didn’t focus on me. They focused on Mika. They called her a disgrace for hanging out with an animal in public.” She paused again, her emotions boiling over just bringing it up.

“Anger didn’t even begin to describe how I felt. I didn’t know what else to do, so I just swung at one of the guys. Then again, and again, and again, till I made sure he was down. That was the mistake the first time I tried to fight. The guy got up. Wasn’t letting that happen again. From there, I knew I had to get stronger, not for my sake, but for my friends. Eventually, a lot of people that felt the same way, human and faunus alike, joined me.” Jade smiled slightly at Auburn’s sincerity.

“Problem was, The Leash was getting me into a lot of trouble with the law. I didn’t care, but my dad did. So one day, he handed me a little pamphlet for some place called Beacon. To me, it was a place to fight for what was right without worrying about the cops. Sounded like a win-win to me. So the next time I could, I said goodbye to my dad, and got on a plane to Vale.”

“And the rest is history,” Jade said. “That’s very sweet of you Auburn.” Before the sharing could go any further, Mika pulled into the rink’s parking lot.

“We’ll catch up more another time. Tell Riley and Amber I say hey, ok?”

“I will. It was nice meeting you guys,” she said to Mika and Revan, who both flashed her a smile and waved as she exited the car and walked off. She sighed happily before entering the building. One small step toward normalcy.

[antics-pedantic]

RALLY CO. #1 - RALLYING CRY

          The Fine Foxhole was a popular jazz lounge, tucked away into the art deco styled urban jungle of Arcadia, Maryland. But one had to hear about it via word-of-mouth to get in. And that was how Dannik Djannik knew of it.

          Dannik Djannik was a pale Polish man, with a mustache connecting to mutton-chop sideburns. He wore two fancy watches and jeweled rings on left and right index and middle fingers. But never chains: In his time as one of the city’s go-to people for getting highly sought-after items, he learned that being the best fence in the city was dangerous work. To that end, he’d also hired a bodyguard who didn’t talk much, and wore sunglasses at all hours, even at night.

          Going to the Fine Foxhole meant Djannik would get his entertainment for the night. But it was also a means of meeting with potential clients. As the slow piano number gave way to a lively swing band, his client appeared: A tall figure in a trenchcoat, with russet brown dark skin, and black hair in a ponytail, wearing lipstick of a similar shade to her hair, but it gleamed under the light hanging over Djannik’s booth. Seated, the newcomer removed their hat.

          “And who do I have the pleasure of addressing tonight?”

          “Miss Felix Basra.” said the woman. She was of Pakistani descent, and was in her early twenties. She kept on her coat and leather gloves, features stern.

          “Well Miss Basra. I’m more than excited to personally give you this piece, after the generous purchases you’ve made for me in the last few weeks.”

          “But of course, Djannik. From what you’ve told me, it is of some considerable interest. I understand a notable crime lord uses it?”

          Dannik Djannik gave a big grin. His bodyguard glanced over momentarily, looking at Felix, before the dealings resumed. From his jacket, Dannik took out a small case and slid it across the table to Felix, who caught it. When she opened it, her eyes widened in astonishment: It was a set of three darts. Each pointed tip glossy from some sort of secretion carefully applied to it. On the other end, colored “feathers” distinguished each type of dart, likely to whoever they were utilized by. And Felix recognized them immediately.

          “Familiar to you?”

          “You could say I’ve had a prior encounter.” Felix muttered. “Are you certain these are from the source I specified?”

          “Of course! Our promise was that I would give you the tools of the Golden Shadow’s assassins.”

          Just then, the bodyguard nudged Djannik, gesturing for him to keep it down.

          “Wait.” said Felix. “You also said you’d provide me with one of their trademark daggers.”

          Djannik gulped.

          “Well, frankly that’s even more high value than a few darts. The reward must match the risk…”

          “I have, every time. Haven’t I?”

          “The deal has changed. They don’t give those daggers out to just anyone.”

          “Oh, I know. Because I saw one of such rank go after someone I know.”

          With that, Djannik tugged on his shirt collar, and had to get up.

          “C’mon, shades. We are doing some serious leaving now. Bring more money next time, Miss Basra.”

          But as Djannik sauntered off, Felix could see that the man was clutching something in his jacket. Djannik and his bodyguard were headed for the backdoor out of the establishment. For a moment, the bodyguard glanced back and spotted Felix, but he made no effort to stop her. Though it confused Felix, she endeavored to follow them anyway. But when she got outside, what she saw astounded her.

          “My word!”

          Djannik was under attack. Several masked thugs had set upon him, his bodyguard fighting them off alone with his fists. At the flash of a long knife, Felix produced a weapon of her own: A short baton with a hook like fixture, known in martial arts as a jutte. And with it, she expertly caught the knife and disarmed one of Djannik’s attackers. Felix and the bodyguard charged forward, fighting off every one of them.

          “Enough! Return the sacred dagger, or perish!”

          One of the thugs brandished a saber, and caught Felix by surprise. She was able to catch the sword’s blade by the hook of her jutte, but the sword slinger only pressed the attack. But just as quickly, the attacker fell suddenly. And by the gleam of a silver blade and round-framed glasses, Felix had been saved.

          “Mr. Callahan?...”

          Felix couldn’t believe it. Her mentor, occult detective Solomon Callahan had appeared. He looked to be in his forties or fifties, his hair steel grey from age and countless adventures. He was clad in a swamp green three-piece suit, and he held a silver blade that he was sliding back into its sheath, which doubled as his cane. She had known the man for years: Her aunt Malika was Solomon’s police liaison, and doubly Felix’s caretaker.

          “Your girlfriend Georgia told me you might be here.” said Solomon. “What in god’s name were you thinking?!”

          “I was thinking this.”

          Felix crouched down, taking something from the felled swordsman. The sight of it made Solomon gasp.

          “I’ve been following leads for a while.” said Felix. “These are the Golden Shadow’s men. Dannik Djannik has one of their sacred daggers.”

          “I see it, but I can’t believe it...” said Solomon, taking the object in question from Felix: It was a kind of medallion. These street hoodlums were initiates of the crime lord known only as “The Golden Shadow.” And Solomon knew him well.

          “I’m just in this to find the assassin that hurt Auntie Malika. But people seem to be wary about discussing the Golden Shadow.”

          “I’ve feared this day for some time…” admitted Solomon. “Let’s get out of here. I’ll tell you everything on the way.”

          “Wait. The dagger!”

          But when Felix turned, Djannik was out cold. The dagger was missing, along with two of the Golden Shadow’s men, and Djannik’s own bodyguard.

          “They’ve vanished!”

          “Trust me, Felix. The trail is not yet cold. And you won’t have to seek it alone.”

          The two took to Solomon’s roadster. The car went speeding through the city streets, and eventually to Solomon’s sizable upstate estate. As far as anyone knew, he lived there alone, and a chunk of it was dedicated to his library of fringe studies. One did not become an occult detective without sufficient familiarity with the paranormal.

          “My last clash with the Golden Shadow was quite some time ago. I haven’t heard much about him since. But if those were his minions, then he was the one who masterminded tonight’s attack.”

          “But who is the Golden Shadow really, Mr. Callahan?”

          “The alias has circulated for decades. Centuries. It’s nearly as old as time. Synonymous with the vices of mankind, and how one might profit upon them. In my encounters with him, I believe he is denizen of long sunken Atlantis. A necromancer at that in search of ultimate power.”

          Now that was a far cry from what Felix had been dealing with so far. Mostly street level crimes and mysteries on her own. Occasionally someone might have dabbled in the paranormal, but not so consistently as a nemesis. Not like what Solomon Callahan dealt with. The two entered the building. When they arrived, there was another young lady there about Felix’s age, perhaps younger by at least a year or so. She had silver hair accentuated by a red hairband, with pearl grey eyes that looked weary, and wary. She had on a loose long-sleeved shirt, and a long skirt, carrying bracelets and necklaces in her hands. When Solomon reappeared, she beamed. But at the sight of Felix, the poor girl could not help but shrink behind Solomon once he was close. She looked as if she had seen a ghost, or was one herself.

          “It’s alright, Katrina. Felix is one of my other students. She studied under me as an investigator.”

          The girl named Katrina remained behind Solomon. It was then that Felix relaxed her stern features. Felix hung up her coat, and took off her gloves. Now she had on a dress shirt and pants, along with a cozy black, white and purple sweater vest.

          “My name is Felix Basra. Any friend of Mr. Callahan’s is one of mine too.”

          Katrina gave a little nod, and shuffled from behind Solomon.

          “Bonsoir. My name is Katrina Kafka… I study the mind with Monsieur Callahan.”

          “Katrina is a psychic, like myself.” explained Callahan. “Do you feel comfortable demonstrating, Katrina?”

          Katrina nodded more quickly now. Her enthusiasm grew, and she began to levitate the various pieces of jewelry she carried. They floated out of her palms, before gliding onto her wrists and around her neck.

          “Katrina’s specialty is telekinesis. We can also perform telepathy and observe spirits as mediums. And if we feel daring, we practice other abilities!”

          “Oh, he is too kind.” Giggled Katrina. “He found me at home… back in France. I struggled to control my abilities, but he has offered me a place here while I figure them out.”

          “It’s not quite a mansion, bit cramped for that… I didn’t expect very many overnight, let alone long-term guests, so I dedicated it more to work.” admitted Solomon. “But Felix my dear: As one of my past students, I would like to extend my assistance, as well as that of Katrina’s to your cause.”

          “As always, I thank you for your insights.” said Felix. “But outside of information, I don’t want either of you to get hurt.”

          “And I know you’re too stubborn not to run towards the danger. Your aunt and I were the same way.” said Solomon. “What I’m offering you is help. Perhaps I might be getting older—all the stress I’ve put myself through over the years hasn’t helped… But as I said: You are not my only student. And I don’t simply refer to Katrina: Three of my pupils, who each sought out my knowledge each in different areas, live in the city! Adventurers at heart. I want to begin training you all together as a group.”

          “Like you and your old friends in the Rally Company?”

          Solomon nodded.

          “It’s been too long since explorers, investigators, any and all manner of adventurers have come together for common causes. Individually you are all formidable individuals in the making. But I believe that in order to address new challenges, and difficult problems such as thwarting the Golden Shadow, you must band together. Form a new Rally Co., as we did in our day.”

          Felix nodded.

          “Where do we start?”

          “You will find your new allies at Century University. Take my roadster. Katrina will accompany you. I will stay here and set about finding your next lead.”

          Solomon tossed Felix his car keys. Katrina set forth outside to take to the car. But before Felix left, Solomon addressed her one more time.

          “She is powerful. But she struggles with her confidence and needs… support. Give her that, and I know there is nothing you two cannot accomplish.”

          “And if these allies you’ve got for us are as remarkable as you make them out to be, we’ll achieve damn near the impossible.” said Felix. “We’ll be back right away.”

          Felix hurried out to join Katrina and they were back to the city towards the university where their mysterious new companions were at work on their next adventure. And as promised, Solomon took to his study to begin seeking out a means of learning more about the Golden Shadow: Perhaps an incantation of scrying, or remote viewing using his psychic powers. But once more he found himself unable to locate his foe, or any of his sinister machinations, working at it for a time.

          “Detective… Psychic… Warlock… you are atrocious at all of these things!”

          The voice sounded as clear as day. Hard to believe it was telepathy.

          “Damn you. Couldn’t stay dead, could you?!” thought Solomon. There was venom in his veins. Or rather, in his thoughts.

          “Death is a fate even you will eventually succumb to, if not in battle against me, then perhaps in the quiet of your bed. Few of your former adventuring party are around, and no amount of meddling kids will change that.”

          The Golden Shadow’s psychic impression was so strong, he almost seemed to appear in the room. Solomon scowled, but knew he could not attack him. His estate had sufficient magic safeguards in place, all seen to by Solomon himself.

          “Astral project here to haunt me or my charges and you’ll find yourself in the throes of rightful doom, you fiend.”

          “Bah! I need not bother.” sneered the Golden Shadow. “As we speak, I loose upon your ilk my men and a monster. One you are acquainted with.”

          Solomon’s eyes widened.

          “What manner of cryptid?...”

          “Perhaps you might recall them from before you met the girl during your jaunt to France. The countryside was littered with them!”

          Without thinking, Solomon extended a hand and let loose a green streak of lightning from his palm—a powerful mystic bolt. But the Golden Shadow merely laughed, and the sound of his wretched, raspy voice gradually fading. The occult detective pressed his index and middle fingers to the temple of his head, trying desperately to offer a telepathic message to Katrina.

          “Katrina… Katrina, please! Let this find you in time!”

[the-witch-and-her-husbands]

A Man Never Trifles With Gals Who Carry Rifles?

Mags looked round the building with satisfaction.

Who’d have thought that the place had been in ruins not two months previously? It was halfway between hoot and holler in the middle of no-man’s-land, for certain, when she and her girls had stumbled upon it. However, there were enough men about from the nearby ranch that hadn’t so much as SEEN a woman in a long enough time to keep them in business. The decor was simple, but it would do. Bottles behind the bar glittered in the dim candlelight. The upright piano in the corner was tuned up and ready to go. Everything had been spit-and-polished to within an inch of its life.

‘Are we ready to go, Mags? Should we hang the sign above the door?’ One of her girls came wandering up, twirling a strand of hair lazily around a finger.

'As ready as we’re ever gonna be, girlie! Go on, then.’ Mags wandered outside to see the sign hung, which would announce their grand opening.

'THE DANDY DINGO,’ the sign proclaimed in big letters. It had a crude drawing of a Dingo wearing a top hat and a monocle, standing on his hind legs and sipping from a tankard, underneath the lettering.

Mags smiled to herself with satisfaction. That would do. That would do just fine. Sure, it was a brothel, but she wanted to give at least a VENEER of respectability by advertising it as a pub. The locals would figure it out soon enough, when word started to get round.

Before you could swing a kookaburra, the place was full to the rafters with men. The walls echoed with drunken, debauched laugher and angry shouts over card games. Looked like it would be a success.

Leaving things in the capable hands of her girls, she walked upstairs to her office to read through a few of the bills of account. She’d ordered too much, no doubt, but since it took DAYS to arrive it was better to have too much than too little. They’d soon be raking it in. More gold coins than you could shake a stick at.

'Mags? There’s someone INSISTS on speaking to the owner.’ The redhead stuck her head round the door. She knew that Mags was usually loathe to be disturbed once she’d gone upstairs, unless the building was on fire.

'Send him in.’ Mags waved her hand, looking up as a tall, thin man dressed in black approached her. She looked over the edge of her pince-nez glasses. Not a bad face, but she personally wasn’t overly keen on his type of moustache. 'Can I help you, sir?’

'Elliott Marston.’ He swept off his hat and grinned at her. 'I thought, since I’m the owner of the ranch nearby, that I’d better come and introduce myself to the proprietor. I thought, perhaps, that your little…establishment…might be in need of protection, from the rougher element? For a small fee, of course.’ His grin widened. More like a large percentage of the profits, but they could always haggle later. He brushed back the edge of his coat, showing off the holster on his hip.

'Protection?’ Mags laughed incredulously. As she did so, Marston suddenly felt the cold steel of a barrel pressed into the back of his neck. A soft 'click’ could be heard in the silence. 'As you can see, we have enough protection.’

'Just say the word, Mags.’ The owner of the voice was female, much to Marsden’s surprise.

'It’s fine, Jilomena. I think our…guest…understands the message.’ Mags shot a look over his shoulder as she spoke. He chuckled nervously, but the gun was removed from his neck. The woman stepped forward, allowing him to see her properly.

And what a woman! Long, blonde hair that fell in wild curls to the small of her back. Tiny, yet the bodice of her dress looked like it was being put under considerable strain to contain the bosoms that were all but spilling out of the top of it. Her pretty, delicate features were currently creased into a frown as she looked at him, gun still at her side.

The relaxed grin was back on his face. Surely, this angelic vision of femininity was merely a deterrent? He doubted she could actually USE the firearm she was holding. It was adorable, really. 'Ladies, please. If you would allow me to….’

He was interrupted by her raising the pistol and squeezing the trigger. A bullet whizzed past his ear, just barely grazing it, and embedded itself in the wall behind. Whoa.

'Nice shot, Jilomena.’ Mags nodded approvingly.

'What are you talking about?’ the woman growled. 'I missed! It was supposed to pierce his earlobe!’

Fucking hell. Marston swallowed nervously. Inexplicably, he was also aroused as hell. He prayed that his jacket covered the bulge that had suddenly sprung up in the front of his trousers.

'Jilomena. Is that any way to treat our customers?’ Mags’ voice was a soft rebuke. 'It was extremely…friendly…of him to offer his services, even if they aren’t required. Take Mr Marston and give him a drink. On the house.’ He may have been trying to bilk them out of money, but she was loathe to lose a paying customer all the same.

'Certainly.’ She put the safety back on and pulled up her dress to shove the weapon back into its holster on her leg.

Marston’s eyes were in danger of bugging out of his head. 'How much?’ he blurted out.

Both women looked at him. 'I beg your pardon?’ Mags asked softly.

'The girl. Jilomena.’ He gestured at her impatiently. 'How much? Oh, please! I know you’re running more than a little…drinking establishment, here. I’ve been around long enough!’

The girls then looked at each other. 'Ten gold pieces.’ Mags folded her arms.

'You don’t waste time haggling, do you? Fine!’ He rummaged around in his pocket and came out with a small leather bag, which he handed to Mags. 'Here!’

She peeked in at the contents. 'That’ll do. She’s all yours.’ Mags smiled sweetly.

'This way.’ Jilomena took him by the hand to lead him to her room.

She wasn’t WILD about the idea, but he was a paying customer, after all.

And ten gold pieces? He’d be shown a very good time, indeed.

[stillthewordgirl]

Fic: Triangles (Ch. 2)

After the Oculus exploded, the spark that is Leonard Snart was sent hurtling through time and space. His latest destination: The waters of the Bermuda Triangle in 1939. And a luxury liner called the Queen Anne…

(A sort-of crossover between Legends of Tomorrow and The X-Files episode “Triangle.” Mostly Snart POV.)

Continued thanks to @larielromeniel and @pir8grl for looking it over.

Note: I hope this is something both Legends and X-Files fans can enjoy, although I’ll tell you going in that it’s mostly Legends (and time-hopping Snart POV). Will be three chapters and a short optional epilogue.

Can also be read here at AO3 or here at FF.net.

The song I use here is "I Thought About You," which was first recorded in 1939, although it's been redone many times since. The version I listened to was Benny Goodman with Mildred Bailey on vocals, although the words are slightly different. It's on YouTube-just in case you want some background music. :)

The Queen Anne, 1939

As the Nazis drag Mulder from the room, he struggles to keep Scully—not-Scully?—in sight. And in doing so, he catches sight of the tall, blue-eyed guy in the tux, the one from the captain's quarters, holding out his hand to a blond woman.

Time traveler? Well, not from 1939, anyway.

"Hey!" he yells. "Hey, you! Black jacket! If you're from the future, you know these guys have to go down! Help me!"

His intended target doesn't even hear him. He's too busy steadily watching the Sara Lance doppelganger in front of him.

Her eyes have widened in surprise, before they narrow and regain that particularly chilly expression. He can almost see her calculating the odds he'll call unwanted attention to her if she refuses. (Nonexistent, but she can't know that.)

Finally, she gives him a tiny smile, accepting his hand (calluses on her sword hand, just the same) and allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.

"You wanna dance, Leonard?"

"It's the things I didn't do…"

The band slows it down just the merest bit as "Jeepers Creepers" comes to an end, and the next voice he hears causes him to start in surprise and glance over his shoulder. And, yes…yes, it is a perfect '30s-garbed version of Kendra Saunders who's standing there on the stage, singing the opening notes of a song:

"Seems that I read, or somebody said

"That out of sight is out of mind

"Maybe that's so but I tried to go

"And leave you behind, what did I find?"

His arm is around this version of Sara, and if she's not the woman he knows, not quite, he can pretend she is. It's hard not to smirk, to fall into the old habit of banter and back-and-forth, and she hasn't even spoken a word.

Somehow, they each know how the other moves.

She's smirking a little, herself, and when she speaks, he leans a little closer to hear her words.

"I don't even know your name," he hears. "But you're getting awfully familiar…"

His hand on her hip, her hand curving around his neck…

"So are you," he informs her, and sees her blink in surprise to realize that yes, yes, she is. "But…that's not even why I'm here."

Is that a flicker of disappointment? She makes a little mock moue and turns her head aside. Continuing to keep Raymond and company in sight, he knows.

"I took a trip on the train and I thought about you

"I passed a shadowy lane and I thought about you

"Two or three cars parked under the stars

"A winding stream"

"Well. Then," she tells him, "why are you here?"

He leans even closer. "Sara," he breathes into her ear, feeling the muscles of her back tense immediately beneath his hand, "whoever you're targeting, don't do it."

"Moon shining down on some little town

"And with each beam, same old dream

"At every stop that we made, oh, I thought about you

"But when I pulled down the shade, then I really felt blue"

Her eyes are fastened back on his, now, and it's unmistakable how much danger he's in.

But she just laughs, a light little chuckle, fake smile on her lips. "Silly," she says teasingly. "Now, whatever are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about," he whispers. "Sara, I know you don't know me here. But I'm a...friend. Trust me. Don't do it. You're better. You're more."

And then he feels it, the tiniest, more imperceptible shift in the ship's movement. Something's happening.

Before she can pull away... or knife him... Leonard releases her, except for one hand, which he can't help raising to his lips. And she lets him.

It doesn't count as a stolen kiss, he thinks. But it's something.

"I'll be back," he tells her, dropping her cool fingers and taking a step back, two. "Please. Listen to me."

And then he turns and vanishes into the crowd.

She stares after him.

"I peeked through the crack and looked at the track

"The one going back to you, and what did I do?

"I'll leave it to you, oh what did I do?

"I thought about you"

FBI headquarters, Washington, D.C., Nov. 16, 1998

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Mulder's in trouble."

"Big trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's take a walk."

"OK...where are we going?"

"The walls have ears."

"I have ears. Will you tell me what's going on?"

"Mulder's disappeared."

Back to the Queen Anne, Sept. 3, 1939

Leonard stoops to pick up a fallen officer's hat from the ballroom floor as he leaves the ballroom. Not perfect camouflage, certainly not paired with a tux, but enough that a casual glance might flicker over him.

He's a few decks down, trying to figure out the way to the boiler rooms, when an approaching ruckus has him ducking behind some equipment—and shaking his head when he hears the indignant voice pitched to carry over the noise.

"I got two words for you, buddy—Pearl Harbor!"

Are you kidding me? He winces at the thought of the potential timeline damage... then winces again at the fact that he did so.

After thinking a moment, he ducks his head and falls into step behind the mixed group of sailors and one Fox Mulder as Nazi soldiers herd them along.

"After Poland, Hitler's on his way to Denmark, Holland and France with a few stops in between," Mulder continues blithely. "The French all but roll over on us, the Italians seize their opportunity and the Japanese come through the back door. It's a long, bloody story. It fortunately has a happy ending."

"We win?"

"Yeah, you come out on the side of history with no small amount of help from us. Not much to apologize for over the next 50 years except for maybe the Spice Girls."

Leonard snorts at that, but they're at a new door now, and all of them are motioned through, even the extra, who pulls his hat down and moves to the edges of the room as soon as he can.

"Schnauze halten, verdammt noch mal! Raus mir euch! Vorwaerts, worauf wartet ihr? Mach schon! Los!"

The door is locked behind them, but they're in an engine room, a fact that makes him smile in satisfaction. Because near the engine room, there will be the boiler rooms. In the boiler rooms, there will be fire.

And when there's fire, he'll almost always find...

"...Thor's Hammer. You know what that is, mate?"

The term, however, stops him in his tracks.

Because abruptly now he knows, oh, he knows, what's been up with the Raymond and Stein doppelgangers. And who Sara is targeting.

...don't do it...

The sailors and some of the crewmen are getting into it now, and he starts edging away again, toward the boilers, as more of the crewmen emerge to see what the chaos is about.

"Thor's Hammer isn't a weapon!" Mulder's voice rises behind him. "It's a man, a man who will help build a weapon—a bomb that'll win the war for whoever has it! … I saw him! In the ballroom."

Leonard is jogging now, dodging crewmen through the boiler rooms, scanning the light and the shadows. And suddenly, there, shoveling coal and illuminated in the light of a boiler, is the man he's been looking for. Or, at least a man who looks just the same.

"Mick!"

The big man turns to look at him, and Leonard can't keep the grin off his face, even if this isn't really Mick, isn't really the man he's known for 30 years. This is backup, this is the closest thing he has to a brother…

"The 'ell are yeh?"

Irish accent, here, a strong one to go with the "Rory" inherited from Irish immigrant ancestors. Or maybe not ancestors, at this point. He stops, drags in a breath, puts both hands out in a gesture of supplication.

"Look, I know you don't recognize me here and now," he tells Mick's doppelganger. "But I know I can count on you. This ship can't go to Germany."

A cry rises up behind them, and Leonard frowns, then clarifies, "Or Jamaica."

An incredulous frown, and then a snort of amusement. Mick turns to pitch another shovelful of coal into the boiler.

"Listen to me!" Leonard grabs the other man's battered sleeve, dancing back to avoid the swing of a fist. "If this ship goes to Germany, the Nazis—I know you hate Nazis—will get their hands on...on a weapon. One that will win the war for them. And I know you know about the war coming, because you always pay way more attention than anyone thinks."

That earns him a pause and a considering look. Mick shakes his head, then leans on his shovel.

"Look," he tells Leonard, "don't know who the 'ell yeh think I am, or why yer talkin' to me 'bout this, but I'm nah hero."

"Look, I get that. I…" He throws an annoyed glance backward as the crowd around Mulder gets even more rambunctious. "I just know you won't want to let the Nazis win. Am I right?

A gleam in Mick's eyes. "Keep talkin'."

"Like that lunatic's telling them." Leonard jerks his head toward Mulder. "Turn the ship around and head back the way you came."

"They got words for doin' things like that, man. Like 'mutiny.' "

"Since when do you give a shit for rules?" He's about to retort further, but there are new voices rising, and they're not speaking English. He moves behind Mick, who glances at him and shakes his head but doesn't comment.

"Du! Der Amerikaner!" one of the Nazis calls. "Du kommst mit uns, rauf hier. Ja, mit kommen."'

They grab Mulder and start hauling him off, and even Leonard will give him some credit: he doesn't go easily.

"Turn the ship around," the Fed calls out, struggling, "or Hitler rises, Germany wins and your children will never know what freedom is!"

Once they're out the door, Leonard draws another breath and moves out into the open again.

"Melodramatic," he tells Mick, "but true. I have to go. I hope…" He hesitates. "I hope we meet again. I'm trusting you."

And then he takes off, ignoring Mick calling after him, heading for the opposite end of the ship, for the ballroom and Sara and Raymond and Jax and Stein...

Thor's Hammer.

There's no music in the ballroom now. Just a frightened silence. The passengers stare at the Nazis, who are holding Mulder near the front of the room. "Achtung!" one calls and, indeed, everyone's attention is on the scene.

Everyone but one. Now, two.

Leonard skirts around to the back, searching, searching. And there they are. Stein and Jax are in the back, in the shadows, Raymond continuing to stand in front of them, between them and the Nazis, an obdurate look on his face. But the danger he doesn't see is the one that's closest, just a few feet away, lovely and blond and deadly.

"Aufstehen. Mach schnell! Get up! Er sagte..."

"Wir haben einen mann an bord, einen wissenschaftler der weiss wie man eine bombe macht die den krieg gewinnin wird. Frag ihn, wer dieser mann ist."

Sara's whole attention is focused on that little group near her, not the Nazis; she's not even pretending anymore, but Raymond is too distracted to see it.

Leonard does. He sees the tiny pistol she's holding and where it's pointed, and he moves to her side, breathes into her ear, courting danger and knowing it.

"Sara," he tells her, again. "Sara, don't do it."

A muscle jumps in her jaw, but she ignores him.

Toward the front of the room, one of the Nazis translates for his superior. "There's a scientist on board who can make a bomb. Who is this man?"

"I don't know," Mulder tells him.

There's the distinct sound of a gun being cocked and much of the crowd gasps.

Sara doesn't even twitch. And she doesn't look at him. She moves a tiny bit, lining up her shot a little better. Leonard spares a glance. Raymond and Stein and Jax...they're still oblivious.

"Who contracted you to do this?" he asks her quietly. "Or is the League doing it on its own?"

Now she twitches. "How do you know..." A shake of her head. "No matter. I will do what I have to. And then I will take care of you."

Toward the front of the room: "Sag ihm, wir werden einen passagier umbringen fuer jede falsche antwort."

"You will answer the question or we will begin killing passengers," the translator says. "Which one is the scientist?"

"I don't know," Mulder says again.

"Schiess ihn."

A gun goes off. One of the passengers falls. Many of the rest are crying, horrified. Raymond looks shaken. Stein is talking to him, now, quickly. Jax is trying to see what's going on.

Sara, Leonard thinks, has her shot. But still, she doesn't take it.

"The Germans cannot get him," she says, as if to herself.

"Frag ihn, wie viele personen er sterben lasst," says the Nazi leader. "How many lives are you willing to sacrifice?" says his translator.

"None," Mulder tells him. But seconds later, there's another shot, more gasps and cries of terror.

The redhead, the same one Mulder had been bothering before, gets involved now. From what Leonard can tell, she gets right in the Nazi translator's face. "Stop! This man has no answers," she tells him fiercely. "You're killing innocent people to learn that he knows nothing!"

At a few words from the Nazi commander, the translator aims his gun right at her head. She glares at him. Leonard winces. The woman has nerve.

Mulder apparently can't take it, though. "I'll answer the question," he says, and then points down the first man the Nazis killed. "That man is the scientist."

An indrawn breath from Sara. Leonard leans toward her again.

"But he's not," he tells her fiercely. "I don't know if he's a distraction or a substitute or even if he thinks he's the one they're after, but he's not." He nods toward Stein. "He's the real Thor's Hammer, isn't he? And you think you have to kill him."

She looks at him now, and her eyes are distraught. "I have to," she tells him. "I have to save the future."

[hitsugayarose]

Tales of Team HAZL Chapter 1: Team Formation

Artemis’ POV:

           Today was the day I started at Beacon Academy. Well I got here yesterday; today is the day we get our teams. It’s weird I can’t find to many other Faunus around. Not like I was looking for them. I kept a hat over my ears and my tail tucked in my coat, as a Faunus I’m only supposed to have one animal trait but I have two because of my semblance. And that is a long story, the point of which I am a freak even for a Faunus. Buttoning my sleeve-less coat up over my jumper I put my weapon on the small of my back and put my waist bag on to put my skirt and jacket in incase I use my semblance. I made my cloths specifically for my semblance; a jumper with no back and no stomach that has a hole for my tail, and it comes down to form shorts, and made from a material that is easy to tear. My coat has no back around the shoulders and a low dip in the front so that part of my jumper can be seen from under it, and the coat only buttons down to the waist. From the waist to the floor is open, the front falls from my hips to the floor not coming around much past the left and right middle of my legs respectfully. There’s a long slit up the back that my tale can come through if I want, and for when I don’t want it to I can button the coat while my tail rests against my back out of sight. Finally I have a break away skirt that connects above and below my tail.

           Taking a deep breath I walk to the cliffs and get ready. Looking around I could see the Faunus boy from the cover band that plays at bar I work at, this should be interesting. I stand on one of the plates on the ground as professor Ozpin explains to us the rules. We’re going to be launched off the cliff and whomever we make eye contact with first shall be our partner.

           The platform launches me and I pull out my hand scythes and put them together to form a double bladed scythe- one blade on either end each blade pointing a different direction- and I fire off the gun to use the recoil to slow my decent until I make it to the ground. “Well that was easy,” I mutter.

           Looking around I see that I am the only one in the little clearing I found so I decide to walk to the direction of the ruins that the Professor had mentioned. A few Grimm came along during my walk but it was easy pickings. I hear another rustle in the bushes and I turn ready to attack when the boy from the bar steps out and we make eye contact. “Not you.” I sigh putting my weapon away, it folding up easily into a single riffle, hanging it back on my back.

The boy laughs and puts his hands behind his head holding a pair of drum sticks in his hands. “Guess we’re partners.” He grins. “Didn’t think it would be a cute girl.”

“Oh shut up Hyō.” The look of surprise on his face from my knowing his name was priceless.

“Do I know you?” He looks me over, then I can see when the lightbulb clicks. “Artemis?” He asks looking for my tail.

“Yes. What are you doing?”

“Where’s your tail?”

“Hidden. Not really looking forward to letting every human around here know I’m a Faunus.”

We start walking and he questions me. “Why, are you ashamed?”

“No of course not, I love my people and I am proud of what I am. It’s just that well, humans aren’t the most kind and though I don’t hate them I don’t really trust them all either. One too many hurtful words.”

“I get that.” He says looking away towards a noise. “What was that?”

I take a whiff of the air. “Smells like that girl from the cliffs who was wearing way too much perfume.”

He laughs. “I knew you were some kind of dog.”

“Just what every girl wants to hear.” I glare at him. “But close, white wolf. Not dog, same family though. She’s not in trouble. I don’t smell any Grimm around her.”

“Good nose.” He chuckles, “She didn’t have that much perfume on.”

“To me she does. And it didn’t even good smell. It’s cheap, real cheap.”

“Oh well you’re just full of compliments. And this is the same girl who just last night got an entire bar to dance?”

“Yes well dancing is fun, this is work, and you.” I shrug, “Still deciding. Just because-”

“Because you are desperately in love with me?” Hyō says wiggling his eyebrows.

Laughing. “You wish, I was going to say just because sometimes I sing with you and your little boy band sometimes doesn’t mean that we’re friends. Though if I was going to have anybody as my partner I would rather it be you than one of these people I don’t know.” I flash him a smile. “We better hurry to the ruins. We need to get that relic.”

“Agreed.” Hyō says and we run off. When we get there, we see a large a pedestal with stone figurines of Grimm on them.

Slowly I walk over and grab the Beowolf. “Looks like we’re the first ones here.” I say looking at the pedestals.

“Yeah…. Hey we’re not a boy band!” Hyō yells angry glaring at me.

I just start laughing gripping my sides as I bend over, “It took you that long to realize what I said?” I just kept laughing.

“It is not a boyband!” He says again arms crossed in front of his chest.

“It’s a band of all guys. It’s a boy band.” I finally stand up wiping a tear from my eyes.

He just shoots me a glare then we both look in the same direction. “Did you hear?” He asks tail perking up.

“Yeah you?” I took a deep sniff of the air and growl. “Grimm, a big one.”

I hear a scream and look to see a girl and a guy running out of the forest a Beowolf chasing them. The guy grabbed the girl and disappeared reappearing in the trees above the Beowolf with a loud popping sound. The creature confused heads towards Hyō and I. He flicks his drumsticks forward and they turn into billy clubs with metal balls at the ends by the elbows, in a flash he scooped me up and got me out of the way of the charging Grimm. He set me down again on the outskirts of the forest and I took out my weapon putting the statue in my bag.

Flicking my scythes, they transform from the gun to the two hand scythes. “Hey, you two in the tree, there is another one coming from the left. Take care of that one and Hyō and I will take care of this one. Careful, there is a group of students close by. Their path is going to intercept with the Grimm.”

“Sure.” The guy stands and with another pop he and the girl are both on the ground next to Hyō and I.

The Beowolf starts charging towards our group and I shoot at it while Hyō carries me off to the side along the edge of the forest. In its anger it starts following us. When Hyō stops I step in front of him combining my weapon and, shooting off the gun in the back, I’m propelled forward and using the momentum I swing my scythe slashing the Beowolf. At the last moment of impact I activate my semblance my arms growing fur and, giving me the strength of a wolf, I’m able to cut it in half. Landing on my feet I stop my semblance before it can take over and my arms go back to normal. Looking over at the other two they already handled the other Beowolf. The pair then went over and grabbed one of the statues and we headed back to the school without waiting for the other students.

Once all the students were done and paired up we gathered in the assembly room for Ozpin to give us our groups.

“Artemis, Hyō, Zara, and Levi. You will form team HAZL lead by Artemis.” Ozpin said and I froze.

I didn’t want to lead a team, I just left the white fang I just want to lay low and help the world. Guess this can’t be changed, oh well I can’t let them down.

We walked off the stage and headed to our assigned dorm room and unpacked. I leaned back on my bed and took a book off my book shelf.

“Shouldn’t we, like, get to know each other better?” Zara asked. She was a pretty girl, her hair was a soft pink and her eyes a pretty shade of green. She had on shorts and tank top tucked in, and from what I can remember he weapon was a rifle that doubled as an ax.

“Yeah that’s a good idea since we have to work together as a team for the next three years.” Levi said. He was a little taller than I and his skin was dark. He had on a tee shirt and jeans, and his weapon was a glass sword with some kind of gem around it that used dust.

“I guess so.” I closed my book and put it back. “I’m Artemis.”

“And I’m Hyō.” Hyō said shaking his dark hair out of his face.

“We already know each others names. I mean something more personal.” Zara pouted.

“Well I’m a Faunus,” Hyō said his, tail smacking me in the back of the head as he set on my bed next to me. I grabbed it and pulled and he yelped in pain and glared at me. “And she is a bitch.” I chuckle and smack his shoulder.

“That’s not nice!” Zara wines.

“I’m not entirely wrong. I’m also in a cover band. We perform at the Tails Beer bar downtown on weekends.”

“What he neglects to say is that it’s a boy band.” I say as I dodge his tail before it hits me again.

“Do you two already know each other?” Levi asks.

“Yeah I work as a waitress and a DJ at the same bar.” I say.

“And as a hype to the crowd. She gets them to dance.” Hyō cuts in.

“I can talk about myself by myself if I want to Hyō.” I kick him off my bed and he lands on his butt on the floor. “What about you two?”

“Well I come from a small village and I wanted adventure. So I came here.” Zara says. “I like clubs and love to fight.”

“I like to fight too, it’s a rush when you have a good fight.” Levi says. “And the more people I fight the more semblances I can collect.”

“Excuse me?” We all say staring at him.

“My semblance’s name is Collection. I can ‘collect’ the semblances of people that I have defeated. Though I’m only good at the ones I use the most.” Levi explains shrugging while slouching in his chair.

“Well don’t collect my semblance.” I say. “Trust me.”

He cocks his head but just shrugs and we all continue talking. By the end of the night we know a lot about each other. From basic stuff like favorite color to the reason why we are all here. Though I didn’t tell them that I was a faunus, that is something I don’t want them to know yet.