Playing For Keeps - Ch 37 (Adv.) - Birds of a Feather (Patreon)

My eyes opened at precisely midnight, just in time to hear the door open. Awakening from the sleep timer never left me groggy, but I was still waking up somewhere unfamiliar. Consequently I had Dawn Cracker drawn from my [Inventory] and leveled at the door before I mentally caught up and remembered I was in Taiyang’s guest room.

Qrow had paused in the doorway, and remained still until I lowered the gun and collapsed it again. When I did, he grunted, “Good, you’re up. Let’s go.”

Nodding silently, I quickly remade the bed, then equipped my Combat armor set and shrugged on my Handy Haversack before following him downstairs. Zwei glanced up from his bed as we passed, docked tail wagging softly, and I took a moment to pet him. He rolled over for belly rubs immediately.

…I might be more of a cat person, but damn that’s adorable. I indulged the good boy briefly, before following Qrow out into the darkness.

“C’mon,” he said shortly, and immediately began picking his way through the woods in complete silence.

Right, he taught Stealth and Security. Since we were outside, [Woodcraft] was passively reducing my movement noise by almost half, but I activated [Stealth] as well to render myself almost as quiet as Qrow as I followed. Although if I couldn’t sense his Aura, I’d probably have lost him in the dark by now.

We walked for about twenty minutes before the trees began to thin, watery light from the shattered moon filtering down through the branches above. Remnant’s moon — which I had never heard anyone give a name for — was far larger in the sky than would be comfortable on Earth. It also wasn’t tidal-locked like Luna was to Earth, meaning it rotated independently from its orbit and didn’t always show the same face toward the planet. The entire moon was always full, too, not counting the missing chunk. Remnan astronomers disagreed on whether this was due to its orbit being eccentric enough to always be fully lit by the sun at night, or if the moon itself produced enough light on its own to always be visible.

It probably says something about this world that the latter is a legitimate possibility, but considering the thing was probably literally hand-made by one of the so-called gods…

Tonight, the moon was Cored, meaning the shattered side was directly facing Remnant, roughly the equivalent of a Terran New moon since it was the opposite of Full. There wasn’t much immediate visual difference from an actual Full moon, but sharp eyes or a good telescope could spot the larger chunks blocking the view of the main surface.

I kept looking upward as I drew my sword and flicked it out to decapitate a maskless Beowolf that was trying to sneak up on me.

Qrow glanced back as I slid the blade back into the bandolier. “You really do have good instincts.”

I shrugged. “I can sense Aura. It’s not that much harder to sense the opposite.”

Was I being remarkably open about my capabilities with Qrow? Perhaps. I still wasn’t planning on sharing the full truth like I had with my sisters, but the man was supposed to be training me, and that meant he needed to know more or less what I could actually do even if I didn’t explain how I could do it all.

We kept walking toward the edge of a cliff, where I could hear waves far below, and eventually came to a stop beside a small, flat stone. Qrow reached into his vest, where I knew he kept his flask, but didn’t pull it out. He didn’t speak for a long moment, just staring at the smooth stone. The emblem of a burning rose engraved on it, extremely familiar to me as Ruby always wore it on her belt, made me realize where we were.

“When true hearts lie wither'd. / And fond ones are flown, / Oh! who would inhabit / This bleak world alone?” I murmured.

Qrow shot me an unreadable look. “That’s a pretty obscure poem. I’d never heard of it until Ozpin recited it to Summer and I, once upon a time when we were in school.”

I considered quipping about having ‘approximate knowledge of many things’ again, but the tone didn’t feel right. Instead I shrugged. “I don’t know how I know half of what I know, much less what’s common or not.”

Qrow seemed to consider that as he looked back at the cenotaph. When he spoke again, he changed the subject entirely. “If you’re gonna be working with us, the way Oz seems to be hoping, you should really have an idea what you’re getting into. You pieced together about Salem’s existence, but he didn’t tell you about the origin of the Grimm, did he?”

“The Tale of the Two Brothers?” I guessed. “He didn’t, but his segue to telling me about Amber was to ask me about fairy tales, so I took some time to find the oldest ones I could. I take it that one’s true as well?”

Qrow tilted a hand in a so-so gesture. “It’s probably got some truth in it, but there’s no way to be completely sure. Well, not unless the gods come back.”

“Not sure I’d trust anything they had to say,” I hummed, looking out over the horizon. I’d always loved the beach. “Personally, I’d have some sharp words for any god responsible for creating Grimm.”

“You’d get yourself smited,” Qrow snorted.

“Hey, if the gods were responsible for free will, then they brought this on themselves. ‘Decide’ is only one letter away from ‘deicide’, after all,” I smirked.

We both fell silent for another long moment as Qrow continued to pay his respects at his teammates’ grave.

Finally, as it was nearing one in the morning by the clock on my HUD, I asked, “What the hell are we doing out here, Qrow? And what’s our actual mission?”

“I told you the mission at dinner,” he said evasively.

“And you were clearly holding something back, so spit it out.”

“Hmph, I guess I should stop being impressed that you’re this sharp. What I didn’t mention before is: That contact who missed his check-in? You remember Leo from the meeting?”

“Shit.” Just like that, all my mirth fell away. “That’s not good.” Though it does explain the Bonus Objective on the quest.

“It’s not good at all,” Qrow agreed grimly. “School’s in session; Leo should be in his damn office. If he’s not answering, either he’s not there, which means something’s wrong… or he’s ducking calls.”

“Which also means something’s wrong,” I finished. “So how do we get there from here?”

Qrow glanced at me, then looked away. Rather than answer immediately, he said, “You obviously know the importance of infosec, but I need to stress that if you’re going to stay as my apprentice, there are some things you’re gonna see that you cannot mention to anyone. And I mean anyone, ever. Get me?”

I opened my mouth to make a sarcastic remark, then paused and used [Observe].

[Name: Qrow Branwen][LV 69 (???)][Title: Drunkle (???)][Race: Human (Atavist)][Age: 42][Job: Master Huntsman][Class: Swashbuckler][Semblance: Misfortune][Stats: 179 STR, 117 CON, 243 DEX, 132 INT, 23 WIS, 131 CHA][Background: Born along with his twin sister Raven to a bandit tribe now known as the Branwen Tribe. The two enrolled in Combat School and Hunting Academy to learn how to combat Hunters so as to protect the tribe, but Qrow found friends and purpose outside of banditry and refused to return. Maternal and honorary uncle to Yang Xiao Long and Ruby Rose, respectively.][Emotions: Hesitation, hope][Relationship: Mentor.][Status: Cursed – Outcast’s Curse (Moderate)]

[Observe has increased by 1!]

Making a mental note to examine that status another time, since he was the first other person I’d seen who was cursed, I went with my gut and gave him a serious nod. Irreverent as I often was, trust had always been a big deal to me. “I understand.”

Qrow seemed to believe me, because he turned to face Summer’s grave again. He took a deep breath, pursed his lips, and whistled a short tune; three rising notes, repeated faster and faster.

I had just enough time to think, Is that the fucking Song of Soaring? before a few motes of red and blackish energy appeared before us, swirling larger and larger. The result was an opaque oval hanging unsupported in the air. It gave no sign of where it came from or where it led… but considering who I was with, it was pretty unmistakably a portal.

“Go on,” Qrow gestured me forward. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Taking a deep breath — and activating [Aura] and [Bear’s Endurance] for good measure — I stepped through.

There was no sense of movement or time lost; as soon as my eyes crossed the portal’s threshold, I was simply somewhere else, as easily as stepping from one room into another through a thin curtain.

Rather than grass, I was now standing on wooden boards covered by a few rich carpets. Sashes, tapestries, and giant feathers hanging from the walls didn’t conceal the fact that this was clearly a large tent, rather than a permanent structure, but my attention was naturally fixed on the woman sitting seiza on a silk cushion at a low table.

Even without the name tag over her head, I knew who she was. Hell, I could probably have figured it out even without my memories of the show. She was a dead ringer for Yang, after all, right down to the volume of hair and color of her eyes.

‹???›LV ???Raven Branwen

She was wearing an extremely short, kimono-style black dress with red sleeves and a red obi sash. Thigh high socks rising from knee-high boots didn’t quite meet a pleated black skirt, but I wasn’t exactly in a mood to be titillated. Attractive as she might have been, what I knew of her attitude was a major turn-off, and that was setting aside the fact that she was sitting well within range of [Detect Magic]. She was already the Spring Maiden.

For her part, the Raven’s red eyes were fixed right back on me, one eyebrow raised in sardonic curiosity. Her hands never stopped honing the thin red blade of the odachi laid across her knees, and I had to stop my own fingers from closing on the hilt of the Family Sword. I trust Qrow, I reminded myself. I will not be the one to open hostilities. Even if they’re probably inevitable in any world where she and I continue to interact.

True to his word, Qrow followed through the portal right on my heels, immediately laying a hand on my shoulder and steering me toward the exit. “Thanks,” he threw over his shoulder.

“Is that all you have to say, brother?” Raven’s voice was lower than Yang’s, but smooth and surprisingly charismatic, especially in comparison with Qrow’s rough demeanor.

Qrow’s fingers tightened on my shirt in frustration, but he obligingly paused just inside the tent’s flap. “What do you want.”

“A girl can’t just catch up with her family?”

“You could, but you’re not,” Qrow sighed. “If you’re gonna ask me to come back to this pack of murderers, don’t waste both our time.”

“Yes, because your hands are completely clean of blood.” I could practically hear Raven’s eyeroll. “Your true home will be waiting for you, Qrow. No, I want to know who it is you’ve brought with you, and why I should allow him to live long enough to step outside and learn where to find us.”

Qrow didn’t respond, and the rasp of the whetstone paused.

“Turn around,” Raven ordered.

Qrow still didn’t let me go, so I took a deliberate step toward the flap of the tent, pulling him with me. “Let’s go,” I said, “We’ve got work to do.”

He pulled me to a stop just before I could leave. “She really will kill you,” he said softly.

“I know,” I replied. “But she just said she wants you to come back, and pissing you off by killing me in front of you would be counter to that goal. Ergo, until she can find some deniability, she’s bluffing.”

Both twins were silent for a moment, before Raven said, “Cleverer than you look, aren’t you, boy? But what’s to stop me from dumping you both back on Patch?”

Recognizing we wouldn’t be getting out of here without at least a conversation, I exchanged [Bear’s Endurance] for [Eagle’s Splendor] and turned around, bowing in Animan style. Kill ‘em with kindness. “I’m more polite, too. Sorry for the intrusion.”

Sure enough, Raven was on her feet, the sword she’d been working on held loosely at her side. She wasn’t as tall as Qrow and I, but even without being able to see her level I was sure that if it came to a fight, it would take both of us to match her. “I don’t think a polite guest would be planning to leave so soon.”

Oh, you don’t want to play passive-aggressive with me, bitch, I’ve worked retail.

I smiled blandly. “As I was not greeted nor offered refreshment, I took the hint that I wasn’t welcome.”

A momentary tightening of her jaw betrayed her annoyance, but she sheathed her sword and clapped, calling out, “Vernal, bring some tea for four.”

Huh, did not expect her to call that bluff. By the looks of it, neither had Qrow, to judge by his gobsmacked expression.

An Aura, presumably Vernal’s, was approaching the tent from outside, so I shrugged off Qrow’s hand and knelt down opposite Raven’s original seat. “My apologies again for the sudden intrusion, I know it’s quite early.”

“Not at all. It’s quite late where you just came from, after all,” Raven countered. “Both of you, please make yourselves at home.” Her gaze was fixed on Qrow as she said it, and his annoyance was almost palpable as he stalked over to take the seat to my left.

Before I could reply again, the flap of the tent was pulled back by a blue-eyed young woman with pixie-cut brown hair, wearing a vest and carrying a tray with a tea set. She also wore pants with one leg cuffed up to her thigh and a leather choker.

‹Even The Trees Are Deceived›LV 62Vernal

Hmm, I seem to recall that wasn’t her real name, but I guess the Game always has shown me people’s preferred names.

“Thank you, Vernal,” Raven said, gesturing at the remaining cushion. “Join us. This is Qrow, my dear little brother, and…” She trailed off, looking at me expectantly, no doubt thinking she’d verbally cornered me, considering Qrow’s earlier reluctance to give her my name.

“Jaune,” I finished easily. Honestly, my face is pretty recognizable with the scars, and I keep making the news dealing with the Named. I reached into my Handy Haversack, causing Vernal to flick a weapon into her hand, but she stood down at a gesture from Raven. Once she had, I retrieved a container of gingersnap cookies. “Here, a small token from a guest.”

“My, how polite,” Raven drawled. “Vernal, pour for us.”

Vernal did so silently, though she was eyeing both Qrow and I alternately. A quick [Observe] told me the tea was stolen but not poisoned, so I took a sip to be polite before pointedly eating one of my own cookies. Qrow, busy meeting Vernal’s aggressive gaze, didn’t reach for either.

“Now, I’ll ask again,” Raven said, finally kneeling down again herself. Her voice turned sharp and demanding. “Why are you here, and why should I let you leave?”

“Dispensing with the pleasantries already, are we?” I asked rhetorically. “That didn’t take long.” None of you would survive a day working in support.

“Who do you think you are, talking to her like that?” Vernal demanded.

I gave her a flat look, then turned back to Raven and said, “I think someone needs walkies.”

Qrow smirked, and Raven’s lips twitched, though she quickly suppressed it.

Vernal slammed a fist on the table. “What’s that supposed to mean!?”

I glanced pointedly at the obvious collar around her neck. “From the way she orders you around, I assume you’d be used to people recognizing that you’re her pet.”

Vernal gritted her teeth, but didn’t retort. Huh, was I actually right?

“I’m still waiting on an answer,” Raven said into the silence. “I suggest you speak up before I decide you’re a threat to us and remove you, regardless of my brother’s feelings.”

I gave her a flat look. “I’m here to go Hunting. You know, that thing that used to be your job before you abandoned your duty along with your family?” I took another sip of tea, slurping deliberately.

Was that wise? Probably not, but if she’s not going to play nice then neither am I.

The metaphorical temperature in the tent seemed to plummet, but despite her obvious fury Raven didn’t immediately attack me. “You seem to be mistaken; unlike my brother, I returned to my family.”

“Your daughter will be interested to hear that, I’m sure.” I set the teacup down and braced.

At this point, I was pretty sure the only reason Raven wasn’t swinging was that she considered me beneath her. Or maybe it was because she knew Vernal wouldn’t stand for her being insulted, because a second later a serrated wind-and-fire blade had snapped open and the point was driving toward my throat.

I could probably tank the hit, but I caught her wrist instead, my passive STR enough to stop her without needing to activate [Aura]. I frowned at Raven. “You should warn guests that your dog isn’t housebroken.”

Growling in fury, Vernal drew a second blade with her other hand, but I stood up and twisted, throwing her over my hip and back out the flap of the tent.

Turning back to the table, I sketched a short bow. “I’m unimpressed with your hospitality, so I’ll take my leave.”

As I was turning, though, Raven said, “You only answered one of my questions. Why should I let you leave here alive?”

Vernal’s soul was rushing back at me, so I took a moment to deploy my shield and catch both of her blades on it before I answered. The fake Maiden took a few potshots, which I blocked contemptuously, then tried to kick the bottom of my shield to break my guard. Unfortunately for her, Indigo had pulled that trick on me far too often, and I simply twisted with the motion, grabbing her wrist again and dragging her past me. Rather than a throw, this time I tripped her, twisting her arms behind her and planting a knee in her back.

Vernal thrashed under me, but I outmassed her easily twice over and even Aura-enhanced strength was worthless without leverage. Glancing back up at the bandit chief, I replied, “How about because I can sense the Aura of everyone within half a klick, and the only one I’m not confident in thrashing is you. That’s how you do shit around here, right?”

Raven’s eyebrow rose again, but she took a moment to look at my shield, which still had the Family Sword sheathed in it, then at Vernal, pinned down and fuming, before meeting my eye again. “It is. The weak die, the strong live. Those are the rules. As a matter of fact, you’ve just proved yourself worthy to join us.”

“Considering you hold exactly the same philosophy as the Grimm, your approval fills me with disgust,” I told her flatly. “Either toss us back to Vale already or call off your dog so we can leave.”

Raven’s eyes narrowed, but she said, “Vernal, enough.”

She subsided, still growling, and I stood up, retracting my shield and retrieving my Handy Haversack and cookies. Vernal pushed herself up slowly, backing away rather than stop facing me until she was behind Raven.

“Since we’ve moved on to being blunt with one another: it hasn’t been a pleasure and I hope we never meet again,” I said with another sarcastic bow.

“You’d better hope not; you won’t be so lucky next time!” said Vernal.

“Yes, clearly you were going easy on me.” I didn’t break eye contact with Raven, though I could see Vernal’s face flaming with humiliation out of the corner of my eye. “I can see just how strong your tribe is, slaughtering civilians and hiding behind you whenever actual opposition appears.”

“I’m reaching the limits of my patience,” Raven informed me coldly. “Leave.”

“What a coincidence, so am I.” Meeting Qrow’s eye as he also got to his feet, I stalked out of the tent.

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Name: Jaune ArcLevel: 59 (Next: 67.87%)Title: Academy StudentRace: HumanAge: 18Job: Beacon StudentClass: PaladinSemblance: The GamerHP: 7834/7834MP: 4335/4335STR: 222 (100)CON: 274 (101)DEX: 155 (53)INT: 133 (50)WIS: 110 (52)CHA: 148 (52)Points: 102Money: 953,788LStatus: Cursed – Yellow Death [High]

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A/N: If you’re enjoying this story, feel free to check out my discord server at https://discord.gg/H6V854Fvbg

Seriously, Remnant’s moon makes no fucking sense until you remember we’re talking about gods and magic. Aside from the fact that the chunks shouldn’t stay there like they do, it’s way too big in the sky to not affect the tides and even the gravitational center of the planet a lot more than it seems to.Remnant’s moon doesn’t wax and wane, so the four phases (at least in this story) are Full, Left, Cored, and Right (the directions corresponding to which side of the moon appears whole).

I took a few liberties with the description of Raven’s outfit. Unlike my planned tweaks to Ruby’s outfit — spoilers ;) — this isn’t really a plot point, it’s just to make her a bit less difficult to describe.

I also took a stab at Raven’s height based on stills from V5. She’s taller than Vernal (or Yang, who is the same height as Vernal at 5’8”) but shorter than Mercury (who is allegedly 5’10”). The art from Jr Detectives also shows her standing even with Winter, who is 5’9” in her usual boots, so I rolled with it.

I’m probably not nailing Vernal’s personality quite right, so let’s just say that Jaune’s attitude is instinctively pissing her off, and his disrespect toward Raven is making her lose her cool instantly.