Team AERO: Chapter XII

Sun has long since broken into your team's room, but it's taken you until now to properly notice it.

[Sleep longer, you earned it.]
[Get up, you've got a debriefing and stuff!]

Screw the sun! You earned this rest. You shut your brain back off as your bury your head deeper into the fluffy warmth of your pillow.

…

Your tail twitches as the loud noises of people moving about finally penetrate your slumber.

[You should probably join them.]
[Naaah.]

You turn onto your back before sitting up and yawning. You look around. Everyone else is up, though Crystal is the only one that's ready for the day. "Morning."

Oliver nods.

Regalia gives a slight wave, "Good morning."

Crystal sighs, "About time you lot woke up."
You check your scroll quick.

[9:39]

You swipe.

[Mission Bounty (20000L) Deposited to Student Account]

Woah, what?! You got paid for that?! Nice!

You slip out of bed and into the bathroom to begin your routine. You haven't had a shower in three days. Gross.

You're in the middle of scrubbing your hair when it hits you.

Alabaster gave you today off.

Today's Saturday.

You finish up your routine before exiting the bathroom.

"Are we going to talk to Alabaster, or should we get breakfast first?" Crystal asks you.

[Alabaster.]
[Food.]

"Breakfast." You say as Regalia slips past you to go into the bathroom. You can't help but notice the bottom of her breasts grazing your wet hair as she does so.

You go back to your bed and play on your scroll for a bit while Regalia and Oliver get ready.

Alright. You've almost got your new high score. You just need to-

[New Message]

[Panic and try to get back to the game before you die.]
[Read it.]

You quickly swipe it aside and resume your game. Holy crap, you almost-

Lost. Dammit.

[Try again.]
[Maybe read the text.

You open the text.

[Phyl: u guys c alabaster yet? not in office]

[Tell her you just got up.]
[Tell her you can't find him either.]
[??]

[We just got up.]

[Phyl: 4 real? how did u slackers beat us? lmao]
[Phyl: let me no if u c him]

[K.]

You look up. Your team looks ready to go.

[Cafeteria's probably still serving.]
[Go to town.]

"Let's just go to the cafeteria."

You lead your team there and grab breakfast. Good thing they serve late on weekends.

You eat your food with your team.

"So, when are we going to see Alabaster?" Regalia asks.

"Well.. Phyllis said they tried, but he wasn't in his office." You reply.

"Huh. Wonder where he is." Oliver says, half to himself.

"Well, can't we find him?" Crystal asks.

[Sure. (How?)]
[Nah. Just wait outside the door until he arrives.]
[Nah. Wait until Monday.]
[??]

"I still have his number." You say as you take out your scroll.

[Professor, when and where did you want to meet us?]

You hold it in your hand a while before going back to your meal. You finish up just as your scroll goes off.

[My office. Noon.]

It's 10:17.

[Go back to the dorm.]
[Hit the rec center (for what?.]
[Just hang around the cafeteria, maybe get lunch in an hour, who knows?]
[??]

You head back to your dorm to chill for a bit.

You sit at the edge of your bed as your team spreads out to their beds.

[Anything you wanna say?]

You take out your scroll and open the pictures you took yesterday.

"Hey, Crystal. What do you make of this?" You hand her your scroll.

She looks at it for a while before shrugging and giving it back. "I don't know. But I suspect Alabaster will let us know later."

The rest of the time passes quickly enough. You check your scroll.

[11:40]

[Head to Alabaster's office.]
[Skip it.]

You lead your team to Alabaster's office, skipping the whole way. No one joins you.

"At least no one's here on weekends." Crystal mutters as she shakes her head.

You get to Alabaster's office.

[Knock.]
[Just go in, he's expecting you.]
[??]

You knock.

You hear a muffled "Who is it?"

"It's Team AERO, sir!" You raise your voice so that it penetrates the door.

"Come in!"

You open the door. Alabaster is sitting at his desk. It doesn't look like he's slept since you saw him last.

"Close the door behind you." He says without looking up from his papers.

Oliver comes in last and closes the door as you move inside.

He looks lost in his paperwork.

[Wait for him to speak.]
[Start this party. (How?)]

You wait for a few minutes before he looks up.

He takes out the overly large scroll from your first day and places it upright on the desk.

It looks like video of the VCD and a bunch of those soldiers laying on the ground.

"What are we looking at, sir?" Crystal asks.

"The clearing moments after your transports took off." He says.

The VDC are spreading out until one raises his rifle and starts yelling. He yells for a bit until a large man takes his place in the frame and he flies through a tree.

The other soldiers open fire, but no one lands a solid hit, and they all get taken out.

"What.. Why are you showing this to us?" Regalia asks.

"To show you who we're dealing with. We don't have a wealth of information on them, but we know that they are powerful." Alabaster says calmly before taking the scroll back.

"Regardless, I must thank you for your bold action and sacrifice. Without you, Professor Marble might not be alive, or worse. Their attack on Vacuo might not have stopped."

"Vacuo thanks you. Now. Unless you have any questions, you're free to go."

[Questions.]
[Leave.]

"What has Professor Marble told you?"

"Professor Marble has yet to fully recover and wake up. The doctors insist he'll be fine though, so don't worry."

"Can you keep us updated, especially about the guy we captured?"

"I'll do my best. He seems.. cooperative, at least. Though he seems to not understand the mission of his.. 'employers.' It seems he only maintained the machines underground."

"Did everyone on the team get paid, or do I have to pay them?"

"Equal payment was sent to each of your accounts. Team PINK as well. Will that be all?"

"Yes, thank you, sir."

You head out into the hall with your team. Looks like you have the rest of the weekend to yourself.

[Go to town. (For what/where?)]
[Dorm.]
[Rec Center]
[Training]
[??]

"Hey, you guys wanna come with me to town? I was gonna use the money from our mission to upgrade my weapon." You say.

Oliver shrugs, "Sure."

"We'd be happy to accompany you~" Regalia says.

"Which one are you getting?" Crystal asks.

[Bolt Action Mod]
[Semi-Auto Replacement]
[Shop around some more.]
[??]

"I'm gonna shop around a little first, just in case." You say as your team heads towards the transports.

It lands in the commercial district and you head towards the market. There it is, Morty's Mods.

You step inside the tent and Morty is there to greet you.

"Ah, if it isn't Ms. Layaway."

[Ask about the bolt-action mod]
[Look for something else.]

You look over his selection once again. There isn't anything new in stock.

You turn to leave, "Thank you, but I won't be getting that mod."

You think you can hear him swearing at you, but you're already back in the crowded streets.

Where to?

[That weaponsmith.]
[Parent's house.]
[Back to Shade.]
[??]

You head in the direction of the weaponsmith, taking the same street you used to get there the first time. You lead your team for a while until Oliver stops. It's the ally that guy tried to recruit you and Regalia in.

"What's wrong?" Crystal asks him.

He shakes his head, "Nothing." But his focus on a point in the ally.

[Keep moving.]
[Ask what's up.]
[??]

You keep moving and reach the end of the block. It's only one more from here. You cross the street and walk down the lines of houses until you reach the weaponsmith's. You check your scroll quick. He's open.

[Knock.]
[Open the door and yell.]
[??]

You knock on the door and wait a moment. The large man answers once more.

"Ah. Ez tiny hunter once more. Are you ere fer upgrade now?"

[Yes.]
[No.]
[Got anything else?]

"Got anything else?"

He thinks for a moment. "I make new weapon with semi automatic barrel, improve spear and compression.. 75,000 lien."

[??]

"I'll just take the upgrade, thanks."

He nods, "Ya want should I do it now? Take fer hour."

[Yes.]
[No.]

"Yes, please." You hand him your weapon.

He takes it and starts to close the door, "Come back en fer hours."

He closes the door on you.

Well, now what?

[Parent's house]
[Park.]
[Somewhere else?]
[??]

"Do you guys want to go anywhere? Otherwise we could swing by my parents' and have them make us a picnic for the park."

"That sounds like a lovely idea~" Regalia says.

"Yea, let's do that." Oliver says.

Crystal shrugs then nods.

You walk the couple blocks to your parents' house before running up to the door.

[Knock.]
[Go in and announce your presence.]
[??]

You knock. Nothing.

You knock again. Nothing.

You ring the doorbell and knock. Nothing.

[Go in, you have a key.]
[Just go get food from a stand or something.]
[??]

You quickly find your house key and unlock the door. You open it and step inside.

"Hello?" You wait. Nothing.

[Check the house.]
[Leave.]
[??]

You decide to check the house and move further inside.

"Mom? Dad? Anyone here?" You ask as your team follows you inside.

You look around the first floor but don't see anything until you get to the kitchen. There's a note on the table.

[Aero,
If you came home this weekend, we went to visit your aunt. If you didn't and you're reading this while we're here, please disregard.
-Dad]

Classic dad.

"Looks like we're on our own for food, guys." You say to your team.

[Raid your parents' home of all edible items, and some non-edible items.]
[Just make some sandwiches or something for the picnic.]
[Leave and go get your own food.]

You are young, growing hunters and you need your food, dammit.

You open the fridge and start tossing food onto the table, leftovers and all.

Your team watches as you move to the cupboard and take out all the crackers and chips. You take out the noodles and rice, pouring the boxes into massive pans of water on the stove.

You take the breads, meats, cheeses, peanut butter, jelly, spreads and veggies and craft a mountain of sandwiches of multiple varieties.

You strain the noodles, cover the rice and set pans of sauces on the stove to heat and make. You slice meats and veggies and stir them in before pouring them over the grains.

Then you pack it all up and look at your team who has silently stared at you with drooling mouths.

"Can you guys grab this, I'll go get us a blanket from upstairs."

They work on splitting the load as you skip up the stairs before opening the closet and securing a blanket. Nothing too fancy that it can't get dirty, but nothing to old that it looks bad.

You hop down the stairs and look at your team carrying all the food.

[Anything else before you lock up?]

You rush back inside and flip the note over, writing with a nearby pen.

[Thanks for the food! -Aero]

You go back outside and lock the house before leading your team to the park.

You pick out a nice spot half in the sun and half in the shade of a tree to spread the blanket out before helping your team unload the food.

You dig in and start eating.

[Conversations?]
[Just eat.]

"Crystal, Oliver, I just wanted to thank you again. You did awesome out there yesterday, so let's dedicate this picnic to you two! Regalia already got her praise and reward~"

You causally bite into a sandwich as your team pauses.

"W-what?" Regalia says as her cheeks start to flush.

Oliver chuckles before filling his mouth with food.

Crystal just shakes her head, "Honestly."

[???]
[Just eat like nothing happened.]

You chew your sandwich with the utmost casualness. "Something wrong~?" You ask Regalia.

She shakes her red face before joing the others in the feast.

You spend the next hour or so eating and chatting.

You're just enjoying the calmness of park when you notice Oliver is staring at a tree with a slight squint.

[Ask what's up.]
[Let him be.]
[??]

You lean over and poke Oliver's knee while Regalia and Crystal are distracted. You give him a questioning look.

He shakes his head and grabs a handful of chips before going back to relaxing.

You lay down on the shady end of the blanket, watching the clouds through the tree.

Before you know it, Regalia is laying next to you. She's on her side, turned towards you. It certainly accentuates her sleek, yet shapely form.

She leans in, whispering softly yet sternly, "Don't think I'll let you get away with that~"

[Lil J Weiss]
[Just nod.]
[??]

"T-that's what I'm hoping for."

She puts a finger on your lips, her voice growing even quieter, yet more fierce, "You're going to regret that~"

Before you can open your mouth, the sirens begin to sound. People in the park quickly panic and run, leaving your team standing on your family's blanket.

"What should we do?" Crystal asks you.

You don't have a weapon.

[??]

"I'm sure they'll be fine without us. Besides, Alabaster gave us the day off right?" You chuckle.

"Well.. You're not wrong.." Crystal says before sitting back down.

The sirens quickly die down.

"See nothing to worry about." You say as you restart your picnic. Most of the food is gone, but there's plenty of chips and crackers and such.

[Eat some more.]
[Go back to cloud watching.]
[Pack it up and go to your parent's.]
[??]

"We should probably get this stuff back to my parent's." You start cleaning up, and your team pitches in as well. There's certainly less to carry this time around.

You walk back to your house and unlock the door before putting the uneaten food away and the dishes in the sink.

"We've still got some time before your weapon's ready. What should we do until then~?" Regalia asks you.

[Stay here.]
[Back to the park.]
[Walk around town.]
[??]

"Let's see if there's anything on TV about the siren." You say before moving to the living room.

You hop on the couch and everyone joins you. Thankfully, it's a big couch. Regalia is to your right, with Olver on her other side. Crystal is to your left.

You pick the remote from the coffee table and turn it on. The holoscreen activates and you quickly switch to the news.

"-nd authorities are still investigating the cause for the siren, though official word is that it was likely a rare glitch in the program that runs the detection system and that no Grimm have made it through either the automatic defenses or the hunting parties sent out as a result of the attacks two days ago into last night. Now Roscoe Thunderpants with the weather."

"Well, at least we didn't worry over nothing." Oliver says.

"Indeed." Crystal mutters.

[Keep the news on.]
[Change it.]
[Do something else.]

You start flipping through the channels. Eventually you end back up at the news, but now you know what's on.

[News]
[X-Ray and Vav: The Series: The Movie]
[Some crime drama series about a group of Beacon students.]
[Some war film about a Vacuoan soldier and his team.]
[Magenta vs Indigo]
[Turn off the TV.]

You flip to Magenta vs. Indigo. A classic comedy about a bunch of losers in a box canyon that end up nearly destroying the universe, yet save it in the process.

You lean back as the next episode begins.

[Just watch.]
[Quickly get the leftover picnic snacks from kitchen.]
[Do.. other things? (what?)]
[Turn the tv off.]
[??]

You sit back and watch as the color coordinated teams exchange banter and bullets with each other and others. Your tail is between you and Crystal, and your hands over time move to give the bushy appendage a few gentle strokes as you enjoy the show.

[Just watch the show.]
[????]

You swish your tail over idly as you enjoy the show, laying it between you and Regalia. You're watching the show as her long, soft fingers slowly plant themselves on your tail before giving it a long, slow pet.

[aslkdfjlsdjf]
[(Jeremy Weiss Noise)]
[Don't give in.]
[????]

You take in a breath as her hands caress your soft fur. You focus on the show. Why are they there in that canyon? Does god exist? Why doesn't the blue one let the cyan one use the sniper rifle? So many questions.

Regalia gets bored eventually as your iron will holds just long enough to frustrate the spider-girl. She folds her arms under her ample chest and leans back to watch the show.

You watch a few episodes and time passes.

[Stay and watch the season finale.]
[Go see if your weapon is done.]
[???]

You lean over, your hand gently stroking the neck of the normally towering woman. You whisper, "I didn't say stop~"

Crystal audibly groans from next to you as Regalia's face starts to redden.

"Well, you're lucky we have company~" She says softly as the blush slowly fades from her cheeks.

"So why are they in the canyon again?" Oliver asks, seemingly oblivous.

[Weapon.]
['Somewhere private'?]
["Well, Oliver, ..."]
[???]

"I'll tell you on the way to get my weapon." You say to Oliver as you shut off the tv.

Your team follows you through the streets as you discuss the deep lore of MvI. However each explanation requires further explanation until you reach the weaponsmith's, where you finally give up.

[Knock.]
[Go in.]
[??]

You knock on the door. It takes a moment, but the man answers.

"Come back for weapon, eh? I just finish." He holds your weapon out for you.

You take your weapon. It's a bit heavier, and the balance is different from before. It might take some getting used to.

[-10 Weapon Use.]

On the plus side, the magazine slides out easy and fast, which will make reloading and firing a large volume of shots much easier, once you get accustom to it.

"Dat'll be 20,000 lien." He says.

[Pay.]
[Run.]
[Kill?]
[??]

You take out your wallet and hand him your student card. He takes it and goes back inside. You wait for a moment before he comes back and hands you the card.

"Dank you for yer business. We are closed." He closes the door in your face again.

Well, you have your weapon now, at least.

Now what?

[Back to Shade.]
[Parent's house.]
[Somewhere around town.]
[???]

"Alright, let's go back to Shade. Unless there was anything you guys wanted to do here?" You say as you collapse and holster your weapon.

"I'm good." Oliver says.

Regalia shakes her head.

"Let's just go back." Crystal says.

You turn to depart when suddenly Oliver takes his rifle off his back. He pulls the blades apart as they activate and he throws it. It sticks into a building.

"Oliver! What the hell?!" Crystal asks.

He points with his sword.

That shady invisible 'recruiter' is against the building with the sword an inch from his face, petrified.

[What do?]

You quickly move to the man before he snaps out of it and raise the tip of your spear to his neck. "So has he been following us all day?" you ask Oliver before turning to him, "Why where you following us?"

"We picked him up in the alley on the way here, and I saw him in the park." Oliver says.

The man seems to come to his sense from the initial shock of nearly dying, but the spear point causes him to flinch his head upwards, exposing his neck.

"You match the descriptions of the ones who took out 11. I was instructed to keep tabs on you." He says as he eyes the point of the spear.

"Who gave you those orders?" Crystal asks.

"I cannot say." The man says.

[Stab his neck.]
[Try to arrest him.]
[Question him more.]
[??]

You turn to Regalia, "Arrest him."

She looks at you and nods.

You both look back and see that he's gone!

"What?" Regalia says.

"Relax." Oliver says before bringing the hilt of his sword down on the spot the man stood. The man turns visible again and Regalia quickly binds his arms and hands.

"So what are we going to do with him?" Crystal asks.

[Take him somewhere and eliminate him.]
[Turn him in to the police.]
[??]

"Hold on," you say as you take out your scroll.

"Hello?" Alabaster answers.

"Professor Alabaster, it's Aero. We were in Vacuo and we were being followed by this guy who says he was ordered to to follow us since we matched the descriptions of the people that attacked his group's base. What should we do with him?" You ask.

"I assume you have him in custody then?" He asks.

"Yes, sir."

"Then turn him over to the authorities. I'll let them know he's in connection with the ones who destroyed the wall. Good night, Aero."

"Thank you, sir." You say before Alabaster hangs up.

You take the man to the nearest police station and explain the situation to the officers before  heading out of the station.

"Well now what?" Oliver asks.

[Just go (to Shade/your parents').]
[??]

"Let's just go back to the dorms." You say before leading your team towards the transports.

You get about half way there when the sirens go off.

"Is it malfunctioning again?" Crystal asks.

"Possibly. But it could be real." Regalia says as she taps her chin.

"Well, what are we going doing to do?" Oliver asks.

[Ignore it, they said it was broken.]
[Go just to be safe.]
[??]

"Let's just be safe and go." You say before running towards the wall, your team behind you. You hardly moved a block when the siren stops.

"Guess it was another false alarm." Crystal says as you all slow to a stop again.

"Or they took care of it right away." Oliver says.

Regalia is tapping her chin, "They should sort this out soon. The panic could only incite actual Grimm.."

[Go home.]
[Investigate? (what/how/where)]
[It's getting late, you should get dinner.]
[??]

"Let's just go home for now and ask Alabaster later. Probably shouldn't bother him this late on the weekend." You say as the sun slowly sets behind you.

You finish your journey to the transports, ordering food on the way so that it would arrive as you do. You also send a message to Phyllis warning her of pursuers and ask Crystal to train with you tomorrow. She agrees.

You exit the ship and walk to your dorm room. The old man is outside your door pounding on it when you arrive. You pay for your food and take it inside with you before settling down on your beds to eat.

The sun's set, but it's not that late.

[Schneeflix and chill.]
[Late night swims?]
[Just hang out and let everyone do their thing.]
[??]

You finish up your food before disappearing into the bathroom and changing into your bikini. You emerge and announce, "Let's go swimming!"

Your team quickly changes themselves, Oliver taking the bathroom to allow Crystal and Regalia to change in your room.

[Play on your scroll while you wait.]
[Why did I even bother to give you options here?]
[You know what you're going to do.]
[?]

You take out your scroll and attempt to beat your high score again. You glance up and Regalia has taken off her top and bra. She's facing away from you, but her smooth, light creamy skin is bared for you. She slides her fingers into her pants and wiggles her behind as she slides them down, her panties with it. Her butt is in full display as she turns slight and bends over to pick up her bikini, giving you a clear view of her sideboob. She steps into the bottoms and pulls them up, shaking her rear end once again. She puts on her top and turns around, locking eyes with you.

"You should close your mouth, or we won't need to leave the room to swim~" She teases.

[??]

You open your mouth to let out a whitty retort, but all that comes out is a high pitched "Haaaah."

She chuckles as she struts over to you before patting your head, "Let's get going, hmm?"

You nod and get up as Crystal moves to knock on the bathroom door, "We're going now."

Oliver quickly opens it and steps out, "Geez. I was wondering what was taking so long."

You traverse the campus and enter the rec center before heading to the pool. You dive in immediately.

[What do?]

You start off with a team race. The water flows around your body as you swim as fast as you can. You can't see the others, you're too focused on your lane as you come to the edge of the pool. You quickly twist your body around and kick off the wall to finish the back half. You touch the wall and come up.

Crystal is gloating to Oliver and Regalia, who also finished before you.

You quickly suggest a change to breath holding. You take in as much air as you can and go under. You hold your breath for almost a minute before your lungs scream at you until you breach the surface. Crystal and Regalia come up at the same time as you. Oliver stays under for another minute before coming up and laughing at the three of you.

You're getting desperate for a win now, so you decide to add some fire power to your side.

Chicken.

The only question is..
Who's your partner? Good thing you're small.

[Crystal, mobility!]
[Regalia, feeling her smooth skin against yours-er, uh. Height! Yea!]
[Oliver, power!]

"Regalia!" You declare. She chuckles, Crystal smirks.

"Guess that means I get Oliver. Your loss~" She teases.

You and your partner mount your steeds. You slide your legs over Regalia's smooth shoulders as she lowers herself for you to get on. She warps her arms around your legs before standing up.

You're locked and loaded and ready for combat. Regalia and Oliver begin closing in on each other until you and Crystal can reach out and grab each other's arms. You begin to tussle about, trying to knock her off. She's larger than you, and her reach is much greater, so it's proving difficult. It doesn't help that Oliver is a couple inches taller and firm as a rock. Regalia is doing her best to keep you in a position to fight.

[Just keep at it.]
[Do something else?]

You grin as you move your tail out from behind you.

Crystal looks down and darts her eyes back up to sneer at you, "Don't you dare."

Your grin grows as your tail wraps around your side, just able to reach Crystal's stomach with the end. You tickle her bare skin as she fights to throw you off of your partner.

She's struggling to hold it in and fight you at the same time, "Aero! Stop! I swear! S-stop! P-please!"

[Stop]
[Fuck no.]
[??]

Fuck no!

You let your tail loose on her abdomen. She doesn't hold for long and starts laughing before falling into the pool.

"We win!" You exclaim.

Regalia chuckles before tapping your legs, "Good thinking~"

You finish up your pool time and head back to the dorm. You look at your scroll before unlocking the door.

[10:46]

It's getting late, though it is Saturday.

[Sleep, you earned it with your mission.]
[Stay up and do (what?)]
[??]

You enter your room and Oliver sequesters himself to the bathroom. You change and fall onto your bed, exhausted. It doesn't take long for sleep to take you in it's grasp.

[End: Chapter XII]