Team AERO: Chapter III

You swing your legs off the side of your bed.

"Why do we already have homework on the first day?!"

You flop flop backwards, noticing a giggle from the opposite end of the room.

"At least it's easy." Crystal puts her book away, finishing the assignment.

"I'm with Aero. Isn't it illegal to assign homework before the second week?" Oliver scratches his head with the eraser end of his pencil.

Regalia shakes her head with a chuckle, "It isn't. But it shouldn't take too long, and we have all night."

That's right, you guys do have about 4-6 hours.

*[Suggest staying in and getting to know each other over some take out.]
[Suggest Schneeflix and ordering a pizza.]
[Suggest checking out the commercial district for something to do/place to eat.]
["We should do our own thing. Adjust to student life at our own pace."]

You sit back up, practically shooting forward.

"We should order some take out and get to know each other more!"

"I'm game." Oliver tosses the homework aside, completely invested in the food aspect.

"Who's paying?" Crystal looks up from her scroll, giving you that blank stare of hers.

You sink down a little, "Uh.."

"Our student cards aren't here yet, but I don't mind covering us for the night." Regalia smiles.

"Alright!" Oliver cheers.

"Are you sure?" You ask Regalia.

"It's no trouble."

With that decided, you call up the local Simple Wok and place your orders. It doesn't take long for an old man to show up at your door, but you do finish your homework before he arrives. He exchanges Regalia's lien for a dozen containers of food before leaving just as quick as he came.

You help Regalia hand out everyone's orders before hopping into bed and opening a container with ramen.

[Any specific questions for the team?]
[Just eat and listen.]

You slurp your noodles before turning to Crystal and Oliver, "So where are you guys from?"

You and Crystal both look to Oliver first, who is too busy shoving what looks like chicken fried rice into his mouth to speak.

"Atlas."

Regalia raises an eyebrow, "Atlas? How'd you end up in Vacuo then?"

She sets her food down a moment and checks her scroll. "I.. Didn't like their system."

"Whaf duh ya mean?" Oliver, chew your food!

"Atlas is very strict. Shade.. Isn't." She shrugs.

Oliver swallows, "Well, I'm from Vale. I just wanted to go somewhere else, ya know? Try something different."

"So Oliver, mind explaining your weapon?"

He sets his food down before grabbing his weapon.

"It's pretty simple. Like this, it's just a plasma rifle. Great at range, but it takes a second for it to start firing. I actually pulled the trigger when the horn sounded, before the holograms formed.. But if I do this.."

He pulls the weapon in half, forming two bulky looking hilts. He squeezes the trigger in his right hand, and two blue blades of plasma spring forth.

"I have a quick melee option."

Crystal exchanges her food for her scroll and starts texting. Is she taking notes?

"And what about your bubbles?" You turn to Crystal, who looks up from her scroll. "How well can you control them, and what all can they do? Is it your weapon, or semblance?"

"It's my semblance. The weapon just.. Helps. I can control them well enough. They detonate on impact, but I can use the dust in my weapon to augment them. Fire dust for a more incendiary explosive. Ice dust for a cryo blast. Things of that nature."

You nod, wondering what else they can do. You can always ask when you get to the team part of Combat class.

"So why do you guys want to be hunters?"

Everyone looks down slightly, as if trying to find the answer within themselves.

Crystal is the first to answer, "It's expected. Everyone in my family is." She leaves it at that, going back to her food.

"It just seems like the right thing, ya know? Someone's gotta be there to protect the little guys, right?" Oliver nods to himself before filling his face again.

Regalia taps her chin. ".. Menagerie.. Isn't a good place. Rampant Grimm attacks, terrorists running around in "recruitment drives." I want to help them, if I can."

Oliver swallows the last bit of food in that container. "What about you?"

[Seemed like fun!]
*[Those who can, should.]
[Family pressure.]
[??]

"I just think that everyone who is able should do their best to make sure that those who aren't are safe. We're all in this together, ya know?"

Oliver nods, opening up his second container. "Well said."

Regalia smiles, "That's very noble of you."

You go back to your food. The rest of the night passes with small talk and jokes. Oliver turns in first, but the rest of you follow about an hour later.

Before you go to bed, you set your alarm for

*[Same time, 2 hours before classes.]
[An hour before class.]
[Something else?]

You set your alarm for the same time, making sure to set it to [Vibrate]. You set a second alarm for an hour before class just in case.

It doesn't take long before you fall asleep.

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

The sound of movement cuts into your sleep. It's not your scroll, you know what it sounds like on vibrate.

[Get up.]
[Just go back to sleep. Probably just someone going to pee.]

You check the time on your scroll.

[4:30]
That's way too early!

You hear the door to your room open.

*[Check who it is.]
[Go back to sleep.]

You lean up and look at the door.

Oliver steps through the doorway, the door closing behind him.

What's he doing?

[Follow him.]
*[Go back to bed, ask later.]

It's too early to get into other people's business. You plop your head back down and close your eyes.

Bzz bzz.

Ah! 6 AM already!

You tap your scroll before slipping out of bed and going through your morning routine.

You step out of the bathroom, noticing Regalia's gone. She must be at breakfast already.

Oliver's still gone too.

At least Crystal's still here, though asleep.

You get dressed considering your options.

[Look for Oliver?]
*[Breakfast?]
[Wake Crystal? Why?]

You decide to go get breakfast, but not before sending a message to Oliver.

[heard you leave this morning, just wondering where you are. everything ok?]

You don't expect a reply right away, so you slip your scroll into your pocket before heading out of the dorm.

You make your way to the cafeteria, taking in the morning silence before grabbing a tray of food. You quickly spot Regalia and sit across from her.

"Morning!"

"Good morning, Aero." She smiles before going back to her cereal.

You check your scroll quick. No reply.

*[Ask if she knows anything.]
[Just eat.]
[??]

"Hey, I saw Oliver leave the room a couple hours ago, and he wasn't back when I left. Do you know where he is? I'm just a little worried, since I'm the leader and everything."

She looks up from the bowl and taps her chin, "He hasn't said anything, nor have I seen him since last night. Did you try texting him?"

"Yea, before I left, but he hasn't answered."

"Well, he's probably just busy. I'm sure he's fine." She pats your head softly, her warm smile filling the otherwise nearly empty cafeteria.

"Yea, I know. I'm just new to all this."

"You're doing a fine job. I'm sure we'll see him in class."

You finish your breakfasts then go back to your room. Oliver's still not there, but Crystal's up and ready for the day.

[Ask her if she's seen or heard from Oliver.]
*[Just get ready for class, he's a big boy.]

You decide to just get ready for class. You stuff your homework into your bag as your scroll goes off.

[Oli: all good. C u in class]

Well, at least he's alright.

You head to class with the rest of your team, filling into the lecture hall with your fellow students. Oliver still isn't here yet, but you've got about 15 minutes before class starts.

You decide to sit as a team again, sitting with a seat on either side of you and Regalia for Oliver with Crystal between you.

You get out your notebook and pen as Oliver sits next to you.

"Sorry for waking you this morning."

"It's alright!"

["Just glad you're alright.]
["Where did you end up going?"]
[Just leave it.]

"Where did you end up going? If it's ok to ask."

He scratches the back of his head, "Oh, I just went for a run and some training is all. I didn't have time yesterday because of the team ceremony running so late."

"You really take your training seriously, huh?"

"You bet." He smiles.

*["Mind if I tag along tomorrow?"]
["You should try to be a little more quiet when you leave."]
["Well, I'm glad you're alright."]
[Go over your notes before class.]
[??]

"Would you mind if I tagged along tomorrow?"

"Eh? If you think you can keep up." He chuckles as the professor walks in and starts class.

You turn in your homework. Good job!

The morning classes pass by quickly, as does lunch. Time for Combat Class!

"Today you will be working with your partner against a much larger and more difficult Grimm."

DeFleur taps a button on her scroll. The hologram projectors spit out a massive Death Stalker.

"Be warned. Your weapon passing through it will not be an indication of it's death. That's just a limitation of the technology.."

"So, who's up first?"

[Sit back.]
[Volunteer.]
*[Tell (Oliver) to do it.]

"Hey. Oliver." You whisper across your team to the boy, careful not to draw DeFleur's attention.

"Yea?"

"You should go. Show us what you got so we can work better as a team."

He shrugs, getting up.

Regalia chuckles as she stands, "Guess that means it's our go."

The two go down to the arena, Regalia equipping her weapon on the way. They're talking, though you can't understand what they're saying from here.

They take their places, Regalia readying her threads as Oliver raises his rifle.

The horn sounds.

Three blue shots of plasma strike through the Death Stalker, but the hologram only recoils slightly before charging at them, bringing it's claw back to strike.

Regalia moves to the side, using her thread to try and ensnare the claw. Unfortunately, the hologram doesn't take, the threads going straight through. Luckily, the claw does stop moving. At least the hologram plays fair.

The Death Stalker stabs it's tail downward at Oliver as he switches his rifle to the plasma blades. He moves just far enough to the side that he's able to slash back and cut the stinger off as it impacts the ground.

The Death Stalker tries to grab Oliver in it's claw, but Regalia is quick to use her threads and stop it's other arm. Oliver only has to move forward and stab his blades under it's head to finish it.

They rejoin your team as DeFleur makes notes.

*["Great job!"]
["You guys work well together."]
["Ignore them."]

DUEL ACTION
*["We should go next, Crystal."]
["Let's go later, Crystal."]

"Great job you guys!"

"Thanks." Oliver smiles as he goes past you and Crystal to his seat.

Regalia gently pats your head before sitting next to you.

You turn to Crystal, "We should go next."

She nods, "Best to get it out of the way."

The two of you stand before DeFleur even has a chance to ask. Seeing you, she waves her arm for you to go down.

*[Battle plan. (Post 'em.)]
[Wing it.]
["An ideas?"]

"Crystal." You ready your weapon.

"What?" She takes hers off her belt.

"Can you hit it's underside with your strongest bubbles in order to flip it? I'll take out it's tail, then we should have a clear shot at it's weak points."

She thinks for a moment. "That might work. Let's try it."

You step into the arena, your spear flipped around to fire your shot right away. Crystal is turning a cylinder on her the shaft of her weapon, but brings it up to her mouth as the horn sounds.

A new Death Stalker is formed as you and your partner fire your ranged attacks. Your shot gets there much faster, and you use your Semblance to zig-zag it through the tail, until it punctures the thin connection to the stinger, rendering it nearly useless.

Crystal's bubble arrive nearly instantaneously as the Grimm begins moving forward. The explosions fill most of the other end of the arena. The dust settles, and the hologram is on it's back.

You rush over before it can figure out how to get right side up. Before you arrive, you leap into the air, spinning your weapon around and pulling the trigger when you have the spear pointed at it's exposed neck. You rocket downward as your blank shot fires.

The hologram dissipates as you hit the ground.

Crystal is at your side in a moment. "Good job, Aero."

*["You too!"]
["Thanks."]
["I know."]
[Ignore her.]

"You too!" You smile at her and she smiles back.

Wait, she smiled? Fuck. Don't blow this, Aero.

You get up and the two of you walk back to join the others.

"Nice one, ladies." Oliver gives you a thumbs up as Crystal sits by him.

You sit between her and Regalia, who pats your head softly, "Very nice indeed."

The rest of the class eventually goes and takes out the Grimm in their own way.

[Level Up.]

You finish your homework about an hour after class ends. Still plenty of time to spend with your team. Or alone.

["Ask your team what they want to do.]
[Suggest doing something as a team. (Go to town? Schneeflix? What?)]
[Do something on your own?]

"So what do you guys want to do?"

Oliver answers immediately, "I don't know about you guys, but I could go for some food."

Regalia nods, "Our cards came this morning. We could go break them in, or order in again."

Crystal shrugs. "Whatever."

[Stay in.]
*[Go out.]

"Let's go out and celebrate!"

Crystal raises an eyebrow, "Celebrate what?"

"That we have our expense cards and the best team in Shade!"

"I'll eat to that!" Oliver raises his fist.

Regalia chuckles, "Where should we go, then?"

*["I know a place!"]
["Let's just pick the first place we find!"]
["We'll wing it!"]

"I know a place!"

"Great. Why don't you lead the way?" Regalia smiles.

"Should we bring our weapons?" Crystal asks.

["Nah, we're safe inside the walls."]
*["Of course! We're hunters!"]

"Of course! We're hunters!"

Crystal nods, getting up. "Then I guess we're all set. Where to?"

You lead the team out of the dorms and to the transports. A few moments later, it drops you off at the edge of town. You lead your team through the city streets until you get to a small restaurant tucked away in a back alley.

"My parent's friends owns this place. They make the best food in all of Vacuo!" You brag as you push open the door and walk into a large mass.

"Oof!" You fall backwards, Oliver and Regalia each grabbing an arm and keeping you up.

"Watch where you're going." That wall was actually a man, but you're head's down so you only really notice his shoes.

"You watch it." Oliver responds quickly.

The man snarls, then moves past your team and walks away. By the time you recover and look at him, all you can see is the back of his head, which is covered in long green hair.

"Not everyone around here is like that." You smile and laugh a little, though you can't shake the odd sensation that man gave you.

You make your way inside and are greeted by the owner. He takes your team to their 'best' table.

[Order all the food!]
*[Just order a regular meal.]

You order a regular entree and a side, as do Crystal and Regalia. Oliver orders half the menu, but he manages to finish eating first.

You chat with your team a bit, but it's starting to get late.

*["We should totally get ice cream!"]
[Just head back.]

"We should totally go get ice cream!"

Regalia taps her chin, "I did see a cart on the way here. Perhaps it's still there.."

Crystal smiles, "It's worth checking out."

"Let's go!" Oliver is already at the door.

"We have to pay first!" You run up to the counter and ask for your bill. You pay for yourself, with Crystal and Regalia right behind you to pay for theirs. Oliver behind them.

Your meals taken care of, you wander the streets in the general direction of the landing zone.

"It should be around here somewhere.." Regalia states, looking around.

You look around, but all you can see is some cafe that looks like it might close soon.

*[Keep looking.]
[Give up.]
[See what the cafe has for deserts.]

"Let's keep looking!" Everyone starts spreading out a little more as they search for the ice cream cart.

You start to lose hope when Crystal shouts, "Found it!"

Your team instantly converges on her. She's already licking her cone when you arrive.

[Single scoop.]
*[Double scoop.]
[Go big or go home.]

You order a double scoop of your favorite flavor. You hand the man some lien in exchange for the cone. You run your tongue over the frozen treat. Perfect.

You start walking back towards the air ship with your team, enjoying your ice cream. Before you know it, you're back in your dorm.

Oliver goes to bed almost as soon as you walk in the door. Can't blame him, given his schedule.

Oh, that's right! You asked to tag along.

*[Go to bed.]
[Stay up with the girls, you'll be fine.]
[Stay up with the girls, you don't /need/ to go with him.]

You decide to hit the hay, you did tell Oliver that you'd tag along tomorrow morning. You set your alarm for 4:25. That should give you enough time to change before Oliver wakes up.

[Chapter III: End]