Team AERO: Chapter VII

You wake up and look at your scroll.
[10:04]
Man, you must have stayed up pretty late watching that movie. But at least it's the weekend, and you have the next 36 hours to do whatever!
And by whatever, you mean show your team around your home town.
But first, you should..
[Shower and changed.]
[Wake them up!]
[??]

You grab your clothes and hop in the shower, enjoying the warm water enveloping your body. You wash up and get out before drying yourself off and getting dressed.
You exit to your dorm and see that you're team is starting to wake up. Crystal slips by you as you head to your bed.
Regalia and Oliver are half awake.
[Say anything?]
[Let them do their things.]

"Good morning!"
Regalia gives a slight wave as she yawns into her other hand.
Oliver mumbles a response as he rubs his eyes.
"Did you guys sleep well?"
Oliver nods.
Regalia gives a soft "Mhm" before checking her scroll.
They go about your business, and you decide to take another shot at beating your high score in Flappy Grimm until they're ready to go.
Come on. So close. Keep going. Come on you stupid fucking Nervermore. Just flap. Come on. Yes. Yes! YES! YESSSS!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
You fall back on your bed as Oliver steps out of the bathroom, the last to get ready.
"Looks like we're good to go!" You exclaim happily before sitting back up and jumping to the floor. You lead your team to the transports.
Where are you off too first?
[Residential district.]
[Commercial district.]
[Agriculture district.]
[The "bad" part of town.]

You decide to start in the Agriculture District. You show your team around the area. There are a few small farms, which normally wouldn't be possible, but heavy irrigation allowed them to grow the regular crops needed to survive in the rain-starved area. There isn't a whole lot to do here, but there are some signs outside of the family farms advertising their crops, animals, and prices.
Though the main attraction of the area is the massive greenhouse. Ran by the government, it's crops provide the majority of the food for the town's population. It is the second most important thing to Vacuo next to the wall.
[Explore more.]
[Leave. (To where?)]

You decide to leave the Agriculture district and make your way to the Commercial district.
Most of this district is office buildings, the most prominent being the CTT and the Vacuo branch of the Schnee Dust Company. Spread  throughout the district is many stores, restaurants and cafes. Towards the residential district is a large market that sells everything from trinkets to food from outside the walls, to rare treasures.
It's about 2 PM, and your team hasn't eaten yet.
[Explore? (What?)]
[Lunch?]
[Leave. (Where?)]

You decide to explore the market.
There are several stalls that line the streets, each offering their own line of wares.
You can see several from where you are, and can visit any one of them.
["Swifty's Sweets"]
["RARE TREASURES HERE"]
["Morty's Mods"]
["Lauren's Farmstead."]
["Tina's Trinkets"]

You squeal, pointing at the sign that says "RARE TREASURES HERE".
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"
Regalia chuckles into her hand. "Alright, alright. Calm down~"
The others follow you to the stall. The owner seems to appear out of no where.
"Are you here to see the treasures?"
You nod excitedly.
"Very well.. See this!"
The old man reaches below the counter and pulls out a rusty spoon.
Your smile drops. "I-is that it?"
"Not impressed? Try… This!" He pulls out an old cracked bowl. It looks maybe ten years old.
Crystal states flatly "Is your sole purpose to waste our time?"
The old man squints before reaching behind his back, "Then how about, this!"
He pulls out a dirty ring. It looks like he got it out of a Schneereal box.
[Leave. (where to?)]
[Stay.]

You turn tail and start to leave. You look back at the man and shake your head before you follow your team out.
You point to the next stall, Morty's Mods. You step up and the one you assume is Morty steps up to great you.
"You know what you're looking for or are you just here to browse?"
[Well?]


"Just browse."
"Very well."
He waves his hand over his wares.
You look around a bit. There's definitely some interesting components, but it doesn't look there's really anything you can use. Until you see it.
He has a small magazine for a grenade launcher, but it'll fit your weapon perfectly, and increase the amount of shots you can shoot without reloading from from 1 to 4.
The only issue, is that you aren't sure your student card has enough money. And you wouldn't be able to attach it yourself.
If you remember right, you get 10,000 lien a month. The mod costs 8,000.
[Purchase.]
[Haggle.]
[Leave.]

"Hey, Morty?"
"Yes?"
"Can you set this one aside for me? I might want it, but I want to shop around a bit and see what my other options are first."
He shrugs, "Alright." He reaches into the display and sets it aside before turning back to you, "I'll hold it for a week, tops."
"Thank you!"
[Now what?]

You pull your team to the trinket shop. You enter and look around. It doesn't look there's anyone here. Weird.
You look around. There's all sorts of things, but nothing that really catches your eye. There are a few bows and stuff that you could use to accentuate your tail if you wanted.
"Hey, Aero?"
You turn to your team. Crystal and Regalia are looking at the items, but Oliver is just standing there.
"Yea?"
"You plan on taking us somewhere to eat soon?"
[Look closer, lunch later.]
[Maybe you should go get lunch now.]

"Yea, let's go now!"
Regalia and Crystal overhear you and and pull away from the counter. You lead them further into the market, where several food stalls are set up. Everyone has their pick of lunch, so what are you getting?
[Whatever (?) is having.]
[Deep fried everything!]
[Asian food stall.]
[fresh gyro stall.]
[Whatever you want, you can probably find.]

You make your way over to the gyro stall. Normally a Mistrali dish, these real Mistralians make their authentic meal for the hunter on the go!
You order one for yourself and hand them your card. They swipe it and hand it back before handing you a massive slab of sliced lamb meat and grilled veggies covered in tzatziki sauce and wrapped in a giant, warmed pita bread.
You regroup with your team. Oliver's got two hands full of deep fried… everything. Crystal has something from the Asian stall, and Regalia has a thing of fried chicken.
You pick out a table and get to eating.
[Words??]
[Just eats.]

"Hey, Regalia?"
She swallows her food then tilts her head, "Yes?"
"Could you weave a bow like the ones in the trinket shop?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
[What /do/ you mean?]

"I'd have a hard time reaching my tail, and I can't tie a nice looking bow to save my life."
"Oh?" She smiles, "Are you sure that's what you meant?"
"I-I mean.."
She reaches out and caresses your cheek, "You didn't think I could create thread, did you? Is my faunus trait not obvious?" She blinks her multiple eyes a couple times.
"I-I-I.."
"Or maybe you just assumed that was my semblance, like others have."
Your face is flushed, you mouth open. But no noises exit.
She laughs, pulling her hand back, "It's ok. It may look like I make my own clothes, but actually my mother makes them. It's her trait. I'll ask her for a few bows, though."
[Thank her.]
[Just nod.]
[(Jeremy's Weiss noise)]
[??]

You go to thank her, but all that comes out of your mouth is a tiny high pitched squeal.
She chuckles into her hand.
"You two should really tone it down in public." Crystal comments from next to you, eating her food.
You nod slightly before working on your gyro.
You finish eating and throw away your trash. You look at your scroll.
[4:03]
Talk about a late lunch.
Where to next?
[Explore some more stalls.]
[The "bad" neighborhood.]
[The residential district.]
[Anywhere you've already been.]
[Back to school?]

You show them around the residential district. It's really just houses and a couple convenience stores every now and then. There's a park nearby, as well as your parent's house.
While the others are looking around, you tap Regalia's arm. She looks at you.
"I-I didn't mean to assume you made thread, I just thought you were really skilled with it."
She pats your head gently, "I figured that's what you meant." She chuckles behind her other hand.
[Meet the folks.]
[The park.]
[The "bad neighborhood."]
[Anywhere you've been before.]
[School.]
[??]

"Come on!" You wave your arms, willing your team down the street you grew up on.
"Where are we going?" Crystal asks as she picks up her pace to keep up with you.
"You'll see!"
The apartments soon turn to homes as you lead your team to you're parents. You stop in front of your house a moment before going up to ring the doorbell.
Regalia notices the name on the mailbox and tilts her head, "Aero is this your.."
The door swings open and your mom's arms are quickly around you. "Aero!"
["Hi, mom."]
["Mom. Stop."]
["Mommy!"]
[??]

"Hi, mom."
She's squeezing the life out of you, or she would if you weren't used to it. She suddenly lets go. "And who're your friends here?"
"That's my team!"
Your team moves closer, greeting your mother before she encases them all in a hug.
Jeez mom, come on.
"Oh, you're all so small like Aero, you must be starving! I'll get dinner started. Aero! Go get your father, he's upstairs.
"Alright, mom."
You head inside and run up the stairs as your mom drags your team to the living room and dropping them on the couch before moving to the kitchen.
Your dad's probably in his study doing whatever it is old people do in studies. You stop outside the door.
[Knock. (words?)]
[Just go in, surprise him.]
[??]

You knock on the door, "Hello?"
You can hear your dad through the door, "Aero? Is that you?"
"Yea, it's me."
"Well don't just stand there, come in!" He laughs to himself.
You push open the heavy door and your dad shuts off his computer. He gets up and you meet in a hug in the middle of the room.
"What are you doing home so soon?"
"I'm showing my team around town, since none of them are from here."
"Oh? 'Your' team?" He chuckles.
"Yea! I'm the leader!"
"You are? Great job, sweetie."
"Thanks. They're downstairs. Mom's making dinner!"
"Oh, then we better go down."
You let go of each other and head down stairs. You join your team on the couch as your dad sits in his chair.
[Chat with dad.]
[Help mom with dinner.]
[Just lean back.]

You slip off the couch as your team is talking with dad and head into the kitchen. Mom looks like she's about to pour a box of spaghetti noodles into the pan.
[Stop her.]
[They should get a proper home-cooked version.]
[Let them suffer.]

"Mom! No!"
You dash forward and grab her wrist.
"Aero! What are you doing?!"
You look up at her as a tear drops from your eye. "They don't like spaghetti."
She hugs you and pats your head, "It's ok. We'll make them something else."
You help her make a new meal, consisting of fried pork chops and mashed potatoes.
You gather around the table with your team before digging in.
You let your parents and team do most of the talking as you eat, letting them get to know each other. It's getting pretty late by the time things start winding down.
Your dad turns to you, "So, what're your plans for the rest of the night?"
Well?
[Going back to Shade.]
[Checking out (place haven't been.)]
[Going back to (place you have been.)]
[Maybe they'll let you spend the night?]
[??]

"We're going to go check out this weaponsmith I found online."
"Oh? Is it still open this late?"
"I don't know. It doesn't have it's times listed."
"Well, stay safe."
"We will."
Crystal asks your mom, "Do you want us to help clean up?"
You mom smiles before waving you towards the door, "No, no. We can take care of things. You kids go have fun. And stay safe!"
"We will!" You smile and wave to your parents before heading outside, your team behind you.
You lead them towards away from the nicer houses, the streets lit up by the street lights now. Gradually, the houses start to look more run down and beat up. Several have busted in windows or boarded up doors. Or both.
You're almost to the address when you hear something from the alley near you.
"Psst. Hey. You."
[Ignore them.]
["Not interested!"]
["Yes?"]
[Go in the alley.]
[??]

"Yes?" You step towards the alley, as does the rest of your team.

"No. Just the faunus. You humans get lost."

You look at each other before all nodding.

"We'll wait at the corner." Oliver and Crystal continue on the street.

You and Regalia stand alone. Regalia has her hands in her jacket pockets.

A man steps out of the shadows. Even with your night vision, you hadn't seen him.

"You two sisters?"

"What?" You tilt your head.

"Do we look like sisters?" Regalia's voice has an edge to it you haven't heard before.

"That's not what I meant.. You girls here for the meeting?"

["What meeting?"]
["Obviously."]
["No?"]
[Bail.]
[??]


"Nope!"

He shakes his head, "Your loss, girl. Shame you choose to stand with your human masters than your own kind, but what are you gonna do?"

He steps back into the shadows, and out of your vision once more. You wonder how he does that, but don't want to ask.

You and Regalia catch up with Crystal and Oliver.

Crystal looks at you guys, "What was that about?"

"Seems the terrorists from Menagerie are recruiting in the kingdoms now." Regalia folds her arms under her breasts, giving them a slight lift as she scowls at the air.

"Well, glad you guys are alright. We're almost there, right Aero?" Oliver looks at the nearest street sign.

You look up and then down at your scroll for the address.

"Yep, almost there!"

You keep going, and sure enough, there's a forge down the street. It's all closed up and the lights are off though.

["Oh well, we tried. We'll have to try again later!"]
[Check for posted business hours.]
[Knock?]
[Wait until they open?]
[??]

"In training!" You holler back up to him.

He fires a few more times before answering.

"Close enough. There's an auxiliary door about 100 feet to the left. Go right and another 100 feet should be the exit. Time to earn your community service credit, kids!"

You lead your team down the wall until you find the hatch. You open it up, filing in and taking off until you reach the other door.

"Everyone ready?" You look at your team.

"Ready." They all respond in unison.

You open the hatch and step outside the wall.

There's two King Taijitu smashing against the walls, oblivious to the gunfire raining around them.

Your team is waiting for your order.

[Battle Plan (Post/OP)]
[Wing it.]
[Retreat.]

You shrug, "Attack!"

You fire your shot at the Taijitu on the left of the door. You hit it in the black head, which causes it to give up on attacking the wall and instead attacking you.

It bears it's fangs and lunges down at you, but you jump back and it sinks it's teeth into the ground. The moment it does, bubbles explode on it, freezing it to the ground.

You turn and Crystal is next to you.

The white head is trying to sneak around towards your flank.

You keep your shot in the air, not having time to reload right now.

[Hit the white head hard while the black head's immobile.]
[You take one, Crystal the other.]
[Something different?]
[??]

"Focus on the white head!" You tell Crystal as your shot slams into it's armored face.

It recoils slightly, but bears it's fangs only to be met with a torrent of bubbles. They explode in the snake's exposed mouth, causing the head to be nearly completely destroyed.

You almost start to celebrate as the black head breaks free from the ice.

You loop your shot back around, hitting it's unarmored eye. The shot goes through the head, and the body falls limply to the sand before fading away.

You turn around just in time to see Oliver behead the last head of his and Regalia's Taijitu, causing it to vanish as well.

["Good job everyone!"]
["That was easy."]
[Just go back in.]
[??]

"Good job everyone!" You smile.
"We kicked some serious ass." Oliver nods to himself.
"Snakes don't have asses." Crystal replies, rolling her eyes.
Regalia is chuckling behind her hand.
"Hey!"
You look up at the guards.
"Get back inside so we can lock up!"
You quickly make your way inside, hearing automated locks locking behind you.
One of the guards is on the ground when you exit the inner workings of the wall.
"Good job kids. Here's the usual bounty for this kinda job."
He holds out 6,000 lien.
[Take it, thank him.]
[Take it.]
[Decline, thank him.]
[Decline, leave.]
[??]

You take the money from his hand and bow your head, "Thank you!"
He shrugs, "You're the ones who killed the damn thing."
Crystal steps beside you. "Do the Grimm in this area normally behave that way?"
He shakes his head. "Maybe one or two will get past the defenses, but they usually just stalk around the wall. They don't just smash their heads against it. Though I guess a Deathstalker did it the other day with it's claws.."
Regalia is tapping her chin. "You should look into this, there could be a cause if the Grimm are changing their behavior."
The guard scratches his neck, "Look. They just pay me to stand up there, shoot, and give money to hunters that do our job for us.. Speaking of, I gotta get back up there.. Thanks, again."
He waves before returning to his post.
[Words?]
[Money distribution?]
["Let's head back." (School? Parents' house?)]

You take the money from his hand and bow your head, "Thank you!"

He shrugs, "You're the ones who killed the damn thing."

Crystal steps beside you. "Do the Grimm in this area normally behave that way?"

He shakes his head. "Maybe one or two will get past the defenses, but they usually just stalk around the wall. They don't just smash their heads against it. Though I guess a Deathstalker did it the other day with it's claws.."

Regalia is tapping her chin. "You should look into this, there could be a cause if the Grimm are changing their behavior."

The guard scratches his neck, "Look. They just pay me to stand up there, shoot, and give money to hunters that do our job for us.. Speaking of, I gotta get back up there.. Thanks, again."

He waves before returning to his post.

[Words?]
[Money distribution?]
["Let's head back."]

You split the money evenly and hand it out to your team.

"Good job everyone!" You pocket the last 1,500 lien. One step closer to upgrading your weapon!

Regalia and Crystal still look deep in thought. Oliver yawns.

You make a mental note to ask DeFleur about the strange Grimm behavior.


[Ask them what's up.]
[Go somewhere else. (School? Home? The Park? etc)]
[??]

"Hey."

The girls snap out of their contemplation and look at you.

"Do you guys just want to spend the night at my parent's? It's a lot closer than the airship and I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

Regalia smiles, "That sounds good to me."

Crystal nods.

"Yea, it's this way, right?" Olive points in the wrong direction.

"Nope!" You start going in the right direction, your team behind you. You slow down, letting them catch up, before your turn around and walk backwards.

"So what are you two thinking so hard about?"

Crystal looks to Regalia.

She taps her chin, "It's just odd. The faunus extremists showing up here at the same time as odd Grimm behavior. It'd be highly unlikely they're behind it, but they can't be ruled out. No matter how absurd it seems."

Crystal nods, "There's nothing to go on, but it is a strange coincidence."

Oliver is listening, but it doesn't seem like he cares too much.

[What do you think?]

"Maybe the terrorists have the same reason as the Grimm? Like, they sense a weakness here, or maybe they're running from something beyond the wall?"

The girls seem lost in thought, but Crystal nods, "It's possible."

You turn back around and are at your parents' house.

[Just go in, you know they're home. It'll be fiiiiine.]
[Knock again.]
[Maybe you should just go back to your dorm.]

You knock again, just to make sure they're still awake.

It takes a moment, but your dad answers the door.

"Oh, Aero. What are you doing back here?"

"We were just wondering if we could spend the night here. It'd take us an hour or two to get back to Shade, and the transports might not even be running anyways.."

He stands aside, waving your team in, "Of course, of course. Come on in everyone."

He closes the door behind your team and locks it before turning around.

"Uh.. Aero you can sleep in your room, we can probably fit a sleeping bag on the floor.. One of you can sleep in the guest bedroom, and someone else on the couch.."

[Who's sleeping with you?]

"Regalia, you should sleep with me."

Your dad and team give you a look.

"I mean, in the sleeping bag.." Your face is getting red.

"I'll take the couch." Oliver slides into the living room and jumps onto it. He's asleep before he lands.

"Guess that leaves you with the guest bedroom. I'll show you where it is." Your dad leads Crystal down the hall.

"Come on Regalia!" You lead your teammate up stairs, swinging by a closet to grab a sleeping bag, pillows, and extra blankets before opening the door to your room.

Your room is mostly plain, save for the AchieveMen poster on the wall.

You help Regalia set herself up before getting ready for bed yourself.

[You do live here. You have some jammies to change into.]
[Sleep in your clothes in solidarity with your team.]

You decide to stick to your clothes. It wouldn't be fair for you to change. A leader's gotta lead and all that.

You slide into your old bed, feeling safe and secure in the comfort of your sheets.

You can see Regalia's red eyes faintly glow in the dark.

[Talk?]
["Good night!"]
[Just sleep.]

"Still thinking about Grimm and the extremists?" You ask softly.

She shakes her head, the ruffling and her eye movement your only indication.

"Well... Maybe. But we can talk about it tomorrow, if you want."

"Yea... Do you think I neglect Crystal?"

She doesn't say anything for a few moments, "If you are, it doesn't seem like she minds. Plus we've only known each other for 5 days. I'm sure you'll grow closer the more time we spend together as a team."

She yawns. You guys have been busy today.

"We should get to sleep."

"Yea." You close your eyes.

[Chapter VII: End]