The Celestial Remnant, Ch02: Cougar

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.

Betad by Priapus, first of the Horny, Beans, Mike God of Lore Malcolm Tent, Old man of the mountain, the oldest horny

The Celestial Remnant

Chapter 02: Cougar

– Akari –

100cp gained, 200cp total

Gained from what? Well, it doesn't seem interested in telling me, and I'm not one to turn away a prize just because I don't know where it came from. 

[False Eyes of Death Perception] - 600cp

Technically, the true name for these is 'Mystic Eyes of Life Perception' or would be along those lines if it was properly identified. You are able to perceive the 'life force' that sustains a living being, appearing as lines and points around said living being. By cutting along or damaging these lines and points, you can greatly damage the being in question as their life force is burned away, likely killing them if enough damage is inflicted. However, you cannot truly see 'death', and as such, cannot actualize it upon a living being or even an unliving or inanimate object - thus, rather than instantly killing the target, it merely critically damages them until their bodies cannot take much more. In short, all these Eyes can do is inflict damage upon that which lives, the same as any weapon or method of murder.

A part of me considers locking this in, saving up to acquire this admittedly very dangerous power. I do seem to have an affinity for eye-based powers, don't I? After a moment, I let it slip away.

I don't know how fast I can acquire the extra 400cp, and I'd rather have something cheaper that I can use immediately than potentially wait some unknown amount of time. I don't even know if this would work on the Grimm. I suppose it should, but would those abominations even have 'life force'? 

I have the initiation coming up soon; I'd rather have something to help me with that than have my power locked in. I should be fine, given what Little Red and Invincible Girl claim about my current skill level, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[Speculative Spectacles] - 100cp, 100cp remaining

What a nice pair of glasses! Stylish and yet effective in what they do. Even if you already have perfect eyesight, this pair of glasses assists you with memory retention when you're reading various writings and documents, ensuring you will always be a repository of knowledge. You'll even find that while wearing them, you can read significantly faster than normal with no loss of study effectiveness!

Hm. Well, I am about to be attending a school that's known for being very demanding academically. With 100cp left, I shrug and roll again. What is it with me and eye-related rolls?

[Bustling City] - 400cp

Why would you be limited to a single home when you could own an entire city? You may take any city, from Windlem to Mournhold to the Imperial City to Falinesti, or even one of your own design. It will have access to everything you'd expect from your average city, like shops and inns, all of which will find their stocks replenishing weekly. You will also see a sizable and steady stream of money going directly towards your coffers. All of the citizens within will see you as their ruler and will act as followers.

Huh. I'm somewhat glad not to be able to afford this one; it would be rather strange to have an entire city looking to me for leadership. I dislike leading; I find the concept of people relying on me troubling.

[Brawler] 100cp, 0cp remaining

You are now an expert in punches, kicks, grapples, and feints. If you prefer, you may instead gain mastery of a form of martial arts style demonstrated in Super Smash Bros., such as boxing, pro wrestling, or Shotokan. However, if you choose to do this, you will not gain any spiritual or supernatural abilities associated with the chosen martial art. You will not be learning the Hadoken by purchasing this perk alone. For some reason, taking this perk also gives you a talent for Shot Put. Maybe you can find a use for this?

Well, now I have less to worry about if I get disarmed, I suppose? At any rate, it isn't bad, and my mind filters through a dozen fighting styles as images of fights pass through my mind. A muscled man in a white martial arts outfit and a red headband settles in my mind, and his knowledge becomes mine. 

Sponsor Offer!

Your sponsor will grant you 500cp; however, until the Winter Break, you will be unable to reroll and must purchase anything you can afford and lock in whatever you cannot.

My sponsor seems to be enjoying the show. Where was this five minutes ago? The city makes me pause, unsure what I'd do if something like that got locked in, but 500cp is a considerable amount. I'd like to go to Beacon with as much power as I can gather. 

I've already accepted a deal not to be able to skip, removing rerolls as well means I'd be forced to lock in every single thing I roll… 

Well, if I roll something troublesome, I'll just have to shrug and deal with it.

[Precognition] - 600cp

You've got your very own Spidey Sense in the form of precognitive abilities; by tapping deep into your senses, your body recognizes danger before it happens, automatically moving to avoid it. You can choose whether you dodge everything or just the stuff that can hurt you.

See, that was more than worth any trouble. It locks in, and now I only need to earn a 100cp to start my monster-hunting career with danger precognition. That sounds more doable than 400 since I doubt my sponsor is going to keep throwing offers at me.

Shaking my head, I set off with a small smile. I'm actually looking forward to Beacon, and my growing skills will only help me make a name for myself while out in the larger world.

– Kali Belladonna –

The guards told her that Akari was languidly making his way up to the Belladonna estate, making her smile. He approached life with a certain tranquil peacefulness that she respected, rarely rushing into anything and seeming unbothered by whatever happened around him.

Akari was frankly amazing. His skills were already equal to some of the Fang's stronger members, having mastered his fighting style with an ease that almost frightened her for his sake. Sienna had been drooling over Akari before he'd even awoken his Semblance, becoming the ultimate scout (and spy), and she and Ghira had had to put work into making sure Akari didn't get dragged into the Fang by force.

Sienna had no shame when it came to preying on orphans, just one of the many ways that she and Ghira differed. 

Akari entered with a slow walk, soft, incredibly fluffy tail swaying behind him. It always showed more emotion than his face; she'd long since learnt to watch his tail and ears for his reaction to anything. 

"Akari! Thanks for coming so quickly, hun; I know you must be busy getting ready for your big adventure," Kali said happily, giving the young man a tight hug.

"Mrs Belladonna," Akari replied softly, making her sigh.

"I've told you to call me Kali; I'm not that old, am I?" Kali teased. Any other young man might sputter at her hurt look, but Akari just stared at her blankly, making her giggle. "Thanks for yesterday, by the way. Sienna says you found several dens we didn't know about. Your Semblance is a gift from the gods themselves."

"Hm, you're welcome," Akari replied as she guided him into the living room, getting him to take a seat on the couch as she sat next to him. "What did you want?"

As blunt as ever, but she didn't take offence. This was how he was; she'd known him since he was first discovered wandering the outskirts. If she ever found out who dumped such an adorable child in the wilds of their island, they'd deeply regret it.

"So, a couple of things. Ghira was going to be here, but he's busy organising some extermination missions to wipe out the dens before they can become a real threat," Kali explained, making him nod easily. "As you know, it is rare for one of us to get accepted into Beacon. I'm sure you've been told this a dozen times, but you will be representing all of the Menagerie while you're there. Velvet is doing the same, but the poor girl is just so… shy she doesn't like to stand out."

"Hm," Akari replied. Akari wasn't a people person, but he wasn't shy either. "I'll do my best."

"I'm sure you will, hun," Kali said proudly. Maybe it was motherly bias , but her Blake was a good fighter, and before the silly girl had run off to join the Fang (over a boy, no less), Akari could have beat her nine times out of ten. "Vale can be an unfriendly place for a Faunus, and your skills will make you stand out. I hope you don't have to deal with any racist fools at Beacon, but I'm not that naive. Don't rise to their taunts, but don't let them walk all over you, either. You've always been too… passive, just going with the flow. I don't want you to let people abuse you just because you thought it would be too much trouble to stand up for yourself," Kali scolded, seeing his lips twitch briefly. Yeah, she'd called it.

His plan was just to ignore things that he found annoying. 

"Okay," Akari said simply. He did like his short answers. 

"Now, the next thing is a bit more personal. You remember Blake, right?" Kali asked, making him blink and give her a raised eyebrow.

"You made me spy on her training with the Fang every night until she deployed," Akari said in a deadpan tone, getting a slightly flustered look from her. 

"Well, she was deployed to the Vale branch with that brute of a boyfriend of hers. Honestly, you should have seduced her before she got infatuated with that bullheaded fool," Kali complained, but Akari just stared at her. "Anyway, she's run away. Reports say she had a falling out with Adam and abandoned him on a mission."

"The Fang don't normally like it when someone runs away," Akari deadpanned, making her scoff.

"They do not, but Blake has never been the best at long-term planning. Sienna called off any hunt for her in exchange for some favours from Ghira, of course, but the problem is that that silly girl doesn't seem to be in a rush to come home," Kali sighed, rubbing her forehead. "She's somewhere in Vale, unless she's managed to smuggle herself across the border without the Fang's contacts. I know it's a big place, but can you keep an eye out for her? I'm sure she's gotten herself into some trouble; I almost want to go and tear the place apart myself to find the daft girl."

"If she's in Vale, I'll find her," Akari replied, his tone blunt but honest as she beamed at him. She placed her hand on his leg, giving him a grateful smile.

"If you find her, and she's not in danger, just tell her to call me. Actually, call me yourself and pass her the phone. I don't know what she's doing, but you know what she's like. If she is in danger and won't come home, manhandle her and stuff her in a crate, then ship her back home," Kali half-joked, making his ears twitch. They always did when he was amused.

"Understood," Akari said simply, a slight smile touching his lips.

"Thanks, hun. Honestly, you've become such a reliable young man. I don't suppose you're into cute but flighty catgirls? Blake could use a proper young man to ground her instead of an angry brute," Kali teased, getting no real reaction. "Honestly, I have no idea what was going through her head."

"That's easy. 'I can fix him'," Akari replied, making her laugh. Ah, he was probably right. "She's cute but a little too troublesome for me."

"Give it some thought. Us cat Faunus can be a bit wild, you know; it's worth the trouble," Kali teased, but Akari just gave her the same blank look. She enjoyed teasing the younger men, but Akari was her favourite because it had become a game to try and get him to react. 

"Is that everything?" Akari asked, ignoring her unsubtle innuendo. 

"No, there is one last thing," Kali said. "I know you're very busy, but I hoped to commission one of those lovely Mistralian-style dresses you made for Mrs Scarlatina."

"...I leave in three days," Akari pointed out, making her giggle.

"Oh, don't worry, hun; I don't expect you to finish it before you leave. It's not urgent; you can work on it while you're at Beacon when you have the time. I'm a patient woman, for some things at least," Kali joked, making him pause before he nodded.

"Sure, I can do that," Akari agreed, getting a beaming smile from her in response. He made such lovely clothes; he was rather well-known across the island for it. He'd patched up and adjusted some of her outfits for her, but this was the first time she'd commissioned him for something.

It was good to see that he had prospects beyond fighting, unlike so many others who only knew how to make a living through violence. 

"Do you know your measurements? And what material and design do you want?" Akari asked, a hint of interest in his tone now that they were discussing his passion. You didn't get as good at tailoring as Akari was without enjoying it.

Even now, he was dressed in a lovely black and red robe with intricate patterns. Apparently, they were based on traditional Mistralian garb, something he'd found out when looking up his 'heritage', though that was just a guess based on his appearance.

"Oh, I haven't got a clue about my measurements. We don't do much individually tailored clothing here, do we? Don't worry, I'm sure there's some tape around here we can use…" Kali said excitedly, hearing him sigh as she hopped up.

– Akari –

…Kali Belladonna is a massive flirt; everyone on the island knows this. 

Carefully taking another measurement, I do my best to stay professional and expressionless as my hand brushes against her bare flesh. Naturally, she wants it perfect, which naturally means she decided to have the measurements done in just her incredibly lacy black underwear.

The infamous Bellabooty is right in front of me, barely restrained by the lacy prison, and Kali is well aware of how attractive she is. Making another note, I take pleasure in keeping my face utterly blank as she looks down at me. She seems mildly disappointed to see that I'm not drooling over her ass.

I am a teenage boy with a very hot MILF in front of me. Despite my passive expression, I am very much affected, but I'll be damned if I let her see that.

"I don't suppose I can convince you to reconsider Blake? She's gonna grow up to look like me, after all~" Kali jokes as I try to focus on the job. I don't give her the satisfaction of knowing that I genuinely do reconsider whether it would be worth dating Blake if she ended up looking like her mom.

"I don't have time for relationships; they're effort," I sigh, my hand brushing against her breasts as I take her chest measurements. 

"That's what you always said about friends. What exactly is your plan for when you have an entire team that you have to dorm with for the next few years?" Kali laughs, making me shrug aimlessly.

"Casual indifference and cold professionalism have worked pretty well so far," I reply, making her sigh. I am immune to drama because I just don't deal with people when I don't have to. 

"Honestly, you were probably right to keep to that with Sienna and the Fang, but you really should consider actually socialising. This is a wonderful opportunity for you," Kali encourages. "Just try not to use your Semblance to spy on all those beautiful trainee huntresses~"

Switching from caring mom to teasing cougar in an instant, she giggles at my tired sigh.

"Come on, don't tell me you've never thought about it," Kali nudges. "A hormonal teenage boy getting the power to spy on anyone without them ever knowing? Have you spied on me?"

"No," I lie, thankful for my blank face as she gives me a searching look.

"Hm. I'd spy on people if I had your Semblance," Kali shamelessly admits. "Ooh, do you prefer muscled huntsmen instead of curvy huntresses? No shame in it."

"...I like girls; I just don't use my semblance for voyeurism," I sigh. 

Some noise distracts her from her teasing, heavy footsteps approaching, but I focus on the task at hand.

"Ugh, dealing with Sienna is always a pain in the neck," a deep, rumbling voice says as Ghira walks in, pausing at the sight of his half-naked wife almost being embraced by a younger man. "Ah, she's managed to grab you about her dress, eh Akari?"

"Yup. Hello, Mr Belladonna," I say, making a note.

"Ha, you've known me since you barely reached my knee, Akari. You can call me Ghira," Ghira says, giving me a pat on the back as he gives his wife a scolding look. "Did she tell you she didn't know her measurements? Because she made me take her measurements last night."

I stop what I'm doing, looking at the shamelessly smirking face of Kali.

"You might have gotten them wrong, and Akari is going to be all the way in Vale where he can't make adjustments easily. Measure twice, cut once," Kali says unapologetically as I grieve for the last hour of my life I won't be getting back.

"I measured twice, and you were wearing even less then. Honestly, Kali, stop teasing the poor lad," Ghira scolds, uncaring that his wife is a flirt. They've got a healthy relationship; I've never seen them argue so much as once. "She's asked you about Blake, right?"

"She did. If she's still in Vale, I'll track her down," I agree easily, getting a proud smile from the much larger man. Ghira is a beast of a man, standing a head over basically everyone else in Kuo Kuana. "She was just busy explaining why I should use my Semblance for voyeurism."

"That's not what I said, Akari," Kali defends. "I said I'd use your Semblance for voyeurism if I had it."

"That's not better," I deadpan. "You understand why that's not better, right?"

"Not everyone is as perverted as you, Kali. Akari's a proper young man, not some pervy teen. Honestly, I wish Blake had gone for him instead of that Taurus boy," Ghira says, patting my shoulder. Man, they do not like Adam. Unsurprising. Very few people do. "Are you staying for dinner?"

"He is," Kali answers for me. "And I was just saying he should date our Blake; maybe it'd help keep her on the straight and narrow."

"If nothing else, he'd be able to find her every time she ran off again," Ghira grumbles. "I've got some good fish, we can celebrate your heading off to Beacon."

This is why I don't mind Kali's teasing. The Belladonnas have been good to me; they don't treat me like a son, more like a family friend or a distant nephew, I'd guess, but I prefer it that way. They're caring without being overbearing or getting into my business too much.

"Oooh, lovely. We'll just finish up the measurements; it shouldn't be long," Kali says, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "Oh, don't give me that look, Akari. We're almost done, anyway. Might as well make sure Ghira got them right; you're the expert here."

The people who can get away with wasting my time can be counted on one hand. Unfortunately, both of them are in the room with me. 

Ghira is no help at all, going to start dinner as I'm left to finish measuring the barely-dressed cougar. When we finally finish, I take a moment to compare my notes with Ghira's and realise we both wrote down a different measurement for some places. Kali is unbearably smug about it, suddenly justified in all the time she wasted.

Dinner is nice, and Ghira is a good cook. You'd think Kali would be the one who does the cooking, but Ghira likes fishing and cooking the fish he catches. Kali is better with anything that isn't fish; Ghira is an expert in cooking fish.

They probe me for my plans and thoughts on Beacon, Ghira repeating what Kali said about me representing our people, but for the most part, it's just a nice calm dinner. I try not to think they're using me as a replacement for the runaway.

"Thank you for the food, Ghira," I say politely, wiping my mouth gently as he pats me on the back.

"The least I can do for all the work you've done for the island, our Huntsmen are going to have to get used to not having your intel for their hunts, but that'll be good for them. They might rely on you a little too much," Ghira laughs. 

It's not unusual for the Huntsmen loyal to Ghira to visit me before their missions, getting me to double-check their destination. To be fair, in my new altered history, the reason I'm so good at fighting is because a lot of those Huntsmen and Huntresses paid for my time with some training. Kuo Kuana survives through everyone helping each other and doing their part; it's the culture I was raised in.

We tolerate the White Fang because Sienna happens to have a large amount of battle-ready men and women to help drive back the ever-growing Grimm tides and because they minimise their criminal actions on the island itself. 

"Come on, Akari," Kali says, making me blink. Don't I get to go home now? "Don't give me that look. You and Ghira got different numbers, so we need to re-measure, and then I want to talk about the design with you."

I try to pretend I don't hear Ghira chuckling at me as Kali kidnaps me, her clothes coming back off.

"So, I think we got different chest measurements because I wasn't wearing a bra for Ghira's measurements, and I don't plan to wear one under my kimono," Kali explains, unclipping her bra as I watch her with carefully blank eyes. "Be a dear and remeasure my chest, will you?" 

She stands in the bedroom in just a black thong, which hugs her curves tightly, her large breasts sagging somewhat due to their size and her age. Alluring pink nipples stand proud as she poses, unashamed and smirking slightly as I mentally calm myself.

She doesn't go this far with her teasing when it comes to anyone else, but then other people actually respond to her. The less I respond, the further she goes to try and get me to react to her. So now I get to measure a topless cougar, determined to get a reaction from me.

Work, work, work.

I stare at her with unamused eyes, getting a teasing smirk from her even as I deliberately look down at her body, taking in her slightly tanned breasts with a long, discerning look. Kali doesn't try to cover herself, her smirk growing at my ogling. 

"Akari, honey, my eyes are up here~" Kali teases with a coy smirk, even as she pushes her chest out more. 

"Why are you like this?" I ask with a tired sigh, making her laugh out loud.

"Are you complaining?" Kali asks, watching as I reach into my pocket. I slowly open my scroll, aiming it at her as she raises an eyebrow. Despite my blatant intent, she does nothing to cover herself as I snap a picture of her in nothing but a slightly transparent, lacy black thong.

"Turn around; I want to make sure I have a reference for when I'm in Vale," I say, getting a smile from her at my cheeky demand. We both know that the pictures won't help with my work, but she acquiesces all the same, turning around as she sticks her frankly amazing ass out towards me. Before I can take my second picture, she hooks her fingers into her thong and starts to peel it down almost sinfully slow as her truly perfect ass is revealed.

"We wouldn't want your measurements to be messed up by anything, would we?" Kali asks, kicking her leg to send the thong flying away as the naked Bellabooty waves in my direction enticingly. I catch a glimpse of her naked slit, her legs parting slightly as she looks over her shoulder at me with hooded golden eyes.

I really respect Ghira, I do, but that doesn't stop my enjoyment of her naked body. Somehow, I suspect Ghira both knows and doesn't care. He's not threatened by me, that is for sure. I am sure of one thing: Kali wouldn't cheat on Ghira. So, she doesn't see this as cheating, and I wonder if he'd think the same.

I take a picture of her back, getting a nice shot of her ass and a glimpse of her pussy before she turns around again, plump breasts swaying slightly as she does. I take a few more shots for 'reference' before she leans in and whispers in my ear.

"I do hope your 'reference' pictures keep you company while you're in Beacon; I'm sure you'll be thinking of me," Kali teases, her hot breath on my ear as I force down a shudder. My face remains stone cold, bored eyes meeting her knowing gaze, not the slightest hint of a blush on my cheeks. "Or maybe you'll have some beautiful young ladies on your team and forget about an old woman like me."

Her ears droop as she pouts, fishing for a reaction from me. Her face is incredibly close to mine, her hot breath brushing against me as she gives me a look I can't quite decipher. 

"You never forget your first crush," I reply, making her gasp at my quiet admittance and slap my chest lightly with a growing smile. Now, can I get on with the measurements? I do have stuff to do today."

Going back to my usual attitude makes her grin, watching as I start to retake my measurements. She pushes her body forward, my hand brushing against her hefty, tanned breasts, staying in my personal space the entire time. 

When the time comes to finally escape, she moves forward and grabs me in a tight hug, naked breasts pressing against my chest as she leans in.

"Take care of yourself, Akari," Kali whispers, her teasing tone gone. "Vale is a big place, but don't forget about us, okay?"

I go to reply before I jump in surprise at the feeling of her fingers squeezing my backside, giving her an unamused look as she pulls away with a grin. This woman…

– Later –

Escaping Kali, I sigh as I look up.

It's nearly sunset. My day is gone, never to be reclaimed. I start Beacon in three days, but the transport ship is in two and sets off early in the morning, so realistically, I just have tomorrow left until I leave Kuo Kuana for the first term (assuming I don't fuck up the initiation).

Feat Achieved: Become part of the Belladonna family. 100cp granted, 600cp total

Huh. Maybe they like me even more than I realised? I don't doubt the words, my power is too great for it to be wrong.

[Precognition] - 600cp, 0cp remaining

You've got your very own Spidey Sense in the form of precognitive abilities; by tapping deep into your senses, your body recognizes danger before it happens, automatically moving to avoid it. You can choose whether you dodge everything or just the stuff that can hurt you.

And there it is: my fancy new power. I have no idea what Spidey Sense means, but being able to sense danger is never going to be a bad thing in a world full of angry monsters. Still, my body might be able to dodge automatically, but I should work on my speed; sensing danger isn't going to help me if my body can't react in time.

Heading home, I smile to myself slightly. 

I do like this city. It isn't as rich or advanced as Atlas or Vale, but Kuo Kuana is a good place filled with good people (for the most part). I think I'll miss it while I'm gone. I might even have to have my power 'grow' so I can continue to watch Kuo Kuana for threats from Beacon.

I like my privacy, but I'd rather my home and the few people I actually care about be safe even if it means I have to come into the spotlight. With my growing powers, it's a lost cause to try and blend in anyway.

– Two Days Later –

What did I spend my final day on Kuo Kuana doing? I had a lie-in, went to my favourite street food vendor, wandered the city aimlessly, then watched cartoons. Hey, I'm about to be in a demanding academy, so free time might become a rarity. I also started on Kali's dress, but mostly, I was packing.

I am not taking that much, but I realised I could sneak a lot of my stuff into my dragon's lair, where I can get back to it easily, no matter where I am. Having a pocket dimension is a useful trick, but it is also by far my hardest power to explain.

My Precognition can be explained as an extension of my Farseeing, seeing attacks coming no matter which direction they come from. Couant is something I 'built', the cute drone following behind me as it beeps excitedly. My combat skills are easily explained, but how does one explain the whole opening of a rift in the air that leads to a cave filled with gold and gems?

Leaning against the railing at the harbour, I watch the water with a small smile. I like the sea; I hope Vale's is just as beautiful. 

"Excited, Akari?" a soft voice asks, making me turn. Velvet gives me a soft smile, the older girl looking out towards the sea as well.

"Mhm," I agree, nodding. I am somewhat acquainted with Velvet. Her mother helps run the orphanage I grew up with, but she also has seven kids, so I never bothered learning all their names. "Happy to be going back?"

"Heh, I forgot just how crowded my house was. I love my family, but I miss my dorm room," Velvet agrees. "Are you looking forward to having a team?"

My face says everything. I like my personal space and my me time. Having to bunk with a team will cut into both. 

"It won't be that bad," Velvet says with a soft smile. "I was the same, believe me. You'll like it, I promise."

"We'll see," I say, my opinion blatant on my face.

"Ha, if I can survive Coco, then you can handle whoever you get put on a team with," Velvet jokes, making me pause before I shudder slightly. 

Her.

"She's not that bad," Velvet defends, even as she giggles at my face. 

Coco visited Kuo Kuana during one of the breaks since Team Coffee was visiting each other's homes. She loves my clothing.

That is not a good thing.

Two weeks of that fashion-obsessed extrovert bothering me almost twenty-four-seven, peppering me with a never-ending barrage of questions, compliments, and requests. My introverted heart couldn't take it; my poor, abused social batteries didn't recover for months.

I like Fox and Yatsuhashi, though, if only because Yatsu literally picked his team leader up and walked off with her when she got a little too much, and Fox distracted her with his teasing. 

Anyone who helps me avoid more bother is my friend, as long as they don't expect me to actually spend time with them. We are good friends; now, never speak to me again.

Seeing the ship approaching, I take one last look at Kuo Kuana, feeling the warmer sun on my skin. Vale is further north. It isn't as cold as Atlas, but it is far more temperate than the sunny Menagerie. I'm going to miss this place, even if I can see it whenever I want. It just won't be the same.

"Don't worry, you'll be back before you know it," Velvet whispers, giving me a gentle touch on my back. "I felt the same way myself."

I don't refute her words, getting ready to leave home for the first time. When I went to Vale last time, a dozen other kids were going, and Ghira came with us. Now it's just me and Velvet.

Time to go.

– Later –

Seeing Vale approaching in the distance, I stand up from my seat on the deck. Velvet has spent most of the journey seasick, hiding in her cabin, but I've just been watching the waves. It's been a long journey, the ship going all the way around Anima to stop at Mistral and several minor stops along the way. We didn't go to Atlas, though I did see the continent of Solitas in the distance at one point, even if I didn't see the city itself.

The redhead next to me leans over the railing, looking towards the approaching city as she whispers something to herself. I could probably listen in to her whispered words but I can't say I'm that interested, as I notice Velvet venturing out from her cabin.

"Ugh, we're almost there?" Velvet asks, looking a little green as I nod calmly. "Not long now. Are you staying at Beacon tonight?"

The redhead perks up at the mention of Beacon, but I shake my head.

"Initiation is tomorrow morning. Ghira booked me a motel for tonight," I explain, making her nod.

"Ah, right. I'll be going straight there and staying in our dorm. I'd invite you to join us, but it's already a little cramped and-"

"Coco," I finish, making her giggle slightly. I'd rather sleep on the streets.

"Coco," Velvet agrees, the ship swaying as she pales again. "Ugh, I'll be in my room. Call me when we make port, and I can be back on solid ground."

I just nod, leaning against the railing as I watch her rush back inside.

"You're attending Beacon?" the redhead asks, making me blink as I turn back to her. "Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I just overheard her mention Beacon. I'm here for the initiation as well."

She fidgets, which looks amusing for such an obviously strong woman. The shield and spear on her back, the bronze-armoured greaves and bracers, and just her toned body tell me that she's a good fighter. The mini skirt and corset are an interesting choice, but I can't argue when I'm going into battle in a kimono. Maybe she just wants to show off her very nice legs? 

"I am," I agree. "Akari."

"Oh, I'm Pyrrha," Pyrrha introduces, holding out her hand, which I shake. It rings a bell, but I mentally shrug. If it were important, I'd remember why it sounds familiar. "Is that your weapon?" 

She gestures to the umbrella-spear by my side, making my lips twitch.

"The umbrella part is a shield," I explain. "It's tougher than it looks. Spear and shield as well?"

"Yeah, though mine are two separate things," Pyrrha agrees, patting her spear on her back. "I call them Miló and Akoúo."

"Mine is Kasa-obake," I say, touching the umbrella gently, her eyes widening.

"Like the legends? Are you from Mistral?" Pyrrha asks, making me shake my head.

"I don't know. I'm an orphan, but I think my family was probably from Mistral," I say bluntly, making her sputter briefly. "I just like it."

"That is as good a reason as any," Pyrrha agrees, shaking off her surprise. "Are you good with it?"

"You'll see," I simply respond, seeing that she takes it as a challenge. Oh wait, Pyrrha.

Nikos, the Invincible Girl. Should I tell her that I'm apparently as good as she is? Nah. 

"Do you think we'll get to pick our own teams?" Pyrrha asks, making me shake my head.

"Apparently, they're chosen during the initiation; Velvet wouldn't tell me the specifics," I reply, seeing the nerves on her face. Ah, a fellow introvert. "Time to disembark; we better grab our stuff. I'm gonna go poke Velvet. Good luck."

"You too, Akari!" Pyrrha says, giving me a beaming smile. "See you tomorrow!"

"See ya," I wave, patting myself on the back for successfully dealing with a stranger. 

Ten minutes later, after holding Velvet's hair while she pukes into a bucket, I disembark and look around the much busier city. It's loud, packed and full of tall buildings.

I don't like it.

Loading up a map, I head towards my motel room with a sigh. Here we go.

– Next Day –

Huh.

That was easy.

Blake stares at me from across the plaza, eyes widening and an idiotic bow twitching in panic as her badly hidden ears move. She looks away, turning her back to me as I hear an explosion in the distance, some white-haired girl storming past. Huh, did my fellow silver-eyed warrior just explode? 

Blake moves behind some people, trying to put obstacles between us… does she think I don't recognise her? A bow might be able to barely hide her ears, but there's no hiding the Bellabooty.

I ignore her because I suspect that she'd run away if I approached, checking the map on my scroll with a small frown as I subtly take a picture of her.

'Found her. At Beacon.'

My scroll vibrates moments later as I secretly watch Blake rush ahead and try to hide in the crowd as she heads into Beacon Academy.

'That is the worst disguise I've ever seen in my life.'

Yeah…

Feat Achieved: Fulfil Kali's request and find her daughter. 100cp granted.

Well, at least Blake is useful for something.

[Widow's Guidance] - 600cp, locked (500cp needed)

Tzarina Katarin was believed to have been the first Khan-Queen Miska reincarnated, due to her peerless power with ice magic. She now has a peer as your own abilities equal hers, and you are just as capable of creating a large glittering building of ice with little more than a thought, breathing waves of intense cold, summoning huge blizzards to freeze foes where they stand or eviscerate them with razor-sharp ice shards. Any powers of snow, ice and cold you have also become considerably more potent.

Well, people have always said that I was cold. I guess they're right.

— Bonus Scene — Blake Belladonna

Akari was here. 

Damnit, that made sense, but it wasn't something she'd considered. Akari was good enough to get into Beacon (without faked records like hers), and there was no way he'd not recognise her if he got a good look at her. She was pretty sure she was safe; he'd only glanced her way when he was looking around the grounds, never settling on her. Her disguise had worked, but it wouldn't hold up to any true scrutiny.

She needed to grab him. He knew she was a Faunus; he knew she used to be White Fang. She wouldn't say they were friends, but she needed to make sure he was going to keep his mouth shut. He worked with Sienna Khan; if he told on her to the Fang, they'd come for her, and her second chance would be dead in the water before she could do anything. Not to mention, he got along with her parents; what if he told them where she was? She wasn't ready to face them yet.

As all the hopeful students funnelled into the large auditorium, she took a deep breath. It was too much to hope he'd fail the initiation.