Welcome to Beacon: Ultimate Server

Hope frowned upon hearing Alexia's gasp, sipping her coffee. "You don't have to push yourself that far, Alex." She said with a note of concern well hidden behind her usual tone. "You won't be able to fight anyone if your shoulder pops out."

Alexia frowned, continuing to rub her shoulder. "I know. I should probably stop training for now..."

"Which means I'll have to go to the library instead."

She raised her head and their eyes briefly met. Unbidden memories came to her head. Memories of a lonely night, long ago...

Alexia shook her head to clear it. "So. How are you?"

Stupid question. Look at her!

Umbra 13th

There, on the beach, Ai sat and meditated. She saw nothing and heard nothing but the gentle lapping of the waves in front of her.

You've been neglecting to meditate, haven't you?

Um ... yeah. I just started again recently. Haven't really done it since Signal ...

That's no good, Ai. You know that we must meditate for focus and discipline. Promise me you'll do it at least once every day.

Yes, mom.

Crystallum 20th

In the interim following Umbra 13, Ai trained under Francesca's tutelage. Far from her mother's gentle guidance or her Signal instructor's formal coaching, her time spent training with the Jades was gruelling, yet beneficial. Each day of training was followed by aches and pains that kept her awake at night.

Like punishment.

Ai sat up in bed. That nightmare again. Leslie Alvin. Just an ordinary woman who looked like Alexia Vale.

She climbed down from the top bunk, standing up and massaging her leg. She looked back at Charisse's bed I'll let amp decide if Charisse is actually there or not. She hadn't crawled into it even once those last two months.

>Implying something saucy happened back then

"Hm. That's probably better than trying to get yourself injured..." She droned, glancing out the window. Boy, was it a snowstorm outside. "I'm fine... tired, but fine. Made some more improvements on Anima overnight. Drew stuff to relax..." Hope gestured to her sketchbook, now comfortably placed on her lap before falling into silence.

...

"I don't recognize you, Alexia." She finally said after she had enough of this awkward pause, her voice wistful. " It's like I'm seeing a completely different person."

edited 10th Jan '15 5:10:39 AM by FergardStratoavis

What do you mean, "nothing happened"?

Alexia listened to Hope with a neutral expression on her face. "You know, you don't look okay."

And for a moment, that was the old Alexia, showing concern for her best friend.

"Honestly, you look barely awake. ...Don't do this to yourself. It's hard to watch."

"...like a different person." Hope said. And just like that the steel armor was back on.

"...It's the hair isn't it?" she said blandly.

Inwardly she was wincing. Bad joke. What are you even saying?

A sigh. "...I'm getting stronger. I can't be soft if I have to face Arcana again."

Crystallum 20

It had been two months since the attack at the Jade Estate, and he was no closer to finding Carol. This just wouldn't do.

Every second I waste, she's going to be even worse off when I find her, he thought to himself. Not that he wasted much time — he had been searching every possible article and book in the process of learning more about Arcana and determining things in the flashes. But no startling revelations occurred. It was almost as if someone didn't want him to find her. Considering the asshole Candor was, he wouldn't have been surprised if that was the case.

Guess I'm going to need to head over there after all...

"There" being the club Ayers mentioned a while back. The one run by the Xiongs.

If anyone might have a lead on Arcana that I haven't found, it's probably going to be them, he thought as he grabbed his arrows and Frostbite.

Damn Ghost Cockblock

Charisse was sitting in the bed, cross legged, with her hands on her knees. She appeared to be trying to meditate, but the occaisional twitch of her eyebrow showed that she wasn't being too successful. She had seen Ai meditate before, and, perhaps on an attempt to try to reconnect with her, was trying it herself.

She fully understood why Ai had been so distant; It would be very strange to share a bed (or more) with someone possessed by a ghost.

It wasn't like she felt a bit hollow inside because of it or anything. That'd be rediculous. They're relationship was of course going fine and it wasn't like Charisse felt it weakening as every day went by.

Of course she did.

But she also knew that she had a promise to fulfill, and justice to carry out. She just wished the price didn't have to be so painful.

Crystallum 20.

Two months had passed since the Magician and Star sent that video. Since everyone saw 3 people executed right in front of them. Since World permanently wounded 4 Beacon students.

Two months since everything went to shit. Yun sighed, walking out of the training room.

These 2 months had been exhausting and tough, but highly rewarding. Yun had grown both physically and mentally, he had made upgrades to Skyfire, and best of all, Beth helped him design his new left eye (Yun was still thinking of how to thank her).

What happened back then...it changed us. and for most, not for the better. He thought to himself. Alexia was more distant and isolated. Lucas was even worse, fully devoting his spare time to finding Carol. Sophie...well, she was now thinking more in video game terms to cope. Even Yun himself had changed. He was more serious, and never smiled as often as he used to.

Walking down the stairs, his eye notified him that Alexia, Sophie, Ieria and Hope were in the kitchen.

"Morning." Yun gave a short greeting as he walked in.

edited 10th Jan '15 7:47:21 AM by svenorzokarkoff

Time Passes

Living with Alexia for the last two months was liked learning to live with a stranger. He didn't hear her make poorly constructed jokes anymore, her laughter became as rare as snow in summer, and Francesca's training seemed to have exorcised most notions of smiling from her expression. She was stronger, for certain, and her grades were even reaching his in excellence, but this was not how he imagined she'd grow as a student. Some days he'd wake up alone in his workshop and that in several places he'd written Not Alexia in his notes.

He'd undergone training under Francesca to keep an eye on everyone, but he could see that his presence was doing little to stop their slow descent into a kind of extremism not unlike their enemy's approach to the lives of those who opposed them. The nightmare of Star and Magician's victims kept him from sleeping as often as he used to, but he managed to get enough to function properly.

He'd spent that time working on he did to try to help their cause against Arcana and to try to be a silent, encouraging presence to those more deeply affected by the video than the others. As a generally unexpressive person, this was a task easier said than done; he'd usually found himself being the one encouraged, usually by his siblings or Alexia.

But that's changed now. He'd stayed away from his siblings, unwilling let them be touched by what had occurred in his dorm. Right now he was standing with Lucas at an hour that he'd rather be asleep; he wanted to make sure his friend wasn't taking his search for Carol too far.

But how far would be "too far" for him in this case? Pius questioned as he tucked his jacket towards himself, Dies Irae in the other hand.

"Lucas, did you have to do this before sunrise and not after sunset? We're not even supposed to be out here without an upperclassman for each of us." He asked with a snarking tone, masking the fact that he was trying to discourage the blind trainee from being extreme in his search.

"I said I'm fine. I can't sleep anyway." Hope responded, shaking her head.

I can't sleep because you're being an idiot. Because you're destroying yourself still. Because you won't fool me with your new facade, Alexia.

"That said... I guess you're right. We do have to be stronger to deal with them, don't we...?" The gray-haired girl once again looked out the window before nudging Sophie once more to make sure she's awake.

Giving Yun a small nod of confirmation she went back to her morbid drawing, poking the sketchbook with the pencil. Thinking as to why exactly she's drawing dead men.

"Any upperclassman assigned to us would probably tell Ozpin what I was doing," Lucas muttered. "Besides, I've already been up for hours and it's not like I have any other leads to follow..."

Crystallum 20

Noa, for lack of a better word, had enjoyed herself for these past few months. Sure, there was the constant problem with having to deal with terrorists. But hey, she had a new reason to focus, to keep on living. Being put up against monsters like the Arcana made things even more simple. Meanwhile, it hadn't been easy adjusting to her new partner, but progress had been made. Everything in her life might have been a work in progress, but busy work was better than stagnation.

At least her rival knew that well. Alexia, over the past few months, had worked herself like a dog trying to get stronger. The reasons were immaterial to Noa. Results were her area of focus, and so far she was pleased. Well, that wasn't all true. Lexi's new competitve mindset was a real help to the brawler's mood. Finally, a worthy person to really test herself against! The snake, Ieria, was also shaping up to be a potential rival. Not that she was much better disposed towards the faunus, but a little improvement in her attitude was a welcome change for some.

Of course, a certain member of the student body was getting on her nerves.

"Dust fuckin' take it, where's dat shark? Keeps on messin' up my laundry...." She muttered. "February, ya useless sack o' crap! Don't ya go cryin' ta yer buddies cuz they know ya been fuckin' up!"

Yes, a certain shark had come back shortly after the events at the hot springs. Apparently, a break to deal with personal issues had been needed and only recently had she found 'the gravery to cone gack to her guddies'. Noa really, really did not like how useless that girl was. February had spent these few months trying to talk to the students and help them out with their issues. Well, more like break down crying constantly at how badly hurt they had been. Apparently, she was way too tender hearted for the job. Morale boosting was not her area of expertise, nor was simple chores, apparently.

Dust, that shark was going to be soup if Noa had her way.

Outside Junior's Club

"Well, it's not like any of them would know where to find him," Pius replied, his trained ears picking up Lucas' muttering over the winter air.

"Besides, it's not as if this man knows everything," he added. "It's possible this Junior may know nothing. Then what, Lucas? Will you start consulting fortunetellers?"

"Then I search for other leads," Lucas said. "Most of the attacks by Arcana have occurred within the city. I refuse to believe that there isn't someone that has something about those bastards that I don't already know."

Outside Junior's Club

Pius sighed as he realized that nothing would dissuade Lucas from his current course.

He'd plunge into the ends of the earth to find her, wouldn't he? He thought with some admiration. Clearing his throat of cold, dry air, the Nobel spoke again.

"Well, if you're so convicted on what you're doing, we might as well get this over with." He said, gesturing with his free hand as a signal for Lucas to lead the way.

Don't enter the club yet, Aqua. We've got someone following us. Let Lucas detect something familiar.

Crystallum 20th

Seeing Charisse attempt to meditate, but be distracted, Ai spoke up.

"Straighten your back. Relax your muscles. Hold your hands together in your lap. If you're trying to be mindful, count your breathing and don't let your mind wander from it. Don't try to control your breathing. Just breathe," she said.

Ai slid open the dresser and got changed, knowing that there was little chance she'd be getting back to sleep.

"Thanks," Lucas said, walking a bit towards the club before realizing that there was someone else nearby. Someone that seemed familiar.

"I know you're there," Lucas said in a harsh tone, grabbing Frostbite as he turned to face the direction of the person. "Why don't you show yourself?"

The figure then walked forward a bit towards Pius and Lucas, revealing his appearance. He was clad in black clothing, including a black longcoat and a black fedora atop his head of long blond hair. On his left hip was a sword in a slightly larger than normal sheath.

"Hey guys. I got curious as to what you two were doing, so I decided to tag along."

edited 10th Jan '15 9:59:15 AM by TheHailStormer

Outside Junior's Club

"Stormer, is there ever a brilliant thought in your head?" Pius replied, covering his face with his hand.

"Don't you know the rules about our dorm in particular? You can't be out here without an upperclassman chaperone. Go back to Beacon; Lucas and I have this under control."

We don't need him entangled in our affairs.

Charisse did as she was told, but the frustration came back.

"I don't know how you do it. I can't keep my mind on one thing for that long." Charisse said, losing her posture and slumping back against the wall.

As soon as her duty was done she'd scoop Ai up and do all sorts of things with her. The culmination of two months of distance would all pour out in a torrent of love and emotion.

Damn it, not Stormer again.

Lucas refused to talk to the kid most of the time. Just looking at his Aura made him think of Ghatz, the student who had yet to wake up. Another reason he had to stop Arcana, another thing fueling his guilt.

"Pius, you and... him, can head back Beacon," Lucas said. "I can handle this myself."

Crystallum 20th

Remus was in a small section of the training room, a ways away from where Medus was experiencing not flight. His sword was drawn and he was sparring against a training hologram, and he was holding nothing back.

He thrust Volsung forward, with the hologram dodging to Remus's left, allowing him to grab onto it with his left hand and swing it around, slamming it into the ground. He leapt backward as more holograms loaded, trying to up the difficulty for himself by adding more opponents. He drew a dust crystal from his belt and slotted it into Volsung, the blade turning red before erupting into flames as Remus poured his aura into it. He swung Volsung in a circle causing a ring of fire to blast outward from around him and hit the collected training holograms.

"Not good enough."

Crystallum 20th: AWDC Dorm -> Dorm Kitchen

Ai caught herself grinning. She reached across the bed and flicked Charisse's forehead.

"You can't expect to tame a wandering mind right away," she said. "Breathing is the first step. Count breaths from one to ten, then over again. If you really want to meditate — for concentration, or better Aura control, or whatever — it has to be every day."

Charisse probably needed that better Aura control.

Ai looked over to the other bunk, on Lori and Glen's side of the room, then sighed. It was the first day of winter break, so there was nothing to keep her occupied but her own devices. She pulled back her hair and tied it into a loose ponytail.

"I'm going to go make tea," she said.

Ai stepped out of the dorm room, heading towards the kitchen, but stopped at the doorway upon seeing Alexia dressed in her armor standing there with the others.

"Tch." She looked away from Alexia, a look of some form of both regret and disappointment on her face. Liar.

She briskly walked past the others and took the green tea out of the cupboard.

"IT'S FUCKING DONE!" Ayers cried out in triumph, all the way up in the workshop. The viscera of that poor motorcycle he had laid strewn around the room, hoses and pistons that he couldn't use. A plaque sat on the table next to his invention, with a set of handlebars and a mounting hook attached. Ayers's new invention laid on the table in front of him, with the name lasered on the side: HEOROT.

"Oh, man, this gon' be so awesome..." Ayers bundled the machine up and ran downstairs, to the kitchen. "HOPE! SURPRISE FER Y'ALL!" Ayers skid to a halt in the kitchen and tipped his hat to Alexia. "Howdy, Lexi. Nice dreads, really look good on you." He grinned and set the bundle of cloth on the table, then yanked the whole thing off at once, leaving Heorot gleaming on the table.

It looked like a crown, one that was too big for any human, and if it had babies with a motorcycle. Instead of the typical crest, four engine pipes sat on top of it, tangling around eachother into the contraption's depths. "It's done, Hope. Y'all wanted to get stronger. I wanted to get stronger. I also figgered that my motorcycle wuzn't doing enough, so I tore it apart and made..." He tapped the branding on the side. "Heorot. While y'all've been training, Alexia, I been building. Just put that on in Anima, Hope, and instead a just saying we been training we can show it."

"See ya Boy." Killian said, "I'm going to head to Junior's and get drunk."

"See ya."

"Ya did good hunting. Your father would be proud."

Jack walked across the campus, a bag slung across his shoulder, He looked at Dorm Rose, half hoping that significant property damage would happen, just like the good old days. He shook his head, walked up and knocked on the front door with his robot arm.