400Still ill. Short chapter.
Chapter 11:
"Why the sour look, Miss Branwen?"
"Shut up and finish the upgrade!"
Raven hates how this teenage-looking creature named Seth refers to her as Miss Branwen. There's not even a sliver of condescending tone whenever he interacts with her. Just sheer politeness and professionalism. Occasionally, there's a hint of amusement in his voice and it pisses her off to no end. It's like her academy days all over again; treated and seen like a child who doesn't know any better. She's a ruthless bandit chieftain with talents, skills, and years of Huntress training under her belt for Gods' sake!
Why can't she enjoy the finer things in life?
She was enjoying her solitary stroll through the wilderness until Seth just so happened to set up shop in the middle of Mistral's vast wilderness to ruin her day. As if she doesn't have to deal with an immortal witch who controls Grimm and her reincarnating ex-lover! She already has to keep the Branwen Tribe constantly moving and taking care of logistics. She does not need another abnormal individual to deal with! It's been a year now and she can feel part of her sanity slowly slipping whenever Seth appears out of nowhere.
"Of course. My apologies."
He places a cloth over his two fingers and begins to wipe the surface of one of her Dust blades. It shimmers and sparks underneath the cloth's touch. The Dust blade begins to lose its glowing luster and reverts to its original inactivate appearance. Carefully, yet swiftly picking up the Dust blade, Seth observes it for any dullness or faults before placing it back into Omen's rotary chamber scabbard along with the other Dust blades he had upgraded.
He then hands back her upgraded weapon; along with the receipt, which she accepts with a grunt.
Transaction:
8x Dust Blades, Everlasting Durability Upgrade – 20,000 Lien
1x Katana Blade, Sharpen Upgrade – 400 Lien
Total: 20,400 Lien
"So, my blades won't break now?" Raven asks Seth with a slightly skeptical look. She drew one of the blades and channel her Aura through it. Nothing out of the ordinary.
"That's correct."
"Dust isn't infinite. What happens if my blades are spent?"
Seth grins, eyes twinkling. "It'll just be a colorless longer blade. Of course, you can replenish it by absorbing Dust into your blades. You do know how to do that, yes?"
"Do I look like some SDC Dust expert?"
"Of course not, and you could replenish your Dust blades by pouring magic into it." Seth casually suggests. He makes a swirling motion with his finger and summoned a miniature fiery tornado. "Much like how you can activate Dust with Aura, you can do something similar with those Maiden's power you have."
Raven eyed the miniature fiery tornado swirling in the air and fed the receipt to the twirling inferno, instantly reducing the paper to ashes.
"Easier said than done. I don't use it openly." She tossed him a stack of Lien. "And give me six solid cuts of Gravity Dust. Credit the change."
Solid Cut Gravity Dust
445 Lien
Transaction:
6x Solid Cut Gravity Dust – 2,670 Lien
Total: 2,670 Lien
Credited: 2330 Lien {to Raven's Account}
"Thank you for your purchase. Anyway, you could always learn in private. People will give you a width berth with your capabilities and status as leader." He extinguished the swirling fire and sighed. "Honestly. All you Maidens know is how to blast things with elemental powers. No subtlety, no class. Just brute force and overwhelming power." Seth slowly smiles. "Though I suppose that fits your personality and beliefs."
"I use my powers discreetly and wisely." She retorts.
Why make elaborate use of her Maiden powers when she can get what she wants straightforwardly? She barely needs to use her Maiden powers, save for a few instances where she has to fight against Huntsmen and Huntresses. Even then, she lets Vernal play the role of Maiden. Not her.
"I will not refute that, but there may come a day where you will encounter someone where sheer power and strength will yield no victory. Such is the likes of Salem."
'And you.' Raven mentally added.
She has seen Seth's absolute disregard for any attacks thrown his way and wonders how he became this strong. That is if he's even Human or Faunus… No, that is if he's even mortal. Seth is a monster in his own rights, much like Salem and Ozpin.
His only saving grace is that he hardly cares about who he works with as can be seen by the Gecko-like Grimm resting on his shoulder.
Speaking of Grimm, that damn lizard Grimm had its eyes locked solely on hers the entire time; watching her every moment. She's tempted to kill it knowing it's from Salem but risk upsetting Seth who will surely return the favor. She could run away. It's just that Seth will likely show up not soon after wherever she goes. There is no escape…
"Well, let's drop the subject for now." Seth taps on the counter of his stall. "I have something to ask of you. Care to lend me an ear? Not literally, of course." He chuckles. "Simply hear me out."
"I'm listening."
"Summer Rose is planning on confronting Salem by herself for… Personal reasons."
Raven's eyes widen. 'That idiot!'
"Confronting Salem head-on isn't feasible." Seth continues while wearing a disappointed expression. "I have a bit of a future foresight. She will lose."
"Of course, she'll lose! Salem can't be killed!"
"Not by conventional means, but yes. I think it's a shame that she's destined to perish, resulting in the rise of Salem's horrifying Grimm experiments on those possessing silver eyes."
Raven pauses and looks Seth in the eye. "What experiments?"
"Ever seen a sentient talking Grimm?" Seth shoots back with a smile.
"You're joking." Raven sneers and glances at the lizard Grimm sitting on his shoulder. "I've been to places where no one dares go. I've seen nightmares."
Seth grins. "Yes, but not everything. But I digress. Let me get straight to the point." His smile drops and he looks her in the eye. "Are you willing to save Summer when things go south?"
The response was instantaneous.
"No."
"Not even if I were to provide you some help?"
"No."
Seth shrugs and leans slightly back. "Well, I've tried. Guess we'll see how things go then. How about a change of subject? I heard your daughter's birthday is coming up." The mentioning of her daughter sends a spike of anxiety through her heart. "Why not buy her a gift? I can deliver it with no delivery fee and can ensure your anonymity if you wish."
"Stay away from my daughter," Raven growls.
"I have no ill intentions," Seth said firmly. "It's a suggestion. After all, you watch your daughter from afar and will one day find yourself face to face with her. And on that day, she will look down on you, maybe even hate you."
"That's none of your damned concern!"
"What family drama plays out is but one of many. However, I figured you would want to lessen the anger thrown your way. To defend yourself. Justify why you left your daughter to Tai." Seth leans over the counter close enough to let Raven see the reflection in his eye. "Saying that you can't raise her in bandit camp is one thing, but it will not be enough to her. She wants to know why. Why did you leave her and her father? No matter how hard your daughter presses for an answer, you'll never admit to why you ran away. You ran because you're afraid."
"Don't act like you know me!"
Raven's eyes burn brightly as her Maiden's power bursts forth. The lizard Grimm on Seth's shoulder let out a squeak and hid behind his back while Seth remained unfazed.
"Tsk, tsk. So, defensive. I am just trying to help." Seth tuts and wags his finger, further irritating her. "Predictable, yet complicated. Frame it how you want, Miss Branwen. Unfavorable odds. Impossible quest. Fool's errand. Preservation, survival… Being smart. You know the underlying reason why you left. Ah, but I digress."
Raven forced herself to calm down and retract her Maiden's power. "You don't know me."
"I think I know enough," Seth answers flatly. "You're complicated. I get that. People are complicated. Still, I think your daughter will appreciate some gifts from you. It'll lessen the heat when you two finally meet face to face. I think. You have spare change. Why not show some distant love to prove that you do care for her, to an extent."
Raven tiredly regards the amber blond-haired teen and ponders his words. She already has a grasp of Seth's MO from interacting with him every now and then for this past year… Or months. He will passively pester her on the matter until she relents.
She lets out a sigh. "I want a discount."
"Of course."
/-/
Has it been over a year since I arrived here on Remnant? Time flows quickly. Well, I actually perceive time and space differently due to my conditions, but time sure does fly.
So, what am I doing right now? I'm in Patch selling cold sweets and toys to the children. It's July, so schools out in this part of the world.
Transaction:
1x Huntsman 1E Action Figure – 219 Lien
2x Beowolf Action Figure – 426 Lien
1x Small Ice Cream Strawberry Fudge – 155 Lien
Total: 800 Lien
Change: 200 Lien
"Enjoy." I waved goodbye to the child and his parent.
It's well into noon and I plan on dropping off the parcel that Raven tasked me to deliver to her daughter, Yang. By the way, July 28 is Yang's birthday, according to the crew. Yes, it looks like they use the Gregorian calendar.
"Seth?"
I turn my head towards the person who called me. It's Summer Rose. What a coincidence.
"Ah, Mrs. Rose. It's been a while." It's been roughly a year since I last saw her. My first customer too. "How have you been?"
"Doing well. Thank you." She took notice of the children eating sweets and playing with toys, along with exhausted parents and guardians. "I see you're taking advantage of the summer break."
"Is that a pun? Summer Rose?"
Summer laughs and shrugs. "Back at Beacon, there was no break unless I say so. Not unless it's… Summer's break."
Ah, so that's where Yang picks up her puns. From Summer, Tai, and Raven – though Raven herself doesn't really do puns unless it's for her own amusement at the expense of others.
"You are the leader," I reply with a grin. "So, what brings you out here?"
"Well, I live here on Patch for one. And I'm out shopping for an upcoming celebration."
"I see. That reminds me. Miss Branwen requested that I give you this."
Summer's expression blanked and her mind rebooted. "Wait, Raven did?"
"Oh yes. A birthday present for someone." I hand her a plainly wrapped parcel. "I suggested that she use gift wrappings, but she scoffed at the idea of decorating something that will be ripped to shred."
"Oh, Rae… Yeah. That does sound like her." She carefully accepted the parcel and weight it in her hand. "Do you know what's inside?"
"I'm afraid that's a surprise for the recipient. Nothing harmful, I can assure you."
"Thank you, Seth. I hope Tai or Qrow doesn't throw a fuss about this."
"I'm sure you can pacify them. You may no longer be a Huntress in training at Beacon, but you'll always be a leader in their eyes. Even Raven, though she won't admit it."
Summer smirks and nods. "You're right. I'm still the boss." Then her expression fell slightly. "Hang on! How did you find her and get away one piece without being exploited or being robbed?!"
That's right. Summer doesn't know that I'm practically invincible and thinks I'm a hapless teenage civilian.
"A merchant who travels through dangerous environment for years is a good indicator that they are anything but defenseless, Mrs. Rose. If anything, Miss Branwen is terrified of me. Haha! How else would she entrust me with the package?"
Summer opens her mouth and raises a finger, then lowers it with a huff. Just like how she reacted when we first met.
"Okay. Fine. I'll accept that answer. You're pretty mysterious, you know."
"I've been told that before."
"For obvious reasons. Well, I got to go. Gotta check on Tai and hope he doesn't cook something charred again!"
"Ah, Miss Rose. Before you go."
"Hm?"
"Please reconsider your future course of action. Some hurdles cannot be taken head-on."
Summer's silver eyes slowly sharpen and her expression became humorless. It's clear that the Summer in front of me is no longer a loving mother, but a veteran Huntress. One of the best among her peers.
"Thank you for your advice, but I am not afraid to take on difficult challenges."
'Maybe so, but you'll regret it.'
I didn't say what was on my mind. Instead, I smiled like nothing heavy was being referred to or discussed and bid her farewell with a nod. She returns the gesture and walks away.
'She is certainly stubborn.'
/-/
'Summer sales are the best.' I stretched my arms and climbed onto my bed. 'Give me the total and conversion amount for today.'
[End-of-Day Sales Totals Report]
…
Sales Total: 687,384 Lien
Conversion Amount: 199,341.36
'Not bad. Welp. Time for bed. I got a business dinner with Watts, Merlot, and Jacque tomorrow.'
With Watts' proposal passed over for Pietro's, he instantly switched over to Salem's side though he hasn't faked his death yet. As for Merlot, the guy was found by one of Salem's Grimm and wholeheartedly joined her inner circle.
I look forward to the meeting. It's a large business opportunity that I had drafted with Watts and Merlot. Oh, I can't stop grinning and cackling about it.
[Nebulous Evil Corporation in the making]
"No. Shut up and get going."
[Auto Drive: On]
[Destination: Atlas]
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the smooth ride of double-decker RV. It's going to be an eventful day tomorrow.