Trivia reluctantly followed Beatrix and Ryuko down the hall, to the Headmistress' office. Trivia's existence in the Academy was a bit special. A rich, former student had paid the Academy well to take care of her. At least that was the cover, in actuality, Trivia's Mother, Carmel Vanille paid off the Academy and dropped off her child after their manor was set ablaze, thanks to an accident.
'Woah woah woah.. WOAH! Are we actually getting out of here? For real? Wait, what does this Dommy Mommy even want again? I was only half paying attention.' Neo walked beside Trivia, asking a question she too had.
Trivia bit her lip and shrugged. It's not like she knew anything Neo didn't. Ryuko complimented her and took more interest in her than the others. Certainly flattering, but she was suspicious about the mysterious redhead.
'Do you think she wants your body? Going by feet, we're 4'9. (144cm) Does she like them young!? No no.. I forgot how stacked you are.' Neo corrected herself and gestured at Trivia's breasts.
(⁄ ⁄>⁄ ▽ ⁄<⁄ ⁄) 'S-Stop it! And there was no lasciviousness in her eyes when she watched me! I'm sure of it!' Trivia blushed, hiding away the small, somewhat proud smile as they entered the Headmistress' office and took their seats in front of Beatrix's desk.
"I've messaged Mrs. Vanille to discuss your interest in her daughter. Her Mother has plans for her, you see. But I'm not going to deny it on my part. It's Mrs. Vanille you have to convince. She'll be here shortly." Beatrix informed as she sat down.
Trivia bit her lip and looked at the floor. Her feelings toward her Mother and Father were complicated. Her desire to express herself, for freedom fiercely clashed with the desire and expectation to make them happy and proud of her.
"That's fine. I'm sure she would understand my interest. Her daughter is very capable, after all." Ryuko replied, a polite smile plastered on her face.
Trivia winced, also hearing Neo snort in response to her claim.
*Ring!*
"Ah, she's here now. Mary, make some tea while I greet Carmel." Beatrix stood up, ordering her female assistant, who was standing silently near the door.
Beatrix left them in silence, moving over to the entrance of the Academy. A limousine had just pulled into the circular driveway, a fair skinned, pretty woman with short brown hair and pink eyes stepped out in a short white dress. She had a slightly annoyed expression on her face as she shut the door of the limo.
"Carmel. A pleasure to have a former student come visit." Beatrix smiled, though to Carmel, she saw through the polite facade. Beatrix was amused and hiding something from her.
"Yes, well I simply couldn't help but come when I hear my dear daughter has caught the eye of someone you found interesting." Carmel replied, playing along with the polite front Beatrix was accustomed to using.
Beatrix simply smiled and nodded, walking off to the side of the Academy, through the maintained garden that took up the entirety of the academy's outside west wing. Carmel followed, noting the lack of students and therefore ears that could be eavesdropping on them.
"What do we know about this woman? Why does she want my girl?" Carmel asked, her polite tone dropping as soon as they had some privacy. Beatrix smirked but didn't drop her own polite mask.
"Nothing. Her name? Doesn't come up on any database. But that's nothing new, in our line of work. After all, it could easily be a fake. What is? Her picture. She's never been documented. No family, no record, nothing. Isn't that interesting?" Beatrix asked, running her finger up a rose stem, careful to avoid the thorns.
Carmel's face scrunched up in frustration.
"That can't be right. Names are easy to falsify. But there has to be some documentation of her. You told me she had a very appealing and distinct appearance. How could nothing pop up?" Carmel expressed her frustration and disbelief. Though Beatrix understood, she sighed, disappointed in her former student.
"You should know well Spider has a vast network of informants and skilled people. We checked the databases of every Kingdom. Nothing. So unless she was the sole human raised on Menagerie or a simple bandit? She's a blank. More so than that, I have made some observations about her. She is playing a part. Much like those taught here learn to do. And my semblance tells me not to pick a fight with her. Even Miss Malachite is interested in what she's going to do." Carmel gawked, her mind racing at what Beatrix told her.
Still, she was very unwilling. She had specific plans for her daughter. Marry another noble, perhaps from the Winchester family and acquire more wealth and prestige for the Vanille house. She had enrolled her in this Academy for a few reasons. Discipline, as even the most rebellious girls sent here would become compliant after a few years. Skills, such as acting, combat and other hobbies and skills meant to attract the opposite sex were instilled here as well.
"Even so.. she is not taking my daughter." Carmel stated, her tone leaving no room to argue.
"Mmhaha.." Beatrix chortled, hiding her mouth behind her hand as she expressed her mirth. Something that both surprised and put off Carmel. Beatrix had always been masking her true expressions and reactions for as long as she'd known her. Hearing her the genuine amusement in her voice was incredibly strange.
"Well why don't you convince her then? I'm sure we've kept them waiting long enough." Beatrix composed herself and suggested.
Carmel grinded her teeth in irritation and followed Beatrix back into the academy whist muttering, "It's me she has to convince.."
Not long after, the two stepped back into the room. Only, the situation was odd. Ryuko was calmly sipping her tea, but doing so in Beatrix's chair while Mary was unconscious, slumped against the wall next to her. Trivia was still sitting in the same spot, but her eyes were wide as she stared at the redhead.
"Oh my? What happened here?" Beatrix tilted her head, asking with what could be anger, frustration and amusement. It was hard to tell behind the calm smile she wore.
"Oh? This here? A misunderstanding, I'm sure." Ryuko replied, setting the tea cup down.
Beatrix tilted her head in confusion, prompting Ryuko to continue.
"Yes, a misunderstanding. It must be. Because the lady here decided it was wise to try and poison miss Trivia and mine's tea. I believe she said it was called 'Thallium'. I managed to get that out of her after I called her out on it. I'm sure this was just a misunderstanding on your part though. Because if you had ordered her to poison, then attack us.. Well, that'd be most unwise~" Ryuko stated, giving both Beatrix and Carmel a refreshing, radiant smile.
Carmel's eye twitched as she heard the veiled threat. Beatrix looked at the unconscious woman, who was leaning against a nearly shattered wall.
"I see. That is most disappointing. I assure you, I had not ordered Miss Mary Black here to do anything but serve tea. I will get to the bottom of this and get back to you after our meeting." Beatrix stated, her expression laced with disappointment as she ordered Mary to be carried out of the room.
Carmel's eyes widened as Beatrix simply sat in front of her own desk, not raising any fuss about Ryuko taking her seat.
'She said Black..? As in that family of assassins? No wonder the girl was her assistant. And she attempted to kill this woman..? There's not a scratch on her..' Carmel grimaced and took a seat near Trivia, who immediately stood up and moved beside Ryuko, like a child seeking safety in their older sibling or parent. Carmel instantly scowled, breaking her facade of politeness.
"Let's get straight to business, since I seem to have upset someone. I want Trivia to work under me. She'll be paid well, of course. We had a little chat while you were off taking the long way back here." Ryuko said. Trivia nodded emphatically, a certain shine in her heterochomatic eyes.
"Unacceptable. You're an unknown. My daughter has duties to fulfill. Working under you is not a part of those duties. Now, if that's settled, come Trivia. You've stayed here long enough. It's time to meet a few of your marriage candidates." Carmel stood up, instantly frustrated and off-put by Ryuko's words.
'That bitch has no idea..' Neo snickered, leaning on Trivia's shoulder as Carmel snapped her fingers.
"Now, Trivia!" Trivia clenched her fists and looked at Ryuko's golden eye.
Their chat had been quick, entirely done so on Ryuko's part too, with Trivia being mute. She chose to be. It was a mental scar, one that she had inflicted on her at a young age. But even with it, she could and must express herself and what she wanted.
'Ryuko's offer.. To rule Vale. To be free. Money, strength, reputation. To be me.' Trivia sighed and glared at her Mother before shaking her head.
She then took out her scroll and quickly tapped away while she subconsciously activated her semblance. The right side of her hair became pink under its influence as she shoved the scroll in her Mother's face.
"No. I'm going to work with Ryuko. I'm not your fucking doll. Not anymore. You and that shitheel you call a husband can go huff the farts of those nobles you try-and fail-so hard to be until you asphyxiate and keel over."
Reading what her daughter wrote, Carmel's face reddened in sheer rage. Seeing her Mother so pissed off, Neo smirked and pulled her lower eyelid to mock her. Carmel reached behind her belt and pulled out a black knife with a lightning dust trigger. As she was about to strike her daughter, she found herself striking something metallic.
*CLANG!*
"Oh dear me~ Sorry, I cannot allow you to strike my precious new employee. And given that Trivia is eighteen, she is legally an adult and can make her own decision about her future. Will you respect that choice, miss Vanille~?" Although Ryuko asked her playfully, Carmel was spooked.
She had lashed out rather quickly. Her mind couldn't comprehend how Ryuko moved out of her chair so quickly and drew, what looked to be the largest revolver she had ever seen. It was shiny and black with a leather grip and six, large chambers.
"I didn't realize you had a gun on you, Miss Ryuko.." Beatrix stated, watching as Carmel pulled her blade away from the barrel of the black handcannon Ryuko wielded.
Ryuko smiled with a tilt of her head and stuck out her tongue, "Tehee~ I am in unfamiliar territory. Or did you expect me to chip my poor nails and fight barehanded if a fight broke out? Besiiides~ I don't have a gun. I have four."
Beatrix watched as a silver handcannon was pulled out when Ryuko reached into her coat. She then spun them around her fingers with skill and finesse, like they didn't weigh nine kilograms (20lbs) each. Then she latched onto the number she stated. Four. She hadn't seen so much as a shiv on her or in her coat. And that was something she'd notice.
"I don't care... how many peashooter Huntsman weapons you have. I am a trained killer. Your shots mean nothing. I am taking my little shit daughter back, whether you agree or NOT!!" Carmel quickly dashed off to Ryuko's side, she was quite quick even for a Huntress/Huntsman to handle.
Her hand shot out, intending on grabbing her rebellious daughter by the pink side of her hair and dragging her back to the manor after properly disciplining her.
Trivia braced herself, nearly bumping into Ryuko when it happened. She felt herself being moved by Ryuko, far faster than her mother could react to. Then, she saw the black barrel.
*BAAAAAANG!!!!!!*
It was loud, likely scaring the entirety of the school as the shot went off. Even further away, Trivia's ears hurt a little.
"AAAAAAAAH...!! HAND..! M-MY...!" Then she heard her Mother's wailing.
Trivia peeked over, seeing the hole now in her Mother's right hand. She nervously swallowed her saliva and looked at the handcannon Ryuko was holding in her right hand.
"She had average aura reserves..." Beatrix muttered, pulling her hand away from her ears.
"Do you like it? It's a new caliber I made called 700 Nitro Express. One of the piercing rounds. I made it two days ago, actually. I'd recommend you get her to a hospital, by the way." Ryuko stated, putting her hand on Trivia's shoulder. "I have to get Miss Neopolitan here set up. Unless you have objections too~?"
Beatrix sighed and shook her head while glancing at Carmel's bloody hand. There was a clean hole punched straight though her palm, about two inches in diameter. That was impressive, given she had her aura up.
"Perfect! Let's go, Neo~." Ryuko smirked and ushered Trivia along with her.
As soon as her semblance returned her to her normal apoearance, Neo came out once again. Their quiet walk turned into an almost equally quiet cab ride into Uptown Vale, which was nearby.
'Oh be still our beating heart! She shot that bitch and had her wailing on the floor! I don't even care if she lied about that Vale takeover stuff, Mama likey' Neo commented, licking her lips in an overtly sexual manner.
(●´⌓`●) 'You are..!! A remorseless lecher! Calm down! God! We don't even know anything about the lady! Now, she's about to take us to meet her fellow conspirators so best behavior!' Trivia raged internally as the cab stopped.
Neo shrugged with a smirk and oat Trivia on the back as she stepped out.
'Hey! No more repressing yourself now. Just be the natural bad bitch I know you are. Let's show her crew we can kick ass and hold our own. Trivia and Neo! Or.. Neopolitan. No more undoing our semblance to appease anyone.' Neo suggested as they stepped out.
'Uh.. I... I don't know. I never hear your voice when I do that.' Trivia replied, anxious.
'Pah. That's cuz we're the same. I am you and you are me. Now come on! Best face forward!' Neo stated, hugging Trivia's shoulder as her semblance activated once again, taking Neo's appearance as Ryuko led her inside a clearly new building.
"Ah, don't stress too much. I'm sure my subordinates will love you." Ryuko added, placing her hand on her head as she led her to a room in the back after passing by a receptionist girl.
Neo nodded, taking a deep breath and putting on a confident smile as she strut beside Ryuko and hooked her arm around her right arm.
As soon as they opened the door, Neo was met with a scene she hadn't expected.
"Ha!! NAT FUCKING TWENTY, BIIIIITCH!" A ginger girl yelled at several other women and one man, all playing a table top roleplaying game.
(｡´╹A╹｀｡) Neo nearly stumbled at the jarring realization in front of her. A group of super Huntsmen? Deadly assassins? Cyborgs? No. Just a bunch of teenagers all nerding out and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
"Pff-hahaha..!" Ryuko covered her mouth and cackled, earning the attention of all the teenagers.
"Welcome back, Yin! Oh! Another accomplice?" Shia stood up and looked at the tiny ice cream themed girl beside Ryuko. The others quickly followed suit.
*Pat~*
"Yes.. Ah, that reaction was perfect. Everyone, meet Neo. Neo, this ragtag group is my crew- no.. my Family."
[AN: Sorry. Got caught up reading TBATE and procastinated. Chap's longer as a make up]