#Tyrael Cheshire - Overheard Conversations

[teamoliv-archive]

Cutscene: Change of Plans (Part 1)

“I’m here as you asked, Tyrael.” An unimpressive-looking middle-aged man opened the door to the Cheshire head office carrying a large scroll pad in his hand. The translucent screen showed an array of charts and numbers from its reverse view.

“Redmond, take a seat. There is a lot we need to discuss regarding reconsolidating our presence in Mistral after Leroux’s inglorious demise.” Tryael turned immediately to the form of Redmond Reynard- officially the company’s financial analyst, he was also a trusted consigliere and fixer for the activities the council would otherwise have frowned upon. The man was brilliant, precise, and trustworthy. However, the disappearance of his daughter following the Red Arena’s collapse had caused more than a few concerns. The man needed a task to occupy himself, it seemed.

“I’m going to assume you already read through the files I gave you. Our primary source of money an influence in Mistral is gone, my daughter is dead, and the ones responsible for both are now running free.” He was referring both to his former adoptive son and his team and the wrench Robin Goodfellow’s actions threw into the mix. Both would need to be dealt with.

“Tyrael,” Redmond spoke confidently enough to speak to his employer more like an equal than a subordinate, “We can’t keep ignoring the fact that our own children are unaccounted for after this. This isn’t just parental worry. Ivory knows a lot about how Jade Leroux’s operations functioned and all the connections he had. If what Robin Goodfellow told you is true, he has friends she can turn to. I understand you trust your former teammates to collect them and I have no doubt of their abilities, but we have to make sure don’t make unnecessary enemies. We cannot hope to financially or socially restructure from the crater Leroux made of his operations, particularly if he had a fallback plan.”

“I am well aware. Auroras and Hari will ensure the children are brought to me. Your daughter will not be harmed outside of an absolute worst-case scenario. As far as our money is concerned, I will be placing donations and investments in Ciar’s new project. Jacqueline’s results speak for themselves-”

“Stop,” Redmond cuts off Tyrael’s sentence with a calm firmness a small handful of people could, “Placing all of our captial in a single entity again is not going to win back our losses. Work with Ciar all you wish, but as your adviser I am advising you to exercise caution.

He places the large scroll onto Tyrael’s desk and a video starts playing of a girl standing on levitating stones and proclaiming herself the world’s new protector. “Do you see what. Dr. Xanthos has been doing at Beacon? This was there opening ceremony from several weeks ago. It only just now arrived to us. I saw the information you were given on their Aurora project and there is no way we were given everything. Whatever this is, they’re hiding information from us. The facts are plain, we are not in control of anything that’s going on at Ciar, nor will we be.” 

He swipes a few fingers across the intricate display and another set of charts and numbers shows itself again. “In regards to these operations we were warned about, Jade Leroux’s partner, Darcie is the only name I could find, has apparently recaptured everything he had left in less than a week of his demise. You weren’t even back in Atlas before then. She managed to hide any information about herself and her operations even from me.”

“There are too many unknowns here, Tyrael. We cannot just proceed without a better plan. We have your mercenary friends searching for our children but while you may trust Ciar, I insist we are either being duped, or they are infighting, and we have no plans regarding Goodfellow’s threats or any possibilities Darcie may bring to the table.”

“This is precisely what I wanted to speak with you about.” Tyrael responds flatly, “Your unease is baseless, Redmond. Ciar needs our money to continue operations and Xanthos owes us for his job and resources in the first place. There are parts of this project you do not know. As for Goodfellow, I will deal with him personally.”

“Personally? Tyrael, we can’t just leave Atlas. The smuggling routes are slowly being blockaded and your absences have been noticed. I’ve already shown you my maps.”

“Leave? No, I will simply be taking a little stroll to Mantle. Robin Goodfellow himself can be dealt with on Tiberius Ciar’s time and expenditures. However, he does have family in Mantle that I may speak to.”

“And risk making the childrens’ collection more difficult. Remember who is also on that team you’re hunting down. Or do you plan to just use brute force for this one?”

“I think that’s going to depend on how fast you are, Redmond. I am sending you to Mistral. Find and speak with this Darcie and see if we can’t renegotiate a new deal. This time, we will have less to worry about with Leroux no longer around to attempt to manipulate things and they will likely be better prepared as well. If you happen to find Team OLIV and their friends along the way, pass the message on to Auroras and Hari and this can be much more painless.”

Redmond disliked the sound of that plan. Again, there was the possibility of Darcie turning hostile given what Lilac had done in vengeance. It could be quite a bloody circle. He might have to regroup with his mercenaries beforehand. Still, bases were covered and this gave him an excuse to look for Ivory on his own terms. “Alright. I’ll be packing immediately.”

[teamoliv-archive]

Interlude: Picking Up the Pieces

Violet wasn’t sure how long she had stared at her uncle’s body at the modest funeral they had put together. Several grateful people in the kingdom had helped donate materials or money to give a proper burial one of the huntsmen who helped save people from the attack that was currently being blamed on cult that grew out of a White Fang splinter group. She hadn’t heard about Cobalt Ymir’s death until after it was all over. It had taken several weeks for things to return to what was as close to normal as they could be anymore.

“Do you think he would have been proud of us?”

“If he knew half of what we had to do to get here, I’d say so. Lapis stood nearby with what was left of their team. They were the only ones of the four present save for Lazuli who decided to stay for emotional support. Ivory didn’t dare show herself and he didn’t even want to think about Onyx right now. Everything about the end of that fight still haunted him. “He believed in us, even when we didn’t.”

Violet forces a smile and nods, wiping some tears away. “You’re right. What matters now is that we don’t forget that.” She turned around when she heard her name being called.

“Hey there, Sundrop, I hope I’m not interuptin’ anything. I need to talk with you for a bit, okay?”

“Sure. Hey, Dad, I don’t think you ever met my partner from Atlas. This is Lapis and his sister, Lazuli.”

“It’s nice to meet you, sir.”

“You guys need a minute?”

“Actually, you might want to stick around for this.” Shin explains, “We’re going to have to head back home soon.”

“We can’t go so soon!” Violet protests, The Dustwings aren’t really in good enough shape to help the city rebuild yet. They’re going to need huntsmen and huntresses out here.”

“You’re right, but I want to know if you noticed somethin’ about those safe houses. Notice how empty they are?”

“They look packed to me.” Lazuli notes, watching the throngs of injured and recently homeless crowding around the area. ”Violet’s right. There’s too many mouths and not enough help. We can’t just... not do something. Maybe you need to leave but we can’t. If we send a letter home I’m sure they’ll understand.”

“That’s exactly the problem. Tyrael Cheshire packed up his goons masqueradin’ as help and left already. He snuck his way back to Solitas and to be blunt, our families might be danger. The Dustwings will have help soon. That militia that saved Haven’s still around, I think.” Shin looked to Violet with a nod. “I spoke with your brother.”

“You found Robin!? What happened?” Violet caught her breath and cursed herself for having missed him again. “Where? What did he say?”

“That ‘Red Arena’ might be gone but it won’t be long before Cheshire just throws his money into a new project. Robin claims he’s going to target us soon. We need to get back to Mantle to make sure nothin’ happens to them.”

“Dad....” Violet shook her head, “Mom’s a huntress, too, I think the two of you can take care of yourselves. I- I can’t leave yet. The Dustwings need help and we’re here to do exactly that. Besides... we have some people who need us more than ever now. Lapis and I might have homes to go back to, but half of us don’t.”

Shin let out a sigh. “You know, he told me you’d say that. I guess I should accept you’re a big strong girl now. Here.” Shin holds out a scroll to her. “Hold onto this. We managed to get some replacements for everyone. It’s got a message for you, too.”

“What’s it say?” Lauzli says, peering over Violet’s shoulder.

Violet opened the scroll to an audio message. She recognized the voice instantly.

“Hey, Sis.

Sorry I didn’t catch you when I talked to Dad. Well, I guess I’m sorry about a lot of things. I know it won’t make anythin’ better but this is all I’ve got for now. You did a good job out there, you know? I’ve got some information on this scroll you’ll need to know. Jade didn’t work alone. He’s got friends- and if you stick around, you’ve gotta watch out for them, and don’t think his old paycheck’s going to forget what happened to his daughter, either. But, hey, you kids took down some pretty nasty people. So long as you stick together, you’ll do fine.

“I’m not gonna say you won’t ever see me again, but I’ve got my own things to take care of right now. In the meantime, keep bein’ who I couldn’t, and tell that tin can of a Lieutenant I said hello, would ya? We went to Atlas together.”

“I'm bad at showin’ it, but I love you, Violet.  Make everyone proud.”

“Robin... I just finished crying...” She smiles and rubs her eyes gently.

“So you’re staying then?” Lapis asks after a few more moments. “We’ll need to find Reynard soon. I don’t really want to leave her or her crazy friend unattended.”

”I can go find them,” Lauzli replies, “I think you guys need to get a few other things straightened out. Don’t you both have people to say goodbye to still?”

______________

Ivory takes a deep breath, having gotten far away from the small gathering in the ruined square. She and Molly made it a point not to be seen by anyone. They were recognized by a lot of the populace in the district. She feared retaliation for Jade’s failure to protect them as promised. The news that he had been killed had not been kind of either of them, but Ivory felt a strange serenity in it. Though, she had her family and Onyx growing up. Jade Leroux was a lot of things to her- a mentor and master first and foremost but to Molly he was the closest thing to a father she likely had. She entered one of the ruined houses where they promised to meet. “Hey, how are you holding up?”

Molly sat in the middle of her ring weapon, letting it rest on the floorboards. “About as good as I can be. Honestly, I’m glad we’re both still alive but...” She balls her hands into fists and starts shaking.

“What are we going to do now? No one here’s going to give us anything. They have new real heroes now, right? They don’t want us. Even your stupid team is being talked about.”

“Yeah, well as far as fuck-ups go this could have been a lot worse.”

Ivory spins around and draws her ax immediately. “What are you doing here!?”

“I’m here to come clean, okay? I’m layin’ it all out on the table to let you figure out what to do next besides sit here and not know. Yes, I killed my uncle. I basically killed Jade, too. I’m not askin’ you to forgive me for either of those things and I ain’t here to gloat.”

“Then what!?” Molly darts up and spins around, standing with her wheel around her. “You’ve always hated us!”

“You’re right.” Robin says, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket and lighting it. “You want to know why? I want you to look at my little sister and then ask yourself, what if she wound up like you? How about you look at Darcie and her crazy parade and ask if you want to see each other in a place like that years from now?” He watches the two girls stare at him and then each other in awkward silence. “You’re wasted potential is what you are. I made my choice when I had a mind to do so. You were snatched away as kids. I ain’t blind. You two are damn near siblings to one another and as weird as it’s gonna sound comin’ from me, I’m glad for it. So I’m tellin’ you right now- you can either sit here and cry over what you lost like Lilac Cheshire did, or pick yourselves up and have your own fuckin’ lives for once.”

“And do what? We can’t just become huntresses just like that! What, do you think we’re just going to pick up our stuff show up with your sister and her friends and walk off into the sunset like some stupid fairy tail!?”

“Why not? S’what I’m doin’. Well, sort of. See, I’m plannin’ on makin’ Tyrael Cheshire’s life a livin’ hell and all his buddies with his creepy business partner at Ciar to boot; so I’m grabbin’ my old team together. We’re about to make some noise and make off with whatever we can in the process.”

Ivory trembles as she thought of Onyx, holding his bloody body in her arms. “We all fought together in the end.” She mutters to herself, “M-Maybe we can do it again.” She turns to Molly and holds out her hand.

“I’m not doing this without you, you know that. I promised I wouldn’t abandon you. You won’t be alone again.”

Molly didn’t say anything for the longest time. She heard Robin’s footsteps leave the building without even saying goodbye. “Sure, fine, just stalk off...” She says to herself before staring at Ivory. Her mind flashed a moment to that girl from the Arena.

‘I forgive you.’

“Fine.” Her reply was reluctant and slow, but maybe something good could come out of this. “You know... I always wanted to be a huntress as a little girl.”

“We can at least give a shot, right?”

_____________

“It is going to take a while to rebuild.” The elderly huntress says, having donned a new mask and walking the streets. The kingdom had already heard rumors of the elusive “Mother Marianne” sighted in Mistral- it was time to show that face again.

“Yeah.” Morado still hadn’t even begun to process everything he had learned about his fiance in recent weeks, let alone grieving. “We’re staying right here, though. Mistral’s not about to turn us over to Atlas needing us as much as they do. Besides, I should have been able to stop this. Lilac... If I had known maybe I could have done something more to help her.”

“Some would take you for a fool, but I believe we need more people like you in this world, Lieutenant. But if I may be so bold as to give you some sage advice, don’t dwell on who you couldn’t save. Look to see who you can. It will never get easier. I can promise you that.

“Every victim, every lost soul, every life lost still hurts me whenever I come across it. Having a heart is not a weakness, but do not let it turn into guilt. You have to be the one these people look up to now. You’re all they have left anymore.”

“Lieutenant!” “Marianne!”

Lapis and Violet rushed to their side, breathing heavily. They had been running back and forth looking for them. “There you are. We needed to talk to you.”

“Did something happen?”

“Well, sort of? Not yet. We’re going to be leaving soon. Lieutenant, if I could have permission to-”

“Granted.”

“That was... quick.”

“We’re grabbing Reynard and her crazy friend to try and set them back up. Hopefully in a way that won’t get anybody arrested or killed this time, but we need to get them out of the kingdom first- at least until things calm down some more.”

“Rather noble of you to give them a second chance.” The elderly huntress replies, “They will need good guidance to put themselves back together, let alone on the proper path.”

“Let’s just say we owe our team leader a favor. Before that collapse, he still tried to reach out to his sister even when she tried to blow us all to kingdom come. If he could believe in a second chance like that, we can.”

“Besides, there’s still whatever Robin left on this scroll. Something about another operation like Jade Leroux’s. Apparently he wasn’t alone.”

“If I may see that?” Marianne had a feeling she already knew what it was about. Jade’s sadistic other half was just as ruthless as he had been and perhaps even more twisted. “I would like to copy this. You will not need to worry about her.”

“I hope you don’t plan on keeping me out of the loop this time. If there’s something else going on, we’re staying to help.”

“It is a long story, I will have to tell you later. For the time being, children, do not worry about Darcie. I have an old score to settle with her. I worry that Leroux’s death will make her more unpredictable, though. It is best if you leave that to us. Go find your friends and get ready to go.”

______________

“We’re almost there.” Lauzli announced, leading Ivory and Molly out to a clearing outside the kingdom. It was surprisingly easy for them to leave with all the commotion. She stayed a small distance from the two, but kept feeling eyes on her.

“H-Hey. Kid.”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for... you know... back during the fight. Not the ‘saving me’ part the... ‘I forgive you’ part.”

“I managed to figure out what your old boss was doing. How he was doing it. You guys didn’t realize did you?”

“We’re... still... processing that.” Ivory states, trying to ignore a suppressed angry look from Molly. The idea that their emotions were being directly toyed with through a semblance was a heart-wrenching thought, but a long time without it present felt strange. Things made a bit more sense with that context but she worried what that took away from her actual feelings. Where did any actual ideas or thoughts begin and Jade’s old influence end? Was that really a bad thing? She couldn’t imagine Molly wasn’t going through a similar internal crisis.

Lapis was standing firmly next to a large rock, his gear ready to go already. “You all set? I know a few nearby villages that know my face. We can get you some work and get your feet wet. You sure this is what you want to do?”

“What else do we have anymore?” Molly admits, her tone more flat than it used to be, “You sure you’re okay having two people who tried to kill you follow you around?”

“Oh, I’m not worried, we put our best in charge right beside yours truly.”

Ivory frowns, unable to really bring herself to reach for her ax like she used to. “It’s not going to be the same without him.”

“No one said it has to be.” Violet keeps walking through the trees to another figure waiting nearby.

“I did say we put our best in charge.”

_____________

Tyrael Cheshire had been quieter than usual ever since returning to Atlas. He had been absorbed in work both regarding retrieving money from Jade Leroux’s failed operation as well as the troubling news of the deaths of both his children. The official record deviated from what actually happened, of course, but it affected him nonetheless. Today would be when that turned around.

“Sir, Auroras Hallward here to see you.”

“Auroras Hallward of Blood Brothers LLC at your service, Mr. Cheshire. We will offer you the absolute best in elite mercenary services! No job out of the question for the right price and-”

“Auroras...”

“Fine, fine. Take all the fun out of it. Really though, Tyrael it’s been nearly twenty years since you seriously contact us and it’s for a job? Cobalt has seen us more than you and he’s on a military schedule.” The man removed his hat and adjusted his glasses before setting a large stack of papers on Tyrael’s desk.

“I heard you both just came back from Mistral. How was that?”

“Cobalt is dead.”

“I’m sorry. Repeat that?”

“One of my investments tried to manipulate and double-cross me and got Cobalt’s family involved. He was killed for his efforts to remedy the situation himself.”

“So that’s why you called us, is it? Is this because you don’t want to mix business with pleasure for the sake of revenge or were you just being kind enough to allow the rest of your old academy compatriots to share in it? He was just as much Hari and I’s friend as he was yours, you know. But surely, you wouldn’t call us for simple revenge.”

“You’re correct. I have a list of people I will need you all to hunt down. First is Robin Goodfellow, the man who killed Cobalt and was, to my understanding, instrumental in helping Leroux’s operations fall apart. The next is a group of young huntsmen and huntresses that are responsible for my daughter’s death. Find and bring them to me, dead or alive. In the meantime you will be covering for Redmond while he reestablishes my presence in Mistral.”

“That’s quite a lot for us to do at once, you know. It won’t be cheap. Of course, if you had told Hari that we were after Cobalt’s murderer I’m sure he’d jump at the chance to do it regardless.”

“Not... that that’s an invitation to work for free. We do still have a business to run. You know how it is.”

“Where is Hari by the way? I specifically asked for both of you to show up.”

“Currently locked up, I’m afraid. With our workforce cut in half it’s been a bit difficult to keep up the money to-”

“Auroras, you charge millions. You simply haven’t given yourself the time.” Tyrael waves a hand and two large briefcases are placed one on top of the other at the side of the desk. Tyrael slides Auroras’s stack of blank papers aside and lets it open to reveal a large amount of lien. “Half of your payment down as per your usual.”

“This is... actually more than usual, Tyrael. You’re not about to add another job onto this are you? You know we don’t stack work.”

“The second one isn’t for you.” Tyrael replies, “That is to get Hari out of jail. Do that, then begin your work. You are to kill Robin Goodfellow, find what remains of my son’s old Atlas team and bring them to me, and make sure that Leroux’s associates do not swipe away what is still rightfully ours.”

[teamoliv-archive]

Cutscene: New Grudges

The robotic limb felt strange. It didn’t really feel at all, but his brain kept telling him that an arm was there and that he was moving it exactly as it would if it were his own. He grimaces and turns his head. “While I’m normally a fan of cruel jokes, giving me Major Ymir’s arm is a little disturbing. To think you would pull the thing off of the corpse of your dead friend, do you genuinely care about anyone?”

This remark was met with a blow to the back, right in that still sore wound. Jade falls to the ground. He collapses to the dingy floor of the sewer he had previously encountered the Major and Inspector Briar. Cobalt Ymir’s body had since been taken out of the area by Tyrael’s men on the pretense of preparing him for a proper funeral. The switch for the arm was made during then. Already battered and bloody, Jade still felt insulted when he landed in what he was mostly confident was the Major’s dried blood.

“It is to remind you of how much you owe me, Leroux.” Tyrael growls, “Now keep quiet. I will need you consolidate myself here once we salvage what’s left of your miserable operation. Remember, you work for me.”

The rest of Tyrael’s statement is cut short as shots ring out from the dark tunnels of the sewer. He prepares his weapon just in time to realize the shots weren’t meant for him. They had fired on the prone Leroux.

Jade rolled over in a bloody heap, the bullet wounds in his back now obscured as he bared his front to the ceiling. With his body still recovering and his weapon destroyed, he had no real means to defend myself. “I... know that sound. Robin, what are you doing?”

“What I should have fuckin’ done years ago.” Robin Goodfellow stepped forward, revealing himself in the darkness. A mouse skittered in front of him in a panic and tried to dart past Jade and then Tyrael, who stomps on it with a sickening crunch and a weak squeak.

“You do not belong here.” Tyrael glares at Robin. He raises his gun and fires off a volley of flares. The other huntsmen dashes out of the way and manages to roll out of the last blast.

So this was Tyrael Cheshire. The tall muscled man was about as imposing as the rumor said. “You don’t waste time either, huh? Well let me lay it down quick. First, I’m killin’ that bleedin’ snake on the ground. Then I’m shootin’ you in the foot for squishin’ my mouse.” He dashes forward, blades ready. His forward momentum was halted by another fiery blast from his opponent’s massive shotgun. He had to crossguard his weapons to block and it sent him backward a few feet.

Tyrael walks forward still firing. “It is one thing after another with you, Leroux, isn’t it?” He focused his fire on keeping the huntsmen at a distance. Robin Goodfellow came with a fearsome reputation but a tendency for overconfidence. He may be cleanly dodging for now, but a few well-placed blows should be able to subdue him. Once the flares ran out, the weapons shifted into the large greatsword. A shot rang out mid-transformation and a pool of blood formed where Jade Leroux still lay.

Robin skid to a halt with Jade between him and Tyrael, his weapon pointed right at the now dead man. “Is that my uncle’s arm? Fuck is wrong with you?” He straightens his posture and stares the larger man down.

“If you want me to explain myself, you’re shit out of luck. I’ve got my reasons I don’t give a damn why you’re here. Just leave. That psycho bitch Darcie’s probably gonna make what your kid did to the city look like a birthday party once she sees this.”

Tyrael set his jaw and stared at Robin for a short period. He didn’t know who the man was talking about but that was definitely going to be something to investigate later.  “I have a feeling you are going to make my life very complicated if I let you out of here alive. I’m going to need you to elaborate on what you just said. If you do, I will only kill you. If I have to beat it out of you, what family you have will be targeted.”

Robin’s stance turned more aggressive in an instant. “Not while I’m here you’re not.” While he understood this was probably one of the worst times in history to grow a conscience, at the same time this line of his never really changed. “You do what you want with me, but if you drag my family into this, I’m gonna make sure you’ve got nothin’ but problems.” He sprints forward just in time for Tyrael to swing that massive sword of his. He catches one side and rolls over it, focusing mostly on dodging the man’s massive attacks. He wasn’t making a big attempt at accuracy Robin noticed. This guy was so massive he likely didn’t need to- so long as he hit once that was what he needed. He just needed to make sure he didn’t get hit.

Tyrael brings up a knee and then a kick to catch Robin in his dodge. This sends the man flying into the far wall. Tyrael charges forward, a pale yellow afterimage trailing behind him. With a roar he raises his sword and crashes it down into the wall, shattering a portion of it.

Robin shoves himself between his opponent’s legs to slide under the blow and leap back upright. The damage to the wall clued him in to reinforce the ‘don’t get hit’ plan. This guy was still slow and that could be used to his advantage. He spins around and starts an offensive, slicing away where he can.

Tyrael spun himself around, not actually blocking the blows. Cuts in his outfit started appearing but he wasn’t bothered by the impact at all. With his semblance still active, he could afford to take blows to maintain his momentum. He swings his fist at the other man to pin him to the wall. He hits the brick again and it shatters at the impact. Robin spun himself out of the way again, continuing his assault in between dodges and parries, keeping too close for Tyrael’s sword to make an effect, so he swung the massive blade again, forcing Robin to duck and slams it into the ground. “It was getting in the way, don’t you agree?” He says cracking his knuckles.

Robin jump to the sword stuck into the ground and uses it as a springboard to get some distance. He fires off some more shots that Tyrael just lets his aura take. He couldn’t keep that up forever, but this guy probably knew exactly how to judge what he had left. Thankfully, he could keep this up too, ducking and weaving out of the way of attacks. He doubted Tyrael was going to be that much faster at hand to hand. No, he just wanted to get in close so Robin had to switch tactics to range. He lets out a few more shots before going in low and slashing at an armpit. He was still only hitting aura, but he was hitting. “Fightin’ a guy who makes his livin’ in deathmatches ain’t the smartest move, you know.” He shifts to a more offensive but dodgy pattern, keeping away from Tyrael’s reach.

Tyrael takes a step back and swings behind his planted blade, lifting it up and swinging it again to gain some distance. He yanks the trigger on the weapon’s handle which sprays flames down the blade and out around him. “And you should not be backing so close to Leroux’s body.” The sword shifts to its shotgun form again and fires off a shot right at the dead man- and igniting what grenades he still had on him.

“Shit.” Robin dove to the side to keep away from the bulk of the explosion. Fire shot everywhere. “Why did that have to be the one you didn’t use, Jade!?” He shouted to himself before standing back up.

“You done yet? ‘Cause I’m just gettin’ started. You’re good, but you’re not gonna win this. I’m tellin’ you once. Stay away from anyone with the name Goodfellow and I won’t bother you. I hear about a single fuckin’ thing, and I tear down what’s left of what you got.”

“You are in no position to be making threats to me, boy.” Tyrael responds, “I have access to things you cannot comprehend. “If I have to go through you, believe me, I will.”

“Right then, time to get serious.” Robin rushes Tyrael down faster than before flipping around him and planting his pistol’s gun barrel right against the man’s shoulder and firing repeatedly. He lifted his legs up to prevent the man’s supernatural momentum from taking advantage. He finally sees a flash come over the man as his aura gives out just in time for Tyrael to force them both backward into the crumbling wall, letting Robin take the brunt of the blow. It hurt like hell but he wasn’t going to be able to do it twice.

Tyrael took a few heavy steps toward the debris where Robin laid still. He raises the sword with both hands ready to strike. He watches as Robin’s arms start to flail almost like they’re flapping. “You can’t move anymore can you?”

“Figured you’d do that...” Robin says with a battered smirk, “I’ve got one last trick up my sleeve. See, I am movin’.” His body jerks forward as a swarm of bats, lead by one with glowing green eyes flew right at him.

Tyrael has to cover himself as his vision is obscured by the sudden bat swarm. One moved, and the rest followed. He swung his arm and splattered several against the wall and injuring them. Once the swarm was clear, Robin was gone. It appeared he was going to need to pay a visit to Ciar before he went back to Atlas. This wasn’t going to stand.

Getting out of the sewer suddenly became the major priority. Tyrael Cheshire may have been injured, but that probably wasn’t going to slow him down. Then again, he seemed the sort to Robin to plan something slow but big. He’d have to watch for him later. For now, he needed to make sure his father knew what was going on.

[teamoliv-archive]

Event Announcement: Cheshire Financial Charity Ball

Three months after the Fall of Beacon

“Thank you all for listening and a thanks as well to Atlas Public Radio for having me.. I hope this interview will find its way to the surrounding areas and possibly even other kingdoms in these trying times.”

“Mr. Cheshire, you said before that you have taken a specific interest in Beacon Academy’s reconstruction, correct?”

“I have, our academies are the backbone of Remnant’s continued existence and safety. What happened to Beacon at the hands of the White Fang is without doubt one of the most harrowing things that has befallen us since the Great War. Without the huntsmen where would Remnant be? It is only fitting that Remnant repay them for their decades of service. I am a graduate of Atlas academy, myself and worked for several years as a huntsmen before starting this company, so I feel a personal responsibility for this.”

“Giving back to the academies how, Mr. Cheshire? You certainly sound like you have something big planned.”

“I do. Allow me to announce that I will be hosting my own charity event to the benefit of Beacon’s reconstruction. There will be a charity ball, concerts, a full banquet, and several auctions containing numerous items I have procured for the event from all over Remnant. I should note several of these things are no longer available in public trade with the embargo in effect.”

“How did you get them then?”

“Once I heard it was going to take effect, I did the only smart thing I could and stocked up. But that is not all I am offering. This event will have a modest entry fee to allow more than simply Atlas’s upper classes from attending. In fact, this is why I want the word spread. This not be a mere social event using charity as a disguise. I want results with this; and I feel that will be easiest to do if the eventgoers speak to the Beacon students themselves. If a copy of their student transcripts are sent to me, I will personally pay for the trip and hotel stays for any Beacon students or faculty for the event. I encourage as many as can send a letter to do so.

“Show the world your faces and dare them to say they do not need you. I will be there standing beside you as we work together to create your new academy.”

The RP event will be on Sunday, March 10 with proceedings starting as soon as I can make the announcement. This is an open RP event where all who participate can chat, make connections, and participate in the event’s various activities. If you’re interested, RSVP via the submission box. People looking to simply attend should just give a message that they are. Beacon students who wish to be taken to Atlas for the event should specify such.

The event will follow the tag. CheshireCharityEvent

[teamoliv-archive]

Overheard Conversations: Mutual Grievances

“Cobalt...”

Shin would never have expected to see a man like Tyrael Cheshire grieve. The simple fact that they were standing in the same dingy place like this was still too surreal. But they both knew why they were here. “Rest in peace, Ymir. We’ll watch over Poppy for you.”

He took a look at the wounds, kneeling down to inspect the body. One through the chest and a slash across the neck. There were bullet casings strewn everywhere and a huge chunk of ice in one corner. What the hell had happened down here? He had a sinking feeling he knew, though. He knew at least one caliber of bullet that was here. Robin had been in this fight and his weapons were the most likely to leave those wounds.

Did he really do it? Could Robin really have killed his uncle? It was frightening to think about.

Tyrael takes a few steps forward walking past Cobalt’s corpse, staring directly into the passage ahead. “That’s two debts of blood you owe me, Leroux...” He says in a tone even harsher than normal. This wasn’t a simple direct and gruff tone. This was a man who was wronged and wouldn’t suffer it. “You will not have a quick death.”

“As much as I don’t want to get in the way of whatever revenge you’re cookin’ up, Tyrael, we need a plan. I still feel like I’m owed my own personal hell just for sayin’ this, but I’m going to trust you.” They both saw that the path split into two. One seemed to lead further into the underground while another was heading out into the sewers again. “I’ll take that route and see what I can find. You go further in and find that Leroux fellow.” For all Cobalt and Tyrael spoke of him the man was dangerous as hell, but Shin had yet to encounter him. He had no idea what to expect.

“I do not need your approval,” Tyrael barked back, “I will end the man no matter what you say. Pray you find your son before I do. In the meantime, I have a bad investment to correct.”

[teamoliv-archive]

Cutscene: Outstanding Debts

Jade let the crack of aluminum soothe him for a brief moment as he opened one of his canned teas. He takes a long drink and considers the ramifications of his recent victory. He was certain that Melina Briar was at the very least in critical condition in a sewer somewhere, though he had his men searching the wreckage of the district thoroughly. All of his people were firmly in Tyrael’s hands, which would prove useful if he could convince the man to trade favors, and that pesky Major Ymir had been dealt with. It wasn’t part of the plan but an unexpected boon nonetheless. The fact that he could shift the blame to Robin helped if need be. A hurried enforcer rushed into the room, souring his mood as he felt that pang of irritation the moment a half-panicked voice called to him.

“Sir! Mr. Cheshire has come to see you.” The man was obviously terrified. Tyrael had that effect on people most days. Jade pats the man on the shoulder and gives a reassuring smile. “Relax. You know he values us.” He steps out into the large meeting room he had set aside.

The Red Arena’s primary building was constructed under and old school and Jade made liberal use of the old offices and classrooms to serve as quarters for his people while the basement created the titular arena itself. The meeting room was an old office that had the large reception desk removed and replaced with a table years ago. Not a lot of the furniture had survived the bombs and subsequent fires but the building itself had remained standing thanks to a still-operational sprinkler system and more than a little luck.

Tyrael himself was standing in the doorway with a very harsh look on his face. Jade decided to speak first. “Tyrael, why you never visit the Arena yourself. What could-” 

His introduction was cut short by the larger man raising his shotgun and firing off several shells silently. Jade raised his shield and took the impact of each one. The debris of the table and chairs blew against the walls from the force.

“This isn’t about Major Ymir, is it?”

“Partially,” Tyrael answers, “I would also like to address the actions of the Reynard girl, your associate Mr. Goodfellow, and now that we have opportunity to discuss with impunity- the death of my wife. So far I am less than pleased with your performance.”

“Does this really require weapons, Tyrael? I would offer you a seat but we’ve been having... difficulties,shall we say. I regret to inform you the girl’s not here. In fact I haven’t seen her since you cast her off to Menagerie. Curious how she never returned with little Jett. How is he by the way?”

“Enough!” Tyrael barks, “There will be no more negotiations, Leroux. You’ve overreached and caused me damage. I will be exacting payment for those damages.” Tyrael’s gun unfolds into the large sword and he charges faster than one would expect of someone his size.

Jade darts out of the way. “Is there really no other way you wish to do this? I’d like to think our deal has been quite good so far.” He ducked out of the way of a large sweep and put his shield in front of him for a tackle. He smacked right into the larger man but he barely budged. 

He felt his jacket tighten when Tyrael grabbed the back of it and flung him against the wall. 

Tyrael shifted his weapon back to its shotgun form and began firing volleys. Jade had righted himself and was darting out of the way, leaping off of the corner and kicking the gun downward. He had no choice but to suffer through a few quick swipes of Jade’s shield blade before reaching up to grab his arm. He grit his teeth and growled, he started to squeeze.

Jade forced a smirk through the pain in his arm. “I think you’re forgetting something.” He tosses something with his free arm and faint beeping sounded behind his opponent. A gravity dust grenade went off, sending his opponent backward and allowing him to keep his footing.

Tyrael skid backward, planting his feet on the ground just barely. “That’s enough talking out of you.” He reconfigured his weapon back to sword from and pulled the trigger on the handle. Charlemenge’s blade caught a shot from the barrel now stuck into the blade, causing it to light up. Tyrael swung it in a wide arc, sending a large gout of flame in front of him.

Jade dove into the blaze, skidding on his knees to bend under the majority of the wave and stand back up. He still burned a chunk of his suit but it was better than standing and taking the whole hit.

“You Cheshires really do seem to love fire, don’t you?” He aimed for a low swing and was punished for his efforts with Tyrael’s sword being slammed point first into his shield. It took all he could to keep from breaking his arm.

Then the man started to glow with a faint yellow shimmer.

“I assume your little spy told you what my semblance is, correct?” Putting an unstoppable momentum behind his blow, he pushed the sword downward, puncturing the man’s shield and pinning his arm to the ground. He saw him fumbling for another grenade in his coat. One rolled behind him and exploded in a burst of lightning.

His clothes were singed and he seemed to have barely hung onto what little of his own aura remained, but Tyrael Cheshire was still standing. “It is time to pay your debts, Mr. Leroux.” With one more push that caused his body to spark out a pale yellow light that ended his aura reserves, he gave one last push to shove the blade of his sword through Jade’s weapon- and his arm. “That, was for Cobalt. He lost that same arm serving the Atlas military.”

Jade stared at the stump of his arm in shock. He didn’t feel any pain- perhaps that was just his body insisting that such a thing needed to be masked for his own sanity. That did not stop the large sword from raising again. The larger man’s foot planted on his other arm, pinning it in place. A sharp pain tore through his back.

“The boy suffered a scar just like this when Redmond Reynard’s daughter killed my wife. Seeing as you were the one responsible, it is only fitting you bear that price. Now for all the money you’ve lost me due to your little project falling apart... I will be in control of your activities directly from now on. Disobey me and I will kill you.”

“I’m... certain... we can renegotia-” His words were cut short by a sputtering cough as Tyrael’s foot raised off of his arm and stomped right onto the open wound on his back.

“I believe the next words out of your mouth were going to be ‘Yes, sir.’ You will reorganize according to my directions. Nothing in your operations will happen without my oversight. Lastly, you will bring your little apprentices and Robin Goodfellow to me. They will join you in your restructuring or they will be eliminated. Am I understood?“

[teamoliv-archive]

Overheard Conversations: The Bad News

Onyx landed on the roof of one of the alleged ‘safe houses’ that had apparently been set up. Publicly funded by the Cheshire Financial Group to keep people safe. If he heard the rumors correctly, several huntsmen and a rogue Atlas contingent had joined in their defense. However, Tyrael Cheshire himself had left. Good. No one was going to notice a battered faunus in one of the rooms, he hoped. Barring that, he could always disappear again.

Vaulting down from the roof, he inspected the door. Seeing as these were repurposed storage units there were no windows to inspect. He would just have to go inside. Nothing was going to prepare him for what he saw.

Had his voice not been damaged, he would have shouted in shock. Instead he just let out a harsh croaking noise.

“O-Onyx!?”

Violet stared for a while at the sorry sight that had become her neatly dressed, confident, and constantly smiling team leader. His clothes were the plainest she’s ever seen them and weren’t in the best condition and his neck was wrapped tightly in bandages. Her eyes instinctively went to his faunus ears. She knew- the whole team did, but she’d never actually seen them up close. Part of her wanted to ask where that scar on one of them was from, but that wasn’t important right now. 

Onyx had no time to react before Violet sprinted forward and threw her arms around her old teammate, causing him to reel back in anxiety for a few moments. Then he finally calmed down and just stood there. Violet started to tear up. “I didn’t think I’d ever see either of you again.”

Morado took a step forward to put himself into Onyx’s view, waving in an awkwardly casual way. “Hey, Cadet, mind letting him go? We can catch up in a bit.”

“Uh, right! I mean, yes sir!” Violet responds, righting herself and backing up a few steps, still wiping an eye clean. “There’s a lot that’s going on. Take your time, but we need to talk.”

Onyx takes in a shaky breath before letting out that same awful croaking noise in an attempt to speak. It still hurt. He shakes his head and searches the room. Settling on a table with a notepad, he weaves through the crowd of Mistrali residents and snatches it.

Morado could tell there was something wrong here. Onyx Cheshire not talking was always worrying regardless of the reason. This time it seemed different, though. He was suddenly very worried about those bandages. “Over here.” He leads him and Violet to a section he had more or less claimed for Dustwing operations and helping the Cheshire “volunteers” manage the safe houses. “Who first?”

[I should have expected as much.] Onyx wrote down on the paper in front of him. [Everything about how Ivory had been acting ever since the academy. I should have seen it.]

“We all should have. We really should thank Uncle Cobalt when he gets back. He noticed. He probably saved us. That guy you talked about, Ler... Leroux? Is that how you pronounce it? Jade. What did he look like?” She looks over Onyx’s shoulder as he wrote out a description. That was him. That was the man who was talking to her brother that day, and the same one Ivory apparently worked for. “Everything... Everything points back to him. Even all this...”

The conversation was interrupted by the slamming of a metal-clad fist against the steel of the storage unit, denting it. 

“No! No! NO!” Morado punches the wall several more times trying to keep himself under control. This couldn’t be it. Would Lilac really just throw away so many people just to get revenge? Did she really think things could just be okay after this?

“Why didn’t you tell me!? Why did you think this was the answer!? I could have helped you, Lilac! We could have done something without... without this! Why is it okay for all these people to die just because they’re in the way!?” His shouting was muffled by the groups going about their business, but not enough where they all didn’t turn and stare at him.

The armored soldier turned and stooped in front of them. He lifts the goggles on his suit, flipping up mechanically. His tear streaked face met the crowd. This isn’t what they needed to see right now. “I... I need a moment.” He turns to another of his unit. “Doyle, you’re in charge. I’ll be back.”

Onyx watches Morado walk outside only to snap out the wings of his suit and blast himself upward. He prayed this wasn’t about to end badly, but he didn’t expect he wouldn’t go looking for her. He turns to Violet with a look of urgency.

“You’re right. We’ll need to go after him.” She’s tapped on the shoulder as another set of notes is pushed in front of her.

[Lilac isn’t likely to be using her home as a base but he will likely go there first. She must have other places. We’ll need to find her before then. My sister isn’t the kind to take well to things going badly for her.]

“We’ll still have to be on the lookout for Ivory, too. She’s got some help though. Both of us might be able to hold our own.”

Onyx flexes a hand and motions to himself as if to say ‘Leave Ivory to me.’ He writes again. [Finding her will lead us to Lilac. Jade Leroux is elusive and Ivory is her true main target. Show me where you fought them. We will start our search there.]

[teamoliv-archive]

Overheard Conversations: The Decision

The following conversation takes place following the White Fang attack on Beacon Academy and subsequent battle. 

“No one will blame if you don’t stay.”

The General’s words were probably mean to be more rallying than helping. No one really wanted to leave who felt they could help. This did not mean everyone stayed.

“What do you mean, ‘we’re leaving’?” Violet snapped bitterly. “You’re serious! You’re seriously going to leave all these people to die to save your own skin!”

“I believe I made my instructions very clear. There is no point in dying for this. There are far too many Grimm not to mention insurgents and from what I’m seeing, the military’s hardware has either failed them or we’re in the midst of a coup. Either way, staying is worthless. Get on this ship! I am making that an order!”

“Violet, we can’t fight this. Onyx is right. All we’d be going is dying with everyone else. We need to evacuate. This place... This place is lost. We have to accept that.”

“You’re worse than a coward, Cheshire. Isn’t this the whole reason we’re here!? Is that what you want people to see!? All the armed huntsmen running away!?”

“This coming from the man who refuses to call himself one. This is Ozpin’s mistake for not seeing this coming and refusing the warnings. Let them burn and die in their own folly. Anyone foolish enough to stay and fight deserves whatever fate they’re given.”

“I can’t believe you... Uncl- Major, please talk some sense into them!”

“My duty is to evacuate those who wish to flee. Apart from that I am to see you safe home to your families. If your team leader chooses to evacuate then I will ready the ship.”

“Fine. Save your own sorry hide, but I am not getting on that ship. I don’t care what your ‘orders’ are.” Lazuli and the other younger pre-academy students should have evacuated by now, but he didn’t know for certain.

“He’s right. What would Dad say if I came home with my tail between my legs?”

“And what would he say to me if I came back with your corpse? No, am not allowing you to go out there.” Cobalt takes a step forward. Lapis draws his weapon. Violet hesitates to do the same.

A single shot is fired behind them. A large wall of reinforced ice dust separates them from the rest of their field of view. “This is not our fight. Get on the bullhead.” He looks up as a large Grimm circles around them. He points his gun up and fires at it. The creature dissolves in a fireball before it hits the ground.

“You worthless, self-serving bastards! You’ll leave them all to die!” Lapis rushes forward without another thought.

Ivory takes a quick sidestep, using the long reach of her weapon to arc around Lapis’s guard and quickly strike him down in the back. She angles her weapon again and fires the gun backward, launching the flat of the blade against the back of his head. A crater formed in the ice wall behind them, spraying shards everywhere. He was knocked out cleanly.

Onyx gave a stern stare to the shaking Violet. Whether it was in fear, rage, or some combination of the two he didn’t care to analyze. “So would you like to spend the rest of our trip to safety out cold as well?”

Violet could barely hear her own thoughts over the sheer blinding hatred of just abandoning what was probably one of the worst events in modern history. “You are worse than a coward, Onyx Cheshire...” She mutters in a low venomous tone, mirroring Lapis’s earlier condemnation. Dad had said that the Cheshire family was one of utter monsters, but she hadn’t seen it up until now. Ivory didn’t surprise her. She never did seem to do anything but take his orders. “Fine... If I don’t have a choice, I’ll go.” As much as she would rather go out fighting at least trying to save lives than do this, she knew she wouldn’t even be able to get that far if not even her uncle would step in to keep Ivory away from her. She stared the person she now refused to call her team leader. “Count yourself lucky if I ever speak to you again.”

She turns her head angrily to her uncle. “Put me in the cargo hold if you have to but I am not going to share this ride with them.”

“I would not advise that...” Cobalt mentions, “It is a long way to Atlas.”

 “Drop her off in the shipyard for all I care. We’re leaving this failed academy to its fate.”

Ivory hoisted Lapis over her shoulder. He was heavy. She watched Violet insistently tuck herself in with the crates and boxes in the back while Major Ymir got everything ready with the pilot. Tyrael must have pulled some strings with the right bribes again. They had the ship to themselves. She glances to Onyx. “Are you sure this is the right thing to do?”

“This is the right thing to do for us. That’s all that matters.”

“....You’re right. Let’s go.”

[teamoliv-archive]

Overheard Conversations: Influence

Taking place in Cheshire Manor - Fifteen years ago

“Is there something I can help you with, Major, or are you content to glower at me as you have for the last ten minutes?”

“How are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“I do not know how you keep pulling this off, but every time you speak with Tyrael, you come out of the negotiations with everything you want.”

“Perhaps I’m just that good of a negotiator. Or perhaps I come to my investment hearings giving my sponsor everything he wants ahead of time.”

“No. You do not. You have talked him into some terrible decisions I cannot imagine anyone else being able to convince him of.”

“Why, whatever do you mean, Major? Hmm... That sounds too distant. May I call you Cobalt?”

“No, and I am referring to the boy. Last year you insisted that he could not only adopt a boy, whom I am fairly certain you purchased from one of your slaver friends, and pass him off as his own at two-years-old; but that he could also do so while hiding the fact the child is a faunus. It is beyond unreasonable to assume this could be a smart plan for any reason. I do not care if he needed another heir in a hurry to answer the Schnee’s second daughter. Do you expect people to believe this family hid a child in their home for two years with no announcement or rumor even from the staff? You are planning something, Leroux. I will know what it is and how you manage to have Tyrael’s ear so closely.”

“You should really shorten your sentences, Major Ymir. It will make it far easier for people to understand you. I think that’s what you don’t get. I speak in a way so that people will listen, not merely hear. I suggest you practice sometime. Then again, you never were the smart one out of the two of you, were you?”

“You are trying my patience, Leroux, and I am no closer to trusting you than I was the day we met. I have helped Tyrael deal with selfish business partners before, but there’s something different about you. I will find out what that is.”

“I’m certain you will, Major. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a plane to catch. A prominent Vale detective was just killed in her own home and I would like to assess the damages. It was a house fire, if you’re curious. If we’re lucky, the evidence files of several potential customers of mine will have perished in the flames. It’s such a sad story. She was a mother of three, did you know that? The poor woman probably heard her own children screaming for help from the blaze before she died.”

“Enough! Why are you telling me this?”

“Perhaps it’s because I know nothing that’s said here will leave your lips and I felt like gloating. You’re good for that, after all. Or maybe I just want to remind you just how well connected I am. We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to anyone you cared about, do we? And I do doubt you’d risk your precious friend’s lucrative new business dealings by trying to pit him against me. Anyway, is that all? I do have to get going.”