[IC] Remnants of the Past

[lantgreen]

Marlin watched the argument escalate as Eve jumped in putting Yoki in his place. He still held Hansa, as much as he wanted to get up and punch the blond as well for a reason of just because he wanted to, the energy simply wasn't there. Yoki raged and questions splurged out of his mouth, he retorted about Diana and the fact that Marlin's existence was still a thing. Sure the two didn't know each other but Marlin enjoyed his angry company so he was hurt by his comment, especially about not being a Huntsman, like that title held such a precious privilege. "Hey fuck you!" he shouted in return. The subject of a new team came up and Eve didn't have an answer. Marlin was rather surprised since he referred to her as leading the way for everything. "You are Eve, you really didn't know?"

[LemonZest1337]

Diana smirked at Yoki as she saw his ears drop signifying his fear, this satisfied Diana slightly. The smirk vanished and was replaced with a hateful glare her eyes almost literally burning with anger. She wanted to tear this guy a new ass hole but knew she would be discharged if she stabbed her team mate. She hissed and turned away from Yoki. Diana looked over at Marlin when Yoki asked who she was, she wasn't about to waste more oxygen talking to him. She walked over to Marlin and threw a glance at Eve and Yoki. She enjoyed watching the tiny Eve force the mongrel to tell her things. She returned Yoki's angry glare and would smile if he reacted.

Then the audacious Fanus then asked who the team leader was and Marlin gave a response. Diana nodded. "You are easily the best candidate. Neither the drunk or the... Yoki... Are suitable applicants, and I have no prior experience being in a team let alone as a leader." Diana's tone didn't sound happy, but it also didn't sound like she was trying to insult anyone. Except Yoki, she really didn't like him. She then looked at Marlin and sighed "I am going to give you some of my Aura. Do not waste it." Diana held out her right hand and it began to glow a frightening crimson colour.

[Misumichan]

“Wait what?! Since when?!” Eve was floored by this but she started to realize they kept asking her what to do next and she would reply with some sort of plan. “I guess it makes sense…”
“Screw you both!” Yoki retorted. He flinched after making eye contact with Diana. “I don’t need this! A team like this is a waste of time!” Yoki took a few steps across the clearing before Eve yelled at him again.
“You aren’t leaving!” Eve hissed. “You are going to help us return to Vale! When we get there you are going to answer my questions! Right now, this kid needs some serious medical attention! From personal experience I know there is not scroll signal this far north so we cannot call for a med-evac until we get further south.” Eve knelt down and carefully picked Hansa up and positioned him on her back. She saw Yoki’s ears twitching and he got a bit defensive. “Also I don’t think I need to tell you that the Grimm are setting in thanks to not only his pain but your bad attitude!” Eve glared at the other two but more specifically geared it towards Diana, “Neither of you are helping with that either! So how about putting those bitter dispositions and anger to keeping them off me and the kid!” Eve started moving quickly and carefully so as to not disturb the unconscious kid on her back.
“Fine, but I do this under protest!” Yoki sighed bitterly and followed her closely.
“Shut up!” Eve groaned. "If you don't I'll have Diana punch you again!" She was done with his attitude. She had to focus on saving Hansa.

[lantgreen]

Marlin reached his hand out and grabbed hers, the red aura quickly flowed into his body, he didn't take anymore than she was giving but it was no where near to his capacity. He at least had some energy now, not much but enough to keep moving with the group. "Thanks, you didn't have to," he said feeling sorry for himself, having put in such a position. Eve grabbed Hansa the group started moving south, they desperately needed scroll signal for an evac and Marlin could already smell the packs of Beowolves nearby. "They're close, be ready," the team slightly jogging south. Marlin didn't exactly have the amount of aura he could use in a fight, but there was a way for him, if he just focused the aura to a single part of the body, he could be effective, he just wouldn't be able to do any quick combos like before.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana stood back up still holding her sword in one hand "It was required you would be much slower otherwise. We can't afford to wast any more time." Diana didn't look at Eve, she knew Eve was right about the Grimm but she wasn't about to admit it. Diana sheathed her weapon as they started moving not responding to Yoki's crude insult or bad attitude. Diana did indeed like the prospect Eve put forward of hitting Yoki again, but she would have to wait for a passable excuse first. She put her sunglasses back on seeing as they were relatively safe the moment was short lived as Marlin brought up Grimm. She sighed and folded up her sunglasses and put them away again. "Would it not be wiser for Marlin to Carry the boy? With your current aura levels I would advise against combat." She unsheathed her blade as she finished talking. She begun scanning hoping Eve would see the logic in her fighting over a aura deprived kitty cat. She hadn't spotted any Grimm yet but she knew they were getting very close. She held her blade on an angle low to the ground, it would slice through blades of grass like they weren't even there.

[Misumichan]

“I thought of that too but I am faster as far as I can tell.” Eve explained to Diana. “Even with this one on me I should be able to avoid any Grimm should we end up running into a horde.” Eve had an opportunity to demonstrate when a medium sized Nevermore dove rapidly for her. She easily slipped out of the way and Yoki split it in half with his sword. A Beowolf popped out of the bushes she ended up near and she quickly turned out of the swing of its claws and backstepped out of it’s range all together, all with a grace that wouldn't disturb the sleeping rabbit on her back. “We can trade off later or if he needs more aura he can use mine.”

[LemonZest1337]

Diana nodded to Eve not wanting to argue the point. She watched the nevermore get split then dashed at the Beowolf slicing it in half at the stomach. "We gotta move! Marlin do you think you can run yet!?" Diana deflected a Ursa's claws removing them in the process, she then sliced its head of with a rising slash. She landed then rolled backwards avoiding a Beowolfs strike then looked at the others. "We can't afford to stay and fight! I may not be the leader but the boy needs proper care immediately!" The only reason Diana had raised her voice was because of the sounds of the Grimm. She ducked under another swipe for the same Beowolf before removing it's arms and impaling its head on the end of her blade. "Filthy creatures..." She removed her blade for its skull and it instantly turned to dust. She then sighed and swatted away a lunging Beowolf We managed to attract a whole pack... Wonderful...

[lantgreen]

Diana asked Marlin if he could run yet and no doubt he could, he was able to keep up with the rest, a standard run rather than a sprint or his aura powered dashes. He looked at the situation they were in, surrounded by Grimm as they ran, it wasn't going to be easy, especially with their new burden. Marlin ran a little faster to catch up with Eve and Yoki, "You two stay together and keep running, Diana and I will cover the front and back of the group," he wasn't one to give orders but when he had a plan he would speak up about it, and this plan was efficient. Eve wouldn't have to fight and could focus on the boy, Yoki would only hit what gets too close, while him and Diana take out majority of the force.

Low on aura or not Marlin still new how to fight, but aura is what makes the killing blow. Only having enough to put in a single part of his body made things harder. He pushed up further ahead of the group ready to pounce on a Beowolf. Pushing the aura to one foot he sprung upwards and forward like a slingshot, flipping forward and bringing his foot down on top before transferring his aura to his fist and continuing the flip motion to land a fist on top of its head as it evaporated before him. The jump gave him enough ground to where when he was done the group caught back up. He continued to run, staying up front, lunging towards Grimm as they came close and dispatching them quickly.

[Misumichan]

“You don't need to tell me that,” Yoki huffed bitterly at Marlin's plan, as he stuck close to Eve. He was used to protecting her, they were partners since their first day at Beacon. In ruins she was always oblivious to her surroundings and her aura was never the strongest plus with a semblance like hers it never lasted long. Though he never showed it he actually didn't mind protecting her.
Eve came to a sudden stop to avoid a Beowolf as Yoki sliced it in half after extending his sword. Eve kept ducking past Beowolves as Yoki slayed them with ease. She jumped over a Nevermore that was a bit bigger than her. She landed on it's back as Yoki put his sword up, quickly impaling it. She sped up her pace a bit to avoid the excess of Beowolves that stormed from behind. Yoki was so busy fending them off he didn't notice the distance that was put between them. Eve's foot caught a root and she started to fall forward. She managed to catch herself by kneeling, but when she looked up there was a Beowolf right in front of her.
“Eve!” Yoki's voice was filled with panic when he turned just in time to see. He knew he wouldn't be able to stop it in time.
“Crap!” Eve closed her eyes and braced to take the full blow. But the blow didn't come. She opened her eyes and saw her fanblade was fired through the Beowolf’s head. It retracted and she realized Hansa was awake. He then aimed back and took out another the was behind them the same way. Eve got off her knees and moved as Yoki took out the rest.
“Nice save kid,” Yoki said as he took out a few more closing in.
“What is happening?” Hansa's confusion set in. “I was talking with… and now we're here? And Grimm?!”
“Don't look down!” Eve said quickly. Why'd I say that, not like it's hard for him to realize he's missing his legs.
“I already noticed that part thanks!” Hansa smacked her with his nub of a leg and tensed up.
“Even with the anesthetic, aren't you in immense pain?” Eve was worried. She had hoped he'd be out of it until they got out of the forest so he wouldn't have to feel it.
“Didn't until I did that!” Hansa hissed in pain. “Guess it hasn't really sunk in until now...”
"Just hang in there a bit longer," Yoki reassured. "It shouldn't be much farther now."

[LemonZest1337]

Diana accepted Marlins plan and fell the the back of the group slicing Beowolfs apart. She was flawlessly evading and countering all of the strikes from some Beowolfs, The slower Ursa were starting to gain on them and Diana picked up on this. She frowned and kicked a Beowolf into one of the Ursa and realised she was falling behind and some Beowolfs were ahead of her. She watched Yoki vanquish a few of them then she sprinted so she could catch up. She front flipped over a Beowolf slicing its head off while she was mid air then kicked off its body sending it back into oncoming Grimm, while also boosting herself forward to finally bridge the gap she had made with the group. She saw the boy save Eve then instantly noticed the slight shift in the Grimm's focus. Now that the boy was awake and feeling pain the Grimm were much more focused oh him and Eve.

"We must make haste. The Grimm are feeling the boys pain, we must pick up the pace." She urged as she slashed a Ursa's head down the middle. She then continued to cut down Grimm, she hissed as she saw an alpha Beowolf lunge at Hansa/Eve. She dived into the beast blade colliding with its hardened claws. She growled and remained in her clash with the alpha holding its hand back slowly angling her blade so she could remove its hand. She gritted her teeth, she didn't normally have to worry about others safety while fighting. This was one of the few areas where she would show lack of skill, she could position herself perfectly when she knew the attack was targeted at her. But when she needed to block an attack aimed at someone else. That is when she couldn't get her positioning right for a counter attack.

[lantgreen]

Marlin spotted one of the city entrances ahead, just as Yoki said, they were close. He continued jumping from Grimm to Grimm, with speed in foot and a kill from his fist the shadowy monsters didn't stand a chance. Though he wished he was fully recovered to have some real fun but then again, some of the team might get caught in the collateral damage. Maybe it was better to be dulled down a bit. A Nevermore swooped too close for comfort towards the team but it was stopped short by Marlin's hand on its beak. With aura flowing through his fingers he crushed the beak shattering the bone skull leaving a shadowy precipitation behind.

With the entrance near he fell back closer to the team only to spot a boulder in the middle of their path up ahead. The Grimm forces were now funneled towards the back. "Diana stay close to Eve," he shouted not wanting her to get hit by his next move, running ahead towards the far side of the boulder. He placed a burn crystal on the large rock before charging what aura he had in his left fist. Waiting for the team to pass at the last moment, he drew his punch within a blink of an eye making contact with the crystal, exploding the boulder in a fiery explosion resulting in a mortar like volley towards the horde of Grimm.

[Misumichan]

Yoki spun his chainsword around him killing all the Grimm that had surrounded him. He noticed Diana was struggling to defend Eve from the Alpha Beowolf. He slid up beside her, the revolving dust chamber spun to ice as he extended his chainsword with an upward swing. Each partition letting out some ice dust, froze parts of the Alpha. He retracted to a solid blade and swung across to lop it's head off.
“You can thank me later!” He dashed forward past Eve swinging is blade in a figure eight motion in front of him to clear her path past Marlin and whatever he had planned.
Eve dashed past the boulder and slowed enough to remain behind Yoki in case something popped out from ahead. “We should be able to call it in from here.” Eve stated. “You hanging in there alright Hansa?”
“Yeah thanks to you,” His voice was weak. Eve realized he was barely holding on and her heart filled with worry.
“It's not just me it's a team effort!” Eve laughed lightly. “Even if it's not smooth.”
“T-thank… y…” Hansa was fading fast.
“Yoki! Call for an ambulance now!” Eve yelled, her voice in a panic.
Yoki glanced over his shoulder and stopped. He could tell the kid wasn't doing so great and Eve looked desperate. He nodded as he pulled out his Scroll and called it in.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana jumped back to Let Yoki slash freely. She hissed at him saying "you can thank me later!" she then looked over at Marlin as he shouted for her to stay close to Eve she dashed forwards towards Eve as Marlin smashed the bolder into molten slag and heated projectiles she noted his adept use of dust. As their escape was now covered thanks to Marlin Diana put a hand on Eve's shoulder but didn't make eye contact, "Let me look at the boy. I may not have all the required supplies but I can still help him until the ambulance arrives. Diana spoke calmly as she set down her box of tricks and pulled out some vital monitoring equipment. "He's not in the best of shape but I would say that his life is not in danger at this point. He will be fine Eve... Also Marlin get over here, I'll give your tail a proper brace. She was trying to be calm and avoid eye contact, the Grimm were gone for now but if these bad emotions kept lingering then larger ones were sure to come.

She looked at Yoki as he was on his scroll and frowned, this wasn't aimed at him but it could easily be perceived that way. She pulled out some rods and bandages to build a splint from and placed the Vital monitoring equipment next to Eve if she wished to use it. She would need to contact Ironwood through Ozpin to get some more supplies. She was going to need them.

[lantgreen]

With a heavy breath and a slow turn of his body he was glad to see that the group had made it past him, especially Diana since she was the farthest. If he waited any longer a couple may have gotten through and too close at that. He looked back at the ruins of his attack, staring at success as he caught his breath. Using an attack like that did drain some aura but when he didn't have his normal amount he was running on fumes for that attack. "Well, now that we have a moment of peace," Yoki started calling an ambulance for them to pick up while Diana tended to Hansa. She called him over and he made his way rather quickly, "You seem oddly friendly since the ruins, you sure you're okay? Didn't get hit in the head did ya?" he questioned with a joking laugh. Knowing the situation and being that he was a butcher of Grimm, he also knew how to keep them at bay. Maintaining a happy and positive attitude, even if it was fake, pulling it off would be enough to help.

Marlin stood close to Diana so she could unwrap her initial bindings before properly bracing it. Shortly after an airship arrived with medics and guards, they took action quickly, taking Hansa and seeing to any other injuries the team may have received, whether small or not, being a 100% was key and all Marlin really needed besides his tail taken care of was rest. Resting rejuvenated his aura the fastest, and being that he was just about out, he could use a nice night of sleep.

[Misumichan]

Eve didn't let go of Hansa's hand until they got to the medical center. When she did she was so drained she could barely stand. She sat down waiting, refusing to sleep despite being up for so long. Yoki was pacing rather slowly up and down the hall. He seemed more bored than anything.
“You can leave if you want,” Eve waved him off. “Just don't leave Vale. I still need to talk with you I'm just too tired to deal with it right now.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Yoki stopped in front of her.
“He’s my responsibility now and I let him down…” Eve sighed. “I said I’d keep him safe.”
“You aren’t blaming yourself are you?” Yoki sat down next to her.
“What?! No!” Eve leaned forward quickly. When she settled she rested her chin in her hand. “It’s just, I shouldn’t have put him in that position. He's too young for this stuff.”
“Age doesn't hold any restrictions,” Yoki said bitterly. He sighed trying to not let his need for revenge take hold. “Things probably would have been fine if I'd been there sooner. Or if I never even left.”
“You aren’t blaming yourself now are you?” Eve gave him a slight smirk with a teasing tone.
“I’m just saying if you need someone to blame you can blame me,” he shrugged with a coy smirk.
“Let’s agree it was no one but that evil creep’s fault,” Eve leaned back and yawned. “As much as you annoy me I couldn't blame you for anything.”
“Rest will you? You make me tired just looking at you.” Yoki huffed.
“Not until I hear word on how he's doing.” Eve looked at him with determination.
“I'll wake you if anything happens,” Yoki huffed.
“No you won't,” Eve called him out on it.
“You're probably right…!” Yoki grumbled.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana watched the Ambulance leave with Yoki and Eve then looked over at Marlin not making eye contact. "You should probably get your tail looked at, it'll need better treatment than that. I am surprised at how well it worked honestly..." Diana turned away and then headed towards Beacon she didn't know or care about what Marlin's plans were. Unless it involved him being around her for longer, then she was very much unhappy hearing it. She hung her little box of tricks on her hip and sheathed her blade. She stopped and looked back at Marlin, "It was... An experience working with you. But now I must get a message out to Ironwood. So I bid you farewell." She then started to walk off towards Beacon tower and pulled out her scroll she wrote down a list of things so she didn't forget them on her way there. After she was done with the list she slid on her sunglasses.

[lantgreen]

"Farewell?" Marlin questioned, "The ambulance just took off with out us and you're gonna leave me here on the edge of the city? You're not getting rid of me that easy," as much as the two had yet to get along, they were still apart of a team for Ozpin, that and Marlin didn't like walking alone, especially if he was impaired in some way, and in this case he was weak willed. "Besides, I think your work on my tail will do just fine, all I need is a good night's rest and my aura will do the work," a goofy smile on his face as he whipped out his flask and proceeded to walk with Diana towards Beacon.

They had a bit of a walk through the city, seeing as Beacon was in the middle. Marlin stuck close to Diana, not too close but enough to where he felt comfortable in case he passed out along the way or something. Wanting to make small talk in an attempt to get along and shorten the time to Ozpin, "So, how'd Ironwood find you?" curious as to how her career started as a soldier. Seeing as she probably didn't know him, and probably didn't want to know him, he decided to ask her first, hoping it would lighten the heavy mood.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana frowned as Marlin said he would be following her. She put her scroll away and looked ahead at the distant Beacon, she sighed knowing she was going to have to deal with this Cat for while. "Thank you for the compliment. But that is a rough job at best, I don't carry supplies suited for any Faunus appendages. I will have to change that..." Diana seemed irritated by Marlin's goofy attitude (surprising huh?). As they continued walking Diana never looked back at Marlin tho she felt like he was handling his current state fairly well, still being able to walk after all his reckless Aura expenditure annoyed her if someone had his kind of Aura and any amount of discipline they could be a truly fearsome warrior. But this man wasted his time getting drunk and goofing around.

After Marlin asked how Ironwood found her, her right eye twitched under her sunglasses and her hair lit up ever so slightly before instantly dying back down. "My history is none of your business." Diana's tone carried a slightly mad but mostly assertive feel. Her disdain for Marlin was evident but she didn't care, she wasn't about to tell Marlin anything about herself. They had just met plus and he was a reckless drunk, two of the many things Diana does not like. He would have to earn her respect before she would even consider telling him anything.

[lantgreen]

Marlin was rather upset that she had so quickly turned down his attempt at small talk. All he wanted was to just pass the time but it seemed even he couldn't do that. She mentioned that her work on his tail was half at what it should be but he has had his tail crushed before and it was just fine. He wasn't one for fancy hospitals and hooked up to machines and monitoring equipment, not his forte. Marlin groaned in response, "Fine, I try to be nice, but I don't have to be, I'm only here cause I'm paid to be so I might as well get along but it seems you hunters never change." He took a sip from his flask and put on an eerie mood. Even to this day he couldn't find a single hunter or huntress that was respectful to him, except for Eve, but even then he started to question if she was acting or not.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana hissed "You have no idea who I am. So don't you dare compare me to other huntresses, I am nothing like them. If they showed distaste in you presence I can sympathise. You are reckless and impulsive two things that most good hunters know is dangerous when confronting Grimm. But just because I share an opinion of you that many could, does not make me as lucky as a hunter!" Her anger had caused her to slip up. She growled and continued walking towards Beacon. "Just. Shut your mouth. your kind think they're so special. You think that you can judge someone just because your own life has been hard. But you forget to consider others can experience hardships as well. You're so quick to judge my actions as cruel or mean but fail to see there is a possible reason behind it!" Diana then stormed off ahead of Marlin she was done with the conversation. She looked at Beacon and it was still so far away, she knew she was going to have to listen to the drunken Cat's retort. Her hair was now a slightly lighter shade of red.