[IC] Remnants of the Past

[lantgreen]

Making their way through the town, Eve resupplied what she needed and wanted. Marlin thought best to do the same, though the amount of dust he had on him would still be good a couple more missions, he would prefer to be fully stocked. Spending a large amount of funds on special order crystals due to the fact that he prefers to use them on a small scale. He wouldn't have his order till the next day but at least it was placed. Upon arriving he gasped in awe, though not loudly, he just hadn't been in a normal house for a long time, living alone in a bunker. "I'll show my manners," he said with a small smirk as he settled down on the couch pulling up his scroll to check his messages. "So what are ya makin'?" he yelled across the room to Yoki, curious about what they were eating.

[Misumichan]

“Ponzu Chicken Sandwiches,” Yoki replied to Marlin as he pulled out the fresh herbs and started chopping them finely. “Think you can survive about an hour longer?” Yoki cracked open a can of pineapple and drained the juice into a bowl. “If you want some pineapple have at it. I just needed the juice.” He placed the can on the bar, closer to the couch. “If not, I'm sure Eve will devour it.” He threw the herbs in as well as a few drops of sesame and chili oil, a bit of brown sugar and everything Ponzu sauce. He mixed it together a bit before quickly chopping up the chicken and tossing it in.

---

Eve stood outside the door to the small spare room around the corner and down the hall from the stairs. Her hand was hovering above the handle. This room was the one that was her son's. Rufous was the only one who went into that room after their boy had been kidnapped. She took a breath and opened the door. This was the first time in thirteen years that she'd been in this room. It wasn't as dirty as she expected. She did recall that Rufous would clean it on occasion. She noticed that the small child's bed was replaced by a twin sized bed of a similar style. She would have been upset at him for changing it without her permission but she just missed them both so much it hurt.
She sat on the bed trying to maintain composure a bit. She looked around the room. The rest of it was still more or less the same as it was just much neater. Her son's scribbled drawings were pinned all over the walls in the way she remembered. The toys were nearly stored on the shelves or in the chest under the window instead of all over the floor. She noticed the small table where she'd kneel at and watch her boy draw so happily was also gone, it used to be in the center of the room. There was the new addition of a desk in the corner. “He must have been adjusting for his age…” Eve mused aloud trying not to cry. “He always did think he was still alive…” Eve bit her lip trying not to cry but a few tears got loose. “You stupid idiot!” She took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. “They are both gone. They've been gone for a while now!” She jumped up, determination filled her face though her heart still weighed her down. “It's long past time to move on! They wouldn't want me to be all mopey anyway.” Eve put on a smile, for them. “Time to clean this place up!”

[lantgreen]

Marlin set his scroll on the coffee table, pretty comfortable with the household that no one is going to go through his stuff or try to steal it for that matter. A much different environment that when he was living in Vacuo. He stood and head towards the bar of the kitchen taking a seat at one of the available stools. "That's sounds, good, don't think I've had that before," he said as Yoki emptied a can of pineapples but only the juice, leaving the fruit behind. Marlin grabbed the cold can though not too fast, just enough to make it seem like he was only having a snack but in reality he was starving. "Don't mind if I do," he grabbed a couple pieces and popped them into his mouth, "I'll be sure to save some for her as well," considerate that she might want some from the fact that Yoki said she would devour it. The two never had much time to talk and their introduction to each other was about as any with Marlin, terrible and drunk. He knew however that once people started to truly know him he was actually not a bad guy. "How do you know Eve? If you don't mind me asking," curious about the two's relationship.

[Misumichan]

“We've been team partners since our first day at the academy,” Yoki stated as he peeled potatoes letting the chicken marinate. “We go way back. We were on a team with her brother, Cyrus and there was Rufous, he became Eve's husband.” Yoki started thinly slicing the potatoes and placed them on a baking sheet. “We were Team CERY. Not many teams stick together after graduation. A lot go solo. Partners maybe but not always teams. We managed to stick pretty close even up until Cy and Rufous were killed.” Yoki threw the thin potatoes in the oven and started chopping a few more veggies. “Seems like Oz wants to recreate our whole team dynamic or some shit. Though I'm pretty sure it all came from the 21 years of teamwork. But whatever.” Yoki shrugged and tossed the veggies into a pot starting to cook them a bit. “I trust the guy what he says goes.”

[lantgreen]

Marlin continued to pop in pieces of pineapple into his mouth as Yoki talked about their past a bit. "Wow, that long huh?" returning when he said they'be been together since day one pretty much. Marlin was truly interested in his teammates, he never had a team before and kept his distance from others for a long time. He preferred to work solo, so others wouldn't get hurt, or in the way. Being that his fighting style can cause collateral damage to his team. Listening to the story he could tell that they were a tightly knitted team, like a family, though when he mentioned that two of them were killed he had to ask, though he let him finish first. "Even if it meant teaming with a freelancer?" referring to himself, after a minute or so, "So how'd they die?"

[Misumichan]

“Well Eve seems to trust you,” Yoki shrugged at his freelancer comment. “I guess I was a bit harsh about it before…” That was as close as he'd get to apologizing for his bitterness in the forest. It bugged him a bit but he'd seen Marlin in action enough.
Yoki tossed the chicken into the pot with only a little of the marinade to start so that the chicken could crisp up a bit. When Marlin asked about how they died, Yoki had to bite down his anger for the man that did it. “That guy in the tophat… He sliced them up just like those Faunus in the Emerald Forest ruins. Cyrus was dead when I got there and Rufous…” Yoki stopped himself. Even though he wasn't as trusting in Marlin as Eve was, it wasn't why he didn't want to say anything about what Rufous told him. Yoki didn't even trust himself to say it. “Well...I was there for Rufous’ last breath.”

[lantgreen]

Marlin sighed understanding the situation at hand, now knowing why Yoki had such a strong interest in the man that seemed to jump up in every scene of their past missions, he had more respect and support for the Blonde Fox. Though watching him tense up and nearly burst in anger, he could tell he was passionate about this. Marlin let a silence fall about the room, an unintentional respect for the dead. Before it got awkward he spoke, "I understand," there was no point in apologizing, he could tell he's heard it enough times to write a book, "I've lost two people very close to me in my life, one's gone and I'm still looking for the other," he was glad that he was able to relate to him in some way. It allowed a form of bonding between the two but trust still needed to be built. Marlin thought for a moment, the smell of the food filling his nose lightly keeping him distracted, but it was a good thing because he wouldn't over think things. Being apart of an actual team for the first time brought out parts of him he hadn't seen in awhile. Offering Eve his personal Dust Crystals, when normally he would keep them to himself, he had started to become more selfless as he spent time with the team. "I could help ya know," offering a helping hand, "if this team thing continues to work out maybe," he paused for a moment, "we could help each other."

[Misumichan]

“Perhaps so…” Yoki poured in the marinade to let it boil off and add more flavor. He was starting to feel a bit selfish. He'd always taken this task on his own because the one person he'd turn to was who he needed to keep out of it. The task was daunting enough some help wouldn't be so bad. The Huntsman in him wanted to help Marlin out with his, maybe it would turn out better than Eve's missing kid. “You know what? Why not. You help me and I'll help you. Even if this team thing is a bust. Deal?”

---

Eve neatly stacked all the drawings on the desk. All the shelves were cleared out and the clothes that didn't look like they'd fit Hansa were cleared out of the closet. She'd realized she didn't have enough boxes upstairs to store everything and she started to smell the food. She was also wondering how those two were getting along.
As she crept down the stairs to get a feel for the mood she found while it was a bit heavy the two sounded like they were getting along somewhat. “Haha! My plan worked perfectly!” Eve smirked bouncing off the bottom step.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Yoki looked over at her annoyed after taking out the potatoes.
“You always loosen up in the kitchen so I thought it'd be good for you nuts to chat a bit!” Eve giggled.

[lantgreen]

Marlin was rather surprised that Yoki had agreed to this so quickly, considering their first contact with each other. The fox even pushed it a step further saying that even if the team thing didn't work out they would still help. Marlin never had someone he could rely on like this and it took a couple seconds for him to process. This also meant that Yoki would be in danger with Marlin's search, not he wasn't when chasing the top hat. He couldn't help but smile a bit, "Really? I didn't think you would be up to honestly, forgive me for judging," he self reflected on why he thought in such a manner and reconsidered who Yoki truly was, "It's a deal, I should probably tell you though, the one I'm is for is-" Eve cut in with an obnoxious laugh and shout.

"Heh, if she set you up it seems she's got you wrapped tight around her finger," he laughed a little bit before grabbing the can of pineapples and sliding it down the bar towards Eve's location. Though they haven't been talking for long, he was hoping food would almost be ready, he wasn't going to push Yoki about it. "Everything all set up for the kid?" he asked Eve curious about her efforts while she was gone.

[Misumichan]

&

“Seems she's got you too, pal,” Yoki huffed taking the chicken mixture off the burner. “How'd you know he'd stay down here?”
“I had a hunch but I also had a plan if he didn't!” Eve knelt on the couch and leaned on the bar, happily nibbling on the pineapple. She glanced over at Marlin when he asked her progress. “Almost done but not quite. Needed a few more boxes from the shed out back but since food seems like it's almost done I'll wait until after!”
Yoki noticed she was surprisingly happy for clearing out the room that used to be her son's. He was starting to realize she was a bit more like her old self. Seems like this Hansa kid is just what she needed, Yoki thought.
“Gosh it smells so good!” Eve melted on the bar. “Yoki here always makes the best food!” She mentioned to Marlin. “I've yet to find anything I like better than his cooking!”

[lantgreen]

'Pal' rang through his head a few a times, Marlin never had some one call him that unless it was a rude remark at a bar or something, never in a friendly manner like Yoki did. He kept his emotions quiet for the instance while Eve and Yoki conversed. During their conversation Marlin couldn't help but think about someone, a faunus and once a close friend to him, something that Yoki was approaching. His attitude changed at that moment and he couldn't help but hold a discomforted look on his face. Eve stated that Yoki always made the best food and he perked up a bit, "Well I can't wait to try it then, haven't had a solid meal in weeks."

[Misumichan]

&

Yoki put the chicken mixture in a bun and melted some cheese on top. Serving them up with some of the potato chips. “Wait no more!” Yoki handed the other two their plates.
“Yes!” Eve cheered as she settled on the couch and dug in. “This is so good!” Eve voiced with her mouth full. “Ah! Hey Yoki! Tell Marlin the story on how you learned to cook!”
“Do I have to? You always make me tell it,” Yoki sighed, nibbling on a chip.
“It's because it's interesting and weird!” Eve leaned forward. “Also I like hearing about it.”
“Oh please it's not that weird,” Yoki huffed.

[lantgreen]

The sweet smell of chicken filled the air as Marlin was handed his plate, "Thanks man, smells great," he smiled. Taking the sandwich in his hands he took a bite and chewed slowly, savoring the many flavors, a bit of a kick to it but not much, he could tell Yoki knew his spices. "This is really good, I could eat a whole bucket full of this." He took a bigger bite before aggressively nodding as Eve asked Yoki to tell the story, he was anxious to hear how a man of such a demeanor learned how to cook.

[Misumichan]

“Fine,” Yoki sighed getting ready to tell the story. “After my village was wiped out I decided to head to one of the major cities. I hadn't a clue which way to go. It was smack dab in the middle of Sanus so I could easily have ended up in either Vale or Vaccuo.” Yoki took a small bite of food so that it wouldn't be annoying to talk. “I was starving and I ended up coming across some weird house in the middle of the forest. I was hit on the back of the head and knocked out. I woke up in the house but it had some crazy security system that was completely locked down. No way to get out. I was trapped and I wasn't alone. Some crazy woman that called herself Duchess and her kid Kobi. Duchess kept insisting that outside was dangerous and she found me after stocking up for the year since it locked down for that long. Supposedly wanted to protect me too,” Yoki did air quotes. “But really she wanted someone else to torture because Kobi got pretty good at hiding in the house. Unfortunately for her I quickly got the hang of invisibility.” Yoki smirked. “She used to throw things to try and find me. It was kind of funny,” Yoki chuckled but his expression turned a bit dower shortly after. “I'd take some hits for the kid though, he was only five. I wanted to save him and fighting back only seemed to make it worse. I asked her one day what it would take for us to leave. She said to cook better than she could. To make her cry in happiness from a bite. I had no idea how to cook so I started watching her in the kitchen because if there was one thing that was good from that crazy woman it was her food. It was good training for my semblance too. When she'd sleep I'd test things out with the kid. I didn't quite get on her level in that year but turns out some good flavor to hide extra pepper was all we needed.” Yoki smiled mischievously with his accomplishment. “Cheap trick but it got us out of there.”
“I can't help but laugh thinking of her trying to throw stuff to find you.” Eve giggled.
“I used to make noise and move quickly just to mess with her,” Yoki smirked. “It was hilarious.”
“You know you don't tell that as good as you used to,” Eve pouted with a mouthful of food.
“Well sorry I've gotten a bit more precise in my storytelling,” Yoki retorted with a scoff.

[lantgreen]

Marlin listened to the story while stuffing his face with his meal, it was definitely interesting and something he did not expect to come from such a man. "Man if I had a story like that I wouldn't shut up," truth was he did have a story. As tragic as it was he didn't like bringing it up, in fact he never told anybody kept himself in the dark about it. It was the last night he was ever close with someone. With a new team he can make new friends but he wasn't sure how his past would effect things later on. "Even so, it was still funny," he let out a small chuckle as Eve said he used to tell it better. He was just about done with his plate but he at least had some manners so he stuck where he was with the others till they finished. "I think I'm gonna go out tonight, probably get drunk to be honest," he wasn't ashamed of his habits, he enjoyed drinking and feeling the buzz not functioning properly, though he wasn't a fan of blacking out so he usually kept to a limit.

[Misumichan]

&

“You drink too much,” Eve laughs lightheartedly as she scooped up some of the last bit of chicken that escaped her sandwich with a chip. It didn't bother her though. She worked with Qrow on occasion so it's not like she wasn't used to it. She stood up and grabbed Marlin’s plate and took them into the kitchen. She spotted that there was some leftover. “You made extra?”
“Thought we could take some to the kid later,” Yoki shrugged finishing off his sandwich. “Better than any of that hospital food.”
“This is true,” Eve laughed. “I'll try and hurry. If anything we can talk to Rhythm tomorrow.”
“I'll help you out after I clean up my mess.” Yoki set his plate in the sink. “Clearing out your son's room I'm guessing?”
“Yeah,” Eve ducked out the back door to go get some extra storage.

[lantgreen]

Eve's response was not a surprise to Marlin, he had gotten that a lot and was very used to people telling him he drank too much, he didn't care. Just as those words left her mouth the room seemed to take action immediately. His plate left him, Yoki finished his sandwich, and Eve was back out the door to finish up the boy's new room. All before he could get a word in. Marlin sighed lightly to himself before leaving the table, he glanced over to the Blonde Fox, "Thanks for the food man," then popped his head out the same door Eve left through, "I'll probably catch up with you tomorrow or something, just don't leave town without me," he figured if Diana got back to the group before he did she might convince them to just go a man down.

With those words he headed for the front door tossing his hand towards Yoki, "See ya later guys," before bouncing outside. It seemed to be getting dark, faster than he expected but the sunlight was still plenty on the streets. Would only last for about an hour or so. He threw some aura in his feet, enhancing his muscles, but only small fraction simply to increase his speed so his steps were a bit bigger but nothing out of ordinary. He knew of a great place in town that he used to drink at, served just about everything and it wasn't always about the alcohol.

Upon arrival he stepped through door, dropped his aura, and took in a deep breath through the nose. The same smell he always enjoyed. He looked around seeing some decorations changed and others still there that were older than him. Approaching the bar he waved to the tender who recognized him from the past, "Marlin, been awhile where ya been?" With that said the man proceeded to open a fresh bottle of Marlin's favorite liquor then glanced down the line to see if his normal seat was open, it was occupied. "Uh sorry bud, some redhead has your seat tonight, want me to ask her to move or you gonna go for the bigger cushion," a wink leaving his face.

Marlin waved and nodded at the old aquiantance before stating, "Work, been hired by Beacon for a job so I'll be around." He scanned the room seeing some of the TV's before reaching back on the counter to grab his fresh glass of whiskey. When the bartender mentioned his seat taken he looked over to see who it was, "Shit, wasn't expecting her," it was Diana and there was no escaping now. He had already paid for the drink and he wasn't going to waste, besides this was his favorite bar, he wasn't gonna let her kick him out of it. "Uh no it's fine, I know her, sort of." He left a small bill on the bar as a tip before heading over to the soldier. He took a seat next to her while setting his glass down, "Ya know, this is the last place I'd expect to find you," spotting her own glass of wine he figured she had good taste and wasn't exactly here to get fucked up.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana sat in the bar casually sipping her wine when she heard the bartender refer to a read head. Then she heard a familiar voice, Marlin... Diana turned slightly so she could confirm with her eyes that it was indeed Marlin, she sighed quietly as it was indeed him. "And this is the first place I expected to see you..." Diana took another sip from her wine glass that was starting to get rather empty. "What do you want Marlin?..." Diana then finished the remainder of her drink then placed the cup on the bar along with the payment. Diana's voice had is normal unimpressed tone but she was avoiding looking at Marlin in his entirety rather then just avoiding eye contact.

[lantgreen]

"I just came to drink, why else would I be here," Marlin responded. He realized by her neglecting to look at him that she still wanted nothing to do with him. He took a sip from his glass before glancing at the back counter of the bar spotting a bottle of wine that was opened and set aside, signs of recent use. By the name he knew what kind it was and it matched the color of her glass before she finished it. "Alamos huh, guessing you just went with what was pricey," he spotted her putting the money down. Like she simply bought the glass, savored it lightly but didn't get anything from it, or so didn't really react. Marlin got the tender's attention, "Glass of Chateau please," he wasn't much of a wine drinker but he knew his stuff. Placing the lien on the table and sliding a small cyan dust crystal with it, a common tip and payment between the bar and Marlin, his reputation granting perks. He paid for the single glass as it was presented in front of her in a special kind of glass that was not of the norm. "Relax, I'm not tryin' anything funny, you're in my place of business and I'm gonna make sure my compatriots get the best," he pointed to the glass, "This is top shelf stuff, they say a single glass of this makes you feel ethereal, I say enough glasses of anything gets you shit faced and that's close enough," he laughed to himself before taking another sip from his drink.

[LemonZest1337]

Diana sat at the bar still not looking in Marlin's direction, she was distracting herself with objects on the walls and such. She sighed as Marlin was correct about what whine she'd gotten, she expected him to know his way around alcohol but hoped he wouldn't have been able to piece together her tastes. "I drink for the pleasure that the taste brings. Not to get drunk." she frowned and looked over as the very luxurious drink was push towards her, she couldn't help but be curious. She looked at Marlin with a slight scowl but took the drink anyway "And here I thought that you no sense of taste..."

She wasn't impressed with his comparison of drinking a sublime wine and getting "shit faced", she was slightly weary of the drink. But she'd taken her sweet time with the first wine and figured she'd be alright, unless this drink was incredibly potent. She doubted it would be potent or else Marlin would probably be drinking it. Her curiosity eventually overcame her sense of caution and she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip. It was brilliant, she felt a slight flush on her cheeks and a startled noise escape her as she drank the absolutely stunning drink. This caused her to blush slightly and she quickly swallowed the amount of wine her sip acquired.

She took a slight breath and crushed her feeling of embarrassment along with the red on her cheeks. "That was enjoyable... Thank you..." Diana took another sip this time prepared for is amazing taste. Her tone had softened from her usual harsh and disdainful one. It seemed as if she wasn't actually mad at the moment, wouldn't go so far as to say happy, but it was still a step forward.