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Stardust Chapter Eleven

Deviation Actions

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Stardust

Chapter 11

Actions

 

Titania set her supplies down on bed with a thump while Smoke looked on. As Titania perused the various smuggled objects she asked Cerise over her shoulder “are you sure this will work?”

From his desk Cerise looked up from the notes he and Citrine had been studying and said “not really but this is the best thing I can think to do at the moment and we don’t have time to spend.”

At this Citrine said “remind me why we aren’t going to the proper authorities for this again?”

Cerise sighed with the air of having gone over this many times by now “I told you guys already this is a matter regarding team CCTS and as such we should handle it.”

Holding up various items for as if to check for faultiness Titania cheekily said “then explain how come the situation between you and Smoke hasn’t been handled by the team?”

Cerise shot her a glare one that she ignored before he sighed and said “this and that are two different things, sort of.”

Taking a moment Cerise said “in this case doing this is about making a statement…” Cerise trailed off as he recalled a certain memory.

A 6-year-old Cerise watched from behind the adults as his mother along with the rest of the adults chased off the last bandits.

As Cerise watched them run away he frowned. Some of them bore pretty bad injuries that he had noticed his mother had inflicted.

It wasn’t the blood that got to him sadly even by this age he learned fighting was a necessity in Remnant considering how the Grimm destroy nearly anything, human and faunas included, but still those wounds seemed unnecessary.

Cerise would have asked his mom why she made those strikes but their small group went on the move immediately just in case reinforcements were a possibility.

As such it was late, really late when Cerise was finally given the chance to talk to his mom and technically he wasn’t supposed to be.

“Mom?” The tired child asked surprising the woman standing watch at the edge of the camp.

Turning Clare smiled at Cerise who stood there looking at her.

“Cerise? What are you doing up my little shooting star? You should be asleep back in our tent?”

Cerise looked back at the camp before looking at her and mumbling “wanted to talk to you.”

His mother looked like she wanted to send him back to bed but seeing him standing there something bothering him brought out her motherly instincts.

Holding her arms, Cerise gave a small smile before walking over to and Clare pulled him close and snuggled together the two looked over the boundary Clare guarded in silence for a few moments before Clare asked “what’s bothering you sweetie?”

“It’s about what happened today…”

Clare looked at Cerise and said “did that scare you?”

Cerise shook his head and said “no… Or no more than usual.” Which was a horrifying statement to a point but again Cerise had grown up knowing combat was a dominant factor in his life.

Clare tilted her head and said “then what’s wrong?”

Cerise let out a breath and said “you hurt the bandits.”

Clare looked at him confused and said “they were attacking us.”

He shook his head. “Not what I meant you hurt them more then was… needed?” Cerise trailed off not sure what he was trying to get at it but Clare winced as she understood what he was talking about and more importantly what he was trying to ask.

“You’re wondering why I did more damage then was necessary?”

Cerise stopped his pondering and nodded.

Clare said nothing for a moment before she sighed.

“Cerise I made those wounds because they were retreating to be amongst themselves or worse get aid from whatever allies they may have and in both cases those wounds serve a point.”

Cerise looked up at his mother and from the way her eyes were focused Cerise could tell she was paying attention to both her surroundings but also something else…

Eventually though Cerise got curious and asked “what point mom?”

Clare looked down at him broken from her reverie and said “it sends a message.”

Cerise blinked “message?”

Clare nodded and said “Cerise when you’re with a group of people whether it’s just me and you or those we’ve gathered with us it’s important to look after them.”

Cerise blinked “and those injuries really send a message that helps look after everyone?”

His mom nodded and looked at him with an expression of solemnity stating “yup those injuries make a statement that say mess with me and mine and pay the price and when it comes to those who do you harm that can make all the difference...”

Looking back now Cerise saw that mom knew what she was talking about, then he didn’t really understand the why but now?

He could see how and why she knew what she was talking about.

Now he had to do the same.

Citrine broke him from his musing by saying “you know we could get in a lot of trouble for this right? Maybe even expelled.”

Cerise looked at his partner and said “that is a possibility but I have my doubts, worst case scenario is we get punished. Heavily.” He added as an afterthought.

Titania shrewdly asked “and if we do get expelled? I don’t really have a home to go back to if all goes south.”

Cerise looked the two of them over and gestured all around them as he said “worst case scenario we head for life outside the Kingdoms and we’ll live off doing odd jobs I’ve got some experience in such things to a poin or maybe even Citrine’s parents will take us in. I have no intention of leaving you out to dry.”

Titania met Cerise’s gaze and nodded then she looked at the supplies on the bed and said “well shall we set our little surprise up?”

(Stardust)

The next day at lunch Smoke stopped eating tiredly when he noticed his team was being really tense for some reason they even had their weapons on hand.

Smoke blinked and then his eyes narrowed wait a minute… The wolf thought. Why are they carrying their weapons on hand outside of a combat class? We aren’t allowed to do that.

Then from within the school there was a boom and a slight thud. Smoke blinked as he noticed all three of them freeze up before directing their attention to the cafeteria door and just beyond they could hear yelling.

Then the door slammed open and Smoke honestly gaped at the sight before him.

It was the Blanc twins and they were DRENCHED in goo complete with a matching odor.

“CCTS!” The twins screamed.

Smoke just stared but that only lasted for a second as Cerise, and Citrine stood up from the table and Titania flipped over the table to join them her wings materializing on her back as she did so to aid her in landing behind them.

Then all of them were ready for battle. Titania wings spread, daggers gripped, Citrine halberd held at the ready, and finally Cerise fan open in his right and glyph spinning on his left. Smoke’s face blanched in horror though when he realized that the twins were holding their weapons too.

And the horror got worse as the two groups charged each other ready to brawl.

Luckily they were within ten feet of each other when there was a blur of red-brown light and suddenly Professor Rust stood there a fist pointed at each group and everyone froze in mortal terror.

His eyes were practically burning with anger and he was seething.

No one moved until he barked making them all jump.

“CCTS!” He looked over at the Blanc twins and more importantly Pietro and Lee who had arrived on the scene by that point (although Lee was cowering slightly behind Pietro who merely stood, braced for what was to come).

“APPL!”

The other team looked at the teacher though Angelo and Parker Blanc still kept the corner of their hateful gazes fixed on Cerise, Citrine, and Titania.

Professor Rust though focused all of them on a new objective when he said “principal’s office… NOW.”

(Stardust)

So the group of eight stood in front of the principal’s desk with professor Rust right beside her still seething. If one didn’t know any better though he could swear Principal Blank was somewhat amused which was a stark contrast compared to the status of the eight students present.

Cerise, Titania, and Pietro were resolved.

Angelo and Parker were still pissed.

Citrine and Lee were nervous.

Smoke was confused

“So…” Professor Blank leaned forward “do you mind telling me what caused this altercation?”

Angelo still covered in goo stepped forward and snarled “team CCTS just did this to us for no reason!”

Titania piped in here saying “we did not!”

Professor Blank turned that gaze immediately on her and for what it was worth she shrank back only slightly as she said “oh then what was the cause of all this?”

Here Cerise stepped forward saying “if I may professor?” At her nod Cerise continued and despite the weight of her gaze Cerise did not falter as he said “we did what we did for the sake of defense. Angelo and Parker Blanc have been harassing my teammate Smoke Carver, which we have proof of” Cerise went stopping potetinal protest before it could start on his eyes burning as he tossed a look at the Blanc twins pulling out his scroll which proceeded to extend and pull up the corresponding evidence with the press of a button.

Cerise turned his attention back to the teachers as he said “with the school seemingly unaware of what was going on. This also being a matter between our teams and at a loss for what to do I felt it best to take this stance.” He took in a breath before saying “and as team leader I take full responsibility for this.”

At this Smoke looked on wide eyed in a gaping silence as Citrine and Titania both piped up with protests while Cerise tried to glare them into submission.

It didn’t work very well.

After two more minutes Professor Rust silenced them all with a barked “SETTLE DOWN!”

Everyone immediately went quiet and stared at the teachers who merely waited silently for a moment before Professor Blank said “contrary to what you may think Mr. Nebula we became aware of what Mr. and Ms. Blanc were up towards the end of their first year. We were merely waiting for the right moment to handle it.”

She let everyone take that in for a moment then said “and while this isn’t quite what I had in mind it will have to do. I’ll relive some tension now by saying no one is to be expelled.” Ignoring the “unfortunately” Professor Rust muttered under his breath Professor Blank went on to say “instead all of you are to punished.”

“Heavily punished” Professor Rust interjected to which Professor Blank merely gave him a look before saying “the details of which will be sent to your scrolls later. However, since it is clear that some matters regarding team APPL need handling and for the sake of the team CCTS’s minds we shall do it now.”

Team APPL all looked slightly nervous at these words even Pietro’s stoic expression warped slightly as Professor Blank simply said “Angelo Blanc you are no longer the leader of team APPL that position is to be given to Mr. Brown furthermore since it is clear you and your sister work well together” at this everyone could hear the disapproval in her tone “you will be partnered together despite the hopes I had for you two learning to work with others. So as a result Mr. Weed you are grouped with your team leader now.”

She let this sink in for a moment before saying “you are all dismissed.”

Everyone nodded and went to move before and as they did Angelo said “c’mon sis we need to talk to dad.”

Everyone present noticed the way Smoke stiffened at this and it is then that Professor Blank said “oh do give my condolences to your father please.”

Everyone paused at this and it was Parker who spoke saying “condolences?”

Professor Blank and with a wave brought up a holographic screen showing a piece of news saying “apparently there was some sort of scandal back in your home kingdom involving the army. Apparently your father and many others were removed from positions of power. Something about corruption I guess. Mr. Carver I believe your father and those under him were shuffled about to new positions after being investigated. You would do well to call him.”

The eight students froze at the sudden words as various unspoken words and explanations about motives behind actions became clear.

And then there was a shift in the atmosphere as Smoke gave a look predatory look towards his former bullies. Cerise and Titania took on somewhat smug looks. Citrine showed happiness and relief. Lee looked nervous and there was something almost amused in Pietro’s expression.

As for the Blanc twins well from their faces to their postures everyone could practically hear them thinking “oh. Hell.”

(APPL)

As team CTTS headed out to their dormitory Smoke pulled Titania off to the side. He struggled to speak for a moment before asking “How did you manage to get Cerise to go along with this?”

Titania just looked at him. “Uh… He was the one who organized all this.” Smoke’s mouth dropped.

She just nodded. “He found out what was going on, still not sure how. He came to us for help.”

“Why would he come to us?”

Titania merely smiled and said “Now that’s a question for him.”

And so it was for that very reason that Smoke sought out Cerise that night and eventually found himself on one of the rooftops of the dorms watching Cerise get some air. Eventually though he made his presence known. Seeing Smoke just watching him Cerise looked at him and after a moment said “you want something?”

Smoke fidgeted. “So Titania told me that you uh were the one who uh…” Smoke trailed off, feeling Cerise’s eyes burrowing into him.

 

“Organized the plan to save you and stop the Blanc Twins? Yes.”

Under the gaze of those orange eyes Smoke fidgeted. He had never felt this way before ever. Though he eventually managed to get out a word.

“Why?”

Cerise merely raised an eyebrow and said “because you’re my teammate and as leader I needed to defend my own.”

Smoke was gaping at his teammate who merely turned back to looking at the sky.

Stuttering the wolf faunas got out “but y-you’re..” before Cerise cut “traitor stock, the son of Clare Nebula? Yeah I am but there’s something you need to know Smoke.”

Turning to his left he walked a few feet before turning to his side so that he was partially facing Smoke before saying “I may be her son and she’s nearly all that has influenced me in my life but even with that said there’s something you need to know about me. I am not her! Do not judge me for something I had no choice in.”

Cerise looked down and at that moment the wind blew past sending the hair steaming away from his face while Smoke looked on.

After a moment Smoke said “I… owe you an apology.”

Cerise looked at Smoke who said somewhat sheepishly, “Growing up in a military family and also being a wolf faunas, I learned about being loyal to the pack. When I considered what your mother’s done and the ‘why’s’. Well…I overstepped my boundaries. Me judging you for your mother’s actions is like you judging me for being a faunas. I’m sorry.”

Cerise looked at Smoke and let out a breath, “Apology accepted.”

“You know though,” Smoke bit his lip. “I’m not going to be the only one who’ll end up judging you like that.”

Cerise nodded, “I’m very aware of this fact but the people who get to know me, like my team and the teachers, they shouldn’t judge me for those things.”

Neither boy was aware of it but their conversation was not private. Professor Rust was watching on his scroll and hearing these words he let out a sigh and looked away only to barge right into the knowing faces of Professor Blank and Ao which proceeded to make him look away with a scowl.

(CCTS)

The next day in combat class team CCTS was sitting in the bleachers watching the proceedings and when the current match was over they looked on as Professor Rust looked at his scroll.

Looking up the man looked at team CCTS and braced themselves for his loud voice to call out and sure enough.

“Nebula!”

Cerise blinked at the teacher as he said “you’re up.” Cerise got up and went down and she did he noticed something was… different about the way Professor Rust was treating him then before.

And for some reason the concept made him elated.

 

Alright ladies and gents all long last Stardust goes on with a new chapter. This chapter took a while to get done because I was having a hard time getting going and once I did I ran into new complications but still I managed to get it done. Thanks goes to friend :iconashski: who helped me out with the final passage which turned out a little unstable but I think it's smoothed out. Not much else to say just yet. I hope you like the chapter.  I do not own RWBY in any, way, shape, or form. My OC's are my own. Reviews welcome.
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