Chapter 97

"Right, right now turn to your left." Roman held a camera, snapping pictures.

"Like this?" I asked.

"Good, the ladies will love this, now why don't you give a little pout."

"Wait, what?"

"Why don't we try something else." Roman tapped his cheek. "Actually, lets lose the shirt."

"You're fucking with me." I deadpanned.

Roman snorted, laughter escaping his lips. I looked around to see Junior cracking a smile and Miltia with her sister giggling.

"What? Me? Why, the insinuation leaves me – "

"Yeah, fuck off." I walked over to the bar, hopping into my seat. "How long ago was he finished?" I asked.

"About two hours." Miltia answered.

"What? We've barely been here for that long."

"Roman is a surprisingly good photographer, his first couple shots turned out great, the people printing the posters should have the first stack done any time."

"DICK." I shouted towards Roman.

He of course responded with a cheeky smile and wave.

"Got my people working the online angle too." Junior cleaning one of his glasses, still clearly amused. "By the end of the day, half the city will know your name and face. Walter Howard Schweiontorg, the name will be on everyone's lips."

"Oh fuck off, you know what my name is." I rolled my eyes, much to his laughter. "What happened to Neo?" I looked around the room.

"Shorty went to grab some stuff." Melanie replied, filing her nails. "She said – wrote something about you needing a proper weapon."

"I have a – " I paused staring up as the air cracked and shattered, Neo presenting herself with flare, holding something in her hands.

There was a pregnant silence that took over the whole room, everyone staring at what Neo had brought in.

"I feel attacked right now."

At that, nearly everyone broke down laughing as Neo wiggled the giant purple Dildo, presumably what was supposed to be my 'weapon'. It even had a giant handle sticking out so you could 'wield it' with two hands.

"You know what? I'm going to shout during every match, that Roman Torchwick is my sponsor as I waive that giant ass dildo around."

Neo silently laughed as she set it on the counter, pulling up a seat.

"Alright, kid. Don't' get your panties in a twist." Roman lit his signature cigar, turning towards Neo. "How's the stuff coming?"

Neo started gesturing with her hands, huffing a little then rolled her eyes.

"Unfortunate, but quality takes time." Roman replied, seemingly able to understand her. He turned towards Junior. "Looks like your guys are already putting up the posters around town."

"What about the 'stuff.'" Junior said with the subtlety of a bulldozer.

"Atlas Military Grade Dust Bombs." Roman Smirked. "Got them on the way, should be arriving in the next couple days."

Junior grunted. "This better be worth it, I'm dropping a lot of Lien to fund this job of yours." He shook his head. "Not to mention all the hardware upgrades I'm giving to my boys to keep the Spider bitch out of the city once everything settles."

"Even if we only hit one stash house, it would be more than worth it." Roman stated. "I saw her books once, think 10 years of profits all nicely stocked away for a rainy day."

Junior grunted a noncommittal answer. "Atleast we can keep going with the bets."

"Even if we didn't make any money, would be best to keep doing it. Charades and all that." Roman nodded.

"Ugh, this is boring, I'm gonna go shopping." Miltia stood up, ignoring the conversation Roman and Junior were having

"Want some company?" I asked, thinking of stepping away myself. This part didn't really concern me.

"Whatever." She said immediately, but the smallest amount of a smile appeared on her face.

***

"What about this one?" Miltia held up a tank top.

"Color good, design is meh." I shook my head. Catching out of the corner of my eye, a kid probably around Kunou's age was pointing to me excitedly and then pointing at a nearby poster. I gave him a little wave, much to his amusement.

Junior's men work fast, I had seen dozens of posters up already as well as several more walking around. Their 'uniforms' were pretty easy to spot in a crowd. I think I may have underestimated how popular this tournament was.

I turned back to the rack of clothes. "What about this." I pulled another shirt off the rack, holding it up to her.

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Mmm, the asymmetry works well on you, it compliments your hair, and the color matches your eyes." I scrunched my nose, thinking it over. "Would go well with pretty much any kind of jeans, though shoes are an issue."

She grabbed it, holding it up to herself as she eyed a mirror a few feet away. "It really does." She seemed surprised. "It's weird how you're good at this."

"At looking good?" I raised an eyebrow. "Have you seen me?" I waived my hands, gesturing to my clothes for added effect.

She let out a small little snort, her lips curling up. "You really do take after Roman."

"I choose to take that as a compliment."

"It wasn't."

"Too late, I have taken your words as praise."

"Brothers, you're insufferable just like him."

"Stop my ego can only get so big."

She scoffed, crossing her arms before reaching for another article of clothing. "What about this blue one?"

"Nah, red is definitely your color, matches your complexion more." I shook my head. "But you already knew that."

"Wanted a boy's perspective." She shrugged, putting it back. "Anything you want to do after this?"

"I got nothing particular I'm keen on doing." I thought it over. "Can always do lunch or something after."

"I know a good sushi place nearby." She mumbled. "You do know that the tournament is only like a week away, right?"

"Yeah, I was there for the meeting." I rolled my eyes.

"No, you idiot, I mean you're going to be fighting some of remnant's best for the age group. You've only had your aura for like a week, and you don't even have a weapon!"

Huh, was she holding this in for awhile? I couldn't help but smile at her worried expression. "I'm acting like this, because I have confidence in myself."

She just scowled again. "There's a big difference between the thugs running around with Aura and the ones being trained in schools."

"I have a weapon, and I have been heavily trained. Just because I didn't have Aura before doesn't mean I'm weak." I calmly replied.

"Whatever." She didn't seem to believe me, but she dropped it. "Just….don't get caught and die or something." I don't she was particularly used to having conversations like this.

"And it's not like I won't be preparing." I stated. "I was going to go over the rule book, and maybe procure some stuff to take with me." I saw that Dust came in a larger crystallized form opposed to the grounded variety I had on me. More expensive, but it should be much more power.

It gave me...many ideas.

Well, we turned to walk towards the register, when a familiar pair of bunny ears caught my attention.

"Come on, Vel, this would be cute on you." A girl with a peculiar style was talking with the bunny. Why she was wearing sunglasses indoors, I couldn't say.

Reminded me of that edgy kid back in my birth world

"Coco! I can't…..that barely covers my chest."

"Girl, you need to show off your assets." Her head turned , staring at me. "This would be cute, right?" The aforementioned Coco seemed to hold up the shirt for me to see. "Makes her boobs look nice and perky, right?"

"Coco!" Velvet turned a bright shade of red.

"Maybe if she wants to turn tricks on the corner." Miltia interjected.

Coco went silent, staring at my companion. "Of course, you would know all about that." Coco harrumphed, "Almost didn't recognize you without that hideous thing you call a dress on."

"Atleast I'm noticeable, you look like an extra in a D-list action movie."

"Noticeable like a clown at a birthday party."

I picked up the distaste Miltia had for this girl almost immediately. No idea what was going on between them, but sides were easy to choose, so I spoke up. "Really? The girl wearing a beret is going to throw shade?"

Coco's head snapped to me, eyeing me up and down. "A vest and tie, what century is this supposed to be? My grandfather wore something like that when I visited him last week."

"It's called style, maybe you should ask him for advice." I countered.

"Style!? Do you have any idea how hard it was to find an outfit that looks good with a beret?" She pulled on her shirt for added effect.

"It must be pretty hard if you still haven't found one." I continued. "You look like you're trying to tell the world you aren't a conformist, yet thrive on all the attention they give you. The only way you could look any more 'original' is if you wore sunglasses indoors...oh wait."

Her mouth gaped, her sunglasses sliding down her nose. I adjusted my tie and straightened my collar, turning my nose up at her before leaving, Miltia following behind me.

Miltia started to giggle almost uncontrollably. "Hate that bitch." She managed to get out between laughs. "Came into the club a few times and just starts trash talking everyone's clothes. Thinks because her parents are rich, and she spends their money to buy boutiques and fashion stores that she's better than everyone."

Well, that answers that question. "Met her friend before, nice girl, bit of a push over though."

"The bunny faunus?" Miltia asked.

"Mmm, she was a waiter at a nice café I visited. Though I probably shouldn't go back there."

"What happened?"

"Beat up some idiots, stole their wallets." That was a fun morning.

Miltia just blinked before laughing again.

"Oh, I just had a thought." I stopped my steps. "Would you happen to know somewhere to make scabbards?" If I didn't want to show off my storage ring, I would need to carry Mirage on me, and my favored sword deserves a good home.

***

MC spending some time with Miltia before doing some important stuff, the tournament a few days away. Thought about how a meeting between MC and Coco would go, and i realized they would not get along. Coco is such a stickler for modern fashion she wouldn't put up with Mc's particular style.

Alright, so starting next week, I'm probably going to stop posting on Wednesdays so i have a mid-week break from writing.

Anyways, if you want to read 5 chapters ahead or support me, visit my Pat.reon.com/astoryforone. Tournament has started over there.