Chasing the White Rabbit

Mirai was a bit perplexed with the offer for a handshake. Handshakes weren't really something nobles did, but Mirai reached out with her gloved hand and shook it.

"Pleasure to meet you, Bianca," Mirai said, though not really warmly.

She turned to Rider who spoke second and nodded.

"Rider will do," she said. "It reminds me of the word knight, though I can't recall what language. Business? If you must know, I'm headed to Beacon Academy. Tomorrow's the first day, and I've decided to stroll town before classes begin."

She spoke with reservation and it was hardly amiable in tone, but she looked at the guests again, sitting as straightly and as poised as she had been taught to. Her green eyes stared, waiting for the answers to her next question.

"May I know all of your reasons for being here as well?"

***

From the distance, Honne was groaning as she ate the pie that had been pre-ordered.

"Imagine if Lady Enma could see her now..." Honne said. "Talking with such...commoners."

"You're too strict," Ren said with a carefree chuckle. "Let her have fun. She'll need the friends, you know."

"I was startled by her request," Honne said.

"Were you? I thought it was natural. Though Lady Mirai's stiff, she's had a soft spot for things: cute things and sweet things."

Rachel gave the motion of a shrug. Which, in turn, made her powered armor rattle and the firearms to clank.

"I do not know. I am drifting." She said.

David simply looked at the menu. "I shall take a medium rare Salisbury, with mashed potato's and gravy." He said with a smile. He looked over to Mirai. "A pleasure to meet you ma'am. I am David." He said with a wave of his right arm. As he spoke a screen came down in front of his eye. [.....Whose the stiff.] "Ic, at times I'm glad you don't have a voice box yet." [Keyword.....yet.] David just rolled his eyes. He turned to Rachel. "So tell me where did you acquire such a amazing suit of armor? Most power armor are simply muscle enhancers. Yours appears to be ready for battle at anytime."

Rachel looked uncomfortable at David's question, ".....Classified." She said, this time less of a robot, and more like someone who didn't want to talk about it.

David just looked away, this time a little embarrassed. "Er, right....sorry." He said sheepishly.

Mirai didn't turn to face whoever was taking the orders, but she folded her hands gently in her lap and spoke.

"I've eaten my main course, but do add the chocolate cheesecake to the desert," Mirai said. She glanced at Rider. "I'll take your word for it, Mr. Rider."

And then looking at Bianca, "So, you're headed to Beacon Academy, too? It appears I won't be going in the same direction alone."

She noticed the other guests were busy in their own conversation, but didn't mind. She wasn't used to company, but she could very well imagine she was alone and act refined about it.

Rider smiled and nodded. "It looks like the most of us are in the same boat then," Rider stated, "I am also a new student to Beacon. Sadly though, I am a tad bit late in coming. Rather then arriving a week or so earlier I had only flown here today and now well... my assistant is currently on a hunt for a place to sleep with a roof."

Mirai tilted forward a bit.

"Lodging?" Mirai said. "Well, since you won't let me pay for your meal, allow me to do this..."

She turned towards the table where Honne and Ren were and she summoned Ren with a small gesture of her hand. Ren walked over and gave a small bow.

"You called, mistress?" Ren asked.

Mirai nodded and she opened her fan again (her thick dress was an disadvantage when it came to rooms without proper ventilation). She looked at Ren.

"Ren, how many rooms did you reserve at the hotel?" she asked formally.

"The entire floor," Ren said. "I couldn't risk your safety, after all."

Mirai nodded.

"I can spare several of those rooms, can't I?" Mirai asked.

Ren nodded. Mirai turned to Rider.

"Perhaps that will solve your problem," she said. She turned to the other guests. "Anyone else having the same problem?"

David sheepishly raised his hand. "Kind of need a place to stay while I'm here." David had came to vale earlier then he had hoped, but he might as well try and meet new people.

Rider smiled and nodded. "That would be a great help if you can truly provide me with lodging for a few days," Rider stated, "I really am grateful. You are such a nice person."

The word "nice" made Mirai flinch a bit, a small shock that made her hairs stand on edge with goosebumps, but she kept it behind a reserved exterior. It would be the first time she had ever been generous to random strangers, but then again this was hardly nothing as she had made a scene earlier with Rider's ears. Mirai kept herself from looking flustered and lifted her head highly.

"I don't see why someone who has something in excess can't give away to the more needy," she said with her eyes closed and still fanning. "So, that makes two of you, who else needs lodging?"

She gave a small glance to Bianca who was in her pajamas and Rachel.

"I'll assume the same goes for you two?"

From her own table, Honne was making faces of revulsion and objection, but Mirai ignored her. She instead turned to Ren.

"Contact that hotel," Mirai directed. "Make sure those rooms are ready for everyone. Now, I wonder how good that chocolate cheesecake is..."

"Oh uh, yeah. A room would be nice, thank you." she said to the girl, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. "I haven't had a place to sleep for at least the past week. Rooftops and alleyways are all I've been in for a little while now." Her ears twitched a bit, realizing she forgot to order. "Oh uh, waiter. Just get me something with lots of fish, please."

Rider chuckled lightly. Mirai was amusing to him. Her cold but pleasant attitude reminded Rider of Ai but she showed at least some expression so it was a nice change of pace. After a few more minutes of conversation, the waitress comes back with everyone's orders, setting down two salisburys in front of Rider and David, Rachel's order in front of her, and a plate of fried fish with a side of potato fries in front of Bianca. Lastly she placed a decorated chocolate cheesecake in front of Mirai and left with a smile and a bow.

"If you've been sleeping on rooftops, then it's about time you've had a change of pace," Mirai told Bianca as she got her fork ready for the cheesecake. "The hot weather tells me it's going to rain. And I'm sure the hotel has more...suitable attire for you."

Though Mirai was used to fancy treats, when her dessert came last she looked at it like a curious animal. She was fixated by how nicely the layers were lined, how smooth and evenly toned the chocolate was...she looked at Rider and gave him a nod before taking a small portion and eating it.

Mirai closed her eyes and as the flavor filled her mouth, a light blush came to her cheeks. A hand came to one of them as she let out a dreamy sigh.

"Delicious~" she mumbled in ecstasy. "This is better than any macaroon I've ever tasted. I've never been happier in my life."

As she opened her sparkling eyes to take another bite she realized she had mumbled something out of place again. She cleared her throat and glanced sideways to Rider.

"Wonderful recommendation," she said regaining composure, and she continued to eat with hidden relish.

"I'm glad you like it," Rider smiled.

A cellular ringtone rang and Rider pulled out another pocket watch, clicking it open and putting it to his ear like a phone. Rider nodded once the again before saying, "Understood Ai. Good work."

Rider closed his watch and pocketed it before turning back to the group. "It looks like Ai found a nice place to buy school supplies and wanted to inform me. She's such a good assistant. Excuse me, I will be in the bathroom for a while. Get rid of some s*** and all that. Pardon my language."

Rider rolls away from the table and moves towards the back of the restaurant out of sight. He rolls up to where the bathroom sign was but went on, passing it without even glancing at it. Rider continues on until he reached the backdoor and exited, pushing it open and letting it close shut behind him.

Rider was now in the restaurant's alleyway where Ai stood with her back to him, surrounded by a group of ten armed men wearing ski masks.

"Oh dear, oh me, oh my, oh my," Rider smile, "You really got yourself into some trouble my little Ai..."

David took a bite of the steak. Not bad. Not bad at all. David was enjoying the meal. It had been a long time since he had had such a juicy steak. It was then he felt something. "Pardon me for a minute." He walked to where the restrooms where. When he heard something from outside. He opened the door and saw Rider surrounded by armed men. "Friends of yours?"

"Hostiles detected." Rachel said, standing up abruptly and heading to where Rider had gone. Now keep in mind that Rachel was encased in powered armor, and as such, made loud thumping noises with each step.

The fact she broke down the wall separating the back alley from the restaurant just by barreling into it didn't help mask her approach either.

Mirai had already been suspicious when Rider had answered his phone. The way Rider had wheeled his chair was too eager, or more of, anxious but in a hurry.

That wasn't a person headed to the washroom... Mirai thought.

David himself had left for the bathroom, but he hadn't returned and Mirai was sure it wasn't because Rider was taking long. At the same time Rachel left the table muttering about hostile people. Mirai put down her fork.

"I find it extremely rude to be abandoned at the table, don't you, Bianca?" Mirai said. "But I do think there's some trouble going on outside and I need to see it, so forgive me, too."

She stood up, which alarmed Ren and Honne and Mirai gave them another knowing look. Ren and Honne nodded and left the restaurant out front, knowing Mirai was requesting for a quick escape when needed. Before Ren, left, he handed Mirai her lace parasol. Mirai walked as casually, but quickly as she could to the scene where Rachel had just broken down a wall. Mirai took out her fan and examined the masked men. David, Rachel, Rider and another person who seemed to be an ally were there.

"For someone composed as yourself, Mr. Rider," Mirai said. "You sure know how to give yourself away. Now...how do you suggest we proceed?"

Rider remained silent. He glance back at the group that had just entered the alley. "You shouldn't have followed me," he murmured.

"Well look at that, lizard girl went and called her boyfriend to save her," one of the masked men scoffed.

"He is my employer," Ai stated simply, "And I would deal with you myself but my terrible boss insist on calling him when these things happen."

"The terrible boss thanks his terrible assistant," Rider joked, "Now then Ai, please step back."

As instructed, Ai stepped back until she was behind Rider.

"You're joking me right??" one of the masked men waving around a machete barked, "You're going to take us on punk?? Out of all the faunus we've hunted, none of them were this stupid! You're in a wheelchair for the love of-"

"So you do not deny being anti-faunus extremists," Rider stated, cutting the man off mid-sentence.

"Yeah? So what? You think some back up will save you??"

"I don't need back up," Rider stated, "I'm a knight. I will defend those who need defending by my honor."

"Oh yeah? Then where's your shining armor 'sir knight'?"

"Codeword," Rider said, "... Snicker Snack."

Suddenly his wheelchair with a mechanical whir and the sound of clattering and gears turning, shifted and turned until it had transformed into a massive mechanical beast. Straps came out and buckled over Rider’s chest, attaching him firmly to it. His woolen blank remained attached and flapped over the pelvis area like a loincloth showing his symbol. His legs were pulled into the thighs as the seat cushion split on half and covered the legs as they rested inside the metal thighs.

"What the fu-"

"Jabberwock online," the mechanical beast stated with a robotic voice. Its eyes flickered and lit up, looking down at the group of men, "Target locked."

"Nobody said anything about a robot hare!!" one of men yelled as he tried to turn and push away the other men to run.

"I'm not a hare," Rider stated, "I'm a rabbit..."

Firing main cannon..

The mouth opened wide and a blast of fire erupted from the throat, hitting the group of men and exploding into a massive blaze, throwing them into the wall screaming. In desperation the men on fire ran with arms flailing out of the alley screaming.

Two unscathed ones tried to follow when a long metallic tail of overlapping blade lashed out of nowhere and whack them, knocking them into the wall with a deep gash across their chests. The tail snaked its way towards them slowly. The tip started spinning, making a loud whirling sound as it spun like a drill. The two men screamed and made a run for it out of the alley. This time Rider did nothing and letting the tail come back to him.

The head slowly turned to face the remaining men who shook under its gaze.

"It's just an overgrown weapon idiots!" one of the men yelled, "Don't let it fool you! Take out the driver!"

The men shot at Rider with a flurry of bullets. Rider raised the mechanical arms over his body and blocked the bullets. The mounted sub machine guns attached to his shoulders started firing back and hit several of the men armed with guns in the legs and shoulders. Blood pouring from the wounds, the men ran out the alley from the other direction screaming "MONSTER!"

Three men were left. The head piece stared at them, a rumbling sound coming from it as if it was growling.

Target locked...

Not waiting to hear the rest, two of the men turned tail and ran. They barely made it a few feet before the Jabberwocky's mouth popped open and a ball of fire burst from it, much smaller then the earlier blast but big enough to catch the two running men in the rears making their pants catch on fire. Screaming, the two men ran even faster. Now only one was left, the man that was yelling at the others before.

"Ai," Rider murmured, "Confirm my suspicion."

"He appears to be the ringleader of this group," Ai stated blankly.

Without another word, the Jaberwocky's wheels whirled with a screech and closed the distance between Rider and the remaining man in an instant. Surprised at the sudden sprint, the man yelped and tried to lift his rifle but Rider immediately bats it away. When the man looked at his hand he screamed because it was missing. Rider flexed the right hand of Jabberwocky, the long blades jotting out of the claws glinting.

The man tried to scramble away but Rider lifted the Jabberwocky's right foot and stepped on the man's chest, pinning him down.

"M-My ribs!" he yelled, "Y'You;re breaking my ribs dammit! You- you animal! Freak! Monster!"

"Monsters need to eat too," Rider murmured coldly, "What were you planning on doing to my assistant?"

"What we do to all you freaks of course!" he growled, "Beat you to a pulp and sell ya off somewhere! And that's what's going to happen to you too monster! Go ahead and kill me! More people will come to avenge me!"

"Who says anything about killing you?" Rider murmured, "Just like the rest of them, you need a reminder of your crimes."

"What are you-"

The Jabberwocky rumbled again but it did not come from the head piece or body like before. The rumbling came from the Jabberwocky's right leg that pressed down on the man's chest with the wheel underfoot.

"N-no please, don't--"

"Shut your mouth and face this turning wheel," Rider murmured, "And imagine how all those faunus feel..."

"N-no! MERCY!!!"

With a deafening screech, the motor wheel started spinning at enough speed to move at ten miles per hour. The man screamed in agony as the rubber scraped against his skin, smoke coming from where the friction was slowly shaving off his chest. The man screamed in agony, screaming even louder then the wheel was screeching.

"Don't you think that's a bit much? Even for this rat, he doesn't deserve to have his skin torn off like that." Bianca said, folding her arms under her chest. She had followed Mirai out once she had left the table, and had been watching this whole ordeal. "Just let him rot in jail like every other of his kind." While she agreed something needed to be done, this was a bit much to her. Nobody really deserved this kind of punishment, regardless of what they did. "Come on Rider, that's enough." she said in a slightly demanding tone.

"Target vital signs are dropping. If attack is continued, the target will die. Recommend abort." Rachel said, observing the scene with an eerily calm eye.

The sound of "Fauna exterminators" made David think back to the friend who was beaten to death. He just sat back and watched. Hope this SOB likes the smell of burning rubber. heheh A small flicker of dark aura was beginning to appear around David's hands.

From where Mirai was watching, she kept the fan to her face and her eyes showed nothing but observation.

Impressive, she thought. And this is why father should have been more careful with his enemies.

She continued to watch as Rider proceeded with his "punishing". The wheelchair, of course, had been something more than just a wheelchair and the seemingly gentle rabbit faunus was quite capable of taking care of himself. Her scroll made a small blip sound but she didn't need to look at it to know Ren and Honne were waiting out front with a vehicle. Soon Mirai stepped a little closer.

"Mr. Rider," she addressed. "Once your done...giving lessons, and perhaps after you lunch as well, please do join me outside the restaurant. I'm sure he'll get what he deserves, but let me remind you how you'll be late. I'll be waiting. Same goes for all of you."

With that, she turned around, not feeling anything for the screams of the man being tortured. She knew what it meant to give just punishment and she even felt he was doing a fine job at it. She went inside, told the waitress to put all meals of her "friends" on her tab and then moved to where a long limousine was and got inside.

"Something interesting happen?" Ren asked as she got in, but Mirai only smiled mysteriously.

Rider remained silent for some time before finally the wheel of his Jabberwocky's right foot slowed to a stop. Rider stepped back, the tail of blades swaying calmly as silence haunted the alley.

"Do not worry. No need to fret," Rider said with the same carefree gentle tone he had spoken with casually before, "He merely lost consciousness. He's not dead yet."

With the sound of gears, chains, and rattling, The Jabberwocky reverted back to its wheelchair form, the SNARC. Rider casually rolled around and wheeled back to the group with a carefree smile on his face like nothing happened.

"The authorities have been called sir," Ai stated. At some point during all of this she had lowered her visor over her eyes, "They have been informed to seek out any men with burn marks or scars across their chests."

"Well done Ai," Rider smiled, "Although I wouldn't call what that guy has a scar."

The man from before laid on the ground, his arms and legs sprawled with his mouth still open in a silent scream. His eyes have rolled over his head when he lost consciousness. His shirt was torn to shreds and a deep black tire mark was imprinted on his chest which had turn red and slightly sunken in. The man made choking sounds here and there while twitching showing that he was indeed still alive.

"Well then," Rider continued, "Ai, please go in the restaurant and ask to take my meal in a to-go box. Oh, and give them this."

Rider handed Ai a good amount of Lien and she nodded her recognition of the order and walked back into the restaurant using the back door rather then the hole in the wall.

"I'm sorry about this disturbance," Rider apologized sincerely bowing his head, "I didn't think you'd follow me. Please, enjoy the rest of your meal on me. It was a pleasure meeting all of you." Rider clicked open his over sized pocket watch. "It seems I am late. Oh dear. What a very sorry fate. No time to stay or chat right now. It really is getting late."

Rider casually wheeled out of the alleyway and into the open streets. He continued pushing himself down the sidewalk and stopped in front of the restaurant entrance for Ai.

The limousine rolled down in front of the restaurant where Rider was waiting for Ai. The window of the rear end of the car went down and Mirai's image was there, her face still half-covered with a fan.

"I see you're done with business," Mirai said casually. "Heading somewhere already? If you're that late, my offer still stands for a ride and lodging. Same goes for everyone else if they get here fast enough. You may bring your assistant, too."

Mirai's fan lowered itself.

"Just so you know," Mirai added. "It's impolite to refuse a lady's request. It's even more absurd for a lady to be chasing the gentleman."

David walked out of the ally, and walked over to the limo. [Gee.....I wonder who this belongs to?] "Well Ic, I guess it's Mir-" [I was being Rhetorical.] "Well how would I know Ic?" [Oh hush.] David just chuckled to himself. He walked over and unfolded his wings so he could use them as a seat.

Ren get out of the front and opened the door for David. The inside was spacey and long. Mirai closed her fan and used it to point to one of the spots on the sideway seat David could sit.

"Make yourself at home," Mirai said. "Care for anything to drink? Oh, and were you able to finish your meal, Mr. David?"