It burns. Like hunger. I like it...

Penned by Aeneas, Sel. Cinder Fall, Mun is 18+, Est. 5/2018

[wuyi1551]

still movie screenshot atmosphere practice

[skullharvest]

old drawing that i still like

[burnslikehunger]

ajuiisms​:

The Vytal Festival. Not that she found it unnecessary—she recognized it as an important tradition that maintained alliances and allowed students from different academies to intermingle. And it was exactly because of that intermingling that Winter almost considered staying home—almost. Having to roam around crowds of people who didn’t respect the refinement of Atlas was still far better than spending her time doing back-to-back lessons with private tutors and her father. At least she had some sense of free time here, ironically enough.

The academy was packed with throngs of people that Winter was still learning to navigate. It annoyed her that she had to dart around various groups loitering around the halls, and gawking at technology they didn’t have back home.

Someone brushed past her and the Schnee bristled at the sudden intrusion of her bubble, shooting a dirty look behind her while she increased her speed, trying to make it outside—

Another group of people rushed past her, and Winter instinctively lurched to the side, unfortunately catching the toe of her boot on her foot and losing her footing. In the split second of panic, a glyph appeared, shimmering with the intent to summon something to break her fall, but she didn’t get that far before she fell into an actual person.

But rather than waste time and precious reputation to keep leaning on them, she pushed away from the Haven student as soon as possible with an indignant look—to mask how terribly embarrassed she was.

“ You— watch where you’re going, ” Winter huffed at the girl as she smoothed down her uniform.

Cinder saw red.

Watch where she was going? The audacity of this bitch!

The indignity of this mission was bad enough. But to have some snide upper class bitch trample into her and then have the audacity to tell HER to watch where she was going?!

THIS. THIS WAS WHY SHE LEFT ATLAS. THIS IS WHY SHE MURDERED HER SO CALLED STEP-MOTHER AND SISTERS-

None of this showed on Cinder's face as she simply gave the white-haired girl the fakest of smiles. A smile that didn't reach her golden eyes, flickering with rage and arrogance... burning with a sense of superiority.

"Are you quite alright?" Cinder asked calmly. Friendly. Not a trace of any ire in her melodic voice. "That was quite a fall. I'm glad I was here to catch you."

It wasn't easy to restrain her anger, but the embarrassed and mortified look on the other girl's face was like a balm on her soul. They'd be waking up in a cold sweat for weeks recalling this public embarrassment of theirs!

As Cinder straightened herself out as well, she took a moment to give the Atlesian student a once over. To commit every tiny and minute detail to memory so that when the time came, ohoho, Cinder Fall would have her just and righteous vengeance!

But for now, she had to play the role of the friendly Haven student.

Hmm. The other girl seemed vaguely familiar though... No matter.

[burnslikehunger]

If I could format it properly, I would have rendered that

Haven Academy First Year: Cinder Fall."17" years old.

As Kill la Kill style screen text. Y’know, the big red text that fills the screen every time someone new shows up.

[burnslikehunger]

@ajuiisms​

Gods, this was droll.

The towering pillars of Atlas Academy stood before her, and while they were surely awe-inspiring to most, all Cinder wanted to do was vomit.

This place... oh, it was once her dream to attend. To train to be a huntress in these lofty halls. To look down on all the rest like these children surely did. Of course, she was pretending to be a child herself... to act a year younger than she actually was.

Oh, how Tyrian had been insufferable as Cinder had been told her cover. Personally, she didn't see the difference about pretending to be a second year vs a first year. But no... she couldn't just come from nowhere. There needed to be records. And... Leonardo was not yet as pliant as her mistress would have liked.

So here she was.

Haven Academy First Year: Cinder Fall.

"17" years old.

Ugh, back to this minor bullshit again. She had only just turned 18 a few months prior! But... but, but, but... she was graceful, and elegant, and powerful. Cinder Fall was above such childish complaining.

Loathe as she was to don this persona and mingle among these upper class twits, she had a job to do. A job that would determine if she was ready to inherit the powers that her queen had promised her...

All she had to do was collect information on the newly promoted General Ironwood, Ozpin's apparent ally... and if possible, determine the location of the Winter Maiden.

Cinder would NOT fail. She couldn't.

So she plastered an expertly crafted smile on her porcelain face, flipped her hair over her shoulder, and walked into the lion's den.

[burnslikehunger]

tricoloredillusion​:

The worst of it all was knowing that despite those words, Neopolitan was no idiot. She knew that she didn’t have much of a choice here- since the moment Roman started working for her, she knew the moment to feel that beggars can’t be choosers would come.

She tried to sugarcoat it to even make it feel like she had a choice, but did she, really? She’s been around criminals for long enough to know the truth under those words, but even with that, she had a real point there, somewhere.

That if she didn’t do this, she will get bored. She could be tortured through her poor companion, too, but not getting into the middle of action would make it unbearable for the mute, and she didn’t want that, so it was going to be enough convincing already. Surely, all the adrenaline of a fight will pay for it, or the horrifying pranks she can play to traumatize the students.

Watching Cinder approach her slowly, Neo found herself looking up the closer they were, due to their height difference, but it was the hand on her shoulder that the illusionist picked and removed. At the very least, she didn’t just slap it away, but there was almost an expression of disgust plastered on her face, one that didn’t take long to disappear, anyway.

How many did she force into submission with her imposing beauty?…

Pressing her own lips together, the woman sighed through her nostrils and then, suddenly changed appearances in front of the other woman.

Green eyes, black hair…and a raised hand with the Scroll in it, in which ‘Spumone Salentino’ could be read. Not long after, the text changed to a faux identity profile like those that students had, with a profile pic of her false appearance and the new name.

That was her answer.

She would go, and will do what she does best: make the experience as fun as possible out of spite. Hell, her fake identity was something she was making up as they…’talked’.

The things on screen were just a work of her Semblance too, however. She assumed that they would have real fake identities later, to make it even easier to get inside.

While still looking up at Cinder, Neo clicked her tongue and chuckled softly in amusement. Although it was difficult to tell if it was because a million ideas were already crossing her mind or, that she found the woman’s techniques of manipulation very clever.

Cinder pursed her lips but otherwise gave away no outward hints of disappointment as Neopolitan plucked her hand and moved it from her shoulder. It was only natural, Cinder supposed. Dear Neo had seen that a single touch from her could reduce poor Roman to panic and tears.

Or a poor failure of a grunt to mere ash and cinders.

She did not have long to linger on this disappointment, however, for Neopolitan gave her answer all the same. And it was an answer that Cinder quite approved of.

“Hmm,” Cinder hummed, “yes, this disguise will do. Enough differences in features that no one will connect you to this... Spumone.”

Strange name, but Cinder would not deprive Neopolitan of her fun. If she wanted to have fun in crafting this persona, all the power to her. It truly did not matter so long as no one figured out that Spumone Salentino was in actuality the right hand woman of the infamous gentleman thief himself.

An idle thought crossed Cinder’s mind as she studied the persona Neo had come up with. It escaped her lips before she could truly dwell on it.

“Hmm. You look better as you are now.”

[burnslikehunger]

Woopsie doopsie I was absent for a month wasn’t I

Sure hope nothing happened in V9 :’)

[burnslikehunger]

Been a busy two days

I should be back tomorrow with replies

[burnslikehunger]

tricoloredillusion​:

Not a lot of people knew about who she was, or what she was trained for. But it was safe to assume that even if she was no Huntress, wherever she trained or, whoever trained her, shared as much knowledge as any combat teacher would in a school.

That, combined with the knowledge she learnt from Roman himself, was there. But in part it was surprising that someone who seemed so classy at times was in reality a trained spy and assassin. And a dangerous one at that, specially in the combination of her Semblance.

For that, she was possibly perfect for the role, and even with the lack of a voice, she could get the job done.

Now, she passed a finger by her chin, pensive. Heterochromatic hues looking at Cinder from the corner when she started to talk about how the detention of Roman was going to be necessary. Of course, years ago perhaps she would’ve gotten angry. She was protective, that for sure, but if anything, she would make sure that the redhead would find freedom sooner or later.

Wouldn’t be the first time she did that.

Besides, it will be a great way to have someone inside there- the opportunity of fighting and infiltrating one of Ironwood’s fleets was an amusing thought to her. She would put that Atlas security to test.

It’s the explanation about infiltrating Beacon that made her raise an eyebrow. A deep sigh escaped her lips, and then she even groaned softly. Her eyes half-closed for a moment, and she was staring at Cinder with a ‘really?’ expression before she threw her free hand to the side.

Okay, fabricating a faux identity will be fun, she didn’t doubt that because she could get creative. But going back to the life of a student was an idea she wasn’t exactly fond of.

So as if in disbelief, the mute pointed at the other woman and then at herself, a few times until she got the point across of, ‘do I really have to work with you?’. She would find her own ways of entertainment to feed her sadism while there, but…

Cinder’s eyes narrowed imperceptibly, but only for a brief moment.

“You have a choice here,” Cinder lied, “you can choose to have nothing to do with this and continue running Roman’s operations while he’s otherwise... indisposed. Or you can work with me. Regardless, Roman has already agreed to his role in my plan. Keep that in mind. Wouldn’t you want to be kept in the loop?”

She was framing this all as Neopolitan’s choice, because she had to. She could not threaten the pink assassin, not in the same way that Cinder had with Roman or Adam. The gentleman thief was easy to manage. Just a little applied pressure and he bent over backwards to please her... But Cinder did not have to sleep in the same room as him.

That was the crux of the matter.

She could not afford for Neopolitan to hold any resentment about being on the infiltration team. That would be a good way to wake up with a knife in the back. It had to be Neo’s choice.

Or at least, Cinder had to provide Neo the illusion of it being her choice. Because make no mistake, if Neopolitan turned her down, Cinder would be forced to make a very disappointed call to Torchwick. His life expectancy dropped ever so precipitously whenever she was disappointed.

No, if Cinder herself could not convince the girl in front of her, then Roman would. 

“Does the idea not appeal to you?” 

As she asked the question, she crossed the distance between the two of them slowly, as if approaching a potentially hostile cat. Nevertheless, when she got close enough she placed her hands on the assassin’s shoulders.

“Pulling one over on the supposed greatest huntsmen and huntresses the world has to offer? Ozpin, Goodwitch, Ironwood... And besides that, we will be competing in the first few rounds of the tournament... don’t you want to show off? Put on a show? Shove the faces of those foolish children into the dirt?”

She hoped that she was reading Neopolitan correctly. It would be so annoying to have to change tactics midstream.

[burnslikehunger]

tricoloredillusion​:

Neopolitan was a dangerous one, she needed no voice to spill out secrets, but to be fair, she tended to be on the side of keeping them unless she could use it against the other. And, to do that, she needed to have a reason first, but it wouldn’t be the first time the criminal blackmailed someone to try and get the upper hand.

With Cinder, and how intimidating the woman has been with even Roman of all people, she didn’t dare to test the waters like that. Not yet, anyway. And as imposing as she was trying to make herself look, the mute still had that noticeable smirk plastered all over her face.

Almost mocking, but not quite.

Swinging Hush, the illusionist let this one rest against the floor, before resting both of her hands on it, and leaning slightly to rest her weight against it, listening. Roman has been specially nervous with the things that he has had to do lately, not because he was scared, but more because he told her how he felt that there was something else behind all of this.

Perhaps simply worried something would happen to her, even if she can surely handle herself just fine.

When Mountain Glenn was mentioned, Neo quickly perked up, and she signalled at herself before proudly patting her chest a few times. Now that was a plan she would be part of, and with a bit of luck, she will even break a few legs…take a life, if it’s fun enough.

She loved to go against the authorities, and since Ironwood got into Vale, it has become more difficult to commit crimes, for sure, but it has also been more entertaining, in a way.

By how her smile turned into a grin and how her brown and pink stared at Cinder with malicious intent, she could start to wonder if what could come next may be like music to her ears.

General Ironwood came with a small float and his little soldiers here- did the Maiden-to-be plan to completely remove him from this story? If anything, Neo looked definitely interested.

As much as Cinder appreciated that Neopolitan had no voice so as to potentially talk back to her - Are you questioning me, Cinder? Perhaps you require a reminder of whom you are speaking to. - it soon became clear that Cinder would need to become an expert at interpreting the girl’s charades.

Golden eyes stayed trained on Neopolitan’s movement, and Cinder had to admit... the girl was graceful. It was something to be expected of anyone at their level, but some more so than others. Mercury, for instance, had much better footwork than Emerald certainly did. But his style was that of a kickboxer. Neo was... Cinder was not entirely sure. It was difficult to tell simply from reading her movements here. Every conversation may be a duel in and of itself, but it hardly gave away how one was best able to kill the other.

Perhaps it came naturally to Neopolitan? Moving as fluidly and confidently as she did. After all, without a voice, one would have to compensate.

Nevertheless, Cinder nodded, more or less certain that Neo understood what she was saying. That bloodthirsty grin would not have been out of place on a Grimm.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Cinder drawled in that silky smooth voice of hers, “but fret not. I intend to deal with the errant general. In fact, you and Roman both have an integral role to play.”

Cinder allowed that proclamation to settle for a moment before continuing.

“The point of the Mountain Glenn phase is to ensure that Roman gets arrested. And deemed such a threat now that he becomes locked in the brig of Ironwood’s own flagship. A bishop that the enemy considers pinned. Dealt with. A supposedly vanquished foe is one that is forgotten about, even if that foe is in the heart of your territory. Do you understand?”

She was not entirely sure how Neo would react to the news that Torchwick would be rendered out of commission for... quite a while. So she kept a wary eye on the girl.

“Now, I am not so cruel as to leave you without a benefactor in the interim. We all have to make ends meet, even you, yes? Which is why while Roman is biding his time to strike... I want you by my side, Neo. Infiltrating Beacon as a team from Haven, visiting to compete for the Vytal Festival. I want you to be the last member on that team, alongside Mercury, Emerald, and I.”

[burnslikehunger]

tricoloredillusion​:

Worry not, Neo would make sure Cinder wouldn’t have to repeat herself too much. The shorter woman didn’t like wasting time in order to get to action quickly, and as amusing as it should be to mess around with the other, she has been bored out of her mind lately.

Sure, Roman had his hands full, but he has been putting those crooks from the White Fang on the front to do the smaller and dirtier jobs. He kept telling her that she was more important, so she didn’t have to get her hands into petty activities.

Of course, he was right though, someone with the mute’s abilities would be wasted if left to do something that almost anyone could do.

So, the illusionist let a finger rest on her chin, thoughtful. Not long after, she dramatically gestured, hand closed before stretching her fingers and with her mouth vocalizing a big ‘BOOM’ even if no words came out.

Perhaps she was referring to Dust.

To reinforce her point, she made a box of the crystals appear behind her, before she sat all nonchalantly and crossed her legs while still staring at Cinder.

With a smirk, the woman continued further by materializing a White Fang mask over her own face, removing it not long after and playing with it in her hands.

So, one could imagine she knew about the Dust and working with the White Fang, but nothing about Beacon…yet. But that’s why Cinder was here today, wasn’t she?

Oh. She’s mute, isn’t she?

The longer this... well, perhaps it was generous to call it a conversation... this interaction went on, the more Cinder became certain of her conclusion. Whether by choice or whether it was an inherent trait did not particularly matter to the prospective maiden. In fact, Neopolitan’s lack of a voice could prove useful. Already, Cinder was mulling over ways to take advantage of it.

Three men could keep a secret if two of them were dead.

Not that she was planning to kill dear Neo! But the basic idea stood. There would be no leaks from Neopolitan. There would be no worrying about the other girl gossiping and in the process spoiling the surprise.

In a way, that made Neopolitan the perfect mercenary to bring in on the Beacon job. Cinder could trust Emerald and Mercury. She could not trust anyone else. Neo’s lack of a voice, well... it was a layer of security.

Not that Neo couldn’t rat them out if she really wanted to, but nothing is a guarantee in life. The point was that it would be more difficult than most.

“I see that Roman has not spoken to you about the next phase of my plan.” And that was genuinely surprising. “Good. Very good.”

Oh, granted, she had only told the thief about it somewhat recently. And she knew that Roman knew better than to go blabbing. But Cinder was also aware of how fond he was of his little partner-in-crime. She had entirely expected him to tell Neo everything.

He wouldn’t have been punished for it, for Cinder had accounted for it. Maybe just threatened a little, to remind him of her potential wrath. But it seems that that was unnecessary! How quaint~ That Roman Torchwick was so afraid of her that he had not even informed his most trusted confidant of the role he was to play soon.

“Yes, I currently have Roman and the White Fang smuggling Dust out to Mountain Glenn. And yes, the intent is for them to use that Dust to cause quite the stir in the middle of downtown Vale. To punch a hole through the sealed Mountain Glenn tunnels and allow the Grimm to pour out into the city.”

Cinder began strutting. Pacing around the small, secluded area of the warehouse where they were meeting.

“This is a job that will result in failure. At least, as far as the fools this city considers its authorities are concerned. Tell me, Neopolitan. Has your line of work become more difficult since General Ironwood entered the picture?”

[burnslikehunger]

If I’m going to be using this blog more, I really need to knuckle down and actually make icons from V8.

Should probably also redo the V2 and V3 icons while I’m at it.

[burnslikehunger]

tricoloredillusion​:

What a start- ‘pet’ wasn’t exactly the kind of thing she wanted to hear. For all she knew, Cinder has been bossing Roman around since she got here. She would know, of course. It was almost disrespectful knowing that until this woman got here, she and Roman were the main criminal lead of Vale, probably the reason of why she approached her companion in the first place, but who did she think she was?

A soft and almost silent 'tsk’ escaped between teeth before Neo rolled her eyes, tapping her fingers against the handle of Hush. She had to at least admit that despite her attitude, Cinder had offered interesting jobs.

As much as she loved Roman’s own heists and plans, this felt like it was going to get her to another level, what just added to the excitement that she very much needed at all times.

It was even more annoying how strangely soothing the voice of the taller woman was, plus, she was right with one thing: her loyalty could be admirable, if one was to earn it.

Cinder was just a new and temporal acquaintance, even if she despised working with other people that weren’t Torchwick.

The mute raised an eyebrow once the other mentioned a proposition, though. As much as she has called her a pet a few seconds ago, she was at least enough respectful to come to her first for this, so…she would listen, for now.

She simply stood, and then extended a hand a little, go ahead.

Hmm, she didn’t talk much, did she? A quiet little thing... In fact, now that Cinder was dwelling on it, she could not recall a single moment where Neopolitan had opened her mouth and used her voice. Curious. Normally, Cinder assumed that it was out of deference to the girl’s boss. Roman did love to talk. And talk. And talk.

But Roman Torchwick wasn’t here right now. And still Neopolitan did not speak.

Hmph. Fine. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. The worst part of taking Mercury and Emerald along everywhere was their incessant bickering. Drove her up the proverbial wall... Though all she need to was simply raise an eyebrow and they would cease their inane prattling instantly.

They knew better.

Roman did too, to a lesser degree.

How fortunate that she would not have to teach Neopolitan the same lesson. Still... it would do to test the girl’s responses.

“Tell me, Neopolitan. How much are you aware of my plans? How much has dear Roman seen fit to share?”

Not that she had told Torchwick everything. By the gods, no! Roman only knew as much as he needed to know... which was still more than most. How much had the thief seen fit to pass along to his right hand woman?

“I don’t like to repeat myself, I’m sure you understand. I would much rather know... how up to speed you are before I tell you anything new.”

[burnslikehunger]

❛  i'm weird, just deal with it.  ❜ If the cold words in the screen of a Scroll could have a tone, these would.

"I have been dealing with it for this entire trip."

The unfortunate part of working with a mute was the cold, hard fact that deciphering what Neopolitan meant by things was often an exercise in futility. Sarcasm and the like didn't translate very well over text. Oh, but Neopolitan was expressive in her own ways, Cinder would grant her that. It had taken time, but Cinder was getting better at reading her partner-of-convenience.

At the moment, Cinder was not impressed.

"Must you feel the need to shapeshift and use your illusions every five seconds? We're nearing Atlas airspace. I require you to be at the top of your game, not fritting away your aura just to entertain yourself."

[burnslikehunger]

@tricoloredillusion​ started following you

“Roman’s little pet, was it?”

The warehouse in question wasn’t the most ideal place to arrange this meeting, but convincing Roman to part with his dear, beloved shadow proved to be quite difficult. It had taken months of wearing the thief down, through flattery and threats alike.

But for the plan to go smoothly, this meeting was necessary. If Neopolitan was to join their infiltration team into Beacon, that meant Cinder needed to get a read on her without Torchwick being involved. It meant that Cinder had to be sure that the pint sized powerhouse wouldn’t stab her in the back or otherwise ruin anything.

The last thing Cinder wanted was to resort to Plan B. Adam would be awful at this kind of subterfuge.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you stray far from him. Such loyalty is admirable.” If annoying. No matter how this meeting proceeded, Cinder knew that the girl in front of her would always be Torchwick’s. Tsk.

Was unquestioning loyalty like Emerald’s so much to ask for? Apparently.

“I have... a proposition for you. A potential job. One your boss is vaguely aware of, but I felt the need to run it past you... directly.”

[wuyi1551]

…

[poohsources]

🐝  *  ―  𝑺𝑰𝑿 𝑾𝑶𝑹𝑫 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺.

❛  all of this is my fault.  ❜ ❛  are you even listening to me?  ❜ ❛  are you scared? 'cause i'm scared.  ❜ ❛  are you sure you'll be okay?  ❜ ❛  can you say that again, please?  ❜ ❛  do you have anything to say?  ❜ ❛  do you wanna go out sometime?  ❜ ❛  did you ever really love me?  ❜ ❛  have you considered trying something else?  ❜ ❛  how long do we still have?  ❜ ❛  i can't do this any longer.  ❜ ❛  i can't wait to go home.  ❜ ❛  i didn't want to do that.  ❜ ❛  i don't follow, i always lead.  ❜ ❛  i don't know what you mean.  ❜ ❛  i hate him but i love him.  ❜ ❛  i like i here, it's nice.  ❜ ❛  i'll only go if you go.  ❜ ❛  i'm here if you need me.  ❜ ❛  i'm sorry, i had no idea.  ❜ ❛  i'm weird, just deal with it.  ❜ ❛  is this your first time here?  ❜ ❛  just tell me what to do.  ❜ ❛  just tell me why we're here.  ❜ ❛  no one will believe you anyway.  ❜ ❛  nothing else matters except for you.  ❜ ❛  please just let me help you.  ❜ ❛  there is time to fix this.  ❜ ❛  what do you want from me?  ❜ ❛  where do you think you're going?  ❜ ❛  when will you come back here?  ❜ ❛  why are you acting so stupid?  ❜ ❛  why do you ask these questions?  ❜ ❛  why would i lie to you?  ❜ ❛  will you go out with me?  ❜ ❛  you are more important than me.  ❜ ❛  you don't mean that, do you?  ❜ ❛  you have nothing to worry about.  ❜ ❛  you'll always be my best friend.  ❜ ❛  your hair looks really nice today.  ❜