Your ultimate guidebook.

終わりの始まり | By:かず谷(かずたに)

※Permission to upload this was given by the artist.

That… was not Russell.

The boy was similar enough that Cody was struck at first glance, but the differences stuck out within an instant. The darker shirt, the smug aura, even the kid’s eyes were completely different.

But it was familiar enough that she felt her legs moving her towards him, and an off-hand comment from Gardenia remembered gave some answers by the time she arrived by his side.

“… Informant, right?” That was the one Gardenia had mentioned seeing at that strange store, wasn’t it? The girl had seemed baffled by how similar the two were.

… That could make more sense, now.

“Who… who are you, really? And why do you look like…”

“Russell, right?”

Another day, another resident. It appears that this... diaidem was intent on helping the Nameless Town residents, huh? 

He wondered how the other was fairing with meeting everyone in here. Considering the size of the village and even the areas surrounding it... The Informant makes a note to check back with Russell once he’s done talking with Cody. It wouldn’t do good to let the other boy deal with this on his own.

Arms cross behind him, as he goes back to the case at hand. The little sister is here, and it appears that she has more common sense to ask about him, rather than about the area.

Finally, a change of pace.

“I look like him, because I am him,” Simple enough, “I’m your world’s ultimate guidebook, the one that was to help guide Russell during his dream.”

Well, he didn’t know what kind of reaction he was expecting but really the one he received wasn’t that surprising at all. 

Informant had been reaching for his drink when he saw Russell which promptly lead him to knocking it over and spilling it everywhere. Though really, his doppleganger being here in general didn’t help the ever growing and gnawing feeling in his stomach that he was being tested again.

Of course, once was never enough, was it?

He found himself with less anxiety approaching the other though, maybe it just had to do with Informant really being him, one way or the other. He did hesitate in picking the toppled cup back up and sitting it upright with a small, apologetic glance, grip tightening on some sort of object in his other hand.

It was inevitable, Russell being here that is. There were already other residents here alongside himself, so it only made sense that the creator of said dream would make his way here, right? Right. He knows this, yet...

Seeing the actual Russell--- the one that everyone had wanted instead of him--- floored the Informant. Enough so that his usual mask fell apart, making way for a surprised face.

“You’re..., here?” A tone of shock, almost as if he wasn’t believing his own eyes for the moment. However, he’s quick to snap himself out of it, “I was wondering when you’d be coming here.”

He’s met with silence from the other still. Which, admittedly, wasn’t all that off putting--- he knew the other like the back of his hand, obviously, so that part didn’t bring any surprise to him. It’s only when he finally takes a look at Russell, does his eyes widen by a fraction and his hand reaches for his own throat.

Could he even speak? The Informant thinks to himself, unaware of his own hand rubbing against his throat. Considering that nasty scar on his neck..., it’d be safe to assume that the other couldn’t speak. 

“...,” Letting out a sigh, he speaks up once more, “Anyways, the drink is fine, I can just order another cup. No need for apologies.”

          How adorable. Ozpin makes no move to show that he noticed the Informant’s moment of weakness ( he knows how embarrassed children can get at the limits of their own bodies, so he won’t try to tease the other any more than he has ), instead inspecting for any further wounds on the kid’s hands or sharp ends on the hilt’s structure. It’d be a bad idea to become sick from just a little bit of treasure hunting. Thankfully, everything seems to be fine. Thank the gods.

          “ You’d be surprised, actually. “ He isn’t saying this because of presumptions, more like he’s seen much stupider things in his lifetimes ( with some of those said things being performed by himself, but semantics don’t need to go that deep ), but he thinks that Informant knows better than that. Looks like he was trying to be nicer to the poor chap that lost their stuff compared to Oz. “ But I do think it could. “ Question time.

                    “ Do you want to affix a new blade to it? Or do you just want a trophy? “

A new blade...

He looks over at Ozpin, holding up the hilt, eyebrow raised. As if almost looking at him as if the other grew another head. Clearly, he did not know that the Informant was not supposed to be near weapons--- which, granted, no one but himself would know this, however he was still going to give a look.

“I was thinking of trading it in, I have no use for a trophy,” A shrug, “and I simply shouldn’t be allowed near weapons.”

Or anything that could count as a weapon, at least. This is what he assumes anyways, considering that he arrived with only his compass and neither of his weapons. If that goddess truly existed, then this was more of her way of saying, ‘you’re not allowed near weapons’, right?

“Though, I guess having a weapon like this wouldn’t be so bad...”

If he could carry it that is. And depending on what blade’s attached to it..., he absolutely need to learn how to use it too. Maybe he could just attach a knife to it, that could work and save him the trouble.

a small collection of lines from some of my poetry for use as prompts/starters/whatever! feel free to change the pronouns or anything else you feel like, of course.

Gardenia had never been to a bonfire before. 

No one had invited her to such an event, but she wasn’t really upset about that–She was sure her dad wouldn’t have been happy with it, anyway. It would be too cold, too dark, too dangerous…she would be safer inside. But of course, she’s usually down to try new things!

Trying new things, however, was better with someone else than going at it alone. That’s why she decided to drag an old friend with her. She felt nervous at first, given all the people that were around causing such a celebration commotion, but she felt a spark of excitement light up within her as she lightly grips the sleeve of her friend and points to the fire that blazes so clearly, she could see it from a distance away.

“ Look, look! There it is! The bonfire’s just this way! ” 

Well, no, more so he doesn’t understand why he’s being dragged over here to the bonfire. 

After what had happened days ago, he was sure that the other Gardenia wouldn’t want anything to do with him--- thus, leaving him be for as long as possible. And yet...

“A closer look,” He looks back at the girl before looking at the fire, there was no need to ask if he wanted to take a closer look when she’s already dragged him this far close to the scene, “I guess I wouldn’t mind.”

Already making his way over to it, he watches how people help out with the fuel of the fire, carrying wood to and fro, making sure that the bonfire doesn’t go out too soon. It was amazing how the village got together to help the festival keep running like this. And, he supposed that it was nice, to see people help each other out, and not just have a small party fend for themselves on their duties.

“It’s..., warm,” Surprisingly warm, sure, it was fire but--- it’s not as if there were any bonfires where he used to live. And even if there were, he probably wouldn’t be invited anyways. So, he wasn’t entirely used to the idea of actually being near a fire.

Besides, the last time Russel was near one, he ran. Ran so far away. 

“What’s going on? Popo hears it’s a festival to celebrate spring being on its away! The fire in the village is all warm and pretty!” Or so she starts saying, but – far from the town centre, in the forest on the outer edge of the village, she supposes when the boy doesn’t seem to nod in agreement that he might not have been referring to the festival itself. “Oh! You mean Popo!”

That’s right, he did see people carrying pieces of wood to and fro during his walk over here. He honestly didn’t expect any of the newcomers to help the village, but it appears that his expectations were thrown out the window.

“I see,” He watches as she starts up again, collecting more large pieces of wood. Blinking a bit, the Informant tilts his head, “Isn’t it too heavy?”

“Yeah, that’s what happened. Lame as hell,” Kicking the snow slightly, Sho turned his face up to the sky for a moment as he groaned. “I’m a duel wielder! I mean, sure, I can fight with just one, but my balance’s off!”

After the minute of pure whining, Sho seemed to remember he wasn’t alone, and turned back to the kid, a tiny bit sheepish.

“All my other weapons are gone, too. Usually have some knives on me, too. Feel naked without ‘em. How am I supposed to trust nothin’ will happen that I don’t hafta throw a knife at something! I can’t throw a sword from yards away!”

And still went straight back to whining. Sho was far from fond of being separated from the blades that felt like an extension of himself. 

The younger boy’s words about even the one being cool, though, managed to finally pull him out of his pity party and smile a little pridefully.

“It’s the best sword out there, so of course it’s cool to still have it! It’s just… even cooler, with its pair! Then they’re unstoppable!”

….. Somehow that ended sounding like he was talking about a friggin bond. No one could know.

He was..., interesting? A bundle of emotions, anyways. 

But what was more interesting was how he spoke of his weapons. Was he just speaking about them like that because he was so used to having two weapons or..., was he truly treating them as if there was a bond between the two?

“I see, so they’re unstoppable when they’re together as a pair?” How did that even work? It wasn’t as if this was a dream--- so there was no reason to believe the swords were animate. But considering what he’s seen  so far...

What an odd thing, to be standing before this boy again, alive and well. (Is that what this is? Alive? Well?) There’s no hesitation in the steps Kantera takes to reach him, because– why would there be? He remembers it all, now. His life was freely given; he has no grudge to bear against the echo of the child he’d traded it away to.

Resident of the Nameless Town. This brings up to a total of three, excluding himself, he thinks to himself as he stares up at the elder draken. The Informant figured that residents would continue to appear, one by one, though what he didn’t figure out was who would be coming. First it was Gardenia, then Dogma, and now...

“Kantera. It’s... good to see you here,” It didn’t exactly sound sincere, but didn’t exactly sound fake either. He was still the other boy, so of course he felt some sort of happiness knowing the residents were here. However, there was still the bit of bitterness that was plaguing his mind. Knowing that they should all be dead and not... 

No. He won’t continue that train of thought. Besides, what Kantera had just said has him puzzled a bit.

“Our fair share of ides? I guess it has been a while since we’ve last met.”