Chapter 395 - My SI Stash #95 - Random Acts of Kindness by Anisthenes (RWBY)

-After finally finishing Professor Arc, it feels really weird to read a fic about a SI taking care of Pre-RWBY Loli Cinder/

Synopsis: The age old advice of not messing with canon to ensure the usefulness of ones knowledge is decidedly more difficult when it forces you to be cruel. Dumped in a new world, I had hoped to avoid canon events. That plan was shot to hell when I found a black haired child in a ruin. My life just got even more complicated than it already was, didn't it?

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Words: 19K

Posted on: forums.spacebattles.com/threads/random-acts-of-kindness-rwby-si.847804/ (Anisthenes)

PS: If you're not able to copy/paste the link, you have everything in here to find it, by simply searching the author and the story title. It sucks that you can't copy links on mobile (´ー｀)

-I'll be putting the chapter ones of all the fanfics/originals mentioned, to give you guys a sample if you wan't more please do go to the website and support the author! (And maybe even convince them to start uploading chapters in here as well!)

Chapter 1-3 (exceptional)

You know the times in your life that you wonder whether or not the Gods hate you or not? I'm having one of those moments right now.

In hindsight, mouthing off Death or the local equivalent deity was not exactly the smartest idea I'd ever had. Although in my defense, I had just been told I had died out of the blue, so being 'punished' for being upset about being dead was a little harsh in my opinion. But being that Death was Death and I was just some random schmuck that died as he walked to work, I was hardly in any position whatsoever to argue. Frankly I would have thought that there would be at least some leeway.

Not so.

Death obviously doesn't take kindly to impoliteness. The indescribable entity had let out a hiss, and in a move that dashed my hopes for a Pratchett-esque psychopomp, made a gesture with one of Its 'appendages' and sent me careening through the endless gloom of what one assumes is the space between one life and the next.

Light filled my vision, and the constant, clinical beep of a monitor filled my ears, mixing with muffled, distant conversations.

"..Do you know where you are?" A neutral voice filled my ears. I blinked a few times, the light irritating my eyes as I tried to sit up. A plain looking doctor was looking over the top of a clipboard

"...Wha...where…"

"I see." The man sighed. "..I will note it down. You are in the Atlesian General Medical Facility. Don't worry, son. We're the finest medical facility on Remnant. You'll be back to normal in no time."

Atlas. Remnant. F.u.c.k.

"Oh." There was little else I could say to that frankly."I see."

"We also don't appear to have any records pertaining to you, I'm afraid." The doctor continued. "Nothing. No medical, military, financial or work records. It's almost as though you came into existence just before you were found in that snowbank!"

The man let out a laugh at his own statement, which didn't help the growing feeling in my gut. They didn't call anyone, how could they? I had no one. Hell, I didn't even have a believable name. The doctor soon saw my steadily faltering expression, and his smile vanished.

"...Oh." He said. "That is a bit of an embuggerance, isn't it?"

__________________________________________________________

It is surprisingly easy, almost scarily so, to create a new identity here, especially if it was merely a 'temporary' one for medical purposes. My old name did not fit the 'modern' naming conventions and I really didn't want to draw attention to myself. I settled on Casper Schwartz. Unimaginative perhaps, but that was the point (And having a name that effectively means 'Dark Treasurer' was admittedly a little bit awesome.). A 'normal' name, one that would not attract attention of Salem or Ozpin...or worse, canon.

Without money, a home, or anything but the clothes on my back I did the only thing I could in my situation. I joined the army. Admittedly, the Atlesian Military Archive is not the first branch of the military someone might want to join up with when dumped in a fantasy world, but given I know next to nothing about how Remnant actually works, as the show doesn't actually get into the complexities of how the world functions for the people that live in it, joining the one branch of the military that won't actually question my reading of historical doc.u.ments and deeper research makes a hell of a lot of sense. It was not the most interesting of work, perhaps. But it was safe, paid reasonably well, and wasn't exactly taxing, and only required field work every so often. It let me keep my head down, and get used to my new life, as I don't know whether or not it's possible to get home.

However, whilst all of this seems to have gone in my favour, there is a very large complication: I hadn't arrived at the time of canon. Oh no, that would be too easy. No no no. Thanks to the Vytal festival of all things, I have managed to figure out that I'm over a decade before the start of the series. Which wasn't good to say the least. I don't even know what events happened when in canon. It might have been unimportant narratively, but it's pretty f.u.c.k.i.n.g important now!

And with that whistle stop tour, we are brought up to now, two years later, the year 68AW (Or Sixty-Eight years after the Great War). In a random ruined temple about two hundred miles outside Atlas, closer to the literal middle of nowhere than civilisation. The AMA had been sent to investigate why the temple appeared to rebel Grimm, and to see if it could be replicated. They had sent myself and a number of other agents, plus a considerable military team to defend us. Say what you will about Atlas, they defended their own. I roamed the empty, and deathly silent halls with little else to defend myself than the standard military sidearm and body armour. I was the first to reach the main chamber..and discovered that I was no longer alone.

Because there was a little girl currently sat on the altar of the temple, who was sobbing her eyes out. Her hair was black, and she was dressed in rags.

And, as if Death was laughing at me, shockingly familiar golden eyes.

"..What are you doing here, little one?" I hear myself ask her before my thoughts had stopped screaming loudly in my head.

"Mama left!" The girl wailed. "Mama left!"

She continued to cry loudly, and I slowly moved closer. There was an envelope placed next to the girl, and Probably-Cinder didn't stop me from picking it up and opening it. I quickly glanced over letter inside.

My daughter

I know not when you will read this, or even if our lady will allow it. I pray she does.

This was not abandonment, but a blessing, my sweet one. Always remember that. To serve our Goddess in person is the ultimate honour in this world. I pray that I shall see you rise to glory before I die.

Your mother,

Luna Fall​

Oh. Oh f.u.c.k. This isn't good. I eyed Probably-Cinder over the top of the letter in my hands, and flinched at the sight of the still sniffling child. Letting out a faintly annoyed sigh, I folded up the letter and pocketed it. Kneeling down, I opened my arms out to offer the girl a hug, but the child all but threw herself into them, embracing me as tightly as she could.

How starved for affection is she?!

"What is your name, little one?"

"..Mama says I'm not 'posed to speak to strangers."

I smiled warmly at the child, at least that rule is a thing here. "I see. Wise advice. Well, I am Casper, Casper Schwartz. Now you know my name, I'm not as much of a stranger anymore, see?"

"...C-Cinder. 'M Cinder."

That answers that one.

"Well Cinder...did your Mother tell you why you were here?"

The child shook her head, and hugged me tighter.

The age old advice of not f.u.c.k.i.n.g up canon to ensure the usefulness of ones knowledge is decidedly more difficult when it forces you to be an asshole. Abandoning Cinder just so she grows up to be the murderous, if sometimes generic villain I know seems...wrong. It wasn't right that I had, even for a moment, honestly considered leaving her here. Alone and abandoned. Again.

….Well f.u.c.k it, if canon really wants me to interfere that much, I might well have a go at making the world a better place. Especially given it seems Cinder is a few years younger than she's supposed to be ...unless she's malnourished. I'm..not certain what would be worse, actually.

Letting out another sigh, I shifted my arms, and lifted the girl up. Cinder blinked as I did so, and looked at me questioningly.

"Come on, little Cinder. You can come and wait for your mother at our camp. It will be far more safe than this old ruin, not to mention warm. She will be able to find us there."

The child's golden eyes widened a little at what she didn't know was a colossal tempting of fate, but nodded in agreement with a quiet: "Alwight."

My life just got even more complicated than it already was, didn't it?

Chapter 2

To say that the soldiers spread out across the ruin were surprised that I had found a young child in the ruins would be a major understatement. Half of them looked at me as though I'd grown a second head when I'd tried to explain what happened, and Cinder being shy hadn't helped. Her insistence on looking away from them and refusal to speak earned her a number of raised eyebrows, but regardless, the soldiers opted to escort the both of us back to the airship that was functioning as our base in the field. Despite the unemotional front many members of Atlas' military put up, they were good people, and not ones to allow a child to be abandoned in a ruin. Pragmatism would say that they escorted us back because a child is useless in a fight, a liability, and whilst true was absolutely not why they were doing so. Many of the younger soldiers had young siblings, older than Cinder perhaps, but around her age. The older soldiers on the other hand, they had children or grandchildren about Cinder's age. The thought of willingly leaving a child in danger was frankly unconscionable for them. It was duties like this, genuinely 'heroic' acts, that they truly enjoyed doing.

Slowly, we made our way out of the winding halls of the ruin, the faded pictures on its walls not even encouraging another glance from us. Whilst no doubt important, the other archivists can take pictures of them for later study, along with collecting any relics or easily transportable rocks or the like. Right now, my priority was getting Cinder out of the ruin, back to camp, and get her warm.

I should probably have mentioned, I'm wearing the typical body armor that Atlesian soldiers do with the brown highlights that denote my being part of the Atlesian Military Archive. The white metallic armour only covers the upper half of my body and arms, with the rest, including my legs, only have a padded material that's something between leather and wool, for protection. I'm lacking the helmet, although I do have one, currently stowed away at the bottom of my locker under a varied and copious pile of random crap. The lack of a helmet is probably a good thing, given it provided Cinder with a moderately friendly face, even if it drew her eyes to our similarly dark hair.

"...Mister Casper? Sir?" The small girl asked aloud.

"Yes Cinder?" I replied, keeping my voice level and kindly.

"Where are we going?"

"Our main camp, Cinder. It's an airship touched down in a clearing." I explained, before allowing myself a small smile. "Have you ever been in an airship?"

"N-No sir…" She hesitated, desperation and worry slowly starting to fill her voice. "B-But..I-I..."

"You..don't need to call me 'Sir', Cinder." I told her gently. "Casper's fine, honest."

"...N-Not sir?" Cinder asked, in the tone of voice of someone used to false hope.

"Yep! Not sir."

"Oh." Cinder hummed. "..Not-sir…"

"How old are you, little Cinder?" I ask, loud enough for the other soldiers around us to hear.

"I'm five Mister Casper Sir-Not-Sir!"

Five?! How can someone be so light at five years old?! "I see." I share a look with one of the soldiers at our side, and though I cannot see them, there is little doubt that blatant concern is pooling in his eyes. Cinder is small. Small and light. Too small and light for a five year old. And just like that, without even meeting her, Luna Fall soared up our shitlists.

"...I see." I repeat, and smile kindly. "Thank you, Cinder."

"You're welcome Casper Sir-Not-Sir." She chirped, and I could've sworn that I heard some of the others around me chuckle softly.

"Just Casper, Cinder. Just Casper."

_____________________________________________________________________

Lieutenant James Ironwood kept a neutral expression on his face as he watched my group approach the airship we're calling a base. He was younger, obviously. Lacking his later cybernetics, save perhaps the implant above his right eye. He took a large gulp of coffee from his mug, a vile dark blend that was undrinkable to everyone but him. He placed the mug down on the ground beside him, and cleared his throat.

"Archivist Schwartz." He addressed me in a plain tone. "Would you care to explain what the f-..what in Remnant's name is going on?"

"...I'd love to, Sir. Unfortunately, I'm still figuring that out myself." I smile. "We found this little one in the main chamber. This is Cinder Fall, sir. Figured it'd be best to get her the hell out of there as fast as I could."

The Lieutenant let out a long suffering sigh, and pinched the bridge of his nose. He took a deep breath, and looked Cinder over. "...You did the right thing, Archivist. But you do understand that her presence here complicates matters."

You have no idea, Jimmy. "I am aware, sir." I replied. "Although with respect, I'm pretty certain 'random mystery child' would complicate almost anything."

Ironwood merely nodded once. "A fair point…..and something I'm certain will end up in the damn handbook."

I bite back a laugh as exasperation starts to fill Ironwood's voice. The current General of the Atlesian Military is an old traditionalist, a racist and frankly a puppet of the council, who barely knew how to wipe his own backside unless he was told to do so. "The General does love his handbook."

"...Indeed." Ironwood commented in an even tone. "That he does. I won't tell him you said that, don't worry."

I smile, inclining my head. "Thank you sir."

"...I am aware you are young, Archivist Schwartz, but you will be responsible for her. She seems attached to you already." Ironwood told me with a faint smile. "I'm afraid it means office work here at base, but it'll be safer for the gi-..for Cinder."

"Understood sir." I replied, offering a salute. "A little paperwork never hurt anyone, ex-"

"Except Cherry in accounting, yes I've heard the saying." Ironwood chuckled. "I have no idea where it came from.."

"I...don't think anyone does.." I shrug. "Just one of those office mysteries, perhaps."

"..Dismissed, Archivist." The older man commanded with a small smile and a salute.

"..Yes sir." I replied, returning the salute as I headed off.

With any luck, I'll be able to bullshit my way through the rest of this deployment, and get myself, and Cinder, back to the relative safety of the city of Atlas. So long as I can avoid politics, the White Fang when they turn violent, politics, the Grimm, politics, Luna Fall showing up and politics, I should manage to give Cinder stability for a few years.

Hopefully.

Chapter 3

The room on the airship assigned to me was small, but suited my needs. There was a desk, with a computer linked to the main archive database back in Atlas, a comfortable enough bed, a small bathroom with a shower, and a wardrobe. Spartan, impersonal. Just how the Atlesian's preferred. But it was all of peak quality. Thankfully the Military didn't mess around when it came to its soldiers accommodations, and though each room was pretty much the same, the bed here was almost as comfortable as the one I had back in Atlas. The apartment I own is small, but in the two short years I have been here, it has become home. It wasn't even in Mantle, but Atlas proper, one of the few perks being in the military has allowed me. Sure, it's little more than a kitchen-lounge, bedroom, bathroom and spare room I just use for storage, but home is home.

Cinder appeared not to care about our current surroundings. It was warm, and dry, and safe. It held the promise of a bed and food and company, something she'd obviously lacked for sometime. She was, once she had become comfortable around me, curious beyond words. The moment we stepped foot into my room, she had kicked off her shoes, and jumped onto the bed, happily bouncing away.

I let her have her fun whilst I pack away my field uniform. It's probably been far, far too long since she's been so comfortable or happy after all. I kept a small smile on my face as my room was soon filled with the happy, giddy laughter of the small girl. It certainly beat the usual 'Atlesian Military' updates that would normally fill the silence, spouting the 'Glories of our mighty nation and people', which in reality was often merely relaying the fact that border patrols defeated various Grimm and the occasional bandit or bandit group. Plus, the need to learn what said update said today would give me an excuse to speak with some of my fellow soldiers...and try to get Cinder to interact with other people.

It might not be an ideal way to do it, but it's all I can do right now. But, much as it pains me, first things first. "...Cinder."

The girl stopped bouncing and turned to look at me with a bright smile. "Yes Mister Casper?"

"..You are aware of what will happen if your Mother doesn't show up before we depart, yes?"

"..Y-You'll leave me behind?" There was fear in her voice now. The fear of abandonment. The fear of loss. The fear of being alone, again. "P-Please don-"

"By the Brothers no!" I exclaimed, stepping forward to rest a calming hand on her shoulder. "No..we'd take you with us, back to Atlas. But I'm not su-"

Cinder leapt forward to embrace me before I could continue, her small body shaking as she cried. I simply embraced her, somewhat unsure of how to react beyond quiet "It's okay. Let it out.." and continued to hug her for as long as she needed. It was a number of minutes later that, still stifling, Cinder finally stepped away.

I smile as warmly as I dare, and hold out a hand. "Come on, let's go for a walk."

Slow, hesitantly, she took my hand and squeezed tight. Her golden eyes met mine, and a small, shy smile graced her face. "O-Okay, Mister Casper."

As we walked through the Airsh.i.p.s corridors, her small hand grasping mine, we got constant hushed comments and curious whispers and even the odd, cheerful salute from particularly friendly soldiers. Cinder did her best not to catch anyone's eyes, speaking nothing but mumbled 'Hello's and offering nothing but silent waves to those we pass.

"...So Little Cinder." I begin, if only to focus her attention on something other than the strangers around her.. "I think we'll get you settled in, so let's go down to the cafeteria and get some food."

"Yes Mister Casper!" The small girl chirped, and I can't help but smile. She might have been a near complete psycho in the canon timeline, but this Cinder is quite frankly adorable.

"And we'll see if we can't get you some proper clothes too. Warm ones." How she remained even remotely comfortable in those rags of hers, I had no idea. She likely wasn't, come to think of it, and her lack of complaint about it added yet another thing her Mother would have to answer for when I track her down.

"Yes Mister Casper!"

My smile grew slightly.. "..And then get you seen by the Medical Officer."

She blinked at me with a confused expression. "What does that mean, Mister Casper?"

Please. Please be joking..."A doctor, Cinder."

"What's a Doctor?"

F.u.c.k my life.

_____________________________________________________________________

Lieutenant James Ironwood, the rising star of the Atlesian Military, let out a sigh as he lent back into his chair. As if this ruin wasn't confusing enough with its Grimm-Repelling properties, the fact that someone knew of it, and was prepared to leave their own child there and not inform anyone about said ruin's properties or location was deeply concerning. If Atlas could replicate whatever it was that repelled the Grimm, every city on Remnant would have its security all but assured. They could even expand the Kingdoms territories. The Brothers knew that populations across the world were growing at a rate that would soon strain their limited resources.

But because of the single most horrifying thought he'd had about everything he'd had to deal with in recent days, he was decidedly hesitant to report anything to High Command as of yet. What if it isn't the ruin that repels the Grimm, but the girl?

He privately hoped it wasn't. Better she live a quiet life than one as what amounted to little more than bug spray. Whilst he was loyal beyond words to Atlas, that didn't mean that he was blind to its faults. If the cost of Atlas' safety was a child's life, there wouldn't even be a moral debate or token hesitation. She'd be locked up, sedated, and wheeled out wherever and whenever necessary.

He sighed again, and buried the thoughts deep. Better not to even contemplate them. It was the stress. Yes, that was it. Definitely the stress. He reached for his mug, and took a gulp of what was technically coffee, if only barely.

"...Damn it."