Team SMKK

Chapter 2: Bad Luck

Chapter 2: Bad Luck

Present: The city of Vale

Their time at Beacon seemed to fly-by as team SMKK learned fought, triumphed, and graduated from Beacon Academy with less than flying colors. It had been a week after their graduation, and team SMKK had decided to work together and make a set up shop in the city of Vale. Over the next year, the team had less than successful luck establishing themselves as experienced warriors capable of defending the Kingdom of Vale from the Creatures of Grimm

It was business as usual in The Loft, and apartment loft located in the residential district of Vale and the official headquarters of team SMKK: Shade was sitting at the dining room table checking the Mission Boards on her scroll, Kole and Marcus were across from her playing poker, and Katherine was busy preparing dinner for the team. The silence was broken by Kole, angrily, slamming his hand of cards on the table.

"Damn it!" he shouted "You lucky bastard!"

"I make my own luck" Marcus replied in an arrogant tone, collecting the last of Kole's Lein and ammo for his pistol.

"Hey Kate, watcha' making?" Kole asked in an attempt to take his mind off losing

"Bell peppers and beef stir-fry," she answered "and it's ready."

"Babe you rock!" he said sniffing the air.

"I know." She said blushing "I hope you all enjoy it." Kate added bringing the steaming skillet to the table.

"You really outdid yourself Kate." Marcus said reaching for a stray strand of yellow pepper

As fast as lightning, she slapped Marcus' hand away from the pan. "Before we eat may we please say grace?"

With respect, the others lowered their heads as Katherine recited her prayers, except for Kole who slyly reached for a chunk of mushroom, while everyone's was distracted. Just as the morsel was inches from his lips, Katherine without raising her head, threw a fork at Kole which embedded itself in the back of his hand, causing him to drop the morsel.

"Son of a bi-" he shouted

"Amen. Kole, please watch your language?" Katherine interrupted in a sweet tone

"You are so luck I lost my ammo to Marcus." he answered pulling the fork from is hand

Shade and Marcus couldn't help but laugh at Kole's constant misfortune. They turned their attention to their meals, but a look of disappointment took Shade badly. "Um...Kate?" she said with trepidation

"Yes?"

"You said bell peppers and beef. There's no beef in here." She said searching through her plate for a chunk of meat.

"Well when I used our credit card earlier, today I didn't have enough to get any beef at the butcher shop. I'm sorry Shade"

"What?" she shouted "Kole! Didn't you get paid for that Bounty Mission last week?" she snapped at her brother.

"I did." He said rubbing his hand.

"The bounty was 500 Lein, there should have been enough after paying our bills to get groceries."

"Well the jailers had to pay me half for some bullsh- I mean ridiculous reason." he corrected himself after seeing Kathrine slowly reaching for a table knife,

"What did you do?" Shade demanded in an agitated tone.

"Why do you always assume I did something wrong. It could have been Kate's fault for all you know." defended Kole "The mark had a little accident and the jailers had cut some of the bounty to pay the medical bills."

"What kind of accident?" Shade pressed, glaring at the relaxed Huntsman next to her

"Kole shot the poor boy!" admitted Katherine

"What!" she yelled

"He was a dangerous criminal and he tried to escape after attacking me" Kole pleaded to the girls

"He was not that dangerous, he was wanted for stealing food for his starving family." Katherine clarified

"That poor boy also stole 300 Lein and nearly beat the grocer's head in with a sweet potato"

"That doesn't seem physically possible." Marcus added laughing at the argument

"Whatever!" Shade said pinching the bridge of her nose in agitation "Kole you have to get this through your head. Peacefully neutralize the threat and then apprehend the culprit.

"Fine" he said with a sigh

"Remember Kole it's easier to catch flies with honey then with vinegar." teased Katherine

"Yeah it's also easier to catch them if you rip their wings off."

"Enough! Both of you! Now I've been checking the Mission Boards and I found another Bounty Mission and an Escort Mission. Kole you and Kate are going hunting again. And Marcus and I will be guarding some settlers, via vehicle convoy."

"So where are we going boss?" asked Marcus

"The border near Vacuo."

"Yes! I've been needing to work on my tan." said Marcus leaning back in his chair.

"Lucky bastard." sighed Kole. Realizing how loud he swore, he snapped his attention to Katherine who was playfully twirling the table knife between her slender fingers while giving Kole that eerie smile. He returned the gesture with a fearful smile and chuckle, praying she didn't hear him say that.

"Oh, and Kate. If Kole so much as lays a finger on the perp, I want you to please stab him for me." commanded Shade

"Okie Dokie!" she said answered with enthusiasm

Marcus leaned to Kole and whispered his sage-like advice "Dude, I told you. don't stick your dick in crazy. Cause this very scenario was going to happen"

"I know, but what can I say, she's hot and I like to live on the wild side." He said starring at Katherine with admiration

"That 'wild side', just so happens to be 5'3", an amazing cook, and is extremely skilled with practically any edged weapons

That night was spent with Shade ritualistically cleaning her weapon, Skeggart, a hybrid shotgun and battle-axe; Kole finally won back his ammo; and Kathrine was busy preparing a picnic for tomorrow. With his ammo back in his possession, Kole retired to bed early. But that night he was plagued by reoccurring dreams. Every minute it seemed, he would awaken fearing for his life. He would sit up in his bed, take a drink of whiskey from a bottle on his nightstand, and return back to bed. Towards midnight the bottle was empty and the ghosts of his past could not be shaken.

Kole, got himself dressed, grabbed Desperado, and decided to go get a drink at the bar just down the street. Perhaps the cool night air would help. He left the darkness of his and Katherine's room for the bright glow of the living room's television.

"What the hell are you doing awake?" Said Marcus as he was lying on the couch, flipping through t.v. channels

"Can't sleep. Wanna get a drink?" said Kole as he made his way for the door.

"I'll get my hoodie." Marcus replied turning off the t.v.