A bell rang when they walked in the cafe and a red-headed big-smiled waitress hustled them to their table. Jaune Arc thought she was cute. He ordered a cafe au lait; Ruby and Nora, chocolate sundays; and Ren, green tea.
There was a guitarist strumming away but the cacophony of the busy cafe upstaged his music. Potted plants hung from the ceiling, next to wind chimes, and sat on the packed tables.
The waitress returned with their drinks, smile beaming. "The drinks are on the house," she said. "On behalf of y'all saving the village and all."
"Oh it's appreciated but you don't have to do that," said Jaune. Ruby and Nora frowned.
"The chief insists, and so do I." She winked at him. "Now y'all holler if you need anything, y'hear?" She walked to another table and spoke with a customer.
There was a TV hanging above the counter broadcasting a news report and the reporter said, "It's been six months since the fall of Beacon Academy—" and went on to describe the match in which Pyrrha Nikos slew Penny Polendina. "It is unknown why Pyrrha Nikos used fatal force that day, and she has eluded authorities since. She is presumed to be in hiding. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Pyrrha Nikos, please contact your local authorities."
The rest talked among themselves, but Jaune could do nothing but listen to it. He heard it above the chatter and the chimes and the guitarist. So this is how heroes are remembered, he thought.
"How barbaric," Someone said. Jaune was the only one who heard that too; he knew he was. He looked over his shoulder, crossing the cafe with his eyes. "Can you imagine what would have happened if that girl wasn't a robot? Eh May?"
She was a short girl, probably around Jaune's age, and she wore a short yukata with a black and white diamond pattern; her dark hair was wrapped in an elaborate bun and pinned with a red comb.
"It would have been quite the mess I imagine," said the person called May. Jaune didn't remember what they looked like.
"She wanted blood, I tell you," She took an eloquent sip from her teacup. "She must have cracked under all the pressure."
Jaune stood suddenly. "Jaune?" Ruby said.
"Just saw some old friends sitting across the room." He shot her a weak smile. "I'm going to go say hello. Be right back!" As he approached the table, the girl continued with her slander. Jaune clenched his sword hand.
Jaune Arc reached the table and stood there with his head down. They noticed him a moment later. "Can I help you?" The girl said. Jaune said nothing then pounded his fist on the table. The guitarist stopped strumming and the crowd stopped bustling; all their eyes were on Jaune. The girl and her companion lurched back. "Take it back," he said.
"Excuse me?" She was holding a playing card between two fingers. The person called May was gripping a charm that hung from their finger.
"Take it back. The things you said about Pyrrha. Take it back, now!"
"Why should I?" She folded the card into the sleeve of her yukata and she glided a finger across the table and poked Jaune Arc's spread hand. "Are you going to pop like a balloon if I don't?"
Jaune drew his sword. "She isn't a criminal. She was—"
"Jaune!" cried Ruby. She zoomed across the room, behind Jaune, and she wrapped her hand around his sword arm and softly pulled at him. "What are you doing?"
Jaune tried to rip his arm from Ruby's grasp but he knew he wasn't strong enough. "Pyrrha—They!" Tears shown in his eyes.
"Come on Jaune." She put a hand to his shoulder. "Let's just go."
Jaune sighed. "Don't worry about me. Get ready. I'll meet you outside." Ruby let go of him and he sheathed his sword.
Ruby nodded, "Ok. Holler if you need me." She walked away slowly.
"You should keep your friend on a short leash," the girl said to Ruby.
Ruby turned around, sneered, and stuck her tongue out.