Lunacy
Part Two
Hot dizziness fills her head and she doesn't know which way is up. Her heart pounds within the tight cage of her ribs and blood hums in her ears. She presses her forehead to harsh and cold concrete, struggling to focus. It's rare that becoming human again is so hard, but that's the case for Pyrrha this morning. She's still pulling hard against her restraints, thinking she can break them if she just kept trying. Her knees scrape the floor, bloodied, and she screams for Jaune with a broken voice. She can still taste his blood on her tongue and it terrifies her. A fear that doubles over and lances her straight through when the basement door swings open and it isn't him.
Nora hurries into the room, anxious uncertainty stretching her freckled face as she gestures with her hands, not entirely sure what good it'll do. "Hey, it's okay-"
"Where's Jaune?!" tears are rolling hot down her cheeks. When Nora doesn't answer right away, words sputtering on her inexperience, Pyrrha feels the fear spike again. Oh god, he left. He left. He's gone. "Get me out of this!" she snarls, all of the chains attached to her snapping tight as she lurches for the door. Her fangs are blunt and her claws look more like human fingernails, but her eyes still shimmer wildly with a savage brilliance.
"Pyrrha, please," Nora steps up to the bars, her brow low and sympathetic. "You know I won't do that until you calm down."
Again, her rules, not Nora's. All of this was by Pyrrha's rules, rules that she herself had broken.
But she can't calm down, she can't pull herself together and starts sobbing, her face -her entire body- scrunching with something that can only be described as rampant pain. Pyrrha slumps onto her side, chains rattling against the floor, and she cries.
I didn't mean it, her mind chants feverishly, I didn't mean it. It was an accident. I swear to god it was an accident. All it had taken was too long a kiss at the same moment a shock of pain coursed through her jaw as the change began, making her teeth close reflexively, one canine breaking his skin.
Nora fumbles with the key ring and starts undoing the padlocks on the cell door, the task seeming to take forever since she isn't used to doing it. Worry still creases her face as her patience thins, she quietly swears at the tokens of brass as she works each one into a lock and twists. She fights with the door until she remembers the stakes in the hinges, tearing them out so she can finally open it. Why do humans have to be so damn thorough?
Nora picks up the bronze and crimson afghan as she steps into the cage, approaching Pyrrha cautiously with the blanket stretched between both hands. Her only clues how to handle the situation are what she has seen Jaune do, and she does her best to mimic his careful actions from the soft words of assurance, to the slow movements, to the great care she takes to drape the blanket over her and help her sit up. "Just take a deep breath."
Pyrrha responds reflexively, her chest quickly expanding and holding onto the gulp of oxygen as she tries to ground herself. She makes a conscious effort to center her senses, acknowledging the gentle weight of Nora's hands on her upper arms and the tender, outward press of her ribs as her body tenses. When she exhales she can breathe in a steady rhythm again, though it's quick and shallow. She forces herself to take a second deep breath, shuddering through it.
Nora carefully tucks stray stresses of hair behind her ears. "Okay now?"
No. The panic is still perched in her heart, threatening to overwhelm her again. But she slowly nods anyway. "Jaune's gone."
"But he'll come back." Nora assures her. "I promise."
Pyrrha shakes her head, not entirely meaning to. "No, you don't know that,"
"I do. Ren's with him." her features pull anxiously when the words don't sooth her, when she starts to cry again. Nora pulls her against her chest. "He wouldn't leave you, he loves you too much."
"I bit him." she sputters, shuddering in Nora's arms. "Oh god, I bit him."
"Shh, it'll be all right. They'll be back in no time, you'll see." At least she hoped so.
Ren has never liked cars. Since humans first invented them they made him perpetually uncomfortable. However he stomachs this disdain for Jaune's sake, riding shotgun in his truck but looking physically unhappy about it. He's hunkered low in the seat, one hand reaching for the oh-crap-strap above the window and the other white-knuckled on the edge of the console between the seats. He keeps his wide and unblinking eyes on the ceiling, hating the sensation in his gut at the view of the world outside passing by in a blur. The way Jaune drives isn't helping either.
When the two left the house just after one in the morning, Jaune had driven calmly and with purpose, following Ren's direction, but now that the sun has been up for more than half an hour he is not so calm and it shows in the way his leg is heavy on the gas pedal and how he jerks the steering wheel to navigate even the slightest turn. Tight little grunts escape the Kirin as the truck jumps over the uneven gravel of the driveway.
A cloud of dust erupts from under the tires as the car slides into park almost too close to the front porch. Jaune completely forgoes closing his door, leaving it to swing on hits hinges as he jumps out of the car and sprints up the steps to the front door. Briefly he forgets which way the door swings, walking into it shoulder-first when it doesn't give under his initial, insistent shove. The door clips the tip of his nose when he pulls hard and fast, face twisted with self-frustration.
Jaune quickly scans the living room and kitchen once its in his line of sight, finding both spaces vacant. He doesn't have to call out for anyone or check the upstairs. He knows where he needs to go, who needs him most. He stumbles at the foot of the basement stairs, having jumped the last few steps to an uneasy landing. He stops himself from falling through the open door, hands bracing against the frame.
He's happy to see she isn't alone, but that little comfort is crushed when he meets Pyrrha's eyes, comprehends the staggering fear in them. For a moment they just look at each other, neither one of them able to find or offer up any words. She breaks contact first, tucking her chin and turning away, the gesture snatching the breath right out of him. Nora grabs his focus as he straightens and takes sedated steps into the room. The two communicate in silent signals, Nora nodding as she eases to her feet, tossing him the ring of keys once she thinks him close enough to catch them. She gives him an encouraging pat on the arm as she passes.
Jaune takes a stabilizing breath, stopping at the threshold of the cage. Her posture is troubling, her shoulders are tight and hiked up towards her ears. She's shaking, and he can tell she's trying not to cry. It breaks his heart.
"Can I come in?"
She chokes, no words forming. He doesn't move until he sees movement resembling a nod.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here." he says carefully, taking the first step, his feet feeling almost too heavy. "I tried to get back before sunrise." It kills him when she doesn't respond.
His close proximity is bristling against her and she mentally cringes. Her feeling of self-disgust taints Jaune's usually soothing presence, making her want to instinctively distance herself. If she could just find a deep dark hole to crawl in...
"Please look at me." comes his quiet plea. He's standing in front of her, not too close since he isn't sure where she wants him to be. Her face is hidden by her hair, he doesn't know what to do. "Pyrrha,"
"I'm sorry," she sobs, her head dropping.
He exhales, more so deflates. His brow lowers and he purses his lips, taking one big step and kneeling down in front of her. Jaune doesn't expect her to jerk away when he reaches for the buckle of the collar. She looks at him, sideways, wary.
"I'm not going to leave you locked up."
It would be safer. And after we had been so careful...
"Come on, let me get you out of this, take you upstairs. You need to eat."
"Don't act like it didn't happen!" she cries. "I infected you!"
His heart takes another heavy blow as tears fill her already reddened eyes, and his throat tightens as he tries to swallow. "Pyrrha, I'm okay. Really. Look," Jaune tilts his head, making sure she can see. "It's not even there."
The disgust on her face morphs to confusion. "W-what? How...that's not possible." Pyrrha remembers what happened, she knows she had bit down on the outer edge of his lip, splitting it. There should be something. A bruise, a welt, a smudge of copper...but there isn't. And now that he's close enough for her to smell, she couldn't pick up a certain scent, an odor she recognized from the few Beta werewolves -those who were turned, not born into it- she had met throughout her life. They had a peculiarity to their smell that always made Pyrrha mentally cringe, and she didn't find that on him. True, it had only been hours since he was compromised, but it would still be there -albeit faintly. "But I-"
"I'll explain, I promise," he assures her gently, trying again for the collar, tension easing out of him when she allows him access. "Just let me get these off of you first, okay?"
Pyrrha makes herself nod, suddenly realizing just how sick she is being restrained, but it's in equal measure with just how unsafe she believes she is. Though her primal urges are weaker, the full moon beginning to wane, she just can't stomach the idea of trusting herself with him so close to her.
"Please try to relax."
"I am."
Jaune takes his time, as much as he doesn't want to. He moves slowly, methodically, knowing if he can show control it will help her. He makes an effort to offer soft caresses as he goes, brushing her flushed skin with the back of his hands, his fingertips. Little condolences meant to translate as his forgiveness, to let her know that he is anything but angry or afraid over what happened. That he knows she didn't do it on purpose.
When he's finished he pulls her afghan across her shoulders, encouraging her towards him in the same motion until she rests against his chest. He's thankful she doesn't resist, tucking her forehead into the bend of his neck as he puts his arms around her. Jaune feels wet warmth spreading through his cotton shirt. Tears.
"I was so scared."
"I know. I'm sorry." he apologizes again, kissing the top of her head. He wishes there was something more to say, a better way to show the deep remorse he feels. Instead he just blurts out "I had a good reason."
Pyrrha leans back so she can look at him, her expression severe. "Where did you go?"
Jaune takes a breath. "You remember my friend from work, Yang? You two met at the last Solstice party,"
"The big blonde?"
"Yeah." he nods with a little laugh. "Turns out she and Ren go back a ways...she owed him a favor. Now, I can't give you all the details -its part of the deal-"
"You made a contract with a supernatural?!" she pales.
"No, no, not like that," he shakes his head hard, his shaggy bangs tossing across his eyes. "It's fine, really. But she...took care of it, and all she asked for in return is that I make a big dinner for her and a couple of her friends. That's it."
She's obviously confused, crimson brows uneven. "I don't...what?"
"I would explain everything if I could, but Yang said she would fill you in when she comes over."
"B-but," she tries and tries to wrap her head around it, but eventually gives up, rubbing her eyes. "...It's too much right now. I'm sorry."
"It's okay." he smiles even though she isn't looking. "Come on."
Jaune lifts her into his arms, carrying her out of the basement and all the way up to their room on the second floor. He sits her down on the bed, kneeling in front of her, gripping her hands securely as he runs the usual gambit of questions; What do you need? What can I do? Would a hot bath help at all? Can Ren make you something? Do you just need some time alone?
Pyrrha almost nods at the last one, but there would be plenty of time for that later. She's too sick to her stomach to eat. So she concedes to a bath, maybe it could make her feel less vile. It does, marginally, not enough to take Jaune up on his offer to join her. She needs to feel isolated for right now, drown out the world with the sound and sting of almost scorching hot water. It's enough to push every last thought out of her head, fill it with static, and make room to sort everything back into its proper place when she steps out.
Jaune's waiting with a fresh change of clothes and a towel. There's no exchange of words as he helps her dry off, reaching for her hairbrush as she dresses. They exchange glances in the mirror as he pulls her hair into a loose braid, something easy for her to sleep with. He follows close behind as she shuffles back to the bedroom, climbing under the blankets right behind her to gather her up in his arms where she uncomfortably settles. She's still so tense and it tears at his heartstrings.
"When do you have to go to work?" and though she exhales with an easy sigh, her brow is still tight, distressed.
"I called in sick."
"That's not funny." she snips, her hand turning into a fist against his chest.
"I'm not trying to be." he defends gently, accepting her critical gaze. "But I'm not leaving you alone, not today."
"Jaune, I-"
"Don't say you're sorry. You've said that enough." he tucks his chin, his forehead pressing against her hair. "I know you're sorry. I forgive you and I still love you. Please believe that."
Her lips press into a thin line, whatever argument she had effectively snuffed out.
"And I have no intention of leaving." he continues, his voice almost a whisper. "I promised."
Pyrrha almost smiles at the thought. Jaune had promised to stay with her in his own way, not in actual words. Renovating his basement to build the cage, designing the restraints, his methodical care of her before and after the change, and his awareness of her greatest fear -abandonment; all these things were silent declarations of his commitment. And after almost three years together, he didn't really have to say anything.
Pyrrha feels her anxiety break like a fever, her body letting it all go at once as she puts her arms around him and twists their legs together beneath the blanket. Jaune returns the embrace, taking in her scent and allowing a smile to pull at his mouth. Finally this feels right again, feels like home.
"So when is this dinner Yang asked you for?" Pyrrha inquires softly, trying to listen to his heartbeat now that it's inciting comfort instead of hunger.
"She said she would call me." he sighs tiredly. He's been up all night -without Ren's vitalizing tea- and is finally at ease. All Jaune wants now is to hold her and sleep, let the world turn without him for a few hours. "If nothing else I'll see her at work tomorrow."
Pyrrha just nods, tucking a little closer, kissing his throat. She's glad the taste of him is no longer abrasive to her senses, like his blood had been. When he inches away just far enough so he can look at her, she follows the guidance of his hand lining her jaw, tipping her chin that he might kiss her. It's slow, sensual, assuasive, but chaste. Neither of them are of the mind or body for that.
So they sleep.
Almost a month goes by before Jaune receives that call, and it comes on the week of the full moon.
"I don't mean to be rude," Jaune shakes his head, his cell phone at his ear, "but it's not a good time. You know why."
"It's the perfect time, actually. Just trust me." he could hear the suspicious smile in the woman's tone as she chuckles over the line. "My mark still on you?"
"Yeah, I had Ren check it."
"Really?" she sounds genuinely surprised.
"Something wrong?" he asks when she's quiet for too long. Yang Xiaolong is rarely quiet.
"No, no, it's fine" she assures him. "Seriously."
"All right, if you're sure." he swallows. "So who's on your guest list?"
"My little sister and me, of course." of course. "Plus two. They're good friends of mine that you haven't met. Should be fun."
"Have you decided what you want?"
"Once we're done I'll text you a list. Now, just to warn you, it's going to be a lot. You know my appetite."
He shudders to himself, remembering the countless times they had sat together for lunch at work, her lunchbox filled to bursting, and she would still be hungry after it was empty. He could almost hear his wallet crying in terror of the impending menu request.
"That's okay. It's the least I can do." he has to force it a little, but once it's out he realizes how true it is. Yang had done him and Pyrrha an incredible kindness. "But, I have to ask...are you up to something?"
"When am I not up to something?"
"...Fair enough. You're not going to spring anything on us, are you? Pyrrha...she doesn't do surprises." The woman he loves is a control freak in all the best ways and for all the best reasons. Unexpected circumstances did nothing but rub her raw.
"I know, but this won't be that bad, really. I'll tell you more, and I'll sit down with Pyrrha myself, it's just I need to touch base with a friend and hammer out some details first. Okay? I promise it won't be too much. Trust me."
Hearing her say that -trust me- did nothing but make him that much more anxious. Still... "Okay. Just...I'm still concerned. It'll be in the -literal- middle of her cycle. You're sure you don't want to do this another day?"
"It's all part of the plan, stretch, Trust me. And as a courtesy, we'll show up early, mid-afternoon, say two-ish."
"Okay. But no alcohol."
"Oh no, not a drop, not even for me."
A puff of air escapes him. "Thank you."
"No problem. I'll let you go and send that list along. See you in a few days."
"Thanks again, Yang."
"You bet."
And Jaune waits, his phone in his hand, for the telling chime of a received text. When it comes with an abrupt vibration he presses a few buttons, accessing the message. His features steadily stretch as he goes down the list. You could feed an army with this much. But he would gladly do that and more. He would do almost anything if it meant he didn't have to see the fear in Pyrrha's eyes like he had been seeing off and on for the last couple weeks, anything to be able to hold her without her warily tensing in his arms or initially flinching away even in sleep. Anything so that she felt safe in her own skin again and didn't hesitate to kiss him or take his hand.
They hadn't danced together since the last full moon and he misses her. When he extends an invitation to ride with him to the store and to lunch, Pyrrha quietly declines, looking uncomfortable as she's curled up on the sofa, her knees tucked to her chest. He doesn't push her, though he can't keep back the disappointment in his eyes. He still kisses her cheek before heading for the door, says he loves her and that he'll be back in an hour or two.
Pyrrha listens to the rumbling of the truck leaving the driveway, letting out a heavy sigh when it's quiet again. It isn't that she's glad he's gone, just...
She had never bitten anyone, never scratched anyone. Pyrrha had never been responsible for infecting someone and she didn't know how to process it. How in the hell could he be so...for god's sake, how had he not kicked her out yet? How could he still be so comfortable around her, so trusting? She had come this close to ruining his life and yet... Her head drops, forehead against her knees as she takes a deep breath. She stands up in a singular and swift motion, almost marching for the back door and stepping outside. Maybe some fresh air would help.
It's partly cloudy, the sun hidden briefly behind a wispy span of white fluff overhead. The garden is full of butterflies even though it shouldn't be, it's too early in the year but they're here all the same. The air is sweet with the fragrance a flowers, again out of season. But having a Kirin for a housemate does that.
Ren is sprawled in the grass, his scales glistening with an ethereal glow even without direct sunlight, bright green and blushing pink and stark sable. His scales are broken up by a soft, snow white pelt covering his whiskered face, underbelly, and lower legs, somewhat hidden by the lush mane of inky blackness and flickers of pink petals. A single horn, like the antler on a deer, slopes back from the middle of his head. He lies there on his back, content, Nora tucked against his side and watching the clouds pass. The butterflies seem to congregate around them, fluttering in aimless circles, drawn to their magic.
For a while Pyrrha sits on the edge of the porch and just watches, finding traces of serenity in simply being there. Sometimes it helped to be with something like her own kind, not necessarily other werewolves, but other supernaturals. Especially Ren and Nora. Their particular natures made them easy to be around, they had no expectations of what could be considered proper behavior in times like these, they were just there to listen or talk or neither.
Nora shifts, puffing at the hair in her face as she parts Ren's mane and props herself on his downy stomach. For a moment she watches the woman on the porch, wondering what's going through her mind and hanging on her heart. Elementals aren't as sensitive as some supernaturals, but they aren't so detached as to not know when someone is worried or upset. And Pyrrha is an obvious commingling of both. Her first instinct is to ask, but stops herself for a change. No need for questions she already has the answers to.
"There's room." Nora says instead, smiling.
Pyrrha's briefly confused, eyes wide and brows raised. She watches Nora pat the grass on Ren's other side, then watches the Kirin turn his head and look at her with solid pink eyes. Now she understands, and smirks, a little redness in her cheeks. "Can I keep my clothes on?"
Nora sniffs. "If you want to be a square about it." and she rolls her eyes playfully. "Clothes are dumb."
Pyrrha giggles, easing to her feet and taking casual steps across the yard. She pulls her long ponytail over her shoulder, letting it rest on her chest as she lays on her back. She feels Ren's snout nudge her temple with a little pop of static. His magic moves around her like a warm blanket, soothing. She absently strokes his scaled side with the back of her hand, silently thankful for his concern.
"Ren says there's gonna be a party."
"Just dinner." Pyrrha corrects casually, sounding like she means to assure herself.
"You excited?"
"Not really." her crimson brows pull together, a deep breath working in and out. "I...we don't usually have company during my cycle."
"But they'll be supernaturals, like us."
"I don't know any of them, even Yang is just an acquaintance. I mean...I know I'm hard to be around enough as it is, I'd hate to think how much of a handful I will be surrounded by a bunch of strangers."
"Just worry about you and we'll take care of the rest, right Ren?" the Kirin chuffs in response. "We'll make sure no one bothers you."
"Thank you."
"And you know Jaune wouldn't put you at risk."
Pyrrha feels herself tense. "It's not my safety I'm worried about."
"I know, but the rest of us are. None of us want anything to happen to you."
Her heart clenches a little, a slight burn rising in her eyes that she wipes away with her forearm.
"I'd have to kneecap a bitch."
Pyrrha laughs, a bright and honest sound. With her hand over her mouth reflexively she rolls onto her side, her free handing finding a strand of Ren's mane to twist into. And for a time she's content to lie there and listen to the whisper of butterfly wings.
The following week is easier for them. Even as the full moon draws near Pyrrha seems more relaxed and open. She's more receptive to Jaune and his little affections, no longer seeming so submissive in his presence and readily taking his hand when he tries for hers. She happily helps him prepare dinner, starting just before noon to make sure everything is ready by the time Yang and her friends arrive. There is so much food; her initial thought is that it's just too much for just eight people. But, then again, Jaune's coworker could easily eat enough for three people. And how she was able to do it and still have such an incredible figure was beyond her. Some supernaturals just have all the luck.
It's roughly half passed one when there's a heavy handed knock on the door, three successive impacts that can be heard even from the back yard. Nora answers the door once Jaune gives her a nod from the kitchen, and is greeted loudly and scooped up into the thick and muscular arms of Yang Xiaolong.
"How's my favorite spark plug?" Yang asks affectionately as she sets Nora down. The taller woman's very presence seems to fill the room with a gentle, golden glow coupled with a comfortable warmth. "Oh my god, it smells amazing in here!"
"Good to see you, Yang," Nora hugs her back around the waist before taking a step back. "Come on in, introduce me to your friends."
"Well you know Ruby already," Yang steps aside to let her little sister through the door.
"Oh, your horns are coming in!" Nora has to stop her natural curiosity from making her touch them. They look a lot like Ren's, but there's two of them and they're smooth and black with blushing red tips, curving like a goat's. "They're adorable!"
"Yeah," Ruby blushes a little, still shy about them. There had been no knowing what Ruby would be when she was born, showing no obvious signs of being supernatural. But now that she is well into the throws of puberty -almost sixteen even- her mother's Sylvan Fae heritage is blossoming. Perhaps her silver eyes should have been evidence enough. "Thanks for having us over."
"Don't thank me, thank your sister for convincing Jaune to do it."
"Not that I had to twist his arm -more like slap him around a little," and she laughs with an elbow jabbing Nora's arm. "Go say hi to everyone squirt, I'll be along in a minute." When Ruby starts away with a nod, Yang shrugs. "It's been hard on her. Her powers are a little crazy right now."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, dad's got a nice new oak tree in the middle of his living room now. And it came with a skylight, too."
"Wow, sounds fancy." Nora's brows jump for her hairline, though the setting of her eyes belies an understand of how troublesome young supernaturals coming into their own can be. "So who else did you bring?"
Yang gestures to the still open door with on hand, ushering in the last two guests. "This is my friend, Blake Belladonna. Blake, this is Nora."
Nora knows immediately that Blake isn't human. The Elemental can sense the glamor on her but can also see right through it, her eyes zeroing in on the feline ears perched atop her head. Then she met the faunus' amber and black slitted eyes, watching a hint of surprise flicker across Blake's face.
"Your not just a faunus, are you?"
"How," Blake stops herself, smiling somewhat sheepishly. "No, I'm not. Shadowmancer."
"Whoa, okay, nothing personal, but I'd appreciate you staying at least that far away from me for right now." Nora has her hands out, bracing with a half step back. "Don't be offended, please, but-"
"No, it's all right. I understand. My...particular talents don't come with a lot of trust. But I appreciate the honesty. Mind if I have a seat?"
"Make yourself at home."
Yang swallows, her gaze apologetic. She clears her throat. "And this is my boss, Miss Schnee."
This time Nora loses all the color in her face as the woman enters the house, her magical energy flooding the place, chasing away the warmth Yang brought with a shuddering cold. It's a fine compliment to the snowy whiteness of her hair and clothes, the natural pallor of her skin and icy blueness of her eyes. When she tries to extend her hand in greeting her words are cut short by the punching commotion of shattering glass. Ren stands on the threshold between the kitchen and living room, hands half open in front him from having once held a tray of tea cups and saucers. Now they're all over the floor in wet pieces and his eyes are set with wary fear.
"Oh shit." Yang gapes. "I forgot. I'm so sorry," she carefully navigates around the still too shocked Elemental to reach Ren, apologizing repeatedly as she ushers him back into the kitchen.
"I didn't know she was friends with a Kirin." Weiss says with calm interest, watching briefly before turning her attention back to Nora. "It wasn't my intention to upset him, I apologize."
"Th-that's okay." She forces herself to say. She wasn't about to tell off a White Witch to her face, not one with that kind of magical residue rolling off of her in waves. "We didn't know either. P-please come in, have a seat."
"Nora, was it? With all due respect, I won't stay if I'm not welcome. You're free to ask that I leave." her chin is slightly tucked, her perfect posture somewhat subdued, submissive.
"It's not my house." by certain, ages-old rules she couldn't rescind permission solely for that reason. "Just...you know."
Weiss tries not to laugh, gently amused to think an Elemental would attempt to tell her what to do. But it doesn't make Nora any less correct; Weiss is a guest in another person's home, and she would behave accordingly. "Can I help you clean up?"
"No. It's fine." and Nora hurries away to find a broom.
Out on the porch Pyrrha had felt the other supernaturals enter the house, the small hairs on her body bristling with a sharp static charge. The wariness in her eases a little when Ruby steps out onto the porch, and though she doesn't recognize her she doesn't feel threatened. She seems nice enough and Jaune accepts her presence with a warm greeting and a hug as he tends the grill. This allows Pyrrha to relax again, almost forgetting about her completely when she wanders into the garden.
But that comfort is obliterated when Ren shoves through the back door with Yang close behind him, the two exchanging heated words in a language no one understands. Pyrrha has never seen Ren so agitated before, it's almost frightening to see the hard, severe lines forming around his eyes. Yang appears to be pleading with him and he's having none of it, swatting his hand dismissively before tearing away his glamor and galloping across the lawn to disappear into the woods.
Yang groans, fingers hooked into her scalp. "Shit, I'm sorry."
"What's the matter?" Jaune tests cautiously.
"I'm dumb." Yang shakes her head, the mess of golden hair tossing against her back. "I didn't warn Ren about Miss Schnee."
"My boss is here?!" Jaune pales. "When were you going to tell me? Wait," then he doubles back, expression going blank for a moment. "Miss Schnee is supernatural?"
"Oh yeah," Yang nods, "The whole Schnee family is full of 'em, one of the oldest cabals in the region."
He blinks, face still unreadable. "Okay...now pretend like I have no idea what you just said."
"Long story short; Witches and Warlocks tend to flock together, consolidate power, and play the system to protect themselves and other supernaturals. I swear, man, I think you're the only human in the entire company. Except maybe for that jerk in accounting...but he could be a troll. Like -a literal troll."
Jaune takes a deep breath, processes it, and exhales with a shake of his head. "Okay. Sure. I'll bite. So what's Ren upset about?"
"White Witches and his kind...they've never been on good terms. Back in they day they weren't on good terms with any magical creatures like him and me. I'm not really at liberty to say anything else -not my story to tell- but you can probably be sure Ren won't be back so long as Weiss is in your house."
Worry scrunches his face. "Is that going to interfere with...our agreement?"
"No way, this was my fuck-up, not yours. I'll make it up to him, though, if he'll forgive me." Yang pushes her hand across her scalp again.
"So what is Miss Schnee doing here in the first place?"
"Well, one, she's a good friend of mine, her and Blake both. And she knows her way around magic seals. I wanted a second set of eyes on that mark I gave you. Is it still there?"
"As far as I know."
"Then let me watch the grill while you have her take a look at it, okay? She already knows about it, so just ask her."
"But if I leave you alone with the food, it'll be gone before I get back." he states flatly.
"You have my word that I'll leave a few scraps." and she smiles as big as possible, one hand over her heart. "Now scram, let me hit on your woman in peace."
"Excuse me?"
"Off with you!" and she playfully shoos him back into the house, smacking him once on the behind before shutting the door on him. Yang catches Pyrrha's searing gaze as she walks back to the grill, still smiling. "I'm only kidding. I know better. You two are stuck like stink on a skunk, I'm not about to fool with that. But I still want to talk to you about something."
"Jaune warned me about that."
Yang throws back her head with a punctuated laugh. "Smart man. But in all seriousness,"
Pyrrha swallows, bracing herself.
"I suppose I should start from the beginning, shouldn't I? Like...I'm sure you'd like to know what I am."
"It would help."
She nods. "I know the moon's already starting to pull on you, so I'll keep it simple." though she pauses a moment to pull open the lid on the grill and ogle what's inside, taking a deep sniff through flared nostrils. "I'm a Luck Dragon, and as long as people believe in me I'm able to grant blessings and good fortune on anyone who knows how to ask for it. Thankfully I've still got a whole country worth of people that pray to me. Not me specifically, but my kind, so it still counts. Even then, though, my magic works under certain rules. It all depends on the intent and the reason." she steps away from the grill and sits down in one of the deck chairs, Pyrrha just across from her.
"Jaune's a nice guy, I like him a lot, and while those kinds of things really dictate just how strong my magic can be, it isn't nearly as important as why he asked for my blessing. I asked him what he wanted, why, and his first answer was you. He didn't come to me to be spared an infection, he came to me so you wouldn't feel guilty about biting him.
"Now, naturally, I don't do anything for free. I have to get something out of it, it's just a law of the universe. That, coupled with my kind's nasty habit of screwing around with people's heads, make for some interesting requests that second as tests of character. It's the best way for me to know if what I'm getting into is worth my trouble."
"So...you asked for dinner?"
Yang chuckles. "After a fashion, yes. But initially I told him I would heal him if he slept with me." She tries so hard not to laugh at the way Pyrrha gapes at her, all the color leaving her face. "But that was just the head-game I was playing with him. It was just a test, I promise. Even if it wasn't, he was heading for the door before I could even get all the words out of my mouth. He was more than willing to let his world get flipped on its head rather than break your trust. That's a hell of a testament to the kind of man he is and how much he adores you. Don't get me wrong, I had a feeling of that already -he talks about you at work all the time, and I remember you two dancing at the solstice party. I think every supernatural in the room was jealous of you.
"I can't even begin to believe how lucky you are to have each other. I really can't." Yang shakes her head slowly, awestruck. "Love is hard to find in the first place, but throw in your condition and it's next to impossible. But you two found it somehow. Once I realized just how much you meant to him, I had to give him my blessing. No ifs, ands, or buts."
"Well...thank you." Pyrrha sputters a little. "I know that doesn't even begin to...but..."
"It's fine." Yang waves a dismissive hand. "Folks like us need more friends like him, and if I can help save true love, I'll do it. Call it my third secret kink."
"What's your second?" she asked before she thought it through.
"Consent."
"Then what's your first?"
"Threesomes." and Yang nods with one golden brow raised. "And there's the only downside to being a Dragon; I can't lie to save my life." she laughs. "But back to business...this is where things get a little weird. It's the reason I brought Miss Schnee."
Pyrrha huffs through an uneasy laugh. "Get weird? Aren't they weird enough?"
"A fair point." Yang crosses her arms and leans back in the chair. "But my blessings aren't usually permanent. They last as long as they need to, as is the nature of luck. My mark will fade with the magic and eventually disappear, and with a spell like the one I used on Jaune, it should have left already. Now, I'd imagine you're a bit confused seeing as it looks like I don't have a handle on my own mojo, but I'm in the same boat. This has never happened before." a little laugh and a mumble to herself. "That's what he said."
Pyrrha blinks, blindsided by the quiet joke. "So...what do we do?"
"I don't really know, but I had a thought." Lilac eyes settle on Pyrrha, a dare hinting in her gaze somewhere. "Just let me get it all out before you say anything, and I would like it if you gave this a lot of thought before you say no."
"Um...okay."
"Would you be willing to..." she stops, lips pursing, "shit, how do I say this right?"
"Just say what's on your mind." Pyrrha concedes.
"Okay. You're not gonna like the sound of it." and she knows that for a fact. "I chose today for the dinner for a reason. While the magic is still on him...I want you to try to infect Jaune."
Author's Note: Oh good lord, what have I done? This was supposed to be a one shot, that's all! Thankfully, though, I believe one more chapter should do it for this. I guess I'm just having too much fun. Now, I got a couple of comments about whether or not to turn Jaune into a werewolf. While I could have just as easily turned him, that just isn't the story I want to tell. Maybe another time, another place, but not today. I want a love story, not a struggle to find normal that ends in a love story. Anyway, hope you guys enjoy it, and I look forward to seeing you at the conclusion. No telling when that will be though.
