A Common Criminal or Something
Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. It belongs to RoosterTeeth, and the memory of the master of computer animation. May your brainchild keep moving forward, Monty.
"When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw."
-Nelson Mandela
He wasn't sure if it was morality or cowardliness that moved him in the opposite direction. When the first punches flew, when the first bodies went flying, Jaune had two thoughts.
'Shit! I don't want to be hit like that!'
And
'Keep the customers out of trouble!'
Well if there was one customer who was already trouble, she was it. Couldn't keep her out of it now. He could keep the others out of it, though. And really, what would one more mook like himself matter as everyone charged forward?
They were thoughts that seemed a lot wiser as gunshots and bullets began flying. Jaune had never had customers listen to him so eagerly and obey him so quickly before, even as he urged them out through the fire escapes.
As he did one last look around the room, to check if there were any other customers cowering in their booths, he found one. Some quivering girl, completely out of her depth and looking as brave as he felt. Her date had no doubt abandoned her, and she was paralyzed with fear. Braving ricochets, he ran and half-carried, half-dragged her to the exit.
Then the gunfire stopped. Not in a good way- the blond bombshell stood victorious over the bouncers. (Or was that what was good here?) He was the last one remaining. (Which was good, except that meant he would be next, which was very bad indeed.)
For a second, he caught her eyes. Already halfway out the door, cradling the customer, trying to get out of sight and fire. Instinctively he moved the customer behind him. No chance to escape her shells if she wanted to give even one more punch in his direction.
She didn't. She gave a contemptuous harumph and tilted her head with a nod. 'Get out of here,' she might as well have said. Her attention moved to the Twins who had finally arrived, and he was irrelevant. Too lowly to even be worth considering a threat.
The customer came to her senses as soon as they were out the doors. She picked up and ran, without so much as a thanks.
Jaune watched her go, and wondered what he should do next. Could do next. The fight inside was so far beyond him it would be suicide to try to interfere. He guessed… well, he was a bouncer, right? He could keep people out, if there was anyone who tried to come in.
Not that many people walked up to a club at dawn…
"Mister, what's going on in there?"
Author Notes:
Various people have asked why the chapters are so short, why don't I write longer ones or post more at once. The shortest answer is 'reasons.' The flippant answer is 'because trolling is fun and I enjoy the tears of your frustration.' The real answer is a collection of reasons longer than this chapter, too long for an author note.
Bottom line: it ain't changing. Pieces (including the next) do get longer going forward, but daily short-updates is part of the deliberate style and strategy of this fic. Sure, it's a different taste and not for everyone- to which I say feel free to come back later. Rest assured that the entire story has already been written. Unless I kick the bucket it will all be posted, and if for some reason I do then the beta has a copy he can post.
But for those willing to try this out- I've done this style in the past to good effect (the 'Papa' fic on my profile), and it offers some unique opportunities for readers who slowly digest it over the long term rather than take in the entire story all at once. At the very least, it'll give you something unique to look forward to every day for the next few weeks.