When Emerald arrived at her room, Cinder was ripping Mercury a new one.
"You both are lucky I got the information needed to change the tournaments pairs."
Cinder whipped around on the newest visitor. She sighed, clearly irritated with the yelling herself.
"Emerald, I expected more vigilance from you." Mercury scoffed and turned away from the girls. Emerald shifted on her feet. Cinder strode forward and plucked at the suit jacket on her minion. She scrunched her nose.
"I won't even ask, but I do hope this wasn't the reason for your failure." Cinder gave a look to silence any defense, her molten lava gaze lingered with Emerald's.
The leader pulled out the desk chair and placed her bare feet on it, standing proudly in her stealth outfit.
"Now that punishment time is over- and how valiantly you withstood it Mercury- I have some fabulous news that will allow my nefarious plans to proceed." Emerald awkwardly plopped down into the bed with Mercury, listening. He huffed beside her.
"My dear friends, Penny Polendina is not human." Cinder held up blueprints in her gloved hand.
"Remember, please, that our friend Pyrrha Nikos has a lovely ability if polarity. Thank you again, Mercury, for fulfilling your duty. I think you can tell where I'm going with this."
"She is a necessary sacrifice." Mercury said nonchalantly. Emerald saw him laying on the bed, looking at her from behind his lashes. Cinder gave a wicked grin.
"Precisely. That is where you come in, Emerald. Scare Pyrrha into killing Penny however you have to. Atlas wants to act as if they stand a chance, so we will do anything possible to put them in their place."
Emerald nodded solemnly. Penny was a farce, a weapon in disguise. There should be no reason for her to exist.
Emerald accepted the task, then went to the private restroom to change and freshen up. She looked to her reflection.
"Why do I feel like I shouldn't do this?" She asked herself. The huntress searched her own ruby red eyes, hoping for an answer.
She started the shower, filling the room with a soft steam in no time. Hanging Jaune's blazer on the door and dropping her own ground to the cool tile.
Killing had stopped being hard, so why was her stomach tightening at the thought of taking Penny's artificial life? Furthermore, she was starting to dread what she was ordered to do to Yang.
She submerged her face in the flowing hot water, confused.
She returned his suit jacket the next day, giving him a quick thanks before darting off. He sighed.
"I guess she hates me again. Ren, why are women so complicated?" Jaune fell onto his bed, letting the blazer fall over his face. It smelled sweet, like the flowers in mother's garden. There was a hint of evergreen mixed in.
"Jaune, you said so yourself, she was arguing with her teammate. I'm sure that's all it is." Ren responded, keeping his eyes on his textbook.
"Freaking Yang wouldn't tell me anything." Jaune moved the clothing from his face and made a mocking voice.
"'It was girl talk, you not allowed to know.' Not fair considering I asked her to go find Emerald." Jaune blew a lock of golden hair from his face.
"You should've expected that." The blonde hunter flew up, aggravated that his friend wasn't on his side.
"Shouldn't you be making sure Nora doesn't burn down any classrooms?" He grumbled. Ren shrugged.
"She said something about making a beowolf bow down to her, so I'm sure it's fine for now." Jaune decided not to comment.
Instead, the boy stood and went to put on street clothes. Ren watched curiously as he got ready.
"What are you getting so dressed up for?" Ren asked as Jaune was adjusting Crocea Mors.
"Huh? Oh, I'm getting her a present. My sister said she liked my gift, so I think I have quite the talent." He boasted, ignoring Ren's sympathetic gaze.
"The reason I'm dressed so well," he continued. "Is for when I present it to her. Do you think I should grab my guitar on the way back?"
"Maybe not this time." Jaune pouted at this, but brushed it off. He hurried to catch the next airship to Vale.
Jaune was stuck between a topaz pair of earrings and a Mistral imported necklace, the chain woven intricately to match the charm, lined with rose quartz and centered with a fine pearl.
"Jaune?" He jumped at the proper voice of Pyrrha behind him.
"P-Pyrrha! What are you doing here?!" She giggled at his startled reaction.
"I get my headpiece shined here. How about you?" Jaune looked to her forehead. She wasn't wearing her crown after all. She hand her hands behind her back, awaiting his explanation.
"I'm buying a gift, but I can't decide." Pyrrha let out a soft 'oh'.
"I'm sorry to intrude then! Is it for Bleue?"
"N-not exactly. But, Pyrrha, since you're here and a girl, maybe you can help me decide!" He grabbed her wrist and pulled her over to the glass case.
"I'm not sure if this one is too fancy." He pointed to the necklace. Pyrrha looked at the options.
"What is the recipient like?" Jaune thought about it.
"Well she's strong and has the most striking eyes. She can be nice around others, but she sometimes let's me see that there's more to her. She seems like kind of an outcast, but at the same time can really blend in with people. Sometimes she can say some pretty aggressive things, but it only adds to her charm."
Pyrrha was listening intently, now leaning closer to Jaune.
"I'd want that one. I mean, if it were me. I can, um, see myself in her shoes kind of." Her face was quickly starting to match her hair. She had her finger directed at the earrings.
"The way she sounds, something so fancy might not be her style. Those earrings have just the right balance." Pyrrha coughed and regained composure. Jaune thought that made sense.
"However, Jaune, aren't these a little expensive?" He scratched his head. He didn't want to mention that his dad had sent some extra lien the moment he heard that a girl was interested in his son.
"I haven't gotten much lately, so it's fine. It's not like I have much to spend it on." He laughed nervously. She nodded in understanding.
Jaune went back to beacon alone since Pyrrha had some other errands to run, which was fine with him. He wasn't sure how to shake her off so he could give Emerald his gift.
As he walked the grounds, he eyed the violet ribbon tied around the box. The shopkeeper was happy the dress up the gift.
He'd gone to most of the popular spots when he was about to give up hope. Luckily, he spotted Mercury. Awkwardly he placed the box in his pocket.
"Hey, uh, Mercury." He called. The silver Haven student lowered the water bottle he was drinking from.
"What do you want, pipsqueak?" "Just my luck, he hates me, too." Jaune thought. All he needed was to know where Emerald was.
"Look, I don't know what you're deal is, but I just want to know where Em might be." Mercury had no chance, Cardin was way more of a jerk.
Mercury eyed him before deciding on something.
"She was heading to the library last I saw her. I just want you to know, you don't know her. If you did, you probably wouldn't even bother. Remember that she isn't from Beacon, she's from a harsher world." Jaune stood taller.
"I know where she's from. It doesn't matter. What she chooses now does. I'm not so shallow to judge someone on their origin. She did what she had to, just like she does now." Jaune saw the boy's eyes widen before he walked off.
Emerald stretched out in the uncomfortable chair provided by Beacon's finest. She was flipping through a tactics book when her eyes started to cross.
She turned in the chair to scowl at the uncomfortable Haven blazer hung behind her. Whose idea was it to use such itchy fabric anyway?
Pouting, the red eyed huntress turned back to her book and squeaked. Jaune was pulling out the chair in front of her. He had a bashful look on his face.
"Hey, Emerald. What are you reading there?" His voice sounded a bit forced. She avoided his gaze, Yang's admission echoing her mind. She held up the book.
"'Tactics of a Good Huntsmen' by William Arc. Hey! That's my dad!" Jaune moved to sit beside her, excitedly scanning the page she was on. His arm brushed hers and she felt herself tense.
"I do not like him like that. I do not-." She thought, trying to come up with a response.
"I didn't even look at the author, how funny." She genuinely hadn't, instead just picking it up based on title. She hoped he didn't think anything weird by it.
He just smiled, flipping trough the pages. Emerald looked around awkwardly, almost locking eyes with Blake. Her golden eyes flashed back to book she held, so fast that her bow looked like it had twitched.
"Wow, I didn't know my dad wrote this. I guess he was always keeping me away from anything huntsman related, but whatever." Jaune was still flipping the pages, partially muttering to himself.
"Why didn't they want you to follow your dream? A big family like that, you'd think they'd be really supportive of that." Emerald commented, a small pain of longing in her chest. Jaune leaned back in his chair, blowing his bangs upward in a huff.
"I'm the only son, and 'we don't want to force it on you', 'we want you to carry on the family', etcetera, etcetera." Emerald laughed at his bad boy attitude.
"But look at you, Jaune Arc, rebel of the century. You not only denied you parents, but your seven sisters as well!" She smiled teasingly.
"You're beating my track record, Arc." He gave a half grin at her joke.
"I don't know if you could say that, I do want to carry on the Arc name just as much as they do. The difference is that I want more than that, too. I want my family to be proud of me and depend on me, but I can't do that if I can't even kill the smallest death stalker."
Emerald blushed at his statement. She shifted in her chair next to him.
"He never said he wanted to carry on his name with you, idiot! Why are you freaking out?!" She scolded herself internally until Jaune spokesperson again.
"By the way, I got you something." He pulled a small box from his pocket and placed it on the table in front of her. She admired the delicate bow wrapped around it.
"What for?"
"I don't want you to be mad at me, Emerald."
"Who told you I was mad?" She lifted the ribbon to untie the bow. Jaune scratched his head.
"When you came by before, you ignored me." Emerald stopped for a second, realizing what he meant.
"I was just in a rush." She murmured, lifting the lid of the box. She definitely couldn't explain that Yang gave her weird thoughts.
Jaune watched as her breath caught. It was a pair of topaz earrings, simple, but beautiful. She lifted them to get a better look.
Emerald had jewelry, yes, but she wasn't obsessed about it. She only took the ring all that time ago because she liked it, not because of what it was. She liked these, too. She smiled a little at the yellow color, matching Jaune's name.
He said nothing while she brushed aside her bright green hair and slipped them into the piercing holes she'd gotten from Cinder. Earlier in their relationship, the leader had a soft moment where she wanted to spoil her friend.
"So, uh, do you like them? There was a necklace there, but it didn't seem to suit you." His face was pink with embarrassing. Emerald surprised him by putting her arms around him. She didn't look at him, and she barely heard her when she thanked him.
She pulled away and even scooted her chair further from him. Jaune figured she felt his heart pounding.
"I guess I'll leave you alone then. I'm glad you're not upset with me. It really bothered me to think you were." Emerald way had as he left, touching the stones hanging from her ears.
When she glanced over, she again met eyes that matched them.
Cinder sat with bored eyes in the stands of the arena, her trusted Minty beside her. The battle between Mercury and the blonde bimbo of RWBY was about to begin, but it wasn't the battle she wanted to watch, but the sweet, sweet ending.
She held her scroll, already in control of the station cameras. She needed to make sure everyone saw what was about to happen.
"Are you ready, Emerald, darling?" She said, not looking up from the scroll. Emerald perked up, her hand flying from the new earrings she wore.
"Huh? What? Yes, I am, my lady." Cinder giggled and moved her attention to the huntress. She lifted a long but of Emerald's hair and played with it.
"You are just too adorable, you know? Did your little white knight give you those?" The girl's face matched her eyes then. She nodded. Cinder laughed.
"How gullible. If he only knew how beautifully corrupt you were. Just remember to pay attention. We can't afford a mistake here." She sharpened her tone at the end. Emerald nodded once more.
The arena opened then and the professors hosting began to introduce the opponents.
"Let the games begin."
Emerald shivered at her mistress' words. She was excited for the moment when Emerald was supposed to bring negativity to Beacon.
Her red gaze moved to the field. The fight had started, and Yang was holding her own. Emerald's heart suddenly sped up. She was about to ruin Yang's entire reputation for a long while.
She had to use her semblance to make the Yang a public menace, a cold-hearted fighter, and when she thought about it, a part of her didn't want to do it.
Emerald had never had an issue hurting people for Cinder, and for the most part, she still didn't. But as she watched Mercury get hit after hit on the girl, she could only remember the night after the dance, the dress shopping, and all the other times Yang treated her as an equal, a friend.
"What's wrong with me?" She turned those her expression from Cinder. Emerald had to use her semblance. She had to make the audience hate Yang, or the plan wouldn't work.
Yang activated her semblance and was starting the beat Mercury as Emerald spotted Jaune, cheering her on wildly beside Nora. They both had on hats that looked to say, "End it with a Yang!"
He would hate Emerald if he knew what she was going to do, that much was certain, but she realized she didn't want him to.
"Emerald, get ready!"
But she couldn't fail Cinder. She owed too much.
"She's walking away. Do it now!"
Emerald activated her semblance, knowing what she was making Yang see. Part of her heart broke as gasps flew around the meant everything. Cinder gave her everything.
As she sat back down in her seat,the illusion done, she hoped that Jaune could forgive her one day.
Yang wouldn't talk to anyone for days. The tournaments were on hold while the staff discussed her actions. She had broken Mercury's leg in front of everyone, seemingly for no reason. She said over and over that it was self-defense, but it was hard to know. To everyone else, it looked different.
Jaune believed her. He knew Yang would never just hurt someone for no reason. Over her baby sister, absolutely, but not out of nowhere.
Emerald was absent, too. He looked for her to try and see her opinion, but it was almost like those first few weeks when she almost disappeared. When he asked Cinder, she only said she was taking care of Mercury.
For all he knew, she was there patting his forehead with a wet cloth, getting closer to his fave and-.
"Ugh! I can't take this anymore!" Jaune fell onto his bed, covering his face with his pillow.
"I'm sure it's fine, Jaune." Nora started.
"She didn't seem to like him, remember? I mean there's the possibility that she hadn't realized her feelings yet and his injury made her realize she can't be without him." Jaune glared at the redhead. She giggled nervously.
"But I'm sure that's impossible. That would never happen."
"Good save." Jaune muttered, sighing into the pillow.
"I just don't get it. She said nothing was wrong and then suddenly it's like we're strangers again." Ren closed his book. Clearly, Nora wasn't going to help, so he would.
"Maybe because she spoke with Yang that night, she feels bad. She's worried. I'm sure it's not just you she's avoiding." He reasoned. Jaune lifted the pillow slowly. Ren stood and snatched it from his hand.
"And if you're worried about that guy, why not go visit and show your sympathy. That way you can see for yourself while also letting her know you care." Jaune grumbled.
"I hate how wise you are." Ren smiled softly.
"Oh! You should make pancakes! Not to bring, but because I really want some." Nora chimed in. Ren moved to his partner and booped her nose.
"I'll make you some, so don't go asking him." Nora gave him a large smile.
"Yay!"
Jaune shook his head and left the room, heading to the academy store for a 'get well soon' card. His dad never told him just how complicated girls can be, and his sisters sure never seemed like this.
"Come on, please. Emerald folded her arms at Mercury.
"I am not doing your laundry!"
"But I'm so hurt, Emmy. How can I do it with a broken leg?"
"Your leg is made of metal, you jerk!" She stomped childishly. Ever since the match he'd been trying to milk his fake injury, and it was irritating.
Mercury grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto the bedside. He held her hand in both of his and gave her his best puppy eyes.
"Nobody knows that, though. We have to keep the farce up or the plan doesn't work. You know how Cinder adores her nefarious plans. Please?" emerald sighed, but didn't answer.
"I think I also need a drink. Oh, and something from the food hall. I need my strength to recover." Emerald felt her mouth twitch.
"You're impossible!"
"And you're beautiful." He said smoothly,winking at her. She flicked his forehead.
"Too beautiful for you, toots." Emerald retaliated as a joke. Mercury accepted his burn, pretending to faint on his bed. Emerald rolled her eyes and grabbed his hamper.
She was getting better at avoiding the awkward moments Mercury seemed to enjoy creating. Clearly, he wasn't willing to give up on his confession for a while, but he wasn't pushy like before. Either way, it was a good distraction from what she did.
Since the incident, she made a point to stay in the dorm, pretending to be his caretaker. She wasn't sure if she was ready to see those wonderful blue eyes cloud with sustain quite yet.
She sighed, throwing his combat clothes, uniform, and a couple street clothes into the washing machine, trying her best to touch the delicates for too long.
She figured she'd grab his snack while they washed, then head back once they were in the dryer. She hummed down the hallway, trying to scrounge up some good childhood memories to help her mood.
She'd managed to think of a few by the time she'd made it back to the laundry room. She switched the clothes and waited for them to dry, playing around on her scroll. Once the machine she buzzed, she filled the hamper and started back towards the room.
"He'd better not complain or I'll break his arms, too." She said, looking at the snack on top of the clothes.
"Hey, Emerald!" The voice down the hall made her jump, dropping the soda and food. She was scrambling to put them back in place when Jaune caught up.
"Let me give you a hand." Jaune held out a gloved palm to help her stand. She tried to to meet his eyes. She mumbled a 'thank you' and moved to grab the hamper.
"Is this for Mercury? I can carry it for you. I have a card to give him anyway." At this, she forgot about her nervousness.
"A what?" She raised her eyebrow. Jaune cleared his throat.
"A card, just so he, you know, knows that I'm hoping he feels better, or whatever."
"That's not a very convincing argument, Jaune." The hunter slumped his shoulders.
"I know. I'm sorry." Emerald couldn't help but giggle.
"What's up, then?" She knew why he wanted to see her, but she wanted to hear him say it. He slowed down.
"I miss you. I miss talking to you. It's only been a few days, but the whole time I've wanted see you. I know Yang was your friend, so if you're worried about her, you can tell me about it." His boldness caught her off guard.
"I'm not- it's not because of that. I can't really say why I can't be around you. It's complicated." She stammered.
"Is it Mercury?" His voice was so soft, she knew he didn't mean the injury.
"No. It's not like that." Even Jaune could see how Mercury felt about her, and that made her irritated with her partner.
They walked a while in silence until Jaune spoke up.
"I heard they're going to continue the tournament tomorrow. My team picked Pyrrha for the doubles, but I think every knew that." Emerald made a note to tell Cinder the news.
"That's good. I think a lot of people would be upset if it was cancelled over that." Jaune chuckled.
"Yeah, and then we'd end up attracting a bunch of Grimm or something. It'd be like that time before the festival." Emerald coughed, pretending to laugh. He had no idea how close he was.
"That'd be awful." She tried not to sound sarcastic. They made it to her room then. She took the laundry from Jaune.
"I'll let him know you sent the card, okay?" She couldn't risk letting him into the room. Mercury could be doing push-ups as they spoke. Jaune just nodded and placed the card onto the hamper.
"Do you… maybe want to do something after the match tomorrow?" He was more confident than when they met, something Emerald liked. It helped her feel more confident.
"Sure." She knew that it wouldn't happen, but it was nice to pretend. She stepped into the room and tossed Mercury's drink to him. He made a stupid remark before opening the van and getting sprayed in the face.
"By the way, I think I dropped that on the floor." She said and fell into a fit of giggles.
"Now you tell me!"
I finally finished this one. I've been running up three flights of stairs for the past few days with many many boxes T.T but I'm done!
Next chapter is PVP, who's excited? Emerald is becoming a little more compassionate for her little Jauney boy haha. Let me know what you think is gonna happen next :)