Jaune opened his eyes, feeling like an entire eternity had passed him by without his knowledge, or memory to follow it. It was an odd feeling he couldn't place. Had he dozed off? Was there a wonderful dream that he had gone through, and he just couldn't remember it? Hadn't he been sitting here in this hallway the whole time, still debating on who to drag with him on this dangerous quest? Jaune ran a hand through his messy hair, stuck in thought. Where was he again? Hadn't he left already? It all felt so familiar, yet it didn't at the same time. The concept alone was throwing his brain into a raging twister of confusion.
Still addled, he stood up, trying to make sense of the strange sensations that he barely recalled. An ever present scent of flowers. Fingers rubbing against velvet. So many odd sensations that drove him mad as he couldn't remember any of it. He stared at the ceiling, sitting for much longer than he would have anticipated. Time passed. Jaune couldn't tell how long. Digging through memories felt like a chore at this point, so he decided to bury his troubles with snacks. The cafeteria still had to be open, right?
It wasn't long before Jaune took his first few steps towards the cafeteria before his evening shot into hell. Upon his first few steps, he kept tripping and kissing the floor, with one little trip up ending with him on the ground, with his rear in the air, face planted against the wall. Was it him, or were the walls sniggering at him? Was that a sigh he heard too? Since when could walls do that? He must really be losing it.
"Smooth move, fearless leader!" Came a familiar high voice. Nora came bounding out from the other side of the hall, grin as broad as could be. Jaune sighed. Definitely not what he needed right now. The girl was an amazing friend, and he'd never replace her, but Oum bless her, she was a pain to deal with.
"Calm down, Nora. People are just going to sleep." Ren said, taking his time walking down the hall to meet his partner. The Mellow Ninja regarded the fallen knight with a raised eyebrow. "Need help?"
Jaune shook his head, and pushed himself off the wall and back onto his feet. "What are you both still doing out here?"
Ren tried to get a word in, but as to be expected, Nora burst in. "Well, me and my unwavering partner were banished from our place of residence, disgraced and forgotten."
"Pyrrha wanted a second alone. Can't really tell you why, I didn't ask." Ren said as if he had already prepared it.
"We wondered the peaks and valleys of Beacon, starving, fighting for our lives until we found you, our fearless leader, who will in turn, lead us to salvation!" Nora ended her epic story, waving her hands about.
Ren let out an exasperated sigh, and spoke dully. "We paced the halls for a little bit until Nora started whining about being hungry, so we decided to go to the cafeteria.
"Heh, sounds about right. I was on my way there myself." Jaune said, scratching the back of his head.
"Where were you today?" Ren asked.
"What do you mean?"
"After class, you just up and vanished on all of us. Pyrrha looked like she was going to burst looking for you. All our calls got dropped, so how couldn't we be worried." Nora said, looking quite concerned at him. "That isn't like you. Don't you like us anymore?"
"What? Of course I do. I just needed some time alone, that's all." Jaune said quickly, bring that cheerful smile back onto her face.
"Great! Then on to snacks!" She ran off, leaving the two boys behind. Jaune chuckled, and turned to Ren.
"What time is it now?"
"About nine-thirty. Don't worry. A few more minutes and she'll be passed out." Ren said, relief peeking through his usual mellow tone. Nora was one for her weird habits and quirks, but one that struck out the most was her sleep patterns. She'd be dancing on the ceiling one minute, then, as if guided by a switch, was out like a light, and it would take a choir of gunfire just to get a peep out of her. It was always around this time that it would happen as well. The boys stood in a welcome silence for about a minute before Ren realized something. "Oh, by the way, I saw Weiss pass me by, heading down the hall that goes to the rooftop door. She looked distressed. Do you want to hear her out?"
Jaune's eyes widened. The Ice Princess? What could have gotten her so down? And what could Jaune do that someone else couldn't. After months of flirting, he'd practically driven all chances of socializing away, let alone trying to make her feel better. He had a much better chance trying to keep Ruby away from the cookie jar.
"I… don't know what I should do." Jaune said honestly.
"Just say something. She may need it." Ren said, then began his stoic trek back to his partner, once again taking his sweet time.
Jaune didn't waste time half-jogging, half-stumbling to go see the Ice Princess. Speeches upon speeches lined up in his head. Possible quotes, conversation topics, and many many more sooned joined them. Awkwardness was probably the last thing she needed. Confidence was the way to go, no matter how little he had. By the time he made it to the rooftop, he had a practical library of ideas in his head, and as soon as he saw her, it all burnt to ashes.
There she stood, scroll in hand, lost in it. The night was still, and silent. It almost felt like a sin to make a noise. Her back was turned to him. Surprisingly, she was still in her uniform, though that didn't detract from her beauty. Her porcelain skin glowed in the moonlight, as did her radiant hair. Carefully, the blonde stepped closer, taking precaution of every single noise. Inevitably though, he did mess up, and sneeze halfway over to her. She span, looking at him with widened eyes, clearly startled.
Jaune stood awkwardly, one foot still halfway off the ground. "Um… hi."
Smooth as butter.
Weiss clicked her tongue and turned her back on him. Jaune shrugged to himself. At least she acknowledged that he existed. That was a plus. Maybe he could work another miracle and get a word out of her. Still maintaining his 'stealthy' approach for reasons even he failed to come up with, he stood next to her, staring over the horizon, and leaned over the balcony.
"So um… nice weather eh?" Jaune nearly cringed at his own words. Why couldn't he be like Ren and know exactly what to say whenever he needed to say it. Weiss seemed to think that as well as she kept to her scroll, ignoring him. Maybe he should just cut to the chase. "I was wondering if you're okay."
"Yes." She said immediately. He was taken aback by how almost robotic she said it. Jaune pursed his lips. How to do this...
"I just… you don't look too good." Jaune stammered. Weiss just grunt back this time. Her eyes seemed red and swollen. She barely even tried to hide them. "Have you been crying?"
"Why do you care?" Weiss asked crossly, still refusing to look at him.
"Because I do. We all do. We're friends, aren't we?" Jaune said, smiling wryly. To Jaune's surprise, she whipped her head at him, glaring.
"Friends? With you? Don't make me laugh. If this is another petty attempt to get a date with me, then leave. I don't want you around!" She snapped. Jaune tried to get a word out, but she cut him off. "Oh don't think I don't know! You're just like Neptune! I'm just a prize to be one and showed off!" Tears trailed down her face. Jaune was at a loss for words, eyes wide and mouth agape. "Leave! Now!"
Jaune didn't need to be told twice. He sprinted to the door, and raced down the hall, not stopping until his own mind was settled. By the time he did finish, he was nearly at the entrance hall, panting. Propping himself against the wall, he stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.
Well, that was definitely a first. Sure she had been aggressive to him about his advances, but never to this level. Guilt built up in him. Had he really been acting like that this entire time? Had he been treating her like some sort of trophy to be won? Grumbling to himself, he ran a hand through his hair, and sighed.
He felt like garbage.
On the other hand, that couldn't have been what was making her so upset. The marks and redness in her eyes told him that she had been crying long before he showed up. He couldn't help but be concerned. Though what could he do about it? Weiss didn't even want him around. And what was this about Neptune? Jaune thought they got on alright. Or did they? Did something happen?
He was broken out of his thoughts by his scroll ringing. Who on Remnant would be calling him at this time of night? When he fished it out of his pocket, he saw Ozpin's picture, and felt a chill run down his spine. He forgot about finding a partner! How could he be so stupid? He could've asked Ren of all people, he was right there! Resigning to his fate, he answered.
"Ah Mr. Arc. I thought you'd still be up and about." Ozpin said, taking a sip of his coffee. "Though I must know why."
Jaune shrugged. "I just felt like walking. Needed to clear my head."
"Understandable. There is quite a weight on your shoulders. Talking of which, who will be your partner?" Jaune pursed his lips again, beginning to shake. Should he tell him the truth, and that he hadn't found one yet? If he did, he could be expelled on the spot, something that could tear his life asunder. He found himself stammering slightly, unsure of what to say. Ozpin stared stoically at him through the process, and silenced him with one quick statement. "You haven't found one, have you?"
To his own surprise, he chuckled ruefully. "Yeah, you got it. I messed up."
That's it then, right? He just packs his bags and he's out by morning? How should he break this to his team? To Pyrrha? To his sister team? To his own family? Jaune was just waiting for those final, decisive words that would tear him apart, but they didn't come. Ozpin stared at him for quite a bit, expression deep in contemplation. The thick, electric tension continued on until Ozpin finally spoke.
"I suppose I can help you." Jaune immediately perked up. "But it will come with a price." The young man didn't care. He would gladly take it as long as he had something of a saving grace to cling to.
"What is it, sir? I'm up for anything!" Jaune said a little too loudly.
"Do you know of the situation regarding Ms. Schnee?" Jaune shook his head. "Well, as a request from her family, she is to return home for an unspecified amount of time. When I received the notification, I had been told that she would return when the situation regarding her has been taken care of."
"Okay, but what does that have to do with me?" Jaune asked.
"As I have stated, I have know knowledge of the situation surrounding her, though I have reason to believe she may in danger because of it." Ozpin said, eyes narrowing.
Jaune felt himself tremble. "What kind of danger?"
"That's what I intend to find out, and you are going to help me." He took another sip, straightened himself and continued. "You are to accompany her on this trip. You are to investigate and relay information to me. Simple enough, correct?"
Jaune blinked. "Me? You're asking me to do detective work?"
"That's the idea." Ozpin said as if it were the bare minimum of common sense.
"Sir, I don't know if you've noticed or not, but if I can't find, or point out obvious things, how can I ever be a detective?" Jaune asked desperately.
"It'll be easier than you think."
Jaune sighed. There was no saying no to this man, was there? And even if he could, was the answer no even an option anymore? "Alright then. When will she be leaving?"
"Six next morning. I suggest you get some rest. Goodnight." And with that, the eccentric principle hung up. Jaune beat the back of his head into the wall behind him. Of all the quests, why this? Why? He was no detective. Hell, finding trying to find his socks in the morning was practically trekking a mountain in itself. Although he did have hope. This could be his last chance, and he'd be damned if he was going to take it.
All he had to worry about now getting some sleep.
Uggghhhh!
Three in the morning. Three in the morning is when the beautiful goddess that was sleep had finally taken him under her embrace, only to push him away again after that awful beeping noise. What the hell even was that? He opened his eyes, and glared at his alarm clock. Screw that thing. Screw it to the depths of hell and let it stay there. The clock read five fifteen. At the very least, he woke up when he was supposed to.
Groaning loudly, he forced himself up, noting his teammates were all still asleep. After a quick shower, he changed into his normal attire, clipped Crocea Mors to his hip, and walked out, leaving a note behind. After stumbling sleepily to the airstrip, he found Weiss prepped and ready, her back once again to him. The normally flustered young man barely mustered a good morning before sitting down on the strip, rucksack at his side, waiting for the airship. He didn't know why, as her appearance alone made him a stuttering mess normally. Maybe it was the situation, or maybe because he was just, in the true words of Yang Xaio-Long, not in the mood for this shit.
The silence followed for nearly twenty minutes until the airship finally arrived. Jaune grimaced. He could already feel that pretzel he grabbed on the way out prepping itself to fly back out again. They both boarded, and Weiss had taken it upon herself to move to the other side of the airship, and laid across a bench, staring at her scroll. He couldn't really blame her now, considering how much of his insides were going into the trashcan.
After calming down slightly, he downed a handful of mints and dared himself to sit near the girl. Staring at the ground, he sighed, wanting to get this off of his chest. "Look Weiss, I know you don't like me. I've given you plenty of reason not to. You're right. I did treat you like a trophy. I'm sorry, it'll never happen again, I swear. You deserve more than that. More than me. Just…" He took a deep breath. "Talk to me. At the very least, just talk to me. I really do want to be your friend, so please just… Weiss?"
After taking another bated breath, he realized that Weiss wasn't moving except for her rhythmic breath bobbing her body up and down. Was she… sleeping? Jaune sighed. It made sense. She had probably gotten much less sleep than he did. He sighed. So much for that.
An idea formed in his head. Carefully, he undid his armor, took off his hoody, and draped it across her. She was small enough that it worked well makeshift blanket that fit down to her knees. He opened his mouth to say more, though he felt his stomach gurgle again.
"Dammit, not again!" Jaune croaked before raising to the bathroom this time, and throwing up again.
Curse motion sickness. Curse it!
Weiss blinked, repeating every word Jaune had spoke to her. The weight and warmth of his hoody became more apparent to her. When he draped it over her, she was half tempted to fling it back into his face. What stopped her, she would never know.
So that annoying, pestering idiot felt guilty? That was… something she wasn't expecting. Those words still rang in her ears. Another friend. Someone who cared about her, and not her status. The idea seemed crazy, but not implausible. She would just have to wait and see. And maybe… thank him for the blanket...
Now, I know some of have been wondering where I've been. Well... I'm moving to a different country... so yeah, sorry for the wait.
Please Review!