He sighed. What was he doing? Fawning over a girl that's way out of league? Trying to pry away and get her attention? Sounds just about right. Carefully, as not to agitate his stomach, he stood up, and stretched. Maybe a drink would calm him down. Before he could get one however, the intercom blared out loudly, forcing out a piercing screech.
"Hello. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we will be experiencing some major turbulence in the next few minutes. Please strap yourself in, and brace yourself." It said.
Jaune groaned, rubbing his ringing ears. To make matters worse, he had turbulence to worry about? His stomach was about to wage another war. Almost as if on cue, entirety of the shake in spurts, rocking and jerking the entire airship. As expected, he nearly puked his guts out on the spot. His vision began to double, the dizziness mixing in with the nausea. Somehow, he managed to keep himself composed, and keep it all in until the rocking finally stopped.
"Am I dead yet?" Jaune mumbled, cupping his mouth. Jaune looked down to Weiss, surprised to see that she was still 'sleeping'. Jaune clicked his tongue, feeling annoyed. "Oh come on. You can at least pretend that I'm here." Weiss shifted around, though didn't respond. "Look, I get it. I'm totally the worst guy you've ever known, but were stuck together for Oum knows how long, so can we just talk or something? Anything?" Weiss didn't move a muscle this time. Jaune clicked his tongue, finally losing his patience. "Fine. Be that way. I'm getting some air."
With that, he walked away, almost shocked of himself. What a twist this was. Never before did he imagine that he would lose patience with the Ice Queen. For the last few months, it had been Jaune that had been chipping away at her patience, but now, he could barely stand to be near her. Irony couldn't even begin to explain it. Feeling so distracted with himself, he didn't notice that he had walked outside, and was leaning against the railing.
Why was he even trying? He couldn't get a read on her no matter how hard he tried, like a puzzle he couldn't solve. He was close to giving up entirely. He stared over the horizon, as if that would somehow give him an answer on what to do.
The door opened behind him. He turned, and saw Weiss, staring blankly back at him, hoodie still wrapped around her shoulders. "Oh, hey. You're up. That's good." He said dully.
"Hello Arc." Weiss said stiffly.
Jaune blinked. Did she just speak? And it wasn't an insult or demand? Jaune scanned the skies again. Nope. No apocalyptic fire and brimstone. This was actually happening. He cleared his throat. "So, how are you feeling."
"Rather queasy, but I'll be fine, thank you." She said stiffly. They stood in silence for about ten minutes, staring peacefully over the horizon. Motion sickness didn't bother him much, luckily. Maybe it was because he felt more at ease. Stress always brought out the worst in him, or so he thought. He turned and was surprised to see Weiss staring at him, pale blue eyes mixing with his deep blue. "Arc."
"Uh, yeah? What's up?" Jaune asked.
"I would like to apologize." She said slowly.
"Apologize? For what?" Jaune asked, shocked that the prodigious Weiss Schnee would ever say such a thing to him.
"For how I treated you. On this journey so far, you've been nothing but kind to me, even to the point of giving me your hoodie, and I've beat you down. It wasn't fair on you." She shifted uncomfortably, her voice breaking every so often. Something told him that she wasn't used to this. "I mustn't take my anger out on you. It's not right, and you deserve much better."
"Weiss…" Jaune was at a complete loss for words.
"It's just… my family requires much from me. A little too much at times. That is the reason we are both on this homebound trip after all. Just please, no matter what they say, don't reflect it towards me." She said. Her face was placid, apathetic even, but the sorrow behind those eyes… It was maddening that he couldn't help her with whatever hurt her so.
"I… yeah." Jaune said, smiling broadly at her. "Whatever you need. Don't worry, I'll be there for you."
"Will you now?" Weiss asked skeptically.
"Of course." Jaune fired back firmly. "We are friends after all."
Weiss turned from him, though he could see remnants of a smile on her face before her back faced him. Satisfied, Jaune leaned over the railing again, staring over the open skies. The sky looked just a bit more beautiful than it did before. He barely noticed his bag slipping off his shoulders, and falling to the floor, a few things clattering out of it.
"Ah jeez." Jaune moaned, bending down to pick it up.
"Clumsy oaf." Weiss commented, though she bent down to help him. She looked confused, and even humored by what she found, much to his dismay. "Why do you have babies shampoo?"
"It uh… it keeps my hair soft! And its cheap y'know?" Jaune stuttered nervously, taking the pink bottle back, and stuffing it carelessly in his back.
"And the onesie?"
"That? I-I just… um… I'll just take that." Jaune said, taking it back and shoving it back in as well, completely red in the face. Just when Jaune felt his luck couldn't get any worse, Weiss picked something up that made his heart sink.
A doll. A bunny doll no less.
Jaune all but snatched it out of her hands, shoved it into the small pocket of his rucksack, made sure all of it was secure, than slung it back into the building, hoping she didn't get a good look at it. Her shocked face told him that she did. Jaune gulped.
"Was that what I think that was?" She asked.
"Please don't tell anyone!" Jaune croaked, trying to keep his composure.
Weiss sighed. "Am I being aided by a child?"
Jaune's head hung. Oh the shame…
Weiss let a little laugh out before covering her own mouth, surprised at herself. Jaune stared at her, and Weiss looked away, red in the face. "What on Remnant are you staring at, Arc."
"N-Nothing!" Jaune croaked, turning away, and staring over the skies again. "Actually, I was curious about something. What am I doing here anyway?"
"Professor Ozpin never told you? You are to be my attendant. Nothing more, nothing less. You are to help me fight when necessary, help when also necessary, and anything else I could need." Weiss said, not looking at him.
Jaune blinked. Was that was this was about? "So, you didn't need a partner, you needed some kind of lackey?"
"That was not in my intention to imply that, but you are to help me out with whatever I may need. It is required of me to have one attendant after all. You'll be at my side, agreeing with me, and keeping silent when I need you to." Weiss said stiffly.
"So, a lackey then." Jaune said, narrowing his eyes. Weiss turned further away from him, and stared at the wall. The young knight shook his head in complete disbelief. Of course that was the case. This was Weiss he was talking about. Anger rose in him, something he never thought he'd feel for the heiress. "Is that all you think of me?" Her back was still turned to him, adding more fuel to his fire. At least look him in the eyes dammit!
"Listen Arc, you agreed to this trip. I have requirments, and those who require things of me. That's just how this works. And let's face it, you're not good at combat. If you can't help me with that, then the most you can do is everything else. You're here to help me, do I make myself clear?" Weiss said firmly, still refusing to look him in the eyes. Jaune gripped the bar so hard, his fingers bent imprints into the metal. He came with her, thinking nothing else but her safety and happiness, only to be used.
"...Chrystal." Jaune said in one of the lowest, scathing tones Weiss had ever heard.
"Arc…" She said, finally turning to him.
Jaune shook his head, gritting his teeth. He had enough. After a few minutes, Weiss said a brisk goodbye before marching stiffly back into the airship, slamming the door behind her. He didn't go after her. Let her run. The young knight shrugged, and continued staring over the open skies, wondering when his motion sickness would strike again when he spotted something. A small shroud of darkness just under a cloud.
Jaune narrowed his eyes. A correlation of black and white poked through the fluffy white surface, splitting it apart down the middle. The cloud began to part, revealing what was underneath little by little. The tip. A bat like wings. A forked tail whipping back and forth. His heart skipped a beat. Was that a Grimm? Clouds still surrounded its form. It was almost impossible to make anything else out. The only thing that stood out next was the largest hand that he had ever seen, coated with black and red, brandishing claws that looked like rapiers.
The moment he saw them, Jaune jumped back, screaming at his own throbbing head. His vision blurred, and went double, sweat covering his face.
Through the darkness of his closed eyes, visions fired across, practically smacking into him. Blood. Lots of it. So much pain, yet not a single ounce of hesitation, or remorse. A hoarse roar that shook him to his core. What… what is this? What the hell is this? Was he going mad? His fingers ran through his hair, nails digging into his scalp. Then suddenly, it stopped, visions, pain and all.
Jaune opened his eyes. The sky was clear, and nothing was piercing the clouds. "What… what the-" He was cut abruptly by the destructive churning in his stomach. A familiar heat rose up in his throat. He bent over the railing and vomited over the side, his body rippling with vicious convulsions. Some of his sick had spilled onto the side of the airship. The people who work on them wouldn't be to happy with him when they landed.
Jaune, still stressed, spitting and gasping, spun onto his heal, wrenched open the door, and sprinted into the airship. Nausea weakened him, making him lean against the walls, and drag himself back to the main area. He layed over the row of chairs, and stared at the ceiling. Weiss wasn't there. At the very least, he could get some peace so he could register what the hell just happened.
The black winged thing. It terrified him to no end, but he couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. How could he though? He had never seen anything like it before. He couldn't get a full glance at the creature, but he somehow imagined his blood on its claws along with the crippling, excruciating pain that came with it. Confused, and stricken, he rolled over to his side, letting his dangle over the edge. A familiar set of rhythmic clicks made him groan.
"Do you mind, Arc?" Weiss said in a huff.
"I do, actually. Find somewhere else to sit." Jaune shot back. Weiss reared back in surprise. Not only had refused to let her sit, he said it in the same scathing tone her had used earlier on her. No patience, or willingness to let her close. Had the tables turned on her? Even so, she wouldn't have it. Her emotions told her to stop. Her pride told her that this boy needed to learn his place.
"I suggest you don't use that tone with me again, Arc." Weiss said in a low voice.
"And I suggest you find a different seat. I'm not in the mood to talk to you." Jaune replied, nearly surprised at his own attitude. He hadn't spoken like this to anyone, save Cardin.
"Arc!"
"What are you gonna do about it? Freeze me? Stab me? Don't you need some kind of servant following you around? That is how you rich folk work. Just tell me when we arrive so I can be done with this and move on." Jaune growled, rolling back and staring at the the back of his chair. Before she could say anything, he cut her off. "And the names Jaune by the way. I don't know if I've told you that already, not that you'd pay attention."
"What is the matter with you?" Weiss asked.
"What the hell do you think?" Jaune muttered back.
"You're so pale, and you shaking. Have you thrown up?"
"What do you care?"
Weiss sighed. She wasn't getting anywhere with him. So that's what that feels like. "Fine. We are nearly there, so be prepared. Don't dally when we land. My father would want to meet you when we arrive."
Jaune grunted, though nothing else. Weiss turned heel and walked off to collect her belongings, leaving Jaune alone with his thoughts. Practically seething, and sick, he clutched his stomach in an attempt to quell the aching inside. Those memories seemed to have left its mark as well, leaving a throbbing headache. He should probably mention this to somebody.
Then again, who cared? Not that family, not the guards or butlers, not even Weiss, so why should he bother?
The landing was slightly rough. The shaking and rocking had made a mess out of him. Pushing himself off of his makeshift bed, he landed on the floor, on his side. One again, butter smooth. He didn't want to get up, but Weiss' heel on his shoulder caught his unwanted attention.
"Get up, Arc. It's time to go." Weiss said expectantly.
"Give me five more minutes. I'll be there when I get to it." Jaune muttered into the floor.
"No, you'll get up now. My family needs to see you as well. Unless you don't want a place to sleep for the next few weeks." Weiss said, rubbing a heel over his shoulder blades. Jaune groaned, pushing himself up. Luckily, his stomach ache had died down, as well as the nausea, so doing so wasn't as much of a war as he thought it would be.
After collecting his rucksack, he walked to the entryway. When he opened it, a group of well-dressed, black suited butlers rushed in, nearly knocking the young knight over. To avoid being trampled-which was a battle in itself in the seemingly endless crowd of butler's- he pushed himself flat against the wall, and slowly inched his way out, squeezing past a few of them, and jumping onto the landing pad.
It was then that he saw the manor, though it wasn't much a manner as it was a castle. The pristine white and blue walls, beautiful gardens, and small waterspouts dotted every which way almost painted a picture of royalty. Jaune stared, no, gawked at what only gods would call a house while butler's pulled Weiss' luggage out of the airship, and tended to the heiress' every whim, following her while she walked in silence. She looked oddly like this was the last place she wanted to be.
Jaune shrugged, and walked next to her, fighting his way past the cloud of the butlers. When the entered, Jaune was once again taken aback by what he saw. Just like the outside, it was lined with white and blue walls, with some of the most comfortable looking furniture and intricate cutlery he had ever seen. It truly felt like he was entering a royal castle. The atmosphere felt off though. He felt uneasy, cold and a little caged in. The moment he stepped in, he felt the urge to step back out again.
Weiss turned to one of her attendants. "Where is my father?" She asked.
"The master is off at Maxine's. We expect he'll be back Within the next two days. Might we ask who this is?" He asked gesturing to Jaune. There was an annoyed edge in his voice that made his skin crawl.
"Jaune Arc. He will be my attendant for the remainder of this trip." She said almost as an afterthought. Jaune bit back a snort.
"Well, we will see that he is properly situated. Is he needed at the moment? We do need to speak to your father on the phone. He'll want to need you're here."
"No. You may leave, Arc." And they all walked off, leaving Jaune alone and angry in the middle of the foyer. Of all the things he had to go through, it had to be this? He was a hunter-in-training, not some kind of servant. What the hell was he doing here anyway? What debt did he owe her? It took several angry moments for him to remember why he was here.
Ozpin was concerned about her for Oum knows why. Who would be miserable or in need in a castle like this, filled with servants who would answer your beck and call at any time? With an aggressive sigh, he turned and walked towards the door so he could get some air. A hand on hi shoulder stopped him.
"Might I ask where you're going, young man?" A kind, twinkle-eyed man asked. The man was slightly overweight, and balding, with the most bushy mustache that he had ever seen. His suit was just like any normal butler, with a black suit jacket, white button-down shirt, and black slacks, with a pocket watch in one pocket. Those kind brown eyes made it impossible for Jaune to snap at him.
"I just… need some air." Jaune said, trying to brush off the old man, but he proved persistent.
"I believe that our lady has told you why you're here." The old man said almost sadly.
"Yeah. I mean, yes sir." He said, tripping over his words. The old man waved him off with a chuckle.
"No need to be formal with me, young man. You may call me Klein. I am the leading butler of this establishment, at your service." Klein said, bowing his his head curtly, hand over his chest. Jaune found himself stuttering. He had no idea what to say to this.
"Um thank you… Klein. My names Jaune Arc if you haven't heard already" Jaune said uncomfortably.
"Actually, I do have one request for you, Jaune." Klein said,
"What is it?"
"I do not even have to ask to know that you are rather angry with your friend." Jaune nearly did snort this time. Friend? Is that what they call it over here. "I must ask you to please be more lenient and understanding of her. I do know she has friends in Beacon, but you are different. I don't know how, but you are. Apart from you and her partner, she's never really had a true friend before."
"Never?" Jaune said, frozen.
"Yes. Never. I'd wager my watch that you are the first friend she has ever brought here. She has yet to truly experience what this feels like, barring of course, her partner. I want you to show her what it feels like." Klein said, no, it almost felt like a plea.
"I… yeah." Jaune answered nervously.
"Thank you. I will show you to your room. Please come with me."
As the too began to walk, Jaune couldn't help but think about Klein's words. She never had any friends. None whatsoever until she hit Beacon. He actually felt sorry for her, even beyond the anger he felt. Maybe what Klein said was true. She didn't know what it felt like, or how to talk to them.
Maybe he could make this work. It would take a miracle, but he could do this. All it was going to take was a little patience. And patience was just what he was going to give her.
