Later that same day...
Jaune brought his heirloom sword down to meet Pyrrha's weapon in a half-hearted strike. Being the world-class fighter she was, she would know he wasn't giving his sparring lesson 100%. He could blame it on the exhausting school load, or a certain dark hunter that kept stealing Weiss' attention and her laughter and her smiles and her-
A powerful stroke to his shoulder caught him off-guard and he went sprawling. Not caring if he looked like a total amateur...it's just not FAIR. What does Crest have that I don't?
"Why don't we call it a day." Pyrrha lowered her spear, refusing to continue. Her partner's distant blue eyes spoke volumes. His mind wasn't fully engaged and that was dangerous. No point kicking him while he was down.
Jaune held a hidden strength that while formidable in its own right, would never reach Nighthawk's raw, insane power. She blew out a heavy sigh as she collapsed Milo then extended her hand. Jaune reluctanly accepted it. One day, he thought, I'll help her up. Then I'll know for sure I've made it.
"-have the forger look at your sword."
"Huh?" He blinked.
Pyrrha folded her arms. "You haven't heard a word I said."
"Sorry, I've just..." Jaune slid his antique blade into its sheath with a sharp click. "Had a lot on my mind." Gee REALLY moron?! His inner self taunted. Between this hopeless 'feud' with Crazy and getting shot down by Her Royal Highness for the 550th time you seriously need to reevaluate your love life, fighting skills and the hot badass standing right in front of you. In that order.
"Listen Jaune." The redhead Amazon walked till her shoulder just brushed her friend's. "You asked for advice on girls." I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but it seems I've got no choice. Her kind heart ached over her next words. "So I'm gonna give you a piece of advice as a woman and a female. If I were in Weiss' shoes and place, no amout of your flirting would win me over because it doesn't fit my personal preference." Jaune stiffened fingers clutching his sword hilt.
"Now hear me. I'm not her," the huntress said soothingly noticing his tense stance. Jaune kept his gaze fixed on the terrace railing but he relaxed a little at her words. A spectacular sunset bathed the rooftop in a soft rosy light. "But understand every person is unique. Just like our fighting styles."
"But...this doesn't make any sense. Crazy keeps drawing her in..." I still don't like her hanging around that guy. Got no issues with the rest of CBLT but he's scary dangerous.
"That's her choice. Besides," she placed a gloved hand on his armored shoulder. "She's happy."
That's what kills me. The thought of his princess (even though he could lay no legitimate claim to begin with) freely allowing Nighthawk the privilege to touch her made him clench his teeth, hating the fact she refused to see reason...at least consider what he had to offer-
What you've got to offer? Please. Don't make me laugh retard. She's not yours so stop deluding yourself. It's pathetic to watch.
He spun to face Pyrrha square, blue eyes intense. "I know but still...my dad said girls swoon over a gentleman." He also mentioned the ladies love a knight in shining armor-like in the great fairy tales...so where did I go wrong? "Besides he's unstable. He could easily hurt her or worse-"
"Stop acting like a jealous husband, choir boy."
Jaune couldn't stop the girly squeal at that all too familiar baritone rasp. Crest leaned against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest. The dying sun glinted off his earrings, caught in his hair. Making it look like fire itself kissed the crown of his head.
"Weiss is a big girl. Ya don't get to decide who she hangs out with."
"C-Crest! I...uh I didn't see you there!" Oh crap. Fear contracted his spine. How much did he hear-?
"Since we're all here I'm gonna say this once. Weiss has made it clear who she prefers, and it isn't you, numbnuts. So accept the fact she doesn't love you and move on." Jaune gaped unable to form a coherent thought. Rich imperial purple irises hardened. "Oh, call me Crazy again..." The young knight gulped, adam's apple bobbing, suddenly feeling two inches tall. "...I'll put ya in the hospital for a month. Got that?"
"Perfectly sir," Jaune croaked out of a sudden dry throat. "Thank you for your gracious warning." He can do it too.
Pyrrha gave a slight gasp as that intense glare burned a track across her face. "He forgets we had this little chat...remind him." Her head nodded once, marveling she'd mustered the strength for that basic gesture. Aware this was her friend's one and only verbal warning. Jaune don't be stupid! She silently scolded afraid he was gonna do just that. He wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer and against a man like Crest that could prove disasterous. Heed his words...and mine. Ignore them at your peril. Weiss is off-limits. Period.
...
Jaune trudged along the path examining his blade for any chips or cracks. Was that one...near the tip? He squinted. Hard to tell with the giant orange-red sun right his eye. Even if it was the forger would give him an honest assessment.
Assuming he could find him/her.
Arrgh! He smacked his forehead with the sword pommel. Get it together Jaune. Just bring Crocea to ths forger person...seriously WHO does that anymore? Ehh. Can't complain I've got a classic weapon. A frown crossed his face. Ah well it is what it-
Without paying close attention to where he was going a terrific explosion erupted from a crude opening followed by a gigantic fireball shooting from the side of a nearby cliff.
Beacon Cliffs to be precise. Where initiation had been.
He sweatdropped. The cliff just exploded.
A platinum blond boy wearing a studded forge apron and welder's mask stumbled out into the fading dusk coughing and waving his hands to dispel the smoke cloud. "Whooo! Ok. Note to self. Do not heat past 300 degrees-hm?" He lifted the mask to the top of his soot-stained hair, revealing a pair of sharp slate grey eyes and perfect oval face.
"Hey man," he flashed the startled boy a dimpled smile. "Ya lost?"
"Oh ah y-I mean no, I was just looking for the forger." Jaune grimaced. Just shoot me why doncha. Can this day get any worse?
"Well, you found me. I was just...taking a break." He placed a hand on a cocked hip. "So. What can I do for ya?"
Jaune blinked in surprise. "Say what now?"
Trace cocked his head. Is he really that dense? "Did I stutter?"
Oh my God. He's the-
"You look a bit young for that-"
"Tch, seriously man." Trace folded his arms. "My family's been in business for 8 generations. So ya got something for me or what?"
Jaune drew his sword and handed it over. Trace held it at arm's length, slate eyes scrutinizing the steel for any damages or flaws. Finding none he gave a satisfied grunt. "This blade's seen battle but she's held together...yep this is ole Mort's craftsmanship alright..."
Jaune cleared his throat. "Mort?"
The young forger blinked out of his zoned state. "Oh! Right. Ahem. This blade was forged long ago by my great-great-great-great-gramps Mort R. Rounds. Strong, sturdy and nothing he made ever broke."
Blue eyes widened in shock. This Mort guy...he was around my great-great-great-great-grandpa's time. Do you think...? "Uh sorry man. I didn't catch your name."
Once again that friendly smile put his stomach at ease. "Oops. My bad." He stuck out a hand covered by a blackened heat-resistant glove. "Trace Rounds. Anything that's got metal and dust and needs some love I'm your man." He motioned with his head toward the forge's entrance.
Not wanting to look like a total wuss in front of this guy, Jaune took the plunge, curiosity winning over as he walked. "Your Grandpa Mort lived during my Grandpa's time and that sword your holding's been in the Arc family like, forever. Do you think he forged it?"
Trace guided his new friend through the cave's entrance. "Yeah prolly. Each generation left his own special mark and I'm about to take the Rounds family business in a cutting-edge, high-tech direction."
Jaune noticed odd shapes adorning the rock walls and was stunned to see weapons of every description hanging there: from basic swords, axes, and maces to more complex dangerous hybrids like MADRs, bladed guns. war hammers, even energy powered weapons of every kind. The array was downright intimidating.
"Don't be scared."
"What?! I'm not scared of anything."
Trace smirked. Sure ya ain't Jaune. A warm glow grew brighter the further back the boys went.
"Come closer man. Lemme show ya what the new face of weaponry looks like."
A/N: WHOOHOO! Read and let me know what y'all think guys! I promise things will get quicker once I get certain chapters out of the way like the last one. :)