The Writer Games

It can take decades to write a masterpiece, and years to plan it- so see what a couple of amateurs come up with in 15 minutes after a prompt. College Fool, Couer Al'Alran, and the (mostly Jaune) story concepts that followed.

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College Fool's Prompt – Dating What Daddy Hates: Blake needed a favor. Weiss needed a way to get Jaune off her back, and other things. Sun thought he needed a girlfriend, but this isn't what he was thinking of.

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Dating what Daddy Hates

I'm going to subvert this a little bit,

Title: Dating What Daddy Hates

Summary: Weiss needed a date for an important meeting between the Schnee family and some big-shot new customers. Blake needed some free-time to read her next Ninjas of Love. Sun wasn't sure what he needed, but it sure as hell wasn't this!

Initial Thoughts: An interesting prompt, and one that might raise eyebrows because I intend to ignore a lot of the other characters sadly. So yes, it will lack much of RWBY and JNPR - this is predominantly just about Sun and Weiss.

Beat 1 -

Weiss is stressed in their dorm room, reading over the latest communique from her family. The SDC is on the cusp of making a huge business deal to acquire a new dust freight company in a deal worth 360 million lien. To finalise it however, the Schnee family has been invited to spend time with the original owners at their holiday island resort. RBY are uncertain but excited, as they realise Weiss will have to leave their team, but it's only for a week. Weiss promises she will bring back souvenirs, but doesn't really want to go. She reflects that she always felt lonely with her family, and doesn't want to leave her friends here at Beacon.

Yang comments that Weiss missed a bit, she has to bring a date. Weiss is shocked and grabs the letter reading it. There is an addition tacked on from Winter which warns that the original owners have a son they once tried to pair with Weiss - and that they might make it part of the deal unless Weiss clearly has another paramour. Winter also warns that their father would sign her away for such a lucrative deal.

Weiss is horrified, and team RBY promises to do what they can to help. There is an initial comedic suggestion of Ruby dressing up as a man, before Weiss torpedoes it. They discuss other men, such as Jaune "Please no..." Neptune "I... I barely know him, I mean he's nice, but this is too soon." Ren "Nora would tag along..."

Ultimately though Blake suggests Sun, to which Weiss is unimpressed. But Blake goes on to say that Weiss doesn't need a boyfriend, she needs an actor. A fake who can play the part for the week, and Sun is that. Yang agrees. Sun definitely doesn't like Weiss that way, he's too into Blake. So there's no risk there. Weiss slowly warms to the idea, thinking that if it looks like she has dated a faunus, perhaps the son wouldn't even want her - she would be "sullied" or dirty in their eyes. Even if she went with Neptune or Jaune, her father could still just force her to marry, or try to... better to convince the other family they don't WANT Weiss, and just let the deal go ahead on financial terms.

Beat 2 -

Sun is called in by Blake for a favour. There are some shenigans where his entry through the window p*** Weiss off, who then starts criticising every little thing about him. "He needs better clothes, we must do something about that hair."

Sun is confused for a while, until Blake explains that they need him to be Weiss' boyfriend for a week. Sun is totally against the idea, and makes that clear - to which Weiss agrees but says she needs him. Eventually the situation is explained, and while Sun is more willing to help to protect her (even if they aren't friends) - the deal is sealed when Blake promises him a serious date if he helps. "I'm not promising romance, but I promise I won't just ruin it on purpose. I'll give you a chance to impress me."

Sun is in!

Beat 3 -

Weiss and Sun drive down to a hotel by the airport, with the plane going the next day. The two are awkward as hell, and Winter comments as much when she sees them. They look like they have no idea what to do with one another. Sun sighs and admits they were rushed, but takes Weiss' hand in his own, getting an incredulous look from the girl.

"We have to play the part," he explains, and Weiss reluctantly agrees. Winter comments that his clothing won't do, but says she will send her chauffeur to get some new clothes for him that will look good. Sun is uncertain, but surprised at how neutrally nice Winter is. She doesn't like him, but doesn't seem to hate him either for being a faunus.

Winter pushes them both through some lessons on looking like a couple, with Weiss having to lean on him, sit close - and even come up with reasons and a story for why she fell in love with him. Sun has to do the same.

The flight takes place here, along with the first meeting with father Schnee and the family. Papa Schnee is not pleased with Weiss' choice of a partner, but cannot say so in front of the clients. Similarly the clients seem surprised and dismayed to see Weiss with a man - which has her internally thanking her sister, as it's clear they had plans for her.

The young heir... who we will name... uh... Azure (better name needed lol) - is friendly enough, but has an edge when he shakes Sun's hand. He offers to show them to their rooms, and the three are dismissed by Papa Schnee (god the names...)

Azure gives them a brief tour of the resort, mostly in explanation of the facilities as he shows them to their two rooms. Sun is about to enter one, before Weiss enquires as to why they are to sleep separately. Sun hesitates, before biting the bullet and saying he will just share Weiss' room with her. Azure is left looking miffed as they let themselves in.

The conflict in this beat mostly comes from how Sun and Weiss are uncomfortable with one another, and the passive-aggressive racism from the Schnee family and the clients. They do little things such as neglecting to get drinks for Sun, or cutting him off in conversation. Weiss worries about it, but is surprisingly impressed by Sun's thick skin. He simply doesn't care, and says as much to her.

"They decided to not like me from the start, so why should I care for their opinions?" It's one of the first times Weiss sees Sun as something more than he is, and his treatment also starts to foster her own resentment for how faunus are treated. She even notices that there is not a single faunus on the island.

They don't begin to fall for one another here, as much as they begin to respect one another. Sun is surprised yet touched by Weiss' defence of him, even when she risks angering her father. Weiss meanwhile is impressed by how robust Sun is, and the little things he does without asking to ensure she is having an okay time. Such as not intruding on the shower, being a gentleman, getting her drinks, even buying her some ice-cream when she is hot.

Beat 3-5 are LONG arcs, and need to be to make the romance realistic.

Beat 4

The stakes raise in this section, as the client's family actively starts to break their relationship, with Azure expressing his romantic interest in Weiss, despite her apparent being with Sun. Sun tries to play it cool by saying he can understand where Azure is coming from, for his girlfriend is a wonderful person - but goes ignored by Papa Schnee, who says he has no say in this.

Weiss argues otherwise, don't talk to my boyfriend that way we're a partnership, he has as much say in my affairs as I do in his.

Winter tries to be the big sister and protect Weiss, but is called back to the SDC when something goes wrong. Papa Schnee dismisses her as the only one who can solve it, and Winter dares not say otherwise. Winter leaves, but warns Weiss first that this smells like an excuse concocted to remove her from a position to help Weiss.

Now with only each other to depend on life becomes more difficult. There is a ball being planned, and Weiss realises they need new clothes. She gives Sun her credit card to get himself something, while she shops for a dress.

Oct 29However Sun experiences problems when the staff refuse to serve him, and belittle him as someone who could never afford their wares. He is escorted from the building, and even has the credit card he tried to show them confiscated. Some people on the street - other wealth resort-goers laugh at his dismay.

Sun returns to the hotel defeated, and won't explain to Weiss why he doesn't have a suit. Eventually however she forces it out of him, and she swears she will crush them for what they did. She wants to go right down there immediately and give them a piece of her mind, but Sun stops her.

He doesn't want to cause a scene like that, and such a fight might p*** off Papa Schnee. Weiss relents but says it isn't fair how they treat him. Sun just laughs and touches her face, saying the fact she cares so much is all he needs. Without prompting, and without needing to do it to prove anything - he leans in and kisses her.

Weiss doesn't resist, but seems troubled afterwards and won't talk. Sun fears that he crossed the line, and the two sleep in the same room but with a wall of pillows between them.

Beat 5

Matters are made worse when Azure invites Sun out on a male bonding session. Weiss and Sun realise he cannot say no as to avoid appearing rude, but that Azure doubtless plans something.

Sun goes off however, and Weiss in her frustration goes to retrieve her credit card. The Sun and Azure trip is tense, little more than angry conversation disguised as jet-skiing. For a moment Sun wonders if the brat might try to remove him in an accident, before remembering he is a hunter - and the kid is just that. Spoiled, but not murderous.

In fact when they are attacked by oceanic Grimm - it is Sun who comes to Azure's rescue, saving the boy and killing the Grimmsharks. Azure is silent as they ride back to the resort, but stiffly thanks Sun before they part.

Weiss on the other hand is at the store which abused Sun. She demands to see the manager, and asks for her card back - only or the man to say he took it from a degenerate faunus who had no doubt stolen it. Weiss right there considers freezing him, and telling him just what he did - forcing his entire business to close down.

But she recalls that Sun didn't want that, and in a sign of her growing attachment to him fights back her temper for his benefit. Simply saying that she has places to be, and taking the card. Before she leaves she buys a suit for Sun, one she idly thinks that she would genuinely like to see him in.

Stuff happens, the big ball comes - Papa Schnee reveals that there is a marriage in the cards for Weiss (I'm running out of time) - Sun objects, as does Weiss. Papa Schnee says its time to stop playing silly games with animals, and become a businesswoman. Weiss holds her ground, even when he threatens to disown her.

Ultimately it is Azure who comes to their defence, saying he doesn't want a wife who can't love him, and he won't have a wife who hates him for breaking up her relationship. He says after spending time with them both he realises just how much they truly love one another, and he wants that. He doesn't think it will ever be with Weiss though, but he will find someone who can love him on his own.

Weiss and Sun are shocked, Azure wants the deal to go ahead. Papa Sschnee relents and compromises by offering Azure a managerial position instead of his daughter. All are happy - holiday ends, and Sun and Weiss go back to Beacon.

Beat 6

The Black moment is less devastating and more bitter in this idea. The charade over, the two go their separate ways. Sun looks like he wants to say something as they part, and Weiss hesitates to let him go. They part on a bitter "So... later?" "Yes... I will see you around Sun."

Team RBY asks how it all went, and Blake asks how Sun was - a complete gentleman, without him I don't think i would ever have survived. You're lucky Blake, perhaps more than you realise.

Weiss then makes Blake promise she will give Sun a fair chance, saying he truly deserves it. Blake agrees, saying that with all Weiss has said, maybe Sun is worth more than a fair chance.

Ruby seems troubled though, able to see her partner's lack of lustre, even if the others cannot.

The dance comes about, and Sun is going with Blake - in the suit Weiss bought for him no less. Weiss watches as the two dance, remembering the times she danced with him before going back to her drink.

She realises she wants to be the one dancing with him, and cannot bare to watch him with Blake, nor bare to feel resentment for her own close friend and teammate. Rather than be a killjoy, she leaves the party.

Beat 7

A short resolution due to time constraints, etc... Weiss is out in the gardens of Beacon in her dress, just looking at the moon. She is interrupted by some noise, which turns out to be Sun (and no one was surprised).

Sun asks why she left the party, saying he hoped she would save a dance for him. She tries to make an excuse but he asks if she will dance with him how.

"Here?" She asks.

"Yeah... why not, in the moonlight."

Weiss agrees and the two dance, as Weiss rests her head on his chest. She asks if Blake will be disappointed by him doing this, and says she doesn't want to get in the way - after all the help he gave her. Sun says Blake will understand, and sheepishly admits that he called the night early - he says maybe it was the chase, or that we were both just faunus. But I don't know... I don't look at her the same way anymore.

Weiss looks up at him, as he looks down on her. He spouts some lines about their holiday, about how brave she was - how she stood up for him, to him as well. And how he found himself enjoying it, enjoying being around her - more than he expected.

He swallows and says

"The last time I kissed you... you said it was a mistake."

"I did."

"Would... if I were to kiss you now. Would it still be a mistake?"

"I don't know..."

Sun takes it as permission and leans in to kiss her lightly, though she pushes herself further into it. He wraps his arms around her as they kiss in the moonlight. Before Weiss pulls away with a small smile.

"No." She says "I don't think it is anymore."

Story Ends.

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C.F.'s Impression:

What's funny is that this is the archetype of a monochrome shipper's favorite plot dynamic: Weiss, daddy, and the faunus relationship.

Even though Coeur ignored part of the prompt and the Jaune motive for Weiss, I'm really glad he did. It's a great example of why you shouldn't let a prompt restrict you- which was my failing with those four Really Bad Ones. Here Coeur ignored the letter, kept the intent, and ran with it. It's still a 'I need to fake a relationship because reasons', but the reasons are much better, and more satisfying, than what would have been had it just been Jaune.

Am I a fan of this crack-ship pairing? No. Do I think this was well done? Yes. This is a good example of how a well-done romance beat structure can pace and help gradually develop a relationship. Even without a prior interest, I was hooked by how well the setup worked. Sure, it's been done to death in countless Weiss x Blake ships, I'm sure- a bit of rebellion and revolt as Weiss tries to defy her father with a faunus. But here I think it works better than the typical monochrome scenario for three reasons. One, Sun is a better foil for standing up to racism than Blake. Blake hides her race and resents the Schnee Dust Corp, but Sun's honestly above it and frankly dismisses the people and moves on, weathering it without apology. He's less inclined to snappy defiance or to encourage resentment- which helps here since Weiss's ties to the family are complicated, not simply uniformly bad. Two, the 'not interested' prior understanding is more credible when Sun's going along with this for his previously established love interest Blake. Most monochrome that use the 'date against father' as the romance basis ignore that sort of credibility, instead claiming friends but never having any intent on dropping the 'fake' relationship once it's real- I can't think of a monochrome ship which would have broken up after the charade so that the prior understanding (and different romantic interest) could reestablish itself. And three- I think this works because Papa Schnee is right to think Weiss is just trying to be difficult and faking this relationship. Weiss might be in the right to avoid the engagement, but Papa Schnee is right in not believing the charade.

As a final praise, I'll give credit to the OC Azure. It'd be really, really easy to have Azure be a one-note bigot and asshole and snide and everything wrong with what bad writers think a romantic rival should be. Even if you intended the 'redemption' angle at the end as some sort of saving grace. But I didn't read it like that- though maybe because I sped-read the first time- and instead of a weaker writer's 'he got out of the way of true love,' Coeur laid the foundation for Azure to actually respect Sun, rather than have a single-minded focus on Weiss alone. A lot of weaker writers wouldn't do that. Yes, there's tension. And the prospect of foul play. But Azure doesn't, and there's no proof he was intending to, and Sun shows confidence at not jumping at shadows.

So ultimately- high marks to Coeur for taking something that a lot of people would have done horribly, and doing it well.

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Coeur's Reflection:

Hmm... this one worked out okay I suppose. Sun was an interesting choice and not one I've looked at before. I had to sit down for a minute and just think of his personality and then go "Okay, what are his really good points? Okay, other than the abs."

What came to my mind was honestly his "don't give a s***" attitude. He's confident, but unlike how 99% of fanfiction writers seem to think confidence is - he doesn't run around waving his willy or scoring all the chicks. He's confident enough to know what he wants (initially) try to get it, and be willing to face failure.

He's also confident enough to take all the racism and go "Heh, I'm a great stowaway!" As College Fool says, sure Blake kind of does the same, except she doesn't. She rails against it, tries to change things - gets angry.

That wouldn't serve Weiss well at all in this situation. I've been to countless business meetings, I know how to network - and that sometimes you have to play nice to people you hate. It's easy for all the readers to say "Ugh, if it's immoral don't do it!" But welcome to the real world ladies and gents, sometimes you need to put down your "me" hat - and put on your "Boss" hat - and do what's best for the company. How do you think I, or anyone really, fires people? It absolutely sucks, but we take a deep breath, banish ourselves - and become the boss.

Anyway, this worked well for me since I could see Sun and Weiss learning a lot from one another. Weiss needs to learn to calm down really, as she's too quick to anger. She also needs to learn to kick back and relax, something I would have liked to cover in a chapter where Sun pretty much kidnaps her and forces her to have fun for the day. Similarly, Sun could maybe use a little teaching on how to be more mature - how to give off a good first impression and slow down in life.

They both come out of the experience better people in a way, and are surprised to find they actually liked it.

As for the break-up. I think it's a major cop-out when this doesn't happen. It was the plan from the start, and I always wanted them to stick to it. it wouldn't make sense to do otherwise. Sun fancied Blake, and at that point likely would still think he does. Similarly Weiss thinks it's all a charade, even if she longs otherwise.

There was a lack of many other characters here, and there almost has to be. Too many cooks spoil the broth, and honestly trying to fit eight or so other characters into this? No way... They can appear in scroll calls, at the start and ending if they must. But they just aren't necessary for it.

I'm not a fan of the pairing, or rather I wasn't at first. But now I can see it working, and can't help but think they could learn a lot from one another. Ah well, though. Such is life and as we know, Sun is a faunus - so the show writers seem to believe he must be locked to Blake. Because come on guys... faunus can't date non-faunus. Can't mix that filthy sub-human race with ours, but remember kids! Don't be racist!

GG Rooster Teeth, gg.

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Author Note:

Awhile ago we mentioned that we were trying to burn through our pre-release backfill of fills to open the way for a bit more reader input. We're getting closer to that point with the next theme week. Theme weeks won't be back-to-back after this- but we are encouraging your interest. After suggesting the first two themes myself to get things started, Coeur's taken his chance to choose our next theme weeks in two weeks:

"It's Good to be Bad" - aka 'Villain Week' - in which stories focus on the antagonists of the series for a change. Or- as the this prompt wonderfully puts it-

Coeur's Prompt: People though they were just side-class characters, people to be ignored and tossed aside. But the Malachite sisters? They were tired of that.

That not enough to get you excited? How about this: that is the only prompt either of us has committed to. Which mean the rest? We're looking to you to come up with something good.

(Good, I say. Good! If you give us the plot, it's not a prompt.)