Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. Would pigs fly if I did?
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Scandalous Support 2
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The White Fang's statement is pure, reductionist propaganda. Reaching back to ancient history and treating it as current, the White Fang blasts the Kingdom of Vale for all the historic evils it ever done to the faunus. Racist nobles, the subjugation of clans and packs, and of course the Faunus Hunts of old. Everything from the Vale History Museum way back when is treated as recent and relevant as the White Fang blasts both Mordred and Jaune as a continuation of the same old evils. Not only does the White Fang condemn the abuses of the past, and claim to be certain that both contenders will just continue on subjugating faunus, but the White Fang goes on a spiel of condemning nobles and race traitors alike for turning their attention to petty power struggle rather than the needs of real faunus.
The real bombshell, though, is one race-traitor in particular- Blake. Castigated for 'acting human,' and for hiding her heritage, Blake's secrets- both racial and organizational- are exposed. The White Fang doesn't explicitly call her a traitor of conscience- that might breed sympathy for her- but they definitely identify her as one of their own now complicit in petty human power struggles… even as they use photos of her rare public appearances with Jaune to link her directly to Jaune, particularly via his Student Council. Between a photo of Blake from her time with Adam, and a photo of her amongst Jaune's Student Council, Blake is cast as a wayward (but not necessarily repentant) soul who lost sight of faunus causes to play human politics.
Blake becomes Jaune's first Real Scandal, as Jaune is tied to association with both a faunus and a White Fang terrorist in the midst of an anti-faunus moment. It's made worse when the media, usually at the Council's beck and call, runs with the narrative. Only a few reporters, such as Lisa Lavender in particular, try to find the real facts first. As racial tensions rise, and even the planned arrival of Amity Coliseum is delayed due to the terrorist concerns, the public and the media wants a scapegoat.
Blake's exposure and vilification is immediate. Despite Ozpin and the Council's efforts to stop it, the story is too juicy- terrorism, subterfuge, scandal- and links too well with Mordred's complaints of Council obstructionism and conspiring against him to be ignored. A terrorist, snuck into Beacon, allowed among not only Remnants brightest hopes but Vale's own children? Even as the Council dares protest that Mordred is holding White Fang prisoners in jail and from away from them? When Mordred issues a warrant for Belle's arrest for past crimes against the Kingdom, the Council has no clever rebuttal. Blake was bad and involved with the bad people involved in the city, ergo Blake is involved in the bad things happening in the city now, ergo anyone shielding her is bad as well. Including, of course, the Hunters at Beacon.
Even if it's led by Ozpin- who extends Beacon's protection to Blake in the face of a mob in the steets of Vale- Jaune is very quickly one of the few, if not only, people to publicly oppose demands to hand Blake over to the authorities… or, more specifically, Mordred. Who no doubt remembers the lies given way back at the docks, when Weiss and Ruby vouched for her innocence. Faced with a politically unpopular position- of a faunus terrorist who snuck into Beacon amongst the best and most noble future protectors- the Council quickly folds, and attempts to pressure Jaune into renouncing Blake to save his own prospects. He should claim that he didn't know, that he was deceived, that he was tricked rather than tolerating the treason.
It's not all hopeless- Blake's confession with Ozpin after the Paladin incident allows him some leeway to say Blake was cooperating, even as he claims to have known all the while. Moreover, Blake obviously has a case to make about having helped to fight the White Fang- she helped catch Adam (twice), obviously opposes them, and even has a Schnee to vouch for her... though that's a double-edged sword with the faunus community. Blake has more than a good chance of remaining free, but not with her reputation intact. It'll just take time.
But it's not Blake's reputation that's really at stake. The real target of character assassination is Jaune.
Jaune's refusal to denounce or renounce Blake is principled, noble, and incredibly unpopular. Every time Jaune stands by his friend, Mordred's position rises. Mordred promises law, order, and bringing unruly faunus to justice. Jaune, Beacon, and the Council side with a terrorist, keeping her from being brought to justice. The nobles don't like it, nor does much of the street, and even many in the school give them all harder looks for siding with Blake. Jaune is being tarred by association, even as he refuses to sacrifice a friend for political expediency.
One of the few allies not to be deterred, thankfully, is Belle. Though Belle is concerned about the White Fang connection, she's also willing to listen and be reassured about Blake's change of loyalties. Belle opens up her home to help Blake hide out of sight of the paparazzi-infested Beacon while Ozpin builds the public case on Blake's behalf. For awhile, Belle's home becomes Blakes home, and a base for the rest of the Student Council to gather outside of the harsh criticism of a media that criticizes them for letting a terrorist in their ranks.
Belle's hospitality earns her a place in the circle of friends, bringing her to an even level with the Student Council despite her age or lack of Huntress skills. Instead she is a friend, and an ally, and brings her own noble/non-Huntress viewpoint to the situation. Belle's graciousness sees her bond with everyone, but especially Blake, who already had a soft spot for the reformist even without knowing the truth about her. As Belle finds her place in the circle of friends, everyone tries to figure what they can do- not just on how to mitigate the damage, but to see if they can turn this crisis into an opportunity.
Jaune's position is hard. Public propriety demands he renounce Blake, which he refuses to do. While Jaune might sacrifice himself to politics, he won't sacrifice friends, and that's just who he is. Difficult as that may make things for himself now, it's also why everyone there would prefer him on the Throne than Mordred. Even though Jaune and Blake have never been particularly close, even she is clearly touched by his steadfast loyalty to her- something Ruby watches with pride from the side. Still, Jaune's position puts him in a bad light with everyone who has a bad view of the White Fang. Both racists and law and order types disapprove.
But… for better and for worse, not everyone views the White Fang badly. Or at least, not the original White Fang.
Belle can put herself in that last group, even if it would be scandalous to say it aloud. More to the point there's one part of the city that is a bit more ambivalent about the old White Fang, and not turned away by Jaune's refusal to shun an ex-member.
The Faunus quarter.
Mordred's made frightening gains amongst the humans since the terrorism wave, but the Faunus have been ambivalent at best. Few support the White Fang, and none support the current crime wave. Most are keeping their heads down and hoping it doesn't come down on them. It'd be safe to say most are not aghast at the Blake scandal- after all, everyone knows someone who knew someone who was tied to the old White Fang back in the day. If you went after everyone who had ties to the old group, you'd take a quarter out of the faunus quarter. These people are among the least concerned with punishing Blake if she didn't do something deserving punishment… and watching Jaune's position carefully.
Belle lays out what could be called a Faunus strategy for Jaune, a gambit to regain political position. Given Belle's influence and ownership in industry, even if she can't/won't/doesn't outright censor the media she can at least frame the situation. If the faunus were to be polled for views on the candidates- and if Jaune leads amongst them- then a surge in suddenly realied Faunus support would counterbalance the loss in human support and change the narrative. Some, hopefully most, of that human support will come back anyway once Ozpin makes his public case for Blake, and people realize what a good person she is- a White Fang deserter of conscience, an idealistic heroine, a repeated foe of the Fang. If Jaune can build support with the Faunus now, he could come back even stronger.
If. But the faunuse have to want to side with him.
To date the Faunus have been largely apathetic and a non-factor in the succsion crisis, not organizing or wanting to 'pick a side.' While Jaune (and Belle) have offered more hopes of reforms, Mordred's offered some of his own. More to the point, though, opposing Mordred is a frighteningforce to oppose. Anyone who sides against Mordred risks his displeasure and vengeance whether he wins or loses: either Mordred is an empowered King, or still in charge of the Royal Police afterwards. Either way, Mordred is sure to remember his enemies, and be able to spite them.
Jaune has no such fear at his disposal. No one fears for themselves if Jaune wins, even if they oppose him. Besides, Jaune right now needs their help, not the other way around. And to round it off, it's not even clear it's possible- the faunus are largely unorganized, with no clear leader with whom to negotiate or appeal. There's no leader they would respect enough to listen to and let themselves be swayed by.
Well, there might be one.
Blake pulls the 'I might have been keeping some secrets from you all' card, with a dash of 'I'm kinda of a bigger deal than I let on.' Blake reveals herself as the daughter of a chieftain of Menagerie-a surprise promotion that gets her second looks, and a little of melodrama from her partner. First Weiss the heiress, then Jaune the prince... when can Yang expect her own upgrade? She's willing to be modest- she'll settle for a title of the Dukin' Duchess, or maybe just being recognized as the Coolest Countess of all.
After an, ahem, underwhelming reaction to Yang's attempt at levity, and Belle leans over and whispers to Ruby asking if there was supposed to be a joke somewhere, Blake continues.
Blake shares that her parents left the White Fang before she did, but that before they did they once told her of someone who could help. Which is to say, Blake's father- current chieftain of Menagerie and former High Leader of the White Fang before it went bad- may be able to reach another former High Leader of the White Fang. One of the first, possibly even the founder, who stood up for Faunus in the war and went on to establish the White Fang.
The original White Fang. The one that stood for peaceful tactics, racial tolerance, and gradual reform. The one which held the esteem of the entire faunus community, and the respect of many a human. If he could be found- if he could be convinced- his influence couldn't be understated.
Blake calls her parents, which means having an uncomfortable late-night video call with them after they've seen the news involving her. Blake's mother and father are simultaneously glad she's alright, upset that she went on a bad path that has gotten her into trouble, and relieved that she's not arrested and using her one free phone call to contact them. Still, seeing them in Belle's mansion- and surrounded by human friends who vouch that she's on the right path- surprises them. After some awkward introductions, which show that the Beladonnas have been paying attention to the Valean news and recognize Jaune and Belle favorably, Blake's father agrees to tell them what he knows, even if it's separated by age and distance and having never been to Vale himself.
First, he thinks it's a good idea. That original leader- a faunus known to all as Malik- definitely had a focus on human-faunus harmony, as part of some never-really explained promise made long ago. Malik left the White Fang long before it went bad, and is respected bot by the faunus community and untainted by the White Fang's extremist tactics, which he left well before such tactics were accepted. If he endorsed Jaune, it would be a Big Deal. He was even respected by humans as an honest negotiator, willing partner, and absolute opponent of intimidation tactics or militantism of any sort. No one can accuse him of complicity with White Fang terrorism, because the shift to anti-human militantism was the reason he left in the first place, denouncing it on his way out. Many at the time dismissed him as being too soft, a pacifist, but now…
He was a leader of great foresight, and always warned that terrorism would turn people against the faunus rather than win them respect and allies.
But that foresight is also why finding him will be difficult. Malik never returned to Menagerie, staying in human Kingdoms. It's also said he assumed a new identity to distance himself from his old life and begin again. While he's no doubt set himself up in some position of influence since then- being described as too committed to his vision of racial cooperation to retire- he's also a hidden, reclusive actor. The best Blake's father knows is that he's somewhere in Vale, most likely in the Faunus quarter.
And that's it. That's all they have to go on- a vague lead to check the Faunus quarter- and not even a description to go on. Blake's father is vague, describing Malik as something of a chameleon, a master at blending in, and not being found when he didn't want to be. But when he wants to be…
When Malik reveals himself, there will be no doubt that it's really him.
Searching for Malik is the next quest, but not one the group is well suited for. The only one who could possibly fit in the faunus quarter most of the time would be Blake, who now is both exposed and restricted to Beacon and Belle's place for her own protection. Jaune and Belle can't search either, being too notable and too tied into the nobility politics. Weiss is just straight out, as far as mingling with the faunus goes. It will fall on the remaining five- humans all- to brave the faunus quarter and try to find the illusive former leader of the White Fang.
If anyone knows… or would tell the random humans if they did.
It's a long shot, but it's the only thing they can really do in the interim. They resolve to leave in the morning, and soon retire.
Except Jaune, who calls Ruby aside.
It's the first time Jaune and Ruby have been alone since the reconciliation and Ruby's feelings being open, but it's not awkward at all. Instead, Jaune expresses concern- for her- because of the reputation the faunus quarter has. The reputation she herself warned him of their hookie day. While most of the group will be going as pairs, Jaune has already deduced that Ruby will be the one who won't, since Yang will be going to try and help Pyrrha blend in as well. Ruby doesn't deny it, claiming instead she'll be sure to keep her head down and hood up, but that doesn't quite reassure Jaune. There are some bad apples everywhere, and no doubt some bad wolves in the Faunus quarter. Especially anyone who might know she's his friend, and might want to win favor with Mordred by arranging an accident.
It's unlikely, but Jaune is simply worried. For her. There's nothing he can say to dissuade her, so Jaune simply asks she be careful… and gives her a good luck charm to take with her. It's a little bit of stitching, an Arc moon one one side and a sun on the other, with a hint of the scent of rose petals inside the pouch. Jaune begins to dissemble- he made it when he was up in that tower, and wanted to make enough for everyone, but if she's going alone, then, well...
Ruby takes the charm, thanks Jaune, and promises to be careful. Jaune shuts up, looking grateful and embarrassed, and apologizes for imposing on her time. Ruby doesn't mind- and soon after is seen almost skipping to the bedroom by a curious Belle. When Ruby sleeps that night, she sleeps well without any dreams as she clutches the charm to her chest.
In the morning, Jaune sees them off, biding them all to return soon with good news... well, Ruby doesn't see Pyrrha walking away with a charm around her wrist.
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Scandalous Support 2
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Author Note:
And so the scandal continues, and a new OC is foreshadowed. I think this may be the most major character OCs I've done in a fanfic before. Mordred, Belle... are they working for you? Are they characters you can make your own mental image of, and feel the fit in the context of the story?
Separatemusing/question- anyone think the arc titles were suitable or not? Not sure if it worked well, but I've tried to give them somewhat ambiguous meanings, in that they could be taken multiple different ways or be thought to refer to different parts of the arc. Like a Modest Proposal- was that Jaune's first policy proposal, Belle's offer of marriage, or the prospect of an affair due to duress that Ruby faced? Are those arc titles ever something anyone went 'huh, I bet that means 'X'', or is this just one of those things that no one ever notices?
Random thoughts worth sharing.
(Also, to answer one person's question- no, Grimm Eclipse won't really factor into Knight of Lancaster's main story. Knight of Lancaster was thought up well before the game, I felt the plot divergence was enough to not really warrant investigating it.)