Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. Would you fear what I'd do if I did?
/
/
Roses and Restaurants
/
Thursday begins with the expected fallout of the previous day's interview by Melody.
It starts early, as early as breakfast at Beacon, with taunts by Cardin and CRDL. While the Council-influenced media downplays the story, they can't ignore it entirely, and the foreign media here for the tournament faces no restrictions at all. Even that ignores the tabloids free to run rampant with it. While early morning opinion panels politely disagree and diminish Melody's claims- using some of the same arguments used to support Jaune in the first place- the tabloids are free to pick and pull at Jaune. When JNPR and RWBY both depart for Amity together, they form an impromptu screen between Jaune and a number of paparazzi at the airship docks, peppering Jaune with the expected but unpleasant questions.
How does it feel to have your mother side with Mordred over you? What did you think when she called you a tool of the Council? Do you have any thoughts you'd like to share?
Yes, he has thoughts, no, he doesn't want to speak right now, there will be a public statement later… but he has to make a comment anyway. Jaune reaffirms his commitment to pursuing the throne, and is resolute in his choice, with a promise of more thoughts later. It's a calm, collected, and otherwise reasonable remark that gives no hint of any personal hurt or anger over his mother's interview.
He still avoids seeing her, though, choosing to sit in the stands and the student section with his team rather than go to the Arc VIP box he's entitled to. The media and commentators suggest it's him just being humble and being around his fellow students. It's more of a subtle snub of sorts, as Jaune actively avoids his mother.
It's not too subtle for Melody. Melody expected Jaune wouldn't like her public opposition, but that doesn't mean she likes being shunned by him either. Melody is clearly unhappy when RWBY- and only RWBY- enters the VIP box, but she tries to bear it. Melody greets Ruby warmly enough, even if there's a guilty sort of awkwardness between them, and the group looks across the stadium.
What they notice is… there are a lot more flower-sellers in the audience today compared to yesterday. Many of the stadium's wandering concession vendors have also added a flower basket of sorts... and many of them are already empty. A scattering of people across the arena suggest why, some wearing dark or black, but more obvious are yellows. As one group of flower-selling vendors goes beneath the VIP section, Ruby notices that asurprising number of flower-sellers are faunus... and aren't selling one color of rose in particular.
The morning's matches start, and at the start there really isn't too much interesting about them… except that the teams are wearing notable colored accessories, and the winners are increasingly dedicating their victory to one prince-candidate or the other.
Not every competing team cares about the royal contestants, per see, especially the foreign students. But many of them do care about the grand prize, or at least the equivalent reward, and the better prize will clearly come to those who support Jaune. When each victorious team announces who will represent them in the tourney, Jaune asks them what their ambitions are for if they win- and that means a lot more people wanting to see Jaune win than Mordred. While Jaune is merely polite to the winner who wants to be Queen of the Vale, he openly approves of those who dream of using Belle's cash-equivalent to do some noble deed back at their homes. Jaune's rewards are more personal than Mordred's ideas of big-picture inter-Kingdom politics, which makes Jaune the candidate even the apolitical would root for.
And the best way to signal that, after yesterday, is the use of colored roses. While the audience is buying all sorts of flowers, almost every contestant is wearing a rose on their lapel or similar.
Ruby, it seems, has starting a fad, as roses and accessories are becoming the go-to means for signaling one's side in the Vale Succession Crisis. Yellow is Jaune's color, and quickly becomes aligned with him as sympathizers tie yellow ribbons or scarves around their wrist. Black is Mordred's color, and his supporters- particularly elitists- wear imposing black cloaks or jackets. But the real proof of allegiance, and not just sympathy, is a rose. Call it a chance of circumstance, or call back to history, or just a clever sales pitch, but wearing a black or yellow rose is the public signal of your commitment to a candidate.
There's a slight irony that this symbolism favors Jaune a bit more than Mordred- there are more yellow roses to be sold than specially-crafted black roses- but it's true. Today especially, black roses sell out early while yellow roses sell throughout the day. And it's becoming increasingly apparent as more and more of the tournament contestants are wearing roses as well, thinking it an expectation or emerging trend. Not everyone does- wearing any other color or none at all is seen as being neutral- but as the day goes on nearly all the contestants are wearing roses on their person.
But, to the cheers of the audience, it also creates an additional challenge in the tournament itself. As more people enter wearing a rose, more try to protect them. Though some of the contestants try to exploit this as a weakness, they are roundly booed in favor of those who try to fight on equal fighting, and with a rose of their own. Soon an interesting dynamic arises as fighters target eachother's roses as much as each other, with entire duels based around the roses.
When the morning fights end, it's time for the usual mid-day break for lunch. For the past week, Jaune has spent each lunch with his mother, but today he does not show. Jaune sends Ruby a scroll message, telling her he will not come because he has business, leaving RWBY to accompany his mother in his place. Melody is less than pleased that her son is avoiding her to this extent, and the Team+1 outing gets off to a slightly bitter start.
Weiss, hoping to salvage the mood, leads them to new but very popular restaurant in the arena she's read glowing reviews about. Normally out of their price range, she's willing to foot the bill... but there's still the issue of reservations. To everyone's surprise, showing up and name-dropping the Schnee name doesn't pull much weight…
…at an all-faunus restaurant.
Things change immediately, though, the moment Melody is seen. The moment Missus Arc is recognized there's a commotion, and a large number of faunus crowd around to see and stare at Sir Jaune's mum. One group of faunus- all wearing the uniforms of the Arc Army regiment- voluntarily give up their own table so that Missus Arc can be seated. This causes a stir with some of the customers still waiting to be seated, one knobish gentleman in particular, but the (faunus) owner of the restaurant is honored to be able to serve the Royal Mother-apparent and claims that the Arcs can eat in his restaurant any time.
Royal privilege gains what the Schnee name could not, and they are seated.
Team RWBY and Melody get the royal treatment, benefiting from Jaune's sky-high popularity with these faunus of Vale. If the Arc Army soldiers weren't sign enough, this entire restaurant is packed with passionate Jaune supporters, as every butler-suited waiter or waitress seems to be wearing a yellow rose on their suit.
One waiter- their waiter- stands out in particular, recognizing Ruby before the rest. Ruby recognizes him too- it's Hayate, the server from the night of the assassination and then during the meeting with Malik.
Hayate got a new job thanks to how well things worked out with Malik- getting back in the serving business to boot- and is honored to be Ruby's waiting. When Melody asks why, Malik easily shares his story of how Jaune stood up for him after the White Fang attack, and then how Jaune was at the Malik funeral later to show respect for an honored community leader. These encounters clearly had an impact on Malik.
It's not just Hayate- this entire resteraunt is staffed by faunus who've had their lives impacted by Jaune. The owner- the one who said that Arcs could eat here anytime- is one of the survivors of Jaune's village, one of those who didn't go to Jaune's family home back in the country. He was one of the beneficiaries of Belle's part of the charity fundraiser, who used the seed money from Belle to start up this resteraunt and re-introduce classic Valean cooking preserved and evolved by the faunus village.
Many of the faunus workers were saved, inspired by, or just helped by Jaune's words and actions, all of which gave them a chance to make a new start for themselves. It's clear that for these faunus in particular, things have gone well- classic Valean cooking is making a comeback, and there's a sense of pride and self-esteem as these people are now succeeding in their own right. More than one waiter or waitress backs up Hayate's account of the impact Jaune's had on the faunus of Vale. More than one tries to assure Melody that she can be proud of Jaune.
But Melody doesn't want to be proud of her son, though- not for being a nobleman, at least- and so the praise of Jaune puts her in an uncomfortable position even as she accepts the raise graciously. To add to her unease, however, from start to finish the table is the subject of stares and whispers, as other customers and waiters and waitresses look at Melody like some rare, strange animal.
But what truly sours her mood is the news, which shows just what Jaune was too busy doing to have lunch with his mother- having a lunchtime live interview sure to be seen by many of the people of Vale. Jaune is the guest of an interview with Lisa Lavender, making his counter-response to his mother's interview.
Lisa- employed by the establishment media- has a more personal relationship with Jaune than many of the pro-Jaune media, and that's why she's the one to land an exclusive (and sympathetic) interview. Jaune is asked about his thoughts on his mother's remarks- and her desires that he abandon the succession crisis and return home.
Jaune answers that it is impossible. Jaune rejects his mother's desire that he return home because Vale is his home now- he's committed to the Kingdom- and that while he loves his mother and understands her concerns, he disagrees.
But what of her attempt to claim responsibility over him, as his mother and guardian?
Here… here Jaune has no choice but to publicly reject Melody in favor of the Council. Jaune- with a carefully hidden dislike that only Ruby can see- has to defend the Council's stewardship of him… even though it's the same stewardship that allows them to marry him off. It's on Jaune to defend them if he's to stop Melody's efforts, and that's what he does- with the typical platitutdes of their 'guidance' and 'wisdom' and 'careful consideration for his future.' Melody, by contrast, he claims to love dearly… but she is blinded by affection, and cares for him more than the rest of the Kingdom.
That may not land well with everyone, and there are whispers and murmers in even this pro-Jaune restaurant. But Jaune clearly and unambiguously states that he won't abandon the people of Vale. Even if he were to (somehow) lose the succession crisis, he is still a student at Beacon, and will still fight on to protect them. His mother may care for him more than Vale, but they'll have to agree to disagree. And if she won't agree to that much… well, he's no longer a child she can drag away by force.
Jaune attitude is polite but defiant. He has no intention of leaving. He will not let himself be dragged off against his will, even if he has to hide behind the Council's legal adoption and renounce his own mother as his legal guardian. And his defiance towards his mother is public- and obvious impacts Melody in the restaurant, where she- and her reaction- are obviously watched. Even though Jaune dodges the question of what exactly he would do if Melody pushes the subject, it's clear that he'd refuse to go home. Vale is his home now.
Melody stands and abruptly leaves the resteraunt, excusing herself for air, leaving Ruby to follow.
Melody is upset, a mixture of anger and shame, at Jaune's public rejection- a point driven in when they exit the building to see more screens of Jaune's interview on building faces across the district. Jaune's interview is being broadcast to the greatest extent possible, even on the screens to show the match outside of the coliseum stands, and that's humiliating.
Melody's anger, while understandable- she loves her son, she just wants to protect him from this dangerous, petty game of politics- isn't particularly sympathetic. Ruby has her own thoughts- and her own biases- but she bites her tongue and says nothing. Melody tearfully vents somewhere slightly more private that she's just trying to take care of Jaune. Ruby provides an ear, and for that Melody is grateful… and possibly closer to Ruby than she was before.
Ruby and Melody return for the lunch, and it genuinely is a good lunch. But there's a tension in the air- a deliberate avoiding of a topic. The TV's are off, or changed to a channel that doesn't focus on kingdom politics, and no one mentions Jaune's name. Hayate their server is apologetic- even worried- considering how they so clearly went against Melody's position… but Melody isn't the sort of person who takes her mood out on the help. Melody makes a show of enjoying the food, praises the cooks, and even agrees for a photo with the staff and offers a free endorsement- a great break of the tension and a happy ending. The faunus staff is pleased, the incident is forgotten, and Melody makes sure to generously tip Hayate for his excellent service, and even offers to trade a family recipie with the resteraunt in exchange for one of theirs.
But Ruby recognizes the assumed sincere smile and public persona for what it is. She recognizes it from Jaune- and something similar from the late Monarch, who could play the charming old woman card as well. She decides she won't be telling Melody who he inherited his political face from.
Lunch ends, and the group returns to the coliseum with a slight cloud hanging over them due to Melody. It's a mood that lifts slightly when Ruby and the rest return to the VIP box… and find a messenger waiting with a single rose.
It's for her.
Specifically, the flower is for 'the girl in the red hood,' and come from an anonymous admirer. With the flower is a card- and on that card is a letter of awe and admiration for her last fight in the tournament, against BRNZ. The card- hand-written in an elegant but personal cursive- tells of their admiration for their daring to wear the roses, and the fear as the odds turned against them. Of how they silently wished they would win, and yet the fear that clutched their heart when Ruby fought one-on-one with Brawnz, bravely standing up and going toe-to-toe with the much larger brawler. There was fear, there was hope, and there was a secret rejoicing when she won.
This rose, it says, is for the victor.
She deserves it, the sender concludes, before ending without a name or any claims of affection.
Ruby's team is surprise, even excited for her, as she hold the rose carefully. Yang teases her about how she's standing out (in a good way) and now has a secret admirer. Weiss thinks it's a good thing, even as she's a bit salty that she and the rest of them were knocked out of the match themselves. Blake is the last to think it's a good thing as well- after all, a secret admirer proves there are other fish in the sea for…
Tension falls with that mis-step as her friends freee, but Ruby ignores it. Ruby steps forward to preserve the rose in a vase, a smile on her face, and places the vase beside her by the window of the VIP box. Ruby stares at it with a smile even as the others sit, before looking over the re-filling stands and down at the student bleachers, where Team JNPR sit.
Ruby's eys find Jaune's as he's already looking at her… and when he sees the rose, which she holds close, he quickly turns around with what might- might- be a hint of embarassment.
Ruby sighs and watches him with a dreamy smile, and largely misses the next match.
(Beside Jaune, Pyrrha turn and sees Ruby and the rose as well… but when she later asks Ruby about it, and sees the card, Pyrrha suspects it's it's from a match admirerer as well, like Pyrrha has had in the past.)
Thursday ends with yet more training, as Ruby practices her knight strike and trying to summon the power at will. Ruby leaves the rose in a vase for now, but keeps the letter that accompanied it close to her heart- literally.
Ruby is happily distracted, sighing and smiling and even giggling to herself as she remembers the scent of the rose and the feel of it in her hands. When she pauses to take a break, Ruby removes the card from her blouse, and reads it again… and, after smiling and giggling to herself once more, kisses it lightly before putting it back away. Ruby tries to focus on meditation once more. It seems pointless, because she feels nowhere near a breakthrough with her mind so happily distracted.
But when Ruby's mind drifts to the letter, and the feel of the rose petals that accompanied…
Crescent Rose begins to glow a gentle hue.
/
/
/
End Roses and Restaurants
/
/
Author Note:
Le gasp- more rose symbolism in a story with thematic parallels to the civil war that provided the inspiration for the fan-name of Ruby-Jaune shipping in the first place?
You know, it's kind of funny how meta this story can be at times. If Ruby-Jaune shipping had ended up being called anything but Lancaster, this entire knights and courting and fate of a Kingdom courting saga would never have been imagined. And who would have thought to link that to an obscure historical event most of the RWBY audience would never learn about?
So thanks, history nerds! All this is because of you! All... are we already over 200,000 words already? Wow- and we haven't even finished the first week of the tournament yet.
But still. All this is thanks to you. You go, geeks.
