Hello!
University and writing are slowly being brought under the same hat, despite either my keyboard or my fingers not functioning the way they should be. Hence some spelling mistakes.
I should warn you right away; once this chapter is done, I'm starting on what will probably be the biggest chapter yet published in "The strange library".
It will probably take me a whole week doing that one, just like it took me far too long pushing the newest chapter of "strange tales of Remnant" out.
As well as this one.
And I'm sorry for that.
...At least that was the plan until I said "screw it" and decided to push out a total of 3 chapters until christmas! Make of that what you will.
On a related note, have an extra large chapter as compensation for the wait.
Enjoy!
For want of a knight
chapter 24: not so silent night
The day had come!
Ruby Rose, finally 16 years of age, was ready for the best birthday party ever! And since it was happening on a weekend, there was no schoolwork to do!
"Happy birthday, baby sis!"
The reaper started pouting as she glared at her sister. "I'm not a baby anymore! I'm 16 now, Yang!"
Yang cooed all over her. "D'aaaw, you'll always be my baby sis!"
"Yaaaang!"
Blake and Weiss smiled at the interaction while simultaneously rolling their eyes. They themselves had been preparing for the party a bit. Weiss, of course, had made herself responsible to decorate the location appropriately while Blake followed the directive of her team leader. The party was supposed to be a costume party, so anyone was to appear in costume of any variety, as long as they weren't filthy of course.
This meant that Blake had to can her initial idea of going as seductive kunoichi and curb the adjective in favor of a more wholesome state of dress. She had also ordered the costumes for the others at their behest, meaning that Weiss ended up going as 'Enslaved Princess' complete with chains – something she protested against vehemently and loudly.
Yang had almost managed to manipulate Blake in such a way that the blonde would end up as a walking assortment of visual puns. The cat faunus was having none of it and – in mild spite and jest – got her partner a costume resembling a caped heroine in one of Jaune's comics, thinking that Yang would be disappointed. It backfired a little bit, with her partner actually liking the ensemble.
Ruby was stuck with an outfit Weiss generously paid for. It made the reaper and cookie lover resemble a rose bush with all these roses everywhere on the deep dark green and red dress. It might be a chore to wear, but damn if the birthday girl wasn't looking pretty in it. Plus, she actually adored the thing.
Her costume name was 'flower girl', according to Yang. Everyone just groaned at that, with Weiss somewhat happy that Jaune was nowhere near them. She heard of Yang's tendency to pounce on her fellow blonde whenever he showcased his…appreciation for bad comedy. Besides, she had her own plans for the goof…
"Oh! Neptune and Scarlet are out!"
Yang and Ruby blinked at their black-clad team mate in surprise. "Hold up," Yang started. "Are those rumors true then?"
"Seems that way," was the answer as she showed the message proclaiming the two to be an item. This meant that there were two less people in this competition of theirs, which suited Weiss just fine. It was difficult, near impossible in fact, to go up alone against several teams of girls, alongside Ren with Team NPR, hence why their alliance to conquer a certain blonde dolt's heart was necessity.
At least that was what Weiss' logical side called it. Truth be told, she was scared of being alone again; her sister off in the military, her brother brought up to resent her, her father playing the house tyrant and her mother getting drunk. She was scared of returning to such a family again and her heart welcomed the potential for a much more loving environment.
"The Butt Pirate has conquered the Seven Seas!" Yang proclaimed between laughs.
Yes, she could definitely see it. Bad jokes and all.
/-/
While an assortment of people were preparing for a very sweet 16th birthday, a group of adults had met in secret in hidden chambers below, awaiting the last two of their number for this congregation. As the elevator made a sound, headmaster Ozpin emerged alongside one rather nervous Jaune Arc. While the latter was looking around in bewilderment, inspecting the entirety of this strange room, Ozpin was far more subdued in his excitement. Where his student displayed genuine surprise with a touch of bewilderment, he himself was full of equal parts anticipation and worry. Best case, the maiden would reawaken and perhaps even point out the identities of her attackers, which would turn Mr Arc into an invaluable asset. Worst case, whoever attacked her laid a trap, sapping the young man's aura away, or -more likely – the procedure could cause some kind of overload, killing the patient.
Too many variables were accounted for. Mr Arc's semblance had not been tested thoroughly. Ozpin, however, was running out of time to save the maiden, and he truly didn't want to resort to the final measure.
Jaune had stepped forward, an even stride, despite his nervousness at discovering such a spacious room even existed. Before him stood waiting General Ironwood, the uncle of half of Team RWBY and Deputy Headmistress Goodwitch. Both the former and the latter had faces set in stone to mask their own nervousness, with Qrow masking his own trepidation with a drunken sway. James, despite his militaristic attitude and usual brute-force-approach, resented having to rely on an untested semblance that could very well have detrimental effects on it's user. Oum knew that he wouldn't just go for it willy-nilly if it were one of his own students. Particularly one so strategically gifted.
"Mr Arc." Ozpin had finally broken the silence. "This is the reason why I asked you to be here."
The young knight stared into the pod the others stood in front of. Here, preserved in some kind of artificial coma, laid a young woman with tan skin, dressed in hospital garbs. A dark scar marred her otherwise fair face, dark and almost pulsing. The mere look of it was creeping Jaune out. "Who is she," he finally managed to ask.
"Her name is Amber," the headmaster explained. She is...a valuable agent of mine who ran afoul of some rather unsavory attackers."
Jaune looked closer at the scar on Amber's face. "It looks like Grimm."
"That is the unsettling part," Ozpin concurred. "While we don't know who the attackers were, they did something to her that keeps her aura drained. She seems to try healing something that is unable to heal on its own, namely that scar."
His student mulled over these words briefly before coming to a startling thought.
"She's dying...she is slowly dying." Jaune had grown slightly pale. If these people that did this to Amber were still around, who knew what kind of damage they would be able to do?
Ironwood made to speak this time. "Indeed." His voice sounded grave, his expression grim for a moment. "That is why you are here, Mr Arc. With you, she might have a chance."
These words had Jaune's mind racing a mile a minute. Him, helping her? Could his semblance do that? Bring someone back from such a close brush with death?
"I fully understand if you are reluctant to try, Mr Arc." Glynda recognized her student's sudden anxiety. She was fierce in looking out for her own students and would vehemently object if either Ozpin or Ironwood would force the young man to do this. "If you don't wish to do this, we can post-"
"I'll do it."
Goodwitch feared and expected this answer in equal measure. Jaune's desire to be a hero was the whole reason he was attending Beacon in the first place; in itself a reason and goal more noble than most others. All she could do was sigh.
"Are you certain, kid?" Qrow asked before the stern blonde could. "If something goes wrong-"
"I wanted to do something like this, dreamed of something like this my whole life; being a hero, saving someone." The young man's expression had changed from a face full of uncertainty and fear to one of pure determination. "I'm ready. Let me heal her."
The drunk swordsman was silently looking at the kid. He hadn't had much of a chance outside of watching him demolish people at a board game, though the kid had the same look on his face now as he had back then. He was determined, hell-bent on doing this, yet knowing the risks.
It reminded the old crow of his deceased teammate. That alone was dangerous. Summer had been going off to danger, while knowing the risks, one time too many. Yet Qrow couldn't help but see what his niece saw in the blonde.
'Stupid blondes getting all the luck,' he thought with mild amusement, even as Jaune approached the pod. It opened with the trademark hiss of machinery, giving the healer access to his newest patient.
Jaune was focusing on the task ahead as he concentrated his aura into his palms, Reaching into his very soul, he coaxed out his semblance once more before physically reaching out to Amber.
He hesitated, if only a bit. Where could he touch her? No, wait, that sounded wrong. Why did his semblance have to be used like this? It only made thins awkward right now! Still, Jaune found his courage again and settled with his hands over her wrists.
His aura seeped into her, his semblance activating and boosting her healing. No one said a word, the grown-ups merely observing. Ozpin watched the procedure intently, cursing his situation once again for the uncounted time. Ironwood was observing in silence, wondering if Mr Arc would appreciate a future job offer in the Atlas military, as a field medic at the very least; perhaps even his future successor.
Glynda eyed her tablet the entire time, keeping the respective Aura levels in check and staying ready to interfere. So far, everything was normal; his levels decreasing and hers increasing at equal pace. Yet, with every second past and every percent of Aura transferred, she became more and more uneasy.
Finally, Ozpin intervened. "That should be enough, Mr Arc." The headmaster's gaze met his deputy's and he asked the most important question: "How is she?"
Glynda presented the tablet to the men. "Her levels are at acceptable range now, but we will have to observe for further developments. It could very well be that.." She was reluctant to say so, yet she had to. "...she needs more than one transfer."
"We shall wait and see," Ozpin confirmed. "For now, enjoy your day, Mr Arc. And give my congratulations to Ms Rose, if you would," he added with a small smile before turning to Amber.
The general nodded to that. "You are dismissed, Mr Arc. If you all would excuse me now, I have a meeting to attend with students of Atlas." Two of them had requested a meeting with him on rather short notice, by letter no less.
Jaune simply nodded to them all and made to the elevator, the General following him to it.
As the elevator doors closed, Glynda allowed herself to breathe a sigh of relief, making Qrow smirk a little at her, ready to tease the life out of her.
Within the small moving cabin, general and student stood side by side; the older mans posture relaxing slightly. He turned to the blonde next to him. Mr Arc stood a little slouched, seemingly drained, but not physically, more mentally so.
"Was it stressful to you, Mr Arc?" inquired Ironwood.
"A little," Jaune admitted. "But I'm glad I could help at all."
The older man nodded to that, pleased at hearing of such a quality in someone so young. "If Ozpin didn't say it beforehand," James refused to believe that the man would be so thankless as to repay such a service with a mere handshake and some nice words. "allow me to say that you have done the kingdoms a great service."
Jaune looked to the man in surprise. "She must be really important," he commented in a mild mumble.
"More than you can imagine," concurred James. "If you're looking for a job after graduation, Mr Arc, simply contact me personally. I will gladly have a place for you ready if you choose to do so."
The young man's eyes widened at that offer. It was generous, far more generous than he thought he deserved at the moment. Sure, whatever Ms Autumn and, by extension, his teachers seemed to be involved in was something way beyond his knowledge, but still!
"I would have to think about that, General. But thank you for this offer," Jaune replied, stiffening a little into a straight stance. "I-erm, how do I-nevermind." Visibly nervous, he dropped the ball of this conversation, with James deciding not to pick it up again, particularly due to the fact that their ride just ended.
The doors opened with a hiss and the blonde charged out with a hasty "Gotta-go-good-day-sir", making the military man chuckle lightly as he wistfully remembered old days.
/-/
From morning to evening, Team RWBY and Team JNPR were working on preparing a party. It used to be a small gathering planned, but Nora let it slip to her new friends of Team NDGO, who gossiped around, and soon enough everyone was announcing the bringing of presents and themselves in costume. Coco had almost threatened to go extravagant, but was reeled in by Velvet and Yatsu, who would rather not see her in some catwalk-worthy insanity given form, which would have seemed like the brainchild of the most eccentric of designers.
Regardless, Ruby was ready. Dressing in her signature cloak, she cosplayed as an innocuous flower girl, complete with a basket. She was already daydreaming a little, even as warrior princess Weiss and walking-the-line-to-sexy gladiator Yang were busy positioning the table for the drinks just right.
Ruby Rose dreamed of selling her flowers until she caught the attention of a young, handsome knight. He would be complimenting her on her budding beauty, sweeping her off her feet to a little place all for their own as he would be touching and kissing her all over and start fondling her breasts as she moaned his name and fished out his co-
Whoa.
Ruby shook her head free of the sudden filth. Had she been infected? What was happening? She didn't know and could not expect the arrival of her puberty and subsequent "boy-crazy phase" like a rocket-powered Goliath on all of the Meth.
Blake, dressed as a ninja – because of course – went up to her, noticing the birthday girl's troubled expression. "Is something wrong?" Her voice was muffled by the typical mask.
"Hm?" Ruby looked to her teammate before starting to blush at thinking about that. Then again…
"Blake?" she hesitantly asked. "Is it normal to..." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "...think about filth at random?"
The cat faunus' eyes widened a little before she drew down the frontpiece on her face. "It is if you're in puberty. Have you never…?"
Puberty? "But I just turned 16!" she whisper-yelled back. Ruby turned to her sister and partner in a sudden panic, looking if they overheard.
"I'm telling you, Ice Queen, the table is just fine here!"
"And I am telling you that the table should go over there, where no one could bump into it at random!"
"Why did I agree to a big party again?" Ruby mumbled in uncertainty.
"Yang," was Blake's answer. The blonde would be damned if her sis didn't get her own Sweet Sixteen. Her own had consisted of almost setting fire to Signal and punching some guy in the 'nads. In her own words, best birthday ever.
"Okay, so back to your concerns," Blake said. "It is entirely normal to have such thoughts, Ruby."
"But.." She looked apprehensive, which made her even more adorable due to her getup. "But they're about Jaune. What if he doesn't like me thinking things like this?"
Her teammate couldn't help but smile. "He's a boy, Ruby. He won't mind."
"You think?"
"I'm certain." 'I checked when he was still recuperating from a hangover.'
"For the last time, Weiss!" Yang sounded fed up. "This isn't a high-class social gathering! You're making Ruby nervous!"
"I just want to give her a good birthday!"
"Then maybe don't invite half the fucking school!"
/-/
The inside of James Ironwood's office was not a place to be for the weak and guilty-hearted. The headmaster's scrutinizing gaze was oft enough to coax all but the most adept of liars and cheats into compliance.
Right now, that gaze was leveled at two students of Atlas, who arrived as part of the social retinue and weren't actually scheduled for the Vytal festival itself. The Atlas council insisted on their attendance in any shape, however, as the two were to make hashing out trade deals between Vale and Atlas easier due to connections of their families.
Shwartz Kutte and Fuchsia Sarn.
"And you are certain?" The general couldn't quite believe their words. They stated that young Jaune Arc had cheated his way into Beacon using forged battle transcripts, speaking even in the name of several other students of Atlas, who would endorse his immediate expulsion. Worse yet, other students and, reportedly, even the staff of Beacon were in on it. They had actively hindered communications with Ironwood, making sure that the one person appointed with the safety measures of the festival wouldn't exert his authority in that regard or even bring this matter to public attention.
So far their own theories on the matter.
"We're certain, general," Mr Kutte confirmed. "It was, at least for a day, a highly discussed topic among the students at large."
Part of James thought that the boy sought some sort of revenge after whoever had dared to dress up Mr Kutte like a chicken. Though Ms Sarn's brief occupation of the infirmary was news to him. Perhaps they did indeed speak the truth instead of trying to get someone unjustly into trouble. Nevertheless…
"Those are serious accusations." Ironwood's tone made clear that the time for jokes was never present. "Do you have any solid proof apart from hearsay?"
That got the two before him to fidget a little, before the pinkette, Ms Sarn, finally admitted: "We do not, general. But you can still check with Ozpin himself!"
"That is still headmaster Ozpin, young lady," the general chided. "I will inquire about what you have just told me. If the allegations prove wrong, you two will have to face disciplinary action. Are we clear?"
The two nodded curtly, as expected from Atlesian high society before one of their council members.
"Very good. Dismissed."
The tow turned and left, a little hesitant in their steps. James could practically hear them ask themselves 'That's it?!', even if that was not 'it'.
He would have to schedule a meeting with Ozpin ASAP. Mr Arc's attendance at Beacon could correlate with the security breach at the CCT, and Ironwood would rather not take any chances.
/-/
Ruby had been quite nervous, come the evening. Many had confirmed their attendance at the very first large party Ruby was hosting, and the young reaper had felt increasingly anxious. It was only thanks to her own team and knowing the faces in attendance, all in costume themselves, that eased her nerves. It was even better that everyone congratulated her exuberantly or just subdued.
Colorful and wild was the best way to describe the current gaggle of students that had come to the reserved cafeteria. All kinds of costumes, to the simple and almost comically typecasted ones like Sun's banana costume and Scarlet's pirate getup to the references like Dew's angel getup and Nebula appearing like a star queen. Clarifying that she was cosplaying as the old Solitas goddess of the stars had Ruby herself starry-eyed. All those colors, all those forms and getups, and everyone was having a grand old time.
Very few had not been in attendance, citing different excuses. Cinder had a prior obligation, Mercury couldn't deal with crowds that well, and the small dark-haired huntress in Team CMSN, Mint, couldn't be found. She was off doing her own thing, or so Emerald stated. She had come dressed as a witch, complete with pointy hat.
Velvet, dressed like a typical magician from TV - fishnet stockings and fancy dress-leotard thing, whatever it was called – immediately went into face-off mode with her, the two staring at each other with narrowed eyes. It took Coco, herself dressed like a nun, to drag the bunny faunus off.
"Nice mood," commented Cardin the vampire. He had looked around a bit and found the atmosphere around here quite nice. Everyone was talking, some were off doing small party games and Teams NDGO and BRNZ were currently learning beer pong from Fox.
Yang brought alcohol, even if she barred Ruby from drinking any.
"Who picked the music?" Russel asked, mildly intrigued that dance music wasn't running yet. He came as a biker.
"Various suggestions were taken," rumbled a voice the guys hadn't heard in a good while. Team CRDL collectively turned to find Sage Ayana, the long absent member of SSSN. He looked…
"Wow, you look like shit," commented pilot Sky. "What were you even up to, man? You missed out."
Sage grumbled. "Don't wanna talk about it."
"Okay," Dove conceded. "Where's your costume.
After a brief silence, the sound of a facepalm was heard. "I knew I forgot something."
"Sage!" yelled a banana. "Man, what took you? And where's your costume?"
"Later," the dark skinned swordsman waved off. "First fill me in. What happened?"
"Let's see," Cardin started. "There was the annulment of the armistice..."
"Ah fuck."
"Yeah. Beacon was a battlefield for about a day." Russell nodded along. "Then Velvet fought Gwen over peanut butter, Jaune's parents came for a visit, he unlocked his semblance, Sun became a banana fetishist-"
Sage looked horrified. "Please tell me it doesn't mean what I think it means."
Sun just looked away.
"Oh, and Scarlet and Neptune are a thing now."
"Wh- how? What?! When?!"
"Dunno."
The doors of the cafeteria swung open violently, perfectly timed to the beginning of "I'm a bitch, I'm a lover" by Meredith Brooks as a brightly smiling Jaune Arc strode into the room, his team frozen in shock at the song.
"Who wants to hear about my religion?" he asked into the crowd that owlishly blinked back at him. He was dressed in priest robes and came with a high pointy hat on his head and some flimsily thin book in his hand.
"Okay," a grinning Nolan the Builder spoke up, just as he was planning to mix something. "What is it?"
With a prideful grin and a flourish of his arm, Jaune presented the front of the book in his hands.
It simply read "thighs".
"Sold!" yelled Coco with laughter in her voice as everyone had a great time seeing each other in equally strange getups.
Soon enough, the party was in full swing.
"Ey, what are you mixing?"
"Jaune, is it true that your nephew was here?"
"Where are my bananas?"
"Fuck your potassium!"
"I'm the magician here!"
"Yeah, right. Being a bunny doesn't make you one."
"Why can't everyone just get along for one night?"
"Woo, my song!"
"What is that song?!"
"Oh my Oum!"
"That is 'Screw you gently'!"
"Don't corrupt the Rubaby!"
"Yang! I! Am! 16!"
Jaune strode forward towards the pouting birthday girl as various more people went about with drinks in hand, singing along, dancing or just generally playing in their costumes.
"Fuck!"
"Ha! My points!"
"No, seriously, Nolan, what the hell is that?"
"I wanted to see the tiny baby."
"Never pegged you for someone who likes babies, Roy."
"They're adorbs! I wanted to smoosh his chubby cheeks!"
"Hey Ruby." She turned around to see her crush beaming down at her, as tall as ever, perhaps even more now. "Your present."
A tiny package was handed to her, reminding the partygoers that they had some for her as well. Ruby didn't even wait and just tore into it, only to reveal something Beowolf-shaped.
Her eyes widened considerably. "Is that..."
"Your very own onesie, yes," he grinned down at her. "I commissioned my sisters for this and it came via express just on time. I got mine on my sixteenth as well, so..."
Ruby didn't wait for him to finish, started laughing charmingly and hugged him. "I love it! It looks great and it's so like you to give me such a thing." She beamed up at him, making him blush just a little.
"Oh, me next, me next!"
"Oh my Oum, you suck at this."
"Nolan, this looks like black tar."
"Fucking give me my bananas, you bitch!"
"Bite me!"
"Hell yeah, this is my jam. Dance with me, Ren-bear!"
"Nora, stop pulling."
"Wonder if my song comes up."
"What did you even put in, Cereal Girl?"
"Do you know 'Get Down With The Sickness'?"
"...you're joking."
"Yes. It wouldn't be fitting of a birthday party, so I chose 'You got that'."
"Really?"
"I succeeded!" yelled out Nolan, holding up a cup of black liquid. "I recreated the Nigrum Ex, Remnant's strongest drink!"
"What is even in there?"
"Glad you asked, Reese! We have in there Scotch, Cider, red wine, Whisky, Vodka, Tequila, Rum, something called Araq, spirit and a drop of Ethanol."
"What the fuck."
"It's the best thing in the world."
The music changed, and a techno beat came up.
"Yes, my song!" giggled Pyrrha, to the amusement of everyone present. "Jaune, dance with me!"
"Hell yeah," the blonde brawler concurred. "Everyone, dance!"
"Can't believe that's her taste in music, holy shit."
"Well, it's a good song. Better than most others out there."
Sage, Jaune, Cardin, Yatsu and Sun decided to make everyone's day. They knew the dance routine – Jaune practiced it with them when he found out about it being in the playlist – did away with the more cumbersome of the costumes, if briefly, and just went.
Laughing and hollering followed, with Brawnz joining in and Ren being thrown to the group, Nolan standing at the side drinking his concoction from hell as Octavia recorded the whole thing. It was even better as Cardin turned out to be a lightweight and danced around like an idiot even as the music ended.
Pyrrha, the archaic Mistralian warrior, laughed along, now sporting her own drink. Her smile was the second one this evening that left Jaune blushing and with a weird feeling.
He did not see lioness Arslan sneaking up on him.
"Gotcha," she laughed as she slung her arms around his neck from behind. The contact made him blush some more. "Enjoying yourself?"
He tried to ignore the fluttering feeling in his chest as he saw Ars smile at him, eyes sparkling. It was no use.
"Yeah, though I want to know something."
She cocked her eyebrow. "Oh?"
"What is Sun doing?"
They looked over to the banana man chasing a hysterically laughing Brawnz in gorilla costume making away with a hand of bananas, a bigger banana on his tail.
"Being jealous or trying to free his kin, one of those things," she commented, making him laugh.
"Jaune," she said, voice suddenly serious, even as she eyed Ruby getting a detachable scope for her weapon. "Could we..."
"Whoo, hey Jaune!" suddenly yelled Gwen, staggering while smiling at him, ignoring the lion's angry glare. "There are two girls here that I haven't seen before. Do you know them?"
Jaune had a hunch, but said simply "Depends" while looking out for…
Yup, the Malachites were there, antagonizing Yang a little. They dressed as angel and devil, according to their color schemes. Jaune just sighed.
"If you'll excuse me," he grumbled out, making Arslan release him. "I'll have to make sure they don't get murdered."
While he did that, the party went on.
"You fucking blocked me!"
"On purpose!"
"Oh wow, this is actually pretty good."
"I like you, 'cause you got that something..."
"Could you fucking not?"
"Ow! What the hell, that was my eye!"
"I'm sorry, I panicked!"
"How do you panic at beer pong?!"
"Relax, Yang, I know them. Mel, Mil, please behave."
"Okaaay."
"I can't believe Cardin's a fucking lightweight."
"Look at him. Out like a light."
"What the hell is that song?!"
"Take me hooome..."
"We're not doing that!"
"Country rooooads..."
"Oh god, here we go."
"To the plaaaace..."
"I belooooong..."
"WEST VIRGINIAAAA!"
Laughter filled the room already.
"MOUNTAIN MOMMAAAA!"
"Where is that song from?"
"It's from the frontier town called..."
"Take me hoooome"
"Virginia."
"Country rooooads."
Everyone was laughing while a mildly pissed off Sailor Dew demanded a change in music.
Jaune looked around, and the more he did, he noticed how he reacted to the smiles and happy faces of the people around him. Particularly the girls seemed to set off something within him. This fluttering, warm feeling he felt; he knew what it was. The problem now was how often it happened.
Yang. A radiant smile, eyes sparkling a beautiful lilac. The life of the party.
Pyrrha. Angelic and warm in expression.
He started to feel unsettled.
Melanie. Used to be so shy, but grew and blossomed. Always clung to him.
Miltiades. Confident, yet not condescending, never condescending, at least towards him.
His heart started to beat faster.
Arslan. Shining olive eyes, only slightly pushing, with endearing cheek.
Reese. Spunky, upbeat, yet not fussy. Always mindful of others, even if she didn't seem that way.
A cold sweat ran down his back. 'What's wrong with me?'
Gwen seemed so...and Dew was...Blake is...and Weiss…
And Nora and Nebula and Octavia and Glynda and Ren and Emerald and Cinder and Coco and Velvet and…
and…
and…
'I need some fresh air.'
Thus, the blonde escaped unnoticed by the partygoers, who started to dance and sing along while others laughed at those that drank too much.
"BANANAS!"
"AAAARGH, MY FACE!"
/-/
Neo hummed in silence as she strolled around the mostly empty school. She could hear the commotion in the cafeteria and didn't think much of it. Sure, she would have loved to swing by and make some mischief, but chances were that Jaune would potentially blow her cover. She couldn't quite risk it with so many hunters-in-training there, particularly Team RWBY, whose blonde potentially held a grudge against her.
Normally, this wouldn't have bothered her, were it not for her massive crush on Jaune. He was like a wonderful ball of sunshine, someone she wanted to protect so badly. Besides, he went along so easily with even her stranger whims.
Speaking, or rather, thinking of the blonde, she suddenly spotted him in the empty Botanics classroom pacing around wearing some odd robes. Was this his costume for the night?
He was mumbling unintelligibly to himself and seemed rather stressed out. So, who was Neo not to calm her adorable big pupper down.
Sure, it was a human pup who she wanted to smoosh between her breasts, but…
Well, there was an idea.
A knock at the door alerted the blonde to the shortstack's presence, who greeted him with a small smile instead of her trademark smirk. "What's eating you?"
"Hey," he mumbled, before turning a bit away from her and sighing.
"Neo, have you ever been in love?"
Her eyes lit up. What was he...was he…?!
Okay, play this calm, this is your first time confessing as well, you got this, Neo!
"I am right now, actually."
"Oh," he replied and nodded. "Do you think..." He swallowed heavily.
"Do you think it's normal to love more than one person?"
Neo was shocked, but soon had to hide an incredulous laugh before hiding a genuine smile. Of course, of course it would play out this way.
'Because why the hell not? Hey, at least life would be real interesting that way. Now, to comfort him and maybe…'
She made a handwave before giving him a normal look. "Why be normal? You only seem normal, but beneath that, you are so much more."
She was on a roll as he hung on her every word. "You are fun to be with, kind, sweet and mindful of others, and you know what?"
Before he could answer, she lunged forward to capture his soft lips.
For seconds, she stayed that way, hanging off of his torso as she mashed her lips against his. Then she separated off of him to give him another smirk.
And thanks to being not as oblivious anymore, he knew exactly what was going on.
(AN: The following section contains NSFW material aka smut. Viewer discretion is advised.)
Her lips connected with his again, yearning for the feeling. She liked this, she loved this! He squirmed a little, but pressed back against her, beginning to move his lips, capturing her lower lip.
Neo's breath quickened. Her patience was running thin, and she wanted him, all of him, right now. Her tongue started to worm its way out of her mouth and between her lips, pressing against his, licking him a little. His breathing became deeper; he started to be really into it. Grabbing her rear, he started to walk towards one of the benches to lay her down. He did so with difficulty, as he opened his tongue to take a gulp of air a little away from her, only for her to reconnect again, ravaging his mouth with her tongue.
The pleasure, the innate intimacy was almost overwhelming. He briefly lost himself in her, just standing there, tonguing out her mouth, him dancing with her, swapping saliva with increasing fervor and lust. Her chest started pressing against him as she rubbed against him. Desperate for more of him, she wanted to be away with that damn robe.
He obliged as he finally set her down on the bench, almost tearing the offending fabric off of him as he all but threw himself onto her. Like a man starving and dying of thirst encountering an oasis full of fruit ready for eating and fresh water, he clung to her, rubbing his crotch against hers.
Neo separated a little from him, only to pull the top of her attire down, revealing her breasts to him.
He knew what do to. Kissing and massaging the mounds gently, he gave the occasional lick to her nipple, making her moan and lurch and writhe in growing pleasure.
She had to pull Jaune off of her breasts to signal him what she wanted to do next. Her foot pointed to his pants, sporting a bulge that seemed almost painful to contain.
He undid the button and unveiled the monster.
Neo's eyes changed from a briefly shocked white to a deep, lustful purple. Quickly, she stood up to remove that pesky leotard, being in her way. Jaune helped her, kissing her again, his tongue dancing around hers as his erection throbbed in overwhelming lust for this girl. He wanted her, he needed her, and damn the consequences!
Her attire joined both the discarded robe and his top on the floor, the two lovers now revealed to each other. Jaune took the time enjoy the view, something Neo noticed and threw herself into pose for. Her skin flawless, her figure shapely, her thighs seemed heavenly.
He grabbed at them, pulling her towards him. His sword started pressing against her sacred place, making her whimper inwardly at what was to come. He was big, very big, definitely bigger than the only other she had ever seen. Her partner then had been paid, and she only did it for the experience due to the potential of death involved.
Now? Now she did it for love more than lust, something that showed in her eyes. One of her irises started to color itself a deep cherry red, full of the love she held for him.
"I want you," he whispered, making her shiver in delight.
"And you know what?"
"Yes?"
"I… I think I love you."
Her heart jumped. She quickly signed. "I love you too. Now that makes only one of the many you should say that to." He breathed out deeply. He knew that. But would they reciprocate? Would they all?
"It's okay." She held his face in her hands. "No matter what, I will be with you."
"One more thing."
He looked at her. He was getting a little impatient, she got that, but this was important.
"I'm unable to get pregnant." The admission made his eyes widen before he let out a gasp. She had sneakily wrapped her legs around his hips to pull him into her, making her whimper in delight.
"Cum inside as much as you want, lover."
His own lust, his own want took over, the love he started to feel for her overwhelming and shaping itself into his desire making him want to do this.
And damn the consequences.
He moved. Her whole body lurched upwards a little, she herself gasping at the surprising thrust. He was inside of her, he was so deep, and she felt wonderful!
It was so much better than everything else!
Her hips enthusiastically moved to meet his as he started thrusting more, his breaths deep and his gasps and small moans enticing her even more.
Her hands grabbed Jaune's head, kissing him deeply once more, amplifying the pleasure, playing to their desires.
Perhaps a little too much.
The both of them were wracked with this wonderful feeling of release as Neo's eyes shot open at the volume pumping into her.
She loved this feeling. She wanted this every day.
"Ready for round 2?"
Wait, what? Neo felt hims still hard inside of her, starting to thrust again, not waiting for her okay. She didn't mind; she liked it. She wanted more, so much more.
The two grew sweaty during their passionate lovemaking, him pressing into her, her meeting his hips with every swing, making them feel like they were flying.
The outside world didn't exist anymore, the struggles were all forgotten. Right now, just the two of them remained.
And they were hungry for each other.
Another orgasm tore itself free from the two bodies, Neo felt more filling her. Her mind started slipping away, tears of sheer and utter passion and lust filled her eyes.
"I love this" she signed to him. Her movements were sloppy, her mind delirious from all she had experienced just now. This was true passion, this was lovemaking.
And Oum, how she loved him right now.
He stayed within her, starting to move again.
Her thoughts started slipping away. A delirious grin showed as she breathed heavily through her mouth.
"Neo," he gasped. "You're so sexy." then he captured her mouth again, catching her tongue, swirling around it with his.
His thrusts didn't let up. Neo wondered just how long he could go and how long she could endure.
He grunted once more, and Neo's mind blanked.
Neither of them knew just how much time had passed since they begun, but looking at Neo, Jaune knew that their time was at an end, for now at least.
Her eyes had rolled up in their sockets, her tongue was lolling out, and her treasured place was leaking from her innermost depths, filled with his essence.
"Wow," he thought. Seeing her like this was a massive turn-on for him. Hell seing her in the throes of utter pleasure, feeling her like this, was such a turn-on to him.
But for now, he would have to restrain himself.
Right now it would be a better idea to get her back to her room...