Chapter 45: Inside Turn
Jacques Schnee died of natural causes.
The first thing that Jaune Arc realized when he came back to consciousness was that there was something beeping, and the second was that he couldn't move his body. With how his body laid on what seemed to be a hospital bed, he could only feel the pillow rest against the back of his head, a soft pillow, but still, it wasn't the hard asphalt of the air docks.
'Damn, I didn't know it'd hurt like that.'
"Jaune? Are you awake?"
His eyes turned to the side, his mother sat at his bedside, the woman giving a relieved smile, even as he flashed a smile at her. He tried to, at least, his smile coming out crooked and twisted.
'Well, I guess I'm not going to be in heaven for a while yet.'
"He-llo."
His throat sounded scratchy and pained as he looked at his mother, whose smile seemed to be relieved, his eyes going through the room, blinking a few times. He couldn't really move his head much, but he spotted a good six chairs around the room, his mother looking more relieved than before.
"I was so worried, Jaune. They said that you were lucky to be alive."
His mother worried a little too much, knowing that dad had been dead for a few years. It wasn't going to be a good thing if one of his sisters passed away, because mom would be in a messy state if that was the case.
'Well, that means that I'm sort of okay. Jacques Schnee probably isn't.'
"Is- eve-ree wan oh-kay?"
He asked, his voice questioning her and the warm smile on his mother's face blooming with the joy of the question. The woman shifted a little, her face changing a little as he tried to shift a bit, not able to do so at all. He turned his head a little, the pain and irritation that that caused making him realize that it wasn't a good idea to do so.
'This is frustrating...'
"Yes, yes, everyone's okay. You were struck by lightning, do you know what happened?"
He tried to nod, but couldn't make the motion with his head. His eyes looked down, a splash of fear rippling his emotions, as he wondered why he couldn't move, why his head wasn't capable of doing so fully. At most a few millimetres, but down seemed to be impossible.
"No. Why- I c'nt move."
His mother's hand grabbed his own and he felt the warmth, but couldn't move the hand, a freezing cold feeling going through his hand, the maternal smile on her face never quite fading.
"It's… It's going to be okay, sweetie. We'll get you home and- and we'll figure something out. Your sisters are here, except for Saphron and Terra, and- and we'll be trying to make sure that you can walk again, alright? Vivian will be back from her mission in a few days, she couldn't delay, and Camellia is… Well, she's who she is, after all. Everything's going to be okay, Jaune."
'What?!'
He tried to look down, and his mother's hand stroked over his arm, the sensation perfect, but his body wouldn't move properly, he couldn't lift his arms. He felt a stab of pain inside his muscles, as if everything had been put on some sort of booby-trap that gave you jolts of electricity through your whole body.
"What?"
His mother smiled, patting his hand and getting up. He knew that smile. It was the smile that meant that everything was alright, that everything would be alright. She'd smiled like that when dad had died, when he'd had to step up and help out more.
"I'll get the doctor. There's… There's someone who paid for your medical bills, I'm- I'm not sure, but that lovely Pyrrha girl has been at your bedside day and night. It's been around a week, thereabouts."
'What?!'
He'd missed out on a lot, it seemed. He couldn't quite move though, so that wasn't great. He tried to lift his head to look down at his body but found that it wasn't really a possibility.
His mother left and he could hear the door opening quietly and people getting in, Nora's concerned face appearing in his vision, her breasts visible as well from how she was leaning. It was really awkward, because he couldn't quite change his way of looking.
"Jaune? Hello? Nora to Jaune, how are you feeling?"
Pyrrha and Ren appeared, and he slowly moved his head to the side. That seemed to be possible, thankfully, a groan coming from his lips.
"Pain."
He hurt a lot, and Pyrrha looked guilty, the look on her face showing clearly the feelings she felt.
"You got hit by lightning four times. Mister- Mister Schnee didn't make it."
'Good.'
Nora's eyes looked worried. He tried to lift his hand to touch her, but he still couldn't lift them. He felt frustration go through him, his face showing the frustration that he felt.
"You're- Jaune, just rest up, okay? Things are going to be fine, your girlfriend is currently giving it her all to make sure that things are going to be better."
Pyrrha spoke up, her worry-laden voice enough to make him feel a shiver of something. He smiled, knowing that it'd be fine now. He'd done what he had to, all for the women he loved. Jacques Schnee would not haunt the world again like a spectre of financial destruction.
"It's been one hell of a week, but- Here, let me show you."
A Scroll was held up and he could see Lisa Lavender on the screen with Sienna Khan, the latter looking very happy.
'I wonder what that's all about.'
Sienna was excited, knowing that Jacques Schnee had been struck by a vengeance from the heavens, the public appearance scheduled for her to deal with the sudden death of the man, there being some reports of being struck by lightning and another person being hurt in the event. It was deserved, of course. The man needed to be struck down just because he was a bitch that hurt his woman.
'Nobody's going to cry about it.'
She sat at the table, groomed and perfect as it was intended, her eyes looking at the camera whilst the purple woman sat next to her, her expression a little tense and undoubtedly nervous. The public appearance wasn't something really scheduled of course, but it was good PR. Sienna Khan, the forefront fighter for Faunus rights, appearing on the Kingdom's news.
"Alright, we're live in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and… Go."
The purple woman smiled at the camera, a smile that was as fake as the breasts that she had, her eyes not smiling in the least.
"Good morning Vale and all the viewers from the other kingdoms. This is VNN's Lisa Lavender with a special news bulletin. Joining me here at the table is Sienna Khan, the High Leader of the White Fang. Today, the death of Jacques Schnee, CEO of the Schnee Dust Company, has rattled our humble Kingdom. Miss Khan, you were one of the main opponents to Mister Schnee's labour reform plans, what is your opinion on-"
She checked the teleprompter, some parts of her speech having been worked on by the PR team in the past twenty minutes, her Faunus ears twitching a little as she read the speech and gave her most understanding look.
"Many people would think that I, as the leader of the White Fang, would be against the man due to our differences in station in life, and hereby I convey my congratulations to Willow Schnee for the loss of her husband."
'Someone put condolences, but who needs condolences when the guy's an asshole, huh? I should fire those guys, they're trying to make it seem like I give a damn and purple pussy looks at me like I'm some kind of lunatic!'
"Congratulations, High Leader Khan? It's the death of someone who used to mean much for the world. Surely you mean condolences"
Sienna wasn't having it, turning to the camera and pointing at it. Lavender could be talking a whole lot of crap, but she wasn't going to hide the damn truth from the world! She was Sienna Khan and she always spoke the truth! Okay, maybe not always, but she tried!
"Maybe, but the guy was a jackass. Okay, okay, condolences, congratulations, they both start with con and end with an s. If a duck quacks like a duck and tastes like a duck, it is not a pig."
She was probably misquoting that proverb or whatever it was, but she didn't really care overly much. Jacques Schnee had died and today was a great day as far as it was concerned.
"To revel in the death of a father of three and a devoted husband to his wife is beyond the pale, Miss Khan. Do you hold no taste for-"
Her hand smacked down onto the table, the cup of coffee spilling. It was too damn early for these mind games and she was trying to keep herself under control.
"The guy beat his wife, lady. Sorry kiddo Schnees, but your dad was a dick. My condolences for nothin', and I hope your mother recovers well from the unfortunate demise of her husband, but as far as I'm concerned, he got what he deserved."
She puffed herself up, looking at the camera, as Lisa Lavender tried her best to regain control. Sienna's lips firmly pressed together, seemingly trying to find a way to steer the conversation into the proper channels again.
"Well, everyone is entitled to their own opinions… Will you be attending the funeral, Miss Khan?"
'Do I look like I want to put a stake in his heart to make sure he's dead?'
Sienna's expression was a little pinched as she growled at the woman. She had to make sure that she showed strength, not backing down from the challenge put before her.
"If I've got to. I've got different things to worry about than to attend a meeting with hundreds of people saying it's sad that some dickbag died thanks to the heavens granting the wishes of people. Hell, wasn't there some guy who was struck by lightning with him or something?"
'That guy deserves a card as thanks for being around to make sure that the asshole rests in the grave… And maybe some flowers.'
"Yes, he's currently undergoing medical treatment, and-"
Sienna got up, running a hand through her hair. There were more important things to be done than to sit in a chair next to Hussy McFakeNews and getting herself done up properly. She had plans for tonight! Party, Jaune, getting laid.
"Good, good. We'll see whether we can scrape together some money for flowers or something. Or a stake through the heart for Jacques Schnee, if it isn't charred."
She stomped off the stage, as Lisa Lavender started on something, Sienna's fingers tugging her jacket straight.
"I need to get a bottle of liquor, get the week off or something and declare it an international holiday week or something for every damn branch and get laid again. Damn, do I need to unwind, Lavender always-"
She noticed that several of the people were looking at her, and Lisa Lavender shouted at her from the desk she sat behind.
"Khan, you're still wearing your microphone!"
'Well, fuck you too.'
"Yeah, and? I am twenty-nine! I have sex, you're not my mother or anything! Bugger off, Sienna Khan has a life, rather than waking up in the morning to talk about which rich guy shat in whose mouth during their secret conspiracy moments!"
She tore the microphone off and then threw it at someone, her irate snarl enough as she got her Scroll out and started to make calls, one of her personal flunkies getting to make the apologies for her to the staff. This would hurt her public standing a little, but to her people, it would show strength.
"Arc a speedy recovery-"
Sienna's head turned as she saw the projection of her guy on the screen next to Lavender's head, the woman as professional as most evil bitches of the media were, starting to make moderating tones.
"Hol' up, what was that about Arc?"
She stomped back into the camera's view, lifting up Lavender by her top. She peered into the woman's eyes, who was struggling to keep her loose blouse from ripping. Too bad, it was badly made stuff anyways, undoubtedly made with the help of under-paid Faunus labourers.
"Hey! You can't do this!"
The shirt started to tear, looking at the woman and giving her an angry look that brooked no disobedience. Someone was shouting at her to stop, and she gave a fierce look at the camera people.
'Don't you dare interrupt when Sienna Khan is speaking, bitches.'
"What was that about the Hero of Vale, Lisa Looselips?"
The woman struggled, and Sienna heard someone shout – 'He was hit by the lightning strike as well!' and she just ignored Lavender, the woman nearly falling off her chair as Sienna moved, holding her by the shirt. Turning to the camera and giving a look directly at the people watching, she firmed her features in that look that had most of her lower-level management running for cover.
"Well, get well soon, Arc. I'll be watching. You're getting that bouquet from me personally, because I'd hate to have someone be hurt because of Jacques Schnee."
The top ripped and Lisa Lavender squeaked, but Sienna Khan didn't really give a damn, walking off as the woman fought to keep the sight of her deep purple bra from showing, already someone running with something of a jacket to cover her up.
'Fuck me, that'll have to mean that I'm clearing the schedule.'
This wasn't going to be such a great day for her after all…
'Damn it, I'll fuck you into a coma for that, Jaune! You just made the pussies wet of every Faunus in Vale.'
She'd have to arrange for bodyguards. Preferably guys, because there'd be a lot more contenders on the dance floor now…
And Sienna Khan did not play second fiddle to anyone. Her finger found the number saved in her Scroll, dialling it in a press of the button.
"Bitch, do something useful and guard Arc's body with your life. There'll be people wanting to make an intimate acquaintance with him for being near the devil when he died, so better get your sleazy butt over there to make sure that he's kept in good condition before we get Sylvester and Tweety on the guard detail."
Sometimes, it helped to know certain people. Whether some people wore the green hat or not wasn't really an objection, but it'd be wrong of her to let someone else sneak a march on her.
Sienna Khan was a top bitch for her man, and even if Willow was introduced to the joys of getting her man, there'd still be time for some extra lovemaking!
'At least he'll be safe.'
She should really invest in getting something nice for the time he was up and moving again.
'Maybe we'll get that threesome going again.'
It hadn't been exactly a bad experience. Perhaps she was softening a little to the girl.
'She can watch.'
His eyes slid to Nora, who showed the clip of Sienna Khan manhandling Lisa Lavender on the television, the woman saying something about bringing him a bouquet. He raised his eyebrow, as Nora grinned.
"See, Pyrrha was here first and she kept people away. There were a few nurses trying to sneak in and do things to you, y'see. She kept guard for four days until I switched, and she's eh…"
Pyrrha smiled at him with that smile that was so loving, pure and wholesome that the whole trouble of a few weeks before seemed to have faded away. It'd not really been intended, but if she was happy…
'As long as they are all happy…'
"For you, I'll keep you safe. Your mother finds me to be endearing."
Pyrrha would be modest in her commentary, as she shifted a little, her hands awkwardly on her lap, her eyes looking at his own, her fingers brushing over his hand after a moment. She looked at him with a look that was more trusting than anything, a contrast to how they'd been before, when he'd denied her.
'Much has changed…'
He'd saved Willow from a fate that was worse than her life, knowing that her husband did not care for her as he should. Willow deserved a life of joy and happiness, rather than the life of pain and despair that he'd felt.
"I'm H-ppy."
Talking hurt, as his hand quivered a little. Moving hurt, and Pyrrha's fingers moved, her eyes looking into his own with a trusting look, knowing that he'd be there just as she was there for him.
"Good. Just rest up a little, okay? We'll be here to make sure that you're okay. Sienna came by with flowers a few days ago, visiting late at night. Your mother is worried, but it'll be okay. You're lucky to be alive."
'I know that.'
He was lucky to be alive, feeling relieved that he'd taken out one of the dark shadows that covered the world. He was sure that he would've been able to kill the man in the regular fashion, but getting away with it would have proven nigh-impossible. You didn't kill the head of a global corporation and got away with it scot-free.
"Helloooo there, handsome! Oh, he's awake! He's awake, Weiss, aren't you happy?"
Yang and Ruby entered, the former having been enthusiastic in her greeting of him. Weiss looked a little bit happier now that he saw her again, remembering about the way that she'd acted at the spa and how it'd been. Her mother must undoubtedly be busy. Ruby sat down next to Nora and Pyrrha, Weiss seating herself at the other end of the bed, Yang remaining standing, as he saw Blake sit down, her eyes looking at him with an indecipherable look.
"I- I'm glad that you are awake again, Jaune. I had feared- I'd feared that you'd have died. When you weren't waking up after a day, the doctors… They said it might be nervous system shutdown, and- And I have requested mother to fly in specialists from Atlas. With you awake, they will not be necessary, but- But if you need it, they'll be there."
He gave a smile, feeling a sharp stab of pain go through him. She was such a beautiful girl, a wonderful girl that seemed to hold the keys to the world in her grip.
"Ar- you mar'red?"
His voice was still scratchy and soft, and he repeated himself. Weiss looked at him and smiled shyly. The look in her eyes made him be remembered of Winter, of when that young woman had just assaulted him. There was something in those eyes that wanted and craved, and he was weak.
"Mother took care of it."
Her smile was pretty, as if it was a happy memory.
Willow looked at the man seated in front of her, the formal business suit that she'd donned for today as the new CEO of the Schnee Dust Company fitting her well, her eyes looking over the man.
"And why, Mister Wolfgarde, should I honour a promise made by my late husband? Simply put… What's in it for me?"
It was hard negotiation, and it was needed. With Jaune in the hospital, she had to be strong. She should lead the company as her father would have wanted her to lead it, rather than to be the cutthroat woman that everyone would expect her to be.
She wanted to be there with him, to be a part of the women that waited for him to wake up, to see his eyes look at her and feel her heart leap in her chest, to see him happily looking at her.
"She would be my wife, of course. What more could a woman of decent standard wish for? She has not been in the best condition, but she will still be able to birth me an heir."
A raised eyebrow, as she looked at the man, her lips pressed tightly together. She straightened herself out, as she stamped the formal annulment with the Family Crest stamp on the line for her part, before sliding it over to the man.
"Sign on the dotted line, Mister Wolfgarde. This sham of an engagement is ended now with the death of my husband."
Her voice was chilly, as she looked at her daughter, silent and looking emotional. She was not a woman who would let something happen to her daughter, the man pulling the official documents to him, looking them over.
"But- Why? Why would you wish to forgo the offer from the Wolfgarde family? We can have SDC products sent to every corner of the globe for a much cheaper tariff-"
'Because my daughter wants to be free.'
Her fingers, covered in a set of white gloves that had been selected specifically for the purpose of impressing, the formal military style allowing for a more direct image, tapped onto the desk.
"Sign, Mister Wolfgarde, and we can be out of your business in a flash."
She was not going to let her daughter be ruined by an old man, Weiss deserved much better! Of course, the fact that Weiss and Winter had both gotten the rather insane idea of trying to go for the blonde man that Willow herself enjoyed the fancy of marriage with was regrettable, but she would win.
"And what if I don't? The engagement papers have already been signed, and legally, I am allowed to take liberties with my spouse to b-"
She narrowed her eyes, Glyphs springing into existence around her, looking at the man that sat there in front of her desk. Rising from her desk with her fingers supporting her, her body leaning over the desk as her blue eyes looked into his own, her heart steeling herself.
'For my daughters…'
"It may be in your best interest to sign, Mister Wolfgarde… It would be a favour to me. Your name on the dotted line, and it'll all be dismissed. You'll be free to be with your concubine, and we'll all forget about this little business… Including the three daughters that you've been raising."
Blackmail was such a horrid word for things like these, but it was all because of Jacques' need for organization that it had all come out. Such a poor, poor sight…
'Not worthy to be an inheritor…'
She loathed men who merely saw women as possessions. Sienna was different, she burned with a flame that definitely never went out, her eyes sparking the blaze. Wolfgarde sweated, as he did often, looking at the papers and she pulled out the folder.
Pictures of a pale-haired young girl, maybe six or seven, prepared by her husband in order to force the issue if the marriage did not give suitable incentives, if it was required. She wasn't a cruel woman, but she had little pity for the man who had offered to take Weiss as his woman.
"It would be utterly awful for my daughter to become a mere second to the one you have clearly decided to produce an heir with…"
'Sometimes… One should make sure that there is no refusal. If it were to come out that he had illegitimate children, well…'
There was some scandal to be had. Marrying a younger woman and keeping one's bastard offspring around was not quite done within Atlesian circles.
"I can… I can see your point, Miss Schnee. With the untimely death of your husband, I… I think it might be best to forget about this whole marriage thing."
The man turned to look at Weiss, who looked uncomfortable at best, the man's handkerchief wiping at his face. Clearly, there was something to be said about personal hygiene, but she wasn't too picky. She watched the pen dart over the annulment contract, before putting it into the special folder that was to be sent off to the registrar.
She smiled, straightening, the looming that she'd done now evaporating, a pleasant face on once again.
"I think this concludes our business, Mister Wolfgarde. Rest assured that we will be using your company for our shipping, as a sign of a… pleasant form of relations. Give my regards to Cana, Danica and Ionne, I hope you will have a wonderful time being their father."
She looked at the man droop off, the pictures swept into the folder once more as she seated herself. A finger pulled down on her Scroll and the screen unlocked once more, her eyes scanning the messages that she'd accrued over the past few days.
Sienna's mentioning of 'Jaune's pet little fighter' keeping watch over him and a faint hint of something in the future of a few days before the unfortunate happening with her husband…
"Mother?"
Her daughter required her attention, as she slid the Scroll closed once more, the picture of her and her three children as the display picture, the spot where their father should be absent… yet.
'You deserve a father who cares for you, Weiss.'
"Yes, Weiss?"
She addressed her daughter, giving a softer voicing of her daughter's name in order to please the girl, not pausing her work, as her eyes scanned the files on the to-do list, trying to make the best option.
"Can I visit Jaune again? He's still unconscious, and- and I'd like to see him."
Willow closed her eyes for a moment. She'd been so busy during the time that it'd taken to get her husband sent off to Atlas for his burial that she'd forgotten to check up on the young man. She smiled at her youngest daughter, as she made a motion with her hand.
"Do go visit your boy, daughter. He will appreciate the sight of a pretty girl when he wakes up."
He would be appreciating the sight of a beautiful woman when he was functional again. Willow Schnee did not plan on being a lonely widow for a long while. The children required a father and they would get their father, even if he was the same age as Weiss. Whitley had actually been the one that had taken the young man's afflicted state the worst, so she would make sure that her youngest child would keep the young man in his mind.
'You are better than you imagine, Jaune Arc. I owe you much…'
It would not be a bad thought to go herself as well. Sienna had been giving intermittent reports, as swamped as she was with the whole fallout of that disastrous interview. It had managed to land in the latest gossip mags as 'Khan creates furor by dismissing the death of SDC CEO', but it had also given the Faunus hope.
There had been less labour complaints since the death of her husband and several new regulations that had been instated since his death, allowing for better compensation at the cost of longer hours. It worked decently, at least with the general populace that mined the Dust.
"I… I will go. Are you going to be back for dinner? Winter said that she'd check up on Jaune, and- and we've still decided that he's the man we're going to share, no matter what you think of it."
She put the smile on her lips as she cringed internally, not quite as happy about that prospect. Whatever Jaune had done to those girls, he most certainly had charmed them as she herself had been charmed.
'And he most likely was involved with the death of my husband as well…'
Of course, there had been an investigation made, and it was clear that the umbrella weapon that Jaune Arc had used had attracted lightning, but the weather had been unusually volatile in the few days before due to the El Grande phenomenon, so it was not unexpected. The lightning storms of Vacuo were famous for their thunder and lightning.
'Quite a pickle…'
The thought of donning a nurse outfit and 'checking up' on the young man briefly flitted past her mind's eye, and she smiled at her daughter with a little more warmth to her smile.
'But not something unsurpassable. With the wealth of the Schnee Dust Company, he will have the best of care, even if he is confined to a wheelchair.'
The results of his unconsciousness were still somewhat unknown, but he could be crippled for life. She would make it a good life, though. The young man that she loved would need nothing aside of her love and care, and Sienna could share with her.
'He will be loved, more than my husband ever was.'
He was such a stupid idiot, sacrificing his own health to get rid of her husband. Weiss and Winter would just have to learn how to deal with the fact that their mother was going to make him her husband.
'No matter what…'
Winter and Weiss had inherited her love, and they had inherited some of her traits, but Willow Schnee burned with a passion and love that was not defiled by the marriage that she'd suffered for so long.
'I always get what I want.'
The door opened after Nora had started to get into one of the zany stories about her dreams, slowly stripping the fact from the fiction. Clearly, there were no syrup fountains at Beacon, and Ren was quick to correct that there had been only one Ursa.
"Hello there, Mister Arc. I'm Doctor Maple."
A pleasant-looking woman with a white coat appeared, his mother at her side, already looking like she'd improved a little, seating herself in the seat that Pyrrha had just vacated.
"Had quite a shock there, didn't you? Lightning struck your weapon and reacted with the lightning dust worked into the spine of the weapon, so you may be feeling a tingling sensation from time to time, which is completely normal. Can you move your toes for me for a bit?"
He tried to move them, making a little wiggle, the doctor giving him an encouraging look, as she reached out of sight and he felt a hand grab a hold of his big toe. He wriggled it a little, the woman giving a soft relieved sigh.
"Good, good, that's a good thing. Many victims of lightning strikes have issues with sensation and the use of their limbs. We've been waiting for you to wake up, but after such a heavy shock to the nervous system, not many people tend to wake up. It's a shame, indeed, but it's what we see here more often than not."
He tried to affect his face with a concerned expression, but his brow furrowed a little as he tried to move a little. He wanted to look at himself, and the woman seemed to understand a little.
"Could you hold his head up a little? Mister Arc, what you are going to see may be a little shocking, but rest assured that we are doing everything to keep scarring to a minimum."
His head was gently seized by Pyrrha who pulled it up a little to make him able to look at his body. Pale skin that looked fresh and new in some parts were visible, as marks showed clearly where a bolt of lightning had hit him, the numbness of his limbs and lack of response from them moving a little. The doctor adjusted something, a drip-feed that had been inserted in his arm, barely felt by him.
"You're in good hands, Jaune. You have the best specialists looking after you, you won't need to worry."
Weiss was making a good case, but he was sure that she would be a little awkward now that he'd eliminated her father from this world. He felt weak, his eyes closing as he felt very sleepy all of a sudden.
"I think he's fading out again. We'll have him on some stronger medication to let him recover, and make sure that he'll be able to walk again in a few months."
'Hey! That doesn't sound good!'
A few months was most definitely when the Vytal festival would be over. He'd have to wait two years for that to come around again and Pyrrha, Nora and Ren really wanted to give a good showing too!
He was out like a light after nearly thirty seconds had passed.
Jaune woke up to the soft beep of the monitors, catching sight of his middle sister Camellia leaning against his bed, smiling at her as she leaned back in surprise.
"Hey."
She perked up, her eyes warming up as she gingerly moved his pillow a little so that he could looking around just a bit.
"Hey there, little blonde… Guess who's back? Camellia's back, so don't tell your friends."
He smiled at his older sister, aware that she'd been busy with her work as a historian, her fingers touching his cheek and making a smile slip onto his face with the tired expression on her face barely changing with that touch.
"The nerd. S'rry."
His big sister smiled at him, and he heard someone give a soft laugh, his younger sister Salmon giving a light laugh at the way that he'd called Camellia a nerd. It was pretty funny, as Camellia looked at him.
"Guess who came by on the first day of your stay? Sienna Khan, the top bitch of the White Fang herself."
'Oh yeah…'
Camellia had been pretty outspoken on her views on Faunus ever since the abortion. It'd been a contentious issue, as she'd been pretty pro-Faunus before her boyfriend had ditched her.
"What d'd sh' w'nt?"
His throat ached and hurt, a small straw and a water bottle presented. He made an acknowledging sound and the straw was pushed into his mouth, as he sucked.
"She brought flowers and said that you'd get bodyguards, for some reason beyond my knowledge. She looked snooty, like I was some kind of animal in her eyes! The bitch should just resign and go live in a barn or something, with the whole rest of her kind."
'Ouch… That's my girlfriend you're talking about…'
This might just be a little bit more difficult than he'd expected. Camellia had been pretty anti-Faunus ever since her boyfriend had ditched her.
"She is a blight on this world and her whole race! They'll stab you in the back when you least expect it! Evil eyes! She has evil eyes that rape you where you stand!"
'I might've forgotten Camellia's dislike of Faunus… This is going to be tough. Not that she wasn't pretty on point with the last part. Sienna's got that look in her eyes at times when she wants to have sex.'
His sister Salmon sighed. Camellia was a great older sister, but she could get awfully heated about things. Where Vivian had always been a bit of a hothead, Camellia took it sometimes a little further.
"Not everything is a conspiracy, Cam. I'm sure that Sienna Khan just came to check up on him, since she congratulated him before…"
He looked at his sisters and Camellia smiled at him and patted his hand. It was nice and warm.
'Yeah… I should introduce Willow and Sienna to them gently…'
Dating a Faunus was pretty much against Camellia's line of thought, but it didn't mean that the others didn't think the same.
"How' mom, money?"
Salmon looked a little concerned. He was concerned. Mom, as far as he knew, was not good with money. His sisters knew that too, and Salmon and Camellia shared a look.
"Don't worry about that, Jaune. We'll find a way to make ends meet, and-"
He made a dark sound in his throat, flexing his Aura, trying to force his body to heal. He didn't like the sound of those words. His mother, with her impulsive spending, would bankrupt the family if she was left to buy whatever she wanted. It'd been tough on the budget already with him being unable to do much more than work summer jobs, but still.
"M'ney, bank account. Fifty-tho'snd. Use."
He'd be a bad son if he couldn't support his family, knowing that it'd be something that he should do since dad had died.
"Saphron's more than enough to keep us in the house, Jaune. You don't have to use your money, it's yours."
Camellia, ever the sensible one on non-Faunus related subjects, spoke up, and he narrowed his eyes at her. It might be his money, but that didn't mean that he should be keeping it for himself. His family mattered, and he was trying.
His head raised somewhat, as his aura burned, his muscles, lax from disuse, straining. His head lowered once more, as he felt the rush of pain go through him.
"Use it."
His voice was a little stronger, less scratchy than before. Salmon looked at him and she shook her head.
"We'll make it work, Jaune. Don't worry about it. Focus on getting better again."
Anger rose inside him, as he tried to ball his fists but couldn't muster the motion yet, his hands laying there limply. He heard the door open and saw a green wide-brimmed hat appear, Pyrrha appearing in his view, the new accessory something that'd been remarked upon.
"Do you want me to give you a bath, Jaune?'
He gave her a pained smile as she held up a sponge, his sisters giving her a look, as far as he could see. She was unashamed, and he knew it.
'The things we did… Thanks for your help, Pyrrha.'
The metalworking skills that'd come for the lightning Dust umbrella had been a recommendation from Pyrrha, and the Semblance that she had was enough to hyper-magnetize the metal. He hadn't told her what it had been for, but she'd undoubtedly guessed.
'Loyalty…'
She was loyal, and he knew her tastes. For him, she'd do anything, and no matter what it was…
'Well, I guess that you picked the right woman to head to.'
It wasn't something he'd paid too much attention to over the week before the assasi-Schnee-tion, but it was still something that he appreciated.
"Plea-se?"
She smiled and he felt the cool damp sponge against his skin, Pyrrha's hands working with efficiency and some skill. She'd been practising, the green hat set on the chair. Selfless love, with something that was a little different.
'Have I been blind?'
He loved two women. One of them burned like a blazing flame and the other was as gentle as the moon, peering down from upon high. Pyrrha had wanted love, and he'd accepted her.
'It's going to be a while before I'll be able to get out of bed.'
"We can take over, if you want us to. It wouldn't be the first time we've had to wash this dirty boy."
It tingled, Jaune knew, as Pyrrha continued her working, washing his body, his sisters' comment expected.
"It's okay. It's just something that I should do for the guy I like. His friends would be upset if I didn't do- Well, at least this much."
A bittersweet smile on Pyrrha's lips as she continued her washing. She was unruffled, but she held different motives than others.
"Ooh! You've got a crush on him!"
Salmon sounded excited, as Camellia made a curious face, Pyrrha's spluttering stammers that it wasn't like that, that she wasn't into that kind of thing, that she was just saying it because she appreciated him.
"No."
'I like two women, come on… It's bad enough that they're asking questions.'
"Come on, spill! Have you kissed her yet? Ooh! I bet they've had sex. Our little brother is growing up! He'll be coming home with a hot beauty on each arm and we'll bemoan our lack of dating!"
Pyrrha turned red, and he remembered the last time he'd had sex. That had been an interesting moment, and he couldn't help thinking about Sienna's words. Sienna had sounded so triumphant that it had been even more charming than before.
"H-he's just my f-friend and partner. We aren't… like that. No… No sex, no."
She blushed red. It was true, and he smiled softly. Pyrrha Nikos was aware of her position in his life, and he felt her brush over his lower body, the covers lifted up, a soft mumble of 'Well, that's certainly not a thing he minds.'- from Salmon.
He supposed that it was all because of what their insinuations were like. His sisters were lovely women, but they gossiped quite a lot. It'd be annoying to have to face them when they were all at home and trying to know everything about his relationships.
'This is a mess…'
Sienna would probably not be overly concerned off the bat about things that happened, because she was sure of herself. Nothing got Sienna Khan down. She was the tiger Faunus who always leapt at the challenge.
"Sooo… That's quite a tent you're pitching, Jaune. Going to make her give you a happy ending, hmm? Mister big leader man, bossing around the redheaded girl that he's partnered with?"
He frowned at his sister, giving her a heated look. Most certainly not. He looked at Pyrrha, whose smile was knowing. A feeling of somewhat dread came over him. He wasn't really capable of moving, and if Pyrrha wished to break her word, she could.
'You won't…'
Sienna would rip into Pyrrha if she did. It was the agreement that had been made.
"Stop that."
Pyrrha froze up and moved her hands away, his eyes turning to Salmon, who was still smiling like she'd seen a good prey to torment. He really didn't like that side to her.
"Do. Yourself. Brat-sister."
Salmon looked mock-affronted, before she sighed and shook her head.
"Totally normal, little brother. You guys get a stiffy when a hot woman's touching your body. I mean, have you looked at her body? She's a professional."
He'd seen her body more than once too. Pyrrha was… delicate. Pyrrha was gorgeous as well, but there was an understanding.
"I know."
Salmon patted his head, like she always did. The faint pink-brownish shirt that she wore was enough, as Pyrrha washed him, without hesitation or shyness. It was awkward being washed like this, but it wasn't like he could interrupt Pyrrha.
'She's dedicated.'
"So, what do you want to do when you graduate from Beacon, huh? Be my little brother's girlfriend, go on adventures together?"
A soft smile, as her cheeks burned red. He knew what she wanted. She wanted the peacefulness of a life where she did not have to be the one to perform, where she didn't have to be the one called Pyrrha Nikos, heroine.
"I'd like to be a housekeeper, making sure that the man I love has a warm home to return to and care for his children."
He smiled as the memory of how Pyrrha had stated her goals came to mind. Her fingers pulled the hat back on, as she smiled with that inner peace, looking at him with eyes filled with kindness and warmth.
'You're loyal and in love.'
He appreciated her. He really did appreciate his partner, even though he loved two women of different temperament. It was all so conflicting to him.
"Guess you've got marriage in the bag, huh? A hot redhead like this…"
A knock on the door and his sister went for it, as Pyrrha shifted the covers back again, the underwear pushed back on, the pain welling up suddenly, as someone stepped into his view. Her hair done up in a bun, Winter Schnee looked like the picture of elegance and stylishness, her hands held behind her back in the fashion of a woman who knew exactly where her priorities laid, her eyes never looking away from him.
"I see you are awake, Mister Arc."
He gave her a smile, as she smiled in return. The woman looked at his sisters and at his partner.
"My name is Winter Schnee. I am General Ironwood's personal assistant and a member of the Specialist branch of the military, and have come here in order to verify whether Mister Arc is still in a suitable condition."
It was a lie that he spotted, as intimately familiar with her body language as her mother had been, Winter's hands behind her back, thus stopping anyone from seeing the fidgeting that she was doing, her chest pressed forward. She had been worried about him.
His sister Camellia got up and offered her a hand, which Winter took.
"Camellia Arc. My condolences for the loss of your father, Specialist Schnee."
Winter seemed to be in a placating mood as she nodded, gravely. Personally he suspected that it might have had something to do with her own elation, if he'd have to make a guess to her motivation, at finally having the peace of mind to know that the man was dead.
'He wasn't a good father to his children.'
His Willow deserved a man who would be there for her and her children, age be damned. He would be a good man to Willow and Sienna, or his name wasn't Jaune Arc!
"My condolences as well."
Salmon added, and he tried to lift his hand, Winter's smile growing a little warmer, as she leaned forward. He could see that she'd adjusted her outfit just a little to give herself some cleavage, as she took his hand and squeezed it in a manner that was perhaps a bit too intimate.
"I lived, Winter."
She couldn't stop herself from flashing a small smile, giving a nod of understanding. If she'd suspected that he'd had anything to do with it, he'd have been cuffed to the bed, paralysis or not.
"Indeed. The weather has been frightful these past few days, as the storm cell moves towards the Vytal region. You are lucky to be alive."
He was. He'd told Amber to hit him a few times, trusting that his Aura would be able to take it. Telling Sienna and Willow would have had a sniper on someplace and Jacques being filled with lead which might've just given the worst kind of implication to the world about the Faunus… But this was the only way.
"My con-do-lenses."
The words hurt to say, because he didn't mean them. He'd been a man who'd condemned people to death, who'd done the ruthless things that he had to in order to protect what was his. His eyes firmed in their blue-eyed stare, meeting Winter's, her fingers caressing over his hand. Not that he minded that too much, but she seemed to be drawn into his eyes.
"My little sister has been here to visit as well, I have heard. With Miss Khan putting two bodyguards outside your door, it was a little irksome to arrange this meeting. Once you are able to move your lower body, we will have dedicated surgeons check whether you are capable to be fitted with a set of bio-mechanical assistants, in order to restore full mobility to your body."
'That's a big sacrifice.'
He raised an eyebrow, Winter looking at him with a look that was superior. That hand had gone from merely caressing his hand to stroking it, seemingly out of character for her, as she smiled.
'Damn it, you Schnee and your sexy smiles!'
She wasn't a bad-looking woman, if he wasn't already in love with her mother, he might have gone for it. He could do worse than a Schnee.
"Thank you."
The woman's eyes firmed and her hand stopped and was retracted in a flash, at her side once more, her eyes looking with a certain trend of severity.
"It is not suitable for a young gentleman who has aided Vale to remain crippled for life. My mother has said that if it is required, the Schnee Dust Company will sponsor you for the costs. It is regrettable that my father lost his life, but you have yours ahead of you, so we will have to ensure that you can live it well. Atlas has the technology, and we will share it with the world."
The salute was more formality than expected, Winter following through it without even stopping to think. It was a slow twist of her head as she looked at him with that look of care and concern, her smile turning womanly.
"My… apologies, Mister Arc. I will be visiting you again in the near future."
'Fuck. She isn't out of the race yet…'
Winter had that look on her face that showed that she was seeing a challenge before her eyes, that did not flinch away from making those stubborn decisions that she was known for. Every Schnee seemed to be stubborn in some fashion, as well as proud.
"Thank you."
It was all he could say, as his throat hurt and burned, aching with that pain that seemed to well up from the depths of his throat, his whole body feeling a wave of pain go through it. It was unpleasant and discomforting, but it was what he had to suffer through. He was going to get better and he would be able to walk again without any assistance.
She gave him a confident smile, striding out of the room and leaving him staring at the ceiling, as his eyes found Pyrrha and he gave a sheepish smile.
"Oh gods, did she just flirt with you? That was a flirt! You're a man now, Jaune!"
'Sienna isn't going to be too happy with that…'
Sienna had her own problems, of course. Undoubtedly, she would be busy with her work for the White Fang.
Thirty minutes later, his mother had rejoined them and Salmon and Camellia were talking about the encounter with the Schnee lady, Salmon embellishing it a little saying that she'd given him a 'scorching hot look', Pyrrha giving a light cough, citing that she had to return to Beacon, donning her hat again.
"So, when are you going to introduce your girlfriend to us, Jaune? I'm sure that they must be worried about you. When I asked your partner about it, she said that your girlfriend was one of the most powerful and strong women that she knew, and I'm curious as to what she's like."
'Crap…'
He wasn't sure whether the family could survive meeting Hurricane Sienna and the Winter Storm that was Willow.
'They'd probably call me mad…'
He hadn't seen either woman yet, but that would only be a matter of time, he reckoned. Sienna wasn't one to shy away from her personal time with him, after all.
"Busy. She works. Very hard. Important job."
He'd have to get better. Pushing his Aura into his limbs, he started to lift his hand a little, trying to force motion into it again. He wasn't giving up, he was going to get up and walk.
'I've got my friends waiting for me, and Willow and Sienna.'
He'd get up and be strong again.
His fingers clenched slowly before they relaxed once again.
The Final Arc! Meet the Arcs! Camellia, mentioned beforehand, has a bit of a bone to pick with the Faunus people! Will Willow finally find the time to go forth and claim her young gentleman? Find out in the final arc!
Also: There's official smut. Someone commissioned me to write something, and well… It's Canon now, because it explains where he got the lightning rod from perfectly! It's fitting, given the personality of the characters involved. It sort of takes place in the week before the assassination and kind of between Willow's Breakdown and Winter's Captivity. This story is going the way of a harem, for some reason. Sienna and Willow are still the top ladies though! Do not despair! Some guests may be added to the dance, but the main pairing is still the way of Schnee-Khan! Jaune's going to have to live with the fact that Sienna and Willow share their man(Or at least, Willow is SERIOUS now in the Battle for the Arc). There will also be the whole Faunus cultural aspect addressed...
Since I know quite a few people have been curious about that. Sienna's reasonings are explained when she pops up again. People, I'm in the end stretch, don't just go and say "Oh no, it's ruined." when it's just the first chapter of the last story arc. Considering that the Jacques Schnee's Revenge Arc just ended, well, I'd say we're on our way to a thrilling finalé. There are still trials to overcome, even if some things don't really make sense right now. Get ready for the Faunus. Sienna has her reasons for putting guards at his door.
It's still questionable in some respects, as far as things go with the smut. The Green Hat - The dance of tigers side-story. No under 18's allowed! It holds lewd stuff! 18+ stuff, about a domineering Sienna.
I've got some good news in that it's not cancer making my body ill again, so now... More stuff! But I'm a little less worried now that I'm going to leave you all without a conclusion to this story, people! Thanks for your support!
Until next time! Leave a review and know that the story's going into the final Arc!
