All credit to Respective Owners!
-Y.A.R.N.
Cardin sat across from Jacques Arc and the guy who sat next to him; while Cardin was at least taking this meeting seriously, the new person wasn't. His feet kicked up on the table and he surveyed the room with an amused arrogance. Jacques had a look of distaste at his associate's casual disregard of the atmosphere, which was tense and heavy. He hadn't called this meeting together for fun, this was a very important problem they had to tackle. The new guy had wild and almost spiky brown hair and a beard while wore dark grey jeans and black boots; he donned a black t-shirt and a dull yellow and grey jacket tied around his waist. He seemed amused at Cardin and Jacques' annoyance at his casual demeanor or disinterest.
Cardin hadn't expected the call to inform him that Jacques was on his way here with 'help' in dealing with Jaune. Either way, Cardin knew better than to not show up; he had an obligation at the very least to hear out what Jacques was planning. He didn't know exactly how this would affect the deal he had, but he suspected something was up. When he walked into the room he hadn't expected the help to be a guy who was a couple of years older acting like this wasn't a big deal. Either way, When Jacques gestured to the seat that was opposite seat, Cardin slid into the seat and waited for a conversation.
Then this new guy opened his mouth.
"So... I hear you want some dude killed and this guy couldn't hash it?" He scoffed, "I don't know why big, bad, DUP-trained specialist here is having so much trouble. Maybe you should find someone who actually can do shit like that, this one seems... incompetent."
Cardin scowled at the jab at his abilities, concrete and rocks sprouting from his knuckles as he clenched his fists, wanting to transform into a Super Rook or maybe a King and bash his smug face in, "Keep running your mouth jackass, and you'll get a crash course on just how competent I am. I just know that killing someone isn't a good idea if I actually have a important position in society, I can understand that you may not have something like that, but that's fine. It's what cretins like you deserve."
"Oh?" The guy shifted, lowering his feet to the ground to lean forward as rocks started sprouting from the floor and they started floating around him, Cardin's skin prickled at the feeling of a king gathering their power, "Does this puppy actually have some bite to his bark? Sounds to me like an entitled little shit throwing his weight around now that he has enough blood money to be pretentious."
"Enough!" Jacques snapped, "Yuma, Cardin, cease this inane attitude and posturing at once!"
The newly-identified Yuma 'tsked' and leaned back in his chair as Cardin 'humphed' and eased his stance. Their conjured rocks crumbled into dust as they stopped channelling their powers.
"Cardin." Jacques began, "You have spared little effort in trying to grind that abomination's morale into dust, but it isn't enough anymore. No matter how much you try to push him down, the freak has no doubt inherited my family's... tenacity and charisma. He will refuse to stop trying to survive and will not stop growing until he is dead. Somehow he has gained enough support to stymie your ability to push him to the point of suicide. As much as it pains me to do this, I believe it is time for our transactions to end."
Cardin gaped and was about to argue when he paused.
It wasn't like he only gained a few pennies from his longtime contract, it had been lucrative deal for this time in his life. Making Jaune's life hell had been unknowingly exhausting, and frankly most of Cardin's time had been invested in making Jaune's life hell. That was time Cardin could have used to do things other he enjoyed, and while he he didn't mind picking on Jaune, doing it for so long was honestly getting boring. Besides, he didn't have a say in how long the contract would go on; if Jacques wanted it over, he had final say. All that in mind, Cardin accepted that maybe it was time to let it go and just get back to doing what he did before Jaune had become a target in his life. Cardin slowly inhaled and exhaled before standing up and stuffing his hands in his pockets as he accepted it was over.
"So that's it then?" Cardin inquired in a cool tone.
Jacques inclined his head, "It is. As for payment, the final wire transfer has been processed and sent."
"Then what's with him?" Cardin jerked his chin at Yuma.
Yuma stood and smirked, "I'll be the one to kill the Jaune Arc."
Cardin turned to Jacques, "I thought killing was off the table when it came to him."
"For you." Jacques replied, "I may not be a prominent force in this cesspool of city with its abhorrent pro-bio-terrorist attitude, but that doesn't not mean I cannot extend my reach here through other means. You yourself are proof of that. You've been a good contract Cardin, but the problem was that my choice was too lenient, too long-term as I had to consider your standing in the city. I hedged on your unique power-set as a measure of your ability to hurt the abomination and completely ignored that this was a battle of will, not power. I now know that that thing should die quick, and I have realized for that to come about naturally or by his own hand is an exercise in futility. Yuma has been an asset as a frequent security contractor for me since the dismantling of the DUP forces in Seattle and his stint as unemployed psuedo-conduit. He will be paid for his bail and immediately given a position in my company if he succeeds, securing a job that pays well to keep from being put back in prison."
Cardin almost snorted, "So you've covered all your bases?"
Jacques leaned back and gave Cardin a unimpressed look, "I am not one to take chances. Yuma knows the price for his failure will be an unimpeded incarceration and is confident in his abilities. He will take some time to adjust to the city and locate the freak and then when he is ready, that abomination will finally be erased from my family."
Cardin shrugged at this and turned away, "It was a pleasure, Jacques Arc."
"Likewise."
Blake sighed as she stared at the clothing she wore in the mirror. A pair of of blue jeans and a longer white blouse with a stylized cat head design that had a black vest on top with a dab of makeup here and there. She usually wasn't one for eye shadow and eye-liner or lipstick or any cosmetics really, but she had obligations and promises to fulfill for her friend. She didn't really feel like her outfit matched her personality or tastes, but she would deal to make Yang happy. Even so, it was way too... stylish for her preferences, she liked and wanted comfort over gaudy clothing but it was a party that Yang was putting together so she at least had to put some effort. Besides, she was sure that if she showed up in her regular clothes, Yang would drag her upstairs to her room and play dress-up and make-up until the boisterous blonde was satisfied.
So dressing herself was for the better rather than Yang letting be scandalized and get her hands on her.
She padded downstairs and made her way to front so she could get moving, she wanted to be early so she could relax with Yang and Ruby before anyone got there. She paused as she saw Jaune humming to himself with eyes closed while bobbing his head to the beat and swaying behind the counter. Blake smiled softly at his good mood since recently Cardin had completely cut back on messing with Jaune or anyone for that matter. It left some people scratching their head at his sudden about face in actions, but in all honesty nobody wanted to prod or provoke the Winchester so they let it go happily. Jaune turned and saw Blake watching him and blanched before immediately coloring violently and ducking his head.
"Um... Hi Blake..." He mumbled, trying to pretend he hadn't just been caught almost dancing to a tune he hummed.
"Having fun?" She prodded teasingly.
Jaune looked up and blinked at her, and was caught a bit off guard at her look, "Hey I am... allowed...to... You look... Wow. You look... Just wow."
Blake self-consciously tugged at the collar of her vest and smiled a bit awkwardly, "Thanks... I don't really wear stuff like this, but you know Yang... I don't really want to stand out for dressing comfortably."
Jaune laughed, managing to focus on something other than how unfairly good Blake looked when she tried (though he preferred her when she was in her casual clothing), "I suppose I do know Yang, but you stand out no matter what Blake. You don't need flashy clothes or makeup to stand out, trust me on that. If someone judges you based on what you wear than they are morons and don't deserve your attention or time. You already great and stand out all on your own, besides today you're dressed like a knockout punch!"
Blake flushed at Jaune's heartfelt compliment and honest enthusiasm, a pleased and uncharacteristic embarrassment running through her. Jaune was never the most suave of individuals as he was usually awkward around new people, but he more than made up for that in honesty and kindness. Blake sometimes wondered why no one else except those who continually visited the cafe ever realized that about the young man. When he was comfortable around you and got past his usual timidity, he seemed to radiate positivity and support; Blake wished people could just see that. She honestly got used to always knowing that Jaune would always have her back whenever she was nervous.
"Do you want to come?" Blake blurted out impulsively.
Jaune stilled, taken aback at the sudden invitation, "Uh... What?"
Blake immediately slapped herself mentally, what was wrong with her? She had no right to invite anyone to the party Yang had planned! Why was she suddenly trying to get Jaune to join her to a party? Was she that nervous? She needed to calm down.
Jaune recovered and scratched his cheek, a bit of his awkwardness coming through, "I'd like to sure, but it's Yang's party you know? I'd hate to get in the way over there, you know it's for the cool people. I don't really fit in there."
Blake didn't agree, but she had already confused herself and poor Jaune enough with her offer and she didn't want to pressure her friend.
"Just have fun!" Jaune cheered, "Who knows, you make really enjoy tonight!"
Blake nodded stiffly at that and made her way to the door with a quiet, "Later Jaune."
He smiled and waved, "Catch you around Blake."
Jaune was lost in thought after Blake had left.
She honestly was not the sort of person to invite anyone to a party.
Let alone him.
There was a part him that was kicking him and demanding to know why he said no.
It wasn't a rational part of him though.
That was the part listing all the reasons he did the right thing saying no.
He sighed and shook off the war in his head, he was having thoughts he hadn't considered before and he didn't want to get too caught up in the maelstrom in his head. He heard the door chime and plastered on his customary smile.
"Welcome to the Aura's Gift!" He greeted cheerily.
Pyrrha smiled at him, "Hello Jaune."
Jaune smile became more authentic. "Hey Pyrrha! You here for some food?"
Pyrrha shrugged, "Not really. Just feels better to spend time here than in my apartment, it still feels... hollow."
Sometimes Pyrrha wondered why Jaune seemed so knowledgable about her current struggles; she wondered why did she just feel like Jaune was someone she could implicitly trust despite only knowing him for a short time.
Jaune smile faded slightly, remembering his own experience after arriving in Empire City, "It's not really... home yet... is it?"
Pyrrha nodded mutely, features sad.
Jaune shook his head and looked at Pyrrha with a warm smile, "Hey, chin up Pyrrha. You don't need to worry. You can come here whenever you want if you need a friendly face and a way to get away from the world. Sad, happy, or maybe just to vent about whatever's bugging you, I promise to lend an ear. And I am a man of my word, okay?"
Other times, Pyrrha knew exactly why she trusted and liked Jaune so much.
Oscar stared at his dad's desk that was covered in blueprints and looked at his dad incredulously.
"A whole district-wide living area for Conduits? That's insane! Two people get into a fight and a good quarter of the City will be trashed, not to mention if more people get pulled in on accident! How do you intend to keep control of those type of powers running amok?" Oscar demanded.
"I have a detention center plan coming together, nothing as nightmarish as Curdun Cay." Ozpin said quickly, seeing Oscar panicked expression, "It has no torture but holding cells and trusted security to keep order. No unnecessary violence as I have contracted several pro-conduit organizations to help us keep thing in order by lending out security that I will be personally vetting. Besides that, this is a simple trial phase, an actual implementation will not be authorized unless this can work for a substantial amount of time."
Some of the mounting tension that was slipping into Oscar's stance began to flee as he looked to his father, "Dad... Why are you doing this? I mean I know I am a natural Conduit, but I didn't think that you would go out of your way for all Conduits..."
Ozpin sighed, he had this talk with Oscar many times, but now he wanted to really drive it home.
His son was the most important thing in his whole world, and he knew that his wife felt the same. No matter what happened between them and what they had to endure
They loved their son.
Salem just needed time to cope and if she returned anytime soon, she would see her son piecing himself back together. She would have hope that she could find her little boy and be a part of her life. And while it wouldn't be easy for either Oscar or Ozpin to forgive her... they still loved her too.
But love wasn't enough to fix the damage, sometimes it just wasn't enough to love someone.
Ozpin stepped around his desk and hugged his son tightly, "I love you, Oscar. Perhaps I don't say it enough but it is truly how I feel. As much as I wish I could be with you and guide you and protect you forever, I am a normal man. You will outlive me by a very large margin and no matter how much I wish that weren't so, it is as natural for regular people as it is for conduits."
Oscar hug tightened around his dad and his breath seemed to grow panicked.
"I cannot be your whole world. I want to see you become a husband Oscar, I want the chance to see my family grow beyond my son as you grow old with a wife and with children. I want you to be the amazing man you are meant to be Oscar. I want you to be able to let go of me when my time comes. I want you be in a place where you can make lifetime connections that you can count on to be there when I cannot."
Oscar whimpered, "But... what if I can't?"
Ozpin pulled back and gripped his son by his shoulders, "You can. You are so so strong and so so kind. So very much stronger than I. If you can't believe in yourself, then believe in me. And I will always believe in you."
Oscar gasped a watery laugh at his father's words, "But you'll stay, right?"
"As long as I can son." Ozpin affirmed, "As long as I can."
Weiss Schnee wasn't someone who appreciated guys approaching her with overconfident aplomb and cocky attitudes. She had merely gone out to get a drink and maybe a small snack to escape the depressing atmosphere of her situation and sit in her 'house'. Normally she would have gone a bit more upscale but she was trying to be less like a stuck-up rich girl and act more normal (and learn how to live on less than she was used to as her father could shut off their income on a whim). Stupidly, she chose a small bar and grill and decided to sit at the bar table rather than a booth to be less wasteful of the room. She had barely began to look through the menu she had been given when a man slid into the seat next to her and introduced himself. She sighed and debated getting up as he introduced himself with what he considered a suave grin and charming demeanor.
Weiss — who had been raised in the viper's pit of politics where everyone faked emotions and intentions — could instantly tell he wasn't interested in a genuine relationship and was more interesting in charming the lone and pretty girl at the bar. God, so what that she didn't have someone with her when she arrived? Did that apparently meant she was looking for a date or a romance?
Either she was out of touch with social cues or men were idiots.
She was sure it was the second one.
She also made a mental note to find somewhere other than a bar to eat out next time.
Either way, she ignored him until he finally slinked away to his group of friends, tail firmly between his legs as his friends laughed at him and muttered condolences. She placed an order for a bit of food and stared at the screens at the bar that were showing news streams of various cities. She frowned as one screen showed a Conduit being arrested by the restructured DUP forces for losing control of his abilities and being sent to Curdun Cay.
She actually didn't as much as she would've bristled before.
With the 'Conduit's Second Age' kicked off by Delsin Rowe and his friends, Curdun Cay wasn't as nightmarish as before with what was being found out by the public in the days following Augustine's imprisonment. The power mimicry conduit and his considerable influence moulded Curdun Cay into a training center for Conduits who had no idea how to control their powers. With that in mind, many companies were interested in those sort of facilities as a new market to invest in. Apparently it had been something like that before, but it was much more humane and less prison more... boarding school.
The Schnee Corporation certainly been interested in that when her an Whitley's powers were discovered.
Weiss wished there was something like that here, but she didn't have any influence nor did she have the income or money necessary for it. She sighed and picked at her meal, losing her appetite at thinking of her father's company. It was pointless wish, a fantasy that would never come true and was cemented the moment she refused to let her father 'use' her to see if he could monetize her abilities. Even if she should ever be allowed back — Weiss couldn't help letting out a bitter scoff at the instinctive use of the word 'allow' — it would never be because she would be an actual family member to her father.
Just a tool to be used.
And she swore never again.
Never ever again.