/==/ Chapter Four /==/
"So anyone know how Angel... I mean Jaune is doing? She seemed pretty out of it last night." asked Yang.
"She didn't come to the dorm last night, but then again she does have a room at Glynda's; if you believe waht the Headmaster said." replied Nora.
"I know Coco didn't comeback last night, but as for Angel... Jaune I'm not sure." Velvet offered.
"I can't believe the way Pyrrha was last night." Weiss commented.
"I agree. I always thought you'd be the one to act out like that." Blake added.
"Why would you think that?"
"You have kind of been real bitchy with Jaune." Blake replied.
"But he... she was so annoying with all that flirting!"
"Blake's right, you did kind of go overboard with some of your rebuttals, there Weiss-cream."
"Stop calling me that Yang!" (Angry Emoticon)
"Big question, how does everyone feel about all this. You know with Jaune being, you know?" asked Ruby.
"I'll be the first to say it. SHE IS HOT!"
"That's not what she meant Yang." Weiss pointed out.
"I know, that, but I still had to say it. Who knew tall, blond, and scraggly; would be blond, busty and oh mamma!" (Heart emoticon)
"This is serious Yang!" complained Ruby.
"It's awkward, but I think I'll be okay with it." announced Velvet.
"I know she said it last night, but I can guarantee she is NOT happy about being that other Jaune." commented Blake.
"I say we support her. Even when she is him." Weiss offered.
"Weiss, you free to come to the main doors?" asked Coco.
"I have class soon, but I could spare a couple of minutes. Why?"
"Jaune wants to see you." Coco answered.
"Why doesn't she just see me in class? Or talk to me in chat?" Weiss asked.
"Weiss just go see her. Maybe it something more private than she's willing to say in class or in chat." Yang admonished.
"Okay. I can be there shortly. Maybe five minutes. That okay?" asked Weiss.
"It's fine. She'll be waiting." replied Coco.
/=/
Weiss strode out into the hall near the main doors. Before her, she saw Coco in her normal attire, next to Jaune. She was in a blue sundress, her hair in a pony tail, and wearing her black stiletto pumps. As Weiss closed, she raised an eyebrow, as she saw Jaune lean towards Coco and whisper something, getting a nod from the fashionista.
"I'm here." Weiss informed the pair, while stopping in front of them, and crossing her arms. "What did you want to see me about Jaune?"
"I wanted to say I'm sorry about all that hitting on you. I know I was really bothering you with it."
"Why, if you know you were bothering me, and that I wasn't interested did you keep..."
"I liked annoying you." Jaune giggled.
"What?" Weiss uncrossed her arms and stamped her foot on the floor. "How dare..."
"Now Coco!"
"What are you doing? Unhand me this instant!" Weiss screamed from her perch slung over Coco's shoulder.
"Nope. Jaune wants you to come along, so you're coming along." Coco informed the struggling heiress.
"I have class!"
"Not anymore. You're skipping, in favour of a shopping trip!"
"Come on. Come on! Before Glynda catches us!" Jaune shouted as she made an impressive dash towards the bullhead landing pads, in her heels.
"Right behind you!"
"UNHAND ME THIS INSTANT!" Weiss screeched, as she was carried away.
/=/
"Anyone see Weiss, since she went to see Jaune and Coco?" Yang asked the rest of RWBY and the only two members of (J)N(P)R who were actually in class.
"No. She's going to be late if she doesn't get here soon." Ruby commented.
"She'll show up, though it would be the first time she's been late for combat class since the beginning of the term." commented Blake.
"You're right, she's probably just having a long talk with Jaune." Ruby agreed, "It's not like they're going to kidnap her and drag her down to Vale, for a shopping trip."
"Weiss skipping class, let alone Goodwitch's class. The fallout of that would be epic." Yang commented.
/=/
"I'm missing class, and it's combat class. Professor Goodwitch is going to have my hide." Weiss whined as Coco and Jaune dragged her along the sidewalk. Each of them gripping one of her wrists. "Why are you doing this too me?"
"We are shopping, and Jaune wants your opinion on outfits." Coco replied, "Think of it as part of an apology for how she was acting earlier in the term."
"I was fine with just the apology! I'm going to get detention because of you dolts."
"You think that's bad?" Jaune asked, while looking over her shoulder at Weiss, "I'm not allowed off of Beacon's grounds. What you think they'll do to me when they catch us?"
"No, no... I'm going to be blamed for your delinquency, please let me go. I'll pay! What ever amount you want! Just let me get back to class."
Weiss continued to whine, beg and plead; drawing curious looks from the people around them. She even went so far as to try and dig her heels into the cement sidewalk, only to just sliding along the surface as the two much taller girls kept moving forward. This garnered them even more attention.
"Here we are." Coco announced, as the trio pulled up before a Women's Clothing Boutique. The front windows showcasing some rather fashionable and high end merchandise. "Come on Schnee. Inside you go! Time to try on some outfits."
"No, please I need to get back to class."
The bell on the door dinged as Jaune, and Coco pulled the struggling Weiss into the small and cozy looking store. Jaune released her grip on Weiss and brought both her hands up before her mouth. Her dark blue eyes wide with excitement. Coco tightened her grip on Weiss' wrist as Jaune instantly started going through the store, checking out the mannequins, and displays.
"Ms. Adel you're back. How are you today?" asked a woman, possibly in her late forties.
"I'm doing well, how is business Abigail?"
"It is a little slow, but I'm making due. So who are these fine young ladies accompanying you?"
"The excited one is Jaune Arc, this grumpy one is Weiss Schnee."
"I'm not grumpy!" Weiss protested, "I've been kidnapped and I'm being held against my will!"
"Jaune wants your opinions on some outfits. She's doing it as an apology, so suck it up Ice Queen."
"My you girls are energetic." Abigail chuckled, "Is there anything I can point out, or do you just want to browse at your leisure?"
"I think we'll..."
"This one!" Jaune shouted from her placed towards the back of the store, near the more formal wear. "I NEED to try it on! Can I? Do you have it in my size? It is so glamorous, I just have to test it out!"
"Guess Jaune found something she liked." Coco laughed, as Abigail moved from behind the counter to assist Jaune. "You should look around too Ice Queen. You might find something that catches your eyes."
"IF you stop calling me that, I will." Weiss moped.
"Agreed." Coco released her grip on Weiss' wrist, "Take a look around."
Weiss rolled her wrist around, trying to get some feeling back into it, while giving Coco a glare. Coco just smirked back. Finally deciding she wasn't going to get any response, Weiss huffs, and walks off, starting to browse through the offered selections.
"Now for some real fun." Coco giggled as she talked to herself.
/=/
"HELP!"
"Weiss are you okay? Where are you?" Ruby asked.
"Goodwitch is pissed at you for skipping class, Weiss-cream."
"What's wrong Weiss?" asked Blake.
"Wait! How'd Rubes get into this chat?" asked Yang.
"I sent myself an invite from your scroll." Ruby replied.
"You what?"
"More important things going on right now!" Weiss commented.
"Like What?" Yang asked.
"I HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED!"
"Is it the White Fang?" asked Blake.
"No worse." Weiss replied.
"Question, I know you are saying you've been kidnapped, but how are you on your scroll?" asked Yang.
"Stop exaggerating Weiss." commented Coco.
"Okay, I am confused."
"You're not the only one Rubes." Yang posted.
"I SAID I'VE BEEN KIDNAPPED! COME HELP ME!"
"Weiss it isn't polite to post using all caps." Ruby pointed out.
"Can we get to the part where we find out who kidnapped her, and why?" asked Blake.
"Who got kidnapped?" Nora asked.
"You're not kidnapped Schnee." Coco commented.
"Coco, what is going on?" Velvet asked.
"Jaune and Coco kidnapped me!"
"No we didn't. We aggressively suggested you come on a shopping trip to Vale." Coco replied.
"Coco, not again." commented Velvet.
"So that's why you skipped classes? You went shopping. Oh Goodwitch is so going to hand you your ass when you get back; Weiss-cream. LOL"
"Not funny Xiao Long! My perfect attendance record is ruined!"
"You know that's not a thing, right?" Coco asked.
"So where's Jaune?" asked Ruby.
"Changing room." Coco replied.
"You ARE going to send a pic of what she's trying on right?" asked Yang. (Puppy Eyes emoticon)
"Of course." (Cheeky emoticon.)
"Will any of you come and help me?" pleaded Weiss (Puppy Eyes emoticon)
"Ah, No." replied Blake.
"Why?"
"Not getting in trouble for someone who skips class to go shopping." Blake replied (Cheeky emoticon)
"Weiss just go try on that outfit. Stop being overly dramatic."
"You're not going to post a picture of me in it are you?"
"Of course not. Trust me." Coco replied. (Angel emoticon)
"So how long are you going to be in Vale?" asked Ruby
"Couple hours. Should be back by suppertime."
"Why though?" Blake asked.
"For Jaune. Yesterday almost destroyed her, she needs to be a girl when she can, and she's the type that seems to LOVE shopping."
"IF Goodwitch finds out, there is going to be trouble." commented Blake.
"This is for Jaune, she'll understand, besides I have my handbag, if needed."
"Is she out yet?" asked Yang.
"Who? Jaune or Weiss?" asked Nora.
"Either." replied Yang.
"Hold on, Jaune's coming out. Pic coming right up!"
A pic appeared in the chat, showing Jaune with her hair loose, wearing an ankle length black and red strapless gown that was slit on both sides to just below the hips. A set of black gloved ran all the way past her elbows to mid bicep, while her feet had her stiletto pumps, and a set of thigh high stockings.
"Oh god I'm in LOVE!" (3 heart emoticons)
"I saw her first Xiao Long!"
"Truthfully I saw her first Coco." commented Blake.
"Lies and hearsay!"
"She's so pretty." commented Ruby.
"So?" asked Angel.
"Is Angel, Jaune? Cause if she is, then we need to change Jaune's name in this chat back to Jaune." Ruby pointed out.
"Done." replied Velvet.
"So? Thoughts?" asked Jaune.
"It's like it's painted on. If you got the lien definitely get it." offered Yang.
"Oh I have the lien." (Devil emoticon)
"It suits you, but I doubt Weiss is going to buy it for you." commented Blake.
"Who says I need Weiss to pay for anything?" asked Jaune. (Flustered emoticon)
"Well you and Coco did kidnap her for the shopping trip, so I just assumed."
"Not the case. We brought her along so because I wanted to be around her without the pick up line stupidity. Besides I have Daddy's credit card." (Devil emoticon.)
"Got anything else to show us?" Yang asked.
"So pretty." Ruby posted again.
"I have two, but one you have to wait till I get back, to see." (cheeky emoticon)
"Boo!" Nora commented.
"Weiss is coming out. Be ready!" Coco announced.
"This should be good." Yang commented.
A pic suddenly appeared showing Weiss in a pencil skirt, crop top, short sleeve waist length jacket, pump stilettos, and elbow length gloves. All in black. The look on her face was one of pure horror.
"LOL"
"Not nice Yang!" chided Blake.
"So CUTE!" commented Ruby.
"Delete that picture right now!"
"No can do."
"I'll sue!"
"God Weiss, dye your hair black and you'd be a complete colour swap! We'd have to change your name."
"Don't you dare, Xia Long!"
"I say Bleiss, would fit the look." Blake offered.
A second pic appears showing a defeated Weiss being hugged by an obviously overly ecstatic Jaune.
"SO CUTE!" posted Ruby.
(15 heart emoticons)
"Coco stop spamming hearts!"
"Sorry BunBun."
(20 heart emoticons)
"Don't you start Yang!" chided Blake.
"Need more! Send more!" Yang commented.
/=/
"I can't believe you got me to buy that outfit! When will I ever wear it?" Weiss whined. As she and Coco followed Jaune down the sidewalk past store fronts.
"Live a little Weiss. This whole thing is so Jaune can spend time with you as an apology." Coco reminded her. "Besides Abigail got some good business today. I just can't fathom how Jaune has access to that kind of lien. I mean twenty thousand lien for clothes and heels."
"But she already said she was sorry, and I agree with the money amount. Father would have a heart attack is he saw a bill like that."
"OH MY GOD!" Jaune screeched in glee.
"Jaune?" the fashionista and the heiress asked in tandem.
Before they could stop her, she rushed through the door of the good sized store.
"That's a Outfitter's shop for Hunters. What could she want in there?" Weiss questioned.
"Only one way to find out." Coco replied.
The pair entered the store and instantly saw Jaune at the counter, just gushing at the items before her. Weiss gave Coco a "Is she serious" look, while Coco just replied with a shrug of her shoulders. The pair closed the distance.
"How do they work? Do you have my size? Do you have a higher heel? Do they come in black?"
The pure speed with which Jaune was firing off questions made Ruby's semblance seem slow, though the pure joy and energy Jaune was beaming did remind Weiss of Ruby when she started talking about Crescent Rose. However what was in front of Jaune on the counter was not a high impact sniper, combat scythe mecha-shift weapon. No what was sitting on the counter before Jaune was a set of six inch flared heel sandals, with guns. Literal guns attached to the back.
"Slow down there Missy. Slow down." chuckled the rough and unshaven man behind the counter, "I'll answer you questions, just take a breath and ask them one at a time."
"Jaune?" Coco asked, "What are you doing?"
"I HATE Crocea Mors. If I'm going to have to be at Beacon learning to fight, I want to use something that fits me. These fit me, don't you think? Plus their so adorable!"
"Well, yeah they do and kind of are." Coco agreed.
"So how do these work? I don't see a trigger." Weiss asked the salesman.
"It's uses an Aura Pulse Trigger, or APT for short."
"APT? Never heard of it before, how does that work?"
"Well Missy, it is activated when an aura user flexes or pulses their aura at the site of this strap, which is usually fastened around the ankle, or just above. That short burst of aura sets off, primes and releases the firing mechanism. Then boom, it goes off. Has a shorter delay than a normal manual trigger, and allows for hands free shooting; obviously."
"Ammo? Mag?" Coco questioned.
"Standard or dust. 5.7x28mm." the salesman quoted off by memory, "Horizontal mag, with 50 round capacity."
"What's with the grips? I mean they look like you just attached a gun to a set of heels." Coco inquired, while Jaune was busy turning one of the heels about in her hands.
"Aesthetic, plus the grip is a leverage point, that when the catch release is activated allows you to remove the weapons. For safety reasons, or if you want to switch out guns."
"There are other guns?"
"Yes, there are. There is a whole catalogue of them. Allows the fashion conscious huntress to accessorize their load out, to meet their needs. These are currently the base model. We have higher calibres, even shotguns available." the salesman grinned as he answered their questions, "It also allows one to move the firearms from one style of shoe to the next. Totally modular."
"Can I try them on?" Jaune asked while almost bouncing up and down.
"Of course you can."
"Jaune, maybe we should come back when you aren't wearing..."
"NO! I want to try them on. There's only us here."
"You're in a thigh high sundress Jaune! Before you consider this purchase you should think about what you'd be wearing when using them." Weiss informed the excited young woman.
"Are either of you firearms certified?" asked the salesman.
"I am." Coco offered, pulling out her scroll and pulling up a certificate.
"Okay, no issues. I'll lock the shop, and let you take her into the range at the back, to try them out. I'll stay upfront, allowing you perfect privacy." the salesman did then turn to Jaune, "But your friends are correct. You should consider what you would be wearing when using these. I would suggest some type of huntsman quality body suit. Which we do sell."
"Reload?" Coco asked.
"Automatic mag ejection on last round fired. Just slap another straight down inside, and the slide will automatically lock it in place, For manual ejection hit this switch."
Coco nodded as the salesman showed her the indicated mechanism. He then placed two full mags on the counter, and moved to lock the main door. Coco picked up the mags, and handed Jaune the second heel. Under Weiss' watch Jaune quickly slid the heels on, finding them to be a perfect fit. A couple of adjustments to the ankle straps, and she was on her feet strutting around.
"Heavenly." she almost moaned, causing Weiss to blush, and Coco to smirk.
"Come on Jaune, let's test out your new toys." Coco grabbed her by the arm and lead her in the direction indicated by the signage for the indoor shooting range. "Okay so if you are serious about these, you need to learn to load. So here."
Weiss stood back by the door, as Coco watch Jaune, fiddle a few times before successfully inserting the full mag. Jaune stood tall, a wide smile on her face. Then before anyone could say anything, Jaune shot her left leg straight into the air, and then brought it down on the shooting table. The gun went off unloading five rounds in less than a second. The tinkle of brass hitting cement filled the silence.
"Jaune! You know better. There are safety rules." Coco admonished the almost hyper girl. "Might as well see, how you did. Take you foot off the shooting bench."
Jaune complied as Coco hit a switch just above her head, causing an electric motor to start up and bring the hanging paper target to where they were standing. Pulling it off the hanger, Coco examined the shot placement.
"Not bad, could be worse, but not bad. You'll need to practice a lot, Jaune, and I mean a shit ton, considering how you are going to have to use those."
"Do you think he has two more?" Jaune asked as she hopped back and forth between her feet.
"Two more what? Heels?" Weiss asked.
"No guns." Jaune replied.
"You're going to have to practice with these ones first before you try expanding your arsenal, so there is no sense to get another set for your heels, just yet."
"Not for my heels. For my hands." Jaune corrected.
"What? Why?" Weiss stammered.
"Told you, I don't like Crocea Mors. It is not for me. I like these, and guns are fun. Right Coco?"
"Well, yes, yes they are."
"So I now have to deal with another gun nut." Weiss groaned.
"Do you think?"
"Never hurts to ask, and we might as well get you fitted for a proper bodysuit."
/=/
Glynda was not in a good mood. She was tired after an almost four hour meeting last night with Ms. Nikos, Ozpin, Lionheart, Theodore and General Ironwood. If that wasn't enough, she found out that Jaune had run off to shop in Vale, with Ms. Adel, and Ms. Schnee; two students that should know better than to skip classes. Then of course there was the deliveries. While the amount of bags, and boxes wasn't huge, the attached receipt gave her a headache. She would be hearing about it from the Arcs, when that bill came in.
Crossing her arms over her chest, she tapped her foot as the bullhead landed. Her look froze all three to the spot as soon as they touched the landing pad. Glynda sighed at the sight of several more bags being held in Jaune's hands. She recognized the shop logo, so at least she knew whatever it was in those bags was the upmost quality. Though she inwardly shivered thinking of what the total price of those purchases was.
"Explain. Now."
"Jaune need out, so I took him out, and he wanted company so..."
"They kidnapped me!" Weiss cut in, "I wanted to be in class but..."
"Ms. Schnee, while I recognize that you MAY have left not of your own volition; you did stay out of your own free will, and didn't contact any of the staff to say you wouldn't be in class."
"Sorry professor."
"One weeks detention."
"Yes professor."
"Go on now. Supper is just being served."
Weiss nodded and dashed off.
"Now Ms. Adel."
"I did this for Jaune. She's going out of her mind, and what happened last night with Nikos, it has really bothered her. You know I had to spend all night..."
"I know, because I saw." Glynda gave Coco a small smile, that quickly vanished. "That however does not excuse taking Jaune into Vale without at LEAST notifying myself or Ozpin so we could arrange proper protections."
"I had, Gianduja with me. If Jaune got in trouble I could have held whoever off, while Weiss got her to safety." Coco lowered her sunglasses letting her dark brown eyes look into Glynda's bright greens. Glynda narrowed her eyes, and Coco flinched.
"That is NOT the point Ms. Adel." Glynda admonished the young woman, "You have a duty to inform us when taking such actions as leaving Beacon's premises. As strong as you think you are, there is ALWAYS someone stronger. Understand?"
"Yes, professor."
"Good. One weeks detention, and I want an itemized report on where you went, and what you did, on my desk by tomorrow morning."
"What? Are you serious?"
"Yes I am. If you are going to take it upon yourself to escort Jaune on outings like these, then you will take up the responsibility of submitting the proper reports and debriefs required, so we can attempt to mitigate possible risks for future outings. Understood.?"
"Yes professor."
"Now you may, go. Your team is probably waiting for you."
"I would like to stay, if you don't mind. Jaune wanted to go to the cafeteria and show off one of her outfits to the others."
"Jaune?"
"Well I do." Jaune replied sheepishly, "And it beats sitting in my room alone."
"I see." Glynda regarded the pair, before her. "You and I are going to have a little talk after supper, about your spending habits, young lady. Your father did not give you that card so you can frivolously spend twenty thousand lien on clothing and shoes."
"Well, um... that's... not..." Jaune shuffled her feet and ducked her head, reaching up to scratch the back of her neck.
"Jaune what did you do?"
"I spent a little more than twenty thousand." she replied without looking up.
"How much more?"
"Triple that amount."
"Lords above. Your father is going to have an aneurysm, and I'm going to be the one blamed." Glynda pulled off her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Is it true Ms. Adel? Did Jaune just spend eighty thousand lien today?"
"Give or take, that sounds about right." Coco replied with a pained grin.
"What in the name of Remnant did you buy?"
"Huntress stuff."
"And what pray tell do you mean by Huntress stuff?" Glynda asked while putting her glasses back on.
"I can show you later, if you let me." Jaune replied in a weak almost pleading voice.
"Very well. Training room three at nine o'clock. Ms Adel you will be in attendance, as well in case I have questions."
"Yes professor."
"Can I invite some others?" Jaune asked in a voice just above a whimper. "Let them see, get some opinions?"
"Very well." Glynda sighed, "Nine o'clock. Now go to your room and clean up all your deliveries."
The pair of girls nodded, and then bolted. Glynda sighed again, and face palmed herself. Her headache had gotten much more severe, and she was more than willing to bet, that it wouldn't be easing anytime soon. Particularly when Magistrate Arc ends up checking his credit card balance. She was definitely not looking forward to that conversation.
/=/
"Detention for a week! I'm ruined." Weiss sniffled as she sat at the table, with her head pressed into her arms on the table. She was surrounded by the rest of RWBY, with Nora and Ren. Pyrrha nowhere to be seen. "I'll never be able to show my face in Atlas again!"
"It's okay Weiss, no one will remember after a little bit of time passes." Ruby tried to console her upset partner.
"What did you expect? Skipping a whole day of classes." Yang asked.
"Yang, and Ruby are right. No one will remember in a couple weeks, and what did you expect would happen?"
"For a talking down to. It was all Jaune and Coco's fault anyway."
"Keep telling yourself that Weiss-cream." Yang gave her a shit eating grin. "Anyone know were P-money if? She wasn't in classes either."
"She never came back to the room last night." Ren informed the collection of teams.
"Do you think she's still upset with Jaune?" asked Ruby.
"Well to be honest, I'm still iffy on the whole body transformation thing, but add in her reaction to seeing Jaune in his female version, and then having Jaune out herself to her in front everyone." Nora spoke up, in a considerable non-Nora like fashion, "I'd say she still upset, and embarrassed. It was a lot to take in last night."
"Can't believe she said she would rather kiss Cardin than help protect Jaune." Blake commented. "I mean Cardin? Who would ever?"
"Who would what with me?" Cardin asked as he walked by, only catching the end part of Blake's statement.
"Go crawl back under what ever rock you slithered out form under." Yang snarled, her hands closing into fists.
"Figures, must be everyone's time of the month." Cardin remarked with a dismissive tone, as he took in the glaring looks of everyone at the table. "Whatever."
Once he and his team had left, team RWBY, Nora and Ren all visibly calmed. A shout, cat calls and the slam of the main doors drew all of their attention. Every mouth fell open, with Yang actually falling backwards from her seat, to land with an "Umph" as she hit the floor. They watched a a young male student crawled backwards, from the doors, his eyes open in obvious shock and desire.
In walked Jaune, in an off white sheath style dress, with a shallow V-neck, a high front slit, complimented by a wide black belt, black thigh highs, her black stiletto pumps, black elbow high gloves, a grey-black fur stole. It was all topped off with a very wide brimmed sun hat, accented with a black bow. From her ears she had cartoon like Beowulf dangles, and around her neck a black choker with the Arc family emblem as a clasp on the front. Behind her was Coco, her sunglasses pulled down to the tip of her nose, wearing her normal attire.
Jaune sauntered along the edge of the cafeteria, her hips swaying seductively back and forth. All that could be heard in the silence of the expansive room, was the click of her heels against the tiled floor. She gave RWBY, Ren and Nor a a saucy wink, before stepping on one of the benches, before climbing on to their table. She strutted along the entire length of the table, like a model on a catwalk. Pausing every few steps to hit a obviously libido enhancing pose. Before she finally stopped at the end of the long table, right in the middle of RWBY, Nora and Ren. Tilting her waist to the left she placed her hand on her hip, and smiled.
Yang was just starting to recover and when she looked up at Jaune. Jaune gave her a flirty wink and then blew her a kiss, instantly overloading the blond brawler and causing her body to go limp. Her head banging against the floor. Everyone else was just completely stunned. Mouths agape. Then the whistles, catcalls, and cheers started, filling the expansive room. Jaune gave a saucy smile, and start to pivot around hitting more slightly suggestive poses, while waving towards all the scrolls that were out taking pictures or recording video.
"Get down!" Weiss hissed, "You're making a scene!"
Jaune looked at Weiss, gave her a wink, and then stuck her tongue out at her in a playful manner. No one else tried to say anything, afraid to use Jaune's name, so they remained silent, stunned at the display, and the glamorous image she was portraying. Jaune made a couple more pivots, and hit a couple more poses, before taking Coco's hand and climbing down from her impromptu catwalk.
"Is Yang okay?" Blake asked, being the first one to speak up, since Jaune's entrance.
"She appears to be still breathing." Ren offered.
"Have fun there Angel?" Coco asked, while giving everyone at the table a look that underlines Jaune's current new name.
"So fun!" Jaune exclaimed, clapping her hands, and hopping up and down on her heeled feet.
"You knew Ja..., er Angel had this, and you didn't send any pics?" Yang, who had finally recovered enough to get back into her seat, shot Weiss and Coco a pained glare. "How DARE you!"
"She wanted it to be a surprise." Coco responded, as she and Jaune took seats at the table.
"How are you holding up Ja... er Angel?" Ren asked.
"Good, all things considered. Still wish some stuff had turned out better," She sighed. "But I guess it is how it is."
"Well we're here for you." Ruby spoke up, "Anything for one of my besties."
"Thanks Ruby. That... that means a lot."
"No matter what, you are you, and we'll always be there for you." Nora added.
"So what's next? You coming back to the dorm?" Ren asked.
"Not tonight. Think I need a another day or so to let everything settle." Jaune replied, "So how's Pyrrha? She took this whole situation in a rather..."
"Ugly manner." Weiss cut in.
"You could say that." Jaune partially agreed.
"Don't know. She didn't comeback to the dorm last night, and we haven't seen her all day." Ren informed. "We hope she's doing okay, but to be honest who knows. She hasn't answered any of our messages."
"So... You like my outfit?" Jaune finally settled enough to ask, even though her eyes seemed to be gleaming with curiosity, and joy.
"If I was a guy, I'd have scooped you up in a princess carry and ran you to our dorm." Yang answered honestly.
"Yang that would constitute sexual assault." Weiss reprimanded her.
"It's beautiful." Nora replied.
"So pretty." Ruby added.
"Little over the top, but considering it's you, it looks good." Blake offered.
"So... umm... I would like it if you could all be at training room three at nine tonight. Think you can make it?"
"Why? Giving us a private show?" Yang winked at Jaune, with her own saucy grin.
"Back off, Xiao Long." Coco pushed up her sunglasses, and looked straight at the blond brawler, "I saw her..."
"No you didn't Coco. Ren and I did." Blake cut her off, receiving an over the top look of shock, from the fashionista.
"We'll be there." Ruby replied.
"Thank you."
/=/
Pyrrha sat alone in the darkness of the empty dorm she had been assigned to, at her request. She didn't have the energy or heart to deal with her team, right now. Not with the revelations about Jaune, and discussion she had with all the Academy Headmasters. She had choices to make, and thoughts to work out. She wished she had someone she could open up to about all of this; and maybe she could with someone from JNPR or RWBY, but she held herself back. She pulled her legs up towards her chest and hugged her knees. She felt so alone right now, and part of her was telling her she deserved it.
It was just a tidal wave of information and unbridled emotions. It hurt, and her emerald eyes grew moist. The man she thought she loved was not a man, but he... no she had feelings for her. She admonished herself at how she reacted. The anger and fear thinking that the blond girl she caught in the dorm room was stealing Jaune away. Then to find out that she was actually Jaune. It broke her, and she lashed out. It was uncalled for, but she did it out of spite; to get some measures of vindication. But it had left her feeling empty, and dirty.
Now she didn't know what to do, or where to turn. She would admit that Jaune was an attractive young woman, she just wasn't attracted to women. So she couldn't even fathom returning Jaune's feelings now, knowing what she did; and that cut her deeply. The kind, accepting soul that she was enamoured with was still there, just in a different package. She wanted to talk to Jaune, Ren and Nora. Ask them to forgive her, ask them for advice. Part of her felt like she had obliterated the bridge that tied her to her team; yet a smaller part told her that the foundations were still good. That in time it could be rebuilt.
Then there was the discussion with the Headmasters. She was being selected, for a rather experimental procedure. One with untold amounts of risk to her health, both physical and mental. Yet if she took it, she would have abilities to rival the greatest of huntsmen and huntresses. She would have in her possession the power to be able to save so many lives. Maybe with enough time she could push into the frontier and end the threat of grimm once and for all.
She took a few deep breaths, going back to all her training. Always look composed regardless of what you feel inside, always look in total control on the outside. She closed her eyes, and took a few more breaths, and then broke. It was too much, she couldn't put the facade on anymore. She was alone, and utterly out of her element when in came to the emotions swirling about inside her.
"I need to talk to someone, about all of this." she whispered into the darkness, as she pulled out her scroll. She opened the chat program and her thumb hovered of the picture of a smiling blond. "Will you still talk to me, even after...?"