A/N: So… how's the story so far?
Jaune was wide awake and quite annoyed about that fact. He didn't care that the first rays of morning sun were dancing in the cracks of their rooms curtains. He didn't care that the sun caused dust motes to sparkle like glitter. He was wide awake because he had a really strange and disturbing dream. He was puzzling over why said dream upset him so. In the dream Ruby agreed to go on a date with the boy from the dust store. That's the only part his brain choses to remember. He wishes he knew what caused him to jerk awake feeling like he was ready to fight. It's too early to wake the others so the blonde boy decides to try just listening to the quiet.
He has very nearly managed to drift off back to sleep when a rustling sound catches his attention. Looking over to the sound he sees Ruby sitting up rubbing her temples. The look on her face, from what he can make out in the low light is something akin to frustration. She seems torn between getting up and laying back down. She sighs and slips out of bed, quietly grabbing her boots as she does. She slips out the door closing it gently as she goes. Several minutes pass before curiosity gets the better of him. He slips out of bed and out of the room. She isn't in the hall, which comes as no surprise. Jaune sets out to find her. The dining hall is the first logical conclusion he decides.
The dining hall of the lodge is indeed crowded, but there isn't a whisper of red fabric to be seen. He checks the reading room, the laundry and even the hotels tiny dojo. She isn't in any of them. He is out of ideas and finally decides to ask the front desk clerk if they had seen her. The clerk isn't too sure, its been a busy morning already, but there might have been a red caped girl leave the building earlier. Jaune cant place why but he has a feeling of dread washing over him. He knows somewhere deep down that its his own paranoia. This sleepy little town is safe, she has Crescent Rose with her, and she's strong. Still, he has a need to find her.
Wandering the town he finds little in the way of clues to where she might be. That makes sense, she is a stranger in this town too. He manages to work himself into aa mild panic when he finally catches sight of fluttering red fabric. The towns little nature park is where he finds her. He sighs in relief seeing her safe. Taking a moment realizes she's leaning on the railing of a little bridge overlooking a little pond. She has her back to him, he watches her hair and cloak dance in the early morning breeze for a moment. Its nearly hypnotizing. He snaps out of the trance when a local accidentally bumps into him. They both apologize. Jaune walks up to the bridge and clears his throat so as not to startle her.
Ruby turns towards the sound, a questioning look on her face. She smiles when she sees it's the young knight. "Hey Jaune." She says turning her eyes back to the pond.
"What are you doing all the way out here?" He keeps his tone low and quiet so as not to break the tranquility of the early morning park.
Ruby hmms at him and then shrugs. "I couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to go on a walk. Oh, I'm sorry if I woke you up or worried you!" The look of embarrassment on her face was absolutely adorable.
He chuckles softly. "No you didn't wake me up, but I was a little worried. Just let someone know next time ok?" He leans on the bridge with her, she smiles and nods in response. "Is there any particular reason you ended up here?"
She shrugs. "I just kind of wound up here. It seemed like a good place to think." Her voice sounds distant and small.
"Is everything okay?" He doesn't bother hiding his concern.
She turns her head to meet his eyes. "Yea, I was just wondering how the others are doing is all."
"I'm sure they're doing okay." He smiles gently at her.
"I miss them." She sighs.
"Me too, but I bet they would be proud you've made it this far on your own." He places his hand on her shoulder.
"Not on my own, I have Ren, Nora and you. Thank you for coming with me." She smiles at him.
There's a bubbling warmth in his chest he can't place, it's something to ponder later. "Any time, we should probably get back before Ren and Nora wake up." Ruby nods. The two head back to the lodge. When they enter Ren and Nora are at the check in counter.
"There you are! Don't either of you believe in taking your scrolls with you! We were worried sick!" Nora lectures.
Ruby rubs her neck nervously. "Heh, sorry, I guess that was my fault. I wandered off without really thinking."
"I kinda followed her without thinking too, sorry." Jaune manages to look sheepish enough. "How about we go get breakfast and forget about it?"
Nora nods sharply indicating she approves of the apology and breakfast. "Sounds good to me!" She sing songs. Ren rolls his eyes playfully at her.
"Good, because I'm starving!" Ruby whines. The group start heading for the dining hall. Ren and Ruby end up leading. Nora has to nudge Jaune to get him moving. The soft, far away look in his eyes isn't lost on her. She smiles to herself, it's sweet, though the two adorkable friends are both oblivious at this point. She and Jaune appear to be in the same boat, pining after someone who is none the wiser. Then again, Jaune might not even realize that's exactly what he's doing. She resolves to watch and wait. There are more important matters to deal with right now, breakfast specifically.
A/N Still sick, so bonus chapter tonight.