~~-Yellow Maidens-~~
Coco sauntered down the garden path, it was a beautiful Thursday afternoon, and they had no classes tomorrow. The teachers had mercifully cancelled to allow their beleaguered students a three-day weekend for cramming before the upcoming final exams.
She ignored all the boring and unimportant people moving about the gardens. They may as well have been black, shadow like, and totally featureless silhouettes, for all the attention she gave them as she strutted between the rose bushes.
She nodded a greeting to the gardener though, as he was mulching one of the flowerbeds. He nodded back and Coco lowered her shades giving him a closer look. Nora and Jaune had a theory that he was a retired huntsman, trained as a specialist to take down rouge hunters. Something of a spy and assassin, to hear Nora describe it.
Jaune seemed to think everyone Beacon hired was a retired hunter, including the lunch lady and the janitor.
As she was looking him over, the man caught her and gave a smirk. With a practiced twirl he spun the trowel he was using and slipped it into a hip holster. For just a second while it was spinning, she swore it had shifted into something like a trench knife or dagger, but it was so fast she couldn't be sure.
She met the Gardener's eyes again, and he gave her a conspiratorial wink as he stood and grabbed his gardening cart, pushing it down the path whistling to himself.
Coco squinted giving the tools in his cart a closer look. The hoe looked like it had some sort of trigger mechanism. And the rake had some intricate designs that could be mechashift.
Damn, looks like Jaune might be onto something. And speaking of the Blonde Paladin, there he was with Bun-Bun. The two of them sitting on the bench in front of the Hunter's Memorial statue, looking so awkwardly cute together that it restored Coco's faith in mankind.
Velvet shuffled over a little closer and Jaune put an arm around her shoulders. They both looked so unsure. It was diabetes inducingly sweet to watch, Jaune had to move his sword, so it wasn't in Velvet's way, her own camera having to be adjusted similarly. Coco winced when she noticed their body language though, Vel really needed to relax a little. I mean, why was she was sitting so stiffly? If Coco hadn't known better, she would say Vel looked like she didn't want to be there.
But Coco did know better. It was hard not to when Velvet had made such a big deal about getting her makeup perfect this morning. It wasn't even a real date, they were meeting up after class to study, do some light sparring, then go for a walk. Nothing they hadn't done a dozen or more times last semester already. But Velvet insisted it was somehow different now. Her teammate had practically been in a panic worrying about what she was going to do and say on their special day together.
Last week had not gone the way Bun-bun had wanted. She had gotten so nervous, and second guessed herself so often, she had practically been hyperventilating. Thankfully Jaune was much more observant now and could tell something was up. He suggested they just relax at home and watch some cooking shows on the TV, instead of going into Vale.
Poor Vel had just nodded along and then piled on more embarrassment to her already crippling emotional state. She hadn't even been able to sit next to him. Yatsuhashi could have fit on the couch between them.
Coco was impressed with how Jaune knew, and immediately flipped to, Velvet's favorite series. And he did try and keep her engaged in conversation. But only got head nods and one-word answers in response. When she was relaxed, and she could just be herself, she was like a completely different person. She was witty, almost sassy, and tough as nails. Not this timid and weak facsimile she was now. Velvet just needed to ease up a little, she was putting so much pressure on herself that she was becoming her own worst enemy.
It did kind of make sense though. In their previous one on one interactions Velvet was in her element, talking about history or fighting styles. But now Jaune had blossomed as a fighter and their relationship had taken on a new dimension. Coco could understand there being a bit more stress on Velvet. But at the same time Jaune was easy to talk to and even easier to get along with. She shouldn't need to worry about being perfect or getting him to notice her, he already knew her better than Coco had thought. And he apparently liked and respected her, if the way he scolded his sisters was any indication. She just needed to be herself, her real self. But then again, the unique situation the young knight was in did, unknowingly to him, put a fair amount of pressure on his Honey Bunny to stand out in the crowd.
Her girl was just going to have to step it up. Luckily, she had her best friend and wing-woman to help push her along.
Competition for the blonde knight was fierce, and let's be honest, Velvet was fighting outside her class. She didn't even have the uniqueness of her Faunus heritage to help her stand out.
And low and behold it would appear Coco had awakened some sort of psychic ability today. No sooner does she think of someone then they appear. Blake, the sneakiest one from team RWBY, was hiding in the bushes up ahead spying on the competition. Coco decided to have some fun with her and snuck up behind the cat ninja.
"Before you say something and attract their attention, get down and keep watch. We might need to intervene." Coco visibly deflated as Blake didn't even turn to address her, yet clearly was aware of her presence.
"What's going on? And I haven't had a chance to mention it, but I'm digging the new hair by the way." Coco crouched down beside her. Internally squealing as Jaune reached up and began gently stroking Velvet's ears. The poor girl seemed stuck in indecision, caught between trying to melt into him and sit tall. The result was a very uncomfortable posture, but a look of total bliss on her face.
"Thanks. But we got a racist meathead coming in at ten o'clock." Blake pointed behind the statue where Coco's least favorite first year was strutting up the path. He was approaching from behind the lovebirds so they couldn't see him coming or his face twist in displeasure when he saw them. He stomped forward angrily. Blake readied herself to spring out, but Coco stopped her.
"Let's see how this plays out first. Either Jaune will be the dashing hero or Velvet will step up to defend her man. Either way this could be good for them. If things go south, we can put a stop to it quick enough." Coco settled down to watch the show but, in the end, it wasn't what either of them expected.
"Oi! Buddy! Lay off the ears!" As soon as he was close enough, Cardin yelled at the back of the pair. The result was both of them jumping apart from each other like they had been caught doing something far more scandalous than a little ear petting.
"Oh. I didn't realize it was you Jaune… I thought you and Pyrrha…"
"Oh. H-Hey Cardin. You scarred me… well, us." Jaune gestured back and forth between Velvet and himself.
Coco and Blake decided they may as well make their presence known. Blake chose to antagonize Cardin a bit by sliding in next to Jaune and hugging his arm close. Mirroring Velvet slightly who was clinging to his shield arm, hiding behind it slightly. Cardin's eyes went wide staring at Jaune, who now literally had a girl on each arm.
"Jaune's romantic life is somewhat complicated." Coco gave Cardin a meaty smack on the back that caused him to stumble forward and glare back over his shoulder at the fashionista.
He looked back at Blake and his gaze drifted to the top of her head where her ears were twitching free. His eyes widened farther before he shook his head.
"That explains… a lot, actually... Well, I guess I'll just be off then. Sorry to have disturbed you guys. Best of luck to ya, Jauney Boy. …Not that you need it. Lucky bastard…" He muttered the last bit as he walked away causing the two Faunus to share a slightly confused look.
"Do you think it's a case of misplaced rage? He's covering his secret desires with false hatred?" Coco watched him leave rubbing her chin in thought.
"He did that last week too… defended me, I mean. I think he is trying to change for the better and atone for his past behavior. He's improved a lot in the last semester." Velvet shrugged. With Cardin gone she had backed away from Jaune, much to Coco's annoyance, and was standing nervously holding her right elbow with her left hand behind her back.
"He did what now?" Coco and Blake turned to Velvet who twisted her foot on the ground shyly. With one ear up straight and the other flopping over halfway, she looked absolutely adorable.
"Well last week, right after we got back. I went down to Vale to get some things. I was having a latte in that café you like downtown…"
Velvet sat in a booth in the back. Sipping her warm creamy coffee and flipping through the books she had just purchased. She moved aside her hardcover copy of A New and More Confident You and picked up 30 Ways to Get Your Guy.
She was on topic 3, the art of flirting, and thinking this was going to be harder than she thought and maybe she should switch books again, when a dark shadow was cast over her table.
"Looks like we got a lost widdle wabbit."
Velvet rolled her eyes, like she'd never heard that one before. She turned to see three leather clad young men with shaved heads, numerous piercings, and tattoos of questionable taste. She was sure they thought they looked tough, but they were clearly not huntsmen, so to her they looked pretty harmless. Could still cause a scene though, and she didn't want to get banned from this café for making trouble.
She was just about to say something, when her eyes widened, looming behind them was a familiar and unwelcome face.
"Looks like someone needs to be taught their place." Cardin's words even sounded like a sneer.
"Yeah! We's just saying that. Wasn't we boys?" The thug with the pierced eyebrow was quick to join in with the burly teen.
"That so? Well, it makes me sick seeing scum like this wandering around. Their filth getting everywhere where good honest people are trying to eat." Cardin's voice was loud enough to be heard by everyone in the place. He pushed through the three hoodlums and loomed over Velvet's table.
"We should teach 'em a lesson! Teach them all a lesson!" The three men were practically foaming at the mouth.
"Ohhh, I intend to." Cardin moved over and stood behind the chair opposite Velvet. Who didn't exactly cower away, but did hurry to secure her belongings as Cardin brought out his mace and leaned it against the table, the threat of violence heavily implied.
He looked Velvet directly into the eyes and grinned an evil grin. "So, what do you think we should do to them? Bloody them up a bit? Break a few bones?"
The three men leaned over, gleefully rubbing their hands together.
"I mean we can't just let them walk in here like they belong. This is an upstanding business after all. Huntsmen and Beacon Students frequent this place you know." He gestured around and fixed the three men with an indecipherable look.
The three thugs looked around suddenly a little concerned, noticing several weapons out on the tables. And a lot of unfriendly faces pointing their way. But they were still confident. They had this big guy on their side.
"Winchester? Double half caff, pumpkin spice?" The Barista held up a cup, momentarily dispelling the building tension.
"Oi! That's me." Cardin pushed the three ruffians aside as he went and grabbed his drink. He returned to Velvet's table and pullet out the chair sitting casually in it and sipping from his cup. Much to the three troublemakers' confusion.
"So, Velvet, the question stands, what do we do with these three idiots?" Cardin winked at her over his drink, his smirk suddenly much less menacing.
"Hunh? But, I thought…" The first thug scratched his bald head obviously confused.
"I doubt you've ever done that in your life." Cardin sipped at his drink again.
"Whaaa?" The thug with all the chains on his jacket looked at their leader for guidance.
"If the three of you were even capable of thought, you wouldn't come in here and pick a fight with one of the strongest second year students in Beacon. But… if you really want to, we can always take this outside. I'll call for 3 ambulances and tell the cops to meet us in, ohh… about, 10 minutes. That will give Velvet here enough time to kick all your asses and still leave you with 8 or nine minutes to think about your poor life choices before the paramedics arrive." As the three hooligans took a step back, they were eyeing Velvet with a newfound fear. Velvet wasn't sure what they thought they saw when they looked her in the eye for the first time. Could total confusion be misinterpreted as killing intent?
"And as for the cops… I'm sure there are at least a dozen people here that will testify that you attacked her, and she was forced to defend herself." Cardin turned away from them and turned back to face Velvet as he savored his coffee with his eyes closed.
He hummed at the sound of rapid footsteps. As the bell on the door chimed, and the low murmur of conversations returned to normal, he opened his eyes again looking over his cup at Velvet.
"Was I ever as bad as that?" Velvet wasn't sure how she should answer, so she just stayed quiet.
"Yeah... I was afraid you'd say that." Cardin sighed and shook his head sadly when her silence spoke volumes.
He threw a tenner down on the table. "Well, I know this doesn't begin to make amends, but at least let me buy your coffee. And I doubt it means anything to you, but I am sorry for how I've behaved."
As Cardin stood to leave Velvet finally found her voice. "Thanks Cardin. For the coffee and the apology. It… It means a lot actually."
Cardin smiled, a genuine smile for the first time. It was a good look on him. "That's a relief. I still got a ways to go, still learning what it means to be a true Huntsman. But I got a pretty good example that I'm trying to follow now. It's nice to know I'm finally doing things right."
"And then, he just… left." Velvet finished her tale rather lamely. She had been much more herself while recounting the past events, but her shyness returned with a vengeance when she suddenly realized she had run out of things to talk about again.
"I wonder who he was talking about? Maybe I should ask him? Try and be like that guy too?" Jaune looked up at the statue, while the three girls shared a look.
"Pretty sure he was talking about you, ya idiot." Coco tousled his hair to show she didn't mean anything by it.
"Ohhhh. But, why me?" Jaune continued to stare ahead at the statue. His voice curious and upbeat, much to the relief of the girls.
"Jaune, why wouldn't he try and emulate you, you're a hero." Velvet put a hand on his shoulder.
"No, I'm not. I'm just trying my best to do the right things." Jaune turned to Blake for help, she was always the levelheaded pragmatic one.
"Jaune what was it you said? A hero is someone who does the right thing no matter what. No matter the cost. That's you Jaune." Blake looked at him trying to convey with her eyes how she believed in him.
"Hunh. Well, that makes me feel good. And I'm happy for Cardin. I felt kind of bad the way I handled things in Forever Fall forest, I shouldn't have threatened him." Velvet beamed at Blake, happy that her story and Blake's words had helped boost Jaune's confidence.
"We should probably leave you two alone now. Looks like you have everything under control." Coco jerked her head at Blake who jumped to her feet.
"N-no. Please stay. It's better with you here. Before you got here the only thing I managed to say was 'Hi', and I stuttered trying to get that out." Velvet whisper begged so that Jaune wouldn't overhear, her pleading eyes rapidly switching between Coco and Blake silently imploring them to stay.
"If you insist Vel." Coco sighed and sat back on the bench next to Velvet while Blake sat on Jaune's other side, keeping a bit of space between them this time out of respect for Velvet.
The four sat looking up at the statues, the low angle of the setting sun making the figures seem to glow, while the grim below were cast in long shadows. A comfortable silence stretched on in the cooling evening air. Velvet finally relaxed snuggling up against Jaune's side to enjoy the warmth.
Jaune's scroll pinged and he pulled it out checking it. He gave a small smile and put his arm around Velvet giving her a one armed hug and taking a selfie. "Just a little note for my sisters back home. Seems like you girls made quite the impression. It's all everyone is talking about."
"What are they saying?" Blake's curiosity won out over her desire to not intrude on Velvet's time.
"Mostly it's questions about you guys. And since they found out about the date night system, suggestions on things to do or places to go. With the amount of research they are doing into what Vale has to offer I wouldn't be surprised if they want to come here for a vacation or something soon." Jaune chuckled to himself.
He did a good job of talking to all three of them but kept his focus mainly on Velvet. Apparently, he had a lot of practice doing that. It seems his sisters had a similar arrangement to share their brother, with each of them having designated 'Jaune Days'.
"And they are okay with everything?" Coco would not be surprised, Remnant, at least outside the major Kingdoms, relied on a healthy birthrate to maintain the population with the constant threat of the Grimm. The Grimm also tended to create a slight imbalance in the gender ratio as well. So having multiple wives was not frowned on, especially in the wake of the Great War. However, in modern times it was not as common, even less so within the walls of the Kingdoms.
"My mom is for anything that means more grand babies." That earned a laugh from Coco, a thoughtful smile from Velvet, and a nervous chuckle from Blake.
"The rest of the sisters are pretty evenly split, each with clear favorites. Lavender and Milli are on Team Blake, Lavender says you are a good emotional counter for me, but Vermillion can't stop imagining nieces and nephews with adorable kitty ears." That got a heavy, very nervous, blush from the cat Faunus.
"Saphron and Mags are routing for Yang, although I think for Magenta it's partially just to inherit Ruby as a sister. Jade and Terra are in Pyrrha's corner, while the twins are aggressively lobbying for Velvet." Jaune continued to stare up at the statue as he talked and traced slow circles on Velvet's back.
"Really?" Velvet finally found her voice. She was finally starting to relax now that she wasn't the sole focus of Jaune's attention. Her chipper tone left no doubt as to how happy she was to have supporters. While Blake was trying to recover her cool collected persona.
"Yeah, they are always talking about you, and your team. I really wish Coco wouldn't have shared numbers with them." Jaune gave Coco a heatless glare.
"And your Dad?" Coco couldn't help herself to but to pry.
"He just wants you to stop sending the twins pictures of Fox and Yatsu without their shirts on." Jaune's glare held a bit more heat this time which didn't phase Coco in the slightest.
"I meant has he mentioned having a favorite?" Coco pushed on ignoring Jaune's request.
"He knows better than to pick sides in something like this. Unless Mom does first." Jaune shrugged.
For Velvet this was great news. Without a clear favorite she was still very much in the running. She should really finish reading those books…
"It's kind of amazing that with all the fighting the statue made it through unscathed. I sort of wish it hadn't." After the brief silence where Velvet had been lost in thought, the sudden comment seemed to come out of the blue.
"What do you mean?" Like Velvet, Blake's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"Well, when they built it, they put Great Aunt Ochre's hood up. She never had it up in any of the pictures I've ever seen. If it got damaged and they had to fix or redo it, maybe they could fix that too." June gestured at the ax wielding huntress standing on the side of the rocks above the dying Grimm.
"Who are you talking about?" Coco squinted at the statue, never having really looked at it closely before. It was always something that just existed in the center of the courtyard.
"Annie Ochre, she was my Great-grandfather's partner, that's him on the top of the rock holding Crocea Mors. She wasn't technically related, but we always called her Auntie. I never met my great granddad, but she lived to be over 100, I can remember sitting at her feet for hours. I used to love it when she would tell us stories about her and Gramps adventures. I think that's where I got it in my head to be a Huntsman. They were pretty famous back in the day. They kept the Grimm away from both sides of the fighting at the end of the great war and helped rebuild and reform the Hunter School system. She died a few years back; I think I was about 8 or 9?" Velvet took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. Jaune squeezed back and used the arm around her back to pull her into a side hug.
"Anyway, I'm guessing they put her hood up because they made the statue during the lead up to the Faunus revolution. She was a tiger Faunus. There was this whole scandal about them being more than partners. She was always very coy about that, but my dad says that part isn't true." Jaune shook his head sadly.
"I-I didn't know that." Velvet leaned in subconsciously as she studied the statues, hanging on Jaune's every word, interested in a new aspect of history she hadn't learned yet.
"Yeah, it kind of came to a head with Thaddeus Arc, he'd be my great uncle, I think. Anyways, he refused to lead Mistral's forces during the Faunus Revolution. And he was a vocal supporter of the White Fang after the war. The media claimed he was actually a Faunus in disguise. The Arc family legacy took a pretty big hit, at least outside the Hunter circles." Jaune let his hand drift down to Velvet's hip as she relaxed more into his side. His free arm pulling out his sword and holding it in his lap, where he rocked it back and forth watching the light play along the length of the blade.
"I had no idea your family was tied so strongly to the Faunus's struggle." Blake was looking at Jaune as if with new eyes.
Jaune held up his sword, letting it glint in the afternoon light. Mirroring the statue before them. "I think they'd be proud of us, don't you?"
"Undoubtedly. You've changed the word Jaune." Coco gave him a no duh look alongside her flat factual statement. Meanwhile Velvet looked up at him happily from where she was flush against his side. Blake just nodded along still a little dumbstruck.
"Nahh. It was a team effort." Jaune stood and helped Velvet to her feet. Sheathing his sword and returning it to his side in a practiced motion.
"I think you are selling yourself short, Jaune." Blake's admonishment was coupled with a frown, something all three girls shared.
"I was there, sure, and maybe I did help a little in getting the proper people talking, and maybe got some ideas rolling. But it was all you girls who did most of the actual fighting. And I wouldn't be in a position to do anything at all if it wasn't for all the support you gave me. So, team effort."
"As long as you admit we would be way worse off without you. I know I am way better with your semblance giving me a boost. And that is really saying something." Coco gave him a smack on the arm, as she winked past her shades.
"Well, thanks guys, you really know how to make a guy feel good." Jaune was looking down sheepishly and missed the hand gestures and pantomime Coco was doing that caused Velvet to blush.
"Hey Blake, why don't we head back to the dorm and get some grub. I don't know about you three but I'm starving." Coco patted her stomach and Blake blushed in embarrassment when her own stomach growled loudly at the mention of food.
"Okay yeah. That's a great idea. I know Vel wanted to try making that pasta dish we saw on the food channel the other day. I can be your sous-chef. The kitchen in the communal room is a little cramped but I'm sure the two of us will be fine working in it together. But unfortunately, the desert I made for you isn't big enough to share with everybody. So maybe we can make a batch of brownies or something?" Jaune took her hand and began to walk back to the dorms with Velvet skipping alongside him bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly.
"Ohhhh, and what did you make your little honey bunny?" Coco smirked at Velvet who was giving her the stink eye. She quickly got over her disappointment that her plan to get Velvet some alone time had failed. But this would be even better, Vel would be in her element in the kitchen. And its tiny size would mean they would be working practically on top of one another, with no room for anyone else to come between them.
"Well, I don't want to ruin the surprise…" Jaune rubbed the back of his neck looking apologetically at Velvet.
"As long as it isn't something stupid and cliché like carrot cake." Coco waved a hand dismissively, only to slowly turn when Jaune swallowed loudly and got suddenly very nervous and quiet.
"Jaune please tell me you didn't do something as borderline racist as making a carrot cake for a rabbit Faunus." Coco lowered her shades at the boy who squirmed under her glare.
"Well, it IS her favorite…." Jaune broke eye contact staring at his feet.
"No, her favorite is chocolate." Coco sharpened her glare.
"Actually Coco, carrot is my favorite type of cake. And besides, that stereotype is based on a cartoon. In real life, carrots are actually quite bad for rabbits, they don't really eat them at all." Velvet took hold of Jaune's arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"But I only ever see you pick chocolate…" Coco looked between Velvet and Jaune both confused and now apologetic.
"Well, sometimes it is better to not reinforce a stereotype in public, especially if it will just bring unwanted attention." Blake gave Velvet a sad understanding look.
"Does this mean I should cancel next Monday's reservation at that sushi place Yatsuhashi recommended?" Jaune turned to Blake with innocent and questioning eyes.
"What? No! Nooooo. No. …No, I'm saying I understand, not that I don't want to eat all the delicious fish!" Blake's look, in contrast to Jaune's soft one, was wide eyed and desperate.
"Oh, okay. So, I'm doing things right then? I mean, I'm still really new to this… you know, dating and stuff. If I screw up, you guys will tell me, right?" Jaune looked so worried, Velvet and Blake felt an immediate tug on their heart strings. Even Coco couldn't help but be moved by the blonde's concerns.
"Calm down loverboy. Despite the insanity of everything that is happening, and your weird, twisted love quincunx or whatever, you are handling it remarkably well. As a proud wing woman of the Jaune Squad, I think I can speak for all of us when I say; we'll make sure you know when you've screwed up." Coco laughed as she knocked the boy forward with her friendly clap on the back.
As Jaune stumbled and hacked from the blow, Coco sauntered forward uncaring of her teammate's chastising look. "While Vel may have strange taste in date night activities, I for one am looking forward to seeing what you two can do in the kitchen together. Common now chop chop, Coco needs to get her foodie fix on. Besides you two will look adorable crammed into that tiny kitchen working side by side, and hip to hip…"
Velvet's atomic blush was lit even further by the final red rays of the sun. She sped up to catch her cackling leader, her stream of admonishments more heavily accented as she chastised an unrepentant Coco.
Jaune chuckled finally getting to see the real Velvet he knew lurked beneath her overshadowing shyness. He paused to check back on Blake who was bringing up the rear. She flashed him a smile over their squad's antics, and they broke into a sprint. The two of them forced to run to catch up with Velvet and the still laughing Coco.
~~-Yellow Maidens-~~
AN: So, slice of life chapter. Velvet is trying to find her groove, Blake got her haircut, Coco is forcibly shipping Scarlet-Knight, and Cardin is doing his best to better himself.
This chapter has been long delayed. Our family had a bout with Covid, which should have given me lots of time to work on this. And I did do a lot of writing for future chapters, but I also completely lost my voice. I finally got a chance to read it with my daughter last weekend. And I promised her I would not post any new chapters that she hasn't already heard.
Full disclosure: I wrote that last part 2 weeks ago and just never got the chance to actually post this thing.
Life continues to go on and get more and more complicated. So, this story will continue to progress, but life continues to interfere with updates, so please stay patient.
Non-Mandatory Disclaimer: I own nothing RWBY. All characters belong to RoosterTeeth and were originally created by Monty Oum.