Short chapter like most for this series.
Chapter 2:
Blake got off the airship, mind cleared and focused on reading her book. She took a glance at the academy she will be attending before returning to her book, not entirely interested. She's been here before, an interview with the headmaster himself.
"Feeling down?" Somebody asked her.
Startled, she turned around and came face to face with a blond human boy strumming his guitar with a goofy grin on his face. How did he sneak up on her?
"No." She replied flatly, "I'm fine, thank you."
"Your tune says otherwise."
"Excuse me?"
"The tune of your soul, it… Sounds heartbroken, mixed with something like disillusion."
Blake's heart stopped. His words, while vague, hit all the nails that she was feeling deep inside. She was heartbroken that Adam had become something akin to a monster, uncaring about the casualties of the innocents, and her disillusion with the White Fang.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She managed to say.
"Okay, maybe I shouldn't be divulging, but let me play you a song to cheer you up."
"No thanks."
The blond boy ignored her protest and started playing. Maroon 5 – This Love.
"I was so high I did not recognize
The fire burning in his eyes
The chaos that controlled my mind."
Blake picked up the pace and started to run from the weirdo but came to a halt as she heard the next few lyrics.
"I whispered goodbye and got on a train
Never to return again
But always in my heart…
Oh, this love has taken its toll on me!
He said goodbye too many times before!
And his heart is breaking in front of me
I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore!"
"How did you…?!" She sputtered, but the boy continued playing and singing.
"I tried my best to keep him upright
Following him every night
So hard to keep him upright
Oh, kept playing love it was just a game
Pretending to feel the same
Then turn around and leave again
This love has taken its toll on me!
He said goodbye too many times before!
And his heart is breaking in front of me
I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore!"
Crowds of people walked by them, some staring at them oddly while others enjoyed the show. Blake stood awkwardly beside the weird blonde. Her secrets were practically strung into a song! One that is heavily omitted, but it was eerily similar to the events that had transpired.
Oddly enough, as the song continued, she was starting to enjoy the music and the meaning behind it. The blonde enthusiasm was infectious as he happily sang and bounced on the soles of his feet, making her lips twitched as she started tapping her foot to go with the rhythm.
A crowd had formed, swaying on their feet and bobbing their heads to his intoxicating voice and tune.
From a distant, Glynda and Ozpin watched the performance with interest. Well, Glynda was more concerned than interested as she could feel his music unnaturally influencing those around him.
"Glynda," Ozpin assured the combat instructor, "I wouldn't worry about Mr. Arc's intention. He seems to be rather… Upbeat than malevolent."
"It's uncanny." Glynda protested.
They quickly found out that Jaune is capable of reading a person's soul and to some extent, their past and possibly, their secret.
"Well, what do you wish to impose upon Mr. Arc? I believed he just helped a troubling participant come to terms with her past. Maybe not resolved it but strengthened it." Ozpin noted as he watched Blake, who was now grinning and shuffling back and forth to the tune.
Glynda was silent for a moment before sighing, "I'll think of something before giving you a draft. My concern is that Jaune could utilize his semblance for blackmail or even influence our staff."
"That is certainly a possibility we can't ignore." Ozpin agreed, "But let's not be hasty in singling him out. As of now, he doesn't appear to use his semblance for any ill intent. Regardless, we'll keep an eye on him."
They silently watched as Jaune sang the song's outro.
"This love has taken its toll on me!
He said goodbye too many times before!
And his heart is breaking in front of me
I have no choice cause I won't say goodbye anymore…"
As he finished playing, the crowd clapped as he bowed.
"Thank you, thank you! You all been a great audience!" He turned to Blake, "Feeling better?"
She smiled, "A bit. Thank you, but can you keep…"
"The true meaning a secret? Don't worry, I can read souls, not the past. But sure, I won't go blabbing about it."
"Thank you… I never got your name."
"Jaune Arc, short sweet rolls off the tongue. Ladies love it."
"I'm Blake, Blake Belladonna."
"Nice to meet you, Blake." Shaking her hand. At that moment, a small explosion erupted from the round avenue. "Hello? What do we have over there?"
/-/
"I promise I'll make this up to you!" Ruby sighed as she watched the white-haired girl stormed off. "I guess I'm not the only one having a rough first day." She slipped to the floor and laid flat on her back, "Welcome to Beacon…"
Ruby briefly enjoyed the cold stone floor before noticing a shadow looming over her. She opened her eyes and turned towards the source, a blond boy holding a guitar on one hand and another reaching out to her.
"Hey, I'm Jaune."
"Ruby."
"Aren't you a simple soul?" Jaune said with a grin.
Funny enough, we had a song for Adam called "This Hate" the opposite of "This Love" by Maroon 5.
Shame we didn't think of an Omake for it.
