Chapter 7 - Actions May Have Unexpected Side-Effects


"So, should I start referring to you as "my lady?" Or would you prefer "lord"?" Jaune teased, prodding at the shell-shocked blonde's shoulder once the doors of Dragonsreach were firmly closed behind them, and they were safely out of earshot.

"Keep it up and I will name you my Court Jester, Vomit Boy." Yang shot back easily, the familiarity of their joking helping her regain some of her usual composure. "Your duties shall include throwing up on shoes of people who displease me."

"Wow, you haven't even been a noble for an hour and you're already bossing a lowly peasant around!" Jaune remarked, as she worked the unfamiliar straps of her new axe, given to her as a symbol of her new office, her new status.

Yang sighed in exasperation, and as they made their way down the stairs she explained: "I'm a Thane, Vomit Boy, not a noble. Big difference there."

"Which is?" Jaune prompted, fascinated by the impromptu lesson into Skyrim's social structure (and, more accurately, comparing how similar it was to comics he'd read on medieval times).

"The title of Thane is an honor granted to individuals of renown in a Hold by the Jarl personally." Yang paused, took note of Jaune's lack of sudden understanding, and simplified: "It's like being appointed to a position in the court, rather that being given a title that's passed through your lineage."

"Oh, I got it." Jaune nodded, finally seeing the distinction (though he felt it was a meaningless one). "Still seems like a pretty big deal, though."

"It is a big deal. Which is why I really didn't expect him to name me Thane just like that." Yang admitted sheepishly. "Most stories about wandering mercenaries becoming Thanes usually involve them doing something epic, like charging headfast into a den of werewolves who'd killed the town's cattle, or something."

"Well, you did save his city from a dragon. I'd say that was pretty epic." Jaune pointed out matter-of-factly, before processing Yang's last few words. "Also, werewolves?"

"Yup." Yang drawled out as if it were obvious, then remembered that her companion wasn't a local. "You know, people that turn into large humanoid wolves? Never heard of them?"

"No, no, I've heard of them. But they're mythical creatures, that only exist in legends..." Jaune rebutted, before slapping his head in realization. "Oh, right, this world has magic and fire-breathing dragons. Why wouldn't it have werewolves? I guess that thundering Shout from the mountains was pretty normal, then, too?"

"No, that's definitely a "once an age" sort of deal." Yang corrected him. "The Greybeards almost never summon for anyone."

"The Greybeards... they're the guys the Jarl suggested we visit, right?" Jaune asked, having chosen to keep his distance from the Jarl and his court (and, thus, the discussion). "Who are they, anyway?"

"They are Masters of the Voice... that's another name for Shouting, by the way." Yang began elaborating. "They are an order of monks who live in seclusion High Hrothgar, at the peak of the tallest mountain in Tamriel. They rarely get involved in worldly matters, usually choosing to meditate on the Voice and it's teachings, but they are very well-respected, and when they do actually speak, everyone listens."

"That big, huh..." Jaune murmured, reminded of Glynda Goodwitch, and it was all he could do to avoid a fit of giggles at the sudden thought of Beacon's staff in brown monk robes. Then his childlike curiosity reasserted himself, and he excitedly brought the topic back: "So, werewolves... do they also forcefully transform every full moon? Are they vulnerable only to silver? And how does one become a werewolf?"

"Why? You interested?" Yang asked, raising an eyebrow at his unexpected enthusiasm.

"Oh, come on, it's not everyday I find out monsters from my childhood stories are real!" Jaune defended himself, flushing. "I just want to know how accurate the stories are!"

"Well..." Yang hesitated for a moment, before deciding to trust him. "Firstly, with regards to silver... every hunter swears by a different root or metal. So far, I have not seen any definitive texts that state their weakness to silver, though, and even if it were true, a sword made from silver would be too heavy and soft to be effective as an actual weapon.

"As for how it gets passed on... there is a chance that being bitten or scratched by a werewolf would infect you with lycanthropy, I believe, which is but one of the reasons that Cure Disease potions are recommended in every wilderness kit. Another way would be to seek out the Daedra Prince Hircine, and receive his blessing. He is the patron deity of lycanthropes and associated with the Bloodmoon, which would explain that tale about the full moon..."

"Daedra Prince?" Jaune's interjected, confused.

"They're basically gods of their own planes of Oblivion..."

"Oblivion?" Jaune's eyes were now spinning in circles.

Yang sighed, reminding herself once more that Jaune's sudden and violent arrival meant he had even less knowledge than a child. Slowly, she tried again: "Oblivion is another dimension... you know what those are, right? Good. Basically, there's another dimension, another plane of existence, with different regions... the Daedra Princes are gods of their personal realms. They've even tried invading our reality and taking over before."

"Wait, what?!" Jaune's curiosity was piqued. "What happened?"

"That was 200 years ago... basically, they tore open portals in every city across the Empire, and caused mass death and destruction in what is known as the Oblivion Crisis."

Jaune blanched at the thought. remembering the Vytal Festival. Then he remembered what she'd said earlier, and disbelievingly asked: "... and some people seek out these "Daedra" for their "blessings", like lycanthropy?"

Yang nodded, pleased with Jaune's incredulous look at the thought, then reassured him: "Well, they're rare at the best of times, and generally considered insane, so don't worry. I doubt we'll run into any daedra worshippers or werewolves any time soon..."

"Hey, you!" A gruff voice called out to them as they were about to descend from the Cloud District, and they turned to find a group of big well-armored warriors hailing them from a longhouse.

For a moment, Jaune reflexively stiffened, but Yang looked up at them and grinned, before shouting back: "Ah, so that's where you were! So, would a true warrior relish the opportunity to take on a dragon, too?"

Before Jaune could warn Yang against antagonizing the warriors (especially in her current state), the group laughed back with good cheer, and the one with a scar running down an eye spoke: "You were right, Aela... the whelp definitely has some fire in her gut!"

"We would have been there, but by the time we could confirm the rumors and grabbed our weapons, you were already battling the dragon." Another man explained.

"Don't worry, whelp. Next time a dragon shows up, we'll be there first." The woman (who Jaune had surmised was called Aela) shot back with a feral grin, which Yang returned.

Jaune looked back and forth between his companion and the group, and finally regained enough composure to ask: "You know these guys, Yang?"

""These guys"?" Aela bristled, seemingly offended, and Jaune winced.

"It's his first day in Skyrim." Yang hastily defended Jaune, before proudly explaining to him: "And I helped Aela and the Companions when they were fighting a giant outside the city, before I met the Jarl."

"An outsider, eh?" Aela asked Jaune, mollified by Yang's excuse. As Jaune nodded vigorously, she continued: "Never heard of the Companions?"

"Nope."

"An order of warriors. We are brothers and sisters in honor." Aela boasted loftily, even as the group around her drew themselves taller in pride. The image was ruined when she added: "And we show up to solve problems if the coin is good enough.

Jaune fought to keep his face neutral at the realization that they were just glorified mercenaries. After all, it was Skyrim; he really shouldn't be surprised by anything, anymore. Fortunately, Yang spoke up before he could: "So, what do the glorious Companions want with us?"

"Well, Aela wanted to ask if you've given any thought to- oof!" The third man, the one who'd initially called out to them, began explaining, but was quickly cut off by an elbow to the gut.

"We were hoping to invite you in for a round." Aela corrected, glaring at him. "Hear your stories about the dragon fight, share some stories of our own, maybe introduce you to Kodlak if any of us are still sober..."

Jaune was oddly reminded of one of the joint team outings he'd had with Teams JNPR and RWBY. More specifically, the looks on cafe owner's faces when they'd realized Pyrrha and Weiss were looking for a place to eat. Then again, it had gotten very dark already, and it was probably for the best that the pair got some rest before they apparently went to climb a mountain (especially given the day they'd had).

Besides, he could see Yang practically vibrating in excitement (he'd once held up a ticket to an Achieve Men concert in front of his world's Yang), and hey, what was the worst that could happen with Yang and a tavern?

Jaune's optimism lasted all of three seconds. Then he entered the Mead Hall of Jorrvaskr, and walked into a fistfight between a dark-skinned elf and someone who he could describe as a discount Yang.

Behind him, the one-eyed warrior stalked forward, sternly barking like Glynda at a food fight: "Are those two at it again? Come on now, watch the footwork! Keep your balance! Watch the eyes!"

Drunken cheers rang out throughout the hall, and tankards were raised high as the two redoubled their effort to send the other to the infirmary (or the nearest dentist, which would've been a few dimensions away by Jaune's calculations). The other Companions escorting Yang and Jaune quickly rushed forward, joining in and placing bets.

Jaune turned to Yang, ready to suggest finding a more quiet inn where they might have been able to get actual rest, but before he could open his mouth Yang had suddenly dragged him forward as she rushed in, eyes sparkling enthusiastically, shouting: "Come on, Vomit Boy! We're gonna miss all the fun!"

"Dang it, Yang!"

-PATCH, 2 MONTHS AFTER THE FALL-

"Dang it, Yang!" Pyrrha hissed, disappointed in her formerly-fiery friend. "How long more are you going to just lie around?!"

Yang stared blankly past her, refusing to reply.

Pyrrha's temper flared, and she continued: "It's been two months, and you still haven't left your bed except to use the toilet!"

Silence. Blank stare.

Pyrrha changed tracks: "Did you know your sister is leaving to look for the people responsible for the Fall?"

Still silence. But Yang was glaring at her now, and her fist was clenched. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a sign to leave the building.

Pyrrha pressed on: "I guess you're too busy moping about to care about your sister."

"What do you want, Nikos?" Yang snarled, and for a moment Pyrrha saw a shadow of the girl who'd destroyed a bar even before Initiation. Just for a moment, then she looked away forlornly, asking: "What do you want from me?"

"I want to know if the old Yang is still in there! The girl who was over-protective of her sister, who could have actually given me a run for my money, the second-best combat student of our year!" Pyrrha answered.

"In case you haven't noticed, Nikos, things have changed." Yang snapped back angrily, waving her stump.

"Since when would that have ever stopped you?" Pyrrha snorted. "You know, I once thought we were similar. That you might have had the potential to be tournament champion. But if this is how you act on when you lose-"

"What the hell would the Invincible Girl know about losing?!" Yang spat in Pyrrha's face.

"Try me."

"I didn't just lose a fight." Yang missed Pyrrha's dangerously low tone. "I lost a part of me. A piece of me is gone. And it's never coming back."

"You lost an arm, Yang." Pyrrha interrupted her fiercely. "Big deal."

"Why you-"

"There's prosthetics. Fighting styles that use legs. One-handed weapons." Pyrrha listed off to a glaring Yang, before sharply retorting: "You've still got your life, your friends, your family, your partner. I'd give my arm up happily if it meant Jaune was still alive!"

Yang looked away quietly, unable to answer back. Anyone with a working eye in Beacon had seen Pyrrha's crush on her leader and partner. She also knew Jaune had died, had heard the crying from the survivors of Team JNPR when they'd gotten the news, as well as Ruby's weeping when she'd been told about it. She'd heard about how Jaune had sent Pyrrha to safety while he tried to stop the dragon and the mastermind behind the attack, and then protected Ruby at the top of the tower.

"But I lost Jaune..." Pyrrha softly continued, anger ebbing away, a hollow sorrow rushing to fill the void. "He's gone, and he's never coming back. And it's all my fault."

"..."

"..."

"Pyrrha? Where are you? It's time to go!" Ruby's voice called out, breaking the silence.

Pyrrha got up, not looking at Yang, not noticing the hand reaching out to her. As she left to meet Ruby and sneak out of Patch, she merely called back: "Goodbye."

"Oh, there you are, Pyrrha!" Ruby waved at Pyrrha as she finally spotted her, and as she approached her she said: "Where were you? We should get going, soon. Before my father's done making breakfast."

"You all packed, Ruby?" Pyrrha asked, forcibly injecting some levity into her tone as she changed the subject. She'd gotten to know Jaune's first friend better, in the few months she'd been in Patch, training with them, and she knew Ruby wouldn't have approved of her confronting Yang.

"Yup." Ruby drawled out, as she led Pyrrha to her room, and its open window. "Let's get going."

As Ruby Rose easily leapt out of the window, with Pyrrha following suit, her thoughts briefly went back to Beacon. Of landing strategies, of Initiation. Of her first meeting with Vomit Boy, and how he'd offered his hand to a socially-awkward stranger.

Her thoughts turned to her first friend in Beacon. How they'd discussed comics and the burden of leadership. How he'd complain about his latest failed attempt at romancing Weiss (much to her secret amusement). How they'd come up with cool team combos. Complaining about Oobleck's and Port's latest lectures. How he'd jumped in front of her at the tower, saving her from Cinder's attack. How he'd laid on the floor, unmoving, a puddle of red slowly forming on the floor...

Ruby swallowed, having learned how to fight the tears. Instead, she turned her thoughts to what they'd do next. Uncle Qrow had told her that the enemy's trail led to Haven. She and Pyrrha would meet Ren and Nora at the nearby inn, and from there they'd book passage on a ship to Anima. Then, the four would head to Haven, find Cinder, and bring her to justice. As far as she was concerned, there would be no more Falls... no more dead friends.

Behind her, Pyrrha too reflected on their journey, similar to her fellow redhead. However, while she knew Ruby and her idealism, she couldn't lie to herself.

It wasn't just about justice for her.

She wanted revenge.


Author's Note: And we're finally back! And before anyone asks, yes, Lydia won't be having a major role in this story, since the Jarl named Jaune as Yang's Housecarl (at her insistence, without Jaune's consent or knowledge). Truly, a dark day for Skyrim's best (and snarkiest) packmule.

Yang's surprise at being made Thane stems from a mostly romanticized idea of Skyrim. Once again, she's not Skyrim-born, but a native of Cyrodiil who's essentially on a pilgrimage to Skyrim, her ancestral homeland. To her (especially in the war-ravaged Cyrodiil ruled by the politically-weakening Titus Mede), titles, especially those related to nobility, would have come from either generations of deeds, familial connections, or years of paying massive "donations" to all the right people. Sure, she would have expected a massive reward of some sort for the tablet and for killing the dragon, but not the "honor" of being made a de facto advisor of the Jarl she'd met just that very same day.

Meanwhile, from Balgruuf's perspective, he gets a positive relationship with the Dragonborn, a badass dragon slayer, and manages to build ties between her and the city of Whiterun. Not to mention, while he has her ear, he can also safely ignore any advise she gives that he may not like, nor is he risking his niece Lydia to be made into her Housecarl. And before anyone starts, I like Balgruuf as a character, and I genuinely think he's a good Jarl and a good person (the way he sneaks to the local tavern to have drinks with his citizens, as compared to the Jarl of Falkreath, who protects bandits from his guards as long as they give him a cut, and the Jarl of Riften... the Stormcloak-aligned Jarl, while idealistic and principled, is also blind and a poor judge of character, looking at her steward and confidant Maven Black-Briar; the Imperial-aligned one is Maven Black-Briar, which says more than enough). That doesn't mean that he can't be smart, calculating, or have ulterior motives. Sure, he's definitely grateful to Yang for saving the city and all, but that doesn't mean he doesn't try to stack the deck so that his rewards also benefit his city.

And yes, according to the books in The Elder Scrolls on the subject (specifically On Lycanthropy, in Daggerfall), lycanthropy can actually be transmitted via attacks. It also says that werewolves are not obligate carnivores, and the author wonders if the disease simply drives them mad and aggressive with the knowledge that their body and soul are doomed, or if it is intentional, a form of procreation by the disease. Then again, it also states that werebears are the most common lycanthrope in Skyrim, but the game seems to show us otherwise. Whatever the truth may be, Yang is not exactly a well-read scholar of the Imperial Library. All she has to go on are stories, legends, and the occasional book of dubious veracity.

As for her views on the daedra and daedra worshippers... just a few facts to consider; as far as she knows, Cyrodiil was the heart of the Oblivion Crisis, 200 years ago. There was also the Planemeld (the attempt by Molag Bal to merge Coldharbour with Tamriel, which occurred in 2E 582, almost 1000 years prior to the events of Skyrim) and the floating city of Umbriel and it's ruler Umbra that actually besieged the Imperial City in 4E 49. After all those events, the fact that daedra worshippers assassinated Uriel Septim, and 200 years of propaganda by the Vigilants of Stendarr... is it really any surprise that anyone born in Cyordiil wouldn't be conditioned to loathe the daedra and their worshippers in the same way that an Imperial citizen in the 40k world would be conditioned to hate the witch, the mutant, the xenos, the heretic?

Jaune, meanwhile, naturally takes her word for it, since he's never met a werewolf, doesn't have anything to compare daedra to, and has no reason to be skeptical of Yang's words. He's not yet completely weaned of his more... black-and-white worldview, after all. Even Pyrrha's death, in canon, didn't shake him free of it. And hey, isn't his idealism part of what we enjoy about him?

As for the Companions approaching the pair in this timeline... why wouldn't the Companions go to recruit the Dragonborn, a proven badass dragonslayer? Tradition? That just means they should be dragging the Dragonborn to see Kodlak as soon as humanly possible, not waiting for them to just finally dance into Jorrvaskr! As for why Yang goes along with them... she knows, and respects, the reputation of the Companions. As for when she met them... the game's scripted so that you meet them as they take down a giant the first time you reach Whiterun.

The Yang-Pyrrha confrontation felt like a way for me to highlight the differences between Dragonborn Yang and Remnant Yang, as well as show some changes that occur in Remnant. For one, I doubt Pyrrha would let Yang wallow in depression like that. Sure, she was always the polite Cereal Girl, but this is a Pyrrha who watched her best friend and first love save her by risking himself. Ruby's too caring to call out her sister like this. Nora might have, but Ren would have probably stopped her from doing anything rash. Tai and Qrow clearly didn't do anything about it until a while after RNJR was gone. And Jaune... well, firstly, anyone who's grown up with sisters has probably learned to tell when they don't want to talk, and anyone who's grown up with big sisters has probably learned not to disturb them when they're in such a mood. Secondly, Jaune would probably have been busy training himself or comforting Ren and Nora, internalizing the guilt rather than lashing out.

But Pyrrha's aggressive and unfamiliar with grief and loss. Sure, she also would have trained her ass off against Qrow, but I doubt she'd have just kept quiet while Yang cried about her arm for two months. Once again, I make no moral judgement, condone neither course of action; I just write what I think could and would happen. Also, Pyrrha doesn't actually change Yang's mind... at most, it just makes her more willing to try on Ironwood's prosthetic arm when it arrives.

And yes, I still keep to my lengthy detailed Author's Notes. Because I need them, so very much. They're meant for readers (and me, especially me) to see the thought process I use when writing a character, their motivations, and their actions. Very useful, especially if I ever need to look back to figure out what a character did and, most importantly, why they did it. Very useful if I need to write them in a similar situation, figuring out if there's any differences in their actions and what has changed in the intervening time.