Chapter 26: Nocturna Ebrios
I hope all of you like the chapter. Enjoy!
Saphron Arc walked into her former home, noticing that the coat rack had barely changed since she'd last been here, a week visit, Adrian having been the little light in the room, a memory now that made her feel disgust and vile rage. She'd just been the nanny, the babysitter that had to care for the bastard spawn of her former wife's partner, who'd touched her as well.
"Hey Saph, are you alright?"
One of the twins, Verde, if she'd guessed it right, spoke up, startling her suddenly by speaking up and it took a moment to gather herself, Verde's fellow twin looking a little hazy, her eyes a little dull. Saphron wasn't fully sure but they looked a little out of it, a bit like Adelheid had when she'd been so sloshed that she'd half-forgotten where she'd been. It had been a trying morning, Adelheid half-hunched over the toilet bowl for most of the morning, swearing to the gods that she'd never drink again.
'And I'll try to make sure that you don't drink again. One little slip-up and I'll bail you out, but...'
She should talk with Rouge about that as well. She looked at the family portrait, her father standing proudly as the dad behind his children, all eight of them whilst mom looked as she always did, the perfect wife to her father. She could see the look on her father's face and the suspicion continued to grow.
'You did something horrible to Miss Umbra...'
The blood inside her boiled at the sight of her father smiling happily. She startled when someone touched her, suddenly aware that she'd been staring for a while at the family portrait, noticing that Verde seemed to have come closer.
"What? Sorry, bad night. We drank a lot."
Adelheid hadn't drank anything after the little escapade earlier, but she'd had one hell of a stomach problem afterwards. She'd given her best friend a few stomach pills, telling her to keep quiet and sedate for the day. She hoped Adelheid could last out the year.
"Whether you were staying for dinner. Mom said she'd make chicken pasta, if she's home from her club."
She sighed softly, knowing that their mother would be home 'late' as usually was the case. It always was late when they ate, especially if mom had to go and play her tournaments. They were a second thought, most of the time
"I guess it'll be time for Saphron's special chicken pasta... With an extra dash of hope, a slice of despair and mom probably coming in half-way and hoping that she'll sneak a few plates."
She didn't mind cooking for her family. It was a domestic skill that she'd grown an appreciation for, before. It was all something that she'd learned to be a good wife, to be a good mother to Adrian. She could've gone and worked, but someone had to look after the baby.
"Ah, great. We're a bit hungry, right?"
Jade (or Verde) commented to her sister, who looked like she was going to go and drift off to sleep. Saphron hoped that it was something that would pass. It might be nice to have dinner with just her sisters, even if she'd only come home for a meeting with Rouge.
"Is Rouge in as well, or is she still at work?"
She got a shrug, so that mean that her older sister was still at her work. She groaned and got the apron on, starting to rummage around in the freezer, pulling out several frozen chicken filets and starting to hack them into appropriate bits, her other hand going for the upper cupboard to find the right pots and pans. Knowing their mother, things would be in the proper spot, because it'd be easier for her to cook something fast.
She watched the pot for a moment before she dove into the freezer, grabbing the bottle of wine and pouring herself a glass, taking a drink. She didn't like to drink very much after the sight of Adelheid about to breach her contract but a glass of wine would soothe her nerves, smelling the familiar scents of home. It was disgusting how spooked she'd been when Verde had just wanted to get her attention. She was older than them, she was just someone who'd been aware of what their father had done to someone who was weaker than him.
"Hitting the drinks already, Saph? My, you're becoming a real Valean housewife already."
The voice of her sister Rouge came from behind, her head turning to look at her older sister, motioning with the glass to one of the seats nearby.
"Take a seat, Rouge. Dinner'll be ready to eat in not too long, I'll make sure that you get what you're due."
Her older sister looked confident, not fussed by anything, her hand brushing through her hair. Her mother had the same look about her, the same loose hair and curls, a smaller brush probably needed. Rouge hadn't styled it today, it seemed.
"Oh? Special Saphron Spaghetti?"
She gave her older sister a look and saw Violet enter, rubbing at her arms. Her younger sister looked pale and weathered, plopping herself down on the chair and just leaning onto the table, her elbows resting there. Bloodshot eyes were looking at her, as Violet gave a little 'thank you' in not so many words, Saphron setting her glass of wine down at the counter, putting the cork coasters onto the table and then hearing the beeping of the timers, starting to drain the pasta, checking the sauce in the pan.
"Great, pasta. Come on, big sis, serve."
Beryl sat down, her eyes looking a little brighter than the night before, Saphron looking at her sisters. It was nice to see them together, knowing that most of them were now already present. Azora was still absent, her youngest sister probably home soon, as she set the large pan with pasta on the coaster and then got the saucepan and just upended it, letting the sauce splatter into the pasta, her eyes glancing at the reactions, the plates already set out by Beryl.
They were her sisters, her family. The empty spot at the table where Jaune would sit was still empty, but it would be filled by him sometime soon. Had her sisters known? Violet gave her a look that was cautious, Rouge starting to make a few jokes about Verde's dopey look, Jade starting to give a few cutting comments about Rouge's lack of hairstyling as Beryl merely started to ladle in the pasta on her plate, the chicken added last, the grilled chicken bits going well.
"I'm home! Sorry, the kids were a bit too much and- Saphron!"
Azora was in a good mood, throwing her jacket onto the peg. Saphron smiled a little at her youngest sister, who sat herself down on the seat, the seats mostly claimed except for Jaune's, dad's and mom's. She had taken mom's traditional seat since the woman wasn't there, looking at her sisters. Rouge was watching them as she put a small helping onto her plate, Verde and Jade currently interacting with Violet, whose soft smile was as fake as anything about the 'job of being a secretary', Beryl half-way finished with her plate already.
"How've you been? It's been a month or so, are you settling in well at your place?"
She was. She had a good friend there with her, sharing her bed more frequently than not. Adelheid was a real trooper when it came to work, making calls all day and trying to make sure that she would have the best opportunities for Jaune.
"I've gotten a friend, she's a bit of a handful."
Beryl snorted, shaking her hand as she grabbed the glass of orange juice that she'd been sipping and downing it in one go.
"She was so drunk she started to babble about it being unfair that she's not getting laid, Saph. How shitfaced did you get her to get her in bed with you?"
Saphron pressed her lips together tightly, her eyes darkening a little at the thought of seducing Adelheid. She wasn't a rapist like their father, but she couldn't say that.
"Just about as shitfaced as you were when you started to ramble on about wanting to be a pink fairy pony princess, Bear."
Beryl coloured a little. It'd been the first time that Beryl had started to drink and she'd hit the liquor hard. It'd been amusing and somewhat disturbing, and... well, sometimes it showed that Beryl couldn't handle her liquor well.
"So, did you fuck her yet? She looked like she really needed something nice and stiff."
Saphron's expression darkened, her hand settling down on the table, her eyes narrowing at Beryl. Her younger sister relented after a few seconds of the Saphron Stare.
"I'm not into drunken girls, Beryl. I'd like them to be aware and awake, and most certainly am not going to hurt someone who isn't into that kind of thing."
Beryl had the good graces to look bad about it, and Rouge whistled a little, Saphron's attention going to her older sister, the one who'd raped Jaune, not quite warming her glare up a little, Rouge holding up her hands with a smile.
"Hey, cool your jets, Saph. Bear was just joking, you're the sweetest and kindest girl we've got around her, except maybe Fifi, who'll be barking for us eventually."
Violet's face showed a splash of irritation at the joke, Rouge chuckling a little to herself. Saphron sighed deeply.
'No time like the present.'
"Are you free tomorrow, Rouge? I'd like you to come to my new place, see how I live now."
Rouge's face looked a little pensive, as she pulled her personal Scroll out and opened the calendar on it, flipping through it with a finger and checking her appointments.
"How's Thursday for you? I'm booked for Wednesday, lots of sick people needing to have this good-lookin' gal to go and bring them back on the straight and narrow."
'A sick person talking to the sick... The irony is staggering...'
There was a smile on her lips as she nodded. "I'll come and pick you up, we can get you to meet my bestie too. She might like seeing her bigger sis."
Rouge raised an eyebrow, giving her a look. Violet sighed.
"Her best friend. You'd probably get on well with her, she's Jaune's publisher."
Rouge didn't look very convinced, as Saphron remembered the pictures. She grinned broadly. The others would like the pictures that Jaune had gotten.
"Ooh, I've got pictures! Jaune's team pictures, fresh from the photographer."
She opened her Scroll up, flicking through them, looking through the folders and finding the correct picture folder, opening it up and passing it to her right, to Rouge.
"Ren, Nora and Pyrrha, with Jaune in the middle. Just look at those cool poses."
Rouge looked at the picture and grinned, handing the Scroll to Beryl, who looked at it for a moment and chuckled.
"Cereal girl's looking good. When do you think they'll start banging?"
Several of her sisters frowned at the language, Saphron shrugging a little. She'd met the girl once or twice, but nothing that could really tell her whether they were 'banging' or not. She thought it cute, but Jaune was old and wise enough to be an adult.
"No clue. If he's happy, I'm happy for him."
The dreams had been a little more intense. She'd woken up crawled against Adelheid, whose ability to sleep through nearly everything seemed to be as inborn as the ability to thoroughly be as needy as an addict could be.
'You should be happy for him. He's your little brother but you also trust him, Saphron... You trust him and you want him to keep you safe.'
"Yeah, they look neat. Let's see- Ooh, is this your friend? She's cute."
Azora had gotten the Scroll and turned it to show the picture of Jaune and Adelheid looking at each other. Saphron grinned, looking at the picture. It'd been one of her favourites as well, because Adelheid looked like she'd wanted him really badly, which was close to the truth.
"Damn, she doesn't look half-bad. Fifi, you should share beauty tips, make her shine."
Violet had a light smile on her face, Azora looking at the picture for a moment and getting a big grin on her face. She swiped through some of the pictures, the next one in the set coming to the front.
"Ooh, he's looking all manly. Soooo... What do you guys think? Good pictures, or just nah? I've got to get one of these for my art projects, damn, your photographer does good work."
The guy was called Maxi Nut or something, according to Adelheid. An eccentric fellow, but apparently very good at what he did.
"Well, he was this Maxi guy, eh... Miss Umbra said something about him being great but a bit weird...'
Azora's mouth opened and an excited look came to her face.
"Ohmigosh, he's met Maxi Nut? You have to book a photography session a year or two in advance with how booked his schedule is! How'd she manage to do that?"
Saphron didn't really know. She said as much and Azora made a soft mumble about it being unfair. Saphron really didn't know much about the artistic side of things, as her younger sister brushed through her hair, handing the Scroll to Verde.
"Damn, she's definitely looking not too bad. You've scored one hell of a girlfriend, Saphron."
'Not my girlfriend...'
She groaned, clapping her hands. Sometimes, you just had to brute-force your way through the conversation because her sisters, younger and older, just kept on ragging on her.
"Eat your food before it gets cold, girls."
She was washing the dishes thirteen minutes later with her hands in the soapy water, her fingers handling the pots and plates, her expression a little darker than the usual sunny smile she'd wear. She hadn't liked the questions about whether Adelheid would be her new squeeze.
'Sometimes, I really wish you'd all just shut up.'
"Gloomy, big sis?"
Violet spoke up quietly, the sound of a fight between Jade and Verde about who got to handle the remote being kicked up, her eyes looking at her reflection in the pot. Violet was sensible, a good girl that had bad circumstances.
"I don't like it when people talk about me as if I'm just amusement."
She was more than that. She was Saphron Arc, the daughter of Ashton and Carmella, a woman in her own right, loving who she wanted to love. She was hurt, yes, but she was a survivor. Violet sighed, grabbing a dishtowel and starting to dry the dishes before putting them into the rack.
"You're not, Saph. You're our big sister and we love you, but... But we're trying to deal with it in the way we can."
She hoped that it was just jokes. Mom wouldn't like her daughter being outed as gay. Violet gave her a soft squeeze. Saphron smiled softly. She couldn't stay angry for too long at her sisters.
"We're all little degenerates, here. I brought some more."
She pulled out her purse and then placed another thousand Lien on the counter. "I don't want you going hungry. I'm doing my part too."
Violet smiled softly, sliding the Lien in her pocket. She mouthed an 'I'll take care of it', in that simple little way of communicating. She gave a coy little smile, nudging her.
"So... When'd you start getting thoughts about her, eh?"
'Damn it, Violet. I do not think about my friend like that yet!'
She had, a few times. Lately, her thoughts had been turning darker and darker, treading into places where no sane woman should go. Hot and heavy feelings, as she woke up sweating and weary, the feeling of hard nipples pressing against her nightgown, or against the covers, leaving her sensitive and aching.
"Not... Nothing really like that."
She couldn't say it aloud. It'd been a very rough few days, the feeling like she was constantly on edge, constantly fearful of her own weakness.
'If I told you what I was dreaming off, you'd hate me.'
Terra Cotta needed to suffer. That woman should suffer, and she'd watch. Guiding her little brother to the woman who'd ruined the happiness in her heart and brought that wrath to bear, the hate and the anger at being nothing but a nanny.
"Bad thoughts, Saph?"
She noticed that she'd grabbed one of the knives and held it in a manner that'd be more like a murderer than someone just doing the dishes, her eyes looking at the knife for a moment and putting it down again.
"Terra. I don't... You know? Things were good, but now they're not. Adrian died. The whole stuff with dad fucking up things with Selene."
Violet gave an empathic sound, rubbing her older sister's shoulders, Saphron allowing it. She felt a little hollow. Violet sighed, as she looked at her watch and made a gesture with her head.
"Want to go to my room? I'll show you something neat."
She gave her assent, the last of the dishes placed into Violet's hands. Violet did it without complaint, her fingers easily handling the plate and putting it where it belonged, luckily in the lower cupboard, Violet moving already, as Saphron hung the dishtowel over the heating element.
'I wonder what she wants to show me.'
Violet's door creaked a little when it opened, Violet's fingers already fumbling with something that'd been looped around her body, the shirt pulled up and thrown aside. Saphron could see a body that had been growing in muscle mass, but nothing that let the femininity slide away. Her sister turned around, Saphron's eyes looking into Violet's eyes, questioning why her sister had been shedding her clothing.
"Watch me, Saphron."
Her sister stood still, slowly closing her eyes, her body language relaxing for a moment, before her eyes opened up and her body tensed up. A coy and easy smile slid onto the features and Saphron found it hard to breathe for a moment as her younger sister changed, her body still the same, her features still the same but something having changed, her younger sister's body moving forward without any hesitation. Saphron swallowed as a delicate pale finger traced her cheek, her younger sister's face coming awfully close, as a husky, breathy voice spoke.
"Such a pretty girl. Come to play with me, my dear?"
'Oh fucking shit...'
Her nipples were hard and her body reacted, shivering as the finger slid up and down. Her eyes closed and opened, breathing in deeply, the finger slowly pushing towards her lips, before it stopped. Violet looked at her with a look, but it didn't feel like it was Violet, but rather someone who knew how to play her like a violin.
"Hmmm, Saphron."
'Oh... damn.'
The body language shifted, as Violet looked at her and the finger was pulled away. The arousal did not go away, sadly, as Saphron gave a low groan. This was going to be annoying.
"I've been practising. I'm learning how to act, how to become someone else for a moment. Grandma said that I'll be able to slip in and out of a place like a shadow. How'd that feel?"
'Like you were holding out a damn sexy vixen that wanted to bang me, you cheeky little brat.'
She gave her sister a look, who smiled back at her with a bit of arrogance shining in her eyes.
"Like I just needed to change my pants. Damn it, doggy dear, you're a tease. I'm your sister."
Violet giggled a little, as she brushed her hand through her hair, Saphron noticing that the arousal was starting to fade, Violet's amusement visible on her face.
"Well... Pay me enough..."
It was a joke, Saphron knew, but she felt a little dash of her own deviousness rise to the forefront, placing a hand on her sister's hip and pulling her closer, Violet's body stiffening, as if she'd been about to dart away, her eyes looking up at her.
"Hey... I've got a few Lien here..."
She had about twenty or so left in her pocket, plucking the card out, holding it up to Violet's eyes. She smirked, showing her teeth, pushing it into Violet's hand.
"How about I make it worth your while, little sis?"
Violet made a face, pushing the Lien away, shaking her head and stepping out of her grip.
"Damn, hit me right in the feels, I must become your lesbian lover now! Egads, the horror, the horror!"
A dramatic flourish, as Violet gave a tragic look, flashing a grin at her older sister, just as Saphron enjoyed that momentary show of dramatics.
"No, I'm- I need to finish what I've started. I'm-"
Saphron noticed Violet pausing for a moment, as she looked at her for the longest of times, a soft sound of a ping, as Violet turned and bent down, retrieving a small metal box, pulling something out, a fresh needle and lining it up to a small vial and draining the contents before pushing it into her arm and then shooting herself up.
"Are you okay, Fifi?"
Violet nodded, as a light flickered over her body, something in her eyes shifting, her tongue sliding over her lips, a shiver going over her whole form as her fingers flexed, sitting down on the bed, her tired eyes looking up at her.
"Just a bit stronger than I'm used to. I'm-"
Saphron could see that Violet wasn't alright, sitting down on the bed next to her. She laid her head against her little sister's shoulder, just staring ahead, arm wrapped around her sisters' waist and pulling her close. It reminded her of the times when she'd been the big sister when Rouge was in school, when the others were still younger.
"I'm going to become the best, Saph. I'll... I'll be the best."
Saphron smiled softly, as she stroked over her sisters' back some more, trying to offer the comfort that her little sister needed. She didn't know what her little sister would be the best at, but she could try to support her little sister.
'Jaune will need her support as well, and he will support her too.'
Her thoughts turned to Jaune again, as she leaned over to her sister and squeezed a little. "Miss Umbra is like a better mom, Violet. If you want..."
Her sister's body stiffened, as she looked fragile, something in her younger sisters' eyes shifting.
"I'm learning how to be the best, Saph. I'm not going to be weak again. I'll..."
Blue eyes looked into her own, as strength flowed into them, something that was fed by anger and dedication.
"I'll be the best, so Beryl doesn't have to kill again. I'll be the best so that Jaune won't... that he won't..."
There was a pitiful sound in her sisters' throat that escaped, as the tears came and her younger sister seemed to shiver and shudder, wordlessly crying against her. Saphron could feel the warmth of the tears, rubbing her sisters' back and making her feel comfortable. This was what a big sister did.
'If dad and mom don't care...'
"No matter what it is.."
The words of her little sister came to her ears and she'd clicked the parts together. Mister Callows was teaching Beryl how to fight, how to make sure that she was safe. If Beryl had killed...
'It's fine. If Beryl killed someone, then... then we'll deal with it when it comes.'
"She said she'd found one of the guys who raped me and-"
A sigh, as her younger sister shook her head, her blonde hair brushing against her face. It was another moment for her sister to break down, Saphron giving a mirthless little laugh.
"I've been having dreams, Fifi. In it, I'm watching as Terra gets raped. Really bad stuff, done to her because she deserves it."
It was a half-truth at best, as her sister shuddered. Saphron hated to see her family like this, but it wasn't like mom would care about that. Dad would probably just stuff the problem, with his cock.
'Like you'd even care, Dad.'
"You're supposed to be the kind one, Saph."
She was kind, to those who deserved it. Adelheid was a dear friend, her sisters were her family, but the rest? If Rouge didn't provide her an answer as to why she'd done that, she'd... She'd...
'Kindness has its limits.'
"Perhaps I've just gotten tired of being nice. I'm... Gods, I've had some really bad thoughts lately."
Violet looked at her and gave her a wry look.
"Tell the doggy about them, Saph. The least I can do is listen to you."
And so, Saphron Arc told her younger sister about some of her thoughts, the secret ones in the back of her mind. It felt good to vent, to let off that frustration, Violet's eyes clearing up a little after a while with the sobriety of her nature. It was still just a moment in time for Saphron, but she went back to her home with a less weary heart.
Thursday couldn't come soon enough.
"Weiss?"
He tried, her eyes still red and puffy. She had crawled into his lap when she'd stormed into his room later that afternoon, his fingers grabbing hers, giving them a soft squeeze. It wasn't more than that, but Weiss seemed to brighten a little.
"I'm... I'm just..."
She didn't finish her sentence, nuzzling against him like a cat who needed affection. The burning inside his heart was bad enough as he felt her care for him in her actions, as he felt the warmth increase the closer she was. The darkness was kept at bay now, the feeling of heat making his limbs feel a little warmer.
"He was your brother and he loved you even if he didn't show it very well. It's not... I hate to see you like this, Weiss."
He could feel her hug tighter, closer to his chest than before. She was trembling, shaking, her eyes not dry in the slightest, her white hair like a pale snowy shadow. His hand rubbed over her back.
"You'll have my support, whenever you need it. I'm there for my friends."
He would make sure that they'd see the best of him. Even if he had to do distasteful things, he'd make sure that he could feel no regret, as long as they were happy. Weiss sniffled still, her head raised.
"What are we, Jaune? Are we lovers? Am I just- Am I just someone you toy with?"
He frowned at those words. He most certainly didn't think that Weiss was a toy, but she looked at him with hurt in her eyes. She was not... She was not a lover. She was a friend, a confidante, a girl that he really liked, but she didn't have the status that was required, though some pedigree was there.
"Weiss... I'm-"
He didn't really know how to explain it easily, as she looked at him with eyes that were getting wetter by the moment, her eyes tearing up.
"I'm- I'm not dismissing you as unimportant, it's not that, but a spouse is someone who-"
She looked hurt, as he tried his best. She pushed him away, getting up. His dorm room felt a little smaller suddenly, as she looked at him.
"I wish I didn't love you! You- You!"
She opened the door and then slammed it shut after going through the doorway, her body moving swiftly before he'd even shouted the denial on his lips.
"That's not the case, it's-"
It was complicated. It- She was a great friend, but she didn't have the lineage, even though she looked it. It was expected of royalty, and he- He was, in effect, royalty. Selene was a queen, the memories, the ghosts of what had once been a daughter, darting in his mind.
He opened the door, seeing the shut door of team RWBY, crossing the distance a moment later, knocking on it.
"Let me explain, it's-"
The door opened and it wasn't Weiss who was there in the doorway, but rather another blonde. He saw the fist fly and he went flying himself, his Aura shattering under the force of a truck-like punch hitting him. The door collapsed, as he laid there.
"That serves you right for making her cry. And you go and stay the fuck away from our Weiss."
The door slammed shut, as someone called out for Weiss, pain in his body flaring up and blocking out all other sensations.
He couldn't get up. He couldn't get up and his chest hurt. He looked down, his body feeling oddly sluggish as he did, seeing blood on his shirt and a decidedly unhealthy-looking fracture on his chest. He couldn't move.
'Fuck. Come on, heal... HEAL.'
The ocean came rushing in as he forced himself to mend, pushing his ribs back into place, the door having slammed down, hearing someone gasp and feeling someone touch him. Heat pulsed through his body as he felt the warmth increase, his eyes looking at Ren as the former Yakuza tried to help, opening his shirt up.
He tried to say something, but the lungs were full of... whatever it was.
Pain lanced through him, as the fire inside him started to sputter out, the power mending his body as the skin paled, his hand turning his body around as he forced himself up onto his arms. His chest was mending but it still...
"It's going to be alright, Jaune. Just try to... can you speak?"
The voice was soft, as his hand gave a twitch, grasping at Ren's hand, feeling the heat push into the dark ocean, the flame sputtering out as the power naturalized for a moment, the light fading, the pain shooting through his limbs as he forced his chest to heal, the burning blaze inside him lighting up as he pulled.
Ren shivered, as his body quivered, Jaune pulling more of the heat out of his friend and teammate. It was a slow-burning warmth that continued to swell inside him, a low groaning sound from his throat making him feel like he was walking on eggshells.
"Get me to-"
He felt an arm wrap around him as he was lifted up and carried to bed, laid down gently, Ren's fingers rubbing over his neck, checking for a pulse. Jaune focused on healing, something inside him trying to restore itself, but not quite working. Something was in the way and he wasn't... he wasn't quite able to do it.
A sickening crack, as he forced the rib that'd been lodged in his lung out, aware that someone was saying something, as he groaned, the pain working his way through his body. He got up, breathing heavily, the flickering flame inside him working to keep him alive.
His vision was double, the pain burning inside him like a live flame, Ren's face close by, serious in expression. He was saying something, and Jaune felt his shirt being plucked off, Ren speaking to Nora for a moment, whose face was growing thunderous.
'Damn you.'
There would be no mercy from him for Yang Xiao Long anymore. No more nice guy, no more... Gods, this pain was horrible.
It was when the pain was no longer as bothersome that he finally opened his eyes, Ren looking like he was getting ready to get his weapons.
"I've... I've got it. We need a new door."
He looked at his friend, Nora's oldest friend and partner and generally cool dude. The cold flame inside him burned as he tried to get up again, his whole body tingling a little. Ren was worried, though he could see the anger in Nora's eyes, as she turned to the door, or what remained of it.
"We'll take care of her, Jaune. She's gone too far."
He looked at Ren and panted, his hand rising to forestall it, as it wouldn't do enough.
"We're going to see someone. Let me make a call and-"
He groaned as he forced himself upright again, the pain not fading from him. He hadn't managed to explain himself, and he knew that Weiss hurt, his body moving up, spotting the wet spot on the shards of the door, his back aching a little. He'd probably look like a mess, but he was going to make sure that Yang would get what she deserved.
'It's time for plan B.'
He felt how Nora and Ren supported him, his steps hesitating, walking to the bathroom with them. He felt Ren's body warm him up, a soft heat burning away the darkness within him, the faintest of touches letting the fire inside him swell.
"I'm going to go and punch that hussy into the hospital, even if it gets me detention. She shouldn't be able to just do that to you."
His eyes darkened, as he looked at Nora. She wouldn't be taking action against the girl if he knew her. Yang could bear the pain for a while when it was in a fight.
"Pyrrha, tell Weiss that I'll explain it to her later. Stay here and don't do anything to Yang, either."
They shared a glance, something that didn't go unnoticed. Ren and Pyrrha looked for an explanation, but Nora's eyes held a promise of pain. They didn't leave, and they didn't follow his orders. It was annoying, because he was...
'Why are they looking at me like that? I told them to- Why are they looking at me like THAT?'
"We're going to meet someone who's got experience with dealing with my blonde problem. And... and I think I need to get Rouge to look at me. She's the one with medical training, after all..."
'I don't want to do this... But I am left with no choice.'
It was distasteful, but sometimes, people had to pay the price.
Yang would pay the price, and he would watch as she was torn apart. Nora and Pyrrha and Ren started to push him towards the medical wing, but he didn't want to be discovered by those who knew what magic was, so he insisted that they see Rouge first.
It would be better, better with family.
He trusted Rouge, she'd always been the one to go to for help.
Saphron's fingers clenched tightly around the handle before she turned it, her sister behind her. Getting Rouge here was something that she'd planned, Mister Callows having been nice enough to drive them to her residence. Adelheid had recovered well, given her earlier sickness. It was something that relieved Saphron because Adelheid seemed to be filled with shame and regret.
'Good going. If you'll keep sober for a year, you'll be free.'
Mama could deliver the news herself. She didn't want to sound like she'd been trying to make the woman offer Adelheid such a good deal, that'd just make her look like she was trying to interfere in her best friend's life.
"Well, this is the place. Mister Callows is Miss Umbra's driver and general bodyguard, if I remember right... Not the worst job, though the man is a little odd at times."
Her older sister seemed to take it in stride, giving a soft humming at the explanation, the two of them slowly getting up to the living room, Adelheid stretched out over the couch, already tapping away at her Scroll, planning something in. Her best friend smiled, giving a good look.
"Didn't know your mom came in a younger edition, Saph. Hi, the name's Adelheid Blau, but if Saph's concerned, it'll be Adelheid Arc the moment I can snag your brother."
It was a jest, of course, but her sister's face showed some disapproval. Rouge acted as if she was concerned, the hypocrite...
"He's seventeen, Miss Blau."
'Says you, the one who got him when he was twelve.'
She hadn't told anyone else about it yet. Mama wouldn't understand, and she was afraid to ask Jaune, in case he'd remember something bad. It'd be a bad situation nonetheless, as she guided her sister to her room. Rouge could check the rest of the house out when she was back here.
"This is my room."
She smiled at her older sister, Rouge's eyes warm and friendly as her gaze slid through her room, seeing the picture on the small side-table against the wall. Rouge sat down on the bed, giving her a look, laying herself down in a lazy way.
'Let's just...'
She clicked the door shut, locking it behind her. She stalked over to her older sister, Rouge looking at ease, unlike the wickedness that lurked within her.
"Nice room, Saph. The Umbra woman must be taking good care of you."
'She does. She's more of a mother than our own.'
She sat down next to her sister, looking down at her and straddling her, almost playfully wrestling with her, Rouge giving a little smile as she tried to push her off half-heartedly. Saphron looked at her sister for a moment and then got up, off her older sister.
"Rouge, we need to talk. Why?"
No response on her sister's face. Saphron felt anger in her rise, as Rouge seemed to try to shift gears. Didn't she know why she was asking?
"I'm not sure- What do you mean? Why am I here? To visit you, lil' sis. My widdle Saphron's found a friend!"
'You're here to explain yourself.'
She crossed her arms, her face stern. This was private, and this was between the two of them. She knew that there would be no mercy for her sister if this came out. She'd lose her job, she'd be forever tarnished.
"You raped Jaune, Rouge. You raped him! Did it feel good? Did it make you feel better about being single, by raping a child?"
Rouge's eyes showed her surprise, as a low moaning whimper came from her lips. Her arms came up, wrapping around her. Saphron watched with cold eyes.
"No, I- You don't understand, Saph. You're- No, no, I didn't-"
Saphron's lips pressed thinly together. She shook her sister slightly, Rouge shrinking in on herself. She was looking panicked and jittery, unsettled by her younger sisters' words. Twitches, her eyes flickering from side to side, tremors that shot through her sister's body.
"Violet told me about what she saw you do, Rouge. Tell me the truth, Rouge. Was it just you needing a fix of sex? Why did you do it? He was so young, Rouge."
Her sister made a pitiful sound, starting to quiver and shake. Her eyes were fearful and unquiet, the shivering increasing with a darker twisting of her gaze, something that seemed to snap, her sister's voice pained.
"I wanted it to stop, I wanted it to stop because I'm... He was there, and- and I wanted it to feel better, I wanted to have a bit of control- I-"
Saphron gave a disapproving look at her sister, not getting the appeal of raping a child in the slightest. Rouge's eyes leaked tears as she started to rock a little. Saphron felt very little in her heart for her older sister.
"Never called me by name, never called me by my name. It's Rouge, Rouge, not Carmella. Not Carmella, why did he always call me Carmella?"
'That's mom's name...'
"Who? Rouge..."
Her older sister continued to rock, mumbling something under her breath that she wasn't called Carmella. She kept on muttering it, as the tears leaked from Saphron's older sister's eyes.
'Oh...'
"Did Dad..."
Rouge froze, as the tears came in a greater volume, her shaking growing heavier. A very small, tiny nod, as her sister's eyes looked into hers for the longest moment.
"He never called me Rouge. It was always Carmella this, Carmella it's nice, Carmella..."
'Oh my gods... Rouge, I'm so sorry.'
She wrapped her arms around her older sister, keeping her close as Rouge started to break down. She felt bad for treating her sister, but she knew that they could talk.
"It's going to be fine, Rouge. It's going to be fine and you'll be happy again."
Jaune would be there for them, she just knew it. A kind young man, who would be able to be the hero that they needed.
Her older sister started to break down, her sobs increasingly growing louder. She was mumbling something about not being strong enough, not stopping.
"I wanted it, Saphron. The fifth time, I just waited for him. Naked, just waiting for daddy to come in and make love to me. I was just Carmella, and he just fucked me. Every time I try to feel comfortable around someone, I just see his face and I lash out."
Saphron's hands pulled her closer, as she rubbed her face against her sister's cheek, just like she'd done when she'd been younger.
"I'm sick, Saph. I'm so sick, because I just look at Jaune and I see dad. I see dad and I just get so horny, looking at him like that and wanting him inside me. Remember the swimsuit thing?"
'You said it slipped.'
There was a shiver that went through her sister, as she looked away. Saphron had a bad thought, and she didn't like what she'd hear.
"I was checking for a reaction. Anything... Anything, because I wanted it. Daddy hasn't been around to... to... do that for five years, ever since the doors got painted... I wanted it, I know that it's wrong, but... I want it, to be Rouge, to-"
Her sister started to cry heavily, her whimpering cries louder, as Saphron felt the pain inside her sister, feeling that hopelessness inside the sister that she'd always looked up to.
"Daddy... Daddy was supposed to protect us, that's what mom always said, but... But why did he do that? I've been searching for the answer, and I've been... I've been so afraid, Saph. I'm so afraid I'll be slipping again, that it'll be..."
Saphron comforted her older sister, a soft hissing in her ear, just to comfort the woman before she lost it all. It was a slow moan from her older sister as she gripped her tightly.
"I don't want to, but every time I see him, I'm just like 'will he?' and I just leave the door open a little, so he can get in so I- With me, I- I touch myself, thinking about the love I am going to get, but... He never comes."
'You're a mess, Rouge. Physician, heal thyself doesn't exist, does it?'
She tried to pat her sister's back, as she thought back to her own wicked, sinful desires. Mama had been accommodating so much, but... But she had to get her sister help. If it could help, then it would be okay.
A phone number rang, and she recognized the tune as Jaune's.
'Bad moment to call, Jaune...'
She accepted the call, seeing Jaune's pale face, his eyes looking a deeper purple colour, blood vessels having burst.
Rouge gave a soft whimper as she shrank in on herself. Jaune's eyes were warm and friendly, as he looked at them. Such a good brother.
"Hey Saph, Hey... Yeah, that's biggest sis! Hey Rouge!"
Rouge looked up, Saphron noticing the smile on her face slip back, not even genuine anymore, the tears wiped away, as the mask of a matron was donned.
"Hello there, Jaune."
It was the same song and dance as always happened. Rouge would perk up, be the 'mom' and then make sure that everyone and everything was okay. It wasn't going to ever be anything but sunny in the Arc household, when Rouge Arc was around.
"Don't cry, alright? I don't like it when you cry."
Rouge rubbed her eyes, sniffing a little. Whatever composure that she'd mustered had been shattered and there was just raw hurt and pain visible.
"It's... It's just that Saphron was telling me something really bad, I'm-"
He looked concerned, as someone took the Scroll from him, the perky-looking girl with the orange hair looking at her.
"He's going to the hospital, if he doesn't let go of the Scroll. We're not going to let him go anywhere else, but he just wanted to call to inform you that he's fine."
'The hospital?'
He looked fine, and he pulled the Scroll back from the girl's hands.
"I'm fine, I healed up, didn't I? Rouge, do you think you could give me a look-over?"
Rouge's smile was normal, and Saphron recognized it as something that she'd worn herself, when she just wanted to make someone happy. She wanted to feel that, and she knew that she would have to talk to her older sister, but-
"I'll... What exactly happened? I'm not trained as a medical specialist, but-"
Concern overrode everything, as he smiled at them. That wasn't good, Saphron noticed. Rouge noticed it as well, as the worry in her eyes increased. For someone who had the nickname mom, she was accurate when it came to being the one that supported everyone else.
"He... Are you sure that you can take a look? He's been slammed through a door and had to- Oh no, you're not going to get away without being seen to by someone with medical experience! Send the creepy guy with the braid, alright?"
'That's Tyrian.'
She would need to get the man, to make sure that Jaune was alright. She gave an affirmative sound, giving her sister a look.
"We'll check him out with you first, but if he needs serious help, we're bringing him right to the hospital."
There was determination in the young woman huntress' voice, as Jaune looked a little uncomfortable, the Scroll taken from him again and the look of the cereal girl looking fierce.
"But-"
'Yeah, that's a stern look that mom might use.'
"You nearly died once, and now again! I'm not letting there be a third time, Jaune Arc. We are a team and we won't have a member missing."
Saphron had to give it to the girl, she certainly had the ability to cow her brother with words, Jaune sighing deeply as he submitted to the will of the other girl.
"I'll make sure you're okay, Jaune. I promise you, you'll be fine."
Rouge said, trying to sound like she meant it, but Saphron felt that there was something below it, a need, something in her sisters' eyes visible that was panicked.
"Thanks, Rouge. You're the best."
Saphron saw the smile come to her older sister's face and she sighed softly.
"I'll get him down to the docks immediately. Stay here, Rouge."
Saphron got up and left her sister, who held her Scroll still, talking to Jaune softly, as she went in search of the man. Her fingers turned the knob, finding the man on his bed, sharpening the edges of a dangerous-looking weapon. There was a smell of incense, as the man fixed her with a slightly irritated look at being disturbed suddenly.
"Go to the airship docks and pick Jaune up. Now, Tyrian."
She didn't bother with the formalities, just giving a harsh order. The man looked at her for a moment, danger blossoming somewhere within her as he leered at her, before he got up, bowed once.
"As you wish, Mistress Saphron. The young master needs to be retrieved, does he not?"
She firmed herself, her eyes looking directly at the man.
"We're going to check him for damage, and if he's badly hurt, he'll be going to the hospital. Hurry along, Mister Callows... Mama and I may not be very forgiving if something happens to Jaune."
The man was cowed, she could see that in his eyes. A single sentence, as she wielded the power that her adoptive mother had given her. It felt good not to be helpless, it felt good not to be like the weak girl that had gotten raped and hurt by her partner.
She walked back into her bedroom, finding Rouge in her mask of being the mom of the family talking to the Pyrrha girl, not stopping for an instant to acknowledge her, the Scroll conversation continuing until Jaune said that Mister Callows had arrived.
'A good servant...'
Rouge shut the Scroll off and handed it to her, her eyes looking a little saddened.
"He's so nice. I raised him so well. Taught him to be a good, kind boy."
'What?'
Saphron had a dawning feeling of horror, as she looked at her older sister. That wasn't something an older sister should say, and Saphron tried to remember what she'd seen Rouge do. It'd been Rouge who was like their mother at times, when mom was absent and dad was off being a Huntsman. She'd taught them how to write, but she'd doted on Jaune.
'Oh...'
"Please tell me that you didn't..."
Rouge looked up at her with a smile. It was not a good smile, but she'd held out the hope for the betterment of her big sister.
"Oh, no. I keep my word, Saph. I've taught him to be a good man. He's kind, he's gentle and he knows that he should love us. He'll never abandon us, Saph. He'll never let us fall, or hurt us. He's..."
The bright smile on her sister was the happiest that she'd seen in a while, something that'd been there as well when she'd been in love, though it was a warped and twisted love.
"He's the perfect man for the family, because daddy isn't there and mommy's not suitable. He'll support us, Saph. He loves us, and he's been raised right."
'What?'
Rouge seemed to be so normal for saying it, as her arms wrapped around her and Rouge held her tightly.
"Just a good little boy, and a strong man for us. We'll be happy, yes. We need someone to protect us. Daddy doesn't come home often enough. When Jaune marries, he'll make sure that we'll have a nicer house too, probably. Huntsmen make quite a bit of money, you know?"
She looked at her sister and then smiled, trying her best to make sure that it lasted.
"Rouge, you..."
Her oldest sister tried to smile, but she shivered at the thought, something in her expression both sad and happy.
"He calls me Rouge, Saph. I'm Rouge, I'm not Carmella. I'm Rouge, I'm Rouge... He calls me Rouge and he's so polite and good. He's so warm and nice. He'll protect us. He'll make us happy when he's strong."
'You are bad, sis.'
She couldn't deny it though. He was a warm and loving young man, letting her feel the care of someone who really had tried to make her life better. Mama kept on saying that she was the proudest of him, and that was...
'Adelheid should be with him. She's my best friend...'
She looked at her older sister, who was mumbling something about needing to do her hair, taking a deep breath and getting up again. She should get Rouge to the living room, hang out with Adelheid for a bit... Perhaps her adoptive little sister could be a good influence on Rouge.
"Addie likes him."
Rouge raised an eyebrow, following her into the living room area, Adelheid with her feet up, looking at the two of them with a smile. She hadn't heard a single thing that'd been said between the two of them, and it was undoubtedly going to stay that way. Saphron hated keeping secrets, but this was still the family she had.
"Jaune is coming here. Look presentable, alright? No looking like you'd like to roll into bed with him."
Adelheid frowned but got up, giving an apologetic look at Rouge.
"She's a tease, isn't she? Yes, I should get ready. We've got that big thing tomorrow after all. Artemis said that she looks forward to seeing who'd come out the victor... I think we're friends again, it's so nice..."
A small dash of jealousy flashed inside Saphron, remembering the woman who'd helped getting Adelheid drunk. If Saphron hadn't been there, Adelheid might've suffered something unfortunate.
"Get yourself pretty for your big strong man."
Adelheid smacked her lightly, shaking her head, and Saphron smacked her ass in return. Rouge looked at the playfulness between the two of them, running a hand through her hair, her eyes firming up.
"You won't do anything to him, Rouge."
She warned her older sister, who nodded. Rouge adjusted herself to look prim and proper, like a psychologist should, and her eyes looked firmer.
"I'll promise you that. I've... You're the kindest out of all of us. You care so much for all of us, I wish I could be like you."
'You already are more like me... I've been through the same thing...'
She nodded. Adelheid rejoined them, wearing a fresh blue blouse, the one that she'd selected 'for the nice cleavage', looking as proper as she could, picking her Scroll up again.
'I feel like the world is moving on and I'm left behind...'
She was a sick woman, a very sick woman...
But she was still Saphron Arc.
Jaune's arms were held by Nora and Ren as he was guided into the house, Tyrian mumbling something about 'disrespect' and 'not the plan, no, not the plan. Train her harder, yes.'
He found his sisters and his publisher sitting in the living room, Nora and Ren letting go of his arms, his hands brushing over his chest, having changed into a fresh shirt whilst the other one was left in the laundry basket. His skin was completely fine.
"Strip, mister! Hi, I'm Nora and this is Rennie. We met at the airpo- oh no, you're not getting out of this. Strip him, Rennie."
The shirt was tugged loose, the feeling of cooler air against his skin suddenly as Nora and Ren stripped him, his sisters staring blankly at him. Rouge looked up at his teammates and raised an eyebrow.
'Well, I told you that I'd heal...'
"I don't see... He's just eh... Jaune?"
He supposed that an explanation might be too much, but he didn't really know, as Rouge got up. She was a little shorter, Saphron's eyes looking a little stricter, as his oldest sister laid a hand against his chest, feeling it and stroking over it slowly.
"No, I don't feel... Nope. Nothing."
Nora and Ren took a few steps ago, and it was Ren that spoke.
"His chest was caved in about an hour ago. He said that he'd heal it, but you don't heal that in such a way. Is there something about the Arc family that allows rapid recovery like that?"
'It's really not anything... Don't worry too much.'
He didn't like to have people worry for him. That wasn't good.
"No, I mean... Dad's eh... I don't know about Huntsmen much, but outside of having stamina for days, I... What? Jaune Arc, why was your chest caved in?"
Rouge looked worriedly at him, as her fingers stroked over his chest. It was oddly endearing, as his sister looked like she was going to be a mother hen again. He liked hanging around her and Saphron, they at least treated him seriously.
"It's okay, I could heal it. It's just a bit more power to force the rib out of my lung."
It wasn't much different. Mama had been through worse in the shards of memory that he remembered. Decapitation. Impalement, burning alive. She'd survived everything. Her vengeance had been magnificent.
"We're getting you to a bloody hospital now, Jaune. That's no joking matter, seriously, how are you even still standing?!"
Adelheid and Saphron were joining in, to show that they cared, Ren and Nora taking positions at his side, as the two sisters and his publisher started to fuss about him. He held up his hand, and Saphron grabbed him by the ear and then dragged him over to the couch, Rouge standing at her side looking all motherly.
"You're going to the hospital and getting checked out, Jaune Arc. I do not want to hear anything but a 'yes, Saphron', if some accident happened, I want you to get checked out! I'm not going to let my only brother be killed because he was too stubborn not to get help!"
'Woah, that's angry Saphron mode...'
Rouge looked like his mom did, her lips pursed in the same way that mom did when someone did something she didn't like.
"You'll be going to a clinic, at the very least. I'll make a few calls, I've got some contacts if you want it to be discreet. You're wanted alive, Jaune. If you died, what would we do, huh? Stay with mom and dad?"
'It's not that bad...'
Ren and Nora didn't comment, as they stood within reach, as if to prevent him from leaving, Adelheid looking at him and poking his chest, her eyes looking a little annoyed and fierce.
"Do you know how much it would cost to file your death? I'd be out of a job, Jaune! I like working under- eh, I mean with you! I'm going to be rich, hanging around you and being the little publisher belo- eh, behind the desk. So you'd better not die on me, or I'm going to revive you and put you right back to work."
'I don't really know... I guess she'd be sad.'
He wanted to live a long life, but not everyone saw his viewpoint. If he could survive, then he would survive. He had the power inside him, and he wasn't going to stop. They were warm though, his sisters looking a little fiercer.
'Damn, I guess there's no meeting then...'
"Alright... I'll go and get checked out. It's nothing, I've survived..."
He was sure that mentioning that Tyrian tried to kill him would give his big sisters some sort of aneurysm or something, so he avoided mentioning it, Nora's soft 'Yeah, and we'd like to keep you surviving, Jauney' giving him a feeling of strength and hope.
"Get your shirt back on, Jaune. We wouldn't want to give the girls a free show, now would we?"
Saphron commented, and he fixed his shirt back to a proper state. It was all in the small things, and he caught Adelheid looking a little out of it, obviously worried for him. She was such a caring woman, even though their relationship was solely professional. He smiled at her, trying to make a little joke.
"Don't worry, if I ever gave a show, I'll give you a front-row seat, Adelheid. I mean, you're undoubtedly wanting to see me in action, right?"
It was creepy to see his publisher and oldest sister nod in unison, their eyes looking into his own with something in their depth that didn't quite mesh. They were a little creepy in their stare, as Saphron shook her head and nudged both of them.
"Well, yes! We've got that banquet to go to tomorrow, Jaune! I want you looking like I'd just be able to gobble you up like last night's dinner!"
Saphron gave Adelheid a warning look, his publisher's hands up with a warding gesture. Rouge had her Scroll out and was talking to someone, a stern look on her face that was really much like mom when she was upset.
"Yes, my younger brother, and I'd like it if you're discreet, of course. You owe me for not turning you in for that little thing with those prescription drugs, girl."
The snappy look on Rouge's face as she looked at him was pure business-mode for his oldest sister, her hands on his shoulders, steering him towards the door. She gripped him a little tighter, her head turning.
"Get thin and scarred to drive us, Saphron. If he's getting hurt, I want to know about it."
He caught Adelheid asking something of Saphron before he was hustled down the stairs by his oldest sister, who looked at him with a look that was like her when she was concerned again. He smiled at her and her eyes firmed up.
"Listen here, young man. I'm not going to be standing at your coffin and waiting to bury you whilst I'm still in my early years."
It'd probably not be that bad, and he smiled at his older sister. She didn't look so very happy, tapping his chest.
"I'm not losing you, Jaune. Nope. Not allowed, never, zilch, nah-ah. You've got three hot girlfriends here with you, if I've caught their looks properly and I'm not letting the little knight wander around with a problem with his health! Momma Arc doesn't want her little brother to get hurt."
'Yeah, she's mad... At least she can't dunk me in the bathtub and scrub me with the sponge.'
That'd been a little embarrassing, because she'd always insisted that he'd not look like a hooligan. She'd always paid a lot of attention to how he looked, and that was nice, in a certain way, but she'd also been a little too nosy with some of the things.
"They're not my girlfriends, and Ren is-"
Tyrian came stumbling down the stairs, catching his balance a moment later and giving a bow. Saphron descended, her face looking a little stormy in nature.
"You requested a driver, Young Master Jaune?"
His sister's eyebrows rose at the title, and he smiled a little sheepishly.
"He's one of Selene's personal bodyguards. She's kind of eh... yeah, I'm the heir to her fortune, or so she'd said. A big stickler for rules."
There was something in those words that made her frown, looking at the man and mumbling something under her breath about knowing that something was up. His sisters were a little strange at times, but he should still love them.
'A good family is one that is loved.'
He was at the clinic of Rouge's friend, being pushed towards one of the doors that led to an examination room, his oldest sister and Saphron looking at him like they weren't going to let up.
'I feel fine.'
He did, and he felt awkward as the friend looked at him and shrugged. The whole examination had been quickly done, Pyrrha holding his hand. With her warmth, he kept the darkness within the ocean away from the fire.
"He's... physically healthy? I mean, I don't really think there's much wrong... Just some slight malnourishment, but... You can get dressed again."
He felt a little embarrassed as his oldest sister looked at him with a look that meant a scolding in the future. They would undoubtedly go to eat something, if he caught that look properly, Saphron looking at him for the briefest time before turning away, a look in her eyes that didn't fade. Adelheid hadn't come with them, citing something about 'tempting fate' with an overload of blondes, which was a shame.
He would need to talk with her about tomorrow, he was kind of nervous, though there was no reason that he should be. He was Jaune Arc, he had one of the greatest women as his publisher and he would make sure that everyone knew his name.
He was a prince, after all, and his Mama would not wish to see him be a mere commoner.
"Sooo..."
Nora spoke up on the trip back. Rouge had a death grip on his arm, and Saphron was sitting right next to her with another grip on Rouge's other arm, Nora opposite of him. He wasn't sure why Saphron was so close to Rouge, but didn't bother with too much thinking. It'd all been according to the plan, and it'd all be done without a hitch.
"We're going to go and eh, meet with someone, right? Now that you're okay, we're going to be... like, doing that?"
He nodded, trying to get himself back on track. It would be a little annoying to have come to Vale for nothing, and he dialled the number that he'd been given, hearing the one answering it come to the phone.
"Hello? Ah, It's Jaune, I've heard that you are interested in making some extra Lien... I may have a job for you. Don't worry, can you be at Vale Central Square in about thirty minutes? We'll have to talk about contracts and terms and how we're going to- Oh, you're on your way already? Ah, good, good. Three thousand, and we'll call it a day well-spent, okay?"
He smirked to himself as he looked at his sisters, the conversation done. It seems he had a meeting in thirty minutes. It would be pricy, but that'd
"Was that the eh... caretaker?"
'Hardly.'
Just killing Yang wouldn't have much use. It would be something a little worse than that...
"You could call it that. Taking care of one of the big issues to the plan is part of their job."
It certainly wouldn't be something that she'd be very happy about. Alas, it was going to be interesting to see how Yang's face would be when she found herself in that predicament.
"Jaune Arc, are you doing something illegal?"
Rouge, his older sister, looked at him with that flat stare of 'You are in trouble now, Jaune Arc', as she let go of him. He felt a lot colder all of a sudden, his gaze meeting his sisters' flat stare. He gave a pained smile.
Most of the plan could be kept secret, but he was working with criminals. They had a grudge against Yang, which was why he was using them. Busting the club up had made Yang not a very welcome sight at the underworld's meeting spot...
'To use another man's knife to butcher a chicken, wasn't that how the saying went?'
"He's taking revenge on the girl who hurt him."
Nora spoke up, and her eyes were calm yet stormy. She puffed her chest up, and he looked at her and sighed. Nora was passionate to an extreme degree. He could see Rouge frown, looking at him with a sharp look.
"Show me a picture."
He blinked, looking at her askance, wondering why she'd want to see that. Saphron leaned forward, putting her hand on her older sisters' shoulder.
"Rouge, you're not going to-"
Rouge turned sharply to her younger sister, Saphron flinching back, Rouge adjusting herself a little.
"She hurt Jaune. Beryl would be half-way to Beacon already, screaming for the girl to get her punishment, even if she had her aura unlocked. We've got one brother, Saphron. I'm not burying him before he's old enough to drive."
Saphron winced, submitting to her older sister. It was interesting to see Rouge always make the best case. He smiled at her and Rouge smiled back. Rouge had his back, whenever she could. She was a great older sister.
"Here, she's the blonde girl."
Nora showed a picture of Yang, half-way across the cafeteria, himself on a seat with Weiss, Rouge looking at Yang's angry expression, her lower lip bitten down on, as her eyes slid over the girl's face, judging and calculating things.
"Impulsive, a bit of a brat, and-"
That sounded a little like his older sister analyzing, and he heard the stream of words coming out.
'She's a bit of a brat, and doesn't seem to have much restraint, but-'
Twenty minutes later, he stood waiting for the contact, feeling a tap to the shoulder, slightly awkward, a cough behind him as someone joined him, standing next to him.
"You're Jaune, aren't you? That's three thousand, cash. I need to pay the bills, if I'm going to do the job for you, I need to have heating. Can't have a cold or anything. Health is very important to keep in mind when you're active like me."
It had been a quick trip to the bank to fetch the money, no suspicion at all, as Tyrian handled the transactions. Three stacks of hundred Lien cards, put in a paper bag. He turned around to see the pale features and determined brown eyes.
"Don't worry. It's all for a good cause. Sometimes, people need to learn that their actions have unfortunate consequences. Thank you for being available on such short notice."
A smile that was a little warmer than expected, as he looked in the deep brown eyes, a hand extended, a smile growing.
"Anything for a good bit of Lien, Mister Jaune. When you've got to make sure that you're getting your money's worth, everything's on the table. Like I said, I'm a pro. You can trust me to make sure that it's done smooth, easy and have the little piggy washed and cleaned after she's had her fun."
He smiled, looking his new hire over a few times. It would do, for now. It'd do and would be well-served.
"If you'd like to, I might have a few more jobs for you. It never is a wrong thought to have a professional in your service, after all... Remember, do a good job and you'll be hearing from me again."
The brown eyes sparkled a little as their owner gave a soft laugh. A pat to his shoulder as the bag was taken from his hands and the person gave a little nod of their head.
"You pay and I'll knock em dead, boss guy."
'Good. Not that it'll be necessary, but it's nice to have an option...'
Talent, no matter how odd or peculiar, could be used, as he grabbed the hand and shook it lightly. A firmer grip than he'd expected, as his hand felt a small stab of pain at the strong grip.
"I'm sure that you'll perform admirably. I'll send you the details tomorrow in the morning."
The broad grin on his face was enough, as the new hire nodded.
'Another touch of darkness upon my body, yet not something that can be neglected... You will never forget that day, Yang...'
It helped to make sure that the girl knew her place.
He got back into the car, turning his head to see his new hire tucking the bag under the coat, walking off casually, the choice of attire not exactly something that he'd select, but he guessed that there was no accounting for taste.
'There will be a reckoning, Yang. There are consequences to hurting nobility.'
He would need to talk to Weiss. He needed to know the schedule of the girl... and that meant talking to his friend again, if she still was his friend.
'I'm sure that she's willing to talk...'
She was his friend, after all.
Salem was a woman of good taste and with even better skill at judging things as they were. Her eyes looked at the people present, looking at the press conference that was being held, her Scroll already glimmering with the information, watching how the woman stood next to her husband, whose eyes were calmly disassembling the audience. She leaned a little to the man and then whispered something in his ear.
"And now, my wife would like to say a few words. Willow, if you would?"
The woman wore black, the Schnee crest embroidered in the fabric glistening, her eyes looking clearly at the crowd of people, knowing that this was likely going to be broadcast to the major public news channels.
'Oh my... She is going to say something. Do watch, little people...'
"Thank you for coming, ladies and gentlemen of the press."
A formal, sweeping tone, Salem's eyes looking at the stately manner that the woman held herself, her eyes glimmering with something that might be tears. Logical, for all who had lost a child. If she had been only days from the loss of her child, she would rage and be terrible to behold, but Willow's composure was flawless.
"Many questions have been asked for by the members of the public, and your condolences are accepted with the warmest heart that I can give them, to let the people know that the Schnee Dust Company thanks them for their support during this trying time is one of the things I wish to say today, in the here and now. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."
'Play to their emotions. You are hurt, pained. Let them feel that pain.'
Salem raised her glass of berry juice to her lips, taking a small sip, the red liquid rippling over her lips. It was an interesting sight to see, Willow Schnee's motions with her hands. She was expressive, as she told about her son's life and interests.
"... laugh, when we went strolling through the park in... better times."
Willow's eyes were calm and collected, and Salem could see the woman's husband getting uneasy and nervous. Willow was taking too long, and it would make an impact if it was just... added a little.
She made a signal with her hand, tapping against her Scroll to indicate that it'd be best to add the final part, as the rage blossomed in the woman's heart. A picture of the son which she had lost, taken by someone with a camera, to inspire the woman to unleash that rage within her heart.
"Times that have since passed, ladies and gentlemen. The Schnee Dust Company, the company that my father founded, is now not what it had once been."
A fist slammed down on the small stand that'd had the microphone put in front of it, as the wrath of the woman showed on her face in her eyes, her face as cool and placid as the frozen tundra's lakes, ever frozen. A woman whose fury burned cold.
"The White Fang claims that in Schnee Dust Company-operated mines and mining towns, labour is harsh and the workers are grossly underpaid. They have harassed our mines with protests, they have raided our Dust transports and I have lost personal friends and family members to their attacks... and now, my only son."
The woman's husband saw the signs, and Salem smiled. It was going according to plan, as the woman looked at the crowd, her features frozen over as she looked at them with eyes that held the pain of loss, such a familiar loss that Salem herself had felt as well.
"From tomorrow onwards, no affiliate of the Schnee Dust Company will ever hire any member of the Faunus race. As the daughter of the founder of the company, I am henceforth instating a ban for all Faunus to work under the employ of the Schnee Dust Company and all of the brands associated with it."
The hush that fell, as the woman's husband started to pale, Salem's own smugness starting to swell. This was beginning to be a wonderful hint of chaos... of fear, of terror and pain.
"That's... That's seventy percent of all the companies in the world. You're the main sponsor for hundreds of companies!"
Someone shouted, and Willow Schnee's look was triumphant, looking down at the reporters from her elevated position, looking down at all of them with the poise that someone belonging to a noble household could have.
"I had one son, and he was taken from me. Faunus of Remnant, the White Fang caused this with their cruel and unjust actions. If you seek to blame anyone for the loss of your job, then blame those monsters who assault those who work for my company, who decry me and my family as 'the filthy Schnee sluts', and wish us dead. As the famous celebrity businessman, Ronald Orange said..."
The woman's eyes looked directly at the camera. There was anger in those eyes, a fierceness that had been roused from the alcoholic slumber that it'd been left in.
"You are fired."
Salem's slow clap was lost as people realized what Willow Schnee had just done. Jacques Schnee had grown pale as his wife stood there, a woman who was worthy of the seat at her table, Salem's smile formal and polite, as her eyes glistened with that dearth of amusement.
'Yes, you will do most suitably to teach my little Saphron manners...'
A princess required a good educator, and Willow Schnee was refined and elegant when it came down to it. It would be... fitting.
Why would her family settle for the mere mundane, when a prize such as Willow Schnee could be afforded? It was all a small alteration to the plan, but she was nothing if not inventive...
'Miss Blau will be with her charge at the banquet... I hope to see her on her best behaviour...'
It would be utterly shameful if something were to happen. She would not let anything happen to her princeling's status.
As someone noticed: Alexandrite's reports about 'illegal faunus grinding up for height extract' and Absinte Moor's residence in Argus do kind of line up. I wonder why...
*ALEXANDRITE STONES, REPORTING LIVE FROM THE VALE STUDIO*
"YARR! A REAL PATRIOT FOR VALE FIGHTS! "
Alexandrite Stones, wearing a tight tank top with KNOWLEDGE WARS on the front appears on the screen, her eyes blazing with that fervour of Valean power.
"Gruesome news, ladies and gentlemen! Our very doctors are no longer safe! A young medical practitioner was found dead in her apartment, apparently by some 'drug overdose', and the case was shoved aside like it was nothing! It's the Council, them darn stinky evil old corpses that lord over us when we want to do our real business, citing 'untested materials' and 'shady supplements' for their thing to block our FAUNUS FORCE FIFTEEN supplements, guaranteed to bring out the sexual demon in you!"
Another deep breath, as those breasts push against the top, the squat woman pointing a finger at the camera.
"DARN DEMONS IN ATLAS COMING OVER HERE WITH THEIR DARN TECHNOLOGY, I TELL YA! They'll have secret brain plants for the council to take, and then they go and bathe in their Faunus blood, all for that thievish council-wannabe Hill! When Robyn Hill comes here, we are going to see her in the studio, ladies and gentlemen!"
The woman's finger does a little circle, as the woman puffs that chest up a little, the broadcast interrupted for a moment, someone shouting – 'Your top ripped!' – and then restarting, with a jacket worn.
"Robyn Hill, I challenge you to a chat! Here, right in this very studio, with your whole happy pack of Sapphic seductresses, trying to put the moves on a REAL Valean woman! You deserve in prison, you evil sneaky thief! Atlas will never elect you as a councillor, or my name is not Alexandrite Stones! I dare you!"
The woman gets up and the jacket pops open with a wild motion, a ragged and torn top visible, clearly torn in two by the hot-blooded motions of the totally legitimate radio host/tv presenter/vitamin supplement saleswoman.
"Come here and let me look in those beady little Mantlean eyes and see the evil that you and your whole host of Sapphic seductresses have in your eyes, before you sip on Faunus blood and have some slave lick your foot soles! HILL, YOU DESERVE TO BE IN PRISON, YEAHHHH!"
A shirt with 'Hill 4 Prison' appears on the screen before the commercial for Faunus Force Fifteen starts up.
"And we'll be at the Huntsman Introductory Banquet tomorrow night, getting the news to you raw! Mister Arc'll be in attendance, and he'll be smashing it out of the park, undoubtedly! A real Valean patriot, ladies and gentlemen! We at Knowledge Wars wish him luck with his career!"
*KNOWLEDGE WARS: Bringing you the hottest scoop, live and uncut! 50% off on our special Faunus Force Fifteen, this weekend only!*
Leave a review if you'd like to! The next chapter will have the banquet for young and upcoming Huntsmen!