Big surge of Lancaster votes last chapter. Before Ruby and Weiss were neck in neck with Ruby having a slight lead. Now she has 23 more votes than Weiss. Somewhat weird since Jaune had one-on-one talks with both Ruby and Weiss last chapter.
Anyway, vote totals again:
Jaune x Survival = 139
Jaune x Ruby = 115
Jaune x Yang = 62
Jaune x Weiss = 60
Jaune x Pyrrha = 53
Jaune x Penny = 44
Jaune x Blake = 43
Jaune x Mercury (lol) = 23
At this point it seems like it comes down to No Romance v. Lancaster. So it comes down to Survial-chan and Ruby fighting for the title of best girl. Also, for people writing on the reviews for their preferred pairing, the poll is there for a reason. I can't count votes made in reviews since those could be repeats.
I'm also no longer adding any more people so people suggesting Emerald/Velvet/Cinder/Shopkeeper in reviews won't be accomodated. The list is final.
Things changed after that week. The atmosphere around team RWBY felt...lighter, if that was the right word. More like an actual team than two sisters, a wannabe leader, and a fourth that just didn't care about anything. Oh, and him, the glorified babysitter.
It wasn't perfect, of course. Weiss still made sharp comments to Ruby before she stopped herself and her talks to Blake were stilted and awkward, but at least she was trying. Ruby herself accepted all the comments - both good and bad - and promised to do better. More than once he'd come back from his 'detentions' with Professor Port to see the two of them studying together. Ruby was struggling, but again she was trying. They both were.
He started leaving them cookies and coffee to help.
It was still a definite improvement. Yang and Weiss hadn't had a single argument for almost a week and Blake actually got herself more involved with conversations. He still remembered Yang grinning at him on Wednesday and congratulating him on a job well done, but he waved her off. It would've felt like something to be more proud of if he actually intended it. He just got lucky, that was it.
Speaking of his luck...
"Enough. Jaune Arc's Aura is in the red. Sky Lark is the winner."
Jaune groaned and didn't bother getting up from the floor just yet. Combat Class with Professor Goodwitch was something he didn't look forward to. As much as he could fake anything else, he couldn't pretend he had the years of training everyone else had. It was just another reminder of how poorly thought out the whole thing was. He was so obsessed with being a hero that he only thought about that first step.
He stood up eventually and winced. Aura meant there weren't anything more than superficial wounds like bruises, but it couldn't stop all the pain. Jaune trudged back to the lockers, ignoring the laughs and jeers from team CRDL. They hadn't really done anything to him outside of some taunts and comments in the hallway, but he could tell he was a target. Cardin fashioned himself the big man on campus and he was just one of the victims. If he had extra ears and a tail it would've been worse. As it stood right now he was more a target of opportunity than anything.
A change of clothes later and he was back sitting with team RWBY. Ruby was all smiles as always, patting his back and telling him how he'd 'get em next time'. Yang was the same. Weiss sighed and mumbled a few words of encouragement while Blake hummed in agreement. It didn't make him feel better. Even without their Maiden powers team RWBY was heads and shoulders above him. He felt like a weight they were dragging around.
So far they got lucky in class. While the school kept records on Semblances, students were allowed to keep them as public or secret as they wanted. The one time Yang scorched her opponent everyone just assumed it was part of her Semblance. If she could set her hair on fire why couldn't she throw flames around? Ditto Ruby's wind and Weiss' ice. Just an extension of their Semblances.
He dreaded the day they'd have to explain how shadow clones connected to lightning bolts.
Detention with Professor Port was the highlight of the day, much as everyone else thought otherwise. It always gave him the hope that at least he was just a bit better when it ended than when he started. The experienced professor was also encouraging, praising him for every single thing he picked up and quick to offer a hand every time the sessions ended with him covered in sweat and collapsed on the ground from exhaustion.
"Now where was I? Oh yes, so I'd stripped naked and wrestled that Ursa..."
He liked the stories too. For anyone else getting your butt handed to you while your opponent rambled on and on about his 'youthful escapades' would've been humiliaiting. Jaune actually found it a good distraction. Sure, most (if not all) of it was absolute fiction, but after living with team RWBY for over half a month he liked hearing about something so completely out there. At least he could laugh about the professor saving the village of Mistralian warrior women or the time he rode a Nevermore across all of Anima and rammed it to a horde full of Grimm.
And as silly as the guy came across, he was still an old Huntsman. It was a grim fact of life that more Huntsmen died young than in any other career. Fighting the Grimm wasn't an easy job and it was often 'joked' that if you made it past thirty in a career like that then you were an old man. The professor, tall tales or not, had to walk the walk to survive so long. Especially with a weapon like that.
"Hoho! Another day of self-improvement, eh lad?"
"I-If you say so." He smiled weakly and took the professor's offered hand. It was discouraging to see that his Aura bar hadn't moved a single inch or looked like he even broke a sweat. That was to be expected, though. Professor Port was a Huntsman longer than he was alive, "It just doesn't feel like it sometimes, professor."
"Lad, I've told you to call me Port or Peter! In here we are two men who simply strive to improve ourselves!"
"R-Right." Jaune smiled weakly. Felt weird calling someone so old so informally. Back home they were taught to respect their elders. Family trades were taught from one generation to the next and that established a firm hierarchy.
"Something the matter, lad?"
"It's just..." He dropped Crocea Mors on the ground and took a seat on the nearby chairs, Port following after. The training room was reserved for them so no one would know. Wouldn't do if anyone on team RWBY saw him getting lessons, "We had combat class after and I totally whiffed! I couldn't even hit Lark once!" He tried, but every single time it seemed like he'd get a hit in it'd get dodged, blocked or deflected.
"Hmm." Port rubbed his mustache, "I'm afraid that there's not much we can do there. Even this chiseled physique you see before you took years of training and experience." He stuck out his square chest and oversized belly, "We all have to start from somewhere, Jaune. You simply started later than others."
"Yeah..."
"If I might pry, why did you start so late? Anyone who hopes to get into Beacon either studied for years at a Combat School or they were personally trained by mentors, Huntsmen or otherwise. While I approve of chasing one's dream, some preparation would've helped."
Jaune winced. It wasn't a lecture, not really, but still felt like one, "Mom and dad didn't want me to be a Huntsman...or anything dangerous, really. If they had their way I'd still be at home working the family business. But I just..." He took a deep breath, "I wanted to be a hero, you know? My great great grandfather fought in the Great War. Arcs have a legacy of warriors, it just...stopped with my dad. And he wanted it to stop with me, too."
"Hmm. Worrying for your son's safety is a noble thing, but I can't agree with stifling his dream." He hummed, "You remind me of myself at your age."
"Oh?" Jaune smiled slightly.
"I ran away from home myself at your age. My family didn't approve of my choices either." He shook his head, "Ah, but that is a story for another time! How goes your time with team RWBY?"
"It's...going." Jaune shrugged, "They've been getting along better ever since Blake's 'incident' at the docks last week. Pretty sure they won't need me there to keep the peace much longer." Of course that meant Ozpin had no reason to keep him at school either. He accepted it. A real hero would've accepted team RWBY's 'quirks' and would've been ecstatic to help people who could save the world.
"Small hopes. I must say you're a brave one, Jaune. In your place even I might hesitate to take the responsibility you have."
"Yep, that's me. Mr. Responsible." Oh gods, why was everyone guilting him so hard? He felt bad enough! "H-Hey, what do you know about this whole Maiden thing anyway?"
"No more than you. I understand headmaster Ozpin's predecessor was aware of them as well and that he'd tried to coax them to work together as a group. Never by force, of course. It never panned out. I theorize that these magical abilities came naturally to women of fierce independence and strong will, hence their tendencies to wander alone. If I'm to understand it right, having all four of these young women in one group is a once in a millenia event."
"Then why did he pick someone who failed Initiation to make sure they stuck together? It doesn't make sense..."
"You put yourself down too quickly, Jaune. No matter your doubts the results speak for themselves."
"I'm not so sure-"
"Gods, this pity party's killing me."
Jaune jumped up in his seat and swiveled to the new voice. A man stood there, back leaning against the wall closest to the entrance with his arms crossed. He was old. Not as old as Port, but older than any other guy in the school besides the headmaster and the professors. He wore a gray dress shirt, dark pants and dress shoes. It would've looked formal if not for the tattered red cape at his back and the segmented sword propped nearby. The odd mish-mash just screamed Huntsman.
He hadn't even heard him come in...
"Ah, Professor Branwen. So good to see you!" Port greeted happily.
"You too, Pete." He stepped off the wall and walked closer. Jaune sat ramrod still as the older man looked him up and down, rubbing his stubbled chin, "This is the runt, huh?"
"H-Hey..." Jaune protested weakly.
"Don't worry about. Everyone here looks like a runt to me." His lips curled up in a cocky smirk and he opened the hip flask at his side. Even from here he smelled the alcohol, "Well, you're even more of one, to be fair. Been watching you for a bit." Jaune winced, "That 'fight' you had with that Lark kid was something to see."
"Come now, Qrow, there's no need to-"
"He ain't gonna get better if you just feed him that feelgood kumbaya garbage," Professor Branwen - Qrow - cut in, "Gotta be honest, kid, wasn't impressed with what I saw out there."
"I know..."
Professor Branwen looked to the discarded sword and shield on the floor and grunted. After a quick swig of the flask he picked up Crocea Mors and swung it, scoffing as he did, "Where the hell did you get this thing?"
"I-It's a family heirloom!" Jaune stood up.
"Belongs in the scrap heap is what it is." He scoffed again, "Seriously? You would've been better if you actually did go to scrap heap. Some Huntsmen throw away perfectly good weapons sometimes. Maybe you coulda used this to dig up the trash. At least then then it'd be useful."
"Let go of it." Jaune scowled.
The older man grinned, "Make me."
Jaune charged towards him. The Huntsman rolled his eyes, easily side-stepped the blow and stuck his foot out. Jaune tripped hard on the floor and when he turned around to sit up the tip of Crocea Mors was inches from his face, "What did you think was gonna happen there, kid? I was just gonna stand there and let you wail on me? You watch too many cartoons."
He didn't say anything.
"So I've got a question." Professor Branwen tossed the sword away without a care. Jaune scrambled to catch it and stood up shakily, "Why a sword and shield? You got any training for it? Any reason you picked a classic?"
"It was what my great great grandfather used when he fought in the Great War. It was-"
"That wasn't what I asked. I asked why you chose that weapon." Jaune blinked, confused, "Everyone chooses their own weapon. Combat schools teach you to make yours from scratch so you know how it works inside out. Even if you don't go to a combat school, you pick what works for you. That thing's better than any partner or teammate, and you don't just pick those off randomly."
"...Didn't everyone else get their teams from eye contact and chess pie-"
"Point is it's something you choose," he continued, pointedly ignoring him, "My niece is using the same weapon as me, but she chose it herself. I trained her and she built that thing from the ground up. She didn't choose it cause her great grandaddy had it." Jaune winced, "So I'll ask again, why a sword and shield? You have any training with it? Or did you think that just cause it worked 80 years ago it's gonna work now?"
"...It was the only option I had." Professor Branwen raised a brow, "I couldn't afford a different weapon and I thought..."
"Thought that it'd be good enough?" He took another swig from his flask, "You know who else thought that? Lotta dead Hunters." Port hummed but didn't disagree, "Way too many kids go for the coolest or simplest thing they can think and figure, hey, we're just gonna be fighting a buncha dumb Grimm. It'll be good enough. Bet they were having second thoughts when a Bewolf's jaw is clamping on their neck."
"So what are you saying? That I should change my weapon?"
"How am I supposed to know that? It's your weapon, kid. You wanna stick to it? Fine, it's your ass on the line. Wanna change it? Go ahead. But if you want my advice? Don't pick something just cause 'my great old grandpappy used it'," he said, voice taking on a mocking tilt, "My old man used a pair of brass knuckles cause he thought it was convenient. You see me running around with those?"
"No." Jaune eyed the oversized sword leaning on the wall.
"Exactly."
"I'll...I'll think about it." He held onto Crocea Mors tighter. He watched some training videos to try and prepare himself, but Professor Branwen was right. The sword, shield and armor weren't his. He got them because it was the only option he had, not because he was sure it was for him. Because he thought it'd help him be a hero like Augustus Arc.
"And for the sake of the Brothers, get a gun. This is Remnant and we ain't in the Great War anymore. If your knife ain't turning into a heat seeking missile, it just isn't a weapon." He looked him up and down, "We can go to town and buy you something. Not mechashift, though. That stuff's expensive to custom order and you're not even sure what you want your weapon to be."
Jaune almost pointed out that they got a bounty for Roman Torchwick before thinking better of it. That was Blake's money, not his. Ruby got a cut because she agreed to work on Gambol Shroud for free. If he asked he'd just be a leech.
"So what do you suggest?"
"Pistol's good. Simple, easy to learn, and pretty cheap. You can keep your sword and keep the gun as a backup." As in...using more than one weapon? And it wasn't mechashift? For some reason a shudder passed through him at that, like he was breaking some kind of fundamental rule that there'd be no going back from, "We'll deal with that later. Now we gotta talk about the way you fight."
"What's wrong with it?" Besides the obvious, he meant.
"You fight like an idiot." Wow. This guy was a professor? "You turtle up and take hits. That's good if you're fast and counter attack or if you're just taking the heat off your teammates, but you're not. You take hits and when you try to hit back anyone with one working eyeball can see it coming. You got a lot of Aura. You'd be better off taking the hits in to get close."
"An aggressive fighting style? Are you sure, Qrow?" Port asked.
"Why not?" Professor Branwen shrugged, "Kid needs to learn to take some hits for sure, but like I said he's got a lot of Aura. He can afford it." He eyed the shield next to him, "That thing makes you think fighting's fair. That if you curl up like a damn armadillo you'll get a chance to hit back. Fights don't work that way. Look at that Nikos girl. She uses a shield too but she doesn't just stand back and let people wail on her."
"I'm not her..."
"Not saying you are, but you also don't have to be an idiot. Life ain't a videogame and you ain't a knight. Doesn't matter if you're fighting Grimm or people, they don't take turns. You want to get some hits in? Make your own chances. Aim for the nuts, throw sand in their face, anything."
"That sounds...dirty."
"In a fight, there's no such thing as too dirty. You think the Grimm or the person you're fighting care? And how the hell is grabbing someone's nuts worse than shooting them in the face?" Well...he had a point there, "Problem with you, kid, is you got this notion that fights are fair. And maybe if you had the same training as everyone else they could be, but you don't. It'll take you years to catch up to them and they're not gonna stop to wait for you. They're getting better the same way you are."
"So that's your advice? Fight dirty?" It sounded so simple.
"Yup." He said, popping the p. It sounded weirdly familiar, "Huntsmen are taught how to fight using their Aura and Weapons. Most of them are so strong they don't have to worry about anything except rushing in. That's what happens when you're stronger than 99% of the population." Another point. Even back home Huntsmen were seen with both reverence and fear. You didn't mess with people who could fight better than a group of trained soldiers.
"So...I just keep training with Professor Port?"
"Sure, but that ain't the only thing." He snorted then grinned, "Pete's teaching you to fight like a Huntsman. Me? I'm gonna teach you to fight like a Branwen."
'Detention' ended up lasting a couple of hours longer than normal. Jaune groaned softly and forced one leg in front of the other. His muscles burned and it was a struggle to not just collapse then and there. Professor- Qrow was as good as his word. The past couple of hours felt way longer than they did. Any notion of fairness and honor was slowly getting beaten out of him. Qrow made damn sure of it.
His aching muscles throbbed and he grabbed the hallway's wall to keep steady. Fight mean, Qrow said. Bash someone's face, kick them in the balls, poke their eyes out. Even if Aura protected you the pain and surprise would give him a few crucial seconds. In a fight, every bit of time mattered.
He felt sorry for the guy's niece. He must've been a real bastard for a teacher.
Jaune stopped when he saw a familiar figure at the outside courtyard. Mercury sat outside practicing kicks, flipping and spinning like a graceful dancer. He remembered Ozpin's words from a few days ago. Mercury worked for him. What he did Jaune had no idea, but they were similar.
The tired blonde found himself making a detour. The courtyard at night was an eerie sight. Apart from the shattered moon and a few lamps it was completely dark and he half-expected a ghost to come out of nowhere. But that was silly, right? Ghosts weren't real, just like magic-
...
"Hey, Mercury."
Mercury turned around and raised a brow before an easy smile crossed his face, "Jaune. Out a bit late, huh?"
"It's nine PM, not that late." Jaune shrugged, only to regret it a moment later when the muscles burned in protest, "What about you?"
"Just getting some training in. Work better outside."
"Not sparring with your partner?"
"Pyrrha? Nah. This is just a light workout." That was light? "So why the call? You needed something?"
"Not exactly, but..." Jaune bit his lower lip. Ozpin did say he could call out if he needed help. Getting to know each other better would be a good start, "It's just...well, you know how I got assigned to a team cause of weird circumstances?"
"Sure?"
"Well...it's not exactly true. I'm working for Ozpin...like you are."
It was as if a switch flipped. Gone was the friendly smile and easy stance. The curl in Mercury's lips turned wry and his eyes took on a harder edge. Jaune almost stepped back from the sudden shfit, "So the old man got another sucker, huh?" Even his voice sounded different. Darkly amused, like he just heard a private joke, "What's he got over your head?"
"What?"
"Simple question, man. Pretty sure the only way he can ever get people to work for him is he's got something to keep em leashed. Pretty sure that's the reason Goodwitch hasn't quit on him yet."
"I just...I failed Initiation and he said he'd let me stay if I watched over team RWBY."
Mercury laughed. His head pulled back and Jaune suddenly felt small in the isolated courtyard, "You didn't even pass Initiation? Oh, that's rich. And I thought I was desperate." His laughter slowed and the grin returned, "What makes team RWBY so special? Actually, you know what, don't tell me. Something tells me if I get involved I'm just gonna go insane or something."
"You have no idea..." Jaune stood up straighter, "You seem...different."
"What, you mean I don't seem like the nice boy across the hall?" Mercury rolled his eyes, "Its fake. You act like jackass and people avoid you. Gotta know how to play if you want people to talk." He crossed his arms, "What, disappointed?"
"Not...really? I mean we talked sometimes, but I don't think I know you enough to feel like I was tricked."
"Good. We're both the old man's patsies, may as well stop pretending around each other. By the way, I'm an assassin."
Well...that was something. He expected to be surprised and scared, maybe make an excuse to get the hell out immediately to somewhere with people around. Instead he just felt...numb, if that was the right word. In just three weeks he found out one of his teammates was a former terrorist, the entire team he was assigned to had the power to destroy kingdoms, and he still had no idea how to get the heck out of the school. This just felt par for the course.
His lack of a reaction made Mercury raise a brow, "Huh, you're taking that well. Most people kinda freak out."
"Most people haven't experienced what I've been through," Jaune said gravely. Now it was Mercury's turn to step back at the seriousness of his tone, "Just promise me that if you're going to kill me that you'll use a weapon like a normal person. Don't turn me into an ice statue or burn me to ash."
"Uh...I can't believe I'm saying this, but are you okay?"
"I'm alive."
"Doesn't really answer the question." Mercury sighed, "Well, whatever. I'm just like you. Old man's got me on the neck for the something and he wants me here doing some odd jobs. Guess he figured being a student was as good a cover as any."
"Killing people?" It was hard to believe how casually he'd asked it.
"Not so far, but I figure that's where I'm heading. Why else would he get an assassin's kid?" He shrugged, "You know I half figured that you were like me back when we met, but I definitely didn't think you were this desperate. Failed at Initiation? Really?"
"And I didn't think you were a killer for hire, but here we are."
"Technically I didn't kill anyone but my dad, but I did that for free." Jaune blinked. He was airing it all out, wasn't he? "Don't worry, he deserved it."
"Oh, well in that case."
"Heh, you're snappier than I remember."
"Guess we're both not what the other was expecting." Gods, what even was his life? Team RWBY were WMD's (Women of Mass Destruction), he was a cheater and a faker, and Mercury was apparently an assassin. Did he know anyone normal? Well, maybe Penny. Sure she was weird as all hell and he hadn't seen her in almost a week, but they were friends. She was very insistent on it even though he'd probably never see her again.
"Guess not." He laughed under his breath, "You know it's pretty nice not having to pretend to be the good boy. And I guess it feels good for you too, not having to plaster a smile on your face." He didn't disagree, "Tell you what, you call me if you want someone to rant to. Maybe we can hang out."
"Thought you said you weren't the nice guy?"
"I ain't. Need to talk to someone who I don't to play pretend in front of. You rant, I rant. Figured you're as good as any."
He was about to respond when footsteps drew closer. Jaune looked back and saw a familiar girl walking towards them, a friendly smile on her face, "Oh. Hey, Pyrrha." He waved casually.
"Hello you two." She smiled at them both. With her tiara and armor she looked like she stepped right out of a painting, "What are you both doing out here so late?"
And just like that the switch flipped back. Gone was the dry and sarcastic Mercury, replaced by the same (fake) friendliness as before, "Could say the same for you, partner. Me and Jaune here were just having a chat."
"Oh? What about?"
"He really needs some guy time. Spending all day on a team with four girls ain't all its cracked up to be. Right, Jaune?"
"U-Uh, yeah. Just two bros hanging out." Jaune smiled stiffly. He didn't know Pyrrha very well. They shared some short conversations in the dining hall, but they never hung out or anything. All he knew about her was that she was famous for being a really good fighter and she more than proved it in combat class. She hadn't lost a single match yet and she made it look easy.
He dreaded the day she and Yang were put in the same ring.
"Oh, alright." Her smile faltered just a bit, "I heard from Nora that you wanted to train. You know you could've asked me?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, but it was just some light stretching. Didn't wanna bother you or anything." Mercury waved a hand.
"We're partners. Training together wouldn't be a waste of time."
"Merc was right, just some light stretches, and I did kinda interrupt him." Jaune cut in. There was this awkward feeling in the air. A month ago he would've discarded it but living with team RWBY made him really quick to notice changes in mood, "Uh, actually, Mercury and I were talking and he said he wanted to train with you in a few days. He was actually going to ask you when he got back to your room."
Mercury would hate him for this, but it was better this way. He got the feeling that this wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation.
"Oh? Really?" The oppresssive mood lifted and it felt like the champion literally lit up.
Mercury's eyes narrowed briefly before he turned back to his partner, "Yup! I wanted to surprise you and brace myself. I mean I've seen you in class, it'd be pretty embarassing if you kicked my ass in under a minute."
"Oh, you're quite skilled, I'm sure it will be an even match." She laughed demurely. Jaune seriously doubted her words, "You'll be joining us, Jaune?"
"Actually-"
"Of course he will." Mercury grinned, and for just a second he saw the hidden intent in that open toothed smile, "He was talking all about how he wanted to fight you. Jaune's a real combat freak, you know? Always willing to test how far he can go." He punched his shoulder. It hurt, "You're not gonna disappoint him, right partner?"
"Of course not. I enjoy fighting as well." She smiled brightly. It promised nothing but pain and humiliation, "Oh, but we really should be going back. Nora and Ren are worried."
"Sure! Jaune, I'll call you when we set up." Mercury's grin turned downright feral as soon as Pyrrha's back was turned and he leaned in to whisper, "If I'm going down I'm dragging you with me."
"Hey, she's not my partner," he whispered back.
"No, but you stuck your nose in it. Have fun."
Jaune went back to his room feeling more exhausted than ever. As soon as he opened the door Ruby stood from her seat next to Weiss and ran up to him, "Jaune! Why are you so late? Did something happen?"
"Huh? Oh, no Professor Port just got really into his story and I didn't wanna interrupt him."
"Oh...do you need a hug?"
"No." Seriously, what the heck? He was actually offended in Port's place.
"Well it's a good thing you're here. Maybe now Ruby can focus." Weiss glared lightly at their team leader. She whistled innocently and looked away but Yang and Blake were already asleep. She'd get no help here, "We've still got some time yet so pull up your books, Jaune."
"Wait, me too?"
"Yes. I held back on inviting you to our study sessions because of your detentions, but your performance in class is slipping of late. We can't have that. There can be no excuse for failing grades." She beamed up at him and he shivered. When was the last time he felt happy that a girl smiled at him, he wondered, "And I'm sure you're happy to get back to it. You're always so diligent and studious, unlike a certain someone else I know."
"But Weiss..."
"But nothing, Ruby. While I'll commend your efforts to be a better leader, we can't slow down. Right, Jaune?" She looked at him expectantly.
"B-But we've been studying for four hours every night! That's not normal! Right, Jaune?" Ruby looked up at him with a fierce pout.
"...Maybe we can shorten it to two hours from now on?" he asked weakly.
"Hmm...it will slow our progress, but I suppose the extra hours of rest have their own benefits." She nodded, "Very well. Starting tomorrow we'll only have two hours of studies instead of four. You'll be joining us, of course."
"Ugh, fine! At least I'll have a study buddy tomorrow that isn't a grouch like Weiss!" Ruby said.
"Excuse me?!" Weiss yelped in mock offense. Jaune sighed and grabbed his books as the two argued back and forth. It was still way better than before, more like a pair of bickering friends than someone desperately trying to placate the other. He'd take it.
"You ready, Jaune?"
"As I'll ever be."
Back home the idea of going to a nightclub with a hot girl was a dream come true. His old friends back in Domremy often talked about going to Vale and having a night out on the town. Fancy suits, fast cars, and hard drinks. He thought about it too. Before he went here Vale always seemed like such a big thing, something that only those who could afford the exorbitant prices could actually stay in.
And now he was going out with Yang Xiao Long. Back home everyone he knew would've told him that she was way out of his league. Now he agreed with them, but not for the usual reasons. No amount of confidence could change the fact that she could literally turn him to ashes in the wind if he pissed her off. Not that she would - he actually trusted her despite everything - but tell that to the paranoid part of his brain.
"Come on, man, cheer up! You're seriously a downer right now." The other blonde put an arm around his shoulders and grinned. Her outfit for the night didn't leave a lot to the imagination. An orange tanktop, dark jacket, brown boots and a pair of jeans so tight he could've sworn that he saw the muscles rippling underneath. It wasn't actually that different from her usual battle gear, but it was still striking.
"I am cheery," he said like a man being led to his own execution. He was dressed differently too. He planned to go with his usual outfit sans armor when Yang took one look at him and just said 'nope'. His new outfit wasn't extravagant - a long sleeved shirt, green cargo pants, and a different pair of sneakers. Somehow it was better than his usual stuff, if Yang was to be believed.
"You don't sound like it."
"Just...tired." He only half-lied. Qrow and Port's teachings plus Weiss' study sessions drained him and by the time Yang reminded him about their plans to go to a club she refused to take no for an answer.
She also apparently trashed the last nightclub she went to. It was before she got the Maiden powers, thank the Gods. The building probably wouldn't have survived if she had. It still disturbed him how casually everyone treated it. Ruby complained like Yang had just went out on a bender, Blake said 'she understood', and Weiss - the strict Ice Queen - just rolled her eyes and said that 'it sounded like her'.
And no, Yang's defense of 'it was a criminal bar!' didn't make him feel much better. Especially since if she got pissed off again he'd be at ground zero.
"Then buck up, Grimm Slayer, cause we're gonna have a long night!"
"Yay..."
"Hmph!" The annoyed voice of one Ruby Rose cut in. She'd been pouting ever since Yang told her she couldn't come. Drinking age for civilians was 20 but Huntsmen-in-training were a special exception. The Council figured if they could be trained like fully grown adults then they could indulge in vices like them. Technically it meant Ruby was legally allowed to drink too, but Yang, as much of a party girl as she was, still put a stop to it.
Which left their team leader pouting on her bed, arms crossed and her face puckered in a frankly adorable glare. She'd begged Yang to come, even promising not to drink or even look at a drop of alcohol, but she still refused. He had no idea why she was so insistent on coming. As far as he knew her, Ruby was more the type to stay in with a weapons magazine than go out clubbing, but she changed her mind real quick when Yang grinned that she wasn't going alone.
...Maybe she was just lonely? Made sense. Apparently Ruby didn't have a lot of friends even before the whole Maiden thing. She probably wanted to join her 'guy bestie' and big sister for a night out. Or maybe she just didn't want to stay here alone for Weiss' study session.
"Alright, we're heading out! We'll see you guys tomorrow!"
"T-Tomorrow? Wait, you're staying in Vale?!" Ruby squawked.
"Yeah? It's a nightclub, Rubes. We ain't gonna come back for curfew. Besides, tomorrow's Saturday. Not like we have to worry about classes."
"But where will you stay?"
"Vale always has a few hotels open. We'll be fine." Yang suddenly grinned, "Besides, didn't you two stay in one last week?"
"Th-That's different!"
"It really isn't. Right, Jaune?"
"Sure." He shrugged. Again he had to remind himself that he going out clubbing then staying at a hotel with Yang Xiao Long. He should've been thrilled. Now he kinda just wanted to get this over with. Qrow wanted to meet him in town tomorrow so they could buy a gun then after that he had that sparring match with Mercury and Pyrrha. He did not look forward to doing all that with a hangover.
"But-"
"See you around, Rubes~" Yang laughed and dragged him out the door. Ruby made to follow them before Weiss' hand clamped around her cloak and she cried, trying and failing to escape her partner's grip right as Blake wished them luck and closed the door.
Poor Ruby.
"Ready for a night to remember?" Yang smirked.
"Do I have a choice?"
"Nope!"
The nightclub Yang took him was a little place called Hellfire. It lived up to the name, at least. The strobing lights and red decor already gave him a headache and the loud techno music didn't help. Jaune sighed. He was being a killjoy, he knew that, but it wasn't so easy to decompress. Sure, team RWBY was getting along better now and the arguments were rare rather than an expected part of the day. Sure, that meant his job should've been easier.
But it just made him more paranoid. Mercury's talk about Ozpin holding something over their head worried him. Team RWBY was working together no, so why was he still here? Just in case they relapsed? Maybe, but if they actually needed someone on call to be a mediator for a whole year then the headmaster was better off cutting his losses and putting them on different teams. He couldn't look out for them forever.
"What do you want?" the bartender asked.
"Strawberry Sunrise, and make sure to put in a little umbrella." Yang leaned forward, making sure to flash him a glimpse of her prodigious chest, "What about you, Jaune?"
"You order for me. Never been out drinking before." That wasn't to say he never drank before. Coming from a family of winemakers it was pretty much inevitable he'd started tasting young. Knowing about vintages wasn't the same as knowing what to drink in a club, though.
Yang rattled off another drink he didn't know the name of and slammed some Lien on the table. She stopped his hand when it moved to his grab his wallet, "Ah, ah, ah! Tonight's my treat!"
"But-"
"Trust me, you deserve it after the shit that happened last week. Still can't believe Blake went and pulled that." She grabbed her drink and handed him his own. It was a cherry colored thing that smelled like fruit, "Cheers!"
"Cheers." He smiled for the first time that night. It was small one, sure, but it was sincere. The drink tasted as fruity as it looked and he couldn't even taste any booze in it. Fine with him.
"So what's been eating you, Jaune?" His actual name? She was really prying.
"Nothing, just bummed with the detentions." Jaune shrugged. Everyone thought spending time with Professor Port was some kind of ungodly torment. Even Professor Goodwitch. It was kinda sad now.
"Yeah, that totally sucked, especially since you had to cover for Blake."
"It wasn't a big deal."
Yang raised a brow, "Can't tell if you're that deluded or you're trying to play cool. You know you could've been expelled, right?"
"Sure." He was hoping for it, "But I didn't." Too bad for him.
"Man. You are something else." She finished off her drink and waved the bartender over for a refill, "So tell me what's really bugging you."
"I told you-"
"And it's bullshit. I know you like Professor Port." He didn't - couldn't - deny it, "So come on, spill."
"...How did you know?"
"Just cause I'm blonde doesn't mean I'm stupid." She stopped, "You know that usually works better when the person I'm talking to isn't a fellow blonde." She shook her head, "Point is, I'm not as clueless as I look. You've been a downer the whole week. What's up?"
Cause he was thinking about his double life, he didn't say cause he wasn't an idiot. Instead he went for a half-truth, "It's combat class." He took a long gulp of the fruity drink, "I just...I'm sick of always losing." The bitterness in his voice was honest. Even if Ozpin still needed him to play peacekeeper it didn't stop him from feeling worse when he got pummeled. Pure winners like Pyrrha and Yang were rare. Pure losers like him even rarer.
"Hey, come on." Yang put a hand on his arm, "You're just...finding your place, yeah?"
"I haven't won a single match, Yang. You call me Grimm Slayer, but I just got lucky with the Boarbatusk. I'm just..."
"Hey!" Yang slapped his shoulder and he turned to face her. Lilac eyes met blue and he was surprised at her stern expression, "You're trying, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but-"
"You're not giving up?"
"Of course n-"
"And you're doing all that training with Professor Port." He froze. How did she... "Surprised?" She grinned, losing the harsh look from before, "I told you, not as dumb as I look. I could tell by the way you were walking. Did the same thing when I tried to hide how much my muscles hurt after a good workout. Guessing Prof Port offered to train cause 'its what men do' or something." She finished off her second glass, "Dunno why you're hiding it, though. None of us are gonna judge you."
"I'm already struggling to catch up. I don't need..." What? Their pity? Sympathy?
"We all gotta start somewhere."
"...You're not gonna ask why I'm so...weak?"
"Not unless you wanna tell me." He stayed quiet, "I won't pry. Listen, Jaune, you're a good guy. Not the best in a scrap, sure, but you're still trying. If you were a lazy asshole? Yeah, we'd be having words about how you need to shape up. You're not, though, and that's all we can do. Try. Same thing Weiss and Blake are doing. If we gave them a chance then you deserve one too."
"I just...it feels so hopeless sometimes. Like no matter what I do I can't catch up."
"So what are you gonna do about it?"
"Someone's teaching me other ways to fight." Fighting like a Branwen, Qrow said. Fighting like a bastard, Jaune thought, "Not sure if it'll work, but it does feel like I'm taking some steps forward."
"See? Good news." She bumped her left shoulder to his right and leaned forward, "Nobody's perfect, you know. Not even me."
"How humble." He laughed under his breath. Maybe this really was a good idea.
"I call it like I see it. Still, even this specimen of near-perfection in front of you made her share of mistakes. You know the first time I fought a Beowolf I didn't keep my Aura up? Turned around and that bastard bit me right in the ass." He choked on his drink, "Yeah, how do you think I felt? Went running back to dad dripping blood and bawling my eyes out. Still got the scars there."
"R-Really?" His eyes flicked down before he could stop himself.
"Wanna see?" The smile she sent him sent shivers down his spine in a good way. His head whispered no, his second head screamed yes. Yes and a bunch of other words that would've gotten him smacked.
"...You're messing with me."
"Maybe." She hummed and leaned back. He tried not to be disappointed, "But seriously, cheer up, and if you need me to help with Ruby, Weiss, Blake or whatever, just gimme a holler. I've got experience with this sort of thing."
"Cause of Ruby?"
"Yeah. Mom died before she could talk and dad...shut down. He still took care of all the bills and the parent stuff, but Ruby needed more than that. He was never around. He threw himself into his work at Signal or was staring down the end of a bottle. I had to step up till dad got his head out of his ass."
"Yang..."
"...Shit, what the hell am I saying?" She shook her head, "Look, we came here to cheer your sorry ass up, not mope about our childhoods. So what's say you and me go out dancing and-"
"Hey there." That voice sounded familiar. Both he and Yang looked to the new arrival and he grimaced when he saw Dove Bronzwing. His face was slightly red - drunk - and at a far off table he saw all of team CRDL grinning, their table filled with drinks. Great, this was just what they needed, "Fancy seeing you here, Xiao Long."
"Bronzewing," Yang said, not a hint of her previous cheer present.
"Wanna join us for a drink?"
"Ooh, I'd love to, but- actually, wait, I really don't." Her smile was dry enough to strip paint, "I'm here with a friend, so buzz off."
"What, this guy?" Dove 'playfully' shoved his shoulder. Jaune nearly fell off the stool, "Come on, why stay with a loser like him?"
"As opposed to what? The group of four guys having a sausage fest?" Yang rolled her eyes and stood, "No means no, even your dumb ass should know that. Come on, Jaune, let's-"
The slap was deafening even through the mask. Jaune's eyes widened and his heart stopped as he realized what just happened. Dove Bronzewing just slapped Yang Xiao Long's ass. The girl who was a literal hothead even before she got magical powers. Jaune's heart started up again and he almost screamed when Yang's lilac eyes were replaced by a shade of blood red.
She grabbed Dove and shoved him against the bar, one hand on his chest and another on his crotch.
She squeezed.
Yang ignored his weirdly high pitched scream and grinned up maliciously, "Doesn't feel so good, huh? Maybe next time you keep your hands to yourself." He nodded rapidly and she shoved him back in the direction of his table, "Come on, Jaune, let's get out of here. I gotta wash my hand. Feels contaminated."
Her eyes flashed back to lilac and he could finally breath again. Did that moron realize just how close he came to dying? Apparently not judging by the glare he threw at Yang's back then at him. What did he do? He wasn't the one smacking people's butts.
"You alright?" he asked once they were far enough away.
"Yeah. It isn't the first time I've gone to a club." She rolled her eyes, "Most times it happens I let it go or slap back. People are drunk and grind up on each other, it happens. But like I told that asshole, no means no. Even most club goers put their hands up and let it go."
"Cardin looked pissed..."
"Screw him. He's just a racist bully, who cares what he thinks." She snorted, "Know what? I know another club not too far off. We can still go dancing. What do you think?"
"Lead the way, Yang."
What's this? Jaune has a night out with Yang and it doesn't end in an explosion? Miracles do happen. Originally it was gonna end with her exploding a club, but at that point it stopped being funny because innocent people would've been in danger. That and it made sense that Yang knows how to handle herself with drunk assholes without trashing the place.
That and I figured Jaune does deserve a break. Guy's spent the past couple of chapters in a state of perpetual paranoia so it's nice for him to be able to bond with Yang and show off more of her emotionally savvy traits. The way I wrote it is that Jaune fuctions as the 'dad' of the group while Yang is the 'mom' since they both have experience with younger siblings.
And yes, before anyone asks, Ruby has a small crush as of Jaune in this chapter. This happens regardless of the vote winner. Assuming Lancaster doesn't win then it just never progresses to a romance. Jaune either never notices or just doesn't feel the same way she does. It happens, as canon Pyrrha proves.
Questions:
1. Do you guys wanna do the Jaunedice/Cardin Bullying arc next chapter? A lot of fanfics do them and those chapters seem relatively unpopular. While I can no doubt milk it for some comedy due to Jaune's new circumstances and personality, I'm wondering if you guys wanna see it or skip it.
2. For the chapter after the next, do you guys wanna go ahead and continue the main plot so we can get to the meat of the story (multiple factions gunning for team RWBY cause they want to exploit them/their powers) or another light one with Jaune, Mercury, Qrow and Port having a Guys Night Out?
Review Answers:
MrRayney - I'd argue Jaune's talk with Weiss was more important since Jaune calls her out on her flaws rather than just reassuring her like with Ruby.
Maidens4 - That's assuming Ironwood knows. Ozpin only found out during Initiation and seems to be keeping them low profile.
OldGlory - At this point in the story, Jaune is too tired for romance.
Calcetin Sock - Blake at least is hinted to know Amber, so there's a hint there.
Kalbario - He finally has his moment with Yang :) Like I said, they tend to be the mom and dad of the group since they're both experienced taking care of younger siblings.
ReadYesYes - Yup, team RWBY is totally fine and Jaune in no way tried to ditch them for his own safety and sanity.
SentinalSlice - That depends on how Aura works. Sometimes it works automatically (Weiss not getting injured after Banesaw kicks her while she's unconscious) and sometimes it doesn't (Sienna Khan and Vernal oneshots). Wiki says it can be trained to be done unconsciously, but it's ambiguous whether the main cast are that level or not.