Lots of varied opinions on Jaune's fighting style. Seems torn on people who want him to remain a knight/tank and those who want him to be more of a gadgeteer supporter. The actual stealth vs no stealth question wasn't really answered, but its fine. The gadgeteer Aura buffer idea has some merit on versatility versus the Maidens being walking nukes and straight fighters.
Anyway, this chapter is a return to some more lighthearted stuff after the last two ones were just plot dumps. The Beacon Dance is coming soon so I put up the romance poll again. Once we get to that chapter we'll lock in the romantic pairing.
"People think you're team RWBY's sex slave."
Of all things he expected to hear out of Mercury's mouth, it definitely wasn't that. Jaune spat out his Beowolf chicken nuggets right at Mercury's face. Or at least he would have if the guy didn't have the foresight to use his tray as a shield. The two of them were eating alone. Team RWBY was having their first official magic lessons with Ozpin while Pyrrha had been invited out by Nora for a girls day. Ren was there too, cause from what he knew about her, Nora Valkyrie did not let as small a thing as Ren not being a girl from enjoying her newly minted boyfriend.
"Wh-What?" Jaune sputtered out, still choking on nugget chunks.
"People think you're team RWBY's sex slave," Mercury repeated word-for-word. Oh good, he thought he was being delusional for a second there, "I mean that's not the only word they use. I've heard boytoy, group dick, Jaune D'arc, and 'luckiest prick in the school' floating around. They probably mean that last one literally."
"Wh-What?"
"Dude, this really isn't that hard to get. People think you're fucking your entire team. Or that they're fucking you. Apparently there's a difference."
"WHY?!"
"You're asking me?" Mercury shrugged and continued to eat his bacon, "Apparently these idiots think it's the only reason a team strong enough to pretty much stop the Breach by themselves are keeping you around." Jaune winced, "Hey, don't let em get to you. You were actually down there dealing with all that while they were sitting here with their thumps up their asses." That wasn't really fair. A bunch of them were out on missions and stuck on bullheads. It wasn't their fault Ruby could fly.
"Still, what the hell?" Jaune sighed and brought a hand through his hair. The last thing he wanted was more rumors.
"They think it's the only reason Beacon's premier freshmen team is 'putting up' with you. Cause apparently you have an eight inch wonder." Jaune wasn't sure to feel flattered or even more insulted. Mercury reached over and clapped his shoulder, "People are idiots, what do you expect? Not everyone can have a good head on their shoulders like you do. Don't let em get to you."
"...You know, you're really nice for a self-admitted sociopath." It was one of the first things he told him when they started hanging out. Granted Jaune had no idea how legit that was supposed to be. Not like Mercury went to an actual psychiatrist or anything.
"Doesn't mean I have to be a dick all the time. Gotta play nice if I don't want the old man to kick me outta here." He smiled wryly and finished the last of his soda, "Besides, I think you've got enough to deal with. That team of yours is something else."
"Hey, they're not that bad."
"I only saw what they were capable of in a video and I'm scared of them. Trust me, that doesn't happen often." Okay, well, he couldn't really deny that. Team RWBY was force of nature. Literally, "All I'm saying is I had to fight a midget that could break into glass and was at the front car of a crashing train. And I have to share a room with Nora Valkyrie after she's finally getting laid. I still think I got the better end of the deal between the two of us."
"How so?"
"I can wear earplugs."
Jaune laughed.
It'd been a couple of days since the talk with the headmaster and things had gone back to some form of normal. General Ironwood went back to Atlas to do general stuff while Winter Schnee was officially introduced as an assistant combat teacher for Professor Goodwitch. A few students, mostly from the upper years, were quick to throw some leers her way. Not much of a surprise. Even with her strict demeanor he could see the resemblance to Weiss and she was just a few years into her twenties. She wasn't much older than the third and fourth years.
He still hadn't gotten any training from Winter yet, though he wasn't complaining. Port still had lessons ready for him even though Professor Branwen was out trying to make amends with Ruby and Yang's dad. Poor guy.
"Well, at least Pyrrha's happy," Mercury said, "Ever since your team became the hot new thing people are finally leaving her alone. She's been all smiles lately."
"You sure that's it? And not because her two teammates got together and maybe she's hoping for a little something her own partner?" Jaune smirked. He liked to think he had a good eye for things, especially when it came to romance. Granted that was just cause his older sisters forced him to watch romcoms during his formative years, but it still counted!
"...You're an idiot." Mercury rolled his eyes and looked away.
"Merc, my man, my brother from another mother-"
"If you knew my mom you wouldn't say stuff like that."
"-I know these things, and trust me when I say that is a girl who is just waiting for you to ask her out. Maybe to the dance next month?" He wiggled his eyebrows, "Take it from someone with four older sisters, I can see all the signs."
"Trust you? Yeah, remind me again where you're at with your own redhead before you start acting like the love guru."
"Ruby? We're best friends. Why?" He didn't like to play favorites, but he hadn't had any issues with her outside of their first flight into Vale. Yang too, but she gave him a hangover and made him the little spoon. That was a sin he couldn't forgive.
"...Nevermind. Poor kid." Jaune's brows furrowed. What did he mean by that? Was she in some kind of trouble? No, he just saw her this morning and she was fine. Mercury was just messing with him, "Tell you what, I'll ask Pyrrha to the dance if you can find a date yourself."
"Hey, this isn't about me!" Jaune whined. Sure he could ask someone from team RWBY, but they had a bunch of people asking them there ever since the Breach. Felt wrong to keep them from going out with someone they'd like just cause he was their friend. Maybe he could ask out Penny? Though, she'd been busy the past few days. Something with maintenance, though he had no idea what the heck that meant.
"Says the love expert." Mercury scoffed, "Maybe try looking in the mirror first, huh?"
"Jeez, someone's grumpy..." Jaune picked at his nuggets sullenly. That was what he got for trying to be a pal, "Fine, whatever, keep being stubborn. By the way, we won't be able to hang out later. I'm going to town to meet with Blake's parents then I'm gonna see about helping Weiss apologize to Neptune tomorrow. She still feels really bad about that one."
"...You sure you aren't their sex slave?"
"Fuck you."
"No thanks. I don't know where that prick's been."
He got a text from Blake after school ended. Her parents had arrived and she was cashing in that favor. Well, whatever, he was just supposed to be there as emotional support. Besides, it couldn't have been worse than the looks of sheer apathy General Ironwood gave him. He'd put his foot down on the whole fake boyfriend thing so her dad, who she'd described as being twice as big as Jaune, wouldn't have an excuse to tear his throat out.
"You ready?" Blake asked. It was just the two of them at the dorm; the rest of the team were still talking with their families to try and make sense of everything. It was a small mercy that his own family members had no idea what was happening. Mom and dad would've demanded he drop out if they knew even a fraction of the absolute shit he went through the past few months.
"As I'll ever be." Jaune tried and failed to sound enthusiastic. Hey, just cause Blake was his friend didn't mean he wanted to intrude on her personal business.
"Your remember the plan, right? Cause-"
"Yeah, I know, you made me memorize it." He waved the piece of paper she gave him two nights ago, "I'll be there as your friend from Beacon and if-"
"When-"
"-if your parents are angry and disappointed with you I'll enact escape plan Alpha. If that fails we'll go for Beta and Omega." Geez, this girl was paranoid, and that was coming from soneone who lived with four WMD's the past semester. She was so damn assured that her parents hated her and that they were coming all the way here from Menagerie just to tell her that in person. It would've been funny if it wasn't so sad. Or was it the opposite?
"Good. I've mapped out the escape routes and already prepared a second scroll in advance in case they wanna keep yelling at me."
"Blake, as your friend I'm obligated to tell you that you are being very stupid right now. I just want you to know that."
"Noted. Just stick to the plan."
When he was younger he'd always wondered what it'd be like to meet a girlfriend's parents. Would he make a good impression? Would the dad really threaten to break his knees with a bat for defiling his daughter? Again his view might've been stilted after all those romcoms, but he liked to think it was at least partially based on real life and had some merit. It wouldn't be up on the bigscreen if it was just fiction, right?
And now he was meeting his friend's parents cause she was the prodigal daughter for half a decade. Where had he gone wrong, he wondered. Oh wait, it was when he decided to listen to Ozpin.
The restaurant they went to was a Mistralian place that reminded him of the vactations he had with his family to Anima. The owner of the place was a portly raccoon Faunus who seemed to recognize Blake judging by the way they were talking, "Ah, Blake! It's been too long!" The jovial old man laughed. He reminded Jaune of Peter, "Ghira and Kali are already here! Ah, you should've told me you were in town!"
"A-Ah, yeah..." Blake's exposed cat ears twitched and she blushed. Yang would've loved this.
"And who's this? Oh!" Jaune could only smile awkwardly as the man shook his hand, "You were the young lad who saved me from that snake Grimm!" A few of the patrons turned to look at the commotion and Jaune blushed. Was this what Ruby felt like? "I owe you my life. Anything you want, it's on the house."
"Th-That's alright, just doing what we were trained to do," said the faker, "Uh, it was really the rest of the team who did the really heavy stuff. I was just glad to help out."
"If you say so, lad." The man's eyes twinkled as he looked between him and Blake, "I'll show you to your booth."
Jaune followed behind Blake and the animated old man silently and kept his hands in his pockets. At Blake's insistence he'd swapped out of his hoodie, jeans and sneakers to a slightly more formal getup of a dress shirt, neatly pressed pants and boots. Blake did the same and had foregone her usual ensemble for a black halter top, leather(!) pants and high heeled thigh-high boots. She'd even put a long white tailcoat on top to complete the ensemble.
He refused to cut his hair, though. That was something he'd never budge on. He was waiting for it to get long enough so he could get a warrior's wolf tail.
The two people sitting at the booth only made him more nervous. He recognized Blake's mom immediately. The resemblance was strong sans shorter hair and a couple of decades that didn't do much to detract from how pretty she was in her formal Mistralian dress. The man at her side was a bear of a man - fitting considering he was apparently a Bear Faunus - with a robe that left his very big and very muscled chest exposed. He put even General Ironwood to shame.
Blake stiffened as the door shut behind them, cutting them off from the rest of the restaurant. Her hands balled into shaky fists and she looked stubbornly ahead like a prisoner marching to her execution. Right, she still thought this was the part where her parents were gonna yell at her and scream dramatics about how she wasn't their child. Like they couldn't just ignore her if they hated her so much.
"Oh, my daughter..." Kali Belladonna stood up and pulled her into a tight embrace. Her husband followed soon after and Blake found herself smushed between the goliaths of parental affection. Blake, somehow, looked even more like she was dying inside while Jaune made a godly effort to resist telling her 'I told you so' and ruining the moment. Served her right for being so stubborn.
"My little cub." The other man's smile was infectious. The hug lasted for almost a minute before they both pulled back and the man who could break Jaune in half finally seemed to notice his presence, "Oh, sorry, we were..." He shook his head, "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware our daughter was bringing company. You are...?"
"Jaune Arc. I'm Blake's-"
"Boyfriend." Jaune's turned the size of dinner plates as Blake suddenly sidled up next to him and held his hand. Her smile was far too wide and absolutely fake, but neither her parents noticed. Kali had covered her mouth with a soft "Oh my" while Ghira...didn't look like he was gonna snap him like a toothpick. He just looked more confused than anything, "This is my boyfriend, Jaune."
"What?! We said that-"
"That we would hold off on telling them the news till later, but honestly could we really hide it? It's not hard to guess considering you came with me to visit my parents." Blake laughed. It sounded so unnatural that he cringed, but again neither of her parents noticed, "It's alright...honey, they don't mind."
"But I-"
"A boyfriend? Oh, Blake." Kali smiled, so warm and happy that Jaune felt like he got stabbed in the gut. Blake looked guilty. Good, "I'm so glad to see that you're happy. But does he know about..."
"H-He knows about my past with the White Fang." In hindsight maybe the only daughter of its founders should've made that a dead giveaway. That and her only disguise being a bow that kept twitching, "He was actually the first to know with my team and he accepted me for it." Only cause Ozpin told him after he nearly died for ninja smut. He still had a bit of a grudge about it.
"That's not exactly-"
"Oh, how did you two get together?" Kali asked excitedly.
"He asked me out," Blake said so quickly he couldn't even get a word in. It was obvious that she was making it up as she went along, probably copying one of her numerous 'romance' books, "He was actually pretty persistent. When I said no he tried to woo me by playing his guitar in front of her dorm. It was...romantic." There was that forced smile again. And Gods, did she have to make him sound so desperate? As if he'd ever do something like that. Serenading someone with a guitar? Really...
Elsewhere, Weiss suddenly shuddered and felt as if she'd just dodged a bullet.
"Did he?" Ghira clapped his back and laughed, "Well now, sounds like you were quite smitten, Mr. Arc."
Blake gave him a look of utter desperation. No, why were her ears drooping? That was cheating! "U-Uh, yeah..."
"Oh, that's so sweet." Kali clapped her hands together, "Come, let's order our food and then we can talk all about that. We have so much to catch up on, and now we find out you're dating someone." She looked him up and down as soon as they sat on the table. Why did he feel like a piece of steak at the lion's den? And was he racist for thinking that? "Tell me, what about Blake caught your attention so much?"
"Uh, that is, well..." Blake gasped and made desperate hand signals. What the hell was he supposed to take from that? "I loved how...mysterious she was?"
"What?" Ghira asked, confused.
"I mean that she was so determined without broadcasting it," Jaune babbled, "A lot of people thought Blake didn't care just because she wasn't as open everyone around her, but I could tell that she still cared. In fact, she went off and stopped Roman Torchwick just because she knew he was hurting people with all those Dust robberies." A complete lie, but hey if they were lying to her parents then whatever. She started it.
"Roman Torchwick? I've heard that name," Ghira rumbled, "Sienna's been enraged ever since she found out about Adam's actions. Apparently that thief was connected to it."
"Yes, he had White Fang members with him down at the docks."
"Oh, hush now about that. We're not here to talk about such things," Kali said just a bit too forcefully. Blake and Ghira looked like they were treading on thin ice as the Belladonna matriarch laughed.
The food arrived, distracting Blake's parents. Jaune scooted closer to his not-girlfriend and whispered, "Blake, what the hell are you doing?" He hissed.
"I panicked, alright?!" she shot back, "I thought they'd be mad at me."
"Yeah, and they totally still love you like I said they would!"
"And that's even worse!" Excuse him, what? "I could deal with them hating me, that's what I thought they felt for the past five years. Seeing them be so kind and forgiving...I wanted to make them happy somehow."
"And lying to them that you're dating me does that?!"
"You saw mom, she adores you."
"We haven't even talked for ten minutes!"
"...You're still better than Adam." Oh, so that was the name of the mystery ex. Good to know, "Just...do this for me, please? We can deal with what happens after."
"Or we could've been honest from the start and none of this would happen."
"Jaune, don't you start."
"You're the one who started it! Ugh, it would've been better if Yang was here." At least then it wouldn't really be a lie and he knew for a fact Yang would play along just for the chance to tease Blake about it later.
"Why's that?"
"Cause I'm not blind. I've seen the way you look at her when she comes back from the gym with her abs out." Blake's face flushed. Yup, he was totally the love guru. All those years of chick flicks and having to hear his older sisters complain about their boyfriends was worth it for that knowledge.
"I don't need to hear that from someone who can't notice Ruby's air traffic signals."
"What do you mean by that? Ruby's-"
"What are you two whispering about?" Kali asked with a knowing smirk, "Whispering sweet nothings to each other even in front of your parents, my little kitten? You're much bolder than I remember."
"Ahahaha, yeah, of course. We're just...so happy with each other." Blake giggled and crushed his hand in her grip. Ouch.
"So tell me, Jaune, what has my baby been like in Beacon? Any embarassing stories to tell?"
"Mom, I'm right here! You can ask me!"
"But you were always such a shy little thing. I want to hear it from someone who won't risk lying and making a poor first impression on his future in-laws." Kali's smirk had turned downright predatory...and for once he wasn't on the other end of it. It was all directed at Blake.
Jaune smiled.
"Jaune, don't you da-"
"Actually, I would love to tell you all about it, Mrs. Belladonna." Oh yes, revenge would be sweet. He'd pay for it later, but screw it. She started this even after he told her not to. All was fair in love and war and payback against sucky teammates who dragged you into their half baked lies.
"Jaune, please, call me Kali."
The next half hour was spent recalling all of Blake's various misadventures. She kept cutting in, of course, telling her parents that he was exageratting and that it wasn't nearly as bad as he made it sound, but Kali's impish laughs were doing critical damage. They particularly laughed at Blake's clever disguise of a bow and nothing else to disguise herself as human.
He promptly ignored her bitter muttering about how it totally worked on them for half a month. Just cause it was true didn't make it any less stupid sounding.
The food was halfway finished when Ghira coughed and set both his hands on the table, "Blake...as happy as we are to see you again, we do have to talk about the things we'd seen you do." The atmosphere in the room darkened. Kali frowned but this time made no move to interrupt her husband, "Those abilities you used protecting those people. We've never seen them before."
"It's a Secondary Semblance, father." Oh, and more lies. This time he couldn't condemn her too harshly. Magic and Salem was a bit too big to drop at the reunion, "It's...I awakwened to it almost a year ago now. I don't know how I got them, but they've been extremely helpful. I couldn't have helped save so many people without it." She paused, "I'm not the only one who has it. Three of my other teammates have them as well and Jaune knew for a long time now too."
"The other ones who were recorded." Kali hummed, "Yes, I suppose that makes sense."
"...I'm sorry I never contacted you, but-"
"Hush now, little cub, there's no need for apologies. What matters now is that we've met once more." Ghira smiled warmly. Jaune felt like an unwanted visitor seeing something he shouldn't, "...But, there is another thing we have to discuss."
"The White Fang," Kali said, not a hint of cheer from before present. Blake's eyes narrowed, "We'd heard rumors that you left, but we could never confirm. Did you-"
"I left." Blake nodded, "Adam was...he'd gone too far, cared more about hurting humans than trying to help other Faunus. I...I think he was part of the attack that led to the Breach." Wait, what? "Another student mentioned fighting someone who matched his description and it would explain the White Fang bodies they found at the crash site. His sect would be zealous enough to see attacking Vale in its entirety as some kind of victory."
"I suppose I'm not surprised." Ghira sighed, "Even Sienna was displeased. She's publicly disavowed Adam's actions back in Menagerie and its lead to a schism. There are many - the traditionalists and those angry at their unfair treatment counting the most of them - that see him as a better leader than Sienna. We just...we don't want you to get dragged into this, little kitten."
"I'll be fine. I have a team I can trust." She smiled at Jaune. If she didn't force him to be her fake boyfriend he would've found it sweet, "I'm training to be a Huntress in order to find a better way to help both Humans and Faunus, and if Adam really is responsible for the Breach then I'll personally stop him."
Her determined declaration was cut off when there was a knock on the door. Jaune was closest so he stood up to answer. The person on the other end was the last person he expected, "Penny?" The orange haired girl smiled up at him.
"Salutations, Friend-Jaune!" The girl said, loud as always. Blake choked on her sushi while Ghira and Kali looked confused at the sudden visitor, "I am so happy to have run into you!"
"Uh...yeah, me too." He stepped back slightly, "How did you know I was here?"
"I traced the signal from your scroll." A pause, "Using an app, I mean. I didn't personally do it, of course I didn't. That's not something normal people do."
"Good to know. So, uh, you must have something important you want to talk about if you went looking for me."
"Indeed. I would like to confirm that we'll have our date in two days time." Blake banged her head at the table behind him. Kali gasped softly while Ghira let out a murderous intent so thick he could feel it even without turning around, "I must be honest that this date has two purposes, but we can discuss that when the time comes. I assume that this date is agreeable to you?"
Jaune didn't say anything, still too frozen by the looming executioner sitting behind him.
"You are being very quiet, and from what I've read in many situations silence implies consent. Well then, I will see you in two days, Friend-Jaune! Perhaps I will call you Boyfriend-Jaune by the end of it."
And just like that she was gone, closing the door again and leaving him to his doom. Ghira coughed and Jaune was suddenly reminded of an Ursa about to lunge when he turned to face him, "So...it appears that you have your share of admirers, Mr. Arc?" The man's smile was so tight it was a miracle his face hadn't pinched in half, "Did you woo her the same way you did my daughter?"
"Father, that's not-"
"I want to hear it from him, Blake," Ghira interrupted politely but firmly. Not good. The dads who did that were more dangerous than the ones who threatened to break your kneecaps, "Well? What is this about you going on a date with another girl while in a relationship with my daughter?"
"Dad, please, it's not-"
"We have an open relationship!" Jaune shouted desperately. Kali gasped again while Ghira's bloodlust was replaced with utter confusion, "The relationship isn't, uh, exclusive like that."
"And...whose idea was this?" Kali asked slowly.
"This isn't-"
"Blake's, of course." Jaune said, cutting his not-girlfriend off again. Blake gave him a look of utter betrayal. Yeah, not so fun being on the other end, huh? "I mean I was so smitten with her, she was the only one for me, but she insisted on making a...I think the word she said was a polyamorous relationship?" Gods, remember the smut Blake forced him to read! His life depended on it! "She said she got the idea from one of her books, and I loved her so much that I didn't want to disagree."
"Blake..." Ghira looked to his daughter, utterly mortified.
"Dad, that isn't-"
"I always knew those books were a bad influence." Kali shook her head, the very picture of a despondent mother. That must've stung, "I personally don't understand the appeal of such a thing outside of fiction, but I'm not going to judge you for spreading your wings. Just make sure that this is really what you want. Relationships are a complicated thing even when you have just one partner."
"...Yes, mother," Blake said, utterly defeated. He almost felt bad. Almost.
"So, this...open relationship you two have. I assume that if Jaune is stepping out with someone else then you are as well?" Ghira asked.
Blake looked utterly mortified, "Of course I'm-"
"Yeah, she's had her eye on someone else," Jaune interrupted. Hey, if she was gonna make him look like an unfaithful boyfriend with wandering eyes instead of just telling the truth then she had to face the consequences. He wasn't going down as the only one who looked bad, "Actually, I think you've already seen her? She was the blonde one who helped fight in the Breach. Her name's Yang and she's Blake's Beacon partner."
"Oh my, a girl as well?" Kali hummed, "I suppose that shouldn't come as a surprise, though I imagine poor Illia would be devastated to find out she didn't have a chance. Such a shame."
"That's not tr- wait, what did you say about Ili-"
"Let's just get back to our food," Ghira sighed, leaving no room for argument.
The rest of the dinner was spent with him and Blake pinching each other's legs. They didn't hurt the other because of Aura (and because those leather pants were way too thick), but the message was clear. Let it never be said that Jaune Arc discriminated when it came to getting his revenge. She started that fight and he'd ended it on a turnaround upset. Saphron would've been impressed.
They parted ways with Blake's parents soon after. They said they'd stay for another week and Blake agreed to meet with them every day if she could. Thankfully this time she wasn't so paranoid and didn't demand he come along. Or maybe it was cause this meeting was an epic disaster.
"...That didn't go well," she said when Ghira and Kali rounded the corner.
"You started it."
"I wasn't the one making random dates with strange transfer students!"
"Which wouldn't have been a problem if you didn't lie and say we were dating after we both agreed it was a stupid plan!" He shot back. Blake didn't reply, "You see what lying gets you now, right?"
"This coming from the guy who faked his transcripts?"
"Exactly, and look where I am now." She punched his shoulder, "Ow!"
"Don't let Ruby hear you say that." Seriously, what was with people mentioning Ruby? First Mercury and now Blake. Did she do something to make them mad? "Whatever, you owe me another favor for making me sound like some kind of degenerate."
"Wait, so I owe you for not telling your very strong dad who could break me in half that I'm a scumbag who cheated on his only daughter?"
"Glad we're on the same page," she said, absolutely shameless.
"You're unbelievable, you know that? I thought you being in denial about Tuskon was bad enough."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. Those freak accidents were just unlucky coincidences."
"And I'm sure it's just complete chance that these 'accidents' come up whenever the new book you want gets sold out or bought out from under you."
"The Gods work in mysterious ways." She started walking and he followed, "Jokes aside, there's one other place we have to go. I already set it up with the headmaster before we left and I don't want to be late."
"Something to do with your Maiden powers?"
"Not exactly. Just follow me."
She took him to the police station. Jaune raised a brow but followed along anyway as Blake strode inside without a hint of shame. A few of the uniformed officers frowned when they saw her exposed cat ears but for the most part everyone was content to let her pass. Being one of the four defenders against the Breach and having the headmasters favor had its perks, he guessed.
Blake talked to an officer he vaguely recognized as the same one who congratulated them on Torchwick's capture. He stayed back and waited till he left before asking, "What was that about?"
"The headmaster called in a favor to let me inside. We're going to talk to Torchwick." Jaune's brows raised. Okay, that came out of nowhere, "What? Don't look at me like that. He's involved with the White Fang, you saw that. Officer Oak said he's been quiet about it, though. He might be willing to talk to me since..."
"Since you absolutely terrify him?"
"Exactly."
"Uh-huh, and why didn't you wait till we could get the rest of the team? He's probably just as scared of Ruby and they'd wanna know about the Breach too."
"Because I can't trust them to be as subtle and low key as I am." Jaune gave her a look. Blake either didn't notice or didn't care and kept going, "I trust them with my life, but you have to admit they're hardly the best at keeping a low profile." The pot was meeting the kettle so hard they were practically tackling each other, "I figured you'd be better for trying to keep it on the down low."
"Blake...just tell me, are you just incapable of being honest? Cause you might need to visit the school's counselor if this continues. I think we need to stage an intervention."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Now come on, let's get inside."
Torchwick jumped up in his seat as soon as they stepped inside, "Oh, hell no!" He tried to run away only for the cuffs binding him to the table keeping him from getting too far. Without his finely tailored suit and trademark hat he looked almost unrecognizable. The prison jumpsuit didn't do him any favors. "Hey, I said I'd stay in jail as long as you kept her and Red away from me!" he shouted to the one-way glass.
"No one's listening, Torchwick. It's just the three of us here." Why did she sound like a horror movie villain? He half expected the lights to cut out any second now, "You've been quiet, not telling anyone about your involvement with the White Fang. That ends today."
"Why do you care? You already caught me! You won!"
"Because you're just a thief!" Blake slammed her hand on the table. Despite the situation, he still somehow looked offended at the label, "And that's what makes me curious. You're a criminal, not an idealist. Why work with someone like the White Fang? For money? No, they couldn't pay you that much compared to what you were already doing. Someone or something must've forced you."
"S-Sounds like you got it all figured out, so why do you even need me?"
"You know something and there's a reason you're not telling." Blake's eyes narrowed and the purple flames of her Maiden powers flared. Torchwick squealed and tried to scoot back in his chair. The lights above their heads flickered as flecks of lightning buzzed from Blake's skin. Now she really did look like a horror movie villain, "What are you so scared of?" And was it scarier than the pissed off Maiden in front of him, she asked silenltly.
"I'd just tell her what she wants. If you heard about the Breach then you know what she can do."
"I've seen what she can do firsthand!" Torchwick snapped at him, momentarily forgetting his fear, "Listen, Kitty Kat, I'll say it straight out. Am I scared of you? Absolutely. It's taking everything I have to not piss myself right now. But even with all that I don't think you're gonna kill me. You would've done it all those months ago if you really wanted to. The guys I'm working for? They ain't so restrained."
"You want to test that?" Blake snarled.
"Go ahead. Real curious how you plan to explain to the boys in blue outside that you killed one of their prize prisoners." The words were brave but Jaune didn't miss the way Torchwick's legs shook underneath the table, "You're right about one thing. I'm not an idealist, I'm a survivor, and I'll do anything if it means staying alive. Right now that means keeping my mouth shut no matter how scared of you I am."
Blake snarled again and slammed her palm on the table. The lights overhead exploded in a show of sparks and Torchwick screamed before the emergency lights turned on. The door to the interrogation room opened, "Hey, sorry about that. Power just went out," one of the officers said.
"It doesn't matter, we're done here. Come on, Jaune." Blake stomped out of the room with him reluctantly following. Whoeever was holding Torchwick's leash must've been some nasty pieces of work if he'd risk taking his chances with a pissed off Blake instead.
The two stopped at an abandoned street where they couldn't be overheard. Jaune looked up worriedly at the stormy clouds overhead, "Hey, Blake." He squeezed her shoulder, half-expecting her to shove him off. Instead she took a deep breath and the clouds dissipated, "...You're even more worried than normal. What's wrong?"
"If Adam is here then things are worse than we expected." She let out a slow breath, "He always hated humans, but if he's willing to let Grimm pour into Vale then he's really lost it. Sienna disavowing him might've just made him stronger. Like dad said, there are people who see the Breach as some kind of victory. Some members of the White Fang could care less about equality. They just want humans to fear us and anyone who isn't fighting alongside them, Faunus or not, is just another casualty."
"So what do we do?"
"I...I don't know." She shook her head, "Mom and dad started the White Fang but after Sienna wrested leadership they haven't been involved, so we can't count on them for an answer. All I know is that since the Breach failed he's going to try even harder with something more dangerous. Adam hates losing and he'll do anything to wipe away even the memory of it."
"What could be worse than pouring Grimm into Vale?"
"I don't know, and that's what scares me."
They trudged back to the docks. Jaune was so tired from everything that happened that he didn't even notice that he bumped into a woman, "Hey, watch where you're going!" she snapped.
"Oh, sorry." Jaune smiled apologetically. She looked different from most of the people around the city. Tan skin, messily chopped hair and a patchwork vest and jeans that was obviously stitched together multiple times over. Her exposed arms were covered in a smattering of scars with a bird tattoo running up the length of her left arm up to her shoulder.
"Vernal, what the hell's taking you so long?" A voice ahead of her asked.
"Nothing." She turned away from him and walked away. Jaune sighed and hurried to catch up to Blake. Right now he just wanted to sleep and forget the day ever happened.
Poor Jaune, Blake truly is the worst girl on team RWBY, forcing him to be her fake boyfriend and nearly getting him killed by Ghira (though you could also fault Penny for that). Next chapter will go back to Ruby and then we can have the 'date' with Penny. Maybe Jaune can invite her to his and Blake's relationship afterwards.
We also get hints of possible side pairings for the people who didn't win the poll like Mercury x Pyrrha and Blake x Yang. Whether these end up happening or Jaune's just seeing things that aren't there is ambiguous.
Questions:
1. So I've been getting some reviews that people still want a harem and that I 'set it up perfectly.' Is it because Jaune gets along with the entire team? That hardly seems enough to justify a harem. While Jaune is the POV character the entire team is shown supporting each other, such as when Ruby's the one who successfully stands up to Ironwood for Weiss rather than Jaune.
That and I don't even know why people want it. This is a T rated fic so it's not like Jaune will get much further than kissing or handholding. Is it just the wish fulfillment aspect?
2. Following that question, would you guys have read the story if it was just about team RWBY being Maidens and getting into shenanigans without Jaune being there to be the POV character and unintentional chew toy?
Review Answers:
KingOfDelete - I'm confused, are you arguing that people treat Ironwood as worse than he is or the opposite?
Calcetin Sock - Ironwood sees an actual chance of victory against Salem rather than a stalemate, so of course he's desperate.
GeneralSparda - The Maidens can also be boots on the ground. Just cause they can nuke you from the air doesn't mean they're not trained Huntresses. Also, it's hard for team RWBY to not be relevant when they're so gamebreakingly overpowered here both as individuals and especially as a team.
Adro-Sama - I'm kinda against Jaune learning magic. The value of the Maidens is that they're so rare and can't be copied. If people can learn magic that falls apart.
ReadYesyes - Team Chaos is just Jaune suffering from start to finish.
Greer123 - From an outside perspective he's not wrong. Jaune is a cheater, a fake and a poor fighter. Ironwood just discounts his emotional support.
KorevainsoLightshire - Weiss was memetic for sucking at one on one. Even before summoning she lost to the White Fang lieutenant (a literal giant mook) and failed to take out Flynt with her sacrifice play. She's also the only one who gets injured in her trailer while the others came out unscathed.
Majin Othinus - Hope TTS didn't bug out on the typos too much then. As for harem, like I asked above I don't get the appeal for this fic.
OldGlory - Blake goes through with it anyway and regrets it.
LJ-Yusei - And yet, as Ozpin says, trying that last time blew up in their faces. And why is he rushing so much? Salem's gonna be there for a long time and charging her at first opportunity is not a good idea. Sure the girls are targets, but again why would Atlas be any safer in-universe? Because it can fly? If Tyrian can sneak into Beacon then he can sneak into Atlas. He also doesn't do himself favors by threatening Weiss the second she doesn't agree with him.
As for Jaune, remember Ironwood doesn't know how critical he was during the early days of team RWBY. As far as he's aware Jaune didn't really do anything team RWBY couldn't have dealt with on their own. From the facts he's given all he knows is Jaune is a cheater and a faker who, instead of being expelled, was instead 'rewarded' by being put on team RWBY. For a career soldier that just looks insulting.
ShadowSpartan009 - Still no clue why you think this is the perfect setup for a harem. As for Kali, she gets her teasing in quick and hard here.
NewOtaku - Didn't read Relic of the Future, though I will admit I was inspired by Agent Rat being a pragmatist who uses everything to his advantage. Also, team RWBY aren't really Casters. They have magic but they're also trained Huntresses and fighters, especially Yang.
R3tro - Thing is he does have to fight without team RWBY at times so he needs to be able to do combat solo.
Zathol - Holy long review, Batman! Super appreciated descriptive feedback. Anyway, you've given me some ideas for gadgets like the flashbang shield. I already did consider stuff like night/heat vision goggles due to playing Splinter Cell, though I'm not sure about your suggestions on Jaune being the strategist/coordinator. Ruby is the strategist of her team in canon, as shown during the Nevermore fight, and her Semblance means she can scout out the battlefield far better than Jaune can.
Also, I don't think we can discount the training children get. People like Pyrrha start as young as 13 and all indications tell us the training these teenagers received, whether from combat school or on their own, are the reason they're capable of tossing around grown adults like Yang in the Yellow trailer. Jaune's lack of training can't be so easily rectified. If it was that easy anyone could become on the level of Ruby who's a noted prodigy.
As for Ironwood, he doesn't know how critical Jaune was because he didn't witness RWBY's dysfunction firsthand. The guy is surrounded by soldiers and professionals 24/7 and his own Semblance turns off his emotions. He assumes that whatever Jaune did wasn't that important and he's just a dead weight, which isn't unreasonable for someone who only know the facts from an outside perspective.