Okay, so change of plans. Thesis deadlines are coming up and the anxiety is making it a real bitch to get anything done. Besides that, since people have shown interest in some shenanigans with Cinder and possibly Emerald, I decided to add them to Yang and Ruby's segments. Even from a rough draft I can tell that will bloat the word count, not even mentioning the final segment with Blake.

So I decided to split it into three parts. This part is Weiss' and acts as a bit of an intro with her trying to stop Willow; the second part is Ruby and Yang, and their new siblings Cinder and Emerald, dealing with Raven and Summer; and the third and last part is Blake's POV as she and the rest of team RWBY try and ultimately fail to try and set Jaune up with a different girl. Or guy, cause honestly at that point they're desperate.

Besides that I've gotten some ideas for different omakes. Besides team Chaos, someone also suggested a Maiden JNPR where Nora and Pyrrha get two Maiden powers each and it's down to Jaune and Ren to keep them from going off. This one is more lighthearted since for once Jaune is sharing the burden and pain of his existence. Either that or an all-female JNPR with Maiden powers, though it kinda lacks the kick with no Normal on the team.

Another person suggested the real crack-y idea of Pyrrha having all four Maiden sets...cause all of the previous Maidens died eating that horrible Pumpkin Pete's cereal and she was on the cover. Cue everyone on Remnant walking on eggshells around her so she won't go Injustice on their ass. All except Jaune who, like canon, somehow missed the news of the famous celebrity/walking apocalypse. Cue Pyrrha trying her utter best to keep Jaune in the dark about who exactly he paired up with via any means necessary.

Weiss Schnee liked to consider herself a sensible person. When she saw what her father was doing to her family legacy, she made the logical decision to become a Huntress and emulate her grandfather's sterling example. Nevermind that she could've done far more as the heiress to reverse her father's stained legacy, being a Huntress was clearly the best course of action for her to undertake.

She continued on her chosen path even after her father's tragic death. His automated bullhead had been caught in a snowstorm and all communications were cut off. And then, through a freak accident, lightning struck said bullhead and caused it to crash. He might've survived if that sudden earthquake hadn't hit and caused him to be buried in an avalanche. Then, as if his luck wasn't bad enough, he'd somehow caught fire and whatever remained of his body was turned to ash in the wind. All this while still in the middle of a snowstorm, mind you.

Truly a tragic and unexplainable death.

Despite said tragedy, however, it allowed them to get closer as a family. Winter had taken over as the interim CEO with assurances that it would only be until Weiss had finished her education. Her mother, meanwhile, had decided to take up a teaching position at Beacon and proven that despite over half a decade of alcoholism, her knowledge of Dust hadn't waned in the least. Even Whitley had improved. Without needing to suck up to father he had...well, he still wasn't the best, but he'd still gotten better in his own way.

They were even having family dinners. Once a week at every Saturday they'd take a shuttle back to Atlas and return to the Schnee manor. It was...nice. Conversations were perfunctory and business-related at first, but after Jaune's ultimatum the rest of the family had followed suit. Now they talked more than just business and schooling, though it was, of course, slow going. One couldn't mend years of distance with just a few conversations.

Jaune had joined them for this latest one. Things had been awkard with him ever since mother had asked him about what she'd thought of having Jaune as her father. Ignoring the fact that he was just two years older than her, she didn't much like the idea of it regardless. Jaune was a friend and she didn't want to change the dynamics of their relationship. He'd even tried to help her get together with Neptune. Though that relationship failed, that had more to do with Neptune's wandering eyes than anything on Jaune's end.

So yes she quite liked Jaune, but the idea of seeing him in a fatherly role repulsed her. She'd put the idea out of her mind since that day regardless, justifying it as her mother coming down from yet another drinking spree. She said the weirdest things sometimes, like how she knew intimate details about father's murder. Absurd. Clearly it was just a freak accident and it was just a happ- er, tragic set of circumstances.

Still, she kept an eye on Jaune throughout dinner. She trusted him and believed in his good character, but years of dealing with social climbers and parasites had made her wary. Even if she was no longer the head of the company, and Winter's reforms had caused a dip in their bottom line, mother was still quite a wealthy woman and had no shortage of suitors eager to swoop in after her father's oh so tragic demise.

Thankfully, the rest of the family didn't seem to mind his presence. Winter appreciated Jaune's efforts in repairing mother's relationship and Whitley just considered him a teacher's aide that they were being kind to. Klein, who was standing off the side, took to him quite quickly as well. His experience in helping the professors with their classes had given him quite a bit of knowledge, so much so that he could keep up with the older man.

She remembered mother's suggestion of hiring him as a personal butler if she ever retired from Beacon. Normally she would've approved, but that drunken comment was still fresh in her mind. she still wondered just how exactly he helped mother and the other professors stop that Salem woman

Weiss shook her head and focused on the meal. It was silly. While mother's marriage to father was never the happiest, she'd taken to the bottle rather than looking for company in her bed. Besides, Jaune wasn't mother's type. He was silly, awkward, and sometimes downright foolish, which she wasn't ashamed to say despite him being two years their senior.

Just like now. Despite the formal setting, he'd come in that same ratty hoodie he always wore, which made him particularly stick out to the well-dressed family. Mother had laughed it off and she'd hung around Yang too long to actually let it bother her, but it was still worth noting.

His recent behavior left much to be desired as well. Up until a few minutes ago he'd kept up with the conversations, but now he was squirming in his seat and seemed half deaf judging by how often he'd trail off or ask the person talking to him to repeat what they said. Across from where he sat, mother seemed to find amusement at his antics and delicately sipped at her cup of tea.

It was at the fourth time that Jaune sat ramrod straight in his seat that she grew suspicious. It always seemed to coincide with her mother taking a particularly long sip or smiling behind her cup, 'That can't be just a coincidence,' she thought. She'd never seen Jaune so fidgety. He helped mother prepare Dust experiments that could end in explosions if a single mistake was made.

A feeling of dread washed down her back and she gripped the table cloth. Despite what jokes Yang made, their family did not, in fact, eat at a table that ran the length of a combat arena. Not only was that impractical, it also would've made it really difficult to do things like pass the salt. Credit where it was due, even father didn't like the idea of needing a servant to shuttle their condiments around.

It also meant, however, that contact could happen without anyone realizing it.

Disregarding tact altogether, she bent over, lifted the cloth, and looked under the table. What she saw made her face flush red and her gut clench. There was her mother shamelessly running her stockinged foot up and down Jaune's leg. She had to bite her tongue to keep from screaming out obscenities as she sat back up again. No one noticed her momentary indiscretion, or if they did then they simply assumed she'd picked up a fallen utensil.

Dinner was an altogether awkward affair after that. Jaune continued to act stiffly, and oh Gods was that word the wrong thing to use right now. Weiss grit her teeth and vowed to herself that she would confront mother as soon as dinner was finished.

And she did. As soon she got the chance, she practically dragged mother away to her private study and shut the door with a loud click. The older woman had the gall to look confused, "Weiss, is something wrong?"

"Don't pretend you don't know!" Weiss hissed. Even remembering what she saw caused the flush in her face to come back, "I...saw what you were doing to Jaune under the table! It's utterly shameful, mother!"

Weiss expected embarassment, denial, maybe even a counter accusation that she was seeing things. Instead mother hummed and crossed her arms, "I see..." And then she said nothing more. Weiss gaped.

"That's it?! I just saw you...fondling Jaune, and that's your only response?!"

"I'm not sure that there is to really say." She hummed again, "I don't know why you're so surprised. I made my interest in him quite clear before."

"I thought you were drunk! And if I recall correctly, he's literally young enough to be your son! No, actually, he's younger than that! Winter is older than him!" Weiss screeched, the affronts she'd witnessed forcing down any sense of grace and politeness.

Mother simply shrugged, "He's a legal adult and can make his own choices. After Jacques' was killed-"

"Had an accident."

"-had an accident, am I really expected to mourn him forever?" Or mourn him at all, Weiss thought sarcastically.

"So that's what this is? You're looking for someone to...warm your bed?"

Mother's eyes narrowed by the slightest amount, "Of course not. If that was all I wanted, it'd be far simpler to use other methods." Ugh, the image made her want to vomit, "I...care about Jaune and I hold affection for him. It's as simple as that."

"Perhaps it's crude of me to say, but your taste in men hasn't exactly been the most sound." Weiss pursed her lips.

"Jaune is nothing like Jacques. Do you disagree?" She couldn't. Even though she didn't know him as well as the Professors did, her finely tuned sense of character had turned up nothing untoward from him. At best he could shape up a bit, but that was hardly a critical flaw. Beyond that she knew he was brave and loyal. He'd gone with her mother and the other Professors on their journey to the Grimmlands months prior.

...But that didn't mean she wanted to call him her new dad!

"I still disapprove."

"You can disapprove, I can't stop that, but I've made my own choices."

Weiss put her hands on her hips before she huffed and stalked off. Fine, it was clear that mother wasn't going to budge on this, so she'd have to find other methods. Winter and Whitley were her best options. She wouldn't listen to her now, but she'd change her mind when all three of her children expressed their disapproval.

And then she hit a snag...

"What do you mean you both don't mind?!"

Both Winter and Whitley continued to play their game of chess and barely paid her any notice. Weiss felt like she was slowly becoming insane. Was this honestly happening? She'd just told them how shameful mother was acting and they reacted as if she'd come to discuss the weather!

"I fail to see the issue, sister." Winter said, moving her knight to take Whitley's bishop, "Mother has expressed interest in someone and Jaune Arc is of legal age. From what I can gather, Beacon also does not discourage fraternization within its staff. While I personally have my doubts on such as rule, or lack thereof, it means that whatever two consenting adults do with their time is none of our business.

"He's a student!"

"Is he? I thought he was an aide?" Whitley asked.

"He's both!"

"Well, that's just confusing." He moved his king to avoid a checkmate.

"I see no issue with this, sister," Winter said again, "After father's fortunate murder-"

"Tragic accident."

"Happy accident," she continued, making it clear that she wouldn't amend it any further, "I believe that mother is entitled to find her own happiness. And while I personally would not have chosen Jaune Arc, I can respect her choice."

"That and he can't be any worse than father was." Whitley shrugged.

"In that I wholeheartedly agree." Winter nodded.

Weiss looked between her two siblings before she turned and walked away, resisting the urge to scream. Insane. Everyone in this house had gone insane but her and perhaps Klein, but she knew he'd be of no help. If Winter and Whitley wouldn't help her then Klein wouldn't make her any more persuasive.

Fine, she just had to nip this in the bud at the source.

"Jaune!" Weiss shouted as soon as she found the blonde knight. He was touring the estate with Klein and exchanging jokes. The butler, seeing her mood, wisely excused himself as Weiss stomped over, appearing intimidating despite being a foot shorter, "We need to talk!"

"Huh? What's wrong, Weiss?"

"It concerns some recent goings on." Weiss coughed, trying to find the right words. This wasn't his fault. While her mother might've been acting like a degenerate, Jaune at least showed no overt signs of abhorrent behavior. Perhaps they could talk about this like mature adults.

Jaune's face knotted in confusion for a bit before his his eyes widened, "Ah, I see what this is about!"

"You do?" She blinked up at him. Well, this might've been easier than she thought.

"Yeah, we never really talked about what happened to Neptune!" She blinked again. Neptune? He thought she sought him out because of that...playboy? "Come on, gimme the good news. We worked real hard to get you two together at the dance."

"Yes, well..." She coughed once more, "That didn't end up going well. He had a bad case of the wandering eyes."

"Oh..." He frowned, an almost paternal gesture. She shook her head. No, she shouldn't think like that!

"But that's not what I-"

"Hey, don't worry about it, I'm sure there's other fish in the sea," he cut her off, the same warm smile on his face as always. And then he did something so different, so alien, something she'd never experienced before.

He patted her head.

Weiss' entire body seized and it took everything she had not to collapse in a heap then and there. What...was this? This odd gesture that she could only recall once before? As far back as she could remember, only one man had ever touched her this way: her grandfather, the great Big Nicholas himself. She didn't know what to do, only that when his hand left her head she felt a profound sense of loss.

By the time Weiss' mind returned from being goop, Jaune was gone and she was left standing alone in the hall. Weiss' mouth opened, trying to form words, but nothing came. Her right hand gently touched the now-cold spot and she shivered, biting her trembling lower lip. Wait, come back! It was too short! She needed more! Come back and rub her head, damn it!

...

It...It didn't change anything. Of course it didn't. She still didn't approve of her mother's behavior and she'd stop it no matter the means!

...

But he could still pat her head even if they were just friends, right?

Poor Weiss, the power of headpats has slowly begun to corrupt her. That's what happens when your only parental figure is your butler and Big Nicholas dies young. Of course this changes nothing. After all, Jaune can still pat her head even if he's not porking her mom. She just has to be subtle about it...

Next chapter will be Yang and Ruby on two opposite ends. Yang is in utter denial and does everything she can to make sure neither Summer or Raven get anywhere. On the other hand, Ruby has begrudgingly accepted the inevitable and is already planning to do dad things with Jaune like playing catch or listening to awful jokes. Meanwhile, Emerald has become a total mommy's girl for Summer while poor Cinder is just deliberating what has happened with her life.

Question:

1. So now that Lancaster is set, I wonder. There were a lot of people who wanted this to be a harem, and there were those like me who didn't like the idea of it. For those anti-harem readers, would you have kept reading if this was actually a harem or dropped it like a hot potato?

And no, before anyone gets any ideas, this is not me trying to transition to one. There's a reason why any and all harem shenanigans are reserved for omakes, and especially when the members of said harem (Raven, Summer, and Willow) are people who've never even met Jaune in canon. Rule of Funny and a focus on shenanigans takes away just about all of them wish fullfiment aspects.

Review Answers:

BrazeRancor - It's mostly a joke. Blake is my favorite character to write here cause her and Jaune's refusal to back down is gold for segments.

Chuck B. Winanaki - Since Blake took all of her insanity and stubborness with the Spite War, Weiss has just been left as the secondary sane person.

Spartastic 4 - It's not gonna be sunshine and rainbows for them. They're a team with a lot on their shoulders and that will strain their relationship.

Arsinis - Honestly I feel the same way about Arkos. It always comes across as too vanilla and conflict free. Lancaster and Dragonslayer, while not dramatic, at least have fun in most fics.