The Vytal Festival. A special occasion where the four kingdoms of Remnant come together to celebrate peace. A cultural exchange as each kingdom has a chance to host such an event and thus show off themselves to passing tourists. For businesses, it is a booming time as many would sample their products and services.
But the biggest draw of them all was the Vytal tournament. Students from the four academies duke it out in a series of battles for the amusement of the masses. Like competitive sports, many clamor in support of their favorites among their future defenders. It brings out a lot of positivity which is good as it repels the creatures of Grimm which are drawn to negativity.
The streets were decorated with colorful flags. Shops and restaurants are full of newcomers. One could easily tell because of their outfits and shopping bags. Flashes from their cameras and scrolls twinkled as though they were stars in the night.
Truly, it would have been a beautiful event for those lucky enough to be there. But for team JNPR, navigating the ocean of fans was like commandeering a ship in a terrible storm. The reason for that being that these fans were from Mistral, specifically, they are the fans of Pyrrha Nikos.
Pyrrha Nikos wore a cap and shades. She kept her hair underneath the cap in hopes that none would recognize her. She wore a baggy jacket to hide her physique and would even slouch if they were in a public place with lots of people. It was a good thing that they avoided it as much as possible or else she would have returned to Beacon sore.
The rest of her team were in solidarity with their teammate. The rest of JNPR also wore similar clothing if only so that none would recognize as them as teammates of the Pyrrha Nikos. Instead, they looked like out-of-place teens in Vale. A common enough sight with the number of tourists that have been arriving.
Jeanne could have stayed in her spirit form for this but chose to be one with the rest of the team.
"Since it's usually teams of four, not many would think that a group of five would have the Invincible Girl among them," she reasoned. She really just wanted to see the city for herself.
Passing through usually uncrowded places led them to the parts of Vale that were usually scarce of people. It still was when compared to the crowds on the more popular locations but there was an increase in number here. As shown by the workers in the area seemingly busier than what they are used to most days, the more adventurous types came here.
Team JNPR made it a bit of an adventure themselves here. If nothing else, they would have the pleasure of trying out something new that was always there. It led them to a family owned café. It gave Jeanne pause when looking at the name. It was called Rais Family Café.
"Got a winner?" Jaune asked.
Breaking free from her momentary pause, Jeanne agreed. "I'm sure it's fine. Probably another coincidence."
The café itself was spacious with enough room to move between the tables comfortably. There was jazz music playing the background, giving a relaxed atmosphere for the patrons of the place. A clear divide between huntsmen and civilian could be seen here. Each having their own spot in the café. There was no written rule about it but it seems to be the case.
Jeanne, tilting her head, asked, "Master, why are they separated?"
It was Ren who answered. "Civilians and Huntsmen don't usually mix. Most huntsmen and huntresses start their careers at an early age and so grow up surrounded by their peers. As a result, they tend to do well when with their own. It isn't necessarily the same elsewhere."
"But aren't we supposed to be their heroes? Wouldn't it be better that we stand together with them?"
"What do you mean, Jeanne?" asked Jaune. "Aren't we doing that by fighting the Grimm?"
"I'm saying that there's more to being a hero than simply defeating the monsters. I've known others who are considered heroes but aren't warriors. There are also the writers and playwrights, for example. Not everyone who swings a sword is a hero."
It was Pyrrha who understood. "I suppose that makes sense. Still, having grown up amongst ourselves, we don't really mesh well."
"Then we shall sit here in the middle. If nothing else, maybe we can bridge the gap."
Soon enough they found their table. It was deliberately chosen by Jeanne: in the middle of the café. There were certainly enough stares from both sides of the establishment that Pyrrha, at first, thought it was about her. When no one acted when her cap was removed, she sighed relief. Turns out, it was everyone there.
The menu that they were given was clean and simple in design. Clearly, the appeal came from the options that were presented and they come in both hot and iced options. There were cakes available as well and the menu even had a few combinations recommended.
"Excuse me." A little girl with blue hair tapped Jaune. "Mister, are you a huntsman?"
Turning to face the girl, Jaune answered. "In-training."
Strangely, the girl's eyes began to sparkle. "Are you some kind of knight-huntsman, sir? I like knights and I get the feeling you are a knight."
"Yeah, knights are cool." Jaune blushed. Knights really are cool. The little girl looked like she wanted to ask further, judging from the rising excitement on her expression.
"Gillian!" A voice called. "Don't disturb the customers and come help me in the kitchens."
"Oh, sorry mom," Gillian apologized. "I have to go, sir Knight."
Gillian then disappeared behind the counter. Pyrrha was giggling at the sight. It was her first time seeing someone gush over a huntsman that wasn't her. While Jaune was certainly caught off-guard by it, he didn't look to bothered by it. In fact, he sat taller in that seat. Distracted by it, Pyrrha didn't notice the widening eyes of Jeanne.
"Gillian," she whispered, but none heard her. "Of course it's Gillian."
Soon after, Gillian returned. This time she came as the table's little waitress. "I'm helping mom out so that I can become a huntress one day," she explained.
Taking their orders, Gillian bounced her way back behind the counter. After some time, she came back with their drinks. A cappuccino for Pyrrha, matching mochas for the two Arcs, Ren had black and Nora had a latte. In unison, team JNPR sighed relief.
"This one was a good spot," said Jaune.
"It's worth coming back here," Ren agreed. "The atmosphere is nice and the faint music is soothing."
"We making this our haunt or what?" Nora asked.
"That sounds lovely," Pyrrha agreed.
A few customers have left, having finished their drinks and their payments. Some, from the civilian side anyway, seemed to notice Pyrrha Nikos. But they brushed it off. What would a celebrity like Pyrrha be doing in some out-of-the-way café? Clearly she was just a look-alike.
"This place is perfect." Her eyes sparkled. It certainly was worth coming here."Rais Family Café could be our own little haunt."
Jeanne continued to sip her drink, nodding along. Her expression was unreadable.
When they had finished, their bill came and it turned out to be a little expensive. Thankfully, Pyrrha offered to pay for it all. Being a championship fighter with sponsors meant that her wallet was rather fat with lien. She never really splurged much.
"Dust has been getting rather expensive," commented Ren. "With the robberies that's been happening, I suppose we should expect a price hike."
"It's still worth it," replied Nora, oddly mellowed out after taking a caffeinated drink. "Now let's hike back into Beacon!"
As Team JNPR left, Gillian was there to see them out and bid them farewell.
"Come back soon, sir Knight!" she called for Jaune, earning the boy's elated smile.
"She really admires you, Jaune," commented Pyrrha.
"Yeah," replied Jaune. "It was odd. I don't feel like I've done much yet."
"You'll be a great huntsman one day, Jaune. I know it."
"Only if you guys are there with me."
"Of course we will, fearless leader!" Nora entered the conversation. "Team JNPR is like family. And family sticks together!"
Nora, back to her energetic self, pulled the entire team into one big group hug. The tightness of this embrace caused the team to breath heavily afterwards.
Suddenly, a voice cried out as team JNPR were making their way back into Beacon, "Is that Pyrrha Nikos?"
Another responded. "Oh my gosh, it is! And she's with her team too, I think."
It was there that they realized that they haven't exactly hidden themselves as they had when they arrived at the café. Thankfully, being huntsmen and huntresses, the four of them were able to get away from the crowds. The street was filled with enough people that finding their way out of it was an easy task. It was made easier with Jeanne, in spirit form, being able to see where they wouldn't be able to.
By the time they made it back into Beacon, the night had just begun to cover the skies above. As stars dotted the world above them, team JNPR were taking the scenic route back to their dorm. Such peace was disturbed by the noise that came from across their own dorm, team RWBY's room.
Team RWBY's door burst opened and a black shadow dashed right past them.
"Wait!" Ruby's voice was heard. It was a panicky and desperate voice. "Wait, come back!"
When team JNPR drew closer to the dorm, it was as though everything was frozen. Weiss was standing there, frozen in shock. Yang's face turned back and forth between the heiress and Ruby. RWBY's team leader, meanwhile, looked unsure on what to do.
Concerned, Jaune asked, "Is everything alright?"
"It's not your concern, Arc," Weiss angrily and quickly responded. "Just a little argument that got a little heated."
"But Weiss," Ruby begged. "Blake is—"
"A smart girl who will come back once she cools off." She dismissed. "You'll see; she'll be back on her bed once all of us are asleep."
It ended there. Although it was obvious that there was more going on, no one on team JNPR would be able to get any answers there. As such, they decided to sleep on it but not before they made an agreement among themselves. Team RWBY was their sister team after all and they would still look out for them as friends.
"Hey Jeanne," asked Jaune. "Think you can see what that was about? If I'm not mistaken the one who just passed us was Blake."
"Yes, Master," replied Jeanne. "I'll see where Blake went. I won't be far so as to not drain your aura too much."
With that at least, team JNPR was able to sleep easier with what had just occurred on an otherwise nice day out.
/-/
By the statue that rests at the center of Beacon Academy, Blake removed the ribbon, revealing her faunus ears.
"I knew you looked better without the bow," a voice said from behind her.
Before Blake and her new companion left however, there was a figure at the rooftop. She vanished afterwards.
Blake knew exactly who that was. She whispered, "thanks for looking out for me. But I have to do this alone."
AN: I'm terrible with coming up with names so Gillian it is. As for the café, it's more from that montage scene in the later volumes. That bit with Marrow.
