KS: Back for more. Let's see what kind of tricks the group is up to, shall we?
The group left the lower levels of Mistral and returned above ground with many questions that they wanted answers to. Like how does a widespread criminal organization gain information about a topic they couldn't care less about. Or what purpose they could have for it. These and many other plagued their minds.
As if he could read the atmosphere, Lilac was the first to speak. "I'm sure you people have a lot of questions-"
"A lot doesn't even begin to cover how many questions we have," Ruby interjected.
Lilac sighed, knowing this was bound to happen. "Regardless, you can trust Astaroth. I've known her for years and she's never the type to give out bogus information."
"Big deal," Nora deadpanned. "You knew her for years and we only met her for a few seconds. For all we know, she probably sent us on some kind hunt where he have to look for something that doesn't exist. I hated those kind of hunts."
"This isn't a snipe hunt," Lilac insisted. "Those coordinates are legitimate to every know degree."
"But how do we know it's real?" Ruby asked again.
Lilac stopped walking, then rubbed his face while sighing once more. "Look, just me on this one, alright? Everything is going to work out."
"I hope so," Ruby sighed.
As the group walked, Jaune noticed the girl her ran into earlier from a distance. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he had a feeling that the girl looked familiar.
"Hey, go on ahead," he called out to the group. "I gotta check something."
"What do you need to check?" Nora asked.
Jaune looked back to at the cloaked girl. "I… need to see if they have any fruit."
"Why do you want to get fruit?" Ruby asked. "We brought food on our way here?"
"Yeah, but there's this one fruit I've got my eye on and I got to get it," Jaune replied. "When I get it, I'll meet up with you."
And with that, he began to walk in the opposite in the brisk fashion, much to the confusion of the others.
"Wonder what kind of fruit the kid's got his eye on," Qrow mused.
"Maybe it's a melon the size of a boulder," Nora said, causing everyone to give her skeptic looks. "What? I heard that they grow in Mistral and that they taste good."
Lilac chuckled. "I've seen my fair share of melons, but I doubt they're that big."
Everyone turned to him with an exasperated look.
"What melons are you talking about?" Ren asked.
Lilac continued to chuckle as he scratches his head. "Oh, you know… big, bouncy melons."
Everyone groaned in disgust.
Jaune swallowed a nervous lump as he see the cloaked girl. He was hoping that this time around, he wouldn't make a complete fool out of himself… but this is Jaune we're talking about here.
"Alright," he said to himself. "Time to make a good first impression. That is, if I can manage it."
He slowly walked towards to where the girl stood, only to stop when he saw the smaller girl walk up to her with a bag of fresh fruit.
"I managed to get some for both of us," she said.
The cloaked girl smiled at the bag. "Wow, that's so nice of you. I don't think I ever met someone who was so nice to me."
The small girl grinned as she shrugged. "Well, I just like doing nice things without expecting anything in return. Let's go visit a koi pond. I heard they're soothing to look at."
"I like the sound of that. Let's go."
The two walked away while holding each others' hands. Jaune sighed heavily as he watch their forms recede with every step they took.
"Without expecting anything in return, huh?" he asked to no one in particular. "Must be nice to be that kind to someone you care about."
Jaune turned around and walked back to where the team was, each of his steps becoming heavier than the last. Since the events of Beacon, he has changed completely, but none of it was for the better. Hearing about Pyrrha's fate from Ruby shocked him to the core, and it got worse when she handed him her circlet.
This led Jaune to become more distant and cold towards others, especially his own team. Nearing the end of that fateful night, the students were evacuated by Atlesian soldiers, though a lot were injured trying to escape the Grimm. Upon hearing the news about Pyrrha, Ironwood offered his condolences the remains of Team JNPR, but Jaune was hostile to him, telling the general that if had any respect towards Pyrrha, he'd keep her name out of his mouth. Naturally, he was was lambasted for his attitude, but he paid no mind to the criticisms. As far as he was concerned, Ironwood had a hand in Pyrrha's death as much as her killer did.
The group stood under a large arch, waiting for Jaune to return. It didn't take much longer, as Ruby was the first to spot him approaching them.
"Hey, you're back," she said, walking up to him. "Where's the fruit you said you were going to get?"
Jaune sighed heavily and slumped his shoulders. "They were sold out."
"Really?" Nora asked with a sad look. "They sold all of the big melons?"
"Every single one," Jaune lied.
Ren was immediately knew Jaune was lying. He was about to call him out on it, when he felt something cold and hard press against the back of his neck. He theorized that Lilac had his gun out and that he would pull the trigger if he gave him any incentive to.
"If I were you, I'd keep my mouth shut," he whispered. "Last thing we want is to cause a commotion in a public area."
Ren didn't need to turn around to know what Lilac's expression was. He could feel the killing intent piercing through his soul. The last thing he wanted was to have his aura wiped out by a point black shot to the neck.
"Alright, if we're done galavanting, we should be getting back," Qrow said, getting everyone's attention. "We need to prepare for this little treasure hunt, and I get the feeling that it won't be easy."
Lilac holstered his pistol in a subtle manner and walked over to Qrow. "Got a point there, man. I happen to have just the place for setting up shop."
Lilac brought Team RNJR and Qrow to a very lush condominium. All of them were amazed at how clean and regal it looked, despite the surrounding buildings appearing old fashioned.
"Here we are," Lilac announced joyously. "What do you think?"
"I think this place sticks out like a sore thumb," Qrow quipped, breaking the silence.
Lilac chuckled as he lead them through the building. "Yeah, I can't deny that. But it happens to be very popular for people touring or visiting Mistral. Plus, it's affordable, which is another benefit to this joint's popularity."
Everyone looked around the lobby. There was a rest area with a working fountain sculpted in the likeness a Death Stalker, and a stand where bubble tea was served. Immediately, Nora rushed over to the bubble tea stand where Ren quickly followed her, urging her to select something that was low in sugar for obvious reasons.
Jaune opted to sit by himself at the fountain. Ruby quickly sat beside him.
"Jaune, can I ask you something?" she said.
The blond continued to look at the fountain, but he responded. "Sure. What about?"
Ruby sighed heavily. She had to get something off her chest and now seemed like a good time to do it.
"Do you… do you blame me for what happened to Pyrrha?"
And there it was. The one subject Jaune hoped would never be brought up. He had been through this a few times with Ren, one of which resulted in a brief altercation that attracted more than a few Grimm, but now Ruby popped the question and he racked his brain for answer.
"I… don't blame you for what happened to Pyrrha, Ruby," he said. "In fact, if she was still with us, she'd bop me on the head for thinking of such a ridculous notion." He turned to her and made an attempt to smile. Underline 'attempt.' "You don't have to worry about me. Everything is fine."
Ruby gave her own smile and nodded. "Okay then. Thanks for hearing me out."
She got up headed towards Lilac, who was chatting with the receptionist. As she got out of earshot, Jaune sighed in relief.
"Glad that's over," he said. "I can finally put that whole mess behind me now."
Little did Jaune know, that one sentence would be his undoing.
"You know, I've come across some liars in my time, but you've got to be the absolute worst of them."
The blunt and cold tone of voice snapped Jaune to attention. He looked to his left to see Qrow standing next him, his face strewn with anger and disappointment.
"What are you talking about-"
Qrow slammed his fist into the support behind Jaune, shocking him into silence.
"Look kid, they might be fooled this poorly-constructed façade of yours, but I know a rat when I smell one." He roughly poked Jaune in chest. "And yours smells like it's been dead for half a month."
Jaune inwardly groaned. As if Ren being on his case wasn't enough, now Qrow is the one grilling him.
"Wipe that look of your mug," he hissed. "I heard from Lilac about the little tiff you had with that other kid." He gestured towards Ren, who was buying bubble tea for Nora. "And on my way to where you were, I noticed some Grimm making a break for whatever caught their interest." He leaned closer until his face was inches away fron Jaune's. "And guess what? I was told that the giant get-together was due to two people unable to settle their differences like civilized men."
At this rate, Jaune couldn't tell which about the veteran huntsman was unbearable: the piercing look he had or the lingering stench of alcohol that hung on every word he spoke.
"Uncle Qrow! Lilac managed to get us the master suite! He's got a lot of connections!"
"Hey, keep it down! No one needs to hear about them!"
Qrow stood up and turned to Ruby and Lilac, where the latter had the redhead in a headlock in an attempted to silence her. He chuckled at the sighed and walked off, but not before giving Jaune one last glare. He sighed, knowing full well what he said through those eyes.
This topic is far from over. Get that in your head before I drill it in there.
"…I'm not that transparent, am I?"
Weiss was amazed at her new surroundings. She had read books and brochures related to Mistral, but she never once had the privilege of being in the kingdom itself. The structures, the people, even the atomsphere was a breath of fresh air, pardon the pun. A complete contrast to the oppressive and domineering vibe Atlas gave off.
"This is wonderful," she said to herself. "I feel like I'm in a whole new world."
"Hey, kid. Don't get too lost in the sights."
Weiss turned around and saw Humo walking up to her, carrying the assassin in tow.
"Once I turn this girl in, we can take a look around. But I need to bring her to my employer or I'll never get a paycheck."
Weiss nodded. "Very well. Though if it is not too much to ask, who is your employer?"
Humo chuckled. "Good question. If I'm being honest, my employer is part of a large group that is well-known throughout Mistral."
"Care to elaborate?" Weiss asked.
Humo adjusted his hat before speaking. "Have you heard of the Ars Goetia?"
KS: Boy, Weiss going to fly into interrogation mode at the sound of that. Given the influence of her family company (though I doubt it can be refered to as such any longer, considering who's running it now), I'm sure the name came up a few times. Anyway, that's all I have for tonight. I'll see you all another time.