Jaune knew Nullification had its perks along with its faults. It was like a rock paper scissors sort of formula. Nullification could completely destroy someone that relied on their own semblance too much. Ruby's style, for example, heavily relied on the momentum she generated from her speed. However, her semblance did help her against the vast majority of those that never unlocked their hidden potential. He had an immense amount of respect for people that dedicated themselves to develop other skills to compensate for that, much like Roman. The last part of the formula was what Jaune had to watch out for. Pyrrha could take him on easily, even without her semblance due to the abundance of power she possessed even without her polarity. It had to be why he was so fond of her.
Well, that and other reasons.
He wagered Pyrrha probably could take on Goodwitch in a typical brawl, despite how she was a professional huntress. Pyrrha would lose, but Goodwitch's lack of versatility took him by surprise when he managed to win the bout she initiated just because he challenged her mindset. The schools taught their students for a competition, or a sport, which was distasteful in its own right. Changes needed to be made. For crying out loud, they couldn't even teach them how criminals aren't going to play fair? And what of the young, idealistic ones that end up captured by criminals and forever traumatized by the scum of Remnant?
As Ruby listed all the stories about her uncle and father, it made him mask his disgust towards the tales. Ruby was far too innocent and hasn't met any real repercussions for her actions. At least, none that made a significant impact on her like Yang. He'd have to change that...
Honestly, it wouldn't surprise him if she quit her pursuit of her dreams once she faced the music. But her true character would show once she faced such adversities.
He had to admit Ruby was quite a skilled sniper. She knew the proper calculations to consider. The arc the bullet would travel, wind factors, the rotation of the bloody planet... She even knew some valuable breathing techniques. She was quite versatile at close and long range, but only with her weapon, sadly. And she hasn't shown much promise without it...
"Hello!" a familiar voice called out.
"Pyrrha," he happily blurted. He paused and collected himself. "And how's my favorite redhead doing?"
"Not your favorite girl in general?" she teased. Her smile was infectious.
"Ah, must you put me in the spot like this? I'll have you know you should be honored I'd hold you in such esteem."
"Much like Weiss does? In the same manner, I presume?"
"Yes, but without the suppressed animalistic urges she's in denial of."
"So..." Ruby drawled. He had nearly forgotten she was there. "Weiss is into Pyrrha?"
Jaune's eyes widened a bit. Ah, fate. You can't expect him to not jump on an opportunity like this. Pyrrha gave him that look where she was doing her best to be mature with the situation as she tried to refrain from giving in to the golden opportunity.
"Believe or not, she was quite forward with herself when she first spoke with Pyrrha. And you know how people get defensive whenever they get called out for something? Weiss fit that perfectly, and was in complete denial of her affections."
Ruby blinked. She directed herself towards Pyrrha. "He's not serious is he?"
"Well, I wouldn't word it like that, but-"
"Nope! No need to explain further." Ruby erected herself and beamed. "As her friends, we ought to support her completely."
"Indeed, what a wonderful idea, Ruby." Jaune tried his best not to snicker.
Give in to the corruption of Ruby, Pyrrha... You know you want to...
Ozpin sighed to himself as he stared at Jaune Arc's transcripts. Glynda was quite adamant on looking over Mr. Arc's files to find any discrepancies. There turned out to be none on the surface, but he was sure some digging would provide a few answers to the questions he had regarding this young man. The boy was unorthodox, and he's made quite the statement of behaving in such a way toward a professor of his academy. Jaune Arc thought this through. He made a formal complaint of Glynda singling him out for going against her along with a few other interesting statements. Beacon Academy condoning racism, allowing a terrorist into Beacon...
He wasn't sure how Mr. Arc found out about Miss Belladonna, but it left him in a pickle. Glynda didn't say a word as she looked over some files sprawled before them on his desk. Or rather, she was recovering from the injuries she sustained, but refused to properly recover. He'd given Mr. Arc a warning about this sort of behavior, but he only smiled at his words and looked giddy, excited about the thought of getting expelled or worse.
Now he wanted to know about Mr. Arc's upbringing. His father, Nicholas Arc, was a respected huntsman and even one of his favorite students back when Nicholas attended this school. He'd been quiet ever since his first daughter was born all those years ago, moving outside the city. He hadn't heard from him in years, and yet Jaune Arc's files claimed he was an orphan. There was no doubt Jaune and Nicholas Arc were related. The crest on Jaune's shield was enough proof. Ozpin dreaded what fate Nicholas ran into...
"Glynda... I do believe you should get some proper rest. We've appeared to hit a dead end for now."
She didn't even look at him.
"Glynda, as your boss, it's my duty to ensure you-"
She snarled and glared at him. She's lost herself in her pursuit of answers. Ozpin wasn't entirely sure what Glynda was aiming for, but he knew no harm would come to one of his own students. Especially from Glynda of all people, no matter how much of a headache they may be.
"You realize we'll face consequences for that later, right? You're already treading on thin ice when it comes to Weiss," Pyrrha reminded.
"Was that pun intentional?"
"Focus, Jaune..."
After parting ways with Ruby, the pair made their way to Forever Fall. The blades of grass and flying leaves reminded him of the color of blood. It was abnormal, but oddly beautiful in a way. He followed Pyrrha at a similar pace and watched her as she gazed at the sights, weapon ready for action. Pyrrha's curiosity and awe resonated with him, and how she occasionally looked back and smiled at him made him forget they were in grimm-infested territory. He snapped out of his reverie whenever he heard branches snapping, along with the loud crack that followed a shot Pyrrha would fire.
She lowered her weapon and kept walking, glancing at him every now and then.
"Ah, I feel safe with you protecting me. With you, I have nothing to worry about."
Pyrrha turned and began walking backwards. Her eyes had this teasing glow to them. "Oh? Is the silver tongued blonde devil admitting he's the damsel in distress?" He chuckled and nodded lightly. "And does this knight in shining armor get a reward for her efforts from the blonde princess."
"I'm at your mercy." He held his arms up, surrendering. He didn't stand a chance against her, which was a bit of a scary thought. "In other words... As of now, dear knight, I am your bitch for the next few hours."
Pyrrha laughed and stifled her laughter by covering her mouth with her hand. Or maybe she recoiled and reacted with shock? He had to find new ways to catch her off guard somehow. She was developing a tolerance to his antics...
"Think of the things you could do to me, Pyrrha. Anything... I'm at your mercy out here, where no one would hear my screams."
Her cheeks flushed, and she tried to dismiss his remark. "I hate to imagine how you were growing up. I take it you were the kid that always wanted to be the center of attention?"
"Such assumptions horrifies me, Pure. To think I'd give the impression that I'd be arrogant and self-centered. I'll have you know my ego is only half of what it used to be."
Pyrrha snorted. "In other words, you were worse back then."
"Bingo... Although that hasn't stopped our friendship, now has it?" She shrugged her shoulders. "Ah, treasured friendships are the ones where accepting each other's faults is mutual. Although I need to dig up your dirty secrets someday, Pure. I can't be the only one in this relationship with too many flaws."
"I think it's more wholesome with friends willing to help each other improve..." She reverted back to walking normally. "And I'm glad we're making our way towards that, Jaune. Or am I overthinking this?"
This... whole complex of emotions were so familiar. His eyes drooped as he adorned a sad smile, recalling his time in Mistral. Traveling around the continent, training and mastering his skills with Ashlynn... He looked at his sheathed blade, recalling his hunger for the earlier days.
He looked at her again as her fiery hair danced in the light breeze that brushed along her skin. Pyrrha was a strong, independent woman, yes... But she wasn't anything like Ashlynn. And yet Pyrrha managed to make him feel this happy. How peculiar. Ashlynn was the only other one to accomplish that feat.
"I value you as a friend, Pure. More than you realize."
Pyrrha's pace slowed for a second.
"So how were you as a kid? I don't think we've discussed our time before we've met yet."
Jaune's mind went back to analyzing her choices. Now she was asking about his past. Perfectly normal for any typical conversation, but something disturbed him. Pyrrha sounded so... concerned. Hesitant even. There were hints of something he couldn't identify when she spoke. She wasn't trying to...
No, he was overthinking things. He knew that this time.
"I spent my time traveling around Mistral with my mentor as a child. I've pretty much been the same guy you see now. Charming, awesome, and a total lady killer."
"Ah, yes... I might have to reciprocate Weiss' feelings to refrain from giving in to your allure." She laughed a bit, but it wasn't as jovial as usually. "What do you think of the faunus? N-Not that I find their existence demeaning or anything of the sort, I'm just curious."
Now she's asking about a completely random topic?
"I have no issues with faunus. If you're worried about the racism that's apparent at Beacon, I can assure you I don't condone such behavior." His eyes flickered. "You recall that rabbit girl in my dorm? She's a friend of mine, albeit for a short amount of time. She was bullied by Winchester, if you remember that arrogant fool. Although I have mixed feelings regarding that situation, I figured it'd be nice to help someone in a similar situation as my own from way back when."
"Why help Velvet in particular?"
"There isn't a specific reason..." Well, there was. But that was more of an investment in the future. "What's with this sudden topic, anyway?"
Pyrrha clearly wasn't used to this sort of situation. Questioning a friend about certain aspects of their life.
"I've been a little worried about your situation with Weiss."
"Our rivalry for your attention?"
"Seriously, Jaune. I thought it was pretty cute how you poked fun at her at first, but I've heard you've been antagonizing her for a while now and..." She sighed and shook her head. She stopped and turned to face him. "Well, I was just wondering if you had a more personal reason for treating her so."
Straight to the point, but honest. Had Ruby confronted him about this, he'd dismiss it entirely and try to provoke a reaction out of her. With Pyrrha though, he felt his chest tighten as he tried to come up with some excuse. Pyrrha looked vulnerable...
"If you suspect I despise her family, I do. I've seen all the atrocities that so called man named Jacques Schnee has done by simply signing a piece of paper. However, that doesn't mean I treat Weiss because she's a Schnee, that'd make me no better than human supremacists."
"Then why-"
"You're awfully forward today, Pure. Don't tell me you're actually beginning to consider Weiss-"
"I'm doing this for you."
"I beg your pardon?"
"You're my friend Jaune, and that means the world to me. I just wouldn't want you to have such discord between you and your own team, you know? I'm trying to ascertain your reasoning for your apparent vendetta against Weiss and-"
"You're adorable, Pure." He hushed her by placing a finger over her soft lips. Pyrrha lost her train of thought and almost stumbled backwards. He put together how she must be misunderstanding everything. There really was no reason to bother Weiss this much. He only wanted to find some authenticity beneath that princess demeanor, and just had way too much fun with it. He couldn't explain that to Pure, nor how he never planned on staying in Beacon for that long. "It's fine, believe me. Soon, Weiss will forget about you and will fawn over me. I guarantee it."
Pyrrha didn't look convinced.
Okay, laying down a little bit more foundation for the future. I believe next chapter will have a small time skip to rack up the pace a bit. Originally, I had more plans for Forever Fall, but I deemed them redundant in the end. So, next chapter will be sort of like a blank slate. Still unsure when that'll be though.
-Mute
