Take it in. Let them burn, my dear student...


Blake's arms tensed. Her breathing hitched and she could've sworn time itself had slowed. How? How did Jaune find out about her heritage? It was bad enough he was here as one of her customers on her very first day, but now this? She even made sure that this place was a good distance from Beacon. Her anxiety was masked, thankfully. It was her first day on the job. Maybe he was teasing her, picking up on how uncomfortable she was with the situation.

"Kitten?" His companion wondered. It took a moment for Blake to realize it was Pyrrha, likely dressed like that to avoid being spotted by fans of hers. She wanted to smack herself for not figuring it out right away. Red hair wasn't exactly subtle. "Jaune, I didn't realize you two were close."

"We're not," she blurted. Maybe she could dig for some info, find out just how much he knew. "We're not together, Jaune. Let alone close enough for silly nicknames."

His eyes narrowed, but he retained an insufferable smile. "Don't be cold, Blake. And I find it fitting." She drew a sharp breath. "Considering how you're such a loner and all. Abiding by no rules, aloof and secretive... It wouldn't surprise me if you actually were a cat Faunus or something."

Blake wanted to slam her head against a wall. Knowing him, he must've been provoking her because he knew. The expressions, and how he's throwing out these sorts of assumptions... But how? She hadn't done anything to warrant that attention. Like she said, the two weren't close. They rarely interacted despite how long it's been since they first met. Pyrrha was the one that got personal with him and tried to directly find out his reasons for antagonizing Weiss, not her.

"Don't be stupid," she dismissed. She needed to change the topic and have a word with him later. She couldn't be too forward though. He may suspect what she is and anything too direct would only confirm his suspicions. "Look, I'd prefer for this to be kept a secret. I don't need anyone I know coming here to harass me while I work."

"Made a few enemies for yourself?"

She glared at him. He surrendered and held his hands up.

"If you smile for me, I'll be sure to leave a generous tip."

She wanted to scowl.

He placed his menu down, flattened it, and crossed a leg over the other as he got himself comfortable. "So Blake, why a part-time job? I understand it may be for dust, but I'm sure Weiss would be willing to supply you with some, despite the robberies going on recently. Not to mention I'm the one she holds a grudge against."

Pyrrha shifted awkwardly in her seat.

"My reasons are for me to know, Jaune."

"Alright, fair enough." He conceded. "A soda for me. Whatever is fine, but I'll have grape if you have it. Pure?"

Blake memorized what they wanted and went to fetch them some glasses. She took a deep breath, trying her best to compose herself. No need to make a scene, and she had to be careful around Jaune. He's a crafty one. Even if Jaune deduced her heritage, there was no way he knew about her previous affiliation with the White Fang. He just had to mention the robberies though... It wasn't a surprise that they made the news, but now the White Fang were suspects for the chain of robberies. It frustrated her, it was obviously someone like Roman Torchwick. She overheard Ruby as she explained her story about how she was admitted to Beacon early, thwarting Torchwick's attempts at acquiring an exorbitant amount of dust.

No. No need to work herself up over this, especially at work. She just needed to take their order, bring them their food, the bill, and be done with them for the day. She took a tray and placed the glasses on it. She made her way back to their table, but stopped when she overheard their conversation.

"It's flabbergasting," Jaune said. "The White Fang have been doing enough with their redundant efforts for equality. Actually, they wish for Faunus supremacy if anything besides mindless discord. Completely hypocritical. Now we've got these robberies affecting not just the SDC, but the poor people just trying to run their own businesses. There are people out there even I won't tolerate, Pure. Hypocrites and extremists... You know I have no qualms about Faunus, but all they do is make the innocent look like monsters. Pure evil, honestly..."

Pyrrha was about to comment on it, but Blake beat her to it. She didn't intend to slam Jaune's glass down on the table, making some of the beverage spill, but it just... happened. Pyrrha flinched at the gesture, but Jaune continued to look at Pyrrha, not paying Blake any of his attention. He absentmindedly picked up his glass and had a sip of it.

"I take it you don't agree with me?" His expression was blank, a complete contrast to his behavior from earlier. "I don't think I've seen you express anything like this before. Hm, don't tell me... You actually sympathize with those freaks?"

Her eyes narrowed. "The only freak is you, Jaune." Her fist clenched and her patience was drawing thin. "I tolerated your intent on making Weiss and even Yang miserable, but you're going too far with this."

"Too far?" he laughed. "When I'm beginning to point out the flaws of your sensitive views? That's actually pretty funny to hear you've deluded yourself for some asinine reason or another. Must I remind you just who those people are? They aren't Faunus, but terrorists. I'd go as far to say they've caused more mayhem than Jacques Schnee ever has."

She wouldn't be baited. "Why bring the Schnee family into this? They-"

"-Haven't bombed factories, robbed stores, or held innocent people hostage." He fiddled with his glass, swirling the contents inside. "I'm not saying I'm going to ignore the less than pleasant things that family has done, but I don't appreciate how ignorant you are on the atrocities of the White Fang."

"I-"

He shushed her. "Careful Blake. One more word out of you and I may have a word with the man glaring at you."

She peered over her neck and did see someone making a not-so-happy face. Her boss. She placed Pyrrha's drink down and averted her gaze, biting her lip.

"I believe someone else will be taking care of you for the duration of your time here." She wanted to scream. Why now? Why must he get on her nerves now and not at the beginning? She bitterly followed her boss to the back.


"What was that?" Pure hissed.

"Your guess is as good as mine, Pure." Jaune placed his glass down and heavily sighed. "I-"

"Not Blake, you." He could feel the venom on her tongue. She looked a bit unsure of herself though. Hesitant even. "Jaune... I understand your point regarding the White Fang, but... that wasn't exactly appropriate to push Blake like that."

"Are you taking her side?"

"Don't-" Pure pinched the bridge of her nose. "No unfair questions, Jaune. The White Fang. We were just discussing the robberies, and then you went on this tangent about the White Fang-"

She paused. She rested her head against her fingers. She supported herself on the arm of her chair, refusing to look at him.

"I understand you like to tease people you don't like Jaune, but that was going too far. It was antagonism played straight. This is... unsettling to see, to say the least. Don't you care about how you provoked her at work? What if she gets fired? She could need the lien for something more significant for all you know."

He wanted to say something. Pure always agreed with him... So why did he feel so powerless right now? Being correct wasn't supposed to make you feel like this. The White Fang were terrorists, and Pure knew that. So why...

"I... wasn't wrong." He pathetically said.

"About the White Fang, but..." She sighed. "I'm beginning to see why Weiss dislikes you with a burning passion."

That... actually hurt. He wasn't wrong. There was no way. Blake actually sympathized with those murderers, couldn't Pure see that? All he did was prove that. Why does Pure's disappointment bother him so?

"Pure..."

"I'm going back. I just... Sort this out with her, okay?"

She didn't even touch her glass. She stood up and made her way out the restaurant. He wanted to go after her, ask her what was bothering her so much. Why would she care about Blake when she's practically a stranger? He was... was...

He was her friend, wasn't he?

He fished out some lien and left it on the table. He ignored the staff telling him he was entering an area for employees only, but what were they going to do? Throw their tips at him? He moved past people in the kitchen and spotted Blake walking out through the back. He hustled and made his way outside and found himself in an alleyway. Blake was right by the door. She noticed him and scowled before turning away, about to bolt.

He grabbed her wrist.

"Blake-"

"You've done enough, Arc." She spat. "You and... whatever the heck goes through that head of yours! You know what? Enough of the jokes and mind games. You've been treating plenty of us like garbage. Your own damn team that you're the leader of. And yet, you choose to be all chummy with others like Pyrrha and even Professor Port? What have we done to you, Arc? What warranted this constant misery when you treat others so much differently."

He wasn't used to being on the defense like this. Blake seemed to have enough, which was a surprise. She'd been quiet all this time, minding her own business and now this? Blowing up like that was... odd. And now she was crying...?

"Let me ask you something." She glared at him. "Why defend the White Fang?"

Blake had plenty of emotions dancing in her eyes. She didn't budge though. She cared for terrorists, and yet she hid her own heritage like it was something to be ashamed of. If you were going to support a group that desired change like that, then you'd better show yourself with pride. Hiding like that, it was despicable.

"You support Faunus equality and yet you hide from the very fact you are one." He held his arms up and chuckled as she averted her gaze. "Pretty easy to piece together. Before the kitten remark I made earlier, you weren't exactly subtle with how your bow moved. Not to mention a few other things, but that's not the point. You want to know why I dislike people like you? It's because you're not honest with yourself. Heck, you can't even be straight with me. The moment we met you deceived me with that pathetic disguise of yours."

"The moment we met, you almost left Ruby and Yang to die." She countered with intensity, trying to take the offensive.

Ah, right. He wanted to gauge how they'd fare without their aura, so he kept Pure from interfering. He had forgotten how Blake was watching from the shadows. He wasn't sure how to approach this.

He feigned ignorance. "What do you mean?"

She laughed. "What was it you said? You despise hypocrites? I saw Jaune. You kept Pyrrha from saving Yang and Ruby back in initiation. You think being straight with you is bad? Well how could I possibly trust a leader that would leave me to die by the wrath of Grimm?"

He didn't have much of a rebuttal for this. His semblance needs to be kept a secret, he couldn't let others find out until he's gotten his point across. And that time wasn't until the Vytal Festival.

"And how could I trust you? Like I said, you aren't exactly an angel in disguise." He wanted to laugh again. How could she not understand? Or was she just that stubborn? "Instead of revealing yourself and taking a stance, you hide in the shadows and voice your entitled opinion with no weight behind it. You actually feel bad for terrorists, you fool. They've stolen, destroyed and murdered-"

"As if you gave us any other choice!"

Blake tensed. Jaune felt his heart skip a beat. No way... Blake was a part of the White Fang? It was an emotional outburst, it was what he wanted, but...

Shit... here he was trying to forcibly make her be honest with herself, and he only got something completely different as a result. He was alone with a potential terrorist in a remote location. He knew he wasn't prepared for a fight. He'd lose if he had to face her like this with no time to prepare. And if she had her weapon...

He took a step back, but she did as well, her hand behind her back. If she was going to draw her weapon, he was going to have to think fast. Maybe she was bluffing, trying to scare him off so she could escape? Her cover was blown after all.

"You're one of them, aren't you?"

"No!" He jumped at the sudden cry. She was nervous. Terrified even. "I..."

Jaune moved.


Roman briefly considered informing the kid of the boss's sudden interest in him. Briefly. He liked the kid, but not enough to risk his own bacon for a kid to have some warning that the scariest woman alive is after him. No, he was being rash. Stress must've been getting to him. Especially when the job at the docks for that large dust shipment is already going horribly wrong. The animals were about as organized as literal sheep scattered throughout a field. Dumb, oblivious, and seemed more interested in the ground.

Neo just had to call the night off... He should've insisted they'd be better off with her there. But she was in a foul mood for whatever reason, and he didn't want to anger the second scariest woman in all of Vale.

Bah, he'd make this quick and sweet. What could go wrong?


Jaune was on top of Blake, doing his best to resist her attempts at breaking free. She was bluffing, she didn't bring her weapon with her and hesitated, giving him an opening to strike. A bloody terrorist of all things... Roman wasn't kidding about being careful around the quiet ones. He joked Roman was biased because he was stuck with Neo.

He couldn't just let her go. As if he'd allow someone like this to go free. Pure would understand as well. Once she found out Blake was a terrorist, she'd forgive him. Even thank him for apprehending someone like this. Blake struggled underneath him, clawing at his face, even trying to poke his eyes out. He snarled, determined to restrain her. This was the true Blake...

"Jaune, please..." Blake begged. Her crying intensified. "I can't... I-"

"Shut up," he said. "To think you're actually one of them-"

"I'm not with them anymore!" Blake gave in and stopped flailing around. "Jaune please, please... I'm begging you, just hear me out first. I won't run. And if you do, you can have someone at Beacon send a search party after me."

Jaune stared at her. Nothing but pure terror in her eyes, aside from tears. He couldn't see any traces of deceit. Plus, she did have a point on what he could do if she tried to run. However, that wasn't enough to completely convince him. There could be more to Blake, and he desperately wanted to find out more about whether or not she's being genuine with him. Yet there was the chance she'd try to kill him. Her emotional state could drive her to do something so drastic. He'd seen people do that before.

He didn't get a choice though. Something ran into him. It almost felt like he was hit by a freight train. He tried to get up, but the weight above him was far too much for him. Someone held his arms down, keeping him from moving. He realized it was a girl.

"Cease this at once, criminal!" she cried. "Fear not, fair maiden! For I have apprehended the rapist that attempted to claim your chastity."

His fears pooled. Dammit, some stupid bystander took the situation the wrong way. Blake was going to get away now! She was still on the ground, petrified, and about ready to make a run for it.

"Dammit," he cursed. "You've got it wrong, that girl is-"

"His girlfriend!"

Jaune blinked, and the girl restraining him looked back at her with skepticism. Blake... was she being honest then? She could have ran, but was determined to try to talk this out with him. Or she was afraid she couldn't outrun the authorities. He'd take it though.

"I can assure you there's nothing to be ashamed of, ma'am. This man will have justice-"

"I'm really kinky..." Blake's face flushed. "Work has been very stressful, and I wanted my boyfriend to spice things up with me by surprising me after work. We were just roleplaying, believe me."

This may have been coming from Blake, the supposed victim, but there was no way someone would actually fall for-

"Oh, I see!"

Okay, maybe an idiot would actually believe that.

The girl lifted herself off of him and helped him up with ease. He had to halt his momentum to keep himself from slamming into the wall. He dusted himself off and didn't take his eyes off Blake. She sauntered, well tried, over to him and took his hand.

"Look," Blake said. "I appreciate you being a good samaritan, friend, and I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. But I think my boyfriend and I will be on our way to have an important chat elsewhere."

She was being serious. So she actually wanted to talk then. He had to take a lot of things into account for this. He tried to recall all he picked up on Blake. Quiet, distant, stubborn... Anything important, damn it!

"I'm... a good samaritan?"

"Y-Yes, you-"

"Sensational!" She skipped over to Blake and took her free hand, shaking it. "Nobody has given me such praise before! Does this make me your friend?"

He wanted to deny the heck out of that, but he wasn't in the position to say anything. Blake looked at him, looking for some assistance. She looked back at her and tried to force a smile.

"Of course..."

Wrong answer.