Jaune watched Blake as she refused to look at him. Her eyes had been glued to the cup of coffee before her that was no longer steaming for a few minutes now. Jaune ignored the overly jovial redhead that continued to banter about the most absurd things. He hadn't asked for her name, nor did he intend to ask for it. He could profile everything about her. The socially awkward type that meant well, but clearly lacked common sense. At least Ruby was able to function to the point where she wouldn't drive people away with how overwhelming she could be. Unless you had a fire sword, tuba that was also a gun, or some other asinine excuse for a weapon...

Why couldn't people stick with the basics?

There was also the abnormal amount of weight the girl had, the sudden bursts of speed, and the fact she was able to track him and Blake down despite how fast they moved. He swore they moved across half the district, and yet this girl had no issues staying on their tails.

"Look, Sparkles...?" he started.

"Penny, friend."

"Yeah, whatever. Do you want to play a game?"

"Do I ever!?" She slammed her hands on the table and caused it to collapse. The waitress, the poor girl, was too terrified to even approach them. This girl was also strong? There may have been more to her, but he couldn't care for her lack of depths. She seemed pretty two-dimensional. "What is this game you have planned?"

"It's a treasure hunt. You see, my girlfriend here lost something nearby Walker Street. It's very valuable to her, since it was my anniversary gift for her-"

"How long have you two been going out?"

Did that matter...? "For about six years now," he threw out. "We've known each other for quite a long time now. It's even gotten to the point where we don't keep any secrets from each other, it's certainly something I value immensely. People that are willing to accept your faults are the ones to keep around. And yet, the ones that are willing to help you improve those faults are the ones to treasure."

He eyed Blake as he said that. She nodded slightly and caught on what he was trying to say. The redhead saluted and smiled.

"Understood, friend! I shall track down this valuable and return it right away."

She then jumped off the balcony. Blake got out of her seat and ran to the edge to check on her, but Jaune caught her running in some random direction. The naïve ones were easy to manipulate. Not on account of their intelligence, but how he could read what they'd be willing to do and how to do it. He remembered how his mentor had a fever and was too stubborn to rest, so he let her overexert herself to the point she was forced to rest, allowing him to do guard duty back in the wild. This girl though, was way too eager to earn their approval. She didn't even confirm what this alleged valuable was.

"Walker Street doesn't exist," he pointed out. Blake was about to sit back down, but he got up and ushered her to another table. The waitress came by to clean up the remains of the table the girl left behind, and he assured her he'd pay for a replacement. "Now then, how should we proceed?"

"You first." She jumped at the opportunity. "Who are you and where are you from?"

"That's two questions. I hope you won't mind if I ask two in return before you ask your third one." Blake didn't object and awaited his answer. "My name is Jaune Arc, I was raised in the outskirts of Mistral. I was constantly on the move and was raised by my mentor, despite the small age difference. I'd like to ask you the same."

"Blake Belladonna. Menagerie."

Purposely vague, hm? He never heard of such a place, so he'll have to do some research later.

"Now that I think about it," Blake realized. "You left Yang and Ruby in peril on purpose. You were adamant on how people need to learn from their mistakes." Her eyes scrunched. Not entirely inaccurate. "It's disgusting... You condemned them to death."

"You stepped in, did you not? You forget who acted as extremists to get your message across. Is that really any better?"

"You even injured Professor Goodwitch," she recalled. "I don't see the reason for you to put on that display."

"It only serves as proof about how people, even our superiors have much to learn. I don't see the significance of you understanding that." His eyes glistened and he chuckled lightly. "I'm only doing this because I'm giving you a chance to prove your character, Blake. And so far-"

"Why are you at Beacon?" she cut in.

He had to think about this one. His entire agenda wasn't for some terrorist to know. Sorry, ex-terrorist. Like that makes a huge difference. "I'm here to find people I can truly count on. I presume you know how dangerous it is outside the kingdoms? To survive, you need people you can trust, the power to overcome, and the knowledge to outmatch. My mentor died about a year ago, and she was the only one I had that I could truly count on."

She didn't look convinced. He had the feeling her next question was going to hit hard. He'd have to steer the conversation and begin an onslaught to overwhelm her.

"What is it you intend to do?" He silenced her, intending to continue. "You claim to no longer be affiliated the White Fang. Let's say I give you the benefit of the doubt. You're here to change your ways or something of the sort. I highly doubt an ex-terrorist would intend and manage to join Beacon Academy just to escape their previous lifestyle. And if that were truly the case, I don't find that enough to convince me not to turn you in to the authorities."

Basically, he needed a reason to believe she meant no harm.

"The White Fang... aren't monsters. Before you interrupt me, I'll have you know things aren't as you think they are. We had no choice on the matter. Inequality rampages on the streets, criminals manage to label the White Fang for something they aren't... I need to do something to change all that."

He laughed. She didn't have the power, the authority, or the resources to do any of the sort... It was funny. He saw a little of himself in her, but he was able to make his dreams come true. He had a real plan. And he was willing to be she didn't.

"And how do you intend to accomplish all this? I highly doubt one teenager working to be a huntress can do such a thing."

"I..."

Nothing. No plan, just a goal that was impossible to attain.

"Well, it would appear that I'm responsible for your current unemployment." It looked as though she wanted to change the flow, take control again with her next question. "Why is it that you need the cash? Could it be because you have nobody to rely on? I think you need the cash for the break, considering campus will be closed, and now that I know a bit of your past, you wouldn't want to speak with any of the faculty."

Silence. Exactly what he'd hoped for.

"Well, I have an offer. I wish to keep tabs on you, Blake. Obviously we've developed our relationship in an interesting way, to say the least. And since you'll be homeless during the break at this rate, I'm willing to offer you a place to stay. Not some shady place, but my apartment."

Her eyes suggested she was considering it. "The catch...?"

"I want you to remain at my apartment at all times. I wish to have some chats with you, get to know the Blake Belladonna I see before me now. Please don't misunderstand Blake, this isn't a way for me to imprison you. It's me offering you a chance. I believe situations like these can reveal true colors, and I need more to go on before-"

An explosion rang through the air. Not the kind by an explosive device, but dust. Jaune stood from his chair and noticed a smoke cloud rising from the docks. They were only a few blocks away from there. Without a word, Blake got out of her chair and bolted.

"What are you-"

Jaune cursed to himself. He followed Blake as gunfire echoed.


Yang yawned again. She wasn't supposed to be working tonight, but didn't have much of a choice. Thankfully, she'd been "promoted" once she properly recovered from her injuries. She'd take the role as an enforcer over... what she used to be. The lingering threat of going back to that hung over her head though. She had to be on her best behavior. It was difficult at first; demanding protection money from ordinary civilians trying to run their businesses. The Malachite twins gave her a few tips on how to ignore her feelings in this line of work, if they weren't sending glares instead. They never quite forgave her for kicking their teeth in when they first met.

Whatever. She didn't have class tomorrow, so she finally had a chance to catch the sleep she longed for. Jaune hasn't been pestering her lately, Ruby has fully recovered, and everything hasn't been falling apart. Wonderful. Even Blake was opening up to her a little bit.

She dusted off her hands once she came back inside through the main entrance. The bouncer opened the door for her after she tossed out the man too intoxicated to even properly walk. Martin pushed her a glass of water, nodding his thanks for taking care of that drunkard. Occasionally, there'd be groups of girls mingling in a place like this to have fun, and plenty of guys thinking they could get fresh with them. Yang wasn't sure what to make of the group offering their phone numbers to her as thanks for handling this one group of guys that thought pretty highly of themselves.

The night was progressing smoothly. No issues with Junior, the twins were off doing their daily rounds, and again, nobody she knew came in through those doors.

"Some commotion going on at the docks," some guy she didn't recognize said. He was speaking with Martin. "They say Torchwick was spotted amongst them. Plenty of SDC cargo, so he must be trying to pull off a big haul of dust."

"I see..." Martin grunted. "This doesn't seem any different than the last batch of info you've offered us."

"Well here's the kicker; the White Fang were spotted with him."

That terrorist group of Faunus? That did sound interesting, but Yang wasn't sure if there was much significance to that.

"Some huntsmen are already there. There's this one girl with floating swords. It's as if she were controlling puppets. The blonde and gal with the ribbon I mentioned earlier didn't seemed to be brawlers since they were unarmed."

Gal with the ribbon...? Blake!?

"This girl that had the ribbon," she interjected. "Describe her appearance."

Martin didn't look pleased. "Xiao-Long, this isn't-"

"Please, this is important."

"Junior won't be too pleased about this, you know. He may even-"

"I don't care. You," she directed her attention towards the informant. "What did this girl look like?"

If it really was Blake, and if she really was unarmed...


"Duck!" Jaune cried. He tackled Blake to the ground and shielded her from Roman as he fired at them. Damn it, Blake. It was already peachy with you running in like that unarmed. But allowing yourself to get emotional when you spotted the White Fang... It clouded her judgement. And of course Roman had to be here. He needed to get Blake out of there and try to salvage what he could with Roman.

"Well, well..." Roman slurred. He didn't look like his usual cocky self. He looked a bit pissed. "It would appear we have even more children staying up too late. Didn't your folks ever teach you brats how you should mind your own damn business?"

"We mean no harm," Jaune assured. He slowly stood up, hands in the air. He had to find some way to communicate with Roman. He was already feigning ignorance of their relationship, but he wasn't sure how much Roman would be willing to tolerate for him. Roman despised people that interfered with his "masterful work", as he put it. "Forgive my idiotic friend here, we'll just-"

"Why are the White Fang working with you!?" she cried. "It doesn't... make sense..."

"Ah, it seems another one of you animals are getting on my nerves..." Roman raised his weapon again and fired.

Jaune and Blake rolled out of the way and were separated from each other. Blake took cover from behind one of the containers as Jaune stood back up, showing no signs of lethal intention. Roman kept his weapon up but walked towards him. Blake was a good enough distance away, he could speak with Roman so long as he kept his voice down.

"Roman, I-"

"Save it, kid. I know this probably wasn't intentional, but I've got to consider the weight of my options here. My boss isn't exactly a kind woman, if I didn't get that point across already. She was asking about you, which either means you've done something to upset her, or she's testing my loyalty. Either way, I think I'm going to cut my losses here and bring you in."

Jaune didn't have the chance to respond. Roman knew he'd retort, so he wouldn't let him get a word in. Jaune cursed to himself, desperately avoiding Roman's attacks. It was bad enough he didn't have his weapons, but fighting against someone that doesn't rely on their semblance was an issue. Roman was better than most people, he used dirty tactics instead of the cheap parlor tricks he didn't inherently have.

He spotted Blake, but she was struggling on what to do. She couldn't fight without her weapon, and even if she did distract him, he wouldn't be able to talk with Roman. He had to disarm him, pray that Neo wasn't around and try to convince him not to restrain him. He knew nothing of this boss of his, but doubted she'd be too kind for Blake's and by extension, his interference. And what would the school make of this? He could stall until the authorities got here, but Roman would find another way to blow his cover. And allowing Roman to capture him was suicidal.

He cried out for Roman to cease fire, but he didn't listen. He knew it was a matter of time until Roman came around the corner or for Neo to appear out of thin air and stab him. He wasn't going to count on her being nonlethal. Pain was an effective way to keep you from fighting properly.

Jaune heard Roman curse loudly as something struck him. Jaune peered around the corner and saw Penny with her weapons... So he was right, she could fight. And effectively by the looks of it. When he and Blake arrived, most of the White Fang grunts working under Roman were down, meaning someone beat them here. He wasn't expecting this level of proficiency with such weaponry though. He didn't care. His objective was to get out of there alive and plan for the near future. Blake could be either way at this point. She wasn't worth jeopardizing his primary objective.

Penny... she was actually driving Roman back. What could he do about this? If Penny kept pressuring him to retreat, Roman would send Neo after him. That's if Roman didn't find some way to unearth the truth about his transcripts, which would get him arrested for fraud. Did he really want to take his chances and let Roman take him to his boss?

What other choices did he have?

Jaune lunged and sprinted over to where he saw Blake last. He eventually caught her behind the same container. He was out of breath, but decided to roll with his improvised plan.

"Penny's driving Roman away. I want us to retreat and rendezvous by the restaurant you used to work at alright?" She tried to object, but he placed a finger over her lips. "Penny can handle herself by the looks of it, if that's what's keeping you here. And must I remind you what may happen to you if the police arrive? I'm not going to take any chances with that."

Blake still looked hesitant. Jaune sighed and took off anyway.