Author's Note: Sorry about the iffy format of this chapter. The computers I used were pretty old and both died around the same time, much to my luck. I'm typing everything else on the iPad for now and it's incredibly tedious, even with a wireless keyboard. I'll hopefully have a decent computer sometime in the near future, but the ipad's going to have to do for now.
"Uh, Salem?" Jaune asked as he poked his head inside Cinder's room. Salem had a large and empty room with one chair that she sat in. Jaune noticed some voodoo dolls that resembled members of Team RWBY. The Yang one had its arm ripped off and the Blake one had a spike stuck in its stomach. The Ruby one had a piece of fluff pinned next to it that read, "Personality."
"What are you doing?" Jaune asked as he walked inside.
"Oh, nothing," said Salem wearily. "I'm just watching replays of Team RWBY's greatest losses. It helps to make me feel like less of a complete failure."
"How would you feel if I said I got you something special?"Jaune asked.
"I would probably smile a little and then demand to know what it was," said Salem. "Did you bring me the severed head of your silver eyed friend?"
"No," said Jaune. "Even better,-"
"The rotting corpse of dear, sweet, Ozpin?"
"No! I brought you music."
Salem slumped in her chair and sighed very loudly.
"Must you waste my time with such foolishness?" She asked. "You're like a Grimm. Relentless, obnoxious, and only wanting my attention when you think I'll feed you."
"Just hear me out and listen!"Jaune said. He ran over to Neo, Cinder, and Emerald. "Don't mess this up for me," he whispered pleadingly.
"You can count on me," said Neo.
"Please don't talk anymore than you have to," said Jaune. "I'm still not used to your voice."
"Understood."
"Everybody else okay?"
"Remind me why I'm here again?" Asked Emerald. "I've only been standing here awkwardly the entire time."
"You provide moral support for Cinder," said Jaune. "Now let's go!"
"Do you really think I have the patience to sit through your bumbling incompetence?" Asked Salem. "I would have asked Cinder to bring me the silver eyed girl if I wanted more of that."
"Just a minute!"Jaune shouted. "I just need to make sure everyone is okay!"
"I think you're the one who needs to be checked up on," said Cinder.
"Shut up, Cinder!" Jaune snapped. "Now get out there and create some art with your vocal chords!"
Jaune shoved Cinder and Neo ahead while he got his guitar out.
"THis song is called 'Red Like Roses, Part Two,' and it's dedicated to my….uh…..partner, Salem."
"This is that silver eyed girls song," Salem Shrugged. "What makes you think I want to hear more of this?"
"Believe me,"said Jaune with one hand raised, "You will after this."
Jaune raised his hands to start the song. He could hear Cinder providing backup vocals while he played his guitar. It was all so brilliant. The chords he played, Cinders backup. The only problem was the lack of a voice:Neos.
"NEO?" Jaune called out while playing. "Aren't you going to sing?"
Neo shrugged her shoulders.
Jaune was about to demand that she sing when he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Emerald.
"I hate to tell you this,"she whispered in Jaune's ear, "but she can
T sing. I just made that illusion because I felt sorry for you."
Jaune's fingers slowed down dramatically as the reveal hit him. Cinder noticed and stopped singing as well.
"Are you done?" Asked Salem.
"I'm….afraid so,"Jaune said with one gulp.
"Fantastic," said Salem.
Jaune's head perked up. "You mean you liked it?"Maybe things really were working out.
"God's, no!" Salem chuckled. "I'm just relieved that it's finally over. Promise me you'll never damage my ears like that again."
Jaune felt his back arch as he hunched over even more in shame. "Yeah…." he said glumly. "I can do that."
"Looks like you aren't a total failure,"said Cinder with a pat on Jaune's shoulder.
"Yes I am," said Jaune. "Nothing I've done has made her happy. I'm going to have a bad pairing on my permanent record and get stuck with OC's and Neptune for the rest of my life."
"It could be worse,"said Cinder. "You can be paired with a dead man throughout most of your career like me."
"Good point," said Jaune.
Neo walked up to Jaune and Cinder with a smirk on her face. She didn't seem fazed by anything that had just happened.
"YOu have something to say?" Jaune asked.
Neo responded by kicking Jaune directly in the crotch. He groaned loudly and fell to his knees.
"I think that's her way of saying goodbye," said Cinder.
"That's one way to say it," Jaune moaned as he fell to the floor.
Day one had passed and Jaune had made minimal progressed. At least it was some progress.