A/N: I love hidden role games. Let me know what you think!

Thrown to the Wind

Judgement

Despite all her fears… nothing changed.

When Jaune finally raised his face again, his expression was friendly, open, excited. He had a competitive glint in his eyes, staring Yang down from across the quad. "Pyrrha, we're gonna make sure Yang gets destroyed today," he murmured under his breath. "She got me last time. Time for revenge."

Pyrrha stared at him blankly, unsure of how to proceed. He… wasn't treating her any differently.

When she didn't respond, he started, concerned. Quickly, she stuttered, "Oh, I just- don't know how to play, that's all."

Immediately, his expression lit up. "I get to teach you?! Awesome." Placing a friendly hand on her back, he gestured to everyone speaking in small groups. "They're all forming alliances. But we will not fall."

"Jaune," Ruby whined on his other side, "that's not how you play this game!"

"Yeah, what alliances?" Weiss scoffed, finally putting away the nail file.

Jaune rolled his eyes before speedily launching into an explanation. Pyrrha's head began to spin, entire body burning as Jaune continued laying out individual roles. The blond was utterly unaware of her focus, so far away from the rules, instead focused on how close he was pressed against her side. In her lap, she quickly texted Nora, praying that her roommate would see the messages and save her. Jaune's friends with everyone in our floor, she added. How did your friends not figure this out?

The orange-haired girl responded at the speed of light, only saying that she was on her way.

While she waited, however, all she could do was resign herself to her fate, and the warmth Jaune provided. It was a little chilly that day- everyone was bundled up in sweaters and hoodies and, for a few, entire blankets. Pyrrha found herself removing her jacket in minutes. She was just so disoriented- Jaune's breath was in her ear, she had no idea what he was talking about, and apparently people were going to die at night?

Neo, the dealer for the game, gestured towards everyone to form a haphazard circle. She then distributed playing cards as roles, a scheming light in her eyes. When she came up to Pyrrha, however, the redhead stopped her. "I think I'm just going to watch- I've never done this before," she murmured.

Jaune nodded appreciatively. "Good plan." Leaning closer, he whispered, "Watch everyone's tells for when they're lying, then catch them next round!"

She smiled weakly, desperation only heightening when she saw Yang aggressively wiggling her eyebrows and winking at her from across the ragged circle of tired students. Nora, where are you?

A boy who Pyrrha recognized as Roman Torchwick, film major extraordinaire and the bane of Nora's existence (he took his director's seat far too seriously in their first-year production of Sweeney Todd, and ever since then the shorter girl's vendetta had yet to cease- the stains from his overflow of fake blood still lingered on Nora's old favourite white tee) stepped into the centre of the circle. He climbed atop the table, leisurely ambling along the wooden surface. "Well, folks, we are back at it again. It is time to check your cards." Every note and lilt in his voice oozed theatre, a production which half the players took in stride with wide smiles, the other half just rolling their eyes, clearly far too used to the boy's antics.

Jaune discreetly showed her his card- he was nothing more than a villager, a role he took to with great annoyance. "I wanted to hunt down Yang for scapegoating me last week," he muttered, "but I guess I'll have to just try and win instead."

"Sounds… like a plan," the redhead replied, still utterly baffled as to what was going on.

Thankfully, she didn't even need to understand fully. Roman was eager to play up the drama, weaving a narrative so elaborate to set the scene that soon, even the ever-patient Yatsuhashi told him to hurry up. Pyrrha let herself fall into the fantasy, giggling along with everyone when Jaune was the first to die. "It's a conspiracy!" he shrieked. No one paid him mind, and he turned to Pyrrha, begging for sympathy, which she gladly gave.

And throughout the rest of the day, his smile towards her never wavered, and she knew- he wasn't like the others. She still had a chance with him.

By the time the game ended, three rounds with the mafia winning every time (Yang and Neptune tended to accuse others blindly, letting the real mafia remain undetected) it was only when Pyrrha felt a light tap that she remembered she had even messaged her best friend. Nora helped her up, smile wide, still in pyjamas, slippers, and panda socks. "C'mon, you gotta eat."

Pyrrha sighed, complying, but her sadness instantly eased when Jaune grabbed her hand. "Did you like the game?"

"It was fun!" And she meant it.

He smiled brilliantly. "Drop by if you guys ever need more cereal! I'll… I'll message you to study sometime?"

Her words died in her throat. Thankfully, Nora was there to say, "Don't forget, blondie!" She pulled Pyrrha away as the group dispersed, the two girls veering straight for Nora's favourite café to grab a late lunch. Pyrrha hadn't eaten that morning, too nervous to meet Jaune.

The moment they were out of earshot, Nora practically choked in laughter, sniggering so hard she nearly doubled over. "You realize he's so dumb, right? Like, how does he not even notice that you're a big ol' pile-o-mush around him?"

"He's not a bad person!" Pyrrha defended instantly. Quieter, she queried, "…am I really obvious?"

Nora shrugged, looping her arm through Pyrrha's. "I didn't say he's a bad guy. You don't need him to be smart, just nice. Go have fifty babies; they'll be cute."

An incoherent squeak escaped the redhead's throat in response, but they laughed through lunch anyways. It was time to catch up on some readings- and maybe, she'd even gather the courage to text Jaune, too.