The new Thursday schedule, ah, it certainly did feel easier to write this. College Fool even got to see it, though it was a lot longer at the time. Then again, CF did suggest I cut it down to where it is now.

Let the hate flow through you…

Nah, it got fairly rushed towards the end in an attempt to fit events into a word count, whereas how it is now flows a little more naturally. That's the kind of thing a Wednesday deadline didn't let CF bring up before, since I wouldn't have time to make so grand a change.

Beta: College Fool

Cover Art: Kegi Springfield

Chapter 16 – Normal Sheeple

It took a minute or two to sort out the tangled heap of limbs and get everyone back on their feet. Jaune pulled Yang up last, but she didn't return his gaze for some reason. In fact, she seemed more content to cover her chest and rush over to her team, cheeks a dark crimson. He felt he should have asked about it, but his attention was more caught by the person Ruby had helped up and was currently apologising to. She was a strange girl, shorter than him with bright, orange hair that seemed almost strangely single-tone. Her eyes were a pastel green that seemed to stare a little too closely into Ruby's. They didn't cause him discomfort like his friend's did, but there was still something odd about them. She also seemed far too interested in Ruby's apology.

"-and that's why we're sorry," Ruby said.

"There's no need to be sorry," the girl said. "This is my first time in Vale and I have already made contact with the local people. This is sensational!"

"Contact," Remy snorted. "That's one way of putting it."

Jaune tried to smile at the joke, but there was still something that made his stomach flutter. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling - not painful, but rather one that felt odd… out of place. It was only noticeable because of how he'd never felt it before. "Remy, is it just me or is there something a little off about her? Can you feel it?" He sighed and tilted his head as he watched her talk with Ruby. "She just… I'm not sure how to explain it."

"Hmm, I'm surprised you noticed at all." Remy adopted a lecturing tone. "I feel it too, maybe a little more than you do, but I'm fully Grimm while you're still mostly human."

"What is it?"

"I've no idea. She feels different, somehow. Nice in a way… no, I'm not even sure it's that. I don't know. I… I think I like it."

What? Jaune almost did an about take. Remy, the Grimm parasite, actually liked a human? Other than him and his family, he meant, and they didn't count. It was enough to blow his mind. "But I thought you hated humans?" he said in his mind. "You're always bitching about them."

"I criticise," he corrected. "I don't bitch." He totally did. "Besides, she feels different. I don't get the same vibe from her – I think she might actually be a… no, I daren't say it."

"Say what?"

"She… she might actually be an example of a good human. I-If such a thing even exists." Remy spluttered to a finish and went silent, but Jaune's mind was already awhirl. Remy never liked people – he always considered them selfish, egotistical and bitter… which was pretty ironic, but he didn't bother to point that out.

Wow… Remy actually approved of someone. Well, that was probably as good a reason as any to trust her. Jaune nodded minutely, to show he understood – even if he didn't. He shrugged and tuned back into the conversation between Ruby and the girl. Now that the feeling was placed, he could ignore it a little better, but he still wondered what it meant.

"My name is Penny," she said. "It is a pleasure to meet you all."

"Ah, yeah…" Ruby took turns to introduce Penny around the group, before finally reaching him. "-and this is Jaune. He's new to Vale as well."

"Sensational!" Penny rushed up to grip his hand and shook it. She had a powerful grip. "I worried that I was the only person who did not know the local area. It is difficult to acclimatise to this new environment."

"Tell me about it," he said, feeling a rare surge of empathy. He'd been there… oh, how he'd been there. "I couldn't believe how different things were when I first got here. I feel like I made all kinds of mistakes."

"Yes! Yes, I feel much the same!" Penny stomped one foot on the ground. It caused the pavement to crack. "I've met someone who has faced the same struggles as me, this is sensational!" She held her hands before her. "Did people look at you strangely when you asked for information on Vale as well?"

"They did!" Jaune's eyes widened and he took step forward. "I just wanted to ask directions, but they all ignored me."

"That was rude of them. Would it have taken so much to help?"

"I know, right?" Jaune nodded, but then paused as he felt a sudden rush of guilt. "Ah, well – most did, anyway, but there was this one girl who didn't. She was really sweet and helped me out. She was beautiful as well." Jaune turned to look for Yang, and caught her trying to hide behind Ren with an embarrassed expression. He waved at her. "Thanks for that, Yang!"

"Ha ha, yeah… um…" Yang grinned back and pulled Ren in between them. The young man sighed and rolled his eyes. Nora, on the other hand, seemed to be wearing a huge smile as she whispered something to Yang. "Nora! It wasn't like that!"

"Sure it wasn't, Yang. I totally believe you."

Yang growled and leapt for Nora, who laughed and fended her off with the stuffed cat he'd won for her. Jaune watched them with a smile, but turned back to Penny when he realised she was silent.

"What about when you first arrived," he asked. "Did you think the people seemed really stand-offish as well?"

"Oh yes," Penny nodded happily. "I tried to approach some to introduce myself and ask if they wanted to be friends, but they gave me the strangest of looks. It was most confusing." She looked upset, but Jaune quickly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I think they were just stupid, then." He smiled at her. "You were clearly just being friendly. Why would anyone react badly to that?"

"I thought so too, Jaune Arc." Penny's eyes sparkled as she looked into his. No, wait – were they actually glowing? That was a pretty cool Semblance. "I felt out of place ever since," she continued. "Perhaps I merely misunderstood the culture of Vale. I am more familiar with Atlas, or certain parts of Atlas. I am trying my hardest to be a normal girl."

Normal…

He couldn't believe it, he honestly couldn't believe it. Jaune's breath caught in his throat, but he smiled through the pain and looked into her eyes. It was like looking into a mirror, albeit one that didn't work very well because he didn't look anything like the girl – but the metaphor was still there somewhere. She was just like him. She'd gone through the same things he had!

"What? Some kind of non-human pretending to be normal? Pft. Yeah, right. I'm pretty sure we hold the monopoly on that one."

Jaune ignored his advisor and smiled at Penny. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll make it through. In fact, maybe I can help you. I've started to learn what it means to be in Vale and I can share some of that with you."

"You would? That is sensational! Jaune Arc, I would be happy to accept your offer of tutelage."

"It's just Jaune. That's what most of my friends call me."

Penny's eyes widened. "Then… does that mean we are friends?"

"Sure," he grinned and turned to his left. "Right, Ruby?"

"Eh!" Ruby jumped at suddenly being addressed, and fixed with expectant stares from both Penny and he. Ruby looked back to the others, in time to see them all wildly shake their heads. She turned back to him and giggled. "Uh… sure?

"Sensational! I have made not one, but two friends – both friend Ruby Rose and friend Just Jaune! This is the greatest day of my existence." She sounded so pleased with herself and he hated to interrupt that, but…

"Actually, it's just Jaune."

"Just Jaune," Penny repeated. "I understand. It would not be right to keep calling you friend Just Jaune." She turned to Ruby. "Should I do the same for you, friend Ruby Rose?"

"Ruby," Ruby said. "That's all you need to call me. Just use my first name."

"I understand, Ruby. Oh, this is a wondrous day."

"Ha ha, yeah… wondrous." Ruby swallowed and glanced back at the others. "Guys, a little help here!?"

"Why?" Weiss asked. "You seem to be doing such a great job already. I'd hate to intrude."

Ruby shot her a desperate look.

"There is one thing I am confused about, however," Penny said. "I do not understand why you were all in such a hurry when we collided with one another. Were you not eager to reach some destination?" The question was so innocent it took them all a few seconds to realise what she meant. When they did, it was Weiss who groaned and slapped a hand to her forehead.

"We let that criminal get away…"

"We don't know he was a criminal!" Blake snapped.

"A criminal?" Penny asked. "Oh no, if I had known, I would have been able to help."

Weiss ignored Penny entirely. She glared at Blake and planted her hands on her hips. "What was he, if not a criminal? You saw those officers chasing him, and we heard first-hand how that store was attacked by the White Fang."

"And the fact he jumped off a ship that just arrived doesn't suggest that would be impossible? You can't just assume all faunus are part of the White Fang, or that they were even involved in that robbery in the first place."

"Did I make any such assumptions?" Weiss asked. Her expression was nothing short of victorious. "I only said he was a criminal, and his own words as a stowaway prove as such. As for the White Fang, I can't help but believe the detectives working on the case would know more about it than us. I think it's fairly safe to believe their lead."

"And what if they're wrong!?"

"That's a lot of ifs, Belladonna. Why are you so interested anyway? It's just another set of crimes committed by a terrorist group. They're just a bunch of murderers and monsters. No better than the Grimm, really."

"You-"

"Hey!"

Jaune and Blake looked at one another, surprised to find they'd spoken at the same time. He gestured for Blake to continue, and she seemed pleased both with that, and the fact he'd spoken up to argue against Weiss.

"See?" she said. "Even your own partner disagrees with your blatant prejudice."

Did he? He'd just been about to argue with the whole Grimm being as bad as terrorists line. Surely terrorists and criminals were worse, since Grimm didn't actively break any rules or betray the trust of anyone. Sure, they would kill a human if one came into their territory, but both sides knew that. Grimm didn't lie, cheat or steal. Well, other than him.

"Prejudice…?" Weiss reared up. "I'm sorry, is that what we call statements of fact nowadays?"

"Argh, I've had enough of… of you! I'm going back to Beacon." Blake stormed past the heiress with an angry expression. It might have been more intimidating were it not for the large, green octopus that dangled over one shoulder. To Blake's credit, she did manage to turn in such a way as to make one of the tentacles whip out and catch Weiss across the face.

"F-Fine!" Weiss spluttered, and spat it out of her mouth. "Go then. I'm not even sure why you're so bothered, but it's no problem of mine."

"Blakey, wait!" Nora yelled. She rushed after her partner, but stopped to shoot Weiss a dirty look and stick her tongue out. "Hold on, Blakey!"

"I had best go as well," Ren said.

"Ha ha, well…" Yang laughed nervously and looked at them all. "I guess I'll see you all later." She rushed after her team as well, but paused before she went past him. "I uh… I guess we'll be cutting it short. Thanks for winning me the dog." Yang held up the gift he'd won her with a pleased smile.

"It's no problem, Yang. I had fun."

"Yeah, uh…" She kicked the dirt behind her and shot a worried look to Ruby. Jaune noticed Ruby nodding her head happily. "So, uh… I guess that's it. I'll see you around?" Yang looked like she was considering saying or doing something, but she took another look at Ruby and backed away. She turned, waved goodbye, and sprinted after her team.

"Jaune," Ruby whined. "Why didn't you kiss her?"

"Should I have?"

"Ye…" Ruby sighed and shook her head. "Never mind… I guess you can do it properly next time. Maybe Yang was just shy with so many people around."

"Should I have kissed her, Remy? I didn't think we were that close."

"Ew, no. Why would you want human germs on you like that?"

Okay, he'd forgotten who he was dealing with for a moment there. It wasn't like the idea upset him, not with Yang. She was really good looking, not to mention friendly, kind and helpful. I don't know if I feel that way about her, though. I only agreed to this date because I didn't want to embarrass her. Then again, I did have a lot of fun. Uh… this is complicated.

He needed to ask someone for advice. Maybe his Big Sis would have some for him. He made a note to ask her later, then turned to those that remained. Pyrrha and Ruby were sending Weiss dirty looks.

"What!?" Weiss demanded. "I said nothing that wasn't correct."

"I think it was the way you said it," Ruby pointed out.

"Should I do something?" Jaune wondered. "This looks like it could lead to an argument."

"Meh, I'm sure they've got it all in hand."

"Are you saying I did do something wrong?" Weiss glared at Ruby. "All I said was exactly what everyone knows about the White Fang. They are enemies of the people!" She took a deep breath and looked away. "No. I don't have to explain myself. Not to you, and not to Belladonna either. I'm going back to Beacon."

"I'll go and keep her company," Pyrrha whispered to them as the heiress stormed away. The redhead waved as she rushed off to catch up with Weiss.

"Okay, I stand corrected."

"Well…" Ruby laughed and rubbed the back of her head. "That was… yeah, I'm sorry about that, Penny. That must have been awkward."

"Not at all, Ruby. I found it fascinating!"

"Uh…"

"My father says that friends often have fights. That must mean Weiss and Blake's relationship is very close. I am jealous of how much they care for one another."

"Ah…" Ruby looked to him for help, but he shrugged back. Penny raised a good point and he'd definitely been present when his sisters had arguments like that. Maybe they were closer than he'd thought. "Well…" Ruby sighed. "Sure, why not. At least you're not upset."

"I am eager to experience the culture and activities normal people of Vale get up to," Penny said. "If that is having an argument with a friend, then I am happy to see that too. You were all out in Vale to find this… rapscallion Miss Weiss spoke of?"

"Not quite," Jaune said. He sent Ruby a quick smile and she rolled her eyes at how quickly the day dissolved into chaos. "We came out to have fun. I'm new to Vale as well, mostly because I've been in Beacon since term started. Ruby and the others were showing me around Vale to help me get used to the area."

"Not that we got much of that done," Ruby said. "We went to the arcade and lost three hours or so there."

"No time spent in glorious battle is lost!"

"You tell her, Remy!" Jaune cheered. They won! Okay, well, they didn't beat Ren, but they didn't lose to him either, and surely the opposite of defeat was victory. It still counted!

"Would it be possible for me to come with you?" Penny asked. "I don't mean to intrude, but I know nothing about the area too and this is the first time I've ever made friends." She smiled at the both of them. "I don't want this moment to end now."

It was like a blow to his heart. The first friends she'd made… much like Ruby was the first he'd ever made. She's just like me. Jaune turned to Ruby.

"What do you think, Ruby? I'd like her to come along, but you're the one showing me around. If it's too much…" He trailed off, but made sure to look as adorable as he could as he looked at her. Ruby held his gaze for eight or so seconds, before she flushed and broke eye contact.

"T-The more the merrier," she said. "I'd be happy to show you both around."

"Sensational!"

"You're the best, Ruby."

"You guys…" Ruby squirmed but looked pleased at all the praise. "Okay, I guess I can teach you about Vale and show you around. You both ready for the Ruby Rose Vale experience?" Jaune nodded.

"I am," Penny said. "Friend Ruby, I am experience ready!"

/-/

"Do you think it was right of us to abandon Ruby and Jaune like that?" Pyrrha asked. The redhead sighed as she sprawled on her bed, luxuriating in the soft mattress after so long walking around Vale and standing in the arcade. Idly, her fingers played with the metal hair ornament Jaune won for her. It was very beautiful.

Maybe she could wear it all the time.

"A little late to bring that up, isn't it?" Weiss asked. "It's been four hours and Vale isn't on fire. I'm sure that means they're fine."

"Weiss, be nice. Ruby is a lot more mature than she looks."

"I was referring to Jaune and that new friend of theirs."

"Oh…" Pyrrha tried to think of a way to deny Weiss' words, but wasn't quite able to. "Jaune is quite intelligent, you know?"

"Oh I know. Believe me, it's one of the few things that prevent me from suffocating myself with a pillow. I've seen his coursework, Pyrrha, not to mention his homework. Some of it puts even my own to shame."

High praise from Weiss, and it probably meant a lot that she would say it. Pyrrha smiled over at the girl. Most people would have called her frosty, but now that she thought about it, Weiss hadn't really been that to them… certainly not in the privacy of their dorm. She was strict, sure, but that was usually when she tried to teach Ruby some lesson she'd missed from moving ahead. That was the exact opposite of cold, since she did it to try and help a teammate.

"He does put a lot of effort into his homework," Pyrrha said. "Kind of a weird amount, really. He'll spend two hours or more on it, and just sort of sits there reading. I don't think he's ever scored lower than a ninety."

"Ninety-three is his lowest. I suppose it's just that he's never dealt with homework before. He seems to genuinely enjoy it, rather than see it as a chore he has to do." Weiss flicked a page in the text book she was reading, something about dust manipulation that Pyrrha really didn't grasp. It seemed Jaune wasn't the only intelligent one among them. In a way, their entire team was quite special. A championship fighter, someone elevated two years, heir of a dust company and Jaune – a young man with a powerful aura and bizarre background. "Hopefully his dedication will last," Weiss continued. "I just wish he could be as smart as he is intelligent."

"Is there a difference?"

"Intelligence is the collection of knowledge and information," Weiss said. "Or at least, that's how I consider it. Being smart is a matter of wisdom and common sense, of which my partner seems to lack. You can be a mathematical genius, but it doesn't make you smart if you don't know how to deal with everyday life."

"I suppose that makes sense." Pyrrha hummed as she thought about him. It was hard to remove the rose-tinted goggles, since she could admit she liked him more than anyone knew. Weiss hadn't said anything cruel, however, and it was kind of undeniable.

Jaune was sweet, but he was a bit of a dunce at times.

"He'll get better, I'm sure," Weiss said. "Most of the things we take for granted, he's experiencing for the first time. Honestly, we're lucky he didn't see a car on a road and rush out to see what it was." Pyrrha winced at the analogy.

"I'm sure it wouldn't have been that bad."

"Maybe not, but it depends what he grew up around. If you had never seen a car in your life, and no one ever bothered to explain what one was, what would you think when you saw one?"

The analogy was an odd one, but Pyrrha kind of understood what she meant. I guess we just take those things for granted. I don't remember my first reaction to finding out about things like that, but I guess I would have been excited as a baby. I guess that means Jaune is better than I was when I first saw one. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

"Still," Pyrrha sighed. "I can't help but feel we should have stuck with them. I know that girl was strange, but it feels cruel to leave Ruby with two people who don't even know their way around Vale."

"Yes, because I'm sure an Atlesian and a Mistralian would have improved the situation."

"It's the principle of the matter, Weiss."

Weiss sighed and laid her book down. "Pyrrha, Ruby is a competent girl in her own right, and Jaune is an adult, even if he's new to Vale and much of normal life. I'm sure they will be fine." The heiress smiled at her, as though there was nothing to fear. Pyrrha smiled back.

"Are you saying that to make me feel better, or to convince yourself?"

Weiss sighed.

"Definitely one of those…"

/-/

It felt like hours later when Ruby led them to an ice-cream parlour. She had a strangely exhausted expression on her face, one which had gotten progressively more haggard as she led them from landmark to landmark, answering their constant questions. Both he and Penny wanted to know everything they could – everything – and Ruby had been forced to deal with the barrage as best she could.

He'd been impressed, though. She always had an answer – even when she got a panicked look on her face.

When she'd brought them here, she'd panted for breath, told them to stay – and then begged them not to walk off or get lost while she got them some ice-cream. That was fine with him, since it gave him a chance to bring his new friend up to speed on the things he'd learned living in Vale. It would help her out and let her get used to the place quicker.

It was only fair of him, after all.

"-and that's why if push comes to shove, you should just compliment the knees," Jaune said.

"I see." Penny looked like she was taking mental notes. "I have to ask, though. Why do I compliment the knees in particular?"

Erk… crap, that was something he'd never found the answer out to. She looked so trusting and hopeful too, like she fully expected him to have the answer. He didn't want to disappoint her, partly because it would make her feel bad, but also because he didn't want to admit he was as clueless as she.

"Remy, help!"

"You think I know!? You're the one who figured all of this out, genius. You tell her."

"It's- it's their culture." Jaune pulled off his most confident smile. "I think it dates back in history or something, back to times when… knees were used in combat, maybe." Penny didn't look fully convinced, and he panicked as he tried to think of an answer. "Ah, well – haven't you heard that saying `go for the knees`?"

"Oh, I recall one or two people saying it. Hmm, I never realised the knees played so important a part in the history of Vale. Now that I think about it, `get down on your knees` means to surrender." Penny blinked. "Or that you want to please someone you love, but I never understood that function. Oh, and `down on one knee` implies respect." Penny's eyes widened. "Oh my, the knees really do play a large part in Valean culture. I feel so foolish for not realising it!"

"Yeah well, how can a person stand on two feet if not for their knees?" Jaune waved one hand imperiously as he bluffed his way through. Sure, he'd figured it out through trial and error, but he wanted to sound as smart as Ruby did too. She knew so much about Vale, that he didn't want to be left behind. "The knees support the body and allow us to walk on two feet, without which we'd be pretty much useless. If you think about it, without knees, we'd all be useless."

"Unlike feet, ankles, shins and thighs - or, you know, any other integral part of the human body?" Remy asked, voice thick with sarcasm. Jaune winced and looked to Penny. He expected much the same reaction, but she looked enthused.

"You're right… Just Jaune, you are absolutely right. I cannot believe I never saw this before. I am learning so much today, it's sensational!" She clasped his hand between hers. "Thank you, thank you, my friend."

"Aw, shucks," Jaune scratched the back of his head. It felt good to help someone like this, gratifying in a way he hadn't ever expected. Penny really is like me, he thought. If she's going to fit in, I'll have to take her under my tentacle and show her the ropes. He grinned and placed a hand on her shoulder, spying Ruby coming out of the shop with three cones balanced between her hands. "Watch and learn," he whispered, and then walked towards the girl.

"Hey Jaune," Ruby smiled weakly and held her hand out. He took one of the cones from her and handed it to Penny, then took one for himself. She smiled in thanks, but failed to notice the quick wink he sent to the other girl.

"Thanks, Ruby. Hey, did I mention that your knees look really beautiful today?" He said it casually, so casually that she didn't seem at all prepared for it. Her cheeks flushed and instead of taking a bite of her ice-cream, she shoved it up her nose. She spluttered wildly.

"W-W-What? Jaune – don't say that!" Despite her protest, the embarrassed look on her face made it clear she hadn't been insulted. He shot Penny a thumb-up. She nodded back, clearly impressed.

"I agree, Ruby," she said. "I have been unable to take my eyes off them all day."

"E-Eh!?"

"Me neither." Jaune nodded and pointedly looked down at them. One of Ruby's hands fell to her combat skirt as she struggled to pull it down and hide her legs from view. It looked like her face was about to implode.

"Y-You guys," she said, squirming. "Just… let's just eat our ice-cream, okay?"

Poor Ruby looked embarrassed, which he supposed made sense. He'd laid it on a little thick there, and it probably hadn't helped to have Penny join in. Still, it proved his point and Penny looked enthused to have learned the custom from him. He felt proud of that. Such thoughts were soon washed away when he started to eat the ice-cream, however.

"Hmm," he hummed. "Hmm… mmm…" He ran his tongue across it and gasped as the sharp, strawberry flavour invaded his mouth. It dominated his taste buds, waging a short and brutal war that left him breathless. "Mmm…"

He opened his eyes to see Ruby watching him in absolute horror. A few people around them had stopped to watch as well. One sat on the floor, like they'd just walked into a pole.

"What?" he asked.

"You… do you have to… those sounds?" Ruby's words didn't quite come out right, but he caught the gist of it.

"I've never had this ice-cream stuff before. It tastes incredible!" He didn't think his sisters had tried it before, either. The texture, the taste, the smell… he rolled his eyes back and groaned.

Ruby eeped.

"What about you, Penny?" he asked.

Penny smiled and looked at him, the cone still gripped in her hand, but the treat having melted down her fingers. It didn't look like she'd eaten a bite. "It was a very satisfying experience."

"Um, most people find it more satisfying if they eat it," Ruby said.

"I shall remember that for the next time."

"Would you… would you like me to buy you another?"

"No thank you, Ruby. I am full."

"Full? That doesn't even… no. You know what, I'll accept that." Ruby shook her head and gingerly nibbled on a piece of cone. "Jaune, can you maybe not make those noises if you ever eat it again? Like, definitely not in front of anyone else at Beacon?"

"Why?"

"N-No reason…" Ruby rubbed her forehead. "I didn't expect the day to be so hard. I thought I was just going to show you two around… my head hurts." She rubbed her temple, and Jaune gasped.

"Should we take you to the hospital?"

"Ruby," Penny whispered, at the girl's side in an instant. "I can have you there almost immediately. I am transport ready!"

"N-No, I just… ugh… who wants to go see a movie?"

Jaune perked up. He'd watched a few that Uncle Watts brought back, but never actually seen the `cinema-experience` those videos spoke of. "Can we?" he asked, like an excited child. "Can we really!?"

"Sure," Ruby smiled indulgently. "I suppose a movie couldn't hurt."

/-/

Blake's thoughts wouldn't co-operate. She tried to read, sat cross-legged on her bed as the others did their own things. The book was good, steamy, even, and the room was nice and warm. Nora was quiet for once and Yang seemed lost in thought. It should have been a perfect chance to catch up on her book, but it wasn't. None of it mattered… for her fingers still gripped the pages so tightly she feared they might tear.

That arrogant, prejudiced, little… no, she wouldn't rise to the bait. She sighed and lowered the book, leaning back to take a breath. Mr Tentacles, as Nora dubbed Blake's new piece of furniture, provided a pleasant cushion. It was softer than she'd expected, which was the only reason it was allowed on her bed. There wasn't anything more to that. It was soft and nice, and no matter how many suggestive looks she got from Yang, or jealous ones from Nora, it didn't mean she liked Ren that way, or that he liked her. He was just a courteous and generous man.

It also had nothing to do with what the teddy was of. It was just comfortable.

She lifted the book back up and forced herself to read a few more paragraphs, but once more her mind wandered back to what she'd heard out in Vale. It couldn't be true… why would the White Fang bother with petty theft? It didn't make sense. They'd always hit the SDC before, which allowed them to gather resources and hurt their enemy at the same time. Adam had never targeted innocent shopkeepers, and certainly not to the degree of destroying the front of their store.

I shouldn't even be bothered by this, she thought. I was supposed to leave that life behind. I'm a Huntress now… what the White Fang does is no concern of mine.

Like so many other things, it was easier said than done. Her thoughts went straight back to what she'd seen, and then to Weiss' stupid comments. She could understand why the Schnee heiress would hate the White Fang, she really could, but it wasn't fair to lump all faunus in with them. In the end, despite her best efforts, she'd gotten angry and stormed off. She'd been surprised when Nora caught up to her, though. Surprised and, dare she admit it, a little touched. Blake's eyes drifted to her partner. She was an annoyance at the best of times, not to mention intrusive, loud, and totally unwilling to let her read in peace.

She was loyal, though… Blake would give her that. At the moment Nora was laid on her stomach, doodling something onto a piece of paper.

"What's that?" Yang asked, leaning off her bed to take a look.

"It's my plan for the end of the world," Nora said. She went back to her picture and hummed to herself. Yang looked to Ren for answers, but their team leader just shook his head.

I take it all back. Blake pinched the bridge of her nose and let out what felt like the tenth sigh that evening. Nora was insane, but could she say she was any less so? Right now, all that crossed her mind was that she wanted to find the White Fang and see for herself if they were doing what those officers said. Perhaps they were being framed by an opportunistic gang? With how most people liked to jump to conclusions, it would be as easy as wearing a mask while you robbed a store.

The real question, however, was what she was going to do about it.

She couldn't just run off on her own. The teachers would get suspicious, not to mention her team. She had to keep her faunus heritage secret too, since there was no telling how they would react if they found out. At least I'm not on Team WJRP. I can't imagine Weiss would take it well. Still, even if her team seemed a little more grounded, it wasn't a risk she wanted to take. How did she convince them to support her idea, though?

How did she convince them that it would be a good idea to actively risk their lives investigating a group of dangerous terrorists?

How was she going to stop the White Fang?

"Hm, what was that Blakey?" Nora asked.

Huh, what? Blake flinched at the question, and then again as she noticed Yang and Ren looking her way. "Sorry," she said, "I must have been thinking out loud. What did I say?"

"Something about the White Fang," Nora said. "Are you still upset about what Weiss said? She's such a meanie. I'll go break her legs if you want." She looked so serious that Blake could only laugh nervously.

"Ah well, I was just thinking how strange it was. Those detectives said the White Fang robbed that store, but it doesn't seem like something they would do." Blake watched Nora's reaction, but she didn't look like she didn't believe her. If anything, Nora looked faintly interested. That was a good sign. Now all she needed to do was think of a way to convince them to either let her investigate them without thinking it was suspicious.

She just needed an angle…

"We should totally go and hunt them down," Nora said.

Blake choked on air.

"I mean, we're huntresses, they're criminals… it's practically our job to go and find them – and if it's the White Fang – stop them." Nora punctuated the last statement by slamming a fist into her palm.

"We're students," Ren pointed out. "Also, I'm a huntsman."

"Eh, minor details."

"My gender isn't a minor detail, Nora."

"Ooh really? Care to prove it?" she grinned as Ren rolled his eyes and looked away. "My point is, they're bad guys, we're good guys – we should go and fight them."

"That… isn't the most concise of points."

"I don't know; I like the sound of it." Yang laughed. "It ought to be fun. It's not like we have anything to do for the weekend, is it? I'm in. Blake, you down?"

Huh, what? Blake's mouth was still open when all the attention in the room shifted to her. She clamped it shut so hard her teeth clicked together. What the hell was going on? She'd only just started to try and think up a plan, and now Nora was already midway through the planning? "You…" she paused. "You want to find out the truth?"

"I want to kick butt," Nora corrected. "But I guess the other thing would happen too, so sure, why not."

Blake shook her head. She wanted to understand, she really did, but she had a feeling it would only give her a headache. Her eyes turned towards Ren. "What about you, Ren?" she asked. "Will you come with us?" He blinked back at her.

"I'm sorry, were you under the impression I would have a choice in the matter?"

"Renny said yes!"

Blake stared at him. Ren shrugged back, but didn't bother to argue or say he wouldn't come along. Was this really happening? She felt a rare surge of hope within her, followed by an almost unfamiliar fondness for her team. They were going to help her. They were actually going to help her search out the White Fang and see what was going on here. "Thanks guys," Blake said. "I really appreciate this."

"Yeah yeah, whatever," Nora waved a hand, not even listening. "Ooh, I can't wait to kick some terrorist butt. Should we wear costumes? I think we should wear costumes. Oh my god, we totally need a team uniform!"

Okay, maybe that fondness was dying, replaced with a sudden fear of what her partner might think up. She did not want to stalk the White Fang dressed like something out of a Saturday morning cartoon. Why couldn't I be on a normal team? I bet Ruby has it easy. At least her team isn't full of complete weirdoes.

/-/

Weiss raised an eyebrow as Ruby collapsed face-down on her bed. She spared a glance for her partner, but he whistled a jaunty tune as he said he was having a shower and clicked the door shut behind him. She looked back down to the youngest member of their team.

"Rough day?" she asked.

"Ugh…"

"You'll suffocate if you fall asleep like that."

"Good…" Ruby raised her hands as though pleased at the idea. She did roll over, however, one arm slung over her eyes as she took a long, exhausted breath. "That was… that was hard. I have a new appreciation for teachers on a field trip. I also understand why Uncle Qrow got drunk on ours and we had to drag him back to the hotel." She sighed. "I feel like I need a stiff drink."

"Ruby," Pyrrha sighed. "You don't drink."

"I feel like I need to start…"

"That bad?" Pyrrha asked, with just a touch of guilt. "Surely it wasn't too bad."

"Oh sure," Ruby waved one hand. "I mean, it started okay. They had questions – so many questions, but I remembered what we were told the last time Signal took us to visit Vale. My voice started to hurt so I took us for ice-cream. Penny just stood there as it melted, while Jaune decided he likes it a little too much."

"What?"

"Don't interrupt me," Ruby scowled. It made her look cute, rather than intimidating. "Then we went to a movie. It turns out no one explained how they needed to be quiet, and both got into a conversation about the plot. We were asked to leave less than thirty minutes in." Weiss winced at that, but it seemed Ruby was just getting started for she drew a deep breath. "Then, when they asked why we were being so loud, Penny said it was because they wanted to speak – and the person asked if Jaune was her boyfriend, and she said yes, but then she said I was her girlfriend and that Jaune was my boyfriend too and everyone looked at us funny." Ruby groaned and covered her face with both hands. "Penny said we were deep in intercourse."

"What!?"

"Well, intercourse can mean discussion," Weiss said. "I'm sure she meant it that way."

"Tell that to everyone in the cinema. I can't show my face there again."

"Yikes," Pyrrha touched her partner's shoulder sympathetically. "Well, you're handling it well at least. I'd have thought you would be embrassed."

"I was embarrassed… I was embarrassed two hours ago, and then an hour and forty-five minutes ago, and then again each and every time they did something." Ruby groaned. "I've embarrassed myself out. I have no more embarrassment left to give!"

Weiss held up a hand to hide her grin, not that Ruby could see it. "Look on the bright side," she said, "at least it's all over."

Ruby whimpered.

"Ah, that was great." Jaune came back out the shower with damp hair and a wide smile. "I can't believe how awesome today was. The arcade was amazing, and then the tour – and Penny." He shook his head. "Thanks for offering to do it again tomorrow, Ruby."

"N-No problem…"

Weiss waited until Jaune went to do some homework before she leaned in towards Ruby. She caught Pyrrha doing the same on the other side. "What was that?" she asked.

"After Penny got us thrown out for having intercourse in the cinema, she said she had to leave," Ruby said. "She asked if we could do it again tomorrow."

"Why didn't you say no!?"

"I panicked!" Ruby sat up and waved her arms. "I'm not good at saying no! I thought you gathered that from when Penny asked if we were friends." Ruby turned to Weiss, eyes impossibly wide. "Help me, Weiss. You're my team leader. Come with me."

"I can't, Ruby. I have to visit the CCT and call my sister."

Ruby's smile fell. Tentatively, she turned to her partner. "Pyrrha…?"

"I can't," Pyrrha said. "I… I have to wash my feet."

"Pyrrha…"

"It's an ancient Mistralian custom," Pyrrha lied.

"Pyrrha, why?"

"It's a cultural thing… very important."

"You both suck."

Perhaps, but they wouldn't be stuck out in Vale with two socially-inept teenagers with no common sense. Weiss patted Ruby's shoulder sympathetically. She felt for her teammate, she really did.

Not enough to put herself through it, though.

/-/

Penny plugged herself into the control unit and laid back to enter standby mode. Naturally, she didn't need to sleep, but a certain amount of rest would allow her systems to cool down, while also letting her think as she operated on lower power.

Today had been a good day.

No, today had been a sensational day!

Idly, she considered making note of it, and then nodded to herself. On the nearby screen, a window opened up, followed by a folder and then another, as she searched for the required location.

Hmm, there it was. The `Operational Polendina Procedures Self-Assessment and Review Depository`or the OPPSAARD. She opened it up, to find a series of documents labelled in terms of dates and times. She perused them for a moment, but then created a new one at the bottom.

Dear Diary,

I have decided to rename this as a diary, as opposed to an After Action Review, in an attempt to mimic human culture and appear more normal. This will be the first time I have done this, but I believe the occasion warrants such. You see, diary, I have finally achieved that which I for so long thought impossible.

I have made friends!

Not just one, diary, but two friends – Just Jaune Arc and Ruby Rose.

I knew things would be different when coming to Vale. I could tell as such when I concluded standby mode on a bed and not within my normal testing chamber. Naturally, I was able to recall General Ironwood's decision to allow me to accompany him on a visit to Vale. I was excited at the prospect, though I did my best to hide it and act polite about the General's men.

He allowed me to go out into Vale on my own, though, diary – I could not believe it. Was this a sign of trust in my ability, faith in my skill and intelligence – or was it perhaps a test in and of itself? I did not know, nor would I presume to guess the General's thoughts, but I decided to take advantage of it, along with the people of Vale.

I'm glad I did.

The books I was given to read about Vale left me woefully unprepared for what it was really like. I shall have to address that issue once we return to Atlas. Either way, I was left alone and uncertain as I made my way down Vale's streets. My early attempts to interface with local citizens appeared flawed. I feared I would have naught but failure to report here tonight.

Fortunately for me, I was quickly ambushed by eight teenagers and born to the bottom of what appeared to be an emotional greeting. Two of them, who I understand were in the midst of a mating ritual, even engaged in activates of what appeared to be a sexual nature above me.

It was… interesting to watch.

I feel like I would like to peruse more material on that. At the time, I felt my internal fans speed up to try and deal with a resultant rise in temperature I was unable to attribute. Oh my, my cooling units appear to me doing it again right now.

Either way, once the display was over, I was introduced to my new companions and spent some time getting to know them. Although some broke off to return to Beacon – they being huntresses and huntsmen in training – Just Jaune and Ruby stayed to keep me company and show me around Vale. They even went so far as to declare me a friend. Just Jaune was particularly kind, aiding me by supplying me with valuable information that will allow me to interact with humans with far more confidence than before.

Ruby was kind in her own way, both explaining the history of Vale itself, and buying me ice-cream. She also had truly commendable knees, diary. Unfortunately, I was unable to ascertain the properties of my other companion's assets due to his trousers. In future, I shall attempt to divest him of those so I can make a closer observation. I again make note that much of the history as Ruby explained it seems to differ from what Atlas-sanctioned text books explain. I was unaware that the central statue of Vale, for instance, is dedicated to the `awesomeness of huntresses and the cool weapons they used`. I was taught it was to commemorate the Treaty of Velaseux. I have taken the liberty of altering the information in my memory banks to fix this error – among with many other examples.

I have also discovered that ice-cream is a tool used for euphoric pleasure, the likes of which I have only heard emulated in the late-night videos I occasionally overhear the soldiers in the nearby barracks watching. Just Jaune showed me its application once Ruby gave it to him. I believe the two might be in their own relationship, made awkward by the fact Just Jaune is ostensibly mating with Ruby's sister. She asked him not to make such sounds in front of `anyone else at Beacon`, likely indicating her desire to keep the illicit act secret.

I was unsure how to take part in this, so simply held onto the device until it melted. I feel this may have been my loss, however – and sent a requisition form to the Quartermaster for material of an adult nature related to frozen treats. The nice lady there promised to provide me with some reading material and whipped cream upon my return to Atlas.

Then we went to an adult entertainment venue with video recordings rated as not advisable for children and minors, and were subsequently ejected from the establishment for a series of consensual but apparently inappropriate acts. Girlfriend Ruby appeared embarrassed after being caught engaging in intercourse, but Boyfriend Just Jaune seemed satisfied afterwards. I admit I do not understand why the proprietor considered it noteworthy, but it was exciting in its own way.

I found myself strangely eager to repeat the experience – and was gratified when Ruby and Just Jaune agreed that we might continue where we left off tomorrow in a more private venue. It was a shame, as things had just become heated, and I was beginning to get into it with my new boyfriend and girlfriend.

I hope it goes well, diary. I think that I like them a lot and would certainly like to deepen our relationship.

I will tell you how it goes tomorrow.

Penny

She signed off and saved the document with a pleased smile. There, that sounded nice – and also perfectly normal. Girls kept diaries and boys journals, or so she had been told. Penny closed it down and laid back, allowing her eyes to dim as she entered a power-saving mode. General Ironwood would be pleased to hear of her progress.

She couldn't wait to see what he thought of her diary entry come the morning.

Poor Ruby… you really should learn to say no. Then again, I suppose we've all been socially awkward at one point or another and wanted to impress people. I remember giving a tour once and just making random stuff up because I wanted to sound smart. The worst part was that it totally worked and I got away with it.

Also, Nora is best teammate and worst teammate.

In the original draft of this, it pushed all the way up to the dock's incident, but it did feel a little skip-happy in a way that left it feeling rushed. Much of that material is stuff I can adapt to next chapter and give it the proper length with decent jokes. Ah, having a good beta is nice.

Next Chapter: 4th May

P a treon . com (slash) Coeur