Another chapter, another revision.

Once more, varying measures of improvement.

Apologies, u/LIMMMEEESSS, but I got this one.


~•Beacon's Skyport•~


Tempests and earthquakes formed and dissipated, sound thundered and boomed in several sequences, and even the sparse clouds high above in the yellow gradient of the near-afternoon sky wavered and moved against the natural wind.

The chaos simmered and slowed, still the cobblestone cracked and trembled, and the trees and bushes that lined Beacon's pathways swayed and shook so violently to whisk what loose leaves far away for any weary groundskeeper to sweep clean.

Nonetheless, the chaos simmered.

Continuously, gradually, it simmered, and slowed, till finally it stopped.

Cinder bent over forward, clutching her sides, and gorging the air like a maelstrom. Wide panicked burning eyes flitting rapidly across the land in front and around Beacon's foregrounds.

Hoping, desperately, that he has yet to arrive, or worse, left in disappointment.

Hissing out a mixture of whimper and a growl, stress and anxiety slithering into her head, Cinder opted to direct her frustration towards the green-haired sycophant; prepared to chain, lock, and throw the girl overboard with all the blame and responsibility for any mishaps that may befall her day out. And depending on the severity, it may not be so figurative as the girl may hope.

Cinder wandered further, resting near a column, breathing heavily through her teeth; digging her hand in her pocket… her coat pocket… her… bag?

Where is her bag!?

She didn't bring one… right.

Then where is her scroll!?

Oh, right. She forgot.

Well, she'll just have to use her pocket mirror to- she doesn't have that either.

She paused, immediately roaming her hand all over and inside her coat, leaving her a bedraggled mess by the end of her frantic search.

"Are you serious right now!? This can't be happening, not now, please not now. Just what- who- w-where? Emerald!" She seethed to the skies, burning the air around her.

Cinder growled, extinguishing the flames in her hands before she makes a scene burning the foliage around her; stomping around in a wide circle, the ground no longer cracking, yet still slightly trembling.

"Making me take a shower - preposterous! I smelled just fine, more than fine! Certainly finer than her. And now, look! All that useless time spent in that stupid shower, when I could've better used it packing a bag, or even just my scroll, or a pocket mirror, or anything!" she crossed her arms with a huff.

Her eyes suddenly widened, "Not even a wallet." she whimpered. Sighing, her head limped down in dejection. Cinder promptly shook her head vigorously, salvaging her mood with a surge of determination, not letting these few minor - yet significant - setbacks ruin her day.

Regardless of her lack of proper equipment, she made the effort of grooming herself; combing her hair back with her fingers, wiping her face with her sleeves, poking around her teeth with her tongue to check for unwanted food bits. Even blowing her nose over some bushes, hoping any mucus and booger she has are dry and loose enough to fall discreetly into the grass - thankfully, they were, leaving her nostrils uncluttered and clean.

Done with her face, she then fixed up her coat, straightening any creases she formed in her search, all the while glancing over her shoulder - as if stricken with paranoia - surveying all that she could see with frantic eyes.

Analyzing the sparsely populated skyport with incredible, obsessive, intensity; hunting for that one specific mop of golden blonde hair, and those oceanic blue orbs she could so easily plummet into with not a shred of hesitance nor resistance.

Heart and soul ensnared with no motion made to escape, and close to rupturing with every second her thoughts lingered upon him. Cinder's face drooped, a dumb smile forming on her lips, and glossy eyes crossing and gazing upwards; a single strand of drool edging off the corner of her mouth.

Slowly, her right hand raised high, and promptly slapped her clean across her face.

"No! Bad Cinder. Don't get distracted! Be cool."

She tugged her coat down, and straightened her back.

"While my first interaction with him may have been close to perfection with how well I handled and manipulated the conversation to my favour, it was still not up to my usual exemplary standard."

She started to slowly pace in circles.

"In order for this daaaaaa-y! This day, obviously I meant day, not da- the other word. In order for this… day to end with my absolute triumph, and exponential success later on, in perhaps future daaaaa- days, I will have to fully invest all my effort, with a helping of sheer determination, to ensure that this daa- okay, this moment of time that is todaaaa-ate, no! Wait, yes, I have ate. Yes, ate, that is what I did in the cafeteria earlier this morning. Which is also tooooo-day. Yes! Todate, no!"

Slap.

"Today! Today! Today! Today is the day I go out with Jaune on a date- A day of ate, because that is what we'll be afterwards… afterwards… after… after… after this date-agghhh!" She slammed her head against a column. "It's not a date!"

Cinder slammed her head again, this time leaving a noticeable crack. "It's not a date, it's not a date, it's not a date, it's just two people going out together, doing things together, we're just going to be together forever and ever- no! Not like that! We will be together, but not together-together. It's just going to be a totally normal day, and what we're going to do together is totally not a date!" She gripped onto the column with aura-infused nails.

"Get." Slam.

"It." Slam.

"Through." Slam.

"Your." Slam.

"Head." Crack.

Wiping the flakes of stone off her forehead, and leaving a trail of gray dust above her brows, Cinder started to pace in circles once more.

"Continuing on, despite my lack of… well, anything." She sighed. "I am more than capable and familiar with improvisation - though I much prefer a well-prepared plan; turning a disadvantageous position into my throne of victory is nothing short of the usual, all things considered." She huffed, regaining her poise once more. "This is but a minor hiccup, overall inconsequential to my success. I will do just fine."

"However, I will have to acquire some funds somehow. Perhaps have Torchwick pass some over discreetly… though that also comes with the hassle of contacting him, and I can't do so without a scroll, so maybe along the way I'll have to steal someone else's… or forbid it, borrow Jaune's!"

Cinder managed to stop herself before she could slam her head again; calming herself down and swiftly resumed her pacing.

"Ugh!" Breathing out her frustration, groaning unladylike towards the bushes. "This is shaping up to be more of an annoyance than I thought it'd be. And regrettably, sickeningly even, it seems to be my only option. A moment of vile offense to ensure an ensuing day of… nice stuff."

She lightly bit the corner of her lips, crossed her arms, and halted her pace to consider an unsavoury alternative. "Unless, of course… I'm heartless enough to fully foist any and all forthcoming fees to be his responsibility."

Spitting spitefully into the bushes, ultimately disregarding and destroying the thought, and shaming herself for even conceiving it. "Of all the things I could be for him, the absolute last thing I ever want is to be a hindrance or a nuisance." She growled with audible grit, and loath writ on her face.

"I am neither a leech nor a sycophant… Honestly, who would do that? And even so, why would someone do it on the first d-"

Amber eyes suddenly widened, glazed, then lulled to a close. Her preceding resistance flourished futilely. Sighing knowingly, having prevised her coming thoughts, and accepted the impending urge.

Her body moved of its own accord.

"I wouldn't want to borrow his scroll." She restated.

Walking idly back to the same column she'd vandalized.

"But I would hate to leave all our expenses to him…" Inhaling deeply, opting to get it out quickly.

Hands gently reached up towards the marred column.

"…especially when I was the one to ask him out on a da-"

SLAM-

"C-Cinder!?" A faint voice called out.

"Jaune?" Forehead mere breath away from the column.

"Hey!" Jaune lightly jogged to her. "I'm over here!"

"Jaune!" Turning to wave at him. "Uh…" Cinder winced, "Just a moment, please!" swiveling around, frantically grooming her hair again, wiping her face, straightening her jacket, obsessively going through the procedure once more, and again, and another more.

Several paces down the path, Mercury action-dived through the bushes, rolling then hiding behind a column, making vague tactical hand signals towards his partner; Emerald calmly walked to the same column, staring at him unamused and in disappointment the entire time.

Cinder lightly slapped both her cheeks, "Alright! Be cool, Cinder! You got this, you're fine, you're great, you'll be amazing during this dat-"

Slam- No! He's right behind her.

Whipping right back around, "Hello, Jaune! Hi, Jaune! Hey, Jaune! Greetings, nice to meet you again! How was your trip?"

Jaune subtly tilted his head, "Uh, f-fine? My walk from my room to here was okay."

"What, no way!" Cinder leaned forward, her hands linked together in front of her, swaying her hips, watching his face with genuine awe. "Aww, that must've been so nice."

Jaune squeezed out a laugh, simultaneously confused and trying to match her enthusiasm, "Uh, y-yup!" effectively masking his tone of shock and lingering doubt. "It… it sure was."

"Whoa, really? Tell me more!" Cinder leaned forward even further.

"Um, well, it was… a nice walk. Very uneventful, and… you know, basic leg stuff. You have legs, I'm sure you've done walking before." He joked, and immediately regretted opening his mouth, internally cringing at his own joke.

"Yes, I have!" Cinder replied earnestly. "And look!" She lifted each leg, "I have legs down here." and continued to lift them up and down, giggling with childlike excitement.

"Oh- okay- y-yeah, they're there, alright." Jaune tried to not show his surprise, politely watching her smooth creamy legs, and wondering why she wasn't wearing any stockings. "Yeah, um, they look really nice." Again, he immediately regretted opening his mouth.

Cinder's face flared bright red, "He loves them!" She cheered inside her head.

"S-sorry, that was a bit- I shouldn't… So, how's the weather?"

"Great!" A leaf snagged on Cinder's hair. "Couldn't be better." Jaune nodded awkwardly with a hollow smile, his hand slowly raising to pluck the leaf out of her hair.

"G-good to know." He gave a nervous giggle, now desperately wanting the ground to open up and swallow him whole; screaming internally, sheer unbridled panic raging behind his dorky smile.

"He wants to know more about me!" Cinder immediately started to measure herself in her head - or rather an approximate measurement - cataloging each and every part of her body; height, weight, bust size, blood type, eye and hair colour, length of each finger and toe, of arm and forearm, shoulders, clavicle, number of ribs, hip width, thigh thickness, overall leg length, circumference of her skull, and… etcetera.

Jaune watched as Cinder's eyes gradually took on a glazed look, her focus evidently on him, yet also not. He hesitantly waved his hand in front of her face. "C-Cinder?"

"Ten centimeters."

"What?"

"Hmm?"

"You said-"

"Said what?"

"Uh, you know… it's nothing." He scratched the back of his head, discarding the memory as quickly as he could. Letting his attention be taken away by a scurrying dog, while trying to remember if Beacon even allowed pets, and also wondering why it looked so familiar.

Cinder filed away all the details she has currently recorded of herself, opting to present them at a later time, and instead occupied her current time imagining slamming her head against a column for letting herself get distracted… and also by being totally uncool.

"What was the point of all that head slamming if I can't even think straight!?"

Subtly sighing to herself, Cinder shivered any straying musings away, and devoted herself to focus solely on Jaune, and taking no such act of hiding her blatant ogling; eyes traveling eagerly and ever so leisurely up across and down his entire being.

Admittedly, and reluctantly accepting that dutiful Emerald was indeed right, the choice of wearing just her school uniform - ignoring the reasons why - was more than suitable. As Jaune wore the exact same clothes he had when they first met in the cafeteria.

Exactly the same… excluding the blazer, the tie, and with a few buttons loose on his shirt, fluttering softly in the wind. The valley forming at the base of his neck and descending to the top of his chest bared wide open, with beads of sweat dripping, trailing, slithering ever so smoothly, so slowly, cascading down his toned body… like sweetest nectar, ambrosia in essence.

So near as well. She could just so easily take a few simple steps forward, extend her tongue, and…

Slap!

"Cinder?" Jaune jolted, facing her.

"Mosquitoes. They're quite annoying, aren't they."

"Oh, r-right… Um, you might have-"

"Yes?"

"It's… a bit too hard. You got a red mark on your cheek. Is your aura low, or-"

"Misjudged timing."

"Oh, okay." Jaune paused. "Misjudged timing?"

"So, how's the weather!?" Cinder leaned forward, her bright smile returning to her lips.

Dodging a leaf, "Great." he chuckled, "Couldn't be better!" Smiling back at her, this time lacking the previous nervousness. Finding it somehow endearing with the way she just blatantly used his own diversion back at him.

At that, the prevalent discomfort seemed to wilt away, and apparently all Jaune needed, as he slowly began to relax a little; her smile a more pleasant sight than he last saw it.

Cinder giggled with him, noticing the lift in his mood; once again, her heart and soul ensnared even more. This time lacking the intensity, no feeling of manic thrill, only a soothing overwhelming sense of delight, enshrouding her like a warm soft blanket.


~•~


"So… How we doing this?" Mercury asked, fully prone on the ground; finger to his ear, and nodding intermittently.

Emerald took a second to stare at his position beside her feet. She rolled her eyes and sighed, "Okay." She crouched down, lowering her voice to a whisper, "You listening?"

"This time, yeah."

"You're an idiot."

Mercury immediately stood up, "You know what-"

"No, I don't. Shut up." Emerald pulled him back behind the column, pushing him against it; hidden from Cinder's view. "We don't have time for your stupid… stupidity-"

"How eloquent."

"I told you to shut up." She placed a finger on his lips. "Cinder needs this back. But we both know that just walking up and palming it to her is not going to cut it."

"And why?" Mercury mumbled past her finger, "It's not like it's that hard to hide, just bundle it up, strut by, and force it into her hand-"

Emerald pressed her finger deeper into his lips, "Because, Merky, with Jaune there, that would be weird, out of place, conspicuous AF, and from just watching her, I don't think she's realised what she's missing, and probably wouldn't even bother looking at what we gave her. Or worse, check what it is right in front of him." Emerald sharply answered, leaning closer and closer with each point made. "And that would be bad." Their faces now a finger apart.

Mercury exhaled, begrudgingly accepting his partner's reasoning, and internally admitting he hadn't thought that far. Yet for all her smarts, his pretty little partner seems to have missed a rather glaring weakness in her argument, and one he is more than willing to enlighten her.

He parted his lips to retort, and immediately nommed on her finger; his tongue, covered in saliva, quickly slobbering all over it.

Emerald instantly recoiled, "Ew! Ew! Ew! Ew!" whisking her finger through the air, wiping it on her blazer, and then on his. "You- wha- you- I- How dare-" she sputtered, all while the sight of Mercury's smirk grew.

Emerald paused to glare at him, "I hate you so much. I really, really hate you; you, Mercury Black, are the one I hate so, so, so much. I can't believe I could ever hate one person this much, but you!" She stepped up to him, "You, you, you." leaning closer with each word said, until once again they were a finger apart. "I hate you." She pointed at his face, the tip of her finger digging into his cheek.

Mercury was taken aback, a gasp escaping his lips, an expression of utter shock on his face. Then, with scrunched brows, and ire in his eyes, he took a deep breath, opening his mouth to rebuke this girl's misaimed sentiments… and promptly nommed her finger again.

This time wrapping his lips a little tighter, making her put some effort into pulling her finger out; a string of saliva bridging from his lips to her finger once she did.

Emerald, once again, recoiled with absolute disgust, exclaiming like a child how gross it is, and aggressively wiping the spit on his shirt.

"So… Palming it to her is a no-go." Barely containing his smug look. "Do you want to mail it to her? Hide it somewhere along her path? What? Do you even have any ideas, or do you just want to keep putting your finger in my mouth?" He leaned forward, "Perv."

Emerald glared, opening and closing her mouth, ultimately growling like a wildcat in absolute frustration.

Mercury mockingly growled back, "Mmm, yes, what an amazing plan. Very intricate. No flaws whatsoever. How do you do it, Emerald?"

Emerald hissed, "First, I hate you." She pointed at his face, and immediately retracted her finger. "Second, I do have an idea… now." She crossed her arms, taking a step forward and forcing his back against the column. "Third, you're stupid." Mercury rolled his eyes at that. "Fourth, if you could distract the Jaune-guy for a few seconds, I could use my semblance on her to quickly dash in and out, palm it and her scroll-"

Mercury tilted his head. "That's literally what-"

"Yeah, well, I changed my mind- Shut up!"

"I didn't even say anything."

"Your face doesn't say anything!"

"No, your face doesn't-" Mercury suddenly grabbed her shoulders, switching their positions and pinned her against the column, just as a teacher emerged out on the stone pathway behind them. Nowhere close, but surely in clear view.

Emerald looked at him questioningly, "What was that about?" She hissed, "It's not like we're doing anything weird… I mean, illegal."

Mercury subtly surveyed the area, his body close to enveloping hers, watching as the teacher walked towards, and stood near the landing bay, apparently waiting for the same airship as Cinder.

Emerald followed his gaze, "Mercury?"

"Hmm, reflexes." he answered after a few seconds of silence, stepping back to give his partner some space.

"Okay…" Emerald stared at him curiously, his eyes still watching the teacher. She snapped her fingers in front of his face, "Hey! Did you forget what we came here to do? Stop staring and let's get on with it."

Mercury turned to look at her, "Is that jealousy?"

"It's annoyance." She rolled her eyes, and pulled him closer, lowering her voice above a whisper, "We now have a plan-"

"That you were against-"

"Shut up! We have a plan, we can argue about it all you want but it's the best… the least worst… It's a plan. And if you don't mess it up, it will be a good plan."

"What do you mean, You? Don't you mean We?"

"No. You."

"No, you!"

"That's not what I meant! You have to get in close before I do, get Jaune's attention somehow in a way that is not - as I've brought up before - weird." She placed her whole palm on his mouth before he could reply, "And you, Mercury Black… are the epitome of weir- Ew! Ew! Ew!" She immediately let go of his mouth, a trail of saliva on her hand.

Mercury wiped his lips, watching her angrily wipe her hand on his chest. Raising eyebrow in a foxlike arch, "Emerald, please. I know you got urges, but can you not molest me out in public; you're embarrassing me." He faked his shyness.

"Stop doing that!" She hissed at his face. "Look! We don't have time for this. Can you or can you not do this one simple thing?" She gripped his collar, pulling him down till their faces met at equal height. "One. Simple. Thing. Can you do that? Just one simple thing."

Mercury grumbled, avoiding her gaze with a sigh and a roll of his eyes. "Yeah, okay. Fine." Emerald let go of her grip. He then cracked his neck, and knuckles. "Alright, let's get this over with." Stepping out from behind the column, heading straight towards- the ground, as Emerald yanked his arm back.

"What are you doing!?"

Mercury scowled, "You said-"

"Not now!" She yanked his arm once again, pulling him up to stand behind the column. "I wasn't ready."

Mercury pouted, towering over Emerald with his arm above her head, "Are you ready now?" He sneered.

"Will you just-" Emerald quickly took a deep breath. "Just… wait, okay? They're still…" She peaked around, "…talking, anyway. If you ruin their moment, who knows what this Cinder might do to you."

Mercury breathed out his frustration, taking a brief moment to maintain - and regain - his cool, and immediately after took on a teasing grin, "And here I thought you hated me. You do care."

"Hate. Not past tense. Because I still do, and you still have your uses."

"I'm feeling the love."

"Ew. Can you feel the love somewhere else… or in the bathroom like you usually do."

Mercury paused, not a shred of shame on his face, "Spying on me, are you?"

Red eyes widened, "No- I just assumed-"

"Assumed that I thought of you?"

Emerald gagged, "I… No. We're dropping this right now. Shut up. Don't ever bring it up ever again."

"You brought it up first." He nonchalantly remarked in a sing-song way.

Emerald murmured an insult, her face now a little redder than before.

A moment of silence fell between them; looking at each other, waiting for another jab, a childish retort… something to keep them talking to one another.

Emerald dropped her head, feeling exhausted, "Okay… look, we're not going to accomplish anything at this rate, so why don't we just…" She sighed, "Let's just-"

"Kiss."

Gray and red eyes enlarged in surprise. Darting towards their lips, quickly realising how neither side was the origin of the voice. Nor was the voice all that familiar to begin with, reeking of fakery; a soft tone lowered dramatically down.

Slowly, their heads swiveled towards the bushes Mercury dived through earlier.

Finding a rather curious - and concerning - sight, that was definitely not there before.

The sight being seven students, hiding behind a cartoonish bush-shaped cardboard cut-out, hastily painted, and amateurishly so - which to their credit did well for loose leaves to stick to.

"Um…" Emerald and Mercury simultaneously expressed, confusion evident in their voice.

Blondie gave them a cheeky smile and rapidly wiggled her eyebrows, making absolutely no attempt at masking what she's insinuating. It did not take much effort for the two to realise she was the one who suggested… that.

Emerald and Mercury stared judgingly at teams RWBY and NPR hiding behind the poorly made camouflage.

"How much of that did you hear?" Emerald asked.

"Not much." Blondie answered with a smirk. "So…" She addressed Mercury, "You think of your teammate?"

"Ye-"

"No, he does not- you better not have, or I swear I'll-"

Blondie chuckled. "I do that, too."

Schnee immediately turned, "No, you do not!"


~•~


Jaune perked his head up, "You hear something?" he wondered aloud. "Sounds like some kind of banshee… Two of 'em. Is that even a type of Grimm?"

Cinder took on a pensive expression. "Mmm… No." She answered after a second of listening to the - evidently affronted - screeches. "I don't believe She has ever made one." Shrugging, "Not in a long time, at least."

Jaune nodded… paused, "Wait, what?"

"N-nothing! Just rambling."

"Oh, well, um…" Noticing how tense she suddenly seemed, "So, Cinder."

Shoulders relaxing, Cinder turned to look at him. "Yes?"

"How's Beacon treating you so far?" Jaune met her eyes, giving her his full attention.

Cinder shied away from his gaze, letting out a light giggle, "Quite alright, I suppose; lives up to its reputation far as I can tell. I especially like wandering around the grounds, it's… very serene, peaceful, helps me destress - especially after having to deal with my teammates."

Jaune chuckled, "Yeah, I can relate." Smiling at her, "Teammates can be a handful, don't they? 'Specially as a leader."

Cinder lightly groaned, mixed with a giggle of sympathy, "Don't even get me started." Earning another chuckle from Jaune, "Two of my teammates argue practically all the time, and they argue over the stupidest, pettiest, insignificant-est things… -est." That made Jaune giggle, fluttering her heart ever more.

She continued on, "Then the last one is never even there. Always sneaking off to hang around her- I don't even know what their relationship is, lover or parental-substitute, either way, she's not there majority of the time. And she fills our room with ice-cream containers." She paused for drama, staring intently at Jaune. "A… lot."

He laughed, "Sounds like a fun team."

"If fun also means nuisance, then yes." She ended with a chuckle.

Jaune flashed her a smile. "Hey, come on, look on the bright side."

"Our room constantly smells of neapolitan?" She half-jokingly asked.

"Sure, that. But, tell me… is this ice-cream girl a good teammate?"

Cinder nodded after a brief pause. She exhaled a warm breath, "In truth, I don't find her all that annoying. Not to mention, she does her duty well when she's told to do it, and so far has been highly reliable and competent. No complaints whatsoever, from me - and her…" she then quietly added, "…since she's mute."

"Yeah, see, least she's good at what she does, right? Must not be a boring time around the other two, as well?"

"I wouldn't call it that; not a quiet time, for certain." Cinder teetered, "Though…" lightly biting her lip. "To give those two credit, they do know when to drop it. Especially when things get serious. They always have their whole banter routine when they know they can afford to be silly. That's what I observed from them."

Jaune gave a reassuring smile, "Hey, look at that, a silver lining! Better to be annoying than to be a hindrance, that's what one of my sisters always says. Doesn't stop her from being either one, and it's not really much of an excuse at all. But she has her moments…" The sentence trailed off, his attention pulled out to the skies, seeing no sign of an airship.

Cinder followed his eyes, near-instantly noticing the witch that fought her off; standing near the landing bay. Taking a mental note of the presence, ultimately agreeing with herself that the witch is unlikely to be an obstacle on this day.

"S-sorry, uh… by the way, do you know what time the airship will come?" He asked, eyes lingering for a moment to the coming golden hour, gradually returning his sight back to his new companion.

Cinder tilted her head, mentally smacking herself in the face - with a column - just now realizing that they still haven't left Beacon; not exactly complaining. "Oh? Well, I don't think it'd take too long - it's only…" She pulled her sleeves back. "Half-past wrist." Her eyes bulged out.

Jaune whipped his head back to face her, blue eyes quickly moving from her expression to her bare arm.

No watch, either. "Just what do I even have!?" Cinder internally screamed.

He smiled. Shoulders shaking, chuckling lightly, swiftly shifting to loud giggling.

Cinder looked up in confusion, expected disappointment and ill-mockery; she failed, she made another mistake, she forgot, she's not prepared, she's slacking, not up to standard, lowly, inferior… But that smile - those innocent eyes told her otherwise.

He placed a hand on her shoulder, still giggling, "Don't worry about it." And so, she didn't. Just like that. "It happens to the best of us. Trust me, I should know."

Her smile returned, brighter than ever. "I…" looking away sheepishly, "I forgot." she shied from his kindness. "Sorry." Meekly said, yet not weighed by self-defacement.

"Oh, it's fine!" He leaned in close, chuckling, "I forgot, too." He quickly pulled his sleeves back, presenting how bare both his wrists are.

This time she giggled, heartedly, with worries whisked away. "I'm really sorry. I really should have been more prepared."

"Hey, I told you, it's fine. I don't think we'll need a watch to notice a huge airship arriving in the landing area; which is the area where huge airships land, which we're currently at - or near at, actually."

She contemplated for a moment, "S-silver lining?" Hesitantly asked.

Jaune laughed, "Yeah! Silver lining. Forgot our watches? Didn't even need 'em."

Cinder grinned, "Y-yeah! I have no need for them! I can just calculate the exact time using the positions of the sun and the moon." She half-joked; actually knowing how to do just that.

"Yeah, you show those watch companies who's boss!" He cheered.

Bolstered, Cinder braved forth, "I will. I'll conquer every company that sells watches and take the position of CEO!" She declared wholeheartedly.

"Maybe even the sun and the moon, too!" Jaune had no delay hyping her up; reeling her away from a potentially dour mood.

At that, Cinder made no move to hide her sinister smile. "I will remake the moon into my image!

"Totally possible, yeah!"

"Use the sun as my power source!"

"Solar power, yeah!"

"Use my new death moon to threaten and subjugate all who oppose me in my endeavor! Destroy and execute all my hated enemies, dominate the four kingdoms, build and amass an army to make Ironwood's ironwood into balsa wood, lead said army into the Grimmlands, acquire ancient magic to battle an immortal Grimm goddess, conquer the world and have myself placed as its rightful queen and ruler of everything and everyone!" Laughing loudly and maniacally, as one should.

At this point, no one would be at fault to look upon her with worry and concern.

Jaune possessed no such sentiments.

"Absolutely! You can do it, I believe in you. Kill all the Grimm. Subjugate everything! Dominate the world! Conquer the Kingdoms! Conquer everyone! Conquer me-"

Cinder froze.

"No, wait! That came out wrong…"

Her mouth still agape, in the process of her maniacal, nefarious laughing. Amber eyes darted quickly onto blue.

"U-uh, n-no, let me rephrase that- actually, I don't know how to rephras- you know what, I was just getting into it, I was really hyped, I was hyping you up, I hyped myself up; really, it's just… h-how's the weather?"

Cinder mumbled an answer.

"Oh, here, let me get that for you." Jaune reached out, delicately maneuvering his fingers, careful not to touch anything but the leaf that landed in her mouth.

"Great. Couldn't be better." She monotonously answered; still frozen in her pose, eyes wide and staring at Jaune's.

Jaune scratched the back of his neck, cheeks pink with embarrassment. "Why don't we agree to forget what I have just said for the past… year or so?"

"Okay…" She mumbled once more; limping back to a more natural posture. "I have absolutely no intentions of doing such a thing, how could I ever forget that Jaune wants me to-"

"On the topic of forgetting things." He interrupted her thoughts. "You know what else I forgot… that I'm realizing just now?" He winced, straining his voice to a high note.

"Your scroll?"

"Hmm? Uh, no."

"Your wallet?"

Jaune sighed, his head falling down - immediately sending Cinder into a panic in case she said something to offend him. "I just realized that we're going on an airship."

Cinder paused, straightening her spine, then nodded in confirmation.

"Well, to be specific, I forgot that I'm going on an airship."

"I-is that a problem?" She immediately asked. "Is it with the airship, not big enough, too small, too public, not public enough, would you like a private airship, do you not like airships at all, we could get a boat, I can get a boat, I'll try to get a boat… w-would you like a boat?"

Jaune breathed out a laugh, smiling at her jokes.

Cinder is currently figuring out how to build a boat with Beacon's rocket lockers.

"Maybe some other time. But, yes. It does have to do with the airship… kinda."

"I will destroy that airship, I will destroy every airship in Vale, I will destroy every sky-based contraption in all the four kingdoms, I will expunge the idea of flying vehicles off the minds of every single soul in Remnant; there will be no notion of technological aviation on Remnant for all of eternity, for all of time, every bird is my enemy-"

"It's nothing serious." He scratched his neck. "If anything, it's kind of funny - in a way." He reassured her. "See, I get really bad motion sickness… And, so, most of the time I hang around a trash can, or in the bathroom, and try not to puke my guts out." Jaune finished with a sheepish smile, coupled with a slight chuckle. "Yeah… Not a lot of sight-seeing for me whenever I get on an airship.

Cinder nodded sympathetically, a face of calm understanding and assurance that no shame should befall on him for revealing his fatal weakness. Internally, she continued to declare war on birds. No mention of airships. Just birds. They are now the anathema to Jaune.

"So, you may have to sit by yourself once we get on there." He ended with another chuckle.

That stopped her scheming.

Cinder's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Unacceptable! I will not let some simple guttural ailment ruin this day, his enjoyment, and prevent me from sitting next to Jaune, close together, side by side, watching the afternoon sky… but not in a way that can be misconstrued as a date… because it's not a date."

Brows furrowed, she looked at him inquisitively, "Um, Jaune? Isn't there some sort of… pill made to specifically medicate that condition? At least, mediate it temporarily?"

Jaune thoughtlessly nodded, "Yep." He confirmed, popping his lips. "Yeah, I did buy a bottle some time ago, but I'm pretty sure I left it back in my room." Jaune shrugged, "So… sorry, but I think you may just have to sit alone."

"A-are you sure? Did you at least check your blazer?" She pointed to his waist, at his blazer tied tightly around it.

Jaune immediately dropped his head down, staring intently, pointedly, and honestly dumbfounded at said blazer around his waist. "Oh!" He exclaimed with genuine surprise. "Oh, right!" He giggled, embarrassed. "This thing… I… I really forgot- wow, I guess today is just a day of forgetfulness!" Cinder giggled with him, as he broke out into sheepish laughter. "Must be the nerves." He quietly added underneath his breath.

Just as Jaune made to untie his blazer, Cinder's attention was suddenly pulled elsewhere.

A bullet.

No, but it was traveling as fast as one, almost imperceptible with the speeds it was reaching.

It raced through the air spiraling with destructive energy, bearing such intensity and enough force to blow a hole through a lowly Grimm beast… and it was heading straight towards Jaune's head.

It took only a second for this threat to reach them, but a second is all she needed. In one swift motion: Cinder took a step forward, her hand darting as fast if not faster than the object, interpolating its exact trajectory and intercepting the audacious object ways before it could even come to an arm's length to Jaune.

In a quarter of a second, her eyes narrowed, a quarter second more, her decision shifted. Tightened fist unfurled, palms and fingers outstretched, catching the pesky thing, and returning to her previous position before Jaune could even finish blinking.

The rush, and the turmoil of air being violently parted and pushed away, and the miniature thundering boom followed soon after. For the object, and for her.

Jaune looked up confused, midway to taking off his already untied blazer from his waist. Shrugging, he whipped around the blazer in front of him, and just as his view was obscured, Cinder decided to quickly inspect the thing in her hand.

Just by tactile knowledge alone, she figured it was indeed not some sort of explosive device. From the way it was not immediately crushed in her grip, it seemed to also be coated in lingering aura. And in retrospect, with the briefest glimpse she caught sight of, it was ultimately far from a deadly weapon.

Cinder brought it in front of her, whilst Jaune held one side of his blazer, plunging his hand into the pocket.

It was a bottle.

To be specific, a bottle of pills.

Pills… for motion sickness.

Jaune shifted his grip on the blazer, telegraphing his movement, it was absolutely clear he was about to search his other pocket, the one and only other pocket. All after he discovered the previous one to be thoroughly empty.

No hesitation. No fear. Cinder immediately dropped the pills into the waiting maw, and waited innocently by; watching the cute expression on his face, as his hand breached the portal into his blazer. Watching that cute expression on his face light up, eyes instantly widening, his bright smile following suit.

"Oh- hey! It is here! This day is going to be amazing!" He cheered, whilst rapidly reading the contents of the bottle's info. Jaune then tore his attention away from it, looking up back to Cinder. "Thanks for reminding me about my blazer," he nonchalantly said, "I really thought I left it back in my room."

Cinder smiled, utterly pleased with herself; a faded blush alighting her face. "Think nothing of it, Jaune. I'm sure you would've done the same."

He chuckled, "You bet I would." wrenching the cap open, dropping a pill on his palm, then sealing the bottle once more. Cinder, with cheeks peachy pink, politely motioned an offer to hold his blazer for him while he fiddled with the bottle, to which Jaune respectfully declined, smiling with sudden excitement.

Flashing her a grin, and a nod, he then proceeded to hit the underside of his left forearm with his right, fingers loosely curled then spreading wide at the moment of impact, launching the pill up in the air. Tying the blazer back around his waist, Jaune quickly darted to the side, leaning slightly back, catching the pill in his mouth, then threw his head back; swallowing the pill in one smooth motion.

Cinder lightly gasped, quietly applauding him.

"I learned that from one of my sisters - who learned it from my dad." He explained, a sliver of pride coursing through him; shying shadely at her praise. "Anyway, thanks again. Now I'll actually be able to sit down and enjoy the ride."

"I look forward to it, as well, Jaune." She turned to face the golden skies, leading Jaune's sight away. "And I've no doubt there would be an amazing view to behold." Her eyes stayed on him, gazing upon the yellow light of the sun contrasting the blue of his eyes. "I'm beholding one right now."

Jaune smiled. "Yeah…" Voice above a whisper, "Couldn't be better." Watching a shadowy dot rise to the glowing clouds, growing ever bigger, and nearer.


~•~


"Pyrrha…"

"It was an accident!"

"Pyrrha…"

"If you guys would've just let me-"

"Pyrrha."

"You threw off my aim-"

"Pyrrha."

"It was supposed to be at her-hgrk!"

"Pyrrha!"

"Stop struggling!"

"We're doing this for your own good."

"We never should've untied her."

"On the plus side, at least the first thing she could grab - and then yeet - was what Jaune needed."

"I say we let her go, and see how things turn out."

There was a pause. Bar Pyrrha, who was still trying to break out of her friends' arms… and legs… and entire bodies; nearly all piling atop her.

There was a pause because everyone stopped to turn and look at Mercury Black. Bar Pyrrha, who was also nodding very eagerly, excitedly, enthusiastically, and any other synonyms that say she's absolutely ready to - politely - break the floorboards with someone's face… All the floorboards.

"Be quiet, you degenerate." Weiss sharply commanded. "And keep away from any one of us. Maybe not Yang, since you're both idiots."

"Thank you!" Emerald related.

"Hey, that's mean." Mercury lazily remarked.

"Yeah, Weiss-cream, not cool."

"I'm much smarter than her."

"Ye- Hey!"

"Kidding, kidding." He turned to look at Emerald, his smirk absolutely not kidding. "So, what brings you folks to this neck of the woods?" He leaned back on the column, watching the ginger deploy a rather familiar choke-hold on the champion, as the others tried to maintain hold of her limbs. "And, uh, what's her deal?"

"I've not got a clue." Weiss grunted out, putting all her weight on Pyrrha's leg.

"It's a long story." Nora calmly said from the ground, her biceps bulging.

"Filled with mystery, intrigue…" Blake unenthusiastically added before her expression took on a sly glaze, a mischievous smile creeping up onto her lips, "And, of course… roma-" Blake's head suddenly whipped to the side, leaving her cross-eyed for a moment; she then massaged her jaw, and afterwards tried to regain her grip on Pyrrha's hand.

Blake thanked the fact she had aura or she was sure her jaw would've come loose or completely shattered with the force she was hit. Astonishing, really; the champion could produce that much in such an awkward position.

"Short story is!" Yang pushed down on the redhead's shoulders with a mighty grunt, "Pyrrha's-" trying to maintain her position straddling the champion's stomach, "Pyrrha is- whoa!" who is currently trying her best to buck the blonde bombshell off. "Pyrrha is a little je- Ah!" Yang launched forward, accidentally suffocating Nora with her pillows.

Ruby yelped as Pyrrha's arm managed to raise her torso off the ground, before little red hopped up and dropped her whole weight on the limb. Weiss produced a small glyph to double- triple the gravity under Pyrrha's legs, kneeling atop the ankles and tightly hugging the redhead's thighs. Blake used a spare bow to bind Pyrrha's forearm and bicep together, tying with impressive efficiency and… proficiency; as well as using her whole body weight to pin the arm to the ground.

Mercury whistled a tune at the envious position, whilst Emerald side-eyed the black-haired lady, offhandedly asking, "Are you gonna jump in and help them?" The black-haired lady was crouched nearest to the column, still behind the fake bush, and keeping her pink eyes focused on her leader.

Ren turned to look at Emerald, then swiveled his gaze to the other side, towards the pile of bodies - specifically at the pile of female bodies, toned female bodies, close together, body-to-body, toned body-to-body, and said only one thing.

"Pass."

Far from it being a temptation, it was simply too much of a hassle; unneeded stress, and most of all it looked exhausting. He was content where he is, and took the time to keep an eye on his leader; as someone has to.

Yang pushed herself up - allowing Nora to breathe again - and raised an eyebrow at Nora's great intake of air before an idea then popped into her head. "Pyrrha, this is for your own good." Yang gripped the back of Pyrrha's head, and proceeded to shove the champion's face into her chest; squeezing them together.

Mercury nudged Emerald, wiggling his eyebrows. Emerald's response was to put an illusion of a harem of Roman doing it to him. "Ugh!" He immediately looked away, "Why!?" he squealed, "Why must you ruin beautiful things?" Emerald could only giggle in absolute victory.

Emerald then addressed the pile, "Anyway, um…" raising her voice a bit, "So, we're also following our… friend to her date. You gals wanna, you know, team-up?"

"It's not a date!" Were Pyrrha's muffled last words before going back to the familiar darkness that has been her second home these past few months.

Red eyes rolled in annoyance, "Ugh, you and Cinder." Emerald groaned beneath her breath.

The pile collapsed, heaving heavily, and sighing loudly of relief; acknowledging and fully realising why she was considered a champion. The polite girl sure hid a monstrous side of sheer tenacity, and they were glad she did not consider them a threat… at least not too much, and were thankful that she seemed to hold back.

A moment passed for the pile to regain their bearings and recuperate their energy. Weiss dusted herself off before slowly returning to her position behind the fake bush. Ruby continued to lay on the ground, using Pyrrha's arm as a headrest. Blake went through the motions of untying her bindings with - again - surprising efficiency and proficiency. Yang dropped all her weight, and spread herself over Pyrrha, using the champion as her bed for the moment.

Nora promptly pushed the two girls off of her… right on top of Ruby.

"Eep! Ugh, Yang! Get. Off. Of… Me!" Little red wiggled beneath the two older girls.

"Five more minutes." The blonde mumbled, now sandwiched between her little sister and a champion.

Nora bounced up to stand before Emerald, flashing her a smile.

"So…" Nora began.

"So…?" Emerald reciprocated.

"So…" Mercury joined.

"What's her deal?" Weiss butted in, gesturing to Cinder.

Nora nodded, "Yeah, what's she like? What about Jaune does she like? What's the dealio, come on, spill it."

Yang pushed Pyrrha to the side, "Who is she, anyway?" sitting back up, "And why the interest in Jaune?" placing Pyrrha back on Ruby, and planting her butt on top, "No offense, sis." she patted Ruby's head - who is trying her damn best to push both girls off.

Silver eyes looked up in annoyance, glaring at her sister; Ruby huffed, making a noise of frustration, before suddenly biting down on Yang's hand and clamping her jaws hard shut on it, making no indication of letting go.

"Rubes… you know I have aura." Ruby growled a rebuke. Yang pursed her lips, "Maybe this should motivate you to workout some more."

Emerald cleared her throat, calling attention to herself. "Um, as to your questions… Her deal is-"

"World domination!" Mercury interrupted with a bright smile and a showman's pose. Emerald eyes widened, her hands hesitating to slam his mouth shut; subtly traumatized by his tongue.

Emerald stammered, "U-uh, what he means is-"

"Ambitious." Weiss dryly commented. "But why the interest in Jaune, of all people?" she paused, swiveling her gaze to her partner, ravenously tearing away at her sister's hand - trying to, at least. "Um, no offense, Ruby."

"She sure likes ogling him." Blake offhandedly commented, using her scroll's camera to zoom in. "Is that… drool?" she mumbled to herself.

"Ooh! Let me see." Nora immediately placed herself behind Blake, her chin on the cat's shoulder, taking control of Blake's hands instead of directly interacting with the scroll. Blake could only sigh in defeat.

Emerald cringed, looking back at Weiss, "Uh… yeah, I don't- I don't know what's going on with… that. But! What I do know is that she seems motivated about this, and one thing I know of Cinder is that when she's motivated to get something, she'll do anything to get it."

Weiss stared incredulously, "And this Cinder wants to get… Jaune? Of all people? Jaune… Literally anyone else - no. But… Jaune?" Weiss paused again, gazing back at her partner, currently - and somehow managing to - insert half of Yang's hand in her mouth, gnawing at it like a rabid Zwei. "Uh… Sorry… Ruuuuby?"

Yang, in the meantime, looks unimpressed and nonplussed at the beowulf that apparently was her sister.

"Is she okay? Is this normal for you peasa- I mean, normal folks?" Weiss questioned. "Sorry." Referring to her slip.

"Typical sister business. Move along." Yang informed like any bored officer on duty.

"Well, I've never gorged on my sister's hand."

"Wow. You missed out." Voice still nonchalant.

"I didn't miss anything. More like I dodged a bullet- seriously, wha- Ruby! Stop that, this instant!" Ruby simply growled. "Ruby! Yang, do something."

Yang sighed, rolling her eyes. She stared straight into her sister's silver glare. "Ruby." Her voice stern. "Don't." Hitting Ruby's head with a chop.

In retaliation, Ruby grabbed the offending hand and bit down on the fingers, trapping both her sister's hands in her mouth.

Yang let out a half-hearted scream, laced heavily with sarcasm. "Oh, no. Weiss, help me."

"See, I was being nice earlier; that could've been you." Mercury whispered into Emerald's ear, gesturing to blondie's hands.

"As if your tongue is any better!" Emerald paused… Realising too late she said that out loud. And now everyone was staring at them - even Ruby. Emerald turned and went to the other side of the column, hiding from their view. Mercury stayed where he stood, giving them a wink.

Weiss made a noise and face of disgust, turning back to the sisters, and immediately taking Ruby's confusion to pull Yang's hands out of her mouth. Ruby made a noise of complaint, and proceeded to wiggle some more, trying her best to get out of her position at the bottom.

"Oh, Weiss~!" Yang swooned, one saliva covered hand to her chest, and the other dramatically on her forehead - after quickly wiping it on Pyrrha's back, "My hero!" she leaned forward, swiveling and falling backwards towards Weiss.

"In your dreams." Weiss swiftly stood up, leaving the blonde crashing to the ground.

"Okay, listen." Weiss addressed the silvery man, once she was standing next to him. "We're trying to help out our friend- shut it, Xiao Long!" She immediately reprimanded Yang's cooing. "-with this thing, whatever it is. And you're doing… something for that girl; I don't know, quite honestly, you both seem to just take this as an excuse to- nevermind." Weiss shook her head, before taking on a more professional stance; her father's teachings kicking in. "Deal is! We do our thing, you do your thing, stay out of each other's way, maybe give a hand here and there, rub each other's backs when the opportunity presents itself."

"You can rub me any ti-" Weiss immediately turned to sit daintily on Pyrrha, earning a betrayed whimper from her partner below. Mercury could only giggle, "Kidding, kidding! Lighten up. Besides, I think it's scratch each other's backs. Can't fault me for teasing when you made it so easy."

"Heh! I like this guy." Yang pointed from the ground. "Come on, Weiss. We're following vomitboy to his date. It's not exactly the most momentous thing." She then turned her attention to Mercury, "We were a bit curious about the whole thing. I mean, who wouldn't after what happened in the cafeteria."

"Get off me!" Ruby screamed bloody murder, pumping aura into the muscles in her arms, multiplying her strength a hundred-thousand fold to lift Pyrrha and Weiss up in the air, sending them high in the sky, surprising everyone present at the amount of coolness that just happened, as an awesome shockwave threw everyone off their feet before- her arms gave out, and her fantasy collapsed.

"Rubes. You okay, hun?" Yang shuffled her body over, still laying on the ground.

Ruby whimpered, "Pleeaase… I'll give you some of my cookies, just get these two Professor Ports off me!"

"I beg your pardon?" Pyrrha softly questioned, more confused than offended.

"Oh, you're awake." Weiss remarked, before calmly hopping off Pyrrha, stepping over Yang, and leaning to the side as Nora jumped on Pyrrha's back, the ginger's arms immediately around the champion's neck.

"N-Nora!? What are y- urk! S-stop! I d-don't understand! What did I… do… R-Ruby-hrgh, h-help!"

"Oh, look, the airship's arriving." Weiss pointed out.


~•~


"Oh, look, the airship's arriving." Jaune pointed out.

"Hmm? Oh, oh right. Yes!" A wisp of disappointment trailing from her voice. "That's good. Can't wait to get to Vale!" She lightly cheered, reinstating a new wave of enthusiasm.

Jaune smiled, nodding in agreement. A brief pang of trepidation hitting his stomach, and questioning if the pills do work. Nevertheless, he pushed the feelings down, and turned to face his new friend.

"Are you ready to go?" He asked, taking a few steps to the Airship.

"Ready when you are, Jaune." She said with a sweet voice and a gentle smile.

He chuckled, "Fair enough." Waiting a moment for her to take position beside him, before walking towards the airship. "You know, it's weird; I actually feel excited." Adjusting his collar and sleeves, "Before, every time I had to get on an airship, I always tried my best to extend my time outside, and make up excuses to not enter one. Spending a good few minutes just pep-talking to myself. More often than not, I just did not eat anything if I knew I was going to be on one. It actually made my mom worried… and gave my sisters new materials to tease me with."

"That sounds horrible. You shouldn't do that!" Cinder stared with utter concern.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." He waved off automatically, having heard the exact same lines from his mother, and sometimes, sisters. "I got kinda over it. Though, I still don't eat as much. Not exactly a pleasant experience either way. On one hand, I'm puking my guts out - on the other, I'm starving. Hard to find a good middle ground." He then patted his pocket, at the bottle beneath the cloth, "But now, I don't have to worry about that. Now, I get to sit down, breathe easy, and… enjoy the view." He gestured over the sea, at the golden sky, and the valley of clouds.

Cinder's eyes maintained on his face, not once wavering away. Breathing out a sigh of relief. "Good. I'm glad you won't have to suffer for this."

Still facing away, "Oh, don't worry about that. It's fine. It's not total misery, more embarrassing than anything. Honestly, it has sort of subsided as I grew up. Still happens… pretty much every time, but at least I can go around for a few minutes before I have to rush somewhere I can-" Jaune stilled, "You know what, enough about me, and what my breakfast would look like outside my stomach."

Cinder slightly flinched, confused, "Oh no, please, I don't mind. Do go on." she genuinely ushered, as she was actually interested, intently listening to every word he said; more than content listening to him talking about anything all year long.

"No, no, I think I've said more than enough." Jaune then closed his eyes, breathing in the seaside air, "Let's just get on with it. Come on, quick, before all the good places are taken." He half-joked, knowing there were not a lot of people entering, and the seat placements are pretty standard for passenger vehicles.

Shrugging in acceptance, Cinder quickly assessed the surrounding area, now nearing the entrance of the airship, determining which targets she should prioritize, and who would be the likeliest threat to their seating arrangements.

Fortunately, the amount of potential meddlers were a paltry sum, scattered and few, and none really barring their way.

Nevertheless, she planned how to dispatch each one as silently and subtly as she could.


~•~


Several paces back, low quality shrubbery proceeded to tail after the pair, as sounds of a severe struggle was surreptitiously smothered, and strived to be silenced, shepherded by a strong pair of biceps and a soft pair of enviable bust. Despite the apparent cooperation and calmness of the subdued redhead, neither of the two suppressing forces took the risk.

Mercury unceremoniously action-dived past the bush, whilst Emerald counteracted it with a passing kick, ruining his cool dive. Ruby quickly tried to be his successor, though swiftly upended as Weiss held a firm grip on Ruby's hood, and also ruined her potentially cool dive.

Lifting one side of the faux-shrub, pointedly ignoring the circus that are her… friends, Blake forced her attention forwards, at the girl beside Jaune; her mind racing through all the scenarios - discarding certain scenes… for later - from all the literature she's read, in the hopes of deducting the optimal choices, and concluding the kind of aid she could provide to her leader's best bud.

A rare occasion, such as vomitdude courted by a vixen, is all the justification she needs to tail and even meddle with the situation. Thus, she honed her focus, analysing this girl's body language, trying to make a psychological profile based only out of observation. Staring intently at the girl in question, the faunus' placement being directly in line behind the Cinder girl… directly right behind her… right behind…

That behind, though.

Blake nodded in approval.

Whilst Pyrrha's was more than admirable.

Blake nodded in approval once more.

Especially with how fit the champion is.

Blake nodded in approval more intensely.

This one was simply sublime.

Blake rapidly nodded in approval.

Lifting the other side of the fraudulent-hedge, Ren shared a look with a rock he passed by.

Blake has not stopped nodding in approval, one of his companions is currently sexually assaulting his teammate, his teammate is outright assaulting the same teammate, two of his other companions are engaging in a slap fight - a disrespect to all the training they've gotten - and their newest companions are…

Well, the girl is straddling the boy, holding tightly onto his chin, their faces close together, saying something he cannot hear, though snippets entail something about his tongue and hands. And the boy has bucked the girl off with a powerful thrust of his hip, rolling himself up, standing triumphantly, before saying something inaudible - inferring from her reaction, he likely said something smug and irritating - and now he's running off into the airship, chased closely by the girl.

Ren blinked. Breathing deeply.

Ren simply stared ahead.

Not at his leader, nor at the woman's behind - unlike some people.

Ren simply stared ahead… and ahead… and stared… simple… staring… ahead.

Minutes later would he realize that they've already entered the ship.


~•~


Treading forward, footstep after footstep, neither wavering nor jittering, and not a lurch or a retch was felt; a pause, a stare, a brief silence, of bluest orbs slowly rounding the area, and in jubilant realization, Jaune's tentative lips curled to a decade-awaited long grin; satisfaction, relief, of triumph though transient.

Even though the airship has yet to take flight, many-a-moments has he entered and already experiencing guttural turmoil caused by simple nerves and dreaded anticipation of what's to come… out. So, his internal rejoicing of a meagre footstep was more than momentous.

Cinder observed him quietly - and in parts ogled - producing her own set of smiles, one of relief and sinister satisfaction. Relieved he'd not be in misery, and satisfied to know she would be sat next to him, right beside him, within arms length, hug distance, cuddle proximity, snuggle range…

Truly, these two dorks complement each other.

Arc, with newfound confidence, spun around with a surge of vitality, courteously bowing and extending a beckoning hand, and presenting a bright welcoming smile. "Shall we sit, My Lady?" He rhetorically asked… in Cinder's fantasy.

Jaune turned to look at his new friend, currently staring at him with that familiar daze in her eyes. He gave a small chuckle, a quirk of hers, perhaps. A bit of a daydreamer, reminds him of one of his sisters, as such, he did not mind it so much. He simply laid a gentle hand on Cinder's shoulder, and just as gently shook her back to reality.

Gesturing towards the many, empty, window-side seats, he then politely walked towards them, keeping a fair attention dedicated to her; a clear indication, an invitation for her to sit next to him. An invitation she's too eager to accept.

Bouncing in step, Cinder was practically skipping to the windows. An unmistakable smile of utter joy glazed her face.

Beaming so happily, her attitude from this point on more akin to a little girl than a femme fatale.

A defunct period of her life, of days long gone, and posthumously barred from her path far too quickly and abruptly for a child.

Bygone life of innocence.

Bygone life of placidity.

Bygone life, rejuvenated.

Newfound life… shattered.

A tremble, a shiver, mind beset by storms, panic-rampant internal shriek of unshakeable horror.

Cinder stilled, sat beside her rejuvenator.

Eyes wide. Pupils quivering. Lips loose, and slightly agape. Her thoughts blanked.

Red crept to her cheeks, furious and burning.

A revelation occured.

A single image carved into her psyche.

A simple detail, missed.

In her haste, in her alarm, in excitement, and hysteria.

Cinder has forgotten a step in her clothing.

Something soft, comfortable, black and lacy… and nowhere on her person.


~•~


AN: Apologies for the delay, some… things… happened IRL.

In addition, due to my diminishing interest and investment in this story, and daily struggle to maintain motivation, I'm quite clearly not putting the appropriate effort in writing this story.

Neither planning ahead, nor having any substantial thought devoted to the story; it has been an intermittent process, and progress inefficient as ever.

That's my excuse for any drops in quality along the way.