A lot of mess that needed cleaning.

Do not expect consistent updates, I've settled on writing this whenever I feel like it.

Obviously, I will still try to finish it relatively soon, but I'm not going to put unnecessary weight on myself if I don't make any progress on a particular day.


~ • Airship • ~


"No…" Beneath a whisper.

"Please…" Begged, hoped, pleaded her soul, willing ever so strongly that reality was wrong.

"Please don't be true…" Bargained for lies, for deceit, that in her excitement and occupied thoughts, her senses failed her, tricked her; a tactile illusion akin to phantom pains.

Refusing to acknowledge the signals her nerves were sending, for they simply cannot be true.

Absolutely not.

In no possible way, no matter what sort of probability that may be presented, this simply is an impossibility.

False.

Error.

An existential mistake.

It can only be a mistake.

Otherwise…

Otherwise, it would mean that she made a mistake.

She failed. Failed to notice. Failed to realise something so simple.

How could that happen? It should not. It's impossible.

The world was promised to her, after her world was shattered. All she had to do was claim it. But she was too weak back then. Weak, frail, pathetic; she could claim it all she wants, but she could never maintain a grasp in that state.

She needed to be strong. Stronger. Strongest there ever was.

She needed power. Power over people. Power over her body. Power over her soul.

So much power that if she ever wants something, anything, no matter what it is, she will have it.

No matter the cost.

All she had to do, the only thing required of her… is to not fail.

A sudden change of plans, fine.

A setback here and there, trivial.

A pyrrhic success, great!

As long as she does not fail.

She failed.

Something so simple. So insignificant. A tiny little mishap, overall inconsequential. The world still breathes either way her predicament lies.

Yet, why does her eyes feel damp? Her shoulders heavy, her chest cold, throat burning, and her soul hollow?

A bitter laugh; oh, how embarrassing~! For a woman to forget her underwear. It could happen to any airheaded ditz, and it would not mean much other than a scandalous spectacle. Really, it means nothing. A funny story to be told in the future, and no more.

It could be rectified so easily, hidden or otherwise. Asking for His help is not out of line, and if anything endearing! Judging from his opinions on mistakes, and his thoughts on her legs. He'd be delighted, surely.

A tease, not an unfamiliar role for her, an advantage more than anything.

So why does she feel like a worthless waste of time? Why does she feel so useless? So undeserving of even his mere existence?

She failed…

She failed.

She's a failure. Nothing but a failure.

That's all it represents.

A failure then, a failure now.

It doesn't matter how meagre a problem it is, whether bar a piece of clothing or stark nudity… it all but implies she isn't good enough.

Inferior. Imperfect. Deplorable. Detestable.

Who would love something so awful? Who would worship something so menial? Who fears the wretched?

Breathing deeply, a sharp intake of air, pushing the burning lump in her throat down to be buried; barring the watery orbs' right to leave, to instead dissipate and be hidden from his sight. Soothing, however feeble, her heart to a steady rhythm.

She mustn't show weakness. Her fear. Her tears.

Damned she will be to ruin his day. After so many years spent expelling his stomach, feeling the hot stream of its contents course forcibly out his mouth, she refuses to let her plight soil the delight in his eyes.

Straightening her back, compelling her lips to curl, and her eyes to be rid of those pitiful mists, Cinder turned to face Jaune, - who in turn was mercifully entirely unknowing of her state, faced away watching the academy as the ship breached into the sky, - she took solace of his presence, despite how unworthy she felt of it.

The day is ruined. A disaster. But only for her, and it need not be shared.

Date or not, it doesn't matter, not anymore. There's no path open here, it has collapsed, barred with thorns, a complete dead end. This was a failed venture. She was a failure.

She is a failure.

It's only courteous to make sure his day would not befall the same fate. And however successful the day may turn out in the end, it still would not remove the blemish of her mistake.

Cinder Fall, for all her strength, her skill, her cunning… defeated by something so innocuous.

Bitter amusement. She could not help the hollow laughter escaping, left to stifle it with her sleeves.


~•~


Combat rolling into cover, Mercury held his hand up and pointed his index finger, directing his sights abound like a trained professional; checking his corners, and regarding each stranger with caution and suspicion. Citing the area clear, he made quick gestures with his offhand, vague yet precise, indicating to his partner that the coast was under control.

His partner proceeded to smack the back of his head as she passed by, immediately taking cover behind an advertising board - thankfully, the only non-holographic one - and gesturing for him to follow suit.

Their antics unnoticed by the sparse populace of the airship, with few too engrossed in their own business, with each other, to pay them mind. Though, if the silvery boy were to keep his shenanigans up, surely they'd be the centre of attention. Hence why Emerald planted a heel on his face the moment another of his tactical combat-roll ended.

Forcefully pulling him up to stand, she preemptively shushed his whining with a finger, and instantly retracted it just as he leaned forward; intent on swallowing her digit. Glaring at him, she shushed him once more before signalling for him to match her movement. With a resounding sigh, Mercury nodded, muttering the killjoy that she was, and stepped closer to her, placing his arm above her head and in near synchronicity peaked out from behind the board.

Everything appeared normal. Well, as normal as it can be with this scenario. Arc's quite handily was enamoured by the window, gazing out like a child's first trip on an airship. It was almost adorable. Almost. Cinder was as odd as recently usual, wistfully watching Jaune and Jaune alone… or, it would seem that way.

There was an irregularity. Her eyes seemed to stutter, between her apparent beloved, to the floor. That gleeful near manic grin looks lopsided, forced even. Offish, by the subtlest measure, her body lacking any tension, at first a sign of relaxation, but void of vigour, deflated… defeated.

What is wrong here?

"Oh…" Mercury breathed out, realisation seeping in.

"Oh?" Emerald echoed, confused; concern flickering on her tone.

Mercury's eyes flitted from hers to Cinder's. "Em…" He whispered, "I… I think she found out."

"What?" She sharply asked, voice still hushed. "What do you… mean…"

Mercury leaned back, a rare moment of unknown; rare, for his unfamiliarity on how to process.

By every measure, sympathy was beaten out of him, much less empathy. He was essentially trained to become a psychopath, unfeeling and better suited to kill without hesitation nor guilt. A requirement for the work his father set him out to be. Yet, however deep the wounds, however blackened the bruises… he was not a psycho. His ability to detach, to push away these feelings, are near unmatched, and with time was highly proficient in doing so.

This whole affair, innocuous and innocent, barely a blip to the misery he's seen and lived in. Why did this get through his defences?

It should be hilarious, it's comedy gold; quite honestly, it was stupid. Hilariously, comedically stupid. He should be laughing. Mocking and insensitive it may be, he doesn't care; he was trained not to care.

So… why this? Of all things… Why this?

It was not tragic, it was not grievous. By comparison, this is nothing.

Yet, the way her eyes waver. They were hollow.

He's heard of the saying: when the strong breaks, it is a time of mourning for all.

Cinder Fall was the strongest person he's ever known.

Far be it for him to question, she was in despair, and so he mourned. He did not cry, or bawl, or feel any sort of sorrow. It was a simple void; he barred himself joy, no amusement to be had, this is a moment of sombre quietude.

Mercury Black allowed the silence to simmer.

Emerald Sustrai refused her partner's passivity.

Mind racing, plans forming, this is not a time for peace or silence, her mistress is in need, and unlike the many instances before, her physical prowess is out of the equation.

How proficient is she with the blade, who must she gain favour with, what errands can she do, what little task to serve the bigger picture will she be given, all a faded shadow before the blazing capabilities of Cinder Fall! Whether it is physical or psychological, Cinder has her beaten to the ground with not a drop of effort exerted.

Emotion was out of the question, it serves well to be detached, and she could see clearly Cinder was fully detached. Emotion was a toy to her, manipulated to a masterful degree… in others. Not to her own, it appears.

In all the interactions, in all the missions, Cinder has never broken. Always in control, always so coy, always having a way out.

Here, she had none.

Emerald refuses to let that idea settle.

Cinder needs her here, and she needs her now.

Whatever she may say, she may be pissed, take that emotion out on them, it does not matter.

Whether Cinder likes it or not, she needs help right now.

Emerald narrowed her eyes, focusing on her mistress. Reaching deep into her soul, exerting and expelling, she charged forth with her semblance.

"No other choice… So much for being stealthy." Emerald hissed beneath her breath.


~•~


How long has it been?

How long has it been since she last felt this way?

To feel joy. Pure, innocent, joy.

Not one out of malice, of hate, of sadistic satisfaction.

Just joy. Elation, to be happy about something completely insignificant, yet worth more than all the treasures in the whole world.

Oh, yes.

When she was a child.

Why, that was such a long time ago.

So long that she doesn't even remember what her age was. Well, how could she, when at the time she focused more on having fun than something stupid like numbers!

Who cares about numbers? Those are for nerds. Stupid-smart nerds. Stupid-smart cute nerds. A stupid-smart cute nerd that somehow finds ways to make her heart flutter, and her face red.

That kind of nerd.

Oh, how much she loathed him. Even though he never did anything to upset her, in fact he was more than friendly… stupidly friendly. Stupidly cute.

She would get teased so much about it, too!

How come they didn't believe her words?

She does loathe him, she swears!

Him, and his stupid cute face.

Ugh. They're the worst!

They even made her go ask him to be her not-date in the local dance, even though she loathes him so much!

Stupid, cute, stupidly cute nerd.

Stupid… stupid nerd… already having a date… some girl beat her to it.

She stumbled.

She stuttered.

She stepped back.

She failed.

She. Failed.

What a stupid nerd.

Even when he was with someone else, she didn't stop… loathing… him. But she knows that no matter how much, how intense, how devoted her feelings are, he'll never be with someone like her. And… she can't blame him. Why would he? She was such a klutz. She was stupid, she would stutter, she made so many mistakes!

The worst part, and why she absolutely, and completely, and forever-ever and ever loathes that stupid cute stupidly cute nerd!

He would help her each and every single time. When she was struggling with her maths homework. When she needed to carry some books. Whenever she stumbled and fell to the ground. He would always give her a hand.

Ugh! She loathes him so much. Even when she'd push him away, or mock him, or insult him. He just says something that makes her loathe him more, and it was just…

It was the worst.

Knowing he'll never be with her.

It hurts.

Knowing now, that all she had to do… was ask.

Just ask.

Just a simple question.

"Would you like to go out with me?"

All she had to do…

Yet, she stuttered. She stumbled over her words. She stepped back, and ran away.

Even after all these years. It seems that regret grew with her. She only hid it away, hidden from herself. She had no need for those memories, for those feelings, they're unnecessary; they only hinder her, they make her weak… they only hurt her.

It hurts knowing he'll never be with her… after what happened.

It hurts so much… knowing he was the reason she's able to sit right here, right now.

That stupid cute nerd.

Why couldn't he let her be? Why couldn't he just leave her, run to safety, save himself!?

That stupid, cute, blonde-haired, blue-eyed nerd.

Did he survive? Did he age slower than her? Why was he sitting right here, right now, right beside her?

Why did she feel this way?

She thought those feelings had died after all these years, so why, when the moment she saw his face… Why did her heart skip?

Why?

Why?

After all these years, after how far she's come, after how strong, how beautiful, how confident she has grown…

Why does she still feel inadequate?

A failure.

A…

Hand…?

What?

Cinder whipped her head forward, at her subordinate, standing, waving, and motioning her to stay quiet.


"Cinder." Emerald began. "Uh… H-hey. Um, we followed you. Don't speak! Only you can see and hear me." Emerald sighed, scratching her illusory head. "Look, Cinder." She turned away. "I… I don't know what you're feeling right now. I don't know what you're going through. I'm not going to guess, I'm not gonna pretend, or be all relatable, that I've been through the same stuff, or all that junk… cause I can't relate."

Emerald stepped forward.

"It's probably different to how I feel, or what I've felt. I mean, s-sure, I've felt sad before, but I'm sure my sad is different from your sad. Like, when I felt sad I cried, like full-on," she giggled, "I tucked myself in a corner of some gross alley, curled up and cried like a baby… but, quietly, because I don't want anyone to hear me… to hear weakness. To hear a vulnerable child, easy pickings… even as I grew older, I still hid myself in a corner like a scared little child whenever I felt sad. Can never be too comfortable, you know? Can never allow myself to be vulnerable, to relax, to let my guard down."

She kneeled.

"Then… I met you. Where, even if I had my guard up, I'm sure you're powerful enough to get through it. So, even though I didn't really trust you… I couldn't help but let my guard down, cause… there's no need. Then you introduced me to Mercury, and I didn't trust him either, but you still needed me, needed him, needed us to work together. Forced us to let our guard down… then we got comfortable. Comfortable enough to joke around. To insult each other, to annoy each other… Not once did I feel he would turn on me. That he would attack me. Exploit me."

Emerald leaned forward.

"I've never cried since. I've never been sad since… as impossible as that sounds. All because of you. You forced me to be vulnerable. To relax. To finally have friends! Or… f-friend. Can I call you a friend? I consider Mercury a friend- don't tell him that! He'll never let it go if he does… but, can I call you a friend? I already consider you a friend, but… can I call you that?"

Emerald looked away awkwardly.

"I don't know what you're going through… But I am here for you."

Her illusory hand laid atop Cinder's.

"We are here, actually. Literally. Right here." Illusory Emerald gestured to real Emerald, hiding behind the board. "Mercury's just behind the thing, moping like a drama-queen. Staring off all melancholic, like some emo." She chuckled. Then replacing herself with the image of Mercury, leaning on an invisible wall, staring off into the distance. "See. Even… even he's worried about you."

The image faded, as Emerald returned, sitting on the other side of Cinder.

"It might not mean much, and this is probably the worst cheering-up you've ever heard… that is, if you've heard one before… But, this isn't over yet. This not-date is not over." She gestured to Jaune, still gazing out the windows, looking so… so comfortable. Relaxed. "I don't know what your deal is with him, but one thing I know… he brought out something in you. He made you vulnerable. Made you let your guard down."

Emerald drowned the world in shadows, the airship ceased to exist, until every single noise was silenced.

Everything was gone… except him.

"I won't let whatever you're going through get in the way of that. I refuse."


Cinder blinked.

The world returned.

Her friend, gone.

Jaune was still here.

Sitting right here, right now, right beside her.

He caught her staring.

"Is there something on my face?"

She stared for a moment more.

Giggling, "N-no. Just… just looking at the sun." she excused, as she wiped her eyes, wiping the tears from the corners.

"Oh, sorry, was I blocking the view?"

"No, no. I'd say you've made it better- b-by blocking it, I mean, because it's still the sun, and pretty bright. And, oh look… I've been tearing up from looking at the sun for too long, isn't that funny?" She chuckled, a laughter that extended too long, and too loudly. As tears start trickling even more.

Jaune was no fool. Sometimes, sure. But not when a girl is upset, and not wanting to show it. He has seven sisters, after all.

He can fail his schoolwork, he can fail at being a huntsman, but he'd be a complete failure if he doesn't know how to comfort at least one sister. And, of course, he wasn't going to settle for just one.

Calling them out won't help; making them open up about it isn't always the right choice. Sometimes, it's better to just let them simmer. For them to work it out on their own. And just let them know, he's there if they need him. They don't have to talk. Just be together for a while.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, if you need me as your sunblocker, I wouldn't mind." In a bid to further quell her, he then brought out a faux bravado. "After all, I am a better sight than the sun." He combed his hair back, striking a cool model pose.

At that, Cinder broke out into laughter. Her tears, now of hilarity. A striking sense of nostalgia deep in her heart.

"What? I'm serious! The sun makes you blind if you stare at it too much. Do I make you blind?" Jaune whined, immediately destroying his cool model persona. "Plus, I give really good hugs." He expertly pointed out, nudging her shoulder, and opening his arms wide. "Can the sun give you hugs, I don't think so~!" He smiled, presenting his iron-clad evidence.

Cinder snorted, trying to reign in her laughter. "Ugh, so stupid." She got out between giggles.

"Hey!" Jaune threw his hands up. "Hugs aren't stupid, they're cool." he defended, crossing his arms; glowering, offended by her laughter, yet clearly playing it up.

Something about her changed.

He doesn't know what, when, or how… but she changed.

The tone of her voice, lighter and less classy.

Her body, once subtly stiff as if following an etiquette guideline, loosening to a more natural fluidity.

She looked… relaxed.

Jaune Arc felt a tug in his soul. A chime. An inkling of joy, and… something else.

A witness, so closely, to a smile so genuine, of relief, her veiled burden lifted.

His chest thrummed madly.

Yet, he discredits himself, however undeniable his influence, he cannot accept it in full. He was simply being a good friend, nothing more.

Treating her like a friend… like a sister! Nothing more.

After his past experience, he refuses to let himself make another mistake.

This is not a date.


~•~


Near the airship's inner walls, far from the couple, an item of flora seemed to have seeded itself and flourished wildly in the metal innards.

It was a point of visual tourism for the few denizens of the airship. With many recurring guests of confusion, intrigue, amusement, and disapproval.

Just what are these weirdos doing?

Peering from the bushes, a pair of golden feline slits glowed brightly. Illuminated by the near-translucent scroll she's utilising as makeshift binoculars, they stared with intensity, wholly invested in the development of the odd couple. Or, rather, stared in an effort to ignore the madness behind her.

One of said madness screamed out in fury, unfurling Crescent Rose with flair and destructive intent… or rather the substitute of the weapon, in the form of a trash bin.

"Let me do it! Come on! It'll be quick, I promise!"

"Ruby, stop it!" Weiss batted the bin away. "You're threatening a vending machine."

"And he's scared poopless!" Ruby hollered, waving her weapon like a tribesman. "Look at the fear in his buttons." She pointed intensely at the inert keypad.

Weiss stared.

Ruby blinked.

Weiss continued to stare.

"Mr. Vending has betrayed me!" Raising her weapon up high.

"Don't give it a name!"

"He promised me cookies, I gave him the stuff, he didn't keep his word-aaahhhh!" Ruby charged forth with a mighty squeaky warcry, but was bravely fought off by Weiss simply holding her head at arm's length.

"You're making a scene! Stop it this instant, or so help me, you'll be drowning in schoolwork till you're old enough to vote!"

Ruby paused. More so confused than threatened. Calculating how much schoolwork that would be in relation to her age.

"Uh, carry the two, drop the three, multiplied by-"

"Ruby… Ruby… You're bad at maths, stop, you're giving me second-hand embarrassment." The heiress' pale hand reached up to massage the emerging headache. "Yang, would you please restrain your sister?"

"One moment, please!" Yang strained out, her polite and obedient tone as if asked to wash the dishes, just as Pyrrha used the blonde's sizable bouncy chest as a stepping stool to hop up and climb the metal rafters of the ship.

"She's in the vents!" Nora hollered, throwing a soda at bullet speed, deflected by a scared champion.

"I-I'm not in the vents!" the redhead whined. "There aren't even any… that I can see."

Nora hooked a bicep around her partner's neck, "Ren! Deploy manoeuvre Champion Chomper!" before throwing him at her; overshooting, and landing on another set of rafters.

Lie Ren, to his credit, managed to remain stoic… as his face hit the steel of the rafters, and the steel of the floor; not even bothering to catch himself at either moment. "I'm good." was his only comment.

Yang hooked a bicep around her partner's neck, "Blake! Deploy manoeuvre-"

"Throw me, and I swear-"

"Up and at 'em!" Yang spun with Blake in her arms, building momentum, before catapulting her towards the champion. "Ya-yeet!"

Pyrrha squeaked out in panic, dangling herself to avoid the hissing girl shooting past her like cannonfire. "E-everyone! Will you please stop? You're disrupting the peace. A-and I don't see why you're even attacking me, I haven't done anything wrong, I've been a saint, really, and-" she continued on, crawling the web of rafters with a singular prey in mind.

"Gasp! She's a spider-faunus! Weiss, your family knows how to deal with faunus, quick, get her!" with that, Nora picked up a panicking, clearly reluctant heiress, and threw with abandon.

"Sis, that's your partner, you should help!"

"Wait, wait, Yang, no, not agai-AAAHHHH!" - "I hate you both!" were the red and white's simultaneous responses, as they barreled through the air, nearly breaking the sound barrier. With what benefit to be had, their aim was redeemable… this time, as the partners struck a direct hit with the champion, flinging their arms quickly around whatever limb they've hit, the two resounded to at least take the opportunity, however resentful they are of it, and accomplish the goal at hand.

As two bodies collided with the third, the champion's grip was loosened by the first impact, and ripped away with the second, and with a squeak and stifled scream, the three tangled girls hurtled to the floor with a resonant thud, garnering the full attention of nearby bystanders, though fortunately not the couple of main interest.

"Ow…" Ren bemoaned, below the pile of the three girls who managed to land square atop his stomach.

Nora and Yang quickly scampered over to drag the foursome behind the shrubbery, using Ren to cart the lot, whilst Nora warned "You didn't see anything." towards every bystander.

Now safely behind the bush, the two bombshells were not so safe from their respective human ammunition. Each got a lengthy reprimandation, both of which were brushed off, as the two proceeded to claim their victory for a job well done… as they wrestled Pyrrha to submission… atop one wearied Lie Ren.


~•~


It was… jarring, for sure. He thought he'd never see it, thought it a fantasy. A dream, a product of imagination. Exclusively so.

Yet, the moment he actually saw those despondent eyes, something about them tugged at his heartstrings. Brought him down, made him feel… a finger… on his cheek… poking, repeatedly, again, and again, and-

"Ahh! Ew, ew, ew, ew!" Emerald immediately regretted her choices.

Mercury in the meantime, held quite a grip on her finger… with his lips. Making sure to slobber his tongue all over her finger, wet and slick, practically dripping the moment she finally managed to tear it out of his surprisingly soft lips.

Emerald glared, eyes brimming and burning with the hatred of a thousand-thousand grimm.

"So… what's up?" He nonchalantly, infuriatingly, questioned.

Emerald took a deep, deep, deep breath. Reminding herself of the speech she just gave… reminding herself that while he may not have given her - not once - the impression of a threat, she definitely has been showering him with the sentiment all too generously.

"Cinder… is good."

"Well…"

"No, like, mentally good-"

"Well…"

"No, no! She's okay, she's not, you know-"

"Know what?" He teased her.

"You know!"

"Come on, spell it out. Use your big girl words."

"Oh!? Use my big girl words, eh? I know a good big girl word, I'll use it right now if it means you'd stop being so pedantic, and tell me that you know what I'm talking about, instead of annoying me, you stupid cun-"

In actuality, he does know. Considering she would poke him so childishly after witnessing Cinder broken, it did not take him long to figure out his pretty little partner had done something to fix that. And far be it for him to mope longer than needed. Cinder was in despair, so he mourned; she is no longer in despair, and so he stopped mourning. Simple as that.

It just so happens that his favourite pastime to destress, is to stress his pretty little partner.


~•~


This is… an unexpected development.

Welcomed, very much appreciated, by all means gratitude was overwhelming her. It surged forth so strongly, it manifested in tears.

Tears she tried her best to stop, it was unbecoming of her image. What will he think, a girl he'd just met crying over, from his perspective, nothing at all.

Doubt and anxiety campaigning to overthrow her. Yet, they feel so far away. What spouted vile heard as if the end of an echo. She could barely grasp what was even said.

Her tears had stopped by now. Her smile prevailing; against the full attention of her stupid nerd, she has yet to wilt. She felt no need to impress, only to stay in the moment.

Emerald Sustrai.

A tool, first and foremost. Her experience as a street orphan, paired with the utility of her semblance, and under the right direction, Emerald was near unmatched; her devotion and loyalty were only a bonus.

A bonus, she now realises, was the main course. Experience meant nothing, her semblance a bonus, for where would she have use of those if the owner would rather pave their own path, free from the shackles of some no-good femme fatale blatantly only keeping a street rat around for cold pragmatic use.

A girl like that, a pretty young thing, would never have survived to her age without a healthy helping of intelligence.

No doubt Emerald has soon realised that she is simply using her. Manipulating her. Perhaps since they first met.

She has wondered if the brat was just so desperate for a companion as to latch onto anyone offering anything but a knife in the back. But, evil often wears a kind face, a lesson the first of many, important to survival, for any street rat to learn. Emerald no doubt learned it fast.

So, why? Why did she continue to serve?

Cinder found her answer.

An answer she will reward profusely once all of this is over.

Cinder sighed, blended with a giggle, as Jaune continued to list reason after reason why he is superior to a celestial body. Each more ridiculous, and hilarious, as the last.

Amber eyes slid off to the advertising board, knowing the girl was still there, and from the hushed sounds of an argument, back to business being annoyed by her silvery boyfriend… or whatever he is to her.

She considered the girl's question for a moment, just as Jaune distracted himself by mocking the sun for its lack of good comic book tastes.

A friend… How could she refuse?

Perhaps, she could even set the two up on a date. Structure it as an actual mission, obey it or face punishment.

She chuckled maliciously.

Serves the two well for following her to her… date. And, if things go well for the two, a reward for supporting her in her time of need.

Cinder turned her attention back to Jaune. What damnable sentiment she felt for pulling her focus away from him was stifled, and no stress wounded her. He's still here, here for her, and nothing will change that if she looks away for a moment or two.

He's not leaving any time soon.

He won't be going anywhere.

He's here.

He is here.

Here with her.

That's all she needs to know.

Jaune Arc.

Her blonde-haired, blue-eyed nerd.


~•~


The airship gave a gentle lurch, swaying slowly.

A soft tone blared out from the sound system.

The captain's calm voice overtook right after.

It neared the port of Vale, soon to land in just a few minutes, and the captain relayed as such succinctly.

The sparse groups of passengers stored the information subconsciously, as they focused on themselves, their bodies automatically heading for the exit.

Milling along, was an unlikely couple. One, now finished establishing dominance over the sun. The other, patting his back for a job well done.

Following close by was another couple. One, still ranting, hushedly, of the other's reprehensible behaviour. Said other goading her on, his teasing a return to the norm, and one she will not say she preferred.

Last to leave the airship, were a certain team of individuals hauling a now cracked shrubbery; the surprisingly mild collateral of a weighty scuffle, involving trash bins, a half destroyed vending machine, and the might of affronted huntresses trying to suppress a now unconscious champion.

Though, it has to be said as they breached the egress, they could faintly feel a vague detail they'd seemed to remiss.


~•~


For the rather inconsistent quality and tone, - between chapters, paragraphs, and even sentences, - do remind yourself that I have since relinquished to writing "whenever" instead of burdening myself with stress over the lack of progress.

Progress is intermittent, spread across months.

Furthermore, my investment and passion are but flickering embers; soon to whisper and silence, ideally the moment the last chapter is published.

Much of the shenaniganry that you may have found entertaining, I have found a nuisance to the eyes, and have been cut down and compacted, or outright discarded. Opting to get this over with, as quickly, with passable quality, as possible.

Apologies to those who may prefer the previous absurdness, I have nothing against it nor you, I simply resent my own writing.

Thank you for understanding.


Upload since then has been delayed due to fluctuating Internet.

(3 days counting)