A/N: So another week, another chapter. Erm. Not much to say about this chapter.

Enjoy!

Beta: Prince of Austria

Jaune cracked open the next book in the series of books that he needed to translate for the headmaster. This one was a more recent work, actually written in an older dialect of the Valean tongue. This was something that should take an even shorter time than it took for him to translate L'alchemie. In fact, Jaune could easily skim through the writing and get the gist of it, seeing many repeated ideas that he wouldn't have to write again after translating the first book. Unfortunately, the book (roughly translated to The Compendium of Alchemy) was almost twice as large as the first one, so Jaune didn't hesitate to plow through the tome.

With his full concentration, Jaune flipped through several pages within minutes, eyes flying left and right as he absorbed the knowledge, jotting down notes in a concise manner, still encoded in his own cipher.

As he flipped to the next page, he paused, looking at the picture that was carefully drawn on the sheet of paper.

A stone was marked there, and below it, a name for the stone. A philosopher's stone.

Reading intently, Jaune started to decode the message that was written before him. A stone that could grant immortality… and break the laws of conservation that alchemy so revered. Jaune's eyes widened.

Almost frantically, Jaune continued reading, understanding the capabilities of what the stone could create. He stopped reading, leaning back against his chair and pulled off his glove, staring at his metallic hand.

Finally, something that could bring everything back to the way it was…

But something was missing.

Again Jaune dove into the works, flipping back and forth to try to find the key information that he needed. But no matter how carefully he looked through the pages, he couldn't find what he was looking for.

How do you make a philosopher's stone?

Jaune grit his teeth in frustration, knowing that he had found something that could be used to reach the goal he had set up so many years ago, but was still out of his reach. Setting down his pen, Jaune slammed the book shut and slid open his drawer, placing the book there before sealing the desk completely with a clap of his hands.

Turning, Jaune was met with Blake, who was just standing in front of his doorway with a curious expression on her face.

"…What?" Jaune asked guardedly, not sure why she was blocking the doorway. Blake continued to stay silent for a minute before speaking up.

"Pyrrha called me over. She said something about how you weren't responding to anything they were saying." Blake said quietly.

"Oh." Jaune said. There wasn't much he could say to that. When he was in his 'scholar mode' there wasn't much that could snap him out of his funk. Jaune had the grace to look a little sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck and turning away from Blake.

"Sorry. I was just reading something interesting—which I actually need to follow up with now, so if you'll excuse me," Jaune tried to go around Blake, who didn't even bother moving from where she was standing. Jaune circled around her uselessly, before giving out a sigh and settling down on a nearby bed.

Seeing Jaune sit down, Blake uncrossed her arms and adopted a less harsh attitude, curious about what got Jaune in such a focused state.

"Is it about the new book you got from Professor Ozpin?" Blake asked, walking over to sit next to Jaune. He scooted over a bit to give a bit of room for her, and nodded.

"Yeah. It had something interesting that I, uh, need to follow up on." Jaune said, brow furrowing at the thought. He stood up again, only for Blake to grab him by the wrist and pull him back down onto the bed. Jaune adopted a pout that Ruby so often used, in hoping that it would sway Blake like it does with Weiss when Ruby uses it. Blake's bow twitched a little in amusement, as she quirked the side of her mouth into an amused grin.

"You do realize that you aren't anywhere near cute enough to do that, right?"

Jaune sunk down a little more, his pout turning a little more natural. "Well, it didn't hurt to try." He said childishly. Blake couldn't help but give a bit of a chuckle, happy that Jaune was replying with a bit of his humor. He hadn't been joking around as much for the past few days. With the thought of that, Blake sobered up a little bit, staring intently at Jaune.

Jaune on the other hand, was appreciative of Blake's attempt to pay attention to him, and couldn't help but notice that she still hadn't let go of his wrist. Trying not to think too much of it, Jaune casually pulled his hand up, causing Blake to notice and let go, her hands resting on her lap.

Silence hung around both of them, not uncomfortable, but a smidge off from being comfortable. Blake glanced at Jaune again, trying to get back on track.

"You know, everyone's been hurt by what happened a few days ago," Blake started off seriously, catching Jaune wince. "But that doesn't mean you have to bury yourself in work to distract yourself."

Jaune scoffed.

"I'm not drowning myself in work because of that. I'm just… behind. In a lot of things." He said haltingly. Blake raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Right. And you're doing homework as well because…?"

Jaune blushed at little. "W-well, isn't it a good thing to do homework?" He defended. Blake simply crossed her arms, a firm expression set.

"You never do homework. If I recall, you said 'homework is for people that don't have anything better to do with their lives.'"

"Well, I mean it's not like I do have anything better to… do." Jaune finished lamely.

"Uh huh." There wasn't a trace of belief in her voice whatsoever.

Again silence ensued as Jaune tried to find a good excuse to give while Blake sat there patiently, waiting for another excuse to shoot down. Finally Jaune shrugged.

"I got nothing for you." He confessed. Blake gave a small grin and threw up her hands in mock exasperation.

"Finally some truth out of you."

Jaune couldn't help but laugh at the usually stoic Blake turning dramatic on him. Jaune looked down at the bed, grateful that he had a friend that he could relax around. It was a new feeling for him, that was for sure.

"You know you don't have to wallow in misery all by yourself." Blake said gently, only half teasing in hopes that Jaune would respond positively to the tone. He nodded, only a little listlessly, and looked to the side, one of his hands picking at the bed sheets underneath him.

"Yeah. It's just—it's hard for me." Jaune confessed. "I've been alone for so long that the first thing I think of is trying to do everything by myself. I've never really had anyone to rely on, you know?"

Blake's expression softened as she listened, and sympathized with him. She knew what it was like to be alone and rely on only yourself. That feeling only stopped when she joined the White Fang… but that didn't last very long either.

Without much thought, Blake laid a hand on Jaune's shoulder, causing him to look up into her eyes. She smiled softly at him.

"Well, just remember that we are here, and we want to help. And—" Blake hesitated for a second, "no one should have to carry around so much guilt by themselves."

Jaune snorted a little. "And it's not like anyone here is really reluctant to listen to someone else's life story, are they?" Blake shook her head, laughing.

"No, they aren't."

Jaune slid off the bed, standing up and offering a hand to Blake.

"Alright then. Let's go and be miserable with all of our friends." Blake smiled and took his hand, pulling herself up.

"Let's."

Cinder wasn't sure if her spine was tingling because of excitement or fear.

There was someone who also knew the secrets to alchemy out there, and they were here. Albeit, he was just a student, but even the most basic knowledge would put a hamper in her plans. Looking down at her hands, one etched with an intricate circle, the other almost completely blackened, her mind gathered into a pinpoint of concentration as she modified her plans accordingly.

Jaune Arc had to go.

"Emerald."

"Yes Cinder?" She said, appearing beside her, red eyes flashing with obedience. Cinder tapped a forefinger against the desk, looking at the planner in front of her. First was the dance… and then afterwards would be the team missions. Hm. This would be very interesting.

"What do you think of Jaune?" Cinder asked casually. Emerald tilted her head in question.

"The blonde buffoon? I mean, he's nothing special. His fighting is alright, but he relies too much on surprise, and just because he's an alchemist—"

"He is no alchemist." Cinder snapped at Emerald, causing her to back away a step and bow.

"Of course not. I'm sorry I even implied that he was."

Cinder snarled once again, showing the rare anger that constantly boiled underneath her. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and leaned back against her chair.

"Just because he knows a few tips and tricks that involve alchemy, does not mean that he is anything close to me. After all, an alchemist is only an alchemist when they know how to make this," Cinder said, pulling out a blood red stone and holding it between her thin fingers.

"And I doubt he would even have the strength to kill one person, let alone thousands, to make something like this." Cinder said confidently.

"Of course Cinder." Emerald agreed, happy that her boss seemed to have calmed down again. Cinder sighed, stowing away the philosopher's stone.

"But that wasn't what I meant." Cinder said, referring back to her previous question about the Arc boy. "I meant, how attractive do you think he is?"

Emerald looked uncertain, wondering why Cinder was asking about how good looking someone like Jaune was.

"Like, on a scale from one to ten?" Emerald asked tentatively. Cinder raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"No. I want you to rate him using the alphabetical system, along with a comparison of his attractiveness to Grimm. Yes, on a scale from one to ten, Emerald." Cinder said dryly. Emerald winced and nodded, face twisting in disgust as she thought about Jaune in the (she shivered a little) romantic sense.

"I guess he isn't the worst looking guy out there. Tall enough, but not really muscle-y. But his personality," Emerald stuck out a tongue as if she had eaten something rotten. "he's way too… happy for me. I guess I'd say four or five."

Mercury, who had been laying on the bench set on the far side of Cinder's office, decided to speak up.

"What she means is that she isn't really looking for anyone that doesn't look or act like me." He said, mockingly showcasing his body with a flourish of his hands while still laying on the bench. Emerald scrunched her nose in disgust.

"Or maybe the complete opposite of you." She shot back. Cinder interrupted them, having no time to entertain what could possibly be an hour-long snarkfest.

"Enough. Emerald." The green haired girl turned her attention towards Cinder as she spoke her name. "I need you to make that four or five into a ten." Emerald sputtered in protest while Mercury just burst out laughing.

"W-wha? Why would I do that?"

Cinder pointed a finger at Emerald, smirking a little.

"Well. I'm sure that for someone like you, it would be quite easy to manipulate him. And you've already expressed an interest in him, have you not?"

"Er… yes?"

Cinder nodded, more to herself than to anyone else.

"Good. Then maybe you can lead him on enough for us to get rid of him later. For now though, I'd like for you to wrap him around your finger. We have work to do."

Emerald deflated, but nodded in deference to her boss's orders.

"Yes Cinder."

Cinder nodded, this one directed to the green haired girl, before pausing.

"And Emerald?" The illusionist winced, knowing that whatever Cinder said next wasn't going to be something that Emerald was going to enjoy.

"Make sure to ask him out to the dance, will you?"

Emerald clenched her fists, to prevent herself from screaming in frustration at Cinder, and effectively becoming a pile of ash.

"Yes Cinder."