Indecisive Soul
By wildstraydog
Beta: Maxaro
Chapter Two: Broaden Horizon
Glad to see this story got some positive reviews, at least for those who saw it. I think the site was being weird when I posted the first chapter, but oh well. Since this is an experimental story, we'll see how far it goes depending on the reception. Some of you may know that Blake's Mistake is ending real soon, and that another story will be taking its place, as will other stories when another is completed. I found it quite funny that people are already pairing Gwen and Jaune together, but that's cool.
As stated before, there is no set pairing at the beginning, as I want Jaune's attraction to a girl be more natural then have it predetermined. Ship away if you want, it's all fun and games, and I'll probably take notice of the favorite pairings whenever I decide. RWBY belongs to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum, please read and review!
The soft linen sheets that caressed Jaune's skin as he rolled over in the queen's size bed represented only one of the wonder's he experienced while in the care of Gwen's uncle. A groan left from him as the strong penetrating rays of the sun blared through the wide sliding glass panel on the left side of the room. Jaune pinched the ridge of his nose and sat up, eyes fluttering open as his sight adjusted. With a loud yawn, he dangled his legs over the bed and stretched, remarking on the marvelous decorations that filled the room. Jaune still couldn't believe how lucky he was to be sleeping in such an expensive apartment, especially with Cornelius in the other room.
Jaune walked over to the glass panel and slid it open, stepping onto the concrete balcony that overlooked the city. He leaned on the aluminum railing and gazed at the massive skyscrapers in view, an uplifting gust brushing his messy blonde tresses as he took in the early morning sun. The sounds of traffic replaced the silence of the apartment room, and he peeked down for a moment to see the outlines of the crowds below; they appeared like small dots on a static television screen, constantly moving. Jaune never dared to watch long, the realization of his height evoking a dizzy feeling in his stomach.
The capital was beautiful, and from so high above, the clear blue skies appeared like an ocean. Jaune grabbed his sketchbook from the old mahogany shelf inside and began to outline the horizon. This was the experience he longed for, to search for magnificent vistas that he could capture with his pencil. Painting and simple drawings were like photographs, yet they required more precision. The tranquil sound of his mechanical pencil scratching the coarse white paper brought a smile to his face. He could become lost in his art for hours, but alas he would need to head out soon to make money.
The kindness that Gwen and her uncle provided was unimaginable, and he was just lucky enough to receive it. But he couldn't stay, at least not in their care – Gwen offered him one night to lodge in her uncle's glamourous apartment building, so he had no intention of overstaying his welcome. There was still much to explore of the city; the downtown area, the borders, even the nearby village to the southeast. Eventually he had plans to visit Vale, one of the most productive kingdoms in Remnant, and home to the famous Beacon academy. He still did not desire to become a Huntsman, but he heard the campus was breathtaking in its own right.
He slid the door back shut and threw down the sketchpad back onto the shelf, examining the quick doodle. Jaune lifted his head and scanned the room, admiring the numerous furniture and paintings that lined the walls. In the middle of the room sat an upholstered gray velvet sectional that sat across a fifty inch high definition television with the Darcy Foundation logo on the bottom. Jaune was more impressed by the expressionist works, especially the piece that hung above the frame of his bed. A splash of colors that dripped down the canvass like rain – within the droplets were smiling faces that spiraled in a never-ending loop. The border was made from polished wood, and he swore he recognized the style from somewhere.
A light knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and the door creaked open to reveal the butler that assisted him yesterday. The man was in late sixties, and his fading gray hair twirled around the edges. His ever pleasant smile was accompanied by the wrinkles his aged face made. Jaune was uncomfortable having someone else wait on his every need, but he made sure to make him feel at home.
"Pardon me, Mister Arc, but Master Cornelius has requested your presence downstairs. I was told to inform you that haste is required." That sounded threatening even when it came out of a polite old man.
"I'll be down in a bit then," he answered, receiving a bow from the butler. The door softly shut behind him and he let out a sigh.
Any potential shower time was cut short by the urgency of getting downstairs in time. Jaune didn't want to test Cornelius' patience, not when he could crush him like an ant with his pinkie finger. His stay last night was constantly filled with tension, and Cornelius never bothered to talk with him, sending the butler to convey any messages. Jaune put on his gear and secured Crocea Mors onto his back, praying that whatever Cornelius wanted didn't involve enduring a lot of pain.
The apartment was separated into four levels which Cornelius occupied on the one hundred floor building. Jaune was on the second floor where the rooms were situated, while downstairs was the main living area. He walked down the black metal stairs in trepidation, awaiting for Cornelius' judging stare to pierce his soul at any given moment. The pleasing odor of fried eggs entered his nostrils, and when he reached the bottom, he could see a cloud of steam exiting from the kitchen area. A large wooden table sat in the corner next to large glass panels that overlooked the city, and on the surface were decorative plates with glossy silverware wrapped in thick napkins like those seen in a high class restaurant.
He took hold of one of the chairs and sat down, the wondrous smell of breakfast becoming stronger. The dinner he was provided last night was equally amazing, although he still wanted to taste something from the east side restaurant when it was repaired. The clattering of pots alerted him, and he turned his attention toward the kitchen. The staggering presence of Cornelius walked into the room, his broad shoulders balancing three plates – a determined expression present on his handsome face. Cornelius placed one of the plates in front of him, and Jaune salivated at the marvelous display of food.
Cornelius sat across from him with a grimace, setting another plate next to his seat. Jaune unwrapped the silverware and grabbed one of his forks to dig into the meal, the texture and taste of the eggs melting in his mouth within an instant of reaching his mouth. He paused as the content of the food slid down his throat, savoring the texture with a pleasurable sigh. Cornelius was a brilliant cook – those were some of the best damn eggs he ever had in his life, though he wouldn't ever tell his mother that if she asked. A cocky grin was planted on his caretaker in reaction to his facial expressions.
"My culinary skills are equal to my fighting abilities... it is no surprise that you would find satisfaction in the breakfast I created." Jaune somehow wasn't surprised that Cornelius bragged about his cooking, brazenly signaling to Jaune that he was better than him in every way.
"Thank you for the breakfast, I appreciate it." Jaune replied, attempting to ease the awkwardness in the room. Cornelius just shrugged and began to feast on his meal. A set of double doors opened up from across the hall, and Jaune gazed upon the visage of Gwen Darcy in her plain clothes; a green shirt with the boy band Achieve men on it, and some brown shorts. A butler and maid followed not far from behind, and she nodded to Jaune with a graceful smile, taking the seat next to Cornelius.
"Ah Gwen, my lovely niece!" Cornelius shouted in glee, a wide smile overtaking his muted frown.
"How are you doing today Jaune?" Gwen asked. She grabbed the silverware on the table, and as her fingers outstretched to reach it, he noticed callouses on the edge of her white knuckles.
"I'm doing great," Jaune answered, "I have to thank you both again for the hospitality you've provided me. You really didn't have to go through all this trouble." He took another bite and relished the taste of the eggs in his mouth, awaiting for an answer from Gwen. Cornelius always settled down when she was around, like a child in front of its mother.
"We've been over this Jaune, you did our family a huge favor, so in return I let you stay the night – this is excellent bacon Uncle." Cornelius beamed a smile in her direction. It was almost nauseating to watch.
"I still thank you... how is Treasurer Haldeman doing?" Why he didn't appreciate the man's attitude toward the Faunus population, Jaune was more concerned about his family who witnessed the murder of several patrons.
"His family is doing much better – in fact they wish to thank you sometime," Gwen happily answered, "actually, I wanted to speak with you about something." She set down her silverware and wiped her tiny mouth with the decorated napkin. Her every move was so refined and delicate, unlike any of the manners his many sisters practiced back home.
"Uncle Cornelius, do you mind if I speak to Jaune alone?" His eyes widened in horror and he aimed a menacing glance in his direction.
"Pardon me Gwen, but I don't think you should be alone with this... boy, there's no telling what he might try to do in my absence." Jaune let out another sigh, exasperated at the thought of his accusation. Was he really that threatening to the man? How could he expect him to do anything to Gwen after the kindness she showed him?
"I'll be fine Cornelius," Gwen assured him with a wave, "Besides, I doubt Jaune has the power to inflict any harm." Both of them laughed in unison, their chuckles echoing in the apartment. Somehow, Jaune found the act very insulting.
They watched as Cornelius left the table in a steady pace and make his way up the long set of stairs to the third floor, leaving them alone to chat. An uneasy silence overtook the table as Jaune finished his last bite of breakfast, avoiding the gaze of Gwen while doing so. The clatter of silverware caused him to jump, and he looked up to see Gwen walk past him into the living room area. Jaune wiped his face with his napkin and stood to follow, amazed by the large flat-screen television that hung in the middle of the wall. He looked over to see Gwen sit down in an upholstered blue lounge chair that was bent midway, her arms relaxed on the grooved armrests.
Jaune sat across from her on the velvet couch that faced the television, placing his gear onto the polished coffee table in front of him with extra care. Everything was so expensive, he was afraid to break anything with the slightest twitch. What bothered him more was the continuous silence between them. He was not experienced in starting conversations with a girl, especially one so beautiful and refined – what could she possibly want to talk about? Perhaps it had something to do with the restaurant, or maybe she wanted to inquire about his background. Jaune's concentration broke when he noticed her soft brown eyes settled on him.
"So Jaune, what are your plans once you leave?" a sensation of relief passed through his system, and he straightened up on the couch.
"Well, I'll probably go explore more of the city – find some more locations to make some money, and hopefully not get held hostage again." She nodded, not reacting in the slightest to his poor attempt at humor.
The butler from before walked over with a silver tray carrying two cups of tea, and he offered one to Gwen. "The city is huge, I'm sure you'll find many spots to be entertaining. Do you plan on staying in Vacuo long?" She quaintly tipped the cup onto her petite lips and sipped the tea, releasing a satisfied hum. He truly didn't know how long he was going to stay Vacuo – there was so much to discover in the kingdom.
"I don't really know... I wish to visit some of the towns and villages near the border, and perhaps eventually travel to Vale." That was his goal anyway.
"Vale is a beautiful place filled with extravagant sights. Have you ever heard of the Forever Fall - imagine a forest that is constantly in autumn. A trip to Vale by a Dust ship only takes about three to four days." Jaune's breath hitched at the thought of flying, never wanting to experience motion sickness again after his attempt to travel when he was younger; there was so much vomit splattered across the ramp.
"Actually... I don't plan on flying to Vale." Gwen erupted into a brief cough, spilling some of her tea onto the wood tiled floor. The butler handed her a napkin and she wiped the corner of her lips, mouth still agape at the suggestion. Her reaction wasn't that surprising – traveling through the wildlands was considered suicide for most people.
"Do you realize how that dangerous that is?" Gwen struggled to reply as she cleared her throat.
"Yes," Jaune answered. Of course he knew how crazy it was, especially for someone who lacked any real ability to defend themselves in a fight. "Gwen, do you believe in living in the moment?" She tilted her head in genuine curiosity, the right side of her hair tied into a ringlet bobbing.
"We live in constant fear of the Grimm, never knowing when they might try and invade – there's only so many Huntsman and Huntresses. I have no doubt in their abilities, but I want to experience what the world has to offer, to capture its beauty before another war breaks out... gosh that sounds so philosophical for someone my age." Jaune was a little nervous on what her reaction would be, he didn't mean to express his opinions so quick to someone he barely even knew. But that was how he truly felt, and it was why he didn't want to fight the Grimm.
The idea of becoming a Huntsman was a constriction on his beliefs. How could someone grow up training to kill monsters at such a young age? Society had deemed it appropriate for children to prepare for a war, whether it would be between humans or the Grimm. Jaune didn't want to fall prey to fate, to become another cog in the machine – there was more to life than just picking up a sword and gutting a Beowulf. There was a time once when he too wanted to be a hero, to become another Arc and lead the other Hunters to victory on the battlefield. Jaune never wanted to relive the violence he experienced years ago.
"Jaune, that's very, poetic," Gwen remarked, stealing another sip of tea with reserved grace. Jaune noticed a slight tug on her lips, her tanned facial muscles forming a smile on her neutral expression - He was very fond of it. "However, preservation is only human instinct – I'll be quite blunt, you don't stand a chance in the wilds." Jaune adopted a frown, lowering his gaze onto the wool rug beneath the table that was adorned with yellow spirals on the borders. Gwen's opinion of his chances only dampened his hope of one day leaving Vacuo to explore Remnant.
"That may be so... but I still have to try." He wouldn't just back down from his dream. Jaune watched as Gwen burst out in a stifled giggle, setting her empty cup onto the butler's tray. She rose from the lounge chair and beckoned him to follow her onto the balcony.
The railings of the balcony were identical to the ones in his room, and he forced himself at a distance so that he could avoid another case of vertigo. Gwen quietly commented on his unusual behavior and pointed to the north, her tanned slender fingers reflecting off the sun. With a steady gulp, he approached the spot next to her and looked forward, spotting a giant skyscraper that twisted like a snake. Near the top of the building, were giant letters supported by metal beams that spelled out Gwen's family name.
"That is the Darcy Foundation headquarters, situated near the middle of the city. Do you know what the difference is between it and this apartment building?" She turned to look at Jaune with a questioning stare, her eyelashes blinking rapidly as she waited for an answer.
How was he supposed to know the difference? "It's a lot bigger?" he let out a brief chuckle, and Gwen rolled her eyes at the response. She walked back over to the glass panel and went inside, sitting down on a stool next to the stainless marble kitchen counter.
"The Darcy Foundation does not own this building, Cornelius does. All of the servants you have seen around the apartment have aided me or my uncle at one time, and in return we secured them jobs here." Jaune whispered in amazement. The graciousness that Gwen was showing these workers was unprecedented when compared to other wealthy families. He never heard of such kindness before, just reports of scandals and protests against unfair working conditions from other companies.
"Excuse me for asking, but... why are you telling me this?" He watched as Gwen pulled out some papers, sliding it across the counter for him to read.
The white documents felt coarse against his touch, and he flipped through the three pages in confusion. Jaune wasn't able to understand most of the legal jargon, only that it identified him several times. "There is an old saying in my family Jaune: 'A Darcy never leaves a debt unpaid'. While I have continued to reiterate this for the past twenty-four hours, saving Treasurer Haldeman assisted my family greatly."
"Really, it's no big deal – besides, I didn't really do much anyway. Cornelius did most of the work." Jaune averted his gaze from the papers, embarrassed by his attempt to save Haldeman that ended almost in failure.
"I would like to repay our debt – Jaune, how would you feel if I hired you to become our family's personal artist?" Jaune stammered at the question, the ramifications of the offer astounding him.
"I-I don't know."
"You would be paid very well," Gwen suggested, tapping the papers he threw back onto the counter. "Like the other servants here, you would receive free accommodations here at the apartment of course." Jaune took a moment and sat down in the living room area, his eyes blinking rapidly as he tried to think. It was true he needed money, but he never intended to mooch it off someone else.
There were too many options to consider given the amount of time Gwen expected an answer. He snatched the papers up and went through the paragraphs carefully, searching for any excruciating details. She was not lying about payment, the funds surpassing anything he ever dream of making in his lifetime... the offer was too good in his opinion. But who was he kidding, he knew nothing of the business world – if the job allowed him to create art with no hindrances, then perhaps it was the only choice he had? There was no guarantee he could survive another night with nowhere to stay.
"What would I all have to do?"
"Any personal commissions I or my family request will be painted or drawn by you with a given deadline. Sometimes a picture will be requested for a new facility in construction or for upcoming charity events. There's no reason to have any reservations about your employment Jaune, I'm not forcing you to stay in Vacuo." Jaune noticed her tone soften. She pulled out a small green ballpoint pen and pushed it forward.
"So why me... you could pick anyone in Vacuo." Gwen let out a sigh.
"Our meeting in the park wasn't entirely coincidental," Gwen admitted, pulling out her scroll and flicking the screen until a page on the Vacuo parks appeared. "This past week I've been searching for an artist to paint a portrait of my family for an upcoming ball – according to some websites, the park in the central district is popular with aspiring artists." So when she approached him...
"You were that impressed?" She smirked at his question.
"Based on your appearance and tools, I wasn't impressed. Once the picture was finished however... you lack a certain professionalism, but your work is definitely topnotch." Jaune smiled at her compliment, elated that someone of such esteem would be dazzled by his artwork.
"How come you didn't hire me there?" Gwen set down her scroll and requested the butler for another cup of tea.
"Do you honestly think I would hire some random stranger I just met off the street? I did a thorough background check before planning to find you the next day." Background check... Jaune knew what that meant. Gwen knew everything about his family and background – including the fact that he recently ran away.
"So you know then?"
"That you ran away from home, yes – don't worry, I have no intention of letting your family know. You're a grown man who made his own decision to leave." Jaune was a little disheartened by how easy it was for her to find out.
"This is just a lot to process," Jaune's focus shifted from the papers to the blue sky outside and the rolling clouds, a picturesque symbol of freedom that he desired.
"I only wish to help you succeed in your dreams Jaune." Instinct – that was how Gwen described the human race's actions. Jaune found himself gripping the pen and signing the paper, the tip pressing against the signature line in one fluid motion. For now, the city of Vacuo was his new home.
"Just to let you know, I don't know how long I'll stay on – this is only temporary." He wanted to make sure that Gwen understood.
"Of course," she took hold of the papers and hit them against the counter to line them up. "Please don't treat this like a prison sentence." Gwen stood up from the counter and placed the document under her arm, heading to the entrance of the apartment. The shoe she wore squeaked against the wood floor, her petite figure gracefully walking across the room. Her posture was near perfect, honed by years of etiquette training.
"Gwen," he called out in an unsure tone. "While I'm not sure about this job... thank you, I really mean it." She nodded, maintaining the same neutral expression she carried yesterday when they met.
Tomorrow, Jaune Arc, would be an official employee under her station. She let out a relieved sigh and stepped out of the elevator to the apartment and into the apartment lobby. The servants and bellhops greeted her with enthusiastic smiles, and she politely returned them. Not known to Jaune was how stressful her previous week had been in finding a suitable artist for her Father. Every potential candidate had been rejected within seconds, the gruff man finding their styles "unsuitable" for the Darcy lineage. Gwen was positive that he would toss out Jaune's portrait of her, but instead he became captivated by the rough lines and the fluidity of the details. His reaction when she told him it was a seventeen year old boy who drew it was priceless. She was just glad the matter was resolved.
To her, Jaune appeared to be a gentle naïve boy. He was someone who dreamed big without thinking through the consequences of his decisions as evidenced by his childish attempt at running away. Maybe that was a little harsh, because she also admired his drive – they were both similar. Perhaps that was why she was so aggressive in her negotiations with him. Gwen wanted him to succeed, and that was why she presented him a packaged deal that her Father would not be aware of until she broke news later this evening. Cornelius, her doting uncle even cautioned her of helping Jaune Arc, and not just because he despised every boy who crossed her path.
Arc was indeed a gamble, so she only hoped that his painting for the ball would turn out fantastic. Gwen would allow for him to shop for materials using a bank account she set up in his name holding company funds. Cornelius would instruct him on all the rules, and by tomorrow her parents and she would be posing for a family portrait. However Jaune chose to pursue his dream after that was up to him... not that she didn't have more work for the boy. Treasurer Haldeman was quite insistent on meeting Jaune at some point, and even more interested in his "hobby", as the piggish brute so delicately called it. Pretentious slobs like him disgusted her, and helped to remind her why she wanted out of the family business.
But it still bugged her.
How was the only son of the famous Arc family not properly trained in combat? Based on eyewitness accounts, Jaune, clumsily lunged at the White Fang members and evaded their attacks by almost sheer dumb luck. She had nothing against Jaune vying for a career in the arts, but it seemed baffling that his elder sisters or father would just neglect training him. Gwen never heard of a weak Arc. Curious as she was, Gwen wouldn't stoop to delving any further into his past, not unless he was willing to share any personal secrets. Everyone was entitled to some privacy, and she would be livid if Cornelius just revealed everything about her childhood to Jaune.
Her next stop for the day was Shade academy, and she could see the grand steps by the entrance from the tinted limousine windows. The vehicle came to a top and the chauffeur rushed over to open the door for her. Gwen stepped out near the concrete steps and shielded her eyes from the bright sun, admiring the majestic lavender buttresses of the academy that were constructed almost a hundred years ago. She waved off the driver and made her way up the steps, finding the grand entrance hall doors open for the early transfer students open. A large silk red carpet had been draped onto the floor that led to the edge, and several advisors stood by to escort any lost civilian
The academy itself was separated into five equally large buildings that housed different facilities and a combat stadium for tournaments. It could be easy for anyone brand new to Vacuo to get turn around by the enormous halls and mesmerizing architecture. Gwen knew the location of everything on campus, having been escorted around the grounds by her family for years for special occasions – though her Father never dreamed that she would become a Huntress. At least he was accepting, not troubled by the fact that she would not continue the legacy the Darcy Foundation was known for. Gwen thought of it as just some big electronics company, nothing more.
"There she is!" An excited feminine voice called out. Gwen turned to see the cocky smile of her close friend and hopefully future team member, Octavia Ember.
Behind Octavia was Dew Gayl and their undesignated leader at times, Nebula Violette. Octavia could be best described as the energetic member of their group, always gossiping about the latest news and rumors. Dew was more carefree, going with the flow and maintaining an optimistic outlook on any given situation, and she loved animals; strange enough, a camel was her favorite, though Gwen had no earthly idea why. And Nebula, the most level-minded, guided each of them throughout their early school days. In many ways, Gwen, aspired to be Nebula, somewhat envying her strong will and tactical genius. Honestly though, they were all just typical teenage girls.
"Have you all been waiting long?" Gwen wryly said, earning a look of annoyance from Octavia.
"You took forever at you're uncle's place," Octavia complained, flicking back a strand of her glossy red hair that reached to her shoulders. "Don't tell me he's making you do more chores?" By chores she meant helping him around the apartment when it got too dirty. She wouldn't let the servants clean up after the messes in the dojo when they sparred.
"No, I had other business." Gwen offhandedly answered. She pulled out her scroll and walked toward the group.
"Have you all looked over your schedules yet?"
A grumble emitted from Octavia confirmed her status, while Dew handed over her scroll to Gwen. "Do you know if the initiation will be different this year? I don't suppose you're Uncle knows." Cornelius was previously an instructor at Shade academy, and was part of the reason she decided to become a Huntress. Despite his eccentric personality, he was very vigorous, outclassing many fellow Huntsman in the field.
"Afraid not," Gwen answered with disappointment, "He wants to keep it a secret from me – something about experiencing the unknown or some nonsense." That was just how he was, always contradicting himself.
"I think it's better this way," Nebula cut-in, flashing her usual upbeat smile that derailed their doubts in an instant. "I rather not know what to expect, it makes the initiation a lot more fun and unpredictable." Gwen would agree, if the results did not determine your enrollment.
"There's also the matter of how the teams will be formed – whatever the variables, we should make sure that no obstacles prevent us from meeting up." Hopefully the professors involved wouldn't pair them up at random.
"By the way Gwen," Nebula's face brightened up, her olive green eyes gleaming in curious excitement. "I heard about the incident yesterday in the market district." Gwen let out yet another sigh of the day, knowing that the inevitable discussion would arise among her friends. The terrorist attack was covered on the news by every major broadcaster after all.
"Glad you brought it up Neb, so what happened?" Octavia questioned like an anxious schoolgirl.
"Basically what the news reported," Gwen pocketed her scroll into her skirt. "I and my Uncle were headed to eat at my favorite restaurant, and when we arrived, there was a hostage situation. Cornelius took out the White Fang members, rescuing most of the people inside." She recited the incident like a news broadcaster, ignoring some of the finer details such as Jaune's appearance and heroism.
"I hear Treasurer Haldeman was there," Nebula commented.
Dew, who was usually more reserved, placed a hand on her shoulder. The dark blonde girl carried a mischievous smile that made Gwen uneasy. "Aren't you omitting some information?" She was careful not to react – her friends would always try to bait her for more details. Cornelius must have run his mouth off to Dew's parents, the three of them close friends since their younger academy days.
"What is she leaving out Dew!?" Octavia almost shouted in glee.
"Nothing scandalous I assure you." Gwen tersely replied.
"Sorry Gwen," Dew apologetically bowed with a giggle, "Cornelius was upset because Gwen allowed a boy to stay at his apartment – is that why you were visiting for so long today?" All of their attention was directed on her, their wide smiles awaiting for an exciting answer.
"Sorry to disappoint you all, but it was simply business. I was hiring the boy to be my family's personal artist. He'll be doing a portrait for us for the upcoming ball this weekend." Octavia let out a disappointed moan, while Nebula stifled a giggle in the back.
"Speaking of boys," Dew continued, "Did you hear Sun Wukong will not be attending Shade?" Gwen perked up at this, considering their history with the Faunus.
"Thank goodness, you should be glad Nebula."
"He wasn't that bad Octavia, I thought it was kind of sweet." Nebula of course was referring to how Sun would frequently pursue her attention in their preparatory school. Nebula brushed off his advances as a silly crush, but Gwen herself found the attempts downright annoying.
Her scroll vibrated, and she pulled it out to see a text message from one of her servants. They informed her that the dress she selected for the ball was now ready to pick up; the process of eliminating what dress to wear itself had become an arduous chore that involved her mother. Getting ready for any spectacular event was always a myriad of activities that involved her parents fretting over every little detail. With the Schnee Dust Company attending, her Father especially wanted to make sure that nothing was out of the order. Security would be increased after the incident yesterday involving the White Fang.
"Are you excited about the ball Gwen?" Dew asked.
"You guys are so lucky," Octavia complained, folding her arms with a dissatisfied expression. Cornelius always sent invitations to Dew's parents, though they only showed up half of the time.
"My Mother just messaged me about my dress."
"Is it true that Weiss Schnee will be there?" Nebula asked, her eyes shimmering at the chance of meeting her musical idol. Personally... she was not very fond of the youngest daughter of the Schnee family.
Weiss Schnee could be described in many words: intelligent, talented, beautiful, but Gwen likened her to a spoiled child that looked down upon others. The cause of this could be linked to her upbringing, but she liked to believe that one's personality did not have to be dependent on their surroundings. Maybe if she changed her outlook and minimized her prudish attitude, Gwen might have been able to give her a chance. However, she would continue to remain polite with the girl for the sake of maintaining a healthy relationship between the families. The only thing she found interesting was that like her, Weiss Schnee opted to pursue a career as a Huntress.
"She will be, maybe I can ask her to send you an autograph. We should be heading down to the arena." Cornelius was able to secure them a chance to practice in the academy arena to prepare for the initiation. Fighting combat drones on various settings could only prepare them for so much... but she would be ready for anything if it meant becoming a Huntress.
A good amount of training would be good for her. She would have to attend to Jaune later to discuss his first commission – if possible she would like to avoid having the rest of the girls tag along, but that might not be possible. What did she have to worry about anyway? The biggest issue on her mind at the moment was how to dissuade many of the suitors that would be attending the ball. Did Jaune ever have these problems?
This chapter was more of a character development one, showcasing my take on Gwen and the rest of NDGO, and how Jaune will fit into their arcs. Don't worry, there's already some action coming in the next chapter, which will end my trail run on if I should continue this story or not. Obviously the plan is not to have Jaune be around Gwen for the entirety of the story, but to move on when the time is right.
If some of you missed it, the latest chapter of The Heat was released on Tuesday. I think the story keeps getting buried, maybe because of the rating? Anyway, I hope you enjoy how I depicted the team.
