Edgy here,
I've been sitting on this one for awhile. Here we start getting into some subplot silliness. Enjoy!
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As always keep in mind this story has some adult themes and cursing galore. The characters should not be too OOC, just keep in mind whose head we are in at the time. Ships, both crack and otherwise abound.
**DISCLAIMER**
I DO NOT OWN RWBY. It is the creation of Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum.
_Ban/ana
Chapter 3: Growing Pains
I knew something is wrong. I mean, I was passed out in bed for two weeks after the Battle of Beacon. Everyone told me about the giant silver flash when I got to the top of the tower, and Pyrrha gave me an idea of what I saw, but, ...shoot! I can't remember anything. Apparently I have some super secret power in my silver eyes and no one wants to tell me about it! Argh!
I'm also still exhausted half the time and sooooo hungry. Luckily, I found this Awesome! Ice cream place. Well, I didn't find it, Jaune found it, but Anyway. I have dubbed it THE official team RWBY after school hangout spot!
I think that the waitress lady is so cool! She says that she makes all the ice cream herself. When I asked if I could help her she said something about child labor laws. I tried to tell her that I was 16 now, and a Huntress-in-training, so that wouldn't be a problem. Yang pulled me back to say I couldn't work at a place that served alcohol.
Ugh, I'm 16 not 6.
It's also the only place I have been able to see Jaune lately. He and Pyrrha had begun dating which was totally awesome and good for him since he had a girlfriend now and stuff. Except, he spends SO much time with her. When he wasn't training with her or doing school work with her to catch up or taking her out on dates or just hanging out with her….well, he was always WITH her ya'know.
Anywho, I finally got time with my best guy friend when we had to take our leadership class. I had told Pyrrha it would be boring for her since she's not a team leader and Jaune agreed. We decided to "convene" our study sessions at Candy's.( I heard Weiss use that word and it sounded super official so I stole it.)
"So, Jaune how has your training been coming along? I haven't seen you fight in a while." I asked because, ... well YOU think of a better way to start a conversation.
His mop of blonde hair rose from his notes, "Oh, uh, I've been working on some of the advanced sword forms, but I'm not as acrobatic as Pyrrha."
He scratched the back of his head with his pencil, "Plus I still don't have a ranged option, all I have is Crocea Mors." He shrugged, "I doubt I'll be beating any of you guys in a spar anytime soon."
Hmm, it sounds like he is stuck in a rut. I remember what Qrow told me when that happened in my training.
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"Everyone hits a wall at some time when trying to figure out something, 's the point where you have to stop what you've been trying and find a way to make it yours. Change it up, add new and exciting moves, find out what works for you."
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Maybe it was time to offer up the services of Ruby Rose, Weaponsmithing Prodigy, to my friend. After all if I can't figure out these stupid silver eyes powers, I can do something I know.
I sharpened my expression and gave my best "serious" face. "Jaune Arc it is time you learned about projectile weapons and created a masterpiece of lethality."
He looked dazed "Huh"
I sighed " I'm going to help you make a weapon that is also a gun."
He finally nodded as if in understanding. Then he actually processed the information. His eyes grew wide, "You will?"
"Of course, what are best friends with sniper-scythes for?" I responded.
_ Ban/ana
"Minty" leaned over the bar, head propped up on elbows, watching the daily entertainment I called "Red and Friends."
Ye gods Red and that Arc kid are the most socially awkward pair I've seen since Emerald and Mercury had to pretend to be married to escape Vale. Yeah I watched them get away, not like I was about to hand them in myself.
The girl was awful at conversation. The wannabe Knight was clueless and not at all perceptive. Seriously you train all the time with your girlfriend who is a champion at competitive combat and you don't have a good gauge of where you are against your peers? Really? The kid was definitely beefier than before the shit hit the fan even though he was hiding it under that hoodie. Where was Nikos anyway? Usually he was attached to her like a limpet.
Well, Red spends enough here on that black hole she called a stomach I could let them slide a little longer before I force another order on them.
_ Ban/ana
Ruby had offered to help me make a ranged weapon.
I didn't know what to think. I hadn't discussed any change of my style or weaponry with Pyrrha recently. I mean was it ok for me to decide this without asking how it would affect her training plan? Every time I mentioned getting a ranged weapon she said it wouldn't fit my style. But if Ruby could help me get a separate weapon, I wouldn't have to worry about messing up my lessons, right? I could just have a ranged weapon for backup and Pyrrha would be fine with it.
"You will?" I finally said.
She just gave me her million lumen smile and said, "Of course, what are best friends with sniper-scythes for?"
I smiled back nervously, "Um, we aren't going to need to make anything that complicated, right? I mean it's just got to be able to shoot right?"
Her smile faded a bit. Her lip stuck out. Her eyes verged on tears.
I sweatdropped. "O-of course I'll also need to make sure it can be a backup melee weapon. Just in case."
She returned to full brightness, like a cloud had just passed over the sun.
"A-and maybe we can just not tell Pyrrha about it? I mean it could be a surprise! Once we have it done I bet she'll be proud of my initiative. Maybe we can add target practice to my training." I said not really knowing why I felt the need to justify making this decision.
"Jaune have you ever handled a gun before?" Ruby asked while pulling out a protractor and pencil.
"Eh, no not really. I wanted an air rifle when I was a kid but my mom kept saying that I'd shoot my eye out. I was kinda good with foam dart guns though."
She had begun sketching, but stopped to give me a serious look that made me think of a puppy that was mad that I wouldn't throw the tennis ball it brought me.
"Guns are not toys, Jaune." She said sternly. "I will help you make this ONLY if you let me teach you about safety and train you. Besides we will need to go to the range to figure out what kind of gun and what caliber best suit you." The puppy face was back and I knew there would be no argument.
" Okay, okay you'll teach me. I just don't want you to expect me to be that great a shot. After all the training I've done with Crocea Mors and everything I don't want you to waste your time if I don't catch on easily." I blurted out. I don't want her to waste time on me if I'd be as bad at shooting as I am at fighting.
"When I am done with you, you'll be able to hit the sweet spot every time you shoot. No matter how hard I have to ride you, when you shoot you'll think of my lessons. And we'll make a baby that'll blow your mind!" She said grinning and huffing a little, like she was out of breath.
"WHAT!?" I yelped in a manly way."Ruby I thought we were talking about making me a weapon not..that. Yang would kill me, but only after Pyrrha and before Weiss. Then Nora would just want a turn on principle. I don't want to die!"
She shook her head and looked up at me confused. The waitress was leaning over the counter looking at us with a Cheshire grin. I think Ruby must have gone back over what she said in her head because she suddenly turned the same color as her cape.
"That's not what I meant! ImeanCresentRoseismybabyandyouwantedmyhelptomakeaweaponsotechnicallyitwouldbebothofusmakingitanditwouldbeourbabyandIwanttoteachyoutoshoot…" Ruby continued to blather as I sat there realizing she and I had been having the same conversation all along. I sighed in relief that she hadn't suddenly gotten the urge to jump my bones.
I reached out and ruffled her hair like I used to when my sisters would get worked up about something. "I think I get it Craterface. " I gave her an understanding smile.
She huffed at me and went back to her drawing. The waitress walked up and looked over our table. "You two look like you are having a good time. How about I get Miss Red Hood a bowl of her favorite and whatever you would like. After all a gentleman should treat the girls he spends time with, especially with what I heard you two discussing." She winked at me and Ruby perked up at hearing the offer then blushed again at the implication.
"N-no we're not like that! He's just my first and best guy friend. He has a girlfriend!"
"Oh, I remember," the Waitress hummed and turned to me, " you are always in here with Pyrrha Nikos. Hmm, I thought you were her valet or something. "
I couldn't help but sigh. It wasn't the first time I was mistaken for some servant in my girlfriend's employ. Or there was that one time I was mistaken for a training dummy.
"Well, still a gentleman wouldn't mind buying his friend some refreshment, would he?" She looked at me and suddenly I knew what a shark's dinner felt before it went in for the kill.
"Hmm, I wonder why the "Invincible Girl" isn't here with you now. It'd be a shame for the press to hear about her boyfriend running around with female 'friends' behind her back."
I sighed and pulled out my wallet. "She'll have a Strawberry Cookie Sundae Delight and I'll have two scoops of Pumpkin ice cream topped with some Pumpkin Pete's."
"Okay so her usual and an A1C booster for you coming right up." the waitress smiled as she spun around.
"So, uh, Rubes how long do you think it will take to teach me the basics and make the thing?"I asked.
She looked up at me, tongue sticking out the side of her mouth in concentration. "Well, if we have a 'Leadership' meeting a couple of days a week for 2 or 3 hours? I'd say we could get you at an acceptable proficiency by Spring."
"Okay, I just hope Pyrrha's not too upset." I absentmindedly murmured the last part.
_Ban/ana
AN
So J-man is whipped, Ruby is plotting to spend more time with the blonde goofball and Neo is a passive-aggressive salesperson.
Does Jaune not give his girlfriend enough credit? Will Ruby go overboard with making his weapon? Eh, we'll see.
Thank you for reading.
Review, Fav and Follow if you want more!
-Edgy