Chapter 7
There was less than ten minutes of class left. We waited for Pyrrha to come out, and totally destroy her unlucky opponents. Those unlucky opponents just so happened to be CRDL. Yeah, Pyrrha, against the whole team. Just like me last time, but they're probably better coordinated than they were with me. Of course, it matters not, as they'll still be defeated, like a pawn would against a god, or goddess in this situation. One with such skill and elegance, against lesser opponents is really just entertainment at this point. Honestly, has anyone ever defeated Pyrrha in actual combat? This won't be any different as Pyrrha is just destroying them. The closest they ever get, is possibly a close swing, or just hitting her shield. Surrendering is a much better option for CRDL at this rate. Now, it's even more embarrassing for CRDL to lose, as there are students from the other kingdoms and schools, visiting. It was really pointless to keep watching, since we already knew who was going to win in the end anyways. It's been less than two minutes since the fight began, and already Pyrrha has defeated CRDL. They took a worse beating with Pyrrha than I gave them.
"And that's the match." Professor Goodwitch said, walking forward, and stopping next to a defeated Cardin.
"Lucky shot." Cardin groaned out, before collapsing onto the ground.
"Well done Ms. Nikos, you should have no problem qualifying for the tournament." Professor Goodwitch said, practically praising Pyrrha.
"Thank you professor." Pyrrha replied with thanks.
"Alright. Now I know that's a tough act to follow, but we have time for one more sparring match. Any volunteers?" Professor Goodwitch said scanning among the room. Phoenix would've gone against Pyrrha, but after CRDL, she was slightly reluctant at the moment.
"Ms. Belladonna." She called out, surprising Blake, who was reading a book, and closed it in a hurry once her name was called.
"You've been rather docile for the past few classes. Why don't you-"
"I'll do it." A guy from a different school volunteered himself, raising his hand for Professor Goodwitch to see.
"Mercury, is it? Very well. Let's find you an opponent." She said, adjusting her glasses to see him better, as she was about to use her scroll for a randomizer.
"Actually, I wanna fight her." Mercury said pointing right at Pyrrha.
"Me?" Pyrrha said obviously taken back by the request.
"I'm afraid Ms. Nikos has just finished a match. I recommend you choose another partner." Prof. Goodwitch replied.
"No, it's fine! I'd be happy to oblige." Pyrrha said slightly bowing her head towards Mercury. Nearby, Sapphire leaned in closer to us all, so we could whisper.
"Man, he's in for a surprise." She started off.
"Hopefully he'll actually learn something from this 'sparring match'." I said back.
"Are people from other schools always this cocky?" Robyn had asked, knowing that we haven't really met anyone from other kingdoms besides Weiss.
"We'll just have to see how well that fares for this guy." I replied.
"Perhaps, he's studying his opponents before the tournament." Phoenix joined in.
"You think?" Robyn asked.
"Think about it. Why else would students from the other kingdoms be allowed to freely fight here like that. They want an edge in the Vytal Festival." Phoenix went into further detail.
"A bold way to get some tactical info. Getting your ass handed to you, just to learn something from an opponent." Sapphire said in a mocking manner. By the time we finished whispering to each other the two fighters had already begun to engage one another. We started to watch as he unleashed a barrage of kicks against Pyrrha who skillfully blocked most of them. One kick managed to unarm Pyrrha of her weapon. He went for another kick, but Pyrrha used her semblance to push the leg out of the way, nearly throwing the guy off his own feet. I think he must've noticed that as well, since he stayed on his knees for a moment. Pyrrha charged at him, shield held high, then Mercury jumped and planted both of his legs on her shield and shot from his boots, giving him some needed distance. He slowly rose, as Pyrrha charged once again.
"I forfeit." He said, as Pyrrha came to a stop.
"You.. don't even want to try?" Pyrrha looked bewildered, as she is more than likely not used to a forfeit.
"What's the point? You're a world renowned fighter. We're obviously leagues apart." Mercury had said, trying to make his excuse sound better.
"In that case, Pyrrha Nikos is the victor of the match.. again." Prof. Goodwitch said, as banners with their names and faces quietly hummed to reveal the victor and the defeated.
"Next time you may want to think a little harder before choosing an opponent." She said to Mercury in utter dissatisfaction.
"I'll be sure to do that." He said walking to the locker room. Soon afterwards the alarm to end class rang. Blake who obviously lacked sleep was awoken abruptly by it. The fatigue was visible from under her eyes.
"That is all for today. And remember the dance is this weekend, but you all have your first mission on Monday, I will not accept any excuses." Prof. Goodwitch said as everyone began to leave.
"Thank god that class ended." Robyn said in a whining tone.
"Same here. Now I can focus on more important things, like the dance." Sapphire said.
"I never took you as one who would be more interested in a school dance than actual school itself." I said to her.
"I never said that I wasn't interested in school anymore. I just want to outshine Diamond on Sunday night. She may shine, but I will gleam…" She said with fire in her eyes. Robyn looked a little bit intimidated by her and I wouldn't blame her, I've never seen Sapph so passionate about beating her twin.
As we walked outside of the school building, I turned my attention to see Sun stopping Blake from where she stood. She was still reading the same book that she had been reading, since our class earlier. I couldn't exactly hear their conversation from this distance, but the rest of my team caught on, and watched the events roll in front of us.
"You think he's asking her to the dance?" Sapphire asked the rest of us, wanting to hear opinions.
"Not many reasons to talk to Blake, especially now." Robyn added to the conversation. Everyone can clearly see that Blake isn't focusing on school, or her own health for that matter.
"She really needs someone to help her out. Hopefully her team is doing what they can." Phoenix said with a hint of worry in her words. The dance is probably what she needs at a time like this. Hopefully she realizes that and goes to it. A moment later, Blake begins to walk away and Sun's head lowers, and he's left looking at the ground. Looks like he did ask her, just not the response he seemed to have wanted. There wasn't much we could do about Blake's situation anyways. We don't even know why she's acting the way she is now. Even if we knew, I doubt we'd be much help to her. She's on her own level of issues. We'd all like to help her, but we don't want to pry into matters that might be personal. For now we'll just watch her, and see if the rest of RWBY needs any help.
After seeing Sun getting rejected by Blake, we walked back to our dorms to rest. Our room was done the hallway from, Team RWBY's room, so maybe I could talk to the rest of the team concerning Blake. On our way there, Blake was passing by. I waved at her to get her attention, and of course she was surprised by that.
"Hey Blake. You doing okay?" I had asked her as she stopped right by me, and stared at me. Her amber eyes, barely maintaining eye contact with me.
"I'm fine." She replied, as she was about to leave already. I grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving so soon.
"If there's something we can help you with Blake, just ask. Alright?" Hopefully it was clear that we just wanted to be there for her. She let out a heavy sigh, before looking back at me.
"I'll be in the library." She said as she loosened herself from my grip and walked on. There wasn't much else we could do, so we continued to our room. As we made our way around the corner we saw that Jaune was in front of Team RWBY's door, holding a guitar. We decided to watch the events, but hid along the wall so we couldn't be spotted. The door opened and Jaune began to strum the guitar.
"Weiiiiss~" He sang as he dramatically posed, for, I'm assuming Weiss, and what I believe to have been a wink, just as the door was closed right on him. He knocked a few more times in disappointment.
"Aw, come on. Open the door. I promise not to sing." Jaune had said, as he prepared himself once again. Hopefully he does better. Soon the door opened fully.
"I liiiied~" He began once again. "Weiss Schnee, will you accompany me, to the daaance onnnn… Sundayyy~" He finished singing. I almost feel bad for Jaune now. He gave it his best, but we all know the answer.
"Are you done?" I faintly heard Weiss' voice from down the hall asking Jaune.
"Yes?" Jaune wasn't sure whether or not he had succeeded, and awkwardly waited for an answer.
"No." Weiss responded closing the door, as expected of her,leaving Jaune all by himself. He sulked back to this dorm. This was easily expected, since Jaune doesn't really know what he's doing at all. Especially with Pyrrha practically all over him. If only he wasn't so blind to seeing that. Hopefully he'll see it eventually, because Pyrrha is one amazing woman, to just push aside, especially with her just gawking at him most of the time. Jaune still has a little time to figure out that Pyrrha is who he should ask for the dance. Unless he feels intimidated by the fact that since she's so strong and famous, that he feels out of her league. I get it, if that's the case, but who knows what Jaune thinks.
We walked towards Jaune and I paused and gave him an apologetic glance. He shrugged and continued to walk off heart broken.
"Poor guy." Robyn whispered once he was out of earshot.
"That's what happens when you confront the Ice Queen." Sapph said.
"And she wonders why people call her that." I said.
We walked into our dorm and everyone headed straight to their beds. Finally the week days were over and the weekend was now dawning upon us. I tried my best to relax as the rest of the team took turns changing out of their uniforms and into their pajamas. Once Phoenix was out, I changed into a loose black t-shirt and baggy shorts. I stepped out of the bathroom, turned off the lights and practically leaped into my bed. I got under the covers and yawned from the boredom that today had brought me.
"Good night everyone." I heard Robyn mumble underneath her sheets.
"Night." Everyone said in unison.
Several minutes passed, and I wasn't sure why I wasn't able to fall asleep. It was one of those nights where everything that's ever happened to you rushes through your mind and keeps on bugging you and threatens to take your sleep. Minutes turned into hours and I kept tossing and turning to try to get my mind off of what was currently focused on: my brother's death. Why? Why of all nights did this have to replay in my mind? I remembered the day I was told that he wouldn't be coming back and I tried my best to not cry in that room. I was still emotional to this day and I don't think that I ever will get over this. My breathing got heavy and turned into frantic panting as I started to silently break down.
"Jet? What's wrong?" I heard the quiet whisper in the darkness.
"Phoenix?" I gasped.
"Jet, are you okay?" She whispered.
"N-no, I-I don't think s-so. I t-think I might be h-having a break down." I struggled to say.
She quietly and calmly stepped out of her bed and kneeled next to me. As I continued to panic, she ran one hand through my hair and took one of my hands with the other.
"You'll be okay. You don't need to tell me anything, just breathe. Focus on your breathing." She whispered calmly. I tried my best to do what she said, but nothing seemed to help me because I was still hyperventilating.
"Jet. Listen, breathe with me ok? Inhale...Exhale. Inhale...Exhale." I tried to follow along with her and after what felt like hours of not being able to catch my breath, I finally was able to slow down my heart rate and breathe calmly again. "You're doing great Jet. Just keep doing that." Phoenix said still encouraging me. This wasn't my first panic attack, but somehow having Phoenix running one of her hands through my hair and having her thumb draw circles on the back of my hand had helped me like never before.
"Are you okay now Jet?" She asked me.
"I think so…" I whispered, completely exhausted from my meltdown.
"Try to go to sleep. I'll be right next to you if you need me." She said standing and going to walk to her bed. I don't know what came over me, but I grabbed onto her hand and squeezed tightly.
"No. P-please don't l-leave me." I stuttered. She turned to face me and I could see her face from the moonlight that was going through the window. Her face softened and she nodded.
"Alright." She said, starting to go on her knees again, before I stopped her.
"Can...you possibly sleep w-with me?" I asked her. Not in a sexual way of course, but I really need someone, that someone being Phonix, to be next to me. A light blush surfaced on her cheeks and she nodded once more. She crawled underneath the covers and faced me. Surprisingly we were both able to fit in the small bed, despite our large frames. We stared at each other, not knowing exactly what to do.
"Is it alright if I hold you?" I said, barely above a whisper.
"Yes…" She replied.
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close to my chest. She wrapped her arms around me as well and laid her head on my chest. With her head close to my face, I could smell her hair. It was a faint scent of pomegranate. I honestly didn't know what to think but before I could say something stupid, Phoenix interrupted my thoughts.
"I can hear your heartbeat. It's faint, but it sounds nice." She whispered.
I didn't how to respond, so I nodded and ran a hand through her hair. It felt nice and soft, contradicting her hair's natural spikes. I felt my eyes starting to get heavy and I felt my breath start to get heavy and lethargic.
"Good night Jet." I heard Phoenix whisper.
"Good night." I replied.