Short chapter. Couldn't make it fit with either the last or the next chapter but it is establishing stuff.
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(A title card shows the letters 'VNN')
Life, from Our news center in Vale: It's VNN – Breaking report.
(Lisa Lavender appears behind her desk)
The business world is shaken once again but for good this time. CEO of Seido Industries, Hotaru Taakoizu, who you may remember was kidnapped earlier this week, was able to escape his captors with the help of a defector.
(Images of Higanbana appear on screen)
Both men arrived at Higanbana, a rural town in the kingdom of Mistral. The businessman was safe, but police inform his right arm was broken, his clothes turned to rags, and did not have any footwear. Although it has not been confirmed, experts say this indicates that Taakoizu might have been a victim of torture and abuse from his captors.
(Lisa appears on screen once again. On a small screen at her right, a profile picture of Shay with his face blurred can be seen)
Both Taakoizu and his rescuer, a former member of the organization who kidnapped him, asked that his identity remained anonymous for security reasons. Mr. Taaikozu was then picked up by members of his company's security and taken to Atlas, where he was expected to attend a meeting in the coming weeks and is now expected to receive medical attention.
Although there are no known reasons why the kidnapping occurred, many think it has to do with the SSS project. We at VNN express our relief that a member of society was able to recover his freedom and will also use this opportunity to condemn this horrible act which we will classify as terrorism. For VNN, this is Lisa Lavender.
(The screen turns off)
Kollector held the remote control of the giant television screen in the exclusive two stories penthouse room property of Seido Industries. On the giant dark blue couch sat Shay, with his hair dyed black and short, military-style. Kollector, in his disguise, stood behind him while Hotaru was in front, facing him backward with his left hand behind his back and the right being held by a cast and arm holder. He then turned his head only half the way to look at Shay through his peripheral vision. "Again, what is your story?".
"I was born in a small town next to Vacuo Academy where my parents had a small dust shop. I want to make a name for myself, so I've come to Atlas looking for a job at a local store where I can grow".
"And what will happen after you are offered a job in one of our new stores?".
"I'll be hired as an assistant and I'll work until I can become a manager of my store".
"Where do you live?".
"In a rented room next to Mantle University. My parents will pay the rent until I have saved enough paychecks".
"Who should anyone call in case of emergency?".
"Relatives and friends are on speed dial. Mom, dad, aunt Pal, uncle Mort, Tanny my ex-girlfriend and Dozer my best friend from Vacuo". Hotaru did not follow with more questions. He just kept looking at Shay. "I was homeschooled and learned from the business because of my father. I will, however, take a long-distance course on management".
Hotaru looked at the screen once again. "Good. Hope we never meet again" he said before heading to the door and opening it for Shay to leave. "And remember: You do not want us to meet again. Can't say it was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Urrin Possom" he said as Shay left. Once out of their sight, Hotaru closed the door. "Anything I should know about councilman Grey?".
"The most controversial figure in the current council. Was the only one who voted against General Ironwood getting a second seat, but mostly to save the job of his friend, ex-councilwoman Turner. He is an Atlas academy dropout who managed his family's company until it went into 'involuntary' bankruptcy. Won his election last time because of the support local celebrities gave to his campaign".
Hotaru sighed in disappointment. Here he was, playing the same tricks as corrupt politicians. But the ends justify the means. So, the charade had to go forward. "The meeting will take place tomorrow night?".
"Yes. The antenna's frequency has been calibrated".
"Good. Prepare the camera, it is time to say hello to our loyal employees".
Time to cool out. Definitely, the best medicine for any angry person. Although no meeting took place when the infiltration team returned, Pyrrha seemed more levelheaded and spoke to Jaune and Yang in good terms. Everything was going great for team JNPR. They even decided to take a few more minutes to sleep before getting on their uniforms. "Ok team. The sun is bright, we are fine and rested and ready to take on the world! Now: breakfast!".
On their way there, the team noticed how some of the male students were looking at Jaune with total confusion. One person even yelled "No way!" after looking at his scroll and then at Jaune.
Nora just placed her hands on her hips. "Wonder what that was about," she said before everyone walked again.
Once in line at the cafeteria, more people began to talk behind their backs. 'What does she see in him?', 'I bet she just wants to toy with him', 'I wouldn't mind being toyed with…' were some of the comments they heard; but as strange as those were, arriving at their usual spot revealed an even stranger sight: Yang hiding her head under one of Ruby's capes while the younger girl had hers' in a short ponytail. It was also obvious that Ruby, Blake, and Weiss were angry at Yang; the last being worried and not being spoken to.
Nora was getting tired of being out of the loop, so she confronted the other team. "Alright, hands down. What is going on? This has to do with whatever everyone is talking about, right?".
Yang didn't answer, but instead got next to Pyrrha and placed an arm over her shoulder. "Pyrrha! My girl, my friend! P-money, the 'Invincible Girl'! What do you say we ditch classes and go somewhere fun; I'll let you drive Bumblebee!".
If there was any doubt before, now it was confirmed. Yang had messed up big time. Knowing she would just avoid answering questions, Nora turned to the rest of team RWBY. "What did she do?".
No sooner than that, a group of female students approached Yang, looked at Jaune from top to bottom, and then their leader, most likely, spoke to her. "Seriously Xiao Long, you are settling with him?".
"Yeah, I mean… you can do way better… but he seems to have his charms…" a second student said.
"More than one, that's for sure… I can see why she'd dig him. He is not as boastful as the other boys at least" said a third.
"He seems quite the catch, to be honest!" A fourth one said with a smile.
"Yeah, now I'm jealous of you Xiao Long".
"Nice one girl!".
"I am happy for you both".
"If it doesn't work between you two, call me Jauney!" The fourth girl said while giving him a wink.
As the girls left, Blake saw Pyrrha keeping her face completely calm and she even had a little smile. "Have to admit, you took it very well" Blake complemented. Pyrrha then let go of her fork and she could now see the metal utensil crushed and bent beyond repair.
"Took what well?" Pyrrha said.
Soon after the girls left, and everyone was trying to enjoy breakfast, a second-year male student arrived and grabbed Jaune by his shoulder forcing him to stand up. "Confess Arc, what did you do to her!?" the guy yelled now holding Jaune by the front of his shirt.
Puzzled, Jaune stared at the guy with eyes wide open. "What are you talking about?".
"Don't play the fool, I always knew you were a sicko. There is no way a loser like you could have a chance with her! It's blackmail, isn't it!? A brainwashing semblance!? Answer me!?".
"Seriously!? Are you listening to yourself!? Porn isn't real. And by the way: WHO ARE YOU!?".
Yang then stood up and forced the guy to face her while still holding Jaune. "Ok, that does it! I'm only saying this once: He. Is. Not…". She then saw team KHTE looking at her with amusement, just like every other student was. All but Hanzo, who was frowning while looking directly at her. "… guilty of anything. I just really liked him after he confessed to me…". She then grabbed his hand once again. Some of the students awed at her display, but the boy was just livid right now. He raised his fist to punch Jaune, put Pyrrha caught it, twisted it, and then slammed his face on the food on the table.
"They are together. Get over your jealousy". His bravado immediately dissipated; he just whimpered and nodded. Pyrrha released him and he ran as fast as he could.
"Wow. Thanks, Pyrr; thought I… Where are you going?". As soon as she had let the guy go, Pyrrha just took what was left of her tray and began to walk away.
"I lost my appetite. See you all in class".
The other seven students went quiet while they saw her leave. Sun and Neptune passed her on their way to the table, but she ignored their greetings and just walked away faster. Yang only rested her head on one of her hands and sighed. "Great job, Yang. Good job…" she told herself.
"Why do you care so much about them anyway, Nep?". Sun asked his partner as they were enjoying Sun's free day after his service last night. They were just hanging in the courtyard; Sun hanging from a branch thanks to his tail and Neptune laying against the tree.
"Come on, really? Don't you just want to tell him 'She is totally into you! Go get her!'".
Sun gave him a condescending look and crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh really? So, YOU, of all people, are a matchmaker now?".
"Look, I'm not saying they should confess to each other and get married tomorrow! But she can't be more obvious!".
Sun had to give Neptune that one. He may not approve of the blue-headed Casanova's attitude, but he had a point.
"Besides, I get enough from you being jealous of Ren all the time".
This announcement took Sun by surprise. So much so that he let go of the branch and fell on his head. Disregarding what just happened, he quickly got up and confronted his friend. "I'm not jealous! Why would I be jealous!?".
"Really? You squeezed yourself between them during breakfast. You kept trying to challenge him to an arm-wrestling contest and then wanted to do a yoga fight. You seriously didn't know you don't fight in yoga!?".
"Ok, maybe I am a bit jealous. But I just don't want to spook Blake away by being too frontal; I want to take things slow and this job is keeping me out of everyone's reach for the whole day!".
"Yeah… at least we were able to see them during the day. Hopefully, it'll all be over soon".
"Are you saying that because you want us to return to doing nothing before the Vytal festival while also sending the biggest crime syndicate in the world to jail, or because it's starting to eat everyone else's lives".
"A little bit of A, and a little bit of B, to be honest…".
Their conversation, however, was cut short as a male student crashed through a window on the second floor and landed face first in front of Sun and Neptune. "I'm ok!" the boy yelled. Sun and Neptune looked up at Ermac who had his head going through the broken window.
"For the last time, Jerrod: Control where you are sending your opponent!" They were able to hear the echoed voice of Miss Goodwitch.
"Sorry!" The strange new kid yelled back before he picked the other student with his semblance and brought him back to the classroom.
"At first, I could not believe they were part of some sort of conspiracy. Now? I don't know how we could have been so dense…". Remarked Neptune before they left.
"Play that one again!" Elsa told Cardin. Both were sitting on her small couch drinking some light beer and enjoying videos of Jaune's failures throughout the day. Her apartment was small but had all the necessities. A tiny fridge in an open kitchen, a couch with a TV screen mounted on the wall, a small circular dining room table, and a microwave; whatever was in her room, he did not know. "So, you are telling me that the redhead basically tortured him all day and he still doesn't get the what is wrong?".
"If only you knew. He is just that incompetent! Can't believe she is acting like this and he still has no clue!".
Friday was a living hell for Jaune. While Pyrrha was trying her best to smile and be cooperative with Ren, Nora, Ruby, Blake, and Weiss; she wanted to avoid Yang and Jaune just as much. Yang got the message, but Jaune just kept pushing her.
'Just tell me, why are you so mad!?'
A recording of Jaune asked while he and Pyrrha were walking through a corridor. She just used her semblance to attract a trashcan and made him fall into it. "Oh, I wish I had recorded the first period. He had an 'apology cupcake', but when she asked him 'for what?' he ACTUALLY answered, 'I'm not sure'. And BAM! Right in the face!".
"He seriously is not aware she has a crush on him?".
"He. Is. Oblivious! I don't know why Xiao Long says he is her boyfriend, but man. They'll be on each other's throats soon!" he said before drinking more of his beer. Their original plan was to hit an arcade that evening and catch a movie, but as soon as Cardin arrived ahead of schedule and connected his scroll to her TV screen, it was all worth it.
"Why are you so sure they are faking it?".
"Xiao Long is as loud as they come. If she had someone, people would not have found out because of a spread-out rumor. She would have been the one to announce it to the entire school. I don't know why they did it; but honestly, I don't care. Seeing that red smartass mad is reward enough".
They were now watching Jaune catching fire on weapon maintenance. While everyone went to look for an extinguisher, Pyrrha just threw him the content of a bucket of water, once the fire was out, and before he could say anything, she then made the bucket fall on his head. After another round of laughter, Cardin was done with his third beer. Elsa then asked him a question that just occurred to her: "He is not aware of her feelings, right?".
"Yep".
"Then what does he believe she is mad for?".
"I don't know… maybe he'll think she is mad because he lied again?".
"What? Is he like a compulsive liar?".
"Nah, Nah… is because of his…". He stopped just in time and went on to cover his mouth. But it was too late, Elsa now knew Carding was keeping a big ugly secret on Jaune.
"…You know I will not stop bothering you about it now, right?".
"I… I can't… I made a promise…".
"And since when do you feel the need to repay him anything?". He didn't say anything. Cardin just looked away and started to scratch his head. "Oh, come on, it's just the two of us. What can a part-timer designer do?".
"Look, all I can say is that, as far as I know, only Jaune, Pyrrha, and I know of it. If something came out, she would seek and destroy me. He saved my life from an Ursa, and I promised not to tell his secret to anyone".
Surprisingly, Elsa dropped the subject. "Ok then". They finished their marathon of videos with fewer laughs than before, but the night was still young. "Hey, Cardin. Why return to Beacon!? You can crash on my sofa, no big deal. I'll order a pizza and we can watch a movie".
"Great. But we'll need more beer though…".
"Beer? Are you a pussy? We are going all the way!". She proclaimed as she then pulled out bottles of all kinds of alcohol. "And remember-".
"Tell no one an adult gave me liquor. I know".