"And that's what I've been up to." Jaune finished, retelling what he'd been up to since his time outside Beacon, albeit an edited version omitting his less than legal activities and affiliations, to Blake. The pair and Cardin all sitting at a small Mistrialian themed restaurant, all agreeing that food was the priority after their ordeal.
For her part Blake just looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Wow." She simply said in response. If she had managed a thought on what had happened to the unremarkable blonde she had vaguely known at Beacon, she wouldn't have predicted that he'd be a bounty hunter. Maybe attempting it out of stupidity and an abundance of confidence, he had attempted Beacon after all, but she wouldn't have bet on him doing very well. Seeing him in action today showed her a surprisingly competent individual, though. It was a bit unsettling if she was being honest, she had seen the odd White Fang soldier who had proven themselves remarkable beyond their background during her time in. It usually was a product of something being a bit off with them; an obsession with revenge or some other drive that pushed normal people to excel as terrorists. She suppressed a shiver as Adam came to mind. Her eyes narrowed as she examined Jaune a bit more critically. She was perceptive enough to know it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine Jaune enraged and self-loathing after his expulsion from Beacon.
"And my boy got laid." Cardin proudly proclaimed. ""They grow up so fast." He added with a motion to wipe a fake tear from his eye.
"Wow." Blake repeated, this time with more of a look of disgust.
"Ummm, yeah." Jaune confirmed while rubbing his neck in embarrassment.
With a goofy, slightly embarrassed look on his face now Blake saw the boy she'd known in Beacon a bit more clearly; the dopy guy who geeked out with Ruby about comic books and devised the cringiest way to ask out Weiss. For a moment her mind flashed to his words when she'd been ready to take a life in cold blood, the unpleasant experience leaving a pit in her stomach and pushing her mind to lock the experience away in a part of her brain reserved for things she didn't want to think about. It did ease her fears of Jaune being another Adam, though. It seemed Jaune was holding himself well enough. A part of her mind questioned why she cared all of a sudden about the blonds' well being, but she figured she owed him that at the very least considering all he'd back in the forest.
As much as she was content believing Jaune was doing well for himself the cynical analytic part of her brain still nagged her. His story was noticeably lacking any explanation of how he'd been handled by the police that had shortly arrived to handle the fighting on Grovestreet. Thanks to her time on team RWBY she knew that vigilante justice, even from huntsman students, usually ended with some time in a police interrogation room, requiring the headmaster personally getting involved to limit legal repercussions. Instead the police hadn't even put cuffs on them, like every other person involved. They had moved to arrest her for some reason, something about reckless vehicular endangerment, obviously a mistake, she had been one of the best getaway drivers in the White Fang after all, but a quick statement from Jaune about her being with him had the issue dropped. If that wasn't enough, a Sgt Dan had been chewing Jaune out while the fire department removed him from the rubble like they knew each other. On top of that she also knew from experience that telling police sergeants to shove it up their asses, like Jaune had, usually was a fast track to a jail cell, not ending in simple gruff dismissals.
"Two ramens and a fish bowl." The only employee of the shop, an elderly Mistrian man, interjected, pulling Blake from her thoughts. Her body too exhausted to focus on more than the glorious fish set in front of her.
"Came in clutch with that healing semblance, Jaune." Cardin added after taking a bite of his food. "Jaune?" He asked when no response was heard from his partner.
Prying herself from her own food, Blake looked to Jaune to see a single tear fall from his face.
"This is really good." He said simply, his face the vision of a man having a religious experience."Two more bowls, please." he ordered from across the counter to the cook.
"Glad you enjoy it." The chef chuckled as he got to the order, the three being the only customers in the shop.
"Ok, Jaune likes ramen." Blake stated.
"Yes." He confirmed before he continued to scarf down his food like a man possessed.
"Ummm… So healing semblance?" Cardin attempted again.
Ignoring Cardin for a few more slurps, Jaune finally acknowledged his partner. "Yeah, pretty good timing."
"So, where did that come from?" Cardin asked. "Seemed like you knew you had it when you got to me."
Jaune stopped eating. "I think I had to find it to survive my injuries in the bookstore." A dark look momentarily formed on his face at the thought of the beating he'd recived.
Cardin sighed. "I'm sorry about that." He apologized again. "I should have told you about my past." The man's face twisted into one of regret. "I understand if you never want to work with me again."
In response Jaune looked surprised. "What? Why would I want that?"
"I put us in danger." A twinge of pain entered Cardin's voice. "I've done things. Really bad things." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm like the biggest assshole you know."
"Yeah," Jaune shrugged. "I know you're a racist, violent, asshole." Cardin hung his head. "Knowing you were a bigger, more violent racist asshole doesn't really change much. It just means you're a better person now, so that's a plus. Obviously you aren't that guy anymore so it's not a problem."
A genuine smile was on Cardin's face as he looked back at Jaune. "Thanks man." The next words from him came hesitantly, but firmly. "It means a lot."
As the two reaffirmed their partnership Blake took a moment to snake some noodles from Cardin's bowl. She was curious to see if it was as good Jaune made it out to be. Stealthy eating the noodles she thought they were just ok.
"No problem man." Jaune smiled back. "Besides, I still need someone to drive me around." He joked.
"You know it." Cardin laughed.
It had to be something in Jaune's bowl, Blake mussed. It had to be to have Jaune look like he was experiencing heaven. Her stoicisms and the racial implication of her curiosity didn't stop her from expertly sliding her chopsticks near Jaune's bowl. She just had to know if it was that good. Chopsticks sneaking closer she couldn't help but smile a bit as she used skills honed over a lifetime of infiltrating and robbing the SDC to get within range of Jaune's noodles before she struck, Jaune too distracted by his banter with Cardin to even look at his food.
"Ow" She silently yelped as she pulled her arm back; a small bruise forming on the top of her hand. Jaune was still locked in conversation with Cardin, but his hand clicked his chopsticks menacingly; aura faintly glowing and hissing like a deadly snake.
Blake rolled her eyes and gave up on his noodles, message received. For a moment she considered just buying a bowl herself, but the thought of her current bank account numbers made her faunus ears go flat. Uggh, being on the right side of the law did not pay enough, she internally lamented.
"Well, this is all well and good." Cardin commented as he finished his bowl. "But we really should get this back to Junior." He said as he held up the briefcase that had started the whole day. The pair having the fortitude to pick it up form the abandoned shop before resting with some food.
"One more bowl." Jaune managed as he slurped down his second serving.
"Really." Cardin deadpanned. "We can get that to go."
"I can drive while you eat." Blake offered, a peace offering for her earlier attempted theft.
"NO!" Jaune screamed in fear. Suddenly aware of the two odd looks aimed at him, he composed himself. "That won't be necessary."
"So can we go?" Cardin asked.
"Let's" Jaune relented in the hopes that a speedy exit would keep Blake far from any steering wheel.
"Roman." Hei greeted from his desk as his old friend entered his office. The man disguised in black wig and the least flamboyant clothing the thief could manage. In addition, makeup obscured Roman's facial shape; he was a wanted man after all. It wasn't like he could just walk around the streets looking like himself. Still Hei always felt that Roman knew a suspiciously large amount about makeup, even before he'd needed to disguise himself. The bandages and band aids that covered the thief didn't look to be part of the disguise though."What happened to you?" Hei probed, curiosity being a natural part of being an information broker.
A pained look formed on Roman's face. "Neo." He replied simply.
"Ahhh," That explained it. "Forgot to get ice cream again?"
Roman's face contorted to that of a man incredibly old and tired. "If only." If Roman thought he was getting away with just that he was mistaken as he watched Hei raise an eyebrow. "I had to explain the birds and bees to her." He supplied flatly.
"Oh." Hei replied simply. No one really knew Neo, not even her surrogate father; Roman, but that wouldn't have been any of Hei's guesses. "Drink?" He offered.
"Please." Roman confirmed, the look of a father at his wits end unconcealed. "Strong." he added desperately.
"So how did that go?" Hei asked as he moved to get out a bottle of his best for his friend.
"I got thrown out a window." He sighed. "I really need to remember to get safehouses not on the third floor."
"Ouch." Hei offered sympathetically as he put rocks in a glass.
"I knew I should have explained it to her when she was growing up." Roman groaned, all pretense of business replaced by a man venting to his bartender. A role Hei was practiced in he acknowledged as he gave Roman his drink. "It just seemed too awkward, I thought she'd pick it up. She got murder and thieving naturally, so why not that?" The drink disappeared as quickly as it had been set down. "Another." Roman requested. "I should have known I'm not that lucky." He continued as Hei supplied another drink, this time filled with cheap booze. Hei was a good enough bartender to know when a client wouldn't care. "That's not even the worst part." Roman continued to ramble.
"Yeah?" Hei supplied. The whole thing seemed bad enough.
"She has a crush." Roman explained as he polished off his new drink.
Hei winched. "Poor bastard."
"Shit, I know what I am." Roman cursed, the implication of who the unlucky guy in question was completely missed. "I should have realized her kill shrine had the same guy on it for too long." His hand slid his empty drink to Hei again.
"Bet you a grand he doesn't survive past a first date." Hei chuckled as he poured another.
Roman joined in with his own chuckle. "I'll take that. He's more likely to die before he makes it."
Pushing another drink to Roman, Hei had to admit that sounded like a better bet. Ah well, he shrugged, maybe the poor guy was an ice cream man, that'd increase his odds. He did find a bit of humor in the idea of a serial killer being lured into an ice cream truck. Not that he thought that any pervert would survive Neo. He had cleaned up enough of their corpses in his back alley to know that. "So who's the lucky guy?"
"Some young blond guy." Roman said with a slight slur. "Actually that's why I'm here. I need all the information you can dig up on the young man." A dangerous look came to Roman's face. "I want to pay him a visit."
"Gonna warm him off?" Hei chuckled at the absurdity of the whole situation. The humor dangerously blinding him to the hints of who Neo's mystery crush may have been.
"Fuck that." Roman growled, the dangerous visage of the criminal on full display as he took out a cigar to light. "That bastard got me thrown out of my own safehouse window. ." the criminal growled. "I'm going to enjoy the one fun part of being a father and scare this boy so bad he'll need new pants. If I'm feeling merciful." He snarled. "I will be paying the special rate to have the info yesterday."
Hei waved his hands. "I'll do this for free, my friend. This is personal." As cut throat as their world was, Hei would happily do Roman a favor to be a doting parent that he knew his friend to be. Besides, whoever played parent to Neo needed all the help that could be afforded.
"Thanks." Roman said with a sound of relief. The special rate was not cheap. From his pocket he pulled a very well stabbed photo of the blonde that he'd stolen from Neo. That being enough reason for his frayed nerves and temper.
"No problem." Hei spoke with his back turned to his desk as he made his own drink. "You know," he started as he turned back to his desk to look at the photo.
Whatever Hei was to say, Roman was never to know as he watched the crime lord drop his drink; the glass shattering into a million pieces. "Ummm." He expressed in confusion as he watched his friend have the look similar to a man possessed by a heart attack.
Ignoring the glass, Hei swiftly grabbed the cheap booze and drank a swig like water, the burn enough for him to regain some of his nerve. How could he be so stupid to not put it together he internally moaned. Fucking blondes.
"So…?" Roman asked, thoroughly confused.
"I can not do this task." Hei spoke as he turned to his friend with the best mask of professionalism he could manage.
Roman laughed. "Good one, Hei"
"I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
The thief was now completely confused. "What the hell, Junior?"
"This," Hei started before taking another swing to steady himself. "Is the devil."
Roman rose to grab his friend as he was beginning to tremble. "Get a hold of yourself man!" He shouted.
Hei, for his part, just looked into his friend's eyes. "You do not want this Roman."
"Well, yeah." Roman replied, annoyed. "Listen, I can just kill this guy if he's harassing you too." The dead chuckle Hei responded with sent a chill though Roman.
"I have tried."
"Just tell me who he is dammit!" Roman snapped. He was the most feared thief in Vale, at the level of a huntsman, no one scared him.
Gently Hei removed his friend's hands off him and took a seat. Grabbing a bottle of antacids he had recently been keeping on hand he knocked half of them back before taking another drink and addressed Roman. "I do not know his name. He chooses to have people believe he is Jaune Arc; a man from some backwater village. In reality he killed the boy to infiltrate Beacon. For what reason I do not know. All I am aware of is that he left after a month by revealing his fake transcript. Why he didn't just enter under just a false name is just a mystery, for I know he could have entered on prowess alone."
"So what?" Roman scoffed at his friend's cowardness. "He is unknown and can throw a punch. That's not unique."
The slight was ignored by Hei as he continued. "He came to my bar a month later. Where he seduced Neo."
"I'm aware of that." Roman said through gritted teeth.
"He left thirty-five dead men at my doorstep first."
"Oh." Maybe this guy was kinda tough, Roman reconsidered briefly.
"I tried every trick I had. He saw through every single one." Hei continued. "I had a team try to kill him. He poisoned my best hitter a day before I even knew he existed before making my best driver crash as a warning. The man must know my organization inside and out. He may have posed as a homeless man for weeks scoping me out, never breaking character. A flawless master of disguise driven to any lengths." With that spoken Hei reached to grab Romans face, as if he could be wearing a mask.
"Stop that." Roman commanded as he smacked Junior's hands away.
Sitting back Hei resumed. "I of course still made plans to kill him still, in my stupidity." He paused.
"And?" Roman pushed.
"What he considers enemies is far beyond us. He had an entire rogue Atlas wetworks team killed at my doorstep."
That was… pretty fucking scary, Roman admitted to himself. "Big deal, so what if the guy is some criminal mastermind. He hides in darkness, put a spotlight on him and he will melt. Just sick the police on him, he can't operate in the city if he's wanted." Not a particularly honorable idea in their line of work, but hey they weren't in an honorable line of work.
If Hei felt any dishonor at the idea he didn't show it. "He is one of the top members of the police's black ops division. A particular favorite of a certain ruthless lieutenant in the force."
"Shit." Roman cursed. He was aware of the lieutenant, anyone who operated at their level did. Vale's police force was weak and ineffective as a whole, but the lieutenant was the favorite tool of the Mayor when results were required and legality wasn't a priority. Knowing Jaune Arc was thought of highly by the psychopath told Roman that he must have been brutal and crafty beyond the police force's own pool of veteran officers and off the book rats. Still he wasn't cowed. The boy was dangerous, he'd give Junior that, but he was the top of the food chain here. Besides, he dealt with a certain psychopath on the regular. One more wouldn't be too much more he told himself. That didn't mean he didn't wince a bit as Hei made to continue, he really didn't want the boy to have more scary things on his resume. Not that he could imagine it getting much worse.
"Last night he had the Bandit Queen, Raven Branwen, in his bed."
Oh fuck, Roman knew that bitch. She'd been in his Beacon class. An absolute feral woman obsessed with strength, and blonds it seemed, who had bullied him mercilessly. Even the mention of her name brought back memories of brutal wedgies and swirlies from his youth. That wasn't even mentioning all the murder and raiding she was wanted for. "Umm.. Where is Arc?" Roman asked hesitantly. It was dawning on him that he may have just slightly bit off more than he could chew. Fatherly overprotection and dreams of vengeance ever so slightly outweighed by his will to live.
A radio on Hei's that he used to keep in contact with his staff crackled to life. "Jaune Arc is headed to your office, sir."
Any facade of bravery on Roman's part evaporated quicker than water in the Vaco desert as he shot up from his seat. "Well, this has been fun Hei, but I just remembered I need to do something very important very far from here."
"I believe it's too late." Hei spoke solemnly as a quick check of his security cameras showed Jaune steps away from the door.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit." Roman frantically swore as his head whipped around frantically in search of any escape.
As Jaune opened the door to Hei's office his professional demeanor died as he was greeted by a strange sight. "Ummm…Hello, Hei."
"Hello Mr. Arc." Hei greeted evenly, as if there wasn't a grown man held in his hands and clutching his neck.
"This a bad time?" Jaune questioned, still trying to figure out what was going on.
"No." Hei confirmed as he dropped the man onto the ground in a heap.
Putting back on his mask of professionalism that was required when talking to Hei, Jaune walked forward to sit on a chair in front of the desk. "The job is complete." He confirmed as he put the case on the table. A bit of blood leaked off the case.
For his part Roman stood and dusted himself off, he may have been about to be killed, but he would at least look put together. Eyeing the boy that had led him to his previously embarrassing position he didn't see much remarkable about his face or build. His clothes on the other hand were absolutely terrifying. A trench coat hung around what Roman could only describe as business apparel, in summary a bland and boring get up that Roman really felt like more could be done with; perhaps a fedora. That wasn't the scary part, though. The scary part was the multitude of cuts, frays, and rips throughout, coated with plaster and wood chips, as if the boy had gone through a few walls. Also blood. A lot of blood. It plastered almost every inch of the clothing and a fair bit of the blonde. Roman knew this fashion statement as what he liked to call, having the absolute shit beat out of you. However that look usually paired with grievous injuries, of which Arc was completely devoid of. That made it the fashion choice he knew as, absolutely wrecking some else's shit recently.
"Problems?" Hei asked, also seeing Jaune's state.
"About sixty human supremacists were waiting to ambush me and my partner." Jaune answered, as if he had just told Hei it had rained.
"Oh." Was all Hei managed as he reached for and downed the rest of his antacid bottle. "I can assure you Mr. Arc, I had no part in this." He spoke with just the barest restraint to not be full on frantic.
"I know." Jaune replied simply. He had briefly thought about the idea that Hei may have set him up, but it didn't add up. The crime lord could kill him at any time after all, and surely would have just used his own men.
Sweat started to roll off Hei. Of course Arc knew everything he was up to, even his timing at this meeting was a reminder of who was who in their relationship. "I can promise you Mr. Arc, any strike against is a strike against me. My organization will hunt your attackers without rest." He quickly promised in the hopes that the mastermind's wrath wouldn't be incurred on him.
Jaune yawned, he was pretty exhausted. "No need."
"Think nothing of it. I can assure you it is no issue on my part." Hei practically begged, eager to prove his loyalty if even the smallest hint of him being at fault existed in Jaune's mind.
Roman could only roll his eyes. Sure Jaune was a scary guy, but his friend was one of the biggest crime lords in Vale. The man could at least show a bit of spine before racing to kiss the blonde's ass. For heaven's sake the human supremacists were a major criminal element. The eager manner of which Hei spoke of dealing with them didn't speak to the massive gang war that would follow. In all honesty Roman didn't even know if Hei could take them out.
"There is no need." Jaune repeated.
Roman let out a sigh of relief he didn't know he was holding. A massive gang war would complicate the criminal landscape quite a bit, and not in his favor.
"I have already destroyed them." Jaune finished. If he had looked at Roman he would have seen the man with eyes the size of saucers but currently he was watching Hei choke on his spit. As dangerous as the situation was for him Jaune couldn't resist a small smile. He may have only defeated the gang with luck and mostly Cardin, he'd still destroyed those bastards. Pretty cool if he did say so himself.
The smile of a stone cold predator burned into Roman's view as he looked at the monster before him, his brain screaming at the impossibility of the situation. No one, and he meant no one could destroy the supremacist in a day. They were just too big, they had massive stores of arms, and a fanatical devotion to their goals. From his position standing behind the desk he watched Hei slide his scroll to him. It had a news article pulled up.
Human Supremacist Gang Smashed After Violent Warfare on Streets. Hundreds Dead or Wounded With Multiple Police Raids Launched In The Aftermath.
Jaune watched the unknown man in Hei's office have the blood drain from his face before he looked like he was going to lose his lunch. Guess he'd gotten some bad news.
"Well, I'm glad to see you had no trouble with this assignment. I'll have the money transferred to your account immediately." Hei concluded. He couldn't really find it in himself to be surprised at this point, It was Arc after all. What was he expecting, the man was a force of nature in his mind at this point.
Jaune nodded "Appreciated." His gaze moved from Hei and locked onto his unknown acquaintance. " I know you."
Sweat was rolling off Roman now, his fear only matched now by times his current employer was literally on fire and threatening his life. How the hell did Arc recognize him? His disguises were near perfect, he regularly went to police press releases on himself for fun in them. "Oh, I don't think we've ever met." He nervously laughed as he pulled at his, suddenly too tight, collar.
"You forged my transcripts." Jaune stated, any idea of the man being the most wanted criminal in Vale lost on him. Roman had just been in the same disguise when they had met before.
"Ahh," Roman remembered now. The blonde had been unremarkable at the time except for a nervousness beyond scared during the exchange, an obvious ruse now that Roman knew who he was. In his mind he wondered just how much Arc knew about him and his organization.
"Hot?" Jaune politely asked, seeing the man covered in sweat and still looking ill.
Everything, he knew everything. That had obviously been a hint to Cinder in Roman's mind. How did he know? Was there a mole in his organization? Hei's words on Arc being a master of disguise came back to him. Absolutely terrified, he wondered if Arc saw him in person frequently. Suddenly, Hei's move to check him for a mask seemed very sensible. "So, were you satisfied with my work?" He ventured.
He shrugged. "Not really." The transcripts had gotten him kicked after all.
It took every ounce of willpower for Roman to not vomit on the spot. "Oh, well I can offer a refund." He frantically offered.
It was now Hei's turn to roll his eyes. Did Roman have no self respect?
"Cool." Jaune said, a bit surprised. Who knew the criminal underworld had such great customer service. Looking at the forger he noticed a good amount of bandages on the man. "Come here."
Gulping, Roman stepped forward. The command mirroring Cinders own in his mind. He watched in fear as Jaune moved to take his hand, the act no different than putting his hand in a grimms mouth.
A flash of light later, every injury on Roman disappeared. All he could do was just stand like a ram rod, utterly flabbergasted that he wasn't hurt by Arc. "Better?" He vaguely heard Arc ask. "Uh, Yeah." He managed in his shocked state. For a moment he couldn't explain why Jaune had healed him before his criminal mind supplied the answer. The act had let him feel Arc's aura size, and it was massive. Another absolutely terrifying thing considering the man had just apparently ripped dozens of hardened killers, and probably a building or two, apart a few hours ago. Clearly it was an unspoken threat to Roman.
"Well," Jaune said cheerily, before standing. " If there is nothing else, I'll be off."
Still in shock, Roman watched Jaune leave the office. A moment, and a few deep breaths, later he picked the cigar, he'd dropped at some unknown point during the meeting, off the floor.
"Still think I'm crazy?" Hei asked. An unsaid, I told you so, communicated in his tone.
Roman grabbed the bottle of booze and chugged. "Nope." He said simply after slamming the bottle onto the desk.
An evil smile spread on Junior's face as he eyed Roman. "I think he'll get on great with Neo." He happily proclaimed.
Any nerve Roman had recovered with Arc departure died instantly at his friend's words. "Why me?" He moaned as he took a seat and slammed his head on the desk. The sound of a grand being placed on the desk had him look up to Hei's smiling face with a confused look.
"I'm sure he will more than survive the first date." Hei explained. "In fact, I think it'll be a very nice wedding."
"Oh, god." Roman moaned in pain as he slammed his head back on the desk.
"Wonder, what color of hair their kids will have?" Hei mussed.
Instead of any answer Roman settled for slamming his head on the desk, repeatedly. What had he done to deserve this? No really, no amount of murder, thieving, or any assorted crimes in his past warranted this hell.
Laughing maniacally, Hei grabbed his radio. "Cancel everything I'm set to do today."
The radio replied with Milita's voice on the other end in response. "Something come up?"
"Yeah," Hei replied as he grabbed another bottle "I'm getting piss drunk." Pouring two glasses, straight, he couldn't help but be happy. Sure his life was miserable with Arc around every shadow, but misery loved company, and now Roman was in the shit with him. "To being miserable." He toasted.
Not stopping his head banging, Roman raised his own glass.
Welcome to the party Roman. It only gets worse from here. Nothing much happening here except set up, but I originally planned to have this be part of the last chapter. The ending of the last chapter just seemed more thematic. The next chapter will deal with some more actors in the aftermath and give Jaune and Cardin a chance to live for a sec. It was fun to write Roman getting roped into the crazy though, can't have Hei suffer alone. Although I have a feeling that they won't be alone for long. Happy to have gotten this out quickly and hope to crank out another chapter or two soon as well. Just a heads up I'll be on assignment for most of July, so don't expect any chapters during that month. As always thanks you all so much for all the support and comments, they really help. In fact the misunderstandings that lead Jaune to be a boogie man was actually a really a small unintentional part of the beginning, but thanks to your feed back it's been super fun to incorporate it more centrally.