Arc 2 - Chapter 4 - Many Questions, Few Answers

Even at his most cynical, which was indeed his usual perspective on the world, Jaune would still have called the Forever Fall National Park a word synonymous with beautiful. It seemed more like the neverending hills of some royal estate, that which Jaune couldn't help but stare around at with rare astonishment. Patches of scarlet wood sprinkled about acres of green land. The long cobbled path winded and split down to a set of stairs on either side of an artificial waterfall. Further on, the trail branched out like the breaks in a river, patches of park strewn between, glistening in the sunlight, banked by forestry along the end of the horizon. This was about the longest Jaune ever spent waxing poetic about nature, or parks, or anything at all. Though with the mission at hand, his interest dwindled pretty quickly.

Jaune and the gang had come down from the bus station on the northern trail. Had made their way through the gravely path, all joy and excitement. Well, Nora mostly. While she skipped along at the front of the party, singing some song badly, Jaune slogged along like the unhooked caboose of a train, and observed all the cars ahead as he pursued with cold patience. As the awe-struck scientist observed the fauna of a newly discovered biome, Jaune analyzed his group of 'friends' in their natural states, only by now the awe had worn off and was replaced with empty calculation.

It would not have been a revelation to say that every social group had an unspoken order to them. Unsaid rules and particulars, roles and rankings, entirely dependent on a million factors. Age, sex, race, personality, even how many people were in the group. Jaune was no genius for noticing such a thing. Anyone who stopped long enough would see it, eventually. After a few weeks of observation and interaction, however unwilling, he'd picked up quite enough to form the basic shape of this group's social pyramid. Only in this case, it was more of a circle with three very definitive layers.

There was the main group in the center. The friends since childhood, the trunk from which all other branches extended, and tight as bark on a tree to boot. This was the domain of Sun, Yang, Neptune, and Blake. From what he'd heard, Blake was the latest addition to that circle, having not grown up in Vale and instead having moved there from Menagerie sometime around middle school.

The second circle was composed of Weiss, Ren, and Nora, who'd been a part of the group since the beginning of last year. Ren and Nora had moved over from Mistral, the latter of which was adopted into the former's family, though apparently not officially. They didn't refer to each other as brother and sister. Which was probably for the best, since Jaune was quite sure they were dating. As for Weiss, she'd come into the group through Neptune, but Jaune had gotten his fill of that insanity.

Then, there was Ruby in the third sphere. The latest addition, sans himself. She occupied this strange space of technically having grown up around her sister's friends, but young enough to not be a part of the inner circle naturally. Like many younger siblings, she was somewhere at the heels of her sister, a tag-a-long to an already well formed group. A welcome one, perhaps, but still a tag-a-long. Ruby kept to the back right of the group, and with the exception of exchanging words with Ren once in a while, tended to keep to herself. Jaune had to admit to feeling what could be amounted to a sliver of kinship with that method of social interaction.

Then, naturally, there's me. What am I in this choir of adolescence? But a fish lost from the school. Open water around me for miles. I'm what exists outside the defenses of this fortress, looking for my way in, searching for its secrets. The secrets which may save the hearts of every stranger in my crosshairs. I am the darkness of justice, the vengeance of winter. I am… dramatic. Jaune had always made the effort, whenever stuck in a group, to lag behind in the vain hope that he might be forgotten and could slink off to a dark corner alone somewhere. Today was not the day for such mercies. Now he caboosed the group and zeroed his attention on the objects of his mighty scrutiny. Namely, Sun and Yang. He knew they were watching him, even from up there at the head of the group, all of whom were gobbled up in excited conversations about whatever. Yang was notably more boisterous than usual, which was truly an accomplishment. She palled about like a fool alongside Nora in a way that the others probably saw as normal, while Sun had adopted a calmer stride, looking back at Jaune, smiling weakly, then turning back to whatever topic Neptune was trying to distract him with. No doubt the look of a child who has been told he will receive a spanking after returning from the family trip. He ponders his punishment, he laments the passage of every minute, he wishes to be dead, even. If nothing else Sun,I'd rather not pester you with questions. Yet, Ruby's heart will not be saved by my mercy. Your comfort must be sacrificed, unfortunately.

Most likely, Jaune's approach would have to be direct. Pull Sun and Yang aside, start asking questions, threaten to snitch if they refuse to answer. In truth, he wouldn't tell anyone, even if they did refuse. But they didn't know that and that was an advantage to, well, take advantage of. Only what questions did he ask? The goal was to find out what was going on with Ruby, but everyone knew how protective Yang was of her. Jaune had seen once some smooth-talking senior boy approach Ruby at her locker, his intentions rather plain. Of course, it had been his misfortune that Yang had seen him, strode on up behind him and been promptly scared off. Jaune had to admit he respected that. Would he not do the same for his little sisters? Had he not done the same? At least she'd shown some restraint. But will she show such restraint on me? Somehow, I doubt it. That left his only means of getting the information he wanted through exploiting Yang's secret and hoping she said something he could work with. It went without saying that such a scenario depended very much on luck. And whether I can control my mouth for long enough to not end up swallowing it.

Something was wrong. Ruby had already gotten an inkling of it at school and now as the group made toward the food stands beyond the red trees, she was convinced she wasn't imagining it. Couldn't say what it was, but she knew it involved Sun and Yang. Sun had periods of relative calmness, but this was different. He usually cracked jokes at every opportunity, while right now he was laughing at Neptune's unfortunately not as good jokes, and laughing rather badly. Like he was trying to be polite. Yang tended the opposite way and doubled down on her excited ways, but Ruby was not and had never been fooled by it.

Then there was Jaune, who had by no means changed his usual manner, but he did shift his attention back and forth between the only other blondes in the group like a detective watching the suspects of a serious crime. If that wasn't obvious enough, then Ruby didn't know what could be.

Part of her said not to bother since it likely had nothing to do with her, but she couldn't convince herself of it. She knew something had bothered Yang in the cafeteria when she'd seen her puffy eyes, and even now hadn't let it go. But she couldn't ask Yang again. Ruby didn't like being pestered herself, and wouldn't do so to anyone else. Couldn't ask Sun either. He was Yang's friend first and if he knew what was wrong, then he was much less likely to tell her anything, especially since he likely saw her as the baby of the group like everyone else did. Probably felt the need to keep it away from her as if she could never understand.

Then, Ruby looked at Jaune. Who did not do the best job looking approachable. He seemed the type, like what she and her online sort-of-friends called, the Chaotic Neutral alignment in the Grimoires and Grimm campaigns they played. Or maybe Chaotic Good. Or maybe just chaotic. He was friends with Sun and Neptune, she knew that. But in her short time knowing him, he did not seem to mince words around people. In fact, if he knew what was going on, then maybe he'd tell her, since he wouldn't care about Yang's feelings. Maybe she could play the angle of a concerned sister. Say she could provide some insight. Maybe she actually could. The one thing she knew better than everyone else in the group was her own sister. Or at least she hoped.

Ruby swallowed, summoned a measure of courage, and made ready to approach Jaune. She barely got a stride before Neptune called everyone to attention at one of the public mess halls. "You guys meet us at the court. Sun, Jaune, and I will get everyone smoothies. What flavors do you want?"

As everyone started calling out their orders, Ruby was trying to transition from her semi-confident approach back to sullen quiet. Hardly a new thing. Well she'd lost her chance. She gave up and told Neptune the flavor one she wanted. Then watched Sun snatch Jaune and Neptune under his arms and drag them off. That left all the girls, plus Ren, and Ruby just found a spot to stand and sigh and curse herself for not being fast enough.

If anyone noticed her depressive state, they didn't comment on it.

"Hey Brenda, is today the day you agree to marry me?" said Neptune distantly, leaning over the counter of the food bar to flirt with the waitress.

Jaune had to admit that the guy was a natural at this kind of work. Or maybe he was just the better socialite. Probably both. Either way, the end result was that Jaune and Sun now stood together outside the line, waiting for the orders to be filled. Sun was, anyway. Neptune wouldn't be able to stall for long, which meant Jaune had to work fast. He would not settle for falling short while his… partner… gave him this perfect opportunity.

"You should have seen him last year. I'm sure he asked out every girl that worked here." Sun chuckled.

"I believe it." said Jaune.

"Been seeing less of my best friend lately. You've been kind of keeping him from me. Left me kinda lonely, dude."

Is that how you ended up chewing on Yang's lip? Did you run into her arms, bawling out your eyes? Oh Neptune doesn't love me anymore! Don't blame me. I can't turn my sexiness off. Jaune shrugged. "That is a tragedy."

"I'm joking. It's not that serious. I have more people to chill with."

Like Yang? No doubt you chill with her quite often, and in absolute secrecy. Like two lovers from enemy nations, divided by loyalties, drawn by love. Or lust. Oh the drama. Do you care to elaborate, Sun? "I've seen." Jaune said.

Sun gave a sad smile, started twisting one of his big ears. "Sorry you uh, caught us like that. You weren't. Supposed to see us, I mean. No one was meant to." Clearly. "Guess there's nothing to do about it now. This isn't like me. I try to be as real as I can be, you know? Secrets, lying?" He shook his head. "It's not me. Or it's not how I want to be." I sense a but coming. "But I screwed up. Bad." Sun sighed. "And now I don't know what to do."

Screwed up how? Did you happen not to pull the rocket before launch? Should I expect a Sun junior in my future? I'll be a damn good uncle I can promise you that. Jaune said, "Can't say I'm an expert on things like this, either. I'm not really good at giving advice."

"It's enough that you're listening. I'm almost glad it was you who found out. With the others, it might not turn out well."

Why, though? Why, damn you. Reveal your secrets. There are skeletons in all our closets, best to let me see them now. "Can I ask some questions?"

Sun looked at him, hesitant. "I guess. Can't promise to answer, though."

Fair enough. "I doubt whatever this is between you and Yang is a recent thing."

"That's not a question but yeah. You guessed right. We've been uh… like this… since the end of school last year."

"Like this? You mean dating?"

"Not exactly. No."

"You two don't strike me as the chaste types."

Sun shoved his hands in his pockets and grumbled. "No. Not really."

Not dating, but sleeping with each other. But if you two are just banging, then it wouldn't be so big a deal to keep it secret. No one would care. You may not like to lie, Sun. But that doesn't mean you can't. "What are you two then?"

"I don't think either of us know. Things just happened between us. I guess we were both going through some rough shit at the same time." Sun had cursed there, and Jaune did not know him for using words like that heavily. I am opening a wound here. The blood runs. Yet I must persist. "I was dealing with Blake and she was…" Sun paused, then shut his mouth.

What? With what? With who? Her family? Ruby, possibly? Jaune wanted to follow up on the direction of that topic, but figured since Sun was keeping quiet, it was too serious for him to tell. He thought to try and blackmail it out of him, but one look at Sun's sad eyes quickly convinced him against the idea. Instead, he asked, "Blake's involved?"

"Yeah. I'll tell you one day. I'll tell everyone." Sun said, looking at him pleadingly. "Just please keep this between us for now. Please, man."

Jaune had to admit that it was hard to pressure him when he looked so desperate and hurt. Like a beaten puppy just wanting mercy from his abusive owner. Damn Sun. He was too genuine for him, and for the world most likely. Jaune waved a hand dismissively. "It's not my problem anyway. I won't say anything."

Jaune stiffened as he felt Sun drag him into a crushing hug. He frowned and did not hug back, but for Sun's sake, he let him get away with it this time. He was allowing people to touch him without permission happen a lot lately. Awkwardly, he patted Sun's shoulder. "Alright, I need to breathe now."

Sun let him go. "Sorry. Just… thanks. And look, it's not gonna be a secret for long. Me and Yang want to tell everyone. Eventually." So not at all. I can see why you don't like to lie. But even knowing all this doesn't help me much. None of it has anything to do with Ruby. Jaune sighed as Sun went to help Neptune carry the trays of drinks, the both of them laughing over some joke the bar girl said. For some reason, seeing their laughter made Jaune's lips feel weird. Like it was trying to make a shape. One he instinctively did not like. My heart-to-heart with Sun may not have produced anything, but there is still another tree from which to pluck. Yang though, will be a difficult trunk to shake down. Jaune rushed up next to Sun to catch the drinks that almost fell, falling in beside them as they headed back to their 'friends'. It may be that, in order to get the fruit I want, I must draw out the ax and fell the tree entirely. Let's just hope it doesn't crush me.

When the boys returned, Ruby had waited for a chance to get Jaune alone, but the fates worked against her. Seemed like they always were.

It was like being at the lunch table again, only now with the added horror of being outside and around people. The boys weren't far off playing basketball now. Sun and Ren on one side and Neptune and Jaune, the latter two of both teams had been respectively forced into it. It wasn't a close game, either. Sun had played for years and was not shy about showing off. It'd have been a fairer match to pit Sun alone against the three. As it stood, Ren merely defended and passed the ball to Sun whenever he got it, while Neptune seemed fully aware that he would not beat his best friend. Likely from being beaten multiple times before. The only one ignorant of this was Jaune, and it was admittedly a little fun and admirable to see him try against Sun, even if it didn't work out for him. Still, Jaune did not show any attempt to give up, eventually turning the game into a one-on-one.

Nora played spectator on the sidelines, and definitely had the voice for it, while Weiss and Yang watched and laughed, most particularly calling for Sun to take it easy on Jaune. Ruby wondered if she should join in the cheering and laughter, but didn't think she had it in her. No, her mind was occupied with secrets. Most especially the secrets that her sister was keeping. That she refused to confide in her. The resulting unfair isolation Ruby felt as a result. She had to find out.

How was she going to get a chance to speak to Jaune? Sure, she could just go up and talk to him like a normal person might. Ask him to speak in private and all. But what would that look like to the others? She already didn't approach many boys as it was, and the last thing she needed was Nora's teasing, or worse, Yang possibly hurting Jaune. Not even possibly. She absolutely would. That creepy senior that approached her long ago sometimes saw Ruby in the hallways and would turn and practically run the other way, as if she was the monster that plagued his dreams. Sometimes, Ruby wondered if she was glad Yang had staved him off or not. On one hand, she didn't want to deal with a creep, but on the other, she wasn't getting any attention elsewhere.

Then, Ruby looked at Weiss, who'd gone to help Jaune up after he'd been juked by Sun for the tenth time and fallen flat on his face. Weiss didn't do such things often. Not unless it was with people she liked. And it had taken Weiss a long time before she'd liked anyone in the group. Now that Ruby thought about it, she had been involved in that situation where Jaune had punched Neptune's dad. Probably, Weiss knew Jaune a little better than she did. What else could Ruby do but find out?

She pulled out her phone and texted Weiss quite simply. "Do you have Jaune's number?" She instantly regretted that choice. It sounded like she wanted to ask him out or something. Right? Or was she overthinking it? Nothing weird about a girl wanting the number of a boy. Right? Oh my god, this was a bad idea. Any minute now Weiss would show Yang the message and Jaune would end up laying on his face forever.

However, instead of that very realistic possibility, what happened next was Weiss' response. "No. Why?"

"No reason. Hey, can you get it from Neptune for me? Sorry, I know I'm being annoying, but I can't ask him myself. I can't."

Ruby looked over at Weiss, who eyed her with a raised brow, to which all she could do was smile weakly and shrug, as well as feel a lot of guilt. She didn't like being indirect. It was just how she was. It was hard to know how people would react to a weird, awkward, unfunny girl like herself. She had no talent, she wasn't cool or pretty, and there was nothing special about who she was. Knowing that, Ruby tried to stay alone and talk to people only when necessary. It was safer that way. She couldn't be hurt or rejected that way.

It took a moment, but eventually Jaune's number was sent to her. Felt really strange, this moment of accomplishment. What would she look like, messaging him out of nowhere like this? Probably really creepy. Jaune might not even respond if he knew it was her. Probably wouldn't respond to a stranger's message in general. Even so, if she wanted to know what was happening with her sister, it was a risk she had to take. Maybe Jaune would be understanding. Maybe.

"Can I talk to you?" Ruby messaged with shaky hands, then realized Jaune wouldn't know it was her. "This is Ruby."

Jaune was down on his haunches, breathing hard and sweating hard, while Neptune patted his shoulder in some poor attempt to console him of their loss. Ruby wasn't sure what the score was, but she was sure Jaune's was zero. Couldn't blame him for giving it his best shot. He must have heard the message, for he dragged out his phone and glared into it, as though he was cursing the maniac who had dared to text him now of all times. Maybe she shouldn't have sent her name. Ruby had heard rumors that he was a son of a drug lord. One who made people disappear just for a wrong look. They were lies, of course, but Jaune certainly had a look mean enough to be wary. Quickly enough, he responded. "What about?"

Ruby swallowed, but allowed herself a bit of hope as she sent, "Just please meet me by the bathrooms near that smoothie place I'll go first. Meet me there a little after I go, okay? And please don't tell Yang."

It was entirely too covert for her style, or maybe it wasn't. She looked at Jaune as they all seemed to be reforming the teams for another game. Ruby sighed, hoping he wasn't telling the others about her. She got up and might have slipped away quietly so no one noticed, but she'd done so plenty of times before.

No one ever noticed her leave.

It was after turning around again, due to pacing for a good five minutes with her hands clasped together, that Jaune had rounded the corner to meet her.

They were in that gap between the restrooms and the surrounding wall. The little lonely corner where Ruby had seen people stop to use their phones, or make-out with their boyfriends, or even have life-changing breakups. It was amazing where drama and pain, happiness and sadness could begin and end somewhere as mundane as a bathroom stall. Those things in life weren't given the grandeur and weight in life as they did in movies. That was probably for the best, though. Real life drama was infinitely worse without the fanfare.

Jaune looked down at her with his hands in his pockets, expression flat and unreadable. He had taken off his school jacket for the ball game and was now only in the white undershirt, well sweated through. His hair was rough and tousled worse than it usually was, and he had a few scrapes and patches of dirt on his face and arms that, had she not known better, would have made her think he just got out of a fight. Which, in Jaune's case, was not impossible. Strangely, Ruby felt her face flush when she looked up at him. He was tall. Very tall now that she stood so close. She just barely reached the top of his chest, meaning she'd have a faceful of it if she ever hugged him. For some reason that made her face flush all the more. Ruby stepped back a bit, unsure of what to say.

Jaune's lips pursed to one side. "I can't be that scary."

"You are. A little."

He shrugged.

Ruby could already feel her heart gaining speed. "This is kinda weird, right?"

"A little."

"Sorry. This isn't something I normally do."

He gave no answer to that. No look of belief or disbelief. Just plain acknowledgement. Best to get right to it then. "It's about Yang. My sister? I know we don't look alike but—"

"I think I got a good idea of her."

"Uh yeah, you know her already. Sorry." She paused. "But this is about her. About… what you know about her. If you know about her. I wanted to ask—"

He blinked. "You know about it?"

He'd said that like he knew something. Ruby was about to say she didn't, but realized it might be best to roll with that and hope he elaborated. "Er… yeah. I mean, it's more like a guess, but…"

Jaune raised his eyes to the sky like he couldn't believe it. "And Sun was begging me to keep my mouth shut. Turns out they weren't too good about keeping it a secret themselves."

They? Sun and Yang? What secret? "No, I guess they weren't."

Silence for a moment. Then Jaune sighed. "Sun does want it secret though. They both do. Does anyone else know?"

"N-not that I know of."

"Well, don't worry. I'm gonna keep my mouth shut. I can't say I get it though, if those two wanted to be together, I don't think anyone would have a problem with it."

Together? Like, together-together? That would explain where Yang was going all the time. Only knowing the answer did not bring Ruby any relief, only shock. How could they do this to Blake? Sun and Yang were her best friends. Perhaps the only friends she'd ever have. Even worse, how could Yang not tell her? All this time she'd been running off with Sun, leaving Ruby alone in that house with Dad and Uncle Qrow. Either Yang did not care about what was going on at home or she was intent on never being a part of it again. Maybe never being a part of the family ever again. Ruby couldn't say she didn't understand it, if that was the case.

Jaune reached up to rub his shoulder, and Ruby could help but notice that he had a decent amount of muscle. A bit of blue vein on his bicep. Very strong looking bicep. "So what were you gonna ask? I won't tell, if that's what you're worried about."

Ruby fumbled for a response, all the while trying to look at his face and nowhere else. "No, nothing. I mean, it is something but… you kind of already answered it. Didn't think you'd care enough to keep people's secrets."

"I don't."

Ruby nodded. "Alright, thanks."

"I didn't do anything."

"Then, thanks anyway. For the doing nothing thing."

"Stupid thing to thank someone for."

Ruby frowned up at him. "It's even stupider to not take a thank you once in a while. You don't need to be Mister Misery all the time."

Jaune stared at her for a moment, and Ruby's heart thumped even harder. She'd screwed up. Any moment now he'd either yell at her or hit her, or call his drug lord father to have her disappeared. But the moment passed and she did not look away, where the hardness in his eyes had faded and he looked away with a begrudging pout on his face. "You're welcome then, I guess."

Ruby relaxed. "Yeah, sure."

For the third time they stood in silence, that topic of conversation long over. Ruby considered something, licked her lips nervously, then decided at least to try. If Yang could go and hang out with Sun and keep secrets about her business, then she had no right to judge Ruby if she hung out with people, with a boy, even, and kept it secret. It would be Ruby's business, after all.

"Hey Jaune?"

"Hey Ruby." He responded in that vaguely disinterested manner of his. Strange, now she kind of found it unintentionally funny. As if he was the straight man in a world otherwise filled with lunatics.

"You don't have many friends, do you?"

"Not really no."

"Me either. I'm bad at making them."

"I'm bad at keeping them."

That felt like a warning of some kind. Like a snake who'd had the courtesy to warn his prey of his intentions and then gave it a headstart before setting on the chase. If that was the case, Ruby was feeling too brave in the moment to run. "I heard Sun got you to play Robot Wars. Do you play online?"

"No."

"You should!" Ruby said, "It's so fun, I promise. It's a team game, too. So if you wanna, we can play together. M-maybe."

Jaune stared at her. There was no light in the eyes to suggest happiness, but no curl of the lips to express disgust. Just plain consideration, like she was a strange dog he was wondering whether to take home or not. Ruby almost wondered if that's what she wanted. To go home with someone else. Just so she didn't have to be in her own home.

Jaune then gave her a shrug. "Alright, sure."

He couldn't have said that. "Really? You mean it?"

Again Jaune shrugged.

Ruby couldn't help but swell with a new sense of joy. This didn't make them friends right away, but it was a step in the right direction, wasn't it? Sure, Jaune had technically met the group before her, but he was still sort of an outlier. He didn't belong in that group, just like her. Maybe they could not belong in that group together. "Okay, uh… I'll text you. Later. Okay? We can meet up… sometime. Not at my house though, if that's okay… with you."

He raised a brow at her, but a second later shrugged for the hundredth time. "We should get back. Before everyone else starts getting ideas. Especially your sister."

Ruby almost wanted that. At least Yang would have a reason to talk to her for more than a few minutes in a week. Still, having a potential friend get killed by her was probably not a strong follow-up to a hangout. "You can go first. I've been holding my pee for too long."

Jaune went off without another word, quite as if this had simply been some business transaction and the deal was done. Maybe it was like that for him. Ruby had no idea why he said yes. Well, he hadn't technically. He'd just kind of agreed, but it was something, wasn't it? This was her chance to have a friend. Someone she could call her own. Ruby decided at that moment that she wanted Jaune to like her. If it was in her power, she. would make sure Jaune liked her.

Because if she screwed this up, she didn't think she'd have the heart to try ever again.

Time is short. I need to work quickly. Still many questions to ask. Well Yang? It's your turn now. Evacuate the sanctity of the crowd, and let yourself be judged. Jaune looked at her as he drank from the water bottle. All while he looped Sun's answers and reactions in his head, removed the pieces of the puzzle, pieces then back together, constructed theories out of the empty spaces. You sneak off in a passionate liaison with your close friend, whom you have good enough reason to be interested in romantically, and yet you deny the label. Commitment issues, is it? Let's hope Sun is the only other participant of these secret meetings. Yet what am I to think? You fear the reaction of your own friends. You shroud them in unawareness of this horrible, horrible truth! You make this rendezvous of not-love a weighty secret. Oh it reeks of indecency, untruthfulness, and… a whole lot of unnecessary hiding. I'm tired of it already.

Yang switched up on Sun now, tried to get around him to make a shot, but he was on top of her. No, not like that, you pervert. He intercepted her, tried to take the ball, but Yang dribbled well enough, ensuring he always had his eyes below the waist. Not like that, either. Not in this context anyway. What is it that you suffered that threw you into Sun's arms? Why must you keep such a pointless secret, one you deny the knowledge of to even your own sister? A secret kept poorly apparently, for it seems she already knew. Why, Yang? Would you please tell me? No doubt it aches your wounded heart. No possibly, it torments your sister's heart to such a degree that she has made my mark. But I don't believe so.

Maybe he didn't need to question her. He'd gotten lucky that Ruby had flipped the script and asked to play video games with him, which was as good an invitation into her life as could be. If he worked Ruby from there, then the answers would be revealed eventually. But there's no telling how soon or late that may be. I must have them sooner. How did he get Yang to talk to him though? He needed her side of the story, but she hadn't confronted him like he'd expected. Their little park outing would soon end and Jaune had been more than patient enough. Jaune tapped his finger on the bench he sat on, watching the ball game continue. Think, Jaune. What can you use? Particularly, what can I say or do that won't get me punched in the face? Maybe there is no way to get answers that won't get me punched. Having her want to punch me is exactly what I need, I think. Oh dear, I may just be a masochist. Or worse, insane.

Neptune dropped into the spot next to him, tired and sweaty, and evidently done with being beaten again and again. "How's it going, mastermind?"

"Yang won't talk to me." Jaune said.

"Did you try talking to her?"

Jaune didn't answer.

"You know, girls are more like guys than you think. Just don't think of them as a total alien species and it's easy."

"Her being a girl isn't the problem. My dad says I have no tact."

"I've never met your dad, but I agree."

"I can't just ask her to talk to me. I don't think she wants to. Sun has probably already told her I agreed to stay quiet."

"He did. I overheard them." Neptune said.

Jaune turned to him, confused. "You did? When?"

Neptune sent him a knowing smile. "When you snuck off to meet up with Ruby."

Jaune's face heated up. "Whatever it is you're thinking—"

"Relax. I know you aren't trying to take advantage of her. Let's talk about that later. You need a moment with Yang?"

"That's sort of the point of our mission, yeah."

"Then yoke up your balls and ask to speak in private. The worst she can do is say no."

Jaune gritted his teeth. It was a rare moment of humility, but he was intimidated by Yang. Not because he was afraid to get beaten up, though that was a contributing factor, but because he did not know her well. She was fierce, like many of his sisters, but on a stranger that was tough to approach without a plan. If Jaune had the self-assurance to compare himself to a lion, then she was a lioness. And the males may run the pride, but the females did the work and fought the battles. That analogy was supposed to go somewhere witty, but that's how Jaune knew he was nervous. He had no wit to offer.

Jaune took a moment to breathe in, then out, and stood up. Wished he could sit down again, but managed to keep himself standing. Think of her as not an alien. Not an alien. No problem.

"Going for the hearts of both sisters, huh? You are a dog, Jaune Arc." Neptune said, almost loud enough for the others to hear, thankfully they were too caught up in the game.

Getting there was easy enough. Amongst the group and their endless laughter and conversation. It was a strange thing to have to get used to. In his previous years of school he'd never been in a group half this big. Never been in a group at all, really. It always made him feel weaker somehow, approaching people. Made him feel like a peasant begging favor from his king. A feeling no one liked, he was sure. Unless they got some kind of kink out of it. He wasn't judging though. Let freaks be freaks, that was Jaune's philosophy. What had he come over here for again?

"Oh Jauney!" He felt someone jostle him. Nora. Looking up at him with a grin and hands on her hips. "Come on, you're up. Let's run another game."

"Sure, uh…" Damn he hadn't meant to agree. Oh well, too late now. He'd ask Yang aside some other time. Years down the road. When Ruby's heart was consumed by Despair and she was left unable to recover, all because of his cowardice. "Yang!" Jaune hadn't meant to shout either, but this was also too late to go back on. It startled everyone to attention. Most especially Yang. Jaune yoked up his balls, metaphorically, and said. "You got a moment? Can I talk to you?"

Where he expected to see suspicion and maybe anger, he instead saw something close to anxiety. "Sure, man. Lead away."

It was, understandably, an awkward silence as they left the group. Everyone's eyes were on them, he felt it. The feeling did not fade even after everyone was out of sight. The two of them had stopped at one of the pavilions on the park lawn, which was perfect in a way. The sky was the color of calm fire, with long stretches of red, yellow, and orange bleeding between the misty clouds, the murky darkness of evening time creeping up from over the distant trees. Most patrons had left the area or were on their way, with quite literally no one even close to within earshot. They were as alone as could be. The kind of alone Yang and Sun would have had, if Jaune hadn't poked his head around the corner.

Yang set to lean against one of the pavilion's pillars, then ended up sliding down to a sitting position, legs crossed, elbows on her knees, cheeks resting in her palms as she looked up at him. "I guess this was coming, huh?"

That strange analogy of the peasant and the king sprang up in Jaune's head again. Roles reversed. Only now it made him feel guilty. Perhaps Yang felt that same way, and hadn't wanted to approach him because of it. Just like him. Girls and guys weren't that different. But Jaune didn't want to be the one in power, the person whose mercy people waited on. So he squatted down in front of her, leaving a comfortable amount of space between, arms crossed over his knees. "I'm a curious person."

"Some things you're better off not knowing."

"I'm also a risk taker. Sue me." Jaune waited for a response to that, but she said nothing. "So, he's not your boyfriend, huh?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Why not? Friends can bang, can't they?"

"I don't know you well, but I'm going to assume that's not your style. I assume the rumors I hear are bullshit."

Yang chuckled and shook her head. "Well thanks for being a decent human being. I swear, you bone one guy and everyone is calling you a whore, you know?"

"In my experience, guys being whores is apparently a good thing." Jaune shrugged. "Couldn't tell you why though. People care too much about what other people do."

"Amen to that, brother." Yang said. "So what do you want to know for? Are you just nosy?"

"Sorta."

"And if I say no?"

I'll stop immediately, leave you alone, and go about my business a different way. "I'll tell your sister. And Nora, and Ren, and Neptune too. Weiss." Jaune paused. "I might hesitate to tell Blake, but…"

Fear filled Yang's eyes. "You can't."

Jaune motioned an inviting hand toward her. "Then let's talk. I already spoke to Sun and he told me you two've been at this since summer. Told me you both were dealing with stuff and, well, you dealt with them together."

She blushed. "Ignored them, more like. So what? I need to tell you all my personal shit?"

Dial it back. Don't make it obvious. Can't have her being suspicious. Or more suspicious than she already is. "We've all got problems. I don't care about yours. Sun says he doesn't like lying and keeping secrets and I believe him. It bothers him, you two sneaking around. I don't think it was his idea to keep it all secret, was it?"

"You caught me, I keep secrets. Everyone does."

"Why though? No one here would care, they'd even support you two. I even thought you two were together the first time I met you both." He hadn't but that was what being a liar was for.

Yang looked down at the grass. "Everyone but Blake. I don't think she'd be happy if she found out her best friend was fucking her ex."

Gotcha… sort of. "Can't say it's not a little messed up, but why is it such a big deal? After Sun and she broke up, you and Sun got together. It happens."

Yang sighed. "It was me and Blake who were dating."

Jaune blinked. Well, that is interesting.

"All three of us grew up together. And Sun and I… we both liked Blake. We knew each other did, too. Promised that no matter who got with her, we'd be happy for each other and not let it ruin our friendship."

"How sweet. So Sun didn't hold to that promise?"

"Sun's good on every promise he makes." Yang frowned. "It's Blake that has issues in that area. Blake and I didn't even last three months. That's the long and short. She wanted a break so she could figure things out with her old ex. Someone we'd thought she'd left behind for good."

"So you're on a rain check?"

"I'm not that desperate." You sure? I imagine getting with the person whose advances you beat out on the girl you both liked after just being heartbroken indicates an entirely different conclusion. Maybe it's your heart I should be diving into. "Blake wanted a break. I said no. She broke up with me, and I cried and cried like a pathetic little girl that lost her toy. In the end, I agreed to wait for her, even though I knew she was going back to her ex." Yang seemed to chuckle at that. "Stupid."

"So you passionately make out with your jilted friend in the hallways out of spite?"

Yang's hands curled into fists. "No. I wouldn't use Sun like that. He's my best friend. I just… we both needed some comfort. Blake didn't only jilt me. Sun was trying to help her out of a bad situation, but Blake always finds trouble wherever she goes. And he cares enough to not just let her dig her grave. He's better than me in that regard. We both wanted to save Blake, but she never wanted to save herself."

The list of hearts that need saving continues to grow. "Why do you care how she feels about you and Sun if she's basically making you wait while she cheats on you?"

"She's not cheating. It's… complicated." If that isn't the most tired excuse in the history of romance… "And she's still my friend and a good person." Yang sighed. "She just keeps making bad decisions."

Jaune had to resist rolling his eyes. It was the kind of excuse he'd heard on those damn soap operas his big sister made him watch with her. Oh he's a good man, just misunderstood. Ignore the bruises on my body, he's got anger problems. I can save him. But he'd best not insult anyone now. Not while it seemed to be tearing Yang up.

But how did all of this relate to Ruby? Jaune had to remember that these were Yang's issues, not her sisters. No doubt a piece of this elaborate puzzle, but merely a corner of it. Whereas it was the middle pieces which were most critical to completing the picture. There was more to this than Blake, that was certain. Was now the time? Did he pressure any more secrets out of her? Could he even do it now? After thinking about it, Jaune decided he couldn't. He wouldn't get such answers through Yang. Who was to say she even knew if anything was wrong with Ruby? And if he told her, no doubt she'd hound and protect her sister like a mother bear to her cub. Leaving him unable to help.

"And what's to stop me from telling everyone anyway?"

Yang raised one of her curled fists.

"You'd better commit to throwing me in the ocean or something. I can take a beating." Even if I don't enjoy it. Or maybe I do.

"Then please, I'm begging you, Jaune. What do I have to do to make you keep your mouth shut?" She looked desperate. "And within reason."

Well, isn't this a rare opportunity? My fair lady, I bid you to kiss me. Only that would make me quite the creep, and I'm actually not that desperate. Money? I'm no swindler. My Aunt gives me too much to spend anyway. I could make her my personal bodyguard. To protect me from harm on my wild missions into the hearts of tortured gentlemen and maidens in need of rescue. Infinite choices. Incredible possibilities. But let's go with… "Let's say I do or say something that makes you want to hurt or threaten me. I get three passes when I name them." He shrugged. "Sound fair?"

Yang looked dumbfounded. "Why not just make it so I can't ever hit you?"

"Even I have to admit I deserve a punch sometimes. I won't fully deprive you the honor."

She burst out into laughter. Even Jaune had to admit to feeling a bit of a tickle in his throat. "You're insane." she said.

I am, for what I'm about to say. "I'm supposed to hang out with your sister."

Yang's laughter dried up. She took a moment to process, then her eyes went wide, then slanted furiously. "You're supposed to do what?"

"Your sis—"

Yang stood up, fists absolutely trembling at her sides like she was seconds away from strangling him. "I heard you! What the hell is wrong with you? She's only fifteen."

"Relax. We're just playing video games."

"Really? You won't mind me joining you two then, huh? Let's bring the whole gang while we're at it."

And so I twist the knife. "Sorry, I only ever have one guest in my room at a time. Your sister's idea."

Yang was absolutely seething now. As if the very concept of her sister being alone with a boy was so beyond her understanding that it would drive her mad. But it's necessary for her to know. If I tell the truth now, it saves me trouble later. I don't need her interfering. "I'm using one of those passes, if you haven't guessed."

Yang looked horrified. "And how do I know you only want to play video games with her?"

How do you know she only wants to play video games with me? She may be your little sister, but you can't hover over her forever. I suggest you learn that now. Trust her to make her own choices. The truth was that he understood her fear very well. Had it not been his job, indeed his mission to protect his little sisters from those who would take advantage of them? He couldn't fault Yang for feeling as she did. But even he'd learned that he couldn't protect his sisters forever and he had to let them make choices of their own, within reason. They could not grow strong if he was always there to ward off life's challenges. That had been a hard lesson to swallow for him. "I'm not into her in any way, I promise. She says she doesn't make friends easily and you all say I should be nicer to people, right?"

"Couldn't you have chosen someone else's sister?"

"You can trust me." True. "I have nothing to hide." False.

It was the rest of the gang that met up with them, right as their conversation was wrapping up. They asked questions, as they would, but Yang was easily able to put on a mask and come up with a valid enough reason. It was unfortunate that this reason was that Jaune was trying to ask her on a date and she'd promptly rejected him, resulting in Nora's playful condolences, but Jaune figured he was better off holding that loss. Sun would shoot him worried but strangely trusting looks, obviously not believing the story, and Jaune could only pass him a thumbs up and hope that got the message across.

They headed home now, Nora skipping at the front as usual. Even Ruby seemed to have more energy as she talked with her about this and that. Neptune hung back to meet Jaune at the back, making sure no one else was listening. "How'd it go?"

"Swimmingly."

"Is that a jab at me?"

"Don't read too deep into it. We talked. Got nothing out of her we need."

Neptune looked shocked. "Nothing? What the hell, dude? Now what do we do?"

"For now?" Jaune thought for a moment. "I need you to tell me what stuff Ruby likes. I guess I need to try to… be her friend. I don't think Ruby will tell me much if I'm… my usual self."

"Nooo." Neptune drawled sarcastically. "You think?"

This chapter was a strange one. Writing Jaune in a different way can be liberating, but only so long as it sticks to his core values, and sometimes it's hard to know how far is too far, so hopefully I struck a proper balance here. Same with the other characters, all of whom are different in certain ways that I find strange to write, even if they do make sense in the context of this story. I suppose I can only throw it out there and see if it works. Not much more to say. I hope y'all enjoyed it and see you in the next one.

ISA