Blindside

Jaune Arc / Pyrrha Nikos / Cardin Winchester

Only two people in Beacon knew of Jaune's transcripts. His partner and his bully. As he waits for the shoe to drop on him, he notices something that doesn't sit right with him.

/==/

There were many things that Beacon, and in particular his friends didn't know about Jaune. Yes they knew he sucked at combat. They also knew, as he proved it time and time again, that he had no luck with those of the fairer sex. He was also dense to the infatuation his partner had for him. In Beacon Jaune was mediocre, but on the streets... he was almost untouchable. He was unassuming, easily overlooked; and forgettable. Able to easily vanish into a crowd, which helped him with his hobby of picking pockets. A hobby he got exceptionally good at, due to needing to survive in Vale while waiting for initiation. His mind was street smart, something he had a crash course in learning. He knew the fences he could approach. He could pick good marks, and the best ways to slink away without notice.

In Beacon he was noticeable because of how pathetic he was. Everyone knew about him. Some felt sorry and tried to help, others ignored him; while some like Cardin took delight in harassing him. On the streets, surrounded by crowds he was in his element, his domain. In Beacon he had literally no use for the skills he had. There was no need to pick pockets for food, when the cafeteria was fully stocked. With anything you could want. He couldn't slip away, or just fade into the background because everyone knew him as the Nikos' worthless partner. No in Beacon he was seeing more and more how he was entirely out of his element. As much as he wanted to help people. As much as he wanted to be a hero, he just wasn't able to make the reality meet his dream.

He had let it slip to Pyrrha about his transcripts, and brushed off her offer to help him. After the fact, several days later, he understood how stupid he had been, and was going to see her to accept; but she had now vanished a few times. Rushing off as soon as classes ended. Vanishing before JNPR even got back to the dorm. Coming back in late when everyone was sleeping. She brushed off their questions when they confronted her. Giving excuses like sponsor meetings, studying and such. Jaune knew lies when he heard them. He should; he did it enough. So out of concern he used his hobby and snatched her scroll. Because of the security features, nabbing scrolls was not as profitable as lien. Unless of course you had a cracker.

Hidden in a corner, Jaune plugged a wire into the headphone jack. Taking a quick look around to make sure no one was noticing him. Seeing that he was in the clear, he smirked as he hit the activation icon on his mini-scroll. It took a minute before the access code appeared on the screen. With a few taps of his thumb he had access to Pyrrha's scroll. He ignored everything accept her message history. He had to suppress a growl at what he found in her chat logs. He knew she was lying, and now he knew why. Discretely he cloned her chat to his mini-scroll. Going back to the dorm, he tossed Pyrrha's scroll on her bed; in an effort to make it look like she had forgotten it. Going to the closet he pulled out a bag from the back corner and pulled out a set of very nondescript clothes, including a rather worn looking ball cap, and scuffed up boots.

/=/

Pyrrha was torn. Surprisingly these last few times he had been a perfect gentleman, even going so far as to offer Velvet an apology, at her instance. In private with her he was a far cry from how he acted in Beacon; and that was another thing he was keeping everything private. There was no boasting, no grandstanding. He just took her to quiet places away from crowds to spend time. He didn't bring up her fighting records, or pry into her personal life. He kept in casual and above board. Cardin was surprising her, and she was having a hard time figuring out what she should do. He was coerced her, into the first couple of "dates", but now she was finding it hard not to agree to meet up when he asked. He even went so far as letting her use CRDL's bathroom to change for their outings. She never saw the other members of his team when she arrived to change. It was always just him and her.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more going on, but the attention he was giving her as a woman and not as the Four Time Mistral Champion was clouding her judgment. It started when Cardin approached her, and let her know that he knew about Jaune's indiscretion. Then he dropped the hook, an offer that seemed to good to not take up in order to protect her crush. Go out with him in private a couple of times. She hesitated, and when he started to walk away, asking her if she knew where Professor Goodwitch would be, she acted. She agreed, to two dates. This their third in two weeks.

As they had their desert, her mind wandered. She knew she liked Jaune, but was it something deeper than just him treating her like a normal person? Cardin was doing that right now, and showing obvious interest in her, while Jaune just seemed to ignore her advances. Pushing those thoughts from her mind, she decided to enjoy the rest of the evening.

"I've always wondered how someone can end up like that?" Cardin commented between bites of his apple pie and ice cream.

"What do you mean?" Pyrrha asked, a little confused at the remark.

"Look out the window. See over by the alley?" Pyrrha looked, following Cardin's directions and she saw it, or him. Hunched over, sitting on the sidewalk, dressed in well worn clothing. A piece of cardboard with writing on it braced against his crossed legs. A dirty looking paper cup before him. "I just don't get why people choose to live like that. I mean can't he find work instead of begging?"

"Cardin, that might not be the issue."

"What could be the issue then? Alcoholic? Drug Addict?" Cardin turned his attention from the beggar, and return to his desert. "Vale should be more proactive dealing with them. They make the city look dirty."

Pyrrha wanted to rebut him, but as she watched the figure, just sitting there, hood over a ball cap, doing nothing; just sitting next to garbage, she swallowed her agreement. He was right, the street looked wrong with him out there, but she still felt pity; for him. No one deserved to live like that, but was Cardin right? Did he just have to get a job, and things would improve? No it couldn't be that simple. So like her date, she shifted her attention back to her desert and the polite company she was with.

With the bill paid, the pair left the small restaurant. Cardin offered his arm and Pyrrha accepted it. With matching strides they began their walk back to the bullhead pads. Where upon return to the dorms Pyrrha would like twice before sneak into CRDL's dorm and change back into her uniform. As they passed the spot where they had seen the beggar; she noticed he was gone, but had left his cup behind. A disposable paper cup with lien in the bottom. Which struck her as strange.

/=/

Pyrrha slid back into the room, dressed once again in her uniform. Her dress, heels and accessories hidden in her backpack. Nora was out like a light and Ren was reading. He nodded to her as she entered. She returned the silent greeting, and then noticed that one person was missing. Jaune wasn't in the room. She noticed his bag and books, so he was obviously not out studying. He could be out training, she thought as she dropped her bag at the foot of her bed, but that felt off. Jaune was always in the dorm at night. He was never missing when she came back. Seeing him was her affirmation for what she was doing... or did. It was for him, so he could stay and realize his dream.

"Ren? Do you know where Jaune is?"

"He wasn't here when Nora and I got back from supper." Ren replied looking at her from over the edge of his book, "Sort of thought he was with you... seeing as you weren't here either."

"No, I haven't seen him since our last class. I wonder..." Pyrrha stopped talking when she heard her scroll chime twice.

"That's probably Jaune, now." Ren commented as he returned to his book. Pyrrha grabbed her scroll and expanded it. There was two messages one from Cardin, thanking her for the nice evening, and wishing her a goodnight. For some reason it made her smile. The other was from Jaune, and it caused her smile to die.

"Staying in Vale. Need to think about some things. Be back maybe tomorrow."

"He's staying in Vale tonight." Pyrrha informed her remaining awake teammate. Ren said nothing and just continued to read, as Pyrrha flipped back and forth between the two messages. Her worry and concern for Jaune, and what he was doing easily overriding the fleeting pleasure she got from Cardin being polite. At least until a message from Cardin appeared.

"Seeing that there's no classes tomorrow. How about we spend the day out in Vale?"

"I'll think about it." she replied.

"What's there to think about? You had a good time tonight, and these last few times we've met. Why not keep it going?"

"I said I'll think about it." she replied for the second time.

"Well if you want to just message me. I'll be waiting. 3"

The emoticon gave Pyrrha a pause. She had been flirted with before, and often it was uncomfortable situation for her. But now... she was kind of happy, but it nagged at her as well. She thought back to her feelings for Jaune. They were still there, and her worry about where he was and if he was safe, was much stronger than the smile she wanted to let decorate her face. Was she really interested in Cardin, or was she just making due? Was there more to her feelings for Jaune, or was she using him as an excuse to hold back? She was confused, and even with the coercion that started it; she was enjoying her private times with Cardin. He seemed nice, and that couldn't be an act could it?

/=/

"What-cha got J?" Milita asked as she and her sister slid into the back booth across from Jaune as he was cracking the scrolls he had lifted. He was on his fourth of five.

"Why do you nab those things?" Mel asked as she leaned on the table between them, attempting to give Jaune a good view. Jaune ignored it, in favour of doing quick searches through scroll he just opened. "I mean there ain't much use in grabbing them. Can't use them for anything, and once they're reported as lost they get shut down."

"People are idiots. Keep their whole lives on these things." Jaune replied as he started on the fifth scroll. "Information is valuable, these have info. Info I can sell to Junior."

"Yeah, like what?"

"Well I have two affairs. One fucking his secretary, the other screwing her brother-in-law."

"Okay possible blackmail material if they have any assets worth getting." Milita commented.

"Secretary guy works for the Lands Department." Jaune was going to say more, but the twins watched as his deep blues eyes grew instantly hard.

"J?" Mel asked.

"Give this one to Junior. No charge." Jaune replied sliding the scroll across the table.

"Why?" Milita inquired.

"Pedophile." was all Jaune had to say to get the girls to get up and head straight to their boss. Jaune watched as the twins talked with Junior, while handing him the opened scroll. He noticed Junior raise his head and nod towards him, which Jaune returned without pause. A minute or so later the twins returned and placed a couple hundred lien before him. Jaune looked up with questioning gaze.

"Junior says thanks and here's a finder's fee." Mel informed him as she sat down. "He's going to send a few of the boys for a friendly visit, before he leaks a little tip to our buddies in blue."

"Then he'll give a little slip to some contacts in prison." Militia added. Jaune chuckled darkly. He had heard rumours on how guys who took advantage of kids were treated behind bars. "So what are you plans now? Hanging around?"

"Maybe." Jaune replied as he took a sip of his cola. "Maybe go get a room for a night or two."

"What's bothering you?" Mel asked. Jaune knew the twins could read him. It was their job after all, reading people and making calls on who could be trouble and needed to be watched a little closer.

"Team shit."

"Like?" asked Milita.

"Partner is getting involved with someone I think is a piece of work. Worried about her." Jaune took another sip of his cola. "Not sure if I should do something about it, besides what I've already done."

"And that was?"

"Cloning her messenger app."

"That could be counted as stalking J." Mel offered, with a slightly narrowed gaze. "Didn't take you for the type."

"I'm going to head out, and get a room. Give these to Junior. If he sees an value I'll take what he offers. If not, dump 'em." Jaune pushed the two of the scrolls of his four remaining towards the twins, before scooping up the other two. He'd wipe them in his room and pawn them off for a cheap price.

"You could always stay over." Mel offered.

"Nah, you two deserve better." Jaune replied as he started to make his move towards the exit, only to stop when Milita grabbed him by the wrist.

"J stop it."

"Stop what?"

"Putting yourself down. You're a good guy, a catch and the girl who finally catches you will be real lucky." Militia gave him a stern look. "I mean that. Stop acting like you're not worth anything."

"I think, that girl has moved on." Jaune responded before gently getting his hand free, and leaving the girls to sit there, to consider his parting words.

"It's his partner." Mel commented to her sister.

"I know." Milita agreed. "She's maybe found someone else and he's just figured out that he's got feelings for her."

"We should help him. He's too nice a guy to be wallowing."

"Not much we can do, right now." Militia commented before adding, "But if he asks..."

"No questions." Mel finished her statement.

/=/

Jaune was restless. Sleep was evading him so he lay on the barely usable mattress looking as his mini-scroll. The motel was a dump, but it was cheap, and cheap worked. He took his time going through the chat log between Pyrrha and Cardin. Trying to read between the lines, to figure out what the game was. He could tell the first few days, that Pyrrha was hesitant in her replies. Taking a much longer time to give replies, than recently. Maybe he was reading too much into it, and he snorted at the thought. Pyrrha was too good for Cardin. Cardin was pulling something, he was certain of it; but there was a small part of his mind asking, "What if you're wrong?"

He was just about to set aside his mini-scroll when it pinged. Lifting to his face her watched as Pyrrha started to chat with Cardin. He grit his teeth as he watched the pleasant back and forth happen in real time before his eyes. Cardin was getting flirty, and Jaune couldn't gauge if Pyrrha was ignoring it or accepting it. Her responses were rather neutral. Jaune knew he was feeling jealous. It was a late night epiphany that caused him to suddenly understand that Pyrrha was trying to get his attention. It was about that time he realized his infatuation with Weiss was blinding him to someone who actually wanted to be around him. But even knowing all this he kept up appearances. Pyrrha deserved someone better than him. Someone accomplished. Not a cheat, fraud and thief.

He watched the scrolling text, and sighed. Maybe he was reading too much into it. Maybe Cardin and Pyrrha just clicked. It's not like he took advantage of the opportunities she was offering. He had been there, very recently in fact. You can only pine after someone for so long before you need to consider you're own needs. Jaune was well aware that Pyrrha had felt isolated. That her prestige and fame kept people away. She wanted to be treated normally, and from what he was seeing that was what Cardin was doing. He still didn't trust him, and for now he would keep an eye out for his partner's well being. He of course knew where they were going to be. It wouldn't be hard for him, to keep an eye out. He was forgettable after all. They could walk right past and never even notice him.

Dropping his mini-scroll on the bed, he closed his eyes. He was going to need some sleep, hiding in plain sight took effort.

/=/

Pyrrha was pleasantly surprised when Cardin took her to Vale's central park. But instead of the main trails he took her to the more secluded less used ones. There were still people on them of course, but far fewer that those on the main trail. When he took hold of her hand she didn't resist. She was becoming comfortable around him, and he was making strides to be a better person. She let a small smile cross her features, as in her mind she took credit for the changes he was making. When a set of joggers with earphones on came over the crest of the low hill before them, Pyrrha resisted the urge to remove her hand from Cardin's grip. It was gentle, and somewhat calming. She was still nervous about being seen in public, with anyone; and petrified if any of her friends would see her now. She wasn't sure how to explain it.

Noticing that she was distracted, Cardin gave her hand a gentle squeeze. It had the desired affect, bringing her out of her thoughts and focused on him. He gave her a warm smile, and chuckled.

"Something on your mind?"

"Nothing really, just thinking about my friends."

"Nothing? I bet your thinking on what they'd say if they saw us like this."

"No... I..."

"Hey I get it. I've been an asshat, and I doubt a week or two of me behaving will change that impression." Cardin gave her hand another soft squeeze. "Despite how this started out, I'm enjoying myself and I feel like I can be a better person with you around."

Pyrrha tried to suppress the blush that was creeping up on her cheeks. The crinkle of plastic and rattle of bottles, drew her away from looking into Cardin's indigo eyes. A short distance away a homeless man was digging through the trash pulling out discarded bottles and other recyclables. Pyrrha felt a pang of pity for the obviously destitute person. She felt Cardin's grip tighten, and him press himself closer to her, almost in a protective way. The figure paid them no mind, and just continued digging through the trash as they passed.

"You didn't have to do that. I'm not helpless." Pyrrha commented a little annoyed once they were past the homeless man, though she didn't release her grip on his hand.

"I know, but you never know where people like that have been, or what they might do." Cardin defended himself. "I didn't mean to imply anything, it was just how I reacted."

"Okay." Pyrrha responded, giving his hand a short squeeze. "I has been a wonderful day so far."

"Even if we have to hide from your teammates and friends to spend time together?" Cardin asked.

"I..."

"We should go public, at least to your friends at some point." He offered, "It would mean you wouldn't need to sneak around behind them or my team to see me."

"I can't not yet. I'm..."

"You're not sure are you?"

"I'm... sorry."

"I get it." Cardin let go of her hand. "I sort of pushed you to do this, and even though we're well past what we agreed to. I understand. I'm just not the type of guy..."

"No... it's not you!" Pyrrha replied rather quickly."I'm not sure about myself yet. This is all new, and is making me happy, and I'm enjoying our time together..."

"You just don't want anyone to know... in case we don't work out?" Cardin asked letting some hurt tint his voice.

"I'm... sorry." Pyrrha was getting flustered, "I... I'm confused okay. This you is so much different than how you were, and I like spending time with you; but you have to admit how this started..."

"I know, and I'm sorry... but to be honest I didn't know any other way to get you to give me a chance." Cardin gave her a weak smile. "I've seen how you look at Jauney-boy, and it bothers me, and before you say anything hear me out. Jaune lied and cheated his way in. He's not trained, he can barely hold his sword. I don't even need to try to beat him in a spar. He's out of his depth, and he's a liability."

"But..."

"There is no but. You know deep inside I'm right. He's going to get himself or someone else killed." Cardin sighed, "I get it. He's a likeable guy, but truthfully do you really accept the insult to all YOUR hard work his being at Beacon is? I mean think about it. How long have we all trained and studied, and he just walks in thinking he can do it without that type of effort, or sacrifice? Again he's a nice guy, and I feel bad about picking on him; but nice or not... he's not ready to be here. You see that right?"

"I..." Pyrrha stopped herself from answering. Cardin had said a lot, and much of it she had never really thought about. Was her feelings for Jaune clouding her judgment? Cardin was making sense, and her mind started to wonder if she had made the right choices in regards to Jaune. She knew if it wasn't for her he would have died. That was an absolute, irrefutable truth.

"Let's just head back." Cardin offered. Pyrrha just nodded in agreement.

/=/

They had separated before reaching the bullhead terminal. Jaune chose Cardin as his target. Slipping into a bathroom he quickly changed, stuffing one set of clothes into his pack and pulling on the others. It didn't take him long to find the bane of his combat class existence. He watched from a distance away leaning against a support pillar as Cardin fished out his scroll. In Jaune's pocket his mini-scroll vibrated. His hands almost started to shake as he read what Pyrrha wrote.

"I thought about what you said. I'm going to talk with Jaune. You're right he's not ready for Beacon. I'm going to try convince it's for the best that he step away and get some proper training."

"And if he won't? He is kind of stubborn."

"I'll tell the Headmaster about his transcripts."

"He won't like that." Jaune could see the sneer on Cardin's face as he typed out his message.

"It's for the best. It's too dangerous for him, he'll end up hurt or worse. I offered to train him, but he won't accept the help and now that I think about it... it probably wouldn't have helped him."

"Well I'll support you, babe."

"Thank you, that means more to me than you realize."

"See you at school." Jaune watched as Cardin closed his scroll and slid it into his pocket.

Jaune's heart felt ripped in two. Pyrrha had always been supportive of him. Willing to help, and of course he was an ass for not accepting it; but now. If she was so easily swayed by someone like Cardin. Maybe she wasn't as strong or smart as she was letting on. But still just from watching Cardin, Jaune knew something else was also happening, and he was going to find out what. The crowds had started to move. Sliding through people, he closed with his mark. The look on Cardin's face told Jaune he was so into himself, that he wouldn't notice. He didn't. Jaune lifted his scroll without an issue, and faded into the crowd, forgotten and unnoticed.

Concentrating on the task before him Jaune was able to ignore his motion sickness. Hooking up his cracker, Jaune set to work. With the security features bypassed, Jaune took it a further step. He went to work with a burner. Cloning Cardin's complete scroll, Jaune made sure the burner he had picked up was disconnected. It was to serve just a storage device. Putting Cardin's scroll away just in case Jaune started to look through the clone. His hands started to shake with anger, his eyes narrowing with rage. He looked up and searched around, catching sight of the tall ginger near the exit hatch. Sliding his right into the side pocket of his jean vest, he let his fingers felt a familiar and right now comforting shape.

/=/

There was one other thing that Jaune was exceptional at, that no one knew, and that he never had reason or opportunity to use. The Blindside. Pulling his right hand out of his pocket he curled his fingers into a fist. The coolness of the knuckle duster in sharp contrast to the heat he was feeling. He had picket it from a hunter surplus shop, for cheap; and it served him well. He had nicknamed it his Equalizer. Slapping Cardin on the shoulder, making him turn; Jaune twisted his body, stepping back and to the side slightly as his fist shot out. The smack of metal hitting flesh shocked everyone milling about them.

Cardin went down like a sack of potatoes. His bell rung by the nearly perfect right hook jaw cracked him in the jaw. Throwing the punch caused his hood to fall back revealing who he was. Scrolls came out to record the fall out, only to catch Pyrrha Nikos running over. Instead of checking on the blonde like they thought she would, they watched as she shoved him backwards away from the downed form of Beacon's resident bully. She looked at Jaune with anger in her emerald eyes.

"What the fuck are you doing?" she screamed at him.

"Dealing with a fucking bastard." Jaune replied with an equal of rage.

"You had no right to attack him! He was trying to ch..."

"Keep lying to yourself about that." Jaune snorted.

"I don't know what I ever saw in you! You're liar, fraud and cheater!" Pyrrha snapped, "You hear that everyone? Jaune faked his way in to Beacon! He is an embarrassment to his team, to this school."

Jaune said nothign in reply, and just spit in her face, before shoving his way past the gathered onlookers. Leaving Pyrrha slightly stunned before he turned and dropped to her knees to check on the groaning Cardin. Returning to the dorm he dropped his pack on the floor, before pulling a ruck-sack from under his bed. He didn't pause as he started to stuff his few personal affects into the bag, and was just starting to zip it closed when Ren burst into the room.

"Jaune what is going on? People are saying you attacked Cardin! That you lied your way into Beacon?" Ren was fluster, something Jaune had never seen before. "What's going on?"

"It's all true." Jaune replied coldly. "I'm a fraud, liar and cheater. I never earned my spot here Ren. I don't belong here."

"And Cardin?"

"Here." Jaune picked up two scrolls from his bed where he had tossed them towards Ren. "One's the real deal, the other is a clone. Check them out, it'll answer everything."

"What are doing now?" Ren questioned as he easily caught both scrolls. "Are you leaving?"

"Yeah." was Jaune's response. "I don't belong here, and seeing as I just cold clocked Pyrrha's whatever... I won't be welcome here."

"Jaune we can..."

"No we can't." Jaune cut him off before he could continue. "My scroll will be on. Hit me up if you're even wandering Vale. Check the scrolls, that'll answer everything."

Ren wanted to say more, to ask more, but Jaune shouldered past him, and after giving him a short nod; he walked out. Unable to really come up with the words, or actions to stop his friend and team leader, Ren just stood there for several long minutes, before deciding to take Jaune's advice and check out the scrolls in his hands.

/=/

"He left. He's gone." Ren informed Pyrrha as she entered the room about twenty minutes after Jaune had left. Ren could tell by her eyes and body language that she was upset, leaning towards anger, and decided to cut off the head of the snake. So her tossed her Cardin's scroll. "Here, look at the photo album before you say anything."

"What is this?"

"Cardin's scroll. Jaune gave it to me before he walked away."

"So not only is he a fraud, and liar, he's also a thief?" Pyrrha sneered

"I suggest you check out the photo album. There are a couple message threads you might be interested in as well. But the photo album first."

Before she could, Nora burst into the room, followed closely by Blake. Who instantly pushed past the excitable ginger and shoved Pyrrha roughly, causing her to stumble backwards and onto Jaune's bed.

"What the fuck Pyrrha? You and that racist bastard?" Blake screamed at her, as Pyrrha looked literally shocked at Blake's complete outrage. "I knew Ms Perfect was too good to be true. Just a fucking act!"

"What about you?" Pyrrha snapped back, as she forced herself back to her feet a squared off with the shorter girl.

"What about me?"

"Hanging around with Weiss. She's as bad as Cardin was! Look what her family does to Faunus, and you just accept her" Pyrrha gave Blake a shove, pushing the girl back away from her. "At least Cardin has apologized..."

"Apologized?" Yang laughed, as she Ruby and Weiss finally entered the dorm, through the wide open door. Yang instantly moving to stand next to her partner. "You should ask Velvet about that."

"Where's Jaune?" Ruby asked, not even looking in Pyrrha's direction, instead focused completely on Ren.

"He left." Instantly Ruby's shoulders dropped and she looked like someone knocked all the wind out of her sails.

"Good riddance, the coward finally made the right choice." Pyrrha snapped, "He's a fraud, a liar and now I find out he's a thief. He never belonged here, and you all KNOW IT!"

"You even listening to yourself?" Weiss asked. "You of all people outing Jaune like that, trying to embarrass him, just because why? He finally put that asshole Cardin in his place?"

"He had no..."

"No he had every right to stand up to him." Weiss snapped back, "I may not be a fan of Jaune, but I agree with what he did. Cardin had it coming."

"None of..."

"Everyone, let's go." Nora finally spoke up in an uncharacteristically calm tone, as she turned and made a shooing motion with her arms."Leave Pyrrha to... whatever."

"I suggest you check the photo album and the the chat history on Cardin's scroll." Ren told Pyrrha, as he noticed that Nora hadn't used Pyrrha's nickname, and helped his partner start to usher the entirety of RWBY out. Ina move very reminiscent of Jaune's recent action; Blake spit at Pyrrha catching her on the cheek.

"Racist Bitch." Blake snarled as she was guided out by Yang and Nora. Pyrrha was soon alone in JNPR's dorm, Cardin's scroll forgotten on Jaune's bed. Pyrrha's mind was in turmoil. She wasn't understanding her supposed friend's reactions. Juane was in the wrong yet they were mad at her? Why because she found someone who was showing genuine interest in her? Pulling out her own scroll, she opened the chat program and made a choice. She deleted Jaune's contact information, before opening and sending a message to the Headmaster. He had given it to her when she first arrived, telling her if anything came up she could contact him directly. She knew it was because of her status as a celebrity, and it had irked her, but now. She was going to use what she had at her disposal.

"I need to speak with you, if it is convenient."

"I am rather busy at the moment. Is this an emergency?"

"It's about Jaune and his transcripts."

"I see. Well I will not be discussing another student's academic record with you. Now I am rather busy, so I bid you a good day."

"But he lied to get in to Beacon. His transcripts are forgeries!"

"Ms Nikos, I WILL not discuss another student's academic records with you. Now good day."

Pyrrha was a little shocked that the Headmaster was being so casual about the situation. Jaune was a liar, and a fraud. A danger to himself and everyone around him; not to mention that it has to be a crime to use fake credentials. Taking a deep calming breath, she picked up Cardin's scroll, and decided to go to the infirmary to check on apparently the one person who would be on her side. She paused for a moment, remembering that Ren was fairly insistent on her looking at the photo albums on Cardin's scroll. She saw that it was still open. The auto-lock feature obviously having been disabled. She argued with herself before her thumb moved over and tapped the photo icon.

"No." she whispered. Her knees felting weak, as she looked at the dated albums; and it was then it struck her. Jaune despite all his faults had been looking out for her.

/==/

Okay, I've been reading more Ao3 posts, and there are a few of Cardin taking advantage of Pyrrha, but obviously... so here's my take on it. It's not one of my better offerings, and this first chapter could have been spread out further.

I do see Cardin as more than a basic thug, which he's usually written as (I know I'm guilty of it.) I can see him playing a long game if he had gone after Pyrrha instead of Jaune.

I can also see Pyrrha getting distracted by someone treating her normally. Let's face it she fell for Jaune almost instantly when he didn't react to her fame. Or was at least very interested in him.

So I doubt this will be a popular one, and I expect some good critiques about how It really doesn't work. I needed to try, so here's the result.

Anyway, I would like to know WHICH Possibilities you guys would like to see a second chapter of. Just post you're requests in the comments section. Majority rules, and if you really feel up to it, and have more than one choice, list them in order of preference.

As always, comments, suggestions, and critiques are always welcome. Hope you enjoyed.