Rouge could hardly believe her eyes, both Rowan and Jacen were walking beside each other.
Dressed in the same clothes she'd been in during the battle in the Emerald Forest, she ran a hand over the brim of her hat.
From what Gray had told her, she half expected to find Jacen and Rowan broken, requiring her to administer all of her medical knowledge to care for them.
"I see my concerns were unfounded," she said once they were near her.
Jacen was the first to speak, "Nice of you to have those concerns," he said with some exhaustion.
"Thought you said sleep was necessary," Rowan retorted.
Rouge pursed her lips, "You two were gone for hours," she said in an almost chiding tone.
"I take it you've worked out everything?" Rouge asked.
"Well," Jacen began.
"Not everything."
She saw Jacen look toward Rowan, "For example, we don't exactly know what's for breakfast, though I tried seeing if Jacen could use his magic to see what it would be," he said.
"We kinda have a bet goin' whether its pancakes like Jacen sees in his premonitions."
Rouge's eyes widened slightly, "I take it you know what I and Gray know about Jacen?" She inquired.
Rowan nodded, "Aye, now I share a secret between us and Jacen's blonde girlfriend," he added humorously.
In response to Rowan's use of the word girlfriend, Jacen's face went red.
"It's not like that," Jacen said with noticeable embarrassment.
Rouge laughed at Jacen's sudden flustered domineer, "Technically, she is indeed your friend who happens to be a girl," she said slyly.
"For example," she gestured toward herself, getting just close enough to Jacen that she could look into his eyes.
"Am I not also that?" She added just a touch of flirtation, making Jacen blush even more.
"Y-yeah, you are," Jacen managed to say.
Rouge found Jacen's flustered demeanor adorable, but she knew when to draw the line. Even though the scent of Jacen's blood was practically intoxicating.
She was curious if Jacen's unique blood was a result of him being a Jedi. To investigate, she looked at the blood samples he had given her under a microscope but found nothing unusual.
"Is it possible that the Force, which the Jedi use, has an impact on their physiology?" she asked herself.
She was about to ask Jacen when she picked up the resonance of a pair of footsteps and the sound of feet being dragged across the floor.
She also caught the faint and unmistakable scent of alcohol mixed with gastric juices often kept in one's stomach.
As she pivoted, her eyes locked onto the figure of a young woman, who appeared to be a few years older than her. The woman's luscious brown locks, highlighted with caramel streaks, were neatly arranged and held in place by a chic barrette. She donned a pair of stylish sunglasses and wore an outfit that seemed to accentuate every inch of her frame. The ensemble was a perfect amalgamation of colors and textures, creating an overall aesthetic that was both trendy and sophisticated.
At the sight of the familiar form of Yang barely hanging to the other girl's shoulder, she was clearly intoxicated.
Jacen must have noticed, too, and his voice asked, "What happened to Yang?" He asked.
Jacen had to rub his eyes to ensure he didn't see things, but it was beyond doubt that Yang had once again gone to another bar and gone overboard again.
He was only familiar with the girl that was carrying Yang by reputation.
It had to be Coco Adel, the leader of second-year team CFVY.
It was not just a hearsay, the rumors about her fashion sense were indeed true. She was a style icon in her own right and her clothing choices reflected her bold and confident personality. As she walked, she effortlessly made a statement with her appearance, commanding attention and admiration from onlookers. From her impeccable sense of color coordination to her choice of accessories, everything about her exuded class and sophistication.
Though, it was clear she wasn't too happy with having to carry Yang.
As Coco approached Jacen, she greeted him with an accented voice, "You must be Jacen."
Jacen blinked in surprise, "Yes," he said.
She lowered her glasses slightly, revealing her eyes as she studied him. "Ruby wasn't joking when she said you had the same hair as her," she said thoughtfully.
Jacen's eyebrow lifted, "You know Ruby?" He asked.
"Professor Ozpin felt that team RWBY needed a bit of guidance, so me and my team have been working to get them into proper fashion," she explained.
"Ruby said you actually helped her regain a bit of confidence, but she and I have spent time from one leader to another."
Jacen was grateful that Ruby was at least regaining her confidence, and he sensed that Coco had her wisdom to share that would help Ruby grow as a leader.
Though Jacen noticed Coco was frowning a bit when she looked at his clothing, "What look are you going for with that? Street thug, motorcycle punk?"
Jacen looked at his overall appearance; perhaps it was time to get rid of something that made him look like a down-level dweller of Coruscant's 1313 level.
With a sigh, he admitted, "I'm open to finding a new look," he said.
"Ugh, Cu's fang!" Rowan's voice was filled with disgust.
"What is that stench?"
Adopting an unamused look, Coco gestured to Yang.
Even Jacen recoiled slightly, Yang smelled like she'd been sleeping in a sewer, and she also had the distinct smell of vomit on her.
"I found her this morning lying out on the sidewalk," Coco said, slightly livid.
Jacen's face grimaced; he hoped Yang wouldn't be so reckless, especially when Ruby was rebuilding her confidence, but unsurprisingly, Weiss was once again making things difficult.
"What did the Ice Queen do now?" Jacen asked.
"Velvet told me that she considers the entire team to be the problem and she even mentioned the possibility of switching to a different team," Coco said, her tone revealing her disapproval of Weiss's thinking.
"That sounds like a typical Schnee thing," Rowan said gruffly.
"Excuse me," Rouge's voice cut in.
"Are we going just to leave Yang in that disgusting-smelling outfit, or are we going to get her up on her feet?"
Rouge's forthrightness took Jacen aback.
Still, she had a point, "Rowan, help me grab Yang," he said.
"She smells terrible," Rowan complained, but still took one of Yang's arms and draped it over the back of his neck while Jacen did the same.
"Yang will probably have a hangover. Rouge, you can handle that," Jacen said. Rouge got ready to lead the way when Coco stopped her.
"I must say, I like your outfit," she said.
Rouge took a moment to tip her hat in Coco's direction, "Thank you," she said graciously.
"Oh, and Jacen, if time permits, I'll lend you assistance in finding a better look for you," Coco said.
Jacen showed her an appreciative thumbs up and then helped get Yang to her room.
Rouge was somewhat impressed by Ruby's creative inspiration for arranging the four beds in the room into bunk beds.
Though she was considering most of it to be potentially dangerous despite how sturdy it might look.
She instructed Jacen and Rowan to set Yang down on her bed while she took off her jacket and hat, then rummaged through the Silver Crucifix compartment holding her medical equipment.
"Jacen, I'm going to have you draw the bath and add this to the water," Rouge said, handing him one of her therapeutic oils.
He stared at it for a moment, "Mistralian Winter Harvest?" Jacen asked.
"The most effective way to alleviate a hangover is to ensure proper hydration, followed by a therapeutic oil bath to aid in sobering up," Rouge said.
Rowan smelled it and made a face, "Why do you need so much mint, rosemary, and green tea leaf extract?" he asked.
Rouge couldn't blame him, as they both had a similar sense of smell.
"All three have a particular effect in alleviating a hangover while also helping them relax," Rouge answered.
She heard the sound of Jacen turning the water on and then began to take Yang's jacket off.
Yang fell forward onto her, and she moved sluggishly, embracing Rouge.
Rouge blushed as Yang's chest pressed against hers, but she gently guided Yang back into her chair and moved slightly to her side.
"The bath is ready, Rouge," Jacen said from behind her.
Adjusting her hair into a ponytail, she picked Yang up and moved her toward the bathroom, though not before giving Jacen and Rowan an icy glare, "Don't any of you go peaking in here, got it?"
Rowan raised his hands in an innocent manner, while Jacen promised he wouldn't do such a thing.
She grabbed a pair of clean clothes from Yang's closet and then closed the bathroom door.
When Rouge finally closed the door, Jacen took in the room where Ruby and Yang had been set up in.
He could sense a faint echo of actual companionship when Ruby made the crazy suggestion for the bunk beds.
However, he could also sense the underlying tension, most of it radiating from Weiss's side, though there was just as much from Blake's side, no doubt from having to share a room with a direct family member of the Schnee Dust Company.
Speaking of Blake, she had a shelf lined with certain books that he'd gotten from Tukson's bookstore, though his eyes fell on a rather infamous book titled "Ninjas of Love."
Evidently, Blake's reading list consisted of several varieties, mainly aimed toward the exotic. Jacen noticed that Rowan was glaring at the corner of the room where Blake slept. The contrast between canine and feline couldn't be more apparent.
Returning his attention to the bookshelf and the forbidden book, Jacen was about to reach for it out of dangerous curiosity when Rowan coughed slightly.
"Well, I didn't think Jedi were into dirty books," Rowan said mockingly.
Jacen grimaced, "We don't go through our extensive libraries looking for an erotic subject," he explained.
Rowan chuckled. "So you're saying the Jedi don't let themselves experience love or passion?" he asked.
"That didn't stop us from having them," Jacen said.
Rowan appeared fixated on the bathroom door. Jacen noticed an eager look on Rowan's face and realized his intention. Before he could advance, Jacen grabbed him by the tail.
"Ow ow! Let go!" Rowan practically shouted.
Jacen reflexively let go, feeling slightly ashamed, but encouraged, "We're not supposed to stare," Jacen said.
"Come on, don't you want to break out of that shell of yours?" Rowan asked.
"Not at the expense of my own life," Jacen answered curtly.
"Life's too short and ya never know if you'll get to see beautiful women bathin' again," Rowan said, attempting to convince Jacen.
Jacen immediately sensed that Rowan was in imminent danger, and he reached through the Force just as Rouge opened the door to deliver a devastating punch to Rowan's gut to cushion the impact and catch him.
"You really should listen to Jacen, Rowan," Rouge warned before closing the door again.
Rowan growled slightly, "Given that we both saw Rouge rip out a Nevermore's throat, I think I'm willing to concede to your point, lad," he said reluctantly.
"Good," Jacen said, though, after a while, he decided to sit on the floor to meditate on a few things.
Rowan noticed, too, and was curious, "Is that more of your Jedi rituals?" He asked.
Jacen could practically see Rowan scanning the room to ensure Jacen didn't send ripples of the Force to move objects.
"Meditating helps the Jedi center themselves and lets them focus on the currents of the Force," Jacen explained.
"Just don't make this room look like a hurricane blew through here," Rowan said deprecatingly.
Jacen made sure to keep that in mind, but it wasn't exactly up to him whenever he meditated.
He closed his eyes and sank deep into the Force.
Rowan sat cross-legged on the floor as he watched Jacen go into his meditation.
He was familiar with certain martial arts clans within Mistral that practiced strengthening the body, mind, and spirit.
To some extent, Rowan found that Jacen's Jedi traditions mirrored those he had seen in Mistral. However, Rowan still couldn't grasp what the Force was that gave Jacen his abilities.
As Rowan observed Jacen's actions, he noticed that Jacen didn't seem to be treating his abilities as just another semblance. Rowan suspected that Jacen's powers surpassed what most people could do with a semblance. If the Force was anything like what his mother had described in stories passed down for centuries- stories that spoke of magic that could elevate normal humans to a state somewhere between mortality and divinity- then Jacen's abilities were something truly unique and remarkable.
Jacen's posture suggested an almost tranquil atmosphere, which seemed to make Rowan relax a bit, but not enough to make him sleepy.
As it happened, Rowan saw the books on their shelves shuffling, and he saw smaller objects lifting into mid-air and beginning to revolve around Jacen.
What is the Force? The question repeated itself in Rowan's mind.
"The Force," Jacen's voice seemed to resonate from inside his head, and he noticed that Jacen physically didn't talk.
"Is made up from all forms of life; it's what gives the Jedi its power; it surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds things together," Jacen said.
"Those not familiar with it regard it as magic or sorcery, others still simply believe that it's superstitious nonsense.
Rowan remembered Rowena's stories of ancient battles and legends of warriors who long ago used magic instead of semblances.
In the legends of old, magic users were thought of as more akin to forces of nature than mere warriors. The memory of Ruby's silver eyes came to mind, which marked her as a legendary Silver-eyed warrior. The most famous of these warriors was Maria Calavera, who was known as the "Grim Reaper."
Despite his wariness, Rowan felt compelled to learn about the philosophy surrounding the Force. The Hounds of Cú often studied the cultures of various warriors throughout Remnant.
"From what I've seen, you speak of the Force as though it's alive," Rowan said thoughtfully.
"In a way, it is," Jacen said as he opened his eyes then, with a wave of his hand, the objects that had been levitating returned to their original positions.
"The more the Jedi study the Force, the more we realize that we haven't even come close to uncovering its mysteries," Jacen explained.
It made sense in some respect; inwardly, Rowan wondered what it must have been like for the first Jedi to even discover what the Force was and be able to do what he saw Jacen could do.
"You might want to move Rowan," Jacen advised.
Then, as if on cue, the door to the bathroom opened with Rouge assisting a freshly cleaned Yang on her orange night shirt and shorts.
Rowan wisely moved aside to let them pass as Rouge led Yang to her bed.
While Rowan was grateful that at least Yang didn't smell like a sewer anymore, the scent of Rouge's therapeutic oils was potent to his sense of smell.
It suddenly dawned on him that Rouge was trying to usher him out of the room.
"What the hell?" Rowan tried to resist, but Rouge was clearly using her semblance to press the issue.
"They need their space?" Rouge practically whispered, casting her red eyes on him.
Rowan normally would have used his own semblance, but Rowan was smart enough to know that Jacen and Yang needed to have their patch-up session just as he'd had.
Without argument, he left with Rouge closing the door behind them.
As Yang lay in her cozy bed, a sudden feeling of shame engulfed her. For a brief moment, she sat there motionless, lost in her thoughts.
"I'm sorry if I keep on plunging into excessive drinking," she said regretfully.
"I keep doing that to escape the stress," she confessed.
"It has to do with you trying to cope with the feeling of abandonment you feel from your mother not being around," Jacen said.
Given what Jacen had told her about the Jedi and their empathetic abilities, Yang probably shouldn't be surprised that he had a grasp on her personal issues.
"Plus, the Ice Queen just loves to preach about how everyone else is dragging her down, and it's only adding to the stress," she said bitterly.
Yang noticed that Ruby was becoming more confident and even Blake seemed more open after talking with CFVY's Fox Alistair, despite his introverted nature similar to Blake.
She'd even tried getting on the same page when she and Yatsuhashi Daichi were in the middle of a workout.
Despite everyone else's improvement, Weiss refused to acknowledge her faults and insisted on being the leader.
That only put more of a wedge between Ruby and Weiss, with Ruby actually managing to stand her ground while under Weiss's mocking gaze.
Unable to find any other solution, Yang simply relied on her usual method of coping.
Coco had actually called her out on how excessive drinking and partying wasn't a viable solution.
"I don't suppose you have a Jedi solution," Yang inquired.
"I can't just change Weiss's personality with a wave of my hand," Jacen said, demonstrating with a gesture.
Yang raised an eyebrow, "What about that mind trick thing you used before the initiation?" She asked.
She saw Jacen wince slightly, "That works best when the suggestion is something someone else actually wants to do," he said.
"I probably could dominate her mind, but that's not exactly a Jedi thing to do," he added.
"Such people end up being mentally damaged or even left in a perpetually catatonic state."
Yang winced herself, "Are there limitations to how you can influence someone?" She asked.
"If a person is strong-willed or if they're immune to it," Jacen answered.
"In Weiss's case, she's less likely to be influenced a second time."
So much for that idea, Yang thought.
"I have a better idea for you that doesn't involve getting drunk and having a hangover tomorrow," Jacen said with a hint of humor.
Yang looked at him with amusement, "What exactly do you have in mind?" She asked.
Jacen held up two fingers, "You can consider it both a physical exercise and a training opportunity," he said.
"Training for what?" Yang asked.
Jacen grinned slightly, "To help you be able to develop your semblance so you don't burn out like a candle during a fight," he answered.
Yang was momentarily irritated, but then she considered that Jacen might have a training method to help her control her semblance so she could use it more effectively.
"When do we start coach?" She asked.
"As soon as you get yourself ready, we'll meet in the dueling arena," he answered.
Yang wasn't sure what Jacen had in mind, but if it helped, "I'll make sure Ruby and Blake come too," she said.
"I'll make sure my team is there too," Jacen said, then stood to head for the door.
Jacen stood in the center of the arena as everyone began to gather.
He took a fraction of relief to see that Ruby wasn't in that dismal funk she had been after her fight with Weiss.
Though her aura still imitated some anxiety, it was overshadowed by an eager interest in what Jacen would show Yang.
Even Blake seemed to be curious, and Jacen hoped he gave an excellent impression to one who had been a member when the White Fang went from peaceful protests to violent actions.
Jacen observed Blake's curiosity but sensed her wariness too. It reminded him of his confrontation with Rowan and likely triggered unpleasant memories from Blake's time in the now-radical White Fang.
Gray was naturally intrigued when Jacen mentioned that he would demonstrate an exotic fighting style unknown to anyone in Remnant.
Rouge and Rowan were prepared to observe with keen interest.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Coco and one of her teammates, Velvet Scarlatina, a rabbit Faunus who reminded Jacen of a sweeter and less rugged version of Dusky Jones.
From what he knew, Velvet had a hobby for photojournalism, if the antique camera she carried with her was anything to go by.
Jacen took some time to peruse Velvet's articles and he was impressed by her unwavering dedication to depicting the truth through her stories. He vividly remembered how the HoloNet was infamous for publishing inaccurate and misleading articles, but Velvet's work stood out for its commitment to factual reporting.
It seemed to him that she had found out about Jacen's actions during the battle in the Emerald Forest. Jacen couldn't help but notice that Velvet had brought an old-fashioned camera, which she usually used for her photography, and he couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious about his unusual appearance.
Didn't even have time to make myself look good for the camera, Jacen thought with some humor.
Yang had positioned herself in the center as she stretched in preparation for what Jacen had in mind.
If she was serious about trying to fight the empire if they came here, she would have to learn a few new tricks that he had honed or observed during the Clone Wars.
However, Jacen decided to start small and give Yang a baseline before moving on to more advanced levels.
"So what are you gonna show me?" Yang asked with enthusiasm.
Jacen could appreciate Yang's enthusiasm at what he would show her.
"It'll be hand-to-hand combat training," Jacen said as he used the Force to detach his lightsaber from his belt and then move it onto the floor beside the arena.
In answer, Yang removed her gauntlets and crossed her arms over her chest, "Thought you were more a swordsman than a fist fighter," she said thoughtfully.
"As someone who fought in a war, I've used more than just my lightsaber during combat, whether it's a blaster or my own hands," Jacen replied.
"Speaking of which, what I'm going to show you is a martial arts style known as Echani."
Jacen could hear the whispers within the room.
"What's unique about that?" Yang asked.
Well, no harm in giving a general idea, Jacen thought.
According to Jacen, Echani is not just an exotic form of martial art but also a mode of communication.
"Communication?" Yang asked in confusion.
"You're a hand-to-hand fighter, Yang," Jacen began.
"Imagine if, in a single exchange, you knew everything about your enemy than you would in a conversation?" Jacen asked.
Yang's eyes widened with inspiration. "Reading an opponent through combat sounds useful," she said.
Jacen nodded, "In this way, we can give your fighting style more versatility while you obtain information from whoever you fight," he said.
He took a ready stance, "For this demonstration, I'll only be using Echani while you use your combat style," he grinned slightly.
"I won't be using the Force for this either."
He saw Yang show a relatively confident grin, "Fine by me, spaceman," she said as she got into her customary ready stance.
Well, we know she can handle herself against thugs; let's see what areas I can help her improve, he thought.
In a heartbeat, both he and Yang engaged in their hand-to-hand combat.
As Jacen had already known, Yang was a skilled martial artist who emphasized powerful kicks and punches.
As he promised, he wasn't using the Force; he was reading her fighting techniques.
She definitely had the strength to match a Wookiee, though without being as tall as one, and she used her mixture of combat styles to keep the enemy guessing.
Jacen also utilized the forms of Echani to block, strike, or evade Yang's combat style.
With her gauntlets, the force of her punches was amplified, not to mention she had a kind of long-range capability.
Yang had fallen into the typical warrior pitfall. Tactical tunnel vision, which was likely what often led to her drawing on her semblance for a quick end to the fight.
Unfortunately, once she used her Semblance at its full capacity, it left her vulnerable to an attack from another enemy due to her tactical tunnel vision.
Naturally, Jacen had just enough sense not to make any of Yang's hair fall out.
He might have aura now, and he could use the Force to cocoon himself, but he was pretty sure that Yang's punch when she used her semblance would definitely leave a mark on him.
Still, he had to show Yang what would happen if she opened herself.
Soon enough, she'd extended, and with a swift leg sweep, Yang staggered backward. Jacen brought his fist close to her face, then stopped short and gave a light thump on the forehead, causing her to land on the floor.
"Gotcha," Jacen said, extending a hand to help Yang up.
Yang was sweating from the fight just now, "Well," she said between deep breaths.
"What did you learn about me?"
"Your fighting technique suggests that you prioritize strength and force, which is reflected in the way you execute your kicks and punches," Jacen elaborated.
"As a skilled fighter, you utilize a strategic combination of different forms to keep your opponent on their toes, constantly guessing your next move. With a keen eye for spotting opportunities, you search for any chance to gain an advantage over your opponent. However, as the fight progresses, it seems that you tend to make a critical mistake that could potentially cost you the match or in the case of a serious battle, your life," he explained.
Yang looked puzzled, "What's that?"
"When you're in the middle of combat and you start to feel your semblance growing stronger, you become too focused on taking down one particular enemy with a single attack. This leaves you vulnerable to a follow-up attack from another opponent," Jacen explained.
Jacen saw Yang give a frustrated grunt, "I could barely read your moves," Yang said.
Jacen held up a calming hand, "Don't worry, Yang, I didn't expect you to master it in one session," he said.
"We'll continue to work on that on the physical end," with a slight flourish, Jacen sat on the floor, crossing his legs.
"Have a seat," Jacen beckoned, then looked at everyone else.
"Anyone who wants to is welcome to join this part," he said invitingly.
He saw Ruby and Blake slowly walk forward, then Rouge and Gray made their way toward the arena.
"What exactly are we doing?" Blake asked.
Jacen waited for them all to sit down, he also wasn't ignorant that Velvet had been taking photos with her camera, and now she, along with Coco, had moved closer to the arena.
"We've gone through the physical process; now we focus on the spirit," Jacen said.
"In my younger years, after completing our training, the Jedi masters would have us meditate together in order to clear our minds of doubt and focus on the Force," he explained.
"Will this work for those of us that aren't Jedi?" Gray asked.
Jacen nodded, "I'm familiar with Mistralian methods of finding serenity and peace, not to mention tea helps to aid with the meditations," he answered.
"Whenever any of you feel discouraged or feel that you're losing your way, focus on the core of your goals."
He gestured to each of them and spoke, "Each of us has a unique dream, whether it is to learn from history, become a doctor to save lives instead of taking them, find someone we have lost, or uphold a noble legacy." He paused when he looked at Blake, but then gestured to himself, though his words were meant for her as well as himself.
"Looking for a new purpose after the one you followed was lost," he said.
Rowan looked fixated on what Jacen was sharing, though he sat opposite from Blake.
"Or seeking to redeem the honor of one's people," Jacen added thoughtfully.
As he gathered everyone in the room, he requested that they close their eyes in order to better concentrate on the task at hand. However, his intuition, guided by the Force, urged him to keep an eye on Ruby, who had been tasked with a particularly challenging objective. Though her expression remained calm and collected, he sensed an undercurrent of excitement in her mind as she focused intently on the essence of her goal. Despite the outward stillness, it was clear that Ruby was brimming with joy and anticipation as she prepared to take on the challenge before her.
However, the Force seemed to be giving a warning that something was about to happen. Jacen noticed a brief silver glow around her eyes that quickly disappeared.
Briefly, he recalled how Ozpin had remarked on Ruby's silver eyes.
Acting quickly, he took a deep breath and cleared his throat, making everyone open their eyes looking at him with confusion.
"Just never let anything lead you astray," he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
From somewhere, he heard applause and turned to see Coco clapping her hands.
"That's a good practice and motivation," she approved.
He noticed that Velvet was examining his lightsaber, "I've never even seen anything like your lightsaber," she said with keen interest.
Jacen smiled slightly; she had a similar accent to Dusky but lacked the gruffness.
"It's a one-of-a-kind weapon," Jacen replied.
Jacen suddenly felt an all too familiar icy chill from the far side of the room, and Weiss stood with her arms crossed over her chest.
"What brings you before us today, Your Royal Highness?" Jacen asked sardonically.
"You may have sucked everyone else in with your weird metaphysical nonsense, but I'm not buying it," she said severely.
Jacen was about to say something, only for Ruby to step between Jacen and Weiss.
"Jacen has been using that power to help us," she said with noticeable confidence.
Weiss scoffed, "I bet he's just messed with your mind like he did me," she said indignantly.
"You really don't deserve to be a leader for letting yourself be mentally controlled."
Ruby pointed a finger at Weiss, surprising Jacen with her controlled anger. "You've only blamed me or complained about not being the leader."
"I'm doing my best to make myself into a proper leader, but why aren't you helping to be better rather than blame everyone."
Weiss was so taken aback by Ruby's boldness, coupled with the fact everyone else was aiming accusatory looks at her.
Jacen almost felt sympathy for Weiss at being on the receiving end of so many derisive stares, though she'd brought this on herself with her arrogance.
Unable to hold the stare, Weiss backed away and left the room.
However, Jacen wasn't blind to the fact Weiss had shot him an icy glare as though marking him as a dead man.
For a brief moment, Jacen waited for the tension to pass.
Then suddenly, Ruby turned toward him and actually hugged him.
"For a moment, I was afraid that I was going to forget my reasons for being here, but you helped me remember," she said warmly.
Jacen could sense her genuine sincerity, and he returned the hug, "You have a noble goal to pursue Ruby," he said.
"Never forget you have support."
The sound of Coco clearing her throat made him turn around.
"Speaking of support," she said, looking Jacen down from head to toe.
"Let's see if we can find you a new look."
Jacen saw her gaze shift to the others, "If anyone else wants to join, the option is open," she said.
Predictably, Blake and Rowan bowed out.
Gray decided to go to the library to study the new material from Professor Oobleck's class.
Which meant Jacen would be hanging out with Ruby, Yang, and Rouge.
"You mind if I bring my droid?" Jacen asked.
Coco looked at him as though he'd said something weird, "Your what?"
Jacen nodded toward the door, and Skipper came rolling in on all three treads.
Velvet was surprised and exclaimed, "Oh, Coco, this is the robot from the initiation battle in the Emerald Forest!" She then took a photo of him, causing Skipper to turn his head towards her.
"Who decided it should be designed like a trash can on three wheels?" Coco asked, earning an annoyed tone from Skipper.
"His model is meant to be smaller so he can move about, interface with computer terminals, and ensure my ship is ready in the field," Jacen explained.
"I mean, you can tag along, little guy, though I don't think I'll be able to find you a new look," Coco said.
As they followed Coco, Jacen couldn't help but think that Vale could benefit from having droid repair and spas like those found on Coruscant's Lyparsion Way.
Skipper had been many things during the Clone Wars: a starfighter interface module, an information collector, a code breaker, and even a straight-up fighter whenever things got hot.
So, how was it that he ended up acting as a tag-along while the one named Coco was taking them on a shopping spree?
Moreover, why was it that whenever the people of this world saw him, they immediately compared him to a mobile trash can?
Inwardly, Skipper thought, or rather what passed for thought in droids, if anyone else compared him to a trash can, he'd use his electro-prod on them as he did with that Jaune kid who threw up on him.
Now arriving at the seventh clothing store, Skipper stood by as Jacen went from one outfit to another based on recommendations.
Rouge, Ruby, and Yang seemed to be more welcoming to the whole thing, though they had misgivings about Coco's methods for selecting clothing.
Skipper swiveled his head, enhancing his photoreceptor on Velvet, who had been taking various pictures as everyone went from outfit to outfit.
It was hard for him to believe that Velvet and Dusky Jones, both faunus, belonged to the same species, yet had such different personalities.
"You typically go by material or color?" Jacen's voice asked in curiosity.
Skipper turned his head to see Jacen in a white suit with a deep blue shirt and an azure necktie.
Skipper issued a series of clicks and whistles that sounded close to mocking laughter as he could manage.
Jacen turned his head toward him, looking annoyed, "Laugh it up, Tinny," he said.
"It's not just about the fabric, color, or material," said Coco in an instructive tone.
"When it comes to hunting, it's not just about the skill but also about how you present yourself. As a huntsman or huntress, it's important to convey a sense of confidence and style while also leaving a positive impression on others. The way you carry yourself, the gear you use, and the overall vibe you give off can all contribute to making a statement and establishing yourself as a respected huntsman or huntress."
In a technical sense, Skipper recalled how the clone troopers or even the Jedi had attire for occasions, though it didn't always generate a good impression, especially if they ended up in a Separatist-occupied world.
"Hey, I think he looks rather sharp in that," Yang said, placing a hand on Jacen's shoulder.
"What do Jedi typically wear?" Rouge asked.
Now it was Skipper's turn to show something, and he projected the image of a few examples of what Jedi typically wore compared with their Clone Wars era robes.
"Anything from badge to light brown, though the standard always included a tunic, sash, breaches, soft boots, and a brown hooded robe," Jacen explained.
Skipper noticed that Coco was studying the various designs of Jedi attire.
"There's a unique quality to the designs," she said thoughtfully.
She looked at the remains of Jacen's tunic, and then a thought occurred to her.
"I take it this is more a traditional attire with some sentimental value," she inquired.
Jacen nodded, "Sadly, it's not what it used to be, and the rest of the outfit I got came from a smuggler who happened to be about my size," he explained.
"Wait, you took those clothes off a smuggler?" Yang asked.
If Yang had understood Skipper's words, he would have told her that the smuggler was about to hand Jacen over to the Empire or the Hutts.
"What exactly did your attire look like beforehand?" Coco asked.
With a nod from Jacen, Skipper brought up two life-sized images of Jacen both in his armor and in his standard robes.
"I noticed your attire matched one of the others I saw," she said thoughtfully.
"My later inspiration was to combine the look my master Daro Kilaeon wore and the one Anakin Skywalker typically wore," Jacen explained.
Skipper remembered working alongside the legendary Jedi Knight and his equally famous droid R2-D2.
Jacen had actually looked to Anakin as though he were a kind of role model, much to the dismay of Obi-wan Kenobi.
"I think I can come up with something," she said.
Jacen seemed to adopt a look that was equal parts interest and concern.
Skipper shut off the holo-projector and sounded close to a laugh.
Jacen felt a bit apprehensive as Coco was taking his measurements.
Despite his attachment to what was left of his tunic, he had to admit it was probably best to find a better look for himself.
However, his white suit reminded him too much of what he'd seen as the common trend in Atlas.
Yang was observing the kinds of outfits Ruby was trying while Rouge playful placed her hat on Ruby's head.
"I think it looks good on you, Ruby," Rouge said in compliment.
Yang laughed at the fact the hat covered Ruby's eyes.
Velvet was taking more photos, and Jacen couldn't hold back a question, "How long have you been into photography?" He asked.
Velvet stopped and pondered the question momentarily, "I've actually been into it since I was young," she explained.
"A picture can say a thousand words, and I found that I could actually create a story through the photos I take."
Jacen admired her view on something she had a passion for, "I noticed you also have a keen eye for photojournalism," he said.
Velvet was a modest person, but she felt flattered by the compliment. However, as Jacen complimented her, he noticed her rabbit ears and winced inwardly. He then asked her if she often gets called out for being a Faunus and being called names such as "long ears" or "thumper." He hoped that his question wasn't insensitive.
"Um, sometimes," she admitted.
"However, if I react to violence given to me, how does that make me any better?" She asked rhetorically, then added.
"An eye for an eye makes the world blind."
Jacen had even more appreciation for Velvet.
"Still, that doesn't mean I'll stand by while Velvet is getting bullied for being a Faunus," Coco said with an undertone of threat.
The mention of photojournalism rang in his head when he recalled something he'd read regarding the going on in Haven.
Jacen inquired, "Do you happen to know someone by the name of Ash Autumns?"
Velvet's eyes held notable recognition, "She's been a recent writer from out of Haven, but lately, it seems most of her work focuses on the negative side," she said.
Ah, even here, there are news reporters who either cover only half the story, over-exaggerate or spread false information, just like what typically happened during the war with the HoloNet. They often do more harm than good, Jacen thought.
"Every story has two sides," Velvet said.
Jacen could hardly argue the point.
His attention was drawn to his scroll ringing, indicating an incoming call.
Taking it out, he saw the symbol of a book with a capital T in it.
Tukson, "Hello," he asked.
"Is this a good time, my young Jedi?" Tukson asked over the scroll.
Everyone seemed to look at him in concern, and he simply showed a reassuring look, "I'll be just a moment," he nodded toward Skipper, who followed him outside to a nearby alley.
"What do I owe the pleasure?" He asked, though, making certain no one was nearby.
After the incident with the person who attempted to steal Tukson's cipher-making books, Jacen became cautious and vigilant. He wanted to ensure that no one with connections to the White Fang was aware of his conversations with the individual who was assisting deserters in disappearing.
"I know that you've been going through your books since your classes at Beacon began," Tukson said in a business manner.
"Are there any other reference materials you need to help you conduct research?"
Jacen raised an eyebrow; while that option wasn't a bad suggestion, he could easily access the library at Beacon.
However, he sensed there was more to Tukson's tone than offering to give him additional research material. There was a strong sense of urgency in Tukson's voice.
"As it happens, I could use more material regarding history and philosophy," Jacen said, matching Tukson's tone.
"How soon could we meet?"
Tukson paused momentarily before answering, "Would Friday evening be too soon?" He asked.
Jacen thought about it for a moment; he didn't see any problem with it, and if nothing else, it would give Coco time to prepare his new outfit.
"I'll look forward to it," he said.
With an approving sound, Tukson ended the call.
Skipper intoned a series of whistles, posing a question.
"I think it's time we visit an old friend," Jacen told him.
Without another word, he motioned Skipper to follow him back to the clothing store.
Night had fallen in Vale, and Dusky wasn't in a good mood with Tukson's decision.
"This is insane, Tukson," Dusky said, pacing back and forth in the space in Tukson's safe house underneath the shop he used as an office.
"Yes, he's a unique case, but what we've been doing doesn't concern him," she added.
Tukson was currently looking over various files that he was sorting.
"He is valuable because of his unique abilities and experience," Tukson said, pointing to a file labeled Nightingale, a code name for one of Tukson's contacts.
Dusky looked at them and realized it was a collection of documents regarding Jacen.
"How'd Nightingale get this?" Dusky asked.
"I wanted to see what exactly Jacen could do in action, and from what Nightingale has told me, it certifies his capabilities from his time during the Clone Wars," he explained.
"He has the skills of a warrior, the tactics of a commander, and he even has a strong sense of honor."
Dusky scoffed, "The White Fang doesn't care about any of that, Tukson," she said.
"I was tracking where those other two members I took out came from, and this is where they came from."
She opened her scroll, holding it in a landscape orientation, and deftly navigated to a map. Her finger hovered over the screen momentarily before decisively landing on a point located in a rugged mountainous area, situated near the coast outside of Vale city.
"The Fang have set up shop in the Black Citadel," she said with seriousness.
Tukson's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the image of the infamous structure. The Black Citadel, its walls standing tall and firm against the backdrop of the setting sun. The fortress was infamous for being a heavily guarded prison that once held the most dangerous criminals of Vale, from murderers to traitors and war criminals during the Great War. It was no secret that the horrors that took place within its walls were a topic that most people in Vale avoided talking about. However, the fortress had been abandoned for years after the Great War at the command of the King of Vale, who deemed its use far too cruel and inhumane.
If the White Fang had taken it for themselves, they were preparing for something in Vale.
"They already have people locked up in that hellhole," she said with contempt.
"All the more reason to bring him in," Tukson said with noticeable strain in his voice.
Dusty pulled out another cigarette and lit it, "Let's say he is as good as the information Nightingale gave us leads us to believe," she finally said.
"If he screws this up, I'm going to deliver on my promise," she said.
Tukson's eyes were fixed on a beautifully framed photograph that sat atop his desk. The picture depicted a younger Dusky, who stood beside Ghira's daughter Blake, and a rugged-looking Adam Taurus, who sported an eyepatch. The image was filled with warmth and nostalgia, as Ghira himself stood behind them, his protective arm draped over Dusky's shoulder, as if he regarded both Dusky and Adam as his own children.
Dusky looked at it, too, and a feeling of distant memory flashed into her mind.
Blake was an optimist, whereas Dusky and Adam had witnessed human cruelty firsthand.
When she was young, she could already see the path that Adam would take, based on several incidents that occurred years later. Dusky had caused a lot of harm, but she never stopped to consider how Blake felt about the new direction that the White Fang was taking. This was one of the reasons why she knew she could never show her face to Ghira in Menagerie. She had effectively cut herself off from Ghira's guidance.
She let out a puff of smoke, forming a ring as she adjusted her hat, "Alright if you think there's a chance, but I'm going to be watching him the whole time," she said severely.
Although Tukson didn't always approve of her methods, he knew she was devoted to the cause and seeking redemption.
"We'll see what our esteemed Jedi can do," she said.
END