Here we go.

Cover Art: Kirire

Chapter 98

It felt good to be back in Vale.

The surroundings were familiar and so was the routine, allowing Blake to slip into the easy strategy of repeat visits to her favourite breakfast diner, work, and then her takeout place for the afternoon meal. It wasn't a particularly healthy life, but it was a good one.

Ruby had done a good job looking after the office or, more realistically, she'd used some of the money Jaune left behind to pay contract cleaners to come and spruce the place up. Her own apartment certainly needed a spring clean, and Blake paid some people to take care of it. What was the point in risking her life for huge amounts of money if she had to clean her own room? Instead, she enjoyed a spa, massage treatment and then a rare manicure and pedicure before taking the plunge and calling Sun.

Their date had been fun. He was excited to hear from her and even more so that she'd initiated things, and while he didn't have much money as a student to spoil her (and she had the feeling using her own would emasculate him), he was clever about picking places they could hang out on a date without much cost. Taking advantage of the oncoming festivities around the Vytal Festival.

About the only bad thing was that he wasn't very aggressive. Blake had just come from hell on Menagerie and really wouldn't have minded if he wanted to make things more physical, but Sun appeared to be more of a gentleman than his lack of dress code suggested. They parted with a kiss that she had to give more than a few signals towards, but she ultimately retreated to her room alone to take care of herself.

But they'd agreed upon another date. He was handsome, attentive, a good listener, and cheerful. The latter mattered a lot more than it probably should have, because she knew she was a surly bitch – and ARC Corp had made her even more so. What she really needed was someone who wouldn't push her on the work she didn't want to talk about, and who could fill the quiet moments with conversation to distract her. Sun was good at that if nothing else.

"How was your date?" asked Jaune when she showed up for work the next day.

"It was good." Blake watched him, curious to see if there'd be any reaction. There was none, of course. Jaune wasn't interested. That stung a little, but she pushed past it. "Sun took me out to the festival and took my mind off things. We got back late. He didn't stay over, though."

"Is that a good or bad thing?"

"It's a me thing," she replied. "I'm not quite comfortable discussing my sex life with my boss."

He smirked. "Your lack of one by the sounds of it."

"Still more than yours," she returned with a stuck-out tongue. They shared a quiet laugh. "Has ARC Corp reacted to any of the reports on Menagerie?"

"Thankfully not. I know Saphron accessed my report on the bunker to give it a once-over but she hasn't made any notes or amendments. I made sure to cross every t and dot every i so there shouldn't be any red flags."

"Does she check every report you make?"

"Pretty much. I think it's to keep track of my movements. I mentioned in the report we were there so you could visit your parents. Are you okay sticking with that excuse?"

"Sure. They've been texting me nonstop since we left."

"What on?"

"Just making sure I'm alive." Blake sighed and sat on the couch, idly tickling Timothy's chin as he clicked and clacked his way into her lap. "Turns out the downside of them knowing how dangerous my job can be is having to deal with texts every day checking up on me."

"At least they care."

That could have been said with incredible amounts of bitterness given Jaune's family situation, but it wasn't. It was obvious he was just commenting on the positive. It was hard to feel bitter or to long for something that you'd gotten so used to not having.

"So, I've been wondering." Blake let that hang as she fussed over their giant spider. "The Vytal Festival is obviously a big deal internationally and there's a lot of media attention and coverage of the event. Is this something we should be worried about? Does ARC Corp have any big control over it?"

"Yes and no. There aren't any grand conspiracies to reveal anomalies – even Salem doesn't do that – so there's no threat there, and most anomalies know better than to go near it. We do have some small media control but it's really just that the live broadcast is ten seconds behind time, and we can cut it off with the push of a button. It's never had to be used."

"So no one from your family is going to come to oversee us?"

"Not unless something bad happens. Luckily, Salem has recalled Cinder and the White Fang aren't going to want to cause conflict with us and risk exposing themselves. I mean, they might still instigate a terrorist attack, but it'll be a mundane one."

"Yay…?"

"I'm not saying it'd be good if they did," he snorted. "Only that the Albain brothers and Sienna won't dare risk their new anomalies. Besides, I think they'll be too busy trying to keep everything hidden to want to try anything."

Adam would have pushed ahead regardless but he was dead as well.

"Anomalous & Sons…?"

"I doubt it. They're all about law and order and they've apparently been operating a lot longer than we knew. If they wanted to expose themselves, they'd have done it long ago. We're the ones who found them. Not the other way around." Jaune leaned back from his laptop and closed it. "Not to jinx ourselves, but there shouldn't be any specific problems around the Vytal Festival. We might have jobs and work as normal, but the festival itself isn't anomalous."

"And the floating colosseum?"

"Eh." He made a so-so gesture with his hand. "Apparently it isn't – that's according to my father – but the details on how it works are limited. This might be a case of a Reality Class anomaly we're told to let go. If we took it down, it might bring Atlas down as well, and having Atlas crash onto Mantle and kill so many people is a little much even for ARC Corp's standards."

"Your family has limits? Wow."

He grinned. "Oh, it's not the loss of innocent lives. It's the loss of trust and control between Atlas and ARC Corp. If we make the island crash, they'll not work with us and then we'll not have the same influence we used to."

"Ah, of course. Forgive me for thinking this was a humane or ethical concern."

"You're forgiven."

They shared another laugh. The quiet days were too peaceful not to have a joke around every now and then, and with the discontent anomalous community having given up on Vale there really wasn't much going on. No cases, no extremist anomalies, not even some of them taking unnecessary risks. They were on their best behaviour, knowing that to expose themselves during the festival would be to invite ARC Corp down on their heads.

Even the spirit within the book had been quiet, not yet picking its day to take over her. She'd half-expected it to on the date with Sun, to experience the night and perhaps some carnal pleasure in her body. She was relieved it hadn't because that would have been unfair to Sun.

With the contract signed, however, she'd have to be made aware ahead of time as to when the possession was, and it couldn't kill people outside of self-defence. Sure, there was a chance it'd take her body to a seedy part of the city and do unspeakable things in it, but she figured she could survive that. The worst it could do was inject drugs into her system and get her hooked, but she somehow doubted the spirit would want to use its rare moment of freedom to lose control in a drugged stupor.

"Will you be attending the tournament?" she asked.

"I don't think so. It's not really my thing. You?"

"I might go to cheer on Sun," she said, with a shrug. "Feels like the right thing to do. I think Ruby is going for Yang's sake so I might tag along with her. You're welcome to join if you want."

Jaune waved it off with a smile. "I'll be fine. Watching teenagers beat one another up really isn't what I consider a good time. Less so when it means dealing with huge crowds of people."

There was no arguing with that.

/-/

Blake spent the next day with Ruby, out shopping to spend a little more of that money the company owed Ruby, and which she felt too awkward to take home and have her father ask uncomfortable questions. It was really just an excuse to get out and have a little fun, and as young as Ruby was, she was cheerful and – importantly – in the know, which mean their chatter could be a little more intimate than what she could have with anyone else.

"Wow, that sounds really sad. At least the children get to live a life up here. I think their moms and dads would be happy with that."

"I think so too but it was still such a gut punch moment." Blake idly stirred her milkshake with a straw, the two of them sitting outside on a warm day enjoying some simple food and drink. And lots of sugar. "You wouldn't have wanted to be there, Ruby. Crowded corridors, dark everywhere, I couldn't see even with faunus night vision, and the insects." Blake shuddered. "Millions of them."

"Yeah, that sounds bad. I don't think Crescent Rose would be much use there. Did Jaune say anything about how I looked after the place? I left it really clean!"

"You sure did. We even found the receipt for the cleaning company in the trash."

"Erk—" Ruby choked on her shake. "W—What? But it was an online order!"

"Ahah! So you did use a company."

Ruby groaned and banged her head against the table. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. Ugh. Okay, I did, but I made sure Timothy was in your apartment so they wouldn't see him. And all the other anomalies are kept in those storage lots now."

"It's fine, Ruby. Jaune wasn't upset and he wouldn't be if you told him the truth either."

"Yeah…" Ruby poked her shake and look aside. "But I was kinda hoping he'd be impressed."

Ah. Blake smiled awkwardly. "Well I don't think he was unimpressed if that helps."

Ruby sulked.

"Hey Blake…"

"Hmm?"

"You're dating Sun, right?"

"Hmm." Blake's hum was noncommittal, but she was going on dates with the man. It felt too soon to say they were together, however. "For now, sure. What of it?"

"How… How do you get someone to go out with you…?"

"Someone like Jaune?"

"No!" Ruby's denial was weak. "It could be anyone!"

"Sure it could be. Well… I don't think I'm the best person to ask in all honesty. I've had one boyfriend in my life before this and that relationship was closer to the perfect example of what not to do. And as for Sun, he basically up and approached me while I was eating and asked for my number. It was during the matchmaking app crisis."

"Stupid, pretty, lucky…"

"Hey, I'm nearly eighteen and I've had one guy ask me out. Don't make me out to be some supermodel here."

"That's one more than me!"

"No one in Signal likes you?"

"I mean… maybe…" Ruby blushed adorably and poked at her shake. "But they're so dumb!" she whined. "Like, all they talk about is trading cards and stuff. And they have acne and spots and stuff. They're not men. They're boys."

And you're a girl, Blake wanted to point out, but refrained. She didn't have much of a leg to stand on when it came to falling for older men, given her time with Adam. Sure, he hadn't been older-older, only about two years, but that was the same difference between Ruby and Jaune.

Besides, Ruby's feelings weren't new either to her or to girls in general. A lot of young teenage girls liked older boys, and for the very same reasons Ruby had given. Puberty was a bitch, but it was especially cruel to the appeal of young men. Growth spurts, awkward hormones, immaturity, spots and voice cracks. Not exactly a list of top ten most attractive traits in men.

And Jaune did look handsome in his suit. Downright sexy, even. Grimacing, Blake shook those thoughts away.

"I don't know what to say. I could give you the usual advice of let them know and spend time around them, but I think we both know who this is about, and I think we both know he's not exactly the most emotionally available of people."

Ruby slumped. "Yeah, tell me about it."

"You can't blame him being that way with his lot in life, and at least this means it isn't you that's the problem." Dreaded words that would provide little comfort. Blake knew that but said them anyway. "I suppose it wouldn't make a difference if I said marrying him wouldn't even be a good thing. Any kids you had would be consigned to a life in ARC Corp."

"Any kids I have will be consigned to a life as a huntsman or huntress anyway. It's not like either of those is a safe life."

It was safer than this, and less traumatic to boot, but Blake got the feeling Ruby wouldn't be deterred, and she couldn't stop her. The heart wanted what the heart wanted, and no one could have stopped her getting with Adam. She'd been in love. That was something she accepted even today. Had it been wise? No. Had she been immature? Yes. But she had loved him, in only the way an inexperienced and infatuated teenage girl could.

At least Jaune would be better to Ruby than Adam had been to her.

Even if all Jaune did was let her down gently.

"You like Jaune as well, don't you?" asked Ruby.

"Eh? I'm dating Sun."

"But you like Jaune."

"I mean, he's fairly likeable—"

"Blake, you know what I mean."

Of course she did. Blake sighed and balanced her cheek on her hand, resting her elbow on the table, Flatly, she gazed into Ruby's adorable eyes and laid out the harsh reality of the world.

"Ruby, my attraction to Jaune doesn't mean anything."

"But—"

"Yes, I'm attracted to Jaune, but I'm also attracted to Sun – and even a little bit to your sister."

"Eh?"

"It's easy to get it in your head at your age that love is this binary thing; that you see someone, fall in love, and they're the one. I was like that at your age as well. The reality is different, though. There are so many people I could see myself falling in love with."

"But—"

"I could fall in love with someone's looks, with their personality, with their body, with the way they make me feel. The reason I fell for Jaune isn't because he's the one. It's because I spent lots of time with him and he grew on me. It's the same as how co-workers fall for one another, or teammates in Beacon. It's not because of some magical force. It's just proximity. The more time you spend with someone, the more you get to know them and the more comfortable you feel in their presence. They become a regular part of your life. That's it."

"So you do love him…"

"You're missing the point." Blake flicked her straw at Ruby, spraying some bubbled milk across her face and making her flinch. "People can fall in and out of love with just about anyone. The idea of their being the only one for you is silly. Yeah, I fell for Jaune, but I also like Sun, and even Yang ticks a few of my boxes. Spend enough time with me and I might start falling for you as well."

Ruby went bright red and froze in her seat.

"I know that probably makes me sound like some kind of slut but I'm the kind of person who doesn't like a lot of people, but those I do like I start to form attachments to. It's actually really easy to make me fall for someone. Just spend time with me, listen, talk, make me have fun, and I'll start to fall for you. Bonus points if you're principled or stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves."

"Um. Is that your type…?"

"Pretty much." Blake smiled weakly. "I'm actually kinda basic when you get down to it."

"I don't think that's basic. And it's not bad. So, um, you're saying it's okay if we like the same guy?"

"Yes. And that you don't need to get it in your head I'm in love with Jaune. I'm not. I fancy him, but that just means he's one of many people I fancy. That list isn't very exclusive. And even if he returned my feelings, I'm not sure if I'd go out with him. Like I said, his family comes with a lot of baggage."

Ruby smiled helplessly at her. "I think you would."

"Hm?"

"I think you'd date him. I think you'd put up with all that baggage to be with him."

Blake stared back, then away. "Tch. Maybe. But that's just a sign of how pathetic I am that I'd settle for stuff I don't like because of how easily attached I get. I've done this song and dance before, and my ex-boyfriend was a monster. He was a monster even when I fell in love with him, but I told myself… Honestly, I'm not sure what I told myself. That I could fix him? I liked the way he was. He was perfect to me."

Ruby snorted into her milkshake, blowing bubbles. "I'm kinda regretting asking you for advice now."

"Good. I'm useless at it."

"Not just that. You make romance feel really hopeless."

"Not my intent but I'll take it." They stared at one another, then giggled. "Honestly, though. You can try with Jaune if you like but just prepare to be rejected – and not because there's anything wrong with you. Jaune would reject a literal goddess at this point because it's been drilled into his head that he isn't human. I wouldn't be surprised if ARC Corp had some hard rule about him not dating because he's an anomaly, that he'd run the risk of passing on an anomalous child or something."

It wouldn't surprise her. They didn't know enough about how it worked, and while there might well be relationships between anomalies and humans out there (those anomalies who had very subtle alterations), she doubted there was much information on the offspring.

If there were offspring at all. It really depended on how big the biological differences would be. Jaune, with anomalous arms but everything else being human, could probably create a child.

But ARC Corp might not want to risk.

Besides, they had a bunch of other members to bare children and carry on the family duty. Jaune's sisters were more than capable of that, even if Saphron had elected to get with another woman. Blake wondered – but would never ask – if they were considering adoption as a solution to that, or whether Terra would have to stomach her wife being impregnated by someone. They could always use artificial insemination to bypass that, but there was as much a chance that ARC Corp wouldn't care about blood at all.

You could indoctrinate an orphan into the family and raise them to see themselves as a weapon just fine, and the benefit of that was being able to adopt people who were skilled rather than roll the genetic dice.

"I guess I'm glad we had this talk," said Ruby. "At least I can stop worrying we'll hate each other."

"I'd never hate you, Ruby."

"Hmmm. You say that, but I've seen best friends hurt one another in Signal because they liked the same boy."

"That's because teenagers are garbage, men and women both."

"We're still teenagers."

"But we don't act it. I hold a high-risk job and you're the most mature fifteen-year-old I've ever met." The fact they were out drinking milkshake talking about boys went ignored. "But, uh, maybe don't tell your sister about what I said."

"About you maybe liking her? I mean, she got you on the app."

"Yes, but she hates ARC Corp and what we do. After seeing someone from Mountain Glenn carve their own throat open in front of her, I don't think she'll be interested in getting involve with this. Even less so if she finds out what we did to her teammate's family."

"Yeah." Ruby winced. "Yeah, maybe you're right. Um. Good luck with Sun?"

"Thanks. I'm not sure it'll last given he's only here for the festival, but I'm determined to give it a go. I'd say good luck with Jaune, but I don't think luck will play a part. Just know you have my number if you want to talk."

Or cry.

Because being in love with Jaune Arc was a fool's game.

/-/

Back at the office, Blake raised an eyebrow at the ragged-looking man stood atop Jaune's desk fending off Timothy. Qrow Branwen had not grown any more confident around the spider.

"Why is he here?" she asked Jaune. "Don't tell me Beacon has another anomaly."

"Not this— Argh! Get this beast away!"

"Tssssss!"

"Timothy, here." Blake patted her legs. "Cuddles!"

The spider hissed one last time at Qrow but scuttled over, knowing cuddles were worth more than some scraggly man-bird. Qrow didn't climb down off the desk even once he was safe.

"Look, Beacon is fine and we don't have any problems there. Ozpin sent me because he wants to hire you along with General Ironwood."

"Hire us for what?" asked Jaune.

"Amity Colosseum."

"Is there a problem with it? Anomalies?"

"Not that we know of, no, but there's been a bit of a rash of them in Vale as of late and Ozpin is getting worried. He and Ironwood are prepared to pay you to go over Amity before the public is allowed there and make sure nothing unusual is afoot. Ironwood's security will keep anomalies from sneaking in with the crowds, so that's not an issue."

A rash of anomalies? Blake supposed there had been a few incidents, but it was hard to say if that was abnormal or not. The Schnee had been responsible for several of them, and Mountain Glenn had been a legacy issue left behind by ARC Corp in the past. There hadn't been a human-to-anomaly transformation since the schoolteacher. Not in the city, anyway. There had been San Valeo, and then Blood that Feeds, but that'd come from a shipwreck off the coast between Vale and Atlas.

But I guess it's better safe than sorry.

"And will General Ironwood allow us onto Amity without an escort? He seemed rather intent on securing the anomaly Tomorrow's News for himself. Enough to send a team of specialists to capture it ahead of us."

"Look, I don't know anything about that," said Qrow. "And he's disavowed any knowledge of it. Ironwood does shit without telling Ozpin sometimes. What ever happened to those poor guys, anyway?"

"They've been given employment with ARC Corp. Their memories and backgrounds were almost entirely erased by the anomaly—" By Neo, he meant. "—and it was decided that it would be too difficult to try and fit them back into normal society. They still have muscle memory and high levels of fitness, so they'll become a task force or response unit for specific and dangerous anomalies. Like the ones you both saw when we dealt with Blood that Feeds before."

Qrow shuddered. "Poor bastards. I can talk to Ozpin and make sure Ironwood stays off your back. He's not going to try anything on Amity, though. He tried shit and got slapped down. Problem dealt with."

That was easy for Qrow to say.

"We'll take the job," Jaune said. "Whatever our issues with Ironwood and Ozpin, keeping Amity free of anomalous influence is the most important thing. With any luck, we won't find anything. Tell them we'll need at least two days to do a thorough check – and that I expect them to do the necessary background checks on staff and employees. We don't have time to sit down and interview every chef, security guard and tour guide you're paying to be there."

"Done and done. We'll take care of personnel. We're really just worried about something having hitched a ride or been put on there. Mabe it's a coincidence, but it really does feel like a lot of anomalies have hit Vale of late. We've had two in Beacon this year alone, then the Schnee were selling at their auctions here. They might not be a problem anymore, but there's no saying they can't have sold some anomalies on before they died that have yet to surface."

"Indeed." Jaune nodded. "It's better to be safe than sorry. We'll take the case and coordinate with Ironwood and Ozpin as needs be."

Qrow grinned and gingerly climbed down off the desk. "Cool. I'll let them know. Good spider, good monster—"

"HISSSSSSSSSSS!"

"Ah! Ah! Ahhh!" Qrow bolted out the door, slamming it behind him.

Blake patted his head. "Good boy, Timothy."

"Tss!"

Next Chapter: 29th April

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