Still looking after my mother but "mostly" back to normal now. Big changes in her lifestyle and what she is/isn't allowed to do obviously, but my job now is just to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't exert herself.
Cover Art: Solace o'Autumn
Chapter 16
He'd thought agreeing to practice with Weiss for a future concert for Willow would at least smooth the rough patches between the two of them. How very naïve. On returning to the Schnee manor, he'd instantly found himself the subject of a tug-of-war between mother and daughter, with Willow wanting his time and music at any random hour of the day, and Weiss both trying to get him to practice with her and generally running interference over Willow.
"Breaking the addiction" she called it, and he was really beginning to realise it was. Willow needed him to play in the morning before breakfast so she could start the day with a cheery mood, but she'd also need him to play again mid-morning, after lunch, sometime in the afternoon and then late at night before bed.
Weiss, meanwhile, was a busy bee of her own, having a strict schedule of personal training, huntress training with a hired tutor, voice training with another hired tutor, and regular meetings with her agents and promoters. He'd figured it'd be easy for her to find time for song practice with him, but that really wasn't the case. Their only opportunities were late in the evening, and that was a time Willow liked to keep him close for.
In the end Weiss dragged him for some practice without telling Willow, leaving her completely unawares as to where he was. In all fairness, he wasn't sure where he was either. Some big music room with a piano and various instruments, but the Schnee manor was confusing to navigate and he could be anywhere.
"Why not just let her watch the practice?" he asked Weiss.
"You must be joking," she snapped back. "Aside from constant interruptions, she'll make demands throughout the whole thing. Do this, don't do that, play some different songs. Stop pausing to talk." Weiss scowled. "I don't know what her deal is, but her obsession with you is unhealthy."
"With my music."
"If you say so." Weiss eyed him strangely. "I still think it's more likely you."
"Didn't we agree not to bring this up again?"
"It was never written in contract." Weiss tossed him some sheet music. "Here. This is my current single. You should be able to—" She noticed his panic. "What now!?"
"I… well… I can't read sheet music."
Weiss stared at him. "That isn't funny."
Jaune laughed nervously.
"You can't be serious. This is some poor attempt at a joke, correct?"
"Well… I can read tab music, for guitars, but a lot of it is just mimicking the hand movements and chords. I learn most of my songs from watching and playing along to tutorial videos online and…" He trailed off, a little worried by how she was clenching her fist and shaking. "Um. I… I guess I can try and learn it…?"
"No. There's no point." She mumbled some unflattering things about him under her breath. "I'll just have to teach you that way, then. I'll write the chord progression down here. You at least know how to play each chord, I hope."
"Yeah."
"Good. Idiot," she grumbled. "Just some moron who picked up a guitar. I swear…"
That was unfair even as it was true. It was hard to feel like she was wrong though, especially when he hadn't put as much effort into it as others had to. His Semblance filled in the gaps, with his Charisma making him either sound better, or just look confident enough that most people assumed he had it down.
It was interesting how it didn't have as much of an impact on her as it did Willow. Or even Terra. They'd been stunned by his music, literally stunned, and he wondered if that was a level thing. Weiss being Lvl.26, she must have had Charisma of her own to block his. Sort of. It wasn't like she had the stats he did, since she didn't have his Semblance, but if it worked like a game then it might have been projecting or imagining those stats on her. Terra, meanwhile, hadn't and wouldn't fight a day in her life and was much lower level, as were most of the people hooked on Guitar Cutie's videos online. Maybe his Charisma hit them harder because it was overwhelmingly higher for them.
It's not like I dare ask Weiss if she finds me handsome to test it. She'd tear my head off and shove my guitar down my neck.
Practice went… well, it went. He got the basic gist of the tune – it really wasn't complicated at all – and started playing, and then had to deal with Weiss' interruptions. "No, no, no. Too loud. Too forceful. You're backing music. You need to be supportive."
"But this is how I usually play."
"You're playing like the lead guitar in a band, which is fine if you are that. Or if you're performing solo. You won't be here. I'm the main attraction and I'm the one who has to be the main focus." Weiss crossed her arms and sighed. "And that's not arrogance talking, either. If you're too big a part of this, we'll both be torn asunder. I'll be dragged through the dirt by detractors and rivals for exploiting you, and you'll be ripped to pieces by my fans for trying to upstage or use me to further your career."
"Is that a thing?"
"Of course it's a thing. The only ones who'll win in that scenario is those parasites online making drama videos – and I refuse to further the careers of those creatures." She took a deep breath. "There's a reason you're able to learn this so quickly. It's a simple melody because my voice is meant to do the heavy lifting. You need to stay still, keep your head down, and not draw too much attention."
"R—Right." Jaune did as he was told, staring at his fingers as he played. "Like this?"
Weiss heaved a sigh. "You can afford to not look like I've been beating you with a stick backstage. Look natural, look relaxed, but just don't strut around the stage. That's fine if we were a band with equal membership but I'm bringing you in as a backing guitarist for a live gig. You need to act the part. Once our song is over and you're performing solo, you can and should go back to how you normally play."
It took a few tries, but he got the look down, or at least enough for Weiss to stop complaining about it. He'd thought it was a case of her not wanting to feel upstaged at first but the more she explained, the more he realised it wasn't like that. This was showbusiness, not the intimate performances he usually did, and Weiss had to contend with a legion of fans. At the end of the day, people wanted to see and hear her, and his job was just to support her. It helped that she wasn't a diva about it, though he did wish she'd be a little less caustic too.
Given the weird way her mother was acting around him, however, he understood where it was coming from. He'd have felt defensive if some random guy appeared and started getting cozy and strange with his mom too.
In truth, he was a lot more worried about whether his Bardic Music could actually be used in a support role. It should work, because "support" was the whole point of a bard in traditional RPGs, but with how quickly everyone online had hooked onto his music, he was worried Weiss' fans might do the same and decide her guitarist was better than her.
I wonder if there's a way to focus it. The way my skill is written, it says I can inspire allies and terrify enemies. It wouldn't be any use if it inspired or terrified everyone around me. There must be some way to pick and choose who I give the buff or debuff to.
It was definitely something he needed to learn, not just for Weiss but also in case he ever needed to use the defensive aspect. While he didn't plan to get in danger, you never knew what might happen and it'd be convenient to be able to send muggers running with a quick song. Less so if he caused a panic-induced stampede from everyone within hearing distance.
How to train it, though? He really needed to be playing for an audience and to see if he could affect one person at a time by focusing on them. That wasn't something he could do here with only Weiss in the room.
The rest of practice went by with Weiss singing and him playing, and the two of them trying to keep pace. It was "okay" which was acceptable for one of their first practices. It really did help that the guitar for it was super easy. As Weiss said, it was just backing music to support her, and it didn't need to stand on its own with a complicated solo.
"We'll get in practice where we can," she said. "We can do more tomorrow—"
A maid knocked on the door and said, "Miss Weiss. Mr Arc's presence is requested in the sixth tearoom."
"I suppose mother needs her musical fix." Her expression darkened. "And I'd hate to get in the way of that."
"Actually, Miss Weiss, the request comes from your father."
/-/
It was the first time Mr Jacques Schnee had really talked to him. Oh, they'd interacted here and there but it was polite and quick and Jaune had taken Klein's advice to heart in never expecting more. Now, he worried that the bizarre idea Weiss and Whitley had gotten about his relationship with Willow might have reached her husband.
Her very wealthy, very powerful husband.
Jaune stepped into the tearoom – a small by Schnee standards room with several plush armchairs, a roaring fire, and a small library of expensive tomes – and bowed his head to the man sitting in one armchair. "You asked to see me, sir."
"I did." Jacques waved a cup of tea at the maid, who curtseyed and closed the door. "Take a seat. Have some tea."
He'd have been happier if the man just told him what he wanted, but Jaune did as he was told, setting his guitar at the door, and sitting opposite Jacques, then carefully taking a cup and a sip of the bitter, bitter tea. "Thank you," he said. "It's delicious."
"Moments of relaxation are rare for someone in my position, young man, and I take them where I can get them. But I'm sure you'd rather I move onto business. I would talk first of my wife and secondly of you."
Crap, crap, crap.
"Firstly, I am equal parts surprised and impressed with my wife's vigour of late."
That… wasn't an accusation? Jaune blinked away his panic and stared at the man.
.
Jacques Schnee
Lvl.11
Jacques Schnee is a ruthless businessman and has earned his place as the richest man on Remnant from relatively humble beginnings. While the Schnee name and business does not technically belong to him, there is no denying he was instrumental in its survival and rise to prominence. The Board of Directors would sooner slit their own throats than vote against him, as his methods – ruthless as they may be – have turned a failing business into a world power. Everything is a resource to him.
.
He didn't often look at people this way because the bio tended to skew his perception of people and also give him detail that wasn't entirely helpful – like knowing Jacques had a secure position as CEO. It wasn't like Jaune was running to take it from him. That level, though. It was above the average people he'd seen, though far below any huntsman or huntress. What gave him those extra levels? Work? Or had he been forced to defend himself once or twice?
"It's no secret that Willow prefers to stay apart from the business and my affairs," Jacques continued. "She's content to exist on her own, in her own world, enjoying her drink and little fancies. It's been a constant source of embarrassment both for me and for the Schnee name."
Jaune fidgeted.
"I don't expect you to comment on that. I'm simply stating a fact. Having her eager to not only take part in planning an event, but to almost take it out from under me was a pleasant surprise. Naturally, I had several trusted members of staff keep an eye on things. Imagine my surprise when reports come in that the event is being handled meticulously, and that it should by all accounts be a roaring success. Willow has impressed me, and it's a welcome change. If I can trust her to take care of events like this, it frees up my time for more important work – or even to have a moment of peace and quiet like this."
That was good, right? The things he was describing were positive things. Why, then, did he still feel like there was an anvil poised above his head? Jaune swallowed. "That's good to hear, sir. Your wife, um, really enjoys her music."
"As I am led to believe. Has she been a good host to you?"
"Yes. Of course."
"Good." Jacques Schnee leaned back and took a long drink. "I am content to see this continue. However, I have an important meeting tomorrow with General Ironwood. My daughter, Winter, will be there, along with several important politicians. This will take place in the morning, soon after breakfast."
"I'll be sure to get out your way, sir."
"That won't be necessary. I would like you to be there."
"To perform, sir?"
"Briefly, but mostly I would like you there to keep Willow as she has been of late. Her behaviour around such important people has not always been exemplary – not anything childish, of course, but a lack of interest. I would like her to show her newfound attitude to them."
That didn't sound bad. Even beyond what he had to do, it didn't sound nasty from the point of view of a husband to his wife, either. If anything, it almost sounded like Jacques was proud of Willow and wanted to show everyone how she was. That was a good thing, right? It was like when his mom made dad wear thinner shirts so she could show him off.
"I'd also like you to spend a little time with her before the meeting to make sure she's in a good mood," said Jacques. "Do what it is you do and ensure she's putting her best foot forward with my guests."
A quick performance then. That would probably happen anyway. "Sure. That's no problem, sir."
"Perfect." Jacques smiled. "You're welcome to carry on your day, then. I simply thought it best to forewarn you."
"I appreciate that, sir, and thank you again for letting me stay in your home."
"Hmhmhm. The cost of such is far outweighed by the benefits I've been receiving. Keep those up and you shall be welcome here."
Jaune nodded again, relieved to have survived the meeting, and even to have come out being praised. Even if the praise still somehow felt just a little big threatening. He made his way to the door and picked up his guitar, only for Jacques to speak once he had the door open and was halfway out.
"One more thing. It's no secret that my marriage to Willow was an arranged one. It was created to save the SDC from collapse by placing myself in charge, the company being both a family business as well as a public company, after all. I'm sure it's as obvious to you as it is to anyone else that Willow and I were never romantically inclined towards one another." Jacques had his eyes closed but was smiling faintly. "We did our duty, produced children, and I've been content to let her live her life as she sees fit ever since."
"Um…"
"What I am getting at is that our relationship is more akin to a polite working environment than a romantic relationship. There is no attraction between either of us, and certainly no emotional attachment."
"I'm sorry to hear that, sir."
"I'm sure." Jacques huffed a small, amused snort. "See to her needs tomorrow, young man. And worry not for my reaction. As long as she's putting her best foot forward, I'm content to look past any indiscretions. It's not as though she isn't aware I've had such encounters on the side as well. So long as she presents a certain image in public, what goes on behind closed doors is none of my concern."
Jaune's left leg almost fell out from under him. He gripped the door. "S—Sir," he stammered. "It's not what you're suggesting. I just play music for her."
Not this again.
Why was everyone thinking this? Why would they? Why was he okay with suggesting it? In his own home, no less. And had he just admitted to sleeping with other women here as well? Jaune's head was spinning.
The quest to lose his virginity reared its ugly head but he mentally dropkicked it off a cliff. He was not spending his first time on videogame experience, damn it! He was going to meet someone, fall in love, and get married.
And to someone his age or responsibly close to it, damn it!
"Music. Yes." Jacques chuckled. "Then I'm offering you free reign to make music under my roof, so long as no one outside the building discovers the music you create together." Jaune let out a strangled noise. "That's all I wanted to say. A good evening to you."
The door closed.
Jacques thought Jaune was sleeping with his wife.
Weiss thought he was sleeping with her mom.
Whitley thought the same.
"How in the hells did me busking in parks lead to this!?"
/-/
Willow was bright and cheery in greeting General Ironwood and the various people Jacques had invited over for a meeting, bright-eyed and forward as she exchanged polite conversation with a bunch of surprised people. Jacques wore a pleased smile of his own, but Jaune didn't share it. He'd played music for her, that was all, but he wondered how many people assumed it was more.
And he wondered if his music really could be said to be as addictive as sex.
Having never had it, he obviously couldn't say.
Instead, he played some light music to welcome the guests in but kept his attention on Willow, trying to aim his Bardic Music to only affect her. It was hard to know how successful he was since there weren't any visual cues or sparkles. He knew it worked on her because she grew even more animated, but the harder part was telling if it had or hadn't worked on everyone else in the room. He didn't have a baseline from which to compare their reactions.
I'll have to try it when Weiss and Whitley are in the room, but it's a good start. Being able to choose who does and doesn't feel the influence of my skill would be a real advantage when I'm performing.
He could impress the people he needed to impress but not run the risk of bombarding others with the effect. Not strictly necessary here, but when he moved on from Atlas and had to convince hotels to let him stay for a performance, being able to use Bardic Music on the manager while not affecting the rest of the audience would be useful.
Will Willow be willing to let me move on is the question. Or Jacques. It's bad enough how possessive she's being, but now he's happy with the results and might become just as bad, especially if me leaving makes Willow revert to how she used to be.
Any more "successful mornings" like this one and they'd never let him go.
Excusing himself from the polite applause, he made his way to the buffet table to have a snack, but mostly to get away from the important people talking. The mood seemed good between them, so at least he wasn't stuck listening to people fight. There were hands shaken, big gestures, and even a few laughs.
Despite that, a literal military general was there with Winter Schnee as his personal guard, and a few of the others sat on Atlas' council, so this was obviously important. Dust-related, he imagined. Almost everyone would have to keep the Schnee family on good terms if they didn't want to risk prices being hiked on them. Jaune's eyes scanned over the people but quickly found themselves locked on the one that stood out.
.
James Ironwood.
Title: General
Lvl. 73
General James Ironwood stands as Atlas' most prominent military commander and headmaster of its huntsman academy. While not the most decorated or senior officer, his tactical mind and clear dedication to Atlas have won him much favour within the military. Staunchly loyal to Atlas, he will put the kingdom before everything, including his own life. The faint traces of creation linger around him.
.
He sounded like quite the character. Also, that level! It was the highest he'd seen yet, even above his dad, Raven and Qrow! He'd heard about commanding officers in the army who only got their post because of favouritism or corruption – mostly from TV shows, but he imagined it happened in real life too. It was obvious Ironwood was not of their ilk.
The faint traces of creation, though. What was that supposed to mean?
The man's steely eyes met his and Jaune flinched. They crinkled into a faint smile, the kind meant to calm down nervous recruits, and he excused himself from the group to come over to the buffet table. Jaune shifted nervously. Jacques didn't look upset, so he didn't think he'd done anything wrong.
"I thought I'd come over and compliment your music from before," he said. "General James Ironwood." He offered his right hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Jaune Arc." The hand he shook felt unnaturally strong. "I'm sorry if I was staring."
"It's no concern. I must look out of place with their kind. Businessmen and politicians, all suited up and fancy. Not really my type." He rubbed the beginnings of stubble on his chin. "Winter mentioned you, by the way. Only in passing."
"Isn't she here today?"
"Outside. Winter didn't want to come in, though she did ask me to pass on a message to you."
"Uh-oh…"
Ironwood hummed. "Nothing bad. In fact, she wanted me to offer her apologies to you for how she acted when you first met. It seems it's been eating at her ever since." He chuckled. "Winter is the type to strive for perfection and let any misstep on her part haunt her, hence the apology."
"Oh." That was a surprise to be honest. "Can you tell her it's fine? I kind of gathered she was more upset with her parents than me. I knew their dynamic was a little off."
"You knew…?" One brow was raised. "Perceptive of you. The Schnee try to keep up appearances. It's a rare skill to be able to read the room so easily – valuable in a performer, I'd imagine. Knowing when to joke with the crowd and when to stay quiet. Useful in a lot of military roles as well."
.
NEW QUEST: Springing Into Action!
The world is ever in danger. Grimm, terrorists, and those behind them. General Ironwood and his allies stand as the bulwark against such evils and are ever on the lookout for those with the potential to make a difference. Grasp your destiny and sign up today!
Success: +EXP. +Rep with Ironwood. +Rep with Winter. +Rep with Atlas. Possible Death. +Title: Cadet.
Failure: -Rep Ironwood. +Title: Coward.
.
Jaune's eye twitched. In what world – what universe, in fact – did not signing up with an army recruitment officer on the spot end up with you being labelled a coward? Was the quest trying to get him killed? Sure, he'd wanted to be a huntsman but looking at the levels of Ren, Nora, Weiss and Pyrrha, it was painfully obvious he wouldn't be able to hack it. They were all above 20. He hadn't even reached 10.
"Ahah." Jaune looked aside, laughing awkwardly. "I'm not that perceptive. One of their butlers basically filled me in on it all when I was going to meet them. Gave me a heads up so I wouldn't feel unwelcome or stick my foot in my mouth."
"Ahhh. That makes sense. Klein, I assume? Good man, that one. Did you know he's ex-military? Made it to Sergeant before leaving to pursue a career as a bodyguard, then as a butler. Though rest assured he's more than capable of defending his charges if he needs to."
"Is that so? I guess it makes sense he'd be the one to first meet me, then. But, um, I'm not staying in Atlas forever. I'm travelling across Remnant. I want to see all four kingdoms and expand my horizons, but also figure out what I want to do with my life. So, I can't really agree to anything right now."
"That so? Not a bad idea." Ironwood didn't seem displeased, and he wasn't hit with a big QUEST FAILED notification, so maybe this had put it on hold. Good. It could stay on hold forever. "Still, if you're looking to see more of Atlas then you can't go wrong visiting Atlas Academy and seeing our military for yourself. It's a core part of the very culture of our kingdom; almost 60% of people living here have trained in some way, even if only as reservists. We hold open days and tours and I'm sure Winter would appreciate the chance to show you around as her own apology."
"General Ironwood!" Willow came to his rescue, laying a hand on Jaune's shoulder and shooting the man a heated look. "I did not just hear you try and recruit Jaune for your armies. Surely not. I'd be quite upset if you were."
Ironwood smiled. "Willow. You look wonderful today – and I do mean that. You look positively spirited compared to how I normally see you."
"Don't you change the subject, mister." Willow poked at the man's chest, which seemed to both stun and delight him. "I still remember some of what I learned in Atlas Academy, and I'm not afraid to use it on you."
"Well, I've been told. Haven't I?" Ironwood was still smiling widely. He genuinely looked thrilled with her temper. "And I still remember our spars back then. You were a menace in the rings. I always found it so painful that you didn't carry on all the way, and that you never so much as sparred with your children. Weiss is training for Beacon, is she not?"
"Is she…?" The innocent question from Willow came out unbearably callous, and Ironwood's smile dipped. In her defence, Willow seemed to realise it too, her eyes widening briefly. "A—Ah, I mean, I'm well aware of her training, but I hadn't known she'd picked an academy yet. Perhaps she's been keeping that quiet so as not to upset Jacques."
"Perhaps," Ironwood allowed, even if he knew it was a lie. "Even so, you were exceptional in your prime, Willow. You could—"
"In my prime, James. That's not me anymore." Her hand gripped Jaune's shoulder tightly. Possessively. "Regardless, what did you think of Jaune's music? Isn't it incredible?"
"It was good."
"Good? It was soul moving!"
"Is that so?" Ironwood chuckled once more, picking up a few snacks from the buffet and placing them on his plate. "You know I'm not much of a fan for music, Willow, so I'll have to take your word for it. That said, I mean no insult. Even I could tell it was well-played music."
General Ironwood hadn't been inspired.
Did that mean his attempts to target his Bardic Music had worked? Jaune felt a rush of excitement, but he didn't want to rely on it yet. Ironwood might just be so high a level that it had barely any effect. Then again, most RPG systems didn't have your people resisting positive buffs. It'd make more sense if Ironwood had resisted the fear song.
It must have worked, then. When I use my skill normally, it smacked millions in the face through online views, but here I only stirred a reaction from Willow. This is perfect! I can use it at Weiss' concert without overshadowing her.
And it made him think. What if he used it on Weiss instead of on the audience? Could he "buff" Weiss when she was performing her single? And if so, what effect would it have. The skill said it encouraged allied to raise their spirits but also their capabilities. That meant fighting in the sense of RPGs, but he was sure there were some where you could inspire someone to do better on dodging traps, finding hidden chests and other stuff.
So far, he'd focused solely on raising people's spirits. It was time to see what he could do if he raised someone's abilities instead. And with Weiss wanting to make an impact and bridge things with her mother, this would be the perfect chance to find out. Test his skill, help Weiss, complete his stupid "fix the Schnee family" quest and escape with his life and virginity intact. Ut was simple.
What could go wrong?
Next Chapter: 31st March
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