Pre-Note: The thing with RT shutting down and laying off, doesn't affect me much as I haven't seen a single episode of RWBY or played a single minute of Bloodborne. I wrote this fic because I think they are neat, and because I want to be better at writing for when I want to write my own novel sometime in the future. Some grammar mistakes aside, this is the 38'th chapter, so I must be doing something right.

####

Today was Friday, and that meant two things.

One, Jaune was certain Cardin, or someone, was going to try something.

Two, it would be Violet's second official hunt.

Between the two, Jaune really wasn't looking forward to the later. He just knew that reuniting Violet and Aurora would result in tears, maybe even some rare punches or other shows of violence if things got really heated. Violet was unhealthily attached to him, and he knew that she wouldn't take kindly to another apprentice, just humouring the tough would make her think he was abandoning her, even if said apprentice was her sister. And Aurora was willing to apprentice under a prostitute if it meant her sister ate. Jaune didn't need to see the future to know that they would clash heads.

And honestly, Jaune just wasn't in the mood to play meditator between two angry and emotional sisters.

His last hunt had left him emotionally drained, his anger at the girls from Vacuo gnawed at him, and he was tired of hearing whispers behind his back. That was without mentioning the heartache he felt at his partner and companion falling from grace. While the sequala from casting Bloodmoon's Lament had mostly passed, the fresh slaughter had stirred his bloodlust, nipping at him since he woke up this morning. And he was sure he felt some miasma trying to escape Crocea Mors every now and then.

All the emotions, the frustration that made him ready to snap at anyone at a seconds notice, the still warm anger lurking at the edges of his mind. It was overwhelming.

Jaune felt numb, it was all he could feel. It was all he would allow himself to feel.

He also knew from the bottom of his heart that he would never be able to forgive himself if he wasn't there for his apprentice and her sister when they needed him the most. His oath to Gascoigne had firstly been a spur of the moment thing, said to comfort a dying man. But he wouldn't lie and said Violet hadn't grown on him. And he would never hurt Violet like his father had hurt him. But he didn't know if he could force himself to be there for them either.

"Who do you think will win?" He whispered down to Violet. Violet leaning back against his chest, having like always chosen his lap as her spot. Barely reaching over the auditorium's desks.

Violet hummed before shrugging, to caught up in the fight to give him a proper answer.

Leaving his apprentice to her innocent excitement, Jaune leaned back and took in the fight. Eyes glazing over in boredom. Wanting to rather be in the dream, fruitlessly combing trough musky old tomes on Arcana than be here. And one of those were an exercise in futility.

'One tome says something, another tome denies it, and a third tome is just gibberish and flowery words without anything of substance. It's all just a mess of contradictions.' Jaune grumbled. Of the two types of magic, he leaned more towards blood magic. Even with it's darker nature, it gave immediate results and all he had found on it was usable. Not to mention that all his personal research on it wasn't exactly necessary, as he would have been able to hold large rituals with or without trying to find a way to make it combat viable.

'Not that it was anything of a waste.' It netted him a quick and easy victory. While Arcana didn't show any immediate results, his rituals coulndt replicate his chants. Which was the main drive for his want to study more of it, with the goal to further round out his kit against both mundane and magical threats. After all, if he knew how Arcana worked, it would be easier to come up with counter measures for when he eventually stumbled upon someone else who could use it. It wasn't as much a matter of if, as it was when.

Shifting his attention back at the fight, Jaune could only describe it with one word.

And that was dull.

Part of him knew it was an important, essential even, part of training. Ironing out flaws in a safe environment. But it was boring, it was tame. There were no lethal shots, instead they were just whaling at each other in a race do drain their opponents aura as quickly as possible. While there was improvisation, it was lacking, uninspired. It wasn't close to trying something and knowing failure would mean death.

However, the real reason he found the fight so dull, was the complete lack of tension. It was training, and it was treated as training. The worst that could happen was getting a lecture from Professor Goodwitch or be sent to the infirmary if someone fucked up.

'Man… I never noticed how distorted my perception of fighting had become.' Jaune cringed. He knew he would never be a battle junkie like Yang, to him fighting was more of a consequence of being a hunter than a primary reason for becoming one. But he had never noticed how Yharnam had slowly shifted his stance on combat, one bloody death after another. He hadn't even noticed. It sent a shiver racing down his spine, ice filled his veins as he came to the realisation.

The worst of his bloodlust might be behind lock and key, lurking in the deepest recess of his mind, eagerly waiting to be let out. Yet, even if it was locked away, traces of it's influence still scarred his mind.

'I need two more black hearts.' Jaune instantly decided. A niche ritual instantly his number one priority. Not wanting to find out what other scars his bloodlust would leave if he lost control again. He controlled it, not the other way around. 'But how many other hunter's hadn't thought the same?' He thought, an ironic smile spreading on his lips.

Shooting the fight another glance, he ignored the glare Cardin sent him from the side. Looking at him with a boyish grin, drawing a thumb over his neck and gesturing with his head towards the arena.

Ignoring them, Jaune closed his eyes, listening to the calming sound of his heart beating. Vigorous blood racing trough his veins. Taking a deep breath, he felt a calm focus falling over him.

Clenching his left hand, he his heartbeat like a drum of war, sending his blood roaring through his veins. After his bloody jaunt through Hemwick Lane, picking up the echoes he had dropped and slaying the witches for good, Jaune had chosen to invest everything into his attributes. In doing so having managed to push his Vitality attribute above forty. Pushing it all the way to a respectable forty-three. Having noticed diminishing returns for the last three investments.

That wasn't to say he was going to stop. The immediate returns might be diminishing, but he had started to feel something else. Instead of making his lifeforce more abundant, it grew resilient. While his body had grown more resilient as a side effect of his lifeforce becoming more abundant, this resilience was worth it, if only for what it represented.

24(+3).

His current Strength attribute. Thanks to his lifeforce growing more resilient, his body followed suit, allowing him to bring out more strength from his muscles. It wasn't anything close to what fits of hysterical strength were capable off yet. But, if he pumped more and more vitality, he would eventually find himself a moment where he actively used a hundred precent of his muscles.

Maybe he wouldn't reach the hundred percent mark, but it was still a goal to have in mind. That it saved him echoes from not having to focus as much on Strength, well that was just an extra bonus.

"I challenge Arc to a spar." Carding called out the second Professor Goodwitch brought an end to the current match. Giving him a pointed brow, Jaune sighed. Lifting Violet up and setting her down on his chair. His apprentice sending glares Cardin's way for two.

"I accept." He replied listlessly, whispering soft apologies as he shuffled his way over to the side. Coming to the stairs, he pulled out the flamesprayer, ignoring the pointed look Professor Goodwitch gave him. Not that there was anything that stopped them from bringing new weapons into the arena. Experimenting was both allowed and encouraged. To a degree that was.

Running his tongue over his teeth, he felt some gaps where new molars peaked trough irritated gums. 'Of course the other shop had to take something as ridiculous as sacrifices as a price.' Jaune thought, it had allowed him to get his hands one some blood shards. Just enough to fortify his flamesprayer twice. But it had required him ripping four molars straight out from his mouth.

Playing with the knobs on the flamesprayer, he ignored the steadily growing incensed look Cardin was sending him. Pulling the trigger a thin gout of fire announced itself with a mighty bellow. Flinching away some of the closest spectators as heat licked at their faces.

"Standard rules, remember, this is a spar, not a fight to the death. That goes for the both of you." Professor Goodwitch called out.

Letting the words go in one ear and straight out the other, he gave Cardin his full focus. While he wasn't a threat, he wanted Cardin to back off while also sending a message. Making the question, how do you make someone who thinks with their ego, and feels with their dick, back off? Thankfully, Jaune liked to think he had the answer.

"Start!" Professor Goodwitch called out after they were ready.

The second the words had left her mouth, Jaune dashed forward. Meeting Cardin in the middle. Slipping to the side as a ball of fire raced trough the air. Cardin having activated the fire dust crystal in his mace, turning it into a ball of fire on a stick.

Pressing the secondary trigger, the flamesprayer's nozzle snaped into the ready position.

Quickstepping back from another crushing blow, Jaune sent Cardin a cocky smirk and wink. Knowing it was all he needed to make the hot-headed boy blow a gasket.

And like clockwork, Cardin lifted Executioner, letting out a bellowing war cry.

The second he knew his plan succeeded, Jaune dashed in, shoving the flamesprayer nuzzle into Cardin's mouth. Kicking his foot when Cardin tried to dash backward, making his legs cross as he lost balance. Forcing the nuzzle deeper into his mouth, past the uvula. Gaging and choking, Cardin lost all sense of balance, Jaune riding the momentum down with him.

Making sure to catch Cardin's right wrist under his boot. Roughly grabbing his chin, and forcing it up, the long nozzle was forced even deeper into his throat. Cardin going almost green faced as he struggled to breath.

"Do you know if aura protects the insides as well?" Jaune asked idly, putting more pressure on the primary trigger. "Dust fires don't need oxygen to burn, after all."

His words had their intended effect, Cardin's eyes shooting wide open, almost popping out as he began wildly trashing around, hyperventilating as he looked up into uncaring eyes. Jaune didn't care, simply pushing the nozzle even deeper and adding more pressure onto the trigger.

"Win by submission!" Glynda called out. A purple glow pulling his fingers from the trigger. Taking the nozzle out Cardin's throat, he helped him up, not giving the teenager the chance to say no.

Throwing an arm good naturally over Cardin's shoulder, he whispered harshly into his ear. "Now, I don't care what Nebula or her team promised you. Just… look under your pillow when you get back to your room. Make up your mind after that."

Cardin glared at him, coughing as tears wetted his eyes. Throwing Jaune's arm of him, he picked up his mace and walked away. Anger burning in his heart. Jaune let him, having given Isolde a task to both test her new limits, and to make sure Cardin and his team never tried anything again.

"Good fight, just because you can win by depleting your opponent's aura, doesn't that mean you should always go for that." Professor Goodwitch explained crisply. "Mr Winchester, next time don't let your opponent's taunts get to you. Mr Arc, while I can't say I approve, you quickly and efficiently subdued your opponent and put him in an unwinnable scenario. Good Job."

Making his way back up to his team, he saw Ruby lean out and whisper to him. "You really weren't going to pull the trigger, were you? It was just a bluff, right?"

"Of course it was. It was a spar." Jaune lied like the lying liar he was.

####

"Fuck! Who does he think he is?" Cardin growled the second combat class was over. Marching down the hallway. Not standing to be in the same room as that two faced fuck.

A shiver racing down his spine as the helplessness made itself known again. Only serving to feed his anger. The tang taste of copper still in his mouth. With a shake of his head he forced the memories away. Not wanting to give Arc the satisfaction of seeing him scared.

Absentmindedly reaching for the pocket where he kept his cigarettes in. Knowing it was exactly what he needed to wash the memories away and to ease his nerves.

Cardin hated feeling weak.

What he hated even more was being humiliated.

It was one thing loosing to Nikos, she was a four-time untouched champion after all. But Jaune? Loosing by submission of all things? Not even getting him to draw his sword? Instead having Jaune clown on him?

The shame burned.

Making him all about ready to blow.

"Yo! C-man! Wait up for us!" Dove called out, his boys hurrying to catch up with him. "I get that you are angry, we are too. No one deserves being humiliated like that. Just say the word and we will help you get back at Jaune."

"Birdy's right. That wasn't a fight. Not to mention it wasn't normal. Jaune, he fights more like a grimm than a man, right?" Sky started, getting small, hesitant, nods from the boys. "No way he would go out of his way to humiliate someone, doesn't fit his MO in the slightest. Think someone spurred him on?"

"You think he still holds a grudge for Forever Fall?" Russell asked, sending shifty looks around. Acting as if Jaune was the bogyman and would step out from their shadows.

"No." Cardin said with finality. Taking control of the conversation and opening the door to their dorm. Instantly moving to open a window. Not wanting to be caught with his pants down if there was a room inspection. Having barely managed to throw out his pack of cig's last time. "Said he knew about the girls and us growing closer and gave a pretty pointed warning to stop. I don't know what the girls did, but he is pissed."

"Yeah… and?" Sky drawled nonchalantly as he combed his hair before the mirror. "Coming after you just because he saw us hanging out with some pretty birds seems like a pretty lame excuse. Didn't take Jaune for someone so flimsy."

"Like that is anything new." Russel mumbled, scroll up as he lounged in bed.

Ignoring his boys, he took a drag from his cigarette. The smoke muting his anger. Helping him come up with a plan to get back at Jaune.

"Lemme bum a cig." Dove called out. Rolling his eyes at him, he held out his pack. "If you keep bumming from me, I'm going to have you pay half for the next pack." Cardin said, giving Dove a look that said he would hold him to it. Dove nodded, lighting his cigarette and taking a puff.

Turing around, he let the autumn wind ruffle his hair. Mind working overtime as he thought up ways to get back at Jaune. Letting his eyes wander over his team, he caught Russell looking confused. Acting as if something hard was under his pillow. Instantly setting his nerves on edge.

"What the fuck?" Russel whispered horrified. The cut of head of a thrush staring lifelessly up at him. Fresh blood colouring parts of his pillow crimson.

Blood freezing in his veins, Carding hurried to his own bed. Ripping away the pillow, having to stop himself from dry retching as the still bleeding head of a cardinal stared lifelessly back at him.

Instantly looking at Sky and Dove's beds, Cardin hurried over and removed the pillows. Finding the cut of heads of a lark and a dove under their respective pillows.

A hushed silence falling over them. Cardin breaking the silence when the dots connected. A horrified whisper escaping him.

"Arc."

"Jaune? No way man. No way." Sky snapped to him, blue-brown eyes glaring at him in fright before he turned to the mirror and began to aggressively comb his hair in a vain attempt to calm his nerves. "We saw him at breakfast, he sat before us in history, and behind us in lunch. His team was almost hanging out with us almost the entire day. No way it's him. I don't like the guy, trust me. But I know his MO, I know how he walks, I know how stupidly straightforward he is. No way mister beat you bloody and stomps like an ursa somehow managed to sneak into our dorms while we were out. Not to mention the blood is still fresh. When would he have time to hunt birds?"

"How would he even have done it?" Russel asked, giving his bed a wide breath. "I mean, while I don't like them, isn't his team made up of goody two shoes and a kid? And I think teach would have his balls if Jaune took even a single step out of line. Being a bad influence on his apprentice and all that."

"No. You don't understand." Cardin breathed out, heart slamming in his chest as he did his best to gather his composure. "When Jaune acted all buddy-buddy? Well he whispered that there was a gift for me, us, under our pillows."

Throwing a cautious glance at the cut of birds head, Dove turned, abruptly emptying his lunch out the window. Not that Cardin could fault him. His stomach doing flips. Only iron determination and a desire to not look weak before his boys holding it down.

A horrified silence settled over them. Sky eventually having the balls to ask what everyone was thinking.

"How? Why!?"

#####

"I know you handed Cardin his ass, but did you do something else? Team Cardinal have been glaring holes in your head since classes were over." Yang asked Jaune.

"Huh, maybe he took his loss worse than expected?" Jaune replied nonchalantly. Knowing exactly what Isolde had done. After all, he had given her exact directions. "He is a sore looser after all." He added, brushing the matter away completely.

And that was that Yang went back to eating, leaving him to make sure Violet didn't burn away her tastebuds. His apprentice looking between tears as she shovelled another spoon of over spiced curry into her mouth. "When I warned you about the spices being strong, I meant that for your safety. Your palette isn't used to stronger spices."

"Am' Sorry." Violet mumbled, having poured chilli flakes over her already spicy curry in a fit of excitement. Her cheeks, rosy as they were, were puffed up as she breathed with her mouth open. Tears were wetting her eyes, sweat trailed down her forehead.

Jaune gave her a fond smile, leaving her to the consequences of her actions as he ate. 'I guess this, mundanity, is good for her. I don't want her worrying for the coming hunt.' Taking the moment to let his tense nerves relaxing. It wouldn't do good if Violet caught up on his tenseness and grew nervous. He already had enough on his plate as it was.

'Gunning straight for the Vicar, or going to the tombs?' Jaune mussed, while he was sure he could take the Vicar and her guard on with multiple casts of dispel. He was racing against time, he coulndt allow himself to suffer a single death, or he ran the risk of having his bloodlust rattle it's cage again. The only time he was going to challenge them was when he was certain he would win, or at least had multiple paths to victory.

Which made him set his eyes at the tomb. He had the rune workshop tool, but he coulndt use it yet. He had three runes to his name, Communion, Formless Oedon, and the Radiant rune he got from Alfred. However, before he had carelessly branded his soul with a rune, Gehrman's had stopped him from doing something stupid.

'Lad choose wisely. Some runes are stronger, other will suit you better. You know yourself best, don't do something that will help in the moment only to hinder you later down the line. And above all else, be careful about what oaths you chose to brand onto your soul. While Oath runes are rarer, one of a kind almost, should you go astray, you will find that there are fates far worse than death.'

'Kindest hunter, there is something else you must know about runes. Each rune is a permanent fixture onto your soul. What is done, cannot be undone. Choose what runes you inscribe carefully. You will carry them for the rest of your life.'

The Doll's advice ringing out right after.

Already cementing his decision to explore the tomb further, where he had been informed he would find more runes and blood gems. Both being extremely important if he wanted to make sure his fight against the Vicar went as smoothly as possible. But that was tomorrow night, he wasn't completely willing to bring Violet down into the tomb. Tonight they would be taking a moonlit stroll through Central Yharnam with the goal of finding a way to the Eastern Quadrant.

'But how long can I afford to explore the tomb? How much time can I afford to spend before my bloodlust acts up again, or I stumble onto a situation where it breaks lose again?' Jaune thought to himself with a grimace. Not liking the ticking timebomb inside him.

"You know, you are really expressive when you are deep in thought Jaune." Ruby chimed in, squeezing her cheeks together and miming how he looked. "All 'hmmm' one second, and 'haaa' the other. With the occasional 'uhuh' and 'aha' thrown in for good mixture."

"Har har." He replied good naturally, rolling his eyes at her antics before patting Violet's head. Making sure she knew it was just good-natured ribbing, and not something malicious. Thankful to have someone looking out for him, making sure he didn't sit and stew in his misery.

"You alright there Jaune, you look tense." Ruby whispered, her earlier effort to lighten the mood suddenly making more sense. Ruby just having a knack for knowing how someone felt. And he guessed that he hadn't been as good as keeping his feelings hidden. His growing apathy making him slip up.

'But between drowning in apathy or being consumed by bloodlust. Is it really so weird that hunters chose the later?' Jaune thought with a grim chuckle. When the choice was between dying inside until only guilt, apathy, and self-hate remained. Was it so weird that most would want to feel? Jaune didn't blame them as much as he pitied them. Especially as he found himself in the same exact situation. Annie and her cannibals shattering his composure for a moment but had been enough to make him lose it. Immersing himself in the darker parts of him that he kept under look and key. And now that they had tasted freedom, they wanted more.

From what he had gathered, nights of the hunt were rare. Maybe one hunt in a month, two if they were unlucky. If they survived, they had a good while to catch their breath. Something he envied them for. For him, each and every night, was a night of the hunt. The same night stretched infinitely long. The only reprieve he had was the hours he was awake. And even then, he spent all his focus on surviving the coming night.

Never thriving, just making sure he survived the next night with his sanity intact. A losing battle as he was beginning to find out.

"I'm fine, just having a lot on my mind." Jaune said with the barest hint of a smile. Not wanting to make her worry. "I guess I haven't given myself any time to properly rest, not beside karaoke night."

"Karaoke night?" Ruby blinked cutely, eyes lighting up before her shoulder fell. Sorrow, hurt, and even a bit of pity appearing in her eyes.

"Don't worry about it. What is done is done." Jaune said simply. Not wanting to make his friend worry. He wasn't sure what crazy conclusions she was jumping to, and he rather not find out. "But, maybe taking the weekend off to just relax would be good."

"Wait, what?" Yang exclaimed, sending him an absolutely aghast look. "Weekend off? What were you planning? Spending your entire weekend in the gym or the library? I get training being important, I love myself a good workout as much as the next one. But don't you think you are, I don't know, focusing too much on getting better? I mean… it's not like Pyrrha became a champion over the weekend."

"I didn't." His partner chimed him, giving him a good-natured stink eye.

"See!" Yang gestured, before looking back at him. "If you have been training, or working on yourself, almost nonstop since the docks, you are burning yourself out. No shit you are tense. That your muscles heal faster doesn't mean shit when you are literally working yourself to the bone."

Rolling his eyes, he ignored how his team glared at him. It was almost as it they had had the exact same conversation multiple times. He was about shrug it off, steer the conversation to something else, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Only sighing listlessly, knowing from the depths of his heart, that if he had been more 'there', if he had been at his best, he wouldn't have been tricked by Annie and her cabal. He wouldn't have brought forth his bloodlust, he wouldn't have tainted Crocea Mors, he wouldn't let a clouded mind make him posture before the witch.

"Maybe I should take the weekend off. Violet would learn reading just as fine from comics and fairytales." Jaune sighed, not missing the relief that shone in his teammates eye. Neither missing how both Violet and Ruby looked at him with stars in their eyes. "But do what exactly? Sleeping in isn't exactly possible. So what, boy's night out?"

"Why not?" Ren shrugged.

Feeling a hesitant hand poke him, he looked down at Violet. Violet looking more lost than anything. Her earlier excitement buried under uncertainty. The thought that he was leaving her clear as day in her eyes.

"Lad's and Ladies night out." Jaune quickly amended, gently patting her on the head. There was a time and place to wean Violet off him as her only emotional and mental pillar. Today wasn't that day. Throwing her right-out into the deep end wasn't the way either. 'Baby steps to giant leaps.' Jaune reminded himself.

*Cough*

"Are you saying we aren't ladies, Jaune?" Pyrrha said playing it up with a 'noble' guff. Nora puffing her chest out, rapidly nodding her head beside her. Rolling his eyes at their antics, he couldn't help but mumble under his breath. "I walked right into that, didn't I." A pearl of laughter escaping Pyrrha.

"But I think a night out is just what you need to help get out from your 'funk'." Pyrrha said sweetly. Concern thick in her tone.

"Oh, I know. We can have a sleep over!" Nora called out, looking at Ruby whose eyes twinkled with excitement. "We can have a movie night, play games. Oh this is going to be so much fun." Ruby called out excitedly, more than sharing Nora's excitement.

"So what? Just go back to the dorm to drop off some things before heading out? Going wherever our feet takes us?" Jaune asked, getting another shrug from Ren. "As good plan as everything, I guess. Never been one for particularly enjoying the nightlife." His friend replied calmly.

Finishing eating, their little trio quickly cleaned up after themselves and made their way back to their dorm. Throwing his greatcoat over his chair, Jaune quickly got out from his vest, making sure to remove everything blood related before hanging it on one of the hook's he had jury rigged into his desks side. Bandolier of pouches landing on his desk.

White shirt with a dark beige overcoat and pants. It was as boring as boring came, but neither he nor Ren really cared much about fashion. They weren't outright fashion disasters, so Jaune didn't mind if he dressed in boring colours.

Throwing on his greatcoat, he saw Violet nervously twiddling her thumbs and kicking her legs over her bed's edges. Giving her a cheeky little wink, he rang his bell. In an instant her hunting garb was replaced by her dress. It was a plain dark blue, reaching all the way to her ankles. It had a high neckline tied by a white ribbon, and it had long sleeves with frills on the ends. Her boots also replaced by her mary janes.

Violet lit up with a smile, Ren coming out from the bathroom with a raised eyebrow but choosing not to question it. More than used to his antics.

"Ready to head out?" Ren asked casually.

"Yeah, let's head out." Jaune replied, smiling fondly at Violet. Hs apprentice grabbing his hand and eagerly dragging him out, even if she didn't know where they were going, her excitement was contagious.

With Violet skipping and dragging him forward, their little group made their way towards the bullhead platform to Vale. They could always take the shortcut trough the Emerald Forest. But he wasn't completely comfortable with introducing Violet to Remnants 'wonderful' wildlife yet. He would soon, he was planning to do it after the dance. During their first proper assignment to be specific. He didn't want to throw her out into the deep like that, however there would be a teacher or certified huntsman or huntress with them.

Jaune knew he and his team could keep Violet safe if something happened, but the extra safety a licensed hunter brought was great for his paranoia. Especially if something were to go wrong. Jaune didn't think it would, but 'hope for the best, and prepare for the worst' was a motto he had begun taking to heart.

When they made their way to the airdock, Violet's excitement quickly turned to nervousness. Especially when her eyes landed on the bullhead. The large metal contraption not close to anything in Yharnam.

"They are safe. And remember, if you feel scared, or uncomfortable, you have aura. Just bring it up and it will wash all worries away. Just think of them as flying carriages." Jaune reassured softly, gently squeezing her hand as they waited for the bullhead doors to open.

"Wait… Arc?" A familiar voice called out, a head of sunny gold stepping out from the crowd. Followed closely by a head of light blue.

"Sun?" Jaune asked carefully, not wanting to get the name wrong. While he hadn't talked much with the guy, only having seen him in the hallway or the cafeteria once in a while, he didn't want to insult him by getting his name wrong. He wasn't Cardin, he had some tact.

"Yup. That's me." Sun smiled, popping the p. Throwing an arm over the blue haired man beside him. "And this is my partner Neptune, best partner and friend a man could ask for." His proclamation earing a soft smile from Neptune, before he shrugged away Sun's arm.

"But dude." Sun said, smile falling as he stepped closer, monkey tail swinging softly behind him. "I wanted to say thanks. For having our backs at the docks. We were in way over our head, and Blake wasn't listening to reason either. And, I don't know about you, but I could never forgive myself if I did nothing as she went and threw her life away." Turning to Ren, Sun gave him the same hesitant smile. "Same goes for you dude, thanks. I owe you."

"Think nothing of it." Jaune said with a smile. Glad that he had at least recognised that he had made a wrong call. It was the first step to learning and growing to be better.

"Why do you have a tail?" Violet asked curiously, completely transfixed at the furry appendage swishing behind Sun. Her head snapping to him with questions bubbling on her tongue.

Neptune, coming to his friends defence took a step forward, ready to bite into the one who talked. Catching his tongue the moment he saw Violet. Whispering a soft "What the fuck?" as he sent Jaune a look.

"No Violet, you won't have a tail as you grow up." Jaune said gently, Violet instantly pouting at him. Inwardly glad that she wasn't seeing Faunus as beasts. He had informed her about them, and he had noticed her throwing curious glances towards the Faunus with rabbit ears and other Faunus around Beacon. But as their friend circle was almost human only, and since he didn't see reason to call out Blake's heritage, she hadn't been able to interact with them as she didn't want to separate from him. Not that he could go up to some completely strangers and go 'my apprentice was curious about your animal features. Can you answer some questions?' That was a disaster in the making.

However, with Sun coming to him, she suddenly had the opportunity to interact with a Faunus and at the same time stay close to him. That he was friendly just being a bonus.

Placing a gentle hand on Violet's back as the bullhead's doors suddenly opened with a hiss. Carefully he led her into the bullhead, he would have smiled at her antics, if she hadn't clung to him like a candle in a storm, shaking like a leaf from fear.

"So what are your plans?" Jaune asked, casually throwing the question out there towards Sun and Neptune. "Not to say the company isn't pleasant, but why now? Expect nodding at each other in the hallways, I can't say we have talked much."

"Didn't feel right, you know." Sun replied as their group of five took a spot in the back of the bullhead. A gasp of amazement escaping Violet as she took in the view. "It's… well… didn't want to interrupt, you know."

"A good reason as any, I guess." Jaune shrugged, feeling his stomach flutter as the bullhead took off. A smile gracing his lips as he felt no motion sickness. He wished he could say the same about Violet, a soft "Uh uh" his first warning.

"Bucket." He ordered, not waiting to find out if anyone heard before he bent down, running gentle circles over Violet back. Throwing Sun a thankful smile as he lifted the metal trashcan over. Just in time as the spill gates opened, Violet clinging to the trashcan for dear life. A waterfall of green puke escaping her.

"Huh, she really is real." Neptune hummed, taking a step back, hands coming up at three sets of eyes glares at him.

"Not cool bro." Sun murmured, sending his friend a look.

"I'm sorry, ok?" Neptune exclaimed, quickly explaining himself. "It's just that… it's weird alright? She talks, she emotes, she feels, and she can even puke. But I just hear the little voice in my head going 'she isn't real, she is a semblance' and I got confused, ok? I'm sorry, really am."

"Why don't you shake hands?" Jaune said softly, making sure Violet was as comfortable she could as she emptied her stomach. The waterfall of puke had stopped now, and she looked to have it under control. Ignoring the puzzled look from Neptune, he turned back to Violet, wiping away some leftover puke from the edges of her mouth. "To really know that she is just as real as you and me?"

Neptune sent him a hesitant look before nodding, taking a step forward. Bending down and extending his hand to Violet with a charming smile. "I'm sorry for what I said. Can you forgive me?"

Violet, tired and queasy, tears wetting her eyes, glared at Neptune. Staring at his hand as if it would bite her. Then, before any of them could react, Violet opened her mouth. A waterfall of puke shooting out. Landing squarely on his boots.

"My boots!" Neptune cried aghast, moving to step back from Violet. But his impish apprentice had other plans. Moving to follow him, another volley of puke ready to go.

Unfortunately for Violet, as fun as her chasing Neptune around while puking everywhere would be, he stopped her. Pushing the trash bin before her as she broke again, Jaune gently ran circles over her back with his hand. All to familiar with motion sickness. Just because he wasn't affected by it anymore, didn't mean he wished anyone else to suffer it either.

"You sure she isn't your daughter Jaune?" Ren teased, shooting him a good-natured smile as he laughed. Some of their classmates chuckling softly to themselves. All remembering when he puked all over Yang's boots.

"Har har." He replied dryly, thinking it was time he introduced her to the Doll. Knowing that Violet desperately needed to increase her Vitality. It was something he had had in the back of his mind, but it was time to act on those thoughts. The body was the centrepiece of everything. And while exercise and eating healthy should set her on the right track, it wouldn't fix the small issues such as a weaker immune system due to malnourishment.

Hat it also cured her motion sickens, that was just a hidden boon.

"Does she still feel fake?" Jaune shot at Neptune, ignoring the blue haired boy's huffing. Desperately trying, and failing, to clean his boots.

"I hate you." Neptune muttered under his breath, shooting Violet a look. Taking an extra step backwards when Violet glared at him. "But, yes. She is as real as they come. I apologise. I let my uncertainty get the best of me. Just please don't have her puke anymore on my shoes."

"Well you are in luck." Jaune chuckled, the Bullhead landing on the airdock. A hiss escaping as the doors opened. Cleaning staff waiting patiently outside as students filled out. Shooting them an apologetic look, Jaune took in the smell of Vale. Assaulted by a myriad of familiar noises.

"What are the two of you up to? If you don't mind me asking." Ren asked, as polite and calm as ever. Mirt shining in his eyes as he pocketed his scroll.

"Nothing much. We planned to get the lay of the land so to say." Sun replied with a smile. Golden tail swishing excitedly behind him. "See the sights, find some spots to show our team when they arrive properly next week. We have nothing really planed. Maybe visit a club, or a bar, later."

"Huh, sound like our plan for the evening. Expect the club and bar, for the obvious reasons." Ren replied. Nodding towards him and Violet, his apprentice looking far more put together now. The queasiness gone now that she had solid ground under her feet.

"Though, karaoke would be fun. But we haven't found any places." Sun whistled wistfully. Jaune sighing at Violet perked up to him with confusion and curiosity twinkling in her eyes.

"We know a place. Want to join us? The more the merrier." Ren offered, both boys perking up at the offer.

"Really? Sweet! I can't wait to show the ladies what I have been working on." Neptune called out, excitement radiating of him. However he made sure to use Ren and Sun as human shields, not wanting his boots to get another coat of green.

"What is karaoke?" Violet asked curiously. Sun instantly looking at her horrified, clutching his hand over his chest as he fake swooned. Neptune catching him.

"Well, you just have to find you." Jaune smiled teasingly at Violet. "But I think you will enjoy it."

####

"What do you think the guys are doing?" Nora asked, glad she had brough some of their sitting pillows. Not feeling comfortable leaning on the death traps team RWBY called beds.

"No idea." Ruby replied, placing an empty glass bottle on the floor before them. "But I know what we are going to do. Truth or dare."

"Really? Can you be anymore childish?" Weiss huffed, even if she did move to sit down in a circle with them. Even Blake, introverted as she was, moved to sit down. Knowing fully well she would only be pestered endlessly if she didn't join.

"Don't diss Truth or Dare like that." Ruby pouted, making a grimace and sticking her tongue out. "It's a great icebreaker. Come on. It'll be fun~"

"Well, I have never been in a sleepover before, so let's go." Nora exclaimed excitedly. Spinning the bottle, making sure to give it a good twist. A giddy smile on her face as she watched the bottle spin. Eventually landing on Yang. "Truth or dare."

"Dare." Yang replied with a smile, shooting Nora a cocky smile.

"Buy me a pizza." Nora ordered without hesitation.

A look of realisation and awe fell over Yang, eyes twinkling as she bowed before Nora. "Oh great sage, bless this lowly one with more of your heavenly knowledge. The doors of endless possibilities, once closed, have now opened before me. How can I ever repay you?"

'A Schnee don't sigh, a Schnee is always perfect, a Schnee doesn't throttle her teammate.' Weiss repeated again and again in her head as a mantra. Staring hollowly at Yang and Nora, coming to the realisation that this was going to be a long, long, night.

Thankfully, there were some saner minds among them. And not before long, the bottle was spinning again. A comfortable mood settled over the room. Laughter ringing out as, just as Ruby had said, the game worked as an icebreaker.

They weren't exactly 'friends'. It was Jaune and Ruby's friendship that was the catalyst that made them sit beside each other during breakfast and lunch. While they had grown used to one another, Team RWBY had been too splintered to reach out, while Pyrrha and Nora, had been too focused on what was going on with Jaune to reach out.

'It wasn't only Jaune that needed a night to relax, huh?' Pyrrha mussed to herself. Feeling an invisible weight on her shoulders disappearing. Not knowing how heavily Jaune's downward spiral hung over their team until she got a moment to relax, a moment to just have fun and be herself.

After everyone got to spin the bottle once, it was Ruby's turn again. With a mighty spin, she spun the bottle. Waiting eagerly for who the bottle to stop. Stopping on Pyrrha, the champion raised a delicate eyebrow. "Truth." Pyrrha hummed, a curious smile on her face.

"How is Jaune?" Ruby asked, tucking her knees into her chest, giving the champion a soft stare. Fully aware how her question choked the light mood in the room.

"Better, he is doing better." Was all Pyrrha said, not willing to air their team's dirty laundry. Not wanting to break Jaune's trust either by revealing to much.

A massive sigh of relief escaping Ruby, her shoulders falling as she smiled contently.

With her turn done, she rolled the bottle over to Blake. Who looked like she just wanted to be over and done with this. Spinning the bottle, landing on Pyrrha again.

"Truth." Pyrrha sighed, throwing a glance over at Nora, who had picked dare. The worst makeup in the history of makeup on her face. Even children playing with their mothers makeup looked better than she did. They at least had some sort of order in the chaos. Nora's face looked straight out an abstract art gallery, and not the good kind either. Not that Nora seemed to mind. Humming to herself as she eagerly waited for her turn to spin the bottle.

"What is-" Blake started, making Pyrrha sigh again, knowing what was to come. "-Jaune hiding?" Blake asked, amber eyes brimming with curiosity. While the White Fang came first, she hadn't found anything about his 'birth' rune on the dustnet or in the library. Leading her to think that it was as he said, just a weirdly shaped birthmark.

'But that can't be true.' Blake trough to herself. She had spotted his eyes momentarily turning a cruel yellow, he moved differently now than when he started, Violet's sudden appearance, his tailored clothes fitting him just as good now as when he was still spindly, and he smelled weird.

When he was further away, he smelled like a moonlit breeze, carrying a hint of cool refreshing air that always brought her mind back to walks on the beach. While he was next to her, he carried the softest smell of lavender, always making her think of flowers bathed in moonlight. And after a workout, he smelled like stardust. It was an impossible smell to describe, his scent like a whisper of magic. It smelled like moonbeams reflected on still waters. Something that should for all purposes be impossible.

She hadn't noticed it before Ruby absentmindedly commented that Jaune had gotten a new cologne. But now it was a smell she couldn't get out of her mind. It just wasn't natural. How come no one mentioned it? It coulndt just be her that smelled it.

There were just so many weird things around Jaune that didn't make sense. She couldn't be the only one who noticed, right? Even if he had his team wrapped around his fingers, they should have noticed something.

"None of your business." Nora called out, the tasteful 'artwork' on her face making it difficult to take her seriously. But it didn't make the heat in her tone any less. "Why does your bow move?"

Blake's bow twitched at the accusation. A harsh reply on her tongue.

"Whokay." Yang called out, throwing herself between them. "None of that now, we are here to have fun. No screaming, no accusations, no barbs, just fun."

Lilac eyes shifted between them, daring them to say something stupid. Blake eventually tsked, escaping up to her bed. Bow twitching as she sent Nora a glare. Not missing the woman's low whisper of "Cowardly hypocrite."

#####

Note: The insight shop, taking body parts as a price, because Yharnam.

Note: If C-man sounds like semen, that's a coincidence and noting more.

Note: Violet lives up to her tittle as Jaune's apprentice, and the man himself takes a second to look in.

Note: I don't want to call them 'perks', as they are more like natural boons growing into themselves. But Jaune have reached and passed the soft cap for Vitality, something that gets him 'extra' strength as he can simply use his muscles to draw out more power. All stat's will have similar boons tied to themselves when their soft caps are reached.