Less said of yesterday the better, lol.

At least being so stressed yesterday resulted in me wanting to bury myself in writing today to forget about it. Whoop.

Cover Art: Solace o'Autumn

Chapter 24

Jaune spent another two weeks up on Atlas just hanging out with Penny and visiting various monuments and sites in the city. There were no further signs of the White Fang, Atlas' intel having proven accurate in them abandoning the continent. With them gone, visiting Atlas became more fun and less a case of watching his back, but it wasn't long before the list of things to do in Atlas grew thin, and Jaune's wanderlust built up.

He hadn't even known he had wanderlust, but between the weeks spent in the Schnee manor and then the weeks here, he'd begun feeling a little sick of the cold winds and cold snows beginning to roll in as autumn gave way to Winter. He'd essentially spent a season away from home, in between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next.

In three more – Winter, spring, and Summer – Ren and Nora would graduate Haven and make for Vale to join Beacon, and he'd promised to be there with them to do that. So, it made sense to think of his travels as seasonal. He'd visited Atlas in the autumn and spent the season there, and now it was time to move on.

It was a bonus that he'd get to skip the Atlesian winters, which Pietro had been telling him about lately. It was clear the man was hoping Jaune would stay for Penny's sake and was prepping him to buy some heavier coats. That was why he resolved to come out and tell them.

It… didn't go well…

"No." Penny said it softly, but almost like a command. "You can't." She turned, grasping her father's pantleg on his wheelchair and tugging it. "Tell him," she insisted. "Tell him he can't go."

Pietro smiled sadly. "I cannot, Penny. Jaune is his own person and may go where and when he wishes."

A machine didn't understand.

Penny had spent her life being told what she could and couldn't do and thought the same would apply to him. This machine had also never had a friend before him, and it was obvious she'd never considered he might go.

"No," she repeated. "This isn't fair! I only just met him! We're friends! He can't leave!"

"Penny…"

"He can't!" Penny yells. "I won't let hi—mmmm—" Suddenly, her legs gave way, spilling her down onto her knees. She looked confused, then garbled out some noise that sounded broken and static.

"You have to go!" Pietro said, shooing Jaune away. "It's just an episode—" he lied, worried. "Penny has them sometimes. Go!"

"But—"

"Come back tomorrow, she'll be fine then." Pietro touched a button on his wheelchair and the door opened, security coming in. Getting the hint, Jaune followed them outside so they wouldn't have to throw him out. The door closed behind him.

Had Penny crashed…?

It obviously hadn't been something Pietro expected, so there must have been an error. Penny wasn't able to compute his reasons, or maybe her emotional reaction clashed with her software. It could even have been the fact she threated to stop him leaving. He didn't believe she meant it as a threat, but if her software had some basic safety regulations like "don't harm humans" then she might have run into a brick wall and been forced into something like a soft reboot.

And, of course, he wasn't supposed to know so Pietro had to kick him out while he fixed it.

Winter arrived quickly, drawn by what must have been a secret panic signal and worried there was danger. When she saw him, she questioned him and he quickly explained what had happened, talking about Penny's reaction as if it were something that confused him. Winter soon deflated.

"I see. Walk with me." Winter drew them away from the security members. "I'm sure you've noticed that Penny is a little different from other people. You might think of her as neurodivergent."

That was an interesting way to put it. In a way, that felt a little insulting to actual neurodivergent people but, at the same time, the concept basically meant those with different thought patterns – and what was a machine intelligence if not that? It was a good word to apply to her, and one that would serve her well as an excuse when she interacted with real people.

"She's never had a friend before and losing you now… well, it's not loss, is it? But Penny has never had a friend to even go away for a time."

"I think I know what it feels like. I had a childhood friend who moved away from Ansel when I was younger." He couldn't remember much of the boy, only that they'd always played together, and that Jaune had cried and cried when his parents split up and he moved away. "Penny is a lot older than I was, but I suppose it must feel the same way."

"Yes. I'm glad you understand. As for you leaving, I also understand why. Atlas has not been good to you."

"It's been fine, don't worry so much." Jaune laughed at Winter's surprised expression. "I mean, sure, the White Fang thing was bad but that was two instances in almost two months of my being here. And being at the Schnee manor was awkward but never bad. I don't see it as wasted time or anything."

"I'm glad." Winter smiled. "I'd worried we had dragged you away from your travels. Not that you've done much of that here, but Atlas isn't like the other kingdoms. We don't have many sights and attractions that lay outside the city. There isn't exactly a rich history of people living in a snow-covered wasteland."

"And the others?"

"Where are you thinking of going next?"

"I'll be heading back to Argus first as it's kind of my base camp." Winter nodded, having heard him talk about his sister and her wife in their regular gym sessions. He also wanted to talk to Pyrrha bout his Semblance. "But I was thinking of Vacuo after. I figure spending the winter there will be a good idea."

"Hmm. I think so too. You'll dodge the snow and cold of the other countries but also avoid the burning heat of Vacuo in the spring or summer. There's a lot to see outside of Vacuo, though," she added. "I'd suggest booking a trip to Shade Academy. It's situated around an oasis in a valley between stiff desert mountain, and it's truly a sight to behold. I visited once and was blown away by it."

"There are also ruins in the desert of ancient kingdoms if you're interested in the historical side of things. I believe Vacuo does tours guarded by huntsmen, so it's quite safe. Unlike on Mantle, there have been quite a few civilisations in Vacuo before the current one, so there's plenty to see."

"I'm going to go stop at the tour office in Argus before going."

"A good idea. When will you be leaving?"

"Soon," he said, "but not until I've had a chance to talk to Penny and calm her down. Make sure she knows this isn't goodbye." Winter's smile softened with every word. "Yeah, I'm not going to just go and vanish on her when our last interaction was like that."

"I'm glad. And thank you."

"You don't need to thank me for caring for a friend."

"You're right, I don't, but I'm grateful either way. Penny is a good girl and… and this place isn't a great environment to grow up in. General Ironwood is kind to her, and I do my best as well, but it reminds me of my own childhood in the manor. Those that worked there were always kind to me as well, but growing up without anyone my age to interact with made it seem very lonely. I'm hopeful her dog will alleviate that."

"She's also in group chats online with me and some friends, so it's not like she'll have no one."

"Is she? Really? I hadn't known."

"Pietro knows," he said, subtly letting her know she didn't need to dig into it. Pietro had been mostly happy to see her chatting with people. "It's mostly her sharing dog pictures with my friends, but it'll be a way for us to keep in touch. And I'll always be just a scroll call away."

"That's true. I'll make sure she knows she can call you, then. If that's acceptable?"

"Of course it is. I'll always answer as long as I'm not working."

/-/

It was a full day before he was allowed back in to see Penny, a full day before she was presumably rebooted and installed with new code to avoid such a mistake. Put like that, a mere twenty-four hours felt like an achievement on Pietro's part. The man must really have been a genius when it came to these things.

Penny looked sullen when he arrived. "S—Salutations," she stammered. "I… I must apologise for…"

"There's no need." Jaune approached and placed his arms around her, pulling he surprised machine against him. "It's fine, Penny."

"But I… But I threatened to make you stay!"

"You were upset. I know you didn't mean it."

"I did mean it, though."

"No. You wanted to, but I don't think you'd have gone through with it if push came to shove. You're better than that."

Penny didn't cry. He'd be surprised if she knew how to cry. Instead, she was silent for a long time, before bringing her hands up his back to return the hug. All that internalised thought must have been her running over things in her head. In anyone else, he'd call the silence ominous. For her, it was perfectly normal.

"I will miss you…" she mumbled.

"You won't be fully without me, Penny. We have our online chats, and you can call me whenever you want. And I'll be visiting the Vytal Festival in Vale when it's next on. I bet you'll be there with General Ironwood and Winter."

"Hmmm. But that's so far away…"

"Then…" Jaune wracked his mind. "How about Argus? I'm heading back there between each journey to get ready for the next. Couldn't you convince Pietro or Winter to let you spend a few days there with me? Argus is practically allied with Atlas."

Penny tensed. "Are you… Are you inviting me to a sleepover?"

"I guess. Though it's not my house so I'd have to ask Terra and Saphron." He doubted they'd mind, but better safe than sorry. "But even if not, you can stay in a hotel with Pietro, and we could hang out."

"I… I will ask father," she said, warming up a little. "I will beg father to let me. When… When will you be done with your next journey?"

"I'm not sure. I don't even know what I'm going to do in Vacuo yet. I'll let you know, though. How's that? I'll tell you where I'm going, take lots of photos, and we can chat each night if you want. I might have to do some guitar playing to earn my way, but I'll have free time during the day to talk. And you'll have Buddy to look after."

"Hm." Penny's head tilted down to press her nose into his shoulder. "I will still miss you. You are my only friend."

"I'm your first friend. There will be more."

"But I will still hold you above them," she insisted. "I will only ever have one first friend."

"I'm not going to forget you either."

It felt like it was what she was trying to say.

"And besides, it's not like I've made up my mind what I'm going to do when my travels are over with. Maybe I'll decide to take a job in Atlas and then you'll be stuck with me for even longer. Then you'll be the one getting bored of me."

Penny gasped. "That will not happen!"

"I was exaggerating, Penny."

"It still won't happen! Never! Not ever!"

There was no point telling her she was getting worked up over nothing. Penny had no experience to draw on, no past references, and it was more important he prove himself with actions than words. So, he continued rubbing her back and simply stayed holding her for the next few hours, long after almost anyone would have started to find it awkward. She didn't, of course, not understanding why it ever could be. Somehow, that stopped it being awkward on his side as well. Winter had called her neurodivergent, but it felt more accurate to say she was a small child, a young mind that just needed to experience things for the first time.

Penny simply hadn't had time to grow up and realise that the world and the people in it would move on eventually, whether or not she wanted them to. Pietro politely excused himself and left them to it, wrapped up together on the sofa in his living area as Penny rested her head on his chest and took in the simply pleasure of being close.

She wasn't so heavy or as cold as might have been imagined for a machine, so it didn't feel so bad. Her skin was soft and cushioned to feel realistic, and her body warm from all the internal systems running inside her, so it was actually like having a very light person laying atop him.

Despite expectations from a machine, Penny couldn't have been heavier than sixty kilos. He assumed a lot of her "volume" was taken up by chips, circuit boards and such, and since metal was denser than bone, she could actually have a lot less heavy weight inside to support her. No need for muscles, inner organs, water retention, and all the other things that would constitute up to 60% of a human's body mass.

Somewhere in the midst of it, Buddy jumped up to join the hug and curled up between them and the back of the sofa. Winter came by at one point, saw them, smiled, and left soon after. Penny hardly talked, just wanting to remember this. Maybe she was looking up things online in her head as well.

They stayed like that practically all day.

/-/

It wasn't all Penny, of course. Jaune called back to Saphron and Terra to let them know he'd be coming back and needed the room again, and then called his family back in Ansel to report on the end of his time in Atlas. They still hadn't heard about the attack, news moving that slowly out in the country, and he didn't break the news to them. Instead, he told them how he'd found work with a rich family and then spent some time up on Atlas exploring the military academy and huntsman school there.

His father was worried at that but calmed down when Jaune said it wasn't for him and he was going to head back to Argus before moving on to Vacuo.

"I'm not telling you what you can and can't do," said his father, "but watch your money in Vacuo! That place is full of casinos and other late-night activities."

"Like bars? I don't drink, dad."

"I'm talking about more carnal pleasures, son."

"Oh." Jaune went bright red. "I… uhh… I'm not looking for that either."

"I'm sure you're not but you might be tempted when a pretty woman comes and talks to you. Look, you're your own man and I'm not saying otherwise. You absolutely should visit a casino if only to see what it's really about and not have curiosity get the better of you. Just watch yourself. Decide how much money you want to lose and go in with only that. Don't expect to leave there with anything. It's when people get it in their heads they can `win it back` that they start gambling themselves out of house and home."

"I get it, dad. I'm not going to go lose everything I have."

His Semblance didn't come with a LUCK stat, sadly. Or maybe that was for the best. The people here might not have noticed anything too unusual with him, but a casino would definitely be monitoring its customers, and they'd notice if one guy kept on winning despite all odds.

"My money situation is pretty good, actually. I was paid really well to work here in Atlas." Plus, the ad revenue from his videos. "But I'm still going to try and work for a room rather than pay. It'll be good practice."

"Heh. That's not a bad idea. You don't want to get complacent just because you've made some money. And if you do decide you want to start a life in one of those kingdoms, rental prices can be a nightmare. It'll be good for you to have some money in the bank for a deposit. Nothing in Atlas catch your eye, then?"

"It's mostly military here. It's a huge part of their economy."

"Hmm. I'd heard that, too. Still, there are a lot of non-combat roles in the military. It's not a bad job."

"I'm a lover, dad. Not a fighter."

Nicholas boomed with laughter. "Is that so? Then we'll look forward to meeting a girlfriend soon, won't we?"

"Erk—"

"Boyfriend then? I don't judge."

"Dad, no. There's no one—"

"Then you're neither a lover nor a fighter. Keep it up, though. Maybe you'll find someone where you least expect it. And tell Saphron to get in touch with us once you reach Argus. That girl is so excited at starting a new life she keeps forgetting to call. Ungrateful brat." He chuckled. "I've got to go, son. There's some Grimm sighted in a nearby village that need dealing with. Good luck and be careful out there."

"I'm sticking to the cities, dad."

"I know. But there's more to be cautious about than Grimm, and Vacuo has a lot of criminals there. You'll be fine as long as you keep your head about you. Don't carry too much money on you, stick to busier areas, and don't do anything stupid. If someone threatens you for a couple hundred lien, give it to them."

He knew that after being targeted by the White Fang, but he wasn't about to say it and cause them any panic. He said his goodbyes and promised to send some souvenirs home from Atlas, then spend the day with Penny buying them from various tourist traps around the city. It was silly stuff like Atlas-made wine for his mom and dad, and some perfumes and bath spa sets that were said to be made from snowmelt carrying salt from the mountains, all of which was in some way rejuvenating and relaxing.

Cheap stuff, silly stuff, but things that were all branded from Atlas and would entertain his family. He bought some books for Coral, too, knowing she'd much prefer some literature from the kingdom. Sadly, the many sweets on offer wouldn't work out due to the literal weeks they would take to be delivered from Argus to Ansel. He did buy some for Saphron and Terra, though.

And did his best to avoid the Guitar Cutie shaped lollipops and boxes of chocolates with her visage on the front. He did his best to steer Penny away from those as well, seeing as how her artificial intelligence might have been able to analyse the similarities in facial structure and put them together.

This is way too much sponsorship! And licensed products!? I'm going to have to talk to Saphron and Terra and ask them about this. Sure, he'd asked them to be his agents, but he hadn't expected them to go and sell licensing rights. Then again, I didn't tell them it was off the table either. Damn it, Saphron. No. This is Terra's fault, I know it. Damn it, Terra.

He paused to wait.

"No quest? Seriously. Come on, Semblance. Give me a break!" Jaune paused a second time, half expecting to have jinxed himself, but nothing came. "Safe! Now hopefully there won't be any problems in Vacuo."

Argus first, though, and he had the problem of how to tell Pyrrha about his Semblance. It was hard to imagine her being angry about it, the worst he'd done was play some music to motivate her, but it was more a question of how he was meant to get her to believe it in the first place. A Semblance that motivated via music sounded believable, but one that turned the whole world into video game logic…? Yeah, no. He'd not believe anyone who told him that.

A text came back from Saphron and Terra saying they'd have his room cleaned out and ready for him, and another came back from Pyrrha soon after saying she "couldn't wait" for him to come back so they could hang out. He replied to both, and with similar messages involving smiley faces and thumbs up.

"Can I meet you at the docks?" asked Pyrrha in her reply.

"Sure. As long as you're willing to help me carry my bags of souvenirs to my sister's house," he replied.

Pyrrha sent back a bunch of smiley faces and an "okay".

If there was one thing he'd take away as a success from his travels, it was the idea that he could head just about anywhere – to Atlas, Argus, or Mistral – and have a friend waiting there to hang out. People he'd have never met otherwise.

I guess this means I'll have to make a best friend in Vacuo as well, he thought, smiling at the idea.

The smile soon faded when Penny came to say goodbye for the last time.

Buddy was whining, sensing the mood.

Jaune said his goodbyes to General Ironwood, Winter and Pietro first, so he could talk longer with Penny. Pietro thanked him for spending time with Penny and asked him to stay in touch with her, and Jaune asked Pietro to remind Penny she could call him at any time.

"Thank you for your efforts helping my mother," said Winter, when it was her turn. "Though I was sceptical of you at first, I'm pleased to say I was wrong. You're a good young man. Also, I know Weiss feels the same way, even if she's not here today."

"It's fine, Winter. Wish them well for me. And if your mother asks, please make sure she knows she didn't scare me away or something. Tell her I always planned to move on. This wasn't her fault."

Winter smiled and nodded.

General Ironwood shook his hand firmly. "I hope you've enjoyed your time here in Atlas," he said. "If you decide you want a career here after your travels, get in touch with me. I've seen your courage protecting the innocent at the gala, and again fighting off a terrorist in our city."

"I'll keep it in mind, sir. I'm not much of a fighter but my dad says there are non-combat roles."

"Many of them, and they're just as important as boots on the ground. Also, if you ever need a reference for any work of yours, contact me. I'm happy to speak on your behalf."

"Thank you!" Jaune smiled weakly. "But I'd better talk to Penny."

"Yes." Ironwood smiled. "Saying goodbye to a friend so soon is never easy."

Penny tried to smile for him, but it was a glum expression.

"It won't be forever," he told her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I'll call you when I get to Argus and when I get to Vacuo. You can call me whenever you want. We'll even play some games online together with Ren and Nora."

Penny glanced down. "Okay…"

"And you'll convince Pietro to let you come to Argus next time, remember? Maybe we'll be able to hang out together in the spring."

"Mm." Penny nodded. "I'd like that. Um." Penny pulled something out. "I made something for you." It was a strange silver band, like a bracelet. "I was looking up ways to say goodbye to a friend online and I read about these. It's a friendship bracelet that I made."

.

Friendship Bracelet

Created by the hands of a machine that wishes to be human, this bracelet symbolises a friendship that will last longer than the recipient. This bracelet is installed with a secret tracker that will forever let Penny know her friend's location.

.

The message sounded a little creepy, but Jaune figured it meant how Penny was functionally immortal and he was not. As for the tracker, well, it wasn't such a problem. It wasn't like he was looking to hide away from her – and it might even prove useful if they were ever lost and needed to find one another.

"Thank you." Jaune held his left hand out, under arm upward. "Can you put it on me?"

"Yes. Of course." Smiling, Penny did just that, then rubbed her finger over the metal. He felt it tighten a little, locking on and probably activating. If it'd make her feel more comfortable, he'd take it. "Now we are friends forever."

"We already were, you silly girl."

Penny's eyes crinkled. "There's one other thing I read online," she said. "A way to say goodbye so you will remember me. Please forgive me for not being experienced with this."

"Wha—mphjhjhh!?"

Jaune froze as Penny's mouth sealed over his and her tongue pushed inside. It was a synthetic mouth, a synthetic tongue, and yet both felt real. Not that he had anything to compare it to. All he knew was that instead of metal, he was being kissed by soft lips, and that she was probably a much better kisser than he because of all the videos she'd watched online. And, of hell, what videos had she watched for this, because Jaune groaned a little in her hold.

Meanwhile, Pietro was choking, and Winter was gobsmacked.

General Ironwood had thrown back his head to laugh.

"P—Penny," he gasped, once it was over, ignoring the part of him – parts, really – that ached for more. "I… I…"

"I'm not sure of the significance but I was assured this will make sure you never forget me," she said. "And that you'll have me in your dreams."

Ironwood wheezed.

"And if my research is correct, the sound you made and the hardness I feel pressed against my stomach are signs that the kiss had its intended effect."

Jaune's face burned.

Achievement gained, he supposed.

Though Penny didn't even realise what the meaning behind this all was.

"P—Penny, I… um… wow. That… I guess that was your first. I feel honoured."

"Really? The online discourse suggested that the emotion most associated with your member being erect would be arou—" He sealed his hand over her mouth. "Mmm. Mmmph. Jmph? Sthp."

"There are some things best said in private among friends!" he squeaked. "Not in front of other people, especially not your dad!"

Penny tilted her head, pulling her mouth from his hand. "But father knows you are my best friend and I love you. Therefore, he should have expected this will happen. Our goodbye kiss will ensure you want to see me again for another." Penny smiled fondly. "So now this is not a goodbye, but a promise for us to meet again. Because we are friends forever."

"Friends forever," he agreed, finally stepping out her hold. "I'll see you around, Penny. If not in Argus, then in Vale for the Vytal Festival. Please call me. I'll miss you otherwise."

"I promise not a day will go by without us speaking in some way, Jaune. Goodbye!"

Jaune stepped onto the boat and continued waving until it had taken them out over the water and away. Only then did he let his hand fall, Penny's silver bracelet gleaming in the light. His other hand came up to his face and away with moisture.

Goodbyes were never easy. And he realised he'd have to keep making them over and over with his travels.

Saying goodbye hurts, but it would hurt more to have never met you in the first place, Penny.

"Goodbye to you as well, Weiss." he said, to the open sea air. "I hope things work out with your mother."

Next Chapter: 26th May

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