Breakfast was a quiet affair, made even quieter by Nora's lack of energy.
Not that Pyrrha had thought it would be anything but.
She had half been expecting to wake up too screaming, sobbing, a waterfall of tears or a stream of snot, maybe even all four at the same time. Anything a normally healthy child would do to expel the emotions inside themselves after having experienced or witnessed something they didn't like.
Instead Violet had woken up with her brows scorched in confusion. A confusion that still clung to her as she idly stirred her porridge around. When she usually would wolf down her food with a ravenous appetite.
To say the little girls stillness was unnerving was an understatement. Nora looked to be walking on eggshells as she tried, and failed, to drag the boys into one of her usual tales. Her eyes not having the usual spark that made Nora, Nora. Ren hummed along from the side, nodding from time to time, nose deep in an old book comparing the religious similarities and differences of Taoism and Shintoism. Only overgrown ruins remained of the two once glorious religions that once clashed for spiritual hegemony over Mistral.
Not letting her eyes linger too long, lest her mind started wandering. Yesterday's revelations still fresh in her mind. While the meeting had eased her worries, part of her wished she could trade back all her unfounded worries with the knowledge of now knowing that both Jaune and Ren would eventually go insane.
While they wouldn't go insane in the normal sense, could they still be called sane when their perception of the world became so wholly alien to her own? What more would Jaune be able to see when he already could read a soul like an open book? What world would Ren live in when he could talk to her at a moment, before going on to having long conversations with dead emperors and queens from ages long gone by?
She still hadn't quite managed to make up her mind regarding insight as well. A part of her wanted to just accept it to not be left out. Another part of her felt they were moving far too quickly with things they didn't fully understand.
Looking down at her cereal, she felt her already meagre hunger dry up. Sighing softly, she forced down another spoon of cereal.
"You ok there Pyrrha? You look like you swallowed a lemon?" Jaune asked, concern swirling in his eyes, crumbs around his mouth. A day ago having her crush's undivided attention would send butterflies dancing in her stomach. Now, while the crush was still there, she had so many emotions violently mixing in her gut that all she felt was an overwhelming numbness.
"It's nothing." She sighed, plastering the smile she had perfected in the mirror on her lips. "I just can't seem to work up an appetite." While she hated lying, she couldn't find it in herself to forgive herself if she forced her own problems on Jaune. Especially when he already had far too much on his plate already.
Honestly, how Jaune could worry about anyone but himself baffled her.
It terrified her just as much, if not more. He had a heart of gold, and freely gave and gave. But what would he give when he had nothing more to give?
Shovelling another spoon of cereal down her throat, ignoring the taste of static, she forced her mind onto other things. Feeling a little poke in her side, Pyrrha dragged herself out of her quickly spiralling thoughts. Instead a gentle smile bloomed on her lips. Looking down at Violet, she felt her worries ease away. Replaced with a warm fondness as she took in the fidgeting form of Violet.
Idle fingers danced nervously along the hem of her coat. Her blue eyes shone with nervousness and curiosity. Even if Pyrrha could see some determination hidden there too.
"What is it?" Pyrrha asked softly. Violet always went to Jaune and only Jaune when she had questions. From small, nonsensical questions to when she stumbled upon something she didn't understand in her lessons. That Violet came to her, and not Jaune first set her curiosity burning. 'For what is it she can't ask Jaune?'
Violet bit her lip cutely, eyes darting around nervously before she waved her down.
Biting down the chuckle that threatened to escape her, Pyrrha bent down until Violet could freely whisper in her ear.
"Do… Do you think we could… talk later? J-Just the two of us?" Violet whispered nervously, shooting a nervous gaze towards Jaune. Afraid that he would overhear her.
Humming noncommittally, Pyrrha found herself in a bit of a bind. It wasn't that she didn't want to be there for Violet, instead it was more that she hadn't forgotten how Violet had turned illusionary separated from Jaune. And as for much as she was hailed as champion and prodigy. When it came to the more mystical aspects that Jaune dabbled so freely with, she was stumped. Knowing neither were to start, or how to start.
"Of course, I will always be there for you Violet. You just need to ask." Pyrrha promised with a smile.
A smile that blossomed even further when a shy little smile showed itself on Violet. Gently she pulled the little girl into a hug, a spark of protectiveness turning into a roaring inferno. Burning away all her earlier doubt's and worries.
While she was still scared, uncertain about what the future had in store for them. She would walk this maddening part with her team, if only so she could help protect them from themselves.
After all, Jaune wasn't the only one willing to sacrifice himself if it meant that his loved ones were safe. She was more than willing to do the same.
"Now, why don't we scoot down a little. Or would you rather talk somewhere else?" Pyrrha asked gently. It was Saturday morning, and early at that. There were just a few stray souls in the cafeteria. A silver haired teenager, team CRDL, and a team of girls that sat with them that looked to be from Vacuo. Thankfully they all seemed to be minding their own business. Even if she didn't wonder what miracle got Team CRDL up so early.
"I think I have a way for Violet to be apart from me for a while, if you want to chat in our room." Jaune said kindly from the side. Fishing out a necklace that was as hauntingly beautiful as it was morbid. It was a shard of beautiful bone fashioned into a saw. The teeth seemingly glittering crimson in the light of the early morning sun.
Noticing their confusion, a little smile etched itself on Jaune. "While this was Violet's first hunt, adrenaline can only do so much. So I sent her to sleep and continued on my own when she could barely hold her weapon. And I made her this when I had some extra time."
And as large as Violet's pout was, she couldn't help the giddiness in her eyes as she scurried over to Jaune and climbed into his lap. Her smile brightening even further when Jaune carefully clasped the necklace around her neck.
So lost was Violet in wonder, that she didn't snap out of it before Nora's curiosity got the best of her.
"What is it? It can't be just a necklace, right?" Nora wondered, leaning forward and getting a better look at Violet's new necklace. Ren's hand coming up on instinct and cleaning a bit of syrup from her cheek. Eyes never leaving his book.
"It will also serve as her badge. After all, she is part of my Workshop now, and thus it's only right for her to wear our badge." Jaune explained gently. Giving a proud smile at Violet as she idly fingered with her new necklace. "I also experimented with my rites on it to varying levels of success. Nothing groundbreaking, but it should serve to 'anchor' Violet to our world. Allowing her to be more than ten meters from me. Even if I think the range have been extended."
"Now, it isn't perfect. Far from it in fact." Jaune stressed before anyone could say anything. "The further apart she is from me, the faster the badge will 'burn'. The badge will last two, maybe three hours if she is between the ten, twenty meters mark, but it won't even last a minute if we stretch the distance past a kilometre. And don't worry, the badge will slowly 'heal' when in contact with direct moonlight. So you don't have to worry about it getting destroyed."
At that Violet let out a massive sigh of relief, quickly going back to fiddling with her bone necklace. Her smile never leaving her.
"Are you sure you don't have a magic pocket full of bullshit?" Nora asked.
"Language." Ren, Jaune, Pyrrha and Violet all called out at the same time. Making the ginger bomber pout and cross her arms with a huff.
"It wasn't a spur of the moment thing; I have been thinking about it for a while. I just wasn't expecting to find some modicum of success so quickly." Jaune answered with a shrug. Lifting Violet from his lap and placing her on the other side of him "Now, why don't the two of you go have your girls only meeting?"
"You… you aren't angry?" Violet asked softly, smile fading as she looked up nervously at Jaune.
"Never." He said, ruffling her hair. "I'm glad that you are starting to feel safer around my team."
"Oh, can I join?" Nora asked curiously, sending a nervous smile towards Violet.
"You can." Violet eventually said with a nod, getting an exited squeal from Nora.
"Girls night." Nora excitedly called out, before stopping herself. "Girls morning?"
"We get it, go have fun." Jaune smiled, fishing up his journal and pen. Idly scribbling something she couldn't understand down. "Just handled it gently, please?" Pyrrha heard him whisper when she passed him by.
Giving him a resolute nod, she quickly joined the girls and walked back to the dorm.
####
"I'm heading over to the library." Jaune's voice echoed through the cafeteria. Ren giving a nonchalant nod, never once looking up from his book.
Cardin followed him out with his eyes. His scowl never leaving.
"So what's with the kid?" The silver haired dude to the side asked with a lazy nonchalance that irked him secondly only to Jaune's stupid grin.
"What's it to you." Cardin shoot back. He didn't like Arc, hated him in fact. Especially with how the dude seemingly got everything handed to him on a silver platter. He was partnered with Pyrrha fucking Nikkos, was best friends with a girls-only team, and now somehow got the headmaster to bend over backwards because he wanted an 'apprentice' to strut around with.
"Curiosity mostly. A kid doesn't belong here." The silver haired dude shrugged. "And I figured we could do a little trade of sorts. You tell me a bit of what's going on here, and I tell you who to watch out for from Mistral. Or something."
"Yeah, what is a kid doing here?" One of the girls from Vacuo asked with a bored nonchalance. She was cute, wore a green dress with a golden shoulder pauldron. Like her team she had sun kissed skin. But even if she was cute, she had an edge to her he had noticed in all exchange students from Vacuo.
"Ozpin accepted her apprenticeship under Arc, sent a mail to us so we didn't get surprised. Said something about semblances and aura." Cardin shrugged. It wasn't like he was sharing anything confidential, they had all gotten the mail.
"Apparently Violet, the girls name, is made? manifested? through Arc's semblance or something." Russel added from the side, straightening out his back and trying to look cool for the girls.
"Cool." The girl snarked. Sharing a giggle between themselves. Russel's mohawk wilting as he tsked. "But just because the headmaster gave his ok, doesn't that mean she belongs here. She isn't one of us."
"You are preaching to the choir, sister." Dove drawled, taking a second to look up from his scroll. "Goodwitch doesn't like her, so you aren't the only one sharing the sentiment. But the headmaster has spoken. And I don't know about you, but I rather not piss of four entire universities by taking the piss of a little kid."
"That's because you guys are amateurs. But what else can you expect?" Nebula, he had heard the girls called her, said with a smirk. "This isn't something you can just brute force. You can't just go up to the kid and throw a punch. But, say, a quip comment here, a harsh whisper there, and the poor kid will know her place before the festival is over."
"So you are suicidal, not stupid. My bad." Sky quipped from the side, earning a chuckle out of Cardin and his boys.
"This isn't the desert. We do things differently here." Cardin grinned, ignoring the harsh looks the girls sent him. Throwing a look to his side, he saw the silver haired teenager having upped and left. "But if you think your methods will work, go for it. I don't care much for who tears Arc down from his high horse as long as he is torn down. But…"
"But?" Nebula teased, leaning forward with a cat-like grin.
"But, when you get found out and challenged in the arena, you will answer. If you opt to sit out, well, you will kill any chance you have at making a name for yourself. No one will ever take you seriously after that, knowing that your bark is worse than your bite." Cardin said with a shrug before going back to his scrambled eggs.
"That's stupid." Octavia spat from the side.
"You aren't in the desert longer kido. You don't need to fight for scraps here. If you want to be stupid, be our guests. But Beacon runs on its own rules. I bet you wouldn't be caught dead outside of curfew in Atlas. You don't have to respect our rules, but you will play by them as long as you are guests here." Dove added from the side, spiting the word guest with as much vitriol he could.
"Do remember, you are guests, outsiders. Yet here you are eating our food, drinking our water, yet not willing to play by our rules. Is there no wonder why no one take you from Shade any seriously." Cardin stated matter of factly. "Fuck, even beanie girl has more backbone than the four of you combined."
"You take that back." Nebula spat, eyes blazing with anger.
"Prove yourself then. Fight us, we were heading to one of the bookable arena's either way." Cardin shoot back. "But from the looks of things, your bark is worse than your bite. No wonder we had to finish the Great War on our own."
"Fine." Nebula seethed. "But you best not go running to your mother when we beat you black and blue."
"Wouldn't dream of it." Cardin grinned, scooping down his eggs. Eager to sharpen his skill. 'Just you wait Arc, daddy will get his revenge before you know what happened. And it will be glorious.'
####
Pyrrha wasn't quite sure if the silence was tense, comfortable, or awkward.
The second they had returned to their dorm, Violet had climbed up in her bed, tucked her knees to her chest and fidgeted with her new necklace while she and Nora found sat down around their table. Idly waiting for Violet to speak while they watched as flakes of snowy white, reminiscent of moonlight, broke away from the necklace once in a while. Gently dancing through the air before disappearing.
It was beautiful. Magical even.
A little reminder at the beauty Jaune so effortlessly could bring into the world.
Eventually the silence became too much to bear for Nora. "Soo… how was your first hunt Violet?" She asked, breaking the spell that had fallen over Pyrrha.
"Nora. No." Pyrrha said raising her voice at her friend for the first time. "I'm setting my foot down on this Nora. We already pushed Jaune too much about the Dream and Yharnam. No more. From now on, anything Jaune, or Violet for that matter, says about Yharnam, the hunt or the dream, must be willing. They are out friends, and they deserve to keep their secrets like everyone else. I'm sure Jaune will say something if it's something important. I understand your curiosity but let us give them the space they deserve."
Clicking her mouth shut, Nora completely dropped the topic. "Sorry Violet… I let my emotions get the best of me." She apologized with a sheepish grin. Properly chastised.
Deciding to follow her own advice, Pyrrha let her eyes wander around their room, giving Violet all the space and time she would need to find her words. In the end her eyes landed back on Nora, the question burning in her mind eventually becoming almost too much to bear. "So… Nora… Have you given 'insight' any more thought?"
At that Nora, groaned, leaning down on their little coffee table, huffing away a stray star of hair. "I'm not stupid, you know?"
"I never said you were." Pyrrha placated gently, cringing slightly as well. "But I also know that you think with your heart first and foremost."
"It's… Well… I-" Nora stared, before letting out a long groan and smacking her face into the table hard enough that aura flashed briefly. Getting a little startled eep from Violet. Taking a deep breath, Nora gave her a look. "I'm scared Pyrrha, I'm scared for our boys."
"Our boys?" Pyrrha asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, it was just Ren and Nora against the world. And while we hoped we would have some good teammates. You and Jaune are more than just good teammates, you are family. And I will be damned if I let my family walk headlong into hell." Nora declared softly, eyes crackling with electricity. "I know I can't stop them; they are both too headstrong for that. But at least I can, and will, walk with them till the very end. What that end is, I don't know, but I know I won't face it alone."
"Yeah, someone needs to keep them in line." Pyrrha chuckled. Feeling a weight leave her shoulders, more than a little glad that Nora had given the matter some thought, not wildly rushing forward without the barest semblance of a plan.
"You don't say." Nora huffed good naturally. "I love Ren, I really do. But he becomes impossible when he gets passionate about something. Don't get me wrong, it's lovely to see his stoicism melt away, but come on, dead religions aren't interesting. I mean, I get it. Ren have always had a special relationship with the older, more niche, or nuanced concepts of our country's culture with ninjas and the like."
"And I get it, I really do. It's an important part of our heritage that he resonates most with." Nora huffed, before letting out a low whine. "But come on, why Taoism? It's the poster child of dry texts filled with empty flowery words. Not like Shintoism is any better. And it's not like he needs to study religion's to learn Onmyo magic, right? It's just ink on paper. I mean, potions are just cooking with weird ingredients, right? And Jaune-Jaune pulled that out of his ass like it was normal. How can Onmyo be any different?"
"Nora, I think you might be simplifying things just a tad bit too much." Pyrrha chuckled, glad to see her usual enthusiasm shining through. Something wasn't right in the world when Nora lacked her usual peppiness.
"Ehh, maybe. But Jaune have always managed to make 'mysticism' seem so easy." Nora pouted.
"'Mysticism', is that what we are calling it now?" Pyrrha mussed, shooting a curious look over at her friend, who only shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not? It's not like Jaune-Jaune coined a term for anything related to Spirituality or anything. And with Potions, Onmyo, whatever the Occult stuff Jaune I dabbling in is called, isn't it only fitting to have an umbrella term related for all of it? And just calling it 'magic', feels kinda cheap."
"Don't get me wrong, I completely agree. Whenever I think of 'magic' I imagine throwing fireballs, controlling the weather, summoning winds and storms. So trust me, I get where you are coming from. You just caught me surprise is all." Pyrrha quickly explained.
This wasn't the first time she had been caught off guard by Nora's insight. For as much as Nora liked pretending she wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, she was far from stupid. A razor-sharp intuition lied hidden behind her bubbly exterior. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought Nora had some kind of sixth sense.
'But given what I have learned recently, who's to say she don't?' Pyrrha thought to herself.
"Sooo~" Nora started, a gossipy grin quickly on her face. "Say, Pyrh. Have you given any thought about what 'branch' of Mysticism you want to practice? It's easy to see that you have come to some sort of decision."
"I have." Pyrrha said with a little nod. Determination oozing from her. "But what about you? Have you given the matter some thought?"
"Shamanism." Nora blurted out without a second of hesitation. "Drums, song, music, dances, life. I mean, is there anything more magical than that?"
"Honestly, I didn't know what I was expecting." Pyrrha chuckled, throwing a subtle glance over at Violet, finding the little girl completely engrossed in their conversation.
"But don't think you can wiggle yourself out of this so easy Pyrh." Nora chuckled. "Come on, I can't have been the only one who researched in my free time."
"Well… you aren't wrong." Pyrrha started with, not missing the way Violet had begun leaning forward. Clearly wanting to come join them, but to nervous, or afraid, to do so.
While it wasn't completely accurate, and it felt mean thinking so. Pyrrha couldn't help comparing Violet to a stray kitten. Highly dependent on the person that had adopted her, and reluctant to show affection or reach out to anyone else. She was getting better, ever so slowly coming out of her shell, something that warmed her heart. That she hadn't completely retreated into her shell after Ruby scared her half to death was a blessing in of itself. But her world completely revolved around Jaune.
"I guess I have been struggling with finding something that 'clicks' with me." Pyrrha mussed. "I have given it some thought yes, even read up on some 'branches' if that is what you want to call it. But I never seem to find something that 'clicks'."
"I'm sure you will stumble upon something that 'clicks' with you eventually. Take your time, there is no need to rush." Nora said gently. No signs of mirth at all.
And Pyrrha couldn't help but be grateful for having her as both a friend and teammate. As much as she liked just spending time with Ruby and the girls, and while they never lifted her up at a pedestal, they sometimes seemed to gloss over the simple fact they she wasn't born a champion. That she had in fact spent hours upon hours training. Forging herself into the ultimate grimm slaying weapon in the process.
While the girls were lovely, whenever she spent time with her newfound family, she was never Pyrrha the champion. Instead she was allowed to simply be Pyrrha. Trying different videogames for the first time, something she hadn't done before, and rightfully getting her ass handed to her. But even then, even when she lost, she laughed. Because she had had fun playing with Nora.
"Do… do you think Master will teach me magic?" A soft, if eager, whisper rang out through the room.
As one, the two young women turned to look at Violet whose eyes shone with wonder and hope in equal mixture. Earlier conversation coming to a full halt.
"Well… yes. I don't think that is an unreasonable assumption to make." Pyrrha eventually settled on with a nod. "Now what he decides to teach you, well that is a different matter altogether, but there is no doubt in my mind that Jaune won't teach you eventually."
"Maybe not tomorrow, but soonish at least, I think." Nora added in from the side. A teasing little smile on her lips as Violet huffed. "Trust me, I get it. But, while it may hurt to hear, and I'm not saying this to poke fun at you, but you aren't ready yet. I don't see Jaune teaching you 'Mysticism' or anything about the Occult he studies before you are comfortable with a weapon in your hand and able to at least hold your own for a minute or two."
Violet pouted at Nora's words, huffing, and mumbling under her breath. Even if she had been Jaune's apprentice for under a week, that she didn't do anything, but pout spoke volumes.
"But Violet, how are you feeling?" Nora, ever the blunt one, asked. Quickly giving Pyrrha 'trust me sis' look.
With a loud 'unladylike' huff, Violet collapsed back in her bed. The silence stretching before she eventually sat back up and tucked her knees into her chest.
"I… I don't know." She whispered softly. "It… it was fun, a bit scary, but Master never let anything bad happen to me."
At that, both Nora and Pyrrha shared a nod. While they had gotten some 'insight' into what the Hunt in Yharnam was like from Jaune. They could never understand it. Would never properly understand it.
Jaune was kind, self-sacrificing, and willing to shoulder any burden if it meant their shoulders would be free. So that Jaune would go out of his way to make sure Violet had as 'comfortable' an experience the hunt could be. Which mostly translated into babying her and not letting her get hurt. Something that wasn't hard to believe Jaune would do.
In fact Pyrrha would have been more shocked if Jaune actually let Violet hunt or had allowed her free reign. If he had, well, she would have had some choice words to say to him.
"But… I don't understand." Violet bemoaned. "It doesn't make sense. Why did he invite us in, even when he was unwell. Didn't he know that he was going to die? Why did he shower us in gifts? Why was he kind?"
After her little outburst, Violet tucked her kneed back into her chest. Big blue eyes landing on them, twinkling with hope that they could somehow explain what she felt. Desperately waiting for answers that they could never give.
Sharing a look, Pyrrha felt in real time how the silence grew thicker. Choking away the hope in Violet's eyes with it.
"I… don't think we can give you what you are after… Violet." Nora started, a bit of regret in her eyes. "There is a lot we can help you with, things that Jaune might be glossing over. Such as… say getting you to know more about our world and Grimm. Things Jaune might gloss over or set aside for later."
"But it doesn't make sense." Violet whined, throwing her arms up in exasperation.
"And it doesn't make sense to us either." Nora tried gently, earning an even more confused stare from the little girl. "While we can't say we understand Yharnam, we understand Jaune. And I can say with my hand over my heart that Jaune would never hurt anyone innocent."
"But… but he was?" Violet tried, struggling with picking her words. "He invited us in for tea… on a night of the hunt… He was a beast? Or he transformed into a beast after he died…"
"From the sounds of it… With the gifts, the tea, willingly inviting you in… it sounds a lot like this person was already expecting to die, or at least to pass on. As for the gifts, well it sounds like they wanted you and Jaune to have something to remember him by." Pyrrha said, adding her two lien to the situation.
A low whine escaped Violet, clearly not the words she had wanted to hear. With a final huff she stood up and leapt from her bed, quickly opening the door and dashing down the halls.
"I'll follow her." Pyrrha quickly said to Nora, before standing up and heading out. Closing the door behind her and hurriedly chasing after Violet. Not wanting her to get lost. A sentiment that apparently wasn't needed, for Violet dashed through the halls with some kind of 'Jaune-sense'. There was no way Pyrrha could ever begin to understand how she would run outside and towards some trees otherwise.
Slowing down, she sighed in relief. Leaning against the walls with a little smile. Looking on as Violet climbed into Jaune's embrace. With a soft smile, she turned and left them to their devices. Fully trusting that Jaune would clear up what remaining questions Violet had.
####
"I should have done this ages ago." Jaune muttered under his breath. Taking in the quiet morning sun as he rested under the shade from one of Beacons many trees. The quiet was comfortable, helping to ease the pain he felt at Gilbert's passing. The wound was still fresh, and it stung, but it would never reach the pain he felt from Iosefka's passing.
Gilbert had accepted his demise long ago, only clinging to a vain hope that he might die human. And he did. He passed away as peacefully someone infected by the Ashen Blood possibly could. The same couldn't be said about Iosefka.
Killing had become frighteningly easy after his death's started stacking up. Yet, out of his steadily growing kill count, his heart always ached when he had to add another innocent to the tally. Something he had never wanted, or ever could foresee himself doing. But Iosefka had been begging, voice turning more and more inhuman as seconds passed by. And Gilbert was old, willing to die, but wanting to die on his own terms.
Banging his head back against the tree, Jaune cursed slightly. Using the pain to focus on something else.
He had wanted to spend the morning working on his blood rites in the library. In fact he had a mind filled with ideas. And instead of letting them all go to waste; he had wanted to strike while the iron was hot.
After all, if his Spirituality could 'hold' or 'anchor' the crystalized spirituality that granted him mystical abilities and knowledge. Why couldn't he do the same with his blood rites? If he could find a way to 'anchor' the magical result of a blood rite in his spirituality and find a way to freely call out his 'anchored spells', then his blood rites could finally see a use in combat situations. Something he had been working on for what felt like weeks.
The relief he had felt when he saw the finish line couldn't be put into words. But no matter how motivated he was. When he had sat down, intent on continuing his work. He found himself too tired to lift his pen, too exhausted to open his journal. Instead of working as he had wanted, he had sat doing nothing but working himself up.
Not working, not learning, not spending time bettering himself, was time spent stagnating. It wasn't a mindset he had come to adapt as it was one Yharnam had beaten into him every time it stole a memory.
He had won against the blood starved beast; he had the scars and the chalice to prove for it. But it had cost him nine deaths, and the dream was cruel. Stealing away the memory of his mothers voice. Ever other memory he had of his mother had been affected, from her scolding him when he was younger and had gotten into trouble, to times she had tucked him into bed and made sure to give him her time of day. He could still remember sensations, feelings, he could even remember what she had said. But for the life of him, he couldn't seem to remember the sound of her actual voice.
He hadn't known how much he missed his mother since he forgot her voice. He misses much about home, but what he missed the most was simply being surrounded by family. And, while he hadn't exactly been happy, he had been safe and loved. However, he couldn't find it in himself to call home at the CCT. Especially not when the embers of anger were fanned into an inferno every time he thought about what his sister had shared.
Learning that his family had gone out of their way to exclude him from some activities, just because he wanted to be a huntsman hurt. Neither was it a conversation he wanted to have over the CCT. Some things should be told face to face. For good or bad.
Absentmindedly he felt himself reach towards his pocket flask. Running his fingers over it, he had to stop himself. His brew, while helpful, was amateurish. The recipe and the brewing process both. While it shouldn't have had any addictive qualities. His had. A result of his subpar brewing skills, not being able to cut the ingredients completely right, letting the brew cool down a tad too fast, and allowing it to stand over the fire a second too long. Thankfully the addictive element wasn't so strong, even after being 'improved' by his rite it was no worse than cigarettes.
Far from the price of simply drinking some of the best potions he could brew.
Part of him wondered why he was surprised, there had always been a 'price' too all the magic he used. For base potions, the price was simply the ingredients, time, and brewing of the potion. And for blood rites, the price was always in the sacrifice. But the price would always be steeper as one moved from simple smoke and mirrors to meddling with the concept of luck, beauty, or life and death if one was mad or desperate enough.
Beastspeaker was a potion that allowed the drinker to completely understand animals for a permanent duration, and only animals. Losing the ability to talk with and understand humans.
The Potion of Tongues were the same, a potion that would make the drinker fluent in all written and spoken languages they encounter, no matter how dead or ancient. But they would permanently lose all recollection of their mother tongue, and never be able to speak or read it again.
He could also make a type of 'twin potion'. It was in essence just a good luck potion, giving the drinker 'a perfect day', 'a perfect date', whatever the drinker wanted to use their luck on basically. However the next day they would be cursed by bad luck, making it 'the literal worst day ever'. Whatever misfortune plagued the drinker would be a perfect mirror of the good luck portion.
At least there existed a silver lining in potions with temporary effects. The price for drinking them always magnitudes cheaper than their permanent counterpart. That the potion of underwater breathed made the drinker unable to breathe on land for the duration was understandable. Regretful but understandable.
"Such a shame all the ingredients for the more interesting potions are hard to find, or way too expensive to buy in bigger batches." Jaune mumbled under his breath. Idly letting his mind wander too how he could gather ingredients. "High tier potion brewing is on the backburner, too expensive, too strong a time investment for both brewing as well. Maybe I could harvest some more common ingredients next time we have a 'training trip' in the forest again. Need to bring it up with the team, and also need to take into account for how it will affect Violet. Is it too early to introduce Violet to the Grimm?"
With a huff Jaune felt himself age in real time. He had just wanted to relax, give himself his first hours of 'me time' since first awakening in the dream, and here he was going over the logistics of another training trip.
Closing his eyes, he waited for sleep to find him. He had never tried taking a cat nap after awakening in the dream, not wanting to find if he awakened whenever he slept or just in a specific time room.
But Jaune was also tired, having pushed himself to be better the entire time since he first died in the dream. Using every second to find a way to learn, to train, to study, to take notes, working on his rites and ideas. Never taking a second to rest. Even his high Vitality and Endurance stats could do anything about the mind-numbing exhaustion that clung to him. Not to say anything about how his experiences in the dream haunted his waking moments as well.
He just couldn't help it, sometimes looking at Ruby's endearing eagerness he saw her blindly rushing at a foe leagues above her, aura shattering like glass after the first hit. Yang wasn't much better, it was just so easy for him to see her taking one hit to many, loosing an arm, a hand, maybe a leg, or often her head as a result.
He knew it wasn't real, that his mind was simply playing tricks. He had to reassure himself of it daily. Yet it didn't make the nightmares any less impactful. Even if worrying about his friends helped put his mind of the thing that had happened to him.
Absentmindedly opening his arms, he felt the familiar form of Violet scurry into his side. Wholeheartedly welcoming the heartfelt glee and warmth he felt from his 'strengthened' bond with Violet.
If it was a boon from his metamorphosis, or if it was simply the result of his own spirituality deepening, he didn't much know or care. He could worry about it when he started working through all the changed happened to him. He wasn't entirely sure if there was more, but he wouldn't be surprised if his metamorphosis had some 'Yharnam' surprises waiting in store for later.
However, the bond was thankfully free from any tampering, in no doubt's the dream's doing. While the dream could feel scarily 'sentient' at times, it simply acted as the contract demanded. Nothing more, nothing less.
Unfortunately, as much he treasured the bond, it was a two-way street. As he could feel Violet's emotions, ideas, and intent, so could she feel his. But where Violet wildly broadcasted her every emotion, he had more control. Most likely because of his awareness of the bond, or simply because he was older and could control his emotions somewhat better.
Something he was extremely thankful for; Violet could never figure out how much a wreck he was. It would shatter the last pillar of safety she had, leaving her suddenly stranded in a strange new world without no one to lean on.
'Should you fall, she fall's with you. Should she fall, you may fall.' His traitorous mind whispered. Feelings wasn't the only thing that could be sent over the bridge, should his spirituality ever become unstable, the bond would serve as a bridge, where his 'frenzy', or 'madness' could freely escape. He could withstand Violet's spirituality collapsing, he wouldn't come out completely unharmed, but he would survive.
The opposite wasn't true. Violet could never survive the bombardment of his spirituality. Her spirituality, the very essence of her person, would shatter into thousand little pieces. Twisting her into a warped monstrosity that made the Ashen Plague seem kind. For such was the nature of spirituality. Using the essence of oneself to fuel mystical phenomena. And if one wasn't careful, one would warp one's spirituality. Warp it to much, and the practitioner would be unrecognisable in one way or another.
"Did you get some answers to your question?" He gently asked. Seamlessly switching over to 'Yharnamite', Violet's mother tongue. While some could overhear what they were talking about, they would never understand what they were saying. A smile sneaking its way into his face as Violet huffed into his side.
"No…" He didn't have to open his eyes to know she had scrunched her nose up and was pouting.
"Did you ask them?" He asked gently, not wanting to come off as to hard. He was proud that Violet had taken the first step, reaching out to other 'authority figures' than him. While she hadn't gotten what she wanted, it was still a mayor first step into her becoming more comfortable around his team. There was no way he was going to sabotage her new confidence by thinking he might be angry at her.
"Yes…" She huffed. "But they talked about magic… or 'my-stic-ism?' the entire time… Will… you teach me?"
"All in due time. But if you do well in your studies, then I might allow you to start learning how to 'cast' magic circles." Peeking open an eye, he saw stars shine in her eyes. He had half expected her to jump up and drag him towards the library. Yet, while her eyes twinkled, Violet huffed and tried burrowing even deeper into his side.
"Why?" She eventually found the courage to ask.
"It was the right thing to do." Was his immediate answer, already knowing what she was thinking about. His answer only seemed to puzzle her even further. "Violet, you need to understand that we hunters aren't just hunters. Yes, it is our primary duty to hunt beasts, but it's not all. We are hunters, scholars, we are a shoulder to cry on, we are judge, jury, and executioner in some rare expect cases. And in some rare cases, we are ferrymen and spirit guides helping the dying along to their next journey."
"Gehrman may call me naïve, but we have never seen completely eye to eye on some matters. I may be his protégé, but I am not his legacy." Seeing the confusion in his apprentices eyes, he lifted her up, ignoring the childlike squeal of surprise that escaped her. Getting his feet under himself, and rising to his full heigh, he ran a hand through Violet's hair. "Don't worry too much about it right now, you will figure things out as you get older."
Ignoring his apprentice's pout, he sent a quick text to the team group chat, asking if everyone could meet in the dorm. There was no need to stew around the question, if they wanted insight, he would offer them the choice. Should they get cold feet, he would respect their choice. Only envy them for their ignorance.
Feeling Violet slinking her hand in his, he gave her a little smile. Taking in the nice morning as they made their way to their dorm. A wry smile on his lips when he heard the unmistakable sound of logs being sawn escaping from Ruby's dorm.
"I'm so glad I don't live back home anymore." Jaune whispered to himself. A shiver racing down his spine. Weird and unsettling not being even close to describe what he felt when he got a glass of water at night, only to hear his entire family snoring at the same time in perfect synch.
Opening the door, he noticed they were the last ones to arrive. Closing the door behind him, he was quick to take a seat. Violet quickly scurrying to her usual spot in his lap with a grin.
"I take it the two of you have made your decision?" He could see determination shining in their soul. Drowning the room in a beautiful dance of protective crimson red and energetic pink's.
"Yes."
"I'm not leaving you and Ren to face this alone."
Giving them a nod, he did his best not to sigh. He hadn't wanted them to follow their path, even Ren developing insight had been a fluke. But he wouldn't say that he didn't feel loved.
Gripping his bell, he closed his eyes and felt Isolde appear in the dream. Compared to the dream's illusionary and 'ethereal' feeling, the skulls had a heavy spiritual weight to them that served to act as 'anchor's'. He couldn't do Violet's little trick of summoning her weapons straight out of nothing, he still couldn't do it after his metamorphosis. Instead using Isolde as a 'conduit' was the closest he could do to access his cache without ringing his bell. And still couldn't summon anything but madmen's skulls, or the rare ingredient that lied around his cache gathering dust.
Carefully Isolde laid a wrinkled hand on a skull, in a flash it materialised in his hand. A sharp intake of air echoed out through the dorm as he sat it down in the table before quickly summoning two more.
"Are those skulls? Jaune, are those skulls?" Pyrrha asked, face paler than a sheet of paper.
"Well… Yes." Jaune answered plainly. "But they aren't normal skulls you see."
As if to demonstrate, Ren reached for a skull, grabbing it, and sticking his finger into the cranium, the green nebula dancing around his finger.
"How can 'stick your finger in it' be the first thing that comes to mind when you see a skull split open?" Jaune couldn't help but ask. Staring dumbfoundedly at his brother in all but blood. Inwardly glad that he wasn't the only idiot in his team.
"But… how… it's whole? But also not?" Pyrrha mumbled frantically, staring at Ren's finger unmistakably having passed through something, but seeing no possible way for that to be possible. Even when she pinched herself, she still couldn't make heads or tails about how what she saw was possible. Her eyes growing more bloodshot as she failed to make sense of what she saw.
"So that's what you meant by perceiving the world differently, eh, fearless leader?" Nora asked more eager than confused, her eyes crystal clear.
"Yes." He said, reaching forward and dragging Ren's finger from the skull. The friend in question blinking slowly, horror dawning on his face as he shoot the skulls a terrified look.
Looking at the skulls, he didn't feel the familiar draw. 'Guess my spirituality eclipses the one stored in the skull, thus making the magical coercion trivial.'
"The skulls hold a Spirituality of their own, you will need to crush them to absorb the spirituality within and awaken your own spirituality." Jaune explained partially. Before whispering to Violet. "This will be just like when you got your blood ministration, Violet. There might be some visions, sounds, or smells. But I will be with you the entire way."
Hesitantly Violet reached for the closest skull. Grabbing it, she took a deep breath before crushing the skull between her hands. The skull giving like wet paper. Exploding into dust, the nebula inside darting out and letting itself be consumed as she breathed.
Tensing and closing her eyes, Jaune waited patiently for her to assimilate the spiritualty.
"That's it?" Violet asked somewhat disgruntled, looking up at him with a pout. "Nothing happened? I heard noises then nothing?"
"Then you successfully assimilated the spirituality. Congratulations, you are now a proper apprentice to the Workshop." Pulling Violet into a hug, pearls of laughter washing away the tense atmosphere.
Sharing a glance, Nora and Pyrrha reached for their respective skulls, crushing it and quickly assimilating the spirituality within.
"That's it?" Nora asked, echoing Violets earlier sentiment. Rapidly blinking as she looked around the room. Eagerly searching for something unnatural.
"Well… yes?" Jaune said with a shrug. "The problem was never gaining insight, that is relatively harmless. Most of the time at least. The problem had always been what comes with insight, seeing things that shouldn't be seen, listening to voices that shouldn't be heard, to name but a few."
"But what about 'spirit vision', or the 'soul vision' you have? I don't notice anything new." Nora pouted.
"I can't say I feel any different as well. Maybe more a bit more clearheaded, more aware of myself maybe. But I don't seem to have any special vision." Pyrrha added as well.
"Maybe you simply didn't develop a 'vision' but something else instead? Maybe a special sense, or you have gained a unique vision, maybe you gained a special instinct that hasn't been triggered or maybe you instead gained an ability. Believe it or not, I don't know. I had half expecting you to develop a special type of vision like me or Ren, but I also know that there is much I have still to learn." Jaune explained to the best of his ability, running a hand through his hair.
"Eh, good enough for me." Nora shrugged, quickly standing up. "I'm going to head around campus to see if I see or feel anything different." With that she opened the door and skipped away with an infectious grin. Standing up on shaky legs, Ren quickly followed her. Intent to make sure she didn't hurt herself.
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Note: I'm sorry for all the sitting and talking chapters, but there are some conversations that can be held in the open, and some conversations that should be held in secret.
Note: A peek into what brews Jaune can make, the first taste of power on his fingertips while also hinting at his progress. While the flower concept is pretty, everything related to Spirituality has a purpose.
Note: I didn't want to info dump with Jaune, but it fits with how he is now. While outwardly Gilbert's demise didn't do much, his mind is a mess and the second he stop doing something productive everything come bursting forth. And for the girls, don't worry, what they got will be revealed soon.
PS: Was sick, so the chapter got delayed.