"No." In an instant the entirety of Team JNPR began looking around for Professor Goodwitch like a bunch of confused chickens. Only to instead find Neptune glaring at them. The boy in question standing with a clique of other boys that was his team a bit of to the side by the skydock.
"No. Nu-uh. No way." Neptune continued, stamping his boots as he marched around on the spot. Sending some glances at Violet, only to work himself even further into a hissy fit. "No. Never. I swear."
"Dude. Come on. You are making us look bad." Sun whispered to his partner. Looking caught between waving towards him and Ren, and looking embarrassed on his partner's behalf.
"EEEEE!" A high pitch squeal escaped the only other faunus on the skydocks. Out from one of the other teams gather around, a girl on rollerblades skated out. Red-orange hair coming out in two large bushy pigtails. She wore a light blue crop top over a dark purple bra, together with a pink combat shirt. A bell was connected to the chocker around her neck, and a pair of bracers were on her arms. A pinkish-red tail flicked and swished through the air behind her.
She twirled around the path in an instant, stopping right before him and bending down, giving Violet an exited smile. "Oh my god, you are just so cute. Like-"
Without a word Violet moved behind his back. Glaring back at the energetic girl with both caution and curiosity. Crouching down, Violet did a little hop and wrapped her arms around his back, while he stood up. Jaune did his best to smile apologetically at the girl. While he had apprehensions about the stream and the motives behind it, he would play ball. He would try to get along with the others.
"I'm sorry, Violet isn't good with strangers." Jaune explained gently, the energic girl huffing and pouting as she stood up with a sigh. "Sorry, sorry. My excitement got the better of me. With how tense things have been around here recently, everyone's on edge."
"Understatement of the century right there, sister." Nora chimed in. Not hiding the snarky in her voice in the slightest.
"Why? Why is there a child here?" A silver haired boy with light chocolate skin asked with a hand on his hip.
"Hey, Scarlet, isn't that the dude you hooked up with at the ball with?" Sun interrupted with a grin. Shoving an elbow good naturally into Scarlet's side. The man in question blushing faintly and giving Sun a glare.
"I don't kiss and tell." Scarlet replied, giving his team leader a scathing glare.
"Name's Brawnz." Taking a step out from his team, Brawnz tried taking control of the situation with a confident smile. Shooting Sun and his team a disappointed look. Looking comfortable even in the autumn morning air in a sleeveless top that went from grey on the top to purple around his waist. A dark purple scarf was slung around his neck, and he wore a pair of black pants with bronze kneecaps. Dark purple eyes darted over them as he nodded at other's behind him. "That's Roy, Nolan, and May. I'm the leader of team BRNZ, representing Vacuo in this charity event."
Behind Brawnz, his team waved slightly awkwardly. Roy, a boy with sawblades on his gauntlets, tried giving a polite wave. Only to sigh when May moved behind him.
"Come on now May." Nolan ripped with a well-meaning if teasing smile. Pink eyes crinkling with mirth. "How come you are so confident behind the scope, but have less confidence than a desert rat when meeting new people?"
"I use a sniper for a reason Nolan." A soft voice whispered-hissed from behind Roy. Evoking a soft chuckle from the boy in question.
"Oh? Are we introducing ourselves?" Sun grinned, throwing his hands behind his head as he threw a boyish grin around. "I'm Sun, and these are my boys. Scarlet, Sage, and Neptune. We are Team SSSN and representing Mistral."
Scarlet rolled his eyes at his team-leaders antics. Fitting his name to a tee with red hair, red eyes, red eye-markings, and a red navy like jacket draped over his left shoulder. Sage, standing the tallest among the boys just shook his head with a sigh. Even if he was somewhat mimicking Sun in his manner of dress, wearing a long white coat. A large handle poked over the back of his shoulder. A soft sigh escaping he larger boy as Neptune glared out from behind his teammate's back.
"Dude." Sun whispered, arms falling as he slumped forward. "Can you let up for one minute. You are making us look bad."
"She puked on my shoes. My shoes!" Neptune instantly countered. Never breaking the impromptu staring contest he had started with Violet. "Twice!"
"And she didn't do it on purpose." Sun replied just as quickly.
"The first time maybe! That was by chance, I get that. The second was coincidence. She ate something bad. It happens." Neptune began, huffing indignantly from behind his teammates back. "But three times is a pattern. And I'm not taking that bet!"
"This is already off to a great start." A dark-skinned man snarked. Looking over his rectangular black sunglasses, looking more dressed as a mafia goon, than a huntsman. Rocking a dress shirt with a vest over it, a light blue tie thrown around his shoulder's as hummed to himself. "How come a grown ass man have beef with a kid?"
"Why is there a child here?" The silver haired boy behind him asked again. Giving Violet a concerned look.
"My soul gave birth." Jaune answered plainly. Nora and the energetic rollerblades girl snorting as one. Pyrrha punched him good naturally in the arm as she hid her smile behind a hand. Ren huffing and shaking his head beside them.
"She is a part of my semblance." Jaune clarified with a sigh when he was met with a dozen flat stares. "She eats', breathes, feels, and is just like everyone of us. She even has her own aura. However she can't be further than some twenty meters from me."
"And if she isn't?" The silver haired boy asked him carefully.
"Let's ignore that, why don't we." Jaune instantly replied. "I'm Jaune-"
"Fearless Leader." Nora chimed in from the side. In an instant the dress shirt wearing man slapped a hand to his forehead. "Why are there two of them?"
"- The leader of Team JNPR, or Juniper, if you want. Then there is Nora, ever excitable. Ren, who makes damn good tea. Pyrrha, nice as nice can be. And Violet, who is-Violet no." He chided at the end, feeling a hand come snaking down into his vest. Moving dangerously close to where he kept the snacks. Something he had packed knowing it would be impossible to keep both her, and Nora, on track for twelve hours straight without something else to keep the occupied with, or their blood sugar level's high. His daughter huffed but didn't do anything more
"Pyrrha? As in Nikos, the champion?" Sage asked politely. Something flashing in the large boys eyes as he looked at her.
"Champion?" Nora interrupted with a confused smile, looking to Pyrrha with a raised eyebrow. "This is the eight time you have been mistaken for this Nikos girl, Pyrrha. Are you sure she isn't your cousin or something?"
"Nora!" Pyrrha exclaimed, blushing a bright smile as she hid a smile behind her hand.
"Still, you should call her. Complain about all the attention." Nora replied with a teasing smile.
"Name's Flynt Corral." The dress shirt wearing man interrupted before the conversation derailed again. "Pleased to meet you. I'm the leader of Team FNKI. Representing Atlas. I'm in charge of these two gents', and Neon over there. The blue haired one is Kobalt, our frontliner. A monster in hand to hand-"
At those words, Brawnz looked intrigued. Crossing his arms over his chest and looking him up and down with a raised eyebrow in challenge.
"- And Ivori who got a heart of gold. But also tends to worry too much."
"Oi!" Ivori protested from behind him.
"If you are finished making yourself acquainted, please board the bullhead. We are on a tight schedule." Professor Goodwitch said, announcing herself. Already standing inside the bullhead. A striking woman standing beside her. She had sharp blue eyes and long white hair tied into a bun with a bang hanging over the right side of her face. Dressed in a sleek white coat, a beautiful jewelled brooch pinned to her chest.
Instantly Team FNKI stood straighter. Even Neon taking on an air of discipline. Something hard flashed through Flynt's eyes. Still, he hid it well. Weiss's elder sister either not noticing or deeming it to insignificant to care.
"Beside me is Specialist Schnee, who is in charge of the safety for this event." Professor Goodwitch continued as they filled into the bullhead. The soft chittering instantly silenced by a hard glare from the vice headmistress. "The two of us will be coaching you on what to say, verbal traps, and statements that can and will be taken out of context. Either by online trolls or journalists hungry to stir the pot. Personally, I would like everyone to go through a weeklong course, at least. Unfortunately, we don't have time. The whole world is watching, and you are Vale's response to the terrible terror attack this Tuesday. If there is one piece of advice I can offer, it's to be yourself. You were chosen for a reason."
"Miss Goodwitch is right." Specialist Schne continued as the bullhead took off. Hard eyes going over them. Landing momentarily on Violet as she frowned before continuing around. "While there is much I want to say, you will be live in little over three hours. While it sounds like much, I promise you, it's not. You will be needing styling, a rundown of the stream plan, pre 'debating' with the host so she can get an understanding of you. Be yourself is the best advice we can offer. The world's expecting you to be a bit awkward, bumbling some words, being teenagers in general. One of the reasons teams yet to graduate was chosen, was because Vale's Council wants to show off the next generation. Not just Vale's next generation, but those who will shape the future in Atlas, Vacuo, and Mistral as well."
"Five lien that some troll is going to ask Pyrrha for feet pics five minutes in." Nora leaned back to whisper a little too loudly, everyone in the bullhead turning to her. "What?" Nora asked completely unconcerned as Specialist Schnee and Professor Goodwitch glared at her. "What? It's not like I'm wrong."
"Besides offering security. We also have gathered a large moderation team to make sure nothing unwarranted is said in the chat." Specialist Schnee replied icily.
"I see your five, and I rise ten on that their name is going to be a variant of 'StepOnMeMommy'." Jaune replied flatly, fishing out his journal and writing down the bet's.
"Mr Arc, I understand that you might want to lighten the mood, and if everyone had more time to prepare, I might have let you." Professor Goodwitch butted in. "However, don't make me repeat myself. We might not get time to brief you on what to say, as such we will begin now. Pay attention. That includes everyone."
His respect for her character might be gone after their earlier conversation, however a miniscule part of him hoped she still had their best intentions at heart.
The charity stream was objectively a good idea. It let Vale show of the next generation, fostering unity between the countries while raising money. The torchlight procession was also an objectively good idea. It let the people know that huntsmen were just like them. That they all stood together in the face of the recent tragedy. All that while also hopefully helping to lower the negativity in Vale. While they were both objectively good ideas, it was the hidden implications he didn't like.
'You don't call in someone like Specialist Schnee for a charity stream, if you aren't expecting at least something to happen.' He thought to himself. Which made him wonder about Professor Goodwitch's earlier words. 'Were we chosen because we are the best. Because we are expendable? Or both?'
He didn't like being so cynical, he wanted nothing more for the charity stream to be nothing more than just that, a charity stream. It was just, Yharnam left it scars. And not all were physical.
Moving to lean against a wall, he wrote down everything he heard them warn about. If they thought it important, he would think of it was important. Now wasn't the time to be vindictive.
######
"I'm nervous." Nora chimed.
"Mood~" Neon added from the side, all her earlier exuberance gone. Having fought tooth and nail with the makeup team.
Running a hand through his hair, he smiled lightly to himself as his fingers brushed against the braid the ghosts had made. The stylist had seen it as something Violet had done and decided to let it be. Said it made him 'down to earth' and 'approachable'. Which was great, because he didn't want the ghosts in his shadow to become agitated.
"Here." Jaune said, fishing out two lollipops from his vest and throwing them to the energetic duo. Unwrapping another and handing it to Violet. Who thankfully seemed more curious than overwhelmed. Beginning to understand what Professor Goodwitch meant with 'too little time'. It felt as if they just had stepped into the shooting location that was the grand hall inside the Vale Opera. A place steeped in as much history as it was steeped in culture.
"This is going to be a roaring dumpster fire." Flynt groaned off to the side. Sitting beside Brawnz, Roy, Ren, Sage and Kobalt. Who all did their best to stave of their own impending panic attacks.
"What are you talking about?" Sun asked with a grin. "It's going to be fine."
"Say that again without your tail jerking around." Neon snarked straight back. Sun's carefree grin cracking at the seams as his shoulder's slumped.
"Just trying to lighten the mood." Sun muttered under his breath as he crossed his arms and huffed.
"Catch." Jaune called out, fishing out a banana and throwing to Sun. Who caught it straight out of the air and looked back at him with a look of absolute betrayal.
"Bro." Sun muttered hollowly. Biting down onto the banana as he huffed. "Just because I'm a monkey faunus don't mean I like bananas. I mean, I like bananas, but it's not because I'm a monkey faunus."
"Your blood sugar is low. And bananas are great to top it off." Jaune replied with a shrug.
"What don't you have in that vest of yours?" Neptune asked, stroking an imaginary beard as he looked him over.
"A bit of this, a bit of that. But if you are talking about snacks. The answer is enough." Jaune shrugged. "I packed some snacks, and quick food stuff to keep our blood sugar up since we didn't really get to eat breakfast. I mean, we threw something down, but…"
"Food and refreshments will be delivered, so will dinner and other refreshments that will help keep your blood sugar level up." Professor Goodwitch called out, her attention down on a scroll as she marched up to them. Lisa Lavender looked a bit worse for wear behind her. The dark circles under her eyes expertly hidden by makeup. "At the same time, you are allowed some breaks."
"Anyway-" Lisa started, interrupting Professor Goodwitch. Completely ignoring the scathing glare from the woman. "- both the stream and broadcast are going live in five. And I would like for everyone to get on stage. Take it from me, you are doing yourselves no favours sitting here and watching the viewer count go up. If you need to empty your bladder, do it now. The rest of us will be moving to the stage."
At her words, Neptune, Neon and Nolan all stood up and made a beeline towards the toilets. Lisa fishing out four numbers sticks out from her jacket.
"In the spirit of unity and randomness. I would like for one member of each team to come and draw a straw. They are all numbered, so are the couches on the stage." Lisa said, showing the numbers before grabbing them and rubbing her hands together.
Placing a supportive hand on Violet's back, she looked up at him before stepping forward. Her steps nervous, but a quick glance backwards made her pick up both speed and courage. Lisa smiled gently and bent down as Violet drew a straw.
"Three!" Violet chimed, before instantly darting back to his side with a big grin on her face.
"Then we'll go up first." Jaune said, equally part nervous as he was excited. Ren, Nora and Pyrrha quickly getting up and following after them. A soft smile escaping him as he looked around.
It was beautiful, intricate wooden carvings ran along the banisters of the upper levels. The roof was filled with the most majestic carvings he had seen, rivalling and surpassing even some in Yharnam. A dozen spotlights hung over the stage, all on them. Dozens of cameras rose from the orchestra pits. Making Jaune reach for his mic and do one last check.
On the stage, four large half-moon shaped sofa's were sat in a U shape, with coffee tables before them. And a table and chair for Lisa a bit off to the side, making it obvious that they were the key attraction. Sitting down on the sofa with a number three on the coffee table, team BRNZ and FNKI came in right after them. With Sun and the gang marching in like they owned the place lastly. Sun's confident demeanour falling the instant he looked around.
"This is really happening, huh?" Nora whispered. Having crushed the lollipop in her yaw and was busy chewing the stick to pieces.
"I still think this was spurred on us with to short notice." Brawnz mumbled. Beside them. Team BRNZ taking up the edge sofa together with Team SSSN, squeezing Team JNPR together with Team FNKI in the middle.
'Wonder if Lisa did something to the sticks.' Jaune wondered. Throwing a look over at Flynt, the man nodding at him, having come to the same conclusion. 'After all, Atlas and Vale are allies. So having us together feels like a political move. Atlas is close to Mistral as well, while Vale and Vacuo have been allies since the dawn of time almost.'
"We are going to be buried in shit, or butchered." Jaune groaned, leaning back into the sofa. "Would prefer the latter to be honest. At least it would be quick."
"Amen brother. Amen." Roy sighed from the left. Giving the stage crew a wave as they came up and removed the numbers. The stage crew in question shooting them glare's ranging from confused to concerned.
"Maybe dial down on the gallows humour?" Ren piped as Lisa came on stage and sat down by her desk.
"Any last questions?" Lisa asked as she looked around.
"Yes? Do we have a schedule?" May asked nervously.
"We have a schedule!?" Neptune piped instantly, face draining of all colour as he looked around with fear plastered on his face.
"Yes. We will be starting with a simple Q & A. Both to get you used to being in front of the camera, and to allow the audience to get a feel for you." Lisa commented, taking a deep breath and holding it. Before letting it out and plastering on a well-meaning smile. "After that, I, or we, will change the direction based on what you want to talk about. Be that the daily life of a huntsman in training, weapons, missions, what you have seen in the field, and everything else you want to explore together. Should you run dry of topics, we also have some event's or activities planned. This isn't going to be a twelve-hour long interview. No one want's to sit through that."
Jaune let her words go in through one ear and out the other. To busy looking at the two tv's mounted behind her. Comments were already pouring in. It was halfway impossible to read what they said with how many there were.
"This is going to be a bloodbath." He murmured.
"Huh? What are you talking about." Brawnz asked from the couch beside him. Before following his gaze and starting at the Tv. Colour draining from his olive cheeks as he gulped loudly. "Oh." Frowning he read forward. A wry smile on his lips as he turned back to Jaune. "It already is."
"Sixty seconds." The voice of Professor Goodwitch blared through the speaker system.
"Is it too late to write my will now?" Nora murmured, twitching as she looked around.
"Last second mic test." One of the stagehands called out. Instantly everyone reached for their mic, starting from Sun who tapped it twice before going down in an orderly line. Everyone getting a thumbs up from the sound technician. Before a 'go ahead' sign was thrown to the control booth.
"Twelve seconds." Professor Goodwitch called out again through the speakers. The disciplined calmed that had settled over everyone instantly washed away as nerves returned. Sensing the tension, Violet scooted closer to him, looking around with a frown. Not fully understanding what was going on.
'Huh, I never explained cameras and livestreaming.' Jaune thought idly. Letting a deep breath escape him as he lifted her up and sat her firmly in his lap. Violet smiling up at him with a bright smile.
"Welcome to King's Suite, The Valean Opera house's oldest and most distinguished hall. Joining me here today, I'm pleased to introduce Team JNPR, FNKI, BRNZ and SSSN who will be joining us here today for this charity event. I am your host, Lisa Lavender, however today's and the future's stars are sat together before us." Lisa started, smiling into the camera as she began introducing them. Everyone waving awkwardly around, looking at different cameras.
"Today's broadcast is live on the VBN channel 1, together with a multitude of other streaming platforms." Lisa continued with a smile. "Given the recent terrible happenings in the city, it is inevitable that some mature topics will be brought up. As such we warn the parents of young children that it is your responsibility to decide if your child should join us for certain segments."
Nora bumped him with her shoulder and pointed to the tv screen with a barley hidden grin. Reaching back she temporarily turned off her microphone as she whispered. "Look at the first donation. Looks like mama is owned fifty lien each."
Throwing a glance at the messenger on the screen, Jaune bit down a curse as he read. Brawnz beside him momentarily forgetting they had microphones on and read. "A stud, a dilf, a playboy and a hunk. The future looks bright indeed." Momentarily blinking as he sighed. "Really catching the stream experience, huh. I don't know if I should be glad for the compliment or embarrassed."
A snort of disbelief escaped Pyrrha as she turned to the tv only to be greeted by a vertical stream of 'We Stan Pyrrha Nikkos', 'Nikkos our Queen', 'All Hail Queen Pyrrha!'.
"Moving on." Lisa interrupted, before Sun managed to open his mouth. "We have held some polls online for questions you at home would like to ask the next generation. Some mundane, while some more serious and taking a deeper dive into the huntsman and huntress lifestyle. With some event's, games, and activities coming up later. Now first question, this is for everyone, what or why did you decide to become a huntsman or huntress."
"Respect." Sun instantly piped. "I wanted to become someone other street rats could look up to and go, 'maybe there is more to life than joining the first gang that offers me some food." He elaborated with a smile as everyone turned to him.
"I wanted give back to my parents." Flynt answered after an awkward silence fell over them, no one moving to speak. Shaking his head and refusing to elaborate further.
"Well, both my parents are active… hunters?" Roy started unsurely. "And… well… I always wanted to be like them when I grew up."
"That's sweet of you." Lisa smiled. "Have you ever wondered what life could be if you were to have chosen differently."
"No. Not really." Roy replied, growing surer of himself the more he spoke. "It's just… I don't want to say gulf, but there exists a divide between the huntsman circle and civilians. Most children to active hunter's grow up in an environment surrounded by weapons. So instead of talking with friends about sports and other things, we instead chatted about weapon mods, training, and if our parent's would come home from their lates mission."
"That's an insightful answer." Lisa replied with a smile. "Even if no child should have to grow up with such uncertainty."
"Eh. You got used to it." Roy shrugged.
Jaune wouldn't say picked up, but mundane question after mundane question quickly helped erode their nerves. It wasn't long before it wasn't just one or two answering questions. Some heated debates had almost broken out before Lisa switched the topic and moved the show along.
"Next question is one from the poll. Again, this one is directed at everyone. Mechashift, yes or no?" Lisa asked, acting as if she just hadn't set off a bomb.
"No." Jaune, Scarlet, Ivori, Sage, and Brawnz said instantly. Sharing a nod in solidarity.
"A weapon needs to be unique." Roy replied with a confident smile. "It's an expression of self from the hunter. Mechashift isn't the question. The weapon is something that should fit the hunter best."
"Preach." Flynt nodded, holding up a trumpet of all things.
"Nah, a weapon needs to be cool." Neptune instantly countered, holding up his own weapon and shifting it. Grinning widely as he got some whistles of appreciation. Holding the guandao up before switching it again into a trident.
"That's right." Neon chimed in, taking out her nunchuck and twirling them around her fingers.
"Nunchucks! No way!" Sun beamed, twirling two nunchucks out and holding them up.
"If you have to sacrifice style for functionality, it's not a proper weapon." Brawnz said, rolling his eyes as Sun and Neon glared at him. "And nunchucks? Come on. Just use a stick."
"I'll have you know these sticks have killed plenty of grimm." Sun replied with a confident grin. Slapping a hand against his chest as he looked completely unbothered by the way Brawnz glared at him.
"And what will you do when the switching mechanism locks up out in the field." Brawnz countered just as quickly. The Vacuan boy's eyes glinting with mischief and mirth as he leaned forward.
"urk." Sound escaped Sun as he cringed. Neptune instantly coming to his defence. Eyes darting wildly around before landing on Jaune. "And what if you lose your weapons? Jaune?"
"Don't drag me into this. I'm firmly in the practicality above everything else group." Jaune said and held up his weapons. "A revolver for long range and locking down targets. And a sword for all my melee needs. Simple and efficient."
'I promised to play ball, didn't I?' He sighed, ethereal giggling echoing around him. "The safety is on, and she isn't loaded, but hold her for a bit, would you Violet." The way she lit up like her birthday came early was impossible to miss. A soft coo escaping Neon as she looked at Violet.
"Sheesh. That's one mean looking revolver." Flynt whistled. "Don't want to be on the other side of that."
"And you won't." Nora pipped up.
"Now, here's a simple 'hack' for everyone who had the misfortune of ever being disarmed in the field." Jaune started, pulling out his hunter's pistol from his coat and placed it on the coffee table. "And that is to simply carry a backup. Pulling out a backup weapon is faster than reloading, it's safter than to fix a jam while you are dodging, and it stops you from panickily throwing yourself after your weapon."
Before anyone else could say anything more, he reached into his coat and pulled out his blunderbuss. He didn't use it much, but it was a shock factor for everyone. The beast of brass and wood laying on the coffee table, the muzzle as wide as his fist. "And if your backup weapon jams, you can always use your backup's backup. Like this blunderbuss. A classic 'I want to turn everything before me into splinters' weapon."
"Then there are-" Jaune started, reaching into his coat again.
"More! How much do you have on you?" Neon explained as the evelyn shone in his hands. The beautiful brass and gold inlays catching the spotlight where it rested elegantly.
"Bro. That wasn't a challenge." Sun murmured as he reached into his vest again. The repeating pistol joining the already large pile.
"-the Eveyln, which is pretty much a sniper in pistol form with how accurate it is." Jaune finished before pulling out another pistol and laying it down besides its beautiful cousin. "And then there is this revolver, for when I want to hit two things at the same time."
"Flamesprayer. Portable flamethrower." The stage had long since grown silent as he fished out his trusty brass can. The flamesprayer looking far to elegant and innocent compared to what it could cause. A familiar phantom smell of burning hair and sizzling flesh tickled his nose as he reached into his coat again. Ignoring the smell, he pulled once, twice, and thrice before fully pulling out Ludwigs rifle. The beast of a rifle making the coffee table scream under it. "And lastly my rifle, it has a magazine size of seven, and is capable of semi auto. It fire's fifty calibre rounds."
"And you carry all that on you at all times?" Lisa asked. Disbelief making it's way past her professional mask.
"Well… yes? I switch up what other weapons I have on me depending on what the situation calls for. Even if the rifle is mostly sat to the side."
Violet knew he lied, Pyrrha knew he lied, so did Ren and Nora. The world however, ate it up with gusto if the comments was anything to go by. And that was more than enough.
"If you carry so many guns on you, why do you never use them in combat class?" Flynt asked, shooting him look.
"Simple. My revolver is far more powerful." Jaune replied flatly. Because it was the truth. 'Mortem Ignis is also triple fortified. Even if I should remember to push that up to six.'
"That's cold bro. Ice cold." Sun muttered, before curiosity got the better of him.
"It is what it is." He shrugged and began retrieving his guns. They were all unloaded, and the safety was on. But he rather not have them on full display. Not when he didn't use them. Not when weapons weren't something that should proudly be put on display.
Absentmindedly nodding as Lisa brought up another topic, this time of drinks.
#######
"MOM! Jaune is on TV again!" Clair blinked, panic shooting through her as she ran through the house. Mind instantly jumping to the wrong conclusions. Relief slamming into her when she burst into the living room to find her boy and his team participating in the charity event instead of fighting for their dear life.
Saphire, Lily, Jade, Bloom and Dawn lounging scattered across the couches and chair while watching the broadcast. Thankfully Mari was out with friends, having woken up multiple times from night terrors.
Not that she ever could blame her girl for that. 'How could anyone foresee that a terror attack would suddenly happen?'
"Don't scare me like that, girls." She breathed out. Finding an open spot on the coach and sitting down. "And Jade, don't forget to do your chores after this is over. Don't think I didn't notice how your clothes' pile was the smallest."
"But mom-"
"Don't mom me, young lady." Claire replied without missing a beat. "We must all do our chores in this house."
"Good luck with that." Lily snarked with a roll of her eyes. "The charity event is scheduled to last twelve hours."
"Then do them now and you can watch the rest with us after you are done." Claire ordered, answering her daughter's glare with a flat look of her own. Jade huffing before leaping out of the couch. "Don't run in the house!" She shouted after her daughter. "What if you slip!"
"Bro! What more do you have in that vest of yours?" A young and energetic voice came out of the tv. Making her pay attention it again.
"Is what I have on me really that interesting?" Her son asked. Bloom hissing at the tv screen as Violet climbed into his lap. "Thief." Her daughter mumbled under her breath, never taking her eyes of the white-haired girl.
"It is when you pull a rifle out of doraemon's fucking pocket, yes." The blond boy replied, waving at the large rifle that disappeared into her son's jacket. Forcing her to do a double take, not sure if she
"Well." Her son started, rustling with his vest before pulling out a banana and throwing it to the other boy. Who shot him a stinky look even if he began munching out it without any complaints.
"A little bit of this, a bit of that. There's my first aid kit. Then I have some Narcan, smelling salts, and tiger balm for when they ever become needed." Her son started, pulling out the items one after one and setting them on the coffee table before him. "Then I have some other things that's not worth paying attention to. Some snacks and other knick-knacks like a journal among other things. Some three rolls of bandage. Some different pills, aspirin and ibuprofen to name a few. A grappling hook. A roll of duct tape. Some matches. A hand lantern for when it's needed. A bottle of antiseptic alcohol. A flare gun and multiple flares. A power bank for scrolls. A compass."
"If I may ask." Lisa started, looking at the pile of knick-knacks, before turning back to him. "Is this a conscious action of yours, to carry all of this with you? Or is it something you as team leader is required to carry."
"This is all on me." Her boy replied, quickly and expertly began moving the mountain of things on the table back into his vest. "Call it paranoia, or what you want. But I would rather carry it on me and not need it. Then need it and not have it. Accidents happen all the time, after all."
"Classic Jaune." Saphire mumbled as Lisa threw the topic to the other teenagers in the stage.
Claire hummed to herself, content with simply watching the broadcast. Glad that her son was happy and healthy. It stung that he hadn't replied with more than 'Yes, you can visit.' when she knew his sisters had practically bombarded him with messages. But she also knew that it had been a particularly snide comment from one of his sisters after he and Titus had been in another screaming match that finally had set him off.
She didn't know who it was. But she knew that they would have a talk when she inevitably found out. For it was inevitable for her to find out. Loose lips sunk ships, and gossip was a constant companion in the house. It was just a question of when.
"Come on now Bloom. She isn't trying to steal your brother away." Claire said, running a hand through her second youngest's hair. Bloom hissing like an angry back-alley cat at the tv when Jaune lifted Violet off his lap. Looking back at the Tv, Claire cooed gently at how Violet climbed out and leaned against the sofa's back. Humming a jaunty tune to herself as she continued her work on the braid in Jaune's hair.
"Violet one, Bloom nil." Lily quipped as Dawn allowed herself to laugh slightly. Having been the most effected by what had happened. Even going as far as to sleeping in their bed.
Bloom glared at her sister. Huffing loudly and crossing her arms.
"Don't poke fun of your sister." Claire said flatly, giving Lily a pointed look. "It's ok to laugh with, not off. You are seventeen now, I can't believe I still have to explain that to you."
"Come on, mom. You know I was only joking." Lily rolled her eyes.
"You weren't joking." Claire replied flatly. "You know your sister have taken Jaune's departure the hardest. It's not something to make fun of."
"She sleeps in his bed." Lily threw her arms up in exasperation.
"You know just as well as me that Bloom is co-dependent on your brother." Claire shot straight back. "And it's not something to make fun of. You will allow your sister the time she needs to come to understand what have happened. Just as we may not understand your fascination with the occult, we still love and support you."
Lily stared at her, mouth open and she waved her arms around. Harrumphing and crossing her arms over her chest.
Turning her attention back to the Tv, Claire tried to let her frustration bleed out of her. Breathing out and trying to simply enjoy the show. Watching streams wasn't exactly her thing, but her son was on Tv, so it instantly become top on her must watch list.
"What happened when I was gone?" Jade asked, coming marching into the living room panting and throwing herself at the nearest sofa. Slithering up to the armrest like a worm and instantly chuckled to herself the moment she laid eyes on her brother.
"Lily threw a bitch fit." Sapphire explained to her sister, never taking her eyes of the tv.
"Now, another question from the poll. Have you ever been hurt badly, in training or on missions. And if yes, what's the worst that have happened to you?" Lisa asked innocently.
Her son opened his mouth, only for his teammates to body him. Hands clamping shut around his mouth as he was pushed down onto the couch.
"No! No! No!" Nora hissed at Jaune. Straddling his chest, clamping her hands over his mouth with all the force she could muster. "Not on my watch. This is a child friendly charity stream. We are rising money for a good cause. I'm not letting you open that mouth of yours and say something stupid."
"Ughhh. I wish that had been me." Jade grumbled under her breath. Never taking her eyes of her brother as she grumbled under her breath.
"What do you think he did this time?" Lily asked, throwing a look around the room. "Do you think he drank bleach by accident again?"
"Over reaction much?" A boy called Neptune asked, looking halfway caught between disbelief and laughter.
"No." Pyrrha sighed, massaging her temple as she looked over at Jaune. "No it's not." Her eyes taking on a vacant look as she leaned back. "Just… Let's move on… please."
"If that's for the best, then we will move on. Next question, this one is also for everyone." Lisa started. "The huntsman lifestyle is one interlinked with violence. What are your personal feelings on violence?"
Chater slowly sprouted up again, even if multiple curious glances were sent Jaune. Who rolled his eyes and sat up. Electing a soft sound of surprise from Nora as she fell back into the sofa. Violet instantly taking her place in his lap as he paid attention to the discussion. Rolling his eyes when the discussion eventually reached his team.
Jaune looked about to step into the discussion, before shaking his head and leaning back. Elbowing his partner and pointing at one of the tv screens. Pyrrha sighed and rolled her eyes. Making Claire wonder if there was anything between them. The chat was certainly up in arms, already calling a witch hunt on her boy.
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Note: Regret. So much regret. Having to juggle sixteen characters at the same time is outright torture.
Note: If I had a time machine, I would go back in time and strangle myself for the charity stream idea. This chapter kicked my ass. But I also didn't want to just go 'event over.' So woe is me.
Note: And family