A/N Weiss has issues too
Alt title: She's tiny!
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Oh, I write all of these, in real time. As in, I do not start writing the next chapter, until after I post the previous. So, yeah I'm writing at a rate of 3K words a day.
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Someone (BlackWolfe) finally pointed it out in the Discord
Cyril Leon, is ancient greek from Kyrios Leon, meaning Lord Lion, or Lion King.
Which has several connections to Cyril. Similar to a lion, Cyril is not the main hunter of his group, the women are. Left on his own, Cyril would rather laze about or study for fun. But when contested, is a fierce fighter in his own right, being geared almost solely for combat against other people.
Also, Lion's roar, Thu'um,
And then there's the whole, Cerulean is my favorite color.
It also ties every member of Team SLBR to a predatory animal.
Fox, Lion, Cat, Wolf
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Also, I started a shipping war in my comments on FFN apparently. Sooo, there's that!
Not sure how I feel about that.
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AlbinosTheSnake: What's Thunderchild?
Rex-Mortuorum: Shy Weiss, Adorkable Ruby, and Sarcastic Cyril are my favorites to write.
Eseer: I cannot answer that.
Anyumaaka: Blake basically got a fear boner as she watched the boy she's been intentionally antagonizing, decimate the strongest in their year.
YeTianshi: Knowing Pyrrha, she'd try to throw sand in someone's eye as a tactic, and stop fighting just to apologize.
Aaron Dawn: Oh, neat. Well, Blake is unlikely to join anytime soon so, there's that.
BeanMann: Thank you!
thebananameister21: I'm not taking an official stance. Yet. I shall allow you all to plead your cases because it amuses me.
Seven foot giant: I'm glad someone got the Assassin's creed reference.
PinkPandaBear0: I shall!
holosagewolf32: Yes, with practice.
GideonBlackthorn: I'm glad you're having fun!
Look what Jesus did: I don't really write smut. I will, but, I don't write it unless it's tasteful and fits with the story.
A dancing leaf: I honestly love the shipping war. It just gets hard to keep track of who's saying what sometimes.
Samejake: Why the cliffhangers? To give me time to gauge reactions anf determine how to handle the next scenes.
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
(Text)
Sounds/Actions*
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-Beacon, SLBR Dorm, 09/06, 8:30am-
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Weiss Schnee POV
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'Why is he so warm?' I think to myself. 'I, just want to lean back and, I don't know. Sleep?'
"Okay, then, how about this." He says.
I look back at him. Surprised he's taking me up on my offer. Wondering what he might ask of me.
Certainly nothing obscene I would hope. Well, nothing, too obscene at least.
'M-maybe he just wants money? That's it.' I think with, a bit of disappointment. 'He is poor after all and, I'm rich and-'
"Stand up and take your heels off." He says.
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It takes me, a decent moment to fully comprehend that statement.
'I-is he some sort of, foot fetishist?' I think worryingly. 'Not that that's a bad thing per se. There are far worse things to be attracted towards.'
Like smells, or, clothes and how they smell after they're worn. Not that I would know! It was merely an example.
"I-if that's what you would like." I say as I get up and turn around.
Crouching down, I glance up at the man as I unlace my heels. Pulling them off, I pull my socks off as well. Standing up, I, can't bring myself to look at him. I, only wish I'd painted my nails today.
"I-I assure you, I take good care of myself." I say, prepared to defend my appearance. "Even when- eep."
I let out an involuntary squeak as his hand rests on my head once more.
'Does he mean to comfort me?' I ask myself. 'Can he see that I'm nervous? He should still ask permission first! It matters not whether someone likes the contact or not, consent must be requested!'
I prepare to speak up and object to his unwarranted touching. Only to find my mind blanking as he steps closer, my face to his chest as he rests his chin on my head.
'He's so close!' My mind reels. 'His, right here! This is too much! Too soon! I can smell him he's right here!'
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Cyril Leon POV
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She's so short!
Like holy crap she's adorable! I'm holding my arms, straight out, and her shoulders are so much more narrow than mine, I'm barely touching her.
"You're so tiny!" I tease as I step back.
Only, she steps forward with me, and hugs me tight. Burying her face into my chest.
"Um, Weiss?" I ask as her ears fold back. "Are, you okay?"
She doesn't answer, instead she just proceeds to breathe deeply as I see her tail start to sway slowly. Not, really knowing what to do here, I stay still as she relaxes against me.
And then she gives a soft moan.
"Okay, this is starting to get-"
Is all I get out before the door opens to reveal Ruby. Who just stares at us before going to her dresser and picking out her casual clothes. She's currently in workout clothes. A loose black shirt with red sweats.
"Hey Weiss." Ruby says, earning the girl's attention.
"Hmm?" Her ears perk up.
"Me and Cyril are heading to Vale later, wanna come?" Ruby asks as she sets out her combat clothes and casuals. "I can try and see if Blake's willing but-"
"Ah!" Weiss screams and launches me back with a glyph. Throwing me over my chair and onto my bed.
I land with a poof. Looking up to see the red faced girl currently coughing into her fist and turning to Ruby.
"I believe I would enjoy that." Weiss says poignantly.
Going to Vale is news to me but, okay.
"Hang on." Ruby says as she walks over to Weiss, slipping her own shoes off and standing face to face with her. "I'm taller! I knew it!"
"How did you not?" Weiss asks indignantly with a huff. Crossing her arms as she glares up at Ruby.
"Oh I never realized how cute you are!" Ruby gushes, ignoring Weiss entirely.
"Excuse you!?" Weiss asks.
Ruby just gasps as she fishes her scroll out of her pocket and stands next to Weiss.
"I gotta send this to Yang!" Ruby squeals as she takes a picture. "It's like I have a little sister of my own!"
"I'm two years your senior!" Weiss says as she stomps her foot in anger.
"Are you?" Ruby smirks as she holds a hand above her head. "Because it seems I'm the bigger person."
"Come on Ruby." I pipe up, getting up from my bed. "Don't put her down too much."
Ruby freezes, dropping her scroll. She then petals to her bed and back, water bottle in hand. Looking deadly, and dramatically serious as she spritzes me.
"No!" Ruby shouts. "No! I got away from that! I'll not have it invade my life again!"
"Ah!" I flinch back as I hold my hands up. "I get it, I get it!"
"This team is so fucked." Blake says from the doorway.
"Oh!" Ruby says, turning to the girl and ceasing her aquatic assault. "Blake! We're going into Vale later after training, wanna come?"
"I don't-" Blake starts before I cut her off.
"Blake just, be social with your team." I sigh as I wipe my sleeve across my face.
"Excuse you?" She starts. "Since when did-"
"Start that shit now and you'll find yourself through a wall." I threaten, pointing a finger at her.
That earns a wide eyed look of fear from her. Likely taking me seriously now that I beat Pyrrha of all people.
Though the moment is ruined as Ruby spritzes me in the face.
"No." She says with a frown. "Bad. No threatening teammates."
Well, at least me and Blake finally agree on something. This team is so screwed.
"Oh!" Ruby says, petaling away and putting the water bottle down before returning with an open hand. "Cyril! Gimme."
I give her a high five. Earning a flat look from her.
"Urgh." She sighs as she reaches forward. Smooshing herself against me as she fiddles with my belt.
"Is this just a thing now?" I ask as the second girl in ten minutes glomps me.
"Ruby!" Weiss exclaims.
"Got it!" She says cheerfully as she pulls back with my axes in hand.
She goes over to the wall desk, pulls out a drawer and grabs, a tool kit? Where were we hiding that?
She then goes about dissecting my axes.
"Um, what are you doing?" I ask.
"Maintenance." Ruby says simply.
"Holy crap." Blake says as she walks past Weiss. "Were you always this short?"
"Yes!" Weiss shouts. "I don't understand why this is such a big deal to everyone!"
"Because the heels you wear make you look as tall as Ruby, if not taller." I point out as I walk over to her. "And you're so small!"
I tease her, hooking my hands under her armpits and lifting her straight up.
"Unhand me y-you, you absolute buffoon!" She demands, red faced and pouty.
I just laugh at her expression. Imagine useless Aqua sad face, now add a bit more angry pout to it.
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-30 minutes later-
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"Argh!" Ruby shouts in frustration. "I don't get it!"
"What?" Blake asks as she looks up from the history book she's studying.
"I don't understand why Winter's Thorn jammed!" Ruby exclaims as she holds her head. Fingers running through her hair to show she's stressed.
"Oh they didn't." I start to explain.
"What?" Ruby asks.
"Yeah, Pyrrha's semblance is controlling metal." I say as I walk over. "The gun didn't jam, she just kept it from firing with her semblance while making it look like it jammed to hide her semblance."
"How do you know this?" Weiss asks as she gets up from her desk and comes over as well. "Pyrrha's semblance is such a closely guarded secret that many assume her to not have yet discovered it."
"I can think fast. And with it, comes the ability to recognize things that, in the heat of battle, most people would otherwise ignore." I continue to explain as Weiss stands next to me, still not in her heels. "I felt my trigger pull itself and force me to miss when fighting her and Jaune, and her shield swerved mid air to hit me when she threw it straight. Then there's how she pushed me off her today, when I had my foot on her back. It wasn't her pushing against me, it was her armor. She's controlling metal in subtle ways to control the fight. It's why I kept hitting her in the head."
"Oh." Weiss says as she scoots closer. "I thought that was just you being a brute."
"That too." I admit as her tail presses against the back of my leg.
"Why, didn't you say anything!?" Ruby shouts angrily, turning to me with a glare. Causing Weiss to scoot away with a blush.
"You never asked." I shrug.
Ruby's eye twitches as she slowly turns around and reassembles my weapon. In five minutes she turns around and hands me the axes. Then stomps off towards her bed, and plops down face first.
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Not much actually happened in Vale today. Ruby and Weiss were calm, with Ruby mostly showing Weiss around everywhere. I had fun just walking around outside of Beacon.
Blake did make fun of me for wearing sunglasses everywhere, even indoors. until I took them off, and people started walking around us. Surprisingly, Blake didn't make any scenes in the city. What with Vale's population being sixty something percent Human.
It was honestly just a normal day. Nothing really happened during training, nothing happened at night. And my clothes were still there in the morning.
Though I swear Weiss borrowed my sweaty workout shirt in the middle of the night. But, I have nothing to prove or back it up. I just wouldn't be surprised if it turned out to be true.
Ruby's console came in the mail a few days later. As did Blake's sushi. Though, Blake didn't realize that you need to pay for refrigerated shipping. And her sushi showed up spoiled. Weiss had a vanity show up, so that's in the room now as well.
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-Beacon, Library, 09/10, 3pm-
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"Well, you certainly learn fast." Velvet says with a sigh.
I learn normal. She's just being nice.
"Thanks, I'll uh, see around." I say with a wave as she grabs her books.
"See you Cyril." She says with a nod.
As soon as she leaves, I lay my head down on the table. Resting my brain as I get ready to-
"Hey Cyril!" Ruby says as she sits down next to me.
"Hey Ruby." I say, turning my head over to look at the hooded girl.
Ruby lays her head down on the table, same as me and smiles.
"Whatcha doing?" I ask with a laugh.
"W-well." She stutters a bit as she looks to the table. "We, we agreed to go out, and d-d-da-do things together and all that. I, was thinking. Maybe if you didn't mind, because I wouldn't mind, that you wouldn't mind, if we were to-"
"Stop." I say, putting a hand to her head, once again hitting the reset for these girls.
Wonder if it'd work for Blake? Nah, she'd need a factory reset to fix her issues. Cause troubleshooting does not apply to her.
"You good?" I ask, earning a red faced nod as I take my hand away. "Okay, what do you want?"
"Wanna hang out?" She asks shyly.
"Sure." I shrug and sit up straight. "Whoa!"
Ruby grabs my arm and tugs me away further into the Library.
"Where are you-"
"Special spot!" Ruby exclaims as she drags me past the shelves of the massive library to the far corner.
It's, the comic book section. With bean bags, low lighting and reading lamps.
"How do you know about this?" I ask as she lets go of me and plops down on one of the bean bags.
"Spent the first few days exploring all of Beacon!" She exclaims. "Did you not?"
'So that's where she was.' I think to myself.
"Come on!" She says as she rolls over on the bean bag, moving to lay on her stomach. She pats the bean bag next to her.
Letting out a small chuckle, I walk over and lay down next to her.
"What now?" I ask the cheerful Faun.
" Heee." She grins and pulls out a comic from under the bean bag.
Looking at the comic, it's an X-Ray and Vav comic. Issue thirty eight. Return of the Corpirate's Parrot.
"You had this all planned didn't you?" I ask with a smirk, earning a blush.
"M-maybe." She mutters. "I, can pick another-"
"Are you kidding?" I cut her off. "X-Ray and Vav is awesome! Open it up!"
That earns me a slowly growing, wide smile as she trembles in excitement. Before scooting over, roughly, and hooking her right arm around my left as she opens the book.
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Turns out there are a few things that are different with X-Ray and Vav. For one, Mogar is a bear Faunus.
"So, do they ever explain why Mogar calls the cow mother?" I ask.
"No, he's a bit weird. But I like him." Ruby says. "They actually removed him from the comic for a bit because of that."
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Oh, well the series was originally made when, well, things were less, politically correct." Ruby starts to explain. "And Mogar was based on a lot of stereotypes."
"Oh, then why'd-"
"Because the Faunus were upset they removed him." Ruby answers. "Besides, a lot of his stereotyping is based on Bull'ack culture, and they certainly don't care. So, he was brought back in the reboot after a few changes."
'So, Mogar is this world's Speedy Gonzales.' I think to myself. 'Neat.'
"What'd they change?" I ask.
"Well, they removed a lot of slurs he would regularly call humans. Not all of them, just the worst ones." Ruby explains. "And they modified his outfit to lean more into the Bull'ack culture. That sort of thing. Otherwise he pretty much stayed the same, bull headed, violence driven, wild man."
"Okay, so, what's a Bull'ack?" I ask.
Ruby blinks at me curiously.
"One of the nine recognized Faunus cultures." Ruby says.
'Nine!?' I think to myself as I look to the comic. 'That, explains too much.'
"Which culture do you belong to?" I ask.
"Illeroq." Ruby says.
"And that means?" I draw out.
"It's basically a catch all for every Faunus that grew up outside the other eight." She says. "Osk Veris, Ozpin's last life, pushed that there should be a voice for the Faunus that aren't affiliated with the main tribes. And since he was the one to unite the main tribes warring in Menagerie, and had no affiliated tribe himself, and he's Ozma. Yeah."
That's a lot to take in.
"Enough history!" Ruby says. "Let's talk."
"About what?" I ask.
"Well, we could, always, well, between us and, each other." She says, devolving back to shy mutterings as she holds my arm tighter and tighter.
Chuckling, I bring my other hand up and pull her hood back. Gaining her attention and another blush.
"There." I say as her ears splay back.
"Where?" She asks.
"You." I say with a smile. "You look better when you're not hiding."
"Rrrrmmmm!" She squeals as she tries to pull away from me.
"Oh no!" I say and turn over onto my back, pulling her with me and onto my chest. "You don't get to run away this time!"
"Release me!" She shrieks.
"Hmm, no." I say as I hug her tight. "You wanna talk, let's talk."
"We can talk normally!" She whines, her face now beet red.
"We aren't?" I ask cheekily. "I feel fine. Better than fine actually. Wonder why that is?" I say as I give her a squeeze with my hug, earning a squeak.
"Th-this is entrapment!" Ruby protests. "I'm being oppressed!"
" Okay Blake." I roll my eyes, which, actually calms Ruby down some.
"Hey." She moans. "That's, not, she's, okay I got nothing." She says as she lays her head down on my chest.
It is to be noted, she never actually tried to escape. I just hugged her. She didn't even try to move.
"That's okay, because I got a Ruby." I say with a smirk.
"Don't make me get the spray bottle." She warns.
"But then you'd have to get up." I point out. "And you're too comfortable to do that."
"Keep up the puns and I will make the sacrifice." She says haughtily as she looks up to stare into my eyes threateningly.
Before we both start laughing at the situation.
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Weiss Schnee POV
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'They're s-so crass!' I note as I spy- observe them from the bookshelf. 'They've not been together a month, allegedly, and they're, they're on top of each other!'
Laughing, smiling, hugging. Probably feels warm, and comfortable.
The bean bags that is! We should get some for the room. They look soft, and gentle, and happy.
Bean bags can make people happy. Especially when they're warm, and.
'Stop it!' I yell at myself. 'You've made sure they weren't doing anything, too scandalous. You've done your part. Go back to the room, and to your studies.'
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Maybe I should stay, make sure no one interrupts them.
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-SLBR Dorms, 9pm-
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Ruby Rose POV
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Staring down at the girl I caught red handed, trying to slip into Cyril's bed. I can't help but feel my eye twitch.
"So." I ask the fox softly to not awaken Cyril. "Wanna say how this happened?"
Oh yeah, turns out Cyril is a clingy sleeper. And Weiss is stuck, his left arm wrapped around her and trapping her against him.
"Um, I, I tripped on the way to the bathroom is all." She stutters out quietly.
"Uh, huh." I say, not believing it for a second.
Mostly because the floor is clear, she has night vision same as everyone except Cyril. And, each of our beds, are in the corners of the room.
Weiss also has yet to realize I'm a light sleeper.
"Hmm." I hum before reaching over and grabbing Winter's Thorn under his pillow, causing Cyril to let go of Weiss and go for my hand. Which I pull back before he can grab. "Okay, get up."
Weiss slowly scoots away from Cyril as I stare her down. Red faced and not willing to meet my eye as she stares at the floor.
"So, wanna talk?" I ask.
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-Recap-
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Cyril Leon POV
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Next few days were uneventful as well.
Spent some more time with Ruby. Blake's bitchiness seems to have calmed some. She's not instigating as much. Weiss keeps trying to subtly get close to me, and sometimes Ruby, whenever she can. And then deny it religiously whenever called out.
Ruby was asking me weird, would you love me if, questions. Like if I'd date her if I wasn't her partner, if she was poor or rich, if she were short. Though, I'm pretty sure she asked that one to mess with Weiss, seeing as Weiss was at the lunch table.
I decided to play along and say if she were shorter, I'd struggle to not want to just coddle her. Not in those words. But seeing as Weiss stammered out a few excuses to leave with a red face, and how Ruby was nothing but smiles. Well, a win is a win.
Other than that, I managed to meditate on three more words. Nah, Slen, Gra. Fury, Flesh, Battle.
The words seem to just, come at random. Or there's a pattern that I just haven't figured out yet.
I've been trying to call on that feeling I got when punching Cardin. That force and tingle in my bones that launched him. But, nothing so far.
Pretty calm week all things considered.
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-Beacon, SLBR Dorms, 09/17, 08:20am-
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No combat class today. Tai apparently has something to do so we're all relaxing.
"Excuse me, Cyril." Weiss asks as she walks up to me while I sharpen Winter's Thorn. "I would like to invite you to an event in three days time. And I'd like for you to accompany me, as my paramour."
I stop my sharpening as I look up to her. Dumbfounded that she just asked me out, when Ruby is right there five feet away, walking out of the bathroom.
"Say again?" I ask, hoping I just misheard her.
"I am asking you to a date." She says plainly.
I look over to Ruby. Who, doesn't seem to have noticed.
"Um, are you okay with this, Ruby?" I ask the girl as she looks over to us.
"Hmm?" She hums. "Yeah why not?"
"Aren't I dating you?" I ask, now heavily confused.
"Nothing is official!" Weiss cuts in.
"It is too!" Ruby says with a huff.
"Cyril!" Weiss says, turning to me. "Did you and Ruby go on any dates?"
"Um, yes?" I answer.
Weiss stares at me for a bit. Blinking a few times before crossing her arms and stomping her foot lightly.
"Drat!" She huffs out.
"I told you!" Ruby gloats.
'What the fuck is going on?' I think to myself.
"So, um. Yeah." I say awkwardly. "Me and Ruby are, kinda a thing. So, sorry?"
"If you two have something going on, I can always set up another day." Weiss offers.
"We don't have anything going on." Ruby chimes in. "We never did set up that second date. So, unless Cyril has something going on."
What the fuck?
"Hold on." I say as I stand up. "I'm dating Ruby."
"Well I mean dated, we, kinda need more than one to be dat ing. But um-" Ruby starts rambling off.
"Yes." Weiss says, turning from Ruby to me and nodding. "And I'd like to court you as well."
"And you, don't have any issue with this?" I ask, pointing to Ruby, who stops rambling to look up at me.
"No?" She says with a tilt of her head. "Me and Weiss already-"
"Weiss and I." Weiss corrects her.
"-Talked about it." Ruby continues as she walks up to said fox Faunus. "You and her seem to get along, so, why not give it a shot!?"
My girlfriend, who I've been on one date with. Is setting me up with another girl. And is being more normal about it, than when she asked me for a hug.
"Um, are, okay." I stop myself, holding up my hands as I take a breath and think. "You're okay with me dating other girls." I ask Ruby.
"Other girls on our team." She clarifies.
"So, just Weis?" I ask.
"Fuck you too I guess." Blake mutters from her end.
"No, not fuck you." I pipe up for her to hear. "That's kind of the point here."
Blake just glares at me before going back to her book.
"Cyril, if you don't wish to go on a date with me." Weiss says in a professional tone. "You can just say so. I'm not so insecure that a rejection from a boy I've known for two to three weeks would devastate me."
She says that. But this is the same girl who pretends to be annoyed at headpats, then gets pouty when I stop.
"Come on Cyril." Ruby says as she hugs Weiss from the side, earning a stuttered protest from the girl but nothing more. "Give her a chance! We all get along, and if it doesn't end up well. Then you can say you tried and put it behind you!"
"You say that, but if it goes really bad?" I ask. "We could ruin our team dynamic with tension and ill will towards each other."
"We work with Blake." Ruby says with a deadpan expression, still hugging the Weiss.
"Barely." I mutter.
"I hate, all of you." Blake says with a glare.
"Funny. I thought I was the only Human here." I cut back, raising a brow in challenge. One she doesn't return as she goes back to her book and ignores us.
"Ruby, you don't have to plead for me." Weiss says in a slightly disappointed tone. "We misread some things, that's fine."
Okay, I get that this world has, wildly different cultural standards than my own. But, this is like a paradigm shift. One that, makes no sense to me.
"B-but!" Ruby tries, not letting go of Weiss.
'Why are you refusing?' One half of my brain demands. While the other is tiredly saying. 'Why do you keep questioning things?'
This feels like one of those crappy internet dating challenges. One where the girl says orange, and you're supposed to get up and get her an orange or you fail.
But would Ruby be the kind of person to do that?
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If she is, then I'm dodging a bullet by failing early on.
"Okay." I say. "Weiss, I accept."
She stops arguing with Ruby, who has stopped hugging her, and snaps her head to me. Ears perked straight up and eyes wide.
"I-I beg your pardon?" She asks.
"I'll go on a date with you." I say.
" Yes!" Ruby hisses off to the side while pumping her fist.
So, this wasn't a test. Why do I find that hard to believe?
"V-very well." Weiss says. "I shall see you on the twentieth, you may pick me up at nine and we can head for Vale city at ten after a quick breakfast."
"Weiss?" I ask the softly blushing girl.
"Yes Cyril?" She asks.
"We live in the same room." I point out.
It takes her a second to register as her ears go flat. Once she seems to understand, she turns on her heel to hide her blush and heads towards her bed.
"I knew that!" She says defensively. "I was merely being hyperbolic."
"Weiss is an addict!?" Ruby shouts in a panic before petalling to said girl. "Weiss, I get it, life is stressful. But drugs are not the way to go!"
"What the, you dolt." Weiss exclaims as Ruby hugs her desperately. " Hyperbolic! As in hyperbole!"
"I don't care what people are calling it! You don't need it!" Ruby says. "We're here for you Weiss!"
"How did you get into Beacon!?" Weiss demands.
"Guys, we have Grimm studies in twenty minutes." Blake says something useful.
This is going to end poorly.
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Bonus
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Years ago
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-Menagerie, Speaker's Manor-
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"Thank you for attending." Corsac says to the Billi Chief, Kahn Chief and Tarak Chief.
"It is of no concern." Ghira says in a friendly manner. "I had little to attend this week either way."
"You got me interested." Sienna says as she takes a seat. "So, where is the snowflake?"
Chief Mira, the horse hooved Faunus, merely nods.
"Mr. Schnee will be here in a few minutes." Corsac says. "In the meantime-"
He's cut off by a knock on the door. And attendant opening it and bowing.
"Sooner than expected." Corsac says before instructing the attendant. "Lead him in."
In a few minutes, the white suited, white haired business man walks in. Looking more than a little uncomfortable.
"Hmm, Greetings Chief Sienna, Chief Belladonna." He says as he adjusts his red tie. "And of course Chief Mira."
"What's the matter Atlesian?" Sienna prods. "Is the heat getting to be a bit too much for your, delicate constitution?"
"Miss Kahn." Corsac says. "Please, Mr. Schnee has come all this way from Atlas to meet in person."
"It's quite alright Speaker. She was merely making an observation." Jacques says as he takes his seat at the opposite head of the table, closest to the door, before addressing Sienna. "To answer simply, yes. I find the Menagerian weather is, not to my tastes."
Sienna glares at the man, before softening her gaze and leaning back. Giving a subtle nod to indicate she had no further comment.
"If, I may." Ghira speaks up. "Might I know what inclined you to make the visit in person? To my knowledge, is it not customary for Atlesians to send liaisons in their stead for foreign matters?"
"A fair inquiry." Jacques admits. "Simply put, I fancy myself a perfectionist. And I believe in doing things right. So, I came here to negotiate trade between Menagerie and the Schnee Dust Company myself."
Reading between the lines, Ghira understands that Atlesians have a, distaste for Faunus. And Jacques is telling him he knows of no one who would be willing to put the bias aside.
"Very well." Ghira says evenly.
"If that is all." Jacques says. "Onto what we are here for, business. I desire permission to expand SDC mining and sales operations into Menagerie, I am prepared to pay tax and any tariffs on materials."
"Where would you mine?" Mira finally speaks up. "Certainly not the forests. And I hope you don't mean the deserts my family calls home."
"I was actually hoping for that to be a talking point." Jacques says. "As you may be aware, the SDC R and D depart has made a recent breakthrough in underwater technology."
"You don't intend to use those untested machines here, do you?" Ghira asks. "Our primary food comes from the sea and ports, if anything happens to them, we'll be left destitute."
"Agreed, for once." Sienna says with a pointed glare towards Ghira, before turning back to Jacques. "So sorry snowflake, you're getting a hard no from me."
"What about the south eastern shores?" Jacques asks with a raised brow. "I'll admit the technology, though promising, is in its testing phases. But the south eastern shores are far from the main ports, and are unviable for fishing."
"And just how would you know that, human." Sienna glares.
"I'm competent." Jacques preens. "And I'd like to remind you I do have Faunus heritage."
"Try and sell me a bucket of piss." Sienna says. "I'd sooner buy that then the horseshit you're pedaling. No offense Mira."
"It is a common enough phrase." Mira shrugs. "I am not offended."
"Ms. Kahn, please." Corsac says. "How Jacques got the information, and the claims to his heritage is irrelevant to the topic at hand. What matters is that he is offering a valuable trade deal that I believe will benefit all of us."
"I will when he admits that he just can't handle the fact his wife wanted a real dick." She grins at the man. "He's just in denial and coping hard."
"I can assure you Ms. Kahn, regardless of any rumors or misgivings you may have heard. My marriage and my daughters are genuine." Jacques says as he gets up and stalks towards the woman. "If you wish to call that into question then merely say that you refuse my proposal for trade and I will leave. But I will not have you make such blatant claims before me."
The threat is there. Bring it up again, and he leaves. His business and any assistance he may offer with the economy and funding of Menagerie's government, gone with him.
Sienna looks up at him with wide eyes, before smirking.
"I like a man with balls." She says as she looks him up and down before giving an exaggerated purr. "Alright foxy. Lay it on us."
" Thank you." He nods before returning to his seat. "I find my patience wearing thin, so I'll get to the point. My proposal is this, I wish to use the south eastern ports of the Kahn's land for mining. The eastern shoreline is too rocky for trade ships to make regular ventures, so I'd like the Tarak to assist with travel through Menagerie's deserts to reach Kuo Kuana and use the Ylvta's and Billi's northern ports to export and import. In exchange, I offer fair rates to be negotiated at a later date, and I promise to assist with the funding of defenses and business in Menagerie where needed, and within reason to insure a fruitful venture."
"That's an awfully generous proposal." Ghira says. "But who do you expect to run these operations? Certainly not an Atlesian."
"Yes actually." He says as he takes out a photo from his front pocket. "I have a man eager for the managerial roll and I have full confidence in Mr. Amitola's capabilities."
Sliding the photo over, Ghira catches it and sees the image of a dark skinned Faunus with scales on his face. Ghira grunts as he slides it back. Not saying anything further.
"Ten years ago." Mira starts. "My sister died, whipped to death by an overseer in a dust mine on southern Solitas."
"My, condolences." Jacques says sympathetically. "I, unfortunately know not of whom you speak, but I'm certain she didn't deserve such a fate."
"She did not." Mira says solemnly before looking to the Atlesian. "Five years ago, it was your investigations and reforms, that saw that very same overseer, tried and convicted for his crimes against my family, and others. I'll need to talk to my brothers and sisters, but you have my guarantee I'll speak favorably on your behalf."
"I thank you for your cooperation." Jacques says.
"I'll need to speak with my council." Ghira says noncommittally. "But I will make sure they understand the proposal."
"You got my vote Foxy." Sienna says before adding. "And a, little more if you're up for it." She says with a wink, causing Ghira to groan into his hand and shake his head.
"Thank you. And I appreciate the offer Ms. Kahn, but I assure you that I am happily married." Jacques says without shame.
"Sure you are big guy." Sienna says with a knowing smile. "just know the offers on the table, or the counter, or the floor."
"Sienna please, be professional." Corsac admonishes.
"Fine, all joking aside, I'll get my people to play nice." Sienna says seriously. "So long as you do."
Thus began Jacques's foothold in Menagerie's government. Further solidifying his stance on Faunus rights, and casting doubt onto those speaking against him.
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Bonus two
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Laws of the Kingdoms: Adulthood
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Remnant is a multicultural land filled with a variety of peoples. As such, it should be no surprise the laws are differing as well. Here, we will discuss adulthood and legal age of agency.
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Vale
Vale is well known as one of the more welcoming and moderate kingdoms. With it being such a melting pot, it's no surprise that its laws reflect this.
To be an adult in Vale, you need to be one of three things.
A. You are 17 or older
B. You are a Hunter in training at one of the five academies
C. You live on your own and support yourself financially.
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Mistral
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The land of art and honor. An adult in Mistral is one who.
A. Is age 18 or up
B. Makes a living wage
C. Has killed a Grimm.
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Vacuo
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Vacuo is, odd. For certain. They're the only kingdom to not put an age to adulthood. In Vacuo, adults are people who.
A. Pay taxes
B. Work for the government
C. Are a Hunter
D. Live on their own and support themselves.
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Menagerie
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Menagerie is a bit odd as well. Being so densely multicultural. Menagerian adults are.
A. 15 or older
B. recognized as adults by the chieftain of their clan.
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Atlas
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Always the more, peculiar one. An adult in Atlas is someone who is either.
A. 20 years of age or older
B. Married with dual income.
C. Are enlisted in the military or Atlas's Huntsmen academy
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A/N
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Hunters being less monogamous is something that is just accepted in Remnant for a multitude of reasons.
One, the more kids a Hunter has, the better. Hunters are an unofficial caste after all, and the children of Hunters are statistically stronger than civilian kids, and more likely to become Hunters themselves.
Two, Hunters are universally seen as good. Which is both because of what they do, and government propaganda. So people tend to just, look the other way when it comes to any eccentricities they may have. They do so much good, why bother them?
Three, the average Hunter, can kill a village's worth of people, and walk away without a scratch. Do you want to criticize how they live their life.
And aside from that, it is not uncommon in Remnant, for people to date multiple people at the same time. It's just done with the expectation that usually only one will be married.
Different kingdoms, different laws.
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The only reason people make a big deal about the Kahn being polygamous, is because Kahn leaders will take on up to five or even seven spouses. In the rest of Remnant, it's usually one, or occasionally two.
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In sheer wilderness survivability of the first years, it would go
Ren and Ruby tied at First (Ruby's perfect spatial awareness prevents her from getting lost so long as she knows where she started)
Nora at Second
Jaune and Cyril tied for third
Russel at fourth
Weiss and Pyrrha tied for fifth
Dove at sixth
Blake at seventh (She was sheltered on menagerie)
Cardin and Sky tied for eighth
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The scene of Ruby getting mad at Cyril for not revealing Pyrrha's semblance was inspired by Holo, and FanonDummy-D on the discord
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Tithing and tax of more comments!
They feed me.
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Find me in my channel, newb's-grotto, on the discord.
Link to the discord: discord .gg/DarkWolfShiro