A/N: I want to update "What Could Have Been" and "Enemy" alongside "Dystopia" so BADLY right now, but I promised an update for this first. Sorry for yesterday's absence and Sunday's update, got sick and wound up taking a day off. I'm still exhausted, and its messed up my update schedule.
Ironically, delaying it worked out in my favor and the chapter became MUCH longer as a result.
Between all this crap with the site and the drama with my job, now I just want to curl up in a corner and cry.
That said, would you prefer weekly updates to return? Do let me know what you think in your reviews! One open slot remains!
Sorry for the delay. Site glitches and my health are affecting my work, but I'm still here, still alive, still wading through life. Hope you enjoy this long-awaited chapter.
As ever, the fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others. I own no references, quotes, memes or themes! They're all tributes to legends far greater than I. I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that. In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know in the the comments~!
Once more, hopefully I captured the feeling of a proper RWBY episode from the old days.
I'll leave that to you, the reader, to determine. Do tell me what you think! It matters!
The soundtrack for the first half of this chapter was, for me, Slow it Down by Benson Boone. Remarkably, it fits Jaune and Pyrrha almost perfectly~! What can I say? I'm a sucker for music. Rather short song though, so I set it on loop.
Naturally, you don't have to listen to said song if you don't want to, it just fit the mood for me.
Enjoy the chapter~! Away we go~!
"W-What are they doing?!"
"Don't look at me! How am I supposed to know!"
Shhhh! Quiet, the both of you! I'm trying to eavesdrop!"
"Wait a moment. Did she just...?"
"Surely they're not about to-"
"Daaaaang...
~Eavesdroppers a.k.a. Weiss, Blake, and Yang...
Just a Little Date
The movie wasn't half bad.
Therein lie the rub, as it were. Pyrrha found herself fidgeting nearly the entire time, uncertain where to lay her hands, if indeed, she should put them anywhere at all. In the end she lost ahold of her faltering courage and chose the coward's path; tucking her arms into her sides and locked her hands into her lap for the duration of the film. Jaune had chosen something safe; an amusing romantic comedy, neither too overt nor too extreme for her tastes. It actually managed to wring a few laughs from her, anxious as she was.
By the time they left the theater, she wanted to kick herself.
It was by all accounts a lovely date so far and a lovely day; the sun was shining, there only a few clouds in the sky. No sign of rain yet, though the forecast called for it.
Hmm.
On second thought, rain sounded rather nice.
She'd accidentally get her blouse wet and he'd offer her his jacket, usher her inside, where she'd push him up against a wall and...
Blast, she was in her head again.
No, Pyrrha. Bad, Pyrrha. Don't jump Jaune, Pyrrha.
By the gods, give her Grimm any day. Dates were difficult!
She never really been on one before, you see; her agents actively discouraged it when she was the Champion of Mistral, and when one was the Invincible Girl one didn't exactly have a glowing social life. Such was why she clung to her team, you see. They were the first friends she'd had in...well, forever. And Jaune was the first -quite possibly only- one to ever make her feel this way.
Her Team Leader understood the former aspect, if not necessarily the latter.
He knew what it was like to be forced into a mold, to not want to be what destiny demanded of him. Like her, he'd fled from his family, from the expectations of his parents, from everyone. Unlike her, he'd tried to conceal his strength...and been terrible bad at it. From one runaway to another, it was blatantly obvious that he was trying to hide, though his efforts were laughable. Such was what fist drew her to him, even before she knew the truth of his origins.
A hand touched her shoulder. "You good?"
Pyrrha nearly jumped out of her skin! "Jaune! Don't DO that! How are you so sneaky?!"
He granted her a small, selfsame smile, unfazed by her outburst. "Sorry, old habits...
Said smile sent her heart into a tailspin.
"I'm sorry." she stammered out. "I didn't mean to shout."
"S'fine." his smile became a little more genuine. "So...food?"
It took her a moment to realize he'd phrased the offer more as a question than a statement. He was just as awkward about this as she. It made her feel better, somehow.
She reached up to touch his hand, still resting on her shoulder. "I'd like that."
His cheeks darkened in a flush, one she was sure she even now mirrored.
Alas, nerves got the better of her and she found herself releasing him. Damnit. She knew what she wanted, but she didn't know if she had the courage to take it; or to face the failure that might follow.
She was getting lost in her head again; but she just couldnt help herself. Had to focus...
"You're staring." Jaune quirked a brow. "Is this the part where you challenge me to a duel and avenge your honor?"
"Jerk." she elbowed him, but the word lacked rancor.
She hated how dense he could be at times, but every now and again he had these little flashes of brilliance and made a witty comment that made her hope.
It wasn't fair.
Ren and Nora didn't have to deal with anything like this. Even if they weren't together; or was it together-together?
Semantics!
"C'mon," his shoulder brushed hers in passing and quite suddenly his hand was in hers, tugging her along after him. "I know a place."
Pyrrha let herself be led; what else could she do? She'd lost the fight the moment his palm touched hers. Had this been a bout, his actions were tantamount to a ring out. Complete and utter defeat on her part. It was all she could do to follow him and not thread her fingers through his-if only because she feared how he might react.
Her hand moved of its own accord and five fingers threaded seamlessly through his.
Betrayal! Darkest of deceit! Treachery!
Jaune jolted a little in surprise, but didn't look back. "Don't worry." he laughed, leading her across the street. "I promise you won't get lost."
R-Right. That was all! They were just holding hands! Perfectly normal things! People did stuff like this all the time!
"Adorable. Is this what passes for human mating rituals these days? How very amusing."
Pyrrha nearly tripped over her own two feet. Had she heard a voice just now?
No, surely not. She must be imagining things. Yes, normal things.
Her mind took that as the perfect excuse and away it went.
Could she see herself with him?
Her eyes flickered forward to the future, and her thoughts, too.
For a moment she could picture them; little redheaded children with blue eyes. Twins, a beaming boy and a girl, sat in her lap.
"If that is what you wish. I'll make certain the two of you have beautiful, powerful children together. Nothing will harm them."
There it was again! Was she hallucinating? Hearing things?
"Dear girl, you don't know the half of it. Do try not to trip up and disappoint me, now...
Pyrrha made pitiful Pyyrha noises as her face burned brightly; deeper and redder than Ruby's cloak.
"Pyrrha?" Jaune's voice broke through the haze as he continue to tug her along. "You good back there?"
"I'm fine." she hid her face behind her free hand, momentarily hiding her eyes and trusting in him to lead her. "Just fine...
Mercifully, the mysterious "Voice" only crooned happily and didn't intrude further than that. All to the good, that. She had enough problems without someone using a Semblance -whatever this was!- to whisper tempting thoughts into her ear. She wanted to do her best here, to make a good impression on him but it was so damnably difficult! One mistake would do more than merely ruin the date; it might upset the dynamic of their team or worse, destroy their friendship, and then where would they be? They had to put up with one another for the next four years.
She wasn't brave. Really, she wasn't. She was bloody terrified; here was the one opponent she couldn't best easily, indeed, one who quickly got the better of her.
Give her a spar any day. She knew her way around a fight. Not a date!
Somebody heeeeeeelp!
(.0.0.0.)
"W-What are they doing?!"
"Don't look at me! How am I supposed to know!"
"Shhhh! Quiet, the both of you! I'm trying to eavesdrop!"
"Wait a moment. Did she just...?"
"Surely they're not about to-"
"Daaaaang...
Weiss shushed her teammates as they followed Jaune and Pyrrha from afar.
Eavesdropping wasn't her specialty, sad to say. Blake was much better at that sort of thing than her. She was merely following to make certain she and Yang didn't get themselves into trouble or heaven forbid startsome, lest they do anything untoward...
.
..
...or so she told herself.
It was the principle of the matter. Anyone that said otherwise was getting a glyph to the jaw.
Arc seemed almost oblivious of their presence; he wasn't distracted by the dark clouds rushing in from the east, he only seemed to have eyes for Pyrrha -and didn't that sting a little?- the latter of whom he was leading on a winding, circuitous route through the city, hand in hand. Anyone else might've thought him wholly unaware of them.
Weiss wasn't fooled.
Was he aware of them? Most likely. You didn't train to be a Huntsman without developing at leas some situation awareness. More than once, he stopped suddenly, forcing the three of them to scurry into an alleyway or hunker down behind trash bins to avoid being seen. Surely he'd noticed them by now.
As expected of her rival. Not that she'd ever give him the satisfaction of saying so aloud, mind you. If questioned on the matter, she'd simply claim they were going for a walk. Yes, that was it. A very enthusiastic walk; even if a Schnee was supposed to be above such things. Besides, Winter would have her hide if she went and made a fool of herself here. Naturally, she wouldn't make such a scene. She simply wanted to defeat him.
Yes.
That was it.
Absolutely nothing else. Any acknowledgement or praise she might otherwise receive upon said triumph was surely secondary.
A hand waved before her face. "Earth to Weiss-cream...? Helloooo? Anyone home?"
She casually summoned a glyph and bonked Yang with it, drawing a startled squawk from the blond. Another thing to blame on Arc. In defeating her not once, but twice now he'd inadvertently forced her to face her own shortcomings when it came to combat, which in turn led her to train as she never had before, and in said training, she'd advanced leaps and bounds not only with her summoning, but her glyphs as well. She'd be sure to thank Arc for that...once she had him grovelling at her feet.
Yang found him "fun", whatever that was, while Blake felt she owed him a debt. That, or she wanted to act out those sordid spicy scenes from her books with him.
No, thank you! Weiss was a prim and proper lady. She'd be satisfied after she poked holes in him.
And afterward...she would see what came afterward. If there was an afterward-
"Well, well, well! What do we have here...?"
Her thoughts shattered as someone inexplicably appeared between the three of them, grinning from ear to ear.
He hadn't been there a second ago; hadn't even leapt from the rooftops above.
He'd simply materialized there; the sight of him left her blood running cold.
Whomever he was -whatever he was- she couldn't ascertain his identity, he wore a heavy black cloak that not only concealed his body but most of his face besides; what little it didn't was shielded in shadow. Except for his smile. That damn smile. It shone through the shadows of his hood, alongside his luminous eyes, teeth shining bright and pearly white, mocking them, An almost permanent thing seemingly affixed to his face.
"Eavesdropping, are we?" the Stranger tilted his head, radiating amusement. "Or is this stalking? Either way, you're doing a rather poor job...
Yang winced. "I wouldn't say we're that bad...
Blake lifted her chin. "I don't see how that's any of your business."
"Oh, but it very much is." he raised a hand and snickered into it. "Naughty children must be punished!"
He launched himself at them like a ballistic missile.
Blake and Yang didn't get out of the way in time, likely due to the sheer shock of being blitzed in such a manner. He seized her teammates by the face, hoist them high and smashed them into the ground with an awful crack, cratering the earth beneath. Aura protected them from lethal damage, but did nothing to negate the impact. They went limp and slumped to the ground, out cold.
Dropping them, the hooded stranger rounded on Weiss with a smile that would've made miss Goodwitch cry. "Next."
She gulped and drew Myrtenaster, idly conjuring a glyph to her free hand. "Who are you...?!"
"Sorry," The stranger chuckled anew, "You'll have to earn that answer."
Weiss raised her weapon in the vain hope of doing so.
Needless to say, she did not succeed.
(.0.0.0.)
Pyrrha's right ear twitched.
For a moment there, she could've sworn she heard a familiar scream.
Honestly, she would've taken it; a distraction would be useful right about now.
Just how was she meant to do conduct herself on a date, anyway?! She had no earthly idea! Nora had told her to "go with the flow" whatever that meant and Ren had simply said to trust her instincts, each of whom were presently at war with one another. She was wholly, utterly at a disadvantage here, completely out of her depth, if only because she feared Jaune might think they were doing this as friends. Or he might not. He could well be humoring her, or he might be genuinely interested in her. She had no way of knowing. He was impossible to read.
Still, she'd dressed up for him, even let her hair down for his sake.
Let it be known that Pyrrha Nikos didn't let her hair down for just anyone!
She wasn't blind to Team RWBY pining after him, nor some of the girls in the upper classes, but she couldn't bear to wait any longer.
She who strikes first wins the war.
Now if only she could figure out how to do so without making an utter ass of herself.
She was afraid.
Terrified.
Not of him, naturally, but of what might happen should she screw this up.
It would be one thing if he rejected someone from Team RWBY, or an upperclasswoman, she'd feel bad for them of course but if it were her...
Urk. The very thought dampened her spirits.
She couldn't bear it; and that cowardice held her back, a silent shackle dragging her down even now.
In the end, they wound up getting something from a nice little burger joint and retired to a park bench beneath a rare tree to eat; Jaune sat first and she sidled up beside him, keenly aware of her hips brushing his, and their shoulders touching but moreso the meal in her hand. The food was warm and greasy and practically melted in her mouth; just the sort of meal agent would've despised. It brought back unpleasant memories.
You can't eat that, Pyrrha.
You can't say this, Pyrrha.
You can't do this, Pyrrha.
Can't, can't, can't! Couldn't upset the sponsors or her parents, or anyone, heaven forbid. Had to do what her parents said. Don't think, obey. Don't feel, do. Don't get involved with boys; because boys are a distraction and you're a champion; champions aren't allowed to be distracted. She wasn't allowed to think as she wanted or talk how she wanted or even BE-
"Uh, Pyr? You're muttering again...
"I'm sowwy!" she realized she'd spoken with a full mouth a moment later and blushed, realizing she'd sprayed crumbs everywhere.
Her heart's desire chuckled as she hastily finished her meal. "You've got a little something on you, there...
She gulped, confused. "On my what?"
"Here, lemme get it."
He reached across the table and gently thumbed a bit of ketchup from her cheek. His thumb stroked her nose as he drew back with a satisfied smile.
Her brain fizzled out in a shower of sparks. Eeeee! No! Focus up!
"So," she choked her meal down and her shame with it, flailing for something to distract herself and latching onto the first thing she foond, "Your family. Tell me more about them."
Her future husband finished his own burger and tilted his head quizzically; the gesture of which rather reminded her of a fox. "There's really not much more left for me to tell...
"Well, who taught you how to use a sword? You never said who, only that it wasn't your father...
"Ah." he relaxed a little. "That'd be mom. She's actually scarier than Dad when she gets angry and an absolute fiend with a sword." he chuckled ruefully at some distant memory. "Its kinda funny, because she was really weak when she first met Dad, but then he got to training her and all, this was before Saphron was born." a small tugged at the corner of his mouth as the wind tugged at his hair, and with it, she felt her heart lurch a little. "Afterward she became obsessed with getting stronger, and started teaching us, but when I came along she taught me all sorts of stuff-
He was babbling now, arms flailing regaling her with what one might call tall tales of his training, but she couldn't bring herself to call him on that.
Not because they were likely real -his family was truly, utterly insane- but because it was cute.
Cute handsome adorable, dangerous, kind, menacing. There were so very many words to describe her team leader, yet here and now she found herself swooning for him all over again.
-what do you think, Pyr?"
Blast. She'd been spacing out. "Think of what?
"Of training with me?" he was looking at her most intently, blue eyes sharp. "I'm probably a crap teacher, but if you wanna learn, I could teach you some of the things she taught me...?"
Was he offering this to her out of pity? Or because he feared his family might take him away soon?
She couldn't be entirely sure. Regardless!
This was her chance~!
"I-yes! I'd like that." her face warmed as a small little smile plucked at the corner of her mouth. "Very much so."
He chuckled. "Just don't go calling me sensei, or I'll never hear the end of it from my family...
Her head tilted. "Sensei?"
He coughed into a fist. "Its a long story."
"Jaune, its fine. She reached across him, laying a hand on his knee. "We have time. I don't mind."
He didn't pull away, but an anxious look flashed across his face, quickly quelled as she looked on. "Sorry." He dragged a hand over his face, heaved a sigh and looked down a little, considering her hand on his leg. "I'm awful at this, aren't I?"
Her throat clogged. "Awful at what?"
"Just...this." He gestured expansively to their surroundings and she despite her best efforts she couldnt help but notice just how empty the park was today. "I know this was my idea an' all, but I just feel...I don't know." His eyes flitted to hers for a moment before darting away again. "How are you feeling?"
Anxious, but she didn't dare say it aloud, even if she couldn't find any other word for it. Pining after him for so long, this sudden contact felt akin to a sugar rush. She couldn't sit still. She couldn't think straight. She didn't want to think straight.
This was the moment, she could feel it, but fear dragged her down.
Frustration mounted within her.
Something snapped.
"I feel like doing something foolish."
Jaune blinked innocently, not quite comprehending.
It made Pyrrha angry, not at him, but herself; ironically, that anger gave her strength to break the chains of self-doubt holding her back. She scooted closer to Jaune, touched a hand to his right cheek, and took a tiny little breath for courage.
And then...!
From there, she dared to tilt her head ever so slightly for a better angle, closed her eyes, leaned all the way in, and kissed him deeply.
Her lips brushed his, giving her first kiss to him; felt him tense, heard him inhale sharply, but didn't dare open her eyes.
Beyond that, Jaune appeared frozen; he didn't move, didn't speak, didn't push her away, didn't do anything really.
"Pyrrha...?"
That sounded like something; the uncertainty of which terrified her, so she drew back, steeling herself to open her eyes and finally see his expression-
"ACHOO~!"
Someone sneezed behind them and Pyrrha panicked, eyes flying wide open as she jolted forward; all but flinging herself forward in shock. She landed into Jaune's lap just as he began to rise; the result was a catastrophe. Down they went in a tangle of arms and legs, leaving her sprawled atop his chest, pinning him beneath her. She heard him grown, gasped, and hurriedly crossed her legs to prevent him from seeing anything.
"Don't mind me." Someone stepped out of the tree behind them, crooning softly. "By all means, continue...
Pyrrha bridled, indignant. "Who are-
A single finger pressed against her lips. "Shhh...
She took the newcomer in at at glance, green eyes widening.
They wore light black heels tapering up into a pair of shimmering stockings that vanished into a scandalously short combat skirt of deep azure. An incredibly long sword -what was the Mistralian term? A nodachi? Was that it?-hung from her hip, it's scarlet sheathe nearly scraping the ground. Above that she -definitely a girl with a bosom like that- wore a golden blouse bound with black buttons.
All in all, she was beautiful.
Blond hair and bright blue eyes framed by long golden hair cascading down her shoulder; A common enough characteristic in the citizenry of Vale, but when she focused on her face, her worldview shattered.
She looked like miss Goodwitch.
Her hair was a darker shade of blond, her face tan and her eyes blue, but even an idiot could see the resemblance.
And then Jaune sputtered a single word that sent her for a loop. "Mom?!"
"Jaune." the woman hummed. "I'm not interrupting, am I?"
Oh, gods. Was he related to Miss Goodwitch? How was that even-
"And you must be Pyrrha." The stranger's face dimpled in a dangerous grin. "I've heard almost nothing about you."
If looks could kill, she'd be a pile of ashes upon the floor.
Jaune gulped. "Moooooom...
"Don't you mom me, mister." that grin gained an edge. "Do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused us? I've half a mind to take you over my knee and tan your hide."
He scrambled to his feet, warding one arm before him to protect not himself, but her of all people. "Leave Pyrrha out of this. She didn't do anything wrong.
"Son, that's the only reason she's still breathing. "Well," she amended, touching a hand ot her cheek. "That, and grandbabies."
Jaune squawked.
Pyrrha squeaked. "I'm sorry...
"Don't be." The Arc matriarch hummed. "Someone has to continue the Arc bloodline and none of our daughters have show any inclination." Frowning suddenly, she looked toward the rooftops. "Honey, do stop skulking about. Say hello to your son."
All the blood drained from Jaune's face. "Aw, man...
A flicker of golden light was her only warning before he appeared, arriving like a thunderbolt.
...oh, wow.
Pyrrha Nikos wasn't one to curse. It simply wasn't in her nature. But here and now, when faced with such a spectacular specimen?
Pyrrha looked up.
Pyrrha looked down.
Pyrrha looked all around.
In conclusion? Daaaaaamn.
The newcomer looked very much like an older version of Jaune, but his hair was longer, face slightly creased and scarred by the passage of time.
Whiskered cheeks, too. Apparently those were quite hereditary after all. Did that make him a Faunus after all? He'd never mentioned it.
He wore ripped black jeans with matching shoes and and an orange turtleneck besides, all of which he wore very well. That outfit was snug. By the Brothers, he was well-fit.
This was what she had to look forward to in a few years?!
Juniper hummed. "You're drooling, dear."
Pyrrha wiped her mouth sheepishly.
Naruto chuckled. "She's honest. I like her."
Jaune perked up, quietly hopeful. "Does that mean I can stay?"
"Hahahaha-no." his father's laughter died as he seized his son by the arm. "You're not getting off scott-free. Come with me."
Pyrrha tried to protest as Jaune was dragged away, but a hand clamped down on her shoulder, locking her in place.
"Now, now~!" Juniper Arc smiled at her. "What's the rush? He'll be just fine."
It was not a nice smile.
"Let's have a chat," she crooned darkly, dragging out the last word for emphasis. "Just us girls. After all, I have so very many things to ask you about my son and what he's been up to...
The redhead gulped. "Do...do I get a say in this?"
Juniper laid a hand on the hilt of her longsword and tilted her head a fraction of an inch to the right. "Would you rather talk to my blade?"
In that moment, one word surmised Pyrrha's existence.
It went as follows:
Meep.
A/N: Meep indeed. They're finally heeeeeere~!
But was that voice in Pyrrha's head Kurama or Salem?
And was it Tyrian who ambushed Weiss, or was that Naruto's work? Perhaps one of Jaune's sisters? Who knows? Find out next time, on Practice Makes Perfect!
Better yet, would you like weekly updates? Do let me know! Really need to hear back from you, here.
As ever, we're sticking with the tried and true "Embers" rule. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular, if folks don't like it...well, I'll not continue it. So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. I'm working two jobs, trying to keep a roof over my family's head, and at the end of the day this is very much a HOBBY. I simply don't have time to write a story no one likes, and feedback sustains me...
Once again, reviews are my fuel. Without them I simply cannot write.
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No previews this time.
Too many Spoilers.
Must prevent.
Trust.
EDIT: Hope you enjoyed! See you soon!
~Nz.
