The floor had a mild saltiness to it. Jaune could still feel his teeth attached his jaw. Aura or not, he had been sure that Yang would have torn his head from his shoulders with that punch. His jaws were still fine, thankfully.
Jaune got back up to a sitting position. He moved so that he could see what had been happening ever since he had been knocked out of the arena. He knew, ahead of time, that his role as a leader would make him a target. His known weakness as the least experienced fighter in team JNPR was well-known. His partner sticking to his side for as long as possible, unless commanded otherwise, was going to be expected. Jaune may not know how to deal with opposing teams, those are a case-by-case basis, but he knew how they would deal with team JNPR.
Between Ren and Nora, both of them had their strengths and their weaknesses. While Nora was the heavy-hitter, Ren knew to control the distance better. Ren may have excellent aura control, the best that anyone in their school year, but Nora's semblance was independent of circumstance. Jaune hadn't asked professor Fran on that experiment yet; Nora had been insistent that he do.
It was a matter of what to do once either had been compromised or how to make up for the loss. Against team RWBY, that was dependent on which one kicks the bucket first. At least Jaune wasn't the first one eliminated. Sorry Ruby.
Then, there was Pyrrha. Jaune chuckled and shook his head. He still couldn't believe that was happening at all. After the last Vytal tournament and a meeting with that Amber person, Pyrrha had never looked happier since then. Jaune was happy for her. Whatever it was that she had gone through in those days had been over. Pyrrha had been clingier in those days too, on everyone.
During the second year, things were looking up. Jaune and Pyrrha had lessened the sparring sessions and included the other members of team JNPR. That Amber person had been there too on occasion and had serve as the experienced huntress for them to learn from. Most of the other teachers had other things to do and professor Peach would drag Amber away when Amber slacked off of work, unlike professor Jekyll who seemed more passionate about it than being a huntsman. Still, Jaune was still behind on the physical aspects; he made up for it in theories and mind though it wasn't saying a lot.
Something had changed though, and Jaune could pinpoint exactly where it was for him: during the break, everyone else had gone home. For Ren and Nora, having no home of their own, ended up staying with the Arc family. Namely, they all stayed in Argus. It was supposed to be a sad one since Pyrrha wouldn't have been with them. Call Jaune surprised but Pyrrha had lived in Argus. In hindsight, considering Pyrrha's school before Beacon, he probably shouldn't. Just chalk that one on Jaune's ignorance again. At least Pyrrha was just as surprised as he, along with Ren and Nora, was.
His family had the great idea that time to host a party for team JNPR. Pyrrha and her mother had been invited and almost all of them went out to buy the preparations: ingredients for food, decorations, and gifts. Almost. Jaune and Pyrrha were explicitly left behind to babysit Adrian. That day had been the longest day of the entire break.
It hadn't started that instantly but it certainly was the starting point. Jaune knew Pyrrha was great. She was a great student, the best fighter he'd ever known, and the nicest person that could ever exist: who else but her would give a fraud like him a chance to catch up and actually live up to the transcripts? While he could trust the others eventually, who would dedicate that much time?
That was how it began. The holidays were had but he and Pyrrha had never been more distant in those days that followed. All of that were his fault; he needed time to process it, he needed time to really think it through. He had this grand plan all thought out. He would play off this awkward guy, not too hard considering it's him, trying to be cool. He would have casually dropped the hint as a joke to test the waters: that he'd get upgrades for his shield by having Pyrrha's tiara on it. If it worked, great. If it didn't, he'll just play it off as him really thinking well of her as a friend.
He still hadn't quite figured out what to do when Pyrrha said, "yes!"
Parental approval done, on both sides. Family celebration all around. Ren gave Nora some lien, because they had a bet apparently. Adrian now has a new auntie and grandmother.
It didn't need to be said that both of them were rather distracted those first days of school. Ren and Nora had to carry them both in classes with how quickly their minds went elsewhere. It was the first few days, everything was euphoric. Were it not for Ren's own semblance, Tranquility, working on him, Jaune would have made for a terrible tactician in those Combat lessons. Not only that, he would have had Pyrrha stay at the back, trying to be this macho guy that has to defend his lady; everyone knows it would be the reverse. But it wont stop him from trying.
Jaune didn't get a chance to even see what was going on before the match had ended in their favor. The elevated platforms that blocked his vision descended back down and Jaune saw Pyrrha's glistening form shining on the stage. She looked back at him and waved. She waited until the platforms were fully level and the signal for the teams to return to that platform were given. When it was, Jaune and Pyrrha practically rushed at one another as though they have been apart for years; it hadn't even been five minutes.
He nearly lost his balance when Pyrrha jumped on him. The combat arena may have been even but getting into that arena required stairs, stairs that Jaune didn't get the chance to ascend halfway through. Thankfully, he had good enough aura and his armor hadn't quite dented.
Pyrrha couldn't hold her excitement and their lips met. She quickly realized their position and parted, helping Jaune up.
On the arena, Nora was begrudgingly giving Ren lien. Ren had the smuggest look that could ever be had on that face of his.
But Glynda Goodwitch, standing behind Ren and Nora, coughed into her fist and had the biggest look of sternness on her. It was the first that Pyrrha had ever been scolded in all her years, both in Beacon and Sanctum from what Jaune heard; he still remembered the mutual embarrassment they shared when their parents shared academic achievements before Beacon. It made Ren and Nora happy though when they made a new album together. Team JNPR? No, it was extended family JNPR.
Jaune was sure that Ren and Nora were given a special assignment. Neither he nor Pyrrha could agree whose parent opened that topic up first.
Team JNPR stood in a line with team RWBY there to the side, clapping. There was no denying the slight bitterness in Weiss' face. Yang winked at Pyrrha and nodded once. Blake was the most cordial of them all. Ruby…
"Congratulations!" She was a one-woman audience with that massive applause of hers.
"E-hem!" Glynda emphasized. She sighed. "Now then, team JNPR. Once again, on behalf of Beacon Academy, we congratulate you for your performance today and are pleased to have you as Beacon's representative for this year's Vytal Tournament. In a few weeks' time, we will all have our flight towards Atlas Academy where you will be staying for the duration of the Vytal Festival. Should you wish to go early, you may do so but do inform me or any other faculty ahead of time."
"Understood, ma'am," Jaune answered for them. He was the leader after all. He felt Pyrrha's hand intertwine with his. Ren and Nora were looking away. What? They recently got together, not his fault they couldn't bear to be apart for long.
Glynda shook her head. She had a look that said: children, all of you. Something along those lines.
The different professors there gave their congratulations to team JNPR. Nora did not miss her chance to shake professor Fran's hand. Nora's hair stood like spikes but Fran didn't seem any different.
"Again!" Nora requested. It was almost demanding in that tone, but it was just the excitement electrifying Nora. "Again! Again!"
One difference between Nora and professor Fran was that Nora was much more liberal with her electricity. Professor Fran was the stark contrast, never using any more than what was necessary. Even the platform's lights had already turned off. Everything else was already being turned off with only the lights remaining. It was a cool day anyway and Jaune was going to take a shower anyhow.
"Hmm?" Jaune looked around him. Huntsman training had instilled in him a sort of sense of danger. He didn't have that when he first entered Beacon, and it had been difficult for Ren to explain it to him. But now, Jaune had some modicum for sensing it.
"Jaune?" Pyrrha asked.
"Probably nothing." Jaune shook his head. He wasn't lying nor would he keep secrets from Pyrrha. "Thought someone was looking at me for a second there."
Professor Fran went to where Jaune's eyes had been. She tilted her head before shrugging. Even as she left that spot, she continued to stare. Jaune thinks she was staring; he couldn't tell where her eyes were looking out, hidden underneath those bangs.
If there was one thing that Jaune finally could appreciate while in Beacon, it was the showers. During his first year, he would have used those times to hide away his frustrations, especially when his confidence was higher than his own skills. He thought he could at least put on a good show even if he lost. That took a long time. But when he finally won his matches in combat class, he could now appreciate the soothing feeling on his muscles as the waters washed away any and all aches. Today was no exception.
As he stepped out of the shower, Jaune heard a flapping sound. A small shadow coming from the windows was seen. He turned around and found nothing. It might have been a bird passing too close to Beacon. His excitement for the Vytal Festival must have made him more sensitive to his surroundings if he could hear a bird at this distance.
Hope nearly sparkled his eyes. "Could it be?" He asked. "Is my semblance something about hearing? Ah, it's because I'm such a great listener!"
He closed his eyes and honed his ears. Waiting for something, anything, to prove that he had found his semblance. A second passed. Two seconds passed. Nearly a minute passed. Jaune had gone cold while still unclothed. He sighed. He must be hearing things and seeing things.
His team were there waiting for him when he stepped out. He quickly came up with an excuse that he was just so happy to represent Beacon. It wasn't that he didn't have any doubts, it was just that the competition was rather tough. He'll respect team RWBY for that.
It was unfortunate. If only team RWBY had been matched with another team, Jaune was sure that the two teams would have gone to the Vytal together. Yang and Pyrrha still had that undecided match going for them, having made it to the final rounds but never facing off.
The sun was still out and teams JNPR and RWBY lost whatever bad blood that may have had from this match. There wasn't any from anyone except from Weiss, but she was competitive in this regard.
"Now what am I supposed to tell Winter?" Weiss demanded as if anyone on team JNPR had any answer. "I even had my mask ready and all!" She quickly covered her mouth.
Even team RWBY didn't know that information apparently. "Masks?" Blake asked.
Weiss sighed in defeat. She wasn't going to get out of this anytime soon. Better not to make a huge deal out of it. "This year's Vytal dance has a masquerade theme to it. Remember mister Ball?"
Team JNPR shook their heads. Team RWBY nodded.
"He offered the opera house on behalf of his patron who requested it to be a masquerade party of sorts."
"Bet ya that patron of his just wants to attend in disguise," Yang said. "I mean; we'd be able to tell who'll be the old coots. Can't exactly hide these!" She flexed her muscles, emphasizing the youth of it.
"I'm more inclined to believe that the patron just wants another shot at having Weiss be their diva," Blake countered.
"They're persistent," Weiss said. "I'll give them that credit. I still won't be accepting it but that's not important right now. How am I going to explain this to Winter that I didn't get to represent Beacon?"
"Is it that bad?" Pyrrha asked. "Does your father intend to use you for his campaign?"
"No." Weiss shook her head. "It wouldn't surprise me if he did. He'd probably have me there anyway out of his own pocket but I can't exactly convince him to let my team come with me."
"Aww," Yang cooed. "Weiss, you do care!"
"All of them at any rate," Weiss corrected. "I might be able to get two."
"Hey! That includes me, right?"
As for Jaune himself, he couldn't shake off those moments of ire being directed at him. No one was staring at him and no one was looking at his direction. Certainly, no one from RWBY or JNPR had any cause to look at him poorly. Yet, there was a nagging feeling, a sense of danger coming for him. It kept vanishing and reappearing whenever Jaune would become alert. Only when his guard was down does it ever come back.
Not the time for that. Right now, he had to prepare himself for the Vytal Tournament. Plans to make and team attacks to name, Jaune had rough days ahead of him. For now, all his body needed was rest and maybe a treat for having done so well in this team exercise.
Cracking away the stiffness that remained was the most pleasurable experience. It always was after an intense activity like Combat Class. All bodies must have that innate desire to move. It kept things loose and flexible. Jaune himself was beginning to appreciate all the harsh parts of huntsman training, especially the monotonous running just to get his heartbeat going.
It also built quite the appetite. Jaune wasn't alone in feeling hungry. Everyone was, Nora and Yang especially after burning through their calories. Turns out semblances like theirs could burn through a lot of energy. Ruby was of a similar position but those two, Nora especially, burned through quite a lot over the course of the match.
Beacon's cafeteria was mostly empty. There was time before night would fall but team JNPR and RWBY weren't the only ones deciding that an early supper was what they needed. Besides, this time of day was when food was at the best tasting and Jaune fully intended to abuse that today. He intended to treat himself and so he will.
Hotdogs, burgers, fries. All sorts of things filled his tray and he wasn't alone in that matter. Ruby had her sweet tooth decorating her tray. Ren, ever the healthy one, stuck to his routine even when he should be cheating this day. Then again, this might be a cheat day for someone like Ren.
As they sat, the Beacon professors, team MGHT, also came in and had their own table. Jaune recalled back when they were culling the Grimm. Professor Jekyll's semblance had him turning into whatever that was. Mulberry's words made Jaune wonder if it was a personal one; he couldn't recall anyone else in that team ever using something that could be called a semblance.
"Jaune," Pyrrha said. "Now I know there's something on your mind."
"You got me." Jaune chose not to hide it. "Just thinking of what else we could do to unlock my semblance."
"You sure you don't want to jump into a vat of toxic waste?" Nora asked again. "Or get bitten by a radioactive bug?"
"I am taking away those comic books for a week," Ren promised. "I could have sworn I got all of them."
"You got all of mine." Nora smiled knowingly. Ren sighed. "Just mine."
"Jaune." Pyrrha placed her hand on his. They didn't need to hide it anymore. Though, Nora and Ren did say that they were terrible at it. Jaune thinks they did well. "Why don't we just focus on the tournament for now?"
"But what if we could use my semblance on the tournament?" Jaune retorted. "Can you imagine how terrible it would be if we lost, and then I find that my semblance could have won that tournament."
"I don't think you'd be able to find a semblance that could just win you the tournament," Blake interjected. She was protecting her book from Yang's ravaging her own plate. That was a lot of spilling and stray oils from those burgers. "Not one that could top Pyrrha's."
"I don't think my semblance is that great," Pyrrha replied.
"How many people don't use metal?" Blake raised one eyebrow. "It would have been one thing if it could only be magnetic metals but you control all of them. Professor Goodwitch could top that since she could control everything about you, not just the metal; she's the only one that I can think off."
"Or, or!" Nora suggested. But first, she made sure that everyone was listening. "What if, and hear me out, what if it comes during a clutch moment? There he is, standing all alone. All of us unable to do anything because we were kicked out of the tournament. Our enemies of strength greater than our own! Then, in that moment, a great power comes over our fearless leader. He flashes back to his training. He thinks of his friends and how they helped him, especially the ginger-haired one whom his thinking of getting pancakes for once all this is over, choosing to give extra syrup because she contributed so much—"
"Getting off track, Nora," Ren said.
"Then, bam!" Nora slammed the table hard, but not enough to spill any drink or food. "He unlocks his semblance, draws the sword in the stone and becomes king of all mankind!" She began to laugh heartily. "And his majesty's first order of business is to make me the duchess of pancakes and waffles! All the butter and syrup will belong to me!"
Ren replaced one pancake with a single lettuce leaf. Nora didn't notice it until it was too late and the green leaf went down her throat.
"I'm dying!" Nora feigned choking. She landed on Jaune's lap, her hand on her forehead like she was a damsel from those dramas. "Think of me fondly, fearless leader. Once in a while, promise me you'll try to remember me."
Nora raised her hand, feigning her last moments as that hand struggled to reach Jaune's face. The fingers just barely touched the chin.
"If you ever a moment, spare a thought for me."
Nora's tongue out went out as her hand fell back on her stomach.
Pyrrha was the only one who gave a round of applause at the impromptu tragedy.
Ren had to exert effort just to get Nora to sit back on her seat. Nora was miraculously resurrected when Ren fed her a pancake.
That had been the most eventful moment of their early supper. Weiss continued her rant about how she would have to explain to her sister about their recent failure but Jaune's thoughts were more on other matters: his semblance namely.
One final shower and team JNPR readied themselves for an early night's rest. Tomorrow were the seniors' turn but they had no class; it might as well be an early weekend. Sleep early and wake up late; that's the best part in Jaune's mind.
/-/
Jaune felt himself being rustled awake. There a feeling that someone had held him and moved him. The light of night took its time to reach his eyes since his vision had been a blurry mess when he had opened them.
The windows were slightly opened and poor Ren was most exposed to the cold breeze. Jaune did the good thing and sneakily moved towards there and closed the window, making sure that the curtains didn't get in the way.
Night light fully giving clarity to his vision, Jaune noticed that the door had been slightly opened. He was sure that it had been closed, even locked. Nora's slamming of the doors must have been damaged it already. Jaune made a note to check that hypothesis.
He felt dry in the throat. He might as well get some water while he was at it. Jaune stepped out of the door, careful not to wake anyone. It wasn't odd for Beacon's students to step out of their dorms to drink. Though, some have thought ahead and filled their bottles and aqua flasks just for the night. No one who was far from the source wanted to go far and return thirsty again. Thankfully, team JNPR's dorm was close-by that it wasn't a problem.
Jaune wasn't the only one that was out there, apparently. Some student, wrapped in what Jaune assumes to be their blanket, was there in the hallway to. The student was hunched over and moved rather slowly.
"Excuse me." Beacon's halls were wide enough that Jaune could pass the fellow student.
He didn't get to travel far before he felt a sudden chill down his spine. Jaune turned around immediately. The student was gone!
Jaune rubbed his eyes. Was he still that tired? He must have been exhausted. But he was sure that there had been a student there.
Thumping noises where heard from behind Jaune again. He turned and found nothing. A vase had fallen, broken into many pieces.
Jaune readied his hands. He was no Ren nor was he a Yang. But he wasn't about to back out from any fight even if he didn't have his weapon around.
Then, candles were lit with violet flames. They were rather faint in their light. A mist surrounded Jaune's feet.
He stepped back. His eyes were on the ground. Candelabra were lit. Jaune's back had hit something.
A masked figure stared back. Blood-red eye stared back at ocean-blue. The other was a hollow space of black for the mask only covered part of the figure's face.
Jaune's aura couldn't get up in time before bladed fingers managed to just get past the cloth and skin. The figure pushed Jaune against a wall, attempting to push the blade further inward. But Jaune's aura kept it out and healed the wound.
"First, you deny me her," the figure said. Anger and frustration building. "Then, you deny her the goal that she falsely pursues. Not this time, Raoul. You will not take her from me. You cannot hide behind the pretense of being in the arms of another woman."
Ear-raping sounds were heard as the attacker sought to bury his blade-fingers into Jaune. But anger kept building at this failure.
"Even now?" the attacker said. One hand went on Jaune's neck and threw him on the ground. "Does God condemn me so that you are blessed with a semblance that could even keep a Servant at bay? Fine, then!"
A rope appeared in his hand. It had a knot in the end.
"I cannot stain these hands with your red, Raoul. But I can ensure that every breath imprisoned in those lungs of yours are set free. Soon after, so too will Christine be set free."
Jaune didn't get a chance to scream anything before the knot was around his neck. He couldn't break free from the tightness.
Vision blurred.
AN: Imagine trying to describe any of this to anyone who doesn't know RWBY or Fate.
"So Phantom of the Opera thinks that Snow White is a reincarnation of Christine and Joan of Arc of Raoul. So he tries to kill Joan of Arc despite the fact that Joan of Arc is in a relationship with Achilles. He managed to infiltrate the school run by the Wizard of Oz and the Good Witch of the South."
It's more fun to describe it that way, really.
