Annoyingly, I'm still a little out of it with the sickness, but not enough to stop me writing.

Cover Art: Solace O'Autumn

Chapter 50

Had his Semblance informed him his "criminal enterprise" would be teaching a young girl how to play the guitar, Jaune thought he wouldn't panicked quite so much. The eleven-year-old girl tilted her head back as she sized him up, trying desperately to look down her nose at him. It wasn't easy for her.

"So…" Jaune began. "Chae-young, is it? That's a pretty name. Does it mean something?"

"It means graceful flower," the girl replied. She sounded a little annoyed by it. "But you may call me honourable master!"

Jaune's eye twitched. "How about Chae?"

"No!" The girl stamped her foot. "My father call me that."

It was just like a child to offer complaints but no solutions. Jaune held back a sigh, reminding himself this was less a job and more him being forced to do this or suffer the consequences. He couldn't afford to be picky.

"Well, I can't call you master if I'm the teacher."

Her green eyes narrowed. "I'm not calling you master. How do I even know you're good enough?"

"Isn't it enough your family picked me?"

"Pfttt. No. My family just picks random teachers off the internet and throws them at me. It's not like any of them were good." The tiny girl crossed her arms and turned her head aside, giving him the side-eye. "There's only one way to prove yourself worthy."

Obviously, he'd have to play—

"Show me your guitar."

Or not.

"What?"

"Your guitar, doofus!" The girl rolled her eyes. "A warrior can tell another warrior's strength from their weapon before they even cross blades. A brilliant musician can do the same just by seeing another's instrument!"

It was said with so much confidence, so much surety, that he didn't have the heart to tell her that not only was that nonsense, but that a girl who apparently couldn't even play the guitar in the first place wouldn't count as a brilliant musician. In the end, he decided to humour her and unzipped his case.

Chae-young seemed dismissive of the case itself, the thing being a cheap felt zip-up one from Menagerie. He could see her own off to the side, leather embossed with gold and silver, and probably lined inside with velvet. He was grateful for his seeing as how Mrs Belladonna had bought it for him as a gift, and it did a more than good enough job. After all they'd done for him, he wasn't about to replace it.

As for the guitar… well… it was the same as his old one but for the obnoxious prints of Guitar Cutie's face all over it. The branded, merchandise-coated thing was a monstrosity, and any legitimate musician would have died a little inside to see it.

Chae-young huffed. "Okay," she admitted. "S—So you have good taste. That doesn't make you worthy of teaching me."

Jaune made a mental note to get around to killing Nora at some point for unleashing his female alter-ego on the world and corrupting so many impressionable young people. To think he'd gone and ruined a whole generation.

"You're a fan of Guitar Cutie, then?"

"Of course. Who isn't? She's the coolest woman on Remnant."

Jaune Arc. Coolest woman on Remnant.

Damn it, Nora.

"Your job," she said, pointing at him imperiously. "Is to show me how to play guitar as well as her so I can be a famous musician beloved by millions."

That might be a tall ask, but it was probably just the tall dreams of a child. If his job was just to teach her a few chords and a song or two, he could probably pull it off given time. He hadn't learned the traditional way, with a tutor, but it couldn't be too hard to show her a few things and help her out.

"How much do you already know? How long have you been practicing for?"

Chae-young's eyes slid away.

Her silence was not comforting.

"Didn't Bon-hwa say you had instructors before me?"

"T—They weren't good enough. All they kept doing was make me play a single chord! They wanted me to learn stupid things like lullabies. I have to learn rock and roll—" The girl struck a pose holding an air guitar, "—not how to put babies to sleep!"

"Right. But those lullabies were probably meant to be practice because they're easy for beginners."

"I don't have time to be a beginner!" she interrupted, stomping her foot down again. "Teach me one of Guitar Cutie's songs!"

It was a good job he'd grown up with little sisters because her bratty attitude would have sapped at his patience. It was doing a good job already, especially since he didn't want to be here. Jaune forced a patient smile. "I understand that's what you want, but you have to start with simpler songs. You can't just jump into the complicated ones like that."

"How can you know if you don't let me try?"

"Because it's just the way things work." A little frustration crept into his voice. "Do you even know the chords used in any of her songs?"

"I've looked up the tabs online."

Tabs. Damn it. It wasn't like he hadn't practiced from those as well, but only once he learned the chords the normal way first. A lot of people saw them as cheat sheets, and they were in a sense, but if someone learned a song by tabs alone then they'd only know that song. It wasn't something they could transfer over to another.

"What's with that look? I'm good, okay?" Chae-young scowled at him as only a spoilt little princess could. It was like Weiss but worse. "Maybe the reason you don't want to let me try is because you can't play her songs. That's it, isn't it? You're not good enough to play any of Guitar Cutie's music." The girl uncrossed her arms and flounced past him. "I'm going to tell Bon-hwa to get rid of you and find me a real teacher! Bon-hwaaa!"

Damn it! Jaune winced at the shrill cry, knowing it'd be taken the wrong way and people would be running to see if she was safe. The girl knew it, too. This must have been her way of trying to get rid of him. But if I can't do this, what will they use me for? They might try and make me do worse criminal stuff! Damn it, there's no choice!

With his guitar already out, Jaune's hand took the neck while his other hit the strings. He had no plectrum to hand, but his fingernails struck hard. Being electric-acoustic, it had a tiny amp of its own inbuilt, ensuring that the sound that came out was like a tinny electric guitar.

With seconds to choose, Jaune went with the most recent song of his – or hers – that Saphron and Terra had released. It was a ridiculous rock song with a heavy metal-style solo in the middle that he threw himself into. It even had two guitar squeals – a pinch harmonic to any real musician, but Chae-young would probably know it more as a squeal. He squealed from low to high and back again, then brought both hands down to dance the fingers of both hands across the highest frets.

Chae-young's jaw hung open as the heavy metal solo echoed around the room.

The door opened and Bon-hwa stuck his head in. "Young lady, is there a problem—"

"No!" Chae-young placed both hands on his face and shoved the hardened criminal back out. "Go away!" She slammed the door on his face, then came running back to Jaune. "Again!" she begged. "Do it again!"

Oh, so now she cared to listen. Jaune rolled his eyes and did as she wanted. It definitely looked like she responded better to this than any logical statements he could make. As the solo ended for the second time, he was oddly pleased with the reluctant admiration on her face. It didn't make a lot of sense since she was a massive fan of his alter-ego, but it still felt good to prove her wrong.

"So, now that you're sure I can play good music—" He enjoyed her embarrassed flush. "How about we get on to teaching you a few chords?"

"No. Teach me that song."

Not a chance. It was far too complicated. Jaune bit back a sigh, knowing it would infuriate her, and went for a compromise instead. It was what worked on his youngest sister. Well, about fifty per cent of the time anyway.

"How about this? I'll spend the first half of our lesson teaching you the chords used in one of Guitar Cutie's most famous songs—" The first he made which just so happened to also be the simplest. He'd been newer to the guitar back then after all. "—and then we'll spend the second half of the lesson putting them together and teaching you that song."

Green eyes sparkled up at him. "Really? No lullabies? No stupid slow songs?"

"Those will help you improve…"

Her eyes narrowed.

"—but since you're such an amazing student, I'm sure we can skip straight to rock."

"Yes!"

This child was going to be the death of him.

/-/

He spent a good four hours teaching the girl. As promised, she sat through the chord practice for the first hour and a half, doing her best to learn the three major chords used in the first song he – as a she – had released. It wasn't learning them that was hard, but she had to get a grip for transitioning quickly between them, and it didn't help that her small hands struggled with the wider neck of the guitar.

To her credit, she kept trying. His own sister would have gotten bored a while ago and asked to do something else, and even the most studious of eleven-year-olds would only be expected to have a music lesson lasting a single hour.

Now if only he could praise her manners half as much as her work ethic…

"I know the chords already! Teach me the song!"

"When can I start playing the real thing?"

"The plectrum feels weird."

"I don't want to take a break; my fingers don't hurt that much."

Eventually, he let her have her way and moved on to teaching her the song, if only because he expected her to grow frustrated at her slow progress and see things his way. One of those things proved true. Chae-young's angry scowl grew larger and larger as she stumbled through a song too complicated for her, but she stubbornly refused to admit it and kept going. Spite, it turned out, was a great motivator for practice.

But spite nor stubbornness allowed her to master a song she wasn't ready for.

Jaune played along with her, at a slower pace, letting her see and hear how it was meant to sound. Her chord transitions were jagged, sometimes missing a string or misplacing a finger, and she'd yet to get a hang of using the plectrum to strum with. Occasionally, she hit too many strings, or too few, and often off-pace with what the song demanded.

It wasn't awful for a first attempt but it certainly wasn't good either.

In the end their impromptu music lesson ended not because she allowed it to, but because the door opened and Bon-hwa stepped in. Jaune glanced his way but Chae-young ignored him. However, she couldn't ignore the woman who came in after.

Raven-black hair was tied up at the back into an ornate bun with strands artfully hanging loose and curled into loops. Bright blue and green beads hung from them, and an ornate tiara of green stones wrapped in silver lay across her brow. Her clothing was similarly extravagant, with tightly wrapped satin green and gold, wrapped in a traditional style for Mistral. She looked like someone straight out of a period Mistral historical drama, some noblewoman or princess.

"Lady Chae-young," Bon-hwa spoke. "The honoured lady Ha-rin has come to collect you for your etiquette lessons."

Chae-young kept her eyes and hands on her guitar. "Don't wanna."

"Daughter," the woman spoke, her voice elegantly cold. "Do not speak in so vulgar a manner."

Jaune choked. "D—Daughter…?"

The woman, apparently Chae-young's mother, seemed to understand his shock was because she looked too young to have a daughter her age. Her smile was just a little pleased as she stepped up. "Indeed. I am Ha-rin. It is a pleasure to meet my daughter's new music teacher."

"Yes. It's an honour." This was still a dangerous criminal, or she might have been the trophy wife of one. It was best to be respectful either way. He offered a hand. "Jaune Arc. Your daughter is a hard worker."

"When she wishes to be."

Ha-rin eyed his hand a little distastefully but accepted and shook it. He got the feeling he'd been meant to show his manners some other way. Bon-hwa didn't look angry, so Jaune supposed he'd gotten away by playing the dumb foreigner card. The woman's smile fell as she eyed her daughter. A sigh slipped out.

"Daughter, are those jeans under your robes…?"

Chae-young froze. She'd been sitting cross-legged to rest the guitar in her lap, but she hurriedly tucked her feet under her. "Um. No…?"

"And boots inside, I see. How many times must I tell you—"

"Does it matter…?" Chae-young asked, quietly. "It's our home. No one is going to see."

"Yes. Yes, it does matter. You are my daughter. You have a reputation to uphold. Put away your toys now and come. You promised to try your hardest in your etiquette lessons if we found you an acceptable music teacher. Unless you are going back on your word and would like to be rid of him…?"

"No!" Chae-young scrambled to her feet and bowed at the waist to her mother. "I'll do it! I promised!"

"That's a good girl." Ha-rin watched as her daughter carefully put the guitar back in its fancy case and clicked it shut. "I'll expect to hear nothing but praise from your etiquette instructor. And then you have mathematics followed by dancing and floral arrangements."

Chae-young grunted unhappily. "Stupid flowers."

"What was that, dear…?"

"Y—Yes mom. I'm—ah."

"Hmm?" Ha-rin caught her daughter's hand when she turned, pulling it up to her face. "What is this? Your fingers are bloody."

"It's just a cut. It'll heal."

A callus. Jaune had plenty on his fingers and they were a natural part of learning any string instrument. Metal wire pressing into soft skin often led to it even if the songs weren't particularly fast. His father had them from wielding a sword, and he'd been told anyone in manual labour ended up getting some just by virtue of working hard. But Ha-rin clicked her tongue.

"You should take more care of your hands, darling. A woman's hands should be soft." Her eyes took in Chae-young's scowling expression. "As should her face. Wipe away that look. A young lady such as you should smile and be presentable. What will the young men think if you are frowning all the time?"

"Mom, I don't care what they think. I don't—"

"Are you forgetting our agreement, dear? I can take your instrument and your teacher away."

Chae-young gulped. Slowly, a brittle and overly exaggerated smile appeared on her face. Jaune had to admit the little girl was cute, but that didn't mean she looked happy. Her mother, on the other hand, seemed pleased and let go of her.

"That's better. Say goodnight to your teacher. He's been very polite in mentoring you today."

"T—Thank you for teaching me," Chae-young smiled at him, bowing from her waist. It looked like she'd decided to be on her best behaviour, so Jaune decided to be polite back. It was only fair, even if she was only doing this because her mother was making her.

"It's no worry. You've been a very passionate student."

For some reason that seemed to upset her mother. He'd really thought it a polite response.

"You'll come around tomorrow, won't you…?" Chae-young asked him. "To continue our lessons…?"

It wasn't like he had a choice. "Of course. Practice tonight, okay?"

"I will!"

"Ahem?"

"If… If I have time for it…"

"I'm afraid my daughter has a busy schedule ahead of her, teacher." Ha-rin didn't address him by name, and he could sense the hint in her words that he was dismissed. "But you shall return tomorrow to continue her instruction so long as Chae-young dedicates herself to her many lessons."

Jaune bowed and looked to Bon-hwa for help.

"I shall show him the way out, lady Ha-rin. Please have a pleasant evening."

Jaune quickly followed the man with his guitar case over his shoulder. The two women let them go, Ha-rin dragging Chae-young deeper into the building as the guards outside closed the door. Bon-hwa took him across the gardens.

"Did I do something wrong back there?" asked Jaune. "I didn't mean to offend anyone."

"You comported yourself well; I do not expect there will be any complaints as to your demeanour."

"Is there anything I should keep in mind in future? If that's okay to ask?"

"It is acceptable." Bon-hwa answered without looking back. "Lady Ha-rin is the wife to the organisation's leader, as you may have surmised. You should not offer her your hand in the future. You are not worthy of it."

"I'm sorry." Jaune winced. "Should I apologise to her?"

"There is no need. Lady Ha-rin could obviously see it was ignorance rather than ill-manners. You are not from here and do not know our ways, so you will be afforded more patience than most." Bon-hwa was silent for a long moment, then added, "You should also not grow too attached to the Lady Chae-young."

"I'm just teaching her as you told me to. There's nothing untoward there."

"Not like that. I meant that you should not have complimented her hardworking spirt."

"Is that another cultural thing I'm missing…? I thought it would please her mother. It'd be considered a compliment from where I'm from."

"No, it's not cultural, and it would have pleased her in any other situation. But this…" He paused, seeming to ask himself whether he should answer, before deciding to go ahead with it. "You doubtless noticed that Lady Chae-young is only receiving these lessons as a bribe to ensure she works harder in other, more important subjects. Lady Chae-young's father humours her, but it is Lady Ha-rin who has the ultimate say on how her daughter is raised, and Lady Ha-rin does not believe the guitar to be a suitable instrument for a young lady to learn. This compromise worked out by her lord husband is to Lady Ha-rin's displeasure."

It was a bribe, then, as he'd thought. It wasn't like his own parents hadn't bribed him and his sisters plenty of times, be it to perform chores or do well in school. There was always a standing reward structure in the Arc household surrounding exams. Nicholas and Juniper had always set the rules that while failure wouldn't be expressly punished, success would be rewarded – and they were generous enough with the rewards that Jaune and his sisters had always tried a little harder in school. That didn't feel like it was the case here, not if Chae-young's mother was against it.

"Is there any risk of me being drawn into family drama…?"

"Not really." Bon-hwa sounded faintly amused at the thought. "You have been brought in to perform a service and for someone to act against you, it would shame them greatly. Lady Ha-rin will not risk her daughter and husband's ire by slighting you, and she is not so impolite in the first place. As for Lady Chae-young, she can be immature at times but she will not pit you against her mother. She knows how that would end."

Jaune had to ask. "How would it end?"

"With you relieved of your position and she relieved of her beloved instrument. You are a music instructor. You are not going to be locked in cement and thrown in the ocean if she cannot learn from you. We are an organised criminal family, and rampant murder is bad for business. Do your job and you shall be fine, whatever happens between Lady Chae-young and her mother."

That was good to know, though probably not ideal. If they couldn't make use of him then they'd call Little Miss Malachite's debt back into question, and then he'd be made to do other things. Given a choice between teaching a spoilt mafia princess the guitar or having to smuggle drugs across a border, he knew which he was going to take.

"I'll do my best to teach her all I know."

"Hmm." Bon-hwa hummed. "You need only do as much as would be expected. Lady Chae-young is eleven, and her interests wane quicker than the phases of the moon. This would not be the first hobby she has picked up and then dropped. As long as you humour her until that time, your debt shall be considered to be fulfilled."

"That sounds easy enough!"

"Yes, well, you're a musician. It's not as if we could have you perform any greater service for the family. Had you been a huntsman, our leader might have found you more suitable work. As it is, this is the best way to make use of your skills." Bon-hwa stopped at a large wooden gate. "This is the exit. Return to here tomorrow at one in the afternoon. The guards shall be instructed to lead you to Lady Chae-young. Do not attempt to wander the compound alone."

Jaune turned and bowed to the man as he'd seen others do, and Bon-hwa returned it, but with a lesser bow. The two men on the gate held it open for him and Jaune stepped out into Mistral once more.

"Well… that was easier than I expected."

/-/

"Well," said Pyrrha. "That was easier than I expected."

"Tell me about it. I've half a mind to just do the best I can to teach her and call it job done," Jaune said, in a better mood than he had been the day before. "Sure, she's spoilt and demanding, but between one snobbish girl and a criminal empire, I think I've lucked out."

"It sounds like it. And you have experience with young children."

"Hm. Though Amber wouldn't have gotten away with her attitude for even a moment."

"I'm surprised this girl has to be honest. They sound like a very traditional family, and I've heard those can be impossibly strict in Mistral." Pyrrha pulled a face as she said it. "My dad told me horror stories about how his parents were. They have really old-fashioned ideas."

"What like?"

"Well, my grandmother said I should stop fighting like a boy and start learning to cook and clean so I can find a good husband."

"Yikes!"

"Yeah." Pyrrha rolled her eyes. "But she is almost eighty so I just smile and tune her out. My mom and dad support me and run interference when they can, and I think grandpa has gotten used to the idea this is what young people do nowadays. But even he doesn't like it. What about your grandparents?"

"Never met or known them. Mom was an orphan of Mountain Glenn and dad… well, he's never mentioned them." Jaune shrugged. "They could have died before I was born for all I know. Dad never talks about his family, but he works so much that it could just be that he wants to spend time with us whenever he's back home. Not wasting time talking about other people."

Or they could just be dead to Grimm. That was just as likely.

"There is one thing that worries me…" Pyrrha said.

"What?"

"Well, if this is all so easy that you can just teach her music and call it done, then why did your quest not give that as an outcome? It says the only routes are being a criminal, getting the police involved, or taking over the crime family. There's no route that says teach a young girl music and peace out."

That was a good point.

A very worrying point in fact. Maybe his quest just hadn't updated. Jaune paused, as if to silently give it a chance to realise its mistake and promptly offer him the "music instructor" route with a suitable title and questline. It did not. Criminal, takeover, police. The three choices remained as they had been, taunting him with their finality, and taunting them that none involved teaching Chae-young and leaving in peace.

His Semblance hadn't been wrong before.

Next Chapter: 8th December

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