Lots of snow and ice today for the first time this winter. The day before I have to drive to work once more.

Typical.

Cover Art: Solace O'Autumn

Chapter 53

"It's ultimately your choice what you do," Pyrrha had told him once she found out about the new quest, in a tone of voice that made it abundantly clear that there was a right answer and a wrong answer, and that he would be judged heavily if he made the wrong one.

Luckily, it was obvious which angle she sided with.

The same he did.

Screw levels. This wasn't a game and he wasn't living an RPG. Protagonists of those needed levels because they had to fight the BBEG and save the world. He didn't have that on his shoulders. If he wanted to tank opportunities in favour of his moral compass, he'd damn well go for it.

Though, privately, there was a part of him that approved of a moral choice system that actually felt weighted. He'd played way too many games where the good vs evil choice came with equal benefits on both sides, and where the choice was ultimately just for flavour. The fact that the bad choice here came with every reward under the sun and the good choice came with bugger all made it feel a lot more impactful. Not that it'd change his mind on supporting his student.

What kind of music instructor would he be otherwise!?

Cinder listened intently when he told her as well – but she was much more interested in the discoveries he and Pyrrha had made with regards to his Semblance.

"So, the gloves do work but only if the person you're using them on can hear you. That makes sense." Cinder rubbed her chin. "And it's hardly a dealbreaker."

"Deal breaker for what?"

"Oh, the gloves being a worthwhile gift. That's all." She was all smiles. "I was worried we'd wasted your time with them."

"Oh, no. I really do appreciate them. They've been good at helping Chae-young as well, but now I'm worried I won't be able to help her at the main event – and it's coming up soon."

"Do you fear for your safety?"

"Not there, specifically. I get the feeling I'll be safer if she performs poorly. It's what her mother wants."

"Then what's the harm?" she asked, waving a hand in the air. "You've done your best and it wasn't enough. It's hardly your fault if she fails at this point; hold your head high and move on."

It was the reasonable answer, even the logical one, but Jaune didn't like it. "I don't want to leave her like that, Cinder. It isn't fair."

"I agree. It isn't. Her family have tricked her into this. However, it's not your responsibility to fix it, only to give her a good shot at being able to do so herself – and that's what you've done. I doubt the girl will blame you either."

"Maybe…"

Jaune sank into the seat in Cinder's dorm. Mercury and Emerald were out, and the school was still in a state of shock since the sudden and unexpected death of its headmaster. Jaune still couldn't believe that a man who looked so healthy could have died so easily. Then again, he also couldn't believe Cinder had gained another level – but maybe that just went to show how incredible the tuition at one of the four great academies could be.

"What were your parents like?" he asked.

"Mine…? They… They were good, from what little I remember of them. They cared about me." Cinder frowned. "The woman who adopted me after I was orphaned did not and made that clear on numerous occasions. Why?"

"Sorry. I didn't know. I'm just trying to understand what pushes a parent to want to humiliate their child in order to force their compliance. Not even Willow did that and she wasn't exactly mother of the year to Winter, Weiss and Whitley."

"The Schnee? I had heard. No matter. Not everyone wants to be a parent. Or, if they do, it doesn't work out as they imagined it. I'd be an awful one myself."

"I don't know about that. You could be a good one."

Her brow rose. "What makes you think that?"

"Well, you've experienced both the good and the bad yourself. You'd know what not to do."

Cinder chuckled, her eyes closing. "Perhaps. But I'm also too focused on myself and my… my career, I suppose. I've little time for parenthood and little interest in the acts leading up to it. Not that anyone has caught my eye as it is. I'm much too focused on my goals."

That seemed like a fine thing to focus on at their age – better to have a good job under you before you thought about starting a family. It was probably an even bigger thing for huntresses and huntsmen given they knew any children they had would have to contend with their parents' lower life expectancy. Nicholas had always known his wife would live on if he died on a mission, but when both parents were huntsmen that wasn't an option.

"I want to try something with your Semblance if I can," Cinder said. "It should benefit you. Are you game?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"We know you can improve performance in combat, fitness and even music. I want to know if you can improve planning as well. If you play for me while I try and come up with a plan to help you escape these criminals for instance, I want to see if the plan will be better."

"Hm. I'm not sure. I guess it should work." Jaune rubbed his own chin and considered it. "It feels a little weird to suggest my Semblance could put ideas in your head, but maybe it'd be more like helping you focus and come up with ideas on your own."

"That's what I think. You should be able to make me better at what I already am. So, are you willing?"

Jaune snapped his fingers and sounded a little percussive beat from the pads. "Sure. Let's do this."

/-/

Cinder set the papers down and smiled, deeply satisfied. The session had been oddly intense, enough so that she could feel the beginnings of a headache coming on. Jaune's Semblance had pushed her brain hard and she could feel it. Perhaps it was understandable it would cause some distress, as it was an outside force influencing her mind.

Making it keener, sharper, quicker.

It was one thing to find someone who could make her physically stronger, but mentally as well – that was too good to pass up. It validated her decision to kill Leonardo before he could alert Salem. Jaune was too valuable to be kept locked up in a tower playing music for a depressed and obsessive immortal.

"Did it work?" he asked.

"Yes, but I'll have to look over these plans in my own time," she told him. "It wouldn't do to jump into any of these. Give me a little time. Your real enemy is the Malachite group anyway, not this one you're teaching music to. We'll have a plan to deal with Lil Miss Malachite once you're done with this music performance."

"Damn. I was hoping you could help with that. Chae-young really needs it."

Cinder resisted the urge to snort. The girl would survive, and as cruel as her mother was, this was nothing compared to the matron who adopted Cinder. If the girl wanted freedom, she should take it with both hands. Burn her home down, kill her family, and move on. Anything less only proved she didn't want it badly enough.

"Just do your best by her and things will work out," she said. "No one can fault you if you try your hardest." Cinder pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'm going to have to take a break for now. Your Semblance worked but it gave me a headache. A side-effect, probably."

"I'm sorry. I'll not do it again."

"No, it's a worthwhile skill. Hold to it. Sometimes, a little pain is worth the benefit. Leave this with me." She tapped the papers. "I'll come up with something to help you with the Malachite woman."

"Right. Thanks, Cinder. I'll let you know how the performance goes."

"You do that."

Jaune stood and picked up his belongings before leaving. He knew the way in and out of Haven by now, and she knew he would be fine. Mercury and Emerald had orders to look out for him and intervene to save him if anything did happen with the crooks. He'd be fine – and he'd make the greatest ally she'd ever found.

Chuckling, Cinder picked up the papers. She would fulfil her promise and help him with the Malachite woman, earning his trust, but coming up with a plan for that wouldn't have made for an accurate litmus test. To see if his Semblance could boost her mental faculties, she had to compare the results under it to the results beforehand.

And now she had a brand-new plan for the destruction of Beacon and the fall of Vale, courtesy of Jaune's Semblance.

"Thank you very much, Jaune," she purred, leafing through it. "You're proving yourself worth every indignation."

/-/

It was frustrating Cinder hadn't been able to magic up an answer for Chae-young, but not too surprising. As she said, it wasn't her priority. The Malachite was the real problem, Chae being little more than a side-quest.

In the grand scheme of things, she didn't matter.

But this wasn't a game.

"No one can fault me if I try my hardest…" he repeated.

He'd been doing his best to teach her, even going so far as to cheat with his Semblance, but could it really be said he'd done everything he could? There was more to his skillset than buffing people. His Semblance was more than what he'd told Cinder it was, and there was so much more he could do.

Chae-young won't blame me if she fails, but she'll think I did everything I could. I'll know otherwise. I'll know there was more I could have done, but which I didn't because I wanted to keep my Semblance hidden.

And he wasn't sure he could deal with that.

Jaune flipped out his scroll and made a call.

"Who is this?" the woman on the other end answered, her voice as cold and sharp as it had ever been. "How did you get this number?"

"It's Jaune. Jaune Arc. Sorry about the line, but my old scroll is on the bottom of the ocean."

"What…?"

"It's a long story. Look, I need a favour."

"Do I owe you one…?"

"No. But I know you're going to Beacon in a few months, Weiss." Jaune smiled casually at the girl's suspicious face. Weiss Schnee was the last person he'd planned to get in touch with, but she might just be who he needed. "And I know you were keen to get on a team with Pyrrha. Pyrrha and I are working on something here in Mistral, and I know she'd be really appreciative of you helping."

"…" Weiss looked interested, despite her attempts not to. "I'm listening…"

/-/

"You got me Weiss Schnee!?" Chae-young shrieked, later that day when he showed up for their lesson. "You got me the Weiss Schnee to give me a lesson!?"

The guards around the room exchanged glances and smiles as the small girl trembled in absolute shock. Technically, he hadn't asked permission for this, but the guards could see this wasn't a threat toward their boss' daughter so they didn't stop him.

"Hmph. That's correct." Weiss' voice came from his scroll, propped up on its side so she could speak to the child. "Jaune tells me you're to perform in public in a little under a week, and he was worried you might have troubles. He asked me to give you some lessons on stage presence and dealing with nerves."

Chae-young was an obsessive fan of Guitar Cutie over anyone else, but that didn't mean she couldn't be starstruck by the second most famous female musician on Remnant.

"Squeeeeee!"

The various bodyguards chuckled to themselves.

"Yes, quite." Weiss rolled her eyes. "Now, performing is about more than just knowing and playing – or singing – a song. Anyone can sing, and a lot of people can sing well. If you really want to make a splash, you need to command attention. I've seen sub-par performers whip crowds into a frenzy, and excellent musicians struggle to gain so much as a cheer. A concert is fifty per cent music and fifty per cent atmosphere – maybe even more! They are there for a show, not just for the music. If you can steal the show, it won't matter if you make the occasional mistake."

Chae-young's head was nodding so fast it was a wonder she didn't break her own neck. Jaune slid away from the two girls, moving toward Bon-hwa, who had stayed around to see the results of this. The man raised an eyebrow at him.

"Quite the surprise," he said. "I knew you had performed with Weiss Schnee, but I didn't expect you had this much clout with her."

"I really don't. This is a favour I'll be paying her back for." He didn't need criminals thinking he could command Weiss Schnee. "Is it okay if we step outside? This is going to be hard on her if we're watching, and I don't want to intrude. Also, this lesson might be a little embarrassing for her; Weiss is going to have her doing performance tricks and Chae-young will feel self-conscious if we're all here watching."

"I suppose that's fine. There's little risk to the young lady's safety through a scroll lesson." Bon-hwa motioned to the guards, who nodded and began to leave. "Wait outside. I'll tell lady Chae-young to let us know when the lesson is over."

Jaune followed the guards out as Bon-hwa went to talk to Chae. The guards had only been there for fear of him – or less a fear of him, but that he might have ulterior motives through Lil Miss Malachite. Outside, he glanced around. There was no sign of Lady Ha-rin, but a few people were talking in the gardens. There was a pond off to one side, and a few trees and flowerbeds surrounding that. A black cat sat on the edge, its tail lazily swishing as it watched the fish dance beneath the surface. Jaune gravitated towards it with a look toward one of the guards for permission. The suited man nodded and gestured for him to go ahead.

The garden moved from grass to white gravel inside the immaculately presented little display. Jaune moved to the pond and knelt to look into it. Several fish swam toward him, semi-tame from being fed by the household. The cat leaned forward, its ears perking up.

Jaune glanced back to make sure Bon-hwa was still inside. He was being watched by the guards, but lazily. They were just keeping him roughly in view and not particularly afraid of what he might do to a koi pond and some flowers.

"Greetings to you," Jaune said, formally. "Might I ask your name?"

The cat's head snapped toward him, ear flicking up. It sat back on its haunches. "Well, well, well. Isn't this intriguing? I've never met one of your kind intelligent enough to be capable of speech. I am Lord Hastings."

Intelligent enough…

Only a cat could be so arrogant.

"Good day to you, Lord Hastings." Jaune bowed his head. "May I scratch your back?"

"You have my permission. Above the tail, if you will. Ahhh, that's it." The cat arched its back. "It's so very tiring to have people manhandle my ears. Spare a thought for the rest of my body, hm? So, what can I do for you? I doubt you came solely for the honour of touching my soft fur."

"My name is Jaune and I'm teaching Chae-young to play music. Are you aware of Chae? She's the youngest one."

"The kitten, aye. She gives good rubs."

"Yes. That's her. My job is to help her, but I'm having trouble because her mother is trying to stop her learning."

"Hmm. Surprises me not. Tis the duty of the mother to teach, and yet I have not once seen her teach her kitten how to hunt. I thought to take care of it myself, but the mother screeched when I brought a live mouse for the kitten to finish. Forced me outside." Lord Hastings harrumphed. "Negligent. How will the kitten survive alone if she does not learn to secure and kill her own food?"

"It's a good question, and I worry Ha-rin – that's the mother in our tongue – doesn't intend for her kitten to survive."

The cat's golden eyes fixed on him. "The mother intends ill for her kitten. What monstrosity is this? She has but the one – a small litter."

"I know. And when I'm trying to teach her, Ha-rin interrupts. Chae-young – the kitten – is being forced to do a live performance. She will have to show off her skills in… in hunting to other members of her pack. If she does well, she will be allowed to continue, but if she does poorly then she will have to submit to what Ha-rin wants of her."

"The first hunt. Yes, a key moment. When the kitten becomes an adult – their first hunt without aid. It is an important part in any feline's life. But, of course, it is the duty of the mother to ensure the kitten is ready to hunt." Hastings scoffed. "Insulting enough she has a tom like you do it for her. Has she wagged her tail in your direction?"

It took Jaune a moment to piece that together, and he blushed when he did. "No, no. I'm not… It's not like that. I'm more of a surrogate. I'm teaching because Ha-rin doesn't care to. And I came to ask your help—"

"What help can I offer? I have attempted to teach the kitten to no avail."

"I was hoping you might buy us time. You see, I'm worried that even if Chae-young does well, her mother might do something to sabotage her on the night of the performance – the first hunt. Scare off her prey or distract Chae-young so that she fails."

"Despicable."

"Yes. Very much so. That's why I wanted to ask if you could do something to hold the mother back." The feline looked curious, but not against the idea. "If you could spill drink on her dress, she'd have to go change. Then if you could cause a few more messes to distract her…"

"To allow the kitten a chance to hunt alone?"

"Yes."

"I could be convinced."

Bribed, he meant. Jaune was used to it from the birds, but at least a cat would be more likely to stick to any deal made. Or to remember it.

"I would gladly agree to a deal with you, Lord Hastings. Your word is one I would trust. What must I offer in exchange for your assistance? Fish? Food?"

"…"

The cat looked away.

"Is something wrong…?"

"It is shameful to say. Ah, but you will do anything, no?"

"Within reason."

"There is…" Lord Hastings let out a breath, and the words came in a rush. "There is a beautiful lady who pleasures herself in my view…"

Jaune's brain faltered. "Eh…?"

"Hair like spun gold, eyes as clear as agate, a body to die for." The feline circled itself and purred, its tail swishing. Jaune, meanwhile, was turning bright red. "I have been captivated by her mewls and drawn to her lustful sighs."

"Just to be clear," Jaune said. "This is a cat, right?"

"Yes. Of course."

"Thank goodness. And this feline – this lady – is one that has caught your eye?"

"Indeed. However, I am bound to my territory and she ever skirts the edges. Oh, how I long to speak to her and exchange poetry – but she never draws near when I am, only ever out of reach." He sighed longingly. "I would have you speak to her on my behalf, deliver a letter of my intentions and desires and ask her to meet with me under the moonlight."

He wanted Jaune to play matchmaker.

Between two cats.

"Sure. Why not? I'll help you with your fine lady-friend if you'll help me with Ha-rin."

"Then a deal is struck! I shall cause such chaos that the mother shall not dare show her face. Ah, but you will need to memorise my poem. To deliver to the golden angel that crosses the western border in the twilight. Are you ready?"

Jaune took out his scroll and pretended he was writing out a text for the bodyguards keeping an eye on him. They'd assume he was taking a photo of the cute cat, and no one would raise an eyebrow at him talking to one as if he could understand it. "I'm ready."

"Ahem. Your golden coat shines like the pale moonlight, catching mine eye and filling me with delight." Jaune tapped away. "My heart skips a beat when I see your hips sway, and again when with a rat's carcass you play."

Jaune looked up, raised an eyebrow, but kept writing.

Cat culture, he told himself.

"You ensnared my heart with your plaintive call, and fill my nostrils with joy when you peed on the outer wall." Jaune winced. "Such is why Lord Hastings can wait no longer, and I beg of you to meet with me – so we might sing all the stronger."

Jaune finished, and Lord Hastings waited.

"Good, eh? My finest poem so far."

"It's very emotional," Jaune said, diplomatically. "I'm sure she'll be stirred by it. I'll ask her to meet with you tomorrow night."

And he'd bribe the feline if he had to.

"In return, you'll run interference with Ha-rin."

"I shall. The mother shall not grace the kitten's first hunt. I dislike her as is. The kitten has more than once cried into my fur." The cat hissed. "She does not even feed off her mother and is made to sleep apart. A poor excuse for a parent. Unlike my sweet, golden angel. Ah, my love. How I long to sink my teeth into her neck as I sink myself into her—"

"Yes. Right." Jaune coughed. "I'll get on that right away—"

Gravel crunched nearby. "Are you speaking to someone, sir?"

Bon-hwa was back. Jaune stood.

"Just talking to this handsome cat," he said, smiling down at the feline. "He's very nice. Does he belong to the boss or to lady Ha-rin?"

"He was a stray that came here. The master of the household took a liking to him and let him stay. Security also took to him, and I do believe he is fed by just about everyone." Bon-hwa smiled faintly. "The only one who doesn't approve is Lady Ha-rin, but only because he was a stray. She puts up with him, however."

That might change after the performance. Jaune would have to make sure Hastings was okay.

"I've let the lady and master know of the change in plans for today," he continued. "Lady Ha-rin was disappointed at first but seemed quite pleased when she learned who was giving the lesson. Lady Ha-rin has even seen fit to allow her daughter the evening off to speak with Lady Schnee if she wishes."

Of course she was; even if she disapproved, this was Weiss Schnee. The value of her daughter having a personal relationship with her far outweighed any frustration she might otherwise feel. That was good. It would buy Chae more practice time.

"And her father?"

"Pleased with your dedication to teaching his daughter. I have been instructed to bring you to him to meet with him at last." Some of the panic he felt must have shown. "You needn't worry. This is an informal meeting."

"With the head of a crime syndicate."

"Yes."

"Will lady Ha-rin be there as well?"

Bon-hwa smiled faintly. "Perhaps you should worry just a little."

Next Chapter: 12th January

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