Another old fic I'm getting back to updating. Hope you guys enjoy.

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Yang stood alone in the team's dorm room, the soft glow of the mirror's light reflecting off the sheer fabric of her clubbing outfit. The tight, low-cut black top clung to her in all the right places, and the skirt – short enough to make Weiss faint – highlighted the strong curve of her hips. Her signature golden locks cascaded down her back in thick, perfect waves, catching the light like spun sunshine. She adjusted the neckline a little lower, smirking at her reflection.

"Alright, Blondie," Yang whispered, striking a pose and flexing one arm to check the tone in her biceps, "You're a total knockout. Absolute weapon of mass seduction." She laughed to herself at the wordplay. The puns would be the slam dunk to this whole thing.

She gave herself a wink, turning to the side and running a hand down her hip, letting out a low whistle at the way the skirt swayed with the movement. If Jaune wasn't practically drooling by the time she walked into the cafeteria, then Beacon's entire population of guys must have been blind.

"Seriously, why's this even a competition?" she muttered to herself, fluffing her hair with both hands as she struck another pose, "Ruby's cute and all, but she's, like, a walking puppy. Weiss? Please, she probably sends Jaune invoices for emotional support. And Blake? Pfft." Yang smirked wider, rolling her eyes, "Blake's hot, sure, but moody catgirl chic's not for everyone. Jaune's a guy – and what guy doesn't wanna hang with the fun, sexy blonde?" She gave her reflection finger guns, tongue clicking behind her teeth, "Bam. Instant girlfriend material."

This wasn't even her full power. This was just the casual clubbing outfit. If this didn't work, she had The Dress in the closet – the one she only pulled out for extreme emergencies or breaking hearts at Signal back when she used to crash their parties.

As she twisted, checking every possible angle, Yang flexed one more time, eyes narrowing with satisfaction. Jaune wouldn't stand a chance. Pyrrha could be Miss Mistral four years running and Ruby could hog his lap with her puppy-dog eyes, but in the end, raw, untamed sex appeal would win out. And who was hotter than her?

"Yang Xiao Long," she declared, smoothing out the front of her top, "future girlfriend of Jaune Arc." She struck another pose, tilting her head slightly, "I mean...why wouldn't he want me?" she said aloud, one brow quirking thoughtfully as her reflection held her gaze, "I'm the whole package. Killer looks. Fun personality. Strong. Can punch a Nevermore in the face and still look good doing it."

Jaune liked strong girls, didn't he? He followed Pyrrha around like a lost puppy for months, and Yang definitely had more muscle than Pyrrha in the right places. Plus, she had better hair. No contest. She smirked.

Her gaze dipped slightly, looking at the hem of the skirt. Okay, maybe it was a little much for a casual visit to the cafeteria, but this was war. The others weren't pulling any punches, so why should she, "Alright, Jaune," Yang whispered, running a finger along the neckline of her top, "You're about to experience the full force of the Yang Xiao Long charm offensive. May the best girl win."

She spun on her heel, grabbing her jacket as she flung it over one shoulder. She didn't bother buttoning it up – the whole point was to show off, not cover up.

The rest of her team wasn't back from their library study session yet. Ruby was still recovering from her "sleepwalking accident," and Blake and Weiss were too busy plotting their next moves to pay attention to her. Perfect timing.

As Yang stepped toward the door, she grinned to herself, picturing Jaune's inevitable reaction. His jaw would drop. Pyrrha would glare. Ruby would pout. Weiss would huff and try to act like she wasn't jealous. And Blake? Blake would probably just keep reading her book – but even she'd sneak a glance.

"Time to remind Jaune why blondes have more fun," Yang purred, shutting the door behind her.

The cafeteria was as bleak as ever. The Vale council's cost-cutting measures were evident in every dry bite of the uninspired meals. Students hunched over their trays, quietly lamenting their fates, their spirits crushed by the relentless monotony of meatloaf and green gelatin. It was an atmosphere of shared misery, thick enough to attract Grimm if anyone dared to express their frustration too loudly.

But then the doors to the cafeteria swung open with a flourish, and Yang Xiao Long strode in like she owned the place.

Heads turned. Conversations trailed off mid-sentence. The dim, hopeless energy shifted, like a cloud parting to let through a single beam of golden light. Yang's heels clicked confidently against the tiled floor, her jacket slung over her shoulder to perfectly frame the killer outfit she'd spent a good thirty minutes perfecting. She smirked as she caught the stares.

'Yeah, that's right, people. Drink it in.'

Most of the students immediately looked away, trying to focus on their sad trays of meat and potatoes before the simmering collective jealousy got out of hand. A few braver souls kept staring, jaws slack as Yang sauntered through the room like it was a runway.

Her eyes zeroed in on her target: Jaune Arc, sitting at their usual table with an untouched tray of food in front of him. He was chatting with Ren, who, surprisingly, seemed to be eating his meal without complaint, and Nora, who was making a valiant effort to animate the mood with a story that involved wild hand gestures and the occasional explosion sound effect. Pyrrha sat nearby, occasionally glancing at Jaune with an expression that screamed "conflicted crush," while Blake and Weiss were notably absent - probably still scheming.

Perfect. No Ruby to cling to him like a barnacle, no Weiss to swoop in with her 'generous offers.'

Yang's smirk widened, and she made her move.

"Hey, Vom- uh, Jaune!" she called, loud enough for most of the room to hear. A couple of heads turned in confusion, but she didn't care. Her voice carried all the confidence of someone who knew she'd already won.

Jaune looked up, startled, and then smiled sheepishly, "Hey, Yang. Uh, didn't you say you were going to take it easy today after yesterday's workout?"

She waved him off as if the question was beneath her, "Eh, I heal fast. Besides, I've got something way more fun planned tonight, and you're coming with me."

Nora raised an eyebrow, intrigued, while Ren continued eating as if nothing unusual was happening. Pyrrha, on the other hand, looked like she'd just been slapped with a fish. Her eyes flicked between Yang and Jaune, trying to process what was happening.

"Uh...fun?" Jaune repeated, clearly trying to keep up.

"Yeah, the club in Vale," Yang said, stopping in front of him and planting a hand on the table. She leaned in slightly, giving him a perfect view of her smirk - and, not coincidentally, the neckline of her top, "Music, dancing, drinks - you, me, and a night to remember. What do you say?"

Jaune blinked, completely caught off guard, "Wait, like...a nightclub?"

"That's the one," she said, standing up straight again and flipping her hair over her shoulder. The golden waves shimmered under the harsh cafeteria lighting, making her look like a goddess descending to mingle with mere mortals, "I've been meaning to check it out, and I figured I'd bring my favorite partner in crime."

"I...uh..." Jaune hesitated, scratching the back of his head. He looked genuinely torn, glancing at Pyrrha as if seeking permission, which only made Yang's grin widen.

"Great!" she said before he could muster an actual response. She clapped him on the shoulder, the force of it almost making him drop his fork, "I knew you'd be up for it. You're always up for an adventure."

"Wait, I didn't actually - "

"I'll meet you down there," Yang interrupted breezily, already turning on her heel, "Be ready by eight. And wear something nice, okay? No onesies."

She sauntered away before Jaune could protest, her hips swaying just enough to make her exit as eye-catching as her entrance. Behind her, the table was silent except for Nora's stifled giggle and Pyrrha's barely audible growl. She could feel Ren glaring daggers at her back, but she ignored him. Snooze and you lose.

Yang couldn't have been more pleased with herself. She'd played that perfectly. Sure, Jaune hadn't explicitly said yes, but hesitation? That was basically consent in situations like these. He wasn't the type to back out once plans were made, especially not with someone as irresistible as her. She allowed herself a quiet chuckle as she left the cafeteria, already planning her next moves. Jaune would meet her at the club, and she'd make sure he had the time of his life. By the end of the night, he'd be completely smitten, and the others wouldn't stand a chance.

After all, who could compete with the full force of Yang Xiao Long in her element?

And just in case, she'd start prepping the dress. She wouldn't need it tonight - this outfit would do - but if Weiss or Pyrrha tried to escalate? Well, she'd bring out the big guns. Literally.

The night had all the makings of a triumph as Yang stood outside the club in Vale, her outfit dazzling under the neon lights. She'd dressed to perfection, and even made sure to fluff her hair with her best shampoo to give it that extra oomph. Her confidence was sky-high, and the backup plan, the dress, stayed tucked safely in the closet for now. She wouldn't need it. Tonight, she was going to win Jaune Arc over with charm, wit, and undeniable allure.

Well, and maybe a few subtle hints. She grinned, imagining his dorky expression as he realized she wasn't just being friendly.

Her first hiccup came at the door.

Strike One: The Bouncer Bribe

Yang had approached the bouncer with the usual swagger, fully expecting her natural charisma to get them inside without a hitch. Unfortunately, the towering, no-nonsense man guarding the entrance wasn't buying what she was selling, "ID," he rumbled, his voice so deep it practically shook the ground.

Yang flashed him a dazzling smile, casually leaning against the velvet rope, "C'mon, big guy. You really think I'm not old enough to handle a club like this?"

The bouncer stared at her, unimpressed, "ID."

"I'm a Huntress-in-training. I fight Grimm every other day."

"Grimm don't serve you drinks." Damn, now she was wishing they did, "ID."

"Alright, alright," Yang muttered, fishing out her scroll and handing over her ID. As he inspected it, she decided to test the waters, "So, how about letting my friend and me in for free tonight? We're kind of a big deal." She gestured to Jaune, who was standing awkwardly behind her, "Shit, you're probably getting extra customers just 'cause I'm here."

"Big deal, huh?" The bouncer raised an eyebrow, "Fifty lien."

"Wait, what?" Yang frowned, "You're charging me extra?"

"Cover charge," he replied flatly, "Plus...'big deals' get the expedited service fee."

Jaune started to open his wallet, but Yang slapped his hand down and glared at the bouncer, "Expedited service fee my a-"

"Sixty lien," he added, deadpan.

Her eye twitched. She was so tempted to see if the guy had Aura, but she was on a date tonight, "Fine. Whatever." Yang handed over the cash, biting back a string of creative insults. The bouncer pocketed it without a second glance and waved them through. As they stepped inside, Jaune gave her an apologetic smile.

"You didn't have to do that," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "I would've paid for both of us."

"Oh, please," Yang scoffed, "You're my guest tonight. No way I'm letting you foot the bill."

Strike Two: The Dancefloor Misfire

The club was alive with flashing lights, pounding music, and a crowd of people moving in perfect rhythm to the beat. Yang's spirits soared as she took it all in. This was her domain. She could handle this. Weiss might have had that snooty charm and P-Money could

After a quick drink at the bar (Yang ordering something bold, Jaune sticking to soda), she grabbed his hand and led him to the dancefloor.

"C'mon, Arc," she called over the music, "Time to show me what you've got."

"I told you, I'm not great at this!" he said, laughing nervously.

"Relax! Just follow my lead."

To Yang's surprise - and mild annoyance - Jaune wasn't bad at all. He actually had solid rhythm, moving in sync with the music and drawing the attention of a few nearby dancers. Yang stepped up her game, adding a little extra flair to her moves. She wanted to make sure she was the only one catching his attention tonight. That she was the one on top.

She spun closer to him, her outfit shimmering in the light, and gave him a smirk, "Not bad, Arc. Didn't know you had moves like this."

"Seven sisters," he replied casually, spinning her back out, "They made me practice for weddings and stuff. Had to learn ballroom, salsa, and a bit of freestyle."

"Ballroom, huh?" Yang teased, leaning in, "Guess I should've brought my gown."

Jaune laughed, the sound genuine and warm, but his obliviousness to her flirtation was starting to grate on her nerves. She leaned in closer, her hand brushing his arm, "You're full of surprises, you know that?"

"Thanks, Yang. You're a great dancer too!" Her smile faltered at his friendly tone. Seriously?

As the music changed to a slower beat, Yang decided to escalate. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder, pulling him in closer, "How about we take it down a notch? You can show me some of that ballroom technique."

Jaune blinked, tilting his head in confusion, "I mean...this isn't really the right tempo for waltzing, is it?"

Yang stared at him, incredulous, "Seriously, Jaune? I'm trying to-"

Before she could finish, a passing waiter tripped over someone's outstretched foot, sending a tray of drinks flying directly toward her. Even with her Huntress instincts, Yang barely had time to react before she was drenched from head to toe in sticky, fruity cocktails, messing up her hair and making her outfit cling tighter in a non-sexy way.

The music didn't stop, but the ripple of laughter from the surrounding crowd felt deafening. Jaune immediately stepped forward, pulling off his jacket to offer her, "Are you okay? Here, you can use this to - "

"I'm fine," Yang said through gritted teeth, waving him off.

Strike Three: The Disaster Date

After her impromptu shower, Yang decided to cut her losses. She convinced Jaune to sit with her in a booth near the back of the club, far from prying eyes. She was determined to salvage the night. Sure, the bouncer was a jerk, and the dancefloor had been a bust, but she still had her secret weapon: charisma. She'd charm him with her wit and her undeniable personality.

And puns. Lots and lots of puns.

"Thanks for sticking with me," she said, flashing him her trademark grin. Sticking with her? Get it?

"No prob." He laughed, "It's been fun so far!"

Yang tilted her head, "Even with the drinks incident?"

"Well, yeah." He chuckled, "Stuff happens, right? Honestly, it's kind of nice to get out and do something different. I don't usually come to places like this."

"Oh, really?" Yang leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand, "What - or who - do you usually do, then?" She fluttered her lashes up at him

Jaune shrugged, the innuendo flying clear over his head, "I dunno. Hang out with the team, watch movies, cook sometimes."

"Cooking, huh?" Yang smirked. The reminder of that feast he made had her stomach grumbling, though the music thankfully drowned it out. Hunger pangs weren't sexy, "You know, a guy who can cook is pretty rare. Maybe you should make me something special sometime." Her voice was low and teasing.

Jaune grinned, "Sure! I'd love to. I've been meaning to try making soufflé. You can be my taste tester!"

Yang blinked, momentarily thrown off, "Uh...yeah. That sounds...great." The oblivious smile on Jaune's face made it clear he had no idea she was flirting. He genuinely thought she was interested in his cooking experiments. She groaned inwardly.

By the time they left the club, Yang's confidence had taken a serious hit. Jaune waved goodbye with that same goofy grin, completely blind to the blonde bombshell who wanted his hands all over her grill and her grill.

Yang stood outside the club, sticky, frustrated, and wondering how the hell she was supposed to get through to this guy, "Alright, Arc," she muttered to herself, flicking a stray strand of sticky hair out of her face, "You win this round. But I'm not done yet."

It was time to bring out the Big Guns.

Yang sat at her bed, glaring at the small collection of old board games and trading cards she'd dug out from the bottom of her closet. A faint scent of nostalgia clung to them - slightly musty from being buried for years. She picked up a worn Fight Monsters card and turned it over in her hand, suppressing a small smile at the sight of the cartoon Grimm plastered on the front.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," she muttered under her breath, brushing her hair back. It wasn't her usual style. She wasn't the "game night" type anymore. That part of her life was long buried under layers of parties, motorcycles, and bar fights. She was Yang Xiao Long, the coolest chick in Beacon and the nightmares of authority figures everywhere. She wasn't some...nerd sitting in a corner with a trading card deck.

But desperate times called for desperate measures.

If Jaune was too dense to pick up on her usual charm, she'd just switch tactics. The guy loved nerd stuff. Board games, fantasy novels, card games - you name it. Hell, Ruby practically dragged him to every comic store they passed. And if Ruby - her adorable baby sis without a hint of sex appeal - could charm him with their shared interests, then so could Yang.

No one - no one - was taking Jaune's cooking and magic hands away from her.

So what if she had to tap into her old Signal nerd side to win this battle? It wasn't something she was proud of. Back in Patch, before she was the golden goddess of Signal, Yang had been that kid - the one who spent hours playing board games, collecting monster cards, and hoarding BnB rulebooks like they were treasure. It wasn't a life she'd flaunted, but it had been fun. Until she realized her true calling in life, of course.

She glanced at the stack of rulebooks. Critical Chaos. Dungeon Wars. She even found an unopened booster pack for Fight Monsters. Dark memories of times long past came back. Back when she'd been Sevina the Rogue and she'd betrayed her party. Twice. Hey, it was their fault! She was a literal backstabber! It was all part of the roleplay.

Yang sighed, turning over the cards in her hands, "This better be worth it," she muttered.

The next day, Yang found Jaune in the library, quietly flipping through a book on tactics. Or at least, he looked like it. Yang saw the comic book between the pages. She had no idea why he had to try and pretend to look busy and smart. And she didn't really care, "Hey, Jaune," she said casually, pulling up a chair next to him.

Jaune looked up, smiling, "Hey, Yang. What's up?"

"Nothing much." She slid a deck of Fight Monsters cards onto the table and raised an eyebrow, "Unless you're up for a match."

Jaune blinked, then looked at the cards, "Wait...you play Fight Monsters?"

Yang shrugged, acting like it was no big deal, "Used to. Back in Signal. Figured I'd dust off the ol' deck and see if I've still got it. You in?"

Jaune grinned, his eyes lighting up, "Sure! I didn't know you were into this stuff."

Hooked.

Yang pulled out the board and cards, setting everything up with the confidence of a pro. Which she was. Back in Signal, she was undefeated. Oh, people tried, they really did, but they all fell at her feet. She was the Queen of Cards. Literally, it was a title and everything. She still had it trademarked.

The first round went well enough. Yang played aggressively, but Jaune held his own, countering her moves with a solid defense. She managed to eke out a win in the end, and Jaune clapped for her like a good sport, "That was awesome!" he said, smiling, "You're really good at this."

Yang smirked, "Told you I was a natural. Ready for round two?"

Jaune nodded, and they shuffled the decks again.

The second round was where things started to unravel, not that she realized it at the time...

Yang's competitive streak took over, and the playful banter shifted into something sharper. She wasn't just playing to win anymore: she was playing to crush. Every time Jaune made a move, she countered it ruthlessly, stacking attack cards and combo effects like she was setting fire to his deck. Memories of the bitter, angry tears of her opponents back during her Signal years made her grin. In this field, she was more invincible than Pyrrha in tournaments.

When she won again, she leaned back in her chair, smirking like a villain, "Too easy. C'mon, Arc, I thought you said you were good at this."

Jaune laughed awkwardly, "I'm just warming up."

By the third round, Yang was in full-on hypercompetitive mode. She played every card like it was her last, interrupting Jaune's moves with increasingly smug commentary,

"Oh, a defense card? Cute. Too bad I've got this. Bam, destroyed. Gonna cry?"

"Another combo? That's adorable. Here's a counterattack, plus three more attack points for good measure."

"Really? Are you just giving me your monsters? Well, I'll take em! And now they're eating at your life points!

When she won that round, she threw her arms up, grinning like she'd just conquered Remnant, "And that, Jaune, is how you dominate a match! Boo-yah!"

Jaune scratched the back of his neck, looking slightly uncomfortable. Ah, whatever, he just wasn't used to seeing a Queen in her domain, "You, uh...you're really into this, huh?"

Yang grinned, completely missing the awkward tone, "What can I say? I don't do things halfway."

The fourth round was when she crossed the line.

Yang summoned her most powerful monster: The Bloodthirst Goliath. It had more than enough attack points to obliterate Jaune's remaining defenses and win the match outright. And why wouldn't it? It was a class S card. Most tournaments even banned it from use, but she said nuts to that! She earned this card! She spent weeks of allowance on those card bundles! It was gacha before gacha.

One direct hit, and it was over...but why stop there? "Oh, man," Yang grinned, placing a buff card on Goliath, "Boosts his attack by ten. That's not bad."

Jaune blinked, "Uh...you already have enough points to-"

"And I'm activating Overdrive Frenzy." Yang slapped another card down, smirking as Jaune watched his defenses crumble, "Doubles his attack. Ooooh, and if I chain Grimm Instinct to it, I can stack another ten points on top."

"Yang, you don't-"

"Oh, don't forget Savage Howl! Adds three more attack points per defense card on your side." She cackled, stacking more cards on her already stacked deck.

"Yang, you can just - "

"AND," she said dramatically, dropping her final card with a flourish, "I'll trigger Devour, which wipes out half your deck and gives Goliath another five-point boost for every card sent to the graveyard. That brings him up to - let's see - sixty-two attack points!"

Jaune stared at the board. His last monster barely had three. It was overkill in the best way. Yang leaned back, smirking, "Alright, time for Goliath to attack and- oh, wait." She fanned herself dramatically, "Would you look at that? I almost forgot to activate Final Roar. Adds one last strike after the main attack. Just in case you had anything left to defend yourself."

Jaune blinked slowly, staring at the mountain of cards she'd stacked over the course of three glorious minutes. He put his cards down and stood up, "That was fun, Yang," he said, forcing a smile. Wait, why was he forcing it?! "But I think I'm good for today. I just remembered Pyrrha wanted to spar."

Yang laughed awkwardly, suddenly feeling like she screwed up somewhere, "Aw, c'mon! Don't be a sore loser, Arc. We can go one more round. I'll even go easy on you!"

Jaune grabbed his deck, waving it dismissively, "Nah, you won fair and square. I'll catch you later."

Yang watched him leave, a sinking feeling in her stomach. She sat there for a moment, arms crossed, before glancing at the board and the sixty-two attack point monster towering over Jaune's obliterated field, Her smirk faded.

"...Oh."

Yeah.

She might have gone overboard.

The soft hum of Beacon's dorm lights flickered overhead as Ren sat cross-legged on the floor, the large, glossy brochure for the Vale Hot Springs Resort spread neatly in front of him. His calm, calculating gaze traced the scenic images of steaming baths and lush mountain backdrops, pausing on a section advertising private open-air spas. Beside him, Nora lounged lazily, her chin propped on her hands as she kicked her legs back and forth, humming softly. The brochure was clearly Ren's project, but Nora had long since decided that whatever plan he was cooking up, she was absolutely on board.

"Ooooh, look at this one!" Nora grinned, pointing at an image of a luxurious spring overlooking a lake, "Full spa treatment, mountain views, and all-you-can-eat snacks. This one's got Jaune written all over it. Bet he'd melt like butter in those baths."

Ren nodded thoughtfully, flipping the page with quiet precision, "That's the idea. A little relaxation away from Beacon, somewhere quiet where we can unwind...and maybe bond a little more than usual."

Nora elbowed him lightly, wiggling her eyebrows, "Ohhh, bonding, huh? You're really leaning into this seduction plan."

Across the room, Pyrrha sat perched stiffly on the couch, hands clasped together in front of her. Her expression had gone from politely concerned to outright scandalized as she listened to their conversation unfold. After several more minutes of hushed planning, she finally leaned forward, unable to hold it in any longer, "Ren," Pyrrha said carefully, her tone hovering somewhere between disbelief and restraint, "don't you think this is a little...excessive?" She forced a tight smile, as if trying to appear more reasonable than she felt, "I mean, inviting Jaune to a hot spring just the three of you? That feels a bit much, don't you think?"

Ren didn't even look up from the brochure, casually circling another package with a red pen, "I disagree. Jaune works hard. He deserves to relax. This is for his benefit."

Pyrrha's eyes narrowed, her polite façade starting to fray at the edges. Every lesson she'd ever had about staying polite and respectful was steadily beginning to fall to the wayside, "If this is really about Jaune's wellbeing, then why are you so intent on making this such a big thing? Why not invite myself and team RWBY too?" She didn't like the idea of them being near Jaune, but at least if they were all there then they wouldn't make any progress.

At this, Ren's gaze finally lifted to meet hers, calm but sharp, like he had been waiting for her to say exactly that, "Because this isn't about Jaune," he replied simply, "It's about you."

Pyrrha blinked, visibly thrown off, "What...What do you mean by that?"

Ren's tone didn't shift, remaining as measured and even as ever. She hated it, "For all your talk about doing what's best for Jaune, you're really just trying to keep him for yourself. You're not worried about the trip being excessive. You're worried we might actually get closer to him before you do."

Pyrrha straightened defensively, her cheeks flushing faintly, "That's not- I mean, I just- I don't think manipulating him into a hot spring getaway is the right way to- "

Nora cackled from her spot on the floor, cutting Pyrrha off mid-sentence, "Oh, come on, Pyr! At least Ren's doing something about it. You've been sitting on those gooey feelings for a year now, waiting for him to magically figure it out."

Pyrrha opened her mouth to protest, but Ren spoke up again before she could, "She's right," he said plainly, flipping to another page in the brochure, "You've had plenty of opportunities, Pyrrha. And yet here we are."

"I-I'm just waiting for the right moment," Pyrrha stammered, her voice raising slightly as she tried to defend herself. It wasn't her fault! She just…wanted to ensure that she didn't ruin her relationship with him by confessing prematurely! Imagine having to partner with him for the next four years if he said no?! "Jaune isn't...ready. I don't want to rush him into anything."

Ren's expression remained unreadable, though his lips twitched ever so slightly, "Jaune isn't the one who's not ready," he replied smoothly.

Nora let out an exaggerated gasp, leaning dramatically onto Ren's shoulder, "Oooh, he got you good."

Pyrrha groaned, sinking back into the couch and burying her face in her hands. She peeked through her fingers a moment later, shooting Ren a half-hearted glare, "I can't believe you're doing this. I thought you were supposed to be the calm, rational one!"

"I am calm and rational," Ren replied, his voice almost too serene, "That's why I'm planning ahead. I prefer not to sit around hoping things will work out on their own." The subtle judgement in his words made her flinch. Pyrrha had always been headstrong and aggressive in the arena, never afraid to take risks, but outside of it? That was a completely different story.

Nora, still practically buzzing beside him, nudged the brochure closer to Pyrrha with a wide grin, "You could always come with us, you know. But, uh, you might need to book your own private spring. No offense, but Ren and I have plans."

Pyrrha groaned louder, dragging her hands down her face in frustration, "You're not helping."

"I'm not trying to," Nora chirped, "Look, I'm not really in this to seduce Jaune or anything. But Ren's all serious about it, and if he's going, then I'm going too. Someone's gotta make sure you don't crash our romantic getaway."

Pyrrha's head shot up, her expression desperate, "It is not a romantic getaway!"

Ren calmly circled yet another section of the brochure, his gaze never wavering, "That depends entirely on Jaune."

"Ren," Pyrrha said, leaning forward again with pleading eyes, "you can't honestly think this is the best way to win Jaune over. He's not...that kind of person." And did he even like men? The only one he showed attraction to was Weiss all those months back…though, Weiss certainly had the chest of a man.

Pyrrha flinched at the sudden, nasty thought. Gods, his massages and cooking were making monsters of them all.

Ren finally looked at her, tilting his head slightly, "Pyrrha," he said quietly, his expression the epitome of calm understanding, "You snooze, you lose."

Nora pointed at Pyrrha with both hands, nodding enthusiastically, "Yup. What he said. Better luck next time, Pyrrha!"

Pyrrha's shoulders sagged as she stared at the two of them, looking more like a parent dealing with unruly children than the proud Champion of Mistral. She pressed her palms against her temples, as if physically holding in the rising panic, "This isn't happening," she muttered under her breath, "I'm going to wake up, and this will all be a strange dream."

"Oh, it's happening," Nora sing-songed, plucking the brochure from Ren's lap and waving it in front of Pyrrha's face, "You can come to terms with it now, or you can spend the weekend wondering what we're doing with Jaune in a cozy little mountain lodge."

"Nora, please, there's no need to brag. It's unseemly."

"Right! Sorry, Ren!"

Pyrrha let out a long, exasperated sigh and slumped deeper into the couch, "I hate you both," she mumbled.

Ren returned to his brochure, unbothered, "I'll take that as a no on sharing the spring."

Poor Yang. There's a reason she didn't tap into her nerd side before. She's the sore winner type.

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Question:

1. Any suggestions for Blake? She was supposed to show up this chapter, but I'm pretty mixed on her plan. Originally, she was just gonna go full Catgirl then call Jaune racist when he wasn't into it, but I think that might be lame. Any other ideas you guys have? I'm open to anything since she's the one I have the vaguest idea on. Any tips would be appreciated!