Jaune pushed open the door and stepped into the quiet room. The air inside was still, carrying a faint scent of fresh air and sunlight. Near the window, Amber sat in a cushioned chair, the light coming from the window catching the subtle highlights in her shoulder-length brown hair. Her light brown complexion seemed to glow in the warmth of the sun, her beauty mark below her left eye adding to the delicate symmetry of her face. Despite the scars that crossed her cheeks after her encounter with those people after her power, Amber exuded a calm strength that seemed almost serene... it was like the elements were favoring her.
She wore an off-white blouse with frill detailing along the shoulders and a brown vest with golden lining around the collar. Her dark brown corset matched the snug pants tucked into thigh-high boots with golden armor plating that gleamed faintly in the light. She held a book in her hands, its pages worn from frequent reading, though her attention flickered occasionally to the sleek Scroll beside her.
When Amber looked up and spotted Jaune, her lips curled into a warm smile. "Jaune!" she greeted, closing the book with care. "It's been a while."
Jaune's gaze swept around the cozy space, taking in the small details —the tidy desk, the neatly folded blankets, the stack of books on the nightstand. A grin spread across his face. "So," he said, feigning seriousness, "is Ozpin keeping you captive? Because if he is, I'm ready to bust you out."
Amber blinked at the sudden offer, then burst into a melodic laugh. "No need for heroics," she replied, shaking her head. "I'm being treated like a guest, not a prisoner. Honestly, after almost dying like that, I'm not complaining. It's given me a lot to think about. I might even consider traveling outside the Kingdoms for a moment a break"
Jaune nodded, his grin softening into a more genuine smile. "I'm glad to hear that," he said earnestly. "I just came by to see how you're doing."
Amber tilted her head, her expression playful. "Aww, you're so sweet, Jaune," she teased, laughter dancing in her voice.
Jaune rubbed the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.
Amber chuckled, her tone turning thoughtful. "You know, I've been wondering how things might've turned out if you didn't have your Semblance."
Jaune frowned slightly, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Amber set the book down on the table beside her, leaning forward as she crossed her arms. "If you hadn't been able to help heal me, they would've needed another solution. Most likely, they'd have found a way to transfer part of my powers to someone else."
The realization hit Jaune like a punch to the gut. His mind immediately went to the machine Amber had been confined in when he saw her. "The aura transfer machine was it?"
Amber nodded, her gaze turning distant. "Yes. They'd have needed a new Maiden. Someone they could trust, someone strong enough to handle the responsibility. They'd have chosen the best fighter among the students… maybe that Nikos girl."
Jaune froze. "Pyrrha?" he murmured, his voice quiet but laden with weight.
It made sense, in a way. Pyrrha was one of the strongest fighter that Beacon had. She was noble, disciplined, and had an innate sense of responsibility. But the thought of burdening her with something so monumental — it felt wrong. Pyrrha was already someone who carried so much on her shoulders even when she denies it with that polite smile of hers.
Amber seemed to sense his unease. "It would've been a heavy weight for anyone," she said softly.
Jaune's expression darkened, a rare edge creeping into his voice. Gone was the 'student' for a moment. "Ozpin and the others, if they have all these connections and resources, why couldn't they find another way to heal you?"
Amber sighed, her gaze dropping to her hands. "Healing the body is one thing, Jaune. Healing the soul… that's another matter entirely. What I went through — it left scars that no amount of medicine or technology could fix."
Jaune clenched his fists. "Still, there had to be something…"
Amber looked up, her eyes softening as she studied him. "You don't seem as surprised by all of this as I thought you'd be," she remarked. "The Maidens, the Infinite Man, Salem… I expected more shock, more questions."
Jaune hesitated, the words forming on his lips but refusing to come out. He thought about telling her — about the Ever After, the Rusted Knight, how that had irrevocably changed his life. But just as he opened his mouth, a single multi-colored leaf fluttered into view, gliding through the air as if in warning.
His lips were sealed.
Jaune froze, his train of thought derailed.
"Jaune?" Amber prompted, her brow furrowing.
Shaking his head, Jaune forced a smile. "I've… been to some strange places," he said carefully, his voice steady despite the turmoil in his mind. "Places where things like this don't feel so out of the ordinary."
Amber regarded him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "Remnant's a big world," she said finally. "I suppose there are places outside the Kingdoms where these things might seem normal."
For a while, silence stretched between them, the kind that felt natural rather than uncomfortable. Amber picked up her book again, though she didn't seem as focused on its contents as before. Jaune leaned against the wall, his thoughts drifting like leaves scattered in the wind.
"Thanks for checking in on me," Amber said suddenly, her voice soft but sincere.
Amber watched him from her seat, her gaze softening. The light from the window framed her silhouette as she set down her book, tilting her head to study him.
"Though you seem… weighed down," she began gently, breaking the silence that had settled over them like a shroud.
Jaune looked up, startled by her observation, but he didn't deny it. He ran a hand through his blonde hair, streaked with those tasteful strands of white that made him look more weathered than he was. "It's nothing," he said with a shrug that was anything but convincing.
Amber frowned. "It doesn't look like nothing," she countered, crossing her arms. "I've heard bits and pieces from Ozpin and the others. Something about your friends being in trouble?"
The tension in Jaune's shoulders became more pronounced. He sighed heavily, his hand dropping to his side as he nodded. "Yeah," he admitted quietly. "They are. Yang and Blake — they're still in Menagerie. And things there… they're bad. Really bad. But there's nothing I can do without causing trouble."
Amber studied him for a long moment, her brown eyes thoughtful. "Nothing you can do?" she echoed. "Or nothing you think you can do?"
Jaune raised a brow, unsure where she was going with this. "I can't get there," he said simply. "The air and sea routes to Menagerie are crawling with Grimm. No one won't send ships. There's no way in or out without being seen."
Amber tapped her chin, her gaze growing distant as if turning over an idea in her mind. "So if you could go… undetected… would you?"
Jaune blinked at her, taken aback. "What?"
Amber leaned forward slightly, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "If you had a way to reach Menagerie without being noticed, would you take it?"
Jaune didn't hesitate. "Of course I would," he said firmly. "If there's a chance I can help them, I'll take it."
Amber nodded, seemingly satisfied with his response. She reached into her vest and pulled out a small piece of paper, handing it to him. Jaune took it cautiously, his eyes scanning the handwritten contact information scribbled across it.
"What's this?" he asked, his voice cautious but tinged with curiosity.
"A lead," Amber replied cryptically. "It's for a Rat Faunus. They're… resourceful, let's say. If anyone can get you to Menagerie undetected, it's someone like them. They don't work for free, though. You'll need to pay. Well, I heard you're friend with Schnee-heiress… so maybe she can pay for the bill?"
Jaune stared at the paper, turning it over in his hands. His brows furrowed as realization dawned on him. "A smuggler?"
Amber smirked. "If you want to put it bluntly, sure," she said with a shrug. "But outside the Kingdoms, they're your best shot. They know the routes, the risks, and how to slip past the eyes of those who would rather you didn't travel."
Jaune was silent for a moment, his thoughts racing as he considered the possibilities. He wasn't naïve; he understood the dangers of dealing with someone who operated outside the law. He had met a few when traveling with Master outside of the Kingdoms. But if it was the only way to reach his friends, to help them when they needed it most, how could he turn it down?
Amber's voice cut through his thoughts. "Look," she said, her tone softening. "I'm not saying it's a sure thing. Menagerie's a mess right now. Getting in will be hard enough, but staying unnoticed? That'll be even harder. You need to think this through."
"I will," Jaune assured her, tucking the paper into his pocket. "Thank you, Amber. This means a lot."
She gave him a small, wistful smile. "Just don't get yourself killed, okay? I'm kind of fond of you, Jaune."
He managed a weak chuckle, the weight on his shoulders feeling just a little lighter. "I'll do my best."
Amber watched as he straightened up, a determined glint returning to his eyes. As he turned to leave, her voice stopped him one last time.
"Jaune?"
He looked back at her.
"Good luck. I know you're not the kind to give up."
Jaune didn't respond immediately.
He simply nodded.
Weiss had always prided herself on her composure. It was a cornerstone of her upbringing, a necessity for surviving the cutthroat world of Atlas high society. Yet, standing in front of her closet and glaring at its meticulously arranged contents, she felt anything but composed.
"Why would he call me to the rooftop? The rooftop, of all places?" she muttered to herself, pacing back and forth.
The morning light streamed through her window, illuminating the dorm room she shared with her teammates. Ruby was fast asleep, curled up in a blanket like a burrito.
But her mind was a battlefield.
On one shoulder sat a devilish version of herself, arms crossed and smug as ever.
"Well, obviously, he's going to confess. Who wouldn't? You're Weiss Schnee. You're beautiful, intelligent, talented — practically the perfect woman."
On the other shoulder was another version of herself, smaller, wearing glasses, looking more self-critical.
"Don't be ridiculous! He's probably calling you up there to discuss something mundane. Maybe he needs your help with strategy… or homework… or oh no, what if he needs advice about Pyrrha?"
Weiss shuddered, the thought stabbing through her like a shard of ice.
"No, no, no. That's not it. It can't be it!" the arrogant voice insisted. "Look at yourself! You're stunning, aren't you? Of course, it's a confession!"
Weiss shook her head vigorously, trying to banish the imaginary devils, but the damage was done. Her mind was racing through possibilities, each more far-fetched than the last.
Did she look presentable? Her usual attire was impeccable, but was it too formal? Did it scream, I expect you to worship me at my feet? Was that bad?
"I need to look… approachable. Yes. Approachable but elegant. A balance of formality and charm."
She scanned her closet again, agonizing over every detail. After an embarrassing amount of time deliberating, she finally selected an outfit — a slightly more casual variant of her usual dress with subtle silver accents. She scrutinized herself in the mirror, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles.
"Perfect," she whispered.
Her thoughts, however, were anything but perfect.
"What if it really is Pyrrha?" the self-critical voice whispered. "What if he wants to ask you how to confess to her? You've seen the way she looks at him… And honestly who wouldn't want to confess to Pyrrha? She's so beautiful. Lovely! I can stare at her lovely bare figure all day and rub one ou-"
SHUT UP.
Weiss felt embarrassed by her own thoughts..
"Impossible!" the arrogant voice snapped. "Have you seen her? She's lovely, yes, but too predictable. He's calling you, Weiss. YOU."
Her cheeks flushed, and she shook her head again.
"This is absurd. I am not… affected by him. This is about something else. That's all!"
Yet, as Weiss left the dorm room and made her way toward the rooftop, her heart was racing. The steps felt longer than usual, and with every stride, the devilish voices in her head grew louder.
What would she say if he did confess? Should she play coy? Graceful? Aloof? All of the above?
Finally, Weiss reached the door leading to the rooftop. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she pushed it open.
The sunlight was dazzling, casting a warm glow over Beacon Academy's spires and courtyards. And there, standing near the edge of the rooftop, was Jaune.
His white-streaked blonde hair glinted in the sunlight, and his well-toned frame seemed almost sculpted by the light. He looked… Mature. Radiant. For a moment, Weiss felt her breath catch in her throat.
"Keep it together, Weiss," she whispered under her breath, coughing lightly to announce her presence.
Jaune turned, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Hey, Weiss! Thanks for coming."
She approached him with carefully measured steps, her heels clicking softly against the rooftop. "Of course," she said, her tone cool and composed. "What did you need to speak with me about?"
Jaune scratched the back of his head, his smile turning sheepish. "Well, it's kind of a big favor…"
Weiss's heart skipped a beat. Here it was.
He's going to say it now!
She steeled herself, ready to deliver the perfect response. But then Jaune continued.
"...I need a loan."
Weiss froze.
Her composure cracked. "Excuse me? A loan?"
Jaune grinned nervously. "Yeah. Uh… I kinda need it for something important. But, uh, I'm not able tp pay the fee…"
Weiss's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. This was not what she had prepared for.
"A… loan?" she repeated, her voice rising in pitch. "You called me up here, to the rooftop, for a loan?"
Jaune raised his hands defensively. "I know, I know, it's a bit unorthodox, but you're, uh, kind of my best option right now. And, well, you're Weiss Schnee, so…"
"So you assumed I'd just hand over my money?" she snapped, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and outrage. "MY LIEN!"
"No! Not hand over!" Jaune protested. "I'll pay you back, I swear! With interest!"
Weiss took a deep breath, her mind struggling to process the absurdity of the situation. "Jaune Arc," she began, her tone and eyes icy, "it looks like I misunderstood you!"
Jaune blinked, clearly confused. "Uh… What?"
Weiss's composure finally shattered like a pane of glass struck by a sledgehammer.
Jaune winced at her sudden outburst. "I know it's a lot to ask, but—"
"You called me up here," Weiss interrupted, her voice rising, "to ask me for money?!"
Jaune blinked, clearly confused by her reaction. "Well… yeah. I mean, I need it for something really important—"
"Unbelievable!" Weiss threw her hands into the air, pacing furiously. "I knew it! You're just like all the others! Trying to mooch off my family's wealth like some common beggar!"
"What? No! That's not it at all!" Jaune protested, holding up his hands defensively.
Weiss spun to face him, her eyes narrowing. "Then what is it, Arc? What's so important that you'd stoop to this level?"
Jaune hesitated, clearly unwilling to divulge the details. "It's… complicated."
"Complicated?" Weiss's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Oh, please. Let me guess. You need it for some grand, harebrained scheme that will undoubtedly end in disaster!"
"It's not like that!" Jaune insisted, his face flushing. "It's for something serious!"
"Serious?!" Weiss scoffed, clenching her fists, while also showing an expression of sadness, and disappointment. "I'll show you serious!"
In one swift motion, she drew Myrtenaster, the rapier gleaming menacingly in the fading sunlight.