Ruby Rose has a plan for World Peace. How? By giving Jaune a harem. Just roll with it.

Ruby was convinced she had stumbled upon the greatest idea in the history of Remnant. No, scratch that: the greatest idea in the history of everything. Forget inventing Dust, forget airships, and forget Crescent Rose's folding sniper-scythe functionality (okay, not really, but it was up there!). This was bigger. This was world-altering, kingdom-uniting, Grimm-obliterating brilliance. A plan that would lead to everlasting peace in all of Remnant!

And it all started with one person. Jaune. Ruby twirled around her room at Beacon, flopping backward onto her bed with a dreamy sigh. Jaune. Her boyfriend. Her boyfriend. Every time she thought about it, she giggled uncontrollably. Who would've thought? Sweet, dorky, clumsy Jaune who somehow become the center of herwhole world. They had been dating for three months, and every day felt like flying. It wasn't just the cheesy dates or the way he nervously held her hand like it was something fragile and precious. It wasn't even the time he tried to impress her by juggling apples and accidentally knocked out half the cafeteria lights.

No. Jaune made her happy. Really happy.

And that was when the thought hit her. If she was this happy dating Jaune, why not share that happiness with the rest of the world? Ruby sat upright, eyes wide with revelation. That's it. Her heart pounded in her chest as the pieces fell into place, forming a picture so perfect, so obvious, that she couldn't believe no one had thought of it before. The key to world peace wasn't more huntsmen, bigger weapons, or ancient magic relics.

It was Jaune Arc.

If she was happy dating Jaune, then clearly - clearly - the answer to solving all of Remnant's problems was for every huntress to date Jaune. It was foolproof! Ruby shot to her feet and began pacing the room, waving her hands dramatically like she was giving a world-saving speech to the United Council of Remnant.

"Think about it!" she shouted to the empty room, "If every huntress is dating Jaune, then no one will ever fight! Why would anyone want to start a war when Jaune is too busy making them all cookies or...or knitting them scarves!" She gasped, snapping her fingers, "Exactly! That's so Jaune! He'd overwork himself making gifts for everyone! But he'd do it with a smile because that's just the kind of guy he is." And she'd help, of course. She wouldn't want her boyfriend overworking himself.

Ruby spun toward the window, pointing dramatically at the distant horizon (and a bird that was hanging outside on a branch), "Imagine it - a world where every huntress is too busy going on cute Jaune dates to argue! The Grimm? Gone! Love will conquer them! Kingdom rivalries? Over! Who's going to start a war when they're all busy getting serenaded by Jaune on his guitar? He barely knows how to play, but he'd try, and that's what matters!" She still remembered when he tried to serenade her. He was awful, but Brothers, she loved every second of it.

She threw herself down on the bed again, staring up at the ceiling with stars in her eyes. She was a genius. The logistics didn't matter. The sheer brilliance of the plan transcended logic. Jaune could do it. He was that sweet. Sure, he might need some convincing, but Ruby would handle that part.

"All I need is a little push...and maybe a chart," Ruby mumbled, already visualizing a massive whiteboard labeled "Jaune Arc Relationship Initiative."

This was going to change everything. Once Jaune was dating everyone, there wouldn't be fighting anymore. Just 24/7 lovey-dovey relationships! Jaune would...

Ruby sat up abruptly, tapping her chin as she mulled over the next step in her master plan. Should she tell Jaune? Her initial instinct was, of course, to share this stroke of genius immediately. She could already picture the conversation: she'd find Jaune in the library, casually slide into the seat next to him, and drop the bombshell with the gravitas it deserved.

"Hey, Jaune. I think you're the key to world peace. No big deal."

She snorted aloud, kicking her feet against the edge of the bed in excitement. He'd probably laugh, get all flustered, and rub the back of his neck like he always did when she complimented him. It was adorable. But as soon as the thought solidified, Ruby frowned, flopping back down with a groan. No, that wouldn't work. Not at all.

Jaune was too humble.

The second she brought it up, he'd just laugh it off, mumbling something self-deprecating like, "Oh, Ruby, there's no way dating me could fix world peace! I can't even parallel park."

And that was the problem. Jaune wasn't the type to see how amazing he really was. Sure, he'd grown stronger, more confident over the years, but at the core, he was still Jaune. The guy who came up with dorky team attacks and thought that Pumpkin Pete Hoodie was super cool.

If she told him about the plan, he'd just deny it, "Ugh, you're too nice, Jaune!" Ruby muttered to herself, rolling over and hugging a pillow tightly. No, this was something she'd have to prove to him. She couldn't just explain it; she needed results. Cold, hard evidence that dating Jaune was the first step to global harmony.

Besides, if she casually arranged for a few test runs - maybe encouraging a huntress or two to spend some time with him - what was the worst that could happen? It was for the greater good! Ruby grinned, her eyes practically sparkling with determination. If Jaune wouldn't acknowledge he's the key to world peace, she'd just have to show him.

Her mission was clear. Now she just needed to figure out which huntress to recruit for phase one.

Ruby grabbed a notebook from her desk, flipping it open with the kind of flair that would make even Weiss proud, and scribbled at the top of the first page:

"JAUNE ARC: KEY TO WORLD PEACE MASTER PLAN!"

Underneath, she started jotting down names, mumbling to herself as she worked, "Alright, so we need a few good candidates to kick this off. Someone approachable, someone who'd make a good first step. Hmmm..." She tapped the pen against her lip thoughtfully before writing the first name.

Blake.

"Blake's super chill. She probably wouldn't mind giving this a shot. Plus, she's already used to dealing with awkward situations thanks to Sun. But...wait." Ruby paused, biting her lip, "What if she's too chill? Like, she doesn't get flustered or cute around Jaune. That could ruin the experiment!"

She crossed Blake's name off with a sigh, moving to the next candidate.

Yang.

"Okay, Yang would be...fun? Maybe? But she'd probably just end up teasing Jaune the whole time. And he'd be bright red in two seconds. Ugh, that's no good. He needs to be relaxed, not worrying about what joke she'll crack next." Jaune needed to be more confident first, to see that he really was the key to world peace. Yang would ruin that. No, she'd be part of the harem (it was harem, right?) later when Jaune was much more sure of himself.

Yang's name got a firm scribble, followed by another name.

Nora

Ruby crossed out the name as soon as she wrote it down. No chance she'd ever ditch Ren. Besides, Jaune said he saw her like a sister (from another mister).

Pyrrha.

Ruby's pen hovered over the paper for a moment, "Pyrrha would totally work. She's already close to Jaune, and she's super sweet. But...that feels like cheating. She'd probably say yes just because she's nice, not because the plan is working or she likes Jaune." Pyrrha's name got a soft, regretful strike-through. She frowned at the page, tapping her chin again, "Okay, come on, Ruby. Think. Who's perfect for this? Someone who-"

She froze, the pen slipping from her fingers as the obvious answer hit her like a freight train.

Weiss.

Her eyes lit up, and a grin spread across her face. Weiss. Of course! Weiss was perfect! "Let's see," Ruby said , sitting up straighter, "She's my partner, so she's around all the time. She's super elegant, which is great for the plan. And- oh! Jaune had that huge crush on her for forever!" She practically squealed, bouncing slightly in her chair, "This is it! Weiss is the perfect first step!"

Weiss had everything Ruby needed: proximity, familiarity, and the potential to make Jaune extra flustered in that cute, endearing way of his. And if Weiss could see Jaune the way Ruby saw him, that'd be proof enough for anyone that the plan was working! The Ice Queen who had her heart melted, it was classic fairytale! Besides, she and Jaune were getting along great now and Neptune ended up being a wash, so she was perfect for the rebound!

Ruby scribbled Weiss's name in bold letters, circling it with dramatic flair, "Okay, first step: convince Weiss. She's gonna love this. Totally." Ruby didn't even stop to consider that Weiss , heiress to the Schnee Dust Company and certified master of icy glares, might not exactly love being roped into her insane matchmaking scheme. No, Ruby thought confidently. Weiss would see the brilliance of the plan.

After all, who wouldn't want to help create world peace?

The next day, Weiss found herself being physically dragged down the hall by Ruby, who hadn't stopped talking since breakfast, "Ruby, I swear- " Weiss huffed, tugging at her arm in protest, "Where are you taking me? I have things to do!"

"Oh, don't worry, this is way more important!" Ruby chirped, practically skipping as she led Weiss toward their dorm room. She could pull her arm back, but a sense of morbid curiosity kept Weiss following along anyway.

Weiss shot her a skeptical glare, "Is this about that ridiculous prank Yang tried to pull last week? If so, I'm not interested."

"Nope! Bigger than pranks! Bigger than life!" Ruby said dramatically, throwing open the dorm room door and ushering Weiss inside. The moment Weiss stepped in, she froze. The room had been transformed. A white bedsheet had been stretched across one corner, pinned in place like a makeshift projector screen. On it were crude drawings of stick figures - one with messy blonde hair and a sword (clearly Jaune) surrounded by little red hearts. There were also more stick figures of Weiss, herself, standing on a podium that Ruby had apparently labeled "Goddess of World Peace." Next to it, a small, rickety table was piled with charts, diagrams, and what appeared to be a poorly constructed model of Beacon made from leftover pudding cups and pencils.

Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose, "Ruby. What is this?"

Ruby grinned like a child unveiling their first science fair project, "Weiss, you're about to witness the greatest idea in history."

Weiss glanced warily around the room, "I highly doubt that."

"Sit, sit!" Ruby pushed Weiss onto a chair she had conveniently placed in the center of the room, "Okay, presentation time!"

Ruby sprinted to the front of the room, holding up a homemade pointer stick. She flicked off the lights (plunging the room into semi-darkness) and turned on a small, wobbly projector she'd borrowed from the library. The screen flickered to life, displaying the first slide of Ruby's presentation.

The title read: "JAUNE ARC: KEY TO WORLD PEACE (AND YOUR HAPPINESS)"

Weiss stared at it, expression blank, "Ruby, what am I looking at?"

Ruby grinned, silver eyes shining "Let me explain!" She clicked to the next slide, which showed a crudely drawn Jaune, smiling with two thumbs up, "We can all agree Jaune is the nicest guy ever. I mean, look at him. He's sweet, loyal, and pretty good with a sword now! And, most importantly - he makes me so happy!"

Weiss raised an eyebrow, "Yes...I'm aware of your relationship." Mostly because she wouldn't shut up about it. She'd text Jaune long into the night, giggling like a lovestruck schoolgirl regardless of how many times she told her to just go to sleep already,

Ruby continued, undeterred, "Now, here's where the genius part comes in." She clicked to the next slide, which now showed Jaune surrounded by about twenty more stick figure huntresses, all grinning, "If Jaune makes me happy, then obviously, the best way to bring world peace is to make sure every huntress dates Jaune." She paused, "Some exceptions, of course. Nora's out."

Weiss blinked, "...What?"

Ruby nodded eagerly, pointing at the screen like she had just discovered the solution for Grimm, "Think about it! Happy huntresses mean less stress. Less stress means fewer fights. And fewer fights mean no more drama between kingdoms! The world will be too busy enjoying Jaune's cooking and dorky jokes to argue! It's foolproof." Weiss's mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. For a moment, she simply stared at Ruby as if trying to gauge if this was a joke. When Ruby's wide grin didn't falter and she continued to stand there, hands on her hips like she'd just revolutionized Dust mining, Weiss sighed heavily.

"Ruby...you cannot possibly believe this is a viable solution to global conflict."

Ruby clicked again, flashing a new slide that showed Weiss - specifically Weiss's stick figure - being lifted by a smiling Jaune while hearts floated around them, "That's where you come in! You're the perfect candidate to kick this off. Think about it, Jaune used to have a crush on you! You're practically his dream girl!"

Weiss crossed her arms, "Ruby. I refuse to participate in whatever this is."

Ruby wasn't listening, of course. She was on a roll, now gesturing wildly as she spoke, "You and Jaune would be perfect. I mean, you're both responsible, he's improved a lot, and you love complaining about things, which gives you tons to bond over! And imagine how cute your kids would be - little Weiss-Arcs running around, bossing everyone else like tiny diplomats!"

Weiss's cheeks reddened, "Excuse me?!"

"I know, right? Adorable!" Ruby grinned, clicking again. The next slide just said "PROS OF WEISS DATING JAUNE" in giant, bold letters, followed by bullet points like: "He's tall," "He bakes sometimes," and "Will probably write you a poem if you ask."

Weiss massaged her temple, "Ruby, I...I don't even know where to begin."

"Start with how genius this is," Ruby said 'helpfully'.

"That is not the word I was going to use." Weiss crossed her legs, her icy glare locking onto Ruby, "I understand that Jaune makes you happy, but that doesn't mean you can pawn him off to the rest of us like he's some kind of emotional support animal."

Ruby pouted, "It's not pawning him off! It's sharing. Sharing is caring!" Weiss stared, unimpressed. Her partner (and even thinking that word now made her frownd) shifted tactics, "Okay, what if we just do, like, a trial run? One date. Just a casual thing. We'll even call it research."

"No."

"I'll pay for it?"

"No."

"You'll get free dessert."

"...I can buy my own dessert."

Ruby groaned, dramatically draping herself over the desk, "Weiss, you're being difficult."

Weiss folded her arms, "No, I'm being reasonable. This is absurd, even by your standards. And need I remind you that Jaune currently has a girlfriend? Which is you!"

Ruby popped up instantly, "It's not cheating if it's for world peace!" Weiss's glare intensified, "...Fine," Ruby muttered. For a second, Weiss thought she'd finally gotten it through her partner's thick skull that this was futile before her mouth curled up, "I didn't wanna do this, but you're making me bring out the Big Guns."

Weiss raised a brow at her partner's smug, confident grin. She'd faced countless challenges in her life. Grueling combat exams, relentless family expectations, and enough awkward social interactions with Team RWBY to write a memoir. But none of that compared to the sheer lunacy that was Ruby's latest scheme.

Ruby was bouncing on the balls of her feet, her silver eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as she prepared to launch what she clearly believed was her ultimate weapon in this absurd crusade. Weiss sat stiffly in her chair, her arms crossed and her expression as neutral as she could muster. She sat stiffly in her chair, legs crossed and arms folded, as Ruby clicked through the last of her ridiculous presentation, "And finally!" Ruby spun around, eyes practically glowing with excitement, "There's the most important reason of all."

Weiss narrowed her eyes, "Ruby, if you say world peace again, I'm leaving."

"Nope!" Ruby said far too cheerfully. She leaned forward and whispered her next words like it was a dirty little secret, "Jaune gives headpats."

The room went dead silent. Weiss's fingers tightened slightly over her arm, but she didn't move, didn't react. For all the world could see, she considered Ruby's 'Big Gun' to be utterly rdiciculous and nonsenstical. Her expression remained perfectly neutral.

...At least on the outside. Inside, Weiss felt something deeply troubling.

Headpats.

A tiny traitorous part of her - the part she kept locked away alongside her weakness for rare Dust crystals, imported chocolates, and chicken wings - screamed in curiosity. Weiss prided herself on discipline and composure, but the mental image crept in against her will. Jaune Arc, awkward but genuine, ruffling her hair in that clumsy, affectionate way of his. Headpats had been denied to her ever since she was a young girl. Mother was too much of a drunk, Father was a cold-hearted sociopath, and Winter didn't believe in such open displays of affection.

Weiss grit her teeth. Absolutely not, "Ruby," she began, voice strained with barely concealed irritation, "I refuse to entertain the idea of dating Jaune simply because he...pats heads."

Ruby crossed her arms and smirked knowingly, "Ohhh? So you're considering it?"

Weiss's eye twitched, "That's not what I said."

"I think it is, Weiss." Ruby leaned forward, practically glowing with smug assurance, "Don't try to deny it. I saw that flicker in your eyes. You thought about it."

"I did not."

"You did."

Weiss exhaled slowly through her nose, fighting the urge to launch Ruby and her absurd charts out the window, "Ruby, this conversation is absurd."

Ruby shrugged, but her grin didn't fade, "Look, I'm just saying...Jaune's headpats are like legendary. It's scientifically proven to lower stress. Yang's had one before. Blake, too. They said it was life-changing."

Weiss raised a skeptical brow, "Blake said that?"

"Well," Ruby hesitated for just half a second, "She purred, which I think is close enough."

Weiss's grip on her arm tightened further. Traitorous thoughts kept invading. Sure, Jaune wasn't the most graceful or skilled person she knew, but there was...something about his kindness. How he always managed to lift people's spirits, even without meaning to. The idea of him casually patting her head with that bright, goofy smile was so stupid, so completely and utterly foolish. And yet, her stomach twisted in a way that made her profoundly uncomfortable.

Finally, Weiss sighed and straightened her posture, casting Ruby a long, cold look, "I might - and I emphasize might - be willing to hear more. Hypothetically."

Ruby's entire face lit up like a kid on their birthday, "Yes! I knew it!"

"But," Weiss added sharply, lifting a finger to silence Ruby's inevitable victory dance, "I'm not agreeing to anything yet. And if Jaune ever hears about this conversation, I will deny it to my grave."

Ruby mimed zipping her lips, but the smug grin stretching across her face made Weiss instantly regret giving even the slightest ground.

"Don't look so pleased with yourself," Weiss muttered, brushing imaginary dust off her sleeve.

"Oh, Weiss." Ruby's eyes twinkled with uncontainable mischief, "You've just taken the first step toward happiness. I'm so proud of you." Weiss rolled her eyes, but somewhere deep down - very deep down - she felt the tiniest flicker of curiosity she couldn't quite snuff out.

Jaune considered himself a pretty simple guy. He didn't need much to be happy: a good meal, some quality time with his friends, and Ruby holding his hand as they strolled through Vale's streets. So when he knocked on the door of Team RWBY's dorm to pick Ruby up for their date, he wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary. Maybe Ruby would launch into one of her cute, rambling tangents and gush about her new upgrades for Crescent Rose. Standard Ruby stuff.

What he wasn't expecting was for Weiss Schnee to throw open the door instead, stepping into the hallway with the calm authority of someone about to finalize a business merger, "Jaune," Weiss greeted coolly, nodding as if acknowledging the presence of a butler.

"Uh...hey, Weiss. Is Ruby ready?" Jaune asked, peering over her shoulder. Things had gotten between between them ever since he learned to take No for an answer, but they didn't exactly go out of their way to spend time with one another. They were more than acquaintances but less than friends.

Ruby popped up from behind Weiss, waving enthusiastically, "Hey, Jaune!"

"Oh good, you're both here," Weiss interrupted, cutting Ruby off with a graceful flick of her hair, "Perfect timing. Shall we?"

Jaune blinked, "Shall we...what?"

"Go," Weiss said, as if the answer were obvious. She stepped beside him, looping her arm through his in one smooth motion. He nearly jumped in surprise at the sudden gesture, "I assume you have a reservation somewhere nice. Let's not keep them waiting." Jaune froze, his mind going completely blank as he stared down at the pristine white sleeve now hooked around his elbow. Weiss was holding his arm. Behind them both, Ruby gave him a huge grin and two thumbs up.

"What is happening right now?" Jaune whispered, glancing between the two girls in panic.

Ruby leaned in, cupping a hand around her mouth like she was about to share state secrets, "Just go with it. It's for world peace."

'World peace?' Jaune thought

Weiss tugged him forward before he could press for answers, "Come on, Jaune. We don't have all day." His legs moved on autopilot, stumbling slightly as Weiss led him down the hall like they'd been dating for years, like this was all normal. Jaune shot Ruby one last, desperate look over his shoulder, but all she did was giggle and wave.

What was happening?!

Ten minutes later, Jaune sat stiffly at the cafe they'd planned to visit. Except instead of a cozy two-person date with him and Ruby talking about the latest Crimson Huntress comic, Weiss was seated directly across from him, elegantly sipping a cup of tea as if this was a diplomatic meeting. Ruby sat beside her, practically vibrating with excitement as she shoveled cake into her mouth. Neither of them acted like this was weird.

Jaune stared at the two, waiting for someone to explain. When neither did, he coughed to get their attention, "So...Weiss," he said awkwardly, fidgeting with his spoon, "You're joining us today?"

Weiss set her teacup down with a soft clink, "Yes. Is that a problem?"

"No! I mean- uh, no, not at all. It's just..." He glanced at Ruby for help. She stuffed more cake into her mouth and shrugged innocently. No help there. Jaune scratched the back of his neck, feeling the nervous sweat start to build, "I just thought...you know, Ruby and I were gonna- "

Ruby leaned over suddenly, whispering in his ear like she was spilling state secrets, "Pat her head."

Jaune blinked, "What?"

Ruby nudged him, "Pat her head, Jaune. Trust me."

Jaune's hand hovered awkwardly over the table as he tried to process that sentence. This felt...strange, even by Team RWBY's standards. But Ruby was his girlfriend, and she'd never led him astray before, "Uh...Weiss?" Jaune asked hesitantly.

Weiss arched a perfectly manicured brow, "Yes?"

Jaune swallowed, "Can I...pat your head?" The moment the words left his mouth, Weiss's eyes narrowed into dangerous slits, her icy glare burning into him like a laser. For a second, Jaune was sure this was how he died. But then, as if reluctantly yielding, Weiss tilted her head ever so slightly forward.

"...I suppose," she mumbled, though her expression suggested this was the single greatest concession of her life.

Jaune hesitated for a moment longer, but Ruby gave him another frantic thumbs-up from across the table.

So, with all the grace of someone disarming a bomb, Jaune gently lowered his hand and gave Weiss a soft, careful headpat.

The moment his hand touched her hair, Weiss froze. Her posture went rigid, her shoulders squared, and her expression shifted into something Jaune could only describe as stunned disbelief. Her pale cheeks flushed a faint pink, and her eyes widened slightly, as if she were undergoing some sort of divine revelation. Trying to ignore how weird this all felt, he rubbed the top of her head gently, careful to make sure he didn't mess up her meticulously styled hair.

Jaune blinked, "Uh...Weiss? You okay?"

Weiss didn't respond immediately. For a moment, it looked like she was trying to say something, but no words came out. Instead, she closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and whispered, "More."

"...More?" Jaune asked

Weiss's eyes snapped open, her tone suddenly sharp and commanding despite the words that came out of her mouth, "More. Headpats." Jaune looked at Ruby for help, but she just gave him a thumbs-up and mouthed, 'You're doing great!' and 'This is for World Peace!'

"Okay," he said hesitantly, raising his hand again. He resumed patting Weiss's head, this time with a little more confidence. Weiss's reaction was almost immediate. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and a soft, nearly inaudible sound escaped her lips - a sound Jaune could only describe as a cross between a sigh, a purr, and a...moan.

"This...This is acceptable," Weiss murmured, her voice unusually soft, "Continue."

Jaune's hand froze mid-pat, "Weiss, are you - "

"I said continue!" Weiss snapped, her cheeks flushing deeper. Jaune complied, patting her head again, utterly mystified by what was happening. Ruby, meanwhile, was doing a poor job of stifling her laughter, clutching her stomach as she tried to contain herself.

"Weiss, are you sure you're okay?" Jaune asked, still patting. He was scared she'd literally bite his hand off if he stopped.

Weiss opened one eye to glare at him, "Jaune Arc, I have never been more 'okay' in my life. Do. Not. Stop." He looked at Ruby again, hoping for some kind of explanation, but all he got was her grinning like she'd just orchestrated the greatest prank in history.

Jaune sighed, "This is going to be a weird day, isn't it?"

Ruby's laughter echoed through the room as Weiss leaned ever so slightly into his hand, her dignified exterior cracking just enough to make Jaune wonder if this was really happening. Maybe this was all a weird hallucination. He definitely shouldn't have drank Ren's 'health' drink yesterday...

Ruby strolled down the dorm halls practically glowing with smug satisfaction. Today was a victory for peace, love, and headpats. After their date at the cafe, they went back to their room for more private headpatting. Jaune left Team RWBY's dorm red-faced and confused, while Weiss...well, Weiss was weirdly quiet. Which, for Weiss, was as good as an admission that Ruby's plan was already working. She'd fallen hook, line and sink.

Weiss Schnee - Miss "I'm too snobby for this nonsense" - folded like a deck of cards after a single headpat. It was perfect. But, Ruby wasn't gonna rest on her laurels. No, she needed to keep the momentum going. She flipped open her notebook, which she now titled the 'World Peace Harem Project (Name Pending)', and clicked her pen.

Weiss Schnee – Status: Cracked. One or two more headpats should seal the deal.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Alright, next up..." Her eyes scanned the list of names, flicking through potential candidates.

Blake? Maybe, but she'd need a softer approach. Blake was like a stray cat. Too much attention and she'd vanish under a bookshelf somewhere.
Yang? A wildcard, but Jaune would probably survive one date. Maybe. Save for later when he's more confident.
Pyrrha? Too easy. That felt like cheating. Besides, she still wasn't sure if Pyrrha liked him like that.
Velvet? A possibility. She seemed like the kind of girl who appreciated nice guys.
Winter? Maybe. Now that Weiss was in, convincing her big sis would be way easier. She looked like she needed someone to be open with. Let her hair down.

Ruby nodded to herself, checking off mental boxes. 'This is working faster than I thought. The world is practically glowing with harmony already.' As she rounded the corner, flipping to a new page labeled "Additional Candidates," someone stepped in front of her.

Ruby halted mid-step, glancing up to see Cinder Fall, the mysterious transfer student who somehow made even standing still seem ominous. Cinder leaned casually against the wall, amber eyes glinting in the soft light. Her smile was polite but sharp, like a knife hidden behind silk. Ruby never really talked to her before, but there was always something about Cinder that screamed 'secretly up to something nefarious'.

"Ruby Rose," Cinder said smoothly, "A word?"

Ruby blinked, "Uh, sure? What's up?" She subtly put her notebook away.

Cinder's smile widened, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, "I hear you've been...coordinating something involving Jaune Arc."

Ruby stiffened, clutching her notebook protectively, "Who told you that?"

"I have my ways," Cinder said, waving a hand dismissively, "Rumors, whispers. You'd be surprised how quickly these things spread."

Ruby narrowed her eyes slightly, "Look, if Weiss sent you to stop me, you can tell her it's too late. She already got the headpat treatment, and she liked it." She couldn't stop herself from grinning. Weiss was already addicted, she could tell. And when the rest of the future harem saw just how far Weiss fell, they'd see how amazing joining would be.

Cinder tilted her head, looking vaguely amused, "Oh, I'm not here to stop you."

Ruby paused, "...You're not?"

"No," Cinder purred, stepping closer with unsettling ease. She stopped just short of Ruby, looming ever so slightly, as if trying to establish some kind of dominance Ruby didn't particularly care about, "I'm here because I want in."

Ruby's brain screeched to a halt, "...What?"

Cinder's eyes gleamed, "I'm interested in Arc." Ruby's mouth fell open. She stared at Cinder, expecting to see a hint of sarcasm, maybe even some elaborate prank ready to unfold. But there was nothing. Cinder looked completely serious. Still, Ruby had her doubts. She still had that 'I'm secretly planning something evil' (metaphorical) aura about her. But still, her plan did involve eventually having every single Huntress dating Jaune, so...

"You..." Ruby pointed at her notebook, struggling to process the words, "You want to date Jaune?"

Cinder chuckled softly, "Let's call it...testing the waters. Your plan intriguqes me. "

Ruby slowly narrowed her eyes, "...You're not planning to kidnap him or use him as part of some evil scheme, are you?"

Cinder put a hand to her chest, trying and failing to look innocent, "Why, Ruby, I'm offended. Can't a girl express interest without being accused of grand plots?"

"Nope," Ruby said bluntly, "Not with your vibe."

Cinder laughed again, and to Ruby's surprise, it sounded almost genuine, "I assure you, my intentions are perfectly harmless." Cinder crossed her arms, tilting her head thoughtfully, "He is interesting, isn't he? There's something...grounding about him. It's rare to find someone so genuine these days."

Ruby stared at her, "...Okay, now I feel like you might actually like him."

Cinder smirked, "Maybe I do."

Ruby squinted, "I don't know...you seem like the type who would hold him hostage, dangle him over a lava pit, and call it flirting."

Cinder's eyes sparkled, "No lava pits." And then, she said under her breath like Ruby couldn't hear, "Not this time."

Ruby sighed, finally relaxing and tucking her notebook under her arm, "Well, I guess if you are serious..." She grinned suddenly, bouncing on her heels, "Welcome to the team! I'll add you to the list!" If she was evil, they could deal with it later. After all, the plan was for world peace through Jaune. Jaune could turn her back to the light. Just like how Captain Atlas turned Madame Fang from evil in Issue 404!

Cinder's eyes flicked briefly to the notebook as Ruby scribbled furiously.

Cinder Fall – Status: Mysterious, possibly dangerous. Proceed with caution. (But still counts.)

"Excellent," Cinder said, smiling like she just won something.

As Cinder turned and walked away, Ruby watched her retreating figure thoughtfully, 'Weird. But hey, if she wants to join the cause, I'm not complaining.' Ruby snapped her notebook shut, her grin returning full force, 'One more step toward global peace.'

One down, countless more to go. The World Peace Harem Project (Name Pending) was off to a good start.

Poor Jaune. Can't tell if you're gonna envy or pity him.