Another version of the Pyrrha omake. Some people thought the last one was too mean, so here. She's still a failure, but instad of being a completely innocent victim, she's also a gooner like the rest of the Huntresses. The only difference is she's socially crippled and so comes across as less of a Baalbuddy Elf.
Pyrrha sat at a table in one of Vale's quieter coffee shops, her hands gripping her cup of tea so tightly it was a wonder it hadn't cracked. She didn't come here for the drinks. She didn't even come here for the atmosphere. No, this was a mission. A desperate, sweaty-palmed, anxiety-ridden mission to do what every other Huntress seemed capable of: get a guy.
Unlike her classmates at Beacon, Pyrrha couldn't just ask outright. She didn't have Yang's aggressive confidence, Weiss's haughty directness, or even Blake's creepy staring thing. No, Pyrrha's method was...subtler. Stealthier. She'd observe, find her moment, and then strike. Like a Huntress in the wild. A very, very awkward Huntress.
She glanced toward the counter where her latest target - er, prospective suitor - was chatting with a customer. He was perfect. A tall, broad-shouldered barista with messy brown hair and a disarming smile. He looked like the type of guy who could chop wood for hours and then write poetry about the experience. Exactly what she needed.
Her leg bounced under the table as she tried to psych herself up. 'Okay, Pyrrha,' she thought, staring at her reflection in the dark surface of her tea. 'You're a champion. You've faced Grimm the size of buildings. You've fought in front of thousands of people without breaking a sweat. This is just one guy. You can do this.'
She stood, smoothing down her skirt and adjusting the straps of her top to maximize the subtle but alluring peek of her collarbones. Subtlety was key. She wasn't like Yang, who'd probably just tell the guy to "jump her bones" and hope for the best. Pyrrha had class.
Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the counter. The barista turned toward her just as she arrived, his smile bright and welcoming.
"Hey there! Need anything else?" he asked, his voice warm and friendly.
Pyrrha froze. Her brain immediately short-circuited, and all the carefully rehearsed lines she'd practiced in the mirror that morning flew out of her head. Instead, she just stood there, staring at him, her green eyes wide and unblinking.
"Uh...hi?" the barista said, his smile faltering slightly under the weight of her intense gaze.
Pyrrha cleared her throat, feeling the heat rush to her face. Say something normal! her brain screamed. Instead, what came out was, "You...have very nice hands."
The barista blinked, "Uh...thanks?"
"They're strong," she added, her voice taking on a weirdly low, intense tone, "You must lift...things. Heavy things."
He chuckled awkwardly, glancing around as if looking for backup, "Yeah, I guess. It's part of the job."
Pyrrha's heart was pounding so loudly she thought it might burst. Compliment him! Be charming! "I bet you could carry a lot of cups," she blurted out, immediately cringing at her own words, "Like...so many cups." The thought of something else he could carry was at the tip of her tongue. Maybe he could cup her ass and squeeze. Or lift and slam her against the wall like she was nothing more than a toy. Or use those fingers of his to make her wet.
The barista's eyebrows lifted, "Uh...yeah. Cups are kind of my thing. Cause of my job."
Pyrrha nodded furiously, desperate to recover, "That's so...impressive. You're impressive." She realized she was leaning forward and quickly straightened, her cheeks flaming.
The barista laughed nervously, clearly uncomfortable now, "Thanks. Uh, was there something you needed?"
"Do you want to sit with me?" she asked, the words rushing out in a breathless tumble, "I mean, when you're not busy. Or even if you are busy. I wouldn't mind waiting." She could stay at this cafe all day. Then maybe he'd use those hands on her.
His eyes widened slightly, and he took a half-step back, "Oh, that's really nice of you, but I'm, uh, kind of working right now. Maybe another time?" His tone was kind, but she could see the truth. There would be no 'other time'.
Pyrrha's face fell, but she forced a smile, her hands clenching at her sides, "Of course. Another time. Absolutely."
She shuffled back to her table, mortified beyond belief. She could feel the wary pity and suspicion in the barista's gaze as he turned back to his coworker. Why did she always do this? Why couldn't she just be normal like other Huntresses?
...Okay, maybe "normal" wasn't the right word. Huntresses were, on the whole, feral when it came to pursuing guys. They threw themselves at men with an abandon that bordered on madness, which Pyrrha had to admit was sometimes horrifying to watch. She'd seen Yang try to pick up a guy by literally picking him up, Weiss demand that a waiter "ravage" her because she thought it was romantic, and Blake...well, Blake just stared at people and muttered about darkness until they got creeped out and left.
But at least they tried. At least they weren't stuck in this weird middle ground where they couldn't stop being awkward and intense. That was Pyrrha's curse: being just intimidating enough to scare guys off, but not forward enough to land them before they fled.
The truth was, Pyrrha was just as desperate as any other Huntress. More, even. She wanted it so badly she could barely think straight most days. It wasn't just about love or connection. It was about release. About finally knowing what it felt like to be desired, to be wanted so badly that men would go mad with lust at the thought of her. To not spend every waking moment wondering if she'd die a frustrated, touch-starved virgin.
But unlike her classmates, who had no shame about throwing themselves at men, Pyrrha couldn't bring herself to be that bold. Not because she didn't want to - she constantly fantasized about having Yang's confidence or Weiss' unfiltered tongue - but because every time she tried, her anxiety twisted her into knots, turning her into a weird, socially inept mess. And that mess, she knew, was creepy at best and downright terrifying at worst.
From the corner of her eye, she saw the barista whispering to his coworker, who looked at her, then back at him, a look of pity on her face. Her stomach churned. They were probably talking about how creepy she was. How the Invincible Girl was an invincible weirdo.
She sighed, staring into her tea. Why can't I just be normal, she thought miserably. All she wanted was what everyone else seemed to get so easily - a connection. A moment. A night. A cock pounding into her snatch while she screamed her brains out.
But instead, here she was, sitting alone, awkward and sweaty, trying to look like she hadn't just humiliated herself. Again.
She drained her tea in one miserable gulp and slunk out of the coffee shop, vowing to try again tomorrow. Because no matter how many times she failed, one thing was certain: Pyrrha Nikos wasn't giving up. She wanted it too much to stop now.
Pyrrha stomped into the Beacon infirmary, her face a mixture of determination and mild desperation. She'd spent the walk from Vale psyching herself up, replaying imaginary scenarios where she was charming, seductive, and - most importantly - successful. Jaune Arc, Beacon's nurse and possibly the most oblivious man alive, was her target.
It wasn't just that he was the only guy on campus under fifty; it was that Jaune had a kind, dorky charm that made her stomach do backflips every time he smiled. He was sweet, approachable, and always willing to lend an ear, even if Pyrrha's attempts to flirt usually flew right over his head. He was perfect.
She was open to being fucked silly by other men, of course - she was still a Huntress first and foremost - but the one she really wanted to be her life partner was Jaune. He would be her house husband, the one she came home to after a long hunt. He'd greet her with that warm smile and ask how her hunt went while massaging her shoulders. She'd bask in the attention, and later that night, she'd take him to bed and jump up and down his dick till the bedframe broke.
Today would be different, she thought. Today, Pyrrha was going to make her intentions crystal clear. Subtlety had failed her too many times. If she couldn't get him to notice her with sweet words and quiet smiles, then by the Sisters, she'd find another way.
He was perfect, she thought to herself, adjusting her hair for the fiftieth time as she approached the clinic. He was kind, handsome, and he had those amazing arms that could lift her up and - stop that, Pyrrha! Focus! She gave herself a sharp mental slap. She wasn't here to fantasize. She was here to act.
She paused outside the door, taking a deep breath to steel herself. Inside, she could hear Jaune humming softly - a light, cheerful tune that made her knees feel like jelly. With one last deep breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Jaune was sitting at the desk, his blond hair a little messy as usual, a stack of files in front of him. He glanced up when he heard her, his blue eyes lighting up with recognition.
"Oh, hey, Pyrrha!" he said, flashing her that lopsided grin that made her stomach do somersaults, "What brings you here? Everything okay?"
'Everything would be better if you shoved me against that desk and- stop it!' Pyrrha's inner voice shrieked as her face flushed red, "Oh! Uh, hi, Jaune! Yes, I'm fine. Perfectly fine!" She waved her hands a little too quickly as she sat down, "I just...thought I'd check in on you! You've been working so hard lately!"
Jaune blinked, clearly caught off guard but still retaining that warm look in his eyes. Oh, she was in so much trouble.., "Uh, thanks? It's not too bad, though. Just paperwork today." He gestured to the files.
Pyrrha nodded furiously, her mind scrambling for a way to steer the conversation, "Paperwork! Of course. Very important." 'Okay, now make a move. Something subtle but suggestive. Compliment him. Say something seductive!'
Her mouth opened, but what came out was, "You...have very nice penmanship."
Jaune blinked, "Uh, thanks?"
Pyrrha wanted to die. Penmanship?! She forced a smile, trying to recover, "It's just that...you're so detail-oriented! And strong! I mean, your hands must be strong. To, um, hold the pen. And write so neatly."
"...Right." Jaune chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head, "Well, I guess that's a compliment. Thanks, Pyrrha."
Pyrrha's brain screamed at her to stop, but her mouth had other plans, "And, you know, if you ever get tired of writing, you could use those strong hands for...other things." Her voice dipped slightly at the end, her face burning hotter than the sun.
Jaune tilted his head, clearly not picking up on the implication, "Like what? Organizing the supply closet? Dr. Wood's been bugging me to sort the bandages by size."
"No! I mean, yes! That's...fine, too," Pyrrha stammered, practically vibrating with awkward energy. What is wrong with me? Why can't I just say what I want?
She stepped closer, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, "Jaune, you're always so helpful and kind. You're so...strong. And dependable. And, well..." She trailed off, biting her lip. Just say it! Say you want him to bend you over the desk and -
"And what?" Jaune prompted, his expression genuinely curious.
Pyrrha's resolve crumbled, "And...I just think you're a really good friend!" she blurted out, her voice way too loud.
Jaune smiled warmly, "Aw, thanks, Pyrrha. You're a good friend, too."
Her heart shattered into a million pieces. Not that she could blame him - how was he supposed to know that she wasn't interested in being just friends when she was too socially inept to string together a coherent sentence?
Jaune leaned back in his chair, his grin easy and oblivious, "You know, it's nice having someone as chill as you around. A lot of the Huntresses here are kinda...intense. It's refreshing to have someone who's just normal, you know?"
Pyrrha's eye twitched, "Normal. Yes. That's me. Normal." Kill me now. She fidgeted, wracking her brain for a way to salvage the conversation, "So...is there anything you need help with, Jaune? Because...I'll do anything for you." She fluttered her eyelashes at him, hoping she looked salacious. Or maybe just a little tantalizing? Please?
"Actually, there's something I would like some help with, but-"
"Anything! Just name it!"
He had her help in doing paperwork. Pyrrha looked down at the neatly stacked files as her hands moved on autopilot, her eyes dead to the world. Even Jaune's gratitude and compliments about how kind she was being did nothing to help. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Mom said that nice girls always won in the end. It wasn't the only reason she chose to be a good person, of course, but...was it so wrong to expect a reward from not being like the other Huntresses? Just a little one?
Pyrrha's pen hovered over yet another form as she sat in the clinic, dutifully filling out paperwork alongside Jaune. Her hands moved on autopilot, her mind a whirlwind of self-recriminations. This wasn't how it was supposed to go, she thought miserably, her lips pressed into a tight line. She should be pressed against that desk right now, not sitting on it.
Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. Pyrrha glanced up and immediately stiffened when she saw Ruby walk in, her usual bright smile plastered across her face, "Hi, Jaune!" Ruby chirped, bounding into the room with all the energy of a hyperactive puppy. In her hands was a plate of warm cookies, Her eyes flicked to Pyrrha, and the smile didn't falter, "Oh, hi, Pyrrha! What're you doing here?"
Her cheerful tone was like a dagger to Pyrrha's pride. There was no tension in Ruby's voice, no edge of competition. Just pure, unfiltered friendliness. The kind you reserved for someone who wasn't even on your radar as a rival.
"Uh, I was just…" Pyrrha fumbled for an answer, her cheeks burning, "Helping with some paperwork. For Jaune. Since he's, um, busy."
Ruby's grin widened, "That's so nice of you!" she said, nodding happily, "Jaune always talks about how much work he has to do. It's great that you're helping him out!"
Helping him out? Pyrrha bristled internally, even as she nodded along and forced a smile. 'I'm not just helping him out! I'm trying to- ' She stopped herself. Ruby's demeanor wasn't confrontational in the slightest. It was casual, breezy. Warm, even.
Jaune looked up from his files and smiled at Ruby, "Hey, Ruby. What's up? Still feeling that 'cough', or is this just a social visit?"
Ruby giggled, "Just a visit! I figured you might need a break. You've been stuck in here all day." She held up the tray, "I baked cookies! Well, me and Nora did. Does it count if all she did was lick the spoon?" Ruby bounced over to the desk where Jaune was sitting, setting down the tray, "Also, I, uh, accidentally cut my finger on Crescent Rose earlier. Can you check it? Just to make sure I didn't, like, poison myself with rusty metal or something?"
Jaune chuckled softly, glancing at her hand. It didn't look injured at all, the little liar, "Ruby, you can't poison yourself with your own weapon. Crescent Rose is clean."
Ruby grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck, "Yeah, but better safe than sorry, right?"
Pyrrha watched the exchange, her stomach twisting into knots. Ruby's ease with Jaune was infuriatingly natural. There was no stammering, no awkward pauses, no weird compliments about his hands or penmanship. Just...friendly conversation. Her gut burned with jealousy as she watched Jaune inspect Ruby's hand regardless with meticulous care. Even when she asked him to kiss it better, he just laughed and joked along.
Ruby beamed at him before plopping down into a chair across from Pyrrha, "So," she said, looking at her with that same friendly smile, "How's your day going, Pyrrha?"
Pyrrha froze, unsure how to respond, "Uh, fine," she said stiffly, gripping her pen like it might escape.
"Cool!" Ruby said, swinging her legs like a kid, "I've been helping Nora and Ren bake stuff all afternoon. Did you know you're not supposed to put metal in the microwave? Nora definitely does now."
Pyrrha nodded absentmindedly, her mind screaming. Why wasn't she acting territorial? Why wasn't she mad Pyrrha was here? Instead, Ruby's presence was like a cheerful sunbeam, completely oblivious to the stormcloud of self-loathing currently brewing in Pyrrha's head.
"Anyway," Ruby continued, "I hope you don't mind me interrupting. I know how much you probably love spending time with Jaune," The comment, meant innocently (or so it seemed), hit Pyrrha like a sucker punch. The way Ruby said it was so casual, so harmless, that it only made Pyrrha feel worse. Ruby wasn't accusing her of anything. She wasn't suspicious. If anything, she sounded like she almost...pitied Pyrrha.
'She doesn't see me as a threat,' Pyrrha realized, the thought sinking like a lead weight in her chest. 'She's not worried about me at all.' Ruby had feelings for Jaune, she knew that, and yet she saw Pyrrha spending time alone with him in his office as something adorable. Quaint. Like she wasn't even a threat.
"Not at all," Pyrrha managed, her voice tight. She focused on the paperwork, scribbling furiously to avoid Ruby's kind gaze.
Jaune, meanwhile, had picked up some of cookies and was offering one to them both, "You did great! These are actually pretty good," he said, smiling as he took a bite.
Ruby grinned proudly and took two of the cookies, handing one to her. Pyrrha took it numbly, "Thanks! You should tell Nora that before she tries to bake another experimental cake. Last time, she put mustard in it because she thought it'd be 'unique.'"
Jaune laughed, and Pyrrha felt her chest tighten even further. She couldn't even be annoyed at Ruby, not really. Ruby wasn't doing anything wrong. She was just...being Ruby. Friendly, cheerful, and completely oblivious to Pyrrha's inner turmoil. Or if she was aware, she made sure not to rub her nose in it. It was more insulting, honestly. It was the greatest attack one could ever give to a rival: the be ignored.
"I should probably get going," Ruby said after a moment, standing up and brushing crumbs off her lap, "I need to make sure my team didn't get arrested for sexual harassment...again" Her shoulders sagged for a moment, "I'll let you guys get back to work, but I'll be back to help later. See you later, Jaune! Bye, Pyrrha!" She waved as she left, her red cloak fluttering behind her.
The room fell silent, and Pyrrha's pen hovered uselessly over the page. She didn't look up, didn't move, her thoughts swirling in a storm of frustration and self-doubt.
"You okay, Pyrrha?" Jaune's voice broke through the silence, and she forced herself to look at him, plastering on a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I'm fine," she said quietly, gripping her pen a little too tightly.
But she wasn't fine. Not even close. Ruby's friendly, nonchalant attitude had been worse than any confrontation. It was a reminder that no one - not even the girl who was in love with him - thought Pyrrha was capable of winning Jaune's affection. And the fact that Ruby had been so...nice about it made it all the more unbearable.
She picked up another file and forced herself to focus, her shoulders tense, 'Tomorrow,' she thought bitterly, 'Tomorrow, I'll try again. I have to.'
Hopefully this one is better.