Cuts of RWBY
A RWBY Fic Collection by AndrewJTalon
DISCLAIMER: This is a fan based work of prose. RWBY is the property of Rooster Teeth and WB Animation. Please support the official release.
What RWBY needed was a real asshole. A modern bully, not just a pastiche of an 80s bully. So I wrote one.
Cardin Winchester was trying. He really was trying to not be a jerkass. He'd recognized how much of a jerkass he was and he was making amends.
He'd apologized to Velvet, and while it took a lot of effort, she at least was willing to speak to him. Her team wasn't glaring death at him. It was a start, but it was a good one. He thought he was doing okay, honestly. Sure, they weren't exactly friends but at least they didn't hate each other.
All of this went through Cardin's mind as he saw Velvet hurry up to him as he sat studying under a tree on the quad. He blinked at her through the harsh midday sun as she came to a stop right in front of him, panting hard.
"... Something I can help you with?" He asked.
Velvet nodded quickly.
"Y-Yes... Um... Stand up?"
Cardin blinked.
"Wha-?"
"Please?" Velvet asked, pressing her hands together as though in desperate prayer. Her pleading look helped.
Damnit why does she have to be so damn cute? He thought grumpily as he stood up. He spread his arms out, feeling a bit annoyed.
"Okay? Now what?"
"Wrap your arms around me," Velvet ordered. Cardin blinked.
"What-?"
"Just do it, please?" Velvet begged. Cardin sighed, and reached out to take her in an awkward hug, his arms staying straight. Velvet rolled her eyes in frustration.
"Oh for...!"
She reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pushed herself up on tippy toes to kiss him. His eyes bulged out as her warm lips met his and electricity went right through him.
What is this?! Why is she doing this?! WHY IS THIS AMAZING?! He thought frantically, but everything else was overridden by his teenaged hormones which all screamed:
HOT BUNNY GIRL KISS KISS!
Velvet broke the kiss (DAMNIT ME WANT MORE KISSU! His hormones screamed) before she turned and scowled over her shoulder. Cardin dazedly followed her gaze. His eyes narrowed.
Hex Skvader was a rabbit Faunus too. He had dark black hair, black ears pointed like knives, green eyes, and a smug pretty boy face that just seemed to beg to get punched. The fact he flaunted his wealth and looked down on humans only made it worse. He was an upperclassman who was, quite frankly, a dick.
Which was saying something coming from Cardin.
Honestly, he was glad he'd stopped his bullying when he did because Hex made him look like a saint.
"What... You... How could you... With a human?!" Hex sputtered.
"He's my boyfriend and we're very happy together!" Velvet growled, leaning into Cardin. His arms instinctively wrapped more tightly around her. The outraged look on Hex's face as he glared at them. At Velvet. There was a possessiveness in his eyes, a childish anger over not getting what he wanted.
Cardin couldn't help but enjoy the idea of this smug prick not getting what he wanted.
"Yeah, so beat it, Jackass," Cardin sneered.
Hex worked his jaw.
"Is he blackmailing you?" He demanded. "This smug human prick abusing you-?"
"NO! I-I care for him! So back off already!" Velvet growled. She elbowed Cardin a bit, and, anti-faunus or not anti-faunus, he mustered some spine at Hex's sneer.
"She told you, back off, twink."
"Twink?!" Hex growled. "I'm manlier than a shaved ape like you could ever be!"
"And yet," Cardin stated, "She's choosing me. Not you."
Hex gritted his teeth. He turned and stormed off, muttering curses under his breath. They watched him go for a while, and Cardin's brain pointed out all sorts of great things about holding Velvet! She was warm, soft, curvy and-
She pushed away, breathing a sigh of relief. She smiled up at him apologetically.
"Um... S-Sorry," she managed, "I uh... I was out of ideas to get him off my back."
WHY HOT BUNNY GIRL NOT HUG NO MORE?! Cardin's hindbrain demanded. Cardin coughed.
"I uh... M-Maybe some warning next time...?"
Velvet blushed.
"I... Yeah... I-I was looking for Yatsuhashi but uh..."
"Yatsuhashi?!" Cardin blurted out. Velvet blinked.
"What? What's wrong with him?"
HE'S NOT ME! ME WANT HOT BUNNY GIRL! His hormones crowed. Cardin coughed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I-I mean... It... Would make things on your team awkward, wouldn't it?" He tried.
Velvet coughed, and looked to the side.
"I-I mean... Maybe a little," she said, "I... But we're a little-"
"Hey, uh... I'm... Trying to turn over a new leaf, right?" Cardin suggested quickly. "I... I'm fine with helping you out. I should help you out."
Velvet frowned.
"You sure? It's... I mean, you're not exactly fond of us..."
HOT BUNNY GIRRRRRL! His hindbrain bellowed.
"I uh... I-I'm... Changing my opinions," Cardin clarified nervously, "As I... Get to know you better. Sides... Um... Again... I want to do some good."
Velvet beamed. Cardin's heart practically sang.
"Really?"
"Y-Yeah!" Cardin said, giving her a thumbs up, "I um... I'm willing to help you however you need me to! Even... Even being a fake boyfriend!"
"I..." Velvet nodded. "Okay... I... Thank you. I'm sorry if it's gonna be hard on you."
"You have no idea," Cardin muttered.
"Huh?"
"N-Nothing!"
Blake had been assigned a dual project with Jaune Arc. At first she had been leery of the young knight, given how often he seemed to slack off on studying. However, when it came to studying, he did actually pull his weight. He had scheduled their meeting at the library and already had a selection of books and holodrives ready to go for the study project.
He did have a tendency to babble on and think out loud, but... Well... She didn't mind it too much.
"... Flanking maneuvers during the Faunus Revolution cost General Winchester a crucial victory at Green Meadows Pass," Jaune murmured, writing down some notes. He frowned thoughtfully.
"I think my Nana might know some things about it. If you'd like to call her as a source?"
Blake blinked.
"Your nana?"
Jaune smiled a bit nervously.
"Um, yeah, my great-grandmother. She was... A military advisor, of sorts, to the Valean Defense Force during that time. She fought in the Great War so they brought her on as a consultant. My Papa too."
Blake hummed.
"Having an eyewitness would be a great reference," she allowed. She scowled. "Though I think you should handle talking to her."
"Huh? Oh, no," Jaune shook his head, "She actually resigned after a few months. Said it was disgusting how things went. She's fine with Faunus, trust me."
Blake hummed.
"... I've been trying to trust more people," she allowed, "It... Hasn't been easy."
Jaune nodded back.
"I... I guess not," he murmured. "But... There are people who would accept you. My nana is one of them. One of her most trusted friends was a Faunus, my great uncle Percival. He's a dove Faunus."
Blake blinked.
"Wait... A dove Faunus named Percival...? Military advisor...?"
Her pupils shrank in disbelief.
"Your great-grandmother is Queen Arturia Pendragon?!" She hissed in disbelief. Jaune winced, and looked around in worry. A few people looked their way, but then went back to their studies, reading, or gaming. Jaune sighed in relief.
"Yeah. She abdicated a long time ago so it doesn't matter. Just... Keep it to yourself, please?"
Blake slowly nodded, though she stared at Jaune in shock for a while longer. Sure, she'd head of the Arcs. Their history was fascinating (and had inspired more than a few of her historical romances). But to know that Jaune was a direct descendant of The Empress of Knights!
Weiss would blow her top... Which was an amusing thought.
"I... I will," Blake said softly, "I know how complicated things can get when... When your lineage is revealed."
Jaune smiled back kindly. He did look a bit handsome when he did that-
"Lady Blake Belladonna," whispered an urgent and painfully familiar voice.
Blake's stomach bottomed out as dread filled her entire body. She looked to her right to see a smug looking rabbit Faunus boy. He looked like he'd stepped out of a Greenwood movie: With his slicked back hair, high cheekbones, pointed chin, devilish good looks, and fit and lithe body. HIs eyes were black as coal, and he had dispensed with the tie to unbutton the top buttons of his school uniform shirt to show off his chiseled chest.
"Hex Skvader," Blake greeted the Faunus boy neutrally. He grinned.
"I get that you want to keep a low profile," he murmured, "I totally get it. But it wouldn't hurt if you had an ally in your corner, would it? A loyal, fantastic boyfriend?" He posed with a smirk.
"Think about it... We'd be the perfect power couple. My family's got connections. Connections that can help you and Menagerie. What do you say? You deserve only the best... And that's me."
He shot a sneer at Jaune.
"Especially compared to some smelly human oaf."
Jaune winced. Blake's eyes narrowed.
"I'll thank you not to say things like that about my boyfriend," Blake stated flatly. She reached out and took Jaune's hand over the table. Jaune blinked in shock, but fortunately he wasn't quite as dense here as he was in most social situations.
"Yeah. So... Beat it," Jaune stated. Hex scowled.
"Oh please. She's related to Menagerie's ruling family! Part of the Belladonna clan!" He smirked at Blake in a condescending way.
"I realize you're keeping a low profile, but no need to lie to me. Now, how about you ditch this hairless ape and we can work on multiplication? ... Of our assets," he quickly added.
Blake's sour mood turned to anger.
"Jaune, how about we study somewhere else?" Blake asked. Jaune nodded, collecting all the books and drives.
"Sounds good to me."
Hex gaped as Blake and Jaune walked away. He reached out to seize Blake's wrist.
"Now hang on a second! What's he got that I don't-?"
Blake had been all set to grab Hex's wrist and snap it like a twig. Jaune however moved between her and him and glared.
"Are you deaf in all four ears? She said beat it," Jaune growled.
Blake blinked rapidly. Sure, she could take care of herself. She'd done that for so long, it was hard to imagine not doing it.
But someone standing up for her, between her and a threat? Well... It was kind of nice.
Yet the tension in the air was rising. If they got in a fight, it would lead to questions. Questions that might make things difficult-
The librarian, Professor Mombi, cleared her throat significantly. Hex slicked his hair back, and shrugged.
"We'll talk about this some more later, my Lady," Hex said, pointedly ignoring Jaune as he turned and stalked off.
Blake let out a breath she'd been holding. Jaune turned back to her, arms full of books.
"You okay?" He asked.
Blake nodded.
"Yes... He's been trying this routine for a few weeks. I'm... You know... Part of the Belladonna Clan back on Menagerie, and-and all..."
"Ah," Jaune said with a nod, "That sucks..."
His ears then turned bright red.
"Um... Did you tell him I'm your boyfriend?"
Blake's pale skin went red.
"I um... I kind of panicked," she admitted, "Could... Could you just go along with it? Just until he backs off?"
Jaune slowly nodded.
"I... Sure." He shrugged. "Not like I was making a lot of progress with Weiss anyway."
He looked so down at that, so defeated. Blake bit her lower lip.
"... It might make her jealous," Blake suggested.
Jaune frowned.
"I... I mean... I don't think I want to win her heart like that," he admitted softly. "It feels... Ya know... Insincere."
Blake stared at him for a bit.
"Same reason you didn't tell her about your lineage?"
"Kind of," Jaune admitted with a shrug, "I-I mean... I want to earn things on my terms. Not because of my family reputation, you know?"
Blake... Smiled softly.
"I think I understand... All too well..."
Extra Omake:
Hex sidles up alongside Weiss Schnee in study hall, smirking.
Hex: "Hey Schnee."
Weiss: doesn't even look up from her book "Skvader."
Hex: "I'm worthy of being known by the great Schnee Heiress herself, huh? Good to know."
Weiss: sighs "What do you want?"
Hex: "I just wanted to say... I get where you're coming from. I know how you feel."
Weiss: "Huh?"
Hex: "Truly, I do. You want to change things, make up for everything your family has done to Faunus, right?"
Weiss: "I... Yes...?"
Hex: "Well. Why don't you start off by getting to know us better? Talk to a Faunus, like, say... Me? One who doesn't have a grudge against your family."
Weiss: "You don't?"
Hex: "Nope! I mean, so what if some rats were worked to death in the mines. Not your fault... And not a huge loss." Confident smirk
Weiss: "That's horrible!"
Hex: "That's life, sweetheart. Besides..." He smirks and leans over the table, getting in her face "You know you want to hear these things. You feel and think them yourself. You just don't want to let them loose."
Weiss: sucks in a breath
Hex: "Me? I'm free. Free to say what everybody is really feeling and thinking. Some Faunus are trash. Some humans are trash, too. Like those losers on your team. How did you not get the leadership position, but Ozpin's good little pet did? It's totally unfair."
Weiss: "I..."
Hex: "Come on. Get to know me. Be free from your cage for a while. I guarantee, I'll help you feel all sorts of things you've denied yourself, Princess... All you have to do... Is cut loose..."
He leans in for a kiss... And Weiss kicks him in the balls with her Aura enhanced foot. Hex goes down to his knees.
Hex: "HURK!"
Weiss: "Huh. You're right. I do feel better."
She gets up and walks out of the study hall, as Hex wheezes.
Hex: "B-Bitch... What the hell...?!"
Weiss: "You think that pathetic little display is enough to make me swoon? Don't make me laugh."
Notes:
The Human/Faunus conflict in RWBY is presented as so black and white it becomes just laughable. What was needed was a foil to Blake, and potentially one to Cardin: A rich, well-off Faunus who was just an asshole out for himself. One who had achieved so much but still used Faunus victimhood as a weapon to try and get what he wanted. A total scumbag.
Enter Hex Skvader. Unlike Cardin who was just a jerk jock and could be made into a better person, I designed Hex to be a proper modern bully: The kind of guy who plays the victim when required, and is otherwise a total asshole. Think Cartman but he keeps in shape and he's actually rich.
From him, Blake can see how she comes off at times, and in a way how she used to be: A rich elitist Faunus who is dismissive and racist about humans, and any Faunus beneath his social class. He holds radical beliefs to get attention, to seem edgy, and to feel morally superior without any effort. To play the victim to get what he wants. He is the worst of Blake's social justice impulses given form.
He is also a foil to Cardin. Cardin can be shamed out of his bullying ways. Hex is in effect a Cardin on the other side, thus demonstrating the complexity of the human/Faunus conflict. More personally, Hex can be after Velvet and thinks they should be together regardless of her wishes. Cardin learning and becoming a better man who earns Velvet's love and affection despite their different races is a compelling arc for them. But you need more direct conflict to this, and Hex could provide it. Again, showing that Faunus are not just victims but have their own agency. And thus can be just as petty as humans.
Finally, his obsession with Velvet, "saving" her from a human boyfriend, or demeaning her because she is half-human, also has a lot of possibilities for Velvet.
Hex could eventually be redeemed. He is in training to be a Hunter. Or he could just keep getting worse and worse. It really depends on how you want to handle the story. Sometimes you just need a guy who is a total asshole, and that's all he needs to be. But if the option for Adam, Cardin, Cinder or Raven to be redeemed exists, Hex can also have that opportunity.
But not before he acts as a hatesink for a while. Because sometimes you just need an asshole to knock around in the narrative.
So, why not a racist incel bunny with more good looks than sense?
And yes, I figure making a Belladonna Clan that Blake could be part of as disguise is the only way her infiltration would really work. Hex would just have figured out she's part of the Menagerie Belladonnas. So he thinks she's an in for him.