Let it be known that Jaune hated nothing more than stuffy suits and high-class society. He hadn't had much chance to sample the latter, Weiss was the closest to it and it wasn't like she invited him to any formal events. But their arrival and seating in the concert theatre was enough for him. It turned out that Nicholas' friend had been even more generous than expected, providing them seats in a closeted VIP area. It was little more than a balcony that offered a fantastic view over the theatre, while also being limited to only eighty or so guests. There were numerous such balconies across the top of the theatre, with each one having its own waiting area, bar and bathrooms.
It was a nice touch that allowed them to skip the queues and not worry about all the people fighting for seats. It should have been just that, were it not for the fact that the Arc family stuck out like sore thumbs. It didn't matter that after the ill-fated train journey they had retired to the hotel to unpack and get into their finest suits. Nor that they had fought and squabbled over the showers to ensure they looked their best. To the snobs around them, their lack of branded ware and the sheer size of their family was enough to have noses raised at the sight of them.
Of course, no one dared approach Nicholas Arc, who cut an imposing figure despite his black suit and bowtie, but it didn't stop the dirty looks. Still, it was preferable to the interested look that fat bastard kept sending Sable whenever she wasn't looking. Jaune caught the greasy man's eyes as they roamed over his sister once more, who looked beautiful in her deep purple dress. Too beautiful, perhaps…
Try it, he mouthed to the man that was at least twice her age. Try it and see what I do to you.
The man wisely looked away.
It wasn't that he didn't enjoy the concert, it was only the first half and Weiss had yet to appear. Apparently it was going to be an orchestra up until the first intermission, and then Weiss would have her appearance and songs after. It made him shake his head in amusement that she could honestly consider Vale's most expensive orchestra a supporting act. They were fabulous though… the music deep and invigorating, resonating in the soul and shocking many into silence. He could close his eyes and forget where he was, lost in the notes and emotions. But for the fact that he was stuck in a crowded concert hall, surrounded by people he didn't know.
He wasn't sure if it was a recent development, or one he'd always had – but as far back as he could remember, he hated crowds of people. It wasn't the same in Beacon with his teams or the other students. He knew who they were, if not by name then by face. Even those who could and would betray him, he knew. Here however, he didn't have that same luxury. Any one of these people could be a danger. There were just too many and they were all crowded shoulder to shoulder. That he had Amber on one side and Lavender on the other made no difference. He could feel the person sat not a metre behind him, and there was one before him too.
A hand touched his leg, "Are you okay?" Lavender's green eyes, flecked with brown looked into his, the girl brushing back some ringlets of blonde hair over her bare shoulder. Lavender was the closest to his age, only eight months younger – and the result of a premature birth. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he whispered back, ignoring the shushing from Amber, "just uncomfortable – ignore me."
She looked back to the stage, apparently taking his advice. Though a moment later he felt her hand touch his, fingers wrapping around his palm. Jaune let out a silent chuckle, accepting the comfort from her even if it wasn't necessary. Wasn't he the older one who was supposed to look after her?
A deep sigh burst forth from his lungs, body relaxing as he forcefully made himself lean back into the seat. There would be no one here who would attack them… he was being foolish in the extreme, allowing paranoia and fear to reign over him.
It was Vale… it had to be. The moment their train had arrived his good mood had vanished. Familiar streets and structures bringing back unwanted memories of so many previous lives. It hadn't overwhelmed him - it never did - but it had put his nerves on a razor's edge. He didn't want to be in Vale… not so close to the start of Beacon, and certainly not after either. It's fine, this is for the weekend only, then you're gone.
Blake had been a coincidence… he'd always known she had abandoned Adam on a train. He hadn't expected it to be the one they were on, but that was just bad luck. How many trains travelled through Forever Fall anyway? This would be fine. It would all work out, so long as he enjoyed his time and didn't do anything silly. With that calming thought, he was able to sit through the next hour or so of enchanting music, clapping at the end of each song – as did his sisters.
It looked like it was more than just his musical mind that enjoyed this. His mother and father were sat beside one another, her head resting on his shoulder as he cupped both her hands in his. Coral looked awkward as hell next to them, clearly trying to distance herself from the romantic aura.
He grinned as her eyes met his, asking him to switch places.
Not happening. She deserved it for all the literary crap she'd put him through. Besides, maybe some hands-on experience watching romance occur right next to her would help on the next story she tried to write. He wasn't the only one to ignore her pleas for help. The other girls all focused on the stage with an intensity that might be considered a little too determined.
They really were skilled players… and while none of them used the guitar like he did, the instrument not suited to the music they were playing, he could still appreciate both it and the gesture from his parents. By the time the final song was finished and the conductor turned towards them to bow, Jaune was among many others as he rose to applaud them.
"That was magical," Lavender gushed as the family filed out into the waiting hall for the intermission. Nicholas had gone to collect drinks for them all as they waited, the family choosing to stand so that the more elderly patrons could take the seats.
"It was alright," Hazel fought to hide her smile behind a mask of indifference. "Not as good as metal, but okay."
"What," Jade teased, "not enough sore-throated screaming?" The two of them descended into the familiar argument as to who's musical taste was superior. It was something the rest of them were more than adapt at ignoring.
"You looking forward to the Schnee girl?" Coral dug an elbow into his side, before wincing at how hard his skin was. Aura was good for more than just deflecting dangerous attacks after all. "I hear she's a real fox, surprised you don't make a try on her."
"Not my type," Jaune shrugged.
"Not your type?" Coral sounded aghast, "She's like super rich, super famous, not to mention pretty hot from what I hear. What's not to like? I swear if you say personality, I'm going to laugh you out the room. There's no way Mrs Green has personality."
"How about rich and powerful, with an army of robots that could hunt me down?" Jaune grinned back, "Besides, she's a Schnee. They're not going to be interested in something casual, are they?"
"I guess that would be a bit of a scandal. Such a shame. Star-crossed lovers, one held back by the responsibilities of their family – the other by his wastrel nature and lack of redeeming qualities. It could have been the plot for my new book."
Jaune rolled his eyes, "I'll have you know I have a lot of redeeming qualities. I'm just not legally or morally allowed to use them on you." A few of the other sisters reared away with uncomfortable expressions. Coral always took as good as she got however, and simply grinned at him.
"Kinky, maybe one day we can try them out."
"Coral! You two are sick!" Sable hissed and drew her twin aside. Coral for her part simply laughed at the drama, ignoring the telling off she was receiving. She'd never learn.
"Did we miss something?" Nicholas asked as he came back to the group, balancing a tray before him, as Juniper did the same with another. Going to a bar for ten drinks was never an easy task, but the two had perfected it over the last decade or two.
"Nothing unusual," Jaune grinned as he tried to snatch the most alcoholic drink from the tray. Sapphire batted his hand aside and took it for herself, the looks from his parents reminding him that he technically wasn't old enough for that yet.
He really missed alcohol.
"Just Coral and Jaune being their usual selves," Sapphire sighed, "I'm not sure where mother and I went wrong."
"Don't worry sweetheart," Juniper laid a hand on her shoulder, "I just blame Nicky for those two." Nicholas rolled his eyes at the comment, a few giggles coming from the other girls. It was interrupted by a figure approaching them - a soft tap of shoes on marble, accompanied by what sounded like a metal cane.
"Well I must say, it's a surprise to see you here Nicholas." The voice was familiar. Immediately so, to the point that Jaune found himself instinctively fighting the urge to relax. It was a common issue when he met his friends again on every other time he went to Beacon… the ease at which he could fall into trusting them just through the sound of their voices. It had actually caused a few problems once or twice… friends he hadn't rightfully gotten to know feeling more than a little awkward at how friendly he was with them.
This wasn't quite the same however. For as much as Jaune respected the man, they'd never been what one might call friends.
"Ozpin." And neither had he with Nicholas, if his father's growl was anything to go by. Jaune turned from his family to look at the man, drinking in the familiar sight. Typical Ozpin, he was still wearing the same green suit he always wore, even to what was essentially a black tie event. Not to mention that unlike every other person here, he'd been allowed to bring his weapon with him, the silvery cane resting between both hands as the man leaned on it.
Jaune's relationship with Ozpin was… interesting, to say the least. It would have been easy to hate the man for what the headmaster had put him through once or twice… in those lives where Jaune had tried to reveal the truth in one way or another. Death in a mental asylum was one thing, but the tacit agreement to `advanced interrogation techniques` from Ironwood had been much worse. How easy it would have been to never forgive him for that… to hold that cruelty over his head for all eternity.
It would have been a waste too.
Ozpin was no friend of Jaune Arc's, but nor was he an enemy either… in fact, the man was at best an unrelated ally. The man's intentions were clear – defend Beacon, and through that, all of Vale. He actively worked in the shadows to try and limit Cinder's influence, and come Amity did his best to kill her. That he refused to trust and believe Jaune… when the truth was already so incredible as to be ridiculous? He didn't hold that against the man.
Pain was transient, death – for him – temporary.
What was there to hate about a man trying his best, even if the methods he used didn't always lay parallel to his own? But right now… here in this one life where Jaune was determined not to enter Beacon, not to have anything to do with the horror that lay ahead? Ozpin was a very real threat.
"You've met Nicholas Arc, Glynda?" he asked of the woman beside him, who had clearly made more effort to adapt to the dress code. Her blonde ringlets framed her face as they always did, but it was the first time Jaune had ever seen the stern woman in a black ball gown.
She looked good.
"We've met once or twice, nice to see you again."
"What are you doing here, Ozpin?" his father demanded. One silver brow rose as the headmaster held both arms wide.
"I am here to listen to the final concert of a talented singer, as I'm sure you are. With term approaching it will be a rare opportunity for me to experience such an event. As I had an extra ticket, Glynda graciously accepted my invitation to come along."
"Don't play games. I mean why are you here talking to me and my family?"
"Nicholas, we are not enemies so I don't know where this animosity comes from. I simply wished to greet an old student of mine and see how they were doing."
"You taught dad?" the words slipped from Jaune's mouth before he could think better of them. Nicholas spared a frown past one shoulder, but Ozpin took the chance to look past the older man to him.
"I was not the Headmaster back then. In fact, I believe it was only my second or third year on the job – I taught politics and history."
"That was a long time ago," Nicholas said.
"Quite… I don't need you to remind me of my age, Nicholas. It's indication enough when my former students have raised families of their own." Ozpin paused to look at each of them, his eyes roving over each girl in turn before coming to settle on him. Jaune met that familiar gaze, not at all feeling uncomfortable. It was just how Ozpin was. "I must say, I was a little disappointed that none considered Beacon Academy for their tuition."
"None of them are becoming Hunters." Juniper stepped forward to place a hand on her husband's shoulder, the man calming down at the look she gave him. The tension in the air seemed to fade as he took a few quick breaths.
Jaune wondered if anyone else had seen what he had, that both Nicholas and Ozpin had been making subtle motions of aggressive intent… as though each was prepared for the conversation to come to blows? The white fingers that gripped Glynda Goodwitch's crop told him that she had.
"I haven't trained any of them, so it's not you personally Ozpin. They simply aren't joining any academies."
"Truly…?" Ozpin looked genuinely surprised, "I hadn't realised – I apologise if I assumed anything. You know that most Hunters offer their children at least some training, it felt only natural to ask."
"There's no harm done," Juniper took the chance to insert herself into the conversation, gripping his father's hand in hers. "Our family is just here to enjoy the music, our son wishes to be a musician himself."
"Ah, is that so? Well, there's no finer person to take inspiration from than Miss Schnee. She is the same age as yourself, Mr…?"
Jaune took the headmaster's hand in his, giving it a firm shake, "Jaune. And yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing her performance."
"Jaune, Jaune Arc," the man tested the word, repeating it over and over as though trying to recall some piece of information. Jaune's shoulders tensed. There shouldn't be any reason for the Headmaster to remember his name… not when he hadn't applied to Beacon this time. He was supposed to be a single face among thousands of others.
"I don't think you've met him," Nicholas interrupted. Ozpin released Jaune's hand as he stepped back. The man's face was as genial as ever, though there was still a certain tenseness to his muscles. Jaune had never seen his father so angry… and he didn't understand it either. This had to be more than Sylver… there was no way Ozpin could have been responsible for that, not when she was his older sister and Ozpin had apparently only been a relatively new teacher when Nicholas started at Beacon.
"I was just surprised by the young man's grip," the headmaster waved off, "It was very strong for someone who is untrained."
He felt my calluses, Jaune realised in surprise. Perhaps even his aura too… it wasn't something he'd ever have thought to look for in another, but he had developed a bit of scar tissue on his fingertips. Much of it came from his guitar, but there were some that unmistakable came from learning to wield a weapon. His aura… it was said that some people could sense it to some degree, Pyrrha had been able to have a rough idea how big an aura was if she touched someone. Who was to say Ozpin didn't have a similar talent?
"He has his aura," Nicholas admitted, frown deepening, "And we have done some training, but only so he can learn to protect himself."
"Your training must be better than what we offer," the headmaster's lips turned up at the edges. "Especially if it allows a child to single-handedly kill a Beowolf… unarmed, no less."
Jaune tensed. Nicholas did the same, even as Juniper watched on in worry. The only ones who didn't show any reaction were his sisters, for even Glynda's face registered surprise. Clearly she hadn't known that little rumour… and neither should Ozpin.
"How did-" Jaune tried to cut the words off, but once more the man's attention fell on him.
"Grimm attacks are closely monitored by Vale, particularly when it comes to vulnerable villages that might require aid. An attack on a civilian was logged and sent to the city, though that wouldn't have raised such a fuss… were it not for the fact that said child also managed to slay the beast without aura. I must say young man… that is certainly a feat few can boast of. If you would like, I could see about honing that ability further."
"Ozpin…" Miss Goodwitch tugged on his arm, clearly uneasy at the growing anger radiating off his father.
"I heard that you fought to protect someone you cared deeply for, that's an admirable trait and one that all Hunters aspire to. Perhaps you would consider attending Beacon this year, Mr Arc. I think you would be a fine addition to-"
"Nope."
"P-Pardon…?"
If he could have framed Ozpin's expression and put it on a wall, he would have. The man's lips, parted in a small circle, even as his brows rose higher up his face. Even his eyes seemed to grow behind his glasses, before iron-clad control snapped back into place.
"Thank you for the offer," Jaune said, "but I do not wish to be a Hunter." Beside him he could feel his father relax… the threat of combat slipping from the air as the man let out a long sigh of relief. Jaune took the opportunity to step behind him, using his father as a shield against the attention of Beacon's head.
"There you have it Ozpin," Nicholas grinned, "Now if you'll excuse us, we have a concert to get back to."
There was no response from the headmaster, other than him stepping out of the way as the family of ten marched by. Jaune kept his eyes locked on his father's back, resisting the urge to look at Ozpin with some kind of apology. He didn't hate the man… he never would. But that didn't mean he felt no guilt at what was essentially a decision to abandon them to their fate.
Next time Ozpin, he promised, next time I'll have earned enough time beforehand to make a difference. Then I'll come and help you protect everyone.
That was his promise to all of them. Still, he couldn't help but consider as he sat back down in the plush seats, just as the lights started to dim. How random to meet with the two of them right here. Their reasons made sense… Ozpin was as much a public figure as Weiss Schnee, and with her attending Beacon maybe this was meant as a sign of support. Or maybe it was just as the man had said, a little bit of relaxation before school started.
It just seemed odd that they happened to share the exact same balcony and the same VIP section…
I'm reading into this too much. Dad got tickets from the organisers for saving a family member… of course they gave him the best as thanks. Ozpin is a famous figure and doubtless pretty rich himself. It's not like he would need to save cash and sit down there with everyone else.
Vale was getting to him still, it seemed… first with Blake, now with his former teachers. As Weiss stepped out onto the stage he tried to relax, trusting in her to take his mind off things.
Though why she was wearing her flipping combat uniform, he had no idea. Couldn't she have come in a dress or gown?
The audience clapped loudly in anticipation, Jaune joining in half-heartedly as he strained his eyes to see her better. From such a distance she was nothing more than a speck of white, pale skin illuminated each time a camera went off in the crowd. How odd, to think that the first time he'd seen her he had fallen so deeply in love. A foolish notion, he'd been more attracted to her looks and some strange ideal of what he thought he wanted in a woman. Was this what she had thought of when he kept approaching her? Flashing lights and screaming fans?
He could see why she'd always looked so put out. Over time and the strange magic of repeating lives, they had become somewhat closer – though never as much as his original self might have wished. Weiss was a conflicted figure, a distant friend at best… she had always been loyal to her team, spending more time with Ruby and the other two than she did with him or even Pyrrha. But they'd been friends in their own way... enough to watch each other's backs whenever things went bad - as they inevitably did.
That had always been enough for him, and in some way he could tell it was enough for her too.
Blue eyes drifted shut as she began to sing a haunting melody, accompanied ever so softly by the orchestra, though they dared not ever outshine her in volume or quality. The crowd went silent. No cameras dared to flash and no person dared open their mouth to speak. It was beautiful. Almost like an ocean in the way her voice would rise with a sudden surge, gripping at his heart before crashing back down again, drawing him with it. If there had been any question as to her skill… any as to whether she might have attained such accord through her name or wealth, then this performance surely silenced them.
Why had she kept such talent hidden from everyone at Beacon?
Or the bigger question, why was she throwing this away to become a Huntress at all? The effort that must have been required to become so good, all the hours spent practicing and working – only to put it all aside and do something else with her life? She had her reasons… she always did. Maybe it was family, commitment or a desire to escape Atlas – it wasn't like she would ever admit the truth to him. Maybe Ruby knew, seeing how much the two trusted one another. But Ruby was worth that trust, and definitely wouldn't have revealed such knowledge to him if Weiss wanted it private.
The sad part was that it wasn't any of his business.
He wouldn't be going to Beacon so he never would meet Weiss, Ruby or anyone else. This would be a life they would live without him. He idly wondered who would be on his team without him. There were scores of students who had been accepted but failed initiation. Some due to not being strong enough, often rescued by the teachers who watched over them – others simply because they did not reach the relics in time, finding that they had all been taken.
Beacon had limited resources after all. They couldn't cater to everyone. Maybe one of those random people would find Pyrrha Nikos their partner. Did that mean he was consigning them to death as well? With a shake of his head Jaune dispelled such maudlin thoughts. Whatever happened was already going to happen. Whether he was there or not wouldn't change the end result.
One final time Jaune rose alongside his family, applauding furiously as the small girl dipped a low curtsey. He could vaguely hear Juniper talking about how sweet and cute she was, such a little doll. It almost made him want to burst out laughing. Weiss did look like that at first. But she was about as cute and cuddly as a Beowolf – with the temper to match. She hadn't earned the moniker Ice-Queen for nothing.
"Weiss Schnee, ladies and gentlemen," an orator cried as he walked out onto the stage, pointing to the young woman who was even then backing away through the curtains. The applause grew louder in response to the man's words, with more than a few flowers being thrown towards the stage. It somehow seemed so very Weiss that she wouldn't stay for it all. The suited man waited for the applause to die down, standing centre stage as people returned to their seats. Once there was silence he brought his microphone back to his lips to speak, "And a thank you to all of you who have come here today to see Miss Schnee's final performance, the proceeds of which will be going to many good causes across Vale."
I'm sure they will… Of course, the charity's Directors would no doubt take their share.
"But before the night comes to a magnificent close we are proud to announce that there will be a mystery raffle, with the prize being one final chance to meet Miss Schnee before she ends her career in the musical world." There was nothing unusual about it… he'd never been to this event before, so no doubt this happened every time. Odd to imagine that Weiss had been through the same Pyrrha had with fans, especially considering how his partner had admitted once or twice that she'd originally felt put-off by Weiss' actions before initiation.
You'd think Weiss would have known better if she went through the same.
Who knew, maybe without his interference Weiss would get the partner she had originally desired. He had no idea how she'd handled Ren and Nora, the latter specifically – but it was amusing to imagine. He didn't have to worry about anything though – since there were over forty thousand people here and the chances of him winning were-
"Jaune Arc! If you will make your way backstage, you are our grand winner!"
"Oh my God," Lavender whispered, despite the rest of their family cheering and clapping, "what are the odds!?"
"Forty-thousand to one," he growled, "almost statistically impossible."
It could be… maybe there was a small chance? His hands gripped the armrests so hard he feared they might break. No. Luck was one thing, chance another… Blake on the train, the fact that it was their train at all!? Now that he thought of it why hadthere been a train that was half passenger, half cargo? What was the point of doing things that way?
He'd written it off as an accident – bad luck. Then Ozpin and Miss Goodwitch, again more poor luck for him… they happened to share the same balcony and the man happened to know about Jaune killing the Beowolf. What if it hadn't been luck at all? Wait - the Beowolf? Something that had never happened in any of his lives… bad luck, again? For a monster to somehow sneak past all the border guards, the patrols, Nicholas and a range of other houses filled with innocent people!?
Impossible.
Literally impossible – the odds to small that there was no conceivable way they all could have happened in such quick succession, without something interfering to push things along... But that was madness, surely?
The events that changed – things that went wrong, they always happened because of him trying to change the timeline. If he killed Cinder, then things got worse because the revolution happened without her leadership, Adam was a far bigger monster than Cinder in some regards. But he hadn't changed anything this time… the only thing that was different was the fact that he wasn't attending Beacon…
"Perhaps you would consider attending Beacon this year, Mr Arc. I think you would be a fine addition."
No… surely not? How could his refusal to enter Beacon cause so much? How could it put his family at risk, nearly kill his mother – manipulate everything to turn out this way?
"Go on Jaune!" his mother beamed, as two men came to escort him to his meeting. One took a position on either side of him, leading him down well-lit corridors filled with people clapping and whistling.
He felt like he was being escorted to his own execution.
I refuse. No matter what happens I refuse to let this end up with me in Beacon. I don't know if this is my semblance, Ozpin or fate itself. This means nothing! I won't be roped into it again.
"What!?"
"I apologise Miss Schnee, this was arranged by your father – I had assumed you knew."
Her father? Of course… and it would be just like him not to tell her. The man before her bowed deeply, clearly uncomfortable with her ire. Perhaps he feared for his job, his livelihood and family…
She hated it.
"It's not a problem," deep breaths – her shoulders relaxed as a mask of simple indifference slipped across her features. "I was simply caught off-guard by it. If you'll see to delaying my guest for a few minutes so I can prepare?"
"Of course Miss Schnee," pure relief – it dripped from him in waves. Was this the culture of fear within the SDC, something her father had drilled into his employees? Or worse… was it her? "I do apologise once more."
The door closed before she could tell him it wasn't his fault. If he had even heard it, she wondered if he would believe her words. Ignore it. You'll be at Beacon in a week anyway. That would give her the chance she needed, the opportunity to show who she was and what she could achieve away from Atlas and the long arm of her family. Her face tilted to one side as she inspected herself in the mirror, before looking at the other. Her scar stood out still, the ugly mar visible no matter what powder she might put over it. A frown pulled across her lips before she could catch it, one finger coming up to trace the damaged skin. It could have been worse. At least she still had both eyes.
There was a soft knock on the door, followed by two more. Light blue eyes widened as she quickly snapped her attention back to the present, smoothing out her white clothes as she finished her inspection. Her throat was sore, she looked a little tired – but it would do. The frown was torn from her face, replaced with a genial smile as she pirouetted to face the closed doors.
"Come in."
"This is Mr Jaune Arc," the man from before introduced. The winner was a young man, probably close to her own age though certainly much taller. Coarse blond hair and blue eyes set in a face that looked almost bored. She had to resist the urge to scrunch her nose a little at his clothes. Though… adequate, they were hardly fashionable. And he wore them poorly, as though clearly unused to a suit in any way. Certainly she wouldn't have bumped into him at any of her father's dinner parties, but then again that wasn't saying much. "He was fortunate enough to win the contest for a meeting with yourself Miss Schnee."
"Yes, yes – thank you. Please wait outside." Really now, he'd already explained this to her before. Did he think her stupid, that her hard-earned success and skill was nothing more than the bumbling talent of an empty-headed child?
"Outsi- Miss Schnee, perhaps you should not be alone with an unknown man like this." She wanted to slap a hand into her face. Had he honestly just insinuated such a thing about a person who was right next to him? Even if he did look scruffy and a little below her station, that hardly warranted an immediate accusation that he might take advantage of her.
This was exactly how the poor reputation of the Schnee family had come about.
The boy's dark eyes narrowed, "I'm sure someone about to enter Beacon would be able to handle a civilian," he said. She made sure to keep her smirk hidden at his irritation, though she was impressed with his confidence to speak up. Most fans who met her tended to bumble around gushing about how wonderful the experience was. Insults tended to wash over them, so in awe were they.
"I would prefer it if you didn't insult those who come to see one of my concerts. Rest assured if something unpleasant does happen, I will be able to handle it better than you or my guards could."
Winter probably didn't have to go through this…
The man hesitated still, before no doubt deciding it wasn't worth sticking his neck out for. With a quick bow he backed out of the room, slowly closing the door behind him. She desperately wished she could just sit down and relax, especially after such a draining performance. But instead she smiled at the teen before her.
"Well… congratulations are in order for winning the competition. A pleasure to meet you… Jaune, was it?"
"Hm," he nodded and leaned back against a nearby wall. "I didn't even realise there was a competition."
That makes two of us…
"So…" normally it was they who did most of the talking, her barely able to squeeze a word in edgeways. She never knew what to say to those shy ones who didn't speak. Then again, he didn't look like he was shy around her at all. He was completely at ease. "What brought you to come see my concert?"
"Family. I had a… small accident recently that I recovered from. I think this was supposed to my be parent's way of celebrating things working out."
A small accident, that sounded a bit off. Tickets to her concerts were expensive at the best of times, and who would reward someone for something insignificant? More likely he'd come out of some kind of accident or surgery… something his survival hadn't been a certain factor on. Either way, it wasn't any business of hers. All she needed to do was remain polite and entertain him for ten minutes or so, then send him off with an autograph or something. If he was another weirdo that requested a kiss she would have to stab him.
"I'm glad to hear things worked out, are your family here?"
"Yeah, all ten of us." Some of the surprise she felt at that number must have shown on her face, for the boy let out a short laugh, "I have a lot of sisters."
He certainly did… Weiss didn't know how to imagine having more than one Winter, it would be a nightmare! Still though, he didn't offer any real avenue for conversation… she'd thought he would leap at the chance to talk about his family to her, but instead he went silent after saying just enough to answer her question.
"Don't you have anything you wanted to ask of me?" she finally asked, "It's not like you get to meet me every day after all."
There was a flicker of something in his eyes, amusement perhaps, "I guess not. I suppose… why did you decide to give up this career to become a Huntress?"
"That's none of your business," she snapped, before she could even think about it. A second later she worked to wipe the frown from her face, before he could notice it. Damn, but that had been a constant question back home – why did he have to ask that specifically? "I apologis-"
"It's fine. It's not really any of my business, I was just curious."
Her eyes narrowed at him, looking for any duplicity, but it honestly seemed like he wasn't bothered by her acerbic response. In fact, she'd dare to say he looked pleased… again, a faint glimmer of amusement. That was a far cry from how most reacted to her temper.
"I am sorry though, it's somewhat of a personal question."
"Then don't answer it. What's your favourite instrument?"
"Eh – um, piano. I like the piano more than anything."
"Hmm, piano music is good. I play the guitar myself, but I'd have liked to learn if we had one back home."
She appreciated the swift change in topic, even if she hadn't been prepared for it. Most would have tried to dig deeper, especially after winning an apology from her.
"You play music then, is that why your parents brought you here?"
"Yep. My goal is to travel Remnant as a musician, my parents thought this would be a good experience for me. I don't really intend to get as big as you have though, this is all a little too much for me."
"Not everyone wants to be the best," she said magnanimously. She always had, she was a Schnee and so needed to excel in everything she did – she relished it too. But she knew not everyone else held the same ideals. "So you want to play in a band, or?"
The conversation was safe, easy – just the way she wanted it. It allowed her time to switch off and rest without having to worry about keeping up her mask. Maybe he was doing that deliberately, maybe he was just indifferent. He didn't act like one of her usual fans, so perhaps he honestly didn't care – her music wasn't for everyone. Thank the heavens she hadn't gotten another excitable twit, or worse – some man thrice her age who descended to the mental age of a child upon seeing her.
"I'm thinking more along the lines of wandering minstrel. I want to travel light between the Kingdoms and stay where I can, earn my keep with my skills before moving on."
"Well, that's…" whimsical, silly, unreliable, "an interesting choice."
"You didn't really agree to an interview with someone, did you?" he said, a small grin on his face.
"What do you mean? You're here, are you not?" The question surprised her, more because he'd managed to notice than anything else. She was certain she'd hidden her frustrations well enough – bar that one slip earlier.
"We don't have to if you don't want to." He shrugged, "I didn't actually sign up to win anything so I'm not fussed either way. How about we say you did and call it here?"
It sounded too good to be true. A typical trap laid by reporters and journalists who wanted to see her falter… except that he didn't look like either. It would be nice not to have to waste time. She had enough to think about with Beacon upcoming, not to mention she desperately wanted a shower after being out on that stage beneath so many spotlights. It had been unbearably hot.
"If you are certain…" she said slowly, looking for any reaction.
He just shrugged, "I am. It was nice to meet you, good luck with Beacon and everything."
"You too, Jaune… good luck with your music. Maybe one day I'll get to hear you play."
He had that amused look in his eyes again, but there was no comment as he nodded and moved away, letting himself out of her dresser room. It wasn't until the door clicked shut and she heard multiple footsteps moving away that she finally allowed herself to relax. With a long sigh she flopped down onto the seat before the mirror, letting the polite smile fade.
What a strange guy…
Okay, that hadn't gone too badly. Nothing had come up about Beacon and him; he'd avoided any traps that might have led to a reaction from her. He would become another face in the crowd for her.
Maybe I overreacted before, there was nothing there that could have landed me in Beacon. Other than me suddenly rediscovering my old crush and throwing myself beneath the bus for her.
It had been weird to see the girl wearing that mask, she certainly had little use for it at Beacon. Oh, he'd seen it once or twice – usually when she was trying to talk to teachers or get out of trouble. Most of the time she was the snappy girl he'd seen a small glimpse of back there.
"Maybe one day I'll get to hear you play."
Heh… hadn't he tried to play the guitar for her once? He could just about remember the look on her face as she slammed the door shut.
Okay, well his sisters would kill him if they realised he pretty much turned down an interview with Weiss Schnee because he didn't care, but other than that it had gone pretty well. The tension was just about slipping away from him, the fear that had built up inside him draining out. There was nothing to worry about… how would a raffle win to meet her have forced him into Beacon anyway? It was just Vale… getting to him as it had done earlier.
No need to read into thi-
"Oof," something collided with him, falling to the floor. Jaune staggered for another step or two, but managed to avoid collapsing atop the poor soul. With a nervous laugh he held one hand out, "Sorry about that, I wasn't watching where I was going."
"No problem, I suppose I too was lost in thought."
Panic gripped his heart, "Nope!" His hand shot back, feet carrying him past the downed woman as though she might rear up and attack him. Every nerve in his body cried out in a desire to be anywhere other than where he was. That he had to run!
"Wha-?" Pyrrha sounded surprised, still sat on her rear with one hand held up to accept his aid. Blue eyes scrunched shut as he broke into a jog, anything to get away.
Damn it, damn it, damn it – it was official. No way, not a chance in hell. This couldn't be an accident, all of this together… it was impossible. Not this time, Fate, he growled, I won't be your damned slave! A flash of green ahead had him cursing, the blond ducking into a shaded alcove as Ozpin and Miss Goodwitch walked by.
"-always on the lookout Glynda. Besides, if my eyes didn't deceive me, it's not just the boy who has had some training. The eldest daughter carries herself with the confidence of someone who knows how to fight." The two passed by, yet he still gave it another minute before he crept out of the alcove.
Sapphire-? She'd be torn apart at Beacon… no, he wouldn't let it happen. She was too old to go and didn't even have her aura unlocked. Ozpin might want him – might just want an Arc, but that didn't mean he would get one. Dad will be on my side in stopping him, we just need to get away from Vale! He just needed to avoid bumping into anyone else from Beacon. Whatever was causing this couldn't force him to go… all of this, it was just temptation – trying to convince him.
"I've already made up my mind," Jaune whispered as he approached his family, "I'm not going and that's final. I don't care what happens."
He wouldn't be a toy.
A good night's sleep and the rising of the sun didn't make Vale any better in his eyes. The Arc family had retired to the hotel after the concert night, and thankfully nothing had happened to ruin things any further. But that still left another full day in Vale for him, which he was currently spending with his sisters. He'd tried to derail that plan, to claim sickness and hide in his room until it was time to go home. That had lasted about as long as it took Sapphire to pick some clothes and Sable to threaten to dress him – with a casual reminder of how she used to do that when he was a baby.
"What the hell's up with you?" Hazel sighed over her milkshake, flicking a bit of chocolate foam his way. "You keep looking round like you expect the fucking cops to pop out. You do anything to that Schnee girl we ought to know about?"
"Wha-? No! I'm just… well you know, feeling a little under the weather."
"Not that bull again." Jaune frowned at her but didn't say anything. They couldn't understand – hell, he barely understood. But the events of the previous day had proven beyond a doubt that something was going on. Something he didn't like – and wasn't going to be tricked into.
"Let go of my ears," a familiar voice complained. Like she had been for the last ten god-damned minutes!
"What a jerk," Amber growled into her sundae, the look on her face saying she wanted nothing more than to murder whoever it was. Jaune had half-expected it to be Cardin, but that probably would have been too much. Instead Velvet looked to be getting bullied by some children.
Children…
He half wanted to go over there and knock some sense into her! She was a huntress damn it, act like it and either make them stop or walk away. Don't just stand there waiting for someone – for him – to come and make it stop.
Oh yes… Jaune had come to the realisation very quickly, that this day was shaping up to be just like the previous.
I don't care. I'm not falling for this crap.
"I've got half a mind to go over there and kick their asses," Hazel said. Jaune sighed as he gripped her wrist. With her, half a mind was more than enough.
"You'll make it worse. If you do anything to them then they'll just take it out on her once you're gone." The older girl looked like she wanted to argue, the words forming in her head, before she looked away with a silent snarl.
Velvet would be fine. She was stronger than she looked.
"You guys finished with your treats?" he asked, looking at the seven girls as they polished off their shakes. "Why don't we go check out somewhere else, I hear there's a big mall near here."
Their cheers were muted, but they each stood up nonetheless. He knew they hated the idea of leaving her behind, but there really was nothing they could do. You couldn't change the mind of people in an instant, especially not with violence.
"So how do you know your way around so well?" Coral asked as they all walked off towards the mall. "We've never been to Vale yet you knew where this parlour was and the mall?"
"Asked the receptionist at the hotel." he lied. "She wouldn't give me her number but she did give me some ideas on where we could go."
"Probably to get rid of you," Jade teased, "Guess our little brother isn't as hot as he thinks he is."
"And yet I still managed to have more partners in the last month or two than you have… oh, ever?"
"Yeah well I'm saving myself," Jade growled and looked away. "Besides, you had to say partners – you haven't even had a proper girlfriend yet."
"Eh~" he waved one hand with a grin, "I'm not really looking for a serious relationship."
"Well you've succeeded at that. Not a girl in Ansel who would take you as a boyfriend with your rep."
"A wandering minstrel has not the time for such attachments," he waxed. Some of the girls laughed, most rolled their eyes. Jaune found his own eyes narrowing however, as he felt the telltale sign of hostile intent. It didn't take long to see him - mainly due to the ugly grin on his face. Cardin Winchester walked down the street with a swagger that felt entirely too put on. Arms swinging widely as he stepped forward with both his feet and shoulders at the same time, like some kind of weird sway. It was easy to ignore the teen... he'd done it time and time again, so he simply stepped aside when they were about to pass by him.
Unfortunately he'd forgotten that this was Cardin he was dealing with, "Hey - watch where you're walking," the ginger teen growled, pushing with both hands. It was hardly an impressive shove, but it was enough to knock him a few feet back since he wasn't ready for it. He'd stepped clear aside to let Cardin past... but of course he had stepped with Jaune... he wanted to bump into someone after all. "Walking down the street like you own it, maybe you should step aside for a hero of Vale."
Don't rise to the bait, Jaune sighed. "Sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. No harm done, right?" His sisters watched on, even as he tried to send some kind of telepathic message for them to not interfere. It would be just like Hazel or Jade to try and step in to break this up, probably by antagonising Cardin. But this wasn't Ansel and this wasn't a snot-nosed brat who'd be cowed with a little confidence. Cardin had aura, training and a weapon - and say what you would about his character, but he knew how to use them. "I don't want any trouble."
"Yeah well maybe you should have thought of that before slamming into me." Another shove, this time with both hands. He could have resisted it... hell, he could have grabbed the boy's arms and slammed him into the ground, broken every bone in his body. But he did nothing, allowing himself to stagger back as the other teen connected.
"You're going to just attack a civilian?" Jaune asked, "When he's trying to show his sisters around town? Or were you planning to hit them too when they try to protect me?"
"Gonna run to your sisters to help you?" he sneered, "I suppose it makes sense. Just keep hiding behind your walls civ. Maybe when the Grimm come one of the heroes will care enough to help you out." Cardin's shoulder slammed into his as the boy walked by, vicious grin showing that he felt he'd gained more than enough from the encounter. Jaune didn't even react. Instead turning back to his sisters with a raised brow.
"Lovely people in Vale, eh?"
Sapphire frowned, "Why didn't you protect yourself? Dad's taught you more than enough to stand up for yourself." Just about every other girl nodded, some such as Amber and Hazel looking more than a little frustrated with his submissive display. What had they expected, that he would tear his shirt off and fly into action - suplex Cardin Winchester through a nearby window? It was bullying, he faced it just about every repeat and gave it the attention it deserved. Absolutely none. How could you be offended by the actions and opinions of people you didn't value the opinion of?
"Wouldn't have solved anything," he shrugged instead. "Besides, it's not like I lose anything by letting him win. Everyone here knows he was the one that ended up looking stupid." It wasn't enough for them, that much was clear - but if these encounters were being thrown before him to try and elicit some reaction then the best choice was to do nothing every time. Just ignore every single person and bide out his time until they went home. "Anyway, here's Vale's Central Mall. About a hundred or so overpriced shops, all packed beneath one bird-poo stained roof."
"So romantic," Coral brushed past him, no doubt in the direction of a bookstore. "Why don't you look after Amber while us women have some time to shop?"
"I'm a woman!" Amber piped up.
"Oh?" Lavender smiled and leaned down, "So you want to come clothes shopping with me and Sapphire?"
"I'm not a woman!"
"Come on then my little gender-confused sibling," Jaune rolled his eyes and placed a hand on the top of her head, "let's go play some games at the arcade."
"Yeah!"
Let it be said that if you've visited one arcade, you've visited them all. Vale might have had at least three times as many machines, but that barely accounted for the ten times as many snot-nosed brats running around. It was still the same plethora of chaos and beeping that they'd spent so much time in back at Ansel.
For Amber though, it was like an entirely new world.
"Oh, oh, Jaune look! House of the Grimm 4, Bullhead Racer, Hunting Simulator!" The latter had a long queue of kids behind it, and was a machine featuring all kinds of plastic swords, axes and guns. No prizes for guessing the game wasn't about hunting elk or any other wild animal.
He tried to lose himself in the sounds and machines, but he couldn't quite get rid of the tenseness in his shoulders, nor the way his hands balled into fists. He could only be glad she didn't notice, too enraptured by all the games.
"Why don't we do some bullhead racing first?" he offered, leading her over to the empty machine. It would be fine. He just needed to waste a few hours here with Amber, have some fun then retire to the hotel. Repeat that again the following day and it would all be done. He'd be home, Beacon would start and no matter what happened, there would be no way for him to get in.
The clink of some lien falling through the slots heralded the start of their race, his little sister grinning over him as she gripped the controls.
"What a day," he groaned as he entered his room, thankful for the fact that as the only boy he got it to himself. The mattress bounced him back up as he threw himself down on it, holding an arm across his vision. "What a fucking day…"
He didn't normally swear, but honestly the day deserved it.
Velvet in the morning, Cardin bumping into him… he'd seen Ren and Nora at the arcades, though he'd managed to stuff Amber into another game and hide with her. That would have been a close call since he recalled he'd promised to meet them both at Beacon. Nora was just crazy enough to try and force the issue too... and even if they didn't, disappointment from his team was something he didn't want to see. The whole reason he'd been so fervent in getting away from Pyrrha - so that he couldn't see the disgust in her eyes.
Then once they met back up with the rest of them he'd caught sight of a distinctive red hood bobbing behind some shelves. Hazel was the only one who could have recognised Ruby, but luckily he managed to distract and lead them all away by offering to carry their bags. That had also given him the perfect place to hide his snarl as they walked past Emerald Sustrai, who just so happened to be wandering down the street. Of course, she was just another random woman to everyone else – but the fury, not to mention the urge to murder, had been very strong.
That would have been one way to ensure he didn't get into Beacon… though maybe a little extreme.
Things hadn't even stopped after that! Coco and Fox walking down the road beside them, Lavender chatting to Sky Lark of all people at the bus stop… not to mention him meeting with Dove who had chosen to start flirting with Sable. The whole day had been an exercise in keeping a straight face while also resisting the urge to start screaming and run away. But none of it mattered, it didn't matter how many people he ran into – nor how many he saw or talked to.
"I. Don't. Care!" he growled into the pillow, using it to muffle a scream of rage. Energy spent, he rolled onto his back, staring up at the patterns dancing their way across the ceiling. "Why won't you let me go? I don't want any of this."
The ceiling didn't answer.
The squeaking bed and thumps from next door did. Jaune groaned, bringing the cushion back over his head as the sounds of feminine moans came through the `sound-insulated` walls. Well… this weekend officially couldn't get any worse.
"Oh Nicky…"
For the love of…
"Don't you have enough kids!?" Jaune shouted, banging a fist on the wall. He doubted their heard him however, considering the noise continued. He couldn't blame this one on fate, or whatever was ruining his day. This was just his bloody mum and dad doing what came naturally.
You'd think they would have learned after the eighth.
It was fine. He could withstand it, they'd finish soon enough and he could get some sleep. If only he'd thought to bring some music and headphones he'd be okay, but the whole trip had been rushed enough that he hadn't thought to. The pillow felt wonderful as he tried to smother himself with it, but even the sweet embrace of approaching death didn't seem to be enough to drown out the noise.
It continued for another few minutes. The seconds ticking by as he tried to think of anything other than what was going on. Lessons, Ozpin, Roman bloody Torchwick… it was all undone every time he heard his mother – his mother – moan.
"I'm done," he said at last, throwing the pillow aside and pulling on some shoes. There was no way he was going to get any sleep listening to that.
Jaune Arc knew exactly what he needed.
"Another." A glass thudded down before him, the burly man behind the bar taking his previous one and running a cloth round the inside. Jaune paid no attention, reaching for the new offering and downing it in one. He washed it round his mouth, savoured it, before swallowing with a single gulp. The glass wobbled as it fell back onto the bar, but against all odds remained standing.
"Your vodka tastes like water."
"That's because it was water," the man snapped back, "I'm cutting you off. You've had enough."
"Who cuts off a paying customer?"
"One who doesn't want to have to carry said customer out the door. You're lucky I even let you in without ID." The man reached out to flick Jaune in the forehead. Instincts drilled in through years of combat slammed to the front of his drunken mind, causing his hand to lash out.
He grabbed air… a good few inches from the man's hand.
"See?"
The blonde slumped, "Well crap…"
It had happened again.
Every time, at some point or another, he went to a bar or got hold of some alcohol. Sometimes it was in the training period before Beacon, a tool to take off gruesome memories and muscular pain. Sometimes it wasn't until Beacon, some kind of outing with his team or just a way of reducing stress. It was good for so many things; forgetting, distracting, wasting time. No one could call Jaune Arc an alcoholic… at least, not in the same way one could claim of Qrow. But he more than enjoyed a drink, especially the time he'd gone out with said man.
What a night…
But there was one little problem. Something he tended to forget each time, as memories and experiences muddled. His tolerance didn't come back with him. It didn't matter if he had some right away or a year after returning, each time he would still be a young man with a body that didn't know how to handle its liqueur. He had so many humiliating first experiences he could barely recall them. Been carried back to his rooms by Yang, Ren, Sun, Neptune, hell – even Nora one time… though not before the girl had had her fun drawing things on his face. And now it looked like he would be dragging himself home. Joy…
"Right," he sighcupped – something that started as a sigh and ended in a hiccup, "Well, you okay to let me nurse this til my head stops spinning?"
"Fine with me kid," the bearded man sighed, refilling the glass from a tap. "I'd rather you walk out under your own power. Just don't try anything, I've told the others you've been cut off."
"Yeah, yeah… least no one else to see it this time." At least he'd managed to waste a good two hours. That meant there was only the morrow to survive. The first day with the concert had gone… well, it had gone terribly – but good enough that he hadn't been drafted into Beacon. The second day had been a test of endurance against all his former friends and enemies. There was just the final day left… and if he could spend that in his room recovering from a killer hangover, then that would be a day well spent.
I'm on the home stretch… and it smells like vomit.
It was still better than the taste of ash mixed with his own blood.
He could perhaps be forgiven then, considering how lost within his own memories he was, for not noticing the drama taking place beside him until it was too late. His first indication was a body settling on the stool beside his, one bare arm entering his vision as she leaned on the bar.
"Yo." Yang Xiao-Long grinned at him, "Looks like somebody's been having a party."
"Oh God," Jaune groaned, wiping one hand down his face in a vain effort to wash away the horror. "Not you…"
"Whoah, my reputation precedes me I see. Unless you're someone I turned down at Signal?" That she had to ask for clarification was bad enough… how many boys had asked her out? Why, oh why did she have to be here… was it not enough for him to have everyone else pushed before his eyes all day without this last solace being taken from him? Ignoring her would be the best bet. She was like a cat in that regard, always thriving off the attention of others. In a very real way she worked like her semblance… getting stronger the more someone focused on her.
"No words? Or have I rendered you speechless?"
He wouldn't rise to the bait, no matter how tempting it was. Yang was easy and fun, always up for a laugh and good to talk to… when she got used to you anyway. She was also one of the few that he'd never had sexual relations with, romantic or otherwise. It would be oh so easy to fall into casual conversation with her. He wouldn't fall for that trap.
"Sheesh, tough crowd. Eh, bartender – strawberry sunrise! Make sure to include one of those little umbrellas too."
It was none of his business… she was nothing to him. None of them were.
"Aren't you a little young for a place like this?"
"Funny. You serve him but not me?"
"I learn from my mistakes. Lucky if he's able to walk out on his own legs."
Yang punched him in the arm. Hard. "Ha - looks like you're a lightweight, champ."
"I wouldn't call eleven glasses of vodka mixers a lightweight," Hei `Junior` Xiaong grunted, "I'd be impressed with how much he managed, if I wasn't annoyed at how badly he took it."
Ignore me, look elsewhere…
"Hm, not bad – maybe there's hope for you yet. Anyway Junior, I hear you're pretty good for information here in Vale." Jaune's eyes flickered to the side as she spoke, interested despite himself. So she wasn't here just to haunt him… what was she here for then? Just his luck to choose a bar that housed criminal contacts too… probably the reason they'd been willing to let him in without any form of identification. Teach me to ignore the obvious signs… been out of the job for a little over two years and I'm already out of touch.
"It's been said," Hei played on the side of caution.
"Good enough for me. I want to know if you have any information on this woman." Yang held out her scroll towards the man, who leaned in to take a look at the image. The older man hummed lightly as he thought it over, before shaking his head with a sigh. Yang cursed, "Crap, what about you champ, think you can help a beautiful girl out?"
Before he could comment, before he could even point out that he wanted nothing to do with her and could hardly see straight anyway, the scroll was pushed into his face. He could tell from the grin she wore that she didn't expect anything. She was teasing him and nothing else, trying to see if she could get a rise out of him. Blue eyes, dark from alcohol, focused on the screen. A second later his face twisted into a hateful grimace.
Raven Branwen…
The glass in his hand cracked, water spilling over his fingers. Don't get angry, don't react… It was hard to let go. Infinitely so, as he loosened each finger individually before looking away from that woman. He had no idea whose side she was on. Even now.
But she wasn't on his… he would never trust her.
"No idea."
He wasn't sure what happened. It felt like he had taken the room with both hands, given it a good spin and then let go. Ceiling became floor and ceiling once more, people, stools and tables flashing around him as he danced through the air weightless. Something caught him, hard and unyielding against his cheek. It took a few woozy blinks for him to realise it was the floor. And that people were screaming.
"Bull," she growled. He'd have known the voice even if he were blindfolded. And with how badly his mind was swimming it might as well be. Something stung, and it took a long second for him to realise it was his cheek.
"You hit me?" It was more of a question than a statement… mainly because he still wasn't quite sure. All he knew was that something hurt, his day was already awful - and now Yang was trying to get in his way too, to ruin everything he'd planned!
"You know her. No one reacts like that to someone they've never met." Yang's eyes were already red. Fancy that, he hadn't even done anything to activate her semblance and she was already half-gone. "Tell me everything you know."
…
"Fuck you."
Someone shouted from the side. Dancers ran left and right, creating an open space around them as people desperately found somewhere else to be. In the distance he could just about make out Hei shouting for them to stop, but he was already gone. Yang was no better.
"You want to rephrase that?" she said, slipping into a wide-legged stance. Ember Cecilia hadn't made an appearance yet, not in its full form – but that was likely only because he was unarmed.
Because he looked unarmed. Only a fool relied on their only weapon… you didn't spar against Pyrrha for over eighty years without learning to fight when disarmed.
"I've had more than enough of this," something snapped within him. "More than enough of you!" He meant plural, all of them – torturing him, reminding him of what he was giving up, what he was going to sacrifice. Couldn't they see it was for their own good? Couldn't they understand that!?
There was a voice somewhere. It sounded like it was inside his own mind, telling him to calm down, to stop doing this. That voice went ignored when the woman before him flung a fist towards his face. Another person screamed, voices raised in panic as he stepped to the side, tilting his head so that her fist whistled past his nose. Even inebriated as he was, his mind still knew what to do, sending a palm down the girl's arm towards her throat. It would be enough to stun her, give him time to get a good hit in.
It should have been enough… if he wasn't so damned slow. Fingers curled around his own like a vice, drawing him across her body as she flipped him over her shoulder. He just about managed to strike her face on the way over, more of a distraction than to cause any damage. It was enough to have her release him, so he could land on a nearby table instead of be slammed into the ground at her feet. Bottles turned to shards beneath him, sending a wave of glass flying in every direction.
"If you ask real nicely, then I might be willing to let you give up and tell me what you know."
"You're a real piece of work," Jaune staggered out of the mess, glass falling from his body like sparkling snow. Was this fate, interfering in his life once more? Bad luck, pah – what a joke! Meeting one of them was bad luck, this was design. "Didn't your mother ever teach you any manners? Or were you such a disappointment that she ran off?"
It was a low blow. He knew that, never would have considered speaking such words to someone he respected so much... not in any other situation.
But she reacted exactly as he expected her to.
"Rarghhh!" The blow might have torn his head clean off had it hit. Yang had always been sloppy when angry however, allowing him to duck beneath it and slam a fist beneath her ribcage. He'd have loved to get another in, but even drunk off his ass he knew enough about her fighting style to know that was a bad idea.
You had three options with Yang… you could overwhelm her in a single strike, instantly destroy her. So far he'd only seen Adam ever pull off such a feat, and even then she'd been exhausted before the fight. You could what he affectionately termed `Neo her` - which was to say pull off flips and dodges that would snap a normal person's body in two, redirect all her force so that she defeated herself. Again, he'd only seen one person ever manage that. The last option was to whittle her down. One blow at a time, like a man chipping away at a brick wall with bare fists. Never enough to trigger her semblance, never enough for her to throw back at you. It was slow and gruesome work. But right now that was just what he needed to take the edge off. Booze was one thing… there was nothing like a good fight to really get the blood pumping.
He'd almost forgot the sensation.
Red eyes narrowed as she struck, a straight punch that he managed to lean away from, following by a roundhouse kick that he knew was coming. She kept him on the defensive with a blistering series of attacks, but he was able to keep ahead of them. It wasn't through skill however… not when his body was untrained and also hammered. It was hard not to know her style… considering she had taught him it.
Slip to the side, one arm up to block her kick – step back as it transferred into an axe kick, duck in and hit her in the shoulder, back out again. His grin only got wider as the fight continued, as he pushed her back.
It was after one particularly satisfying punch to her cheek, that sent her staggering to the side, that things went wrong.
"Argh! Enough!" she screamed, suddenly dashing forward with more speed than she'd shown before. His hands fell into a block instinctively, but the grin on her face told him he'd messed up. It wasn't her style; she didn't feint like that – but apparently to get back at him she'd make an exception. Jaune choked on air as her elbow slammed into his lower back, sending him staggering forward.
Any progress was halted by her knee, which drove into his stomach with enough force to have him bent over. He wasn't sure what happened next… except that something tight gripped his back, and then he was smashing through what seemed to be a pillar of glass. Music squawked to a stop as he landed, skidding and bouncing across the dance floor.
There was a tinkling sound as she walked up to him. Little pieces of glass clicking as they were crushed beneath her boots.
Was that blood dribbling down his face?
"Does it hurt?"
"Does it hurt?" The scene before him seemed to flicker. Blonde hair flashing to black. He could taste blood in his mouth, blood and ash – no, there was no ash. But things were… they were on fire?
"Tell me everything you know," she growled. Tell her? Tell her what, where all his friends were – so she could find and kill them? He'd never rat them out, no matter what she did to him. His collar twisted as she lifted him up, bangs dropping across his eyes as he tried to see past the haze of smoke – alcoho- no… smoke, there was fire.
Wasn't there?
Had she dragged him from the girders that trapped him, pulled him from the ruined wreckage so that she might gloat? His fingers twitched blue eyes widened.
"Agh!" she recoiled, releasing him as he slammed a hand into her face. His hand fell to Crocea Mors, but it was missing – lost somewhere. There was no time to find it. Hands and fingers, nails and claws – teeth, he would use anything he had. He had to kill her. Had to! One knife-hand slammed into her cheek, knocking her back. A shin slammed into the side of his knee, threatening to break his leg but for the adrenaline coursing through him.
He stepped into the pain, ignored it and pushed on to deliver his forehead straight into her nose. It would have cracked like an overripe egg, were it not for her damned aura. He smashed his head into her one more time for good measure, growling as a fist buried itself in his kidney.
The flames were back… they always were, flickering around them both as she tried to incinerate him. Like she had a hundred times before, like she would a thousand times more – it didn't matter. He would kill her one day, he'd never stop until she was dead and it was over.
Maybe today would be that day.
"Stay down!" she screamed, the words unlike her – filled with an emotion she lacked, but the flames were familiar if nothing else. Fire… how he hated it. Consuming and unforgiving, taking everything it touched and turning it to ash. Turning him to ash.
To Cinders.
A fist slammed into his cheek. His settled in soft flesh, air driven forth. She dodged his strike that would have slammed into the underside of her chin, lashing out with a foot into his side that drove the air from his lungs. His arm came down to trap it there, elbow slamming down onto the side of her bare knee. Cinder roared with pain, wrenching her leg back and limping away. With a scream of rage, fire erupted all around them, scorching his skin and driving the moisture from his eyes. Against all instincts he kept them open, ignoring the agony so that he could rush forward into the inferno.
Heat rolled across him, the very air distorting in rippling waves as he reared one fist back, fully intent on beating her down and punching until there was nothing left but blood and fragments of skull. Red eyes glared back into his own, full of pain and anger.
Wait -
...red?
"Freeze!" Ten voices screamed at once. The flames winked out in an instant, lingering heat all that remained as glass and whimpers reached his ears. Across from him, his old friend stood… blood dripping from a split lip, one eye swollen. Her shoulders rose and fell with heaving pants. Ember Cecilia was deployed… the girl more than ready for violence that might turn deadly.
Had he…? No… surely not.
"Get down!" someone screamed, a weight impacting his back as he was driven to the floor. He just had the time to see an officer tackle Yang in the same manner, before all he could see was flashing lights and plastic floor. The LED dance-floor painting patterns into his retinas as he was pushed down into it. "You're under arrest, any attempt to use your aura or semblance will result in force."
"We weren't doing anything-" the blonde going through the same treatment as him yelled, only to go silent as her head was dragged up by her hair. Jaune suffered the same treatment, allowing him to see the ruined nightclub with his own eyes. Here and there, suited men were dragging one another to safety. There was smashed glass and broken bottles everywhere.
He didn't think there was a table still standing… and they'd been bolted to the floor.
"You'll be spending the night in a fucking cell," one of the officers growled as cold metal was slammed around Jaune's wrists. "Different cells if this is the kind of damage you cause."
This couldn't be happening. Just a drink – that's all he'd asked for. That and to be left alone, but for the machinations of fate serving to drag him into all this madness. His father would kill him… oh gods, his mother!"
"Just so you know," Yang grinned as they were led outside and thrown into the back of a van together. He thought he might have even seen little Ruby, mouth wide as she watched her sister be arrested. Yang though… she acted as though being picked up by the police was just a typical weekend for her, "If that fight had continued, I'd have totally won."
Jaune could only stare at the woman he'd nearly killed… the woman he'd fully intended to kill. Guilt, frustration and alcohol rose up inside him, like bile within his mouth as he thought of what he'd nearly done. His entire body shuddered.
"W-wait, don't!" she cried.
Let it be known… that the scream Yang Xiao-Long let out when he threw up on her face and hair, was far worse than any she had uttered in that nightclub. For Jaune, throwing up on an attractive woman… it was just a typical weekend.