Hey there and we're back. Just to let you know, because I tried to be subtle about it but may have been too subtle, but those goons who came by and insulted Velvet in the diner last chapter were the same ones from that morning. Or two of them at any rate. I was trying to suggest they followed her back to her place of work to harass her. It wasn't just two random and unconnected cases in the same day. I may not have made it clear, though. I was hoping it would be convenient enough to be implied as being the same people but I could have made it clearer by having Velvet recognise them. My bad.
Cover Art: Jack Wayne
Chapter 17
The weekend swept around without any warning, and it promised to be a good one not only because of the private deal he'd made with Cinder, but because Café Prime's new shop hadn't officially opened yet. That was happening during the week, meaning they had a chance to rake in the lien while they could. With their new fantasy kingdom theme, and their matching outfits, they were surely doing that.
Jaune smiled and laughed with a customer from within his knight's outfit, both a capitulation to Ruby and his own secret dreams. He'd gone for a set of armour over a white tunic borrowed from the costume shop and a red cape. It was a little light but that was necessary with all the standing and walking around he had to do. Ruby still proclaimed it awesome and said fancy dress like that was almost enough to make her want to work there. Almost, that was. She'd experience that hell first-hand and didn't want to again.
Russel and Velvet looked equally good in their outfits, Russel going as some kind of rogue in brown and black leather and wearing his knives, while Velvet had dressed up in greens and browns, with little leaf and tree motifs and a skirt that reached down to her knees, split on one side with white cloth flowing under it. She looked like a cross between an archer and a forest sprite, but whatever it was it was a favourite with the male customers. Better still, she seemed more able to laugh and smile through it all than she had the week before. She was relaxing into the job.
The diner itself featured its own new additions in a set of shields with bright heraldry hanging from one wall, and a rich tapestry a local seamstress had been willing to put together for him, a big purple cloth with golden thread depicting the four symbols of Vale, Vacuo, Atlas and Mistral. It wouldn't have done to alienate any potential customers, after all. Beyond that there was a fake suit of armour stood behind the counter on a stand, and his sword hunt on the wall behind him, watching over the store.
There was also an adorable paper cut-out of a dragon blowing fire in the window. A customer's daughter had made it for them and Jaune had been too awe-inspired to say no. People making stuff for him? That was amazing!
The best part was that the theme was working wonderfully. The diner was crammed with people and had been since they'd opened, some just coming by to sate their curiosity and see what crazy outfits the local diner had, while others stayed for longer and even asked to take pictures of themselves with them. Russel handled it as well as ever but poor Velvet had been terrified at first. Luckily, she was photogenic either way, which was a lot better than he could boast. His mom had always said his fake smiles look more like grimaces and it looked like he hadn't grown fully out of that.
All in all, everything looked perfect.
Until, with a clatter of a tray on his counter, it didn't.
It came from Russel, a suddenly, almost antagonistic, slamming of his tray on the counter beside Jaune, who was already deep in conversation with Weiss and Ruby. They all froze, Jaune more than any of them. It was the shock more than the noise, and even Velvet – coming back for some cake she'd been sent for – stared in shock.
Russel's teeth were grinding together angrily. His fingers gripped the wooden tray so hard it creaked. The tray, that was. His fingers just turned white as they dug into it. Before, with a flourish, it was gone entirely. He smiled and slipped back into the crowd, serving whoever needed him most. Even so, the uncharacteristic display was enough to keep Jaune staring.
But it was Weiss who realised the problem. "Oh dear, this is going to be bad."
"What is?" Ruby and Jaune asked at the exact same time. Weiss glared between the two of them, thoroughly unamused at the idea of two of her partner.
"Do you pay no attention in school?" Weiss asked, turning on Ruby and leaving him bewildered. "Use that brain of yours a little, not to mention those eyes. Look who just came in. Think who it is. Ask yourself what relation they have with him."
Ruby stared.
Jaune did, too.
"Hey it's Pyrrha," he cheered.
"Oh no, it's Pyrrha," Ruby groaned. When she caught his surprised, and if he dared admit it a little offended look, she quickly explained. "Not that there's anything wrong with her. It's just that, well, it's a little complicated."
"Pyrrha is Russel's partner," Weiss explained.
Jaune's eyes widened. Oh. Oh dear. That really did explain it, even if he'd never seen the two together. Russel's issues with his team, and more specifically his partner, weren't exactly a well-kept secret, while even in the short time he'd spent with her, it was clear Pyrrha didn't get on with her partner either.
"I didn't realise…"
"Not like it's difficult to not do so," Weiss said. "They avoid one another like the plague and barely talk in one word sentences when forced to. I'm sure Doctor Oobleck despairs of them by now and he's certainly tried enough times to make them work together. To no avail, as you can see…"
He could see, sadly. Russel was keen to avoid Pyrrha's table, serving customers on the other end of the café and – for the first time ever – actually providing a poor service thanks to how distracted he was. His smile was a little too wooden and the girls he was chatting with didn't look quite as enamoured or flustered as they normally might. Jaune realised a second too late that Russel was hoping someone else would serve Pyrrha, saving him the trouble. Sadly, since both he and Velvet were staring at the display in shock, no one did.
To the waiter's credit, he bit the bullet and walked over to her.
"This I have to see," Weiss said, turning in her seat.
"Weiss, don't be mean," Ruby hissed. Despite her words, she also turned to watch.
It was too far away to hear anything but they had a perfect view of Russel approaching with his tray under one arm and a notepad in hand. He stopped before the table and asked for her order. The girl in the seat smiled and looked up. And then froze.
Jaune winced. "Should I do something?"
"See how it plays out," Weiss hissed, shushing him with one hand.
Pyrrha's face made it clear how awkward the moment was. Her eyes widened for a second before she looked down, while Russel kept his gaze fixed firmly over her head, never once meeting her eyes. He said something, as did she in return, and whatever it was it sent Russel into a rage. Jaune was honestly afraid he'd have to tackle the normally unflappable employee away, but he collected himself, said something, and nodded once. Turning away, he approached the counter once more, where Weiss and Ruby furiously pretended they hadn't watched the whole affair.
Russel's quick glare towards the backs of their heads said he wasn't fooled. His eyes sought Jaune's a second later and while he didn't quite slam the tray down, it was close. Some cutlery rattled. "She'd rather you serve her," he spat.
"Russel, I'm sure she-"
"Her words," he said, and Jaune's voice cut off. "She specifically said `I'd rather be served by Jaune, thank you`." Russel paused to draw in a deep breath, one designed solely to regain control of his temper. "I'll work behind the counter if you want."
"Do you want to take a moment upstairs to relax? You're due a break…"
"I'm fine."
He wasn't, that much was clear, but there was nothing Jaune could do to force him. Russel was too valuable to the business. If he said he was fine, he was fine. Even so, Jaune nodded once to Velvet, telling her to go out and serve some of the others while he took a tray and pad in his good hand, balancing the notepad on his cast.
"Did she really say that?" he heard Weiss ask Russel as he left to attend to Pyrrha.
"Word for word."
Ouch. Talk about rough. Jaune hesitated on his way to Pyrrha but that couldn't hold when she spotted him and her eyes lit up. She waved in his direction, leaving him to nervously return it. A part of his mind reminded him of how excited he'd been to see her again. That excitement had taken a nose dive.
He couldn't delay forever. With a quick breath he strode forward. "Hey there."
"Jaune," Pyrrha said, smiling brightly. Her eyes trailed up and down his body and it took him an embarrassed moment to realise she was checking out his costume. "That outfit suits you. I didn't realise you'd look so good as a knight."
"This?" He looked himself over, unsure if she really meant it or not. He didn't feel like the outfit suited him. "Ah, it's nothing. Just some fancy dress for the café. I, uh, I heard you wanted me to serve you?"
Pyrrha's smile faded and she glanced down at the table. "Yes, I… ah… it's a little complicated…"
"You're Russel's partner."
"I am." She sounded ashamed to admit it. "I didn't realise he worked here…"
"I doubt he realised you were a customer here." The two shared an awkward moment, with Pyrrha not saying anything and him not sure if he should. Well, he knew he should – Russel was his employee, after all – but he had no idea what. "Is this going to be a problem?" he finally asked, lacking any better, more polite, manner of saying it.
"Huh?"
"Russel. Is him working here going to be a problem for you."
Because if it was, no matter how much he liked her, he'd have to ask her to leave. Russel was invaluable to the place, and as an employer he had a responsibility to look after him. It was something legal, but also something he felt was obligated, too. Both Russel and Velvet worked hard and did their best, and he wouldn't spit on that by letting racists abuse Velvet, or one of Russel's teammates drive him away.
Luckily, Pyrrha seemed to realise that and quickly shook her head. "No! Of course not. I don't want to cause any problems, especially not where he works. It will be fine," she said. She cringed a little. "T-Though maybe it would be better if he and I didn't talk much…"
If so, then there was a problem, wasn't there? He refrained from pointing it out, not wanting to poke the beast and make it worse. He liked Russel and needed him, but he also liked Pyrrha – as in, he genuinely liked her and found her easy to talk to. Even if he knew he'd have to pick Russel if it came to it, he didn't want it to happen.
"I suppose he's told you all about me," Pyrrha suddenly said, looking a little glum.
"Eh?"
"Russel. He's probably filled you in on everything before I got a chance to. I-I didn't want to keep it a secret from you but it's a difficult thing to deal with. I was trying to find the right way to say something, I promise. But… I…"
"Russel hasn't told me anything about your argument," he interrupted.
"O-Our argument…?"
"Whatever there is going on between the two of you. I didn't even realise you were his partner until now, and he never said why you didn't get on. He's a private person like that, though even if he wasn't I don't think he would have told me. It's none of my business."
Pyrrha looked caught somewhere between disbelief and relief. "I didn't- I mean… he hasn't told you about me? Nothing at all?"
"Russel has a very strict way of doing work. Once he's on the job he focuses on the job, and any distractions in his personal life don't factor into it. Since we work together it never comes up. I know he doesn't get on with his partner, but that's it. If I ever ask more he just shuts me down. So, no, he didn't tell me anything about what's going on here. You don't have to, either. You just have to respect that Russel does work here, and that he has a job to do."
"I see…" Pyrrha looked contemplative. "I'm fine with that. It won't be a problem, I promise you that."
"That does mean letting him serve you if he has to," he pointed out. Pyrrha didn't answer, at least not with words, but she did nod after a short pause. It was obvious she didn't like the idea, and what with Russel feeling the same way he wasn't sure it would be a good idea to even try. "But Velvet and I can help you whenever we can," he allowed, earning a relieved smile from the woman.
How complicated was this? Most people didn't get on and then learned to put up with one another, but Russel and Pyrrha were acting like they were exes being forced onto the same team or something.
He almost asked if they were, but recalled Russel having mentioned that they'd gotten on at first but something had happened to ruin it. He doubted that could be a past relationship and Pyrrha had said she came from Mistral, while Russel was from a backwater area in Vale. Long-distance relationships were pretty rare, especially when the only way you could contact the other continent was through a CCT.
"You don't have a problem with Velvet serving you, do you?"
"No, not at all." Pyrrha smiled, and for the first time today it was a relaxed and easy one. "I have no issues with faunus. I don't agree with how some people treat them."
"I don't either. I never realised how bad it could be but she received some abuse the other day. It was honestly shocking."
"I can imagine." Pyrrha looked past his shoulder and it took a quick glance for him to realise she was watching Russel.
"Russel helped her," Jaune explained, earning a surprised sound from her. "He stepped in and pretty much fought the two back. Not a real fight, at least by a huntsman's standards," he added, "but close enough. I think he would have done if it came to it."
Pyrrha, for a moment, looked absolutely sceptical. "Russel helped her? You're sure."
"Yes," Jaune said, unsure if he should be upset on Russel's behalf or not. If he could admit it, he was, and quickly moved to defend his employee. "He's helped Velvet out a couple of times, though it's usually just with being a better waitress of teaching her how to check glasses and mugs to make sure they're clean. He's kind of the head waiter here, I suppose. I run the place but he's the one who keeps it moving smoothly."
Pyrrha opened her mouth to say something but cut off with a helpless shrug. It looked like she'd come to an end on her willingness to talk about her partner, and he realised the conversation was just making her feel worse by dragging out the issue.
"But we can talk about something else," he said, pulling out a seat and sitting down. "How are things in Beacon going?"
"Oh, they're going great," Pyrrha said, smiling once more. "Much better now that I have a friend in Vale to spend time with."
/-/
"I didn't realise they knew one another," Ruby said.
"Jaune gets a lot of custom. I suppose it was inevitable news of him would spread around Beacon," Weiss said. "Even if Pyrrha is a little detached from most people, she still has ears."
"Detached is one way to put it," Russel snorted. "I'd say she's a stuck-up bitch with a chip on her shoulder."
Weiss didn't counter him. Even if she'd wanted to she wasn't sure what she could say. Never let it be said that she considered someone like Russel Thrush a friend – because she totally didn't. He was too rough and ready for one, not to mention his hair – but she could respect what he was, a hard worker and an employee. Though her father might have scoffed at treating the `help` as anything other than money-hungry tools, she had been raised with a little bit of her sister's respect, not to mention Klein's guiding hand.
And really, Russel wasn't as bad as she'd expected. Obviously, that was setting the bar pretty damn low since she'd expected a racist asshole with no common sense beyond a `follow the pack` mentality, but she'd been proven wrong. Quite convincingly, too.
She wouldn't go so far as to say he was a good guy or a decent conversationalist, but he wasn't all that bad. He treated Ruby well, kept his eyes on Yang's, and was always polite to her and Blake. He was the kind of person she wouldn't have begrudged a polite conversation when passing in a hallway.
Though she was sure Ruby would heave a despairing sigh and roll her eyes if she heard their relationship being referred to as that. Can't you just say you're maybe-friends? Ruby would ask. She really didn't understand the finer nuances of a socialite.
"What do you think of them being friends?" Weiss asked Russel, accepting the fresh cappuccino he offered. "Thank you."
"I don't care either way," he said, answering the first question. "Jaune's free to do what he likes, with who he likes. I leave my issues at the door."
"Even when those issues follow you to work?"
He scowled. "Even then."
Weiss hummed. She didn't believe him, of course. He was so tense it wasn't hard to see just how much this did bother him. But she approved of his determination to try and decided not to point it out. Russel was doing his best; she could respect that. "I suppose if I asked what the issue is between you both, I'd be told it was none of my business."
"I'm on the job," Russel said. "You'd get a much more customer-friendly dismissal."
Weiss, despite herself, snorted. While his general attitude left a lot to be desired his dry wit wasn't all that bad. Better than Yang's abominable puns, certainly. "Adorable. Well, so long as you're able to keep it from interfering with your work I'm sure it won't be a problem."
"You could try and fix it," Ruby said hopefully.
"Not a chance," Russel spat. His scowl relented when Ruby flinched back, and for a second he looked visibly distressed to have upset her. Interesting. "I didn't mean it like that," he apologised. "Sorry…"
"It's okay. I didn't mean to pry…"
Weiss sighed and nudged Ruby's foot with her own to tell her partner there wasn't any real reason to feel bad. Even so, for her partner's benefit, she figured she ought to explain. "It takes two to tango, Ruby. It's obvious whatever the issue is it goes both ways. The only means for it to be fixed is if both of them want it to be."
"And she doesn't," Russel said. His smile returned as a customer approached. "Excuse me, I need to deal with this. Hey there, welcome to Jaune's. Oh, Mrs Smithson. How's your mother? She was in the hospital yesterday, right? Is she okay?"
"Oh, Russel – she is. The procedure went perfectly."
"That's great!"
Weiss and Ruby watched him go, surprised, and not for the first time, at how easily he slipped into a conversation with someone he'd probably only met once or twice before. "I swear it still surprises me whenever he does that."
"Yeah, Blake always looks gobsmacked when he does, especially to a faunus."
"Well he does hang out with Cardin."
"I still don't get that," Ruby said. "Cardin's so mean but Russel is nice, and didn't Cardin bully Velvet? Wasn't Russel with them when they did that? I don't know why Velvet doesn't say or do anything. She and Russel are friends."
"They're colleagues," Weiss corrected.
"Same thing. He looks out for her and helps her whenever she needs it, but he bullies her in school."
"It was mostly Cardin who does the bullying. From what I recall Russel stays out of it."
"Yeah, but he doesn't stop it. He would if someone did it here."
That was true, and something that Weiss couldn't explain quite so easily. She didn't try to, and changed the conversation instead. Russel's problems were his own. "So, Pyrrha and Jaune. I didn't see that coming."
"Them being friends?"
"Her being interested in him," Weiss explained, and rolled her eyes when Ruby gasped. "At least I think so. The way her eyes lit up the moment she saw him was an easy indication, and have you noticed how she keeps leaning forward?"
Ruby turned to watch and true to her words Pyrrha had her elbows on the table and her chin on one hand. She was leaned over the table, and beneath it her legs pushed forward, almost touching Jaune's. Ruby saw it and blinked. "Does that mean something?"
"Ruby…" Weiss groaned. Really, how unaware could she be? "Pyrrha's posture speaks of relaxation. Can't you see how at ease she is? Tell me, has she ever looked like that in Beacon?"
"No, but they could just be friends."
"They could be, but you'll also notice what she is wearing."
Ruby inspected Pyrrha, noting not only her short grey skirt and black leggings, but her pale pink cardigan over a cream blouse. It was a warm day in Vale so nothing was too out of the ordinary. Weiss waited, and Ruby, knowing she was expected to say something, wracked her mind for the correct answer. "It looks nice?" she tried.
"It's brand new," Weiss explained with a sigh. "And designer. You can tell because of how clean it is, not to mention her black boots and those shopping bags behind her. I bet she has her usual clothes in there. She came out into Vale specifically to buy brand new clothes and then show them off here."
"Oh…" Ruby's eyes widened. It seemed she'd realised. "Oh wow, I see what you mean."
"And then there is how she might have met Jaune. Do you recall a few days ago that she was absent from class?"
"Yeah, I thought she was sick."
"As did I, but I recently heard she was in detention for skipping school entirely."
Ruby's mouth fell open. "R-Really?" She eyed Pyrrha again. "She doesn't seem like the type…"
"No, and she's never been one to draw attention to herself before. Still, she apparently had time to meet Jaune and get to know him when we didn't notice, and we're effectively regulars here now. So, when would there have been a time possible for that?"
"During the week," Ruby answered. "But she was off all of Wednesday and Jaune doesn't work wed-" Ruby paused. "Oh… oh wow."
Weiss nodded. "Exactly. She learned Jaune had a day off and decided to skip an entire day of school, earning numerous detentions in doing so, to spend it with him. Combine that with the way she's acting now, monopolising his time and attention and, you might have noticed, she hasn't even ordered a drink yet." Mainly because Jaune had been the one to serve her and he'd sat down rather than take her order. Not that Pyrrha was complaining. Quite the opposite. "She is literally here for him and only him."
"Wow." Ruby sounded impressed at her deductions, as she should be. Weiss nodded and sipped of her drink, unprepared for Ruby's words. "Pyrrha's thirsty."
Cappuccino spluttered everywhere.
"Ew, Weiss. Gross."
"W-Where did you hear that phrase?" Weiss choked out. "W-Who told you what that means?"
"Yang did," Ruby explained easily, and really that should have made all the sense in the world. Winter was a perfect role model for a growing young woman, but Yang was basically the anti-Winter. "She said it's when a girl likes a guy a lot but won't say it, so she gets really thirsty and wants to spend all her time around him. Some girls can get thirsty for other girls, too, and I'm not to judge."
"That's… well, that's not a bad way to put it, even if it's not entirely what it means."
"Oh, I know." Ruby said casually. "It means she wants to bang him. Or maybe just push him up against a wall and make out."
Weiss nearly choked again.
Ruby rolled her eyes. "I'm innocent, not stupid. Do you think Russel has realised?"
"I'm sure he has," she said, recovering slightly. "That's probably why he looks so resigned to her being a repeat customer."
"Do you think Jaune has?"
"Hmph, not a chance."
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking," Ruby said, giggling. "I'm a little surprised, though. Pyrrha doesn't normally talk to people at Beacon. I sat next to her once and she was nice, but she didn't really say anything. She seems…"
"Distant?" Weiss guessed when Ruby's silence ticked on. "That's not unusual for people in positions such as hers. Her fame makes it hard for people to connect."
"I was going to say lonely…"
Weiss hesitated. "That's… not unusual either," she admitted, and it took a monumental amount of effort to do so. "Those with fame, wealth or power often find that it can be a lonely experience. That's why I approached her in Beacon. I wanted us to become teammates to avoid that."
"To avoid it for both of you?" Ruby asked. "Weiss, were youlonely, too?"
"Not anymore. Nowadays I fight for a chance to be rid of you and your annoying sister for even the smallest amount of time."
"But you were lonely before," Ruby countered, smiling brightly. "That means you value our friendship."
"It means nothing!"
"Aw, Weiss. I love you too!"
"Get off me, you dolt." Weiss growled. Something flashed. "Thrush, if you take another picture of this I swear I'll castrate you. Delete that off your scroll now! Ruby, let go of me. People are staring."
Russel chuckled and ignored the heiress as she was being hugged to death. He saved the picture to his library. "No chance, I'm afraid. This picture is my `get out of being beaten up by Xiao-Long card`. I think I'll keep hold of it."
"There's no need to feel lonely anymore, Weiss!" Ruby squeezed harder. "You're a part of Team RWBY now."
"D-Damn you all!"
/-/
Jaune waved as Pyrrha left, one of the last people to leave as the day came to a close. He had to admit she'd kept him distracted from doing any actual work, but luckily he had Velvet and Russel and those two could keep the place going on their own when they needed to. After the initial drama of the argument between Russel and Pyrrha, their conversation had turned to more pleasant avenues. Pyrrha had asked about his family and had fun listening to his stories of his seven sisters, while she in turn had been happy to tell him a little about her mother and father, and what growing up in Mistral was like.
It had been pleasant, but he was aware not everyone would agree as he cornered Russel before he left. "I'm sorry about earlier. I've had a talk with Pyrrha."
The other man stiffened. "What kind of talk?"
"Nothing that would pry into your personal life, I promise. I just told her that you work here and that she shouldn't let that be an issue." Jaune smiled as Russel slowly relaxed. "She agreed, though I guess it would be best for the both of you if Velvet or I deal with her in the future. Would you prefer that?"
"I…" Russel looked conflicted.
"Don't feel like you have to say no just to be the model employee. You do enough work here as it is. This isn't a chore for me, Russel."
"Then yes," he said, looking away a little shamefaced. "I'm sorry but this is personal. I don't like bringing that into work but there isn't much I can do here. I'd feel more comfortable if I didn't have to deal with her, and I'm pretty sure she feels the same."
Which was a shame, given that they were partners and teammates. Still, it was none of his business. "No problem. Just serve everyone around her if she comes in, and give me a little shout if I don't notice."
Russel nodded, obviously relieved. "Thanks, man. I owe you."
"You don't owe me anything." Jaune brought out the week's pay and handed it over, splitting it between Russel and Velvet, who accepted it with a smile. "Alright, you two. Good work. Just another day tomorrow and we'll be back to easy weekdays."
"That sounds heavenly," Velvet said, sighing. "The tips are good on a weekend but there are so many people. This isn't easy to move in either," she added, shifting in her costume.
"It looks good on you, though," Jaune said.
"T-Thanks…"
Russel rolled his eyes. "You're working tonight, aren't you? That private thing. You sure you don't want me to stop and help? I'll do it as a favour; no cost."
"No, no, it's fine. You two do enough and I can handle this. Besides, I'll be exhausted tomorrow so you'll be running the place on your own for the first two or three hours. You get some sleep; I'll catch up tomorrow."
"Sure thing, boss." Russel laughed. "Come on, Velvet. I'll walk you home."
"Eh?" Velvet froze in place, caught between surprise and something else. "You will?"
"We do live at the same place, you know..."
"I know that! Whoah, wait for me. I'm coming!" Velvet chased after the younger year, turning at the last to wave in Jaune's direction before the door closed with a clack, the bell above it chiming. He watched their shadows through the window go, Velvet apparently chatting while Russel shoved his hands in his pockets and walked beside her.
Is he worried those people might try something on her again?Jaune wondered. He wasn't sure if that was the case or not, but offering to walk her back was sweet, even if they were headed in the same direction anyway.
Jaune shook his head to ignore such things. He had to get the diner ready for tonight.
/-/
His alarm blared beside his ear. Jaune grumbled and fought to open his eyes, ignoring the alluring pull of his bed. He'd set the alarm for thirty minutes before Cinder and Roman were to arrive, knowing he could get some sleep ahead of it and not have to make do on none at all. The angry red digits informed him it was 12:30, half-past-midnight.
It was an awful time to be waking up to go to work, but he'd already taken Cinder's money and would never renege on their deal. He yawned and sat up, slumped out of bed and stumbled towards the fresh uniform he'd laid out on the end of his mattress. The black pants had fallen off in the night and were creased on the floor. He ironed one or two out with his bare hand before calling it and lost cause and staggering into them. It would do. They probably wouldn't notice.
Falling into the bathroom, he turned on the faucet and splashed some water in his face. His eyes stared back from the mirror, tired and spent with his irises red. A good cup of coffee would wake him up, and the reality of what his job was earned a sleepy laugh. Never let it be said Jaune Arc was particularly witty on waking up. He usually moved like a zombie until his mind caught up with his body.
A rattle downstairs caught his attention. It sounded like the door being tested. "Probably Roman," he sighed, pushing his blonde locks into some semblance of a pattern. It would be just like Roman and Neo to come by early and demand their fill before the meeting started. He'd get to them in time. It wouldn't kill them to wait outside for now.
It was while he was brushing his teeth that he heard an almighty crash.
"You guys just couldn't wait, could you?" Jaune grumbled, spitting water out his mouth and hurrying to the door. He unlocked it and jogged down the stairs. "I swear, Roman, if you've broken my window I'll make you pay for it."
Reaching the bottom, he rounded the corner – and ran face-first into three people who were decidedly not Roman, Cinder or Neo. They were about his height, male, and had their faces hidden by hoodies and balaclavas. There was a fourth by the main window, which had been smashed outwards by one of his own chairs.
"Fuck," one of the men said upon seeing him.
It went downhill from there.
/-/
"Not like you to be so nice as to arrange something like this, Cindy," Roman said, walking alongside his employer down the empty back-streets of Vale. Neo and the two brats were with them, the latter exchanging untrusting glances with his little companion. Roman smirked. She could take them both if she had to, maybe not at the same time but with the aid of her Semblance, she wouldn't have to.
Of course, Mercury and Emerald weren't the real dangerous ones here.
"I've told you before not to call me that," Cinder said, her eyes flashing in a silent warning. "And this isn't so much a kindness as a convenience. Even I grow tired of conducting our meetings in drafty warehouses with your idiots running around trying to peek up my skirt."
Roman groaned. Really, the goons he worked with were too stupid. Did they honestly not realise how deadly Cinder was? "Point taken. I can't complain; it's been too long since I came by for a visit. Neo's been begging for it all week, haven't you, runt?"
Neo, offended at the affectionate nickname, stuck her tongue out at him. He chuckled back, swatting for her head and not feeling very surprised when she agilely dodged it. Cinder glared back, unamused with their shenanigans.
The unlikely group rounded the corner and ducked through an alley onto Walker Street, the same one Jaune's little diner was on. The lights in the window were lit, but that wasn't what caught their attention. There was a chair – one of Jaune's – laid outside a smashed window. The shop's alarm wailed, though no one seemed willing to address it.
Mercury broke the silence first. "What the hell?"
Neo didn't say anything. She darted forward, moving so quickly that Roman never had a chance to stop her. "Shit," he cursed, following after.
The shop was a mess; that much he could see. Neo leapt through the smashed window, clearing the shards easily, and landed inside with a crackle of glass. Roman paused outside, not quite as agile. The interior was a wreck of upturned tables and chairs, though no one remained in the diner. His eyes spotted a slumped form on the floor, right as Neo dove down on her knees, pushing glass aside as she reached for the figure.
"What's going on?" Cinder asked, appearing beside him. Her eyes took in the devastation before he could answer and she sighed angrily, pushing her way past him and through the window. She reached over to test the door, finding it unlocked.
"Latch has been snapped," Mercury said, checking it as he entered. He stepped aside as Roman brushed by, moving for the kid slumped at the back. "Someone forced their way in. Not sure why they exited by the window, though."
"They didn't," Emerald said. "This was just to cause as much damage as possible. Why else go through all the trouble to knock every chair and table over?"
Roman ignored them. He knelt next to Neo, pushing the worried girl's hands away as he took hold of Jaune and propped him in a sitting position. The kid's face was badly bruised, his nose and mouth bleeding. It looked like someone had done him over, either with their fists or a blunt instrument. His temper raged but he focused on the task at hand, tapping the brat's cheek. "Hey kid. Come on, wake up. You're gonna be okay. Neo, get some water. One of you brats kill the alarm before we're swarmed with police."
The mute nodded and leapt for the counter, vaulting over it and running the tap behind. She left it going as she hurried back with a glass. Roman took it and splashed some into Jaune's face, waking him with a splutter. He almost wished he hadn't. The kid cried out in pain immediately.
The alarm cut off, wires and the whole thing torn from the wall by Cinder. She tossed it aside and sauntered forward, kicking some shards aside before she bent both legs and crouched next to Roman. "Is he alive?" she asked.
Jaune tried to answer but his mouth wasn't working perfectly, probably swollen. His words came out garbled and muffled, along with a splutter of blood. He'd had a tooth or two knocked loose. Roman's own blood boiled at the pointless brutality.
"He's been badly beaten," Cinder said, checking him over. "His face and upper body maintained the majority of the damage, though the marks on his top suggest more." She reached for his waistband and pulled his shirt up, revealing angry purple and black bruises on his stomach. "They stopped to kick him while he was down. Probably beat him into unconsciousness."
"You think I can't see that?" Roman snapped.
"It goes worse, I'm afraid." Cinder reached for Jaune's arm, the broken one, and the scream that escaped his mouth would have been ear-piercing. It bubbled in his blood, however, and tears ran down his cheeks as he tried to cradle the limb. "They didn't spare him any. His arm was dislocated if I recall. It's far worse now. He won't be recovering anytime soon."
"Bastards. When I find the ones who did this I'll make them regret the fact they didn't dribble down their mother's legs."
"Roman," Cinder warned.
"Don't `Roman` me. This is personal."
"I'm well aware, but control yourself for now. Jaune isn't going to be helped by you shaking him like that."
Roman cursed and steadied his hold, moving Jaune's ruined arm onto his chest – whispering for him to bear the pain for now as he did. It wouldn't make it better but he could at least stop it from being moved around.
"Give him to me," Cinder said, moving to take hold of the teen. "Go indulge yourself in having a look around. It seems our meeting is off for tonight, so you may as well make yourself useful. See if you can't figure out who did this."
Roman nodded, too angry to do anything else. He shifted Jaune over gently and stood, running a hand over his face as he pushed past Mercury and Emerald to the door, leaning down to check the entry.
Cinder hushed the wounded man – more of a boy, really, especially like this – in her arms. "Be calm now," she said, trying for the most comforting voice she could. It had never been her strong point. Cinder Fall did not comfort people. "You're going to be okay. Can you hear me?"
Jaune nodded. His eyes were filled with tears, deserved, perhaps, what with the agony he must have been experiencing. He was an absolute mess, and had already spilled a little blood on her arm. Cinder wiped it away without a thought. She noticed Neo nearby, stood with an unreadable expression.
"It seems my renting of your diner will have to take a back seat tonight," she said. "You can keep the lien. We'll sort it out for another night." To be honest, she doubted he had any lien left. The till was smashed on the floor, the money for the day likely long gone.
"Hgrbl…" He tried to speak but couldn't really manage it.
"Shush now, there's no need to speak. Does everything still hurt?"
He nodded, and that action alone was enough to make him whimper. She felt her own anger, uncharacteristic as it was, as she looked over him, especially his arm, now twisted beyond recognition. While she had no love for the people of Vale, his was an existence unrelated to any of the pain she had felt before.
She wouldn't go so far as to say she liked him, but… perhaps in a small way she approved of his existence. It was oddly endearing as to how honest and innocent he was. She enjoyed teasing him with her allure and watching his honest reaction. Now, that honesty revealed all of the pain he felt and she found that it irritated her.
Since it wouldn't do to take that out on him, she chose instead to blame those responsible for putting him in such a state. And for inconveniencing my plans, she thought. They will have to pay for that when Roman finds them. They meddle in things they don't understand here.
But for now, she had a patient to treat. "I'm going to have to set your arm for a moment, otherwise it will never heal correctly." She explained it softly but his eyes widened in fear. "Neo," she called. "You know this has to be done. Come and hold him still for me."
Neo nodded and settled down behind him, holding his head against her stomach and hooking her hands under his armpits. He struggled weakly, more from terror than a genuine attempt to escape. Cinder took the arm and brushed some glass from it, looking to Neo and nodding. The mute covered Jaune's mouth with one hand, preventing any sound from escaping him.
With a sigh, Cinder pushed.
Bone cracked and ground together. A high-pitched and muffled whine, almost like a whistle being blown, echoed past Neo's fingers. Even Mercury and Emerald looked uncomfortable, turning away and kicking glass across the floor.
Only Cinder remained unperturbed, hushing him softly as she pushed his arm into a new position and leaned in again. Another crack, another grinding popping sound, and another agonised scream lost in Neo's hand.
"It's done," she said, dusting her hands clean. "Or rather it's set. A doctor could heal it in time, though you'd be looking at a year or more of treatment, I fear."
"A-A year..?" Jaune managed to croak.
"At least. I'm no doctor so I can't say for sure." Cinder watched his expression fall and sighed as a strange emotion welled up within her. It was annoyingly sentimental. Almost nostalgic. "Of course, that is by more mundane means. You will be fine by tomorrow, though I'll have to ask you not to reveal how your stroke of good fortune came about."
"I… don't understand…"
Cinder touched a hand to his cheek, cupping his bruised flesh against her palm. She watched as he leaned into it, weakly seeking that warmth. What a foolish idea. It would only complicate matters and served her no real purpose. It was as pointless a decision as it was for her to arrange a meeting with Roman here. It granted her nothing of value. And yet, slowly, she began to speak.
"It is in our darkest moments that we achieve strength. Through suffering, we gain the power to shape our own destiny. Infinite in potential and unburdened by expectation, I release your soul, and by my hand, empower thee." She watched as his eyes widened and a rush of white energy ran through him. His reserves were impressive. They would see to his recovery. "Rest now," she commanded, forcing a little heat into her hand, enough to sooth but not to burn. "Sleep. In the morning, this will be all but a nightmare."
Jaune tried to speak, to ask questions, but the injuries he'd sustained, and the sudden unlocking of his aura, drained him. As his new energy sought to heal the body his eyes rolled up and he slumped in her arms. Cinder gave him to Neo, helping the small girl to lift him. "Take him to his bed," she said softly. "See to him for now."
Neo nodded, for once following her orders to the letter as she helped him toward the staircase. Emerald and Mercury, seeing that she was struggling, hurried over to help.
She strolled over to Roman once they were the last ones to remain in the café itself. "Have you found anything?"
"Not yet," Roman growled. He sounded furious beyond belief; that charismatic and smarmy flair of his replaced with an undignified and fiery rage. "I'll find those bastards, though. Believe me on that. This is my territory and I don't much appreciate people on the up and coming. I've got contacts. Junior's girls will be chomping at the bit to find the assholes responsible for this, especially after I tell them what they did to their little boy toy."
Again, Roman's foolish anger here would get in the way of her plans. Despite that, and knowing she should tell him it didn't matter, Cinder sighed. "So long as it doesn't get in the way of our work, fine. I'll give you a little time off to sort this out."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
"Think nothing of it," she deflected. "The boy serves me well. If I'm to waste my time in Vale on the path up to the Vytal Festival, I'd rather it be with at least one comfort to hand." Jaune's café would be a welcome relief once she was forced to masquerade as a hormonal teenager. It somehow felt easier to convince herself it was for that reason she would entertain Roman finding those responsible. It was only efficient, after all. "How do you intend to find them, though? Vale is a large place and there are plenty of people around who might do this."
"I have a lead," Roman said. "I can follow it."
"Oh?"
Roman pointed behind her, and Cinder turned, following his finger over the counter at the back of the diner to the wall behind. It was where Jaune normally served, and to her memory she could recall that there had been a rather plain-looking sword and shield hanging from two hooks on the wall. It was not there now.
"The kid's family sword," Roman explained, and Cinder made a sound of understanding. "It'll kill him to know that's been taken; I've seen the way he looks at it and it's always polished to a shine. If someone wants to shift something like that, there's only a few places I can think of that would dare buy it. I'll put the word out to keep an eye for a seller."
"Very well. I shall leave it I your hands."
Once Mercury and Emerald returned, each looking more than a little unsure of themselves, Cinder nodded toward the exit, telling them it was time to leave. Roman and Neo could handle the clean-up here, and would presumably call the police before they left. Or perhaps they would call Junior and arrange for his men to come and protect the place. Either way, their work here was done. She'd unlocked his aura and provided him a chance to heal, and that was no small feat.
As her underlings left through the open door, however, Cinder found herself pausing in the entranceway. Her brow creased and she drew in a deep breath. Her stomach felt unnaturally tight, and her nails had dug into her palm without her realising it. "Roman," she called.
The thief looked back at her, distracted. "Yeah?"
"When you find those responsible…"
"I'll give you a call," he interrupted. "If you want to get your own licks in, I won't say no."
Oddly enough, the barbaric offer soothed her stomach. Cinder tasted the thought and found it pleasing, almost foolishly so. She nodded.
"Good. I think I'd like that."
Oh shit, sudden and random robbery. But, well, looking back, was it really that unexpected? The place doesn't close til late and the owner lives upstairs and wouldn't take any money off the premises. Plus, it's experienced a sudden uptake in business that even a major competitor has noticed.
That's a rather attractive list of qualities, especially when you consider the owner is a young man with an arm in a cast and no means of protecting himself. Well, other than if he had a long list of super powerful friends in high places. But there's no way some random coffee guy could have friends like that, right?
One thing is for sure… it'll be interesting to see who is more murderous. Team RWBY, Velvet and Russel, Roman, Pyrrha or the Malachites.
There have been people before who asked why X or Y didn't unlock his aura, and that is something I was aware of at the time, but seeing as the show plays up the idea of only huntsmen having their auras unlocked, and Jaune not even knowing what one was, it's my headcanon - or at least my attempt to excuse what otherwise might be bad writing - to say that there are LAWS preventing everyday civilians having their aura unlocked. I'll go into that more in future chapters, but the basic idea is that would you really want people who are essentially super-powered running around completely unchecked? Huntsman schools would at least teach responsibility and law, and help to keep track of who has what Semblance, etc, but if you unlocked the aura of every person ever, you'd soon find it all but impossible to control them all.
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur