Here we are.
Cover Art: Jack Wayne
Chapter 23
"Pyrrha!"
"Hi Jaune." The redhead laughed a little awkwardly as she stood in the doorway to his diner. "It's been a while."
"Almost a week," he said, and then, because that sounded accusatory and because a week really wasn't a long time, "Not that there's anything wrong with that. Were you busy? Did something happen in Beacon?"
Or was it because of him that she'd avoided the diner, he didn't say.
Pyrrha heard the unspoken question.
"I… I had some things I had to try and work out. It was never about you, Jaune, and I'm sorry if you thought you'd done something wrong." Pyrrha linked her hands before her and bowed her head. "Please forgive me."
"N-No, no, no, I didn't think that for a moment. I'm just glad to see you back." He hesitated. "You are back, right? Or was this just a visit to say otherwise."
Pyrrha smiled. "Could I have a cappuccino?"
"To go…?"
"No." She pulled a seat back at a window table and sat down. "I think I'll be here for a while."
Pyrrha tried not to let her pleasure show as Jaune hurried away with a large smile of his own. The familiar surroundings, the seats, all of which she'd missed in her short time away. There were more than a few people looking her way, but for the first time she felt it wasn't because of her fame. Instead, they were smiling at her, amusement clear on their features.
It wasn't awe and fame, and Pyrrha didn't shy away. She blushed instead, aware of just how much of a scene they'd made and just how much everyone could see her feelings on full display. Her eyes sought out Velvet's behind the counter and the older girl winked.
Pyrrha wanted to die then and there.
But the mortification was still better than what she'd gone through before. She had to wonder why everyone cared more about the adorable display than they did her fame. Had they always looked at her like that, and she'd just never noticed? Just assumed it was for worse reasons? There was no telling. Velvet's words the night before had been an eye-opener on many different levels, as had the meeting with her team, who, while recognising her, had seemed more excited at the prospect Velvet had made a friend than Pyrrha's fame. Then again, that didn't stop Coco from teasing them and dubbing her Velvet's new girlfriend.
Russel wasn't working today, which was both a blessing and a curse. Harsh as his words might have been, they'd been the same as Velvet's in a sense, and if Velvet was right then so was he. That wasn't to say he couldn't have delivered the advice a little more politely.
But then again, the fact he tried at all is more important, she thought. Deep inside, in a way she was ashamed of, she knew that if the situations were reversed, she would not have made the effort to help him.
That was something she would have to fix. If she'd made a mistake with Jaune, then she had truly done something else with her partner. Maybe it was too late and maybe she was riding high on mindless optimism, but it was kind of like Velvet said, wasn't it? You couldn't get a yes if you didn't ask in the first place.
And Pyrrha had her own questions to ask – both to Russel and to Jaune, though thankfully they were different questions.
"Here you are," Jaune said, appearing once more at her side and sliding a saucer onto the table. A cake slice accompanied it, despite her not requesting one. Salted caramel. It was her favourite flavour, which he well knew, given how often she had it. That he'd cared enough to remember filled her stomach with butterflies.
Even if Velvet had knocked some sense into her, it didn't do much for her confidence. She knew she had to take a step out of her comfort zone, and she was willing to, but knowing and doing were two different things. Her eyes trailed over him for a safe topic. She found it in his hands.
"Your arm is fully healed now?"
"Yep. I'm back to full strength." He held up his arm and flexed his muscles, which considering she went to a school for huntsmen didn't do much for him. Even so, she giggled, if not impressed by his muscles then somehow delighted by his innocence.
Was this what it meant to be head over heels? Pyrrha was fairly sure she wouldn't have found the way he acted attractive in anyone else. It would have just been arrogant, or maybe funny in an endearing way. From him, it was somehow the best thing she'd ever seen.
Though not the best she'd imagined, since his buttoned-up white shirt hid a little too much, even if the flour that dotted it sometimes caused it to cling to his skin, hinting at the firm muscle beneath, the smooth skin that sometimes became damp with sweat after a hard day's work.
Her cheeks flushed.
"A-Ah, that's good." She laughed. "I'm glad to hear it. You know, if you ever want to learn how to use your aura a little more, I wouldn't mind helping you."
"Really? A girl I know gave me some advice a few days ago. I know how to push my aura to a certain part of my body to speed up healing and protect it." He concentrated and did so, or at least she assumed he did since there wasn't much she could do to tell.
A girl? There was no need to get jealous. It could have been Velvet… except that he wouldn't have called her `girl`, nor anyone from Team RWBY, who he seemed to have a close relationship with.
"I can teach you a lot more," Pyrrha said. Why, she didn't explain. Velvet was right and she had to tell him the truth, but not right now. She had the perfect moment in mind for that. "In fact, I can teach you how to defend yourself as well. It couldn't hurt if any more people come round to try and strong arm you."
"I don't know. I'm not sure I have what it takes to be a huntsman…"
"Not a huntsman. Someone who knows self-defence."
"I guess that's not so bad," he said, lighting up a little. "But is that really fair on you? I wouldn't be able to do it while I'm working, so it would have to be on my day off. Or late in the evening."
"I'm fine with late."
"But what about school?"
"I can take a Bullhead back."
"I don't know. It feels like I'd be taking advantage of you."
Pyrrha wisely remained silent on that one. Her feet played with one another between the table. "It's not like I have lessons, Jaune, and it wouldn't be every night because you'd get tired. It would be a few nights a week and I don't mind staying a little later."
And hey, if it took too long then she could always stay over, right? Lessons didn't start until nine and she could leave for Beacon early. Maybe he'd offer her a drink late at night and they'd stay up talking and be too tired for her to leave. He'd gallantly offer his bed, and she, being the polite girl she was, but refuse. It wouldn't be fair to leave him to sleep on the couch.
But they were both adults, right? It wasn't like they couldn't sleep in the same bed and-
"Pyrrha? Pyrrha? Hello, Remnant to Pyrrha." Jaune was giving her an odd look, his head tilted to the side and a stray bit of blonde hair dangling down. She wanted to push it back, or maybe tangle it around her finger.
Wait, where was she again?
Oh Gods, she'd spaced off.
"S-Sorry. What were you saying?"
"I said if it's not too much trouble for you…"
"No trouble," she denied. "None at all."
"Then… I guess I accept." Jaune's smile split his face in two. "If there's any way I can pay you back, I will. How about free drinks and food here?"
"No, I don't need that." Not with her finances. Her Agent was still active and many of her sponsorship deals still brought in good income. "But there's maybe something you could do for me," she said. "A favour. If it's not too much." Her tongue tried to stick to the roof of her mouth, but with a meaningful look from Velvet – who was absolutely watching – Pyrrha continued. "There's this event coming up. In Beacon. It's… well, it's this formal event and I was wondering if-"
The door slammed open before she could continue. Two girls sauntered in.
"Oh, Jaune~" the twin in red crooned.
"We come bearing gifts~" the other giggled. She held an object wrapped in satin cloth, peeling away the edge so that a hilt was revealed.
Jaune gasped. "C-Crocea Mors!?"
He was gone in an instant, rushing over to check the sword for himself and gush over the two that had recovered it. While Pyrrha felt pleased for him, she couldn't help but glower at the two girls not occupying his attention.
It was war.
/-/
Miltia had to drive an elbow into his chest, just to stop him rubbing his cheek up against hers. "Back, you halfwit," she growled. "Let go. If you want to show your appreciation, do it properly down on one knee."
Jaune didn't listen. "Thank you, thank you, thank you," he cried, one arm around her, the other around Melanie, who took the overly dramatic show of emotion in stride, patting his back gently with one hand.
Damn it. He was making them look stupid in front of all these people!
It took another few seconds for Miltia to wriggle her way out of his grip, and a few more to straighten her skirt and glare anyone laughing at them into submission. When Jaune noticed her absence and tried to reach for her, she snatched the sword from Melanie's hands and held it between her and Jaune like a barrier.
"Here. Take it. Don't lose it this time!" She pushed it into his hands, if only to stop him trying to hug her again.
"B-But how…?" he blubbered, and the pure gratitude in his eyes made her look away. "Why?"
"W-We just did, okay?" she snapped. "Not like we'd let some dick get away with smashing up this place. You're on our turf; you're under our protection. There's no other reason, so don't go making one up."
"What Miltia means is that we care about you," Melanie explained.
"What the fuck? That isn't what I meant at all!"
"Thank you." Jaune wiped an arm over his eyes. Geez, he was really that affected by this? Well, it was a family sword or something, so she could understand him being relieved. Just so long as he stopped looking at her like she was some kind of patron saint.
"Tch." Miltia tutted and looked away. "No problem."
"We were happy to help," Melanie said, stepping back from him.
"I owe you both so much," Jaune whispered.
It was a mistake.
"Yeah, you kinda do," Miltia said, not at all afraid to pick up on it, nor guilty enough to let him have an easy pass. She'd been felt up by some creepy-ass wannabe gangsters. No way that was going to be free, happy face or not. "You owe us big. And we intend to collect. Right, sis?"
"Naturally," Melanie said. She smiled at Jaune. "Sorry, baby. But we're not a charity."
"No, I know." He smiled still. "I'll do anything. Is it money? I'll give you all my earnings for the month for bringing this back."
"Nah, we're not after lien," Miltia said. She shared a look with Mel. They both nodded, eyes narrowing. "A while back you said you'd come out clubbing with us. That's the cost. This Friday, you're coming to the Club and you're not leaving until the next morning."
"Dancing, drinking, chatting and playing," Melanie agreed. "A night of fun. That's our price."
A few of the locals relaxed, no doubt having expected them to gouge him for cash or some other less than legal favour. Yeah, they were pretty well known to people in Vale, especially the huntsmen. No one seemed bothered by the idea of them forcing him to go out with them, however. A few of the older woman laughed and whispered to one another.
To Jaune, however, it wasn't that easy. "But Saturday is my busiest day."
"Then take a day off," Miltia growled. She strode forward and poked him in the chest with enough force to push him back a step. "Tell your minions to handle it, or hire a little help or something. You can't keep working every day like you're some kind of slave. If you don't take a little time off, you'll snap. Get out there and live a little for fuck's sake."
Melanie slid up beside him and took an arm. "What my sister means to say is that she's worried about you."
"That's not what I said!"
"And it would put our minds at ease if you'd at least have one night to relax. Your employees aren't new anymore. You used to handle Saturdays on your own, so I'm sure they can do it between the two of them."
"We can," Velvet piped up. Hearing the comment probably wasn't eavesdropping when the entire diner was watching like this was some kind of free theatre show. "I know Russel will be fine with it, and I have the whole day to work."
Melanie grinned and nudged an elbow into his side. "See?"
"I guess there's not much I can say."
"You can say yes."
"Then yes," he agreed, laughing. "But I'll warn you now I have no idea what to do."
"We'll handle it."
"And I don't have any nice outfits."
"We'll handle it," Melanie repeated. "Or rather I know someone who will. We'll come collect you at eight. Make sure you're ready."
"But the diner doesn't close until ten."
"He'll be ready," Velvet promised.
"H-Hey. You're my employee."
"And what a good employee she is," Melanie said, shooting the faunus a quick wink. She tugged Jaune down and planted a kiss on his cheek, but Miltia was close enough to see the act as a distraction, and to catch what her sister whispered to him. "Keep your sword safe. There's more to it going missing than we first thought. Tell you more Friday; try not to freak out until then."
Jaune's face when he leaned back was complicated to say the least. It was serious and he nodded to her subtly, saying he'd received the message, but he was also bright red and trying not to react to the feeling of the chaste kiss. On that front, he was failing. Massively.
"Do you want to give him a kiss too, Mil?" Melanie teased.
"Tch. Not likely."
"Don't be shy. He has two cheeks. Or a pair of lips if you'd prefer."
Miltia scoffed again and hooked an arm around her sister's shoulders, or her neck, anyway. She tightened it just enough to send a warning and flashed a grin at Jaune. "We'll catch you tomorrow night. Try not to get mugged and ransacked within the next twenty-four hours, yeah?"
He laughed. "I'll try. Thanks again, you two. This means more than you can ever realise."
"Yeah well, talk is cheap. Show us how much it means to you tomorrow night."
/-/
Beaten to the punch. Again. Pyrrha scowled down at her caramel cake – half-eaten – and pursed her lips together. Twelve hours earlier, she might have left to sulk and generally complain about how unfair it was that they could act like that and she had to maintain her image as the perfect Pyrrha Nikos, always respectful, kind and never getting into trouble.
But that was yesterday. Today was a new day, and those two had tricked Jaune into going out with them.
Not like you planned any different, her mind commented. Weren't you about to abuse his favour to make him take you to the dance?
Yes. Yes, she had been. Still was, actually. She might have been useless before – fucking useless, as Russel had put it – but she wouldn't be now. If she wanted Jaune, she was going to have to do something about it, and inviting him to the dance would be a good first step. He wouldn't be able to misconstrue her intentions then.
Well, he might, but if all went well she'd prove her intent by dragging him in for a kiss before the night was done. She'd staple her intentions to the inside of his mouth if she had to. That had been Coco's advice last night.
"It's not that hard to understand guys, you know. You don't magically know which guys like you, and they can't tell which guys like them. Someone has to make the first move, and if you like him that much, it might as well be you who does. Preferably before someone else builds up the nerve."
It sounded so scandalous, so unlike how she was. It sounded… perfect.
Pyrrha brought out her scroll and dialled a number. When it answered, she spoke. "Hey Coco? I need some advice. I want to go clubbing but I have nothing to wear and no idea what to do. Want to go on a shopping trip?"
"Girl, you had me from the first word. When you want to go?"
"Tomorrow night."
"Cutting it close, Pyr. We've got lessons tomorrow. I'd have to come down right now."
"Can you?" she asked.
"Maybe. What's your budget?"
"More than you can spend," Pyrrha said, thinking of her mostly untouched account. Apart from necessary maintenance and dust, she hadn't ever really splurged. Competition fighting paid well, but nowhere near as well as her sponsorship deals did.
Coco laughed. "I can spend a lot of lien on clothes."
"I can imagine, but it's still more than you could spend." Pyrrha smiled at the stunned silence. "I'll also buy you those boots I saw you mooning over last night."
"Don't even move," Coco hissed. "I'm going to be there in ten minutes, even if I have to launch a locker through Jaune's roof."
The line went dead, though Pyrrha really hoped Coco hadn't meant the last bit literally. A day out shopping wasn't a bad trade for her help, nor were the boots. Besides, she intended to try and pluck the confident girl's mind for tips and hints.
Really, this was no different from one of her fights. The first part was information gathering, learning the opponent's style. Then, she had to figure out a strategy to take advantage of it. Armouring up would be Coco's domain, making sure she was prepared for her fight – and then, on Friday, she'd make her attack.
All is fair in love and war, after all.
Pyrrha didn't notice Velvet behind her as she laughed darkly to herself. Nor did she notice Velvet shake her head.
"I think I've created a monster…"
/-/
Ruby didn't know much about going out, clubbing or romance – mostly because she just didn't care. Maybe she would when she got bigger, but the most important thing to her right now was becoming a super-cool huntress and making friends. She didn't think that made her weird or a nerd, and neither did Jaune, which was part of why she loved him.
As a friend, she meant. If Yang heard her say that she'd go on and on about it being something more. Typical Yang.
Anyway, while she wasn't interested in stuff like that, she could still say if something looked nice or not, and since she and Jaune were best friends (not that she'd say that to Weiss), it made sense that he'd ask her for help picking what to wear. She felt proud to be trusted like that and promised she'd do her best, promised she would ensure he looked the best he could look.
And what better way to do that than to bring some expert opinion along.
So, why did Jaune look at her like she'd betrayed his trust or something?
"Ruby. Why?" Jaune whimpered, looking at the entirety of Team RWBY stood on the stairway leading up to his apartment.
"You said you wanted to look good. I thought the best way to do that would be to have more people offering their opinion." She gave him her best `I'm helping` smile and clapped her hands together. Yang knows loads about fashion and Weiss is cool because combat skirts. Ruby held a hand out and earned a polite high-five immediately.
"Blake's a girl, so she might know something."
"I'm not sure I appreciate the lack of faith," Blake drawled. "I know more about fashion than you do, Ruby." She eyed Jaune and sighed. "Though I'm starting to doubt whether you asked him if he was fine trying on clothes and being judged by the four of us."
"Sure he did. He asked me to do it."
"You," Blake said. When Ruby didn't understand, she sighed.
Eh, what was the big problem? Ruby laughed and pushed Jaune back, stepping in after him and ignoring his bright red face. There was a plastic bottle of pop on the coffee table and a stack of disposable cups. She poured herself one and sat down, kicking her legs out. Jaune's apartment was small, but compared to a single dorm in Beacon, it might as well have been a mansion. She loved whenever she had a chance to come down and vegetate in front of his TV.
The others followed in after her once it was clear Jaune wasn't going to send them away. The sound of chatter and tinkling cups downstairs was a constant reminder that the day was still in full swing, but being regulars had its benefits. Russel and Velvet hadn't even batted an eye when the four of them went behind the counter and up the stairs. Barely anyone did.
"So, clubbing tonight." Yang said, slapping his shoulder. "Going anywhere good?"
Jaune recovered slowly. "I think it's just called the Club."
"Aw. I was hoping I could come along for the ride. Not sure I'd be all that welcome there yet."
Yeah, no kidding, Ruby thought. She, at least, remembered the name of the place Yang had trashed. It had been embarrassing enough to see it happen, let alone to imagine Yang going there tonight. She'd have to bolt the door to make sure her sister didn't sneak out.
"Let's get this show on the road!" Yang crowed. "C'mon, Jaune. Shake that-" Blake slapped a hand over Yang's mouth. Weiss, Ruby and Jaune all sent her grateful looks. "You guys are no fun," Yang whined a moment later, after Jaune had slipped into his room.
"It's not fun to tease him when he's already nervous," Blake rebuked.
"Sheesh, since when were you this protective of him?"
"Since he provided me room, lodge and helped me with the White Fang."
Yang blinked. "Yeah, that sounds fair. Fine, fine, I was just trying to break the ice. He's gonna be nervous enough going out for the first time. Might as well get all that out the way while he's here with friends."
"His friends are going to be looking after him tonight," Ruby said. "Or at least that's what he said."
"Yeah, sure, and I bet they have nothing but his best interests at heart." Yang rolled her eyes. "Ruby, they're going to throw him in at the deep end and watch him sink or swim. Hell, I'm not sure which they want. If he sinks, one of them gets to jump in and rescue him." Yang nudged Blake with an elbow. "I bet your books have plenty to say about that, eh?"
Blake didn't rise to the bait, and Jaune came back out a moment later. He was dressed in dark, black trousers with a black belt and a white shirt, tucked in. His shoes were black. Ruby thought he looked quite smart and more than a little handsome for it. She was about to say so but Yang beat her to it.
"Too formal."
"It is?" Jaune lifted one foot and looked down at himself. "I thought it didn't look bad."
"Oh, it doesn't, but white in a club is a bad idea and you're going to be mistaken for the help dressed like that. It looks good, but just not for this."
"I agree," Weiss said, and she sounded surprised to find herself doing so with Yang. "While the outfit does work, it seems more fit for a gala or ball than a night out in the city. You want something more casual, though not too casual."
"The Club is pretty exclusive," Yang explained. "A pretty girl will get in dressed just about however she likes, but guys will be judged."
Ruby pursed her lips. "Isn't that a little unfair?"
"Sure is, but it's life. No trainers or running shoes allowed."
Jaune nodded and went back in, changing a moment later and coming back in something else. It was too much the opposite direction, or so Yang said. Ruby kind of agreed, even if she thought it looked nice. It was probably more what you'd wear if you were just going out with a friend around Vale or going to a movie.
The outfits came thick and fast. Or, well, they came mixed and fast. He didn't actually have that many here and had to make do switching certain things around to see what they liked. It was mostly Yang and Weiss offering critique, though Blake would occasionally chip in with a little advice. Ruby just smiled and nodded at each one, which pretty much meant she'd been right to drag her team along.
"Look, how about you let me pick you something," Yang eventually said.
Jaune's face flushed. "You want to dress me!?"
"Ha ha, no. Don't get excited, boyo." Yang took his shoulders, turned him around and gave him a gentle push, so that he was now sat on the couch between Ruby and Blake. "You stay there while I look at what you have to offer. I'll pick and outfit and you can go try it on. Sound cool?"
"I guess. As long as you don't make me look like a clown."
"If you have clown shoes in here, I think poor fashion choice is the least of your concerns." Yang vanished inside and soon the sound of her talking to herself could be heard. Ruby laughed nervously and patted Jaune's arm.
"She's good at this, Jaune. She'll make sure you look decent."
"She'll do a better job than I can, anyway," he sighed.
"No need for melodrama, Arc," Weiss commented. "If I recall, you were ill-equipped at running a business until you gained some more experience. It's not weakness to be bad at something you have never done before. In fact, it's the height of foolishness to consider yourself such."
Jaune laughed and accepted that, even while Ruby shot her partner a lidded glare. Oh sure, it was fine for Jaune not to feel like he had to be perfect at everything, but she'd needed to prove she was a good leader straight away.
Yeah. Totally fair. Wow, Weiss. Wow…
"What are you staring at me like that for, Ruby?"
"I wonder," Ruby grumbled. "I wonder…"
"Ta-da!" Yang called, appearing once more. "Or it will be after you get changed." She dragged Jaune up by one arm and pushed him to the door. "Keep the shoes you're wearing, and the brown belt. Put the rest on."
"Did you find something good?" Ruby whispered when Jaune left.
"It'll do," Yang replied. "Even if it's not a huntsman, he's got the body for it, which already puts him above half of most guys. He could pull of most outfits if he was confident enough to make it work, but that'll come with time."
Ruby nodded. Her sister knew more about this kind of thing, and Uncle Qrow always did say it was important to move with confidence. That was in fighting, obviously, but she could imagine it working for other things, too. Miss Goodwitch always told you off like she expected you to listen to every word she said, and you totally did!
When Jaune returned, Ruby clapped happily. He was dressed in dark blue jeans that fit him well, a maroon shirt and a black blazer. It was an odd mix of smart and casual, but it worked, and the brown belt and brown shoes set it all off well.
"Not bad," Weiss said. "I approve."
"It works," Blake added.
"You're such a prude," Yang sighed, standing once more. She moved over and unbuttoned his shirt a little, only one or two more, but enough that he was no longer wearing the shirt with a buttoned collar. "Show a little bod, Jaune. You're going to a nightclub, not a business meeting."
"I know, and you're right. It's just… I'm not used to this."
"No one is until they try it," Yang pointed out, rather obviously. "Don't act like you need to do something there, man. You've been invited to hang out. There's no quota to fulfil. No `I must dance with three girls or my life ends` nonsense. Just have fun. If that's flirting with girls or guys, fine. If that's sitting back with friends, drinking and joking about farts, also fine." Yang grinned when Ruby and Jaune both laughed, the latter easing up somewhat.
"As much as it pains me to admit it, Yang has a point," Weiss said. "This isn't a formal dinner like what I've had to attend and you can leave at any moment you feel uncomfortable. Those two who invited you aren't wrong. You're overworked."
"Even I've seen it," Ruby said apologetically. "You've been out of it lately."
"I… I have?" He sounded genuinely surprised, like he hadn't realised how often he paused for deep breaths. Maybe he hadn't. Jaune was too hard working like that.
"You have," Blake said firmly, and since there was no doubt her, he nodded.
"I guess I've just been worried, what with my arm, then having Russel and Velvet, the robbery and the festival…"
"It's a lot to worry about," Weiss admitted, "but for the most part it's all over. Russel and Velvet are perfectly able to look after the place without you. Your belongings have been recovered and your preparations for the festival are complete. You've even paid your costs and rent for this month. As a Schnee, I appreciate hard work over many others, but you've done everything you need to. Take a well-earned break."
Faced with such an attack, from four different directions, Jaune couldn't help but concede. And though Ruby wouldn't admit it that was part of the reason she'd brought her team along anyway.
Mission success!
/-/
The man at the front door to the Club saw him approaching, and much to the annoyance of the queue outside, which had to be a hundred strong, he gestured Jaune toward the front and opened the door to him.
"Hey, what gives!?" a guy at the front demanded. "We've been waiting here for half an hour."
"Can you make a triple-shot latte with sprinkles and swirls?" the doorman asked.
"Uh. No?"
"Then I suggest you shut the hell up, sir." He sneered the last and turned to Jaune, bowing. "Welcome to the Club, sir."
Jaune smiled, it not quite reaching his eyes when he saw just how many people were glaring at him from the queue. He ducked in, a little surprised to find the place essentially empty. Someone inside, dressed in the distinctive suit of Junior's gang, saw him and walked over.
"Hey, who are-? Oh, Jaune, it's you." The man's frown vanished and he stepped over to slap his shoulder. Jaune scoured his mind for a name to put to the face and came up blank. "How's it going, man? The boss didn't tell us you was coming down tonight!"
"The Malachites strong-armed me into it."
"Sounds like those two."
"Where is everyone, anyway? The place is deserted."
"Doors don't open til eight. It'll fill up quick enough." Someone called the man by name, and Jaune was relieved to catch it – Richard. Richard shouted back and slipped off Jaune. "I need to go, duty calls and all that. The twins are over by the main bar, you can't miss it. Or you can't miss them, anyway. Red and white stands out."
He wasn't wrong. Jaune caught sight of the twins the moment he stepped out of the foyer and into a large, round room with a giant dance floor to one side and rows of tables on the other. A long bar lit by neon lights lined the back wall, curving out of it. Junior stood behind it chatting to the girls, though when he saw Jaune he nodded and pointed the twins in his direction.
"Jaune!" they said, almost in unison, rushing over.
Melanie got there first. "I thought we said we'd pick you up, silly. You didn't have to come early."
"Ah, well. Dad always taught me not to leave a lady waiting."
"Smart man," Miltia snorted. She looked him up and down. "And not bad. You clean up well."
"Thanks. I think…" He shook his head, "You said you had something to tell me. About the theft."
"It's not so bad you came early, I guess," Melanie said. She looked around and eventually motioned for Jaune to follow her into a back room. Miltia came behind, closing the door gently behind them. At any other time he might have thought it a trick, and there were probably some who'd think twice about following two known gangsters into the private areas of their own club. Not him.
Then again, he wasn't sure if it was because he trusted them, or if he was just an idiot. Time will tell, I suppose.
"We had a little help tracking down the goons who attacked you," Melanie explained. "We did some of the legwork, but we can't take all the credit."
"We could have," Miltia grumbled.
"Okay, we could have taken all of the credit, but we're not going to – on account of an angry midget stabbing us when we're not looking."
"Neo's here?" he said without thinking. A shadow detached itself from the roof and slammed into him, a hand hitting the back of his head with enough force to drive him down to his knees. "Arghh!" he cried. "Why!?"
Neo was indeed stood before him, arms crossed and a fearsome pout on her face.
"Was this for calling you a midget?"
She stomped a foot and threw her arms wide.
"I think it's for literally hearing midget and instantly thinking of her," Melanie drawled. "Wow, I didn't think it was possible to be any worse with girls than you already are, but yet again you manage to impress me. Congratulations."
"That doesn't sound like a compliment…" Neo hit him again and he winced. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. To be fair, I didn't think you'd hear me."
Neo's raised eyebrow seemed to ask how he thought that was any better, but she eventually clicked her tongue and turned away, tossing her hands in the air. He had a feeling she'd be pissed for a while, but come on, even now when she threw her hand sup, they barely went higher than his forehead.
"Smooth," Miltia giggled behind him.
"Oh, shut up. What's Neo doing here, anyway? Is she going clubbing with us?"
"No, she's-" Whatever she was, Miltia didn't get a chance to finish, for the moment he'd finished, Neo spun and dashed back, eyes shining. She pushed Miltia aside and stood before him, or practically against him, utterly uncaring for any notion of personal space. Her mismatched eyes stared up hopefully into his. She tilted her head cutely.
Somehow, he understood the question. "Yeah, we're going clubbing. The Malachites invited me."
Three claps in quick succession. Neo hopped on the spot, pointed to herself and tilted her head once more.
"I don't have a problem if you want to come along."
Correct answer, apparently. Neo hopped up and down excitedly and skipped ahead. As she did, Miltia growled something under her breath and followed, stepping on Jaune's foot and grinding it into the floor.
"Yow!" he yelped, falling sideways against the wall and cradling his bruised toes.
"Oops," Miltia said insincerely. "My bad." She stormed off ahead.
"Smooth," Melanie crooned, echoing her sister's earlier statement. She patted his arm. "Very smooth, Jaune. So smooth you're able to skid on a staircase and shove your foot into your own mouth. Impressive." She shook her head and laughed. "Come on, moron. Let's get this over with and we can go back and party."
"What's going on anyway? You said you knew who attacked my shop." That implied it wasn't an attack of opportunity, and he wasn't sure what he felt about that. It made him feel vulnerable, afraid that it might happen again, and that in turn made him angry.
Unbelievably angry.
"I'm just trying to live my life and make ends meet," he snapped, "Why would anyone want to do this to me?"
"Money," Melanie replied. "It makes monsters of men, or so the saying goes."
"What about justice?"
"Justice still exists. It's just that justice for the rich and justice for the poor are two different things. I wouldn't worry about it. We're the kind of people who make our own justice." She laughed at some unspoken jest. "Or what counts for it, anyway."
He wasn't sure he understood but remained quiet. Neo's presence spoke of Roman's, and that both did and didn't make sense. This was a nightclub and Roman could do whatever he wanted with his free time, but the idea that Neo had free reign around the back of it? That was kinda crazy. Miltia and Melanie didn't look like they were upset at her presence, either. Or they hadn't, anyway, Miltia was glaring daggers at Neo by the time he reached the top of the staircase.
Neo, for her part, either didn't notice or didn't care. She grinned at him and thumped one hand against a closed door, indicating that he should enter. Roman sat inside, behind a table, cigar in his mouth, looking for all the world like he owned the building and everyone in it.
"Ah, kiddo." He swung his legs down off the table and grinned. "Good to see you."
"What are you doing here, Roman? Is it you who wanted to see me?"
"Guilty as charged. I hear you got your sword back. It was a bitch to recover."
"You helped?"
"Sure did."
"But… I thought you were in the removals industry."
"I am. A certain group of people had something that didn't belong to them. So I removed it."
Jaune laughed weakly. "I think your definition of removals and mine are different…"
"I don't think so. For most people, I do removals. Only thing is, I don't often give the stuff back that I remove. That makes you something of a special case." Roman puffed on his cigar and leaned back. "You might as well take a seat, Jaune. I didn't traipse across Vale to fetch your sword only to bring you here and do evil things. That would be a little counter-productive."
True. Jaune sat down, nervously wondering what he'd gotten into and when his life had gone so far out of control. It was probably when he'd applied to Beacon. "Melanie said you'd found who attacked the diner."
"I found those responsible, but they were paid by another."
Jaune swallowed. "Who?"
"I think you know, Jaune. You just don't want to think it." Roman laughed. "But you know, I never would have guessed coffee was such big business. Just goes to show you no matter how bad you think you are, the real monsters are those in business."
"Café Prime…"
"As I'm sure they'd say: Nothing personal. It's just business."
Gasp, what we all kind of knew but didn't want to believe. A coffee chain is really involved in such crazy activity. Madness, or sort of, anyway. It's pretty crazy to think of by today's standards, at least in the western world, but go back fifty years and shit like this could be fairly common. But, but, but, but, I can still imagine some "that's so fucking stupid of Cafe Prime" so all I'll say is that there IS more to this, and that all I'll ask is the benefit of the doubt for now. ;)
Meanwhile, Pyrrha picks her battlefield and the war heats up. From how Pyrrha acted, you can probably intuit what Coco's advice was. "Treat dating like one of your fights."
Invincible Girl in the house.
Ruby really is bestest friend.
P a treon . com (slash) Coeur