The last week at Radian was mainly training, but celebrations too. And when they returned to Beacon, they were in much higher spirits. Neptune had gone all the way out to Pandu to apologize to May and beg her to be his girlfriend. And she accepted. He'd even done it with guns and arrows pointed at his head. So it seemed he'd changed for the better. Good for him.
Weiss: grumble grumble "So I'm not worth changing over? I get it... I see you Neptune," pouting and shoveling food in like a petulant child at the cafeteria table with everyone else.
Jaune hugged her and chuckled. Her petulance lowered a bit, though before she could lean in Jaune let go and leaned in with Yang.
Jaune's Brain: Geez… Well… Just waiting on Cinder to show up and-
Cinder walked by. Her look was intense and unmistakable. And the message on his Scroll spelled it out as she walked out: 'WE MEET ALONE.'
Jaune: sucks in a deep breath.
Pyrrha: "Jaune..." She'd picked that up too. "I'll go with—"
Jaune: "No. She says it's alone. I go alone. But... Try to get where you can back me up just in case, huh?"
Ruby: "Roger."
Yang tenses. Jaune hugs her.
Jaune: "It'll be all right."
Yang: "Y-Yeah..."
Jaune got up. A flustered Cardin stopped him.
Cardin: "Dude! The wedding's in a month! Please tell me you've got this?!"
Jaune: "Cardin, Cardin! Relax! My family will help you, don't worry!" Smiles. "I gotta see to something else right now, but it's okay. Anyway, you got the ring?"
Cardin: "Yeah..."
Jaune: "Let me take care of it. You're a bundle of nerves."
Cardin: "I am not...! Okay fine, I am... Here."
Jaune: "Relax buddy. Besides, the wedding's not gonna be anywhere near as stressful as the birth."
Cardin: pales.
Jaune: "Guys? Mind helping Cardin?"
Jaune takes the ring box and pockets it, as Cardin gets some reassurances from the others. He heads to the usual meeting room. He opens it. Cinder was waiting, with Emerald, Mercury. No Neo.
Jaune's Brain: Neo is working with us. I wonder if this is a good or bad sign…
Jaune shut the door. Cinder activated the signal jammer.
Jaune: "I thought you said 'alone'? This doesn't look very alone to me."
Cinder: "Well I know your team is going to be ready to storm the room for you at your signal."
Jaune: "Hm. How're the legs, Merc? They treating you alright?"
Mercury: "Uh, great. Yeah. They're amazing. Your mom knows her stuff."
Emerald: glares "He's stalling."
Cinder: "Enough, Emerald. Jaune. You had a busy summer break, didn't you?"
Jaune: "Oh you know... cow gave birth, had a little dance, the usual things at a farm. What about you guys? Did Emerald get that stick out of her ass?"
Emerald: growls "You little—!"
Cinder: "Enough, Emerald."
Emerald shrinks back, but still glares at Jaune.
Merc: "...heh..."
Cinder: "I'm sure you're aware of the state of the White Fang, yes?"
Jaune: "I mean... not particularly? Don't really pay attention to them... not when all they do is fumble around like a bunch of headless chickens. OOH! Saw those at the farm too!"
Merc: "Wait do they actually still run around without their heads for a bit?"
Jaune: "Oh yeah, completely true!"
Merc smirking: "Awesome—"
Cinder: Her smirk is amused, but then her eyes narrow. "Now Jaune, come now. I should think Sienna Khan ending up in Radian and taking you hostage would have rung a few bells."
Jaune: Outwardly, he was calm. He sighed and shrugged. "Well... We both knew Adam was going to have to deal with Sienna at some point, right? It's his nature."
Cinder: raised an eyebrow "So why did Sienna attempt to deal with you personally?"
Jaune's Brain: Okay, let's hope I've practiced the story enough to be convincing…
Jaune: "My guess is that she wanted leverage to be given some kind of asylum. My mother's hospital has a policy to treat and safeguard anyone, no matter their crimes, until they are well enough to travel. But in her position, she couldn't be sure that my mom would play ball. So I was her leverage."
Mercury raised an eyebrow while Emerald scoffed. Jaune continued.
Jaune: "Given that the White Fang are hostis humani generis, she wanted to make sure nobody kicked her ass before she got in the door."
Emerald: Scowled "And how did the great Jaune Arc get captured by her?"
Jaune: "Hey... I'm the brains, not the best fighter around. Plus she got the drop on me."
Cinder: "... You mean to tell me the leader of the White Fang threatened you in exchange for asylum by your mother? Does that seem like something she would risk? Instead of merely pretending to be injured? I've read reports on your family, Jaune. Your mother is nothing if not dedicated to her Oath as a doctor. No matter who, she would have followed that policy to the letter... unless they threatened her family, directly in front of her."
Cinder narrows her eyes.
Cinder: "So Jaune... let's start again, and this time, don't lie to me. Why was she in Rodian?"
Jaune's Brain: Damnit, she's smart…
Jaune: "Technically I didn't lie. She did want leverage... But apparently... She had heard a few things about my family. Namely... That we had a connection to Adam's new boss. She didn't know all the details about Salem... But she knew that much."
Cinder: scowling "... And how did she hear these things, do you suppose?"
Jaune: shrugs "Well... I have some suspects. Unfortunately, due to how old Granny Sally runs things, we're all supposed to be compartmentalized."
Cinder: running through a million scenarios through her mind of a potential mole "..... Emerald, do we know where Neo is today?"
Emerald: "She's working with Roman."
Jaune's Brain: Crap… Think fast, Arc!
Jaune: "That said... We shouldn't jump to conclusions. It's possible for us to be too paranoid, even in this situation."
Mercury: "You have a theory?"
Jaune: non-chalant "Possible… I take it Neo got you the radio transcripts and police reports from Radian? That seems rather strange of her to do if she was trying to betray us."
Cinder frowned at Jaune. He continued.
Jaune: "I'm guessing Sienna said the same thing she told me: That she got through all the security cameras and sensors at every checkpoint? Despite her bounty being five times higher than Adam's? All the way into Radian, deep in Vale? Not a single security system tagging her? Or any of her followers?"
Jaune stayed calm... No need to get too excited.
Cinder: scrutinizing glare, before she nodded in realization "Yes....I see..."
Merc: "Wait, what? I don't get it."
Jaune: "Now, White Fang is also able to move about freely. Even Adam... Because those systems were built in Atlas... And another of our so-called allies has been giving them and us cover through hacking the network. So, it's quite simple: Who has the motive, the means, and the opportunity?"
Emerald: "... Watts?! But... Why?"
Cinder: "That's the million lien question isn't it?... Normally Mother would contact me about such changes... especially since she is aware of me using the Fang... which means he's doing this of his own volition..."
Jaune: "I will admit, I don't know him very well... But the man has an ego the size of the moon. And I don't think he took you being assigned this mission very well, did he?"
Cinder: smirks "No... no he did not… He insulted us all in front of everyone…"
Mercury: "So, all out of ego? Is he stupid?"
Jaune: shrugs "If I had to guess... He wanted to test you. Tweak your nose. I am, after all, one of your best assets."
Which was also true... Without Jaune she wouldn't have gotten near as much done so easily...
Emerald: growls "That's debatable… I think it's Neo! And this playboy is protecting her because he wants her in his harem too!"
Jaune shrugged nonchalantly.
Jaune: "Is Neo the type to get up to such antics just to tweak your nose? Sure, she'll run off and have ice cream rather than maintain her cover... But something this elaborate? That's not her MO, is it? But, a big convoluted plan to show off how smart he is...?"
Cinder: "I see your point. However, while Watts is a cowardly rat himself, he too follows the queen's orders. Salem herself is backing my campaign... to do anything to risk our failure here..."
Jaune: "Clearly, he's rattled. We're doing so well… He'd want to tweak you. I mean, what's he gonna pick? Pride, or doing the smart thing?"
Cinder: "..." nods "I see your point. Yes… Watts was responsible."
Merc: "What's stopping us from just reporting the guy now anyways? I mean we don't have hard evidence but we could bring it up with her now, right?"
Jaune: "Ah, but there's the issue: How is it going to sound to Salem if we go running to her and whine that Watts isn't playing fair?"
Cinder: "He's right. Either we get hard evidence, to show off Watts is changing the rules against our favor... or we play his game..." smirks "But why not both? He's given me the perfect opportunity to not only show off my own capabilities... but deny his..."
Jaune imagined Cinder's thought process: "If I can gather the evidence, complete my task and reveal his subterfuge to Salem only after... I can get rid of the snivelling rat and prove I am her most capable agent all in one fell swoop..." Or something like that.
Emerald: Frowns "... As you wish, Cinder..."
Mercury: "Heh... He's not as smart as he thinks, huh?"
Jaune: "True... But let's not get cocky. We don't know if he's got other tricks up his sleeve… Especially since the whole plan is dependent on his computer work."
Emerald shot Jaune another dirty look.
Cinder: "You... worry your pretty little head about yourself... let us deal with Watts… Now, to business... Emerald, leave us. Go... schmooze or whatever it is you do around here with our fellow classmates. Mercury, you join Neo and Torchwick with the White Fang. See if you can get any leads from them about any... suspicious behavior that can be led back to Watts. I will remain here. I have a couple of questions for our resident 'Paladin of Good'."
Jaune: "Oh, by the way Merc. Here." He hands him some cookies. "My sister baked these for you. Actually she baked some for all of you, but I know you were looking forward to it the most." Winks. "Just be careful! She's engaged."
Emerald scowls at the offered cookie tin.
Merc: "Aw, fuck yeah..."
Merc sees Emerald eyeing them.
Merc: "Nuh-uh-uh! Mine now!"
Emerald: "I wasn't—!"
Jaune: "I brought two tins. There's more in my dorm."
Emerald scowls harder at Jaune... But reluctantly takes it. As she passes by, she whispers in a low voice:
Emerald: "You're smart... But I'm smarter. I'll find you out..."
Emerald sees Merc already finished his tin.
Emerald: ".... you're disgusting."
Mercury: "Aw, you going tsundere over Arc? I'm heartbroken."
They left, the door shutting behind them and muffling their argument.
Jaune: ".... So like... are they a thing?"
Cinder: "..... I can never tell… Well... You seem to have gotten out of another disaster, hm? My clever, clever spy."
She smirked sexily at him, one eye covered by her bangs.
Jaune: "I'm yours, huh?"
Cinder: "Naturally. Would you want to serve anyone else?" Sultry smile. "Sit with me."
She was on the bed, her legs crossed just right to show them off. And... Yep, she'd left one more button unbuttoned than normal on her blouse.
Jaune: "I'd be honored. Though what would the woman at home think of all this?"
Jaune's Brain: "Oh god damnit, are we really doing this again?"
Cinder: "She can think what she likes. After all..." She eyed him significantly. "We both have our own agendas contrary to hers, don't we?" As he sat down, she scooted up against him.
Jaune: "I suppose you might have a point there... though I wonder, what agenda do you have right now?"
Cinder: "I've seen how RWBY and Pyrrha fawn over you... You have total control of them now, don't you?"
Jaune: "You could say that..."
Jaune's Brain: "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! If I had any control over them, they wouldn't all be trying to get with me..."
Jaune: raises an eyebrow "Do you want them to join in on our fun? Is that it?"
Cinder: "I can't wait to see Oz's face when his secret weapons turn against him~..." She chuckles. "Hm? Pyrrha is completely broken... But what about the others?"
Jaune: "Well... the blonde still has a little bit of resistance... but not for long..."
He can see the gears turning in Cinder's head.
Cinder: "I see... Quite the playboy, aren't you? But have you considered... Being with a woman who isn't a toy, mm?" She smirked at him.
Cinder slowly runs her hands across Jaune's chest enjoying his muscles.
Jaune: sighs dramatically "Oh you have no idea... Their charm is already running out..."
Jaune's Brain: "Okay I know she's a bitch, but even she has to admit that Yang and Pyrrha are not 'little'... in any way..."
Cinder: "Yet you keep resisting me... Why?"
Jaune: "I suppose I should ask you... why do you care about them then?"
Cinder: huffs "They are tools for our goals, Jaune. You and I... They're all prey. We're predators. We know the truth of the world... Why do you resist me?"
Jaune: "Because they still have their uses... but once our mission is done, and they're thrown to the side... we have all the time to ourselves..."
Cinder: "We have time now~..." Huffs.
Jaune: "Ms. Fall... are you jealous?"
Cinder: huffs "Jealous? Please... I just think your refusal is... Suspicious. You're always going on about the mission... While you have your little harem..."
Jaune: "Isn't it you who always preaches that the mission comes before all? I thought you would admire the dedication?"
Jaune leans in, huskily "Unless... you aren't as dedicated yourself as I once thought?"
Cinder: "Hmph... Are you sure your dalliances aren't distracting you? You did get captured, after all."
Jaune: smirk "If they're a 'distraction', then what am I to you?"
Cinder: "A valued servant... Why wouldn't you want to get a reward~?"
Jaune: "Let's say this humble servant might be interested in... a... reward.... what would his Queen have in mind?"
Cinder: chuckles "Are we little children here? I think you can figure out what I mean. Why play coy?"
Jaune: dead serious "Consent is sexy."
Cinder: laughs "You remain an enigma, as ever..."
They both knew that they had a lot of defenses.
Jaune: smirks "I aim to please..."
Cinder: "So why not? Afraid of not being in control?"
Jaune: "If you want to prove you're in control... then by all means..."
Cinder: eyes narrow "I don't have to... I could just order you to be mine."
Jaune: "So... Why don't you?"
Jaune's Brain: "Please… I want to pretend I'm not a harem protagonist… And while I think Yang might understand… She would still be hurt if I cheated on her… Geez… Please…"
Cinder: "... That would be unsatisfying, don't you think?"
Jaune: "Why would it be that way for you?"
Cinder: "..."
Jaune: "…. Unless… for once… you don't want to be in control? Corralling Emerald… and Mercury… not to mention dealing with Neo… at some point the control gets stressful no? And you want to… release that stress… release that control… temporarily…"
Jaune's Brain: "How ironic… considering she's never really been in control, even before I came here… but she doesn't need to know that."
Cinder: snort "My life has never been my own... This will allow it to be so."
Jaune's Brain: "Having sex with me will prove you're in control of your own life? Good lord woman, not even a shrink can fix you."
Jaune: "Putting a lot on me, Cinder. Why? Surely you don't think of my opinion as very important, in the grand scheme of things-"
Cinder: "There you go, playing games again. Still refusing me."
Jaune: "Like I said… You could order me. So why don't you? Why wouldn't that be satisfying?"
Cinder: frowns at him
Jaune: "Ordering people around is different… From someone choosing. Isn't it?"
Cinder: "... It is."
Cinder: "..." She stands up and walks away to stare out the window.
Jaune: "… I know what it's like… not to be in control… Not given a choice…"
Cinder: Takes a deep breath "... I swore I would never be a slave again."
Jaune: "And yet, here both of us are… slaves simply to a higher power…"
Cinder: fists clench "... And you have a plan to overthrow her, don't you?"
Jaune: stares up at her "… Do you?"
Cinder: "..." She looks away "Perhaps... But when you don't have the power yet, all you can do is speculate."
Jaune: sad snort "Isn't that the truth… Of course, the problem with the pursuit of power to be free... Is that you can't trust anyone, can you?"
Cinder: "... Trust is an illusion."
Jaune: "So is hope, yet we all cling onto that. Even you."
Cinder: huffs "In the end, everyone will betray someone. Everyone has a price. If the stakes are high enough, everyone will throw away everything they claim to care about just to survive. Mother, after all, made that deal with your family."
Jaune: "True… But they made that deal for me."
At Cinder's stare, he chuckled.
Jaune: "Yeah, I know right? You probably thought they wanted power or freedom from something.... instead all they wanted was a miracle to save me when I was born nearly dead out of the gate… And now because of me... we're all bound to her whims..."
Cinder: "... They... Why would they...?"
Jaune: He says this with a sad conviction "Because they loved me enough to make a deal with the devil..."
Cinder: "... I never knew... My parents... I can only remember an orphanage and..."
Her face became hard.
Cinder: "... I see why you are so formidable a spy. You can make people feel... Safe."
Jaune: "... yeah... yeah I guess I do..."
Cinder: "... The final preparations are underway. We'll have to figure out how to account for Watts' betrayal. I doubt he would try anything during the actual festival—Mother would know for sure—but... We must be more cautious."
She was saying this to herself as much as to him.
Cinder: "Ensure your control is complete over your women... Ozpin will be even more focused on you. If you need to... Be intimate with me to sell yourself as a playboy, we'll put it together."
Jaune: tries to put a gentle, genuine smile "I suppose neither of us are in the mood for that... reward now, are we?"
Cinder: "... No. I suppose not."
She's cold and dismissive again.
Cinder: "Now go."
Jaune: "As you wish, Ms. Fall."
He turns, as he leaves.
Jaune: "I just want you to know... no matter what happens, if you decide to stay with our Queen, if you choose to fight her, usurp her... I'll be with you every step of the way..."
Cinder: "... How can I believe that?"
She sounded... Almost as vulnerable as before.
Jaune: shrugs "Trust, I guess... just trust in me as much I trust in you, to get us through this..."
Cinder: "... Go. I have things to do."
Jaune: "Yes Ma'am."
He exits and closes the door behind him, walking a bit further to remove any chance of being overheard.
Jaune: exhale ".... God…"
Yang: "You okay, Stud?" She grinned as she popped out from behind him. Jaune doesn't even react. "That was a long meeting… Everything all right?"
Jaune just hugs her, tightly, exhausted.
Yang: "... Hey..." She hugs him tightly. "It's okay..."
Jaune: "I'm so tired Yang. Of everything. Can we just... stay like this for a while?..."
Yang: smiles "As long as you want..."
Written with help from my excellent Discord members. It's a bit more serious than I had initially planned, but you need dramatic relief in comedy from time to time. Hope you enjoyed.
