Cowboys of Remnant: Carrot and Stick 4
AndrewJTalon
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[RWBY] RWBY Shorts
Just a place for my stray RWBY Plot bunnies and ideas to go. - - - “Pyrrha. We need to...
forum.questionablequesting.com
"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT FOR?!" Ruby demanded angrily. Cardin Winchester, for his part, was doing his level best not to seem intimidated by a group of young ladies.
However, the fact they could collective kick his ass (and looked very intent on doing so) made that difficult. Nevertheless, Mama Winchester didn't raise no pussy.
"I was gonna talk to someone-Not that it's your business!" Cardin growled. Yang's eyes burned red like hot coals, as she slammed her fists together.
"Oh really? Who you gonna talk to with flowers?" Yang asked with a growl.
"Uhhh..."
"No! Not Jaune!" Ruby gasped in horror. Cardin gaped in shock and disbelief.
"WHAT?! NO I-!"
"It's classic really," Blake nodded with a bit of a blush, "He denied his homosexual feelings out of societal pressure, and bullied Jaune instead."
Pyrrha gaped in shock as she blushed. Weiss too had a red face. Blake had a dreamy look on hers, while Yang and Ruby sputtered. Cardin, desperate to salvage this, resorted to a tactic his father had employed in difficult budgetary meetings:
Yelling.
"I AM NOT GAY! THESE ARE NOT FOR JAUNE! THESE ARE FOR VELVET!"
The girls all stared at him. Blake hummed.
"Well, that's a bit disappointing-"
"No it's not!" Weiss insisted. "Clearly, he was bullying her out of denial of his romantic feelings! For a girl who forced Jaune out on a date!"
"I-!" Cardin really did want to protest this. Like HELL did he have romantic feelings for Velvet! Sure, he wanted to make things up to her but romantic feelings?
"Of course!" Blake insisted, soft but sure, as she looked intently at Cardin, "It's a classic tragic story of starcrossed lovers! The girl he could not love, but did anyway! Just like Jomeo and Ruliet!" She sighed softly, "I can work with this."
"So can we," Pyrrha stated with a very scary smile. She grabbed onto Cardin's shoulder with terrifying strength. "How would you like to realize your true love... And keep Velvet away from Jaune Arc?"
"Anything for true love," Yang said with a similarly terrifying smile, grabbing onto Cardin's other shoulder. Weiss and Ruby too gained grins that seemed more like gleaming knives in the setting sun.
"Ohhhhh, I get it!" Ruby giggled. "Absolutely anything for true love!"
"Yes, how fortunate he fell into our hands," Weiss smirked.
Blake was furiously writing in a notebook.
Cardin looked about himself. There was no escape. No way out.
"I uh... Well..."
His politician father had taught him another important lesson, one Cardin realized he'd been too foolish and inexperienced to really grasp until now:
You have to know when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em.
This was clearly the latter.
He gulped and managed the tiniest hint of bluster, for the sake of his ego if nothing else.
"S-Sure... I would appreciate you helping me with... My romantic problems..."
"Right this way~," Pyrrha said, almost sing-song, as RWBY and Pyrrha led their captive towards the Bullheads.
I will never be jealous of Arc again, Cardin swore to himself, never ever NEVER!
- - -
Jaune wasn't entirely ignorant of how wealthy and luxurious places could be. He'd been to more than a few casinos and Dust rush towns on the Frontier, and even stayed at a five star hotel on a trip down to the Juzan Kingdom.
Of course that had been due to the city losing power thanks to a terrorist attack and Mister Duke leading them all to aid in the defense against the Grimm. The hotel hadn't had power for most of the time they'd been there, but the surroundings were still amazing.
That said, he couldn't keep his jaw closed very long as he entered Minerva's with Velvet. The carpet felt so soft and plush it was like it was made out of the fluffiest hares you could find. The wood paneling was inlaid with gold and silver lines that resembled tree branches. The view out the window let you see the entirety of Vale, lights shining like the stars above as the sun set and cast the night over everything.
Jaune managed to peel his eyes away from everything to focus on the menu. His heart pounded hard in his ears. He slowly looked up at Velvet, who had a similar desperate look in her eyes.
"... I think the wine selection costs more than my dang house," Jaune admitted quietly. Velvet managed a small, nervous giggle.
"S-Same," she squeaked.
The waiter arrived, his perfectly cut mustache so straight it was like it had been cut with a level. His suit was so perfect Jaune wondered if he had a Semblance to make it appear brand new.
"Would the sir and madam enjoy water while making their decision? Perhaps wine?" He asked pleasantly.
Jaune glanced over at Velvet. Velvet winced, but tried.
"Um... What is the cheapest selection you have?" She asked.
The waiter chuckled kindly.
"Fret not, Miss Scarlatina. Miss Adel is well known to me. She would not spend her money on frivolous people. Please, enjoy!"
"Er... Then sir, would you please make some recommendations?" Jaune asked. "My Gallian's a mite rusty."
"Of course Mister Arc," the waiter said with a smile, "Miss Adel sent us a dossier on both of you. I believe you will enjoy your meals. If I may?"
They handed him the menus, and he poured them some spring water. He departed in silence, leaving both to drink the water and stare at the table.
"Er... Um..." Jaune tried.
"Uh, um," Velvet also attempted.
Jaune let out a breath. He smiled at her.
"So... How long you an' Miss Adel been friends?"
Velvet perked up and smiled.
"Oh! Um, we actually met in middle school," she said cheerfully, "Her mom sent her to public school so she wouldn't become, ya know, a primadonna."
Jaune raised an eyebrow. Velvet flushed and shrugged.
"It uh... It mostly worked," she said.
"Nah. She's a force o' nature for sure," Jaune agreed. "I admire her spirit."
"Oh? You uh, you like women like that?" Velvet managed. Jaune coughed.
"Well uh... I like a lot o' kinds of women... N-Not that I'm some dandy!" He insisted, waving his hands, "I-I swear, I ain't... I mean, I had me a girlfriend in Radian but uh, that's the only one! I promise!"
"It-It's okay," Velvet said, waving her hands as well, "Uh, I-I've never even had a boyfriend! So um... Er..."
She sighed and bowed her head.
"I'm really sorry," she mumbled, "I... This isn't how I wanted it to go, exactly."
Jaune shook his head. He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. She looked up and flushed.
"Hey. There... There ain't no expectations on this thing," he said, "I'm just here to have a nice time with a pretty, wonderful lady. One kind enough to thank me for... For helping her."
He smiled and shook his head.
"Not that you had to-"
"I-I really wanted to," Velvet insisted, holding onto his hand tightly. "I mean... I saw a lot of students just look away. Mind their own business. You... You got up and just called Cardin out." She blushed deeply.
"I... I admire that. It's... It's hard for me to be brave like that."
"Really?" Jaune asked. Velvet sighed, her ears drooping.
"Yeah... I-I've had to keep so much... So much inside. My dad's a human, my mom's a Faunus. People... People talk. Humans and Faunus alike."
"Oh, Miss Scarlatina," Jaune breathed quietly, his tone full of sympathy, "I'm sorry."
She beamed.
"But... Well... You came in like a knight in shining armor, and... Well... I-I really liked that."
Jaune worried his lower lip.
"I... I had a talk with Cardin after," he said. Velvet raised her eyebrows. He held up a hand. "Nothin' violent. I just told him to get over himself. We're all here to protect people from the Grimm. Fightin' over who lost who in what war ain't gonna help."
"Oh," Velvet paused, pulling her hand away to worry them in her lap, "Oh... I-I see. He... Lost people in the Revolution?"
"Yeah," Jaune said quietly, "But that ain't no excuse to act that way."
"N-No, of course not," Velvet shook her head, her eyes sad, "Just... My grandfather told me about the war. How people looked at Faunus like monsters out of fear. How some Faunus fought alongside humans. He just... He made it clear it was a lot more complicated than human good, Faunus bad."
"Well, sure," Jaune said with a nod, "Don't mean folks gotta take it from either side though."
"No," Velvet agreed.
Some wine and appetizers arrived. A salad for Velvet and some dark bread and cheese for Jaune. The two ate, while continuing to talk.
Velvet was born in a small bubble town near Vale where a lot of Menagerian ex-pats lived: Faunus who had gone to Menagerie for a good life, but had returned after becoming disillusioned with the All Faunus Kingdom. Her father was an engineer who traveled to Atlas for work while her mom stayed at home with her twelve younger brothers and sisters. Jaune related his own difficulties in a large family in Radian, and the two laughed a bit over their shared experiences.
The main course arrived: A vegetable pasta for Velvet, and a classic prime rib steak with vegetables and potatoes for Jaune. They continued to talk, going from subject to subject.
If Jaune was being honest? Velvet was definitely comfortable to talk to. She was kind, funny, and once she calmed down, very fun. There was a... A camradery there. Someone he'd be happy to be friends with as they both worked to become Hunters.
Dessert rolled around, and after a few drinks of wine and a high class beer, they were both a bit giggly.
"N-No, no! Honest!" Velvet laughed, holding up her Scroll, "See? Total dork!"
Jaune stared at the picture of Velvet in middle school-The Faunus was practically vanishing in an oversized sweater with glasses. He snorted in laughter.
"Wow... You sure transformed, like a butterfly!"
"That was mostly Coco," Velvet explained, tucking her Scroll back into her purse, "I finally gave in after years of her begging to do my make up." She gestured to her impressive chest, "After these came in, I needed the help."
Jaune choked on his beer. He coughed hard and pounded his chest. Velvet, concerned, got up and went around to his side.
"Jaune? Are you all right?!"
"J-Just... Just fine!" He managed, keeping his eyes well away from her chest.
Their waiter reappeared, smiling warmly and handing Jaune some water. He gratefully drank it.
"Would sir and ma'am enjoy the patio? It has fewer people at this hour," he said.
Velvet smiled at Jaune. Jaune smiled back. He stood up and held out his arm. She took it. He turned to the waiter.
"Uh, thank you, Mister-?"
"Ebon, sir," he said, "And don't worry, the tip has been taken care of." He leaned in and muttered quietly:
"You couldn't afford it anyway."
"G-Good to know," Jaune managed.
- - -
They made it to the patio, and indeed, it was sparsely populated at this hour. They walked out to the railing and looked out across Vale. Velvet sucked in a deep breath, her eyes shining.
"Wow," she murmured happily. Jaune nodded, smiling as he stared at her face.
He then immediately pulled his eyes away, blushing hard.
"Something wrong?" She asked urgently, "Do-Do you need more water?"
"N-No, I'm... I'm fine, really," Jaune said, waving his free hand, "Just uh... Boy howdy do you look pretty."
Velvet blushed and smiled warmly at Jaune.
"Thank you," she replied quietly. She sighed and looked back at the cityscape.
"This... This was nice," she said.
Jaune nodded.
"Sure was," he said.
Velvet worried her lower lip. Jaune turned to stare at her.
"Somethin' wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing!" Velvet said quickly. Jaune stared more intently which made her flush. She looked back out at the city.
"Well... Um..."
She pulled her arms away and put her hands together. She sighed.
"I... Um... I'm sorry, I just..."
Velvet shook her head.
"It is... It has been wonderful," she said, "But there's... I-I mean..." She sighed again.
"... I'm feeling like I would one of my brothers for you," she said frankly.
Jaune blinked. Velvet turned bright red.
"N-Not that you're unattractive! F-Far from it!" She insisted and waved her hands around almost frantically, "I-I loved getting to talk to you and eat and-and just get to know you... And you've so handsome, but I..."
Her ears drooped. She wrapped her arms around her with a very sad look on her face.
"I just... I thought I would be feeling butterflies in my stomach over you. Or-Or feel a spark. Some real heat, and... Well..." She shrugged helplessly.
"It... It's not there," she finished lamely.
She bowed her head and stared at the patio tiles. Jaune stared in silence for a bit. Velvet stuttered.
"I-I mean... Maybe it's just a first date, maybe it's just that this place is so expensive, m-maybe I just built you up in my head and..."
She closed her eyes tightly.
"I'm sorry," she mumbled.
She felt Jaune's hands on her elbows. She started and looked up into his face. He smiled gently.
"Like I said, I'm just here to have a good time with a nice, pretty lady," he said, "And I do believe we've had that."
Velvet smiled and became a lot less tense. She nodded.
"Y-Yeah... Yeah," she murmured. She shook her head. "I mean... Maybe... Maybe we could hang out more?"
"I would like that," Jaune said with a nod. He shrugged. "Sides... Ain't lookin' for love right now. It... Makes things complicated."
"Your ex?" Velvet asked, immediately filled with sympathy. Jaune looked out at the stars and nodded slowly.
"Among other reasons," he said, "Me? If I'm datin' a woman, it's for keeps. If we ain't gonna have matrimony as the goal? Then... We ain't goin' that far. Nothin' wrong with hanging out though."
"No, of course not," Velvet said with a nod, "I just... Um... Love's a lot more complicated than I thought, you know?"
Jaune sighed.
"Well, maybe we'll fall in love in the future anyway. Maybe it's the wrong time. Or maybe we'll both stay friends," he shrugged, "I'm startin' to realize the same. I'm just... Tryin' to keep as open a mind as I can."
Velvet smiled nervously.
"And um... Trying to avoid angering your harem?"
Jaune flushed deeply.
"I-It-It ain't a harem!" He sputtered. Velvet giggled.
"I suppose if you were trying to recruit for it, I might be more interested," she teased. Jaune flushed.
"Oh geez, Miss..."
"I think I like men who are a little more assertive anyway," Velvet hummed, "N-Not that you aren't assertive!" She waved her hands, "You can be! You're just... Not the right kind and... Ugh... Feelings are shite!"
She blushed and covered her mouth as her accent slipped out. Jaune laughed quietly.
"You're a real riot, Miss Scarlatina."
She smiled happily.
"Please... Call me Velvet. Since we're friends?"
"Sure can."
- - -
They walked out onto the street after leaving the restaurant. Jaune was already scanning for a taxi and cursing that he hadn't gotten Orleans' license yet. The vain horse didn't like the Department of Vehicles, nor their cameras.
"VELVET!"
Both Jaune and Velvet turned... And their jaws dropped. Dressed in tight leather pants, an open white button up shirt that showed off his pegs, scaly boots, and a rose in his hand, one Cardin Winchester approached. His eyebrow was twitching a bit as he looked over his shoulder, before he looked at them.
"Velvet, I..." His jaw dropped and face went red. "Oh Breaker you're hot."
Velvet's cheeks went bright red. Jaune scowled.
"Cardin, I thought I talked about this-"
"No! Nonono, I um... I'm here to... To..." Cardin shook his head to get his bearings, "Uh... A-Apologize." He held out the red rose to Velvet. "I... I was being an idiot. I want you to be my girlfriend, Velvet. All that bullying was just because I-I like you. Please... Accept my feelings!"
He went down to a knee, as though some myterious force had grabbed onto the metal in his pants and forced him down. He held the rose up to Velvet. She blushed deeply, and glanced between Cardin and Jaune.
Jaune blinked a few times. He shook his head and smiled at Velvet.
"Well... You did say you liked assertive men," he said.
"Um... Er... You... You don't mind...?" Velvet stuttered.
"S'long as he's genuine and ain't gonna cause trouble," Jaune stated, glaring down at the Winchester heir. Cardin shook his head.
"N-No! No, I am! I totally..." He stared at Velvet some more. "Holy crap she's so hot..."
He paused and blanched.
"I said that out loud didn't I?" He mumbled.
Velvet giggled. She walked over and took Cardin's hand. She pulled him up.
"Well... Um... I suppose I could... Give you a chance, with all the effort you put in," she said warmly. "We did just eat so... Would you like to go for a walk?"
"S-Sure," Cardin managed. He lowered his voice as he and Velvet walked away, but Jaune's keen ears picked his voice up.
"Can we stop by a store? This outfit is... Chilly. And it chafes."
Velvet giggled.
"I think I know a place."
Jaune watched them walk off into the night, and pushed his hat up at an angle to scratch the side of his head.
"Well... Ain't that somethin'," he chuckled.
He then felt Ruby wrap around him like a rope around a steer.
"Hurk!"
"JAUNE!" Ruby wailed. "We saw the whole thing! How could she dump you for her bully?!"
"The nerve of her!" Weiss added, walking into view (and hastily tossing a trenchcoat, scarf, and sunglasses into the trash), "Playing on your emotions!"
"We're here if you need us, Jaune, count on it," Pyrrha added, also tossing some random clothes into a trashcan. Yang walked up and sighed, patting Jaune on the shoulder.
"You okay there, Stud?"
Blake was scribbling things into her notebook and giggling a lot. Jaune heaved a sigh.
"Yeah... I'm fine," he said, "We decided we were better off as friends and... Apparently she likes men who are uh... Direct."
"Can't say I blame her," Yang smirked. Ruby tightened her hug, as Pyrrha and Weiss coughed suspiciously. Jaune sighed.
"... Ya'll wanna get some ice cream?"
"Sure!" Ruby cheered.
I'll sort this out myself one day, Jaune thought, as they headed for an ice cream parlor, One day.
- - -
I know, right? A girl deciding she doesn't want to be part of Jaune's harem? Insanity!
But I thought it would be a fun way to end things, and indulge a ship I really like, without making it come off as too out of character or bashy.
Poor Cardin has no idea what he's in for.
I may write some Jaune/Velvet in the future, but it is not this fic.
