6

"In my defense… well, I guess I don't really have much of a defense. I've not seen any sort of odd behavior I wouldn't expect from someone with a semblance like that, and all I've accomplished is feeling like a bit of a creep." Qrow took a swig from his flask.

"So now that you've invaded a young man's privacy and found Ozpin's concerns unfounded, as they were from the start, you've come to see the mistake in your ways?" Oobleck leveled the man with a heavy glare from behind his glasses.

"It's not that I thought it was a great idea from the beginning, I just… those girls are everything to me, Bart. Can you really blame me for being a little cautious with their safety?"

"That's Doctor Oobleck to the likes of stalkers, thank you very much. And I can very much blame you for your actions. There are people that I care about, that I have seen fall into… bad crowds, so to speak. Ones that were definitely a threat to their safety." The professor's gaze wandered into the distance as he spoke." And yet not once did I deem it necessary to breach anyone's privacy."

"I ain't gonna apologize for making sure that they were safe with him. I owe Summer that much. But I'll try to get Oz to back off a bit."

"I suppose that's the best I'll be getting on that front. But that leaves me with my next problem with you."

"There's more? What, are my rugged good looks and incredible charm annoying you?"

Oobleck rolled his eyes. "Not that, you buffoon, I'm referring to your methods. I'm told that you were spying on him as a bird. I can't make much sense of such a statement, but I do not see a reason for lying about something so absurd, so I am left to assume that there is truth to it. Explain."

"Is this some sort of joke? I thought Ozpin already gave you the big explanation? I was in the room when you two were discussing the kid working for Salem. Don't go pulling my leg, I get enough of that already."

"I had thought so as well. He explained Salem to me, yes, but it would seem that while he has revealed one or two secrets, he has kept many more hidden in the dark. So tell me, how exactly were you able to turn into a crow?"

Qrow looked lost, but after a moment's thought started his explanation. "It's Ozpin's magic. Team STRQ got Oz's attention during our Beacon days, he brought us into his little group a long time ago. Raven and I got the ability to turn into birds, Summer had… her own thing going on, and Taiyang got incredible luck with the ladies, that bastard…"

Qrow's complaint about Taiyang was ignored. "Ozpin's magic?" The doctor looked bewildered, but recovered quickly. "I see. That certainly seems like something he probably should have informed me of if he wants me to trust him further than I can throw him."

"Don't think like that, I don't need another Raven to deal with. Ozpin is a good guy, trying to do what's right without making it everyone's problem."

"Is he though? Perhaps your sister has the right idea if her reaction is similar to mine. You seem awfully trusting of him for someone who knows how he keeps secrets."

"I've been helping him out for a long time, Bart. I know the truth of what's going on behind the scenes."

"And yet you just assumed that he had told me everything you knew. Strange, isn't it? That he would make you aware that I was being brought into his fold, and yet not tell you of all the things he was still keeping from me. What other secrets is he keeping from me? What is he keeping from you?"

"He wouldn't-"

"He would."

Qrow struggled to find a proper response.

"Qrow, I think you and I need to have a nice long chat. Why don't we start with you telling me everything you know about this shadow war? I'm sure that I have much to learn."

"I think it's about time you came through on your end of the deal, Second." Jaune walked through the halls of Beacon alone.

And what exactly was my end of the deal again?

"Wha- You don't remember?! You're supposed to help me get Weiss to go out with me!"

Ah. Right. That deal…

"Don't try and back out of it now! You're full of useful information, or at least you claim to be-" Rude. "-so I expect results here!"

I suppose I did promise something like that… Look, first of all? Cut the "snow angel" garbage.

"What? Why? It's a compliment, and a cute nickname!"

No, it's cringe and weird. She doesn't like it. Everyone besides you can tell that she doesn't like it.

"So… I should try a different name?"

In a way. Hmmm, let's see… what do you think of "Weiss"? Short, simple, she's already used to responding to it.

"But that's just her name?"

Exactly. No cringey nicknames. Anything that you manage to come up with is going to be awful, so just don't. It's perfectly fine- no, it's preferred that you just use her name. She'll appreciate it.

Jaune's shoulders slumped. "I guess I could give it a try… what else did you have in mind? I don't think just using her name is going to do a whole lot."

My second piece of sage wisdom… you might not like this one, but I am being serious here. You should probably give up on Weiss. You're not a bad dude, you could totally get a girlfriend, but Weiss? I just can't see that happening. Anything is possible I guess, but you gotta know when to walk away.

"Give up? Why would I give up?! My dad says all you need is confidence and look at how many kids he's got! Sure, my attempts so far haven't really panned out, but that doesn't mean I can just call it quits."

I understand that you're really into her Jaune, but I think she's made it pretty obvious she doesn't feel the same. There is a possibility that you're right. That all it will take is some more pestering and she'll suddenly realize she was wrong and you're a real catch and you two live happily ever after. But you have to consider whether or not that's realistic. Weiss is the heiress to the most powerful company on Remnant, high-strung, bossy, etc. You on the other hand are a dude who got into Beacon through illegitimate means, is generally kind of dorky, not always the brightest tool in the shed. And that's all fine! Well, the law breaking isn't great, but people can get over that. You've got sort of a dorky, boy-next-door sort of vibe? Honestly, you'd probably have a lot of luck with moms… but that's getting off topic. My point is that while what you are isn't bad, it isn't the sort of thing Weiss is interested in, and you have to accept that. What are you going to do if you make her hate you? Right now it's just an annoyance, but if you keep going? She'll actively avoid you. She'll resent you for making her reject you all the time. It'll drive a wedge between your teams, and where will that leave everyone else? Do you want to risk your friendship with Ruby hitting a rough patch because you couldn't take a hint?

"I… is it really that bad? I just thought… but I really like her…" Jaune shook his head. "No. You're just messing with me again, aren't you? I'm just a joke to you. Well I'm not letting you ruin my chances if you're going to be like that. I'll just have to keep trying."

I know it's tough, but I'm trying to be real with you Jaune. If you don't believe me, you could always ask Ren for his thoughts on the matter. He's your one male teammate, I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you out with this, even if it would be pretty awkward. Besides! Just because your chances with Weiss are slim to none doesn't mean you can't get a girlfriend at all. You've probably noticed, but Huntresses tend to be on the attractive side, and I'm sure that at least a few of them are into guys like you. It would be… wrong, for me to straight up tell you that 'x girl' has a crush on you, but I will tell you that you have at least one admirer. If you weren't constantly going on about how much you want your "snow angel", she might work up the courage to actually say something about it. If she doesn't… well, I could always influence things a bit. I give you a hard time, but at the end of the day I am your semblance. I want things to work out for you.

Jaune was silent for a moment, considering Second's points. "I'll think about it. But if you are messing with me again, then I'll… uh… I'm not really sure how to threaten you, but I'll come up with something!"

Fair enough. Now hurry up before you're late! It's time for Pyrrha to kick your ass again.

Pyrrha did indeed kick his ass again.

"I know it may not seem like it from your perspective, but you really are improving." Pyrrha offered him a hand, helping him stand back up from being knocked flat.

"And you're not just saying that because we're partners or something?" The skepticism was obvious in his tone.

"I'm serious! The rate you're improving at is pretty astonishing actually. It's almost like you didn't have any instruction at all before this. Like you finally have some guidance to lead you down the right path and before you were just stumbling about." The redhead laughed at the notion. "But I guess that's pretty ridiculous."

Jaune's mouth went dry.

You know… this would be a good chance to tell her.

For once, Jaune remembered not to speak aloud to Second. Tell her what? That I'm a fraud? That I don't deserve to be here?

I'm not sure that I would phrase it that way myself, but if that's how you feel, then yes. She's your partner Jaune, she deserves to know. Her reaction won't be as bad as you think it will be.

Is that something you actually know? Or are you just trying to guilt me into it?

Does it matter? She's going to find out eventually, and it's better that she finds out from your own words than to have it be dramatically revealed or something. I mean, she unlocked your aura dude. Logically speaking, she has to know that something is up, right? I also think it would make you feel better. It's your call at the end of the day, but I think you should do it.

Jaune paused for a moment to consider the suggestion, but hashing things out with Second had left a bit of an awkward silence with his partner. "Jaune? Are you okay? I didn't hit you too hard, did I?"

He was startled to attention. "No! I'm fine. It's just…" A deep breath steadied his nerves. "What you said was… not as ridiculous as you might think."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean that you're right. This is the first time I've received proper training. Not tonight specifically, but, you know? Beacon. Initiation was the first time I had seriously tried to use Crocea Mors."

"Jaune, I… are you serious?"

"I know! It was stupid. It is stupid! I'm a moron and a fraud and… I skipped over that part, didn't I? I, um, might have- well no, I definitely did-" He stumbled over his words, "I forged my transcripts! Before Beacon I had no training at all. I stole Crocea Mors from home, it was a family heirloom and I… I decided to become a Huntsman really recently, and my dad didn't want to train me, but I was just so sick of being this useless-"

"Jaune!" His partner interrupted him.

"...yes?"

"I… your words were running together a bit there, but if I understood you correctly, then yes what you did was stupid. You could have died very easily."

Jaune's head fell at those words, accepting the harsh reality he had expected.

"But it was also very brave."

His head snapped up, his eyes locked to hers.

"I was shocked when I realized you had no aura. I tried to come up with a reason that made sense, but in the end I just brushed it off. I figured that if you made it to initiation, you must have some idea of what you were doing… but it's pretty clear that you don't. Or rather, that you didn't until you reached out to the team for help." The smile on her face was reassuring. "I… it might be a bit silly, but I think that coming to Beacon, ready to fight the grimm and risk your life without even knowing that you would have aura to protect you… I think that's brave."

Jaune was lost for words.

You could try "Wow, that really means a lot to me Pyrrha, you're the best partner ever" or something like that. I'm not good at the touchy feely stuff, but you gotta say something here.

"Thanks Pyrrha, I appreciate it. Um, could you maybe keep that stuff a secret though? I might tell the rest of the team eventually, and Second says that Ozpin already knows, but… I kind of want to prove that I can keep up with you all properly before I go spilling that sort of stuff to anyone else. Goodwitch might kill me if she finds out…"

She laughed at his worry. "Of course, Jaune. I can't have Goodwitch murdering my partner. What kind of team would we be then? Team NPR, RNP, PR-" a slight flush crossed her face, "ah, yeah they all sound a bit wrong don't they?"

I don't know, team PRN sounds good to me. I can see Nora shouting that Pyrrha's the glorious leader of team po-

"Yeah! Really strange, we can't be having that! Haha, um, why don't we get another round in!" Jaune quickly picked up his sword and got into a mostly correct battle stance.

"You're on. Don't think I'll take it easy on you just because I know the truth now!" She lunged at him.