[RWBY] The Great Temporal Step-Sibling War!

[AndrewJTalon]

Okay. The Emerald Festival is kind of like Saint Patrick's Day and Mardis Gras for Vale. It is a week long festival celebrating the liberation of Vale from a siege by a Mistralian invasion force. After the force was routed and destroyed by allies, everyone got REALLY freaking drunk and partied for a whole week. The Emerald Emperor (Ozma's host at the time) got so drunk he handed out all the emeralds in the treasury to the people, and many other embarassing things.

(To this day, Ozipin still doesn't imbibe unless absolutely necessary).

So the week long celebration involves a lot of drinking, partying, and handing out green beads.

The Party was meant to be a preliminary one for the week long festivities. And in each timeline...

Ruby: Tried to sneak some booze, Yang kept her from it, and she got upset and stormed off. Jaune caught up with her. After some talking about her age and stress, she admitted she cared about him more than a friend but didn't know what to do or if he would even feel that way back. Jaune said he did care about her deeply, and did find her attractive. He agreed to go out with her, but slowly to make sure they didn't ruin their friendship. Ruby is very happy.

May: May had some booze, got a bit buzzed, lashed out at her team and staggered off. Jaune helped her, and talked to her. They bonded over their social isolation and decided to become friends, real friends. She asks him out on a date, and he says only if she's sober. Something she remembered the next day. He asks her, and she shyly agrees to go out to the festival with him.

Pyrrha: Got enough alcohol she finally cornered Jaune. Her advances scared him a little and he pulled her out for some air. Pyrrha broke down, admitted she loved Jaune. She had for a long time. She just couldn't figure out how to say it! Jaune admitted he did care for Pyrrha very much but thought her above him. She said he wasn't. But Jaune said they should take it slow, since they were both new to this. Pyrrha agreed happily and passed out. Jaune carried her home.

Arslan: Pyrrha drank to get her courage, but drank too much. Some boys tried to take advantage of her, Jaune and Arslan intervened. They put Pyrrha to bed, and talked. They got to know eachother through their mutual faith, and when Arslan realized he was the son of THAT Nick Arc, she wanted to be much closer friends with him. Jaune agreed and it grew into a romance from there.

Cinder: Got drunk, made out with Jaune. Ended up passing out. He carried her to a bed but she held onto him. They woke up together, still clothed. Cinder acted bashful and decided to use this to get closer to her targets, but eventually fell for Jaune. She finally admitted this at the Vytal Festival when she was about to get into Ozpin's office.

Emerald: It is a bit confused thanks to the fairy tale Amethyst's parents told her, so simplified: Cinder got drunk and told Emerald she never cared about her. Emerald ran off, destroyed. Jaune found her, and despite her anger and sorrow, he comforted her. They opened up to one another, and saw eachother a few more times. Emerald realized she couldn't go through with the plan anymore, and changed sides. Cinder, Mercury and Neo fled, and Cinder would meet her end years later thanks to Nora's hammer.

Weiss: Got a bit buzzed due to seeing Neptune flirting and carrying on with girls. She headed off. Ran into Jaune, who was getting some air. She awkwardly vents about Neptune. Jaune nods. Weiss says she heard from Yang that Jaune made Neptune go dancing with her. She asks why. He says all he wants is for her to be happy. Weiss finally sees that all his courtship attempts, while lame and full of bravado, were genuine. She asks if he'll walk with her under the moonlight and he agrees. They go on their first real date a week later.

Blake: Blake imbibes some drink and then wanders outside, her ears twitching. Finds Jaune, who was a little morose from his drinking. Jaune says it's fine if she removes her bow: He knows she's a Faunus... Honestly he's known for a while, thanks to the Faunus back in Radian. Blake is a little confused and curious. She asks him about his past, and he shares. She then shares her own story. Before the two of them know it, they're talking in depth. They actually become friends, and bond on their common interests. It takes longer for an actual romance to happen between them but it does.

Yang: Yang is a bit frustrated with being hit on constantly. She also tries to keep Ruby from drinking, but Ruby tells her off, that she's not a baby anymore and Yang isn't her mom. Hurt, Yang goes out to get some air, meets Jaune outside. He says he'll listen to her problems. She admits she's wanted to go on dates and be more social, but she's always had to worry about Ruby. She had to be her mom, and now she's growing up and she feels a bit lost. Jaune says he gets it, he was babied a lot growing up, but he doesn't resent his parents or family, and Ruby doesn't resent Yang either. They talk more, getting past their mutual defenses. Yang is a little more impulsive and asks Jaune to go out with her for fun sometime, now that Ruby can handle herself. Jaune agrees. Yang claims it isn't a date... But it turns into one.

Winter: Came to the party to talk to Weiss. Finds her drinking, is outraged and breaks it up. She and Weiss fight, say terrible things. Weiss storms off. Winter meets with Jaune, and Winter opens up to him. He listens and comforts her genuinely, saying he knows Weiss could never hate her big sister. His maturity and compassion impresses Winter, and she makes it a point to see him in the weeks leading up to Vytal. She doesn't summon up the courage to go on a date with him until years later in Atlas, and Jaune asks first.

Glynda: Broke up the party. Jaune covers for his friends' antics, and Glynda makes him her personal assistant for his detention. He helps her with paperwork, immensely thanks to the software he got from his sister-in-law, and they begin to bond and become close. Romance is very slow burn for these two, it isn't until Atlas they actually admit to their feelings and it isn't until Jaune returns aged up they start their relationship in full. But it starts here.

 

[crazyeyedmustafa]

reposting from the SB thread cuz ajt said it's more appropriate here

psychotic omake idea that occurred to me the other day

---

It's not every day one meets their kids from the future, especially so children from multiple different timelines. To say Jaune is overwhelmed is putting it mildly, but he felt somewhat assured that he had met all of his...temporal children and that no outliers were left. He thought he had everyone figured out.

Well...almost everyone.

It was during the middle of another logistics meeting, where all of his future, potential, kind-of family was present, that another revelation came to pass. His "wives" seemed to think he was blind to their very obvious stares, as if he simply forgot they existed the moment he turned his head, but he didn't need eyes on the back of his head to know they were watching him. He could feel their lustful eyes on his back, and his lower back, and his abs, etc. Gods he feels like a slab of meat!

"Don't worry, hon, they're just teenage girls. You should have seen me when I was their age," his mom had chuckled. "I was practically drooling whenever your dad walked in." He wanted to remind her that she still does, but he decided to hold his tongue.

All of his children were accounted for, seated with their respective mothers, the ones whom mothers were present anyway. He still is coming to terms that he got with a woman who intended to murder everyone at his school, but he'll cross that bridge later. It's difficult to stay focused on over a dozen things at once, especially when they happen to be teens around his age and with names for all of them (don't even get him started on Weiss and Winter's kids, it's gonna take him forever to remember whose is whose) but at the very least everyone is accounted for, and no more timeline shenanigans will come up.

One of his children remains a mystery, however.

"So!" Ruby clapped her hands together, getting everyone's attention. She proceeded to turn into a swarm of rose petals and appeared next to the one teenager who had yet to reveal the identity of their mother.. "You! Uh, what's your name again?"

"Er...Aidan." The kid looks to be about Ruby's age, give or take a few years. With his other future kids, clocking their other parent wasn't too difficult: white hair equals Weiss or Winter, blonde probably means Yang or Glynda, he has to squint to really tell, and silver eyes meant, well, Ruby. Aidan had blonde hair and blue eyes, yet when asked by Glynda and Yang if he was one of there's they received a decisive 'No.' "It's good to see you Aunt Ruby," he said, keeping his eyes on his lap. He had sort of slipped through the eyes of everyone involved, only getting noticed when Jaune saw that one of the new kids present had yet to speak. Even after he was called out, he still kept quiet for the most part, only speaking when directly addressed. To say he was shy was an understatement - he looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him every passing second.

Already that made him stick out from the rest, but something about him seemed oddly familiar to Jaune, and he couldn't figure out what.

Ruby ee-d expectedly at being called 'Aunt Ruby;' she seems to have taken being an aunt and a mom in stride, more so than everyone. "I'll never get tired of that! Yang, I'm an aunt!"

"Ruby, we're all aunts." Yang huffed, but there was a smile on her lips.

"Yeah, but still, that's one more nephew I get to claim." She moved closer to Aidan's side. "So, who's your mom?"

Aidan clearly appeared uncomfortable; maybe he was just particular about personal space, Jaune could get that. He refused to make prolonged eye contact with anyone, except for Jaune, once, then quickly averting his gaze back to anywhere else in the immediate vicinity.

Jaune almost missed the quick, nervous glance he shot his way.

"...I don't know if I can talk about it..."

"Aw, come on, we're all family here!" He heard someone snort, probably Emerald. "There's no need to be shy. Your mom isn't also Cinder is she?"

"Huh? No."

"Hm...Velvet? No, no rabbit ears...Jaune do you know any other blondes?"

Jaune shook his head. "Nah, only blonde girls back at home were my sisters." Aidan audibly sucked in air through his lips. "Hey. It's alright, you don't have to tell us if you don't want to. I'm sure you'll let us know when you're ready." Aidan rapidly nodded. Jaune frowned.

Ruby, of course, was annoyed. "Aw...secrets are no fun, no one ever tells me any!" Jaune could guess why. "Could you at least tell us a bit about your timeline? What's your life like back home?"

Aidan seemed to have an intense internal debate with himself, as his face went through a series of conflicting emotions, until he eventually spoke. "Um...well, I live in Argus."

Pyrrha piped up at that. "Really? Wait, I'm...still alive, right?"

"Huh? Uh, yeah, I guess. I never met you..."

Pyrrha's face fell. "Oh..."

"But, I did meet some of you." He looked up and met Ruby's eyes. "You visit sometimes," he muttered.

"Only some of us?" Weiss decided to join in. "Why only some? Are we not as close with each other in the future? I mean, your future."

"Uh...yeah, you could say that." He cleared his throat.

An awkward silence settled over them. Jaune was wondering why Aidan was being so guarded. His future can't be that bad right? Ruby's still alive, as is Pyrrha. Why was he so guarded?

"Jaune moved to Argus, though!" Ruby's smile disappeared as realization settled in. "Oh...your dad and Pyrrha didn't have a falling out did they?"

"Huh?" Aidan sounded like he was having a hard time staying focused. For some reason he kept glancing at Jaune. "No, no, I don't think so...no one ever told me much."

"What! Jaune didn't tell you about his partner?"

Aidan expressed a different emotion for the first time, and frowned, visibly confused. "What? No, he didn't - Oh. I, uh, I don't live with Jaune. My dad." He gulped. "Yeah. We're...we're not that close."

A heavy weight settled on Jaune's chest and he had to keep himself from reacting, as did all the others in the room. "Aidan," he asked, to which his son flinched. "I'm alive in your future, right?" Aidan nodded, going back to looking at the ground. "Why don't I live with you? Did something happen?"

"No!" His sudden increase in volume cut through the silent air, and Aidan's face went visibly red. "Er, no. I just...look, I don't want to talk about it, okay? I'm sorry, it's just...hard to talk about."

Yang grimaced and called out, "Hey, Rubes. I think you should give him some space. He looks like he needs it."

Ruby looked conflicted, struggling with her newfound maternal instinct to comfort her sort of nephew, but even she could see that she's just making him feel worse. "I'm sorry, I do that sometimes. Sometimes I forget about boundaries."

At the very least, her admitting that seemed to lighten Aidan's mood somewhat, whom weakly laughed, "Yeah, that's like my Aunt Ruby."

"Ee! I'm still super friendly!" Ruby shook in happiness, while Aidan stayed still as stone. "I bet I'm the coolest aunt."

Aidan gave a weak smile. "Yeah, you are. You take me and my brother Adrian out often. I got spoiled by you at a - " The blood drained from his face and he slapped his hand over his mouth. "Moh fhit," came muffled through his fingers.

Ruby frowned, concerned. "What's wrong? Hey, we're not gonna - "

A crash went through the room and everyone jumped from their seats, swerving their heads and holding their weapons in alert. However, it was quickly apparent to everyone that there was no threat nearby, and the crash came from inside the room. They all turned toward the source of the sound and collectively gasped. "Jaune!" "Dad!" For Jaune had proceeded to tip over and collapse due to his brain shutting down, as his mind finished processing why Aidan looked so familiar, and why his name also sounded familiar.

He remembered Saphron's kid was named Adrian, and then the neurons within his brain subsequently died.

---

omaigato! its incienso! (I am so sorry.)

 

[AndrewJTalon]

North Sanus, Gallia

One Month after the Vytal Attacks

- - -

Tracking down Adam had been difficult. He was good at concealing his movements, and in the chaos after Vytal, he had plenty of ways to hide.

However, he was the one who trained Blake how to track. And whatever else he was, he was a good teacher.

Blake was a good student.

The train station was an older one on an automated cargo rail line. It was nestled in a grove of pine trees, in the depths of a verdant valley. The station itself had been abandoned for a long time, rusty roof tiles and fading paint. She could see piles of cargo boxes arranged haphazardly, a few White Fang flunkies doing some work... And that familiar figure in black with red hair standing on the platform, staring out into space.

"ADAM!"

Adam slowly turned to face her, unhurried. He stared at her through that mask. She stood there, taking deep breaths in her anger and fear. The other White Fang members turned and began to draw their weapons, but Adam held up his hand and they backed down.

"Have you come to your senses?" Adam asked, calm and condescending, "Finally decided to return? Beg for forgiveness?"

"No," Blake growled, drawing Gambol Shroud, "I'm here to kill you."

Adam looked amused.

"For your human boytoy? For the scars I inflicted upon him?" Adam asked, "For all the human lives I've taken?"

Blake lunged, her cleaver nearly going through Adam's neck if he hadn't drawn Wilt in time to deflect her strike.

"For everything," Blake hissed, dashing forward while wildly swinging her weapon in flail mode.

Adam was initially driven back by her ferocity. She had a clone split off to charge him, while she flanked Adam and opened up in gun mode. Adam smoothly deflected her bullets and used Wilt's sheath to fire back. She dropped under the shotgun blast, sliding forward to swing her chain around his ankles. She leaped up, and Adam was sent crashing to the ground. She shifted her weapon to blade mode and charged, intent on thrusting the blade through his strernum!

He lashed out with a punch which she powered through, but it was enough to stall her momentum. She punched him back, knocking his head back before he lashed out with a powerful kick to her stomach. She pulled back, leaving a clone in her place, but he cut right through it and slapped her in the face with the flat of his blade.

"UNGH!"

He backhanded her and in the same motion, unleashed a blast from his shotgun at point blank range. Another kick and she was sent flying into the wall of the train station ticket booth. She slumped, tried to get back up... But Adam swung his blade, and unleashed Moonslices. Not powerful enough to cut her into pieces... But they burned scars across her flesh right through her Aura.

"UNGH! AAHHH!" She slumped, then Adam was upon her and seized her throat.

"Hurk!"

He lifted her up as she struggled, kicking and punching. He shook his head.

"You were never able to beat me, Blake," he stated smoothly, "This... Was inevitable. This is destiny."

"Nngh...!" Blake tried to cry out, but Adam tightened his grip on her throat as she clawed at his arm. It didn't seem to phase him a bit.

"Your dalliance with the human is something I'm willing to forgive, in time," Adam went on, "After all... I was your first."

"Y-You...!" Adam loosened his grip just a bit, and she gasped before she spat out, "He's... Better than you... In every way!"

"So why isn't he with you?" Adam taunted, tightening his grip again. She flailed and grit her teeth, glaring death back at him. Adam smirked.

"Oh... I see. You abandoned them too, huh? Like I said, inevitable."

He slammed her against the wall, making a dent in the rusting tin as she squirmed.

"You might have thought you loved that man... But in the end, I know you better than anyone," Adam continued, "Because only I know what you need. What you desire. All of mankind at our feet, and me by your side. You will be a queen, Blake. It is what you are meant to be. Why else would you have run off... And come back to me?"

Blake seethed, tears running down her cheeks. Despair welled up in her chest as she saw the other White Fang goons begin to surround them.

Is he right?

The image of Jaune lying in a hospital bed, covered in scars, assaulted her mind. Adam had targeted him specifically during the attack, had beaten him to near death. Had burned scars into his body.

He'd taken Yang's arm when she'd tried to protect Jaune. He'd had his forces keep Ruby and Weiss from getting to Pyrrha... Pyrrha...

And what had Blake done? Just run off on her own, again. Left her boyfriend in a coma at the hospital.

The distant sound of a train whistle couldn't break her despair. She'd run away and abandoned the people she loved. Like she always had... Like she always...

A massive golden Aura slash erupted from the trees, ripping apart half the train platform and scattering the White Fang goons. Adam let Blake drop to the floor, leaving her gasping for breath, as he pulled his sword to parry a strike from a familiar blade. Blake gaped in amazement and horror as Jaune stood there, in full armor, his sword and shield repaired as he crossed blades with Adam.

"Here to save your pet, human?" Adam asked mockingly. "You don't seem to understand-"

"You talk too damn much!" Jaune snarled, and he swung his blade. The two exchanged blows furiously, Adam's speed and power being countered by Jaune's strength and agility. Adam jumped back and unleashed a Moonslice, but Jaune powered up and swung Crocea Mors to unleash another Aura slash. Red met gold, and the two blasts exploded against one another.

"HURK!"

Blake covered her eyes against the brightness of the flash, but lowered them immediately when she heard Jaune's cry. She gaped in horror as she saw Jaune standing there, Wilt buried in his gut, Adam smirking as he drove the blade in deeper. Blood ran from the wound, as Jaune shuddered and dropped his sword and shield.

"JAUNE!" Blake screamed.

Jaune shakily lifted his hands up to grab onto Adam's shoulders. The bull Faunus chuckled softly, as deadly as his blade, as he twisted Wilt inside to make Jaune groan in pain.

"You seem to forget," Adam gloated, "I'm the hero of this story. You are merely a side character, a distraction. Blake will eventually forget her dalliance with you. She will be mine, Remnant will be ours... And you will not even be a memory. You pathetic fraud. Loser. Weakling."

A train whistle sounded in the distance, and the roar of Dust powered engines began to get louder.

Jaune gritted his teeth in a savage grin. Adam scowled as Jaune's grip tightened on his shoulders.

"What's that stupid smile for, moron?"

"You can't see what my hands are doing, can you?"

Two small explosives slid out of Jaune's gauntlets, and he pressed them to Adam's shoulderblades. The bull Faunus's jaw dropped, he pulled away, let go of his sword and tried to remove his coat-

The twin explosions again forced Blake to shut her eyes. When she opened them, blinking the afterimages away, Adam stood there as a bloody wreck. His arms hung limp, bloody, ruined. He gaped in rage and horror at Jaune... Who lifted up his foot and kicked him in the gut towards the tracks.

"YOU-!"

The automated train roared by, covering Adam's scream with its loud horn and rush of the wind as it passed by. It headed off into the distance, not a trace of Adam left behind.

Jaune's knees wobbled, buckled, and finally bent as he fell to the rotting platform. Blake dragged herself over to him, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Jaune... Jaune," Blake sobbed. "I... I'm so sorry... I'm so, so sorry..."

Jaune wrapped an arm around her tightly, and pulled her into a hug.

"It's okay," Jaune whispered, "It's okay..."

They fell back onto the wooden platform together, blood loss and exhaustion forcing them both into unconsciousness.

- - -

When Blake awoke, it was to a well furnished hospital room. The beeping of medical machines and smell of disinfectant assaulted her senses. She looked around frantically from her bed.

"Jaune?! JAUNE?!"

He was laying in a bed next to her, groaning. His torsoe was heavily bandaged. Blake felt a strong but gentle hand take hold of her shoulder, and push her back down. She looked up: A familiar woman was pushing her back down.

"If you don't mind, I don't want either of you hurt yourself more than you already have," Isabel Arc stated flatly. Blake blinked.

"Wh... Where are we?"

"Radian. Arc-En-Ciel hospital," Isabel stated, "My son, for once, remembered to call in back up and aid. The rest of your teams are here too. My husband got you both out of there with his team and a hospital Bullhead."

Blake stared, and slowly nodded.

"I... I see," she whispered.

Isabel scowled at her deeply, and Blake shrank back.

"My son risked his life to save you-Twice," Isabel stated firmly, "You obviously mean a lot to him."

"... I know," Blake whispered, looking back at him.

"So, the least you could do is try not get him killed in the future," Isabel stated angrily. Blake winced, and bowed her head.

"... I know."

Isabel sighed slowly. She reached out and pulled Blake into a hug. Blake tensed up, but relaxed into the gentle warmth of her embrace.

"I can understand how hard it can be to face your true feelings," Isabel murmured, "But it's better than running away from them. Believe me."

She let Blake go. She turned and left, leaving Blake and Jaune alone in the quiet room of beeping machines.

She glanced at a small mirror by the side of her bed. She took it up, and stared at her reflection. Faint scars crisscrossed her flesh. She slid a hand underneath her hospital gown, tracing the lines left behind.

"Hey," Jaune murmured. Blake dropped the mirror, and struggled out of the bed. She became lightheaded with the first step, but she managed to get to the bed and Jaune's arms. He pulled her into his embrace, and she wrapped her arms around him.

"Jaune," Blake whispered, looking up into his eyes, "I... How are you feeling?"

"Terrible," Jaune admitted. Blake nodded.

"Same," she murmured. She looked up at him slowly. She reached up to touch his cheek, the whisker-like scars carved into his cheeks still dark and obvious. Scars Adam had left.

Jaune reached down to trace her own scars with his rough hands. She shivered softly, and leaned into him. His hands slid up and down her body, one going to scratch behind her ears while the other stroked up and down her back. They stayed like that in silence for a time.

"... I'm sorry," Blake murmured. "It... It's all my fault-"

"Blake," Jaune whispered, "Enough, okay? That's not helping. I wasn't... I wasn't going to let the woman I love face that monster alone."

Blake looked up into his eyes. She licked her lips.

"But you're scarred, and injured, all because of-"

"So are you," Jaune whispered. He cupped her cheek tenderly. "Because that's what you do for people you love."

Tears boiled at the corners of her eyes, warmth filling her soul. She slid up and kissed him deeply, a kiss he returned.

"... I love you too," she whispered against his lips. Jaune smiled, and nuzzled her.

"Just... Promise me one thing?" He asked. Blake nodded.

"Anything," she murmured, "I'll do the most depraved, debauched things in my books with you, I'll-!"

"Uh," Jaune blushed, "I-I mean, I'm glad and... Yeah, we'll do that... But what I want more than that? Just promise me... No more running away." He squeezed her hand. "Whatever comes in the future? We... We face it together."

Blake stared back at him. She bit her lower lip and slowly nodded. She squeezed his hand back.

"... I promise."

 

[AndrewJTalon]

Hastinpur, Kingdom of Pandu, Southern Mistral, Animus: One and a Half Years after the Defeat of Salem

- - -

Ruby Rose, adventurer, Huntress, savior of Remnant, walked into the hot, humid police precinct office in Hastinpur with a big grin. The interior walls were painted in white, blue, and reds, like most of the interiors in Hastinpur. She showed her ID badge to the sergeant at the front desk, who gaped in disbelief before letting her through.

Still not used to that, she mentally sighed, as she walked into the back of the hot station, fans going everywhere. She walked into the detention area, where someone loudmouth was berating someone.

"HA! There's no way you two are the Queen and Queen Consort! The queen is the most beautiful woman in the world and her consort could tear a man in half by glaring at him!" The police lieutenant scoffed. In the cell, sitting quite calmly, were Jaune and May-In normal civilian clothes. May had her hair under a blue handkerchief, while Jaune had a baseball cap. Both looked amused, if a bit exasperated.

"I keep telling you, I am your Queen," May sighed, shaking her head. "We just wanted to get away from our security detail for a while and go on a proper date for once."

"And where are they?" The police lieutenant demanded. Jaune nodded.

"Next cell over."

"I SWEAR TO GOD I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASSES! ALL YOUR ASSES!" Brawnz bellowed in the next cell over, banging at the bars. Nolan and Roy were sitting on the back bench, looking equally exasperated with their team leader.

"Look," May said, in her very best diplomatic voice, "We called Ruby, she'll be here soon to sort this all out."

"HA!" The police lieutenant scoffed, "You really expect me to believe that you know Lady Ruby Rose, one of the saviors of Remnant? The Red Reaper?"

Ruby met Jaune and May's gazes. Jaune smirked as May giggled. The lieutenant frowned and looked behind him... And then down. He blinked at Ruby, who smirked back. He slowly went pale.

"Hey," Ruby said, waving, "I'm Ruby Rose. Savior of Remnant. Those are my friends. You might have heard of them?"

"MY QUEEN! MY CAPTAIN!" The lieutenant cried, dropping to his knees and bowing, "I'M SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!" He hurriedly hit the cell door release button and went right back to groveling. May and Jaune stepped out of the cell, both snickering. May reached down and patted his shoulder.

"It's all right, Lieutenant," May giggled, "You were just doing your duty!"

"Can I please break his face, May?" Brawnz demanded, "Come on! Just a little?"

"No!" May admonished him, "He was overzealous in his duty but that's all!"

May took the police lieutenant's hands in hers and pulled him up. She beamed at him.

"It's all right. Just be a little more discerning before you arrest someone?" She asked.

"Y-Yes Your Majesty! Of course!" The lieutenant cried. Ruby grinned.

"So, do I have to pay the bail-?"

"No! NO! All charges dropped, really!" The lieutenant babbled.

"Aw, are you sure?" Ruby asked. "Brawnz seemed to be having fun in the cell."

"NO I WASN'T!"

"We sure weren't," Nolan and Roy sighed.

"SHUT UP!"

 

[FinalFormer]

Cross-posted From the SpaceBattles Thread

Childhood Memories: Taking A Stroll

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hastinpur, Kingdom of Pandu, Southern Mistral, Animus. Prince August Arc-Sarkara. Age: 16

"This is a terrible idea, my Prince."

That was what August Arc-Sarkara heard from his personal maid, Tala Blackmore, when he told her to accompany him to the trader market in the city. He wanted to visit a bakery that his little sister, Pyrrha, liked. She said the meat buns were amazing.

"I'm not going to be in any danger. I can defend myself." He reassured her. He knew how to fight as well as she did, even if he was more of a sniper than a brawler.

"Then why exactly did you insist that I come along?", The Wolf Faunus asked. "Moreover, I could've went to the bakery myself if you told me to."

"Well, my mother and grandfather did say that walking among the people is the best way to understand them," August stated, gestured to the busy streets. "Getting a nice treat for Pyrrha seemed like the perfect chance to familiarize myself with my people."

"Besides," August shyly scratched the his cheek. "I... I simply enjoy your company is all."

The young prince harbored feelings for his maid ever since she was hired 4 years ago. From a glance, she could be mistaken for Atlas nobility. Her hair, her ears, her tail were all a beautiful shade of black. Like everlasting darkness. Her eyes were a piercing purple hue. To August, she was the most beautiful woman in Remnant.

Tala blushed at his words. Her ears lowered themselves in embarrassment.

"You know it's improper to make an older woman blush."

Despite her words, her tail was wagging. It completely juxtaposed her demure posture. A visage that caused August to blush as well.

"Y-you're only older than me by a year."

-----------------------------------------

There was an awkward silence between them for some time as they made there way to the bakery. August did his best to interact with everyone they crossed paths with. He stumbled his words a few times, even going on a few tangents, but it showed them his more honest nature.

At some point, August spent so much time talking to do many people that he forgot that they were supposed to be getting a treat for Pyrrha, so Tala had to get them.

"I'm sorry." August apologized for the 4th time.

"I already told you there's nothing to apologize for, my Prince," Tala sighed, taking a bite out of a meat bun. "It's as you said, you must get to know the people more personally. Though you really should learn how to stop fumbling over your words."

August winced at that. She really didn't hold back.

"And you're not very good at ending a conversation. And you--"

"Ok, I think I get it!" August stopped Tala before she could continue. She smirked at his reaction.

"You two!" A voice called to them. They turned to see an elderly woman. She wore green and black robes and had a white blindfold over her eyes. She had a staff that had small branches sprouting from the top. The branches red threads hanging off the ends. A few of the threads looked like it was pointing towards August and Tala.

"Yes, you two! Come closer," She urged them. When they got closer to her, she smiled. "Ah yes, that's what I was sensing. Interesting."

"Just what do you find so amusing?" Tala looked at her skeptically. This wasn't the first time someone tried to rob the prince disguised as a fortune teller.

"You have strong feelings for each other, don't you?," August and Tala blushed profusely. "Yes, the Red Thread doesn't lie. I can see how strong the connection is between the two to you."

"W-what?!" August stuttered.

"I-I... Th-that... Y-you're making this up!" Tala accused, her stoic demeanor completely shattered.

"Oh ho, you're quite the doubtful one aren't you, Wolf Faunus," the fortune teller said, amusingly. "But the Red Thread never lies. It tells me that you and that young man have a fruitful future together~. A beautiful hilltop wedding in Vale," She touched one of the threads. "Your families surround you, love filled in all of their hearts. And 8...," She touched a different thread. "... No, 12 children. Yes, a wonderful future indeed."

"E-enough of this nonsense!" Tala protested. She grabbed August's arm and made beeline toward the palace. August couldn't protest or respond, his brain was a bit preoccupied at the moment.

The thought of being married to Tala was... of course he had thought about it! But he could never muster the courage to actually confess his feelings to her like his dad did. He wasn't a ladies man!

What made it more frustrating was when he asked any of the men in his family they always gave him contradicting advice!

"Women love a man with confidence!"

"Just be honest with her."

But at the same time, he knew things couldn't remain the same. Especially after what just happened.

"What a ridiculous woman! Can you believe her, my Prince!? The nerve to a-assume something like--," August stopped her, pulling her close to him. He had made his decision. "My Prince, what are y--"

August silenced her with a kiss. She was a bit shorter than him, so he had to lean down to meet her lips. She smelled like citrus. He could hear her tail swishing around wildly.

This wasn't supposed to happen! He only meant to stop her so they could talk this out! But his heart decided to take over his damn body!

Once the kiss ended, the shock on Tala's face was something August would never forget. Her face looked redder than it was a few minutes ago. August stared deeply into her eyes as he steeled himself for the conversation they were about to have.

"S-so, Tala," August broke the silence. "Do you think we could--"

Tala silenced him with a kiss. She stood on her tippy toes to do so. She hated how much taller he was than her. She had dropped the bag of meat buns in order to wrap her arms around August's neck. Her tail curled itself around his waist.

After he kissed her, Tala knew she couldn't hold back. This was the man she loved. The one she would spend the rest of her days with.

It took awhile for the two of them to notice the sun going was down. Once they did, Tala grabbed the bag off the floor.

"W-we should probably head back home, my Prince. It's getting rather late."

"Y-yeah. You're right." August cleared his throat.

The two would spend the next month sharing kisses in secret. It wouldn't take long for his mother and father to notice the glances the two would often share.

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Felt like writing a classic Prince × Maid story this time around. Hope you guys enjoy.