I write for fun, so let's go!

Knight and traitor: 1/2/3

Son of the blue lion (prologue): 1/2

Son of the blue lion (chapter 1): 1/2

A saint in Beacon (main timeline): (to rework chapter 1)

A saint in Beacon, Intertwined Fate:

A saint in Beacon Extra:

A saint in Beacon, Lost one's Memories: 1/2

Ashen Knight (Rusted Knight save kid Cinder au): 0/1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

Jaune is a Genius

Project ARC

Pet AU (aka menagerie huntsman school au):

A Qrow's Nest prologue

From the Nest: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7.1 / 7.2 / 8 / 9 / 10 /

Mantle slum, early afternoon, 8 years before the canon start of the serie

Dr. Pietro: *sigh, wiping off the sweat from his forehead* How are you feeling?

Albina: *Opening her eyes, feeling awful for some reason* ...

Dr. Pietro: *washes his hands* You're lucky, you know? *Scratches his beard* Your prosthesis... They are honestly far more advanced than anything I have ever witnessed in my entire life. *Scoff* Nothing i couldn't fix of course, but—

Albina: *mumbling something* —cia...

Dr. Pietro: Hm? What is it dear?

Albina: *worries clearly tangible in her weakened voice* F-Fascia... W-where is... Fascia?

Dr. Pietro: *perplexed* Fascia? Is that someone you were with before crashing through my ceiling?

Albina: *Tries to get up, unable to* S-sword... My... *Cough* (... Cough?)

Dr. Pietro: *shakes his head* I'm sorry, i didn't find anything else aside from you, no.

Albina: *feeling as if her heart was racing, her head; turning* Urgh—

Dr. Pietro: *looks at the screen next to him with a worried expression* You shouldn't move yet—

Albina: *uses all of her strength to sit up* W-what's— *cough violently* what's wrong... with me...?

Dr. Pietro: *sigh, shaking his head again* You fell down from god knows how high; it's a miracle none of your organs were too badly damaged.

Albina: *confused* M-my or...gans? *slowly looks down at herself, removing the medical gown as best she could* Ah—

Her viscera, her lungs, her heart; all now hidden back again under the thin, fragile tissue she once had discarded.

Dr. Pietro: *looks away* I-i'm sorry, b-but could you put the gown back? I don't feel quite comfortable watching a young woman's—

Albina: *In total shock, unable to speak, unable to move a single MUSCLE* ...

Dr. Pietro: *walks away toward the door* Penny? Would you kindly help this lady? I need to look at other patients.

Albina: *snapping back* H-how!? How is that— *coughs before taking a deep breath for the first time in years* They are back!? Everything i did— F-ascia— *tries to stand up* —!? *Fail, due to not remembering how to use the muscles of her upper legs, but get caught by someone else* Ah!

Penny: *smiling, helps her sit back on the bed* Do not move while in recovery; it will slow down the healing process.

Albina: *still in shock* B-but that shouldn't— I-i shouldn't be— *Pinches her own skin, to test if it was real or not; it was* I-i should be made of metal, not flesh!?

Penny: *lift an eyebrow in astonishment* What? You mean, you were an android?

Albina: N-no, i— *starts hyperventilating* I-i was finally reaching the limits of what makes someone "human", almost all my body had been replaced and now it is as if it was all a dream!? All my efforts, the work i put in Fascia, in myself, GONE!? I— *coughing fit* This is hell... I'm... *Curls up* I'm normal again... *Sob*...

Penny: *tilts her head, confused* I don't understand. Why give up such a wonderful gift willingly?

Albina: *confused by Penny's choice of words* A... Gift?

Penny: *nods* A gift... *Look at her hands, a bit of sadness seeping through her voice* I wish I could feel when i plunge my hands in cold water on a hot day, when i play mozart on the ivory keys of a forte piano... Or when i hold someone dear in my arms.

Albina: *Even more confused* What do you— *her eyes widen in shock* You're not human!?

Penny: *blinks* No? *Look behind her* I thought the cables sticking out of my back would have given me away—

Albina: *grabs her face, inspecting her* It's amazing, even the most advanced models that were banned from the City couldn't imitate life so perfectly! The synthetic skin, it feels exactly the same as normal skin! The texture, the warmth—

Penny: *Blushes* W-well, thank— EEP!?

Albina: *looking under the clothes* There are no joints, no seam... It's almost as if it was natural. The craftsmanship is unbelievable—

Penny: *Red like a tomato* P-Please, would you mind not examining my body in every angle? I-i don't feel—

Albina: *grabs her hands, smiling excitedly* Can we be friends!?

"—be friends."

"—friends."

Penny: ... Y-you want to be my friend?

Albina: *nods* Of course! I want to know EVERYTHING about you! Can I? Please?

Penny: ... I-i don't really understand what you are trying to do, but if that's what you wish for—

_ _ _

Dr. Pietro: *walking back inside* What the—

Penny: *laying in the medical bed, her metaphorical guts in the open* And that here is what powers me! Isn't my dad great!?

Albina: *taking notes* I see, and since you can regenerate your own... You called it aura, right?

Penny: Yep!

Albina: *nods, continuing where she left on* Ok, so since you can regenerate it without any assistance, this means you have an actual soul. *Pensive* Now, does that mean you can use Shin or Mang? Because if so, that would shatter all pre-conceived notions of what a human truly is!

Dr. Pietro: *blink* What... are you two doing?

Penny: *smiles* Albina wanted to see how i worked! She took me apart and reassembled me in a jiffy, she's really great at mechanics!

Albina: *blushes* I'm not that great—

Penny: You made your own prosthetics, and those were praised by my father! You are truly awesome!

Dr. Pietro: *surprised* You made your own prostheses?

Albina: *nods* They were modeled after my maestro's, but i made some modifications which granted me more flexibility over his...

Dr. Pietro: Fascinating... *Pensive* ... Say, you wouldn't mind becoming my apprentice?

Albina: ... You want me as your apprentice?

Dr. Pietro: *walks up to her, looking at her arms and legs with fascination* These are no amateur works; even if i found some mistakes while repairing them, the craftsmanship was extraordinary.

Albina: There were mistakes?

Dr. Pietro: *scratches his beard* While they are perfectly viable as is, the fingers were stiff, the elbow had difficulty moving in a natural way, and the use of steel instead of titanium for the frame are points that could be worked on, yes.

Albina: *frown* But the Maestro said—

(A "From The Nest" story)

Salem: *taken aback by the sight she was beholding* This can't be... *She runs her fingers across the screen, zooming in* That spark in his eyes... *Changes the camera angle, looking at the small flame coming out of his finger* Magic... *Baffled* He's using magic to free himself...

Salem: Ah... Ah ah... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! *a deranged smile grows on her face* So that's what happened! The Spring Maiden changing without the previous owner's death, it was YOUR doing, wasn't it!? And if you can steal magic, what else can you steal from others—?!

Salem: *watches as Jaune activates his semblance, the voices of those he soothed before their deaths resonating like echoes through the video feed* Voices? What kind of semblance does that kid—

"Mo...mmy... Please... s-stop... crying... o... kay...?"

*CRACK*

Salem: *She looks at her hands still holding the broken scroll; they are trembling.* I-it's not... It can't... *She staggers back, that single phrase playing back in her mind as her breath grows unsteady* —ce... It was—!

Salem: *she turns her gaze toward the door in her bedroom, the one that doesn't lead to the empty corridors of Evernight castle* ... No... No! *She shakes her head in denial* She's long dead! There's no way i heard Autumn! *She grits her teeth, furious* A trick, it must have been a trick! There's no other— *Before realization hits her* But... He couldn't have known... Even Ozma can't remember their voices; nobody can but me.

Salem: *She glances back at the door* ... *She takes a step, then a second* I'm... sorry— *Her hand reaches for the knob* —! *She closes her eyes shut, as she gently, carefully opens the door* ...

This silence... The one thing she hates more than herself, more than Ozma...

Salem: *She slowly opens her eyes* ...

Nothing had changed, the room was exactly the same as it was, all those years ago. The toys scattered on the ground, the messy bunk beds; not even the dust had moved from the last time she opened the door.

Salem: *She takes a tentative step, then another, walking up to her second youngest's bed* ... *She gently caresses the frame, feeling the wood under her fingers* I... We'll be there soon, sweetheart... I promise...

.

.

.

*sob*

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

(continuation of the "Anti-tank rifle" Jaune)

Firing Range

Coco: *glaring at Jaune* ...

Jaune: *feeling a bit awkward* So huh... *Nudge his head toward her* What's her deal again?

Velvet: *chuckle* Don't worry, she's just upset that someone stole her place as "who got the bigger gun".

Coco: *grumbles* That's not true...

Jaune: ... Really? *Look down at his lahti l-39* I mean, that's not even the biggest gun i own.

Coco: *angry* What do you mean it's not your biggest gun!? That thing weighs almost as much as me when loaded!

Jaune: *smiles* Ah, but you haven't met Pom-pom yet.

Coco: ... *Raise an eyebrow* Pom-pom?

Jaune: *nod, still smiling* Pom-pom!

Coco: ... Are you kidding m—

_ _ _

*POM-POM-POM-POM-POM-POM—*

Jaune: *using a heavily-modified qf 1-pounder pom-pom* HEAR THAT? THAT'S WHY THEY CALLED IT A POM-POM! PRETTY COOL, RIGHT?

Coco: *Looks down at Gianduja* ... I feel inadequate—

Jaune: *still firing* WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING WITH THE NOISE, YOU NEED TO SPEAK LOUDER!

Taking back where we left

Weiss: *Smiling peacefully* I'm not the real Weiss, am I?

Jaune: *frown* Weiss, you're— *hesitates, searching for the right way to explain himself* hm...

Weiss: *shakes her head* Jaune, it's alright; i already made peace with—

Jaune: *cutting her off* You ARE the real Weiss.

Weiss: *a long sigh escapes her mouth* You don't need to withhold the truth, it's fine i said.

Jaune: *frown* Okay? And the truth is that you ARE the real Weiss. There is no if or but.

Weiss: *grits her teeth, losing patience* I saw her, Jaune! I know who she is, what she is—

Jaune: *roll his eyes* She's also Weiss, yes. Both of you are.

Weiss: *exasperated* T-that's not how that works! We can't be both Weiss; it doesn't make sense!

Jaune: *sigh* Okay then; what's your name?

Weiss: *taken aback* W-what?

Jaune: *takes a seat, looking at her with utmost seriousness* If you're not Weiss, then who are you?

Weiss: *staggers a bit* W-well—

Jaune: You are who you are, Weiss. You're not just a mindless copy, you have your own thoughts, your own feelings,— *stand up, knocking the chair to the ground* you smile, you cry, *gets closer* you sometimes act like a real brat—

Weiss: *blushes* H-hey—!

Jaune: —and more importantly, *pats her head, smiling* you're my friend. *Chuckle* Heck, both of you are!

Weiss: *completely embarrassed by the headpats, Blushing twice as hard as before* !!!

Jaune: *amused by her obvious reaction* And hey, unlike her, you really seem to be falling for the tall, "blond" and scraggly that i am.

Weiss: *takes a step back, horror clearly visible on her face* Y-you know about that!? I thought i was being discreet!

Jaune: *crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow* You mean like when you were spying on me in Forever Fall with Ruby and Pyrrha? *Sighs, shaking his head* I'm not blind, you know? I can literally sense aura. *Shrug* I'm just not interested in people that are younger than me, that's all.

Weiss: *confused* younger? What are you even on about? We're the same age!

Jaune: Well, that's because I'm—

"—itendletitendletitendletitend—"

Jaune: *frown* I-i'm......

Weiss: ... Jaune?

"-can't i remember anything? What am i? Where am i? Why can't i remember anything? What am i?—"

Jaune: *looks at his &̷͓̳̦̮̗̫̭͙̱̞̥͑́̈͗̓̑͗̒̍͝$̶̛̰̤̪͗̒̈́̈̈́͑̍̕͘̕͝@̷̫̉͒̒͑͆̊̍̂̓͌̄̒̚̕̕͝#̶̨̯̹̳͈̞̙̝͛̋͗̐̿́͘̕(̸̨̤̰͋̒͛̅̽̂͂̚͝£̶̨̢̛͔̙̦͉̙̫̦̳̰̫̘̞̺̿͒̋̊͌͐̅͊͂́̚̕͘̚͝ͅ&̵̨̡̠̳̪͔̬̜͉̫̰͓̻̹̈̆̓͜* Hm...

Weiss: *starting to worry* Is everything alright?

Jaune: *s̶̢̨̢̢̮͔͔̥̪̖̗̲̬̙̠̿̽̋̎̎͆͆͆̈̈̀̋̋h̶̡͖̖̣͕͔͚̓̿͐́͋͂̀̔̒͐̊͊̃́̓̚͜͠ͅͅa̸̞̖̱̠̗̠̙̻͋͌̓̆͗̎͒̑̈́̓̾̇͝͠k̶̡̛͙͇̱̖̦͇̣̣̜̪̥̺̟͐̈́͆̃̋̆ͅė̵̢̛̫̲̻̠̩͍̠͚͇̤̙̬̩̗͈̪́̀̓͂̕͝s̴̛̛͔͙̥̲̺͕̓̃͛͑͑̒̓͠ͅͅ ̸̡̢͓͚̩̱̳̬͙̹̠̙̎́̓̽̾̀͑͗̎̉͊̓̒̄͘̚͠ḩ̴̡̦͖͖̼̠̩̹̻̮̝̮͍̘̻̓̈́͌̌̓́̉̊̋͘͝i̶̗̅̎́͂́̈́̏͂̑̽̇̀̈́̄̎̕͜s̸̡̧̼̟̹̻̼̪͙̳̲̻̫͗͂̋̕͜ͅ ̷͉̀̓̽̀̽̌͊͘͘͠h̷͈̭̼̻͕̬̟̻̝̍̿͑͆e̶͙̼̬̮̟̺̞͈̒̓͆̈͛̓̉͘͘ä̶̡̛̮̺͖̣͖̥̼̝͙̱̝́͆̌̈͂̎͆̓͌̇̕͝͠ͅͅd̶̢̧̟͕͍̰̟̟̖̲̦̺͈̺͖͎̍̍̈́̍* Give me a second...

"....................When will it end?...................."

Jaune: *blinks* ... *Takes a deep breath* Ah~ Sorry for that, i just remembered something i shouldn't have. Anyway, about my age right?

Weiss: *winces* I… don't think—

Jaune: *deadpan* I'm the "original" Jaune.

Weiss: ... W-what!?

Jaune: *point to himself* I, as in "the soul inhabiting this body", am the "original" Jaune Arc. Like, i personally went to Beacon with the other you when i was... *Pensive* ... I guess i can say our age, right?

Weiss: *trying to understand the situation* W-wait, hold on! You mean to tell me you're thousands of years old!?

Jaune: Not... exactly.

Weiss: But you said she was—

Jaune: *sigh* Look, I was stuck in a place that doesn't exist, and for an unknown amount of time which also didn't exist where i was stuck. *Shrug* For all i know, i could be older or i could be younger; it's hard to say honestly.

Weiss: .... *Looks away, blushing* S-so, h-how long—

Jaune: At least until graduation, maybe a bit longer... *Chuckle at Weiss's crestfallen expression* If you think that's bad, know that i'm apparently in high demand; there's at least TWO other girls who want my scraggly self for themselves.

Weiss: ...

Jaune: *shake his head* And no, i'm not interested in dating multiple people. *Sigh* God knows how awkward that ended with Willow and—

Weiss: *furious* YOU DATED MY MOM!?

Jaune: *panic* N-not me! She started going out with Ruby's dad and uncle after... *shakes his head* A-anyway, I didn't date anyone in my past life.

Weiss: *squints her eyes* Really?

Jaune:*Pensive* Well, there was that one time with Ren and Nora... *shrug* But i doubt that really counts after a couple bottles of vodka. Heck, i don't remember a single thing that happened.

_ _ _

Ren, Nora, Cinder and Pyrrha: *playing a game of UNO*

Nora: You know, i never thought we'd be playing games with you of all people, +2.

Cinder: *sigh* Look, i'm really sorry for what i was going to do in the future, but it's not like i had much choice... *Pick two cards* I was terrified, and... Well, i was told the gods could grant any wishes; i wanted to be sent to the past and make it so i'd be adopted by a nice family... *Blush* Or the rusted Knight... +4, red.

Pyrrha: *surprised* Really? You just wanted a normal life? No power, no control, nothing? Reverse.

Cinder: I-i was just trying to get strong enough to beat Salem. *Sigh* That didn't end up the way i wished tho... Skip.

Nora: AH AH! Skip!

Ren: Then i guess i'll...!? *Blushes hard*

Nora: *smirk* What's wrong? About to lose?

Ren: I... *Gulp* I just remembered THAT night.

Nora: *perplexed* ... That night?

Ren: *nods* THAT night, yes... *Glance at Pyrrha* ... With Jaune...

Nora: *confused* With Jau— *remembers too* Oh... Oooooh! You mean THAT night~ *chuckle* Man, that night was WILD! You made sounds i never thought you were capable of making~!

Pyrrha: *glaring* ... I feel very jealous of you two right now.

Nora: *barking out a single laugh* AH! Be jealous of Ren; he's the one who had the best time riding that horse—

Cinder: *stares into Ren's soul* How was it like?

Ren: ... *Gulp* S-sorry, I-i was very d-drunk and—

Pyrrha: *slam her hand on the table* That's not what she ASKED! Answer the question, Ren!

Ren: ... *Sigh* I had to question a lot of things about myself the next day. Lets leave it at that, ok? Oh and; +4, +4, +4, Uno and... +4, blue.

Cinder: Tsk tsk tsk, Skip.

Pyrrha: Skip! *Wince* Sorry Nora.

Cardin: *smirking nervously* I-I'm supposed to fight Jaune?

Glynda: *fixing up her glasses, her eyes hidden by the reflection of the light* That's right.

Cardin: *gulp* T-the same Jaune who killed a deathstalker by, and i quote, "Shooting it with high ordnance until its face couldn't be recognized as anything but abstract art"? THAT Jaune!?

Glynda: Correct.

Cardin: ... I For—

Glynda: *smiles* Of course, Jaune won't be using his main weapon during practice, as it would be considered as an actual war crime.

Cardin: *sigh in relief* Oh thank goodness... *Smirks with a lot more assurance* If that's the case, then it shouldn't take too long. *Crack his knuckles*

Glynda: *trying very hard not to laugh* Indeed, it shall be but a matter of seconds.

_ _ _

Cardin: *sweating profusely, white as a sheet* W-what are those!?

Jaune: *smiling innocently* Those two just arrived this morning. Custom made to kill Grimm. *Chuckle* My grandpa said i should be careful using them since they pack quite the heavy punch.

Ruby: *Being restrained by Yang, frothing at the mouth* I NEED TO HOLD THESE BABIES IN MY HANDS!!! I NEED TO FEEL THEIR WEIGHS, THEIR RECOILS—

Yang: *rolls her eyes* Yes yes, i know, you want Jaune in your team—

Ruby: *Growl* UNHAND ME! LET ME GO! YOU CANNOT UNDERSTAND MY SUFFERING!

Yang: Sigh...

Glynda: *smiling* Let the combat...

Cardin:

"Begin!"

*BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

Cardin: *getting hit by the power of 13mm explosive rounds repeatedly in the face, each round removing noticeable chunks of aura* (Ah... So that's what you went through, deathstalker... I understand your pain now... I envy your quick death...)

Jaune: *just continuously shooting* SO LIKE, YOU'RE GOING TO DODGE OR WHAT? *Stop shooting* Cardin?

Cardin: *stand upright for a few moments* (Finally... The ringing stopped...) *falls flat to the ground, K.O*

Jaune: !? *Look down at his guns* Sheesh, i know those were custom ammo, but still; that bad, huh?

Ruby: *stuck in a sleeper-hold with Yang* NEED... IT...! COOL... WEAPONS...!

Ruby: *stars in her eyes, almost salivating* T-that's a Lahti L-39! W-where did— *gulp* Where the heck did you find THAT?

Jaune: *shrug* My grandpa gave it to me after i told him i got accepted into Beacon. Said it wouldn't matter if i got skills or not if i can just destroy whatever is in front of me in a couple rounds—

Ruby: CAN I HOLD IT!? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE—

Jaune: *eye her up* You... You sure? That gun is a 109 pounds of steel; i had to train for months just to—

Ruby: GIMME!

Jaune: ... Al— *get it snatched from his back by a cloud of rose petals* -RIGHT!?

Ruby: *Now officially drooling* Oooh Yeaaaah~, you're a real BEAST aren't you? *Tests the mechanism* Smooth as butter, not a spec of rust— *SNIIIIIIIFFFFF* no smell of dust, it still uses the original ammo type!

Jaune: *blushing* I-i feel like i shouldn't be watching—

Ruby: *sigh in bliss* Aaaah~ *Turn her sight back to Jaune* It's decided; you'll be my partner!

Jaune: You really like guns, huh?

Ruby: *nods very quickly* I LOVE guns! Or any kind of weapon really— *wince* I probably overdid—

Jaune: *scratches his head* Well, my grandpa gave me a few others—

Ruby: *Heavy breathing* FOR REAL!? CAN I—

Jaune: —but they haven't arrived yet. *Smiles apologetically* Sorry.

Ruby: Aw...

_ during initiation _

Ruby: *hits the ground in despair* NOOOOO!!! WHY GODS!? WHYYYYYY!!!

Weiss: ... *Frown* I mean, i'm not thrilled to be your partner either, but i feel like this is kind of an over-reaction!

_ _ _

*BANG* *K-CHUNK* *BANG* *K-CHUNK* *BANG*

Pyrrha: *slightly nervous* J-Jaune?

Jaune: *smiles* What is it Pyr?

Pyrrha: *point at the dissolving deathstalker* I-i think it's dead now.

Jaune: ... *Tilt his head innocently* You sure?

First string tent

Joker: ... Mind if we speak with Shine for a moment?

Sebastian: *smile back* Not at all, you can take as long as you need.

Joker: Thanks. *Turn to Jaune, whispering* So... *Glance at Sebastian* That guy caught you healing the kids?

Jaune: *scratch his head nervously* Yeah, he even took pictures; i still have no idea how he managed to do that—

Dagger: *serious* Want us to take care of him? I know you're a nice fella, but if he's blackmailing ya—

Jaune: *shake his head nervously* Don't. It's less present right now, but that guy gives me a major fight or flight's response... *Smiles gently* And i wouldn't want you guys getting caught up in my fuck-up.

Joker: Good grief... *Look at the other members, who nod in unison, before turning back to Sebastian* I'm sorry, but we refuse to surrender him to you at the drop of a hat.

Jaune: *frown* Hey wait, hold on—

Joker: *continuing* He's a first-string, a core member of the circus. We can't simply leave him alone with some stranger; that's no way to treat family.

Jaune: *staggered* F-first-string!? Since when?!

Dagger: Since months ago? You realize you've been traveling in the front carts with us for a while now, right?

Jaune: *blushing* I-i thought it was because i'm Doll's friend—

Peter: *facepalm* God he's moronic—

Wendy: *angry* Peter!

Peter: What? You can't tell me he's not as dense as stone! The guy healed us up more than i can count and he thinks of himself as just Doll's friend!

Freckles (Doll): *deadpan* Not like anyone can tell if they're friends with yer or not—

Peter: OI!

Joker: *smile politely* Of course, if your master absolutely wishes to meet him, we won't mind as long as the meeting takes place in a city we are performing at.

Sebastian: ... *Amused* Why, it was of course none of our intentions to kidnap one of your own. My master resides currently at the rose and crown hotel; we can make an appointment, if you wish.

Jaune: *frown* The rose and crown hotel? Why didn't he just come here then? It's like, 20 minutes on foot from here.

Sebastian: *sigh* Despite my best efforts, my master is not the matinal sort, I'm afraid.

Jaune: *frown* And? It's well past noon innit?

Freckles: *wince* Yer... kinda were sleeping for a while; it's already next morning.

Jaune: *surprised* Wait, really? *Look up his scroll: 7A.M* Gosh, no wonder my mouth felt dryer than Va— then a desert when i woke up. *Look at the butler* Is this afternoon fine with you then?

Sebastian: *smile* Why not dinner? After all, i pride myself on my cooking skills.

Jaune: *Wince* Sorry, but dinner's when i teach the kids arithmetic and writing with Jumbo. Is supper alright?

Sebastian: *taking notes* Five this afternoon?

Jaune: *nod* Five should be fine, as long as i can be back for the performances. *Scratch his head* I wouldn't want to miss the grand opening. *Turn to Joker* It's tonight, right? Or did i skip a day and a half?

Joker: *chuckle* Don't worry lad, you didn't miss it.

Jaune: *sigh in relief* Thank god...

Sebastian: We will be expecting your arrival at five this afternoon then. *bow politely, before leaving the tent*

Jaune: Sigh... Well that's that... *Frown* Wait... *Pensive* Now that i think about it, shouldn't i participate if i'm part of the first-string?

Beast: You're literally the safety net; what more would you want to do?

Jaune: *shrug* Eh, dunno... How much do y'all think people would pay to see someone shrug off getting shot in the face?

Everyone: ...

Jaune: ... What? It's not like it'd be dangerous for me. And hey, i could put a bullet in my mouth and make it look like I caught it with it.

Peter: ... I mean, i'd pay to see that— *get slapped behind the head by half the group* OW!! WHY?!

Beast: Don't encourage him! He's dumb enough to actually go through with it!

Ruby: *confused* Isn't it strength you are supposed to pray for?

Jaune: *Unable to look away from the thing's eyes, his heart beats furiously* ... A creature like you, a butler? Tsk, liar...

Sebastian: *sigh* Sir I assure you that i am, indeed, nothing more than a butler. *Take a step forward* Now if you'll excuse me—

Jaune: *takes a step back, grabbing the sword laying next to his bed, his eyes focused on the thing's movement, his voice sounding more like a growl* Don't you DARE come any closer!

Freckles: *grabs one of Jaune's shoulders* I know i told ya to stay out of his sight, but threatening him 's not what i meant! That guy's saved yer life for heaven's sake!

Jaune: *blink, surprised* That... *Point his sword directly at it* That THING saved me!? That speaking nevermore?!?

Sebastian: *hold up his arm in the air, to show he was unarmed* There is no need to fear me. *Sigh* I assure you; i only came here on the order of my master—

Jaune: *raising up a hand to silence it* Freckles, what do you see standing in that corner. *Point at the "butler"* Because i honestly CAN'T describe what I'm looking at, except that it's vaguely human shaped.

Freckles: *surprised by the question* W-well... It's just a guy dressed in a butler attire? Pretty face and all that.

Jaune: *squints his eyes, the thing he was facing morphing into something looking far more human* ... *lets out a sight of relief, dropping down his sword, as the feeling of imminent dread quickly dissipates* Oh thank gods— *stumble slightly as the adrenaline crash down, using the bed to steady himself* I-i'm really sorry sir, for a moment i-i thought you were a Gr—Monster. *Scratch the back of his head* God i'm probably still tired from staying up all week— *slap!* OUTCH!?!

Freckles: *Hits him behind the head angain, angry* YOU DIDN'T SLEEP FOR A WEEK!? NO WONDER YER ALMOST DIED YER IDIOT! *Shake her head disappointingly* Tsk— Bloody hell, can't you just act normal for once!?

Sebastian: *Bow apologetically* I am deeply sorry if i ever frightened you. I did try accosting you near the sanitarium, but each time i tried approaching you, you picked up the pace.

Jaune: *wince* Don't take it personal, but i honestly felt like SOMETHING was hounding me down back there.

Sebastian: *chuckle* My, it isn't far fetched to say i was! My master did ask me to bring you before him after all.

Jaune: *frown* Your mas—? Oh right, butler. I forgot for a sec. *Rub his eyes* Sigh... May i know the reason for that summon? Who knows? I might not be the freak you are looking for—

Sebastian: *still smiling politely, putting pictures of Jaune healing the patients using his aura during the night* I believe you are, in fact, the freak i am looking for i'm afraid.

Jaune: ... Freckles, i know you're dying to say it—

Freckles: *not waiting for another second* I bloody told you so!

(No au of mines are truly abandoned, they are only on undetermined hiatus)

Jaune: *walking down an alley to get back to the circus* (Been gone for a week... I hope Freckles won't be too mad...) Yawn.... Gosh i'd kill for some coffee right— *feeling for a fraction of a second a high amount of dread, making him turn around in high alert* !?

Nothing

Jaune: ... Sigh~ *Shake his head dismissively, before going back on track* I really need to catch some sleep; almost felt like a Grimm was stalking me...

"... Interesting"

_ _ _

Jaune: *entering the camp, still having the weird sensation of something following him, tracking him* Hm... *Glance over his shoulder* Lots of crows today—

Doll:*finishing training, noticing him walking about* SHINE!

Jaune: Hm? *Turning in her direction* Oh hello Do— *stumble back as Doll jumps on him, hugging him* !?!

Doll: *relief palpable in her voice* Oh thank god you're ok!

Jaune: *muffled* Well of course i'm alright. Wouldn't have come back if i was sick now would I?

Doll: *letting go of him, shaking her head* That's not what i meant! You— *look around, before grabbing him by the coat and dragging him inside their shared tent* You made the first page, dumbass!

Jaune: ... What?

Doll: The newspapers, they're all talking about the miracles you performed at the sanatorium! I told you to be discreet; 50 people is all BUT discreet!

Jaune: *Roll his eyes* Did they mention me at all? Personally, i mean.

Doll: *frown* Well no but—

Jaune: *shrug* Then there's nothing to be worried about. Those are just rumors for now; in a couple weeks, nobody will even remember what happened.

Doll: *shake her head again* Still, you can't do that anymore! If you get caught, everyone will know you're some kind of magic healer. Do you have any idea how sought-after you'll become!?

Jaune: *trying to be dismissive* There's no way anyone would take those stories seriously—

Doll: *angry* But someone already did! Remember that man in Manchester? Chances are he'll be back soon with everything you did this past week!

Jaune: *shrug* Then i'll just deny any involvement. It's not like he... could... *Stumble* ...

Doll: *frown* Shine?

Jaune: *his breath grows unsteady* D-Doll— *takes multiple steps back, trying to find his balance* Sword— give me—

Doll: *Worried* Shine, what's wrong?

Jaune: It's— *shivers uncontrollably, about to fall* so c-cold here—

Doll: *quickly help him to stay upright, walking him to her bed* Shine, what's happening? Can you hear me!?

Jaune: *his vision blur, his voice weakening as darkness swallows him all* Stay... Behind... *Fall like a puppet whose string had been cut* ...

Doll: *panicking* Shine!? Hang on! Please don't— *notice someone entering the tent* H-huh? Aren't you— wait, that's not important; go fetch someone, anyone! He's not bre—

_ _ _

Jaune: *slowly opens his eyes* W— *cough uncontrollably, his throat feeling as if he hadn't drank in days*

Freckles (Doll): *Jolts awake* SHINE!

Jaune: *tries clearing his throat* Wa— *cough* —ter...

Freckles: R-right! *Picking up a glass from the table next to her, before lifting up his head so that he could drink* H-here, don't—

Jaune: *Drink the glass quickly, avidly*

Freckles: *panicking* D-don't drink too fast; you'll choke!

Jaune: *finishing up the glass more slowly* Sigh... *Put his head back on the pillow before clearing his throat* I must have been more tired than i thought i was, if i lost consciousness like that. *Chuckle* Would explain the dread i felt while coming home; paranoia and sleep deprivation go hand-in-hand after all...

Freckles: ... *Hug him carefully, as if he was made of glass* ... *Sniffle*

Jaune: ... *pat her back gently, smiling* There there, i'm alright now, i'm fine.

Freckles: *sniffle*Y-you weren't breathing... For a— *sniffle* For a moment, i c-couldn't even feel your— *sniffle* your pulse...

Jaune: *freeze* ... I see—

Freckles: *shake her head* No you don't! I— *tearing up even more, her voice as loud as a whisper* I thought you were dying, and i couldn't do a damn thing about it...

Jaune: ... *slowly hugs her back* I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know what happened; one second i felt fine then... *Finally noticing someone else was in the tent with them* Grimm...

Freckles: *frown, feeling her friend tensing up* Shine? What's— *notice Jaune's eyes* !?

Fear, disgust, hate... Those words paled in comparison to what he felt at this very instant.

Jaune: *slowly gets up, placing himself in front of his friend* What... *Grits his teeth* What are you supposed to be?