#mod rina

Nora was awoken by the nearby sounds of Jaune training. She looked around the camp they had sat up with Ruby, who was sitting up. She must have heard too. The silver eyed girl started to crawl out of her sleeping bag before she spoke up.

“Wait, Ruby... let me go talk to him, please?” She crawled out from her sleeping bag.

Ruby looked to Nora and gave her a solemn nod.

—

Nora watched from behind a tree. Jaune had his scroll sitting upright on a trunk. A training video from Pyrrha played. She looked at the scene, wearing an expression of sadness.

Jaune adjusted his stance, following Pyrrha’s instructions as he swung his sword. He stopped and sighed when the instructions stopped. She could tell he had listened to this video many, many times.

“Jaune, I... I...” Video Pyrrha began trying to say something, and Nora was sure she knew what she was trying to say. And it explained a lot. But left her with just as many questions as it did answers.

It explained why he had been a little distant with her, which she had originally thought was only because they lost a mentor in Pyrrha. But it also confused her on her and Ren’s relationship. But that wasn’t what mattered right now.

She stepped out from behind the tree, “Jaune?”

He closed his scroll and put his sword away before turning to her.

“Hey, Nora...”

She walked closer until she was only a few steps away from him. “Jaune, you know I’m here for you, don’t you? I...” She wanted badly to say she loved him, but right now wasn’t the right time, “... You can talk to me, you know. And Ruby and Ren too. We all lost her. We all understand...”

He frowned and leaned his head against hers. “I’m fine, Nora. I promise.” His frown changed to a strained smile.

“There’s no need to lie. A leader doesn’t always have to be strong for his team. He can confide in his them too, Jaune.”

He averted his eyes, and she could tell he wanted to cry. She pulled him onto a hug. “Cry if you need.”

That’s all it took for him to wrap his arms around her and let out quiet sobs.

It felt like hours later when he pulled away, seeming to have cried it out for the moment. But she didn’t care as long as her leader felt better.

He took her hand, a sad smile on his face. “Thank you, Nora. I... appreciate this. And I’m sorry. That I’ve been distant with you.”

She shook her head. “I think I understand, but... Pyrrha always only wanted you to be happy. Even when she found out we were ‘together-together’.”

He gave a soft chuckle and smiled, leaning his forehead against hers again.

“Thank you.”

Character Posters: Fueguchi Hinami