“Dialogue”
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[Weiss Schnee]
As I went to a new VIP room, Jaune headed to the staff restroom to freshen up and change his clothes.
Jaune tried to explain what had happened in the room, but the manager cut him off, saying he didn't need to justify himself because customer privacy was their priority. This attitude was both a relief and concerning. After all, what kind of business was conducted in this place?
“I'm here! I'll score a penalty.” Speaking of concerning behavior…
Arc's mocking voice announced his presence before he even finished opening the door.
“Let's talk about the extra Dust that you —.” I was cut off in the middle of my sentence by the sight that graced my eyes.
Jaune only needed to change his dirty T-shirt, so it shouldn't have surprised me to see the apprentice Huntsman wearing different clothes.
What surprised me was Jaune's physique.
The sight left me speechless. The tight white button-up shirt seemed tailor-made to accentuate every contour of his muscles. Every time he moved, the fabric of the shirt struggled to contain the strength beneath, and I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to touch him, to feel the firmness of his skin against mine.
“I apologize for the barfing, but at least our meeting can't get any worse, right?”
“Right…” I replied automatically, not registering what he had said to me.
He sat in front of me and began talking and smiling at me, and I found myself missing details of the conversation because my thoughts were entirely focused on him. The way his sleeves stretched over his defined arms was almost hypnotic, and I found myself wishing that I were responsible for making those buttons give way, releasing all that contained tension.
On the day of initiation, I had talked to him, and at the time, he could barely fill out a size small tank top. Now he seemed to be bursting out of a size large formal shirt.
“What happened to you?” Unable to control myself, I asked right away.
“Huh?” Arc replied, not understanding me. “I went to take a shower, and they gave me this shirt for an extra 5,000 Lien on our bill… what a rip-off.”
“No, you fool.” I exclaimed, frustrated with the boy. “How did you get so…” Embarrassed to say it, I just pointed at his biceps.
Jaune looked at his arm, not understanding what I was referring to, and it took him almost a minute to grasp my question.
“How did I get so ripped?” He replied, nodding his head in agreement. “Port's been training me.”
Wow! I thought he was just getting extra lessons from Professor Port, but surviving the Crazy Forger seemed to bring quick results.
If he's like this after one week, imagine what he'll be like after one month or even a year…
“So, can you please give me more Dust?”
“Um… yes, of course.” I picked up four more Grade 4 Green Dust vials.
With a greedy smile on his face, Jaune reached out to grab the vials.
“If what you're going to do for me surprises me,” I said, pulling my hand away, “and if you promise not to vomit.”
Jaune scowled at my proposal but nodded in agreement to my terms.
“I'll absorb one at a time, that way I can better withstand the pain. What would you like me to do?”
“It can be something simple, but preferably something that can be reproduced on a large scale.”
“Hmm…”
Jaune leaned on the table and stared intensely. Despite looking in my direction, he seemed to be gazing at something in front of him with his eyes.
“How about a substitute for Dust?”
Incredulous, I stared at the boy.
“Like the ARC reactor?”
“Much less powerful and much cheaper.”
“Okay… let's suppose what you're saying is true.” Stay calm, Weiss, it's impossible that this buffoon has something that could disrupt the Dust industry. “Could you explain to me what you mean by 'much cheaper'?”
Without any warning, a golden mist appeared on the table. Materializing a strange rectangular board, and I saw a series of bright rectangles made of a dark material lined up on the board, which should be the size of a small book.
“I made it small because the technology is what matters most.”
“And what is it?”
“A solar panel.”
“Alright… and what does a solar panel do exactly?”
“It absorbs solar energy and converts it into electricity.”
I blinked in astonishment at how calmly and indifferently he proposed such a simple absurdity.
I looked at the solar energy panel, and suddenly, everything fell into place. Furthermore, I realized that this technology had the potential to completely revolutionize the energy industry. The idea of capturing solar energy so directly and cleanly was simply incredible. I could envision a future where we wouldn't be so dependent on Dust, where we could power our homes and businesses sustainably. It was as if I had found a key piece that would help me become the next CEO of the S.D.C.
“I imagine such revolutionary technology cost you at least a thousand points.”
“It cost me 50 points.”
That was very little. With Ⱡ25,000 Lien, you could barely buy a Hunter-level weapon, and with that amount, Jaune had created a revolution.
“I need to take this to my father; you're going to be a wealthy man, Jaune.”
“He-he! And how much will you make from this?”
Does he think I'll make money from his invention?
“I won't make anything, Jaune. My proposition for this partnership is for you to provide me with these inventions to help me gain influence within the SDC.”
“So, the more inventions you bring, the more influential you become?”
“You're oversimplifying a bureaucratic political process within one of the largest companies in all four Kingdoms, but it's clear that the more, the better.”
Once again, a golden mist took over the table, this time producing two things.
The first was a white windmill attached to a metal box with a box on top. The second looked like a miniature dam.
“This here is a model of Wind Energy,” Arc finished speaking, approaching the windmill, and as he blew on it, the lamp on the metal box lit up. “And this here is a model of Hydroelectric Energy.” To explain, he poured water into the back of the dam, and the model lit up inside.
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Wind and water-generated energy were not new, but his designs were highly advanced, as if a civilization had invested decades in renewable energy sources.
“Why did you make so many when I only asked for one?”
“This is relatively cheap, and the more, the better.”
“Yes, actually, that's great. I can tell my father and the board that I'm making connections and meeting with a young genius capable of creating technological wonders.”
“Oooooh! Going with the fear tactic? 'Maybe someone invents something that could break the SDC.'”
“YES!” I exclaimed unintentionally. “And that's why it's more prudent for us to hire him before any competitor does.”
I felt electrified; this was perfect. If my father didn't take me seriously, I could still instill fear in the board and bend his will.
“Now, pass the Dust.”
Well, well, Jaune Arc is a greedy man? The kind of man who's easy to deal with.
I handed him the four vials I had promised and an additional case with 10 Grade 4 Earth Dust.
Jaune looked at me suspiciously but took all the vials.
“10 extra?”
“Our agreement is for you to give me only one item,” I explained to the blond boy, getting up and walking over to him. “But you've gone above and beyond to help me, reducing your profit.”
“So what?”
“And so, Jaune Arc, in the business world, you're an idiot.”
“HEY!?” Exclaimed Jaune, standing up indignantly.
“But that also makes you a good person.”
I extended my hand to Jaune.
“Besides being your business partner, I'd like to be your friend.”
In response, Jaune stared at me in silence, with one eyebrow raised.
“I thought we were already friends.”
I smiled in relief. Jaune Arc was a fool, simple-minded and with zero aptitude for business… but what mattered most was that he was a good person.
“Yes, we are friends.”
Smiling, the blond boy hugged me and laughed instead of shaking my hand.
Normally, I would complain about the brute to put me down, but his happiness was so genuine that I didn't have the heart to scold him…
And I will never admit aloud, but those massive arms pressing me against that warm chest gave me a strange sensation in my lower regions.
[Nora Valkyrie]
It seemed like Jaune had been ignoring us all week, the only time he paid attention to our team was when he trained with Pyrrha.
I understand that he's weaker than a stack of gluten-free pancakes, but he seemed to be constantly studying and training. He woke up when it was still dark and only came back in time to take a shower and go to class. And thank goodness he took a shower because he came back smelling awful.
Pyrrha didn't seem to mind the smell much, and she certainly didn't mind the sight of Jaune panting with a sweaty shirt clinging to his body.
Poor thing, the invincible girl, needed to understand that some boys are thick-headed and don't realize when they are the object of a lady's desire. It was painful to see Pyrrha drooling over a childhood friend who had always been there but had never seen her as a romantic partner.
…
What was I thinking?
…
Oh yeah! It seemed like Jaune was ignoring Team JNPR all week, but today he promised to spend the whole day with us.
“Ladies and gentlemen, who looks like a lady,” our fearless leader shouted while the rest of Team JNPR sat on the couch in front of him.
“Keep pursuing a career in comedy, it's not for everyone.”
“HA!” I yelled, pointing a finger at the leader, who pretended to be hurt by Ren's comment.
It was rare for Ren to engage in insults directed at him, but it was clear from the tone that the two were just joking.
“I spent the whole week training like crazy, and both Port and Glynda recommended a full day of rest, so we're going to spend the whole day binge-watching movies and eating junk food.” Jaune finished speaking, pointing to a table full of snacks, drinks, pies, and cakes.
“Are we going to spend the whole day watching movies?” Ren complained.
“Food!” I exclaimed loudly.
“He called the teacher by her first name?” Pyrrha grumbled, thinking no one would hear her.
I jumped straight onto the table, ignoring Jaune's explanation of when and how he installed the TV and speakers that were now in our room.
“Where did you get these movies?” Pyrrha asked. “They look different from anything I've ever seen.”
“I know a guy,” Jaune replied. “And because they're so different, let's watch this one first. If you don't like the movie, we can end our marathon.”
“That sounds fair,” Ren commented, not very interested.
I grabbed as much food as I could with my arms, then handed it to Ren on the couch and went back to get more and sit next to him.
Pyrrha sat down and conveniently left a tight space next to her for Jaune to sit.
The leader turned off the lights after placing the strange blue CD in the device connected to the giant 80-inch TV.
How did he manage to get this in here by himself?
As soon as he sat next to Pyrrha, he hit play.
“What's the name of this movie?” Ren asked more interested than I expected.
“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.”
“Ooooh! Pirates and a curse,” I commented, eating a carrot cake. “I hope it's good.”
[Lie Ren]
Jaune turned on the lights as soon as the movie credits appeared on the screen.
I admit, I was a little skeptical about a mandatory movie marathon on a Sunday, especially one imposed by our absentee leader.
But I was relieved when he gave us the option not to participate in the activity if we didn't like the first movie. And I must say the movie was somewhat satisfying.
“THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE IN THE WORLD!”
Apparently, Nora liked the movie and was rearranging Jaune Arc's ribs in one of her famous bear hugs.
“Nora, let go of Jaune; I think he can't breathe.”
“Give it a rest, Nikos; this is just a friendly hug. Later, you can ask the leader for a back hug.”
The movie was fun, filled with action and adventure, despite the dark theme of cursed gold and skeleton pirates.
“Let go of me, Nora,” Jaune huffed, trapped in Nora's Ursa Major squeeze. “If you let go of me, we can choose another movie together.”
“Yaaay!”
Smart boy, maybe you're one of the few who will survive living with Nora.
“Who's the buff guy?” Nora didn't need even a minute to choose a movie from the pile under the TV. “This one's called Conan the Barbarian.”
“This movie is a classic set in a fictional world full of magic, epic battles, and mythology. Although it's much older than Pirates of the Caribbean, the movie is quite epic, with a dark atmosphere and a distinctive visual style.”
“I want to see this one,” Pyrrha commented, showing a movie with a couple on the cover at sunset.
“Another solid choice from the past, this one is 'The Princess Bride,' an adventure, comedy, and romance film.” Jaune seemed pleased that we were showing interest in his movies. “And Ren, would you like to choose one?”
“I'd prefer you to choose one for me.”
Without thinking, Jaune picked a movie with a black and white cover, featuring what looked like ancient Mistralian warriors.
“This one is set in a feudal medieval world, the movie tells the story of a group of seven samurai hired by villagers to protect them from bandits threatening to plunder their crops.”
“Jaune, you can't keep doing this kind of thing,” Pyrrha complained.
“What kind of thing?” The rest of the team asked at the same time.
“It's racist to suggest things that seem to be from Mistral to Ren.”
…
“Ren, I'm sorry, man, I didn't mean to offend you.”
I raised my hand, refusing the team leader's apologies.
“Don't apologize; I noticed that you always choose something with a Mistral bias when dealing with me.”
“But he doesn't do it with ill intentions or to exclude me; Jaune does it thinking I might have a preference.”
“So are we good?”
“Yes.”
“Hah! I told you he didn't care; now let's watch Conan.” Nora boasted at Pyrrha's expense.
I thought it might be a bit boring to spend the whole day watching movies, but the first one was a pleasant surprise, and this Seven Samurai looks interesting.
___________________________________________
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To the coments:
—Daniel_rahn:
Thx for the chapter, love the missunderstanding about jaune a weiss, it would be epic if the waiter had taken a phto of them and make a turmboil on all the kingdoms because of it, not only for jaune and weiss's family but imagine how Phyrra will react to ''weiss trying to marry jaune to use his semblance for her benefit'' Also PLEASE do something for bellabooty, Personally im more a butt man than a breast man, a reason i love blake the most, it also help she is a cultured woman xD.
—Response= He-he, I have some plans for Blake in the future, and I can't wait to write more with Yandere Pyrrha.