Avip: I don't usually give warnings before a chapter, but...
This chapter contains a lot of business jargon, and I don't know a fucking thing about this subject.
I just wanted to give you a heads up, and now let's get into the chapter.
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“Dialogue”
{Scroll}
[Ruby Rose]
Last week, Jaune had a meeting with Weiss.
I know they said it was just a business meeting, but a strange voice kept whispering in my mind that it was more than that. I also know it was just insecurity or anxiety… but why?
Why couldn't I be happy with the idea of my best friends being together?
I spent the next few days feeling down, not too serious, but enough for Yang to notice and try to find out the reason. At least she left me alone after a lot of insistence on my part. It got me worried, after all, it's practically a miracle for Yang to respect my privacy.
I spent the whole week a little down, well… at least until Friday afternoon when I received a message on my Scroll.
My eyes lit up with excitement as my heart started beating faster the moment I saw the name of the person who sent the message along with a shirtless photo of him doing squats in a quarry. I don't know who Knightshade is, but I can never thank you enough for sharing this image.
{Jaune Arc:
E aí Ruby, how are you?
Are you free Saturday after lunch? I need to test some new ammunition, and I'd like your help.}
I felt butterflies in my stomach and a warm feeling spread throughout my body. Happiness overflowed, and I couldn't help but feel that something special might happen. I tried to hide my happiness, but the mood change was too significant, and Yang became suspicious of something.
On Saturday, I ate as quickly as I could and ran to the Academy shooting range. Which proved to be a mistake because Jaune was having lunch like a normal person and not like an excited child going to a playground.
Alone, I start to feel at home, after all, there's nothing better than a relaxing afternoon at the shooting range with your best friend.
The strong smell of gunpowder in the air and the loud shots of the other students, almost like miniature thunder. The bullet casings drop on the ground with a metallic and constant sound.
It's a mix of scents and noises that deeply relaxes me.
I took the time alone to reserve a bay at the range and prepare the mannequins that would serve as targets. Jaune explained to me in another message that he wanted to test a new weapon he made using his semblance. I was happy to see a new weapon, but on the other hand, I was sad that he didn't call me to see the process and only let me know by message.
Is he going to test that stinky paint?
“It's disgusting, just thinking about the smell makes me gag.” I complained, feeling a nauseating knot in my stomach.
“Hey!” protested a male voice behind me. “Today is Saturday; I took a bath.”
“Huh?”
Jaune was there? Behind me, he stood with his arms crossed, looking at me disdainfully.
“I-I didn't say that you smell bad.” Despite stammering a bit, I managed to reply.
But before I could breathe a sigh of relief, Jaune gave me a sadistic smile and continued talking.
“So, I smell good?”
“I-I didn't say you s-smell is good or bad, I even thought I like it and-”
Before I could embarrass myself, Jaune put his hand on my shoulder and leaned towards my face. He was so close to me, staring at me with those sapphire blue eyes.
“Don't worry, Ruby.” He exuded confidence with his gentle voice.
My body relaxed immediately; the knot of anxiety in the pit of my stomach unraveled. It felt like the solution to all my problems was in the depths of his eyes.
SNIFF, SNIFF!
“I like your smell too.”
“HUH?!” I shouted in surprise.
Jaune smelled me? Why did he do that? Is Jaune a pervert?
…
Did he really like it?
“But now that we know what each other thinks about the other scents, let's test this little toy.”
Although Jaune fried my brain, it rebooted instantly when he showed the 'piece'. I had certainly seen larger ones, but I wasn't sure if I could hold it with just one hand.
Just thinking about the girth gives me shivers.
It was a heavy one-handed pistol, compact in design for a hand cannon, and even a bit futuristic with a predominantly black and metallic gray finish. It has an ergonomic grip for easy handling and a high-tech look with a digital screen, buttons for what, I think, are various modes reflecting its advanced technology.
“This is the Lawgiver MK II.”
“She's beautiful, Jaune.” Despite not being a Mechashift, she seems powerful and advanced. “But she also looks like a simple hand cannon, what's so special about her?”
Jaune gives his well-known idiotically happy smile before explaining to me.
“The main feature that made me create her is the ability to switch ammunition by voice command.”
“What do you mean?” I exclaimed, confused.
Still smiling, Jaune manifested with his Semblance a magazine that would be too thick for this type of weapon using his Semblance and inserted it into the gun.
“Special Ammo.”
In response, the weapon came to life, turning on its display and some lights on its side.
“Acid Flask.”
As soon as Jaune gave his command, a strange creaking sound could be heard from inside the gun's handle.
The white shirt-clad knight pointed his gun at the target using both hands in a proper stance, even if it was slightly crooked due to his lack of training.
BANG!
The shot traced a green line across the distance in fractions of a second until it hit one of the targets directly.
It seemed that the bullet had caused little damage, even less than a simple ammunition of the same caliber would.
“Did something have to happen?”
“Look again.” Jaune said, pointing to the mannequin.
As I stared at the mannequin hit by the bullet, a feeling of surprise and horror enveloped me. My eyes fixed on the inanimate figure in front of me, a silent witness to the damage that began to manifest on the target.
When I wasn't looking, a hole bigger than the bullet's size appeared. A green circle ate into the plastic, making the hole in its torso bigger.
In a matter of seconds, the cavity was larger than a basketball, and the weight loss made the mannequin unbalance and fall to the ground. In a few seconds, the acid stopped acting, but it had consumed almost the entire front part of the target.
It would have been a perfect experiment if Jaune had hit his target and not one from a fourth-year student three rows away.
“You son of a bitch!” shouted a purple-haired veteran.
Embarrassed, Jaune went to apologize and replace the target for the veteran. After he returned, I couldn't help but ask a few questions.
“How does this acid not affect your ammunition case and weapon? What kind of Dust did you combine to create these bullets? And most importantly, do you have more, and can you please give me some?”
“Calm down, Ruby,” Jaune said, trying to quiet me. “I don't know 100% how this acid works, I used my Semblance, not Dust, to make this magazine. And I can't give it to you because it's the temporary version of my Semblance.”
“Darn it!” I complained aloud.
Jaune had already told me that he needed to use Dust for permanent creations, so using Aura to make ammunition was viable for him? I think it makes sense, after all, he spends the ammunition in battle shortly after creating it.
“And with this weapon, he could create a magazine with various types of special bullets.”
“Exactly.” added Jaune, extending his arm and placing his hand on my head.
“Huh?” I hadn't noticed that I spoke out loud in the last part.
But I didn't complain and accepted the head pat, even though it made my heart race and my hands start sweating.
Jaune started saying something while pointing with his other hand to the targets, but his mouth moved without making a sound for me. I couldn't concentrate because I was relaxed and focused on his big and affectionate hand on my head.
“And that's why I need you.”
Need me? The last sentence was too important for me to ignore, no matter what the rest said.
“He-he.” I laughed with a forced smile and raised my hand to get his attention. “What do you need exactly…”
Jaune stared at me, raising an eyebrow with a skeptical look, for a moment, I thought he was going to get mad at me and kick me out of the range. But instead of anger, it was concern that appeared on his face.
“I know I ignored you in these first two weeks at Beacon, and when I came to talk to you, it was to ask for favors. I apologize for my selfishness.”
Why is he apologizing? I admit that I was expecting to do something with him, like playing video games or reading some comics. But from day one, Jaune used every waking hour training or studying, and finally on Sunday, the day he had spare time, he watched movies with his team.
“It's okay, Jaune, you're focused on reaching the academy level.”
Although I didn't have the courage to admit it out loud, I find his effort amazing.
“In fact, I should have been doing the same thing as you from the beginning, but I still depend on Weiss to help me with my studies.”
Jaune smiled warmly and pointed his fist at me with his thumb up.
“True friendship shines when you're not ashamed to ask for help, because real friends will always be there to support you.”
I had a shy smile on my face and started laughing like an idiot at how Jaune was acting like a Mistralian comic book protagonist.
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“So you don't need to apologize to me, right?”
Taken by surprise, Jaune widened his eyes, shocked by what I said, but he let out such a pleasant laugh that made me laugh even more at the situation.
“Let's do this: you help me train with this weapon, and I'll give you something in return.”
I stared at him with a serious face and started to complain.
“I'll help you because we're friends, not because I want a payment.” I punched his shoulder, expressing my frustration.
“Okay, and how about… if I give you as a gift?”
“Gift?” I repeated, confused but excited about the prospect of a gift.
“Yes,” he replied, nodding his head positively. “Could you show Crescent Rose again?”
He didn't need to say it twice; I love talking about weapons, but talking about my baby Crescent Rose is even better.
I put it in rifle mode on top of the counter, but Jaune frowned.
“How much does the blade weigh?”
“4 kilograms.”
“Right!” As soon as he finished speaking, Jaune began to stare at nothing in front of him.
Not that I don't like talking about weapons, but why did he want to know about my weapon's blade?
“Hmm,” Jaune grumbled. “Cheaper than I thought.”
As he finished speaking, the golden mist of his Semblance began to manifest on the counter where his hand was. Was he going to make more ammunition? Maybe another weapon.
But what was created was something simpler and… boring?
A rectangle, smaller and thinner than a shoebox, made of something that looked like green metal.
“This here is for you, a noqual ingot.” He said, all happily and excited.
“Wow so cool… what's noqual?”
“Let me explain.”
Jaune picked up the ingot and pointed it at me.
“Although it may look like a pale green crystal to the untrained eye, this metal can be worked like iron, despite its appearance. Noqual is lightweight, being half the weight of iron, but equally strong.”
“That's so light; if you can make alloys with it in the same way as iron, it would be incredible.”
Once again, Jaune gave his idiotically happy smile.
“My theory holds true, you can make alloys just like you can with iron, and the most important thing about this metal is that it can cause more damage to Grimms than usual.”
“Huh?”
“It's just a theory, but I think this material can bypass the resistance of the Grimm's bodies, maybe even those with bone armor.”
I widened my eyes, looking at the material in his hands, unable to believe the power Jaune had given me as a simple gift.
Without thinking, I jumped on the blonde's neck, hugging him.
“Do you know what this means?”
“That Yang will break my legs?” He asked, laughing, while putting me down.
Too excited and embarrassed about what I had just done, I decided to ignore his comment.
“Maybe I can make the best weapon in the world.”
“Maybe? I'm sure you can, Ruby.”
How can he say this with such unwavering confidence in his words?
“How can you trust me so much?”
“Because you're Ruby Rose.”
“Huh?”
“You're the prodigy who skipped two years to enter Beacon and even became a team leader.”
“B-but you're also a leader and did that without any formal training.”
“I only got in because I have a strong Semblance and the right connections. If Ozpin suspects I'm not training seriously, he'll kick my ass out of school.”
I looked down to avoid Jaune's eyes, how could he be so sure about me? We've known each other for such a short time, and he has so much confidence in what I can do…
“Jaune, I'm not sure, maybe it's better if you take this ingot back.”
“Why?”
“This metal is too precious. What if I mess up and ruin everything? It would be a waste to leave it with me.”
A hand held my chin and lifted my head.
Again, he's looking at me so closely. I had never realized that he was so handsome; his face was the perfect combination of masculinity and softness, creating a face that seemed to have been carefully sculpted.
Oh, my Gods! What's happening to me? Am I into Jaune? What do I do now? Did he realize that I'm interested in him?
“Pay attention, Ruby Rose.”
The intense and heavy voice dissipated the nervousness in my body; now, focused, I hung on to every word he said.
“Don't believe in yourself! Believe in me! Believe in the Jaune who believes in you!”
…
“What does that mean?” I asked, confused.
“I'm not sure.”
“Really, Jaune?” I responded with a serious face.
Despite the confusing sentence and my slight initial irritation, it managed to fill me with confidence.
“Thank you, Jaune,” I replied, hugging his torso.
“Anytime, Ruby.”
He's so warm… and he smells soooo good.
“Now, enough talking, let's shoot some rounds.”
“Okay.”
“And maybe I can finally win my first fight in Goodwitch's class.”
…
“What?!”
[Weiss Schnee]
I spent the last 3 days preparing for today, and yet…
“Phew.” I sighed, trying to calm myself.
Despite this, I was still a bit nervous because this was my chance to be taken seriously and solidify my position as the true heir to the SDC, not just Winter's replacement.
PING!
“It's good to see you again, my-.”
“Let's get straight to the point. I'm a busy man, and I'm sure you have more to do with your time playing as a Huntress.” said the older man on the other end of the call, dressed in a white suit.
Despite his taunt, I decided to swallow my pride, took my scroll, and sent the files for this meeting.
I was currently at the CCT for a video call with my father about the alternative energy projects that Jaune had created. I sent the energy models with annotations explaining each of them through express delivery last Saturday. However, even though my father had received them four days ago, I hadn't received any feedback on the inventions.
That's why I prepared for this. I have all the research ready for the theoretical scenario where Jaune's inventions become widespread. Infrastructure costs, estimated time to breakeven, SDC stock value projection, and much more.
“616 megabytes of text files?” My father exclaimed in an irritated tone.
His annoyed voice shattered my train of thought for a few seconds. My father displayed his classic sternness and ruthlessness, even though he asked me to provide the information.
“I'll be brief with you, Weiss. I won't read through all this nonsense you sent me,” he commented, waving his hand as if I were a stray dog. “I asked a team of researchers to analyze your supposed 'extraordinary' inventions, and you know what they told me?”
Still unable to overcome the shock, I nodded for him to continue.
“That while these are promising ideas, it would take decades of research for such technologies to become viable, more than half a century for any of them to replace Dust.”
No, that can't be true…
Jaune's technologies don't depend on a continuous supply of Dust to function. Furthermore, the adoption of these energy matrices would not force us to resort to mining methods that jeopardize workers' safety. In the worst-case scenario, they could contribute to reducing Dust consumption.
I GOT IT! I shouted in my mind.
“I hope that this waste of time you call a meeting wasn't just an attempt to support your teenage infatuation with someone you think is 'brilliant,'” he added, his mocking tone intensifying. “Honestly, Weiss, I raised you to be better than this.”
While his insults were belittling me, I couldn't help but wear a serene smile that blossomed on my face as my father continued to speak.
He dismissed the energy sources as quickly as possible and turned this call into a lecture where he kept repeating that I should leave Beacon behind and return to Atlas.
In other words…
Jaune's inventions must have a significant long-term return, but in the short term, it will negatively affect SDC's Dust consumption. He doesn't have arguments to prove the impracticability of the project, so he's focusing on undermining my and Jaune's credibility.
My father taught me everything he knows about business, but it wasn't from him that I learned to be chaotic and disruptive; I owe that lesson to a boy with blonde hair, a kind heart, and perhaps a bit of attention-deficit.
“I understand, my dear father.”
My response interrupted his lecture, and he was surprised that I didn't even attempt to change his mind.
Agreeing with the person you're debating is the best strategy to calm them down.
“And you're absolutely right. Allocating SDC resources to fund the research of these technologies is unwise, and to spend money on all three is simply foolish.
“Hmph,” he huffed, adjusting his white jacket but nodding his head in agreement with me. “I'm glad you've understood my point. Now, can we discuss your return to Atlas and distance you from this young inventor?” He didn't even bother to hide the disdain in his voice when he used the term “young inventor.”
I need to make him believe that Jaune is someone worth investing in. The best way to do that is to make him fear losing quick profit. Even if he doesn't invest in Jaune's research, he needs to think that he's missing out on something.
“With your permission,” I commented, interrupting him and capturing his attention. “I don't think I would be a good heiress if I didn't inform you about the potential contract with the Atlas army that this young inventor could obtain.”
“A contract with the Kingdom's army?” he asked, now curious and with widened eyes.
Smiling serenely in a perfect pose I learned from my private etiquette teachers, I continued to execute my plan.
“This inventor has attracted the attention of the highest echelons of the Atlas army.” My father stared at me with wide, unblinking eyes. “He has created various special ammunition with various effects that can be applied in the fight against Grimms, humans, and even individuals with awakened Aura.”
“I see,” he said, relaxing his shoulders and leaning back in his chair. “I understand the value of a young person getting a contract with Atlas, but this is still not interesting for the S.D.C.”
“What if I told you that none of his special ammunition effects require Dust?”
Instantly, he tensed his shoulders in his chair and stared at me with raised eyebrows.
“How?”
“Unfortunately, he didn't go into detail with me.” I mentioned, pretending to be disappointed. “The little Dust he uses is only for propelling his special projectiles.”
As soon as I mentioned the use of Dust, I noticed my father's calm returning to his face. But calm is the last thing I want from him in this conversation.
“But he mentioned a substitute for it, I think he called it… gunpowder?” I said to him, pretending to be ignorant.
According to Jaune, Dust is more versatile and powerful than gunpowder, but for low-caliber weapons, this substance can be used, causing Dust to lose a significant share of the ammunition market.
“I wonder what stage of research his special substances are at.” My father said in a serious and dry tone.
His posture had changed; with a furrowed brow, he stared at me with the intensity of the sun and the coldness of an Atlas winter, he was no longer just a father doing a favor by listening or belittling his daughter.
Now, he was Jacques Schnee, CEO of the Schnee Dust Company, the most merciless and ruthless businessman in all the kingdoms. He values profit above all else, often placing the company's interests above anything. The man who sold my grandfather Nicholas Schnee's company soul, exploiting workers, ignoring social and environmental issues.
I had seen my father behave like this before, but never towards me. Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, I managed to maintain an appearance of nonchalance, but I wasn't sure if he had noticed my excitement.
“Today, he went to test at a shooting range.” I replied, smiling discreetly.
“Is he already testing prototypes?” He asked as sweat began to form on his forehead.
“Yes, and in a few days, he'll be testing in a sanctioned fight at Beacon.”
My father frowned at the “news” I gave him, but I smiled even more because I had more to reveal. He put his hand on his mustache and began combing it with his fingers, a nervous tic he had when he was concerned about something, which was good for me.
“In addition to being an open test for the academy's students, he already has Professor Ozpin's permission to record and broadcast the match.”
“Is that so?”
Although his tone was dry and disinterested, I knew he was a bundle of nerves inside.
Testing a prototype in a controlled environment showed that his research was going well, but a field test and public scrutiny were typically reserved for the final stages of projects.
I waited a few seconds to give my father a chance to respond, but he continued combing his mustache.
It was time to set a bait.
“But I must say he'll be very disappointed with the SDC's lack of interest in Dust alternatives as an energy matrix.” I commented aloud, feigning disappointment.
My father looked at me, raising an eyebrow. Despite being surprised, he undoubtedly knew where I was going with this conversation.
“Since the SDC isn't interested, I'll use my influence to take the research to other companies.”
“Other companies?” He asked as he rose from his chair. “May I know why you're doing this?”
“I gave my word that I would help find investors. I can't give up just because my 'daddy' isn't interested,” I replied to him with a sly smile. “You yourself taught me the importance of image in the business world, dear father.”
He sat down and coughed, attempting to calm himself. Once back in his initial position, he stared at me and continued to speak.
“I'm just surprised that my own daughter, my 'heiress,' is betraying me like this.”
He was biting.
I thought in my mind, unable to contain the slightly cruel and mocking expression on my face.
“Betrayal? Why? Do these projects happen to have any value to you, my dear father?”
He widened his eyes instantly but turned his head to hide the embarrassment he was feeling.
“I appreciate your time, my dear father, but I have to go. I'm very busy playing Huntress.”
“Weiss, don't-.”
As soon as I hung up, I took a deep breath and stared at my hand, which was trembling involuntarily. I may have managed the end of the conversation, but it was still the most stressful conversation of my life.
I left the CCT so that he wouldn't have a chance to call me again, at least not today.
I need him to stew in anxiety.
My father cares about profit, but he's still a stubborn and proud old man. Since he refused to see the potential of Arc's inventions, I'll make him fear them and return with double what I expected to gain.
This fear tactic, my father used it a lot to destroy smaller companies and achieve the Dust monopoly in Atlas, leaves a bad taste in my mouth for resorting to something so low.
“But…”
“Do you, Weiss Schnee, want to change this? The way the SDC treats its low-ranking employees, the discrimination and exploitation of the faunus? Do you accept the mission of changing the company using your position as the Heiress and future CEO?”
But now… I feel stronger than ever. I have a concrete goal and the tools and allies to achieve it.
I will never admit it out loud, but… I owe that to a kind-hearted idiotic blonde boy.
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E aí gurizada?
As always, I would like to start by thanking everyone who encourages me to continue this story with expressions of gratitude.
Unfortunately, I'm pressed for time with my job and assisting my younger brother, who had an accident. My parents are older and can't carry him when he needs help.
But I won't stop writing; I'll just begin posting the chapters on a bi-weekly schedule.
Some of you may have noticed that this chapter is a bit longer than usual. I'll be making them slightly longer to compensate for the new posting frequency.
…
I'm on Twitter (@AvipBr), where you can find AI artwork from my stories.
To the coments:
—daniel_rahn:
i love the chapter, Specially Blake's Alter ego Knightshade smuggling jaune's content to his now increasing Fanbase, She probably Got interested in him after seeing all the most popular beacon girls falling for him, and with his Approach about Faunus she is probably thinking about joining jaune's harem train, BTW Love that the ''Heat'' is something here, cant wait to see blake get affected by it, i have read a lot of kinghtshade fics with this theme and cant wait to see it come true here.
—Response= Just wait, my friend. Blake is going to have an interesting interaction with Jaune before he embarks on his road trip to Menagerie.
—ebonknight21:
Love what you are doing and got a friend of mine look into it. Don't know what you are going to do but me and my friend Q (Quentin) came up with ways for to interact or fall for your Jaune. First Ruby could have the close friendship with Jaune as he give her new items to test which she would love, but she get awkward around him as she seems get clumsy into perverted anime positions with her always being in dominate position with expose herself or groping him. It can get to the point Yang thinks she needs to give her sister the talk not to be so aggressive. Yang is going through denial as Jaune becomes closer to her perfect guy fun, willing to flirt and challenge her, actually helps her with puns, and once he get super soldier upgrade I can see her saying oh no he's hot. Weiss have her get frustrated that the one boy she finds acceptable in her opinion only sees her as business partner and when her sister arrives and flirts with Jaune have her get jealous. Weiss getting possessive over Jaune because he is her raise to her goals would be funny. Blake was Q idea, since Jaune knows a lot about her problems Jaune can get her affection by sincerely trying to help her. Being supportive of Fanus and finds the idea of racism stupid, have Jaune hire Fanus for help in production of his items and delivery, and have him give a heart to heart about no one is beyond redemption if they seek to do better and to forgive herself. Even give her a scented oils and soothing ambient noise machine to help with insomnia.
PS if you want team RWBY to love Jaune more have him create a Espresso and Hot Coco maker for their room.
—Response= You gave me some ideas to consider. Funny you mention Ruby and Weiss, after all, this was their chapter, I hope you enjoyed.
—Gellius G Gloop:
I wonder, how much MP would it take to recreate the treasure tool Midnight Lost Child aka Reiji Maigo from Shakugan no Shana.
The Treasure Tool stored inside a person's soul replenishes the keeper's Power of Existence (spirit? mana?) to full at midnight, I was wondering if something like that could ever be crafted?
I guess senzu beans could work too, I guess, haha.
P.S. how much would a chakra fruit cost?
—Response= Unfortunately, I've never seen anything from Shakugan no Shana, but based on your description, it could indeed be created. As for a chakra fruit, it would probably cost more than Luffy's akuma no mi.
—Ender1227:
I thought he didn't have the original Jaune's memories
—Response= His other life, not Jaunes.