Chapter Text
Neopolitan will forever be thankful to Roman for everything he has done. That of course doesn't mean she hasn't had moments that make her go 'what the actual fuck is wrong with her friend' this shit with that fiery bitch, which she isn't jealous about, she just merely wants to slit her throat whilst she sleeps. Or this moment right now where shes going to help drop off something for Roman when one of his mooks could do this but what the fuck ever it's not like she's looking like herself, instead she's 'Mint' the green eyed, black hair with pigtails goth chick that people just smile and give looks at, and in a better mood maybe she rolls along with those looks and gets to have some fun, but right now? Right now she's looking for some blonde dipshit who looks like he's got his hoodie from that shitty Pumpkin Pete cereal raffle, and got his armor from his grandpas grave, sure looks can be deceiving - how many people think she's stupid and can't hurt people just cause she can't talk huh? - but this guy looks like he's got noth-
Oh shit that's her favorite ice cream place, which isn't a bit of cheap praise from a ice cream connoisseur like her.
Yeah alright she'll give him the benefit of the doubt, the photo Roman has provided for her has a name that looks familiar but she can always bug Roman when she gets back, he looked like there was gonna be a talk after this anyway, mostly him talking, her signing back until they understand each other. She always liked that about Roman, its never 'TriviaNeo please just speak, tell us who broke this' or 'Why can't you be normal?!' its always 'We've got money to make Neo, lets rob some bitches', 'I've got a plan, I'm telling the whole thing to only you' and her personal favorite 'We're gonna have to kill this guy Neo' which has always been about some guy getting Roman so annoyed he kills them, and he hates doing that, bad for business. Still, this blonde guy isn't gonna last, especially since she can tell this is one of Romans forgeries, and he looks like-
Her back burns. Right where that name is. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Of all the people why is it that her soulmate is some idiot trying to cheat his way into... wherever hes trying to get into? She... She can pretend it didn't happen. He looks a little bewildered anyway, looking around as if hes lost, which, he probably is if the same thing that happened to her happened to him at the same time. Whatever, she's Neo-gods-damned-politan and shes got a job to do, money to collect and a dum-dum to get back to so she can have a good ole talk with, and then complain to, after she gets some ice cream because fuck her she needs some after this has nose dived her day from annoying to being on top 10 worst days ever, probably number... 5 if she had to guess?
She sits down at the table hes at, oddly grateful for the public relations training and all that allowing her to school her face into her patented smugness which makes her look like a cocky goth chick to this buffoon who, admittedly, does look cute, but hes not the handsomeness Roman possesses, and the way he looks at her as if she just came out of no where and looks kinda scared tells her hes lacking Romans confidence and awareness. Unless its a act in which case-
"Hey, the names Jaune Arc, short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it." No fucking way did he just open like that, what in the godsdamn??? She's actually stunned for a second by the audacity before collecting herself with a amused huff, placing the packet, which is rather thick, but it's probably full of paperwork and other such shit, and sliding it halfway across the table, before motioning with her free hand for the money, sure she could sign but she is a creature fueled by spite and ice cream, after all someone has to deserve that - has to earn that right.
"Oh, uh, right, but the guy I talked to on the scroll said that if I don't get in I don't owe the favor... and that I get the money back so..." Weird, how the hell did this guy get that kinda promise from Roman? Gentleman thief or no that's not something he just does. Regardless it earns a raised eyebrow and a head tilt and Jaune chuckles, a little nervously based on her study of his body language thus far.
"Well, I'm trying to get into Beacon and I wanted a guarantee, and this was as good as he was willing to give me, I didn't meet him but..." Jaune rubs his neck, definitely nervous, which is good to know she is reading him right and that her training isn't failing her but... Beacon?! Of course her... "The guy at the bar I stumbled into said he was the go-to for good forgeries and I had the money to pay for it considering I helped protect a group from Anselm to here." Why Beacon? Why does her soul- No. Enough of that. He wasn't there for her ever, and he wants to be like those... Huntsmen who don't help people who actually need it so fuck him anyway and besides, not like he'll drop everything for her, he's probably one of the lucky bastards who gets two or even three soulmates and can just pick and choose who he wants. She recollects herself, still putting on that outward mask that she uses for shit like this and pulls out her scroll, shes gonna need it for this sadly, typing away as Jaune tilts his head opening his mouth, only to have to look at the message she shows him on her scroll.
I can't speak like you, so this and body language will have to do. I'm Mint.
"Huh? Oh. Oh you're mute?" Alright, she'll admit this. Jaune Arc might be a idiotic wannabe who wants to take the easy way but at least she can take solace in the fact that he is easy to read and thus actually doesn't seem to be judging her from her disability, its actually pretty com- She's gotta fucking refocus. She's got a business meeting to get through but now she needs to sate her curiosity, as in why would he waste his life trying to do the shit that doesn't actually help people, ruins lives by causing unchecked property damage and flagrantly is just a mercenary institution? And yes shes aware of the hypocrisy as a criminal who comes from old money, well, old nobility technically but whatever, who cares? The Vanilles are dead so she doesn't need to worry.
Some questions first before we do the transaction: Why be a Huntsman? Especially like this? Don't you have better career paths? If you wanna save lives the Emergency Response Force has both combat training and rescue jobs.
Sure she probably knows the answer to that first and last question, the Arcs, whilst not exactly the most greatest noble family, were a noble family at some point, knights in service to the King, like everyone else though they fell out of nobility after the Great War, for a second there was serious talk about sending her off to marry Jaune, after all, low noble or not, better than nothing but the Vanilles always decided that their unruly, disobedient daughter was going to make them look bad. She was 'damaged goods' if the Muteness was true anyway, and honestly, as much as she would hate to admit it her inability to hold even a flimsy purely sexual relationship over the fact no one can hear her wasn't exactly disproving that assumption, hell that's probably why Roman rejected her when she practically threw herself at him to try and finally, finally get a relationship. Jaune likely isn't any different, men want a woman who they can hear, who they can listen to and enjoy the sound of her voice instead of having to constantly pay attention to her hands, her body language and whatnot.
"Well. My father, my Grandfather and his father before him all were warriors, heroes, saving people... I... I want to be like them I want to go out there and be someone who saves the day, even if I have to take different twists and turns than everyone else." Jaune took a deep breath, seems like this is touchy subject. "My Dad never agreed with me on that. I wish I knew why but he just didn't, so I never went to combat school. But he taught me. I just... didn't learn well enough I guess. And yeah I could be working on the family farm, we own the land and all that, or someone on the Emergency Response Force but... They don't get the same training Huntsmen get, and the Farm back in Anselm... I can't help but see it how my dad does, the place a Huntsman goes when he wants to slow down and do something aside from fight."
Huh, guess that explains a shit ton about him, she could get it, for a bit she even considered it, going into a combat school and becoming a Huntress, mostly just to get away from her parents, hell technically she did but Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy wasn't exactly a traditional combat school, and her fighting style and weapon isn't exactly suited for fighting Grimm. Now granted she has fought and killed Grimm but she's geared for people, not soulless creatures who seem to live only for the thrill of killing people, which is a little problematic for her considering she, last she checked anyway, was a person which meant she wasn't going to get away from that. Wait. She's been using her semblance this whole time but... No combat school, learned from a dad who didn't exactly like this idea? Beacons exam is a lot more extreme than everyone else, and she's a expert on shitty parents so shes getting the feeling Jaune might actually be wholly unprepared, which is causing some... mixed feelings. First though, assume, but confirm.
Do you have your Aura unlocked?
"Whats that?" Shit. He doesn't even know what Aura is?! Who the hell doesn't know what that is? Her mother knew what it was and she thought of Huntsmen shit like that as beneath a proper lady, not that Neo was ever interested in it given what proper ladies did according to Carmel Vanille. Wait. His father is a Huntsman. He didn't tell him? What was he expecting someone else to do it? The Academies? Or... was he just setting up Jaune to fail? Whatever, first things first, she needs to stop him from killing himself in Beacon because Roman never does a bad job. But how? As far as Neo can remember, her Aura and Semblance have always been there, probably something to do with her father given her earliest memory of Jimmy Vanille is him shaking her and demanding she speak. She needs to text Roman, in front of this idiot, not dum-dum because dum-dum is a title reserved for people who she likes but finds unfathomably ridiculous and bewildering at times, at which point of her 19 years of age is... only Roman, actually, wow that's something to unpack later.
Okay, for now, it's like a force-field and a battery at the same time, prevents you from getting hurt and you can use it to power your Semblance. We'll get into that right now I need to check in with my partner first, nothing bad.
"Oookay, well, Mint, I'll order us ice cream, what do you want?"
Neapolitan. I'll be covering the cost.
"Oh, so what I'll be having too then." He has good taste. She should probably ask him about how he knows how good this place is since Anselm isn't exactly a quick walk away but slightly more important matters first. She opens up her chat with Roman.
Ice Cream You Scream: how 2 unlock aura
Smooth Criminal: ???
Ice Cream You Scream: ur idiot doesn't have it unlocked
Smooth Criminal: your fucking with me. i've had a bad day it's gonna get even worse and your fucking with me
Ice Cream You Scream: no, now answer the question dum-dum, i have ice cream incoming
Smooth Criminal: congrats on the ice cream date. anyways, your basically just gonna give his aura a nudge, basically a push, you do have to recite stuff but just do shit personal to you, the core mantra of what you are and shit, mine has been about stealing, thief's honor and surviving. shit like that. people are mystics about Aura and shit like that but cmon.
Ice Cream You Scream: fuk u this isnt over and thats not helping >:(
Smooth Criminal: im painfully aware of that. anyway i need to handle something sooooo
She might actually scream (which would be an impressive feat for a mute person) because that was Roman dodging her for the eventual 'this going to suck' talk which means he KNEW that this was the same Jaune Arc that is on her back, that he was purposefully sending her for no reason seemingly just to fuck with her which she KNOWS isn't like him but fuck is the not knowing doing jackshit to make her shitty day better in the fucking slightest. Whatever, its shit core to her huh? Freedom. Being who you truly are. Loyalty. Yeah... oh shit that's her ice cream. But first...
My partner wants to ensure you survive, so I'll be unlocking your Aura for you. As for your Semblance, either you'll figure it out immediately, sometime later down the track or you just... don't.
"Oh. Uh, thanks. Guess I'm really paying for excellence huh?" He gave a nervous smile to her as the Ice cream was placed in front of them, the server smiling. "Enjoy your time you two." They looked at Neo, their smile turning mischievous, gave a wink and walked away. That's evil, and shes killed people, and if it weren't for the impeccable ice cream she'd be more upset but she's refusing to let anything ruin this part of her day, not the fool across from her, not Roman, nor the feeling building up within her that makes her nervous about the future. After she enjoys the actually divine scoops, she stands up, Jaune looking perplexed as she places a hand on her shoulder. From what she can feel with her own it's... weird. It's like she was a river reaching the ocean. She closes her eyes and focuses on mentally reciting her little mantra, hoping it works.
'Through accepting and becoming who I truly am, I grasp my freedom and use the strength I have gained from it all to stand by those who have deserved my loyalty and love, now I help you do the same.'
The Ocean hits. It's overwhelming, almost knocks her off her feet, she needs to stabilize, refocus and get a grip. She's heard of people having large Aura reserves but that was... different.
"Whoa... that's... a really deep thing to share." Wait, what?
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Jaune has to admit, as far as this whole running away from home with nothing but what he could pack and carry on his back or side thing has been going, it's been wild. First, he bumps into a lost group of wealthy looking (and boy were they wealthy) tourists, who he protected from some weak Beowolves until they arrived at Vale, as it would turn out, he can do this, and that his dad was wrong about just being strong and a boy with a big heart and good head isn't enough. Then he actually looked at applying and he was lost which isn't something that has happened often, especially with Combat Schools and all of the darnest things on it that he just... doesn't know about. Worse yet, he needed to excel on their special Preliminary Exams if he wanted in without a combat school, and he doubted his ability there, made him realize Dad was wrong about him, but not about everything. In addition he realized that he had to really mean what he said, and a Arc never goes back on his word, his self confidence couldn't take it if he couldn't even hold onto that, so that led him to stumbling into Junior, tough guy but when he mentioned he needed good forgeries and had the money to pay for it, he was practical, and also scary. Thankfully, he didn't need to worry too much as Juniors warning about trying to avoid his kinda life with where he was going but it still really hammered home, meant he could never let anyone know.
The man on the Scroll, RT, was straightforward after introductions and some talking, walked him through what he was gonna do, how he was gonna get him into Beacon, who'd he have to meet, and that if that person changed stuff on him that he needed to do then he needed to do it since that person was his right hand basically. Of course, once Jaune was a Huntsman, he was gonna have to remember who helped him get there in the first place, but he doubted he'd need to bring down this guy to save people from Grimm and people trying to hurt others, he chose Charlotte's Parlor as the meeting place since he wanted ice cream and he remembered having the best ice cream he ever had there. Fast forward four days later of anxious waiting, nervousness and doubt, he got the notification the meeting was happening that day, when he came in and told them he was waiting for a special someone they smiled and let him stay as he got there earlier than when the meeting was set for, Dad always said 'You only come in on time when it helps, being early is far more professional and preferable no matter your line of work'.
Then his Soulmark burnt. It wasn't unpleasant actually it was... Nice, of course with him seated outside, and with the streets busy he wasn't sure where that person was, he didn't even care about stuff like their gender, he just wanted to be loved, to be loved in the way his Dad and Mom loved each other, how Saphron and Terra loved each other. Everyone in his family met and married their Soulmates already and yet even at 16, he was missing it. Then at 17 it came in, Neopolitan. In fancy, gray writing on his bicep. He wept upon seeing it because it meant finally he wasn't going to be as alone as he was afraid of being as his family started to drift away, hell his Dad smiled! Actually smiled which was a rare occasion for him, of course, Jaune kinda ruined it by running away with a misleading note but he was so desperate to realize his dreams of being a Huntsman... and finding whoever Neopolitan was. Hopefully they're a native of Vale, so he'll be able to bump into them again, he doesn't know much about Soulmarks but surely it'll feel that way again so he can find her, right? It wouldn't just be one off thing?
In the midst of this panic, fear, and doubt, Mint, the RT's right hand was pretty nice and straightforward, his dad taught him sign since if he wanted to be serious about anything, he should know sign at the very least, but Mint has preferred to stick to text, which makes sense as he thinks about it, the less criminals give away to others they don't have to, the better for them. He thinks so anyway, but unfortunately it also means he isn't able to get much from the smug gothic girl in front of him, before what happened earlier he'd probably be trying to woo her, ask her out for a date or trying to turn this meeting into a date but now? Now he doesn't even think about it. He had hoped that Neopolitan was her, but Mint shattered that idea, which, honestly, is on him because cmon get real here Jaune it wouldn't be that easy, hes gonna have to work for it, afterall his Dad did say nothing worth doing was easy, although he's pretty sure he was trying to convince Jaune to clean the shed by himself without hearing his complaints.
Then Mint put her hand on him, the black glove touching his shoulder plate, where the soulmark is, it gives the strange feeling of rightness he can't place, as he then feels cold, not a unpleasant cold, but the kinda of cold, free wind you'd wish for on a really hot day. Then he hears the words in his head, clearly not his, as for a single second, he sees a flicker of pink and brown eyes.
'Through accepting and becoming who I truly am, I grasp my freedom and use the strength I have gained from it all to stand by those who have deserved my loyalty and love, now I help you do the same.'
He blinks and its gone, probably the weird, fuzzy feeling he can't place and this... contentedness, like this thing hes been missing all his life yet not know it is finally there.
"Whoa... thats... a really deep thing to share." She seems shocked, and scrambles for her scroll, grabbing it and typing rapidly, then shows him.
Your fucking with me, right? People don't just hear that.
"Well, I guess that's what happens when a mute person does it, because I heard it pretty clearly, it was weird, it was in my mind yet clearly not my thoughts? It was a good weird, like what I felt when you put your hand on my shoulder." That doesn't seem to make the situation any better, as she quickly types out something else. "Y'know I know si-" She waves her hand in dismissal and shows what she typed. Guess they're sticking to text.
Instructions for how to use the forgery are inside. Follow them exactly. Now... our payment?
Ah. Well, all good things had to end sometime. He turns and leans to open his bag, getting out two envelopes full of lien, he hands them to her and she opens them to inspect, nodding and then stashes them away. She stands up, goes inside and pays for the treats they had, whilst he holds the packet she left behind gingerly, delicately and deliberately placing it in his bag, getting up and leaving. He can't help but feel like something is off, but the packets thickness has to be because of the amount of paperwork he has to do, he looks around, hoping, desperately for any sign Neopolitan is out there, but no such luck, guess that means hes heading straight for the apartment, and figuring out what to do from there. Fortunately it isn't far away, just a quick 5 minute walk away, which is rather convenient for him.
When he sits down on the bed and opens it by unhooking the string holding it closed, he stares at a sheet of instructions
Hey, I'm calling in the favor now. I need my right hand to go into Beacon to lay low for a while and have someone she can trust. I also won't be reachable after this so consider this our final words. Whats the more important thing is that you need to go along with whatever she says, and just watch her back for me. Tall order since she's bit of a unruly little shit but you can trust her. She'll be by your flat within the next two days, she'll introduce herself properly then. Anyway for whats in the packet:
Your paperwork and forgery to get you into Beacon. Head to the address at the bottom of this paper once you and her link up and are ready. Within this packet is her own bullshit. It's beneath yours in a separate flap.
Do not mess with that in any way. She needs to handle that herself and she will.
You'll need her to survive Beacon, based on what you've told me and how you talk, you ain't got any chance of making this on your own? Don't like what I just told you? Should've thought about it before you asked for the forgery, because without me you've got a better chance of getting snow in Vacuo than you do at getting in. Talk to her about it.
Good luck, try not to die, -RT
Well. There are worse ways to get his pride beat up he supposes, and besides, if what Mint said was true... He's a lot more lost on some things than he thought. He isn't the biggest fan of being a criminals ticket into Beacon he's ignoring how he is a criminal too technically but there are worse situations, there is a way out, there is a way forward. There's a chance he can help reform Mint, help her like how she'll be helping him, and maybe, just maybe it'll work out, and finally stop having so many twists and turns on his path to becoming a Huntsman. Although now that he thinks about it, Mint likely isn't her real name based on what RT told him, so there's gonna need to be some build up of trust, which he isn't quite sure how to do, but hey, like his dad (who he hopes doesn't show up during his time at Beacon) always said:
Rarely is anything worth doing ever easy.
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As Neo goes on her walk back, she lets her mind think about this rather unfortunate situation, sure, she could go to Beacon with Jaune, that's clearly the set up being done here, shes not a idiot, she knows what this arrangement with Jaune is really about, it absolutely works for Roman and not even slightly for her. They made a deal! They were gonna lie, cheat, steal and survive all the while living as they wanted to live, being who they were supposed to be, sure she could be a better Huntress than the rest of them but that's like saying Roman absolutely kills it with his looks, Jaune's armor is amateurish and shes drop dead gorgeous, its the obvious. Her tails are swishing again, a sign shes a lot more agitated than she'd like to admit to herself and she has to put her hand in one of her pockets, thankful for the Mint disguise having skirt pockets, she really did think of everything with this one. Regardless, it'll be simple, easy, and worst of all, boring, because she'll be in a school that from what shes heard, does combat sparring mostly against people, she'll fucking ace that shit, and she could adjust her precious Hush from being a melee only weapon but that feels like sacrilege to her and honestly, mecha shifting is slower than just... switching to a sidearm. The material they'll be teaching likely will be accounting for people who grew up outside the recognized settlements so it'll be basic shit for a while and then it'll become what she already reads for fun because being smarter and more knowledgeable than other people, the only barrier would be the basic barrier shes had her entire life, and she isn't really interested in dealing with shitty teachers.
Lady Beat could at least be praised for truly having picked the best teachers, well okay maybe not morally considering she is a criminal by choice right now but she never was demeaned by those teaching her, sure other students shunned her but that's just how things were, most people can't be bothered with the girl who seems to spite them by not talking so she might as well not even bother explaining, not like she owed them one anyway. Sure, maybe some of Beacons teachers are alright but she gets the feeling there'll be others who see her inability to vocalize and simply write her off, and that's not even getting into the idiots she'll be surpassing, if her experience with classmates has taught her anything, its that she won't be socializing much, presuming of course her team isn't a bunch of assholes. Sure, she could admit to herself maybe she deserves to take things easy, but not too easy, after the disaster that was her entire life with the Vanilles, hell if anything getting a feel for how Huntsmen talk and interact will let her fake being one once she goes back to her 'be bi, do crime' way of life, so its not as if its going to all be worthless information, just most of it. Fuck she could even get a feel for why her so called soulmate and his family decided to leave her high and dry in the Vanille shitshow and maybe she might even get that stable relationship...
She needs to stop setting herself up for disappointment honestly, because sure, shes hot, sexy and hyper competent, with perhaps a bit of a ego, shes Neo fucking Politan after all, but shes been through the song and dance enough times to know this doesn't work, didn't work back in Lady Browning, hasn't after she finally got who she was, who she was meant to be, which she thought would've fixed the issue but apparently not. The feeling she had from Charlotte's is back, and its upgraded from nervousness to dread, accompanied by a sort of acceptance that this is the end, Roman has been planning this behind her back (which hurts holy shit) and something she loves about him, which isn't helping right now, is that once Roman gets a plan in his head, its kinda hard to move him from it, he'll change it up but still try to get what it was supposed to be for. There's really only one end goal for this set up: Surviving, there's a bunch of lying, cheating and hell Roman probably stole a bunch to get this going but he thinks shits gonna get real bad, so bad they're completely changing their life for this.
She hates it. She loves him, but its awful, knowing its all going to end like this, she could resist, avoid it, she definitely could make do on her own... but she thrives in a partnership, she thrives with Roman, and she loves him too much to do risk his life like that.
The hideout they have is simple, Roman has entrances from the underground, utilizing his ability to lose people tailing him through various means, mostly be utilizing his intelligence and she has her disguises. No one can really see into the inside with curtains up over the windows and the door's got a camera, not a eyehole, with the sensors having not triggered in a while, so she and Roman are pretty safe to discuss important shit here. When she enters she finds Roman sitting on the couch, his hat and cane on the once messy table, which is a very bad sign, but she trudges on and sits across him when he gestures for her to do so. Another bad sign.
"I won't insult your intelligence by explaining the unnecessary, so I'll get to explaining: I overheard Cinder explaining to her pets I'm not meant to survive her plans. Obviously, this means we need to course correct, but Cinder's got connections, scary connections, which means we need to be... creative. We ain't beating them and sure as hell ain't outrunning them, but we can out smart them. She doesn't wholly understand your capabilities, or who you are exactly, so we can throw her off you by making you appear, and you're not gonna be happy with this I know-"
'I'm Neopolitan Vanille, the abducted daughter of the deceased Vanilles, who was forced into crime against her will by your evil Semblance.'
"Yeah, that's the gist of it. Now-"
'Your actually evil by the way. I absolutely fucking despise this.' There are no words for the anger and shame she feels right now but thankfully Roman seems to get it based off of his wince and sigh, as he runs his hand down his face.
"Look, if I knew of a better way to get you free of the charges they'd throw at you I would, but I don't and I've looked around, this is our best shot for you to lie low and get even better. Hell if I find a way to turn this on Cinder then we're back in business but I get the feeling I'm gonna have to fake my own death, not sure if this upcoming job will be the best place but just in case..." He groans and glares at the table. She doesn't like what he's about to say either and she doesn't even know what it is yet. "You should take Melodic Cudgel, because otherwise you're gonna suffer without it, especially since they'll want you to be mecha shifting and lets me real, ain't no one got that time in a real fight."
Neo nods, it makes sense, and Roman has a back up weapon, but she actually has come to despise Cinder so much within the span of a single conversation she might actually kill her without prompting, even if its the worst option to others. 'Alright, but what if they just don't ask questions or just shrug it off?'
"Doubtful, but in that extremely lucky case... Fuck it, we ball. You'll be improvising a shitton there, but I believe in and trust you. I'm..." He sighed. "sorry for doing this but we don't have much of a choice in the matter."
'I get that, its just I...' She pauses, trying to fight back tears as she collects her thoughts. 'I thought this would last longer, I thought we'd be together. Do whatever we want, take whatever we want and never look back. I love you and this hurts knowing I might never see you again.'
Roman sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Fuck... your ruining my make up, I worked hard on this shit y'know?" The two of them share a ugly wet laugh, her silent laugh being heard even if he can't see or hear it. "I... I can't love you back like that. I'm sorry, but I just can't, but your my best friend, my partner and I wouldn't sabotage myself by removing you if I could. I think you know that but I gotta make sure you know... Enough of this touchy feely shit, you've gotta go with Jaune when he turns this in, go over your story with him, bullshit it however you need to, I would recommend saying I mind controlled you with my Semblance-" The two of them share a laugh at that, Roman has never discovered his Semblance, although a 'fuck off Cinder' one would be welcome right now. "-And that I lost control somehow, you didn't know but grabbed what you could, then my beloved weapon and ran off. Been with Jaune for a while or however long you wanna put it."
She nodded, fingers trembling as she picked up Melodic Cudgel and placed it on her lap. 'I guess... I guess this is it, I get what else I can carry and pass off as what I thought should take'
"Yeah... Wait, one moment, take this." He offers her a hat, the same hat she made for him back when they first got into business, only difference between this one and the one he has is that on this the hat has a white feather. 'Where'd you find this?'
"Y'know Junior? I was talking to him about this upcoming job and he just has it in his office. Grinned and charged me for my own hat! Unbelievable and also the true reason on why this is happening because the embarrassment is awful." He flashed her a grin, and they share another laugh, in spite of everything, it's still just her and her dum-dum, even if it might be the last time she ever sees him or hears his voice, which hurts because she never liked hearing people go on like they love the sound of their own voice until Roman. She flipped the hat around and put it on her head, her ears aren't happy but still she smiled at him, a soft knowing smile.
'I'll get to packing, thank you, for everything Roman. I hope I get to see and hear you again.'
He shot her a smile. "I would recommend placing a heavy bet on my survival... But I hope I get to see you again too you little minx." They laugh, and separate, Neo getting ready to leave immediately, knowing she won't even see Roman as she leaves this hideout for what is in all likelihood the last time.
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It's becoming dusk when Jaune hears the knock on his door, his room isn't much, he doesn't exactly have much in the way of income and he's been taught by his Mom and Dad to focus on making do with what you have so you can make more, so he's at peace with it. Still, not the best look for a girl to see, but surely she'll understand when he explains it after he opens the door and lets her in and-
Oh no. She's nothing like she was back at Charlottes. Somehow shes hotter and sexier than before, he isn't sure if he can survive this, especially since her smug look has gotten even better with the fox ears on top of her pink and brown hair, and hetero-chromatic pink and brown eyes. The two tails (one pink, one brown, with splashes of white in them just like her hair) swishing about really help completely her look, which has corset and large white, with pink accents, open topped jacket with exposed shoulders, with various necklaces around her neck giving him someone to look at other than the cleavage right below, the back and sides of the jacket reaching her mid shin as it bleeds into a ocean blue. The tight skirt (is that practical or does it just look tight) with garterbelt connecting her black, lacy thigh highs work with the knee high white boots, with heels that could honestly kill him.
Scratch that, her whole look could kill him, especially the thighs and what appears to be a cane and parasol, her weapons? Huh. He never saw them back at Charlottes... was he really that easy to them that she didn't even need her weapons? He really should-
She taps the doorframe with a knowing look in her smugness. "O-oh. Right, sorry, you just look so different- Not that different is bad but-" He's waving his hands, only be interrupted by her silent laughing at his expense. It's cute, and he would love to see it more, he thinks as he steps aside and lets her in, the blush on his face raging. She walks in and looks around, nodding and then takes a place to stand across from where he previously was seated, as she hooks her parasol on her right arm, above the pink cuff on the black gloved wrist. He goes to sit down, taking the cue, and picks up the packet.
"Ok, so RT said in his note that you've got stuff to sort out in this, I would offer to help but he was rather clear I shouldn't touch it." She huffed as she looked through it, shaking her head. "Yeah I got lucky he sorted my paperwork for me." She scoffed and placed down the two bags as she got to work on her paper work, laying down on the bed to do so, which seemed a fair bit less than his transcripts and paperwork combo, but that's probably down to the unusual way he'd be getting into Beacon... Now that he thinks about it is she going through the Preliminary then? Hope she can sort that out without issue in time, since they end... tomorrow? Or the day after? He'll let her focus on her own things as he thinks on how to build up trust and begin the process of getting her on the right path and not go back to being RT's right hand, perhaps-
A poke in his side makes him turn around to her, which now that thinks about it... "Hey, what should I call you, I don't think Mint really fits." That earns a amused eyebrow raise and smirk. "Yeah I know how that sounds but honestly, your way better looking like yourself, I'm glad you've decided to trust me with that." She stares at him for a second then looks away for a bit, one of her tails seemed to swish, making him think he overstepped, and he almost opens his mouth when she turns to him and smiles, before signing.
'Well, you've certainly made a better 1st and 2nd impression than most, so I suppose you deserve my name. I am Trivia Vanille.' Something about the shake in her normally steady fingers and the sudden hardness in her eyes makes him think that maybe it's a tricky subject. Is she trans? He wouldn't judge, his whole existence is because one of his sisters transitioned, so they no longer had a son, but did get Magnolia, who he always liked, consistently always in the top 3 of his sisters, although hes always loved all of his sisters even if they could be overwhelming. Still, if she tells him, it'll be on her terms in her time, and that's fine. 'Anyway, should I put down why I want to become a Huntress because I think so many do dogshit jobs?'
Well then, that's a helluva reason if true. "Depends on what you mean. If you think they're being needlessly destructive and think you could do better for everyone then yeah, you can use it, although people will ask you about what you mean." Trivia seems to consider it and nods her thanks with a smug smile and went back to work. "Oh, I should also let you know you can talk to me whenever, even if its silly, we're going to know each other a lot better than everyone else I think." She pauses, giving him a indecipherable glance before nodding and getting back to work. This continues, her asking him questions about what she should put down, and him answering helpfully yet honestly. Then she pulls out her purse, then revealing her license, dated to expire next year, and, most interestingly, cleared to operate cars and...
"You can fly?! How'd you get a piloting license?" She grinned and simply signed 'Very carefully.' causing him to sign and look at her 'Not illegal. I signed up for driving and flying classes. People over complicate both, but I'm a amazing pilot and driver.'
He whistled. "I'll hold you to that should I ever need a ride." She shook her head with a smile and got to documenting her education and such. Some standouts include her being knowledgeable about economics (huh), being certified to operate heavy machinery, knowledge about high society and socialite stuff, public relations training, and advanced dust application. After that, she is done and after putting all of her stuff away, she sits up and stretches, and then signs to him.
'So, you've seen my weapons, Hush, my parasol and Melodic Cudgel, the cane. Whats yours?' Well, those are weird choices but she knows better than him, what with being a trained fighter, having experience and all, besides she is rather short, and not built like a farmboy like him, he grins, standing up, as he unhooked Crocea Mors, unsheathing the blade, letting the shield unfold. "Its called Crocea Mors, its been handed down through my family since my Great-Great-Grandpa." She nods appreciatively, sizing him up as she stands before signing once more.
'Well, first off, you should remember to keep your Aura up, don't want to have it unlocked just so you can get killed. Secondly, your stance is all wrong, your feet and legs need to be positioned like this.' She demonstrates and he adjusts accordingly, not noticing the difference. It must show he doesn't get it on his face because she huffs as she resumes. 'If you wanna be knocked off your feet whenever you get into a fight then keep doing it wrong all you like, but you probably don't know how to roll and use the momentum of your opponents attacks so, doubt you wanna do that. Anyway, thirdly, and this is just so you can get thinking since you have a creative side to your problem solving, remember, a shield is a weapon, and sometimes hitting someone with your shield is a lot safer than going for a strike. Fourthly, you should think of a ranged weapon, there are some Semblances, Grimm and just situations in general where not having one will cause a lot of harm.'
Shit. He avoids swearing since his Mom would shoot him a look whenever he did, but this fits, he didn't even think about what he'll be using to offset that. Hell how had his ancestors done it? His dad used a trusty revolver, but after that? He didn't know. "I... I didn't even think of a ranged weapon." She nodded.
'Most people who don't immediately think of getting one don't have one, now, in that same way you probably don't want a too powerful weapon.' He frowned and she rolled her eyes. 'Do you wanna actually have a weapon that takes out the thing your fighting and the car filled with a family of 5?' He paled and shook his head rapidly. 'Exactly, it's one of my criticisms of Huntsmen as they are, no one tells them to be careful or to not go too far with their designs or weapons!'
"Yeah, I guess people don't, whenever I'd see people talk about them, people tend towards praising them unless they go too far, like that duo some years back." She nodded enthusiastically, signing. 'Those two are actually what made me question if they're doing a good job teaching them. It helps a lot of Huntsmen aren't taught that they're basically marketable mercenaries, and are instead hyped up like they are.'
Jaune shifts a little, causing her to roll her eyes. "Well, there are good Huntsmen, people who are actually in it to help people, and Huntsmen give hope and the feeling of safety, and that helps keep Grimm away." Trivia raised a eyebrow. 'Uh huh and they've gotta be mercenaries with alotta leeway?' At that he just shrugs.
"I don't know, but given the emphasis on helping people, I like to believe there's more good than bad." She sighed and then at her scroll, then up at him.
'Alright lets put that talk on a shelf for now, we need to figure out this sleeping situation.' Ah. He doesn't know if he could share a bed with her and sleep in it, he feels way too nervous about the idea, especially with how his Dad drilled in manners, he gets the feeling he should not attempt to share it even without his nerves. Fortunately, he has a sleeping bag, and now that he thinks about it, she probably doesn't have one because she had to pack today, and without having forewarning probably given how she never indicated her knowledge of this back at Charlotte's, not to mention he had his own place but who knows what Beacon's Initiation will throw at them.
"Uh, I'll just use my sleeping bag, not much space for it but-" 'The fuck are you talking about? We can share, I've shared a bed with worse and you need to get over your nerves of hot Faunus girls anyway.' She grins and winks and he thinks a part of him left his body, but she isn't wrong and he doesn't feel confident in his ability to win a argument with her with the smug look (seriously shes like smug all the time, his self confidence wishes it could be like hers!) shes sending him. "A-alright, sorry if I-" 'None of that, I appreciate it but honestly, if I'm right about you I have nothing to worry about.'
The two of them got to work clearing the bed, making short work of it, then he took off his armor, placing it on his side only for him to hear some rapid shuffling. He looked over to see Trivia doubled over silently, yet clearly losing it at... what? He looked down and realized he was still wearing the hoodie he won from Pumpkin Pete's raffle... Ah. "Hey! I collected 50 box tops to win this hoodie!" She just laughs harder, her tails hugging her body like her arms are. He just sighs, and puts on his pajamas, which predictably, as soon as she starts to stop laughing, makes her laugh even more once she sees them, barely managing to sign. 'How many did that take?' "None. It was a birthday gift from one of my sisters."
She looked at him, her laughter fading away as she started thinking, then signed. 'So how many sisters?'
"I have seven sisters, all older than me." She looked at him. 'You're not fucking with me right?' He laughed, shaking his head. "Nope, I love them all, some more than others but I wouldn't want them any other way... Well okay maybe some of them could be less overwhelming." She nodded, laughing a little, before yawning. She snapped her fingers and her appear shattered like glass, revealing her in a rather loose pink night gown with some brown shorts peaking out from underneath, he quickly laid down and faced away from her, knowing hes gotten her to laugh without looking. He found sleep came to him easily.
___________________________________________________________________________
Neo had to admit, Jaune at least could take her teasing and laughing at his expense like a champ, probably the result of his mother, both because of the whole 7 sisters thing and the fact his mother is a crazy woman for having 8 fucking children. She isn't even sure if her body could support having even one, much less 8, probably something to do with genetics, she apparently wasn't a easy baby to carry to term, something Carmel liked to remind her daughter of whenever she got on her nerves too much. Anyway, she needed to get up and get dressed, as much as she wanted to lay in bed and sleep in there was no way the shit Roman put in motion for himself wasn't going to happen, in fact it was probably happening tonight, she needed to control her narrative, and get away from Cinders reach before she put two and two together. Jaune was already up, the fucking farmers boy he was, dreadful morning person, he was already dressed in his armor and clothes (that fucking Pumpkin Pete hoodie was and still is so funny) reading some comic, which she has to admit, wasn't her first guess, but then again Jaune has been a wellspring of surprises thus far. As she enters the bathroom, she thinks that perhaps he's been full of surprises but none of them have answered her important questions, have they?
Or maybe they have?
Lets see, as far as she can tell, Jaune's father (or mother, that woman did agree to a 8th kid after all) wanted a son, probably old fashioned and patriarchal meaning the mute Faunus girl was never going to get her happy ending away from the Vanilles, but if he wanted to ensure the best for his son then why sabotage Jaune? Sure he'll defend his own father but Jaune was clearly not actually prepared for this life, she doesn't buy for a fucking second that a Huntsman like Nicholas Arc actually trained his son with his Aura unlocked, maybe he entertained Jaune and misled him on what it actually was but even her Mother and Father only let her get trained once they understood she's had her Aura unlocked for a long, long time. Hell he didn't even know how to hold his sword and shield posture, and the only reason she knew was because she was trained on how to beat the sword and shield combo, a basic yet important one to beat, the foundationals, Lady Beat called the ways she had to deal with bullets, arrows, swords, spears, hammers, whatever. If there was a thing she had to fight and deal with whilst on a job, she probably trained against it, then fought against it whilst being Romans partner in crime, a treacherous part of her threatened to derail her even further but she reoriented.
Alright, but why did the Mother agree? Probably her husband, a part of her wants to say it was because bias against Faunus, after all, she would know given her mother wasn't exactly thrilled herself at seeing her traits, and only stopped vocalizing her complaints because Jimmy Vanille loved his mother and loved that Neo had traits just like her. But Jaune if anything seems to not give a fuck, he channels Romans fuck it we ball attitude and puts it towards saving people, now that could be a point towards him as a person, persevering to help people no matter who, but that could also just be his parents chose to not pass on their hatred. Putting a pin in that, she turns to Jaune himself, why not push for her, why not long for her? Sure he seems pretty lonely, lacking his absurd family size and people he knew back in Anselm, but surely he had a inkling of who she was... Unless she wasn't put on his body as Trivia Vanille, after all he didn't react at all to her dropping her hated evil dead name, otherwise based on his kinda bewildered looking around, she probably was put on him as Neopolitan, just Neopolitan as well otherwise he'd ask about a sister or something. Which of course means she was still in the right to use it, but there is no fucking way she's sticking with Trivia, that girl has been dead for a while, hell probably was dead back before she even went to Lady Browning's Academy, she just didn't realize it until she met Roman.
As she exits the bathroom in her full get up, having showered as she thought this over, she turns her attention to the object of her current hyper-fixation: Jaune, who she has upgraded from buffoon to goofball, or even just goof, because he does think, he is using the head up there not the head down there otherwise her interest probably would've dried up unless he had magic dick, he clearly is just failed by those who were supposed to support him. And, well shit, doesn't she get that? But still, he is still the one she waited for, longed for, hoped against all hope that somehow she'd be rescued by her shining knight, and finally accepted for who she was, rewarding her for putting up with so much bullshit but never going to the White Fang like she probably should've long ago. Although maybe not now, the Fang isn't exactly looking to be accepted nowadays, more focused on feared, and being feared gets you put down but that's something for her to probably not have to worry about. Probably. Still, things need to be done today and Jaune is the one of the duo who knows where they're going for this so off they go, she gets her packet, and he has some folder to hold his documents, currently just laying on the bed as hes reading another comic. She taps her heel against the floor to get his attention so she can sign.
'We should probably get our paperwork sorted today, I think its the last day for the Preliminary Exams and I don't have transcripts to fall back on like you do.' He nodded, putting away his comic and documents into a bag, picking it up as he stands up and smiles at her. "Yeah your right, we should stop by a store and stock up on essentials, like a camping bag and such." Oh yeah, she should do that with Jaune's disposable income whilst they have the chance huh, she tilts her head at him with a raised eyebrow, and thankfully he gets her question. "Oh, I went on camping trips with my family when I was younger, I learnt from my Dad what I should and shouldn't pack and what you really need for a camping trip. It's part of why my first ever job as a Huntsman, even if I don't have a license yet, went so smoothly, although admittedly that might've been because the Beowolves were pretty weak and the tourists weren't clueless."
Whoa, she knew he got it from some job outside the kingdoms but she didn't realize he had already fought Grimm, sure it was weak Beowolves but that's still impressive for a guy who didn't even know what Aura or Semblances were, must have a helluva swing with that sword in order to get away with that without a scratch. She signed 'Well, that's still impressive considering how you didn't know shit about Aura and Semblances when we met. You've got a long way to go, sure but that's not a bad metric, you pit me up against Beowolves without a Aura or Semblance and I'm dead.'
He laughed, clearly unnerved by the mention of her dying. "I think you could've done it, better than me too." She scoffed and rolled her eyes at the obvious attempt to deflect and flatter her, as they head out of the flat, and the building its in, to the Preliminary Exam testing site, stopping along the way at a store to stock up on essentials, she has to say, thank fuck for Jaune being surrounded by 8 women and paying attention. As they head into the city, where whilst it's not the upper class Old City of Vale, its still getting wealthier and better as you get closer to Beacon, which still dominates the skyline even in the day. Beautiful, yet imposing at night, pristine, yet domineering in the daylight, the site they head too is much more laid back, although it's still clearly of Beacon's architectural style rather than the rest of Vale's, especially given, much like how everything at Beacon is large, this place doesn't even share it's block. As they head in, Neo is hit with a reminder of whys certain of her bisexuality with the presence of Glynda Goodwitch discussing something with the receptionist, who seems rather plain and uninteresting, aside from the green hair, glasses and coffee, whatever she was discussing is left at the wayside as she turns to them. It's actually illegal what she is doing to her, but Neo doesn't mind, although she absolutely wants to know if her skirt is like hers and is just faking tightness with a pair of shorts underneath, but she will likely never know, alas.
"Uh, sorry for interrupting but I was told that I should turn in my Transcripts here if they're late." Thankfully Jaune is willing to completely lock in for Huntsman stuff, given hes making eye contact with her, maybe he's taken the time to prepare for the utter insanity that is Glynda Goodwitch. She starts signing after he finishes. 'Hi I'm Trivia Vanille, I'm here for the Preliminary exam, sorry for showing on the last day but I've had some... extenuating circumstances and only just finished the paperwork.' Goodwitch frowned at her explanation, not good, but to be fair, she is being vague. "Doctor Oobleck, please handle..." "Jaune. Jaune Arc." "Mister Arc's transcripts whilst I talk with his friend."
As Doctor Oobleck begins to speak, she is grateful for the fact she isn't dealing with him, even if she is dealing with someone who in all honesty might be a lot worse and less sympathetic to her, she leads her to a office, it's not cramped but it's not spacious either, it's clearly not used often. As they sit down and Goodwitch looks over her paperwork in silence, she begins to wonder what is she gonna do if she tells Goodwitch the sob story, only for her to not give a flying fuck and just arrest her. After she finishes looking them over she looks at her, probably the most severe shes ever been looked at and her Mother and Lady Beat are not pushovers when it comes to severe looks. "Miss Vanille, I'm afraid I have to ask you to explain why exactly you match the mysterious right hand of Roman Torchwick, and why you're applying to Beacon." Wait they don't even have her fucking name? That's absolutely insane and also a complete fuck up by the VPD, considering Neo is certain Roman has said her name whenever things are too hot, still, she needs to be careful and sell this, and that starts by tearing up a little and shifting, shaking her hands as she begins to spin her tale.
'Do you know what his Semblance is?' Goodwitch's face turned into a frown. "No, no I do not, it's a subject of constant speculation."
'It's... It's Mind Control, he called it Puppetmaster to me once, knowing I'm seeing everything happening, yet completely powerless to do anything about it. I don't know how it happened in the first place, maybe because of his fight with those Huntsmen, seeing them do more harm than him, but I met him and then it just... happened.'
"Hm... That is unlike any mind control Semblance I've heard of, but more importantly, Trivia, were you ever..." She took a deep breath. "felt, touched or raped by Roman?" That's fucked up, she expected it, because they think her dum-dum is so much worse than he actually is but it still makes her enraged, thankfully, shes got good control of her facial expressions so shes still crying, looking like the mentally traumatized victim. She shook her head and Goodwitch nodded. "Has he ever allowed someone else to do such things to you?" Never in a million years would her Roman do that, never! But still, she has to shake her head. Goodwitch actually sighed with relief. "Thank the Brothers. Seems we've assumed far worse of him than we actually have. Now, how did he control you with such finesse, and are there others out there?"
'Roman always seemed disinterested in that kinda stuff, for what it's worth. I don't know if that helps. But I do know sometimes there was... I don't know how to put it...' "Bleed over from his emotions?" She nodded, causing Goodwitch to hum, as she continued to write in a notebook that Neo just now noticed was there. 'As for your questions... I was the only one he had control over as far as I am aware, which meant he could pull on my training, Semblance and even fighting style, getting to use my knowledge, and the experience I gained under his thumb, to fight for him.'
She hummed. "Thank you, thats a relief to hear, although it's also terrifying how powerful that Semblance is. On that topic, I have to admit, you might still be affected by that even without his Semblance active. Years of mind control can cause some significant changes in someones personality, especially with what you were forced to do."
'Yeah, I think... I think I noticed that when I sparred with Jaune at one point and I loved the thrill of it, the rush of the fight, when before I didn't have any of that. I just want to help people, make sure no one else gets what happens to me, and to set a example of what a Huntress SHOULD be.' Goodwitch nodded, a small, almost imperceptible small on her face as she wrote what she said down. "That's very compassionate of you Trivia. We'll have to conduct a more intensive interview, with a policeman present to clear your name but this should go a long way towards clearing your name."
'Actually... Speaking of that... Is it possible to change my name at some point? I-' She pauses to sell this particular bit. 'I don't know if I'm particularly comfortable hearing Trivia anymore, Roman would always say it in this sorta way that made my skin crawl.' She feels bad saying that but Roman would've kicked her ass if she didn't say it to sell it. 'I never felt comfortable with it before but never uncomfortable with it in the first place if that makes sense?'
"It does. We'll have to wait until we clear you of charges before we can do that unfortunately, as it'll appear as though your trying to muddle the investigation otherwise." Oh thank fuck there's at least a chance she can be free of this shit. "Just two more questions. How did you get free, and how did you get Roman's weapon?"
'I wish I knew, because I wanted to be free so many times before and yet all of the sudden a week ago I just... was. Roman was asleep on a couch at the time in some dingy apartment, I couldn't tell you where it was, I didn't pay attention to it as I was leaving, I was too caught up in my newfound freedom and before I think I had almost given up, because some things towards the end of his control over me are blurry. I grabbed his cane because I wanted to ensure I could escape, I packed whatever I could, what little from before that he decided to keep, and the essentials and I just ran. I met Jaune shortly after, and he helped me a lot, he helped me realize I still could be a Huntress, that I'm not broken by what Roman made me do, that I'm strong because I didn't break under everything that I went through.' Goodwitch sighed.
"I presume you won't accept relocation unless he is relocated too?" She nodded, causing Goodwitch to sigh again and write down something. "I'll keep that in mind. Now, this is a follow up question and then you'll have a break to get your mental bearing for the Exam and then you can take it. Why didn't you kill Roman after everything he put you through?"
Not what she was expecting from her, but then again Goodwitch seems kinda... Tired, probably has dealt with shit like this before, so perhaps she shouldn't be surprised. 'I... I was tired of killing. Maybe I shouldn't have left without killing him but I was so tired and so afraid that if I didn't get out right then and there I wouldn't ever be able to be free again. Maybe... Maybe that was a mistake.'
"Let me say this Miss Vanille: You did not make a mistake, you did what you thought was best for yourself, you focused on surviving your nightmare so you can be here. I'm glad you finally told someone and I promise you, regardless of if you are accepted or not, Beacon will do everything in it's power to ensure that you have justice, and that you are done right by. Head to Room 10, you have 30 minutes and then someone will come by to collect you so you can have your Preliminary Exam administered." Neo offers her a shaky smile, which is returned by a small, soft smile from Goodwitch and she heads out, finding Room 10 which is a small room with food and drink, which she could do with, she hasn't had breakfast yet and shes thirsty from crying and somewhat exhausted by that conversation. Goodwitch is a good person at least, so maybe Jaune is right and maybe she won't have to worry too much about her at Beacon, still shes under surveillance most likely so she spends the 30 minutes eating and drinking, moping a little during and after as she collects herself for this. She'll be going into this mostly blind, as the Preliminaries focus on her knowledge and ability to fight other people, but not the specifics like how, what questions, and if the latter of the two areas of testing are practical or theoretical.
The Knowledge test is mostly just what her tutoring at home and time at Lady Brownings Academy covered, with some extra bits, some stuff, like application of Dust and Aura is something shes familiar with, other stuff like how exactly to calm down people she isn't quite so familiar with, mostly since the questions orient themselves subtly around the ability to vocalize. Her mind is definitely feeling the toll now, given how she spent two hours on the test, in addition to the conversation with Goodwitch. Still, she feels extremely confident, but the Person on Person fighting seems to be a practical test, and she'll have to pull punches in all likelihood to sell the 'I'm tired of killing' thing she told Goodwitch, which will be hard when shes going through the rush and thrill of a fight, but shes done much more difficult stunts in a fight.
As it would turn out though, she ain't got shit to worry about because the practical is easy thus far, some earlier applicants who've volunteered to help Beacon administer the test, the lot of them she doubts she'll be seeing much of after this, they're rather unimpressive and shes basically pulling punches by finishing fights quickly, and efficiently, not making a show of it like she would otherwise. Granted, these are people who aren't getting into Beacon via transcripts so of course their fighting isn't up to snuff. Then Goodwitches voice can be heard over the intercom "Miss Vanille will be fighting Miss Valkyrie next."
Miss Valkyrie as it turn out is a kinda bubbly, if the skipping if any indication, ginger girl with a... is that a grenade launcher? Alright, so it seems like they're upping the difficulty, might as well show she isn't over reliant on blitzing through her fights, and show what she can do. When the fight begins Valkyrie opens up with a barrage, Hush lets her weather it and push up, she even gets some shots off with Melodic Cudgel, which, now that she can feel with her Aura properly with it covering it, actually has a Aura oriented way to alter the Dust infusion that it relies upon to shoot with, she moves from fire dust to electric. She really shouldn't be trying to up one a girl who knows who to arc her grenades at a explosive off, speaking of said ginger, she stops firing and shifts her weapon to a two handed hammer, which, if shes seeing it right, actually has a way to fire even whilst in hammer form. Smart, and also gonna make her hurt even more than she already would, which is fine, she'll make sure she doesn't get hit.
As the two rush, the difference in fighting styles is clear, avoidance and misdirection is, so far, trumping the pure power and surprising agility that Valkyrie is showing off with her hammer, she gets some pretty good strikes in with both Hush and Melodic Cudgel, only for her to fire off Melodic Cudgel into Valkyries face. That is a fuck up that could be excused by muscle memory, given it hasn't happened earlier with her other fights or in this one, but really, the real fuck up is that Valkyrie fucking smiles this demented smiled in response, and rushes her with a speed she didn't display before and catches her with a nasty hammer strike that sends her skidding across the arena, barely avoiding the ring out loss. A quick glance shows Valkyrie at 43%, having endured a beating earlier, with Neo herself at 58%, with it having gone down some from having to use Hush to push up to Valkyrie in the first place, but still, that's probably 30% of her aura gone in a single strike. She spends 1% switching Melodic Cudgel back, cursing her luck as she has to now rush and push up with Valkyrie firing off explosives to keep her at bay, failing to do so however, as Neo leaves behind a illusion of herself to take a blast, Valkyrie for a second completely losing her as Overactive Imagination briefly silences her foot falls and perfectly blends her in with the rest of the arena. By the time Valkyrie catches her, shes taking hits from Hush's unsheathed stiletto blade and Melodic Cudgel's cane end.
The buzzer sounds off Neo's victory, more scuffed than she'd like, but she is thankful she recovered that before it got too messy, she helps Valkyrie up from the ground, as she took a nasty hit from Melodic Cudgel right before the buzzer. Valkyrie grins at her. "Oh wow Goodwitch wasn't kidding! You really are good! Not that I was doubting you but seeing it believing! Sorry if I hit you too hard with that hammer strike, no hard feelings?" Neo scoffed and put on a fake look of offense, signing a 'As if.' only to get a confused look from Valkyrie. She sighed and pulled out her Scroll, typing what she said and showing it, repeating her previous expression, to the ginger girl, who smiles brightly as she get it. "Good, I'll get out of your hair, we probably need to head home and shower, hope I see you at Beacon!" She nods to Valkyrie who hops and skips off. Yeah, she's definitely bubbly.
"This thus concludes the Preliminary Exam of Trivia Vanille, Miss Vanille, please head to Room 5 for your results." Neo decides to take a page out of the Gingers book and skips on over to Room 5, finding herself in good spirits and a bit of a high after so many fights and winning them all, even if her last one was more scuffed than the rest, her body may be tired, her mind emotionally and mentally exhausted at this point but she can't help but be happy right now. In Room 5 is Goodwitch, Jaune and holy shit is that Headmaster Ozpin?
Ozpin speaks first, smiling to her. "You must be the exceptional applicant, I must say you passed your Preliminary in the top 1% of all Applicants, which, of course, means we accept your application to attend Beacon's Initiation. Professor Goodwitch here has also explained the rather difficult situation you are in, and thus, I would be happy to extend our guest rooms at Beacon to both of you to stay in until you have gone through Initiation."
Jaune practically vibrates with excitement. "Really? We can stay at Beacon?" At this Ozpin merely nods with a smile. Hm. He's wearing a smug smile that reminds her kinda of the one she and Roman have whenever they know something others don't. Probably nothing to worry about, at least, for Jaune, after all if Jaune was going to be sent home he wouldn't be here right now. Jaune turns to her and hits her with fucking puppy dog eyes begging her to accept, which she already was going to in order to sell her act but those should not be that effective on her what the fuck. She nods and signs 'Thank you for your generosity, I'm sorry for any trouble.'
Goodwitch simply shakes her head. "You are causing no trouble, and we're only doing the right thing to do in this situation, letting Roman and his associates be able to reach you in the city is just unacceptable."
"Indeed, although do not assume you automatically pass Initiation, you will still need to try, understood?" Both Jaune and her nod, causing Ozpin to nod to Goodwitch. "I'll be off now, I have to things to attend to and Professor Goodwitch can handle things from here. Good day, congratulations on this first true step of your path to become Huntsmen." With that Ozpin exits the room, with Goodwitch taking over.
"I'll be escorting you two back to where you currently are living and then escorting you to a landing platform, where we will take off and head to Beacon from." Jaune seems to pale at that.
"Will we be flying?" He asked softly, but with seriousness. "Yes Mister Arc we will be flying, why?" Jaune shuffles. "Well, I have motion sickness so I might get sick on the ride." Neo smirks and signs at him 'Try to avoid our boots if you do, this white stains far too easily.' causing a groan from him.
"Regardless, you'll be fine for the short flight from Beacon, it's at most 5 minutes. You should count yourself lucky, had you rejected, our airliner that would've picked you up takes longer than that due to stopping in Vale proper and then heading to Signal, then heads to Beacon." Jaune actually somehow pales even more at that and shudders. "Yeah, uh, your right about that."
After that, they head out, Neo and Jaune bantering a little along the way, with Goodwitch giving short comments as well, when they arrive, Jaune and her ask her to wait outside whilst they pack, which she does. Jaune surprises her by opening with sign 'So what did you tell her that caused all of this?'
'That I was mind controlled and forced into a life of crime against my will, and that I want to do better because I'm tired of killing, want to do better than others and want to ensure that no one else gets hurt like I did' Jaune raises a eyebrow at her, causing her to shrug in response.
'And do you actually mean that last bit in any way?'
'I do want to do better than others, and I do want to ensure no one gets hurt like I did...' She sighed. 'Look, RT got me away from my shitty parents, they were awful, and there hasn't been a day that has gone by that I've ever regretted getting away from them, so I do mean that I don't want people to get hurt like I did, but I mean that in that I was treated like shit for something I can't control. Although, if I'm being honest, if I could control it, I wouldn't have it any other way because I'm a spiteful bitch.'
Jaune seems to process that, nodding, before smiling a little. 'Y'know, maybe you can quit crime and actually be a Huntress for real, even if it isn't entirely honest at the start.'
Neo scoffed at that, shaking her head. 'Sure, whatever, you've got as good as a chance of fixing whats wrong with me as anyone else does.' She accompanied that 'fixing' with a particularly nasty glare at him.
'That's not what I meant.' She shrugged. 'Whatever, lets get this shit packed and cleaned before Goodwitch starts wondering if were trying to sneak a quickie or something.' He looks confused, which, yeah she should've guessed Jaune wouldn't have gotten that. 'I'll explain when your older.' She smirked at his deadpan stare as she got to packing up and putting away shit, she starts putting her bags onto Jaune who sighed.
'Y'know, I thought I would be getting away from women using me as a pack mule when I left Anselm.' She scoffed silently. 'As if. For the next 4 years, probably more, assume that I've been killed and replaced by someone with eviler intent than my cruel desire to use you as a pack mule if I ever pass up the opportunity. Also be real here I ain't carrying this shit in that sun, not with the exhaustion I feel.' He bit his cheek and then nodded.
'Alright, fair enough.' She grinned, and it came across as her feral grins too because he paled a little upon seeing it. 'Good, because this is the last easy thing you'll be doing before I put you to task, we've got alotta shit to do to get you actually ready for Beacon's Initiation, much less Beacon's courses. Especially the combat, you're gonna need all the help you can get, by the way, whats your landing strategy.'
'My... landing strategy? Whats that?' She laughed a little. 'Oh you're so fucked, maybe you can use your shield to go through trees to slow your fall or something. Maybe even glide.'
'Well whats yours?' 'Dude. I have a absurdly strong parasol and Aura, I'll be fine. By the way have you been keeping your Aura up all day?'
'Yeah... why?' 'Nothing, just practice. Cmon, let's go out to Goodwitch.'
With that, the conversation ends and they head out to Goodwitch, who's speaking with a pale Faunus woman in a blue suit and with ram horns on her head. "Ah, Mister Arc, your landlord here was actually going to discuss your lease with you."
"Miss Coldwood?" Jaune says, and the Faunus, Coldwood, simply nodded. "I was here to see if you were extending or not, given how your stay is about to be up tomorrow, but it seems I have my answer. Good day Mister Arc, and may the Gods guide you well."
"And you as well Miss Coldwood." Goodwitch hmmed, and then turned to them as Coldwood walked off. "Fortunate your stay is over Mister Arc. To Beacon?"
They both exchanged a look with each other, Neo grinning and Jaune smiling.
'To Beacon.' "To Beacon."