He Says Nothing, And Yet He Speaks More Than Any Other
First Day at Beacon Academy, was meant to be a day of excitement, and joy, and to bask in the thrill of the uncertain! Or, in Ruby Rose’s case; to be utterly lost, and confused.
Ruby: So lost, so lost, oh so so so lost… Thank’s for ditching me, Yang…
: (Need some help?)
Ruby let out a startled yelp as she turned to face, a tall blond boy. He had kind blue eyes, and an innocent smile across his face as he softly waved at her.
: (Hi! Names, Jaune, Jaune Arc; and you are?)
Ruby: I-I’m Ruby, Ruby Rose. And yeah… I’m lost… really lost…
Jaune: (Can’t find the auditorium for school initiation?)
Ruby: Y-Yeah… How did you know…?
Jaune: (You’re lost, first day of school… Seems pretty self evident.)
Jaune just smiled, and shrugged his shoulders at the whole situation. All the while, Ruby gave an adorable little pout at his expense.
Jaune: (Follow me, and I’ll take you there.)
Ruby: Oh thanks! I thought all my seniors would be in classes right now.
Jaune: (I’m a first year actually.)
Ruby: O-Oh…
Jaune: …
Ruby: So… I uhh… I’ve got this…
In a flurry of motion a Ruby’s weapon, a death scythe, buried itself into the ground before them.
Ruby: This is Crescent Rose, my…?!
Jaune: (A death scythe? Impressive… I heard they’re infamous for being hard to wield. I look forward to seeing it in action, I’m curious to see how someone so small can wield such a large weapon.)
Ruby: I’m not small! I drink…?!
Jaune: (It takes more than a glass of milk to grow up.)
Ruby: How did you know I was going to say milk…?
Jaune: (A… A lucky guess… Come along little one we’re here.)
Ruby: I am not little!
As Jaune shot her one last smug smirk before entering the auditorium, she could help but ponder on how odd Jaune's voice sounded in her head.
~~~
Ruby: Yang!
Yang: Hey, Rubes, meet anyone?
Ruby: Actually, yeah I did!
Yang: Oh, really who?
Ruby: That guy over there, with the sword, and shield, and the Modern Tactical Mauser pistol!
Yang: You mean the blond haired, blue eyed, teenage boy, in the officer’s uniform?
Ruby: Yeah, he’s the one!
Yang: Of course you’d recognize him by his weapons, you total nerd…
Ruby: I’m trying okay!
Yang: Ha…! Well, he looks nice, but is he nice…?
Ruby: Oh he is! He showed me where to go, and took an interest in Crescent Rose. He did tease me a bit, but he’s a pretty nice guy! But…
Yang: But…?
Ruby: His voice, it sounds weird…
Yang: Weird how?
Ruby: Whenever he speaks, it sounds like there is an echo in my head…
Yang: An echo?
Ruby: And, he always sounded oddly… happy.
Yang: Okay… Don’t worry about it Ruby, some people just have odd voices.
Ruby: O-Okay…
She wouldn’t worry about it openly, but she couldn’t help, but feel that something was off about him.
~~~
Pyrrha Nikos, a legendary champion fighter, was once more uncomfortable as she was once more being scouted to join someone’s team, and this time it was someone she couldn’t easily get rid of. Weiss Schnee, Heiress of the SDC. If there was anyone she wasn’t looking forward to dealing with, it was her. She didn’t even try to hide the mad glee in her eyes as she planned out how they would become the school's power couple.
At least she thought she was trying to hide it…
: (Excuse me, but you’re in my way.)
A voice that cut through her thoughts like a scalpel had entered Pyrrha's mind. The voice was smooth, and calming to her ears unlike any other. She turned to the side, and saw a blue eyed, blond man, giving her a roguish smile. A faint blush spread a ross her cheeks as she looked upon his rather handsome visage.
: (Hello~!)
Pyrrha: H-Hello…
Weiss: And, who are you?
: (Ahh…! My manners escape me… My name is Jaune Arc, and you are?)
He gave a polite bow as he addressed the two, but before Pyrrha could politely reply in kind, Weiss had to interrupt, and show what she thought of his ‘interruption.’
Weiss: And, you don’t know who she is?
Jaune: (I know precisely who you both are, Weiss Schnee, Heiress of the SDC. I just thought Ms. Nikos would like to introduce herself first.)
Pyrrha was taken aback, she was used to people recognizing her, but seldom did one not act out upon seeing her.
Pyrrha: Y-You know who I am?
Jaune: (Such an odd question; How many people do not know of Pyrrha Nikos winner of the… thing…? In all honesty; I know you are a champion fighter, however I mostly remember you for being on the Pumpkin Pete cereal boxes.)
Pyrrha laughed softly, it wasn’t everyone who saw her championships as a thing. It was oddly refreshing.
Pyrrha: Many know me from those as well. I don’t mind, I just wish the cereal was more healthy.
Jaune: (True, but the Pumpkin Pete’s hoodie is damn comfortable.)
Pyrrha: Oh, you won one of those? Not many did. They have a huge surplus of them in a warehouse somewhere waiting for next time.
Jaune: (They have more? Then I will need to appease to your better nature to get more hoodies.)
Pyrrha: Oh, are they that good?
Jaune: (Yes, so much so I need more, several more…)
Pyrrha: Oh, and why is that?
Jaune: (One gloriously comfortable hoodie, and seven sisters; I was lucky to wear it once every other month.)
Pyrrha couldn’t help, but laugh at the plight he had no doubt experienced at the hand of his sisters. Something she found herself envious of, such were the plights of the only child.
Jaune: (I do apologize for seemingly ignoring you, Ms. Schnee. But, I’m afraid bar dust rounds I have very little to discuss with you, and if you don’t mind. You are in the way of my locker.)
Weiss: Oh, yes, that’s quite alright.
Jaune: (Thank you.)
Pyrrha couldn’t help, but stare as she watched him dawn on his sword, and scabbard, along with his pistol holstered on the back of his waist. She watched him with laser-like focus, as he effortlessly put them on, and walked with the grace of someone who had worn them for several lifetimes. There was something about the professionalism, and the way he carried himself that she found… appealing…
Jaune: (Well, I shall see you two ladies later; who knows, we may even partner up. Till later then.)
Pyrrha: See you later, Jaune!
Weiss: That was… odd…
Pyrrha: Odd? What was odd about that? He seems like a very nice, and respectable person.
Weiss: H-He does, I haven’t met a person that is that genuinely nice to me before. More often than not the ‘nice people’ I’ve met, have been trying to get on my good side to mooch off of me, and my family name.
Pyrrha: Haa… I know the pain…
Weiss: But, his voice… His head was in his locker, and it should have sounded muffled since he was there. And, yet it sounded like he was talking right next to my ear, with an echo that.
Pyrrha: Really…? I hadn’t noticed.
Weiss: Strange, very strange.
~~~
Jaune sat on a tree stump, gently spinning the blade in his hand as he felt its weight, and balance. He was impressed on how such a complex weapon could feel so perfect in his hands.
Jaune: (Why hello again, Pyrrha.)
Pyrrha: How did you know it was me?
Jaune: (The… leaves were rustling, not to mention you threw your spear at me. Why did you do that anyway? I didn’t need your help getting down.)
Pyrrha: O-Oh well… You seemed like you were going to crash… So I thought I would help you out…
Jaune looked at the weapon in his hands once more, before tossing it at Pyrrha. He stood up, and dusted himself off, before looking towards the deeper parts of the forest.
Jaune: (Word of advice: Never throw away your weapon so carelessly again, you can only run for so long.)
Pyrrha: R-Right… I probably shouldn’t have assumed you weren’t able to land safely by yourself.
Jaune: (Wise move… But, in the meantime.)
Jaune walked over, and gently grabbed Pyrrha's hand, and gently placed a kiss upon it. His eyes never leaft hers for a moment.
Jaune: (You have my thanks, my Lady.)
Pyrrha’s face was flush red as a fierce blush spread across her face. She was used to people flirting with her, but this, he was something else!
Pyrrha: Y-Y-Your welcome!
Jaune: (Now then, shall we get going.)
Pyrrha: Y-Yes… L-Let’s get going…
~~~
Ruby: Hey, Jaune!
Jaune: (Oh, hello Ruby, and Ms. Schnee? Is this your partner, Ruby?)
Ruby: Yeah, she is… She’s a real big meanie!
Weiss: Hey!
Jaune: (Well, she is an Atlassian, they tend to be a bit grumpy most of the time.)
Weiss: Hey!
Ruby: Oh, Jaune! This is my big sister, Yang!
Yang: Hey there soldier boy!
Jaune: (How original, it's as if I have never heard that one before…? Interesting…)
Jaune couldn’t help, but give her a look over. Normally he would never do this to anyone, much less a woman he had just met, but the resemblances were uncanny.
Yang: Uhh… Care to explain why you’re staring at me so intently…?
Jaune: (Bar admiring your natural born beauty. I was noticing the similarities you bear to my sister’s. If it wasn’t for your eyes, I dare say you were one of them.)
Yang: Oh, so you got some hot blonde sisters, eh?
Jaune: (They are my sisters, I would never say such things about them. But, as for yourself, you are quite mesmerizing.)
Yang: Ha! Hell ya I am~!
Jaune: (And, who might you be?)
: Me? My name is Blake, Blake Belladonna. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Jaune: (The pleasure is all mine, my dear. A question if you will?)
Blake: You may…?
Jaune: (Why the bow?)
Blake: W-What are you talking about?!
Jaune couldn’t help but notice the small flinch, and how Blake’s body instinctively moved backwards, away from him as he said that. Evidently, he had hit a nerve.
Jaune: (Just curious… It’s quite fitting for you, Ms. Belladonna.)
Blake: T-Thank you…
Pyrrha: Uhh… Jaune, could you help me?
Jaune: (Oh, but of course. Excuse me ladies.)
Jaune gave a quick bow before running off to be with his partner. All the while the duo couldn’t help but watch him leave.
Yang: Huw… Ruby was right, his voice does seem to echo in my mind…
Blake: Yeah… it actually does…
Yang: By the way, why did you react like that when he asked about your bow?
Blake: Ohhh… Nothing, it just caught me off guard is all.
Yang: Okay! Uhh… Did that girl just come in, riding on a Ursa?
~~~
Atop the hill overlooking the Emerald Forest, a quartet of Hunters-in-training made their way back to Beacon Academy. Treasure in hand, the bodies sore, and aching from a hard day’s effort, but things had been going well for them. Now it was just time to hand in their trophies, and call it a day.
Nora: That was awesome! Did you see that, Ren! We were all like powpowpopow! And then, that Grimm was all like, ‘Skree?!’ And then it died! And, we won! Whoo! Best day ever!
Ren: Yes it was, Nora. Yes it was.
Jaune: (I must agree, despite your overwhelming exuberance making things appear otherwise, you are quite the capable fighter, Nora.)
Nora: Nahh… Thanks, Jaune-Jaune…
Jaune: (You were all amazing, I look forward to seeing what this year is going to be like.)
Pyrrha: Thanks, Jaune. You were spectacular.
Jaune: (My thanks.)
Weiss: Well it shouldn’t be any surprise, a Schnee is meant to excel~!
Blake: And, be a braggart.
Weiss: Hey!
Yang: Pff. Nice.
Ruby: Well, I think we were fantastic too!
Nora: Hey Jaune, can I ask you a question?
Jaune: (Depends on the answer.)
Nora: Why can I hear your voice in my head, but your lips aren’t moving?
Everyone stopped dead in their tracks, as they all slowly turned to stare at Jaune’s face. And, just as Nora said, they could all hear his soft laughter in their heads, the rolling of his shoulders as he laughed, and yet his lips never parted from their mischievous smile.
Yang: I-I can hear him laughing…?!
Blake: If he’s laughing, then why aren’t his lips moving?!
Weiss: T-This has to be a semblance of some kind, r-right?
Ruby: A cool semblance!
Nora: A really cool semblance!
Pyrrha: Uhh… Jaune, you okay?
Jaune: (Ah-hahahaha… Haa… Oh, that’s funny… We’ve been around each other for hours now, and it’s the most spastic, and seemingly random amongst you was the only one to actually noticed that I have been speaking all day, and yet I have said nothing~!)
Pyrrha: Jaune, w-what is all of… this?
Jaune: (Oh where to begin, where to begin indeed…)
