Troubled Hearts: Changing Seasons

Today would be a good day, a day to enjoy and retreat from her usual mad life. Today would be a day to spend with someone else, a time to relax and further her own plans. That was what she wanted, and what Cinder Fall wanted, she invariably got at a point in time of her choosing. Today was going to be that point in time, she felt it, she wanted it, and the world conspired against it. What better way to snatch victory up from her adversaries? Well, that had been the plan as she walked out of the hotel this morning.

"It's getting even colder now, winter isn't going to be kind this year." Cinder's companion looked out westward, toward a roiling mass of grey that threatened the city. "Looks like we might have a little peace and quiet if it snows that badly. You wouldn't happen to know, would you?"

Jaune turned toward her, that handsome face asking the same question. "It all depends," Cinder started, strolling confidently with him, "the Grimm normally don't move much in Winter. But since I'm here, that must mean she's working on stoking the fires within them. So it's hard to say." It was an honest answer, Salem moved in ways that were baffling at times.

"Alright, thanks for at least not destroying our hopes," Jaune muttered, stuffing his hands inside of his pockets. There was a little bit of sulking there, but it was mostly frustration at the never changing situation. She knew that feeling well enough.

In a quick flash of hands, a Scroll balanced on his shoulder. Without looking Jaune reached up and snagged the device, bringing it up to read the message. "She says you're not being entirely honest with me."

Cinder looked past him, down at the frowning girl who walked with them. There was the root of her problems for today, the hiccup in her plans and the bearer of all her ire. The brat had one eye on her as they walked aimlessly through the safe zone, never stopping in her nasty looks. Jaune had chided her the first time she bit back at Neo's snark, the boy looking severe enough to actually be mildly threatening. So there they were, walking down a street without a destination or a care in the world. A boy, a girl, and a shrimp.

"Well darling, I would say that the plan was to have all of the Grimm in the area nearby and harassing these people. But I didn't feel like going through with that part." Not since the contest started, it wouldn't do for her to lose him to a wayward Grimm. "There, is that enough for the princess over there?"

Neo grit her teeth, a clear look of rage emanating from those unique eyes. White now, as odd as it was to see them shifting around as she looked at them. "I think so, it sounds better at least," Jaune said, looking back at Neo, "so I guess we can drop it." The girl looked up at him with a slight hurt in her eyes.

"Jaune, if I didn't know better I would say you're actually starting to trust me." It was dangerous, but so was being near the murderer as well. Do you even know the depths of the little one's depravity?

"I guess so, I'm more interested in not getting killed if you two decide to go at it." The boy was smiling a little, a wry thing that belied his usual hesitance around her. "Although, I'm curious when you'll decide to stop fooling around and go back to your plan."

That hurt a little, the lack of trust, the lack of faith. Faith, Pyrrha was talking about that the other day. Why would that pop into her mind like this? Cinder didn't think there was any link left, the fogs of her emotions had died down a week back with only the most intense breaking through. So it had to have been of her own volition. She didn't really like the feel of it, worrying that Jaune lacked faith in someone like her. But then, he seemed to have it in Neo.

"I don't think I'll ever decide to do that if I have my way," Cinder muttered, hating the sound of her own indecisiveness. There wasn't anything more she could add to it, no tricks or guile. Just the pure bitterness of a woman.

"Well that's nice to hear at least. Is there anything else you'd rather do?" Kind, that was what he was trying to be right now. Always giving up on the attack just as she starts to let her defenses down.

They walked for a time without anyone speaking, Cinder preferring to keep quiet for the time being. A familiar cafe passed by, she smiled a little as she saw it. Down the street they walked, without a care in the world or a thought of the trouble that was held at bay. I keep them safe by my own actions. That's a first. She walked next to Jaune as he strode without a thought for the life he lived. Neo knew it too, continuously throwing glances her way. The girl was a nuisance, but one that Cinder couldn't take care of.

"I'd rather lead." It came out as a sharp announcement, like the call of a bird really. But it was out there now, as much as she would rather not admit that her life was filled with regrets. When did she start having them? Who was responsible for this? It was the truth, a truth she'd have let die and continue serving faithfully if it meant she could live. So what happened that caused her to throw caution to the wind and start planning her revolt?

"It's not exactly what you think it is," Jaune uttered, walking proudly despite the resignation in his voice. Cinder looked over at the boy, catching Neo's eyes staring at him as well. "You'll have to change the way you think about things. It won't be about you anymore, or what you want. You'll be responsible for everyone else." He looked over at her, all the usual timidness gone. "Do you really think you could do that?"

She stopped there, looking out at the pair as they continued for a moment before looking back at her. Jaune was passive while Neo had the same scornful look combined with smug victory. I've never been challenged like that. There was anger in her thoughts, at being questioned, at being brought to heel by a boy. But more so there was a respect for Jaune, he wasn't wrong. Cinder began walking again, rejoining her companion and his. Subtly she guided them on a different path. I may have a new found respect for you, but that doesn't go for the brat. She was unstable, and there was a perfect way to leverage that today.

He was doing it again, that frustrating habit of not insulting people when she wanted to insult them. Neo hadn't quite fathomed the reason behind it, but it annoyed her nonetheless. Jaune was a frustrating person sometimes, always considerate of others, always saying the right things. The thought that she loved him... it wasn't a bad thought at all. Guess old habits die hard, Neo thought as they walked through the edge of the city. They were close to the dockyards now, close to an old world. Good thing they were just wandering around.

"I used to know this place like the back of my hand, now it's an empty waste of space." Cinder's words were still acid to Neo's ears, but she would continue to entertain her for Jaune. "Don't you think they should be working hard to get back to normal?"

"I guess it's due to the Kingdoms shutting down trade recently, if I had to guess." Jaune was still being calm and collected with the harridan, a trait that Neo would never have guessed he had. "Although, it might also be from someone doing something horrible."

There we go, that was the way to do it. He hadn't quite forgotten that this was a monster waiting to pounce on them. The fear of not knowing when Cinder was going to snap was a near maddening thing, but giving in wasn't an option. She pulled out her voice, tapping quickly before handing it to Jaune. 'There were plans for this, they never quite forgot the war. I'm sure those plans are in place right now.'

He looked up from the device with a small smile. Roman had talked about the weapon storehouses that were kept here. He could never crack them open, which was probably for the best. Taking her voice back, she continued to walk with the two, looking out at the placid sea. Winter was almost here now, grey skies more common then blue. It felt fine to her, she'd lived here her entire life. But Neo worried a little about all the people who were left out in the cold. Why though? Maybe it was Jaune rubbing off on her.

"How about we take a look down this way," Cinder asked, pointing down a long string of warehouses. She knew immediately what was down that way, the panic rising in her chest.

"Sure, why not. Nothing else to do today." Jaune turned to go with her, pausing as he looked back at Neo. She realized she froze up at the mention of going down that way and promptly scurried up to them. Cinder was smiling a devilish smile. You know exactly what you're doing, you witch!

"This is quite the place, I always imagined a huge dockyard when I was back at Mistral." Neo shot an angry glance at the woman, trying to impart all of her rage. Thoughts raced through her mind, trying to figure out how to get out of this. She couldn't type out a message, she couldn't reveal her past like this. Walking away was out of the question, Cinder needed to be watched for any trickery.

"I always thought it was like this everywhere. Guess I need to see more places." Panic was starting to grip her as the warehouse drew closer while the two casually conversed. Maybe it won't be that bad. After all, he seems be giving Cinder a lot of leniency. Although that might be from a mutual fear of being killed. It was a mad wish that she would be forgiven. All the blood on Neo's hands, all the lives ruined to keep him safe. She could feel the eyes watching her again, expectant and kind.

"Why not take a look in this one? Might be fun darling." There is was, the subtle request for a playful jaunt. Cinder was crafty enough, she wasn't playing fair. Neo watched Jaune shrug and start toward the small door into the building. This can't be happening, but I can't stop it. She watched and watched. Blessedly, Jaune turned again to look at her and came back as she realized she'd frozen up again.

"Is something wrong? You've been quiet the entire time we came down here?" She looked up into those eyes, the same eyes that were so worried the first time they met. Now they looked worried, but not for himself. "Come on, I'm sure whatever it is isn't that bad."

Surprisingly, Neo took a step forward and walked with him toward her fate. Will you leave me when you find out? That was a risk she took now, but there wasn't any other option. Jaune was kind, he was understanding. But he was also a Huntsman, a person sworn to protect everyone from people like her. From evil. He did it even now, keeping Cinder preoccupied and distracted. There was so much to envy about him, even if he was kind of a stringy guy who didn't really impress at first glance. Kind of like a short girl who couldn't talk at first chance.

The door creaked as Cinder pushed it open, walking through without a care for the place she stepped. She never cared, it was just a means to an end to her. Jaune stepped through before turning back to offer his hand. Neo took it, taking as much strength as she could from the boy. A gnawing sensation had begun in the back of her mind, the feeling of betrayal at leading people back to the hideout. I can almost hear his voice berating me, the sadness in it that I was making a mistake. He never did like having to be curt with me. She tried so hard to not make him have to be.

"Well now, I'm sure you're curious why we're here?" Cinder cooed, a mocking smile lighting up her face as she produced some fire to light up the room. "You might have guessed it has something to do with our tiny friend."

Anger seethed behind her eyes, but Neo kept them and herself in check as Cinder looked at the two of them. "I'm going to say you were planning something like this. So, go ahead."

The woman looked slightly annoyed, but continued anyways. "You know our dear friend Neo? You know her past, or at least the small amount she'd told you about?" A wicked smile crawled along her face, the beginnings of the words forming. Neo waited for the fall, the end. "This is her old home, a place for wicked deeds and wicked people. I'm sure she never told you about what kind of deeds she did for that old hat of hers?"

The words were boiling within her, and for the first time in her life she wanted to scream. But Neo stood there and let the abuse continue.

"I'm sure she would have told you eventually, but I felt that it was a good idea to come down here anyways. Hopefully there isn't a body hidden somewhere." That smug smile never left Cinder's face. "So, how do you feel about her now? She's a criminal, a monster. Blood doesn't begin to describe the pain she's inflicted. I'm sure we'd be better off without her anyways."

That had been her game, to get him to turn. Indescribable rage built up in her, a searing anger at the singular point of disgust and anguish right in front of her. It didn't matter anymore that she could melt Neo to the ground in an instant. Cinder had to die. A firm hand on her shoulder was the only thing that saved her life, prevented her from trying to fight a being she couldn't hope to win against. Jaune stepped forward, placing himself between her and the witch.

"Are you finished?" he said, imparting as much force as his weak stomach would allow. It was crazy to defy her like this, but Jaune felt quite firmly about this. "You're saying that Neo is a bad person and has done bad things? That we should abandon her?"

"I'm glad you see things the way they are, let's go and-"

"And what about you? You don't think you're a saint, do you?" Jaune felt his knees starting to buckle as he unconsciously felt at his shield. It wouldn't do any good, but Pyrrha's training wouldn't let him think otherwise. "I could list off all the things you've done that I know about, things that have personally hurt me."

"Jaune, this girl is-"

"She's a person, one who has had a life that wasn't kind. And one who is trying to put it behind her." It was a bold assumption to make, he only really knew a little about Neo. But it was the only ammo he had. "I thought you were going to join her on that path. What happened to wanting to stay away from all this pain? Isn't that what you wanted?"

Cinder stood there, staring at him with blazing eyes and open mouth. I'm going to die here, but it's not like I had a choice otherwise. I'll die standing for someone at least. Jaune stared back, the steel in his eyes desperately masking everything else he felt. A moment passed, another in increasing tension. Cinder stepped forward, and he winced at what had to be coming, what was the inevitable fate for him. Goodbye, I'm sorry I couldn't be a better person to you. The woman approached, closer and closer. Then she stepped past him, past Neo, and out the door.

The familiar weight of a Scroll settled in his hand. The unfamiliar hand that pressed it there remained as he brought it up again. 'Thank you. I was going to make a mistake that would have thrown it all away, so thank you.'

Turning to look into the moist eyes that had written those words, Neo wrapped her arms around him. "I wasn't going to let that keep going. The past is the past... was I right about that?" Fear still clenched his stomach as tightly as Neo was clasped around his waist. She looked up at him, the tears almost flowing from light pink eyes. She nodded.

"That's a relief," Jaune let out, a breath mixed in holding all of his pent up fear. Pushing the girl back a little, he took a step past her. "Come on, let's get out of here. There isn't anything else for us, right?"

Neo looked at him, smiling before a slight frown came over her. She raced toward the back of the warehouse, darkness taking over as Cinder's light had left with her. He stood there for a moment, letting the thought that she'd run away flit on the top of his mind. That's not what happened. Still, it stayed there for a moment longer. Then the sound of footsteps quashed it as Neo reappeared, smiling softly at him as she stepped up.

"Ready?" She nodded, taking a hand. "Alright, let's get out of here." Jaune took a step, and felt the tug of a stiff body behind him. Looking back, Neo was frozen in place, a frown taking over her face as she held her eyes shut. He smiled, stepping back to be close to her. "It's alright, that first step is the hardest. But it's easier if someone carries you through it."

So Jaune found himself with a small girl on his back, arms draped around him as they walked home. It wasn't quite the life he imagined when dreaming about being a hero and coming to Beacon, but it wasn't a bad life either. Lying, failing his team, it was all a part of who he was. If Neo could move past her failings, so could he. A screen popped up in his face, the letters appearing as she typed swiftly and surely while looking over his shoulder. Hair tickled the side of his neck.

'I think I should tell you everything, so we're clear on where we stand.'

Where we stand. "Alright, go ahead. I'm all ears." It was a bad joke the moment a knee collided with his kidney, a soft poke but one that hurt nonetheless.

'Anyways, what Cinder said is all true. I've done many bad things in my life, all for one person. It all started when Roman ran away from home, I was in tow and basically was the only thing that kept him sane. Well, as sane as he would eventually end up. We didn't have skills, a rich brat and a mute girl aren't exactly employment material.'

She paused there, and Jaune felt her breathing outward heavily. "So you did it all for him? I can see that, he was something special it sounds like."

'He was, and it's been extremely hard without him. But it isn't all bad, not seeing the news. The stories that come up. To have to choose between hurting people and hurting someone you love, it tears you up. And then there were the enemies he made, the people who wanted him dead. I couldn't let them of course, and that meant doing things I wasn't comfortable with. Life soon taught me to be comfortable with it.'

Again she stopped, and Jaune thought he heard the sounds of tiny gasps. He walked onward as Neo poured more of her soul out onto the tiny screen before him. "If it hurt that much, why keep doing it? It can't be because you liked it."

'You're right, I never really liked it. But I was scared. Scared of losing the only person who ever saw me. You don't know what it's like, to see stories of people hurting, grieving over lost loved ones. And knowing that you're the cause. I didn't notice at first, but slowly I saw how much pain I caused. What could I do though? How do you choose between sacrificing yourself for someone you love and being a good person?'

"We don't, we just make do with the choices we make. It's part of being human," Jaune whispered, feeling the weight he shared with her now. "It's part of being a leader, a man, a woman, a hero. A monster. What's important is we try to do better."

He felt them now, Neo's tears. The Scroll fell from her hands, and he caught it deftly as she clung to his shoulders. There weren't any more secrets to be had, it was all in the open now. Every nasty thing, every small moment. The world wasn't a kind place. But the people within it, they could be.