Troubled Hearts: One Heart for Two

It felt good to get out into the open air, even if the evening air was chilly and bitter. That didn't matter to Neo, she was comfortable in her own clothes, leaning on the parasol she so loved. So much nicer than that uniform from the other night. That was conveniently lost on the way here, an accident that Neo had absolutely no control over. Although it had been a touch annoying to rid herself of the Dust residue afterward. The captain of the guard blustered just a little at her, earning a slight eyebrow lift. He quieted up afterward and handed a bright blue sash to her.

Still, Neo's mind wasn't all smooth robberies and ice cream. Jaune. You're in it deep. That was putting it mildly, the conversation earlier today wasn't something she wanted to go over. But it ran through her head nonetheless. It was strange, Pyrrha didn't seem the type to do the things they started talking about. And did you really have to go into so much detail? Neo's cheeks felt a bit hotter from the memories, the... specifics were something she didn't really want to know. Oh, but let's just keep talking, the person who can't raise a complaint will be just fine. She almost walked out of the room from how embarrassed she was.

Not that it was anything new to her. But the frankness of it all! Neo had heard whores who spoke with more subtlety than those two. And then Jaune started in on Cinder's deal, and it just doubled down on the grossness. The witch had roped poor Jaune into a deal that had Pyrrha free from some sort of control, which the vixen said was the collar she wore, in exchange for... dates. What kind of a deal is that? I thought she was a little loopy when I met her, but this is crazy. Still, some of the things Jaune said made it a no-win situation. Cinder was here for a reason, one that was frightening to say the least.

But the worst of it was talking with Jaune about the two of them. By her own foolish insistence Pyrrha stayed for this part of it as well. And by that doofus' insistence he read everything out to include her! It was innocuous stuff at first, admissions of affection and warnings that Cinder knew what was between the two of them. And then he started talking about the night before with her, and how he slinked off in the middle of it. That didn't bother Neo too much, although she was sad for some of the day that he still had so many hang-ups. But his reason cheered her up immensely.

Scanning the rooftops tonight was a different kind of treat. Yes, the occasional Grimm showed up and it was still a job to go down and kill the miserable beasts. But a new game had crept up as well, one she was eager to try out. Not a superhero, just another one of his friends. She nudged the boy next to her, a playful push to make sure he was still awake. Jaune stirred a little, straightening upward as the jolt brought his attention back to the job. Her voice was sitting on his shoulder as soon as the jitters wore off.

'So do you think we'll see her tonight?'

Jaune looked down at her, a smile lighting up his tired face. "I don't know, how could I possibly know that?" he joked, handing her voice back with a flourish.

'Sure you don't. Just keep up your end of the deal and we'll all go home happy tonight. If you know what I mean.'

He looked up after finishing the message, Neo adding a salacious smile and little wink to get her point across. Not being able to speak is so bothersome. Luckily the dense boy got her meaning if the blush was any indication. Not that she'd act on it or anything. I'm not like the tart or the witch, I was raised better. The thought stung, but Neo knew she was raised well in this matter at least. Roman wasn't a saint by any means, but he had decency around the back alley women and imparted those expectations onto her.

It still hurt a little to think of him as gone. Roman wasn't a bad man, at least, Neo didn't think he'd always be a bad man. He'd taken care of her for all of these years, didn't he? And even when Cinder came along with her mad scheme, the threats, everything directed to break him. It was her that Roman acquiesced for, the threat to Neo the one thing he couldn't ignore. I'm sure you're in a better place, but it would be so nice if you could meet Jaune. You two are so alike at times. She looked over at her companion, and settled a hand on top of his.

"You're really alright with everything? All of this craziness is something I have to live with, but you can stop anytime you want." Jaune started moving his hand away from under Neo's before she snatched it in a tight grip. The message was slow with one hand, but she got it out.

'I'm not going anywhere. Besides, you're the one who got me stuck up on this wall at night for a paltry sum of money. You better not be thinking the same thing.'

Jaune whipped his head around, all apology on his face. "No, no, I'm not saying anything like that. It's just... with Cinder, and Pyrrha, this is all... strange." He tried to lightly pull his hand back, but her firm grip stopped that idea.

Neo looked out once more, scanning the rooftops for her would-be superhero. Her time on the wall was running short now, and she really wanted to get a glimpse of her before having to make the long journey back.

"Hey Bole, you see that over there?" the guard from the other night shouted. "That look like a Grimm to you?"

Neo's eyes snapped over toward where his post was, locking on several tall buildings in the distance. Nothing, these rubes are... wait, is that? There, on a far tower was a slim shape clinging to the side and slowly letting out. Neo followed with her eyes as she started making her way over toward them, an agile shape darting from building to building. She held up Jaune's hand, extending the finger to help him see her. As soon as his breath caught she swiveled her head, giving him her best innocent look.

A great howl answered her request, although the content of Jaune's wolf imitation left much to be desired. Neo looked back out at the darkness, picking the shape out again as it stopped on a flat roof. It stood there for a while, a statue on the edge of a drop. And she vanished, the woman known as the Night Meower gone as soon as she was seen. Hah, I knew Jaune wasn't lying. And I get to rub it in these buffoon's faces. Neo squeezed the boy's hand hard, then pulled him down, reaching around with her other to snatch the back of his head. An old maneuver to break a stalemate.

This maneuver was more to embrace a stalemate, the long kiss stretching out as she enjoyed his taste. Senses returned after a moment, Neo pushing Jaune away in a light huff of blushing and trying to hide said blushing. He's not bad. Why was that her first thought? The heat slowly drifted away as she regained her composure, turning around to look into his eyes with a small smile. Jaune returned something similar, in fact, almost an exact copy of her own smile. Neo pushed him away, trying to hide the blooming grin from his playfulness.

"You two alright over there? I don't see any Grimm around, but you can never be too sure."

A new heat flared up on Neo's cheeks, the flirting taking a sudden turn in public had always been something she felt anxious over. Thankfully the buzzing of her Scroll alarm alleviated that concern as she checked the time. Good, we can get away from them all. What she wanted to be away from them for wasn't quite evident at the moment. Neo tapped Jaune's shoulder, showing the time and motioning toward the stairs.

"Sure, we can get going. Hopefully you-know-who isn't going to be around again." The boy's manner was calm, but it was a real threat should Cinder go back to her old ways.

'I just want to go back home and forget some of this night ever happening.'

She watched as he started off, walking slowly down steep steps with a careful step. Jaune's outfit wasn't the most flattering, but he filled it out well enough with the small plates strapped on. A broad back helped with that as well. Neo followed behind, catching up and taking up his hand to stroll out into the chilly night. Just the two of them now, something enjoyable in the day at last. She found herself leaning against him as they walked, slowly typing out a message with one hand.

'What are you going to do about Pyrrha? She shouldn't go back to Cinder.'

Jaune read the message again before letting his arm drop limply. "She's... staying with me." He handed the device back to Neo, looking slightly ashamed. "Sorry, I'm gonna have to-"

She had the message typed in a hurricane of finger taps, and slammed her voice into his face. 'Oh no, you're not off the hook. I expect the occasional night, you hear me?' Her frown accentuated the demand further.

"Ok, ok! I give, you win," Jaune stammered, backing away with hands held up in defeat. "I'll make time for it. But tonight I need to talk over some of the things with Pyrrha, alright?" Neo nodded her assent, accepting the strange circumstances. "Alright. You know, you can be really scary when you want to be."

That was acceptable, Neo took her Scroll back and looped her arm inside the boy's. She pulled Jaune along, getting back up to pace since the air wasn't getting any warmer. It was an acceptable deal since she had his own confession of his feelings. Still, I hope she isn't as wonderful as he made her out to be. How could I outdo her if it came to it?

The lobby wasn't something Jaune ever thought he'd be happy to see, but something about today had been... taxing. Still, it was nice to be indoors now and almost to his bed. Neo waved goodbye as soon as the double doors closed behind them, trotting through the lobby with her arms swinging. She stopped at the desk to stick her tongue out at the attendant before sauntering to the hallway. Spinning around, Neo shot him a coy glance, wiggling fingers goodbye one more time. What am I going to do with her? Or the others?

"Mister Arc, I trust it's been a pleasant evening?" The attendant was curt, looking out over glasses that Jaune was just now noticing.

He tried to be as passive as possible, not wanting the woman to get suspicious. Of anything. "It's been a pretty alright night, nothing too out of the ordinary." Lying was the only answer sadly.

"Uh huh, well if you need me I might be here to listen to your woes. Enjoy the rest of your night."

Wonder why she was saying it like that? Not something Jaune wanted to deal with, it was time for the second half of the evening. Walking through the hallway, he felt the apprehension climbing with each passing step. He'd have to try and make heads and tails of how he felt for Pyrrha, even after that... incident felt like the wrong word. But Jaune had effectively not had any say in the matter, letting base instinct take over. And afterward as she acted so nonchalantly. We talked a little, but you dodged so much while Neo was here. Well, now was the time to confront some of these things.

Stepping through the threshold, Jaune was greeted with Pyrrha sitting with a book perched in one hand as she rested her head on the other. The very model of a person patiently living out some idle time. "Hey, I'm back. Safe and sound as well."

She looked up from her book, setting the tome down to give Jaune her full attention. "Welcome back. I trust the night went quickly with Neo there?" Brilliant red eyes accused him of more.

He walked over, undoing the plates and setting them down at the foot of his bed before dropping onto the edge. "I'm sorry, it's not like I wanted to just find someone else. I just ran into her Pyrrha, and it went from there." Jaune looked up at the crimson maiden, taking in her form.

Pyrrha looked back, slowly softening her gaze as she got up. Crossing the distance between them, she plopped down beside him. "It's ok, I'm happy... no, I'm sick of that. I'm not happy about this, I'm not happy about any of it." She looked upwards, face long with the toll of life's cruel choices. "I just want to go back to how it was."

Jaune watched her slump, the energy that was usually there draining out as she spoke. He thought about the past on occasion, a guilty pleasure of his to try and stave off inevitable depression. But what was there in the past now? Jaune was sitting here with Pyrrha, he was living in a mad man's dream that may or may not end in the next hour. What good was there in daydreaming about the things long gone?

"You ever think about the time we spent at Beacon?" He wasn't sure if it was the best topic, but it felt right. "I still can't believe I survived there."

"You were a bit of a clumsy goof back then." Pyrrha chuckled a little, a heavenly sound he never could get enough of. "I couldn't believe when you came up to me and said you'd never heard of me."

Jaune laughed a little, thinking back to his first real day in Beacon. Weiss looked so pretty in that dress, but Pyrrha had her own charm as well. "Yeah, I was trying so hard with Weiss, could you believe it?" It reminded him of Cinder in a way as well, the woman seemed so fake it was almost sad.

Pyrrha suppressed a sharp laugh this time. "What about the time Cardin had you running all those stupid errands? I wanted to throw him off that roof so badly." Her hand came to a rest on his own.

"Oh that, I try not to think of that too much." Her eyes came around to meet his, the grin molded into a look of horror. Too bad his hadn't left as she realized his game, returning his stupid grin with a small one of her own. "I missed this, it's been too long since I could just... talk."

"Me too." Pyrrha's hand hadn't left his, something Jaune had enjoyed only once before. But this was a happier time at least, even with his misgivings. "Are... are Ren and Nora alright?"

That's right, she wasn't entirely up to speed. "They're doing okay, we talk from time to time. All of the normal team members got put up in a warehouse over by the wall. In case they were needed." And, of course, Nora's advice. "Nora seems to have a good head for romance. Not surprising."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing fancy, just a thing about sharing sweets." It was scary how many times it happened. "But yeah, they're doing fine. Ren has his hands full with her of course, and they do a lot with the other… I guess former students now."

Pyrrha leaned onto him, shifting her weight against his shoulder as she breathed in deeply. "I missed this so much Jaune, being able to be a regular girl without all this chaos." She laughed a little. "Well, as regular as a Huntress could be I guess."

Jaune looked down at her, listening to the soft breathing of his guest. The discoloration on her forearms caught his eyes, and he saw it run down the length of them. "Pyrrha, why are you still bruised? I'm not an expert on this, but shouldn't your Aura have taken care of that hours ago?"

The woman sighed heavily, pulling her free arm up in front of her and checking the mark. "Well, yes, it should have. So that really only leaves one conclusion then, doesn't it?" Pyrrha's eyes came up to meet his, the pain there for the world to see. "Aura is the manifestation of our soul. One without the other isn't possible Jaune."

He saw the tears welling up now, brilliant red turning glassy as she closed her eyes. Jaune couldn't fathom the loss, a part of her that she'd known for years gone now. He pulled his hand out from under hers, wrapping an arm around the quietly sobbing Pyrrha to give her any comfort he could. They sat on his bed for a while, just the two of them caught up in a familiar moment from their past. The one dream she had, and it's all been torn away. It would be too dangerous now to pursue being a Huntress, Pyrrha was relegated to being a regular girl. Her words from earlier bit even deeper.

"Hey, wait." It didn't make any sense though, if the other lessons were true. "How did you get into my room the first night then?" Pyrrha looked up at Jaune, confusion playing on her face. "That first night, I didn't leave the door unlocked. But you came in like it was nothing. If you really don't have a... then how did you use your Semblance to unlock the door? What's changed?"

She thought for a moment, brow furrowing with the idea. "Then the only thing that makes sense is the mask." Strong eyes met his once more. "When Cinder took it, it felt like something left me. It must have my... soul tied up in it."

"So all we need is the mask? And everything would be back to normal?"

Pyrrha sank back down, leaning more of her weight against Jaune. "No. It wouldn't. It's too fragile, the smallest thing could break it. Like it or not, I'm no Huntress anymore." She barked a short, harsh laugh. "I thought about giving everything up on that day, throwing the tournament and giving up on my dreams when Ozpin told me about the Maidens. Now, now I'm just a silly girl who once had it all in the palm of my hand."

Jaune gave her a loving squeeze, trying to at least take some of the burden from her. "I don't know what else to do Pyrrha."

She nuzzled into his shoulder. "You really don't think you're doing it right now? Nora did have you figured out after all." The giggle that followed sounded eerily familiar. "Why can't this be everything Jaune?"

He felt a similar tug of wanting. "Things are never that simple."

"True. Neo is a lovely girl, a bit of a scary little person, but lovely nonetheless." A slight shift told Jaune more of her opinion. "I wish I hadn't left, but life goes on I suppose."

She was here now though, in his arms talking about the old days. Just like the times on the roof, after falling over from exhaustion, when they talked about anything that came to mind. Maybe it wasn't the right time to ask about yesterday, Jaune didn't regret it and Pyrrha at least said she was happy earlier. He'd just enjoy having her back, feeling that feeling from so long ago. Besides, it was time to sleep.

"Hey Pyr, you want to get some sleep?"

"Yeah, I'll get a mattress from the-"

"Nah, we'll just share a bed. Already did it once, and I think I'm going to have to get used to it."

She looked up at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, just thinking about what everyone wants."

Pyrrha sniffed, dismissing the notion as she pulled Jaune around and into the covers. Getting comfortable, she nuzzled into his shoulder as the slow rhythm of rest and sleep began taking hold. I'm the worst person. What should I do? And then there's Cinder on top of this mess. The questions never stopped rolling in his mind, who to stay with, what to do about the other two. Why he was even stuck in this situation in the first place.

Jaune took solace in the fact that he had Pyrrha by his side at least. She was always stronger than him. Sleep came easily, the dreams though were scattered and confusing. Such was life.

Why was life such a troubling menace to her? It twisted and turned, weaving in and out of her desires as it went without a care to the needs she had. It didn't matter, there was always time to deal with the flippancy of a wayward fling or a trifling minion. But this wasn't something wayward now was it?

"What kind of fool thought is that?" Cinder shouted at herself, laying on her bed. Her room was empty besides her, the fruits of the deal struck between her supposed fling and herself. "Jaune has to be some fling, there is no other explanation for this."

But still, it felt odd trying to dismiss this competition as the frivolous pursuit that it was. Cinder had never really had the chance to relax and be treated as a person until now, even if the circumstances were all her doing. Her first... date, with Jaune, had been a rather odd thing to go through. Cinder never expected the boy to have a good head for sniffing out deception like that and turning it around on her. She could admit she admired him for that.

"And next I'm gonna think about how his eyes are such a beautiful blue." Well, they are, no matter how much she wanted them not to be. "You are acting like the silly girl and the little one. Stop it." It was funny how commands didn't work on one's self.

Regardless, Cinder couldn't help but feel just a little lonely. Even though Pyrrha wasn't much for conversation it had been nice to have someone that kicked and snarled at her. She felt the missing person acutely, and probed along the banks of her thoughts for anything. Only strong emotions can break through. I'll need to gird myself for another... episode. Thankfully she found what she was looking for, the calm blue haze drifting lazily off with the briefest flashes of other colors. If Cinder's instincts were right, she was resting now.

I wonder what the boy is doing? Probably the same thing as the girl. The day she spent with Jaune ran along in her mind, the lunch of that obnoxious gruel and his passable grease sandwich. And how he had spoken soft words of kindness to her. A light heat was building on her cheeks now as memories tumbled onward. Cinder was certain he was being sincere at the last, after so many honest questions. And then the alley. I never said I was a good girl. He seemed to get the picture after the second time he gasped for breath. Still, it had been exhilarating. A grown woman resorting to such... debauchery. It almost read like a novel.

"And then we went shopping. Just to pass the time." Maybe also to pick out things for later dealings. This game wasn't over yet. "Still, I wonder if I should do something more?"

Something more? Now Cinder was beginning to question her sanity. She had Jaune by every single strand of his small, pathetic life and she wanted to do something more for him? While she was at it, why not just let Pyrrha walk free, as a gesture of love? You silly woman, smitten so by a goofy boy several years younger. Cinder rolled over, silently laughing at herself. It was an absurd plan with no fruition beyond the hope of winning the contest. Even if Salem wouldn't know anything before it was too late.