The simulation chamber hummed with a low mechanical thrum. The environment at the center of it all was chaos incarnate.
A massive Nevermore shrieked overhead, scattering volleys of razor sharp energy feathers that carved glowing lines through the air. Below it, a Deathstalker reared back, with its massive stinger pulsing before unleashing concentrated beams of red Grimm energy that tore across the air in violent arcs.
And in the middle of that storm, three figures were fighting each other.
Jaune pivoted on his heel, both blades rising just in time to catch Oscar's strike. The impact rang out sharply, but Oscar was already gone, his body flickering forward in that strange, disjointed motion of his. It looked odd to the eye, like frames of movement skipping ahead and stitching themselves together imperfectly. One moment he was there, the next he wasn't, his Rune ability bending his movement into something that resembled video game lag more than speed.
"Seriously," Jaune muttered under his breath, adjusting his footing as another flicker brought Oscar in from a different angle, "that's still weird to look at."
Oscar didn't respond, already pressing the attack again.
At the same time, Ren stood at a distance, his hands guided arcs of rotating energy that spun outward like orbiting blades. The beams hummed as they cut through the air, forcing Jaune to shift constantly, unable to fully commit to either offense or defense without being intercepted.
Another beam swept toward him and this time, he didn't bother trying to block it.
Instead, he stepped forward and sank into the ground.
The area beneath his feet softened under the influence of his Rune, losing its structural integrity as if it had forgotten what it meant to be solid. Jaune dropped through it, vanishing from sight just as the beam passed overhead.
A second later, he emerged beneath Ren.
Ren's eyes flickered downward, but not fast enough.
Jaune's blade rose in a clean arc, stopping just short of contact.
"Got you."
There was a pause.
Then the simulation froze.
The Nevermore dissolved into motes of light and the Deathstalker collapsed into fragments that faded into nothing. The battlefield itself began to unravel, the ruined terrain peeling away layer by layer until only the neutral gray of the simulation room remained.
Silence followed.
Jaune exhaled, rolling his shoulders as the tension bled out of his body. "Alright," he said, lowering his weapon, "that was getting a little hectic."
Oscar let out a breath of his own, rubbing the back of his neck. "You think?" he said, half laughing. "I was pretty sure that bird was targeting me specifically the entire time."
Ren stepped forward, composed as ever, though there was a faint sheen of exertion across his brow. "It was. I calibrated it to do just that." he said simply.
Oscar blinked. "...oh."
They made their way to the side of the room, the faint glow of the simulation systems dimming as they stepped out of the active zone. Jaune grabbed a towel from the rack nearby, draping it over his shoulders as he sat down.
For a moment, none of them spoke, simply settling their breathing and their heart rates.
Then Oscar shifted slightly.
"Hey, guys...?" he said, a little hesitant.
Jaune glanced at him. "Sup?"
Oscar scratched his cheek, clearly debating something internally before finally committing. "Can I ask you guys something?"
Ren nodded immediately. "Of course."
Jaune leaned back slightly. "Shoot."
Oscar hesitated for half a second longer.
Then—
"I was thinking about asking Mocha out."
Jaune and Ren exchanged a glance.
It wasn't a surprised look, more like confirmation.
"…yeah," Jaune said slowly. "That tracks, I guess."
Ren gave a small nod. "It does."
Oscar blinked. "What?"
Jaune let out a short laugh. "Come on," he said. "You're not exactly subtle."
Oscar frowned slightly. "I thought I was being pretty normal about it."
"You, were chatting her up like a storm, and dancing with her like your life depended on it," Jaune pointed out.
"Your... attention rarely left her, a majority of these days." Ren added calmly.
Oscar opened his mouth, then closed it again.
"…okay, maybe I wasn't that subtle."
Jaune smirked faintly. "Not even a little. And besides... I can sense weakness, you know? Even emotional weakness."
Oscar sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Right. Of course you can. Well… yeah," he admitted. "I just… I don't know. I like her."
Jaune's expression softened slightly at that.
It was simple and honest, and, in its own way, kind of refreshing.
Even if—
"…you do realize she's older, right?" Jaune said carefully.
Oscar gave him a look. "You say that like it's a deal-breaker?"
"It's not," Jaune admitted quickly. "Just… making sure you're aware that... you know..."
Ren hummed softly. "People are rarely as simple as they first appear."
Jaune snorted lightly. "That's one way to put it. Mocha is..."
Oscar shrugged. "I mean, yeah, she's… different," he said. "But that's not a bad thing."
Jaune studied him for a second, then nodded once.
"Fair enough."
Oscar shifted again, leaning forward slightly. "So… I was wondering if you guys had any ideas."
Jaune blinked. "Ideas?"
"For a date," Oscar clarified.
And then, for some reason, his gaze landed squarely on Jaune.
Jaune paused.
"…why are you looking at me?"
Oscar tilted his head slightly. "You seem like you'd know."
Ren nodded faintly. "You do have… experience."
Jaune stared at both of them like they had just spoken complete nonsense.
"…I have zero experience," he said flatly.
There was a pause and both Ren and Oscar looked at strangely
Then, in perfect unison—
"Right…"
Jaune frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Oscar gestured vaguely. "I mean… come on."
Jaune blinked. "No, seriously. I haven't been on a single date."
Ren looked a little surprised at that. He even raised a brow slightly. "Not even once?"
"Not even once."
Another pause.
"…right," Oscar repeated.
Jaune felt something in his chest tighten slightly.
"Why does nobody believe me?"
Ren considered him for a moment. "It may be due to… appearances?"
Jaune narrowed his eyes. "What appearances?"
Oscar gave him a look that was equal parts disbelief and pity. "Jaune," he said, "two days ago, you had five girls fighting over you on the dance floor?"
"That... doesn't count."
"How does that not count?"
"It just doesn't!"
Ren let out a quiet breath that might have been a suppressed laugh.
Jaune rubbed his face. "Look, that's not the same thing as dating."
It wasn't.
And yet…
His thoughts flickered briefly. He could feel it. The subtle threads of something more, woven beneath their interactions.
He wasn't blind to it. That was the problem. He just… wasn't ready to deal with it.
"…anyway," Jaune said, cutting that line of thought off cleanly. "This isn't about me."
Oscar leaned back slightly. "Right. Yeah."
Ren nodded once. "Then let us focus on your situation."
Oscar perked up slightly. "Yeah."
Ren folded his arms loosely. "When I spend time with Nora," he began, "we often go to breakfast shops."
Oscar nodded seriously. "Breakfast?"
Ren nodded. "She enjoys it. It is simple, relaxed, and allows for conversation. Also... doesn't hurt that they serve hash-browns and pancakes. He favorite foods."
He paused for a moment before glancing at Jaune with a small smile.
"Now if only someone wasn't being a third wheel."
"Hey! You invited me!" Jaune retorted.
He knew Ren was just playing. Truth be told, Nora and Ren were always inviting him out for breakfast. Even when he felt that he was being a third wheel, the two of them always seemed happier to have him there.
Oscar considered that. "That actually sounds… really nice."
"She also enjoys training," Ren continued. "Usually, we simply work out together. She considers that a date as well."
Oscar nodded again, more enthusiastically this time. "Okay, yeah. That makes sense. Shared activities, pretty much."
Jaune tilted his head slightly, then winced just a little.
"…I'm not sure Mocha is a 'quiet breakfast' kind of person."
Oscar hesitated. "…that's fair."
Ren inclined his head slightly. "Then perhaps something more aligned with her interests would be appropriate."
Jaune went quiet for a moment.
Thinking.
Then—
"…take her to a furry convention."
Silence.
Both Oscar and Ren stared at Jaune with a bit of a bedazzled look on their faces.
"…what?"
Jaune shrugged lightly. "I'm serious."
Ren's expression shifted into something thoughtful. "You know... that… surprisingly would align with her personality."
Oscar slowly nodded.
"…yeah," he admitted. "Yeah, it would."
Jaune leaned back slightly. "I'm telling you. She'd love it."
He couldn't help but reminisce about that small little book she had given him, during the first time he went to the Occult Research Club in Beacon.
Truly... good times.
Oscar exhaled, running a hand through his hair again.
"…that also means I'd have to go to a furry convention."
Jaune gave him a flat look. "Yes."
Oscar stared at the floor.
"…and probably dress up as a furry?"
Jaune didn't even hesitate.
"Absolutely. I'm sure you'd make a... uh... convincing furry."
Ren nodded once, as if confirming a strategic decision.
"It would likely improve the outcome?"
Oscar looked between the two of them.
Then sighed.
"…I can't believe this is my life."
Jaune grinned faintly. "Hey," he said, "love comes in all kinds of flavors."
Oscar groaned quietly, covering his face.
"…I hate that you're probably right."
Ren placed a hand lightly on his shoulder. "You will be fine."
Oscar peeked out from behind his fingers.
"…you really think so?"
Ren nodded.
Jaune smirked.
"…just don't half commit," he added. "If you're doing this, you got to go all in."
Oscar let out a long breath.
"…I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"
Jaune's grin widened just slightly.
"Almost definitely, brother."
The low hum of the simulation chamber settled into a steady backdrop as the three of them lingered in the cooldown area, conversation still circling around Oscar's impending and somewhat questionable romantic future.
Then—
A soft hiss cut through the air and the door to the simulation chamber slid open.
Ruby stepped in first, followed by Yang just behind, hands tucked casually into her jean pockets. Both of them weren't wearing any LUCID tech.
"Well, well," Yang called out, glancing between the three of them. "Look who we have here. Jauney-boy, Renny-boy and... O-Oscary... boy?"
It seemed as if that pun or tease didn't land as well as she was hoping it would. They stared at her funnily but Yang had thick skin and simply ignored their teasing looks.
Ruby ignored Yang's stupidity and peered at them curiously. "You guys done already?"
Jaune shook his head, adjusting the towel around his shoulders. "Nah," he said. "Just taking a break."
"Apparently, Ren programmed the Nevermore to target me specifically." Oscar complained
Ruby blinked. "…huh."
Ren inclined his head slightly. "It was quite effective for training."
"That's one word for it," Oscar muttered.
Jaune let out a quiet chuckle before looking back toward the two sisters. "What about you guys?" he asked. "Here to train?"
Ruby shook her head almost immediately.
"Probably not," she said. "We've got plans today."
Yang nodded in agreement. "Yeah. We're heading out with Dad."
Jaune paused slightly at that, then nodded once. "…makes sense."
Ruby's expression shifted into something a little more serious. "The expedition's coming up soon, figured we should spend some time with him before he goes"
There was an unspoken understanding in that statement. Jaune didn't need to ask what she meant.
The Shadow Realm wasn't the Dream Realm. It wasn't something familiar or even partially understood. It was unknown in a way that made even experienced awakened tread carefully.
"…yeah," Jaune said after a moment. "That's probably a good idea."
Yang stretched her arms slightly, rolling her shoulders. "Don't look so serious," she said, glancing between them. "It's not like all of you are marching off to war."
Jaune huffed lightly. "You say that, but…"
Yang smirked faintly. "But you're still going to overthink it anyway."
"…probably," Jaune admitted.
Ruby shifted slightly, her gaze flicking toward him.
"Speaking of that…" she said slowly, hesitating for a fraction of a second, like she was deciding how to phrase what she was about to say.
Then—
"I think there's something fishy about the expedition."
Jaune's expression didn't change, "…fishy how?" he asked.
Ruby looked at him directly.
"Remember Belmont?"
That was enough.
Jaune's posture shifted slightly, the casual air from before fading as something more focused took its place.
"…yeah?" he said quietly.
Ruby crossed her arms lightly.
"I don't know, and I can't really prove anything but when Yang and I asked Dad about it… I just got this feeling."
Jaune frowned slightly. "What kind of feeling?"
Ruby searched for the words. "Like… he wasn't telling me everything," she said. "Not lying, exactly. Just… holding something back about it."
"You think they're hiding something from the Rank 1's?" Jaune asked.
Ruby shook her head slightly. "I'm not sure," she said. "But I don't think we're getting the full picture."
Jaune's gaze drifted for a moment. It wasn't an unreasonable suspicion. If anything, it was familiar.
Belmont had been exactly that. Information withheld and risks downplayed.
And this—
This was the Shadow Realm.
Something even less understood.
His thoughts flickered briefly to two specific individuals.
Qrow and Raven were both involved.
That alone was… notable.
You could argue it made sense. Qrow's experience and Raven's shadow rune. On paper, they were ideal for something like this.
But—
Jaune's eyes narrowed slightly. It was never just that simple. Jaune had specifically come to understand that intuition was never "just" a gut feeling and coincidences never truly were coincidences.
The fact that both of them were involved at the same time? That carried implications.
"…hmm,"
Yang watched him for a second, her expression unreadable.
"You thinking the same thing?" she asked.
Jaune didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he replayed a memory. The time Qrow and Raven had approached him about the expedition.
He had sensed their emotions back then and there hadn't been any obvious tension nor were there any spikes of anxiety or urgency that would suggest something immediately wrong.
Which meant one of two things.
Either there really was nothing to worry about.
Or—
Whatever was being hidden wasn't something they were actively stressing over.
"…I'll look into it," he said.
Ruby blinked. "You will?"
Jaune nodded.
"Yeah," he said simply. "I'll ask around."
His thoughts had already settled on a direction. Qrow was… tricky. Not because he wouldn't talk, but because there were lines he wouldn't cross if Ozpin had set them.
Raven, on the other hand…
She liked playing by her own rules.
Jaune gave a small shrug. "Thanks Ruby, Yang."
"No problem."
Yang pushed off from where she had been standing, clapping her hands once lightly.
"Well," she said, her usual energy slipping back into place, "try not to spiral into conspiracy theories while we're gone."
Jaune snorted. "No promises."
Ruby smiled faintly.
"Just… be careful, okay?" she said.
Jaune met her gaze and nodded once.
"Always."
Yang jerked her head toward the door. "Come on, Rubes. Dad's waiting."
Ruby turned, giving them one last look before heading out alongside Yang. The door slid shut behind them with a soft hiss and silence settled again.
Oscar glanced at Jaune.
"…so," he said slowly, "we're investigating a potential conspiracy now?"
Jaune leaned back slightly, exhaling through his nose.
"…I'm investigating." he corrected. "You guys aren't even going to be part of the expedition, so don't worry about it."
Ren nodded once.
"Fair enough. It's good to be cautious."
Jaune closed his eyes briefly.
Belmont lingered in the back of his mind like a shadow that refused to fade.
"…yeah," he muttered.
Cautious.