5th Aura | Text

[aurabble]

[Anonymous text.]

Weapons experts.

Kind of without a weapon right now and not even sure if I should get it out of the stupid rock.

[His poor family heirloom. Even if it's probably safer in there than in his hands.]

I'm looking to build my own. It's a tradition where I'm from. I'm also wondering what made you choose yours? If it works for you, there must be a reason.

[Maybe not one of the more hopeful reasons he would have believed in the past. He's done with that. But one that makes sense.]

Stay on topic.

[Private text to Weiss, not anonymous.]

My answer is yes.

Comments

action!

[whiteas]

Because they're not worth wasting my breath on. Or yours. Let them think what they want unless they're questioning something that actually needs defending.

You were probably being stupid too. [ Both Jaune and Pyrrha are stupid with different things. It is a fact of Weiss. ] Hallucinated? What, like she's just not addressing it anymore or like Yang seeing Mercury attack her hallucinated?

[ She squints. ] Why would you taste your medicine? Just stick it in and swallow.

action!

[aurabble]

...You're right. I should stop. [Look at where trying to defend Weiss got them before.]

Pyrrha's not stupid, she just doesn't have the best judgment all the time. I probably was. [He shrugs.] Like the second one but without thousands of people seeing it happen and not believing me.

Why wouldn't you taste your medicine? It's flavored for a reason.

Re: action!

[whiteas]

It's probably a good idea. [ She pauses for a brief moment before adding. ] But I do appreciate knowing I always have someone on my side. [ Considering how many people tend to try to act like Weiss is just crabby as an excuse to dismiss what she says or talk about her integrity because of things they heard from people who've nothing better to do than make things up, Jaune's defense of her is somewhat refreshing in that sense. Even if it can be a little weird when he gets pissy about guys trying to be close to her. ] Let's compromise: How about just defending me if they're questioning my integrity, rather than just for talking to me or just saying they don't think I'm perfect?

Oh believe me, she can be stupid. Mostly about you. It's something that tends to happen when you love someone. As someone who's had an argument that started over orange soda that lasted for two weeks, I can vouch for the stupid things love can make you do.

[ Jaune... ] I buy pills like a grown up.

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[aurabble]

I'll always be on your side, Weiss. [That seems too generous to him considering everything. But he nods, voice quiet.] Sounds fair.

She needs to stop. Being stupid. [He speaks abruptly, but he just ends up staring at Weiss like he doesn't know her anymore.] Wait a second. You, Weiss Schnee, had an argument over orange soda. Because orange soda is your favorite, or...?

[He groans.] But my mom always said it was okay to--nevermind. I buy pills too, you know. I just thought you'd be more into the liquid.

action!

[whiteas]

I hope that's true. [ Right now she needs loyalty, more than most things. ]

Talk to her. Even if you have to start an uncomfortable conversation, figure out what you can apologize for, apologize for it, then ask about whatever's bothering you. [ She shakes her head. ] It was over orange soda, but it wasn't about the orange soda. I told you some things can make everyone do stupid things.

Why would I be more into the liquid? I have functioning taste buds. I didn't even like them as a child.

Re: action!

[aurabble]

[He nods. Actions speak louder than words and no amount of saying he's loyal will prove that he is.]

You're being very cryptic about orange soda. That just gives me an excuse to do more stupid things.

Yeah neither did I.

Re: action!

[whiteas]

Because I don't want to tell you the details about me and my ex being too stubborn to speak to each other after a fight started because of orange soda.

So why would you think I was?

action!

[aurabble]

When you put it that way I don't need the details to imagine what happened.

Because you like fruit.

action!

[whiteas]

You probably don't want to anyway.

I don't know who labeled that flavor cherry but it tastes nothing like cherries.

action!

[aurabble]

I probably don't.

It's not as bad as the grape flavor.

action!

[whiteas]

Can I ask you something you're not going to like to think about?

Which also tastes nothing like grapes.

action!

[aurabble]

Sure. Why not?

But it does taste like pain and sickness.

action!

[whiteas]

What are you going to do if Pyrrha disappears before you?

[ She knows it's not something he'll want to hear, especially now. But it's something to consider, especially since when they go home Pyrrha won't still be there. ]

Which is why no one should take the liquid medicine, ever.

action!

[aurabble]

[He's silent. He moves away before saying anything, focused on the wall to avoid looking at her.] You're right. I didn't want to think about it.

Liquid medicine is the true tragedy of being sick. I'll switch to pills.

action!

[whiteas]

Questions like that are why I founded an organization to studying this world. It's good to have a place to do research but.. my goal wasn't to go home, it was to find a way to make it so we could choose to stay. The option to go home was just supposed to be part of that. I didn't get an answer in time. Maybe there's an answer I can find, so that's hope. I just wouldn't put all of my eggs in the same basket if I were you. Think about it, prepare for it, and maybe it won't break you if it does happen.

You can take most pills with actual juice, too, depending on what kind of juice you drink.

action!

[aurabble]

How am I supposed to prepare for that? Pyrrha already--she already thinks...if I start thinking that way, she's going to notice. She's just going to feel more lonely and I'll be responsible for her not using this as an opportunity to live her life. I can't do that to her. Not again. What can I do to make sure there is an option next time?

I like apple juice.

action!

[whiteas]

I'm still trying to figure that out, but what you can do now is try not to live with regrets, both with her and on your own. Don't leave things unsaid, if you fight apologize and makeup, and make sure that she knows she's the most important person to you. Don't lose out on time by hiding away because that's not time you get back no matter how bad you feel. Just try not to fool yourself into thinking there's a future while you're at it. Not until you know there's a way to make one, anyway.

Me too.

action!

[aurabble]

[He smiles, but it's bitter.] Sure. I can do that to the person who thought that protecting me was more important than letting me be there when she risked her own life. Whose life is now on my hands and who's always been so selfless that I don't even think I can face her now. I'm tired of being the one who needs to be protected. I'm not her damsel in distress anymore, but she won't--she'll never see that. All while knowing there's no future when we get back. I don't think I can do that, Weiss. I don't even care about my own future.

What about apple energy drinks?

action!

[whiteas]

Don't smile at me like that. I know it's hard, but right now? The only chance you have to keep seeing her is to find a way to keep her here. So if you won't fight for your future, fight for hers. Don't get your hopes up, but don't give up. She may not see it yet, but she will. Even if I have to send you on dangerous missions on your own to go prove it.

No. Those things are terrible for you.

action!

[aurabble]

I'm sorry. I'm just angry. It's nowhere near just hard... [But Weiss knows that better than anyone.] We'll figure something out. It's the only way we have.

They're delicious.

Re: action!

[whiteas]

I know, but there aren't actual words that feel like enough to cover anything. I just don't want you to have to go through anything else.

Just drink apple juice or coffee. Pick one.

action!

[aurabble]

I know. I'm glad we're friends.

Can't I pick all three?

action!

[whiteas]

[ There was a point in her life where she'd never thought she would say this. Just goes to show that things change. ] Me too.

No.

action!

[aurabble]

[A lot of things changed. His friendship with Weiss is one thing he likes though.] Okay. Go bond with Frost or whatever.

You know that means I have to now.

action!

[whiteas]

I'm banning energy drinks from the house. I told you Frost can take care of you for a while, Sun will take care of me.

[ She crosses her arms. She really wants her dog back but Jaune sitting alone in this room is obviously not working out. Jaune sitting even more alone in this room seems like a bad idea. ]