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]

[aurabble]

I don't know. Failure? [He'd failed to get into Beacon by legitimate means. He failed to become strong enough. He failed his team. He failed Pyrrha. The only reason he was alive here was because he had chosen to make a sacrifice for something else. If anything defines him, it's probably that.

Weiss' tiny teacup Maltese, Frost, finally catches his attention and he holds him.]

[Action]

[heartboop]

Everyone's a failure at some point, until they're not. Do you really think Professor Ozpin would have chosen you as the team leader if you were made up of fail?

[C'mon, Jaune. Don't lame! No one can be comprised entirely of failure!]

You know what I think makes you, you? You never give up. Even when a lot of things are stacked against you. You never run away from a fight, except that time we ran from that team in the Vytal Festival but that was just to regroup, so technically we didn't run away, I guess. [Lifts up a finger for emphasis.] And, you never break a promise.

[Swings her feet a bit from her seat.]

You can argue with me all you want, but I'm not gonna change my mind. You, sir, [Yes, the "you" she's point a finger at!!] are not defined by failure!

[Action]

[aurabble]

Ozpin also made someone like Cardin team leader. [And his actions at least helped result in Pyrrha being murdered, even if that wasn't his goal.] I don't know why he did anything.

[Finally meeting her eyes, he just stares at her completely awestruck. There's a flash of something--pain, guilt, anger mostly aimed at himself. How can she possible believe in him after everything? His expression dulls after a moment, and arms too tense and hands trembling, pulls up his hoodie and pretends to find the bed fascinating again. He wants to give up now. He's always struggled, but now things that used to be normal seem impossible and pointless to do. Nora's worried and counting on him. It might be kinder to stop lying and avoiding it than to give her any false hope.]

I'm tired. I think I'm going to lie down.

[Action]

[heartboop]

[Not even a retort.

Not even an argument back.

Jaune really has given up...and that hurts.

Quietly, Nora looks to him for a moment before simply standing up. She doesn't think he's all that tired. Just tired of their conversation. She doesn't know how to make things easier for him, or anyone else affected by that psychopath.

Nora turns and walks to the door. Before she opens it, she leaves with one more statement.]

If you ever...just want to talk, I'll be around.

[The door opens, and she steps through, making sure to close it gently behind her.]

[Action]

[aurabble]

[Remaining still, Nora can't see how his expression shifts from numbness to something more hurt, or the tears that threaten to fall. He doesn't move or breathe until he hears the door shut, and when he does he just collapses on the bed with Frost still on top of him. It's not Nora's fault or something he wants her to fix, but they had been through so much together and the guilt he feels for hurting her still stings like a slap to the face. Everything hurts, both physically and emotionally. He had considered not coming back at all and now that he was back what was the point? Her words replay in his mind and he just scrubs at his eyes with a quaking breath, trying not to break down over it.

Nora is right; she can't help. He doesn't think anyone is equipped to help with what had happened to everyone.]