bakerstreet | Secret PDA

[M/F, OTA for cast.]

((ooc: Maybe this is Jaune joining Blake in Menagerie in volume 4 and they don't want to be too overt in front of her parents? Optionally this could be that AU we talked about where Jaune lost his arm protecting Blake.))

[I am honestly okay with either. Though armless Jaune creates and interesting dynamic.]

(ooc: One-armed Jaune it is. Let me know if I need to alter the starter in any way.)

Many lost something at the Fall of Beacon. Some more literally than others. Jaune had over his time at Beacon had grown close to Blake. Learned about her as much as she was willing to tell him anyway. So when she disappeared during the chaos Jaune had been the one to get worried and offered to find her.

He had found her alright. In danger at the hands of someone he later learned to be Adam Taurus. Jaune had charged him and in the process had lost his left arm. Thankfully Blake had enough strength to get them both out of there.

Where Blake might have assumed she was hated or at least not wanted anymore she would find she was wrong. When she disappeared again Jaune had made it his goal to find her, and he did. He tracked her to the boat leaving for Menagerie and her joined her.

That was some time ago and they were on the last leg of their journey. Today they were going to make it to Menagerie. Jaune stepped beside her making sure she heard him coming, he knew how nervous she was after all that. "Hey," he began and ran a hand along her back. "I know you're nervous, but I'm sure they're going to be happy to see you."

Why Jaune did not avoid Blake like a bad omen was something she still could not get her head around. But it was not like she could send him away now that he was here. Especially not with one arm. Travel in Remnant was dangerous even for the able bodied. Also, he was attracting some curious looks and it would not be just because of the arm. There was no telling where White Fang agents could be. A human boy might not be safe here, especially one that was traveling with her.

"I'm not sure," she admitted as they made it down the crowded street. "We didn't part on the best terms. And...it was completely my fault."

She wished she could forget the things she had said, so she only imagined how her parents felt about it. She had been such a blind, love sick little girl. She deserved whatever dislike or displeasure they felt towards her. She had earned it. She had practically become a terrorist.

Jaune didn't blame Blake in the slightest. That wasn't her fault, that was Adam's. He knew what she was thinking and it'd be hard to break her of that self-doubt and shame. However he was going to do his best.

He had insisted he was still good to fight, but whether that was the case or not the lack of an arm put him at a distinct disadvantage against any opponents that showed up. Really he was lucky to even still have his weapon after they had to make that hasty escape.

"Hey they're your parents. I know not everyone has stellar examples, but from the sounds of it yours are good ones. I'm sure they're going to be happy you're safe. You'll see! Now which house is yours?" He looked around completely overlooking the big obvious how down the middle of the path.

Blake nodded in the direction of the Belladonna estate. It loomed on the horizon as imposing as ever.

"Look straight ahead and you can't miss it."

She knew that no amount of banter with Jaune would put her at ease until she saw them.

"They aren't bad parents," she replied. "They were much better than I deserved and I still wouldn't blame them if they didn't want to see me."

She sucked in a breath, trying to ignore her anxiety which of course only made it stronger. "Maybe...I should walk around Menagerie more. Pick something up for them."

She knew she was stalling.

When she said look straight ahead he did and then his eyes went wide. He looked between Blake and the building for confirmation. This wasn't what he expected. He didn't think Blake was necessarily from a poor family, but she had never given any indication her family was important in Menagerie.

After his moment of shock he did straighten up for Blake's sake. Especially when she was trying to stall. He grabbed her hand firmly "Nope no stalling. You can get them a gift later. You're going to be the best gift they could ever ask for."

As long as Blake didn't fight him too much Jaune was going to take him straight to the front door before he let go of her hand. She was going to have to do the rest herself.

"Wha -? "Blake was suddenly being coralled off in the direction of her home. "W-wait a second!"

But by the time she had spat that out they were there. For someone who was crippled, Jaune didn't let it slow him down. Feeling suddenly pale she stared at the door a few minutes before knocking.

A moment passed and second later a Faunus that could be no one but Blake's mother appeared at the door. The resemblance was uncanny. The woman immedietly teared up.

"Blake?"

Blake felt all sorts of mixed emotions as Kali hugged her tight. She was still good enough for a hug. She hadn't been told to leave. A weight lifted off of her shoulders. But she couldn't just stay in her mom's arms in front of Jaune.

"Um, Mom, this is -"

But at the moment she had beginng to speak a man was calling out asking who was at the door. Blake smiled sheepishly.

Jaune can understand the nervousness and hesitation, but in this case he wasn't going to let that stop Blake if he could help it. From what little she had said about her parents they sounded like great people who would just be happy to have their little girl back in touch with them.

He was proven right as her mother, so uncannily like Blake in appearance, answered the door and hugged her daughter tight. Jaune was happy to stand back and not really get in the way of that. This was important for Blake to have.

Needless to say Ghira was dumbstruck to see his daughter on his doorstep suddenly, a happy sort. Overjoyed to have her back just as Jaune figured they would both feel.

It wasn't long before Blake and Jaune were seated at the Belladonna's dinner table. Ghira turned to his daughter just looking to make conversation "So Blake your friend here. Could you tell us how you know him?" They hadn't gotten to introductions with how swept up they were in the reunion.

Blake didn't think Jaune would enjoy it very much if she admitted to her parents that the first she saw of him was him vomiting on the airship. Plus, it wouldn't make a good dinner table topic to put it mildly.

"We met some time after I joined my team at Beacon," she said before taking a sip of her tea.

Warmth spread through her body. That familiar taste made her feel nostalgic and safe. You couldn't get this tea outside of Menagerie. It even made the awkwardness of her sudden reappearance into her family's life seem less. At least for now her parents were willing to act like it never happened. Of course, having Jaune around to distract them from the elephant in the room probably helped.

That had been a bad fight. She set her cup down. Were her parents acting like they forgot it for her sake or to keep up appearances in front of a guest?

There was a knock at the door. Ghira rose, grumbling. Blake didn't think anything of it. Her father was Chief, he would always get visitors. But when Kali confirmed who was at her doorstep, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Or would have if she didn't feel violently ill. Her eyes met Jaune's.

"We need to follow him but keep out of sight," her voice was tense and her eyes met Jaune's.

"Blake what- " Kali began.

"Do NOT let Dad mention that I'm here, " was the only thing she said as she leapt to her feet. "Jaune, follow me."

Edited 2019-03-07 05:26 (UTC)

He appreciated that Blake omitted that particular embarrassing moment from his past. That hadn't been his proudest moment to be sure.

Jaune was happy to talk to Blake's family. They were friendly and Jaune returned that in kind. Answering a few questions, complimenting the food and just in general having a good time. They felt like a loving family catching up rather than any doomsday scenario Blake had been worried about.

Hearing just who was at the door Jaune felt something inside him twist. Just a mixture of anger and anxiety. He nodded to Blake and got up along with her. Blake had taught him everything he knew about moving quietly so he followed behind her to get a good look at just what this was.

Though he had to wonder exactly what they were going to do when they got there. They couldn't just fight in the open, but maybe they could get Ghira to lock them up? Really the best thing they could do is get into position to hear what these 'guests' were saying to Ghira. Jaune had a sickening feeling they were lying through their teeth about what happened or pretending like it never happened.

Blake led Jaune up the stairs to a balcony that overlooked the main entrance. The curtains would give them shadow to hide in, but also a vantage point where they could see everything. If White Fang sent assassins or if the two visitors tried anything that looked even remotely threatening Blake could easily land on their heads.

She was grateful that Jaune had been so quick to follow her with minimal explanation.

"I don't recognize those two as being with the Vale Branch," she said in a low voice. "But if Adam has people looking for me I don't need to make it easy for him. Furthermore...I'd just end up bringing any trouble he sent my way home. No thanks."

Her ears twitched as she tried to pick up the conversation.

Edited 2019-03-07 15:48 (UTC)

Jaune tightened his fist as he watched them. He was clearly angry just glaring down at the pair. Something about their smiles seemed off to him even from this angle.

"When they leave we have to tell your Dad about their part at Beacon. No one probably knows because of how early the tower was destroyed." In Jaune's mind the White Fang wasn't to be trusted at all. No matter what branch they were from this was far from the first time the White Fang had done something violent, Beacon was just the worst.

There was part of him that wanted to bring the fight to Adam. To just beat him, but that was Blake's choice to make. He was here to support her, not drag her to face the demon plaguing her life.

"We will," her voice was low and tense. "I wish we had had more time with my parents before they showed up."

Jaune was not going to like what she suggested next, probably. Not that she had anyway of making him agree, but she was better at stealth.

"At least one of us needs to follow them when they leave," she whispered. "It would be better if you stayed so that my parent's don't flip out too much when they realize I'm gone. But we can't miss the opportunity to see if these two are up to anything shady. We don't know how many White Fang agents might be in Menagerie or who is reporting to Adam."

She would have hoped that the other branches hadn't turned to violence too, but when it came to the White Fang she had shed that naive part of herself that trusted them. That Blake was long gone thanks to Beacon.

Edited 2019-03-10 21:47 (UTC)