[ ic contact ]

[beaconed]

"Helloooo! You've reached Jaune Arc! If I'm not answering, it means I'm probably off somewhere fighting monsters or... doing something really awesome like saving a cat, or the president's son! You know how it is, a leader's schedule can be really hectic nowadays, ha ha! Just kidding, I'm probably in school, but I'd totally do those things if I ha-- [BEEP]"



[ TEXT | VOICE | VIDEO | ACTION ]

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[metalist]

[ Without saying a word, Pyrrha reaches into her purse, pulls out some credit notes, leaves them snugly tucked under the ketchup bottle, gets out of her chair, pulls Jaune out of his — we out.

At least she's walking steadily now. ]

[beaconed]

Oh-- okay, pay and dash, t-the normal thing, of course--

[ GETS YANKED, though he still addresses the staff as Pyrrha leads them out of there. ]

S-Sorry, we're full, we-- we forgot that we already ate, so, uh, thanks! Really love the slime, though! I-- ugh, no-- I can't even pretend. That was the grossest thing I've seen in my life. Bye, Pinchy! [ Just... waves at the crab-faced bartender. ] Good luck with... your ex-wife! Haha..ha...

[metalist]

[ Pyrrha continues to keep a firm hold on his arm until they're out the door. The crisp night air is sobering, although the curb threatens to trip her up a bit, literally.

Once she's convinced they're safe from the poorly picked restaurant, she smiles up at Jaune. ]

Well, shall we head home?

[ She's fucking with him. ]

[beaconed]

What?! What happened to making the stop?

[ Leave the bad jokes to him please!! ]

Honestly, I think that drink is getting to you...! [ Maybe they should go straight home, he wonders. ]

[metalist]

[ Laughing! She's such an embarrassment... ]

[beaconed]

[ She's laughing. She's laughing?? Wait-- ]

Oh m-- it is a tattoo, isn't it?! No way, I'm not gonna let you wake up with regrets!!

[metalist]

[ Laughter easing up, she lets her grip on his elbow lighten to something feather-soft, fingers trailing down his arm until she takes his hand.

She shakes her head. ]

My mother once told me I shouldn't do anything she would do.

[ So, no tattoos! -- She starts to lead him in the direction she wants to go in. ]

[beaconed]

Your mom... would get tattoos? Hmm.

[ That's strangely attractive.

...

Please don't read his mind. ]

[metalist]

... [ Please don't bring your mother thing back to light, boyfriend.

Deftly, Pyrrha changes the subject. ]

So, was it a good first date?

[beaconed]

It was... unexpected, heh. I just wish I could've prepared more! Y'know, flowers, bowtie, cologne, carriage with white horses, romantic violins in the background, candles--

[ In hindsight, it was probably a good thing not letting Jaune overdo it. ]

--you just... you deserve the best!

[metalist]

Jaune, I don't need all of that.

[ In fact, she'd probably be overwhelmed. Not to mention, he'd probably have to clean out his bank account on the horses and the violent orchestra? Pyrrha doesn't make enough to cover the whole rent... ]

Although... if you want candles, I think we have some at home we can light later. [ Hint. Hint! ]

[beaconed]

[ ...Now home has suddenly become the most exciting thing. Focus, Jaune! ]

Alcohol and fire, now we're talking! [ Just kidding! ] I... really did enjoy our first date, Pyrrha. Not to mention we got all the first-date awkwardness out of the way.

[ Like more than six months ago. ]

[metalist]

[ Laughing, she nudges him a little. Because she's kind of strong, it manifests as a light shove. ]

I'm not that bad off.

[ That said, she's being very careful in her heels right now. ]

So, no complaints? Nothing you'd do differently?

[beaconed]

Well, I'd have paid for slime-dinner? [ Says the one whose first thought was to do a runner. ]

But no, what's there to complain about? [ .... ] Wait, do... do you have complaints? Was I too talkative? I talked too much, didn't I? I knew it! "Never say too much on the first date!" Thanks, Dad.

[metalist]

[ Pyrrha had been the one to ask him out, it's only right that she pay! ]

Jaune, you know how I don't like to talk much? [ It's not something she advertises, nor is it stemming from any sort of social anxiety: it's simple a preference, because her thoughts are so orderly but her words are something a little less. Physical expression has always been more comfortable.

Her tone is her usual, warm and coaxing. ]

It's... nice, knowing that you'll pick up the slack. I enjoy listening to you. So, no. You never talk too much.

[ As they get closer to their destination, Pyrrha begins to keep a discreet eye on the dark above. ]

[beaconed]

Heh, guess that's why we're a good team...

[ Though being counted on in battle is always better than just having the ability to carry a conversation, he thinks. Good thing she started recording video lessons, too! ]

So... are we getting close, or...?

[metalist]

[ Hey, those video lessons were meant to be a surprise, mister! ]

... I think so. It's a bit difficult to— oh!

[ Pyrrha points, up and up.

They're standing at the foot of a monorail, at least a hundred feet above them, at the exact spot where she had successfully stopped the train. It's still there, sitting above and abandoned, quiet as anything. ]

[beaconed]

[ Jaune squints as he looks up, trying to make of what he's actually supposed to be looking at. ]

Whoa... is that...?

[ The Arkos Train? ]

[metalist]

[ Softly: ] Yeah, it is.

[ Looking away from the train with some difficulty, she tries to gauge his reaction instead. ]

[beaconed]

...It's when you asked me out on our first date.

[ Look, nobody is more sentimental than him. There's no way he's going to forget about that. ]

[metalist]

[ She had never really doubted, per se, but it's still nice to hear him say it. Smiling more assuredly now, she leans side to side against him. ]

Well, I had to hurry before someone else snapped you up.

[ Her smile quirks as she looks back up at the train. ]

Do you... remember what happened next?

[beaconed]

[ That's easy, too. ]

Hm! I...

I can't quite remember. Y'know, there was a lot going on with the... the exploding robot heads, and... well, not least of all your heroic moment, I mean, heh, you practically played out my childhood dream. Stopping a hijacked train full of civilians? Come on...!

[metalist]

[ What a tease, he is. Pyrrha brings out her best weapon against it, sounding amused and gently cajoling all at once. ]

Jaaaaaune.

[beaconed]

[ It's true, there's a reason why that's her best weapon against it. ]

...I realized something I've known for a very long time.

[ Ever since the Beacon dance, honestly, even if it took him this long to figure it out. That's what happened next. What happened externally, however? Jaune turns to look at his partner and shows it with a kiss, just as it happened on the train aside from him being the one to initiate it now. ]

[metalist]

[ Her response is, perhaps, a bit inappropriately energetic for their current location. Pyrrha doesn't hesitate, arms folding around his neck as she gives a pleased murmur against his mouth. Effortlessly, she seeks to deepen the kiss, not wanting to let it end quite yet.

It's always been a little frightening, the depth of her feelings for him. She's rarely - if ever - shy with actions or gestures, but words are something else entirely.

That's why, when she kisses him, it's with everything she has to give.

That's why, despite the growing uncertainty of their circumstances, she hasn't yet told him she doesn't want him to go back to Remnant. ]