Well folks, we won the competition. I can't thank you all enough for the support! What'd we win? A free art commission from the one and only, Perfilles-Studio! As promised, it'll go to making cover art for 'Analogies,' which will receive a new chapter as well, since we're all Dragonslayer fans here. Here's where you come in. Send me your ideas for what you'd like to see as the cover art for 'Analogies' (two characters, from the waist up, no NSFW), and we'll make it happen.

Omake

Other Soft Spots (idea courtesy of Demetrion)

"You think we could have sealed that wound? Jaune, it was over. I was sure we lost her." She smiled at him. "That was a miracle. You guys getting here was a miracle. Us winning at Haven was miracle. All ones that you had a hand in. You think that this fight is unwinnable without us? I think it's unwinnable without YOU."

He shook his head. "I think YOU'RE crazy." He said softly.

She smirked. "Careful now, you'll hurt a girl's feelings."

He raised an eyebrow. "The great Xiao Long? I hear she's invincible."

She hummed. "Close, but not quite. Got a few soft spots here and there."

He laughed as he looked out into the sunset once more. "I can't imagine what they migh-"

His mouth snapped shut as he felt a hand take his. He didn't dare look down.

"Like I said, a few here and there." She said. She closed her eyes. "Jaune?"

"Y-yeah?"

"Where is your other hand?"

"Looking for soft spots?" He tried.

"That's my ass Jaune."

"Really? See? I'm learning things. I gotta tell you, this thing is a mystery. It's both soft and firm at the same time!"

"Yeah, I'm aware, it's MY ass."

He hummed, looking off into the distance thoughtfully. "You know, in a lot of ways, I feel like it's a good analogy for you in that sense."

"Thanks? I guess? That's pretty deep for someone groping my ass. Your hand is still there by the way."

"Yeah, I thought we were having a moment."

"Yeah, we WERE."

"Oh." He said, moving his hand from one cheek to the other. "What about now?"

She sighed. "Jaune, are you aware that by arm has a rocket-punch function?"

"That sounds terrifying."

"Doesn't it though? And yet, your hand is STILL there."

"I'm pretty committed at this point. Also, I no longer fear death."

"I admire your dedication. Also, dark."

"Sooooo…we good?"

"No! That's like…a date at a mid-tier restaurant territory at least." Her arm began to hum and whirl.

His eyes widened. "Oh shit, there's like an actual motor in there! How'd they manage to make that fit?"

"I imagine the same way it's about the fit in your chest cavity. Proper application of force." She glanced down. "Your hand is STILL THERE!"

"I regret noth-"

*THUNK*

"-une. Jaune wake up!"

He felt a hand slapping against his face, causing him to stir.

"Wha?" His eyes were hazy, trying to adjust, before widening in panic. "Ren, we overslept! Quick, get the pancake batter, I'll get the bowls! We don't have much time!"

Yang thumped him. "Yo, Hands McGee, you're safe. Well, safe-ish." She corrected.

He sat up, rubbing his aching head. "What happened?"

She tsked. "You made poor life choices, then you received a concussion, and then you had some sort of 'Nam flashback about Nora…I'd suggest seeing a life coach, a doctor, and a psychologist. In that order."

He stared off into the distance and shivered. "There's no man alive that can undo that kind of psychological damage. Why do you think Ren is so quiet?"

She smirked. "Oh? What about a doctor? We need to get you one of those?"

He shook his head and rapped his knuckles against it. "It's all pretty hard up here."

She laughed. "Yeah, I can see that."

He smiled back. "I can't help but notice we're working backwards. I thought that I needed a life coach first and foremost."

"Well, luckily for you, I am Yang Xiao Long, certified life coach. I believe my record speaks for itself." She said proudly.

He raised an eyebrow. "Isn't your track record Ruby and Blake?"

"Meh, you get what you pay for. Speaking of which, my first decree as life coach-"

"Ok, I don't think that's how life co-"

"Silence knave! My first decree as life coach is that you shall retroactively take me to a mid-tier restaurant!"

His forehead creased. "Like a date?"

She scoffed. "No! Now silence! Such insolence will not be tolerated again! It has been determined that the dress code for this daaa-life coach session will be smart casual."

"I literally have the clothes I'm wearing."

"The life coach says: fair enough."

"Are you speaking in third person? How hard did you hit me?"

"The life coach will speak as the life coach wishes! She says that she hit you as hard as you needed to be hit."

"Jaune Arc is confused."

"The life coach says that after dinner we will go for a walk, there will be small talk. If it goes well, the life coach will give you signals that you will probably miss, then and ONLY then, will hands touch asses."

He nodded. "I accept these terms."

"The life coach wasn't asking. You will pick me up at seven, but the life coach will not actually be ready till seven-thirty at the earliest."

"I'll be there at six-forty-five."

"The life coach says: you're learning."

Also, I thought long and hard about whether or not I wanted to do this, but I decided to start a ko-fi page. I'm using it to save up money for when I stop being a pansy and decide to pursue publishing something original (don't worry, it'll be awhile before I get the nerve).

It's ko-fi dot com slash jiu_jitsudude

If you feel like you'd like to throw in a few bucks, I'm honored. If not, I'm still going to keep on writing. It's cheaper than therapy