King: I wanted him to be Shinij...

Knox Too bad~! It was my turn to pick.

King: I know. Calm down. Anyway, I hope you readers enjoy the chapter. Remember to enjoy a moment to yourself now and then. Sit down, have a drink (alcohol optional), and just enjoy the moment.

Inspiration: Bleach's Shunshui Kyoraku (RWBY)

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Knox was swinging his feet over the side of the balcony box he used as a chair. "I wonder how this one will go~" He gave a discrete snap of his fingers and the screen snapped to form.

The screen opened to show Jaune sitting in a windowsill, a small cup in hand as he looked out over the world before him. He was currently in Menagerie and, if the angle of various landmarks was to be believed, was resting in the Belladonna home.

Gira raised an eyebrow. He recognized the view as being in his study, but that opened more questions.

The camera moved away to show Gira enter the room, "Apologies. I know you have limited time on Menagerie, but my work always finds a way to pile up."

Jaune grinned and waved it off. "No worries. I'm just happy for the opportunity. Not many humans ever make their way to the unofficial home of the Faunas."

"And I see you climatized well."

Jaune chuckled. He was currently dressed in a black kimono and hakama, a pair of tabi socks covering his feet. It really looked like he belonged in Menagerie, save for the lack of Faunas trait.

Kali chuckled a little, "Seems he's gone native, so to speak."

Gira nodded. In truth, he always prefered the fashion-style in Menagerie or Mistral and, if possible, he always enjoyed seeing more people wearing the style in earnest.

Jaune laughed, "Sorry to disappoint, but this is my usual style. You weren't here when I arrived, so it's no need to worry over it." He took a sip from his cup and looked back out over the city. "It's a shame I can't stay. I think I'd like to live here if I got the chance."

Gira nodded. Despite Gira's greater goal of equality between humans and Faunas, Menagerie was only ever really for Faunas. It was a home for Faunas that were tired of fighting with humans, and so they left for the one place humans didn't touch. As a result, the presence of a human on Menagerie's shore made more than a few of them anxious.

Gira sighed, knowing that truth a little too well. Technically, Menagerie was open to humans, but realistically it simply wouldn't happen. Menagerie was difficult to live on, it would be less so if people were constantly worried about what their neighbors were planning.

Kali placed a hand on her husband's to help comfort him, even if only a little.

Jaune smiled toward the city before hopping back down onto the floor. "Let's get down to brass tax, shall we?" He sat on the opposite couch to Gira and smiled, "I was sent to broker a treaty with Menagerie. One that would officially recognize Menagerie on the world stage."

Gira's eyes went wide. "Mr. Arc…"

Jaune instantly shot that down. "Jaune."

"What?"

"Don't call me Mr. Arc. Call me Jaune. I've never been one for the pomp and circumstance. Besides, it sounds more like we're becoming friends if we use our first names. Calling me Mr. Arc makes me feel like I have an exam in an hour." Jaune started to laugh.

Something Gira joined soon after. "I admit, I can understand your statement, but you are here for official business, aren't you?" Not to mention the fact that you're likely the same age as my daughter. "Speaking of, what kind of deal were you here to offer?"

"A trade deal. An official deal with another settlement, Arcadia. We want the chance to open trade with Menagerie and perhaps smooth relations between the Faunas and humans. Show them a world where both can coexist."

Blake smiled hearing that. Her fight has always been for equality, and hearing about Arcadia and how they not only fought for that goal from the beginning, but had retained a sense of camaraderie within its walls. What she saw of Arcadia was something akin to her dream of equality.

Gira couldn't help but crack a smile. "I admit, that is a tempting end. But Menagerie doesn't have much to give."

"Maybe not, but that's not really the point." Jaune's smile fell and he seemed to turn serious. His voice low to match, "But you and I both know why I'm really here."

Ruby shrunk a bit in her chair, "That doesn't sound good."

Gira's eyes narrowed. "Do I?"

"You're on edge, Gira. You found out the White Fang has something up their sleeves. That there's an attack on the horizon. You're a smart man. You know moderate voices like yours won't be welcome once things kick off."

Gira's fist clenched, ready for whatever would happen next. "And why are you here then?"

The tense moment was building, almost oppressively so. It was hard to breathe in some way as the moment was getting more and more dangerous. Or so it seemed.

Jaune's grin returned rather quickly, his hands up to show no ill will, "Hey! Easy! I'm not here to hurt you or something. The opposite actually."

This allowed those with kind hearts to release their breath hearing that.

Gira seemed to ease his grip, but was still on edge. "You have to understand if I'm still skeptical. An old friend of my daughter attempted to spy on my family, possibly in preparation for what you're describing."

Ilia growled to herself, just knowing he was talking about her.

Jaune let out a quick laugh, "That right? If that's the case, I won't beat around the bush. We have reason to believe that the White Fang will attack your home. And considering you're meeting with me, it'll probably be tonight. I'm here to stop them."

Gira fist went tight again. If he were a lesser man, he'd see this as an insult. He hadn't asked for help, yet here it was on his doorstep. "I would appreciate it if it comes to that. But I hope that such fighting can be avoided."

"You and me both. If I had my way, we'd all sit down for a drink and talk out our problems. But that's not always an answer."

Qrow sighed, holding his flask up toward the screen. "A sad truth if I ever heard one. If only a drink could fix things. Instead of just fooling us into thinking it did…" He was quiet; sullen. He knew that drinking wasn't going to help him at all, but at this point it was all he had.

Tai placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Qrow was never a lucky man, and he had to find comfort anywhere he could. It wasn't just drink, but his flighty nature and overly joking demeanor. It was all a mask of a pained man. Tai knew that, but he couldn't really help. This was something Qrow had to answer on his own.

Jaune stood up again and sighed. "Speaking of which, if I'm right, we're about to have company."

A Menagerie guard burst into the room without warning, "Sir! White Fang have infiltrated the home!"

Gira was instantly on his feet. "Where is everyone?!"

"Lady Kali is pinned down in the dining room! Ms. Blake and her friend Sun are attempting to reach her location now!"

Sun sat back in his chair, thought finding its way across his face, "So I'm there, huh?"

Yang chuckled and leaned toward her partner, elbowing her side, "Taking your man to meet the parents, maybe~?"

Blake rolled her eyes, not saying anything.

Gira growled and started to charge toward the door.

"Easy, big guy." Jaune was suddenly in front of Gira, who had no idea how he got there so quickly. "This isn't a situation you rush into. I know a man will always worry about his family, particularly his wife. But be honest, does she really need help?"

The moment changed to show Kali behind a heavy table being used as a barricade. She took a breath before grabbing a silver tea tray. As one of the Fang members approached, she swung to the side and slammed the metal tray into his face. In that moment, she noticed he had a katana at his side. She took the hilt and kicked him away, taking his blade in the process. As another tried to avenge his comrade, she flipped over across his shoulders, took his blade as well, and slashed upward to knock him into the table face first. Now with twin blades in hand, she rushed through the remaining grunts with little effort. She was a seasoned warrior where these were misguided children. It was a brutally one-sided battle.

Sun was upright instantly, "Holy crap! That was awesome!"

Kali smiled, remembering her glory days.

Harriet turned to the older Belladonna woman, a bit confused, "Why didn't you become a huntress? If I remember a couple intermissinos ago, you were really good."

Kali shook her head. "That life was never for me. Huntsmen live lives on the road. I wanted to live a calm life in a stable home."

Vine nodded in understanding. "Not everyone who can wants to become Huntsmen. It is understandable."

As Kali defended the dining room, Blake and Sun entered a large room with a series of tables and bookshelves. It was something akin to a reading room. However, they weren't alone. Ilia was above them, dressed in her infiltration gear and Grimm mask.

A look that made Ilia want to consider changing. She was still in her gear, and didn't seem to have a way to change. Maybe if I ask one of those guys in charge.

Blake and Sun slowed as Ilia jumped down to block their path. Blake's eyes narrowed, "Ilia."

Ilia glanced between the two, "Blake." Once they were friends. Now they were opponents in a war.

Sun looked between them, knowing he was the odd man out right now. Sure, Ilia had put a small hole in his shoulder when they first met, but it was clear that Blake and Ilia had more issues with one another than he wanted to test.

Blake felt herself getting angry. The idea that her past would come back to haunt her and her new friends was always a fear. But to know it actually caused someone to get hurt stung too much, especially when it was from someone that she thought was still a friend. Someone she hoped could see what was happening to the White Fang. She sighed, knowing that at least the version with her in the audience had come to her senses.

The door behind Blake and Sun swung open with a loud slam. "Hey now, why all the sour faces?" Jaune walked through, now wearing a long pink, floral patterned, women's kimono over his shoulders like a cape. A pair of sword hilts peaked out on his left side. A cursory glance would show them to be a daisho sword pair: in this case a tachi and wakizashi. He even donned a sugegasa straw hat. The only thing missing was a pair of wooden sandals to really bring it together. The only reason he didn't was because he was inside.

All three turned to him, surprised by his sudden appearance. Not to mention his actual appearance. Jaune had kept to himself when he arrived, so neither Blake nor Sun were aware of who he was. Ilia just scowled at the idea that a human dared set foot on Menagerie.

A sentiment that made Ilia sink a bit in shame.

Jaune moved toward the scene with a smirk. "You two keep going on ahead. Leave her to me."

Blake's fist tightened, turning back to Ilia. "I can't do that."

"I'm not asking." Jaune drew his tachi slowly as he approached. "Get moving. Something like this will make parents worry. Go let them know you're alright. I'll handle this."

Tai leaned to the side, getting a bit more comfortable in his chair, "He's right."

Gira and Kali nodded in agreement.

Blake knew he was right, but she couldn't just let this go. Until Sun placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back to the moment. A simple smile was enough to remind her that hanging onto her past like this was part of the problem. It would only make her blame herself more if something happened. She sighed and nodded, "Okay. Thank you." They both started to run to the side and around Ilia.

"No you don't!" Ilia tried to swing her weapon to intercept them.

Only for Jaune to suddenly appear between them, blocking the attack.

Ruby was wide eyed, excited, "Oh my gosh that was so fast!"

Harriet's eyes narrowed. "No. It's something else."

Ilia was taken off guard and glanced toward where Jaune had been, only for the figure to fade. An afterimage?!

Jaune smirked and snapped his sword to the side and sent her weapon's end back at her, striking the side of her head.

This got Nora to snicker at how comical that was.

Jaune swung his tachi onto his shoulder. "That was Kageokuri."

"Ka-ge-what?" Nora's head now tilted in confusion.

Kali clasped her hands together, "Chiichan no Kageokuri~! It's a sort of game for children where they would stare at a shadow and quickly look somewhere else to create an afterimage of the shadow on the new surface."

"That sounds boring."

Oobleck adjusted his glasses, "I remember something similar being described in ancient texts. It was introduced in their early years of human and Faunas life."

Yang chuckled, "That'll do it."

Jaune cracked his neck as he kept Ilia from getting in the way of the escaping duo.

Ilia's eyes narrowed behind her mask. "A human like you doesn't belong on Menagerie."

Jaune didn't miss a beat. "And a scowl like that doesn't belong on such a pretty face."

Yang whistled, "Damn~ Laying on the moves without even trying."

Ilia rolled her eyes.

The Ilia on screen was more surprised than anything. "Shut up!" She swung her weapon to attack, only to run Jaune through without him reacting. As he turned into a shadow, another Jaune flew in from the side and kicked her in the side. As she slid across the ground, she saw his weapon pointed downward toward the ground and over her shadow. Instinct told her to move. She leapt away in time for a blade of shadow to rise up from the ground, narrowly missing her.

Qrow finished a drink from his flask before speaking, "So he had a shadow based semblance, huh? Guess it's not that out of the ordinary."

Raven smirked, "It can have more than a few applications that would help the tribe… Perhaps I should find one with a similar power."

Jaune's smirk widened slightly, "Not bad. You avoided Kageoni despite not realizing what would happen. Anyone else would have thought I was just acting strange until the first blade appeared. You're pretty scary." Jaune charged forward and swung his blade toward Ilia, being blocked by her whip. He did something she didn't expect, however. He dropped the blade and brought his other hand up to catch it. The new angle allowed him to swing again from a new side.

This time, Ilia tried to dodge. However, the window to do so was smaller. She was able to avoid the damage, but just barely. Her suit was caught by the tip of the blade and a small tear appeared over her stomach, a warning of the skill and power behind the man before her. Though, she did notice something there. She looked back up toward this man, now with a face of someone who was insulted. "You're not taking me seriously."

"Huh?" Jaune just looked confused.

Ilia snapped her weapon up as she growled, "Draw your second sword!"

"What? Why would I do that?"

Kali sized up his stance and had a eureka moment, "Oh! He uses two-sword style!"

"What?" Blake turned to her. She knew that Daisho pairs were for two separate ranges. The long sword, a katana or tachi, would be used when one has more room to work with. Meanwhile, the short sword was for smaller ranges or counter attacks against someone who got inside their guard.

Ilia, however, knew better. "You're ambidextrous and have two separate swing speeds."

This caught Jaune off guard.

"When you swung with your left hand, you moved forward just slightly. Say the difference between a tachi and a wakizashi. All of that and you don't use a two-sword fighting style?"

Jaune's smile turned a bit dark, "You really are scary. I'm guessing I can't convince you to share a drink and talk this out?"

Ilia's eyes narrowed, snapping her whip against the ground.

Jaune sighed. "That's too bad." He took the second blade in hand and slowly removed it from its scabbard. "But I want to warn you now. This game is only getting started."

Ilia's eye twitched. "You think this is a game?!"

Kali giggled. "Well… it kind of is. Kageoni sounds like a similar game in history where kids would try to step on each other's shadows."

Ilia snapped her weapon forward, only for Jaune to dip to the side and spin his body around. A circle of wind formed and flew toward Ilia. "Bushogoma!" As the wind reached her, Ilia was swept up in a small twister and forced to find new footing on the floor above.

Gira nodded, "Lazy Spinning Top. Seems all of his abilities are based on old children's games rather than shadows."

Ilia grabbed the ledge as best he could before looking back up to find Jaune already waiting for her. He smirked and she jumped off the side to avoid the attack. However, Jaune leapt after and over her. "Takaoni!" He kicked Ilia toward the ground and caused the floor to crack from the power he put out. Ilia's eyes went wide at how much stronger he seemed in that moment. Jaune landed and tried to sweep, but she was able to jump up and block, only to find his power seemed to reduce.

Qrow groaned a bit as his flas emptied. "Obviously a passive skill. Whoever is higher up gets a boost."

"But how does he have so many abilities?" Glynda asked.

Ozpin thought for a moment. Each game seemed to come and go. True that they worked out for him, but it was like a child changing games in the middle in order to win. "It's possible he doesn't choose the ability he's using at any given time."

Ilia jumped back and landed back on her feet, ready to block another attack, only to find Jaune nonchalantly waiting across from her. "What's wrong? Getting tired?"

Jaune chuckled, "I doubt you can match my stamina. But more to the point, we've been swapping around game after game. I figured you deserve to know how to play this one without having to figure it out on your own. This is Irooni. A form of tag based on colors. If we want to attack each other, we have to call out a color. We can only do damage to that color on our opponents. For instance, Blue!" Jaune charged forward and swung a heavy attack into Ilia's stomach, only for the damage to not even register.

"Woah!" Ruby gasped. "That's so cool!"

Ilia placed a hand on her stomach, confused. "What did…" Her face soon set in a grin, looking back toward him. The area of damage was obvious and easy to hit. "Pink!" She snapped her weapon forward and straight into his shoulder through his kimono.

Pyrrha gasped, not nearly as excited as Ruby had been. But she calmed down seeing Jaune hadn't taken that much damage.

Ilia was confused, but Juane soon explained it. "See, here's the other thing. The amount of damage you can do is proportional to the risk to yourself." He swung his kimono/cape off and stood completely in black. "Black."

Ilia took a step back, her suit being completely black. As Jaune charged, she tried to fight back, only for Jaune to duck under her counter and bring the pommel to her stomach. As per the rules of the game, the damage was increased by a ludicrous amount. Ilia blacked out and so did the screen for a moment.

Everyone recoiled at the power behind that attack. They could almost feel the impact.

Things soon faded back to show Ilia lying on the ground as she started to wake up. "What… what happened?"

Ilia sighed in relief knowing she was still alive.

As she tried to sit up, a stinging pain shot through her body.

"Easy." Jaune was still nearby, sitting on the ground close to her as he took a sip from a small cup. "That last hit wasn't exactly light."

Ilia wanted to growl in agner, but doing so would only hurt. She groaned and forced her head up slightly, bringing that pink kimono into her vision. As she lied on the ground, it was draped over her like a blanket. "Is this supposed to make me trust you? So you can interrogate me?"

"Nope. Just being a decent person." He finished his drink and placed the cup into a small pouch wrapped on his belt. "Not used to that?"

Ilia turned away in frustration. No, she wasn't used to it. Ever since she lost her parents, she'd never met someone just being a 'decent person.' She thought she found one in Blake, before she ran off without so much as a letter. But to this day, she'd never met a 'decent human.'

Ilia huffed and turned away.

"I'll take that as a no." Jaune sighed and nodded slightly. "That would explain the attitude. Of course, that means your allies aren't exactly good people either." Ilia wanted to argue that, but Jaune cut her off. "When was the last time your comrades asked you about your day? Offered to help out when they had time? If you got left behind, would they go back to save you?"

Ilia was indignant hearing that. She knew the cause was more important than any one person. "What's that have to do with being a decent person? An ally can do all of that."

"True. But what about with the people on the other side? Would they go out of their way to keep a human alive? Or would they exasperate the issue. Kill them if it's deemed best for your cause." When Ilia didn't answer, he continued. "That's the difference. They might be fighting, but a 'decent person' never wants to hurt other people."

Everyone let that sink in. Even if they got into sparring matches, it was never about hurting each other. It was to train so they were ready to protect everyone beyond the schools. Save for a few. Raven ust rolled her eyes. Combat was the best way to test one's abilities, so it made sense to tae part whenever possible. Cinder was just Cinder.

Ilia scoffed, "Spare me the philosophy lesson. Faunas need to fight for their rights in this world. I don't expect you to understand."

"Nope. And I never will. Because I don't think the same way you do. But that doesn't mean we can't sit down and come together without trying to turn each other into a bloody paste." Jaune took a breath before he leaned forward, his shadow looming over her, "Speaking of which, I want to offer you an out. See, the people outside are less than happy with the Fang after trying to attack their Chieftain's home and family. Gira is a popular man, and trying to assassinate him doesn't endear you to the people. So, if you walk out there right now, they'll want to tear you to shreds."

Sienna nodded. She would admit she'd certainly want to tear into whoever tried to do something like that. Gira was her hero-figure. Even if she believed he didn't have the right answer to Faunas equality, she still respected him for everything he represented and accomplished.

Ilia knew he was right. "What's the deal then?"

The scene changed to show Jaune walk out and onto the front porch. A crowd had gathered, being addressed by Gira and Blake. As he left, all eyes were on him and the young woman standing beside him, now dressed in a black Shihakusho.

Ilia's eyes went wide.

Roman was just confused, "Wait, she tried to kill him, and he gives her a job?"

Neo was just as confused, showing clear signs that she thought he was insane.

Nora laughed, however, in her jovial Nora way. "That's just how nice our Fearless Leader can be! He can even persuade his enemies into becoming allies!"

Velvet wanted to say something, but really thought about it. Considering Cardin had been leaving her alone since the apparent confrontation in Forever Fall, it was hard to deny Jaune had an effect.

As they walked off, a voice over conversation between them continued.

"Jaune, I have to ask. What was that power you used?"

"I call it Child's Play. When I use it, we play a game during a fight. Though the game being played is random and can change suddenly. I liken it to a kid on the playground just going from game to game on a whim."

Harriet popped another popcorn piece into her mouth. "So he can't even control what game they 'play'? Then what's the point?"

Ironwood chuckled, disagreeing, "Have you ever met a child willing to lose?"

Harriet blinked before conceding the point. Whether it was because he was right or because he was the general was unknown.

Jaune and Ilia continued to walk off as the viewing came to an end.

Knox chuckled to himself. "I wonder what's next~"

Penny turned to the golden man, "I am confused. I remember being told you are a manifestation of the screen. Are you truly unable to tell what was next?"

Knox shook his head, "I might be able to have a little power, but it's all still random. It's more fun that way."