The Golden Lily Cafe

A Snowy Surprise

The weekend came to a close, Ruby had successfully worked her shifts, and Jaune was impressed with the results. The following weeks were a bit calm and it led to the upcoming events of the Vytal festival.  The foot traffic started to increase a bit, and every day it felt like a new set of people were visiting.  

One night while working Ruby looked over to Jaune, she had a worried look on her face, and Jaune noticed immediately.  

Jaune: "Speak your mind crater, I'm not a mind reader, if I was, I woulda caught on with a lot of stuff." She let out a sigh.

Ruby: "Well, say you were still on JNPR, and you wanted to do a... secret mission"

Jaune: "Nope, don't do it." Ruby looked up at him. "Look, I'm not sure what you're planning with your team and how you go about it. But knowing you, and your team, you're probably going to anyways. But be safe, go slow, and don't start something you shouldn't try to finish." He placed the mug down and gave a very stern 'Older Brother Look'. "What are you planning?"

Ruby: Letting out a very deep breath. "We are planning on looking into Torchwick to see what he's planning on the city...". Hearing this RJ looked down at Lily and ushered her to go upstairs.

Jaune: A very disappointed look crept on his face. Ruby flinched slightly. "Ruby..... I will give you one warning.. just one."  He turns his body to face her. "If you put yourself in danger, to such extent, I will fire you.... do I make myself clear?" He pointed at her with a knife hand. "I will absolutely not have anything around that could harm Lily. You can go and get yourself hurt but I will not have her hurt, or influenced."

RJ stepped forward placing a hand on Jaune's shoulder. Calming the blonde slightly.

RJ: "Ruby, last time I checked, you are just a student, a huntress in training.  I'm sure you see why we are against this right?" He gave off a saddened look. "You can't place yourself at risk, and why are you wanting to chase after him in the first place?"

Ruby: The girl looked down, tears slightly starting to well in her eyes.  "Blake... she is head struck on the idea that Torchwick is involved with the White Fang."

Jaune: "Yeah, that tracks, she would be interested since she is a faunus, none the less one who is the daughter of the original founders." Ruby went wide eyed and her jaw dropped. Jaune looked at her trying not to laugh. "What, did you think I wouldn't notice that she was a faunus? Plus her name is Belladonna. She didn't really hide it." The sound of Ruby's palm slapping her face echoed in the cafe as RJ and Jaune laughed.

RJ: "So why is Blake's reasoning so important that you'd risk your future career as a huntress?" RJ crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. Jaune also looked over and awaited her answer.

Ruby: "I thought it was the only way to settle her mind. That and Weiss decided to push her buttons, claiming all faunus were miscreants and vile... Hold on how the flipping snickerdoodle did you know Blake was a faunus, but couldn't tell Weiss didn't like you?!" Jaune coughed looking embarrassed. 

 Jaune: "Not about me! As for me being a dense idiot, I put things together too late. I was more into the idea of what I wanted, and didn't pay attention to what was in front of me." He scratched the back of is head. "Not that I'm interested now anyways. It's not like a beautiful woman who's mature and great with kids is going to appear in my life out of nowhere anyways."

RJ and Ruby looked at each other and giggled, knowing Jaune just jinxed himself.

-Meanwhile in Atlas

A tall slender woman was walking with what could be seen as a squad of androids. Her posture was imposing, showing strength and confidence. Beside her was the very leader of Atlas, General James Ironwood. 

Ironwood: "Winter, are we prepared to depart to Vale?" The two continued walking towards the ports.

Winter: "Yes sir, we are ready to depart on a moments notice. All knights are prepared and stowed to move. I must ask though sir, why so much force, wont this be seen as an act of war or aggression?" Winter had concern on her voice and face.

Ironwood: "If it could be avoided I would prefer to, but you know as well as I the majority of the council are a bunch of crochety old fucks that are very much out of touch."

Winter: "I see, well at least we are the ones going, and will have the overall say on the approach." Ironwood nodded, holding a coffee mug. "I am excited though to see Weiss, even if we have grown apart slighty." Suddenly she felt a sneeze coming through. "Achoo!" The sneeze catching Ironwood by surprise.

Ironwood: "You aren't sick are you? I'd hate for you to have to stay here while I do public relations." A smug grin appeared across his face. "Or maybe a Knight in shining armor is thinking of his ice princess." Winter's face turned pink as the idea was distant for her.

Winter: "General!" Ironwood laughed at the reaction. 

-The next morning at the Golden Lily

Jaune woke up, it was a very long night. After his discussion with Ruby he stayed up pondering on how I could prevent disaster from coming to his cafe.  He wanted to ensure that Lily, and his home were kept out of a crossfire.  He looked out of window over looking the street in front of him. The signs and flags for the Vytal festival sprouting what felt like over night. The sound of a bullhead flying over them.

Jaune: "Well, looks like another day."  He started working on his routine.

-Later in the day

It was around 5pm, Ruby had a day off today so it was RJ and Jaune manning the restaurant.   They were going about their business, with Lily working the register and Jaune making drinks in front, while RJ was making bread and cookies in the kitchen. Suddenly the door opened and Lily looked out to see two individuals walking in.  Both looking official.  

Lily: "Hello, welcome to the Golden Lily!" She waved cutely and the male of the two clutched his chest. 

??: "Irk! How can she be so cute." The other stared at the girl as well, thinking the same but not bringing attention to it aloud.

Lily: "I can help you over here!" The two walked over and looked at the menu, the smell of both coffee and food filled the air.  "Any recommendations you'd like? We home make everything here that we are able!" 

Jaune looked at the customers in question. Shocking enough he hadn't expected General Ironwood and his, what could be assumed, assistant.  

Jaune: "Well I'll be, I didn't expect the General himself to be here. And you mi-" Before he could finish the two locked eyes, and suddenly time stopped for Jaune, his breath stopping and his heart skipping a beat. "Muh.. muh..." He coughed and fixed himself. "Miss?"

??: "I'm Winter, Winter Schnee." Her face also a bit pink and flushed. Her eyes being stuck on the beautiful blue orbs in front of him. 

Seeing this, both Lily and Ironwood gave a smug grin. RJ who also leaned in, had the same look across his face.

Lily: "Sooooo.." Jaune immediately looked down and was met with a giddy Lily.

Jaune: "No Lily.."

Ironwood: "So Winter."

Winter: "With all do respect sir I will shove your robotic hand up your butt and make you a popsicle."

RJ in the background as well as the cafe goers just laugh.

Jaune: "Well, at least nothing more crazy would hopefully happen today."

Suddenly the door opens and Ruby is seen.

Ruby: "Hey Jaune! Is it okay to pick up my check? I need to get some things for the.... Hello?!" She looked at Winter with a shocked look. "Weiss! What growth potion did you drink and why didn't you share!?"

Winter: "You know my sister?" Suddenly another sound occurs with the door opening.

??: "Ruby are you in here...  Winter?! JAUNE?!"

Winter: "Weiss?!"

Jaune: With a new found stress on his face. "Lily, babygirl, please cover your ears for about 5 seconds." She nodded and did so. "Fuck my life."