[RWBY] RWBY Shorts

[AndrewJTalon]

Councilman Arc 6

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The Council Hall of Vale was a grand chamber, its high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of ancient battles and great heroes of the past, its gallery packed with onlookers. Teams RWBY and JNPR sat in the upper balcony, their eyes fixed on Jaune Arc at the podium below. His blonde hair caught the light as he delivered his speech, his voice steady but passionate.

"…And as demonstrated on the holo, our military readiness has been drastically below historical norms, even accounting for the peaceful times we find ourselves in," Jaune said, gesturing to a glowing projection of charts and maps. "Relying on Atlas and private Hunter Guilds is clearly not doing enough to deter bandit and Grimm activity in frontier settlements or even near major cities, and incursions by the White Fang and other rogue actors are increasing. Furthermore, our bases in Mistral have been getting by with second-hand supplies in multiple instances, and our replacements for our frontline carriers are now three years behind schedule. Is this how we treat our fighting men and women? This anti-military sentiment may win votes, but the reality is that the Valean Defense Force desperately needs more funding, and more respect. While I myself hope to become a Huntsman, I respect the men and women who join the VDF to serve their country. They deserve better! Thank you, Madame Chairwoman."

Yang Xiao Long leaned back, her blonde hair glowing faintly, her lilac eyes impressed. "Huh… He's actually pretty good. He explained everything in an easy-to-follow way."

Weiss Schnee, her white combat skirt pristine, scoffed, her ice-blue eyes narrowing. "For you, clearly."

Yang grinned, her voice teasing. "Hey! I'm not the dumb blonde!"

Ruby Rose, her red cloak pooling around her, muttered, her silver eyes glinting. "No, just a traitorous one."

Yang's jaw dropped, her voice indignant. "What?! I said I was his girlfriend so he wouldn't get attacked by groupies, that's all! I'm just doing my job to protect him!"

Pyrrha Nikos's smile was ominous, her emerald eyes glinting dangerously. "Really? Don't you think you should've informed the rest of us before you did that?"

Yang's smile turned deadly, her voice a purr. "What for? Seems like you had your shot and blew it, Cereal Girl."

Pyrrha's aura flared subtly, her voice low. "Oh? Did I? Perhaps I can make my own luck with your misfortune."

Yang cracked her knuckles, her hair sparking. "What kind of misfortune?"

"Broken bones," Pyrrha replied, her tone icy.

Yang smirked. "Bring it on, Red! Maybe getting tended by Jaune in the hospital afterward would be worth it~!"

Pyrrha seethed.

Weiss's voice was sharp, her arms crossing. "Would you two please stop?! Not here, have some decorum!"

Ruby nodded, her voice firm. "Yeah!"

Nora Valkyrie bounced in her seat, her turquoise eyes gleaming. "Yeah! Whatever that is. Ooh! Look! The Puppy-Eating Lady is speaking!"

Blake Belladonna frowned deeply, her tail flicking under her coat. Ruby's eyes widened, her voice a squeak. "Puppy-eating lady?!"

Below, Prunella Glocken, a stern woman with sharp features and a tight bun, took the podium opposite Jaune, her smile unpleasant. "Thank you, Madame Chairwoman. While young Councilman Arc clearly has spirit, his inexperience is showing. Overall Grimm attacks have been falling in recent years, and our alliance with Atlas has ensured we don't need to spend nearly as much on our defense forces as in the past. Mister Arc may have grown up with tales of his Nana and Papa's heroic deeds in the Great War when Mantle and Mistral were our enemies, but that time is long past. Perhaps his love of battle, glory, and headlines with his delinquent girlfriend makes him imagine that fiscal and political realities don't matter. But they do. I hope the young Councilman will learn to temper his arguments with more wisdom going forth, and maybe keep his girlfriend in line. Thank you, Madame Chairwoman."

Yang's aura flared, her voice a growl. "What?! That bitch!"

Chairwoman Browning, her gavel poised, spoke calmly. "We will take a quick recess before final statements by both sides. Thank you."

Jaune headed to his office, his bodyguards trailing, his expression tight. The teams followed, piling into the small, cluttered space filled with books and holo-screens. Yang's voice exploded the moment the door closed. "Where does she get off mocking you like that?! I'd have punched her in her smug face!"

Weiss's voice was indignant, her ponytail swishing. "The nerve! She didn't even have a real argument, she just used ad hominem!"

Ruby growled. "Yeah!" She then blinked. "Ad what?"

Ren, his magenta eyes calm, explained, "It means she insulted Jaune."

Ruby's eyes flashed, her voice a squeak. "THE NERVE!"

Nora grinned, her hammer propped nearby. "Want me to break her kneecaps, Jaune-Jaune?"

Jaune sighed, slumping into his chair, rubbing his eyes. "No."

Nora leaned forward, her voice eager. "Reeeeallly sure?"

"Yes," Jaune said firmly. His voice softened, heavy with frustration. "I mean… I put a lot of work into that presentation. But she just insults me, makes me look like a kid, and she'll probably have the votes to beat down the bill."

Pyrrha's voice was encouraging, her hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Jaune. You did a very good job. I think a number of councillors were swayed. You laid out the facts and appealed to their better natures!"

Blake's voice was dry, her amber eyes sharp. "Which seldom works in politics."

Ren nodded, his voice measured. "Agreed. Most politicians aren't like you, Jaune. They'll be asking, 'What's in it for me?'"

Jaune's eyes narrowed, his voice thoughtful. "Hmmm… So, what's in it for Prunella Glocken to maintain things as they are now?"

Ren nodded. "Yes."

Weiss's voice was crisp, her eyes glinting. "She deals extensively with the SDC—I've seen her at my father's functions when he's doing business with Vale. Atlas getting more defense contracts over Valean companies is in her interest."

Ruby's voice was outraged. "That's despicable!"

Jaune sighed, his voice resigned. "But it's only rumors, not hard evidence—"

Blake slid a stack of documents across the desk. Jaune blinked, flipping through them, his voice rising. "What the… These are emails where Prunella Glocken is communicating about how she'll get paid handsomely for suppressing the native Valean Defense industry?!"

Blake's voice was calm, her lips twitching. "Yes. Sorry I couldn't get more, but I believe this is enough."

Jaune's eyes widened, his voice incredulous. "Wha—Where did you get this stuff?!"

"Probably best not to ask. Plausible deniability."

Ruby's voice was a wail. "Blaaake! I thought we talked about you going all cat burglar!"

Blake's eyebrow arched, her voice smooth. "Why do you think I got these documents by those means?"

Ruby's eyes lit up, her voice hopeful. "So, can we send her to jail with this?"

Weiss shook her head, her voice pragmatic. "No, that would require more political capital than we have… We could blackmail her into voting our way."

Yang's jaw dropped. "Seriously?"

Weiss shrugged, her voice matter-of-fact. "What? That's politics!"

Jaune's voice was firm, his eyes resolute. "…No. I won't do that. Besides, if she demanded an investigation, that might get you in trouble, Blake. I'm not playing by her rules, and I'm not sacrificing a friend."

Blake's smile was small but genuine, her eyes warm. Jaune grinned, his voice brightening. "I have a better idea."

---

An hour later, the Council reconvened, the chamber buzzing with tension. Jaune took his podium, his posture confident. "Madame Chairwoman, thank you. I would like for everyone to—"

"JAUNE-JAUNE!" Nora burst in, her hammer slung over her shoulder, her Scroll raised high. "I HAVE WORDS THAT ARE IMPORTANT!"

Prunella's voice was sharp, her eyes narrowing. "What the—Why is one of your groupies disrupting proceedings, Mister Arc?"

Jaune's voice was calm, his smile polite. "Huh… If the Chairwoman would indulge me?"

Chairwoman Browning raised an eyebrow, her voice dry. "Perhaps a bit of indulgence is warranted for young Mister Arc."

Jaune nodded, his voice steady. "I suggest everyone check their Scrolls and VNN."

The councillors did, their Scrolls lighting up as Jaune projected a holo of Lisa Lavender, her voice crisp on the Vale News Network. "—Once again, our top story: Councilwoman Prunella Glocken is implicated in a scheme to take bribes from the Atlasian Defense Industry to keep the Valean Defense Industry down. As these documents prove, and accompanying emails, the Councilwoman has been doing this for years and—"

Prunella's face went scarlet, her voice a snarl as she shot to her feet. "What kind of smear campaign is this?! You arranged this—this fraud!"

Jaune shrugged, his voice cool. "Me? I've been here the whole time, check the security cameras. All my friend did was alert me to something I think everyone should know."

Prunella's eyes blazed. "Of course you had something to do with this! The timing is too convenient!"

Jaune's smile was serene. "I think you have bigger problems than me, Councilwoman."

Chairwoman Browning's gavel cracked, her voice firm. "Enough. We will adjourn for today. However, Councilwoman Glocken: Rest assured, we will launch an investigation into these claims, as we would with any such news stories." She struck the gavel again and swept out, the chamber erupting in murmurs.

Prunella shot Jaune a venomous glare as she stormed off with her caucus. Ozpin and Rufus Winchester approached, Ozpin's green eyes twinkling, Winchester's orange hair glinting.

Ozpin's voice was amused. "A bit dramatic, Mister Arc."

Winchester smirked, his voice gruff. "And could've used better execution… but well done."

Jaune's face was poker-straight, his voice neutral. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Ozpin chuckled. "Of course. We'll have the vote on the defense bill tomorrow. I believe it will go better this time… but do try to be more discreet in the future."

---

Back in Jaune's office, the teams gathered, the air thick with relief and adrenaline. Jaune slumped into his chair, his voice a sigh. "Well… we got away with it. For now." He smiled at Blake, his eyes warm. "Thanks, Blake. How can I repay you?"

Blake's lips curved, her voice soft. "Well… I wouldn't mind if you took me out to dinner."

Yang's aura flared, her voice indignant. "Hey! I'm his girlfriend!"

Jaune blinked, his voice a squeak. "Eh?"

Pyrrha's smile was sharp, her eyes glinting. "I didn't hear him say that!"

Yang grinned, her voice teasing. "We might as well make it official since we've been on a date!"

Ruby's voice was a wail. "It's not official!"

Pyrrha's tone was icy. "Exactly! Besides, I should be his—his pretend girlfriend! I'm his partner!"

Ruby's eyes flashed. "I'm his best friend!"

Yang's grin widened. "You're way too young! We don't need him getting associated with Repstein Island!"

Ruby's face went red, her voice a squeak. "I'M ONLY TWO YEARS YOUNGER!"

Weiss sighed, her voice exasperated. "Honestly, you're acting like children. You should all calm down."

Jaune's voice was hesitant, but grateful. "Uh, thanks, Weiss?"

Weiss's smile was prim, her eyes gleaming. "You're welcome. After all, I should pose as his girlfriend. I'm the most respectable."

Pyrrha's aura flared. "Not by half you are!"

Jaune watched, dumbfounded, as the five girls argued, their voices overlapping in a chaotic storm. He glanced at Ren and Nora, lounging on the couch, Nora's hammer propped nearby.

"Uh… you guys wanna jump in?" Jaune asked, his voice desperate.

Ren's voice was calm, his magenta eyes half-lidded. "I'm straight."

Nora grinned, her voice gleeful. "I love you, Jaune, but I'd only consider it if you brought Renny in, too!"

Jaune's jaw dropped. "What?!"

Nora's eyes twinkled. "I have my limits!"