Playing For Keeps - Ch 52 (Adv) - Dinner In Mistral (Patreon)

I stepped off the furnicular a block away from the Roma estate, [Eagle’s Splendor] already running and psyching myself up for dinner. I was wearing my new Formal armor set; a pale blue shirt nearly matching my eyes under a midnight blue dinner jacket and trousers, with understated black leather shoes.

“Hello again, Jaune!”

To my surprise, it was Bia who greeted me first. Was she waiting for me? She was wearing a gorgeous cobalt-colored evening gown that hung off one shoulder, fitted through the waist before flaring as it hung to her ankles. I suspected she was wearing a fairly low pair of heels tonight, because she was ever so slightly taller than me, but I wasn’t entirely sure because I was trying not to swallow my tongue.

“I don’t know how you did it,” I said, affecting a serious tone.

She blinked. “Did what?”

“Found a dress that looks even better on you than yesterday’s.”

Two spots of color appeared in her cheeks as she gave a dazzling smile.

“I hope you don’t mind an extra accessory?” I added, proffering the flowers.

Her green eyes darted to the matching blossom in my buttonhole, and she immediately slipped the corsage onto her wrist before taking the bouquet. “Thank you; they’re beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful, the flowers are just all right,” I flirted.

“All right, save it for later,” my sister Violet interrupted. She was wearing a knee-length black dress with a purple bodice, and had swapped her earlobe tunnels out for plugs that looked to be cut amethysts. Her hair was still in a long braid, but it was much more elaborate than usual, with two distinct purple sections instead of just one. “You’re not late, but you’re almost the last one here. Come on.”

She turned and headed deeper into the house without waiting for a reply. Rolling my eyes, I offered Bia my arm, and we followed Vi up a staircase to a different dining room than either of the ones I’d been in the last time I visited.

Vi pushed the door open and walked in without pausing, so we followed and found ourselves the center of attention. Grandma was sitting at the head of the table, with Olivia to her left and Vi taking the seat to her right. At the foot sat Anicetus, his massive form squeezed into a custom suit. To his right were a well-built brunette and a man with wine-red hair.

Bia gave my arm a subtle squeeze as she led me over to the open seats across from them. “Jaune, I’m sure you remember Uncle Anicetus, but I’d like you to meet my mother, Selena, and my dad, Pallantias.”

Both of them stood up to offer a handshake.

“‘Allan’ is fine,” the man said warmly. He didn’t try to crush my hand when we shook… but Selena did.

I bore it without a blink, my passive CON more than up to the task, and after a moment her eyes crinkled and she relented. “We’ve heard quite a bit.”

“Good things, I hope?” I asked, pulling Bia’s chair out for her and taking a moment glance over their heads.

‹It’s Hard To Shine All The Time›LV 76Selena Álikos

‹Anger Leaves You Cold›LV 31Pallantias Álikos

“Nothing bad,” Allan insisted. “She mentioned you were Sienna’s brother, that you met in Atlas, and how you saved the lives of the other passengers when your plane crashed by slaying a Named Grimm.”

“I saved everyone I could, but there were still fatalities,” I corrected him softly, before gesturing across the table at my sister. “And that makes it sound like Vi didn’t arrive to pull my bacon out of the fire.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Baby Jay,” Violet drawled. “You had it handled.”

“Knowing you were coming mattered a lot,” I argued. “The best defense against Grimm is high morale, and being certain you had my back made the difference against Samiri. That’s why we Hunt in teams in the first place.”

[Charm has increased by 1! Genuine certainty in your beliefs caused your CHA to increase by 1!]

“Well said,” Olivia smiled.

Belatedly, I took a seat, casually undoing the button on my jacket. A butler or waiter filled my water glass while another set a vase in front of Bia for her to display the bouquet. Also belatedly, I looked to the head of the table. “Good evening, Grandma. Please excuse my rudeness.”

Jeanne snorted. “I’m aware of your priorities for the evening, Jaune. Regardless, it’s good to see you.

She was wearing a black dress with a grey wolf’s head embroidered on the front, a string of pearls around her neck, and her iron-grey hair was in its usual bun. With a slight crook of her finger, the staff started serving the first course, a bowl of chicken soup with noodles, eggs, and slices of lemon, resulting in a light, bright, silky broth.

Of vaguely more interest, I could actually see the details of everyone at the table… or at least their ‘resting’ levels. My current theory was that high-level Hunters tended to display a lower level to my Semblance when they weren’t going all-out.

‹Wolf of the West›LV 86Jeanne Roma

“I take it from your acceptance of the invitation that your mission is going well?” she went on.

“Could be going a lot worse,” I said. I declined the accompanying salad out of habit, but tried the soup with interest. Smells extremely Greek, presumably the Alexandria’s influence?

“Is that what brings you here?” Selena asked. “A mission? I believe Bia mentioned you’re a Beacon student.”

“A mission he wouldn’t tell us about,” Vi chimed in, eyes narrowed.

I ignored her and answered Selena, “That’s right; my mentor Qrow Branwen was assigned, and there were several reasons he decided to bring me along. Direct experience, my Semblance, and of course the family contacts in case of emergency. Now that I’m a little more on top of the situation, I don’t feel the need to be quite as closelipped as when I first mentioned it to Vi, but I hope I can count on everyone’s discretion? It would be best if this didn’t leave the room.”

Grandma raised an eyebrow, but nodded, so I summarized, “We’ve been looking for a couple parties of interest. One, we’ve found; the other went to ground Saturday night. His name’s Tyrian Callows, he’s a scorpion faunus, and he tried to assassinate Professor Lionheart on Friday night.”

I took a sip of water as both my sisters and Bia’s parents dropped their spoons in shock.

“That would have been a disaster,” Allan breathed.

“It could have gone a lot worse, considering who found him afterward…” I shook my head, filling them in on how the rest of the weekend had gone.

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“He’s in perfect health now, and agreed to lay low for tonight, so we’ve shelved the job of tracking him for tomorrow.” I finished as the next course of grilled calamari was served. I turned to Bia. “Might ask for your help with that, if you’re not busy.”

“Of course,” she said immediately.

“Just tell us what you need,” Olivia added.

“Pfft, you have classes to teach,” Vi scoffed. “I’ll handle it.”

I grinned as the two started to bicker. “I’ll let you guys know, thanks.”

“What do you need Bia for?” Selena asked.

“To play bait with me,” I answered honestly. “Normally I’d hesitate to ask, but she was kind enough to assist me when he popped up Saturday night, and I suspect he’ll hold a grudge since she blew off his stinger.” I looked her way again. “I will warn you up front though, it will still be dangerous. His Semblance lets him ignore Aura, and I learned on Saturday that he can apply it to his weapons, which lets them cut you like it’s not there. My Semblance lets me shrug that off somewhat, but you’ll have to be extremely careful.”

The thought of Tyrian’s blades cutting Bia down almost had me opening my mouth to retract the request, but she spoke up first. “That’s what my Specialist armor is for. Unlike most Hunters, we’re heavily protected even without Aura.” She gave me a knowing look. “Your Semblance is impressive, but don’t go trying to push everyone behind you.”

I sighed. “Fair. It’s probably a bad habit to develop in this line of work. I’m sorry.”

“Is that how you talk to your woman?” The big man at the foot of the table finally spoke up after draining his stein.

‹Way of the Fist›LV 98Anicetus Alexandria

I blinked. “I don’t follow.”

“Women don’t want to hear apologies,” he scoffed. “It makes you look weak. She’ll lose respect for you.”

I looked around the table full of Huntresses, taking in Selena’s closed eyes and Vi’s curling lip. Only Grandma looked unaffected, simply continuing to eat her salad. Allan in particular avoided my gaze.

“With all due respect, what the fuck are you talking about?” I asked, counting on Grandma’s casual attitude toward basically everything to overlook my language at the dinner table. “Bia was right and I was wrong; treating her like she’s helpless was condescending even if it came from a good place. She doesn’t need me coddling her, and refusing to apologize for it wouldn’t make me strong, it would just make me an asshole.”

Anicetus’ eyes narrowed. Faster than I could react, his hand shot out and clamped around the neck of my shirt, before yanking me out of my seat and holding me aloft with one arm as he stood to his full height. “Watch your mouth, pencil neck.”

You’d think I’d have learned something after mouthing off to Raven, but apparently not. “I’m confused; wasn’t this what you were telling me to do? It may not be how I talk to my girlfriend, but I’m standing by my words here.”

His brow furrowed, and he shook his head. “Ignorance of youth. You’ll see I’m right someday, boy. In a world like this, women are looking for strength, not a doormat.”

“If Bia was the type to stop respecting me for acknowledging when I’m wrong, she would never have become the strong, dedicated, respectable Huntress she is,” I replied. “And frankly, if my ego is ever so fragile I can’t bring myself to apologize, ‘strength’ is the last thing I’d call it.”

“I’ve been with more women than you’ve seen in your entire life.”

“And clearly none of them found you worth sticking around for.” I couldn’t quite keep the derision out of my tone, and the next thing I knew my HP was cratering, as was the window behind me as I went straight through it.

I hit the branches of a tree next, barely missing Qrow in his bird form who let out a startled caw! The branches also weren’t quite enough to arrest my backward momentum, and I belatedly triggered my [Aura] to protect me before I hit the ground.

[BGM Unlocked! “Green Bird” by The Seatbelts]

Not sensing Anicetus following me, I took a moment to breathe and clear the notification. Then, before I could get up, a civilian Aura came to a stop by my head.

“Are you all right?” asked a woman whose voice I didn’t recognize.

I took a moment to reach up and reset my jawbone, [Gamer’s Body] letting it slide back into place, and worked it for a moment before answering. “Been worse. That dickhead is only the third-most dangerous person I’ve shit-talked this week.” I paused, then reconsidered. “Maybe fourth, if I count Grandma.”

Kipping upright, I found a pair of very familiar green eyes set in an unfamiliar face. She was quite tall, with a full figure sheathed in a black evening gown. Huh, Bia never mentioned having a sister.

‹Beguiling Black Lion›LV 19Lorelei Álikos

Dusting myself off, I rebuttoned my jacket and then offered Lorelei my arm like I had for Bia earlier. “May I walk you inside?”

“My, you are a gentleman,” she smiled. “My daughter is quite lucky, it seems.”

“Jaune!” Bia was leaning out the shattered window, ignoring the glass pressing against her Aura. “Are you all right!?”

“Fine!” I called back, escorting her apparent mother back up the front walk. I didn’t bother knocking this time, pushing the front door open and making my way back upstairs, thinking fast.

If this is Bia’s mom then who’s Selena? I definitely thought she and Allan were wearing matching wedding bands… A quick glance confirmed that Lorelei’s ring also matched theirs, except it was even more elaborate. Wait, that’s right, I keep forgetting polycules are normal on Remnant. Even though here I am meeting her family when I have a girlfriend. So I guess the simplest answer is that they’re all married?

As soon as we stepped back into the dining room, Lorelei stepped away so Bia could check me over. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

I allowed it, smiling, and then lifted her chin so she’d look at me. “I’m fine,” I repeated. Then, raising my voice for the entire room to hear, I added, “I’ll admit the sucker punch caught me by surprise, but my grandmother hits harder than that.”

Vi snorted, but it was Lorelei’s chuckles that drew Bia’s attention. “Mama!” She straightened up hurriedly and brushed her hair back. “I wasn’t sure when to expect you.”

Cute. Feeling mischievous, I leaned over and pecked her on the cheek, and her face flamed, making her mother laugh even harder.

“Hello again, my little soldier,” said Lorelei, kissing her daughter’s other cheek. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I think there was someone you were hoping to introduce?”

Bia cleared her throat, Huntress training obviously letting her process and compartmentalize her embarrassment. “Ahem. Yes. Mama, this is Jaune, Sienna’s younger brother. Jaune, this is my mother Lorelei née Alexandria.”

“Pleasure to meet you properly,” I shook her hand, careful not to squeeze too hard. Now that we were in better light, it was even harder to believe Lorelei was Bia’s mother rather than her sister. Lorelei looks even younger than Thetis, and her Aura doesn’t even seem to be unlocked. Talk about aging gracefully… I guess she’s just got crazy good genes? Aside from a few tiny lines around her eyes, and having a willowy hourglass build rather than a muscular one, I could believe she was no older than thirty. “I hope I didn’t accidentally shower you in glass or splinters,” I added.

“Fortunately not.” Instead of releasing my hand, Lorelei pulled me in for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you, and I hope we can chat some more, but I think I’ve held up dinner long enough. Thank you for delaying, Jeanne,” she added to Grandma.

Circling the table, Lorelai kissed Grandma on the cheek as well. Jeanne’s face remained impassive as she signalled for the main course of lamb shank and rice baked with tomatoes and onions. Lorelei settled between Selena and Allan, who had shifted over to the space next to Olivia.

So she’s the Alexandria… and I guess they’re both married to her? I pondered. But the family name is still patronymic for some reason?

A few minutes later, the butler who’d let me in earlier returned with a ladder and a sheet that he quickly tacked up over the broken window.

Bia and I also returned to our seats, and were offered a choice of wines. Not having the first clue about pairing, I deferred to her, and we ended up with an earthy, acidic red that paired really nicely with the rich meat. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Anicetus eyeing me over his refilled stein, but he didn’t speak, and I’d said already everything I wanted to say to him, so the dinner proceeded in relative peace.

Finally, Lorelei turned to me, “So Jaune, with the time you’re spending here, are you thinking of transferring to Haven? Or perhaps moving to Mistral after you graduate?”

“Not particularly,” I replied, trying the wine again. Really is a good match for the lamb. “Maybe if I couldn’t finish at Beacon for whatever reason — knock on wood.” I’m trying damn hard to make sure that doesn’t happen. “As for after graduation, I suspect I could live anywhere… but I think Vacuo would be too hot and Atlas a bit too cold, so Mistral would probably be my second choice of Kingdom after Vale. More than anything, I’d want to discuss it with whoever I’m seeing.”

Allan nodded. “That’s pretty well-considered,” he said. “I’m from Argus myself, but I’ve visited Vale many times. Selena and I were married there, in fact. The climate there is so nice it’s honestly unfair.”

“I’ve only visited once, when I was little,” said Bia. “I’m quite looking forward to seeing it again.”

“Oh?” I grinned. “You didn’t mention that.”

“Yes, General Ironwood mentioned that the Academies were considering sponsoring an exchange program, and asked for a team of Specialists to accompany him. Since Winter is his adjutant and will be attending regardless, and Sienna could take the chance to visit home, we volunteered. I intended to bring it up, but Saturday evening ended up a bit distracting.”

“I hope you used protection,” Lorelei giggled.

Bia spluttered, but I replied, “Of course! I use a shield, and Bia borrowed my gun.”

Selena’s lips twitched. “It’s good that you’re hard to rattle; it will serve you well on and off the battlefield.”

“Mothers…” Bia groaned.

“Oh please, you can hardly blame us for prodding a little,” Lorelei grinned at her daughter. “Everyone you ever dated besides Winter was intimidated by either the Familia, Selena, or you. You deserve better than that.”

“I have to agree, you do deserve better,” I said, patting Bia’s hand. “Although I hope you know my own Familia ties have nothing to do with it. I’d want to pursue you even without the Roma backing me.”

“That’s the Arc in you,” Grandma quipped drily. “Your father once told me he didn’t give a damn if I supported him or not, because your mother’s opinion was the only one that mattered to him.”

Someday I’d like to meet the Jack Arc who says things like that, instead of cracking stupid jokes rather than reading the room, I mused. I suppose I can try not ignoring the next time he calls. Maybe if I just hang up whenever he gets annoying, I can train him to stop?

Aloud, I added, “Besides, if I was intimidated by things being stronger than me, I wouldn’t be out Hunting Named Grimm.” Or taunting Raven and Anicetus, but let’s not bring that up.

Dinner was eventually cleared away, Anicetus kept his silence, and the rest of the conversation lightened as we enjoyed a dessert of pears poached in red wine, served over vanilla ice cream.

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Name: Jaune ArcLevel: 61 (Next: 63.35%)Title: Academy StudentRace: HumanAge: 18Job: Journeyman HuntsmanClass: PaladinSemblance: The GamerHP: 3936/8202MP: 4215/4456STR: 223 (100)CON: 279 (102)DEX: 162 (54)INT: 136 (51)WIS: 110 (52)CHA: 155 (53)Points: 112Money: 1,008,990LStatus: Cursed – Yellow Death [High]

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A/N: If you’re enjoying this story, feel free to check out my discord server at https://discord.gg/H6V854Fvbg

Dinner courses were Kotósoupa avgolémono (Greek: Κοτόσουπα αυγολέμονο, ‘Egg-lemon chicken soup’), Kalamári psitó (Greek: Καλαμάρι ψητό, ‘grilled squid’), Árni Giouvétsi (Greek: Άρνι Γιουβέτσι, ‘slow cooked lamb shank’ — usually with a short grain pasta but in this case with rice), and pears poached in red wine served over vanilla ice cream.

I don’t think I noted at the time of her introduction, Bia is named for the mythological figure (‘daimon’) personifying ‘Force’, ‘Might’, or ‘Violence’. She and her siblings — Zelos (‘Zeal’), Nike (‘Victory’), and Kratos (‘Strength’) — allied with Zeus during the Titanomachy.

The daimon Bia’s parents were the titan Pallas and the oceanid Styx.

Pallantias is a patronymic version of Pắllās (Greek: Πᾰ́λλᾱς), which is possibly derived from a word for ‘brandish’ [as of a weapon]; his title is a clipping of a Tumblr post, “The anger in your heart warms you now, but will leave you cold in your grave”.

“Lorelei” is a song by the American arena rock band Styx; it is also the name of a famous rock in the river Rhine that is an infamous shipwreck site, often attributed to a siren-like witch in German poetry. Her title is a bit of a walk — it strings together the siren’s nature, the waterfall Mavronéri (Greek: Μαυρονέρι, ‘Black Water’) identified with the mythological river Styx, and the Alexandria family crest (a lion).

Selena is derived from Selene (Greek: Σελήνη), the personification of the moon; she is usually distinct from but sometimes identified with Artemis, the better-known moon goddess who was also — drumroll — a huntress. Her title comes from a poem by Diotimus.

Their surname Álikos (Greek: Άλικος) means ‘crimson’ or ‘scarlet’, conforming to the color-naming rule.