Chapter-35

The café was warm with varnished hardwood tables and stained maple wood flooring, the walls a soft beige that was inviting and easy on the eyes. Various portraits of vast landscapes hung within simple frames, depicting the many different continents of Remnant; the desert plains of Vacuo and western Sanus, the rolling plains and mountains of Vale in the east, the deep, untouched forests of Mistral on Anima, and even the tropical coastline of Menagerie. Potted plants lined the room, too many different species to count, some large, some small, an array of color to brighten one's day. This was the type of place that would look right at home in Vale, so Jaune was surprised that Atlas had such an establishment. It was so counter to the usual modern aesthetic that the kingdom held in such high regard that when he first passed through its doors, it had briefly taken him aback.

If he had to describe the place in a single word, it would be cozy. Jaune liked it.

If only the conversation he was about to have was also as cozy. Nerves twisted his stomach in knots and he had to take a deep breath to settle them. Depending how this went, it would either be a complete disaster or…

Nora grinned at him weakly from across the table, looking like she wanted to be anywhere else even though she was the one to arrange their meetup. Lifting the beautiful porcelain tea cup to her lips, she took a small sip.

"Ren found this place not long after we arrived," she said softly. "We stop by whenever we have a spare moment."

That explained why the woman at the counter had known Nora by name. His teammates were frequent patrons.

"It's nice," Jaune complimented, taking a sip of his own tea. He was more of a coffee guy in truth but had decided to follow Nora's lead. He wasn't disappointed. The slight tang of bitterness quickly gave way to a unique sweet aftertaste, settling on his tongue nicely. The aroma was thick and earthy, almost woody. It was certainly calming.

The sound of Nora setting down her cup upon her saucer cut through the space between them.

"I want--" she began but paused, grimacing. Jaune frowned, setting down his own cup carefully.

"Take your time," he said gently.

"I'm sorry," she finally said, staring at the tabletop instead of looking at him. "I – that -- I – darn it," she hissed out angrily. "Just speak, you idiot!"

Jaune blinked.

"Not you," she hastily said, looking up. Her eyes quickly darted away, not allowed to linger. "Me – I'm being stupid. Look – urgh, can you forget about what happened yesterday? I don't know what came over me and it was... I shouldn't have been doing that with you in the room. It was... it was..."

She struggled to find her words.

"It's okay, Nora," he thought about reaching across the table to take her hand but then thought better of it. That wouldn't help, as much as he wanted to comfort her. Touching her right now was not the right move. "I was surprised but that's all."

"You weren't... disgusted?"

He really wasn't used to his teammate talking so meekly. "No – never. Just surprised."

She nodded slowly, picking up her cup to take another sip. Nora didn't look convinced but Jaune wasn't sure what he could say to alleviate her concerns. Ultimately, it wasn't that big of a deal. It wasn't the smartest thing to do but it wasn't some terrible act. She had masturbated and he just happened to be in the room at the time.

It was the after that was the problem, when she had approached the bathroom door. The potential disaster that had been moments from unfolding. It made his stomach twist and knot again just thinking about it. That if she had opened that door, what he would have done, consequences be damned.

It made him feel like shit. Thankfully, no such thing had occurred. But just that hint of it filled him with guilt, and no doubt filled Nora with guilt also. There was perhaps only one thing that could truly rid her of such a feeling, though he hadn't been planning on telling anyone about it until he consulted General Ironwood.

Nora was more important than his embarrassment, though. He didn't want her to feel this way a moment longer.

"Why did you... you know," he gestured vaguely. "Do that. You knew I was there."

Nora's cheeks flushed. "A-Are you really asking me that?"

"It's important."

Nora opened her mouth and then closed it again, seeing the serious expression he wore.

"Did anything feel off to you?" he asked. "Like... I don't know. Different? Strange?"

Nora covered her burning cheeks with her hands. "I just felt horny."

The mortification in her voice was stark. "Oh."

"I just... I woke up and it felt like I was on fire," she admitted after a few seconds of contemplation. "Like something was crawling under my skin. It was uncomfortable... and thrilling, and it was at its strongest... well, you know. Down there ."

"O-Oh?"

"It's never felt like that before," she continued, voice slightly muffled by her hands. "At first I thought I was sick. Maybe I'd caught something? Even breathing felt difficult. The sheets against my skin were almost painful. It didn't stop until I..."

Until she touched herself.

That sounded awfully familiar. The overwhelming heat, that feeling of something beneath his skin... it had been a little while since he had felt those things, but Jaune could remember feeling that way a few times, especially right after he left the hospital. Usually in times of arousal, right before he slept with someone. It happened less now – or at least, it wasn't quite so powerful a sensation.

It was decidedly different from how he used to feel whenever he was turned on, before the incident.

"It felt better than usual," she admitted with a groan. "God, what am I saying? Jaune! Why are you asking me this?"

"This isn't the first time this has happened," he said. "Something similar happened to Yang."

Nora stared at him, lowering her hands. Her face was still flushed, cheeks rosy but it was quickly receding as she considered his words.

"What do you mean?"

Jaune took a deep breath to steady his heart.

He told her everything – well, not everything . But he told her about Yang, how he had woken up to find the blonde girl masturbating while he slept. He told her about his dreams, about his memories of what happened down in that mine. The Grimm attacking him. The humanoid, beautiful woman Grimm with the terrible face, and being forced to copulate with her. About feeling similar hot flushes, uncontrollable feelings that often left him overwhelmed, like ants were marching beneath his skin that didn't go away unless he sated his desires. He left out his exploits with the other girls, only ever naming Yang but the implication was there.

He then told her about his theory; that the womanly Grimm had done something to him, that whenever he relived those memories in his sleep, it seemed to affect whoever was nearby. That perhaps he was having an affect on people at other times, as well. That he was scared that he was stripping people of their agency.

Blake's confession had helped to alleviate the worst of it but he still worried. Maybe Blake had feelings for him, but what about the rest? Yang had told him that she loved him but what about those he barely knew – Cerise and Fiona? Fiona, in particular. At least with Cerise, they knew each other beforehand. Things with Fiona had spiraled much faster than any of the others.

When he finished talking, he drank the rest of his tea while Nora stared at him in stunned silence. He couldn't blame her – he'd just dumped a hell of a lot on her shoulders, without much in the way of warning. It would take a bit to process.

"That sounds insane," she finally said in disbelief. "You were – Jaune, that Grimm – are you okay?"

Jaune blinked. "What?"

"Are you okay?" she repeated, even going so far as to reach across the table and grab his hand. It was soft and warm, her fingers strong as they curled around his own. "That thing... that thing..."

He stared at her a moment before smiling ruefully. Nora really was a great friend.

"I'm okay. I'm just worried," he said. "The Ace-Ops have been searching for that Grimm but they weren't able to find anything. The General was worried about such an intelligent Grimm being so close to Atlas."

"So you told him about it? He knows?"

"That it exists? Yeah. But he doesn't know about... the other stuff. I only remembered that very recently."

Nora grimaced. "Are you going to tell him?"

Jaune nodded. "Yeah. Though with everyone preparing for Cinder, it might have to wait a little longer."

Her hand squeezed his firmly.

"Maybe you should..." she trailed off uncertainly.

"Maybe I should what?"

Nora shrugged weakly. "I was just thinking, maybe you should get checked out again. At the hospital," she clarified. "You know, just in case?"

When he had been hurt, they'd conducted extensive tests on him to make sure he was healthy. Those tests hadn't discovered anything abnormal other than high testosterone, from what Jaune could recall. In light of his newly remembered memories, perhaps getting another check up was on the cards. It couldn't hurt.

"Yeah," he finally said. "Just in case."

With their tea finished, they ordered some cake. They both got strawberry cheesecake, and they made equal sounds of approval as they tucked in.

"This is delicious," he said after swallowing his spoonful. Nora nodded in agreement.

The store had been relatively empty on account of the early hour but now more and more people were flooding in, highlighting the store's popularity. Nora lowered her voice, leaning in slightly so no one would overhear them.

"So you think that your dream caused me to... you know," she cringed visibly. "Do what I did?"

Jaune shrugged. "If it had only happened the once, then I wouldn't think much of it. But a second time? It was shocking enough with Yang but you… you're with Ren. You don't view me that way."

Nora looked down.

Jaune frowned. "Nora?"

"I am with Ren," she said. "And I care for him very deeply. But I would be lying if I said I didn't find you attractive, Jaune."

"Oh."

"But you're right to be suspicious. I... if you hadn't retreated to the bathroom, I don't know what I would have done," she admitted. "That scares me. That I would do something like that. I'm not that type of girl, Jaune."

"I know."

"So if you believe your dream had something to do with it, then we need to figure out just what is happening. I'll help in any way that I can."

He felt such a massive swelling of affection for this girl that it was almost crippling.

After their meal, Jaune went straight to the hospital, leaving little chance to change his mind. He was beginning to suspect that whatever was going on, it probably wasn't only affecting others but himself as well. Some of his choices were suspect when he thought about them. Nora asked if he wanted her to accompany him but he waved her off. She hugged him firmly before they parted and Jaune was just happy that their friendship hadn't suffered because of what happened. He really did have the best friends in the world.

As a huntsman, he had full access to any and all healthcare provided. Anyone with a huntsman license received such care, from Atlas to Vacuo, Vale to Mistral. Seeing as he also worked with the Atlas military, he wasn't required to make an appointment. He was free to walk in and request a check up at any time though depending on how busy things were there could always be a wait.

Fortunately, things were relatively calm. Most of the civilians injured in the attack in Mantle were being treated in Mantle. Only the most serious cases were being airlifted to Atlas. The people that had boarded the transports to escape the chaos were unharmed for the most part. Medical personnel had been sent down to the lower city but it had not hampered the efficiency of the upper city hospitals.

It wasn't long until he was meeting with the doctor that had overseen his previous stay.

"Mr Arc," the man greeted as he entered the examination room. Jaune rose and shook his hand.

"Doctor."

"So," the man took a seat at his desk and faced him, getting straight to the point. "What seems to be the problem?"

Jaune had been wracking his brains, thinking of what to say. It wasn't something easily explainable, especially when physically, he felt great. Better than great, really. He felt amazing. In all his life, he had never felt better. He was strong and alert, he was eating well and the only time since the attack that he had felt badly was when he hadn't had sex for the better part of a week. When he thought about it like that, it made him sound like some sort of sex addict.

He didn't want to lie but was unsure how to word it.

"I've been feeling a little... off," he started slowly. "Though I'm not sure how to explain it."

"In what way do you feel off?"

Jaune frowned. "I don't feel bad but ever since the incident, I've felt different. I wasn't really worried about it because it wasn't that I felt sore or it was hampering me in any way. The complete opposite, actually. I feel great. But I feel great all the time . I can't remember the last time I was tired. Even after training or fighting the Grimm, I don't seem to feel much fatigue or strain. That doesn't seem normal."

The doctor nodded, considering his words.

"I know it sounds a little stupid to be worried about feeling good and healthy, but the difference between before the accident and then after concerns me a little. Does that make sense?"

"Most might consider your worries wasteful," the man said. "As you say, you feel strong, you feel healthy. But I believe that many people, especially huntsmen, know their bodies well. Your concerns may prove unfounded in the end but that doesn't change the fact that you believe something may be wrong – or if not wrong, then different. You are suffering no lingering effects then? Symptoms of concussion or pain?" Jaune shook his head. "And as you said, you are not suffering from fatigue. You are sleeping well, I take it?"

He was – whenever he wasn't having dreams about what happened in the mine. Those were few and far between, though.

"I am."

The doctor scribbled some notes down on his pad. "Tell me about how you feel different, exactly."

"I feel energized. Like I have too much energy, sometimes. I try to work it off by going to the gym or with other activities," like fucking, for instance, but he couldn't say that. "But I only seem to feel even more pumped up afterwards, though it does take that restlessness away."

"I see," he wrote a few more things down. "Well, first I'd like to give you a simple physical. It might seem like a useless endeavor but I'd like to go over all bases, no matter how basic or seemingly unrelated. Are you fine with that?"

"Sure. I've got time."

"Excellent."

They went through all the typical tests for such an exam, taking his temperature, blood pressure and heart rate, as well as his weight and height. He then used various instruments to look into Jaune's eyes, nose, ears and throat but found nothing out of the ordinary. He used a stethoscope to listen to his heart and lungs, and then tested his reflexes with a small rubber hammer. Everything seemed normal so far and it wasn't until they went through testing his eye sight that they encountered their first difference.

The doctor compared his previous eye test with his current one.

"As impossible as this sounds," the doctor said with a note of disbelief. "Your vision has improved."

"Is that not normal?"

He shook his head. "The only way you can improve vision is through corrective lenses or surgery. It cannot happen naturally. You had what we call 20/20 vision. That is considered normal for the average person, though many around the world cannot claim to have even that. This first test, as you recall, was conducted before you were discharged. The only way this makes sense is if the original test was flawed in some way, or this one was. I am... at a loss."

"I haven't noticed a difference," Jaune admitted. He really hadn't.

"You likely wouldn't if it was a gradual process. When eyesight declines, it usually happens over a period of months and years. Many don't even realize their eyesight has deteriorated until it has reached a certain threshold. If I gave you a pair of glasses, you would notice the change immediately and can compare the differences, but if your sight has been improving steadily then it is possible you might not have noticed a thing."

He shook his head.

"I have not seen anything like this."

Things like general strength were hard to measure with huntsmen since it varied so widely between people. Aura influenced the body in ways that science still didn't fully grasp so there was no upper limit to what a person could accomplish. Someone like Nora or Yang would usually be physically weaker than most men, yet they were both stronger than even most male huntsmen when it came to pure physical strength. Even still, Jaune went through the tests and ranked up higher numbers, though that was to be expected. His muscles hadn't fully recovered last time.

"So far, so good," the doctor complimented with a smile. "You are the peak of health, as far as the tests have found. Better, even – I would like to conduct another eye test at a later date, if I may? I wish to see if things will have changed yet again."

"Yeah, no problem."

"Now if you'll follow me, we'll take some blood and run tests on a variety of different factors. I would also ask if we could get a sample of your urine for testing, as well."

The doctor provided him with a small, sealable cup that Jaune took to the toilet. Peeing into a plastic cup was a little awkward but he managed without spilling any over the sides. The doctor wrote his details down on a small sticker and slipped it around the container.

"Follow me," he then gestured, leading him down the hall to get his blood test.

The nurse smiled when they entered, then proceeded to draw three batches of blood to cover the variety of tests the doctor wanted done. He wasn't the biggest fan of needles but she was good at her job. He barely felt a thing.

"The results will be in by the morning," he was informed as the doctor shook his hand. "I will contact you as soon as I receive them."

It had only taken an hour to get everything sorted but by the time Jaune stepped back out onto the street, he felt like he'd been in there for much longer. When he returned to Atlas Academy, he found Ruby waiting for him. She didn't look entirely pleased, boot tapping against the ground as he approached.

"Hey," he greeted. "What's up?"

"Where have you been?" she asked crossly. "You said you'd be coming back soon."

"Ah – sorry. I had breakfast with Nora and then I had an errand to run. Has something happened?"

Ruby grabbed his hand and pulled him close, momentarily taking him by surprise.

"Ruby?"

"Sorry, I just didn't want anyone to overhear," she said quietly, head almost resting on his chest. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not," he leaned in closer, bringing one of his arms around her. "What did you want to tell me?"

"General Ironwood has come up with a plan to lure Cinder out," she said quietly, instantly perking his interest. "And he needs your help."

"My help?"

Ruby nodded. "He thinks you're the only one that Neopolitan will talk to. Ironwood wants you to pass along some information that will be too good for Cinder to pass up."

Misinformation, then? There was only one problem; how did General Ironwood suppose Jaune contact Neo? It wasn't like he had her phone number in his scroll. He couldn't just hit speed-dial.

"I think his faith in me is misplaced. I don't know where Neo is. I wouldn't know how to contact her."

Ruby leaned back and grinned at him, "He has a plan for that as well."