Jaune to Joan Chapter 33

Chapter 33

“No, not yet, still tired.”

“Wake up.”

‘Nuuu.”

“Joan.” Cinder demanded softly.

“Hmm? What? What’s up?”

“Where did you get new clothes? And weren’t you wearing something else when we went to bed?”

“I- hmm? Oh yeah.” Joan grimaced and sat up. “I uugh… Ruby gave me the clothes.”

“When did you get up?”

“I went to the bathroom last night… I- umm… you didn’t tell me that I would get… I- I was bleeding when I went to the bathroom.”

“Huh?”

“I needed to ask Ruby for some pads.”

“Oh brothers! You were supposed to start your cycle about now!”

“Yeah… I did.” Joan grimaced.

“Fuck- I…” Cinder groaned and hid her face in her hands. “After- I mean…”

“Why didn’t you tell me it would happen? I felt like I was being stabbed last night- I still feel that way, but at least now I know it isn’t just cause what you did to me in the shower.”

“Oh, no, that should help actually.”

“That helps?! It should be worse than this!?” Joan’s eyes went wide.

“I- yeah.” Cinder hid her face into a pillow. “The point was to scare you… I- I had planned it way back when I still thought you were a guy. And… men are just always so squeamish about that stuff. I just thought you would- That was the whole reason for everything other than just the aesthetics down there. I never intended to breed you like Mercury said.” Cinder rolled her eyes. “That idiot.

“I! Well! That is really reassuring in a way. I- and… girl or not, suddenly bleeding and not knowing why is a little startling.”

“I’m sorry. Did- Did the silver eyed brat help?”

“Ruby; you have to learn their names. And… yes.”

“Ruby.” Cinder echoed.

“I- I think I am supposed to go clothes shopping with them today.”

“Have fun. I think I’ll sleep in.”

“Are you sure? You don’t want to come with?”

“They want to make sure you aren’t intimidated of me and lying to buy my way in. That is the whole point. So fighting it will only make things harder.”

“You- you think?”

“I know. I saw their looks.”

“I’m sorry, I- I know things will-”

“I spent an hour making you cum yourself dumb just to avoid this, do you think I plan to stay awake to have this conversation now?” Cinder answered with a blunter honesty than she was used to.

“I… suppose not. Umm… but that was really nice.”

“It was. And you were beautiful. But it is time for me to catch up on sleep, and you to catch up with friends.

“Nice or no, you can’t keep doing that.”

“Stop making me have conversations I don’t want to have and I won’t have to.”

Joan grumbled. “Love you.”

“Mhmm. Love you too, my pretty slut.” Cinder patted Joan’s chest and groped her breast a little greedily.

“Sleep well.”

“Have fun with your friends. Good luck with convincing your friends I am not an abusive monster who has you brainwashed.”

“Thanks.” Joan leaned back to kiss Cinder before she forced herself up and to her feet.

Joan pulled on the clothing Ruby gave her. It was tight, but it worked. Especially the hoodie. She had longed for her old hoodie the majority of her time back at the Grimm castle. Being a girl didn’t change how the comfort of a warm jacket lent some nice serenity to the her.

The other girls, Ren, and Oscar were already all packed into the home’s living room when Joan stepped out of Yang’s bedroom. They were all busy eating Ruby’s favorite cereal, a bowl of miniature cookies soaked in milk. Joan remembered trying it back at Beacon once or twice. It was a little sweet for her and oft upset her stomach so early in the morning, but she understood the appeal, especially to a cookie monster like Ruby.

Nora was first to look up and spot Joan, but she quickly looked away. Was… was she mad? Joan didn't have enough time to answer the question before Ruby spotted her. "Joan! I got you a bowl too… I kinda ate some of it, but there is more in the cupboard!" Ruby offered up a half full bowl of mini cookie cereal.

"Oh, I- thanks Ruby." Joan rushed over to take it and the milk.

"Oh, and you might want this to replace the one I gave you last night." Ruby subtly slid another pad along the bowl as she passed it on.

"Thanks Rube." Joan relaxed.

"So, the trek out to the city takes a bit even on bmblb. We really aught to get going soon. Who all is coming?" Yang announced.

"Oh! Mee Mee!" Ruby cheered. "Weiss too!"

"Well I can't let you go alone." Blake shrugged.

"Cinder is resting in bed today." Joan informed.

"Nora?" Ren pushed to the woman sitting in silence.

"I-"

"I can't go, it's a ladies day thing."

"Yeah. I- I guess I should go." Nora agreed rather unexcitedly.

"Pyrr?" Ren asked.

"I need to train some today." Pyrrha shook her head.

"You sure?" Ren frowned.

"Yeah. I will be safe, you, Oz, Qrow, and Tai will still be here."

"Ok." Ren's expression sunk further as she flashed an apologetic look to Joan. It was very kind of him. He knew the two of them had once had a spark they wished to turn to a flame, and that attending the girls trip might allow them a chance to navigate either kindling the spark or a friendship.

“Ok then, the six of us it is!” Yang announced. “I’ll hook the cart up to bmblb.”

“Oh, I’ll help!” Blake hopped along.

“Weiss, you want to help me figure out what I need to pick out while we are out?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah, sure Rube.” Weiss agreed.

“Guess I’m off to train. Pyrrha stood and nearly ran away as the room thinned.

“I- umm… hey.” Joan waved at Ren and Nora. “I didn’t wake you up last night, did I Ren?”

“You mean aside from the screaming?”

Joan went pale. “You- you heard that?”

“Just us… Ruby wanted people to stay on watch and Nora went first with me. The rest were a little far away in their tents to hear.”

“I- I’m really sorry.”

“It’s ok. We’re glad you two are happy; so… actively happy.”

“Ah… I- last night was a little new. I think we just got carried away.” Joan winced. “I! But! Nora! Ah! I always really liked your outfits! Is- is there any chance you would be up to let me pick through your wardrobe and get some hints on what goes with what? I- I’m still kind of new to… to all that.”

“I pick pretty dresses and wear them. It’s not that complicated.” Nora mumbled into her sweet cereal.

“Oh come on Nor, you do your boots, and your over jacket and the shorts you wear under your dress so you can feel find flying around with your hammer and all?” Ren nudged.

“Eh, well, that’s about it.”

“Nora.” Ren glared.

“I need to get prepared before we go. Maybe Ren can give you a crash course. He’s always been the fashionable one of the group.”

Joan waited just long enough for Nora to filter out, leaving her alone with Ren. “Is- is she mad at me for something?

“No… Joan- I- I promise, Nora isn’t mad. She’s just… she’s just been going through a lot.” Ren frowned.

“You sure? It seems a lot like I did something to upset her.”

“You didn’t… you really didn’t. Just… give her some time? Try and get her thoughts on whatever you try on? That should warm her up. I- I’m going to go try and talk to her.”

“Care to tell me what it is? What is wrong?”

“I- I want to. I do, I just… it’s really not my place.” Ren hesitated. “I promise tho, she is just dealing with some of her own stuff.”

“Alright.”

Joan ate her breakfast alone and waited for the rest of the girls to reunite. By the time they were all ready to go, her stomach felt pretty queasy from the sugary cereal. It didn’t help that it still seemed like all her friends were hesitant around her, but it was the ride that did her in. Three times along the trip, she hurled over the side of the cart, and then again when they arrived.

“Ohh… Vomit girl.” Ruby frowned.

“I’m good!” Joan threw up a hand and then what was left in her stomach.

“Oof. Watch out there Joan.” Yang winced.

“Ah… there there… shopping soon.” Weiss patted the air in Joan’s direction from paces away.

Joan whimpered.

The six of them walked the last bit from the city’s parking garage to the boutique Weiss wanted to shop at. Joan lingered near the back of the pack, drained and still weary. At first she just felt like anxious trash, but after a bit, she noticed Nora also dragged a little bit behind and away from everyone else. Maybe she could work on mending that bridge!

“Hey! Nor! Nor, how are you doing?” She tried to flag Nora down.

“I- I’m fine Joan.” Nora covered herself with defensive arms.

“I- is something up?”

“No!” Nora barked loud enough to garner attention from Blake and Yang.

“Nora…” Joan slowed.

“Sorry! I-” Nora shook her head.

“Are you sure nothing is up? Ren told me-

“What! Did he tell you?” Nora stopped dead in her tracks and almost growled, her tone dropping angrily.

“I- I- he- he didn’t really tell me anything! Just- just that you were going through something.”

“I’m not! I’m not going through anything!”

“Nora- I- I just-”

“I’m sorry, but I need a minute.” Nora shook her head. “I… I will help you find something good when we get there.”

“Oh… ok. I’m sorry.” Joan deflated. That had gone stunningly poor.

By the time they arrived at the boutique, Joan barely even wanted to shop. It seemed like such a good idea in theory, but between her still rumbling stomach, Nora’s frustration with her for… something, and just generally feeling alien amongst her friends. That and the cramping and general feeling of grossness that accompanied her first cycle did not help in the slightest.

Still, Joan followed along and allowed Ruby and Weiss to help her out. They did a good bit to cheer her up, and Ruby gave her some good tips on how to find the right fit, and even more so during her cycle. Weiss seemed quite surprised when she overheard that Joan could have one, but she was nice about it. Ruby and her advice was more Joan’s style than Weiss, but Weiss had some good tips too. Blake and Yang seemed to be mostly off on their own, but the fellow blonde made sure to drop by and warn Joan that combat skirts weren’t necessarily the best option for someone accustomed to battling in pants.

When she was ready to try things on, Joan had some of each, still unsettled for what she wanted. The pants felt tight and constrictive after so long wearing dresses, but being able to wear a tank top and a skirt felt so freeing after the tight dresses. Bras were a pain, but Joan began to understand how Yang could exist with all her moves once she and Blake stopped by to toss a sports bra over the dressing room door.

Fitting everything was a challenge, and Joan slowed down with her upset cramping core. But, she managed her way through it. Ruby, Yang, Weiss, and even Blake stopped by occasionally to check up on her and offer some things they thought might help. Clothes quickly piled up in yes, no, and maybe piles, but Joan had turned down all of Weiss’s heel suggestions, and most of Ruby’s boot offers. So accustomed to heels, the flatfooted wear felt a little off, but Weiss’s stilts for shoes felt like Joan was asking for trouble. It wasn’t till Nora stopped by that Joan actually got a half decent option.

“Hey, Joan?” Nora greeted in a small whisper as she knocked on the door.

“Nora!”

“Yeah… I saw you were having some trouble with combat boots?”

“A- a little.”

“Can I come in?”

“Ah-” Joan checked over herself and her mishmash of clothing. It didn’t look great, but she was covered. “Yeah. sure.”

Nora timidly opened the door and slipped in.

“Are you doing alright?”

“Y- yeah.” Joan nodded after some hesitation. “I have some pants Blake picked out for me, but I think mostly I’m going to go for a skirt with a pair of shorts under it. Ruby showed me a good hoodie like the one I used to have, and they said they could have my old chest piece reforged to give me some more room.”

“That’s awesome! Gotta protect the girls.” Nora winced and pointed to Joan’s obvious chest.

“Are you sure I didn’t do anything wrong?”

“I got you some different boots; kinda between like the ones I’ve got. They have a heel, but are still steady boots and you don’t feel like you’re gonna fall down.” Nora pushed the shoes she had found into Joan.

“Oh! I! Thank! Ah- but… what is wro-”

“I don’t know about you, but it is kind of important to me that I have the heel a little. I- I know it’s kind of stupid, especially when I already wear a dress. But I always want to have just that small aspect of my outfit that is extra feminine? I-”

“Nora?”

“I thought maybe you would want that too; because you’re trans too?” She pouted and struggled to actually look to Joan.

“I- yeah, I guess that is the term for it? It’s… I am really happy about what Cinder did, but it was never really my choice; I didn’t really get the chance to learn about- I- wait…” Joan began to replay what Nora said in her head. “Why didn’t you have any pads or anything?”

“Look! I’m not you! I didn’t get anyone to magically do everything for me! I! I was lucky to ever get hormones and blockers before I went through puberty!” Nora accused. “I- I mean… Ren was nice and made sure I got what I needed; his family… but they’re gone… and... and… I thought- Beacon said their healthcare could cover all of it! That I could be… but it fell before…” Nora hesitated between each burst of frustration. “And now you just come back fully transitioned! How do you just get to-”

“Nora, I’m so sorry.” Joan rushed in to hug her friend. “I’m- I only really figured out that this was a thing; that it was an option to fix something that has been wrong my whole life, and Cinder kind of forced me to rush it, but the idea of having to wait; not being allowed… Nora, I’m so sorry.”

With that, the closeted woman began to sob into Joan. They held each other, clung and comforted each other with soft quiet whispers. When that ebbed, there was a silent understanding between them. Joan understood why Nora had been hurting, as well as why she had initially been so eager to welcome her. Nora knew there was nothing Cinder had to do with the continuation of Joan’s gender; that maybe Cinder had knocked down a domino or two forcefully, but she only assisted; however, accidentally it was, from then on.

Joan liked the boots with a slightly larger heel, and they did well to complete a good bit of the outfits she had already put together. She put together a handful of other, less combat oriented outfits, ones she liked and a couple Weiss explicitly stated hehe should wear. Joan didn't have the heart to fight with someone being so nice, but after a while she did muster the guts to ask a question of her.

"Umm, what- what about Cinder?"

"Cinder?" Weiss balked.

"All she has is the dress she saved me from the river in. We trekked all the way out here in those dresses and-"

"Fine… grab her some stuff and make sure you get everything you need. We- we have a long trek after things settle down." Joan didn't miss the reference to something soon to come and the way the others all looked to Weiss rather pointedly. She had clearly let a secret slip, one they had been keeping from Joan, likely because of apprehension as to her tethers to the as of yet untrusted Cinder.

“We’re going somewhere?” Joan more asked as to whether she would be allowed to accompany than if the others were going. It was really a stroke of luck she and Cinder found them at Tai’s. Joan knew Tai or whoever was home would be able to point them in the right direction, but to run into them all, that was luck.

“It’s…” Ruby looked around everyone. “It is a long story. We have had a busy year or so too. We can talk about it more when we get home?”

“Alright.” Joan nodded.

End of Chapter 33