Nora's awakening

Team RWBY arrive fashionably late to begin their kitchen duty. Jaune wisecracks at them, asking if they forgot where the kitchen is. Ren and Pyrrha pause their dish washing to glare at them in disapproval. Nora however calls out to Blake immediately, saying that she needs their help.

Privy to the reason why she was singled out, Blake scurries over. With gloves on and an apron fixed, Blake begins working through cleaning piles of dishes. When everyone else has their focus fixed elsewhere, Nora nudges Blake's arm.

"Psst... We need to talk..." Nora whispers.

"Now?" Blake whispers back.

"No. Lunch. Tomorrow. Just you and me," Nora suggests quietly.

"Deal," Blake whispers.

Team RWBY and JNPR underestimated how much work cleaning the kitchen head to toe would be. The monotony of cleaning up hit Nora the hardest. Plus, seeing how much food went to waste was heartbreaking! Growing up in poverty gave Nora a strong appreciation for food. Those with abundance often take everything in front of them for granted.

By the end of their shift, Nora is able to covertly give her scroll number to Blake. They agree to meet at a bench outdoors not too far away from the cafeteria, far enough from unwanted ears. Blake is first to park herself at the bench. A familiar pink skirt comes rushing her way carrying a bag of sugary treats shortly thereafter. Nora presents the bag to Blake while standing in front of her across the bench.

"Oh, you didn't have to get me snacks!" Blake remarks.

"This is for us. Sugar makes my head work better. I need the extra brain power..." Nora says anxiously.

Nora places her bag of treats on the bench and takes her seat. The tone of her voice was heavy. She has more to unpackage than shock after witnessing Yang's package. Nora reaches into the bag of treats, takes out a chocolate bar and takes a large bite out of it. She munches with a hand on head to collect her thoughts.

"So?" Blake prods.

"So... I might be attracted to girls now..." Nora says, unconfident in her own words.

"Talk me through what is going through your mind," Blake replies reassuringly.

"I don't know what is going through my mind! Ever since I saw Yang's schlong, it feels as if my brain has been rewired! What's crazy to me is that I did not 'lean' towards girls before the food fight! I don't see Yang the same way anymore..."

"Have you started looking at other women differently?"

"I keep wondering how many other girls around me have a penis!"

"Does that thought... excite you?"

"Excite isn't the right word. I can't find the right word for it..."

"Okay, no worries. Next question. If Yang did not have a penis, would still be attracted to her?"

"No! That's the craziest part in all of this! Why does having a dick suddenly make her so hot?! None of what I'm feeling makes sense!"

"I think I know what is going on."

"You do?"

"Yes. You are part of a growing demographic of women who describe themselves as 'straight plus'. Meaning, that you are open to relationships with men and futanari."

"What is the difference between someone who is 'straight plus' and someone who is bisexual?"

"A woman who is straight plus will not date other women. They are basically phallophilic."

"Basically, you are saying that I'm cock hungry?"

"Don't say it like that's a negative thing! Another phrase you can use to describe yourself is 'futa friendly'. Some guys are beginning to describe themselves as futa friendly too, but women tend to use it more."

"I like the phrase futa friendly more. But tell me more about what it means to be straight plus."

"Being straight plus also means that you acknowledge the difference between futanari and women. A lot of people still see futanari as exclusively female rather than a separate gender category. On top of that, you have guys that refuse to futanari. People who are futa friendly help us with being recognised and getting laid!"

Nora's eyes open wide. Blake is unsettled by Nora's reaction to her last sentence, not realising that she has said more than she intended to.

"Help us?!" Nora emphasises.

"Shit. I cannot believe I let that slip..." Blake remarks, scolding herself.

"You got a candy cane too?!" Nora exclaims.

"My whole team are futanari!" Blake whispers while waving for Nora to lower her volume.

"You're joking! You gotta be pulling my leg or something!" Nora replies.

"No..." Blake says with an intense gaze.

Nora's eyes dip down towards Blake's navel then back up to eye level in an instant. Nora leans forward. The look in Nora's eyes has changed- usual wide eyed expression has subtly transformed into a smoulder. You could see it most clearly through her eyebrows. This was not a position Blake wanted to find herself in. Confessing that she is a futanari has immediately changed Nora's perception of Blake.

"You are just full of surprises... What else are you hiding?" Nora says, brewing with fascination.

"I'm also a Faunus," Blake replies, pretending to not notice Nora's change in body language while changing the subject.

"Weiss already told me that. How many futanari do you think are on campus?" Nora replies softly.

"Your guess is as good as mine. Why do you ask?" Blake shrugs.

"I dunno... I really don't know..." Nora answers, coiling back on herself.

Nora's arms fold underneath her breasts. Blake knows Nora is thinking about exploring love with a futanari. A conflict within her heart is holding her back. Is she worried about how exploring her desires will clash with her devotion to Ren? This is a sticky situation...

"If I were in your position, I would encourage you to read some magazines or blogs on what it means to be straight plus. Whether you prefer to keep things in the closest or explore further is up to you," Blake advises.

"I will keep that in mind..." Nora responds.

"Also, don't take this the wrong way. I need to ask you what your situation with Ren is like?" Blake says.

"Oh... Ren!" Nora blushes. "Well, we do have a history that goes way back. I don't know if I would be alive without him. As a matter of fact, I don't know if I would be anything without him..." Nora gushes. Nora's praise ends with an audible sigh.

"I am sensing a but..."

"I'm high energy. Ren is a little more mellow. I give a lot, but I do not get much in return..."

"A one-sided relationship... I have some experience in that field."

"We are not in an official relationship. I desperately want us to be though! What did you do about your situation?"

Blake's heart sinks in her chest. The truth cuts deep. Blake considers lying to Nora about her former relationship. She takes a pause to consider the consequences of honesty. Though the circumstances of her past with Adam are very different from Nora's history with Ren, she concluded that Nora's happiness (along with her own) were more important than preserving lopsided relationships.

"I left him," Blake says bluntly.

The truth bomb rocked Nora's soul. Blake did not want to see a future where Nora was unhappy because of her attachment to Ren. Sure, there may be some circumstances where Nora could make a relationship with Ren. However, examining what has been said, that outcome is unlikely based upon her own experience.

Nora is left speechless. There was no ambiguity in what Blake was suggesting Nora should do. Blake nods to herself, stands and walks away towards the cafeteria. Blake managed to leave herself rattled.

A single tear drops from Nora's eye as she takes another bite out of her chocolate. She has lost her appetite... The sweetness of what Nora was holding onto could not satisfy her.