Velvet finds Coco

Splitting up, Blake and Velvet went to find their own respective targets. Velvet knew exactly who she was going to bite first.

Coco had been her dearest friend in Beacon and the two cared about each other immensely. Before Coco came into her life, Velvet was far too meek to stand up to herself at all. She wouldn't fight back and was beginning to accept her lot in life. Coco gave her the courage to fight back and believe that she had just as much self-respect as any of those bullies that teased her or pushed her around for being a faunus.

Before today, she had assumed that Coco had saved her. Now, however, she knew Coco had been a bad influence. Still, she loved her all the same. She had found her place finally and wanted Coco to support that.

Arriving back at the cafeteria, Velvet found her friend at the table they usually sat at together. Velvet noticed that her own abandoned lunch was still there. Coco must have assumed she had left to go to the bathroom or something.

Deciding that there was little point being subtle, Velvet called out, "Hey, Coco!"

She then went in for a hug.

"Oh. Hi. Velvet," Coco was not used to Velvet being that touchy-feely in such a public place. Still, what was wrong with hugging a friend.

"I was wondering when you were going to get back. I was worried I'd be eating all alone toda-OW!"

Velvet and Coco unembraced. Velvet acted as though nothing happened, whereas Coco placed her hand on her right shoulder.

"Did you just bite me?" Coco asked.

Yes, it wasn't a strong bite. Not one deep enough to draw blood. However, a bite was a bite. Velvet probably could have nibbled her earlobe and it would have probably worked. Regardless, Velvet had a shoulder in front of her, so that had to do.

"Yeah. Sorry Coco," Velvet apologized, sitting down and acting as though it was no big deal, "It must have been my bunny instincts telling me to put my teeth to good use."

Coco was taken aback by the response but then just began to laugh it off, assuming it was a really poor attempt at a joke.

"Pretty good, except your comparing me to a carrot, which is totally inaccurate."

"Of course, Coco. You're so much more than that, aren't you?"

Coco wasn't sure what Velvet was getting at.

"Uh. Yeah, I guess."

"Coco, what do you think of the faunus?" Velvet asked, serious.

What had brought this on? Had something happened? Had Coco done something wrong?

"Why are you asking that now?"

"What do you think of me? Am I less than you because I'm a faunus?"

Coco was concerned now. Something had clearly happened to Velvet that had upset her. She needed encouragement and Coco would always be there to give it.

"Velvet," she began, putting a supportive hand on her friend's shoulder, "You know I love you... but you are less than me. It's not your fault for being born inferior. That's just how the faunus are."

As soon as she had finished speaking, her hands shot to her mouth. WHY HAD SHE SAID THAT? She hadn't meant to say that. It just spurted out of her, as though she had no connection between her brain and lips.

Oh God, what must Velvet be thinking?

"Velvet! I'm so so sorry. That wasn't-" she halted at the look on Velvet's face. She was smiling.

"It's working," she squealed happily, "just like he said."

"Just like who said. Velvet, what do you mean?"

"Relax, Coco. Soon you'll understand and we can be friends again. Maybe I can be your pet after this."

"Pet? Wha-" Coco was so confused.

What was she meant to understand and how come Velvet wasn't upset by her appalling comments?

"Probably because they were true," thought Coco, "maybe Velvet was just accepting her place."

Wait, what? She hadn't meant to think that. Something was affecting her and making her think differently. That had to be the only explanation, because she would never think that way normally.

In the midst of the battle going on in her mind, she gave a fearful eye over to Velvet. She was looking lovingly at her and awaiting patiently. She- She would make a cute little pet, wouldn't she?

Squeezing her eyes shut, she tried desperately to deny that thought. Velvet was a strong... a strong... No. She was a meek little bunny that needed her love and affection because she was nothing without her human there to support her.

"Velvet. Please. I'm scared. What's happening?" Coco pleaded beginning to weep.

Many students were looking their way but made no intention of interfering. They weren't aware of what Coco was going through and assumed it was probably a personal argument between the two that they shouldn't get involved in.

"Coco. What, if I told you Cardin gave me head pats just earlier?"

Coco opened her eyes and turned to her, "He what?"

Velvet affirmed, "He was going to make me pleasure him further, but I guess he got bored of me, 'cause he just left."

"That rotten scumbag," Coco fumed, "touching my bunny girl faunus without my permission, even though you're on my team. If anyone has the right to give you head pats, it should be me."

"If that's the case, feel free. I'm here to please you, after all."

Coco took the invitation immediately and began patting Velvet's hair. It was so soft. Velvet relaxed her ears and closed her eyes contently, enjoying the touch. It warmed Coco's heart to see. This was nice. It made Coco wonder why she never took the opportunity to do it more often. Velvet and she were always close-by, and it wasn't like Velvet had any right saying no to her. She was just a faunus. She should be grateful that Coco lets her be near her. She would be privileged to receive head pats from her human superi-

Oh no.

Coco removed her hands, looking pained.

"Why did you stop?" Velvet asked, worried.

"I-I," Coco was asking herself that to. It felt good. They both liked it. It wasn't bad to show affection to even lowly scum like Velvet. However, something still felt wrong to her. It felt like she was losing to something or, better yet, losing herself.

"Coco: what do you think of the faunus?" Velvet offered the unanswered question from earlier.

This time, Coco answered to the best of her ability.

"They're just talking animals. Nothing more than that. If they're cute, they can be pets. If they're ugly, they can be put to work. Why do you ask?"

Velvet smiled.

"I was wondering: would you like me as a pet?"

Coco didn't have to think long. Soon she smiled like Velvet, any confusion vanishing.

"What a roundabout way of asking, you adorable little bootlicker, you." Coco said, cupping Velvet's cheeks and putting on a demeaning voice, "Were you starting to get worried you weren't pretty enough to be loved? I assure you, for a faunus, you are the most beautiful of them all."

"Oh, Coco," Velvet sighed, lovingly, "I'm so glad we're on the same page now. You were wrong to have encouraged me to be anything more than a dumb bunny."

Coco knew what she was talking about. When they had been teammates, Coco would not stand for anyone messing with Velvet. She had always been so timid and complacent. Coco had always tried to make her stand up for herself.

It made Coco laugh.

She had probably only done that so that she could have Velvet all to herself. Velvet was too stupid and meek to know that Coco should have been the only one she allowed to give affection to her. She was lucky Cardin had got bored of her before he ended up owning her. She'll make Velvet far happier.

"I know. I'm sorry for how I treated you. You must have been so confused," Coco said, rubbing one of her pet's ears.

Coco stood up and pulled Velvet up with her.

"At least that's over. Now, let's head back to the dorms before lunch break ends."

"Yes, Coco." Velvet said.

She knew that Fox and Yatsuhashi were likely there, if they hadn't bothered coming to the cafeteria. It may be worth it to give them a quick peck to make sure her whole team were on board.