Jet had started eating his own sandwich as Gricelda was talking when he suddenly stopped, his mouth open and completely dumbstruck. His sandwich actually fell back in his lunch box. Honestly, he expected a lot of stuff, including theft, but actual criminal organisation raiding a shop? That wasn’t something he was expecting at all.
He let her explain the whole story and he was a bit weirded out that she sounded so proud of it, but not that much really. He was somewhat surprised himself on how what she said actually made sense to him in a lot of ways, even if the end result was more extreme than what he would consider just retribution.
Answering her last question first, he checked his own sandwich that he retrieved from his lunch box. It surprisingly stayed pretty much intact. “Ehm… I bought it at the cafeteria but I asked for roast beef sandwich. I think other than that it’s just like mayonnaise and some mustard? Could have used some melted cheese but hey, it’s good enough.”
Depositing his sandwich, Jet had a more serious expression than his usual. “As for your story, you sound pretty proud of that moment. Honestly I find it was pretty extreme, but don’t get me wrong; I’m not against a bit of physical action to make a point to bigots.” Jet actually smiled a bit after that. “I used to date a faunus girl when I was in Sanctum. She wasn’t a fighter herself though. Still even if I wasn’t the direct target of it, I lived the faunus discrimination by proxy. We got thrown out of restaurents where I made a reservation for a date, some store overpriced us on purpose, me included for being associated with her and yes, she was targeted by the most extremists of bigots, sometime trying to hide a new scar she got. We were close to the west side of Mistral and living close to what people would call slums, so there was a lot of unsavory characters in the area. Me they didn't bother but Tiff... Yeah, a lot. So I did, more than once, break a few limbs either as retaliation to those scars or for defense when it happened while I was there. It didn’t last long though, the gangs and stuff around the place knew I’d come and get them if they hurt her.”
Passing his hand in his hair, Jet exhaled some. That was stuff that happened a few years ago but the distinct feeling of unfairness still remained. He didn’t care about it himself but as usual for him, he cared much more about it being directed to his friends or girlfriend. Still, it’s not like he was proud of it like Gricelda was, at the time it was just what he thought he had to do for it. “I don’t like the faunus discrimination, I really hate bigots really, but I wish there had been another way than violence to deal with them. I like fighting, the thrill and challenge of it, but I don’t like hurting people if it’s not in a fair fight. Still, I know very well that some people only understand violence so I know it is sometimes necessary.”
Taking back his sandwich, Jet started eating again. “Honestly though, you just blurted out being a member of a criminal organisation to a complete stranger, that seriously threw me off for a while. I mean, I personally think the White Fang is a bit too extremist, but I understand why they decided to go on the offensive. It’s the same reason the Faunus Right Revolution war happened. Thanks to it you guys have your rights and all to live in the kingdoms, but a good portion of the human population still refuse to accept these changes even after decades. They are a minority, simply, they’re a very visible minority since they stand out by their actions. The other humans that treat your people equally don’t stand out as much, but I also feel they should act up in your defense themselves instead of silently disapproving on the side.”
By the time he finished, he pulled out the blade from the heat treatment and started sanding it out for a clear finish before the oil and sharpening. It would be done after that. Still, while working, Jet remained available for conversation with Gricelda, indicating it by keeping at it himself. “I’m curious though, I didn’t think the White Fang was active here. Don’t break any secret for me but I’m surprised about it.”