CHANGING LOCATION
FEW MONTHS EARLY
POV
As Beacon Academy as just one of the four most prestigous Hunter Academies in the world as just only the best of the best of student's can get into just one of these schools and they all just have to earn their way in the academy with as with very training and as with very determination and succeed in their's very test's in the end as then there's a very certain blonde young man around's the age of seventeen named Jaune Arc was looking at the very fountain statue as along with the very main building's of Beacon Academy. He was just looking at the building with a sad and defeated face for the most part as In all the shows he watched and all the comic's he read as Jaune always just thought just runnings away from home would be a journeys filled with very much excited and very adventure ahead of him and it's just did excitement, general badassery and a large harem of various women with impressive asset's that he would meet along has the way in his very journey. It's probably best the type of media he consumed remained unknown, but suffice to say - it's was a pretty big pain in the ass so far. Night's where he couldn't put up his tent the right way until the birds sang the next mornings and dwindling supplies of Pumpkin Pete cereal in his very backpack and the constant homesickness that plagued him just since he was attacked by the very Grimm in the forest and him being just life and that was a miracle and then he was just life and it all spelt for a pretty unpleasant experience and as then he finally made it to his very destination and then he started to as realized about just something's else in entirely as Man and just everything's that is just related to this weekend just sucked till now...…So imagine the teen's relief when he stumbled out of the bushes of the greenery and laid his eyes on a small settlement currently bustling with working people and then it was her s very happy moments in his life but then as he started to celebrate in his weird and award dance and Ugh, finally.. It's been a week since he saw any actual people, so it was refreshing to see that civilization hasn't crumbled in the time he was away and Because that would be inconvenient and then Who would be still there be for him to save then? As he thought about it as he started to climb down from the hill and then he just By mistakley trip on one of the rocks as then he went down a the Clift tumbling down hitting his head then hitting some rocks and has then hitting some tree branches and then finally he landed on his butt on a rock that's was aimed for his crutch.
As then After some time started to clean himself up after his little accident as then he struggled a little bit at first but then jaune started to straighten himself up now and then stood up straight and as then he's just started to walk toward's the village and then about fews minutes of patiently waiting and then Shrugging his armour-plated shoulder to give his backpack a better positions as Jaune Arc began to meld into the crowd of as busy villagers intent to refill his supplies and a refuel his energy. As then when he was walking around the area as then he saw a bunch of men beside as the small building as then he walked towards them "Hey… sorry sir, but could you point me to the nearest inn?" Jaune held up his hand to a passerby as he asked. He expected tonight would be a good night's rest for a change and couldn't wait to feel the warmth of a bed's sheets What he didn't expect was for the man he questioned to give him the stink eye, pausing in his tracks to do so, before continuing with a sour expression
The blond's hand remained in the air as he began to feel small droplets of water just form on his forehead as How embarrassing the thought of getting ignored in front of so many people made heat rush to his face. Was it something he said ?But no matter! Jaune was to be an amazing and heroic huntsman, what was a little social interaction to him ? "Could you tell me-""Sorry but-""Is there a-"Every. Single.Time Every single time he tried to get information from somebody, they would look at him like he was an insect before taking off. Sure, Jaune mostly stayed inside and played video games so his social stats were exactly up-to-par but even he knew this wasn't a problem with him. As The just only logical conclusion was this was a town full of douchebags and they were just everywhere.
Yes.
As then he did left home and just not telling his very parents and that might be one of his very issues but it will work out for everyone in the end and he just can't let go of this very chance. And then as he just did internally contemplated his current situations and externally sighed, taking a seat on an old, mostly broken crate on the side of the cobbled road. It's not like he couldn't just walk around until he found a place to sleep, the town wasn't all that big after all; it was just he thought he should make an effort to interact with people more after getting out of the house and then just Gods knew about his sisters would always get on his case about not having any friends and being a general socially inept potato but then just out of nowhere, he felt a strong hand on his shoulder as Instinctively, he turned to meet what it connected to. An average looking man with a beard smiled at him. So average you could have probably been good friends with him and still walk by him on the streets without noticing the guy, Jaune just notioned.
"I just Heard you've been looking for an inn, bucko. If you want, I can show you the way to one travellers here normally stay at." The very man said to him as then Jaune very much expression lit up slightly at the man's very way and voice of kindness. His eldest sister, Sapphire, always told him not to talk to strangers but eat your heart out dear sister; not everyone is some drugged up thief only coming up to you to mug you and then the Air was expelled from Jaune's lungs after a knee came to his solar plexus, brutally connecting and just leaving him on the ground. Both of his arms wrapped around his midsection in a futile attempt to quell the immense pain and lack of oxygen. As then Instead, he just sputtered and as just started coughed violently as another person sent a kick to the side of the very young teen's head leaving him sprawled to the very side as then he could hears some kind of laughter
"Heheheh… say, kid… you must be a special breed of idiot if you trusted some random guy who came up to you promising ya' shit." A grimy voice came from an average face. The same average face that brought Jaune down this deep, dark alleyway filled with the smell faeces, urine and… blood. It was a miracle Jaune could even use his nose now.
Sadly, it was the only miracle it looked like he was going to get around here and then just A chorus of laughter echoed across the broken brick walls as another stomp from somebody else came to his stomach as then Puke just threatened to burst from Jaune's mouth. Puke or blood, one or the other. But he had to fight back, he had to live! He had so much to do and vowed too much to die like this, and then With all his very strength, Jaune reached for his very weapon, the Arc family's blade, Crocea Mors - who's form lay a metre from him. A jolt of pain came through his left hand as a boot crashed down onto his wrist like thunder. And With all of his voice, Jaune screamed in torment, feeling the bones snap. Who knew man was so fragile? As then A now familiar voice whistled, "That's a nice looking sword you got there. Nothing too fancy, now but it looks pretty vintage. Would go well on the market. Your grandpappy give you this for your birthday or something's ?" Even under the very mercy of half a dozen grown men, as Jaune's blood boiled in anger at the mishandling of his family heirloom. That sword was used to save so many people's lives in the hundreds of years since its birth… how dare he treat it like some item he can just pawn off! "Put. The sword down. Or I swear to the Gods I'll- ARRRGH!" As then man kicked him again and again "Sorry, what was that?" the man taunted, now passing off the sword to one of his accomplices. "I don't understand little bitch. Why don't you-" he paused, raising his head to see a figure at the end of the alleyway. The body and face of the intruder were shadowed by the light coming inwards and then the man turned towards it and faced it. "As Who the hell are you now ?" As he asked the unknown entity.
It just remained silent.
The leader of the group inclined his head to the very shadowy figure, prompting one of his goons to charge - his fist ready to strike. Running towards the light, his footing mixed up, leading him to fall flat on his face into a small pile of dog feces just in front of his target. He made to get up, only for the sole of a black shoe to stomp the unexpecting man back down into is as he ground his face in shit For around ten seconds the gesture continued as the victim made vain pursuits to stop his assaulter until the initial shock wore off and the rest of the men charged without rhyme or reason, completely forgetting about the mangled boy they left deeper in the darkness behind them as With an exhausted sigh, less so from the physical activity and more so about what he had to now do, the very figure gave his floored victim a final shove into the very ground before stepping forward and bashing the man unfortunate to be the fastest of the pack as Only a single punch. Straight into the nose, the poor man was sent flying backward into one of his comrades out cold who struggled to escape the weight of his body. Next, he dismantled another with a swift kick to the legs, knocking another goon down from the lack of support - falling victim to gravity as he hit his head straight on the hard, stone floor as then Surprisingly enough, the sight didn't deter one of the muggers from trying to land a hit on their sudden assailant. It was a clumsy attack that was easily sidestepped before the man busted a kneecap forcing the unlucky thief to take a knee. He didn't even get a chance to look into the eyes of his attacker as a lightning-fast knee met the bottom of his very chin, and just knocking out teeth in the very process as just then Jaune swore he could hear a pin drop in the silence of the alleyway, once filled with malicious laughter as the man who led him here looked as though he was about to wet himself there and just now in front of the very teen's savior and he just did what any one self-preserving creature would do in that very situation Run away as fast as he could and far away from it as he could as he had tears in his eyes as he was just stupid and he thought about now
How clever and smart of him
The very figure made no move to apprehend him at all as the very leader desperately dashed past him, leaving his gang and his victim in the dust behind him. Eventually, a scoff sounded as footsteps became louder and louder to Jaune as the sound rebounded from the walls But just without indication, the man stopped dead before turning his head for a second. The rest of his body followed suit, leaving Jaune crippled and alone. Did that man just leave ? Why the hell- "Hey, Aunt, did you hear that now ?" A new voice entered the vicinity, a girl near the same age as the wounded teen appeared in the light across the alleyway. "It sounded like- what the-" As unknown very person just saw seen Infront of her now "H-help…" Jaune's weak voice as he begged just unconscious will to survive overcoming confusion."Holy trinity crap of rabbits Aunt get over here, someone needs help!" the voice screamed, stepping over the unconscious (Jaune hoped), bloody bodies of his once fateful muggers now "Lyn, what have I told you about running off like that?" As then Somebody older entered the very seen just in behind the very girl in front of teen boy vision. "As Dear Gods, what on Remnant happened here? Lyn, help me carry him back to the inn." Before she even finished her sentence, the girl named Lyn already hoisted the injured teen over her shoulder and as began to carry him out of the very depths of his almost-grave but before he can leave this place he needs his very stuff back "M… ord…" As Jaune's own voice came out haggard. "What did you just say ?" As one of the parsons just asked him.
"My… sword…" as Lyn turned back to see a metal blade sheathed in an elegant white on the ground near to where the boy laid earlier. It seemed to have been dropped in a hurry of some sort."Here, let me help you with that." Her very Aunt gestured to take some of the weight from carrying the blond but Lyn shook her head. "It's fine, just get his stuff, please." Easily enough, she just complied as she then retrieving his very sword and backpack before nodding to signal that they should probably leave as the boy talked once more, "Thank…you…both" As then before his head dropped, leaving the bangs of his hair to cover his very eyes. As just then before Lyn began to panic, she felt the rise and fall of his chest next to her own, indicating that he most likely passed out from exhaustion. Relief washed over her as she and her aunt began to make their way back into the very sunlight and to their inn. As then she left she saw a man getting violently apprehended by the police, pushed against the ground and handcuffed, all while he swore and cursed at the very officers surrounding himself now. He was generally average looking, nothing really worth noting about his features apart from a beard. Looks like he was caught in the act of something's and then he was just able to live though this now and as then he can continue
Just How unlucky for him now
CHANGING LOCATION
THREE HOUR LATER
POV
As then the very sound of some surrounding as the young teen couldn't make out as then he did felt flat surface beneath him for the very moment but then he started to feel that he was being careful moved away again and then Knight actually woke up in the middle of being carried by something warm, soft and smelling like flowers around him now and as then it really did hunt just pretty hard when he was thrown onto what he assumed was a collection of wooden tables. "Oof…ugh…" as then Lyn's chestnut hair bobbed as she tilted her head, "You're awake now ? As well that just very good, you're lucky that we can treat you ourselves right now since everyone is outside and just working at the moment." As She told the half-conscience boy laying on the makeshift bed before her. "First of all, let's see what's wrong with you now." As she told him and as before starting gathering her very stuff and just Really, this is just weird Jaune just didn't have the energy to be embarrassed or protest against her by the fact that a real-life girl was checking around his body since most of it went to wincing in pain at her touch and then she just started examine his wounds "Hm. It just looks like it's mostly just bruising and scrape wounds." As Jaune subconsciously brought his hand to his very stomach now "Mainly around the midsection and head. Here, I need to move your hand if I want to sort out." As then a bit of A sharp gasp was spat out of the boy's very mouth as then Almost immediately, Lyn gave the very wrist she held an experimental squeeze, earning her a second wince. "A broken wrist hmmm…? Now that I look at it, the very swelling has just starting to show. Luckily for you, it's already in the right position to heal up. We have pain killers and it's not too hard to whip up a makeshift splint. Aunt, could you look over him while I get the stuff?" As then the very Arc's very blue eyes found themselves trailing Lyn as she rushed off into what he assumed was a kitchen of sorts behind the bar of the very inn but then he saw a white wall and light around him and then the pian was another thing "Amazing isn't she ?" As then Lyn's aunt pulled up a chair to sit next to Jaune and as he couldn't help but to agree with her who knows what she might do next as She took control of the situation and as is following through on her proposed solutions without hesitation. It was something that's just made Jaune somewhat envious of her very ability as just So in the end, as he let his exhaustion wane over him once more and put himself under the mercy of -a girl he just met and her Aunt now and he hopes that he can still move after this and then just repay them both properly and leave
//
TWENTY MINUTES LATER
POV
"There, give it a week or two and it should be good as new." As Jaune, now sat on a chair instead of having his back on that very crusty table now as then he started to examined the bandages and the very singular splint that now decorated his body now, As then just Having taken the painkillers offered by Lyn from before, now and then just once the very throbbing that spanned over his entire body had lessened to just more than a lingering headache - and meaning he could now form the very coherent words and as sentences to communicate with his very saviors now "So, then what's your name?" Lyn's aunt asked. Her own hair was as brown as her nieces but was instead much wavier and came down in a ponytail around her neck. There was also the more pressing feature of her blue skirt's length but for a teenage boy, it took extreme diligence to keep your eyes somewhere more decent as she sat leg over leg on her chair now, as then Jaune Arc was not very diligent "Uh, yes my name is Jaune. Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, ladies love it!" As then He just ended with a wink. Which then turned into a wince and a gasp. As then After a long and very second, Lyn's aunt managed to stifle a small giggle under her hand, now as Lyn just herself just dove behind the bar and Jaune could hear her rolling around and slamming her fist against the floor planks, bawling. "Do they though?" The very more and very reserved of the pair asked. Jaune's answer was a glance at his feet and a blush on his face just muttering something along the lines of `hoping they will one day`. "My name is Lenore white and as this is my very niece's name is Rosalyn - but everyone calls her Lyn. You're also welcome to call her that, " she's just added with a wink to him. "Aunt…" As just Now recovered and sitting on the bar, Lyn added with a slight tint to her cheeks. As She wore a dark brown sweatshirt, the sleeves covering half of her hands- just barely leaving the fingers visible - and denim shorts that displayed a generous amount of thigh. "It's was nice to meet you, however, the conditions of our meeting not so much…" As she told him and the another person spoke up "Yeah, you looked like you went through hell. What's happened to you?"
As then, the only fair-haired person in the very room just brought his left hand up to the back of his head as a nervous tick before remembering everything it was in a splint for a reason as the pain shot through it, earning Jaune an intake of air through the very teeth. And then Chuckling nervously at the duo's raised eyebrows he's started, "I just got here after about a week of traveling and was looking for a place to stay. Those guys told me they knew the way and told me to follow them. Guess where that got me, heh… and as then the rest is history's" As he told them.
As then Lenore just uncrossed her legs and crossed them the opposite way. Jaune very much noticed now. "Unfortunately, that's not all too uncommon around here. As This town has somewhat of a notorious reputation for taking advantage of unsuspecting, and dumb travellers and very tourists. And No offense." As she offered him "None taken." As Jaune told her and she continued "I guess you were just lucky that we found you when we did or who knows what could have happened to you." And then it was then time it was Lyn who spoke, up as hopping down from the bar counter, "I mean you came out looking like crap but as you should have seen the other guys, you did a real number on them, didn't you ?" As she told him with smile "I-uh…" But he didn't do anything? Apart from get his ass handed to him by a group of common thugs. "Did you just see anyone.... leave the alleyway? You know, before you showed up ?" As Jaune asked them both as then she just Tilting her head slightly in bewilderment, Lyn replied, "Hm. I did see someone getting arrested and as it looking like he came from your direction, but as I don't think that's what you're asking for, is it? Was there someone else there with you ?" As she asked him and They didn't see his mysterious hero then? It would be hard to just track him or her down and just then as say thank you, in that case. The shadows of the alleyway did wonders in hiding his very identity, and as the only really discernible feature they had was a cape of sorts and just Kind of tacky, now that Jaune thought about it and then one day he will him
"Yes."
"Huh?" As then the very Confused just didn't really and properly just explain the level of bamboozled that Lyn just felt at her patient's articulation. "Yes. I did beat up the group of men." As Jaune told her "Good…for you. It's not like we doubted you, anyway…" As she told him as Jaune's sea-blue eyes met the amber eyes of the girl standing above him and just stared as He could have gotten lost in her very gaze. As It just didn't help that an ever-glowing red started to tint his cheeks as eye contact remained. "Okay, just now you two,"Lenore rescued the boy from his own complete and utter ineptitude at holding a conversation. "Jaune as You just seem like you're on an important journey, if you don't mind telling us, what are you after?" The older woman has attempted to reset the very topic. This question was easy enough, Jaune had it all planned out, now as Run away, go to Beacon, and then become a huntsman, be a hero and as Easy enough, right? "I want to become a huntsman. As I'm trying to get to Beacon so I can be somebody that can save people...…as to be a hero." As he told her and he just felt a little bit embarrassed "A huntsman, hm?" As eyes just briefly glanced to her very niece And as then Jaune still just then continued "Yeah! You See, my father is a huntsman, and his father before him was a hero, and his father before him too then again it go on for generations. I just… I just want to follow in their footsteps." He shifted his head to look at the sword that rested on top it, "That blade was used by them all to save countless people. I can only hope to be as great as them one day." As he finishes as
Once again, as the very eldest person in the very room spoke, "You must be quite special that they were ready to to have been given it to you." As she told him as It took everything Jaune had not to recoil at the very words. He couldn't bear tell these two, who already had faith in him, that his father denied his desire and as he had to steal the heirloom and run.
So just then he just nodded towards her and it was then Lyn who put a slender finger to her chin and then started to think"Arc, hm? For a line of heroes, then as I haven't really heard that name before. Ow! Aunt?" As just then "Don't be rude." Her elder scolded, who was now just as standing by her niece in the split-second Jaune wasn't looking - so much so that he had to do a quick double-take between the chair and Lenore very current position now as then Waving off the very comment, as Jaune explained, "I don't blame you." He brought his right hand this time to scratch the back of his head. "Apparently, we were a lot more prominent in kingdom of Vale and But my grandfather… he wanted to get away from all that to our old home in Arcade So." As then two women just started to process everything "Huntsmen, huh…my parents just were both Huntsmen too, you know?" As Lyn told him as then her aunt just look at her "Lyn…" As she question her. And then she just brusted it off "No, it's alright, Aunt as They both went out on a mission one day and once when I was super, and very duper young girl and as they never came back Apparently, Mom made her sister promise something." As Lyn was surprisingly nonchalant, even trying to meet the eyes of her Aunt - who turned her head and glanced at a particular part of the floor instead. "She told her that `if something ever happened to me and my husband, please take care of my daughter. And please, keep her off of the path we chose. Right, Aunt?" As Lyn told him and Lenore was just looking towards Jaune as then "It's just true. And once Amy was presumed dead now, I just made true on my promises." As Lenore told him and face him.
"I-"
"I'm just over it though and It's been like a decade, by now as time just always heals all wounds and everything, so don't feel bad, Jaune. As Instead, I think I want to become something of a doctor. Saving lives, but in a different way." She placed her hands on her hips and gave a reassuring smile. "So I just guess our goals are pretty similar, don't you think?" As she told him "I... yeah. They are." Blond hair swayed in a nod. Jaune gave a more awkward smile in return, but it was the thought that just counted or confused him for a bit "I have a another question as Why go to Beacon though, Jaune?" As Lenore looked more at ease now that the previous topic had ceased discussion. "Surely it would be much easy to go to Haven instead ?" As she asked him "I've heard Beacon is where all the great Huntsmen came from now and as even just including my ancestors and then It just feels right in my way." As he explained her "Still, it's a very long way from here now Do you have anyone that we can call to meet up with you?" As she moved towards the old scroll phone on the very wall as it has linecore on it and with just Both of his very hands spikes upward to wave off the concern, earning him another spike of pain. "No, no! I'm traveling alone, it's really fine!" As he dismissed it now. As Lenore as who was going to dial some number raised an eyebrow. "So you're trying to get to Vale..... all by yourself now ?" As she asked him as then he just started to just wave around his free hand now "Yeah I fine." "And so you just don't see anything wrong with that now ?" As she's asked him again now as Jaune still didn't get what Lenore was just trying to employee at, "Why would I…?" As he's asked her "Well… first -"
As she was interrupted "Wow, Jaune as You must be a pretty brave guy to just go out into Grimm infested forests just on a several thousand-mile journey solo and alone." Lyn had an impressed look on her face and her eye's we're sparkling now as that just would normally get Jaune to feel pretty awesome for impressing a member of the very just opposite gender. It was unfortunate that the sense of dread as that now enveloped him overpowered it to a large degree. Wait just a minute they say Grimm-infested?! And as he still just didn't know about that Grimm we're in that very forest ! As It was then possible as that his very father had just something to do with that, but then if remember that it was near the forest and his family territory ground
however, there very constant patrols of the very forest bordering their own little town around there as well just resulted in no interaction with the Creatures of the Grimm so Jaune just think as assumed there were no Grimm! But no he should have studied as just more He could have died… what would his family have thought if their only son - who left just as the household without a word - was found dead a week later mauled by Beowolves again ? As he is still just puzzled about it how he was still live by now but then he was walking to his death again His very mother and sisters would weep. Especially poor sister, as he made a promise to her specifically. His father would take back his sword as a grim reminder about how he was too weak to prevent his idiot son from- as he was lost in his thoughts "Jaune?" Lyn's face was now right in front of the blond boy's, "You okay? Looks like you saw your life just flash before your eyes or something like that." As she called him out, he blinked once.
As Then they all screamed like chicken now
"Hoo-WAAAHH! Oof!" As The best young teen pushed himself backward with enough force to tilt over the chair he was sat on. The back of his head gave just the wooden floor an especially strong high-five and the then as the missiles or in other words ship chased down just now "Hoo-" As the very much now
"-Wah?" The very two females in the room questioned with on their very faces now and then Luckily, though, if they saw how red his face was now - he could chalk it up to the blood rushing to his head and then it hurts.
/-/
CHANGING LOCATION
FOUR HOURS LATER
POV
As then, as the rest of the day went without a hitch. As Jaune was laying down on one of the bed in the inn and it was a room that they both have offered him for the time period and he just wasn't complaining about it and then both of them went out to theirs very business as then he just started to hear about some of the stories from others in the inn server and it was then that as Lenore just wasn't kidding when she said people just would know better than to bother them all as just In fact, they seemed to get a bunch of free stuff as both Lyn and her aunt appeared to be prominent figures in the very town's community, and the must Both of them talked about theirs future plans in more detail Jaune's sisters much to his own dismay and as then Lyn's inn stories about some of their very most….. interesting patrons. As just then in the end of the day was approaching as just evidenced by the already set sun and the rise of it's broken sister in the cool night sky, as Jaune just started to move around the inn and was exploring it's little by little "We're home!" Lyn exclaimed, as just literally kicking down the very double doors as that's lead into the inn now as then Jaune just immediately just stepped back in surprised but as proceeded to follow behind Lyn's confident stride, holding supplies and groceries alike in his right arm "Hey, Lyn!" As then as Jaune greeted her "As Lyn! How you doing?" As then she smiled at him and then she started to put down her groceries on the table of the kitchen and as then Jaune fellow her in the kitchen " As just nothing special just that the heat was intense and some old day..... so then how are your very wounds now" As she told and asked him about it now " ho just actually I am started to feel no pain and in a way I am starting to feel a bit better now" As he told her as taking to play cool as she just smiled at him and as started to examine and sprate the very item on the table now "Wow… you just sure are popular, huh ?" As Jaune just observed from his very spot just behind a few metres away from her as she was very much local star, aound here and bobbing and just weaving through table now.
"It's just actually just nothing really now," Lyn just started to scratched her cheek with her free hand, and then she mentioned and then point out the rest of them at the door as well it was then Jaune just sigh now and then before walking towards it and as then picking them up and then holding a bag of groceries as thet both made their way into the kitchen. Together again "It's just a small town where everyone knows everyone. We aren't all bad people, and some just don't take to kindly to outsider's." As then Putting some groceries down on the very kitchen countertop, Jaune couldn't help but just sweat a little. "Yeah… I think I know by experience." As then the very brunette giggled slightly, giving Jaune some weird feeling heebie-jeebies in the pits of his stomach and looking back at the two, after stowing something away in the oven to cook.
As then someone enters the kitchen and just saw both of the kid's standing together and chatting with one and other now "Ah! You're finally back Lyn and tell me Did you get what you needed ?" Lenore asked her niece and it then she answered "Uhhhhu," Lyn answered.
"Well we just got Jaune's very supplies and his medicine and then I get your groceries." Pointing to each respective group of items respectively on the table and as then Lenore just started to nodded to her ."Alright then. I'll go wait some tables, will you two be fine for the rest of the very night ?" As Lenore asked them both and then both nodded there's very head towards the older woman "yes Course, Aunt / Miss Lenore !" As then she's started to smile towards them both "I'll leave you two to it then." As then with that said the very older woman waved her goodbyes as toward them both and then dove into the very mess hall of the inn and very chattering people scattered across the inn's hall as then muice was just playing and with a many other's just dancing around here and there and with there's very beer cup in there hands now and then both of them just then started to chat about there very much goals and future and as then the music started to get more louder by the very minute as Jaune started to looked towards the clock on the wall as it was time to leave to his very room to rest and it was her time to work as well "Thank you for just everything today, Lyn.
But I think… yawn… I'm going to call it a night."
"Oh, alright then. Goodnight, Jaune." Lyn took a step closer and slowly wrapped her arms around the teen, "Today was fun. Excluding the whole almost dying part, hah…"Holy crap. Is this what Dad meant by second base?So, in all of the wisdom his father gave him, responded to the best of his ability. "I-"What a time for your voice to crack as Lyn stepped back, linking her arms behind her back and her golden eyes couldn't meet Jaune's sapphire ones. Her face also adorned a small blush, her whole demeanour contrasting her constantly outgoing attitude from earlier in the day.
…
"I-I think I'm going to head to my room."
…
"That's probably for the best. Sweet dreams, Jaune."
Slowly but surely, he made his way out of the kitchen, and once he was completely sure he was out of sight, the flustered boy darted to the safety of his room. Up the stairs and into the back of the inn.In his rush, he earnt the stares of many patrons - including Pearl, who was politely trying to excuse herself from being hit on by a rough-looking man in a tacky, tattered cape a few moments prior.Swiftly, the door shut as quick as it was open and Jaune jumped onto the actual, real-life bed and shoved his face into his pillow and started screaming.Eventually, he gave up and turned around to look at the ceiling, moonlight filling the room from the window adjacent to his bed. His splinted hand came up into view and the teen stared at it, lost in thought.Sweet dreams, Jaune.His healthy hand came to palm his face in an effort to hide the embarrassment from himself, hoping that the relative darkness of the room coupled with his hand would prevent the red coming to his face.It worked, but didn't prevent quiet screams from escaping from his mouth.Why did she have to say it like that…?
At this rate, Jaune will have way more than a sweet dream.Sighing, Jaune didn't bother to change out of his favourite hoodie and jeans, instead opting to get under the covers as he was to get to the next day as quickly as possible.Maybe he'll spend a little longer in this town than he expected.
CHANGING LOCATION
NEXT MORNING
POV
Awaking from his slumber, Jaune threw the duvet off of him - heat rushing across his body so much so that he woke up entirely. His room was brightly lit from the sunlight that shone through the window Expect it wasn't sunlight.
It was fire. Rushing to his feet, Jaune scanned the room - seeing that his sword lay against the desk that held his backpack and armour scattered across the surface. What drew his attention more was the wall opposite of his was beginning to light aflame No time to strap on his armour or have potential deadweight in his backpack, the Arc took his family blade and bolted out of the door of his room and stopped before going down the stairs, once more surveying the sight. The tables were upturned and plates and cutlery were dispersed, broken, across the ground There was no sight of Pearl, nor Lyn Screams echoed from outside, prompting Jaune to snap his head to look through the gaping hole in the wall. He couldn't see through it too clearly from his angle, so he made his way down the stairs three steps at a time to view what awaited him outside. It was hell.His father would sometimes, very rarely, talk about hell. War was hell. The battlefield was hell. Maybe it was all an effort to push his children away from the lifestyle he had So much for that The majority of buildings were either smashed into or completely toppled, giving a view of behind it - more buildings either toppled or crumbling. Anything that could be combustible was ablaze. Running through the streets, Jaune saw stalls that he and Lyn had visited up in flames and various features of the town covered in red.
Blood.
Its mention wasn't much by itself, but seeing it - and thinking of who's it could have been - shook the young teen to his core. Was it the caring old lady that told Jaune and Lyn about her newly-born granddaughter while wrapping up an assortment of fruits? Or perhaps it was the young man aspiring to become an engineer, working a stall as a side-job to pay for his school tuition? Gods forbid it was one of the little children who were playing ball on the cobblestone pavement…A shrill cry broke Jaune out of his inner turmoil. "HELP!" It was one he came to recognise after a second.Lyn's aunt, Pearl Soon enough, his head snapped towards the sound. Pearl was knocked onto her behind, frantically attempting to scramble backwards - only to slam her back into a wall. Not brave enough to take away her eyes from the crimson-red orbs that pierced through her, she instead bore directly into them in a manner of stern acceptance. The coal, wolf-like creature before it released a low growl, raising a claw to the air ready for a fatal blow that would surely rip any normal person apart Jaune was frozen in place, helpless to save the woman who showed him nothing but accepting kindness and leaving her to an eternal fate in the form of death. His splinted hand ached That's what he thought, at least Completely unknowingly to himself, Jaune found Crocea Mors was drawn to intercept the boned, ivory edge that threatened Pearl's life only seconds ago."Jaune?! W-What are you doing here?""I-Isn't it obvious? I'm here to save you…" Easier said than done when a Grimm is staring you down, slowly overpowering you in a deadlock. Especially so when said Grimm let out an ear-splitting roar point-blank at your face, leaving you in a daze visually and audibly. It didn't help the initial impact literally made his own bones vibrate and cry out in their own way of pain. Remember what Dad reluctantly taught you, Jaune… "There may be a time where I'm not here to protect you and your sisters Jaune. If, and I mean if, it comes down to it - you need to be able to become a stand-in for me." Nicholas Arc did not want his children to be out fighting wars and campaigns against the Grimm, but he would be a fool if he were to leave them vulnerable in a case where he himself was unavailable It sure was unlucky that, at the time, Jaune didn't take those lessons very seriously Video games and trying to make friends were more of his goals at the age his father decided to impart combat wisdom onto him, much to the dismay of his very current situation.
However, it was all he currently had to go on Gritting his teeth, Jaune tilted his blade to slide the claw off of the surface of his sword. Surprised by the sudden change in its arm's momentum, the Beowolf stumbled forward as its claw was slammed into the ground by the teen's boot Deflect, Disarm, Kill. His father's repeated motto during the limited training interactions he and his son had. "Remove the danger from its source, then remove the source entirely." With a primal roar of his own, Jaune swung Crocea Mors in his primary hand - aiming to sever the black limb of the wolf. The revolting sound of flesh was dug into as a powerful cut dug into the meat of the creature. Crocea Mors was now stuck halfway between the arm of a Beowolf; the hide much stronger than Jaune had once expected Tugging at the silver heirloom, Crocea Mors came free of her monstrous prison before coming back down even mightier, this time completely lopping off the appendage The Beowolf staggered backwards and howled in what Jaune could only assume to be pain, the jet-black mass underneath his shoe already turning to dust. His only chance was now, there was no time for him to waste Charging in recklessly, Crocea Mors spun as her master did, shattering the white mask - and cutting fruitfully behind it as well - in a backward spinning slash aimed to the upper right of the blond Jaune was left with a scattering corpse, a saved woman, a newfound sense of determination and a whole lot of adrenaline leaving his bloodstream."Jaune… you…"
"We have to get out of here." His blond hair was matted in specs of black dust that didn't seem to want to disintegrate and waved in the strong winds that blew the thick smoke of the raging fires around them into their faces. But in the middle of the chaos, Jaune reached out his hand to save somebody he was undeniably indebted too - not like it mattered to him whether or not he owed them anything anyway."Of course… Lyn! Jaune, have you seen Lyn?" Pearl's outburst was sudden, after she took Jaune's hand and he helped the woman to stand on her own two feet."No, I thought you would have known?"She shook her head, "We were together at first, running away with the others at the inn, but then she broke off from me saying you were still in your room. I tried to go after her but the Grimm, they…"Was Lyn headed towards to inn then? "Pearl, is that you?" Turning around, Jaune was met with a dozen pairs of eyes staring at the duo. The group held pitchforks and torches, pretty stereotypical for a mob - Jaune thought, but desperate times and all. "We're headed to the town's emergency escape passage, come with us." Murmurs of agreement echoed through the crowd.The brunette in question opened her mouth, only for the words not to come out. She closed it again and looked directly into Jaune's eyes, conflicted and brimming with worry and hope alike Words left from his mouth before he even had time to think about how to respond, "I'll find Lyn. Get to safety."It was enough for Pearl to give Jaune a tight hug, whispering, "Please… stay safe," into the bunny of Jaune's exposed hoodie. Backing off, Pearl nodded to the group's leader and they all ran towards where the blond assumed the exit to this hellhole was - none of them looking back.
Now with his own thoughts, cerulean orbs were drawn to the attractive steel of Crocea Mors a d Damn it! Jaune inwardly cursed now.
His father was right; the battlefield really was hell… taking out a single Beowolf had already drained everything the boy had in him. But to him, it was well worth the life saved.Hopefully, he could make it at least two.Dashing through the streets he ran past not five minutes ago, he came to the inn entrance to see something he wished he hadn't.Lyn's sweatshirt, part of it ripped, stained in a pool of its own blood that most definitely was not there when Jaune first left. Thank the Gods, there was no body, no sight of a poor girl being mauled; he was already about to throw up, barely able to contain the rising bile. Jaune couldn't even notice the splint she had treated him had slipped out foregoing all of the commotion and running.Fading memories of yesterday were fleeing Jaune's mind. Her carrying him to safety, the undeniable determination she had to try save someone she had just met, the way they just clicked while going out for supplies, her smile, her touch. And tears ran down Jaune's eyes, salty and wet.An all too familiar growl evaporated those tears and replaced them with fire. It was the Grimm's fault. All of it. The pain, the destruction, the misery. Anger rose in Jaune, creating an inferno within his soul - caged in its uncertainty.But it couldn't break free.Snouts and maws were raised in the air alike, alert to the sudden spike in negative energy filling the atmosphere. In a matter of mere seconds, every exit was cut of by a monster of some sort. Both Ursai and Beowolves zero-in on their small, blond target - red eyes out for blood.Jaune couldn't care less.Resolved, her sheathe became his shield in his broken hand - while the other tightened on the royal hilt of her other half.He'd make them pay.
CHANGING LOCATION
POV
"Ok This has gone to shit real quick." As Qrow Branwen thought, The White Fang we're just moving a lot faster than he predicted now and Taking a small break in the very nearby village wouldn't hurt, aa he thought. Sienna wouldn't attack a frontier settlement like this for no reason, and then her white fang are closed to the Arc territory and they all wouldn't like this at all he thought. But What would Ozpin say…He'd deal with Oz later right now he has more bigger problems right now As then he started to Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, and as he managed to just stave away oncoming Grimm from a group of around twelve or so people to a secret exit of sorts. He could very well fly instead of using his stupid real-man legs, but getting a surprise pecking from one of the Giant Nevermore in the sky wasn't exactly on his list of to-do; with the chaos, it wouldn't do too well to the disturb the airspace the Grimm were taking up. And Loud roars reverberated across the very smoke-filled night air. And Except these sounded like they came from a person And as just With a swift change in the very direction now as then Qrow Branwen hopped across the buildings to the presumed origin of the- "Ho-ly shit…" As he saw something he was not going to like at all its was a teen who didn't seem too dissimilar in age to his eldest niece now as The more compelling observation was that's he was wallowing in a pool of crimson that continued to grow slowly now as Qrow landed with little to no sound, next to the kid making his way next to the boy to see his eyes were closed lightly and covered in blood that dripped from his head. As Scanning the rest of his body, the huntsman noticed several cuts in his attire where flesh was also sliced beneath. Some were deep, and just others barely a scrape. Moreover, the blond kid's left hand was mangled beyond belief, as twisted in ways that shouldn't have been possible if there were any bones there at all as then as he just started Closing his eyes, Qrow began to try sense anythings he could use to save the very boy and just surrounding the very boy's soul...…..and then he started to scan.
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As Nothing as He didn't have Aura. Though…
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As then Qrow just Looking to the street ways and it very surrounding as starting to see the very dissipating corpses of Grimm now as they might be more than two or three might be Beowolves and an Ursa littered the paths as This kid was a real trooper taking on all these Grimm without Aura of all things. As then Next thing Qrow's gaze was drawn to the sword that lay on the ground next to him as then he can do one thing and buried the kid and maybe just later he can find his very parent's and just tell them about there child very— "Holy Gods and the damn mother of dear Salem… there's no way…" Snapping his head across different sets of debris and rubble, some of it still on fire, as Qrow just found what he was looking for and he can't believe about it and it was that very weapon and it was all that very familiar shield with an all too familiar crest on it as well Oz was gonna freak if he heard about this. Nicholas was gonna freak out if he heard about this as then Nicholas very wife is going to freak out and then - and then there well be a crusade. Against the huntsman and white fang and in the end all in blood shed all side, Now, there were two options here no scratch that Three, actually One: Let the kid die. Nicholas found out that Qrow was on a mission that was coincidentally the very death place of his very only son. And then Qrow would get a surprise visit - no matter where he flew too - and suddenly go missing-in-action one day.
Two: Save the very kid and give him back to Nicholas. And He would owe him one but still refuse to come back to Beacon or join them However, Ozpin would lose yet another Arc, potentially leading to the death of his current reincarnation again and/or as then the witch attack them and the very end of the world and then he bites the dust anyways Three: Save the kid and get him into Beacon, Ozpin would have an Arc back in the team and Nicholas wouldn't kill Qrow, or anyone per se… maybe smack him around a little bit. He could trust the man to not launch a full-scale operation on the Academy to get his son back, or on managerial and as then kill the white fang leader and Belladonna household as well and just couldn't he? What is he just think about no this is man and his family that kills dragon's on Wednesday who have kept on keeping kingdom in peace for year's by now Hell, did Nicholas even know where this kid was now ? dammit This is fifty shades of fucked-up…Out of all the options getting into a scuffle with an old classmate and just only having the very much potential of Beacon Academy just being heisted seemed like the most favourable, as Qrow just had to say, "Fuck it. After this, this is me after all as I'll barely have enough Aura to protect myself from getting a hangover - let alone a Grimm." Just before he transformer back to human from and the he started to retracted his very weapon Harbinger to its holster position and put a hand on the dying boy's shoulder and as just then "For it is in time that we find our purpose. Through it, we become plagued with memories of regret but we can only hope to rise above all. So, unshackle your soul and reach to what you will never acquire; to protect others, you must shield yourself foremost." As the chant ended, the body of the boy erupted in a blinding, and bright light - filling the world with colour for a moment before the hellish landscape returned to its very original form. Regularly, as when somebody has their Aura unlocked, as the very surrounding area just becomes devoid of colour as the soul takes otherworldly energies to break its chains now
Well, it's what Ozpin told him offhandedly one time while Qrow was just chilling in his office. Just a random nugget of knowledge he spouted out for no apparent reason whatsoever other than to appear wise, Qrow would hazard a guess.
But whoever this Arc kid was, his soul definitely had a lot more to give as opposed to take.
A thunderous screech pierced the night sky. "What even in all the seven rings of hell is that..?" Qrow looked up at the demonic beast that seemed to ride atop a god damn monster-horse. It wasn't `demonic` in the sense that all Grimm were demonic, it was more like it looked like an actual devil of myth - horns and all. The horse wasn't much better to look at either, ominous smoke rising from what should have been its mane.
In any case, Qrow was no longer in any position to fight. His hands were tied up with a bloody, blond and beat-up rope while he felt Aura essentially nosedive into critical levels with the stunt he pulled. Luckily for both of them, it hadn't seemed to notice them and was only attracted to the area's general negativity. Guess it was now or never.
Qrow preferred now.
With raw strength, Qrow hopped through the air and onto the rooftops, aiming to head someways into the forest, think happy thoughts and hope for the best. "Save… her…" The now-alive corpse in his hand spoke weakly. His eyes were half-closed due to the sheer amount of blood that ran across them earlier. On the topic of blood, the greying huntsman noticed the cuts and wounds on his body were all completely closed
"No-can-do. Aura's out. If you want those claws somewhere where they shouldn't be in my body you can keep asking, but I can't say I'm currently willing." He would have to leave Nicholas' family blade here too, no time to carry it along with both the boy and his own weapon.
"I… promis…ed…"
"Kid?" Looks like he was out again. Did he make a promise to save someone, then? Huh. Qrow sent a quick look to the streets below him. He wasn't lying when he said it was stupidly dangerous. He would die if he went down there, the kid following him soon after. He made promises of his own as well and knew for a fact he couldn't keep them if he was reduced to a feathery cadaver.
For now, though, as he now lept through treetops - leaving the burning world behind them, Qrow had to make a few phone calls to HQ.
CHANGING LOCATION
BEACON ACADEMY
POV
Woah... the Tower of Beacon looked amazing from afar, even as just a silhouette, but up close... it was breathtaking!
Ruby still couldn't believe that the Professor Ozpin had let her into his Academy a whole two years early, it was a dream come true for the little red-hooded girl. The only thing keeping her grounded in reality was the crushing form of her older sister Yang Xiao-Long - who was quite literally crushing her.
"I can't believe my little sister's coming to Beacon with me! Ohhhhh, I'm so proud…"
"Erk… Yang, please stop…"
"What? Is an older sister not allowed to show her dear younger sister how much she loves her? Everyone's gonna think you're totally the bee's knees!"
"She can, but I'd rather not you suffocate me while you do..."Ruby said, aptly ignoring the knees comment. At her words, the taller girl dropped Ruby from her tight embrace and placed her hands at her hips.
"Sorry Rubes," Yang apologised. "Was that a little too tight for ya?"
It was, but that wasn't the most pressing factor of the hug. Ruby drew her silver eyes to meet the large twins her older sister had that caused her the pain. Fah, those were totally a pain to Yang, weren't they? They had to be, being so… so… large.
Ruby wasn't jealous at all...
"Whatcha looking at Ruby? Ruby?" A perplexed expression remained on Yang's face until she followed the younger girl's line of sight, the expression swapping to a mocking grin. "Oh… I see." Yang kept her hands on her hips while leaning closer into her sister. "I wouldn't worry too much, Rubes, you got time."
"I-I drink milk! Waaaaah!" Yang was right, she had time to grow... her sister was two years older than her after all. Ruby Rose took off at the speed of sound, leaving petals in her wake. It looked as though the airship they were traveling on had long since touched down, prompting Ruby to use her Semblance to escape her crippling insecurities about her body as she ran towards the school.
Yang reached out her hand in an attempt to stop her sister, "Ruby, wait!" Even though she knew that Ruby was long gone, it didn't stop her from trying. "Okay, so maybe I took it little too far... heh, little." Shaking her head, the blonde made to catch up. "Rubes, wait up!" Stupid Yang, stupid boobs, stupid knees...
Today was supposed to be a great occasion where Ruby Rose would start her journey on becoming a fantastic Huntress, yet it was all ruined because her body refused to grow. The red-tinted brunette wondered if the cafeteria would serve milk at every meal. Unfortunately for her, this cost her precious few seconds of attention that could have been used to avoid the figure clad in white inspecting her large array of suitcases.
Said figure looked up far too late to brace herself for the oncoming projectile, "Hold on-!"
CRAAAAASH
KABOOOM
"Ugh..." What was left of the carnage was a crater in the floor and a red and white tangled mess on the floor. "Omigosh! I am so sorry, I didn't see you there!" Ruby was up in an instant and offered her ash-covered hand to the pretty girl on the floor. Her light blue eyes looked at it before she grimaced and instead chose to stand up by herself and dust her once pristine dress, now splotched in black.
"I wouldn't expect you to if you were moving at the speed of a bullhead..." She said quietly.
Ruby lit up; she didn't expect her to be so understanding! Some people just didn't get how hard it is to maneuver at the speed she could reach with her Semblance. Luckily for her, this nice princess lady knew what was up - she would have to ask her about her own Semblance later.
"Which brings up the question on why you were moving at the speed of a bullhead on a public footpath! What were you thinking you dolt?!"
"Bwah?"
"Your conduct is highly inconsiderate and outright dangerous! Not to mention you just caused about two-thousand lien's worth of dust to explode right on top of us! You're lucky that I'm not going to ask you for compensation or anything of the like." Constipation? Two-thousand lien? She didn't have that kind of cash! And why did this girl turn from nice to nasty just like that? Ruby was just done internally singing her praises too...
Ruby didn't think there was a way out of this either, her eyes darted around and met the alluring amber orbs of a girl clad in black and a cute little bow, but she quickly returned to whatever book she was reading and slowly walked away.
"Noooo..."
"No? I think you should start off by saying `thank you` and then apologising, you clutz!"
Somebody save her...
"Hah...hah... I finally caught up to you..."
/-/
He was finally here. Beacon Academy. After all the crap he just had to pull to get himself here, Jaune would argue that it almost wasn't worth it.
Pah, who was he kidding? He was at the Beacon Academy, home to some of the best huntsman in all of Remnant!
Even after the little debacle he got into in Forever Fall, Crocea Mors felt fresh and at home on his metal arm bracer. Vul had been a real piece of work about how he would get to Beacon.
`For your last test, you gotta make it to Beacon from Forever Fall. Alright, see ya. `
It wasn't exactly what he said, but the general meaning definitely translated over. To be honest, the blond was sure that he just didn't want to deal with his little apprentice's shenanigans any more than he had to, which Jaune agreed to wholeheartedly vice versa. But a week in Forever Fall wasn't the worst send-off he could have given him; Jaune would count his blessings where he may.
Apart from that whole incident… his back still felt sore from being scraped along the eternally orange floor of the forest...
However, that's all in the past and now he was ready to show the world what Jaune Arc was made of! So what if he had to traverse a mountain or two and a few rivers just to get all the way up here?
Due to his… special circumstances of arrival, Jaune had climbed up halfway along the long pathway towards the Academy proper - twigs in his hair and scrapes on his skin. He prepared to take his first step on the footpath before almost falling flat on his face due to a sudden burst of wind and... rose petals? The only thing saving his face getting a juicy kiss from the ground was instead the highly tactical movement of his forehead so it would instead receive the blow, which - despite his vast amount of Aura - was already forming a small, purple bump on his head.
"Ow, fuck!"
It still hurt like a bitch, too.
What the hell was that?
CRAAAAASH
KABOOOM
Maybe if I got my head off the floor I'd get my answer.
Following the instructions of his inner-self conscience, Jaune tore his head from its extremely comfortable spot on the ground to look at the unfolded chaos. What he saw was a young-looking girl in an edgy-looking outfit and the most beautiful woman he has ever seen in his life.
"Noooo…" The walking rose explosion complained for whatever reason.
"No? I think you should start off by saying `thank you` and then apologising, you clutz!" The beautiful woman replied.
Too bad she seemed like a huge bitch.
The younger girl's interestingly silver eyes were wildly searching for something, possibly anything, to get her out of what Jaune assumed to be a highly uncomfortable conversation that she would rather not be having. Maybe the first person he had to save at Beacon Academy didn't have to be in the jaws of a Beowolf or on the thin line of potential death.
Beggars can't be choosers, I guess. Jaune had to start his huntsman journey somewhere, after all.
Alright, straps on his leather armour? Little loose. He reached over to his sides and fastened each one - trekking Forever Fall did that to you, he supposed. Crocea Mors? Jaune tapped the golden pommel. Where she belongs. Earring? He began to pat around his body, steadily increasing in speed once he couldn't feel the item anywhere. Someone may have thought he had strapped bongos onto his body and wouldn't have given him a second glance. Huntsmen these days and their weapons.
Oh gods. Had he really dropped them in Forever Fall? Screw killer robots.
"Nope, not there... not there, either... come on, really?" Trust his mentor's parting gift to go missing like that. Opening the several pouches adorning the blond's multiple belts across his torso and pants - to no avail - Jaune let out a frustrated sigh, only to notice the jingle under his ear.
"Oh," he said, "that's is where earrings go."
Still, screw killer robots. In any case, Jaune had a scene to cut into.
Putting on a facade of exhaustion coupled with the fact he dashed over to the scene at commendable speeds brought upon a convincing act to the two. A dirty, rugged blonde in leather rags and a bird's nest for a head of hair? Seems pretty severe for a friend chasing his particularly fast companion.
As Jaune put his hands on his knees he panted out, "Hah… I finally caught up to you…" he made to address the girl in red but came to the sudden realization that he had no idea what her name was. In a desperate attempt to both make him not look like an idiot and still save the girl he said the first thing that came to mind, "Rose…?" He squeaked out.
Her hood bounced as she tilted her head, "…Do I know you?"
The other girl raised an eyebrow, "Do you need help?"
"Me?" Jaune managed to look confused. "Nope, I'm good." He turned to meet the girl in red once more, eyes wide and begging.
Take a hint, damn it! This is your ass I'm trying to save here.
"You shouldn't just take off like that," Jaune ignored her - instead silently pleading she would help him out through grit teeth. "Someone could get hurt. I can't save you all the time, you know?"
"Oh…" The girl appeared to understand something, putting a finger next to her mouth. "Sorry… John, It won't happen again, I promise!"
John, really?
In any case, the last-ditch message seemed to have reached its target. Taking her behind the shoulders, Jaune started to push the girl away from the snow-white woman. She wasn't making it any easier by standing ramrod straight with her heels in the ground. "Thanks a lot for taking care of her, she's a real clutz - I know."
"Hey! I'm not that bad… I don't think I am, anyway…"
His target widened her pretty sky-blue eyes, taken aback at the scene, before they hardened into ice again. Suddenly, she started rummaging around her skirt pockets for something. "Hmph. At least take this and make sure that your friend over there takes good note of it."
"I'm right here, you know…"
The woman harrumphed, sharply turning her head - leaving her destroyed luggage and a large crater in the ground.
…
With the imminent threat gone, Jaune exhaled deeply and let go of the gothic girl's shoulders and crossed his arms. "John? Seriously?"
She pouted and held a light blush at her lack of creativity. "Look, it was in the heat of the moment okay? And it's not like you can talk anyway... like Rose? Doesn't take a genius to figure out how you got that one…"
"The funny thing it's pretty close to my actual name too."
"Wait, Rose or… no way, your name's John?!"
"What? No, it's Jaune."
"Oh… that's such a coincidence since Rose is actually my name! Or last name at least…" She mumbled. "I'm Ruby, by the way, Ruby Rose!"
"Wow, I didn't know I was that amazing… alright, Rose, I'm Jaune. Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls of the tongue, ladies love it."
"…Do they though?" Ruby asked skeptically.
Damn it! Vul, you bastard, that makes both you and my dad suggesters of this accursed line. Though maybe the way how he rolled around on the floor, laughing, wasn't the most reassuring sight.
Upon the sight of her newfound friend silently staring at a shaking fist with barely constrained fury, Ruby asked, "Hey, are you alright?"
"Never been better," Jaune answered, sporting a blush of his own under the embarrassment of having made himself look like an idiot. "Just peachy."
"So… you wanna start walking?"
They had to make it into the actual building to become students, didn't they? With no better option, Jaune agreed with the little girl's request. "Lead the ways, m'lady."
Ruby giggled.
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TO BE CONTINUED