Hi folks! Always thought that Qrow and Jaune had more in common that they'd care to admit. I think Qrow would try to steer Jaune off the same path as him if he got the chance. The idea came from how my coaches have always taught me to compete to narrow the talent gap between those that are more skilled or athletic than yourself. Remember kids, make it suck!
Fighting Mean
Qrow caught the glare in the kid's eye as he moved into the open courtyard they'd been using for training to square off against his niece.
Qrow understood that look. He understood it more than the kid could know. The anger that burned at your core, the one that became your default response to everything. The rage that could drive you to new heights, but could also drown you. It would make you a cold, hard enemy in the face of your foes, and it would make you a volatile and unreliable friend.
That kind of anger defined you. It made you dangerous, to your enemies, your friends, to yourself. This kid was dangerous now…Qrow could sympathize.
On a more selfish note, it made him nervous as the boy prepared to fight his favorite scythe wielder. The kid was unpredictable right now, and he'd be ready to jump in if needed for Ruby's sake.
Oz called a start to the bout and both fell into their stances. The kid started to circle with his shield raised high, slowing advancing on Ruby. His first swing hit nothing but rose petals, as did the second…and the third. Slowly his advance turned into him giving up ground, as Short-Stack danced around him, sending blow after blow into his shield.
The kid is probably biding his time, waiting to activate his Semblance or unleash a counter-attack, yeah that had to be it.
He deflected Ruby's next strike with his shield, forcing it into the ground, then bringing his own blade down to knock the scythe out of her hands.
It wasn't a bad strategy, if Ruby hadn't exploded into petals, it might have even worked.
He was sure the kid would adjust...aaaannnnd then Ruby had him pinned to the ground with her scythe. Ok, that was unexpected.
The thought suddenly hit him with a clarity.
Oh…oh! This kid was going to fucking die out there.
He'd assumed the kid had the skills to go along with that chip on his shoulder. Without those, he was going to keep running into danger half-cocked again and again until someone put him down, which by the look of it, would be soon. He looked over at Oz, he'd be able to help set blondie straight.
"Excellent work, both of you. You've truly improved over these past few months."
What the hell Oz! You're going to get this kid murdered if you don't do something.
"You in particular Mr. Arc, have grown by leaps and bounds. I must say I'm impressed."
Qrow glared daggers at the boy-headmaster, which Oz promptly ignored.
The boy shook his head. "Didn't stop Ruby from putting me down."
Ok, at least he was a realist.
Ruby placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder and smiled.
"If I hadn't kicked in with my Semblance at the last minute, you'd have had me! You'll find yours soon, I just know it!"
No Ruby, not you too! Was no one going to help this kid?
Qrow took a long drink from his flask. Fuck it, I'll do it myself, not watching this kid commit suicide.
He waited until the others started to file out of the courtyard before grabbing the kid by the arm. "Hold up angst-knight."
Jaune stared him down. "Get off me Qrow." Ah, there was that look again. Kid wasn't going to make this easy.
"Look kid, I saw a few things that I think I can help you out with. You want some pointers or what?" There you go Qrow, appeal to his rational side.
"I'll be fine on my own. I already had a teacher."
Oh right, the rage. Say something helpful.
"And now she's gone." Goddammit Qrow.
Jaune grabbed his collar and got in his face. "YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT!? THAT I DON'T THINK ABOUT IT EVERYDAY?!" He seethed.
I have to bring this back down.
"Do you want to stop it from happening again? Listen kid, you may not like me, but I'm the best shot you've got at improving right now. To stop being a liability."
Qrow watched the war of emotions play across the kid's face. Anger, guilt, pain, regret...he was familiar with all of them.
"Ok, whatever." Jaune finally responded. Ah, guilt trip my old friend.
"Swell, let's go find somewhere a little more private, don't need Oz giving me shit about this."
The two men stood in clearing in the woods Qrow had picked out, sparsely populated with trees. Enough room to maneuver and far enough away for some privacy, but close enough to the house to get back if they needed to.
Alright, time to start off soft.
"Do you know what your problem is kid?" Smooth.
"Is it that I followed a drunk old man into the woods?"
Snark, I like it.
"Cute. It's that you don't' know your own fighting style."
"There are plenty of Grimm that would disagree with you."
"Oooohhh, big bad Jaune killed some Grimm. Good luck with Cinder and crew." Damn, he was bad at this mentoring thing.
Jaune's eyes hardened. "Fine, what do you mean?"
"I'll show you. Draw your sword." Jaune nodded and complied.
"Ok, here we go." Qrow swung his sword in a lazy downward arc. Jaune's blade met his and began angling it to the side to deflect the force. It was good form, born of long hours of practice and dedication, the kind of thing that should make a young swordsman proud.
Qrow punched him square in the face.
"What the hell!" Jaune shouted as he hit the ground.
"Oh, I'm sorry, was I just supposed to attack you with my sword?" Qrow mocked. "No one really explained the rules of life and death combat to me. By all means though, try again."
Jaune started to pick himself up off the ground. Qrow waited till he had put his weight firmly on one hand before he kicked it out from under him. He tried not to feel smug when the kid hit the ground again with a grunt…he was pretty sure he failed.
"Ok, kick'em while they're down. Great. Any other gems coach, or is this the lesson?" Jaune spat.
I really can't decide if I like this kid or not.
"That's a part of it kid, but you're trying too hard to something you're not. What would your lady have done in that situation?"
Jaune's eyes narrowed. "Pyrrha, her name was Pyrrha." He considered for a moment. "She probably would have either used her Semblance to distract you, or done some kind of back flip or other acrobatic move to gain some distance."
"Super. Can you do either of things?"
"You know I can't" Jaune growled.
Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, so why do you fight like you can? Kid, that girl was a once in lifetime athlete with an incredible Semblance. She could afford to fight clean, to fight fair. You? You're going to have to learn to fight mean."
The kid looked at him warily. "What are you talking about?"
Qrow waived his hand dismissively. "No more of this strike, strike, parry, reset, bullshit. You've got to put the pressure on them and never let up."
"So, what? You want me to throw dirt in their eyes?"
"Kid, I swear to God, if you try to throw dirt in my eyes, I'll kill you myself." Qrow threatened with a glare. "But, sure if you want to blind an opponent then go for it. There's more to it than that though, it's about making your opponent uncomfortable. Fighting you shouldn't be fun, even if they win, they should remember that fighting you sucks. That means dragging them where they don't want to be. If you're bigger than they are, then make them carry your weight, lean on them. If you're faster than they are, then make them fight at your pace, exhaust them, then finish them. They're emotional? Talk all kinds of trash, make them angry, they'll make mistakes."
Qrow spread his arms wide. "What I want kid? I want you to headbutt, I want you to grind your elbows into their soft-squishy parts, I want you to stomp on feet and make them work for every little thing, no matter how small."
Jaune seemed to be mulling over his words.
Time to try something else.
"Kid, you're not dishonoring her by not being her. She'd want you to find your own style. She'd want you to live." Please don't blow up kid.
The kid looked down. "You're right." He said quietly. "I…I just…want to keep something of her."
Qrow nodded sympathetically. "I get it kid, I really do. Oz wasn't wrong, you really have improved, she'd be proud." He reached out a hand to help the kid to his feet. Maybe I've got this mentoring thing after all. "Now let's make you one mean sonuvabitch."
Jaune grinned. "Sure thing coach!" His hand shot forward and tossed a clump of dirt into Qrow's eyes.
THAT LITTLE SONUVABITCH!