The Knight of Lancaster or Something

Ruby always loved her fairy tales, especially the romantic ones of noble knights and royal maidens. A pity hers doesn't fit the cliches so neatly, but that's what happens when you prefer guns to gowns and your Prince Charming is mostly that way by accident. Just who is the knight of Lancaster here, anyway? (A young girl's tale of first love, fidelity, and the fate of the Kingdom.)

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The Night That Starts It All

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The story jumps forward to the current day, to the very start of episode one. A man walks down the street. A red-hooded girl reads the magazines in the dust shop. The shop door opens, ringing a bell.

In walks someone not Roman Torchwick, and the divergence from canon begins.

A person- though we don't know who yet, only getting Ruby's absent awareness of events- walk into the store. Ruby, not really paying attention past her music, can only absently tell he seems hesitant and uncertain. He asks a question to the shop keeper. He disappears from notice. Ruby's thoughts are really about Yang, who's about to go to Beacon. Ruby is happy, and envious, and wonders what this will mean. She won't be in her sister's shadow now, that's for sure. Will Yang try to get a boyfriend, now that Ruby's not around? Ruby's not sure how she feels about that, she doesn't want to be left behind, but a part of her is thrilled at the idea of Yang sharing the stories of bumping into someone new and-

Ruby's hand touches someone else's as they both reach for the same magazine.

It's contact that shocks Ruby out of her thoughts, and makes her take notice of the person next to her. The boy next to her is clad in a breast plate and armor, and wearing the weapon of a Huntsman at his waist. No, not a Huntsman- a knight. It's a sword, and he's tall, and blonde, and with blue eyes looking kindly at her she swears something sparkles of his white armor…

Jaune Arc, because that's obviously who it is, smiles sheepishly and apologizes for bumping into her. He gallantly offers her the magazine they were both reaching for, and when Ruby doesn't say anything for a moment, he asks if she's alright. Shocked back into the present again, and embarrassed at being caught staring, Ruby stammers a denial and turns around to pick another magazine, pretending to look through it again… and shooting sideways looks at the boy as he begins to read beside her.

He's reading a magazine called 'Swordsman Weekly,' a guide for sword fanatics that discuses techniques and custom upgrades for swords. He doesn't look to be enjoying it, though, and as he flips through pages of katanas and other things, Ruby glances against at his sheathed sword and guesses why. The magazine he's reading isn't for short-swords. Nervously- awkward for interrupting him- Ruby recommends another 'how to' magazine for short swords.

The blonde thanks her, and smiles. Again. And again, it might be glare or glint off his armor or his smile. Ruby is a little off-balance, and barely hears him say that he's a new in town. The boy goes back to reading the magazine, this time reading intently on something about sword techniques. Ruby looks out of the corner of her eye more, and can't help but think… the armor, the sword… Ruby is curious, but unsure of how to start a conversation. 'Show me your sword' might sound weird. It's not like she can just straight up go 'now that's a katana' either- after all, it's a short sword, and blah blah weapon geek…

As Ruby gets distracted in her thoughts, she barely notices the store door opening again… and this time it IS Roman Torchwick who walks in the door, ready to begin the dust robbery even as it's barely noticed in Ruby's peripheral.

While Ruby is distracted with her music and on how to start up a conversation with Jaune, Jaune is the first one encountered by Roman's muggers during the robbery, just out of Ruby's view. Jaune folds pretty quickly himself, implicitly giving over his wallet without a fight, but while he struggles to unhook Crocea Mors the mugger's attention turns to the still-distracted Ruby. When the mugger begins to reach out for Ruby, though, knife in one hand and the first hint of something wrong from her aura triggering…

Ruby is brought to reality when the mugger falls on her, his weight knocking her to the floor. Behind him is the golden boy, holding his sword by the sheath, clearly having just knocked the mugger in the head from behind.

Jaune is panting, clearly alarmed, though Ruby can't hear anything beyond her headset. All she can hear besides the music is her own heart beat. Jaune is looking at her, eyes wide, and it's not hart to tell he's afraid. For her? Two and two comes together. The strange boy just saved her. Just like a knight. If he's more nervous than alarmed, and holding his sword all wrong… Ruby's mind, and Ruby-vision, rationalize it away easily enough.

Bouncing between Ruby's perspective and the meta-truth and Ruby's perspective, Jaune is more worried than Ruby realizes he tries to get Ruby out of trouble. At first he tries to pull them both out of sight, pushing Ruby towards the back. As soon as Ruby realizes that there is trouble, though, and that he's just trying to keep her out of danger, Ruby sets off to prove she's no helpless maiden. Obviously, that means by dispatching the thugs. Jaune, worried, tries to stop her her/save her- only for Ruby to show her stuff and beat every thug before he can do anything. When the fight goes outside, chasing after Roman, Jaune is caught up in the flow and follows her outside, but has to dodge away when Ruby begins swinging her scythe at the outdoor goons.

When Ruby loses sight of Roman, she realizes he used it all as a diversion to get away. When she looks for the blonde-haired boy, she realizes he's no longer around either. She's lost her man, least until she hears a muffled curse, a thud, and the sound of a scuffle around the corner.

Ruby turns the corner to the entrance of an alley, and finds her golden-haired boy atop of the villainous Roman Torchwick. What they're doing can't really be called a fight, nothing like Ruby's ever seen… but somehow, some way, Jaune is on top, having fallen on Roman. From Ruby's perspective it sure looks like he's trying to stay on top, even if he's not exactly making intimidating war-cries. Instead it's Roman who's more threatening, demanding to know if the boy knows who he is, and threatening that the police won't be able to protect him.

For just a moment, Ruby feels fear. Maybe it's because there's not a clear way she can help right now. But Roman's words… he's arrogant. He's well dressed. He's probably wealthy. Is he important? One of those rich people above the law? Ruby never thought it would matter, but if the police are afraid of him…

But Golden Boy isn't affected, not in anyway Ruby can tell. He doesn't (can't?) get off and out of the way, and Ruby's nerves solidify as she feels that if he can fight back, she can too. She still can't get in to lend a hand, but by the time the other boy can't keep Roman down in their tussle, by the time Roman IS able to get a dirty trick in, and then kick the knightly boy away and towards a wall…

Blonde stops before he hits the wall, but not by his own power. A velvet cape and blonde-haired woman floats down on the other side of Roman- cutting him off from a fire-escape, and trapping him between a junior huntress, a real huntress, and the golden-haired boy.

Roman has just enough time to recognize who it is, and what it means to give a single 'crud' before Glynda Goodwitch raises her crop and ends the 'fight' with a single wave of her wond. Roman slams into the wall.

A scene-shift later, a jail door slams shut hard, leaving Ruby flinching and confused.

Ruby is in a jail- a weird jail, not the usual grey ones with blue officers she's seen on TV, but one filled with scary black uniforms and not a lawyer in sight. No one talks to her. No cares about her. With her is the blonde woman, Glynda, who is on a phone with an unknown person. Speaking to a mysterious 'Headmaster,' Glynda defends her actions about something, confirming it really was Roman Torchwick and speaking of an 'opportunity.' The voice doesn't sound pleased. Glynda also confirms that she is with Ruby Rose and 'the other one,' and will be until 'he' gets here. The phone discussion ends. Soon a policeman- again, in black uniform- calls Glynda outside the room, leaving Ruby alone in the room with her blonde co-captive.

Ruby and the blonde- can we just call him Jaune already, even if Ruby doesn't know?- are in an ambiguous spot, even as Glynda is clearly exchanging hard words with the officer, who's pointing at the two of them. They aren't under arrest, but they are detained, and no one's answering their questions even as they've been questioned. They haven't been allowed to contact the outside world either, since police cars showed up and they were thrown in and spirited away. Ruby and her friend(?) haven't been able or allowed to speak to each other yet, and all they can do now is trade worried looks before Glynda comes back. Or at least, Ruby is worried- afraid that they're in trouble for something she doesn't understand. Aren't they supposed to get a phone call?

When Glynda arrives she asks Ruby and Jaune if they knew who they were fighting with. Again, Ruby's conscience fears the worse. Maybe it really was some rich bad guy, like some evil aristocrat with police connections. Mrs. Goodwitch is certainly scary enough.

But before Ruby can defend herself- them- that Roman was in the wrong, her companion jumps to her defense. Saying he knew what he did was wrong, he premptively says Ruby ('she', since he doesn't know her name) was uninvolved. The Golden Witch seems to believe the worst of him- or at least give a 'Is that so?'- and tells him to follow her. He does, head down, though not without a wan smile for Ruby. Ruby is grateful by the boy's rescue, relieved to not be under the woman's glare, but also a bit guilty as her companion is escorted away. Unfortunately, there's no one else to speak to on his behalf, and soon a dark shadow follows them from behind, an intimidating black figure with no features that Ruby only catches a glimpse of as it passes the door. It's not until Ruby recognizes Professor Ozpin of Beacon Academy walk down the hall as well- following in the direction the blonde was taken- that she begins to relax. Headmaster Ozpin is a good guy, and can no doubt straighten things out for her friend.

And then Uncle Qrow arrives, worried but not listening to her as he constantly looks around, and within minutes Ruby is escorted out of the odd police station and taken away.

Qrow is extremely cagey about where he's been or what happened tonight as he takes custody of her and takes her away. Qrow won't explain what's going on, but clears of the worst of her fears easily- tonight was good, very good, and he's proud of her. But Qrow makes clear her freedom comes with the expectation of her staying quiet about what happened tonight- to keep Roman Torchwick's capture a secret. It's so important that Ruby will get to- have to- stay home for instead of go to Signal for the immediate future.

Once they leave the police, though, Qrow relaxes into an unnaturally good cheer, and even offers to bribe Ruby to keep her silence. He rejects the idea of cookies as too modest, even before Ruby speaks, and dangles something Ruby hadn't even thought of- early entry into Beacon to go along with Yang. All Ruby has to do is keep quiet about Roman for a bit.

Ruby is concerned about the secrecy, and for the fate of her companion. She even honestly surprises Qrow when she denies a chance to take credit for Roman's capture, insisting it belongs to the still-unnamed Jaune. But Qrow- after admitting her surprise, and noting her concern- reassures her that he'll be fine and she'll see him sooner than she thinks.

The scene ends, and fades to black as Ruby wonders what he means.

A week later, a smoky and scorched but triumphant Qrow returns home after being absent for days. Collapsing on the couch, Qrow and makes Ruby turn on the news, which is going live to a hasty press conference. Convened by Professor Ozpin of Beacon Academy, Huntsman advisor to the Council of Vale and Royal Monarch, etc. etc. etc… Ozpin has burn marks on his person as well, but Ruby's attention immediately turns to a confused but clearly well blonde boy at his side, who is clearly in a place of honor.

Ozpin's press conference is to announce the capture of the notorious criminal Roman Torchwick, an arrest which allowed the roll-up of a number of Roman's criminal associates… including one Cinder Fall, wanted for attempted murder.

It was an operation by Beacon Hunters and Valean police, but only possible thanks to the action of the concerned citizen who intervened and stopped Roman in the midst of a burglary. The True Hero, Ozpin praises was a common citizen and everyday hero. Qrow snarks from the side that this is just political theater, but as Ruby remembers the blonde boy at Ozpin's side and how he helped and followed her, she knows it's true. She's on the edge of her seat as Ozpin introduces the newest hero of Vale- Jaune Arc.

Jaune, who's hearing everything for the first time, has apparently helped roll up a major criminal cabal behind a recent crime wave. Just as suddenly, he's thrown to the media wolves when the reporters are allowed to ask questions. He is clearly out of his depth. When Jaune is asked why he was there and did what he did, Jaune admits he came to Vale to try and get into Beacon. Jaune hasn't been accepted yet- he hasn't even had his transcripts rejected yet-

But the media doesn't care what else, and focus quickly turns to Ozpin. The Headmaster of Beacon is put on the spot when asked whether Jaune's service will impact his application. Recovering expertly, Ozpin magnanimously assures the media that Jaune's heroics and his role in preserving the Age of Peace will assure him the right to try in Beacon's initiation. To the side, Deputy Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch can be seen letting out a scowl. Qrow notes, and knows why, and laughs even if he doesn't tell.

But Qrow's secrets aren't what interest Ruby. The prospect of a reunion at Beacon- her own reward for helping that night- is. Ruby is as excited as Jaune is dazed, and looks forward to re-uniting and getting a chance to introduce herself in person.

Beacon, it seems, is going to see more than one dream come true.

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Author Note:

A chapter in, and we're already off the path of canon. I suppose that technically makes this AU now? That's fine- Knight of Lancaster was never intended to focus on Cinder.

Instead, we get our first impressions, which are... well, first impressions. You can probably read between the lines of Jaune's performance- and if you can't, imagine a typical Coeur scenario. Only without any narrator to counter Ruby's perspective.