Everyone has their little quirks, some hide big secrets, others are prickly, some are just silly. Jaune's? His family is a pack of noir detectives, famous for solving some of the worst crimes in the Kingdoms and bringing the worst murderers to justice. Jaune doesn't want to just be another Detective Arc though, he wants to follow his Grandfather's footsteps, become a Hunter-Detective and be worthy of Crocea Mors!
Arc 1: Simpler Times
Chapter 2: The First Step
XXXXX
Later that night Jaune sat upon a window sill watching the four girls talking, cobalt-blue eyes narrowed in thought. His trusty hat and trench, folded and laid out neatly beneath him along with Crocea Mors and his armour. Jaune was currently only wearing his leather chest holster- with his heavy revolver still inside- overtop a black turtleneck sweater with its sleeves rolled up and his usual pair of grey slacks. Jaune ran a hand through his shaggy hair and pondered the enigma that was Ozpin and his star students.
Glancing around the assembled students, Jaune dug into his folded trench coat and drew out the Arc family bad habit. A few moments later a dust-stick was perched on his lips and in one smooth, practiced motion he drew out a zippo lighter, flicked it open and lit the cigarette hanging in his mouth. The detective letting out a puff of smoke with a relieved sigh.
However the things that Jaune smoked weren't just any cigarettes, he smoked dust-sticks. Right now he was smoking an Ice-dust infused dust-stick. Though the stick was hot and lit, the smoke he blew was icy cool; it calmed his emotions and let him think clearly... faster, and it enhanced his sense of logic and intelligence. It also left the scent of vanilla lingering in the air around him.
Dust-sticks didn't just give one a cool image and lingering smell, they were known for being stimulants that could empower one's mind or body, for a trade of their future health. Of course if you had your aura unlocked since you were little, repairing damage to the lungs was simple.
Jaune's blue eyed gaze flicked back to the four girls who had now woken almost everyone up, the busty blonde one and mini-Schnee yelling at one another in shrill voices, a wry smirk grew on Jaune's face.
"Lacking in direction," the detective murmured to himself, seeing the future team in his mind's eye already. The four of them… there was potential, he could see it now. The way they bickered… and ignored the angry stares of classmates… they helped one another gain confidence they wouldn't have had otherwise, even if none of them realized it. In that there was potential for a strong team bond.
But all the same, even as they got a rapport going with each other, and even though they carried themselves with combat experience. They lacked that drive that you needed to truly become great.
Another cloud of icy vanilla was blown into the air as Jaune then stared out the window. He closed his eyes slowly, enjoying the dust stick that rested upon his lips and the smoke that drifted lazily in the air. These quiet moments of thought were to be treasured. The chill teasing his tongue soothing his troubled mind.
Do you see that I lack that direction as well, Ozpin?
XXXXX
The question niggled at Jaune even as he slept, as he ate breakfast and quietly observed his potential future classmates. It tickled his mind all the way to their lockers, and those restless thoughts chased him all the way up to the cliff to where he stood now. Listening to Ozpin's explanation of their initiation carefully.
As student after student were sent flying into the Emerald forest, Jaune felt a ball of tension grow in his gut. Each one was confident in their ability to find a landing strategy, heads filled with youthful confidence.
Jaune meanwhile was just painfully aware that he had the misfortune to be placed right in front of Ozpin. Sure enough, as the numbers on the cliff were whittled down, Ozpin's gaze settled on him and Jaune saw those Hazel-brown eyes widen in genuine shock.
Jaune merely disguised a wince as another student launched, if the bright blonde hair and blue eyes raised suspicions, his trenchcoat and hat left no question as to just who Jaune was related to. As headmaster and student stared at one another Jaune sighed and looked up to the sky, closing eyes before he was launched.
-And then he was flying in the air without a moments warning. Even as Jaune flew away though, his hat lifted off his head and slowly floated back down to the cliff. It sashayed lazily in the air before landing innocently front of the coffee addicted headmaster. Ozpin frowned to himself and picked up the seemingly inconspicuous hat.
An Arc… here… At Beacon.
Interesting.
siiiiiip
XXXXX
Jaune was flying, and for once he didn't feel sick to his stomach. Well, that was a lie, he felt like he was actually going to die a horrendous death and end up like a smear of human flavoured jam for the Grimm, but the tell-tale signs of Arc air-sickness weren't there so he had that going for him at least.
Swallowing nervously the airborne detective watched the other students flying through the air with ease and huffed. Figures that Ozpin's finest would all have landing strategies, leaving him to puzzle out his own mid-air.
Bastard.
Now he could really see why his Dad didn't like the coffee guzzler.
Humming in thought, remaining silent amidst the various adrenaline fueled whoops and cries of his classmates. Jaune quickly decided upon a course of action and unhooked Crocea Mors and her partner shield, hooking it under his knees like a kneeboard.
Jaune hoped that the enhanced, unbreakable nature of the shield might save his legs from shattering, but he knew he needed more.
Watch the rapidly approaching treeline Jaune swallowed before taking his blade in a two-handed grip. Impact in 3…2….1!
Tree branches and leaves impacted his shield, whipping past him but not hitting him thankfully as he angled his shield back and forth, shielding himself from being whipped and blinded by foliage. Jaune meanwhile was looking all around desperately, looking for a chance to enact part two of his landing strategy.
Jaune got lucky, a tree trunk was approaching to his left in the perfect spot. Without hesitating he lashed out with his sword and stabbed into the wood, the enhanced metal straining from the momentum and his weight all fighting against it before he began to spin around the tree, gouging out a spiral shaped scar on the wood, his shield now horizontal and saving him from getting a face full of tree branch as he span around the tree all the way to the bottom.
Sighing as he came to a stop, Jaune sat there with his shield strapped to his knees, panting and exhilarated, that… worked.
-Of course to ruin matters his blue eyes shot open before Jaune threw up on his spiral-scarred tree. Air-sickness he might not have gotten... but spinning around so much could get anyone sick.
Better luck next time vomit boy.
XXXXX
Ruby landed heavily on one knee before she began sprinting through the forest, biting on her bottom lip as her silvered eyes flicked about the forest.
'Gotta find Yang. Gotta find Yang. Gotta find Yang.' Ruby thought to herself as she ran before she paused mentally.
XXXXX
Jaune sighed, running a hand through his hair and sparing a grief filled thought for his beloved hat, wondering where it had been lost. If it was in the forest… well, that was that for it he supposed. Trying not to acknowledge the seize he felt in his chest at losing it.
Of course a stroll through Emerald Woods wouldn't be complete without something going wrong.
It happened in the form of an ambush. One moment Jaune was strolling in the underbrush, thinking he could hear someone running through the foliage a little ways back to the cliff when he heard a branch crack right behind him.
In a smooth motion he drew his revolver twisted around and came face to face with an Ursa's gaping maw ready to tear him in half he was too late!
XXXXX
'Argh! What if I can't find her? What if someone finds her first? … There's always Jaune! He's nice! He's funny! But… I don't think he'll smell very nice after smoking so much... Oh! What about Blake?' Ruby grinned, 'so mysterious, so calm…. Plus she likes books! well… then again I'm not sure I'd be able to have a conversation with her. Ugh! Okay! Who else do I know in this school! There's Yang, Jaune, Bl-'
BLAM!
Ruby skidded to a stop as a gunshot sounded to her left. Biting her lip.
'oooh! That was loud! …Yang'll probably think that's me and Crescent Rose… Plus! I think I can tell who's it was! Sweet, Whoever I meet first I'll be fine with!'
With that, Ruby began to run in that direction. Unknowingly altering history with that decision.
XXXXX
BLAM!
Jaune's revolver was louder than anything his classmates were packing, the Ursa didn't make a sound, dropping dead; its brains blow out from the shot through the mouth.
Of course Jaune didn't get it that easy, as he heard howls and scowled, loading in a fresh bullet for the one he lost and drawing Crocea mors in his free hand. Taking in a breath and readying himself, the rustling was getting closer.
Closer.
His revolver pointed at the point he was sure his next opponent would emerge from Jaune blinked as it was a human figure that spilled out from the bushes.
"Ruby?" he asked curiously, lowering his weapons. Ruby looked up and grinned brightly.
"I knew it had to be you that shot a gun that loud!" She declared before pausing, "I uh, guess we're teammates now huh?"
Jaune laughed and tipped his fedora higher with the tip of his revolver before pausing, realizing his hat was missing.
"Hah, well… guess we are!" he declared, sheathing his sword and extending a hand to Ruby, lifting her back up and looking around. Jaune paused... wondering if he should say something to her. Was there a tradition or rule when talking with someone you were going to be working with for a long time? Then another howl started up, this time closer.
"Something tells me you weren't the only one coming here," Jaune said with a sigh. Ruby looking excited.
"Oooh! Our first fight as partners! I'm so excited!" Ruby said jumping up and down, Jaune's lips quirking up at her actions despite himself, "So I get mixed messages from your weapons Jaune! Do you prefer sitting back and sniping with that big gun? Or like getting in there and just messing Grimm up with your sword n' shield?" Ruby asked, leaning into his personal space, Jaune leaning back, her silver eyes wide and excited staring into his deep blue.
"We probably should just leave and avoid the fight," Jaune deadpanned, pointedly ignoring his burning cheeks.
"Aww! C'mon Jaune! Pleeeease!" She begged, giving him puppy dog eyes. "Just cause I'm not exactly great with people doesn't mean I can't take on a buncha monsters!"
Jaune sighed, before rubbing the bridge of his nose, "Fiiine," He grumbled playfully before red eyes and growls filled the clearing.
"Good! Because I think we don't have a choice anymore!" Ruby chirruped with a little giggle despite herself, Jaune shaking his head, ignoring the smile on his lips.
"Okay… so… Ruby, Close combat or long ranged?" he asked quickly and her silver gaze snapped to his.
"I'm better slicing monsters up like, watcha! Watcho! And you're gonna be really impressed too Mr. Trenchcoat! You're gonna be like, 'Wow. Ruby is so cool. I'm so glad that I'm friends with her...' …but I got a rifle in my weapon too," she added the last part hastily, an Alpha beowolf stepping into the clearing.
Blinking at the little speech he got in a life-threatening situation Jaune shook his head, noting coolly how many Beowolves were starting to surround them. "Um… right then… Good; try to keep me covered from behind from anything that gets close, I'll shoot as many as I can... I'm more a slow unstoppable forward kinda guy." Jaune explained. Stabbing Crocea Mors into the ground, Jaune smirked, taking out his shield. Now armed with a revolver and shield, Seeing Ruby nod, Jaune spoke one more time; excited despite himself.
"Let's do this! Partner!"
XXXXX
A/N:
I'll keep this short.
We've found that partners are different, so are the teams. Ozpin's plotting, and his plans have now been hijacked. I still want thoughts on the Fedora.
- Mr. Throwaway.