Special Thanks to Ghost Fire 6 for the OCs!

Jaune dressed himself in the suit and stared at the tie. He had at one time been able to tie a tie (largely thanks to Pyrrha's instruction) but after going through war for so long, tying a tie became one of those skills he had allowed himself to forget. Glynda had 'insisted' he be formal, maybe if he dodged her long enough it would be to late to change it. Of course that was whether or not he was willing to face her wrath.

'Damn, I have no idea how the hell to do this...' He thought morbidly, 'Maybe I can go without it...'

"Do you want some help?" Pyrrha asked.

Jaune turned to find Pyrrha looking at him, there was still that tension, but it had lessened, if only slightly.

Jaune nodded, smiling thankfully.

"Thank you so much Pyrrha, you're a godsend. Monty knows how to tie this thing, I try to forgo any traditional tying ones and insist on clip on ties." Jaune said, sighing in relief.

She smiled,despite the red creeping up her neck, "Well you should learn, here let me tell you how..."

She placed her hands over his and gently led him through the motions to tie the tie (Jaune made sure to memorize the motions). Just then the door opened, and Ruby walked in.

"Hey Jaune? Are you ready...?" she froze and flushed as she saw Pyrrha pressed up against his back.

"Oh hey," Jaune replied casually, "Pyrrha's just giving me a hand with my tie. Whoever the hell designed these probably invented lynching I swear..."

Ruby mouth dropped into an 'o' of understanding, "Oh, okay, but you have to hurry! Goodwitch is going to be coming soon to round up the students soon!"

Pyrrha tightened the tie just right and Jaune cracked his neck from side to side, "Thanks Pyrrha, you rock."

She flushed, "No problem, my mother always told me that if you want to avoid waking up to swearing, make sure you know how to tie a tie so you can teach a man to do it for himself."

Jaune chuckled and clipped Corcea Mors to his side (he was never leaving his weapon anywhere, despite being able to call it to him), "You'll have to introduce me to the wise woman."

"I will." she said.

At this point Ruby grabbed Jaune's arm, "Come on! I think she's coming!"

Jaune began dragged out of the room and said, "Have fun at the sleepover!" to Pyrrha.

Jaune walked behind Ruby and noticed the red dress she was wearing. It was simple but but fitted Ruby's form and flowed like a red waterfall. slight gold trimming outlined the edges and a filigree black patter surrounded the neckline.

"Wow, Ruby you look knockout." Jaune said simply.

"Oh... Um... Thanks!" She managed.

"Did you pick this dress out?"

"Yang helped."

"She has good tastes in clothing." Jaune said idly, "Of course, if she keeps this up, she may have to carry a stick around, boys'll be lining up for you."

Ruby flushed and her gaze dropped to her feet as Jaune ruffled the hair on her head.

Goodwitch walked up and eyed them critically before nodding, "You both look acceptable, come now, we are wasting time."

Jaune patted Ruby head, "Don't worry, coming from her that's just short of a confession." He said in a conspiratorial whisper.

Ruby smothered a snicker and Glynda turned and raised an eyebrow, she didn't hear him.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Goodwitch, is something wrong?" Jaune said smirking.

She sighed in a long-suffering manner and gestured to them to keep moving.

Going to the party wasn't exactly as eventful as Jaune remembered. Jaune kept to the back wall, chatting with Ruby. Observing more than trying to mingle, this way, he could avoid all the recruiters or people he had no desire to converse with. Jaune sighed and downed the last of his drink. Yang was going to wheedle the details out of Ruby and Ruby would relay everything, willing or not. Jaune supposed he might as well try to show Ruby as much a good time as possible.

"Well Ruby, I don't think we've practiced dancing for a week only to stand around." Jaune held out his hand with a grin, "May I have this dance, Milady?"

Ruby grinned and took his hand, "Of course!"

Jaune led her out to the dance floor and they waltzed together as a new song started.

"You know, I really don't mind waltzing, it's just I prefer something more modern."Jaune said as he maneuvered around another couple.

"I know how you feel." Ruby sighed, "This classy music is for old people."

Jaune glanced around, "Please learn to think before you speak, if anyone heard you they'd give you a fifteen minute dressing down, and trust me it's doesn't sound like something bad, but it freaking blows."

Ruby looked at him, "And this you -" she had to focus to not yelp as he lifted her and set her back down, "- k-know this how?"

Jaune shrugged, "I have met my fair share of people who like classical, I happen to like some of the older works myself. But only when I am relaxing and trying to clear my head."

He scanned the crowd and suddenly saw someone who he had hoped to god that he would avoid this time around and never have to see in this lifetime ever again.

Simultus.

His mouth was twisted in a pleased and speculative line as he saw Jaune and made sure to nod his head in acknowledgment when their eyes met.

Fury coursed through Jaune's veins, his inner grimm began to stir in anticipation. Jaune bared an involuntary scowl, teeth gritted, and his eyes beginning to shift. His aura began to -

No.

Calm.

Control.

Jaune's anger that rushed to surface at seeing the man simmered under his skin. Despite his speedy recovery, Ruby immediately noticed and her gaze turned sharp.

"What's wrong?" she asked, glancing to the sides.

Jaune sucked in a deep breath and closed his eyes, "I saw something really, really bad. Ruby you'll have to forgive me, but I won't be able to take the next waltz with you."

Ruby features turned downcast, "Oh."

Jaune looked down in reproach, "Don't you dare think it's because of you. I really am enjoying myself for the first time in a while, but if who I saw decides to approach, I don't want you there."

Ruby glanced at him, "I should be there, for support and stuff!"

Jaune closed his eyes, sighing, "While I know you want to, trust me on this Ruby, you want to steer clear...After I leave, if a hulking guy with red-hair and a mace strapped to his back asks you for a dance. You have to say no."

Jaune eyed the speakers the song was about to wind down, "Do you have anyone who you can hang out with? Anyone at all?"

Ruby frowned, "I don't think...Wait, one of Yang's friends is here! Her name is Sirena Wave, she was a friend of Yang's from Signal, she is part of a three-member support group, they still need one more person but she is standing in as a leader at the moment-"

"Ruby, focus." Jaune said, "Can you trust her?"

Ruby answered with no hesitation, "Yeah."

Jaune sighed, "Find her and tell her not to let the red-haired guy near you, okay? I'll be back an then we can have another dance, okay?"

Ruby nodded and as they separated Ruby quickly made her way into the crowd while Jaune headed in the opposite direction.

His eyes flashed red.

Jaune made his way to the rooftop and waited at the edge as he felt a spark of a human approach him.

The door creaked as it opened. Jaune bit back the urge to draw Crocea Mors from his sheath and behead the man coming up from behind him.

"Well, well, well..." Simultus drawled, "Who do we have here?"

"An old, shriveled dickwad," Jaune replied, "and an student at Beacon."

Simultus blinked and chuckled, "You've got quite the tongue on you boy."

Jaune smirked inwardly, "Can't handle it old man? Not surprised, men of your age often lack the stamina."

Simultus hated being reminded of his age, and his relationship status or lack there of.

Jaune felt Simultus' anger and laughed, "Is that all you're capable of? I felt worse from people my age."

Jaune turned and saw Simultus striding over to him until they were about a foot apart.

"So you actually got into Beacon." Simultus sounded properly amazed, as if Jaune wouldn't get in.

"I did, does it matter? You were hoping I'd be choosing your train wreck of a school?" Jaune said smiling smugly, "I am surprised you can still walk without a cane to support you."

Simultus scowled, "You changed."

"I matured. As for you, you're still the pathetic old man who failed to be the leader."

Simultus eyes narrowed, "Watch yourself boy."

Jaune raised an eyebrow, "Or what? You'll attack me? We both know security will catch your aura flare, you can't beat me without using it."

Simultus laughed at this, "I could smash into the ground without any effort, you're no hunter yet, just a hunter-in-training."

Jaune grin widened and his slowly began to let his killer intent leak past the strict control he kept it under. Simultus' eyes widened and he took a step back. Jaune began to walk forward increasing the pressure, letting his hate and anger build. Beads of sweat began to form on Simultus' upper brow. Jaune kept walking towards him and soon they were at the edge of the building. Jaune hand shot out - catching the man's collar - and dragged the monster an inch from his face. He could see the fear.

Good.

The fear was good.

"Here is your only warning, consider it an act of respect since you are of the Arc bloodline, despite being nothing more than scum." Jaune said, his voice sharper than steel yet more frigid than the coldest of snowstorms, "Stay away from me and my friends. If you don't, I will find you and no matter where you hide, whatever shit-covered corner of hell you sequester yourself away in, I will find you. And after I break you and you will beg for death, I won't deliver and leave you to your insanity."

Jaune shoved the man sideways and watched as Simultus rolled fluidly into a crouch before straightening. Simultus sneered and brushed off his coat.

"Don't think you have the ability to beat me simply because you have the intent, boy." Simultus advised.

Jaune turned away, "I don't intend to defeat you. I intend to BREAK you."

Jaune calmly made his way to the door down back into the hall, "Goodbye, Uncle. Do hesitate to write."

Jaune made his way over to Ruby but found her behind an irritated tiger faunus facing an even more irritated Matchitehew Dalgus.

The tiger faunus had a curvy figure - reminding Jaune of Blake due to her stance - and had indigo tiger stripes on her forearms. Her eyes were tilted upward slightly, giving them a catlike appearance. Her hair was white-tipped, shoulder length, blue hair that were combed to gracefully frame her face. Her dress was an ocean blue that had sparkling gems sown into the short-sleeve edge. Matchitehew had a normal suit on except his shirt and tie were both a deep blood-red.

Jaune hand twitched towards Crocea Mors.

Although it would be in poor tastes for him to behead someone at a party in the middle of the hall.

"Look you damn idiot! She said she WILL NOT dance with you, and if you keep hounding her like this, I will kick you where it hurts the most!" The Faunus growled.

"Maybe she does except you can't understand anything except grunts and growls you damn animal!" Match argued.

"May I cut in?" Jaune said, sliding smoothly between the two.

Ruby sighed as she saw Jaune, she was getting worried.

"Come now this is a party, let's try not to fight." Jaune said pushing the two apart.

Match knocked off Jaune's arm and glared at him, "Who the hell are you?" he demanded.

"I happen to be Miss Rose's escort, a matter of some personal business happened to occur and despite my protests couldn't be stalled." Jaune said, his voice smoothly becoming cordial and polite, with just a hint of apology, "Sorry if I gave the impression she was alone at this party, I didn't mean to cut in, but I had promised Ruby a dance."

With that Jaune nodded politely at the Faunus who he assumed to be Sirena, and moved next to Ruby, gently clasping her hand.

"Sorry, that took more time than I wanted." Jaune whispered.

"It's alright, who is that guy?"

Jaune grimaced, "Related to the bad thing I saw earlier."

"Ah. I see." Ruby said.

Jaune, Ruby, and Sirena all sat at a table, sipping at their various drinks (both Sirena and Jaune vehemently refused to give her a drink that contained any alcohol). Ruby traced a finger around the rim of her cup of soda, a bored frown clear on her features.

"I'm bored..." she grumbled.

"I know, I just want to go back to Beacon. At least I could play apps or something on my scroll." Jaune groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face.

Sirena and Jaune got to talking, so Jaune had learned that Sirena wave was a tiger Faunus, loved the ocean, and was raised by a single mother. Jaune had not asked why or any other insensitive questions. He told her about his family and his seven sisters and how they taught him to dance. Jaune talked about his mom and dad, and how they did their best to train him. Ruby had talked about her father and Uncle teaching her and Yang, building Crescent Rose and making it more and more awesome.

Finally, after an hour of idle chatting - in which Jaune kept an eye out for either Match or Simultus (to his suspicion, they seemed to leave earlier than the last time around) - Ozpin told them they were finally able to leave. Ruby almost let out an exuberant whoop at the news. Sirena sighed and rolled her shoulders.

"You okay?" Jaune asked as he stretched slightly.

"Yeah, just I am in agreement with Ruby when it comes to all this stuff, it's too boring." She sighed, smirking, "I thought this was your sort of scene, you seemed pretty comfortable."

Jaune snorted derisively, "You best be joking, I can barely stand these sort of social gatherings. I only went because Glynda Goodwitch forced me to. I personally would have cleaned every blackboard in Beacon. Not to mention Ozpin forced everyone to get a date for this shindig just to spite me."

Sirena was pretty laid-back, but loved teasing others, which evident in her next sentence, "Oh didn't you enjoy dancing with Ruby?"

Jaune rolled his eyes, "First of all, any negative answer to that will make it's way to a certain brawler's ears, and I have no desire to have to fight the inferno, it's too troublesome. Second, I did enjoy dancing with Ruby, but to be honest the rest of the night was either boring, painful, or just downright exhausting."

"You want to take a nap, you barely did any dancing." Sirena raised an eyebrow.

"We danced a lot thank you very much!" Ruby interrupted, "I am personally exhausted!"

Jaune sighed, he thinks Ruby may be picking up on Wiess' personality, and that was a can of worms he had no desire to open, "Come on, let's go, if we keep this up, we might very well miss the flight."

Jaune felt a chill crawl up his spin in the ship and looked back at the city they were leaving behind.

"I want to get in contact with The Blue Flash. I don't care how you do it, just make sure he will be willing to do the job." Simultus said into his scroll.

"Why? What do you need a mercenary for?" One of his aides asked.

"I want to put a hit on a young man named Jaune Arc." Simultus growled.

"It will be done sir."

"Good." Simultus said as he leaned back, "One way or another Jaune, you will bend to my will, especially if you have become that strong."