3.11
A/N Check bottom for some bits of info.
The next few days quite literally flew by for the group. Before anybody even realized it… it was Tuesday night. Tomorrow morning would be their first experience in his mothers Advanced Class. In an unrelated note… the closer to that moment he got… the odder more goof prone and silly his girlfriend seemed to act.
She clearly was looking forward to something…
The more Jaune thought about it the more he was utterly convinced that Pyrrha wanted to tell him something… something she had promised herself to keep secret at least for a bit longer. She was not normally prone to random acts of giggling… but she definitely seemed very happy about something. That much, he was sure of. Despite the entertainment via giggle prone confusion… he was exhausted.
Returning to Beacon if anything amped up the groups desire to work, they were upper classmen now. They needed to set an example for those of the younger class. It was not a duty specifically told to them in an official capacity. Yet as Advanced Class students who each had a reputation thusly earned in their combat class, they felt if the term was to mean anything it would begin and end with them and their actions.
When asked why he requested a meeting with Ozpin… Jaune was left unsure. He did not know what prompted him to ask the Headmaster for some time for a private talk earlier in the week. He mostly convinced himself that such a meeting was inevitable. Part of him wanted the meeting to try and help himself turn the page to fully move on to another year with another set of objectives. Another part wanted to have the discussion he almost wishes he had the previous year. About his misgivings regarding the assignment and why it felt like his heart was telling him it was a trap… even as he continued to pursue the mission towards the eventual meeting with his father.
"Sure you don't want anybody to go along with you? You do not have to meet Ozpin alone you know." Pyrrha asked innocently enough while she fixed up her hair following her shower. She could not sit in silence as she observed her Partner's sunken body language. He asked for this meeting, and she was proud of him for proceeding forward even if he was uncomfortable with doing so. Still… she would happily lighten his burden if she could.
Jaune finally stirred from his spot on his bed. A rather comical shake of his head brought back some determination to his eyes and with that act he fully stood up.
After a deep breath to collect himself he made himself appear more confident than he truly felt.
"No… I asked the headmaster for the meeting and… I don't want to drag anybody else with me given the hour." He answered slowly making his way to the door.
"I don't know what to make of Mom's first class. It is rather strange to have a single class booked over a 2 day span isn't it?" Kate asked as she emerged from the shower following their evening workout.
Jaune shook his head again.
"I remind you this is my first time with mom's advanced class… I cannot claim to have any idea what is normal. Though I do think it is a good call to get to sleep early and rest up. She wants us there very early all things considered." He mused thoughtfully and didn't notice that Pyrrha smiled absentmindedly behind him.
Ren reminded the room of his presence as he came out of his late night meditation and stood up.
"I will go along with you… at least to the courtyard." He advertised.
"Don't need too… I mean you can if you want but why?" Jaune inquired. Part of him felt it was finally time for him to do that task Ren had been meaning to for awhile now when it came to dating his sister. Though… his instincts told him no, that wasn't it.
Ren shook his head "No, not all the way. I just wanted to check if a delivery was made. It is still early enough that the bullhead should be about to drop off its final batch of the night. Some ammo for me was held up and I want to see if it has arrived." He claimed simply.
Jaune shrugged as he glanced at the clock.
"Well… ok suit yourself. I need to get moving though. My meeting with Ozpin is soon… I am sure he doesn't have much time to spare so… I doubt he wants to be kept waiting." He stated simply.
With that Jaune opened up the door and the two males left the room.
Katherine watched them go then resumed getting dressed. It was not all that uncommon to enjoy a card game before they turned in for the night… moreover she didn't feel like wearing a towel everywhere.
She almost expected Pyrrha to go along with her partner despite not being asked to accompany him. In any case Pyrrha remained this bundle of endless energy full of smiles throughout the week… to the point Katherine decided to do some light hearted… probing.
"Well… are you finally going to tell me why you have been so excitable of late?" She asked in passing while walking towards her bed.
Or at least… her bed for the moment. Each of the groups dorm's was set up with an extra bed… she could in theory sleep in either the RWBY or JNPR room. Tonight however… JNPR was where she decided to stay in this instance. The extra bed gave the group a surprising amount of freedom and versatility when it came to their increasingly aggressive workout schedules and mixing or shuffling of where people sleep is a boon.
In any case she considered the question -for the most part- to be a rhetorical one. Something she asked mostly cause while she is curious… she figured Pyrrha would tell her when she was able. IF she even heard the question in the first place.
So… when Pyrrha blushed like a maple leaf as her facial expression took on a mix of guilty and innocent… Katherine found herself justifiably intrigued.
Pyrrha opened her mouth as if to speak… then snapped her jaw shut as she turned off to the side unable to hide her excitement. Several seconds later she turned back and once again seemed to struggle with speaking.
Kate finished getting dressed then decided to sit down on her bed across the Spartans and tried to be as patient as possible.
Pyrrha seemed to finally come to a conclusion.
"Ok… we will learn about it tomorrow morning anyway. I will tell you now… If you want to make a deal." The Spartan bargained sitting up straight.
Kate almost didn't believe Pyrrha had bargaining or *dare she think* black-market-style negotiations in her.
Guess I'm starting to rub off on her for better or worse.
"Ok… we can… discuss. What do you have in mind?" The Ghost asked intrigued.
Pyrrha grinned.
"First… my conditions. One, silence is part of it. You do not use this information against me, and do your best to keep it to yourself."
Definitely has my attention now.
"Your deal is you don't want me to tell anybody about it? About what you tell me…. or about what you ask of me?" Kate inquired.
Pyrrha smiled again.
"Both, regardless of if we come to terms."
Kate made a face… and within a few nanoseconds agreed.
"Ok…I promise." Kate even went so far as to hold out a pinky.
Following a pack bound by the sacred pinky promise Pyrrha leaned in closer… and worded.
"I want… to borrow some of your reading material. As Weiss might say anyway." Somehow… Pyrrha blushed even harder.
Of the things Kate expected Pyrrha to request… that was not on the list.
"Reading material… meaning…"
She doesn't mean… Ninja's of Love does she?
Kate studied her friend.
You know… maybe she does… oh this is rich but… AGH! I Can't believe I promised to keep quiet about it! …. She is more clever than she gives herself credit for… Note to self!
"You want to borrow some of my Ninja's of Lo-"
A lightning quick palm movement cut short her confirmation.
"SHH! Do you want the walls to hear?! Yes you let me borrow some books and KEEP it QUIET! Do that… and I will tell you why I have been so happy of late." The Spartan orated as firmly yet as quietly as she could.
It took just about all of Kate's willpower not the break into a fit of laughter. Pyrrha Nikos, the 4 time Champion of Mistral… wants to read a Ninja's of Love book…. NOT just that she wants to read some AND keep it a secret?!
Oh… this is so Rich! Then again… Maybe…
Huh.
Maybe Jaune just has her excited? That's possible.
With the body language of a master Kate sat down and spoke on in hushed tones "Ok… if you want to deal, we can deal."
Pyrrha proved that day, that she can still surprise even her closest friends.
*** En route to various goals ***
It was always an adventure being around his teammates, Jaune mused to himself.
Yet… they all seem to have a different structure to their madness. Katherine has her own set of regular shenanigans, Pyrrha brought her own blend of silly to the mix and don't even get me going about Nora. He has yet to accept that she even follows the normal laws of physics.
Well… turns out Ren is also fully capable of surprising him. Jaune almost expected another round of silent companionship on their way… he did not expect Ren had a few things to say.
"So… your mom has still been -no pun intended- mum about what she has planned?" Ren inquired in his normal flat tone.
Jaune shrugged as he kept pace.
"I honestly never really expected her to give away much. She has the reputation of being a … well shall we say a Tyrant of a Professor. While at the same time that very reputation marks her as a fair one. If she says the point is to teach adaptability, I believe her." He answered.
Ren seemed to look at him briefly before speaking on with a grin.
"So… what is your best guess then?"
Jaune nearly cracked a smile.
"My best guess? Honestly beyond just looking at it logically I don't know what I could claim that you can't probably guess yourself. We only have one class set for the next two days and I know she likes to take people on trips while instructing them. She might have a trip planned… she might not. I do not know."
Ren looked at his team leader sideways for a few steps before speaking again.
"I have to remind myself that you and she are very similar to share the same semblance. There are times you seem very different." He said in passing.
Jaune issued a sad smile. Yes… they always tell the truth… yet as similar as they are…
"Well naturally I am not her clone… I do have 2 parents like everybody else after all." He stated solemnly.
Ren lost the mild smirk and instead of continuing as planned just nodded.
Neither really felt the need to speak up further on that topic as they continued to move.
Ren's thoughts were actually fairly introspective, such that he didn't notice that Jaune had stopped walking with his head cocked to the side.
"Hey, you alright?" He asked.
As if pulling himself out of a daydream his face lit up and resumed walking.
"Yes… just… twin senses." Jaune supplied.
Ren cocked an eyebrow keeping pace once again.
"Should I be concerned?" he inquired evenly.
Jaune gave a quick chuckle before answering "Truthfully I have no idea. Katherine was just… very very surprised for a moment. No idea what would have triggered that but… she was shocked."
"Shocked… your sister? Shocked?" Not trying to hide his smile that time.
Jaune still seemed only halfway present as he shook his head and continued on.
"She doesn't get embarrassment that doesn't mean she isn't occasionally surprised. Think Nora got back and did something odd again?" Jaune asked… possibly changing the subject.
Ren actually laughed briefly "Nora… I actually do not know where she is."
Jaune froze… when has that ever happened before.
"Is there a problem?" Was all he could think to say.
He received a negative in response.
"Nah, just… Well you know how she is sometimes she just decides to do something. Speaking which we seem to have reached the docks."
Ren spent a good few seconds studying the bullhead station before speaking on. Several Beacon staff members were hard at work managing the ever progressing flow of materials to Beacon even in the lay hours of the evening. Several students were speaking nearby or saying goodbye to those family just now leaving the campus grounds. Even somebody as attentive as Ren could not fully detail all of the happenings at the docks.
"Well… I don't see my contact so. I guess it should arrive tomorrow. I suppose you need to head off towards the Headmasters office now huh?"
…
"OOFF!" Jaune exclaimed.
Ren turned towards the sound … and stopped a bit dumbfounded. "I…. uh…. what?"
He was forced to blink his eyes several times to ensure they did not lie. One moment he was walking next to his friend… and the next said person was tackled to the ground by a stampede of golden furred animals.
"Hey C'mon guys!" A voice cried out.
Finally taking in the scene around him he recognized the speaker.
He had seen her before.
An attractive girl of above average in height carrying a police baton at her hip made her way towards his friend. The most distinguishing feature he could name about her… was her golden blond hair so prevalent with her family line coupled with her Cadian Military Officer Uniform. Less carefree and far more structured in her appearance her hair was done up in a bun. Her clothing was all meticulously calculated and rigorously maintained as that of a professional military officer. This time she wore the full ensemble, not dressed for battle her uniform was something Ren had seen several times previously in his time with his friends.
Black dominated the somewhat loose but excellently made pant leggings with golden highlights in the striping and detail work. A shirt of white was covered by a full length black coat opened partly on the side which traveled down to her ankles. A gold sash synched tight at her waist tied into a knot along her side completed the rather elegant ensemble highlighted by a shoulder pad with the Arc symbol and a red cape. The Cadian Military uniform was something rarely seen in Vale yet those who wore it tended to wear it proudly.
"Hey come on now fellas don't drown him!" She spoke again.
At that second plea the Golden Companion dogs finally pulled back and allowed Jaune some space… laughing and smiling though he was.
"Didn't expect to see you Anna." The Knight claimed trying to balance petting 4 dogs with 2 hands. He was not all together successful and was once again buried under a mountain of fur, limbs, swinging tails and slobber.
Finally reaching the teammates at her brisk jog Anna smiled in greeting.
"I was not expected to be seen to be fair. Mr. Lie Ren if I recall correctly?" She asked offering Ren a hand.
The hand was accepted as he answered:
"Ren please. Thank you again for your help a few months ago."
Jaune continued to struggle against the four animals in his seated position and couldn't easily speak on.
"Think nothing of it." She replied with a smile.
"Oh hey c'mon guys yes I am happy to see you too!" Jaune begged still trying to fend off the pooches.
"You were bringing the dogs to Beacon?" Ren asked enjoying the scene.
Anna grinned.
"Yes… after the attack on Cadia mom felt the need to have them accompanied when they travel. I volunteered." She supplied.
Ren smiled back "Always so eager to explain your orders?" He asked very forwardly.
Anna shrugged.
"It isn't exactly a secret. No hiding four dogs who obviously don't want to listen."
One of the animals looked back at her and seemed to grin… before resuming its attention on Jaune.
"Mom asked for them to be brought here so… here they are." She concluded.
"Who all do we have here?" Ren asked diplomatically.
Anna smirked before touching two of them on their heads.
"Tyrion and Teclis you already know I am sure, if not recognize."
As she made that claim both Golden's finally ended their assault on Jaune to sit in front of Ren as if saying hello to an old friend.
Ren smiled as he responded "Yes, I do recognize these two ruffians." At that he started scratching their ears. The dogs toothy grin advertised this as an acceptable greeting.
Jaune finally was able to stand though his laughter would continue for several moments.
Answering Ren's initial question Anna spoke on moving her hand to another dog:
"This one here is Alarielle. Yvraine is the others name. They normally answer to Rain and Elle… when they aren't otherwise ignoring you anyway." The two females seemed to smile as they walked over towards Ren to make their own introductions.
The two females who survived the attack where each carrying a litter… I wonder if they are 'mated' to the males? Hopefully the litter survived.
"Feels weird greeting a dog does it?" Anna guessed.
At the risk of ending up like his friend Ren instead of answering as he felt he was expected… instead said:
"Not at all… Being around canines who understand what I say is not at all disturbing." His flat voice almost seemed forced.
"The pups are back home?" Jaune inquired briefly.
Anna nodded solemly before speaking.
"Not all of them survived given the attack… but yes several did and are being cared for at home. We felt it best to let the girls stay with the boys for a bit… get some fresh air."
At the mention of the attack the good mood was tempered a bit, such that silence reigned for several moments.
After a brief wait with a glance at his scroll to check the time Jaune was made to proceed. He did not exactly want to end the conversation prematurely. But he did feel a need to try and push the situation forward.
"Well… You both can stay and chat but… I do need to get to my meeting with Ozpin." He knelt down to give each of the pooches one last bit of attention.
"I confess I had hoped Mom would be here to greet me. I do not actually know where her quarters are." Anna confessed.
Jaune stood up again as he answered "I'm sorry I cannot take you… it isn't exactly on the way towards the tower."
Ren shrugged "I think I can get you there." He volunteered not having any reason to avoid helping out.
"Good idea, catch-ya later Ren. Have a safe trip Anna!" Jaune advised with a wave moving towards his destination.
With that… they parted ways.
***Outside Beacons Main Cafeteria***
Growing up Weiss always planed things out…
All Schnee's do. Meticulously, consistently and routinely in all things. Didn't matter if the focus was personal or business related. If you do not plan out your agenda or routine you are liable to make mistakes. You must plan for alternatives and be able to move in uncertain tangents at a moment's notice. No plan is foolproof after all but having answers to unexpected questions generally helps.
Yet still… how could a simple walk around the campus with your girlfriend turn into such a disaster. Normally the only solution would typically involve Yang, Nora or possibly both.
Yet here… nope, no such scapegoat existed. Everything was perfect… right up until it wasn't perfect anymore.
Wearing an exquisite hand crafted dress which accentuated everything when able? Check.
'Comfortable' slightly heeled shoes? Check.
Considerable time spent in detail minded makeup and hair care? Check.
So where did the latest plan go wrong?
Wildcards.
As yet another impact echoed through the inner room Weiss could not help but emulate Jaune in one of his many face-palm's. It was not a dignified motion to take and she made strides to not perform them often… yet here, in this time and place.
It oddly seemed to fit.
So she stood leaning against a wall the howdy actions of her Partner just inside the building ignited yet another war of sorts… and just like the last time this happened it emptied the school cafeteria.
"YAAAHHH!"
Was a sound routinely heard echoing through the area.
"TAKE THAT FIEND!"
The other answered back.
The Heiress didn't even need to face the scene to understand what was happening. On their walk Ruby ran into an old friend from Signal. What started as a kind and thoughtful suggestion to get to know her girlfriend quickly devolved into a scene where high class people did not seem to understand the lives of those less fortunate.
While it was something Weiss took issue with, the Heiress did not make a point of addressing it. Ruby however decided to come to the defense of her girlfriend… or possibly her girlfriends honor. It was just the way she did it that made her hesitate.
"WHAT NO FAIR! THIS IS SUPPOSE TO BE ONE ON ONE!"
"I WASENT THE ONE WHO THREW THE PANCAKES" Ruby exclaimed.
Bringing pancakes into the matter was a fatal mistake for the friend… Nora did not take wasted pancakes lightly and as she has been known to do… materialized to defend her chosen food.
Though the human sized hole in the outer wall did come with its own set of entertainment. Ms. Goodwitch's expected reaction to it not withstanding.
Why Ruby's friend suggested a food fight to settle things Weiss did not understand. She understood even less when her girlfriend accepted. Technically both partners were suppose to be watching and cheering for their teammate. It was the natural and carefree way everything seemed to fit together which seemed to make Weiss… well. She just did not seem as if she fit into that puzzle anymore.
"YOU'RE A JUNIOR I GET TO CHEAT!"
"YOU USED YOUR SEMBLANCE FIRST!"
"AND YOURS IS CHEATING!"
It isn't that she wasn't willing to indulge in the act of a food fight. She was in one already in her Beacon career. Yet… that was friends verses friends. A team against a team. A matter of honor, of in house bragging rights. Thoughts that the matter was of no concern to her… or that she didn't belong just never came up. Though a pie to the face might have had something to do with that in hindsight… Here… it just seemed out of place and made her feel unwelcome.
"YAAAAHHH!" Ruby shouted yet again.
Yet more rumbles and ruckus was obviously going to draw the ire of Goodwitch… if not Ozpin himself.
"So…?" The Knight asked once again.
With a sigh… The Weiss tried again.
All she explained to Jaune as he noticed her alone outside the door on his way to his meeting. She both knew and could tell that Jaune was short on time… however he wasn't exactly one to leave a friend behind either.
"So… I know why Ruby is in there… I can almost understand why Nora is as well." He said looking the sideways human sized hole in the wall.
"But… why are you out here?" He asked calmly with his arms crossed leaning against the outer wall next to his friend.
Yes… why indeed am I out here?
"It's… her friends." Weiss stated plainly.
Jaune took a deep breath.
"You knew she had friends from Signal Weiss… she wrote to them frequently in her first year especially." He claimed diplomatically.
"Yes I know that but…"
Weiss floundered.
Jaune took another deep breath. Another glance at his scroll prompted him to take a guess.
"You are unsure how to act around Ruby… when she is around her friends?"
By her body language… he hit the mark.
There was much she could say on the subject… how while they do not hide their affection they have not made their relationship known in a public setting, though thinking about it anybody who knew them could make the obvious assumption. She knew how to react around her team and that of JNPR. You might even be able to add in CFVY or SSSN in that mix. None of that explained to her how she was suppose to act around her girlfriend… as her girlfriend… with people who counted that person as a friend. A friend from a previous time which Weiss had not yet fully understood. In short? She had not planned for this.
"I… It seemed wrong of me to join in. They don't know how to act around me I… I don't know how to act around them. They are wearing normal stuff… I am wearing this dress. I am completely out of place here right now."
Such an open admission was telling how much she trusted him… yet under the surface he picked up on some very strong feelings inside her.
"You want to be proper?" He asked.
She mostly nodded.
Jaune edged himself off the wall and made to leave.
"Weiss. You are a friend. Sure her friends might seem very new to you… just as you are to them. But as I said last year… 'Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.' You don't want to get to know her friends?"
"No it isn't that I just…"
"AHH! NO FAIR WE ARE OUTNUMBERED!"
Jaune poked his head in the door to see Nora and Ruby both engaged heavily by 2 bodies while 2 more skirted around the sides to flank.
"Weiss… You might not want to get the dress dirty. You might not want to seem out of place. But you have one Partner… and I guarantee you she would want nothing more than to look back and think 'Yeah… I remember when my girlfriend came to my rescue.'"
He paused as she picked up the narration.
"Rather than look back and think I stayed out here cause I was embarrassed." Weiss ducked her head down.
Jaune nodded then checked his scroll yet again… Arriving late was almost a foregone conclusion now.
"Weiss… just, you don't need to over think or be so sure of everything all the time. I doubt structuring a food fight is even possible. But hey, if you just bring a spare tomato or something from now on everywhere you go, you can at least say you came prepared right?"
She smirked and gave him a light punch on his arm.
Starting off towards his destination Jaune concluded with "I need to go to my meeting I am already a bit late… good luck."
Weiss observed him leave… then took a deep breath of her own paired with a smile.
He always was good at dealing with people…
A brief moments of consideration later she came to a conclusion she should have reached some time ago.
Undoing the coil of her bun and shaking her hair free brought on a slight grin.
The heels can stay but I am not doing this with my hair up.
Picking up some nearby ammunition along with a conveniently placed swordfish. She hefted the fish, then with a frenzied scream, charged into the fray.
***Headmasters office***
Below his field of vision a warzone seemed to dominate the surroundings. It might be one dominated by fruits and vegetables instead of metal and fists. That didn't mean the cafeteria wasn't actually getting a bit beaten up however.
Ozpin contrary to popular opinion among his coworkers was a fan of rules. Without them society would not be able to function. Sure stupid rules existed but as a hole, he was a fan of the principle. Course that did not mean he was inflexible. Such as right now… what he wanted to do was remain sitting down in his comfortable chair, sip his umpteenth refill of his favorite coffee brand, and wait for his meeting with one, Mr. Jaune Arc while enjoying the sights of kids being kids. At least until said meeting had to begin.
However… he could almost not hear himself think those very thoughts that given the constant noise of the room he is currently occupying.
"You cannot be serious!" The objector repeated yet again.
Being a Headmaster is about surrounding yourself with competent people just as much as it is trusting those people to do and teach at they believe is best. A wide variety of personalities and priorities with instruction makes for a healthy student body. Which of course is of the highest concerns to him.
That naturally being the wellbeing of his students and the quality of education they receive.
Naturally that meant disagreements with the staff about how things be treated do on occasion happen.
Now for instance.
"Glynda I have said it before and I will say it again. These people are growing up and being a student is hard. Letting them unwind is a good idea not a bad one."
He prepared for the retort…. she had many to pick from to be fair.
She could go with 'School property is going to be damaged that *I* have to fix.'
Or possibly 'Letting them unwind is fine but food fights goes too far.'
Or several others. She was not even wrong in any way. However that did not mean that he was not also correct. Moreover he also had the advantage of being the boss… ergo he tended to get the final word.
Ms. Goodwitch evidently decided to go with option C:
"These type of things can be dangerous Ozpin they could get hurt. The fact that they all have aura or not really does not apply here!"
Ah yes… the safety of the students. Really the strongest point she could have made… Nobody could accuse the young professor of being incapable of making a good point when she wanted.
"We need to focus on educating our charges not punishing them, a slight hand is often better received than a harsh one."
Almost in relief the elevator finally announced its arrival and seemed to prompt a quenching of Glynda's Ire.
"Glynda… as you realize Mr. Arc has arrived so I must cut this short. By all means make a point of ensuring this type of incident does not become a routinely seen affair. Just… try to look at it in a slightly more positive way please."
Jaune exited the elevator and seemed to pick up on the heated but civil conversation which seems to have just concluded. Ozpin being the more level headed of the two is very commonplace but one wonders just where his limits lay.
Walking in slow steps towards the Headmasters desk he nodded politely at Ms. Goodwitch as she moved in the opposite direction appearing more than a little red in the face. None the less he stopped after clearing the short hallway from the elevator door… not wanted to intrude.
As normal the Headmaster seemed to be reading his mind.
"Mr. Arc please come forward don't be shy." He advised with a friendly motion of his hand.
Jaune smirked… but moved forward as requested.
"Sit down please no need to stand around especially at this hour of the day." He indicated a row of chairs for use and took the time to enjoy a healthy slurp of coffee.
Finding a spot in a somewhat comfy chair Jaune even went as far as to use another as a footrest when he felt the urge. Jaune was more than willing wait for Ozpin to start the conversation and for the moment just looked around the room.
Moving a seemingly empty mug to a holder Ozpin spent a good few moments looking over his pupil before deciding to speak.
"Do you know why you asked for this meeting Mr. Arc?"
Jaune grew a touch more serious despite the fact he couldn't help but grin at the question.
"No sir I cannot claim to understand why. I just… felt like I needed too."
True as that statement was… he couldn't help but get the feeling that Ozpin expected him to ask for the meeting in the first place. He certainly didn't spend any time debating before agreeing despite how busy the Headmaster almost always was.
Indeed Ozpin seemed to expect his answer.
"Why don't you tell me about what happened in Cadia. You obviously have some concerns about how your last assignment was treated?"
Jaune sighed very openly…
Concerns… Yes I suppose concerns is an accurate word for it.
"To be fair I have more than one."
Jaune's candor seemed to cause a brief smile in the older man, though it disappeared as quickly as it came.
"I invite you to speak openly with me Mr. Arc. What is on your mind?"
Crossing his arms Jaune took his time deciding on which points to start with… how does one sum up that incident into bullet points….
He decided to start with as close to square one as he could possibly get.
"We as Huntsmen… even those in training can occasionally be given assignments or tasks to complete. This is something which is known at even the most basic level."
Ozpin nodded not seeing a need to comment.
"We as team leaders are taught to follow the rules in the assignment. Yet… we are also taught to adapt to our feelings and do what feels best in unclear situations to get everybody out alive."
Ozpin nodded patiently once again.
"That much is common amongst those in your position, yes that is true." the Headmaster admitted.
"Sir… I am upset because I did not like that assignment from the moment you told me about it in this very office. Something did not feel right about it then, I continued to believe something was off throughout the entire time I was in transit. That feeling did not go away as we sat down and began our task. Had I listened to that part of me the entire situation might have been avoided."
Ozpin seemed to seriously consider that for several heartbeats before commenting.
"You feel as though you should have trusted yourself. Possibly even as if confidence in your ability to lead has been shaken?"
Hearing it being said hit a bit more close to home than Jaune expected.
"Yes… I suppose that is true enough sir."
Jaune took a sharp breath and awaited the Headmasters pleasure for his response. Ozpin did seem to study him with a very sharp eye for several moments before he deigned to respond.
"Jaune this might surprise you but I do not feel as though you made a mistake at all."
Jaune searched around the room almost as if he didn't believe he heard that correctly.
"How can you believe that? If I listened to that part of myself my team might never have gotten into that situation."
Across from him Ozpin chuckled.
"Mr. Arc… just think it through logically. If everybody who lead a team, or even more basic than that. If every Hunter on a hired out task did not follow through with the assignment the instant they felt something was wrong do you have any idea how few missions would actually get completed?"
That got a slight reaction how of the Knight.
"I don't understand. How can you teach me as a leader of a team, that I am suppose to follow my instincts and do what I believe to be right. While at the same time telling me that not following those instincts is the right call?"
Ozpin seemed to stare at him for several seconds before standing up.
"Jaune… walk with me for a moment please." At that he directed an arm towards the outer observatory to the grounds below.
With a grin that Jaune could not have predicted even if he wanted he answered back "Sure… just don't throw me off like last time."
Ozpin grinned at him as they moved to eventually find themselves resting their hands on the guardrail.
Neither felt the need to speak and just took a few minutes to observe the scene below. Beacon at dusk was a magical sight to behold. Some students still were active and Ms. Goodwitch still seemed to be in the middle of her lecture as she had a line of food grimy individuals were standing at attention before her.
Being drawn out of the somewhat majestic sights Jaune once again turned his attention on his Headmaster when Ozpin began speaking again.
"Jaune… Being a Hunter is not a simple job. Not like being a farmer for example."
"That is a rather specific example sir." Jaune observed.
Ozpin shrugged.
"Do I need to remind you that we do not all come from the nobility Mr. Arc?" Ozpin questioned in good humor.
Jaune shook his head "No of course not."
Ozpin gave a brief nod to the students Ms. Goodwitch had in a line "Being a Huntsman is a job where more than almost anything we do not try to teach you what to think, but rather how to think. We try to replace a closed mind with not a full mind, but an open one."
Ozpin resumed following a brief pause.
"If you disregarded your assignment prior to obtaining proof that something was wrong, you would have made a mistake that many Huntsmen have made. Listening to your instincts is fine, and if you are a Hunter operating in the field on your own you have the luxury of deciding not to complete a task which doesn't feel right. However when you are on assignment the keyword of course is:"
Jaune recognizing the lead-in answered "Assignment."
"Naturally. I do not begrudge you for having misgivings about how things could have gone. Yet the fact is they didn't go that way. I am sure you considered the fact that just about anybody of note believes you did exactly what needed to be done."
Jaune closed his eyes took a deep breath.
"I feel they are judging me for being lucky to be honest sir."
Ozpin nodded slightly.
"You might not be wrong. However luck aside… you directed your team with clarity and purpose. You stayed on target and did not allow your personal feelings to get in the way of you accomplishing your goal."
"Sir accomplishing my goal-"
"Jaune... what did I just say about the job being an assignment or about being a Hunter a complex issue? There are many 'correct' actions one could take. You could have for example tried to establish contact to inquire about the nature of your assignment before heading into the mine."
Jaune nodded.
"However while yes, at that point we learned that the mission was not in fact legitimate your communication would not have gone through due to their jamming. Would you then break off the assignment at that time leaving it unfinished without having definitive proof due to your feelings?"
Jaune took a moment to consider… being up in the mountains communication would hardly be ideal… even if he tried he could not claim definitively that he would have chosen not to pursue the assignment. Even if he following Ren's advise and went back up top that just would have found them right in the middle of the White Fang ambush and they might have lost their chance to retreat.
"Luck runs both ways." He said.
Ozpin grinned again.
"Jaune, if you need to speak to somebody to help you overcome what happened I cannot blame you for that. But there are no magical words or sayings which I can say to put everything together for you. Being a Hunter is a hard job, it is a hard life. I personally believe what you experience was a mix of your mind believing something was off, but it could also be an instinctual sense that danger is nearby."
Ozpin repositioned himself before speaking on.
"Almost every person who seeks to master a craft will develop a certain feeling when things are wrong. This is true in nearly any line of work. You need to learn to listen to that side of you. To understand that danger might be nearby or something might be wrong. You must listen… yet not be afraid. You must understand, yet not overcompensate. As Huntsmen we must head towards that danger and face it. Occasionally you will be called upon to do something which is difficult or which runs counter to what you believe needs to be done. You will face adversity in this line of work regardless of how well prepared you are. That is a truth regardless of if you continue to operate as a team, or seek to operate independently from other hubs following your training."
"That doesn't make looking back or thinking about it any less stressful." Jaune advised.
Ozpin nodded in an agreeable manner as he said "That is how it should be."
Jaune took his gaze off the campus below as he awaited the rest of what Ozpin had to say.
"Jaune if you went through what you did, and were not bothered by it at all… then I would have to question your stability. At some point in this conversation I feel as though I need to point out the obvious. The manner you directed your team did not result in them being lost. It resulted in the exposure of a key figure to our ongoing efforts and serves to help unite more kingdoms behind our efforts to provide a safe and stable environment for everybody. I believe you did an admirable job. I realize that might not mean much given that ultimately I am the one responsible for your being dispatched in the first place… but if it matters I'm not the only person to believe your team displayed exceptional skill and adaptability that day."
Jaune took a deep breath before exhaling remaining in thought.
"So essentially what you are telling me is what I am going through is normal?" He asked.
Ozpin seemed to consider.
"I suppose you could take it that way. Have you spoken to your team about this yet?"
The question… momentarily struck Jaune dumb. Everything happened so fast…
"No… No I cannot say I have. I have spoken to my twin about it… and of course Pyrrha as well. I haven't spoken to Nora or Ren yet." He admitted simply.
After a moment's pause Ozpin pressed him forward.
"Well… what do they have to say about it?"
Jaune grinned.
"Well… Pyrrha thinks I did well and Kate is just mad that she wasn't with me. Neither believe I could have done anything differently."
The Headmaster seemed to stare off into the distance as if in thought for several seconds before looking back at Jaune.
"I would suggest speaking to them at some point to get their thoughts. We are not a military Mr. Arc. People come to us for help and as is our charge we try and help them best we can. But we are not a military order… though Atlas does get closer to that type of direction than others."
Jaune appeared thoughtful for several heartbeats before voicing his thoughts.
"So… you would not have been angry with Katherine if she decided to disobey your orders and come along last year?"
Ozpin chuckled at that.
"Well…. I wouldn't say that. I did put her in both of your teams technically so if she did come along I ultimately could not been too upset with her or you. But that isn't where I was going. We are teams, we are Partners and we are colleagues. We do not demand blind obedience. Your team followed you and your direction. They did it willingly without complaint even though they themselves had misgivings about the assignment. I think you should consider that more than you are."
Jaune dipped his gaze to the ground briefly.
"Jaune, you did a great job. It might not feel like you do, but you did. Your mother thinks so, I think so, and the other Headmasters think so. You were lucky to get out alive. But you did more than that and I for one do not believe luck is entirely to blame. You should be more willing to take credit as easily as you do accept blame for your actions." He pressed.
Jaune shook his head briefly before speaking on "I am not comfortable taking credit for the actions of everybody. Everybody performed well on that assignment… not just…" He stopped.
Ozpin's grin turned into a smile.
"Not just you, right?"
A grin found its way onto Jaune's face.
Ozpin looked down and around before re-addressing commenting.
"Well, It seems as if the food fight is over."
Following the older man's gaze Jaune couldn't help but smile.
Ruby and Weiss were joined at the hip walking away…. presumably to clean up. Nora was behind them still enjoying the food it seems never to waste anything tasty. The younger crowd of 4 people were moving in an altogether different direction towards their own dorms. Ms. Goodwitch of course…. was left with cleanup duty.
"She isn't going to be happy about all those holes is she?" Jaune asked.
Ozpin chuckled "No, not any happier than a couple years ago at any rate."
Jaune brought a hand up to his face to hide his smile. "I guess we did cause a fair amount of damage back then."
Ozpin nodded "And Glynda never let me forget it either." He agreed.
When a bell tolled in Ozpin's office Jaune was brought to the realization of the time.
"Getting rather late isn't it."
Ozpin nodded as he pulled himself up straight.
"Yeah, it is. If you need to talk more over the year… we can do that. However I suggest speaking to your team on it further. They do not seem overly burdened by what happened."
With a glance at his scroll Jaune took another deep breath before asking:
"What all has been done about this over the summer? I only got bits and pieces of it from mom."
Ozpin directed them back inside towards his desk before answering.
"Beyond what I said previously not much. All of the schools and the Hunters they maintain have mobilized and are more vigilant than before. Thanks to your efforts we have a face to watch out for. But the world is a big place, finding one woman who is obviously good at hiding has not proven an easy task. As for the rest of her compatriots… well they remain at large as well."
Jaune nodded… Ozpin probably could tell him more about the situation but he is just a student after all and didn't have any real motivation or need to go further.
"I guess I will head back to my dorm… I do have an early morning tomorrow. Mom's first class and all."
At that Jaune started to head back towards the elevator.
As he waited for his ride Ozpin felt the need to speak on one more time.
"Jaune, my final piece of advice?"
He turned around to look at the Headmaster.
"Trust your team. They obviously trust you… you should learn to trust their judgment just as they have yours."
Trust his team… something so obvious in hindsight. Yet… they trusted him to get them through. He didn't feel as though he necessarily had done anything to earn that trust. Yet… maybe that is how he had earned it in the first place. All he ever did is try to do his best and earn his spot at the table. Maybe in the act of doing that… he did.
"Yes sir, I will try."
At that Jaune took the elevator down. The walk back to his dorm was chalk full of introspection. He never once considered the need to call Nora or Ren and speak to them about the previous mission. Why that is… really seemed to escape him. The best guess he had at the moment was they were on summer break… and didn't think to bring it up. Maybe Pyrrha just did enough of setting his mind at ease combined with how relaxing the summer was just in general he didn't get trapped in thinking about the past. Being back at Beacon now he let those thoughts come back…
Overall the Headmasters words did little to steady his mind… but it did a reasonably well job of freeing his thoughts. All in all he felt better on the return trip than he did the initial journey. He knew he needed to get some rest as tomorrow had the promise of a busy day. Advance class with his mother? Only time will tell what she had in store.
A/N
So… to keep the note short. Several more pictures have been posted to Deviant Art. If you have not checked them out, please do so. The artists work hard on them and it takes no small measure of time or energy from me either. If you feel the need, please look them over.
Secondly I am sorry for the delay with this chapter. I took 2 weeks off for the holidays and I realize I didn't exactly say I was going to do that. So… I am sorry for the delay.
For the individuals who have asked for a Ren X Kate bonus chapter I will be working on that over the weekend. Hopefully that gets posted without much difficulty.
I am still open for suggestions regarding Truth or Dares. If you have any suggestions please let me know.
Finally I had planned on sharing some of my thoughts on RWBY Canon. I binge watched episodes on Volume 4 through the present one and I almost regret doing so. I do not feel any of my previous criticisms have gone away. For those of your urging me to continue with canon… I have. And my opinion has not changed.
Beyond all that thank you again for your time. If you have any questions or concerns please ask, beyond that feel free to leave a review/comment/fav/follow/kudos/IM or Email feedback.
I will see you next time
-Sean.