Jaune sauntered down to the teachers meeting room. Why on a Saturday morning? He had so many unpleasant things to deal with already. He had gotten a message the day earlier that his to-be father-in-law had commanded that he call him the following morning. He walked into the room finding it completely empty, lights off and all. He looked at the clock on the wall and felt a wave of horror wash over his body… he was two hours early. Jaune gave a loud sigh and slumped into a chair. Recently he had been so stressed with everything, the wedding, Tutoring Casey, Training Pyrrha, and most of all wondering if the power transfer would work. He hadn't been sleeping well as a result and going to sleep at 4am and waking up at 5 for a meeting at 7 wasn't exactly helping. Thankfully at least the chairs in the room were incredibly comfortable. That was something odd he had noticed about the school… they had amazingly comfortable chairs, he had yet to sit on an uncomfortable one. But that aside he simply leaned back in the chair and shut his eyes.
He soon heard the click of a door opening and snapped awake years of hunting experience ingrained in his head. He looked to the door and saw Glynda walk in with a surprised look on her face.
"Doctor?" she says
"Oh, hello professor." he says scrambling to his feet trying not to look like a sleep deprived fool… even though he was.
"Good morning." she says walking to the table and setting a folder down "How long have you been here?" she asks, looking at him strangely. He looks at the clock.
"Um about 50 minutes, I mistakenly thought the meeting was at 5." he says sheepishly.
"I see." she said, sounding a little judgmental, but there was also pity in her eyes "Have you not been sleeping properly either?"
"What would give you that impression?" he says with a chuckle and a yawn.
"I'm sorry Jaune." she says quietly.
"For what Glynda?" he asks looking her in the eye
"For dragging you into all this maiden business." She says, "I never thought it would affect you like this."
"No. don't apologize. I'm glad you involved me. If you hadn't, I wouldn't have had the chance to change fate for Miss Nikos." he says with a serious look on his face.
"And I thank you for that… I hate to admit it, I've never had the resolve to truly question Ozpin before this… and I thought it was wrong from the start, but I couldn't see any other way. But then you came and did what I couldn't. Found a way to protect our students. No... the ones I see as my own children." she says looking ashamed "So I'm sorry, but I also thank you." Jaune smiles. Of all his colleagues he liked Glynda the best, she truly had a deep love for her students, something he wished to emulate.
"You are a good woman Glynda, and an even better teacher." he says with a smile.
"Thank you doctor."
For a moment they sit in silence before Jaune breaks the quiet.
"Would you like some tea?" he asks standing up going over to the small half kitchen they have in the room.
"Yes please. Rosemary if we have it."
"Of course." he says with a smile, quickly making two cups of the warm liquid. He takes a seat by her and passes her a cup.
"If I may ask, why are you here so early?" He asks, taking a sip after adding four sugars and a lot of milk (at this point it was more milk and sugar than actual tea)
"Force of habit." She says, also taking a sip (one sugar and just a dash of milk) "I used to have to do more organizing for these meetings, but as of late the headmaster has been better at preparing beforehand. I just come an hour early in case,"
"I see," Jaune says, sitting back in his chair a little more, with a sigh of relief the warm drink starts to enter his system and help keep him awake.
"It's always necessary to be here just in case Ozpin forgot something that we had to cover today."
"Is playing teacher that confusing for him." Jaune snips. Glynda looked mildly uncomfortable at that statement.
"Even if you can't tell right now, he cares much more for his students than we realize."
"Then he has a funny way of showing it."
"Please Jaune, you have to understand, he has seen more of his friends and students die than any of us could possibly see in our entire lifetime." Jaune sighed and rubbed his temples.
"I understand that Glynda, but I can't forgive the fact he would put an innocent girl in the path of a endless war."
"He is going to trai-"
"I know he wants me to train her, but that is part of my point. I could maybe understand if she was a full-fledged huntress and was able to decide without her school and headmaster's pressure. But she is not and he still planed to press her into it and that's wrong. He's taking advantage of her sense of duty, and honor, as well as the fact she is young and impressionable. I have spent enough time with her to know that, if someone she respected asked her to do something… she would do it without hesitation. And as far as I know she holds Ozpin with high esteem."
Glynda simply sits quietly for a second, the more she talks with Jaune, the more she begins to question Ozpin.
Glynda was around when Amber was at Beacon, she watched that girl grow up, she watched as Amber had attended classes, bonded with her team, she was even there when she had her powers explained by Ozpin, when he began to train her, and she was even one of the last people to see her when she left. To Glynda this girl was her child, her daughter who she had watched over, loved and supported… and had failed to protect. To think that that girl was gone forever… she couldn't help but feel pain like she had never had before. At least some of her other students had died at the hands of Grimm doing their job in a life and destiny they had chosen, but Amber was chosen by fate and isolated, she only went around helping people however she could and yet she was killed simply because someone had thought of her when they had died… it truly was unfair. She felt a few tears fall from her eyes; she didn't want to watch another one of her children suffer like her Amber had.
"Glynda?" Jaune asked, looking concerned, he knew this was a touchy subject, but he never wanted to hurt the older woman. "I'm sorry, I just-"
"No, it's fine," she said wiping her eyes, she then looked at him and smiled. "Thank you."
"For what?" he asks
"You have helped see my purpose again." she says
"I have?"
"Yes Jaune, you have. And I thank you for it. I shall do everything within my power to ensure you get the maiden power. I don't wish to watch more of my children suffer the way Amber has"
"Thank you Glynda. It means a lot; I wasn't sure if I was going to get the power since it seems both you and Ozpin were against it. But now with your support, I'm positive we can convince him." Jaune says a large smile crosses his face. For the next few minutes Jaune feels a renewed sense of purpose, and he feels better, even if today is going to be awful, then he would at least like to have a reason to feel awful. He wasn't even sure if that made sense at all, but he was feeling better, nonetheless. The two adults sit in silence for a little while before Jaune notices something on a shelf.
"Is that a chess board?" he asks, when he was young, he used to play chess with his grandfather and grew a great love for the game.
"Huh? Oh yes, it is." Glynda said, looking where he was.
"Um, if it isn't too much of an inconvenience could we have a match?" he asks
"Now?" she looks at the clock "the meeting is in about a half hour." she says
"So? I'm confident I could easily beat you in that time." he says, sounding awfully cocky.
"Really… I highly doubt that Doctor." she says with a smirk.
"I take that as a challenge to my chess game!"
Glynda chuckles and gets up retrieving the game.
"I suppose I should let you defend your honor then." she replies.
"I agree!"
For the next 20 minutes Jaune does absolutely amazing!... at losing terribly.
"I'm just saying you must have cheated somehow." he says bitterly
"I did no such thing, Doctor, you should be able to accept defeat like a man." she teases.
Jaune just pouts as staff members begin to enter to room
"I want a rematch." he mumbles
"Perhaps some other day." She replies with a smirk. With that they sit quietly and listen as the meeting begins, Jaune's day already going a little better.
"I think that covers all we had to go over today." Ozpin n says sipping his drink. Folding up his notes. "Anything to add Glynda?" he says looking at her. She shuffles her notes quickly.
"Yes, please be aware that students from the other kingdoms will start to be arriving within the next few days. If you happen to come upon any, please be sure to direct them to the school and help them find their housing. That is all, thank you." she says pushing up her glasses and closing her own folder.
"Good then, please have a pleasant rest of your weekend." Oz says standing up and walking out of the room. The staff members follow his lead and begin to file out of the room. Jaune really didn't interact with any of the other staff members regularly. He once and a while would help one of his colleagues, but that was about it. Honestly, he wasn't too terribly interested in expanding his friend group, Peter, Bart, and Glynda were enough for him to be happy (there was also the school doctor a fox Faunus that well… concerned him a little, also the way she looked at him like nothing more than a slab of meat didn't help his impression on her.). Besides he had other friends from his days at Shade too. He just never had time to see them anymore.
He walked down the halls looking at the time. It was about 9 now. Jacques told him to call him by 9:15 no later. He sighed and paused time walking to the communications tower he made there and unfroze time, having 15 minutes to figure out how to call the dust tycoon. He walked into the building and talked to an attendant, she told him to go to the communications floor. Once there he had to talk to another attendant, and that's when he found out Jacques had booked him a private room to call him in. he sighed as it was over the top and stupid like his future father-in-law. He walked in and found a SDC logo already waiting on the screen. He sat down and forced himself to smile before pressing the call button.
"Hello?" he heard as a white-haired man in a white suit looked at him.
"Yes, Hello Jacques! You wanted me to call you? How can I help." Jaune said, his fake smile still on his face.
"Oh, it's you." he said looking bored. "I thought I told you to call at 9:15?" he says sternly. Jaune twitches but forces the smile to continue.
"You specifically told me to call before 9:15 sir."
"Hmm, at least it seems you're not a failure when it comes to listening then." Jaune can almost feel the blood in his veins reach boiling point. "Anyways you are to come to Atlas today." he says nonchalantly as if it was like popping into the store down the road.
"What?" was all Jaune could say
"You are to come to Atlas today? Perhaps I was wrong. You are not good at listening after all. I've sent one of my personal ships to retrieve you, you should be grateful boy."
"Jacques, I can't just leave, I'm a teacher and I have responsibilities here I have to attend to." Jaune says, trying to reason with the man.
"That is none of my concern, I require you here for several reasons, first to discuss some finer details about the wedding, which I still can't believe is happening… Second, Willow wanted to see you for some reason, and finally I have a Job for you to complete. I have already had my people contact you headmaster explaining this. I believe he has just agreed to let you have leave till Monday."
Jaune sighs. He hates this man.
"Why couldn't you just hire another huntsman to do whatever you needed done. As for you and Willow, a conversation over the scroll should have been fine."
"Don't talk back to me boy. You should be glad you're marrying into this proud family and do everything in your power to prove your worthy to marry a member of it. And as for why you, I don't have to pay you anymore so that's why." Jacques says smugly.
"Just because I'm marrying your daughter doesn't mean I am free labor; you still have to pay me for my time." Jaune refuses to let this man use him.
Jacques scoffs.
"Your ride will be there in 2 hours and be ready by then. I hate being kept waiting."
"I-" before Jaune could finish Jacques had already hung up. Jaune slammed his fist into the table and got up to go prepare for his unexpected trip.
After collecting the things, he would need for his trip Jaune felt he had a duty to do a few more things before she left. He made his way down to the student dorms and lightly knocked on the door of team RWBY
"One minute!" he heard from within, and then with a loud shuffling some muffled yelping and arguing the door was flung excitedly open.
"Jane!?" She heard an excited squeak of the short reaper as her older sister came behind her with a glare, both were only shocked when they looked up, finding the face of their teacher chuckling.
"No sorry," he said with a humored smirk.
"Oh Doctor!" she said, "I'm sorry."
"Its fine Miss rose." he said with a wave of his hand "I'm sorry to surprise see you like this" he chuckled
"I know it's not quite noon, but I was excited." she said with a small blush. She looked like she was excited, he could see the various outfits strewn across the team's room, no doubt in an attempt to look her best. She wore a simple black T-shirt with a red rose insignia on the front, she also had on some blue jeans with a few rips in them for style and finally she wore red converse upon her feet and her red cape ever present on her shoulders, even her hair had looked like there was meticulous effort into where each strand was placed.
"It's fine," he said. "I remember on my first date with Winter I was very excited as well, but anyways I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment."
"Oh, um yeah sure." He smiles and Ruby exits the room and walks down to the end of the hallway with the small reaper girl, Yang watches like a hawk the entire time.
"So" she says shuffling nervously "how can I help you sir?"
"Nothing to major, I have to go to atlas for a while this weekend and I wanted to talk to you before I leave." he says with a calm smile
"What about?"
"My sister," he starts, "if I understand correctly this is your first date also, isn't it?"
"Um yes sir."
"Cool, I hope you can understand this but it's my duty as an older brother to look out for my sister."
"Yeah, I can understand that Yang is pretty much the same way with me."
"I'm glad you understand, I don't want to scare you off or anything, I just wanted to ask you something."
"What?"
"You're not leading my sister on, are you? This isn't just pity, is it. Because if it, I-"
"WHAT? No NO NO! I would never do that to Jane or myself! I wouldn't just say yes to be nice. I really like Jane, she is super nice, strong, cool, amazing. So many things I can't even begin to list. I said yes to go on a date with her because I wanted to not because I felt I had to." she said quickly with a small look of anger on her face, but then she looked up at her teacher and realized she basically just yelled at him "oh, I'm so sorry."
Jaune just smiled and patted her shoulder quickly.
"No, Miss Rose, I'm sorry for doubting you. It was wrong of me, and I apologize, it was just my instinct to do so. Please forgive me."
"I- uh yeah, I forgive you. I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled."
"No, it's alright, I'll let you get back to your team, I also have to talk to my sister's team."
Ruby turned to walk away and Jaune simply called after her
"Oh, and miss, Rose." he says calmly, getting her attention. She turned back to him, cocking her head slightly to the right like a confused puppy.
"Have fun." he says with a smile. She smiles and nods happily walking back into her room.
Jaune smiles and was happy to approve of Ruby, not that it mattered, it wasn't like he could stop Jane from dating her if she wanted to. He walked to Team PNJR's room and knocked softly on the door. It was Ren who answered the knock.
"Oh, Hello Doctor." He said looking at the older man.
"Hello Mister Ren, I was wondering if I could talk to your team leader for a second." he says with a light smile.
Ren nodded and called to Pyrrha who walked to the door still holding a few clothing items.
"Who's at our door?" she asks the black-haired boy who simply opens the door a little wider showing Pyrrha the Doctor.
"OH!" she squeaks blushing as she drops all the clothes she was holding. She quickly bends down to pick them up, Ren helping her. Meanwhile Nora and Jane were presumably in the bathroom, Nora was yelling something about Glitter and Jane was screaming for help. Jaune just smiled and shook his head. Pyrrha placed the cloths on the desk near her and addressed him
"Hello Doctor." she says with a smile.
"Good morning, Miss Nikos." he said with a steady smile.
"Is there something I can help you with, sir?" she asks
"Yes, I was wondering if I could have a quick word with you."
"Of course." she says, stepping out of the room and closing the door behind her. As she turned back to him, he noticed a glint of gold on her hip. It was the knife he gave her… he smiles and thought 'well done listening'
"I see you have taken to my teaching and always keep a weapon on yourself."
"Oh, um yes I have
"Anyways, how can I help you sir?" she says looking him in the eye again.
"There is nothing to help me with, I just simply wanted to alert you to something." he says with a small smile "I have to head to Atlas for some business and I just wanted to alert you I most likely won't be back till Monday."
"Oh, I see, then we won't be training together" she says looking rather sad.
"Unless you wish to train at almost 10pm" he said with a chuckle. She smiled sadly but said nothing, he noticed her fallen expression and patted her on the shoulder.
"Don't think of it as a lack of progress, but a simple break to rest and recharge the mind as well as the body."
"Yes of course sir, I hope you have a safe trip to Atlas." she says with a smile.
"Thank you miss Nikos, please wish my sister a fun time on her date." he says returning her smile, she nods, and he turns walking down the hall.
Once outside he sits on a bench beside an open landing pad waiting for his ride, he pops some motion sickness pills into his mouth and takes out his scroll looking at the local news.
"Hmm." he hums to himself Roman Torchwick has become a problem as of late huh? Perhaps when he gets back, he should investigate that himself. He would hate it if any of his students got involved in it. But for now, he just had to force a smile and mentally prepare himself for a weekend with his father-in-law. The private Schnee airship touched down and Jaune begrudgingly boarded it. At least he would probably get to see Winter.
While in his office Ozpin looks down and watches a Schnee airship take off no doubt with doctor Arc on it. he takes a sip from his mug and looks back to his monitor, looking over Pyrrha Nikos' credentials. She truly would be the perfect fit for the fall maiden.
he sighs and leans back in his chair. He just couldn't run the chance of losing the power with Jaune Arc and a decision had to be made. When the opportunity arose to send him away with no suspicion he jumped on it. he had to have him out of the picture for now. With him there he would ensure Miss Nikos would stay away from him.
Now would be the best opportunity to take glynda and go over some of his secrets with the girl. he just hoped he was not making a very powerful enemy by doing so. He wouldn't admit it but he feared Jaune Arc there was a reason he wanted someone like that on his side. As an ally he was one of Oz's greatest weapons... but as an enemy he would be much more a threat than any of the other members if Salem's inner circle. as long as he could use his attachment to Pyrrha he could control him and that was important. everything was falling into place for him. soon he would have two of the most powerful weapons in his hands and he could hold of Salem for another few years. even if he had to burn a bridge or two and exploit a teacher's and student's sense of duty he would. all for the greater good.
"Okay you have everything you need?" Pyrrha asks, still picking up clothes from this mornings outfit massacre. Jane already had an outfit picked out but after a long battle with Nora thus started the fashion show. (In the end it didn't even matter as Jane simply picked the outfit Jaune had picked for her.)
"Yes Pyr," Jane said with a smile and a roll of her eyes. "You really are our team mom, aren't you?" Pyrrha blushed
"I am not, I just value knowing my teammates are prepared for anything."
"Aww does this mean I can start calling Pyrrha mom?" Nora said with a laugh "Wait… does that mean since Ren is the only male, he is the team dad?"
"I would rather you not call me mom Nora." Pyrrha said, sweating a little, Ren just nodded and continued reading his book.
"Boo you're both no fun." Nora pouted.
"Anyways guys I'm heading out now." Jane says, smiling at her team's antics.
"Have fun, stay safe." Pyrrha said with a smile.
"WAIT!" Nora yelled, making Jane turn around. Nora threw a little container at Jane who caught it and looked it over.
"Chapstick?" she asked
"Is so your lips don't dry out from all your ki-" Nora started before Ren quickly jumped up and covered her mouth.
"Ignore her," he said, shaking his head. It took a moment but then Jane realized what Nora was trying to say. She blushed madly and threw the Chapstick as hard as she could at Nora
"I- I wouldn't- it's the first- NORA!" she yells truly embarrassed before quickly shutting the door behind her.
"Nora…" Pyrrha started in her best mom scolding voice.
After Jane calmed down a little, she walked to team RWBY's room and strained out her clothes tucking a few loose pieces of hair behind her ear. She took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door. It quickly swung open causing Jane to jump back with a small yelp. There stood Yang with a smile on her lips but a deathly glare in her eyes.
"Hey Jane!" a bubbly voice came from behind Yang. "Move Yang" she mumbles, pushing her sister out of the way "Hi Jane" she said with a little wave and a large smile.
"Hello Ruby." Jane says with a large smile of her own, "Y-you look great." she says blushing and rubbing the back of her neck.
"Oh, thanks, you look really good too." Ruby says blushing herself.
"Okay can you two stop?" Yang says, looking like she might throw up.
"Yang please you're being rude." Ruby scolds her older sister.
"Fine whatever. You better treat my sister perfectly." the blond threatens
"Don't worry Yang, I'll be on my best behavior, Arc's word." she says, crossing her heart.
"Yang, be nice. Even Dad wasn't this bad when you got asked out at signal." Ruby argues
"Yeah, but I didn't go on any dates!" Yang counters
"Aww is my big sister just jealous that little old me is going on her first date before she is?" Ruby says a cocky smirk on her face.
"What was that?" Yang growled her eyes flashing red for a moment.
"Stop it Yang you're going to light our room on fire if you use your semblance here." Weiss chastises from her desk.
"Honestly Yang, just go back to playing your game." Ruby encourages her older sister.
"Fine but have her back by 8" Yang says in a commanding voice.
"Ignore her, we could stay out till curfew if we want!" Ruby says excitedly. Jane smiles and holds out her hand to Ruby who simply gives a small blush and takes it.
"Ready?" Jane asks gently, squeezing her date's hand.
"Yep," Ruby says, squeezing back.
"Wait, we'll go with you to the landing pad!" Yang announces before they leave.
"What?" Ruby asks
"Me, Blake, and Weiss were planning on going down to Vale anyways."
"We were?" Weiss asks looking up from her assignment.
"Yes, we are." Yang says "Blake, didn't you want to go to the bookstore and get that new sexy ninja book?" Blake looked annoyed at her partner. "And Weiss, didn't you want to go down to the docks and spy on the students coming for the Vytal festival?"
"Hey, I wasn't going to spy. Just see what we have to prepare for." she says the last part being quieter.
"See! Come on Weiss-cream!"
"Fine,"
"Blake?"
"No"
"Come on, I swear I will hide all your porn if you don't come." Yang says
"... Fine."
"Team WBY on the move!" Yang announces. Ruby just faces palms and whispers an apology to Jane.
After an awkward walk to the landing pads and a miserable trip down to the city Jane and Ruby quickly separate from the rest of Ruby's team.
"Sorry about Yang, she means well." Ruby says shyly
"It's fine, she is just being protective. If any of my sisters were around, I'm sure they would do the same for me. I'm surprised Jaune didn't come after you too."
"Actually, he did." Ruby says shyly
"That son of a b-"
"Wait wait! He just wanted to make sure I wasn't leading you on!" Ruby said, waving her hands in the air.
"Huh?"
"He was way better than Yang, much nicer and he was really looking out for you"
"I see, but I still wanna kill him," Jane says making Ruby giggle a little
"Please don't, he's the second-best combat teacher I've ever had."
"Really? Who is the first?"
"Oh, that would be my uncle Qrow! He is totally awesome!"
"What makes him so cool?" Jane asked not out of malice but just genuine curiosity.
"Well, he taught me how to use my darling Crescent Rose." Ruby answers
"Really? He taught you how to use that? It's categorized as one of the most dangerous weapons in the world!"
"I know that's why it's so cool! Who taught you how to use Judicium and Salutis?"
"My dad mostly. When Jaune came back home for visits he also helped train me. I'm nowhere as good as Jaune, but I could almost beat my dad when we spare."
"What kind of weapon does your dad use?"
"His weapon is called Crocea Mors, it's an old war heirloom, just a simple sword with a sheath that turns into a shield. But still just as perfect as it was when it was first made. He wanted Jaune to use it when he first became a hunter, then Jaune made the I.C.B.S and wouldn't use it anymore. Since I'm the only other Hunter in the family Dad wanted me to use it too. But the sword was never really for me, Jaune helped me decide to build my spear and shield."
"That's so cool, I love the classics, but forging a new path and making our own weapons is really great too. Our weapons are not just our tools, but an extension of ourselves."
"That a really great way of explaining it. I wouldn't change my weapon for anything."
"You wanna go to the forge with me sometime? I'll show you how my Crescent Rose works, and you can show me Judicium"
"I would like that." Jane says with a smile "Hey look we're here!"
She couldn't help but smile in joy at the look on Ruby's face. It was the look of a child who entered the greatest Candy/toy/ Deadly munitions shop in the world.
"OH MY GOSH! It's the Vytal weapons show! I have wanted forever. But it was in a different Kingdom every year until now." She squeals happily wrapping her arms around Jane's neck. "I was going to come here alone since none of my team are into weapons as much as I am."
Jane blushes and is happy for the affection shown by her date. She couldn't be happier as Ruby quickly and excitedly dragged her around the show looking at new parts, she could use for Crescent rose. She simply nodded with a grin on her face as Ruby explained every little detail about every weapon she could see. They both enjoyed it and Ruby somehow managed to tour the entire grounds with Jane in only an hour. Even when they finished looking though all the fair, they spent another hour looking though it again. Jane liked every moment of it. But their moment was ruined when Ruby's scroll suddenly started ring.
"Ugh Yang why are you calling me." Ruby says sounding a little annoyed "Sorry I should take this."
"No, it's fine. You can take it then we'll get back to our date." Jane says with a smile.
"Yang please let this be important. I'm still on a date right now." Ruby said and after a pause her eyes got wide, and she yelled "What do you mean Blake ran off!!!"
A/N: okay guys… to be perfectly honest. I had this ready for a while but was just waiting for the 300 milestone on my followers for this. We're at 299 right now. But whatever sorry this was a total dick move on my part. Sorry I promise I won't do that again. But anyways next chapter Jaune goes to Atlas and the real story starts. I'm sorry I cut the date short, but I needed to cut it short for a reason. Don't worry now that we are hitting the real story everything from here will be intentional and a part of a bigger picture. Until next time darlins.