Chapter 17: Jason Stone
3 Months Earlier, Atlesian Tundra, 4th February 17 BBY, 18:45 pm…
All Jason could see in front of him was snow, snow and more snow.
Not to mention the ship's temperature readings were measuring temperatures like fifty degrees below freezing.
This was somewhere Jason never expected Nathan to go; since he knew Nathan very much preferred planets with warmer climates.
Maybe that was why Nathan had come to this world and not Tatooine or another warmer planet; it was the last place he'd expect anyone to look.
Jason reminded himself that scans of the planet showed there were regions on this planet with climates Nathan would like more, and that he was landing somewhere random on the planet to negate the chance that he'd run into Nathan immediately.
As the ship landed, Jason reached out with the Force, hoping to sense Nathan somewhere. Due to his more tuned senses within the Force, it wasn't long before Jason sensed Nathan.
He could sense Nathan was very, very far away from his location at the moment, though Jason had no idea where.
In a way, Jason was relieved, but on the other hand, he felt disappointed. He wanted to just get things out of the way so that he and Nathan could move forward with their lives.
But Jason knew it wasn't going to be that easy. He knew Nathan was not going to react well to his presence on the planet, and more than likely tell him to leave and never come back.
And Jason would understand. Because it was his fault their friendship was on the rocks in the first place.
He remembered the words he'd said to Nathan, the contempt he'd looked upon Nathan with in their final conversation. No; their final confrontation before their friendship became a casualty. He wished so desperately to take back what he'd said, then.
But he couldn't, and could only imagine what awaited him the moment he and Nathan eventually reunited.
Stepping out of the pilot's chair, Jason grabbed the coat he had brought with him in the event of cold weather, and donned it along with a balaclava which he then covered his nose and mouth with before donning his hood. Lowering the ramp, Jason made his way down, wondering what awaited him outside.
Outside…
The first thing Jason noticed about the area he had landed in was the cold. Even with his coat, the temperature was freezing, stabbing him like a thousand knives all at once.
The second thing Jason noticed was that he looked to be in an abandoned industrial area of sorts. There were rundown buildings all around him, surrounding what appeared to be a large cave.
Must have been a mine, Jason mused to himself as he headed to the cave.
It was long, roughly a ten-minute walk, but Jason didn't really mind as he looked around at the area.
Upon closer inspection of the buildings, Jason could see ice having frozen over the buildings. How long had this place been abandoned?
He soon found himself inside the cave, which was naturally difficult to see into, as it was dark.
Consequently, Jason took his lightsaber from his belt and ignited it.
The signature snap-hiss of the lightsaber echoed throughout the cavernous space as the area was bathed in a ghostly blue light.
Jason soon spotted the tracks used for mining carts leading out of the mine, but also a massive wall of rock within, which he soon figured was why the mine was abandoned in the first place.
"Damn place probably collapsed." Jason remarked as he looked around, finding a crate nearby. Walking over, Jason knelt by the crate, hovering his lightsaber over it to reveal a logo:
SDC.
Must be the company that owned this mine, Jason figured, standing up and lowering his lightsaber.
It was clear to him that the mine held nothing for him, save for the heavy feeling of death that filled this place. Jason had a feeling the cave in was quite the disaster, with numerous deaths and injuries.
Nodding, Jason decided to return to his ship, switching off his lightsaber.
In that moment, he heard a low whining noise emanating from outside the abandoned mine. Like… Like a ship landing!
Spinning on his heel, Jason sprinted out of the mine and towards his ship, finding another, much smaller ship he didn't recognise.
The closer he got, Jason soon saw that there was someone outside his ship. Walking around it, as if investigating it.
"HEY!" Jason shouted, seeing as the person spun around to meet him, reaching for their weapon.
Jason skidded to a halt suddenly as he beheld the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.
Jason didn't know how long he and the woman stared one another down, but Jason wasn't necessarily bothered.
The woman was roughly his age, in her mid-twenties, with pale white skin, and long white hair tied up in a bun, high on the left side of the back of her head while her bangs were shaped around the right side of her face, a small curled lock of hair reaching almost to her left shoulder, and almost hanging over a pair of intelligent light blue eyes.
She was wearing a white long-sleeved coat that reached down to her ankles with a single dark blue clasp around the centre waist holding it shut alongside a red jewelled brooch on the collar with the sleeves split open from shoulder to elbow. Additionally, she was wearing a white pleated sleeveless blouse with a dark blue waistcoat, alongside a pair of white trousers with dark blue garters alongside a pair of grey thigh boots with black detailing around the knees. Completing her look was a pair of black forearm length gloves with grey trimmed cuffs.
The two stared at one another for a few moments more until Jason finally shook his head to clear it of its dreamy haze, asking:
"Who are you, and what are you doing outside of my ship?"
The woman seemed taken aback, before saying: "My name is not what matters here. Our scanners picked your craft arriving, and I was sent to investigate."
"Well; if you wanted a tour, all you had to do was find me and ask." Jason responded. "I'd have given you a tour and everything. I'm not here to cause trouble, if that's what those who sent you were worried about."
"Words are one thing. You can say one thing but intend something completely different." The woman replied.
"Good point." Jason said. "So… let's head inside my ship, set our weapons aside and talk. It's cold out here, and I'm sure you're probably freezing in this weather wearing just that." Gesturing to the woman's attire. "Might as well be naked."
The woman seemed to consider this, before saying: "You enter first. I won't be taken by surprise."
Jason nodded and led the way inside his ship, leading the woman to the cockpit and removing his winter coat, setting it aside, along with his lightsaber.
Then, he sat in the pilot's seat, gesturing to one of the passenger seats nearby. "Take a seat, Miss…?"
The woman didn't respond, as she was staring at Jason's lightsaber with a look of realisation.
Jason looked between the woman and his lightsaber, asking: "Do you… recognise this?"
The woman hesitantly nodded. "My… younger sister. She has a classmate with a weapon just like that. The… the hilt is different, but there's no mistaking what it is."
Jason immediately guessed that this woman must have met Nathan in some capacity, asking: "This… classmate of your sister's… what do they look like?"
"I'll refrain from giving you that information as a means of protecting their identity." The woman said. "But know that I have met another who is…"
"A Jedi?" Jason asked.
Winter nodded. "Our… meeting was brief, if you can call it a meeting. It was… more of a confrontation, borne from a mistake I made. I… insulted the significant other of my sister's classmate, and he angrily rebuked me, using… quite coarse language. I apologised, and have not met him since."
Jason chuckled. "Sounds like Nathan to me."
The woman blinked. "Well; there goes any attempts at protecting his identity." She said. "So… you know Nathan Phoenix."
Jason sighed. "I do." Jason replied. "Or… rather I… did. He's an old friend of mine. When you met him; how was he?"
"He looked to be the picture of good health." The woman replied. "But… as I have told you; my interactions with him were very little. You'll have better luck getting answers from my commanding officer. But in order to facilitate that meeting… I will need to take you into custody." At that, she produced what appeared to be some form of hand restraint.
Jason shrugged. "Fair enough." He responded, standing up and holding out his hands.
The woman cocked her head to one side. "You're… taking this rather well."
"Madam, I've been looking for Nathan for the better part of a year." Jason answered. "Anything within reason that gets me closer to reuniting with him, I will do."
"Very well." The woman said as she walked over, applying the restraints. "And… it's Winter, by the way. Winter Schnee."
"Pleasure to meet you, Miss Schnee." Jason replied. "I'm Jason Stone."
Winter finished fastening the restraints and looked up, meeting Jason's gaze. "Pleasure to meet you too, Jason." She responded, a small smile crossing her face at Jason's politeness. "Follow me."
Jason nodded, and said: "Mind taking my lightsaber with you? Just in case your superiors need proof I'm actually who I say I am."
Winter nodded and took it, attaching it to her belt before leading Jason out of his ship and onto hers.
Looking around as he sat down, Jason remarked: "This your personal ship, or…"
"Yes, it's my personal craft." Winter replied. "It's… not what most of us use, but… due to my rank, I am allowed privileges many others are not."
"With all this talk of rank and commanding officers… I'm willing to wager a guess and say you're military." Jason reasoned. "Relatively high ranking, too. Impressive for someone our age."
"Indeed." Winter responded. "Granted, I have been with the military since I was sixteen. So… eight years."
"Crazy. Same amount of time I've been… or would have been a Jedi Knight." Jason commented.
Winter met his gaze. "Because of what happened to the Jedi, is that correct?" She asked.
"Yeah… because of Order 66." Jason said sadly. "How'd you know about that?"
"As a member of the general's inner circle, he briefed me on what happened to your people." Winter explained.
"The general? As in head of your military?" Jason asked.
Winter nodded.
"Wow. You must be pretty good if you're this young and senior already." Jason remarked.
"I guess the same can be said for you, despite recent events." Winter complimented. "Not that it was easy. I worked my way to where I am now. And… I'm proud of it."
"You should be." Jason said. "I was too when I was knighted. Working hard for what you want in life is something everyone should do."
"Agreed." Winter concurred, surprise evident in her tone as she and Jason continued to seemingly hit it off.
Jason sensed it too, adding: "But… since we're here… mind telling me more about where I am? All I've been doing is following my Force senses to get here to find Nathan."
"Then it's good that we have an hour or so's flight back to headquarters." Winter replied with a smile. "I can explain anything you need to know; within reason."
"Well; enlighten me." Jason said, leaning back in his seat.
Winter nodded, and so as they flew towards their destination, she told Jason everything he needed to know:
Per Winter, Jason learned that the world he was on was named Remnant; and the region he was in was named Solitas. They were currently headed to Winter's headquarters in a floating city in the clouds called Atlas, one of four 'Kingdoms' on Remnant where the majority of humans were settled, due to the protection they offered against the Creatures of Grimm; mindless beasts with a thirst for death and destruction. There were smaller settlements here and there, which mostly survived due to the efforts of warriors known as 'Huntsmen' or 'Huntresses', warriors trained within the kingdoms to battle the Grimm, bandits and other ne'er do wells on Remnant.
It was through Winter that Jason learned that Nathan was undergoing training to be a Huntsman, which made Jason smile. Of course Nathan would seek to become the closest thing to a Jedi he could on Remnant.
Before long, Winter said: "With explanations finished; Jason… welcome to Atlas."
Jason looked, and his jaw dropped in amazement.
Atlas truly was a city in the clouds. It glittered, it glimmered. It looked like a Kingdom, too.
"I never tire of that view." Winter remarked, smiling.
"Don't think I will, either." Jason responded, meeting Winter's gaze and finding himself unable to stop smiling either.
After a while, Winter said: "We had best head back to base. The general will want to meet you personally."
Atlas Academy, the general's office…
"Through here." Winter said as she stepped up to the door, beckoning Jason inside before walking past him, shutting the door.
They soon found themselves walking into a large, circular room with dark metallic blue walls and windows.
The floor beneath them was decorated to depict constellations and stars, and in the centre of the room was a large table, from which a hologram of the entire kingdom was displayed.
At the far end of the room was a large rectangular desk, behind which was a chair with its back to Jason and Winter.
"Stay here." Winter ordered Jason firmly as they reached the foot of the small flight of stairs leading up to the desk, before walking up to the desk and to the right of it, seemingly into view of the general.
"General." Winter said formally, saluting. "The person piloting the craft we detected entering the atmosphere is here with me. He… he's a Jedi, like Nathan Phoenix."
At that, the chair spun around on the spot, and Jason found himself face to face with the general of the Atlas Military.
The General was a large man, slightly taller than Jason by Jason's reasoning, with short, black hair streaked with grey around the man's temples, that hung over intelligent, tired blue eyes.
A small strip of metal could be seen over the General's right eyebrow, and stubble was visible covering the lower part of his face.
The General was wearing a white, double-breasted tailcoat with dark blue and black accents, most notable at the cuffs and shoulder pieces. The coat was belted at the waist, whilst underneath, the general had a black collared shirt and a red tie. He also wore two white gloves over his hands, and he wore white pants hanging over black boots.
Jason met the man's gaze, and found himself in a staredown with the General. He could sense the General was looking over Jason, taking in his height, his build, his reach. Things Jason would be looking for himself in the event of a fight.
After a few moments, the general stood up, walking around his desk and towards Jason, so that they were face to face.
Another few moments of silence persisted, at which the general turned to Winter. "If he's like Nathan; where's his lightsaber?" The General asked. His voice was deep, firm; conveying his authority as a military leader.
"I kept it on my person as a precautionary measure, sir." Winter replied, taking Jason's lightsaber from her belt and handing it to the General. "The hilt's a different design, but there's no mistaking it."
The general nodded appreciatively before taking the lightsaber in his hands, studying it before gripping it in one hand and thumbing the activation switch.
The snap-hiss occupying the lightsaber's activation filled the room, bathing the area in blue.
Once again, the general seemed to study the lightsaber before switching it off, eyes meeting Jason's. "What's your name?" He asked.
"Jason Stone, sir." Jason replied politely. "I'm… I'm a former friend of Nathan Phoenix."
At the mention of Nathan, the general's face soured.
"Um… your subordinate told me you were more familiar with him than she was." Jason said.
"I am." The general answered. "We've spoken a number of times. None of them were particularly friendly, but yes… I consider myself a better measure of Nathan than Specialist Schnee here. Regrettably." Meeting Jason's gaze, the taller man asked: "You said former friend of his. If that's the case; then why have you travelled to Remnant to seek him out? I assume that's why you're here on Remnant."
Jason sighed. "Because it's my fault our friendship ended." Jason replied sadly. "We… had an argument. One I was in the wrong for, but failed to realise at the time. The argument got violent, and we've not spoken since. I… I want to try and make things right between me and Nathan. If… if it's possible."
The general seemed to mull this information over, before stepping away from Jason and walking past him to the holo-table in the middle of the room.
"Since I'm not on the best terms with Nathan myself; simply setting up a face-to-face meeting with Nathan is next to impossible." The general declared. "Furthermore, it's winter vacation for him and his classmates. Which he is currently spending on the island of Menagerie with some of his friends." At this, the general pressed a button, and the hologram of a small island in the southern hemisphere of Remnant appeared. "I personally would not advise going there myself, since I imagine Nathan will not be pleased to have his vacation interrupted; even if for a reunion with a former friend of his. As such; the only time where a meeting can realistically take place is when Nathan is set to return to Beacon; in three months' time on April twentieth."
Jason frowned. "That's three months away." He said.
"It's better than nothing." The general countered. "In the meantime, you can acclimate yourself to life on Remnant. Learn our history; our laws, our customs. The library here at Atlas Academy is quite enormous." Placing his arms behind his back, the general added: "You can also make use of our training facilities to keep your skills sharp, and update your appearance slightly."
Nodding, Jason said: "Not a bad idea. Will Miss Schnee be involved in any of this?"
"She can be." The general said. "She's a familiar face to you, and given the fact you agreed to come here on her terms, you trust her already. I was planning on granting her some time off, anyway. If anyone on my staff has earned it, it's her."
"Thank you general." Jason said. "I accept. If this was an offer."
The general chuckled. "We'll call it that, for a lack of a better term." Holding out his hand, the general said: "Allow me to formally introduce myself. I'm James. James Ironwood."
"Pleasure, sir." Jason said, shaking Ironwood's hand. "I'll try not to bother you or Winter with questions too often."
"No need to worry, Jason." Winter said gently. "I have plenty of time."
"Good." Ironwood said. "Winter; please give Jason a tour of the Academy whilst I have his quarters prepared."
"Will do, sir." Winter said as she once again walked past Jason, leading him out of Ironwood's office.
Two hours later, Jason's quarters, 21:15 pm…
"And here will be where you sleep." Winter declared as she led Jason into his living quarters.
Jason looked around and nodded, liking what he saw.
It was moderately sized and uniform, with white, bare walls. To his left was a door leading to a different room, and to his right was a small desk with several drawers and a computer screen.
At the far left corner of the room was a small, single person bed with a nightstand next to it, and further to the far right corner was a small kitchen, complete with oven, hob, toaster, and a few other amenities.
Jason walked over to the bed and found some clothes folded on the bed. Picking them up, Jason saw it was a white shirt with a grey emblem of the Academy in the centre as well as black, white, and grey sweatpants.
"Sleepwear for those within the academy." Winter said as she joined Jason. "And to Huntsmen and Huntresses in the academy as well. I still have my pair from my days spent as a student."
Jason shrugged. "Hope they're my size." He said. "Well; better give them a try."
At that, Jason began stripping off, removing his clothes until all that covered his body were his boxers. Then, he donned the pyjamas, finding they fit… just.
"Guess they fit." Jason remarked, looking to Winter to find her looking away. "Winter?"
"Oh; sorry." Winter said, meeting Jason's gaze. "They suit you." She added.
Jason saw a faint hint of redness on Winter's cheeks, suspecting she had been blushing. But ignored it as he sat down on the bed. "First time sleeping on something actually comfortable in months." He mused. Looking up at Winter, Jason added: "So… see you tomorrow, then?"
Winter nodded. "I shall see you tomorrow, Jason." She replied with a smile before turning and walking out of the room.
Jason took a deep breath as his eyes lingered on the door Winter had just walked though, smiling.
Somehow, Winter had momentarily made him forget all about Nathan for an hour or so, when beforehand, all Jason had thought about was Nathan, and how their meeting would go.
Maybe Jason needed that. A way of making himself forget about Nathan for certain periods of time; to stop himself from constantly obsessing over it.
Whatever the case, Jason couldn't wait to see Winter the next morning.
Two weeks later, 10 weeks before Beacon, Library, 23rd February 17 BBY, 13:45 pm…
Jason hated reading.
It was something he'd never quite understood Nathan's enjoyment of. Who would enjoy sitting down and not doing something but read books? He recalled Nathan once saying how a mind needed books like blasters needed ammunition, which was why he was apparently smarter than Jason was.
Jason had to admit, Nathan was right about that. It was Nathan that had been the calmer, more rational person in That Argument. Until Jason started insulting him. Which was when the fists started flying between them.
Jason sighed as his mind was cast back to that day. How could he have been so stupid? Moreover, how could he have been such an asshole to Nathan; who had once looked up to him like a little brother? Jason only hoped Nathan would be rational enough now as he was during That Argument.
"Something tells me you're not overly fond of books."
Jason immediately looked up to see Winter stood a few feet away. As had been the case over the past two weeks he'd been on Remnant, Jason felt a strange thrill deep down, as his heartbeat did a little skip-beat-tap-dance upon seeing Winter. "Uh… yeah. I never could get why Nathan read so much. He once told me it was ammunition for his mind, like a weapon."
"Some say the mind is the most powerful of any weapon in existence." Winter said. "Perhaps Nathan was onto something."
Jason shrugged. "Nathan always was the smarter of us. Though he left battle tactics and strategy to me, since that was one area I was better than him in."
"That chess game we enjoyed yesterday evening proved that." Winter responded.
Jason smiled. Over the past couple of weeks, he and Winter had become quite good friends. As such, they often spent their evenings just before Winter left for home together, mainly just sitting and talking.
Winter sat next to Jason at the table and said: "Maybe reading books will help you repair things with Nathan. As a way of showing him you're trying."
Jason sighed. During one of their evening conversations, Jason had told Winter about That Argument. She had listened sympathetically, and had offered Jason advice on the matter, referencing some of her own arguments with her younger sister Weiss, who Jason knew was one of Nathan's classmates and friends at Beacon Academy.
"Maybe." He replied. "I'll… give it a try."
"All I can ask, Jason." Winter said gently, patting him on the shoulder. "I was thinking of getting coffee in a few minutes. Would you care to join me?"
"Sure thing, Winter." Jason responded, getting up and returning the book he was attempting to read to its shelf. Then, joining Winter, they headed off to find someplace to get coffee. He didn't necessarily enjoy the hot beverage, but he tolerated it. As long as he got to spend more time with Winter, he'd tolerate anything thrown his way.
Unless it was diet soda. Fuck diet soda. That could crawl into the darkest holes of hell and die.
8 Weeks till Beacon, Jason's room, 7th March 17 BBY, 16:30 pm…
A knock on the door drew Jason's attention as he finished hauling his laundry into the dryer.
Walking over to the door, Jason opened it and was happy to see Winter stood there, until he saw the state she was in.
Her eyes were red and puffy, as if she'd been crying. All she was wearing was her blouse, trousers and boots.
"Is everything okay? What happened?" Jason asked, ushering Winter into his room, quickly sitting her down and rushing to make her some coffee.
"My… my father happened." Winter said.
Jason frowned. He was aware Winter was not on the best terms with her father, but he hadn't pried beyond brief mentioning, despite Winter making it clear he could ask if he wanted to.
Finishing Winter's coffee, he took it to Winter, who accepted it with a smile.
"So… All this because of your father?" Jason asked.
Winter nodded. "He… came to see me about twenty minutes ago, as I was about to come here for our evening talk as normal. We traded pleasantries, until my father got to the point. He's… discovered Weiss is romantically involved with her team leader, Ruby Rose, and since he had been hoping to marry her off, he was furious. To the point he told me he'd written to her threatening to disown her if she refused to end it. He asked me if that happened if I would consider leaving the military and resuming my prior position as the heir to the company."
Jason nodded. He had learned that Winter had formerly been heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, the largest producer of energy on Remnant, but had forsaken that title when she joined the military. "And… you refused." He reasoned.
Winter nodded. "As was expected, he flew into a rage, telling me I should show more loyalty to my family and do my duty as his daughter to obey his wishes. I continued to resist until he got violent; giving me this." Gesturing to a bruise on her cheek. "At which he was removed by security. I came here immediately." Choking back a sob, Winter added: "I just need someone to vent to."
"Your father sounds like an asshole; pardon the language." Jason remarked.
Winter chuckled bitterly. "Asshole is a gross understatement with reference to my father, Jason." She said, before sighing. "My father doesn't value family; nor does he value love or affection; anything of that nature. All he values is prestige, power, money… control… reputation. He was controlling, overbearing, and he expected us to do as he ordered, whatever it was. Upon discovering Weiss' talent for singing, he forced her to perform for nearly six months until he was ordered not to by a doctor who warned him she may lose her voice permanently if he persisted."
"Yikes." Jason murmured.
"My father is a cold, calculating man who only cares for himself and the image he has cultivated for himself. Not to mention his vindictive nature. When I disobeyed his wishes and joined the military instead of agreeing to marry the son of a business partner, he disinherited me from the Schnee Dust Company. And… now Weiss faces similar consequences if she chooses Ruby instead of obeying him." Winter sighed sadly.
"Well; threaten him with consequences in response." Jason said. "Say you'll write to a news outlet and threaten to expose his abuse. You say he values his image more than you, and outing him as an abusive father will destroy that image."
Winter eyed Jason. "That… actually might work. Thank you, Jason."
"Winter; you're helping me try and reunite with a former friend so that I can try and earn his forgiveness." Jason said softly. "And… the past four weeks have seen you become a very good friend. It's about time I started paying it forward and helping you, instead."
Winter smiled, before setting her coffee aside and hugging Jason warmly.
Jason was surprised, but soon reciprocated the gesture. At which point his heartrate went through the roof and he felt a strange warm, fuzzy feeling start coursing through him. He couldn't explain it.
Breaking the hug, Winter said: "Thank you for… letting me vent, Jason. You've become one of my best friends here, and… I'm grateful to have you around." Standing up, she finished her coffee before turning to leave.
Something told Jason to walk her to the door, and so he did, saying: "See you tomorrow, Winter."
Winter smiled back at him, replying: "See you tomorrow, Jason."
She soon left, and Jason shut the door behind her, sighing as he felt an unfamiliar aching sensation in his chest, like a piece of it was suddenly missing, and he no longer could find it.
Jason frowned at these feelings he was getting, and walked to his desk, sitting down.
First it was that strange thrill he felt whenever Winter was with him in the first two weeks he'd known her, despite meeting and befriending several other people around, such as Clover Ebi, leader of the Ace Ops, a special forces team. Now, his heartrate was skyrocketing, he felt warm and complete when Winter was around, and his heart ached now she wasn't. What was happening to him?
A thought suddenly came to mind, and he started wondering:
Am I falling for Winter?
6 weeks until Beacon, Training Area, 21st March 17 BBY, 15:45 pm…
Jason ducked a right hook from Clover and quickly struck him in the body with two respective jabs to the abdomen, rewarding Jason with the noise of Clover grunting as he backed away, rubbing his abdomen. "Good luck that wasn't your balls." Jason joked as he closed with Clover.
Clover Ebi was a tall, handsome man a few years older than Jason, though slightly smaller than him, with short brown hair and teal-green eyes. He was wearing a sleeveless Specialist uniform that consisted of a white sleeveless double-breasted coat with red and blue accents with ornate detailing shaped to the form of wishbones, broad tail with red lining and a four-leaf clover pin on the lapel. His belt had a rabbit's foot keychain hanging off it. Clover was also wearing white pants and covered his hands with brown fingerless gloves. Completing his look were blue calf high boots with four dark blue straps and silver steel toe plating.
"Ha-ha, Jason." Clover said as they sparred, dodging one of Jason's jabs and caught him in the face with a left hook, following up with a jab to Jason's torso and quickly trying for a straight right.
Covering his face, Jason blocked the blow, catching Clover with a right and left hook, finally connecting with a right uppercut that nearly knocked Clover off of his feet. Moving to close in, Jason was stopped when the bell rung, indicating the end of the round.
Loud clapping was heard from nearby as four other people emerged:
One was an attractive young woman with dark skin, platinum blonde hair and pink eyes, another was a tall, heavily built woman with tan brown skin, brown hair and eyes. The final two were a tall man with deathly pale skin, shaven grey hair and light blue eyes, and a much younger man with dark skin, greenish black hair and blue eyes, with a dark grey canine tail behind him, indicating his faunus heritage.
"Nice hits, Jason." The smaller of the women said. "You nearly had Clover. Too bad you couldn't finish him before the bell."
"Lucky me." Clover joked.
"Eh, it's sparring, Harriet. He's lucky I wasn't actively trying to knock him out." Jason chuckled. "If he went against Nathan… good luck."
"When are we going to spar, Jason?" The taller of the women asked. "We need to see if all this beef on you is just for show!" Gesturing to Jason's strong, muscular build.
Jason smirked. "The day we meet in a sparring match is the day I want a facelift, Elm." Earning a barking laugh from Elm.
"Perhaps if you didn't hold back, Clover would be knocked out." The pale man said.
"Vine; Clover's needed to keep you guys together." Jason said. "Me knocking him out leaves you guys looking like headless chickens. Much like Marrow over there."
"Hey!" the faunus protested as the rest of his teammates chuckled.
"Anyway, we'll carry on tomorrow, Jason." Clover said. "Maybe then you'll get lucky."
Jason scoffed and headed off to the showers, heading to the men's and stripping off completely, heading inside to clean himself up, doing so within five minutes before heading to collect his gear, accidentally bumping into someone on the way out themselves. "Sorry, I-" Jason's voice caught in his throat when he realised it was Winter.
Her hair was down, her long snowy locks reaching the small of her back. But what really drove Jason to force himself not to blush was the fact Winter was only wearing a towel which was tightly hugging her figure.
FACE, Focus on her face! Jason's mind was screaming at him as he fought the urge to look down at Winter's chest area, where the towel exposed the most teasing hint of cleavage.
Both stared at each other for a few moments, hoping neither could see the other was blushing.
"Uh… hi." Jason said.
"Hey." Winter said, seemingly forcing herself to meet Jason's gaze. "Been… training?"
"Yeah. You too?" Jason asked.
"Yeah." Winter said, looking around for any way she could escape this insanely awkward interaction, eventually saying: "Well; if… if you'll excuse me; I… have things to see to."
"Yeah; me too." Jason said as they both split off to get dressed.
Jason fought to steady his hammering heartbeat, but in the process, failed to resist images coming to mind of Winter and that towel:
Winter sitting down and leaning back, opening the towel to reveal her naked body underneath…
Winter lying on the towel with her back to Jason, her eyes inviting him to join her…
Winter on top of Jason, grinding on top of him with the towel discarded nearby and her mouth agape as if in pleasure while his hands caressed her naked body…
Jason finally forced the thoughts from mind, though they lingered in the back of it menacingly. Looking down, Jason groaned as he saw a familiar bulge in his pants. Just great.
Quickly changing into his normal attire, Jason took his leave, unaware of Winter a few feet behind him, watching him leave with a wistful look on her face.
In the fifteen minutes it took Jason to get to his quarters, he continued to ponder the nature of these feelings he was experiencing when Winter was around, and what it meant for his status as a Jedi.
It'd been two weeks since his comforting Winter in his quarters and fresh, new feelings awakening, and in that time, he'd realised something that startled him and filled him with joy simultaneously:
He, Jason Stone, had fallen deeply in love with Winter Schnee.
The reason it startled him was because he had prided himself as a Jedi that followed the Jedi Code; he did his best to adhere to its tenets, though not to a tee, as part of him did follow his master's opinion that the Jedi Code was more a set of guidelines than rules, something Nathan took to heart far more than Jason ever could see himself daring to do when he was Nathan's age.
As such, Jason had often joined his once master in finding a woman to share his bed on certain nights. These had mostly occurred after missions, when Jason needed to relieve some stress, though he was careful to not get any of them pregnant.
The reason his realisation he was in love with Winter filled Jason with joy was because now Jason saw a way to actually commit to a woman; something a small part of him had longed to do for years, but never did due to the Jedi forbidding romantic attachments. But with the Jedi gone, Jason now had a chance to finally win the heart of a woman he genuinely cared for, and live his life with that woman if she so chose.
But now Jason had another question on his mind:
How could he confess his feelings to Winter?
1 month till Beacon, Winter's office, 29th March 17 BBY, 12:30 pm…
Today was the day.
Today was the day Jason would knock on Winter's office door and ask her if she wanted to go on a date with him that very evening. If she said yes, he was one step closer to finding out whether she felt the same way about him as he did about her. If not, he could always find out when she was next available.
So, after about three and a half hours gathering his courage and forcing his nerves to stay as if he were using Marrow's semblance on them, Jason was stood a few feet away from Winter's office door, about to knock.
Forcing down another outbreak of nerves, Jason stepped forward and knocked on the door firmly, making sure to use his signature knock as a means of letting Winter know it was him.
"Coming!" Winter called out. Moments later, the door opened, and Jason saw Winter's beautiful face. "Afternoon, Jason. What brings you to my office? It's nearly lunchtime."
"Hey, Winter." Jason said. "I… I was wondering if you'd… if you'd be willing to join me for… for dinner tonight?" He finally said, mentally kicking himself for allowing his nerves to get the better of him.
He was surprised to see a happy smile cross Winter's face as she replied:
"Dinner sounds wonderful, Jason. What time were you thinking?"
"When's the earliest you can be ready for?" Jason asked, shocked he was succeeding.
"Seven." Winter replied. "There's a restaurant near my apartment I frequent whenever I feel like treating myself. If we book a table for seven thirty, can meet at mine and travel there."
"Great!" Jason said happily. "So… see you at seven."
"Indeed." Winter responded. "See you at seven, Jason." Then, before Jason could react, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek and re-entered her office.
Jason stood there in stunned silence, his brain feeling like it was melting through his whole body.
Had… had Winter just kissed him?
When it finally hit him that she had, Jason had to resist the urge to jump up in the air and cheer himself for his luck. That could come later.
Taking a deep breath, Jason spun on his heel and headed for his quarters to get ready. Thankfully, his best clothes were freshly dried. Those would do nicely for tonight. He did want to look his best for Winter.
As he approached his quarters, Jason couldn't help but feel giddy with excitement. Everything was coming together for him.
Later that evening, Winter's apartment, 19:00 pm…
Jason checked his attire one last time to make sure it was satisfactory before walking over and knocking on Winter's door.
Winter lived in a high rise, high-end luxury penthouse on the top floor of an apartment building in Atlas.
Jason supposed that was Winter's rich-girl upbringing clinging to her. Some things never changed.
The door soon opened, and Jason was left hoping he looked okay, because Winter looked stunning.
She was wearing a beautiful sparkling pale blue qipao style dress that reached her knees, with sky blue trim and a large horizontal diamond shaped cut-out over her chest, revealing a teasing hint of cleavage.
Her hair was now in a loose ponytail as opposed to the bun it had been mere hours before, and her eyes sparkled.
"Hello, Jason. Are you ready for tonight?" Winter asked, snapping Jason out of his awestruck stupor.
Shaking his head, Jason nodded. "Yeah, definitely." He replied quickly. Pausing, he added: "You look amazing, tonight."
"Thank you." Winter said softly, smiling at Jason. "I felt as if I should dress up a little more than usual for tonight."
"Well; I'm not complaining." Jason said as he stepped back to allow Winter to exit and lock her apartment door.
With that, they headed to the elevator that would take them down to the ground. Stepping inside, they were soon headed down.
They found themselves the only people in the elevator the whole ride down, prompting Jason to ask:
"Are you the only resident of the apartment complex?" Jason asked.
"No, no; just most of the other residents are young, small families." Winter said. "Most have already eaten and are winding down for the evening. It's the mornings which are busier, especially Monday through Friday."
"Of course." Jason commented. "Kids have school; parents have jobs." Pausing, he asked: "So… why a complex with so many families?"
Winter smiled. "Mostly because it's heartwarming to see parents with their children. To see what an actual family is like." Winter replied. "I'm happy knowing there are those out there that won't ever know what I've had to deal with in my childhood."
Jason sensed that was only part of the truth, but made no further inquiry. He'd gotten this far. It'd be stupid for him to ruin it with a stupid unnecessary question.
Ramsay's Cuisine, 19:30 pm…
"Evening, welcome to Ramsay's Cuisine." The hostess said politely as she met them at the door. "How may I help you?"
"We… have a reservation for a table for two for about this time." Jason said. "Under the surname Stone."
The hostess nodded, looking at a list and saying: "Very well; follow me."
With that, Jason and Winter followed the hostess to their table, which was in a private, tucked away booth within the restaurant.
"Here you go." The hostess said cheerfully. "A waiter will be with you shortly to take your orders. Enjoy!" She then turned and left, leaving Winter and Jason alone.
"Did you purposefully select this table, Jason?" Winter asked as they sat down.
"Figured you'd not want any prying eyes." Jason replied. "Especially if there's anyone who can tell your father you're enjoying dinner with a mysterious, handsome young man such as myself."
Winter chuckled. "You do realise word will reach my father of this regardless of our efforts?" She asked.
"Let them. Let him seethe, knowing his daughter's enjoying life free of his overbearing b.s." Jason responded. "And if he does try something; hell; you know I promised to kick his ass."
Winter nodded. "I remember you saying so very well. It was shortly after I told you of him, when we were having coffee together whilst shopping for some casual clothes for you." Chuckling, Winter added: "I also recall how loudly you made the vow, causing everyone within earshot to look our way."
"Still mean it." Jason declared.
"I know." Winter replied gently. "I… also took your advice as to threatening to expose his abuse if he disinherited Weiss over her dating Ruby Rose."
"You did?" Jason asked.
"Indeed." Winter responded. "He responded furiously, but knew I would follow through if pushed, so Weiss' position as SDC Heiress is secured. For now, at least. Knowing my father, he will try and seek some form of retribution for me thwarting his plans."
"He already disinherited you." Jason pointed out. "What more could he do? Unless he wants Ironwood breathing down his neck."
"My father will seek any means he can use to win, Jason." Winter explained.
"Well; he's not met me." Jason responded.
Winter grinned just as a waiter joined them, saying:
"Hello, can I get you any drinks?"
"Hi there, can this lovely young lady get some diet soda?" Jason asked, noticing Winter smiling deeply as he spoke. "Coke, if you have it."
"Certainly sir, and what for you?" The waiter asked.
"I'll go for the orange soda." Jason responded.
"And what food would you like today?" The waiter then asked.
"We'll have the sharing platter of garlic bread to start, and for a main, I'll go for the roast chicken." Winter answered.
"For me; I'll go for the sirloin steak with fries." Jason declared.
"How would you like your steak?" The waiter inquired.
"Medium-well done." Jason answered. "And I'd like peppercorn sauce to go with the steak."
"Very good, sir." The waiter said, taking the menus from them both and leaving them be.
Jason's eyes soon met Winter's. By the Force and whatever gods existed on Remnant, she was beautiful!
Winter smiled and said: "I can't be that interesting to look at, can I?"
You are though, Jason thought to himself. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. He then lowered his gaze, only to look up as Winter giggled.
"I was joking, Jason. I'm flattered you enjoy looking at me that way." Winter said softly.
"Would it be inappropriate to say I enjoy looking at you no matter what's going on?" Jason asked, well aware he may as well be full on confessing his feelings for Winter in that moment.
Winter's smile widened, and Jason sensed she had gotten the message. "I hope that doesn't stretch to when I'm bathing, Jason." She responded.
Jason's eyes widened, and he felt his cheeks start burning.
Winter once more giggled. "Though in future, that is something I will come to not mind."
Jason had to blink to make sure he wasn't dreaming. Was… Was Winter subtly telling him she felt the same way?
Reaching across the table, Jason gingerly took Winter's hand in his own, running his hand across the smooth skin, staring into Winter's eyes.
Winter made no effort to resist, merely leaned forward and supported her head with her chin, meeting Jason's gaze with her own.
Their eyes spoke the words their mouths would not, over and over and over again until the waiter arrived with their drinks, drawing their attention from each other.
For now.
Later that evening…
"Can I ask you something, Jason?" Winter asked suddenly as they walked.
They had been walking for some time, not really caring where they walked, mainly focused on one another. They were within the largest park in Atlas, with the moon shining down upon them from the clear winter sky.
"Sure thing, Winter." Jason said as they stopped, looking at each other.
Winter sighed. "I… I think we can both agree that when you and Nathan meet again next month, the reunion will be far from civil. Nathan will be hostile, and he will not be happy to see you. So… I guess I am trying to ask you what you'll do in the event he rejects you?"
Jason nodded as he stepped away from Winter, looking up at the shattered moon above them. It'd long fascinated him as to what had caused the moon to shatter like that. He also took solace in its imperfection, knowing that while he wasn't perfect, there were other ways in which he could strive to be. Like when he reunited with Nathan.
"I'm… not entirely sure what I'll do in the moment." Jason answered Winter. "But in the long term; I do know one thing: I do plan on staying here on Remnant, and I definitely plan on making a home here in Atlas."
"Why Atlas?" Winter inquired, despite partially knowing the answer.
"Well; it's the part of Remnant I'm most familiar with at the moment." Jason answered. "And… most of my friends are here, too: Namely the Ace Ops and some of the students here to a lesser extent. So at least I won't be completely alone in the friend department."
Winter noted how Jason had omitted her from his friends, but ignored it and smiled. "Any other reasons I should know about?" She asked.
"There is one." Jason replied with a small smile of his own, meeting Winter's gaze. "And she's stood right here with me."
Winter felt the icy wall she had built around her heart shatter in that moment; knowing that she had finally found the person it was meant for.
Jason continued: "I struggled to tell you for a while. The Jedi forbade romantic attachments, and… as someone who followed the Jedi Code, it was hard for me to get rid of that mental programming. But… I no longer care about it. It's in the past, now. And why should I live in the past when you're here waiting for me to catch up with you?"
Winter felt a strong urge to just kiss Jason, but resisted, saying: "Then… what are you waiting for?"
Jason took her in his arms, saying: "What do you think I'm waiting for?"
That did it. Wrapping her arms around Jason's neck, Winter finally let the invisible force trying to pull her and Jason together do so, until finally, their lips met.
Jason didn't know how long the kiss between him and Winter lasted, but he didn't care.
All he cared about was that he had finally confessed his feelings for Winter to her, and that they were sharing their first kiss in a very romantic setting as the moon shined down on them as if in approval of their relationship.
Despite wishing it could last forever, Jason and Winter eventually broke the kiss, looking into each other's eyes.
"Even if Nathan rejects me… even if things don't turn out the way I'd like them to in a month's time… I'll be okay as long as you're here with me." Jason said gently. "Because at least I have you to come back to."
"The same can be said for me." Winter said. "I could be dishonourably discharged from the Atlas military, disowned from my family and left with no prospects or connections to take advantage of. But knowing I'll have you to run to makes those scenarios much easier to face."
Smiling, the two shared another kiss.
Jason had a feeling that his life was finally properly looking up now. And he couldn't be happier.
And that is Jason's story leading up to his dramatic reveal last chapter.
I hope one of the things I conveyed well was the growing romance between Jason and Winter leading up to them getting together this chapter. It's hard using a single chapter to build up a romance, but I hope I did a good job.
Also; as I write this; I'm currently imagining a prequel with Jason as the main character. Wonder if any of you'd be interested in that? Let me know.
But enough rambling: Let's answer some reviews!
april-551: Winter and Nathan's relationship will see some major improvement in the future. As for your questions:
1- Assume most of the gang already know that; given they know a lot about Nathan's past already. Including the story of That Argument with Jason.
2- Jason won't be completely subordinate to Ironwood; but he will defer to Ironwood out of respect.
3- I think I know the track you mean. Though 'Shoot to Thrill' and 'Back in Black' are my favourite AC/DC tracks.
4- As Grimm do not have hyperspace capabilities; no. Interdictors would not be an effective weapon.
5- I was actually talking with a friend about this on Tuesday, as a matter of fact. He said that the Force is so mysterious; no-one can possibly understand it, whilst the magic of Remnant is equally so. Therefore, i reckon they would both cancel each other out.
6- Walkers would be cannon fodder to Maidens, whilst maidens would be cannon fodder for warships. Like Qui Gon Jinn said: "There's always a bigger fish."
7- As of right now; I have no plans for there to be a prominent Imperial Officer of Thrawn's calibre. Nor do I plan to introduce such a character.
keybladelight: Very likely. But Jason's got to convince Nathan to let him, first.
M.H. Pintner: Glad I surprised you with Jason's presence. Him and Nathan will not have a good relationship to start off with, for sure.
With all that said; thank you all so much for reading. If you enjoyed the chapter, you all know what to do.
I shall see you next week; with chapters 18 and 19; which will see Nathan and Jason's reunion and some of the immediate consequences.
T-Rock14