Hey y'all, good to see you've made it to the next chapter. I want to continue chugging along with this somewhat weekly update of the story, but I am sorry to say that might not be the case. I have some Army training to get to till the 21st, and while I will be bringing my laptop. The application of the training will be going through the next few months, where my summer break becomes work for moolah. So, I will do my best to keep writer's block from creeping in and still updating. Just be prepared for some longer lengths between updates. Apologies, I wasn't expecting it to cause any problems but you never know.

Anyway, please enjoy a somewhat simple and dialogue filled chapter. Just something to keep the two talking and getting through their understanding of each other. There's no big budget action to cause that suspension bridge effect, so we'll have to go with the good 'ol character progression. Please enjoy!

CHAPTER 5 - Travel

"I've never understood using airships compared to airplanes."

"What?" Jaune snapped out of his vomit-fueled stupor from the absurdity of the statement from Cinder. In fact, it had all but cured his motion sickness for the time being. He had forgotten his pills to fix the problem in the rush to get Cinder out the door without any other students noticing. His father would likely give another mini-lecture on how it would translate into his experiences in the field, train as you fight he liked to say. The lack of training as translated to a lack of fighting in their household, but Jaune go the gist of what he had been trying to get across.

Ruby and Blake hadn't helped with their goodbyes in the middle of the hallway, and Jaune had tried to ignore the looks they gave him. It would be a good month or so of time in Ansel, and Jaune had a feeling the environment would be exactly what Cinder needed. The interactions with the parental units were the first hurdle, and he was banking on minimal sister interaction in their time there. But seven sisters didn't leave much time alone in such a household, and he was sure at least a few would be there. The youngest for certain.

Cinder and Jaune hadn't even discussed his embarrassing faceplant into her chest. She had instead grinned and shook her head whenever he stuttered to begin the discussion. Anytime they were in any vicinity toward each other, she was within a couple feet of him. It didn't help his teenage self, and certainly didn't help the feelings he was trying to sort out. Jaune really did believe that Cinder could change, the most out of anyone likely, but he was worried to let personal things affect her progress.

The last couple nights between leaving and traveling to his hometown had given him way too much time to think. Think himself to paranoia he did. What if his feelings turned into something more intimate? Would Cinder react similarly? What if their dynamic changed for the better in the short term and for worse in the long term? He was confident that any episodes could be dealt with, and anything else couldn't be that bad. But there was still a kernel of doubt about Cinder's actions and what could occur if he couldn't handle the results.

Were they more conspiracies and outlandish worries? Sure, he had seen the way that Cinder played games with Ruby when they snuck the gaming systems and projector into the room. If Jaune's lock screen picture of Ruby nestled into Cinder, tongue sticking out in concentration at the fighting game and Cinder's arms wrapped around Ruby with a smile plastered on her face didn't mean she was wanting to stay good, he couldn't guess what else would prove it.

"-aste of energy and technology, just absolutely a sitting duck for anti-air."

Jaune shook his head to refocus his attention, "Say again Cin?"

Cinder huffed, "Were you even listening Arc? Ugh, never mind your puny brain focuses so much on strategy it doesn't have enough room for anything else."

"Hey I wasn't thinking about tactics or strategy or anything like that!" Jaune exclaimed.

"Oh really, what could possibly have kept you so occupied instead of my thought provoking monologue?" Cinder asked, her arms crossed.

Jaune cleared his throat, looking away but keeping an eye on Cinder, "Uhm, ah, you actually."

Cinder's face turned beat red and she mumbled, "Well I suppose that is acceptable."

"Anyway, we should be in Ansel soon. Might take another hour, but it hopefully won't be crazy." Jaune said to her, doing his best to not stare at her blush.

"Anything would be better than hearing your retched, well, retching." Cinder huffed, "I swear, it's a disgrace to your name."

Jaune laughed, "Hey it's a normal occurrence. Plenty of people have motion sickness, it's like as common as being ticklish."

"Weak ones Arc, and you will not be weak when you're with me." Cinder glared, looking him up and down. "Such a difference on the inside compared to the outside, hmm."

"So, what I'm hearing is those that are ticklish are also weak?" Jaune scooted closer to Cinder, brandishing semi-jazz hands as he moved them closer to her sides.

"Jaune Arc if you value your life do not dare to tickle me." Cinder gave him the eye, or no, well, actually that's exactly what she was doing.

It was so tempting, so very tempting. Jaune had learned the lines he was able to cross when and where, and which limits were hard set with Cinder over the past months. One of them that he had yet to find was tickling, and it just so happened that he had a chance to find out. Though, maybe it wasn't the best idea on a crowded airship. Cinder might burn the whole ship down to prove a point.

He moved his hands back.

There were times to push the limits, and help Cinder know that she could have a better life than she thought she deserved. Jaune was banking on the experience with his family would show her what to look forward to. Obviously, relationships. Not with him, or like a family with her of course, not that he wouldn't want to have one with someone so headstrong and beautiful.

"You'll develop something wrong with your brain if you strain it that thinking about me that much Arc." Cinder commented, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"Hey! I was thinking about how good you would look with a family thank you very much. Different from just you." Jaune exclaimed, quickly shutting his mouth at his outburst. Somehow he had never gotten the hang of filtering what he said, it had taken a more case by case basis instead. Weiss had taken a good month and change before he learned to filter his flirtations.

"W-what?" Cinder was beet red, eyes darting around. "That, that sounds ridiculous. Me, Cinder Fall with a family? I couldn't even consider that, let alone how could I deserve that? I'd probably accidently put the baby in the oven instead of the cookies."

Jaune took this chance to wrap his arm around Cinder's shoulder, pulling her flush against his side. She took little notice to how naturally she nestled into his embrace. He knew things like this were more than a simple matter, since she had encountered so many problems with her own family that it completely shut her goals down in that respect. "Cinder, I don't think you understand what new paths Ozpin has given you. I'm only here to open your eyes to them. And for a family...a family is something you might not deserve in your eyes, but in your case, I think you wholeheartedly need one."

"Pssh," Cinder waved a hand left to right, "No, no, there is no need for anyone. I don't need any family, I barely tolerate you. And I'm stuck with you. Why would I imprison myself to more annoyances."

"Oh I'm just here, huh," Jaune chuckled, "You know I think I need you even though you don't need me."

"Of course you do." Cinder grinned back at him. "I'm priceless in a peasant's eye."

Jaune began to rub Cinder's shoulders slowly, letting his hands travel up and down the scars. His fingers rode the waves of skin, noting how much smoother it was since the healing had taken place, "Never heard any truer words. See, I think you need me too. Not just for the top tier hugs I give though."

"Do tell Jaune, what per chance could you provide that a teddy bear could substitute?" Cinder asked.

"Obviously, it would be my semblance. There's no futuristic bacta tanks sitting around, so I'll have to suffice." Jaune mentioned, "Plus, because you need a friend. It's pretty much a requirement for your reformation."

"I can easily throw you away when you're done healing," Cinder shifted herself, putting both legs on the seat next to her and pressing herself even more into Jaune's side. She looked up at him, "Plus, I have Ruby for the friend checkbox. You're really a exceptionally adequate placeholder right now."

Jaune laughed, "Right, I'll keep that in mind. No need to use me literally though, I do it for free. Teddy bear and all."

"Teddy bears don't talk, and neither should you." Cinder replied.

And so Jaune let the moment continue in silence. Cinder's presence distracting him from the onsetting motion sickness. She had been doing things like that lately. Calming, centering, and grounding Jaune when he came to her with problems. Unlike most of his sisters, who tended to favor the emotional aspect of his complaints, Cinder leaned toward the practical. She was a constant in his problem solving, giving reasonable ideas to compliment his unreasonable actions.

Avoiding Cardin because he had gotten wedgied the few days before? Cinder suggested a few move sets based off his fighting style, a sprinkle of patience to execute them in class in front of everyone, and some luck with learning them quickly. Well, first she suggested cutting the break lines in his car, the second was the aforementioned option.

Jaune might be above average at strategy and tactics, but just about any other problem solving situations caused him to short circuit. The first few visits to Cinder at the start of his attempt to get her help had only resulted in ridicule. He hadn't realized there was so many synonyms for idiot up until then. But after some persistence, and charm, Jaune was able to squeeze some good advice out of her.

Any sort of positive from Cinder was progress to him, no matter how tiny or what it was. She talked to him more frequently about anything, less combative and challenging, more about learning his ins and outs. Not that Jaune didn't do the same to her, continuing their games and bets to learn things he knew she wouldn't otherwise tell. The shell covered in titanium that was Cinder Fall had begun to crack. Now, it was up to his family to provide the tools that he required to pry it open.

"I have become bored in this silence." Cinder stated. "Tell me something about your family. I would like to know more about my potential betrayers."

"You'll find out plenty when you meet them." Jaune hummed, considering what would be interesting enough to keep Cinder entertained for the rest of the ride. "Let's see...I have a twin named Joan. She and I used to be inseparable back in the day, and honestly up until I left for Beacon. She's a blonde, well everyone in the family is blonde, average height and build. Um, she's the smarter of us two. Always interested in semblances and where they came from. She should be done with her first semester at the nearby college of the University of Ansel. Their science program is pretty solid, and she was minoring in history last time I checked."

Cinder sighed, "And somehow I got the second pickings, hm. What a shame, please don't tell me that you're the black sheep of the family. Not off your gender alone, dunce."

"Look, my parents just happen to be really good at raising kids." Jaune said, choosing to ignore the latest dig at his pride. "I happen to be really good at a lot of things. Just, echm, not the usual kind."

"Do tell. I would love to know how your image could improve." Cinder's eye sparkled, showing she was enjoying his uncomfortableness with the admission too much.

"I can't just tell you all my talents, that would ruin the surprise at how awesome I am." Jaune said, "Though, let's just say that having seven sisters around you twenty four seven tends to lend some lessons in their hobbies. Joan and I used to be the cooks for the rest of the family, Joan was better at the cooking and I was better at baking. Those cookies, a bit of combo of Ruby and my recipe I recalled from home."

"Anything else, oh so adroit hobbyist?" Cinder teased, still enjoying his talk of his less than manly skills.

Jaune tapped his leg against the floor, starting to get nervous about his other skills, "Fine, fine, I happen to be pretty good at all the different knitting, crocheting, and sewing skills. It was the only way they would leave me to my own devices, making them things or repairing their clothes and stuff alright?"

"It would seem that you embraced your semblance before you even knew what it was."

"How so?" Jaune asked.

Cinder didn't reply immediately, as she usually did. There were no ums, uhs, or too many contractions in her vocabulary and slang was nonexistent. Just pauses until she knew what she would say next, or was finding the right words to continue. "You're semblance is thrifting on steroids. Taking something already there, broken, or torn and repairing it. Sometimes even doubling it's price and improving it. These, I won't accolade them as skills, hobbies look like they were trying to tell you what you were naturally meant to do. How quaint."

That had been...probably the most kind thing Cinder had said to him so far. Jaune wasn't sure what he was expecting out of her, or rather he never did, but it was still heartwarming to hear the positive commentary. She was becoming a glass quarter full. Still plenty of room for improvement, but there was plenty of time to get her there. He wouldn't say normal, because his gut said differently. Normal meant good manners, proper filter, and essentially the polar opposite of what Cinder Fall embodied. No, he needed to challenge her to better herself. Not necessarily change, just lean a bit left or right in the mirror to change perspective.

The airship lurched as it slowed to a halt at the stop and Jaune tightened his grip on Cinder to keep her from falling off the seats. "Looks like we're here. Uh, it'll be a good twenty minute walk to the house. I might not have told my family we were coming. Ya know, cause of that lack of communication I told you about. Don't worry, like I've been telling you, I think you'll get along great."

"Fantastic." Cinder said deadpan, getting up from the seats. "Let's get going then."

"Right," Jaune replied, following Cinder to the exit. "Of course."

It was time for Jaune to face his family, and for Cinder to face the example of what one should be like. He wasn't sure who would have the harder time, but it would work out if the two of them took it on together. There would be no worry if that was the case. He continued to hope that at least.

A little something before we meet the Arc family. My strong suit is slice of life anyway, so slowing everything down is playing to my strengths. Funny enough, my most popular Fimfiction is an assassin enemy to lover multi-chapter (like 25 of my 30 stories are one-shots so expect a few here for various pairings). Action will come later, when I feel like the characters are ready. Salem will come, she's patient and so are her followers. I have no qualms with the world traveling fics and the idea, but it would be nice to get the two through all four years of Beacon. We'll see what the other side has in store, even the White Fang.

Onto my consistent rambles about things on the show and characters. If anyone has curiosities on my opinions on anything RWBY-related I'd be happy to ramble next chapter. For this I'd like to get into Jaune and his application in other stories and the show. Why is he the most applicable character out of such a different and diverse cast?

Everyone fully or subconsciously understands the idea behind characters like Master Chief, Doomguy, etc. The ability to insert yourself into the character because of the lack of true knowledge about them allowing for an active imagination with yourself at the helm. Among many, many reasons why the Halo show didn't go well, the reveal of Chief's face after a good twenty years is a prime example as why to keep the identity hidden for ease of access for the viewer.

For Jaune, I initially saw that was what they wanted to do. But maybe in an interesting way the first few seasons, because who wants to be the side character? Maybe more people than you think. He's a representation of the average viewer for Monty at the time to introduce the world to everyone. You've had the couch discussion of putting an average person in the Olympics for viewing and comparison, well you're seeing it in action. In the same respect you would relate to him, identify characteristics that you have too and discuss what you would do in his situation.

After season 3-4, well I think the idea changed when the idea giver(s) changed. It became a resemblance and mirror of who his character is named after; Joan of Arc. And the fan fictions written have resembled the change of pace.

I like the confidence and leadership he's gained, and you can see other stories trying to emulate it. It's just I think that sometimes, the point is missed on what Jaune's original purpose looked to accomplish. I don't look at Ren, Neptune, Sun, Adam, or most of the male characters to follow for them, maybe their personalities, but not to project myself on.

Like I usually say, I'm just rambling at this point. Jaune is to me the perfect all-purpose fanfiction character in a world for RWBY. He's the average person on the couch going "I bet I could do that", in this case he did. To not use that determination, persistence, and consistency in a story is lose of profit. Well profit for the characters around him, and in this case profit of positive improvement for Cinder.

Thanks as always for reading through everything, story and rambles and all. As I mentioned, if you have any questions for this story, on my opinions, or anything I'd be happy to answer. Please feel free to review, negative or positive, I read and keep them all in mind.

P.S. Yes, I know that Jaune is 17 or so and that means Joan too. A little early for either to be in a college setting, sure. But I would have been in at 16 if I had done two classes instead of study hall and PE back in high school. And well, if my college hadn't said the age restriction is 17. So, again, a bit early for the two, but considering the tweak it does to the world build as a whole. Pretty miniscule.

P.P.S. Just grabbing names and such halfish from the wiki and things I read when I ask questions about such things. If anything is or seems similar to Couer Al'Aran's world building, naming and all that, then credit wherever it's due. Same for any story parameters or character similarities and the like for anyone else. While I think it's a bit dumb to say that I don't own RWBY or the characters, because let's be honest, I'm pretty sure it's obvious that I'm not Miles Luna or the others in charge. It's also a bit obvious that they wouldn't be writing fanfiction too isn't it. Now, for those that put in (a very debatable amount of more effort than the last seasons of RWBY) the work for their creations do deserve the recognition for their hard work. So, again, if I happen to use anything other writers have created originally, all credit goes to them.