Les go.
XxX
September ,15th 80 AGW
Saturday update
JNPR chore list revised
Ren-Dishes/Laundry (Ration distribution/navigation on missions)
Nora-Aid Ren in aforementioned chores above (Heavy equipment on missions)
Pyrrha- Ensure dust and munitions are full or near to(Diplomacy/co-leader on missions)
Me-Clean dorm,damage control, set up meetings,schedule trainings.(Diplomacy/Heavy equipment on missions)
Now that that's out of the way time for the real meat and potatoes. Using what I talked over with Ruby today I broke my plans to JNPR and by extension RWBY. On Wednesday when the entirety of JNPR and RWBY are free in the morning we've scheduled use of training room 11 in order to practice team vs team sparring to better prepare for the festival.
Beacon really is more than I ever imagined guys, I know dad and grandpa always told me stories but I never understood them until now. I never saw leader coming and I really hope that I can improve to make my team proud, it's arrogant to think I could improve so fast I know that much but if I can help my team by being more than an extra sword to swing or a shield to soak up bullets I'll consider that an improvement in and of itself. On the note of weapons I've enlisted the help of Ruby. If there's anyone in beacon I could ask about weapons it's her without a doubt in my mind. Her Crescent Rose is a masterpiece that I wish I could put into words but frankly you'd have to see it in person to even get a glimpse of how amazing it is.
In other news I have an exam in Grimm studies this week, it's on effective tracking methods but considering I ducked at hunting animals with Dad I don't think I'll be tracking ursa any time soon.
One of these days I'll work up the strength to send a call on the CCT but it's not near. I haven't proven myself yet.
XxX
Jaune closed the book and set it down in his gym bag before also collecting Crocea Mors and setting the sword and shield on his belt.
Everyone was in their combat gear in preparation for the first day of their new training regime that Jaune planned for the Vytal Festival.
"Alright team, who's ready to hit the range?"
First on the list? Target practice, which to the rest of JNPR made sense but there seemed to be an odd one out.
"Jaune? Not to question or anything but you said we were doing team training, but you seem to be uhh... lacking in a certain department for this exercise." While normally one of her leaders biggest supporters and his partner, Pyrrha had her doubts when Jaune proposed going as a team to Beacons firing range.
"Absolutely correct partner, which is why I made a stop at the range earlier and filled out these loaner weapon foms."
Normally nobody on beacon would be caught dead with a weapon that wasn't their own but accidents do happen and weapons do break, thus the loaner program was instituted. Consisting of above average quality the loaner armory had weapons of all types ranging from swords and spears to modern carbines and shotguns.The program is one of the great many perks of being allied with the largest military nation on Remnant.
Ren grabbed the sheets of paper from Jaunes outstretched hand and examined them.
"A Gryphon and Krueger GR-45 and a GMP-45 to match? That's quite a leap from sword and shield Jaune, may I ask why the change?" Ren handed the papers back to Jaune.
"Ms. G said we shouldn't stagnate as Hunters, and that we should change as challenges arise or else we'll be doomed to fail. So I thought about it and well frankly I should have figured this out a long time ago, but limiting myself to melee only is pretty dumb."
Pyrrha was the first to speak up." I can understand the will to change and improve Jaune but if you do follow through and make firearms a permanent change to your kit, it is my responsibility as your teammate and partner to ensure you do not neglect your swordsmanship, it's greatly improved this semester and I refuse to let your hard work go to waste due to an over-reliance on a new gimmick."
Jaune understood why Pyrrha would say that. During initiation he couldn't swing his sword for beans, it'd be all too easy to just forgo the sword and shield altogether. But when the thought was put in Jaune immediately knew it'd be a dishonor to all the time and work He and Pyrrha sunk into bringing his skills to a useable level and a disservice to the weapon itself.
"Loud and clear, I'll make sure to keep practicing my sword drills and make our regular practices."
Nora took the news about as you'd expect. With excitement and a smile. "Jaune's getting new butt-kicking tools? Oooh he's gonna be so cool in the festival. Will he be all cool like that Reanu Keeves guy from Dawn Rich?"
With a good chuckle from the remaining three members they made their way to the range.
XxX
"Alright kid here you go, a GMP-45 and a GR-45 as listed. There's two magazines for each one and you got em for three weeks. There's training ammo at the bench and them rounds don't leave this building, now go do whatever it is you youngins do these days. Don't shoot your eye out blondie." The salty old man identified by the plaque next to the caged window simply as Quartermaster slid the two weapon cases through a slot and into Jaunes hands.
Jaunes team stood behind him as he collected his new weapons and it was Ren who approached him seeing as he was the most qualified for the platforms that Jaune chose.
"Alright Jaune, have you ever handled a firearm before?" Before starting it was probably a good thing to gauge Jaunes familiarity with them as a tool and his understanding of proper safety.
The blonde made a halfway sign with his hand.
"I've been with my Grandpa on a deer hunting trip but I was no good with his rifle, but he made sure to drill in the four cornerstones of safety before we even left for the trip."
A little familiarity and the basics are down as well, only thing left is to drive home that this is not grandpas deer gun.
"So Jaune, you seem to have known what you were looking for when you picked these out so I must ask. Why two small caliber weapons?"
The answer came relatively easy for Jaune.
"Well I already know I can't shoot for beans with a bolt action, and I carry enough weight in armor without having to worry about carrying a full size rifle. Having my primary and secondary chambered in the same cartridge just seemed to make sense to me."
Ren was honestly surprised by the argument he made. While he was aware that Jaune possessed a tactically sound mind, Ren would never have guessed that Jaune would be so fairly informed on firearms for someone who up until today had only fired a gun once.
The process of loading the magazines for the weapons was a simple one although there was a slight hitch when Jaune learned that when nearing a full mag the spring tended to fight back more than he anticipated.
"Alright Jaune the loading instructions go as follows. Step one- Pull back charging handle and lift up to lock bolt in the rear position."
After a brief demonstration from Ren that task was done.
"Next is to insert the magazine with the bullet facing forward. Once the magazine is firmly in place slap charging handle down to close bolt and chamber cartridge."
Listening to the conversation from her lane, Pyrrha ceased firing and then made her way to inspect Jaunes weapon. A far cry from the craftsmanship of Miló, the barrel was short, and the weapon itself very square looking. Yet watching Jaune shoulder it and take aim is when she decided to speak.
"You leaning backwards in anticipation. When firing you want to lean forward to fight the recoil not be taken with it. Plant your feet apart like this."
She postures him correctly with her hands and nudges his foot with hers to put his stance in line with a proper shooting stance.
"Alright Jaune, fire when ready."
click
"Whoops forgot the safety. Hehe..."
XxX
"Next outfit."
Turns out there aren't many stores in Vale that cater to the tastes of a girl who's favorite activities are Grimm hunting and Grimm killing.
"Ruby, have you considered that you might be over thinking this?" Team RWBY has been in Vale since the morning in preparation for Ruby's first "date" and it was going as well as anyone would have expected it to.
"But Blake what if Jaune sees me wearing my normal clothes and thinks I'm to lazy to put in enough effort and then he won't want me to help with his weapons and then he'l-"
Yang seeing exactly where she's going decides now is a good time to cut her sisters rant off.
"Rubes breath, besides l think Blake might be on to something here. Think about it. When was the last time We've even seen Jaune in something that isn't his combat gear or the student uniform anyways?" Now that it's been pointed out the RWBY collective paused to ponder the raised question.
"As much as this hurts to say Ruby, Yang is right. I've never seen him outside of those two things so I very much doubt he'll make a bigger change to his outfit than leaving his armor at Beacon." Although she wasn't excited about helping Ruby and her fledgling love life, Weiss was willing to help her leader.
Despite what many may believe Weiss doesn't hate Jaune. She just simply feels no attraction to him, while he has toned down his "romantic" attempts at wooing her she has yet to fully forgive him. It is embarrassing when half of beacon knows about them after all.
"Okay okay I get it. I may have freaked out. Let's go back to Beacon and I can start over from there."
Minor freak out aside Ruby was excited. Sure Jaune himself never called it a date but what else were you supposed to call a young Huntsman and Huntress out on the town shopping for a new weapon?
XxX
After making it back to Beacon and grabbing a bite to eat team RWBY reconvened in the dorm to breakdown the plans for tomorrows operation.
The first step was to narrow down what stores they would do to and in what order. There were plenty of stores that sold guns and swords in vale but the number of them that sold huntsman grade materials was significantly lower. From there it was down to what Jaune was looking for and that couldn't be figured out until the next day.
From there it was a stop in the Vale central park after shopping under the guise of talking about their weapons and ideas. Figuring they'd both be hungry Weiss picked three middle class restaurants nearby that Ruby and Jaune would be able to reasonably afford.
With everything in place the plan was ready and there was no way it'd fail.
"Alright team with the power invested in me by headmaster Ozpin I hereby commence Operation Lancaster!" The announcement promptly fell flat as soon as Ruby lost her balance on the chair she stood on.
"Lancaster? Sounds kind of well... old."
Leave it to Yang to ruin a dramatic moment.Blake actually got the reference and realized it was surprisingly historical.
"Actually Yang, it is old. If I heard her correctly I'd assume she's talking about the knights from the House of Lancaster, whose crest was a red rose. Although if I wanted to make the joke I'd say that makes Weiss is of the House of York. Nice job Ruby.
Unfortunately for the two Weiss also understood both the original reference and Blake's joke.
"First off I'm not waging war with Ruby for Jaune. Second off I hate to be the buzzkill but we still forgot one thing for tomorrow."
Points to Ruby who knew way ahead of time and tried to let everyone forget.
"I still don't have an outfit."
Points for honesty too.
XxX
Wow some 2100 words later and that makes the largest entry to date. For startersI'd once again like to mention the traction this story has picked up. I never thought this thing would grab more than 20 follows but here it is at 170 as of March 2022. Seriously you guys are awesome and I'm really grateful for the comments you guys leave. I'm aware that there are mistakes riddled through out these few chapters and I will eventually get to scrubbing them out and as my style changes and hopefully matures I'll be able to improve this story later on. For now please bear with me and continue to leave reviews at the end of chapters. Have a good day.