If Tukson was a normal adult, he would have taken a second and think that maybe letting two teenagers, stranger to each other, stay in his secret basement might not be the best idea. Except Tukson wasn't a normal adult, years in the White Fang had screwed his decision making process somewhat.
Beside he was sure Blake and Jaune would be fine. Blake was a fighter, and even though she loved to read that erotica series Tukson was sure she knew well enough not to do anything questionable. Jaune, for all of his growing muscles and tendency of mumble to himself, was as obvious as a new born baby. It would be good for Blake to have someone to talk to about anything but the White Fang for once.
Of course as an adult, responsible or not, he was obligated to check on them once in a while. Especially on special occasions.
The sun was barely up and as usual, Jaune was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Beside him Blake was enjoying a cup of coffee while checking her magazines.
" You kids ready for your first at Beacon ?"
" Not really." Jaune groaned, placing a plate of food down in front of them.
" Motion sickness." Blake told him, amused. " We have to catch a bullhead to Beacon."
Tukson laughed. " And here I thought you were still bummed out from getting the rest of the week off."
"Yeah, that too," The boy poked his food. " You know I can still work on the weekend, right?"
" Nonsense, it's the first week of school. You'll need time to adjust." Jaune let out another groan and Tukson couldn't help but add. " I swear to gods kid, if I see you in the shop this any time week I'll throw you out the window."
Gods are uncaring, Jaune thought as the bullhead flew over Vale. He then proceeded to puke out the rest of his breakfast into a conveniently placed trash can.
"Oh look, I can see Beacon." Blake, for the first time since they have boarded the bullhead, commented.
She was leaning on the wall behind him the whole time, reading a book as usual. She didn't say anything nor did she offer any sign of comfort, she was just there next to him. Although she did give him some pills to help him with the motion sickness, loads of good they did.
And now that he thought about it, was Blake his friend now? Is this what true friendship and not 'I'm-tolerating-you-because-of-your-sisters.'? Jaune pondered those questions as he immediately bolted out of the flying death trap once it landed.
" I am not looking forward to next week." Considering he'll have to use these godforeshaken contraptions at least six times a week for a while, Jaune wasn't sure how he was going to deal with it. Maybe someone could-
"Don't even think about it."
Blake gave him a pat on the back as she walked past him.
Beacon was as grand as the first time he saw it. More lively this time with all the busling students going it and about. Much like the last time he was here, Jaune had no idea where he was supposed to go.
" While you were puking I heard someone said about first year students meeting at the amphitheater."
" Which is where?" Jaune could feel Billy giving him a shrug. Evidently Blake must had known where to go because she still had her eyes on her book.
He trailed after her in silence, knowing full well that she was too deep in her book for a conversation. Luckily it didn't stay that way for long when a girl sneezed and caused an explosion.
"Was that dust?" He could have swore he saw a cloud of fire dust around her a second just before the explosion.
"Yep, and the expensive kind too."
There was another girl there too with a couple of dust bottles around her. One of them rolled toward Blake who picked it up in curiosity.
Peering over her shoulder Jaune let out a whistle. Billy was right, these were the expensive kinds. The one where it got fined so much a little shake could activate it, and everyone knows the smoother the dust the more potent it is. " I didn't think dust could be refined this much! It must have cost a fortune, how can she even afford this?"
" Probably because she's the manufacturer." Blake muttered with a frown.
Once again following Blake's lead, they made their way toward the commotion.
"Hey, I said I was sorry, princess!" The girl who sneezed said. And Jaune was sure that it was her because she was standing in the middle of a crater. She looked like she was barely fifteen, especially with that cape of hers.
"Heiress, actually." Blake corrected as she walked closer. "Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world."
The other girl, Weiss, donned a smug look on her face.
" The same company infamous for its controversial labor forces and questionable business partner." Blake concluded.
"Wha-How dare-The nerve of- Ugh!" Weiss huffed and snatched the bottle out of Blake's hand before storming away.
" Well, she wasn't wrong." Billy commented while the red cape girl yelled that she'll make this up for Weiss.
"I guess I'm not the only one with a rough first day." She mumbled before turning her attention to Blake and Jaune. "So, what's your guys name? I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose."
" Blake." His friend(?) said curtly with a nod. She then began to walk off.
"The name Jaune Arc. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue. Ladies love it." Jaune introduced, following Blake.
"Do they?" Ruby asked skeptically, she too trailed after the older hair girl.
"Maybe? I hope so ? I mean my sisters chose it so someone has to like it." He stammered out.
"Hey, aren't you the vomit boy on the bullhead ?"
Jaune's face turned red. He could hear Blake let out a snort in front of them, well that was just great wasn't it. Ruby quickly changed the subject. "Thanks for helping me back there. That girl was scary."
"Thank Blake," Jaune jabbed a thumb at the girl in question. "She did all of the talking, I just stood there."
Ahead of them, Blake gave them a quiet wave. Slowly the conversation turned into an awkward silence.
" So," Ruby pulled her weapon, a gun of sorts that mechashift into a huge scythe which crashed down creating a crack on the pavement. " I got this thing."
" Woah, a scythe user. It's rare to see anyone use them." Billy squealed. " Man, she must be a beast in a battle. Ask her to spar you sometime."
While Billy focused on the scythe aspect of the weapon Jaune took notice of another thing. " It's also a gun ?"
"Not just any gun, it's a customizable high-impact sniffle rifle." The proud smile on her face got wider. With twinkling eyes she pointed at the lance on his back. "What've you got ?"
" Nothing fancy." Jaune showed her Aeternal Campio. " It doesn't mechashift like your scythe so don't expect anything."
Still, Ruby marveled over the lance as they walked, barely able to hold her excitement when he gave her permission to touch his weapon.
" Like I said it's not much compared to your scythe."
"Well," Ruby suddenly turned shy. "I might have gone overboard in designing this."
" You made that ?" Jaune couldn't contain his shock.
"Of course, didn't you make yours?"
Jaune scratches his head and lied. "Nah, I got lucky and found this at a pawn shop. The only thing I did was give it a new paint job."
Because even though Aeternal Campio didn't rust, it did lose most of its paint.
" Watch out for the door."
Jaune stopped himself in front of the amphitheater with Billy's warning while Ruby walked right into Blake.
The room was packed full with students, all standing around talking with each other. In the midst of the crowd stood a blond hair girl waving wildly. " Ruby! Over here! I saved you a spot."
" Oh that's my sister. See you guys later." With that she dash off leaving behind a trail of rose petals.
"She seems nice." Jaune said. His only reply from Blake was a twitch from her bow before she dragged him away to a more secluded spot. Jaune was about to copy her and pulled out his own book to read when the headmaster began his speech.
"I'll keep it brief." There was something familiar about the man, Jaune wasn't sure what it was. From inside his head, Jaune could feel that Billy too was curious about the white haired man. " You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction.
You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
"He's older than he looks." Billy stated and Jaune had to agree. Perhaps it was because of the way he talked, or maybe it was the pure white hair, but he couldn't help but think of a wise old sage when he looked at the man.
It was his first day at Beacon and already Jaune had made a fool of himself. He knew that he wasn't the most observant of people, but it was hard to miss the point of laughter of his future classmate towards his sleeping garments. Personally Jaune didn't see anything wrong with his blue Pumpkin Pete onesie. Saphron got it for him before she left the house, it was warm, cozy and had the adorable Pumpkin Pete logo on it. What's not to like?
Beside Blake didn't seem to care and Billy just metaphorically shrugged stating as long as Jaune is comfortable then he should wear what he wants.
Jaune grabbed a couple of books from his bag and settled down beside Blake who had found candles from somewhere. She didn't even look up from her book when he sat down.
Tonight's choice of pre-bedtime reading was a reimagining of an Vacuo's fairy tale about a healer and giant fish that lives in the desert sand. Even though the premise is a bit wild, Jaune enjoys the fantasy elements of the story.
"You know we've never tried making weapons using magic." Billy commented as they stopped in the middle of a fight scene.
" Now that you mention it, do you think we can just grab some sand and just heat it into glass?" Jaune whispered. "It would be useful in battle."
"Might be a bit difficult, sand's not exactly available everywhere. " Billy thought for a moment. "We could try making weapons using ice."
"I heard water can cut through stuff if it goes fast enough, may-"
" Hellooo~" It was the blond hair girl from the amphitheater, she was waving at him and Blake with one hand while the other was dragging Ruby along. Jaune recognizes her as Ruby's supposed sister. " I believe you three may know each other?"
Ruby was beat red as she waved at them. " Hey, guys. This is-"
"The name's Yang, I'm Ruby's sister." The girl introduced herself. " Just want to drop by and say thanks to my baby sister's new friends for helping her this morning."
Jaune just gestured at Blake. " I mean it was mostly Blake's doing."
Yang just laughed. " Aw don't be shy Vomit Boy, I heard you were pretty friendly with my sister."
He groaned upon hearing the nickname. " I'm not gonna live that down, aren't I?"
"I don't think so," Blake smiled from behind her book. "Vomit Boy."
" Only the first day and already experiencing your first betrayal, Vomit Boy." Billy teased.
" Oh hush." Jaune huffed at the two of them.
Ruby, as awkward as that morning, pushed past her sister and asked. " So what are you guys reading about ?"
" Well, it's about a man with two soul, each fighting for control over his body." Blake summarized, her fingers toying with the pages.
Ruby turned to him and Jaune scrambled to put the book he was reading into a sentence. " And mine is about a Vacouans tribe that ran out of resources so the tribe healer left to find more food for her people, she befriends this huge fish who guided through the desert not long after "
"Those are some lovely books you have there." Yang said hesitantly, almost sarcastic.
" Well, I think they sound interesting." Ruby cut in. "I love books. Yang used to read to me every night before bed. Stories of heroes and monsters... They're one of the reasons I want to be a Huntress!"
"I can relate to that." Jaune placed his book down. "I mean, my older sibling told my loads of stories growing up too. And they did inspire me to be a huntsman also."
Although he left out the Arc family history and the kidnapping, Jaune meant what he said. Ruby for her part was glad that they have something in common.
Blake laughed a little. "Is that why you two chose to pursue this career? Hoping you'll live happily ever after?"
" I believe that's it's more on the line of making sure everyone will." Jaune explained. "That's what huntsmen and huntresses are supposed to do, isn't it? Fighting for those who can't and doing what's right."
" That'...very optimistic of you," the fond smile on her face turned into a frown. " Unfortunately, the real world isn't the same as a fairy tail."
Ruby and Jaune weren't deterred by her statement though.
" Well, that's why we're here!" The silver eyed girl said enthusiastically while Jaune nodded in agreement. "To make it better."
Yang chose that exact moment to re- enter the conversation, enveloping her sister in a hug. "Oh, I am so proud of my baby sister."
"Yang let go!"
Through Ruby's struggle, Yang's hug soon turned into what could be described as a brawl. Although for Jaune who was knowledgeable in the 'how to interact with your siblings' knew exactly what it was. "Ah, yes. The Cain instinct."
"The what?" Blake never got her answer that night when Weiss came storming toward them.
"What in the world is going on over here?!" The girl demanded. " Don't you realize some of us are trying to sleep?"
Yang and Weiss then point at each other."Oh, not you again!"
Ruby stepped in between the two before anything could happen. "Shh! Guys, she's right! People are trying to sleep!"
"Oh, now you're on my side!"
"I was always on your side!"
"Yeah, what's your problem with my sister? She's only trying to be nice!"
"She's a hazard to my health!"
Let it be said that Jaune was not a coward, he just knew too well how an argument between girls in pajamas would go. So acting on his common sense, Jaune decided that it was time to get some sleep.
"Goodnight Blake." Jaune stood up and calmly walked away to where his sleeping spot is, far away from the three arguing girls.
Blake sighed. " Goodnight Jaune."