Now for the conclusion of Chapter 2 of Guarding Vale: A VPD Story.
DISCLAIMER: I do own a limited edition Pumpkin Pete's Cereal Box signed by Pyrrah Nikos, but I do not own the RWBY Franchise, these characters, or any of the references mentioned here.
Credits to Coeur Al'Aran for the information pertaining to Jaune Arc's Background. Man is the GOAT of Arc Fics.
Location: VDA Equipment Room
Time: 1:00 PM
Group C crowded around in a circle as Sergeant Moore stood in the middle with a mannequin. It donned the basic Academy uniform that they were wearing now. Though in comparison its buttons glinted almost like jewels, the boots reflected like a mirror, and the tunic and trousers had precision creases.
"This is the standard VPA Academy Uniform. Yes you idiots it's the one you're wearing right now. It's based off of the older uniform design from around 100 years ago. In my opinion it's much nicer in looks than the ones we have today. Anywho you're going to spend the rest of your day learning how to maintain your uniform. Which is not going to be easy. I am going to teach you how to get your uniform to look like the one here on this mannequin. And I expect you to keep your uniform looking exactly like this every single day."
Taking the tall Bobby Hat she began to polish off the police symbol at the front of it.
"It'll take some time but once you all get it down, you'll be able to keep this shining every single day that you're here. Now grab the black polish from the tables there and get those boots off. It's a shining time."
The cluster of Cadets walked over to the prepared table and grabbed their kits of polish and rags. Sitting about the equipment room and started to apply polish like Moore was showing at the head of the room. Some people sat together in small groups, almost like knitting circles. Polishing on the black material onto the boots. Jaune sat with Cardin, though it also seemed that Charlie, Mavis, and Alice had chosen to sit with them too.
Cardin seemed to carry himself slightly differently from when Jaune first met him. Not openly friendly but he kept his posture straight and his face in a similar condition. Not looking up as he began to polish.
Glancing about, Jaune decided to pass the time with some quiet conversation between his group mates.
"So, how do you all think the first day is going?"
Charlie looked up from his shoe and nodded. "It's alright, I couldn't sleep well last night so I felt clammy the entire jog this morning."
"Sounds like it must have been hell." Alice said with a tinge of concern.
"It's supposed to be, and I'm afraid to think that it's only going to get harder and harder as time passes."
"That's the point. To weed out the weak and get them out of here before they hurt themselves."
The group of four turned to the ginger haired boy shining his boots. Cardin didn't even glance up at them as he polished. Jaune grimaced slightly at the cold response and spoke up.
"Yeah, uh Cardin? Are you alright there?"
Cardin stopped polishing for a moment to look up to the group. Nodding his head to dismiss their fears.
"I'm alright, just don't mind me." He responded before turning back to polish his boots once more.
A shared look between the 3 other members seemed to gather similar suspicions. Cardin was dealing with something, though no one knew exactly what it was. Not wanting to press further on the issue they went back to polishing in silence. Listening to the instructor's criticisms as she hounded them to pick up the pace.
Location: VPA Group C Quarters
Time: 9:00 PM
The rest of the day felt like a tiring mess. Polishing and buffing the uniforms was a long and tedious process. Only for it to end with a harsh inspection which led to a punishment of 4 miles of jogging. Dinner came and went soon after and it was their 30 minutes of free time until lights out. The room was brisk with chatter amongst groupmates. Socializing and further getting to know each other out.
Sitting at his bunk, Jaune was texting back his parents and siblings. Sharing with them the details of his first day at the Academy.
Mom: Jaune, are you sure you're okay there? We can send some things there if you need any.
Jaune: I'm fine Mom don't worry. By the way, how is the horde?
Mom: Doing alright, why don't I just hand my phone over to them. Also Saffron's home with Terra for a small vacation.
Mom (Saffron): Hey Jauney Boy! How's the police life treating you?
Jaune: Heeey Saffron. It's alright but I just started, definitely not like a Huntsman Academy or the Military.
Mom (Saffron): Okay okay don't worry, but tell me are there any cute girls there?
Jaune: THAT'S NOT THE POINT OF TRAININGG AAAAA
Mom (Saffron): Oh come now little brother, I bet you there are quite a lot of very very attractive female officers.
Jaune: Like the one you tried to hit on in order to escape a ticket?
Mom (Saffron): We don't speak of that, but you get my point Jauney. Men and women in uniform just work.
Jaune: Uh huh.
Mom (Saffron): Anyways have you made some friends there?
Jaune: Yeah I'm getting to know them. My bunkmate's name is Cardin. Kind of reserved though he seemed friendly at first.
Mom (Saffron): Well just give them some time. Anyways I gotta take care of Adrian now. See you later little brother.
Jaune: Okay Sis, and tell Mom I gotta go too, it's almost lights out for me here.
Mom (Saffron): Okaaayy Byyeeee!
Jaune: Bye
After closing the messaging app he laid back in his bunk bed. Yawning as he crawled into the sheets. Deciding to start sleeping early he dozed off quietly. The group quarters were starting to be hushed as others soon began heading off to bed. Cardin above him was already fast asleep and was sleeping like a log.
Day one felt like an absolute wringer. Looking ahead that they were gonna cram all that knowledge and knowhow in 6 months made him panic slightly. But he had faith. He chose this path and he was gonna see it through. He was going to put on that uniform and protect people.
And that was an Arc promise.
CHAPTER 2 IS OVER HUZZAAHH. Thank you for reading the story up to this point. For the rest of the story it'll be a mix of character development, fluff, and some light action. I'm not going to keep the same pacing because there is no way I'm going to survive if I keep every single chapter of the Academy Arc like this.
Anyways we'll be taking a look at the other members of Group C. Their stories and backgrounds, and yes Cardin Winchester. He'll have a role to play in this story but to lay to rest any thoughts, no it's not a ship. Shipping wasn't a priority for me when writing initially.
But nevertheless I look forward to writing more and expanding characters, the Police Force, and the City of Vale!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING and stay tuned for more Guarding Vale: A VPD Story