Welcome back to Guarding Vale: A VPD Story. Got Chapter 9 here for you, and it's gonna be a Jaune focused one.
The next chapter will be, of course, graduation for our Police Cadet. It'll be a short, straightforward chapter with some omakes at the end. After that, we can get the real story started.
Time for some review responses!
ReDestrobo: Awh shucks, thank you! Cardin and Alice are going to be an interesting couple. As both are in the same profession it'll be nice to connect with someone with similar experiences, though we'll see.
In the case of Arkos, I happen to agree. I absolutely detest how the writer's squandered the concept. Pyrrha is simply a cheap method for getting Jaune up to speed with the rest of the main cast. The romance angle was never EVER explored besides in "Dream Come True" and that final kiss of death. I still support Arkos despite the odds. However, the only thing keeping it alive are fan Fictions which depict either as competent individuals, and "Dream Come True". The ultimate Weiss Diss Track.
Now, back to the program!
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: VPA Auditorium
Time: 10:00 AM Final day before graduation
The entire class of Cadets sat all in their seats inside the auditorium. Amongst them, a quiet chatter came. Behind them were rows and rows of family members. Glancing back, Jaune could see his mother and father seated in their designated seats. He gave a small wave to them, which they returned. However, standing by the walls of the auditorium stood his sisters. Some of them looked quite… Scary to say the least. Ten weeks of not having someone to serve as a punching bag, mannequin, hair stylist, and cook served only to increase the fear factor.
Cardin, who was seated next to Jaune, glanced over and followed his gaze. Seeing the standing row of blondes, he slowly nodded and turned back to him.
"When you said seven, you weren't kidding."
"Cardin, when would I ever lie to you?"
"When you said you would take care of my boots after I'd get you that comic book on leave?"
"We don't talk about that, besides it's not like you couldn't have used more exercise. Alice might thank me for getting her man in shap-"
Cardin lightly pushed the side of Jaune's shoulder. Grumbling as they both turned to the front of the auditorium. The Lieutenant followed by the other instructors, sat and waited til the room was fairly quiet. Once it was Lieutenant Burgundy stood from his chair and walked to the podium. Clearing his throat before speaking.
"Cadets! It's been a long three weeks since testing started. We've pushed you to the limit, allowed you to fully stretch your legs and let loose the knowledge and know how we've drilled into you, and we've helped shape you all into someone you probably wouldn't have recognized the first day you arrived here. However, all your efforts do not come to fruition until tomorrow's graduation. But today! Today is Family Day, and you'll be given the day to spend with your loved ones before tomorrow. You all are to return to your quarters by 10:00 PM tonight! Am I understood?"
"Yes, Sir!" Rang the class of Cadets.
"Right then, Cadets, you are dismissed for the rest of the day. Say hello to your folks for me."
Out from their seats, each and every cadet did. Pushing towards the isles while others climbed over each row of seats to reach their families. Joyful and tearful reunions were laced with hugs between families. Sons and Daughters embraced those they loved dearest. Cardin Winchester, for his sake, cried into the lap of his mother while his little sister Clara patted his back. The auditorium was filled with commotion as Cadets caught up with the latest news from their hometowns and other developments. For Jaune Arc, that meant getting his ear chewed off by his siblings by their misadventures, hook ups, break ups, familial developments, but most of all their surging pride in Jaune.
Each one had their share of roughing Jaune up. Teasing him at each turn. Though Saffron, the eldest, and her wife Cotta seemed to be the more tame of the lot. In her arms was little Adrian, though still a baby he was quite the rambunctious kid. Wriggling around in Cotta's arms as he played with a small Ursa push.
His father and mother approached him once his beatdown was complete. Juniper Arc rushed to embrace her son, whereas Nicholas Arc beamed with pride.
"Hehe hi Mom, hi Dad." Jaune replied nervously to them as his mother hugged the living daylights out of him.
Juniper rambled on, asking question after question to the point it made Jaune dizzy. "Oh my Gods, my baby! Are you okay? Did you get sick? Did you get hurt? You're not too hungry, are you? We're going to go out to a good restaurant so don't worry."
"Dear, you're scaring him." Nicholas said with a laugh. "He probably hasn't had a hug like that since he left."
"Alright, Hun." She said cheekily as she let go of Jaune, allowing the boy to breathe.
Nicholas looked to Jaune. The boy was broader in the shoulders. He had more muscle in his arms and stood straight like a proper man. His hair had finally changed from that lazy shaggy cut into a short, well-kept head of hair. His son seemed to have transformed in the 23 weeks that he had left them. He had matured greatly, though he could still see that he was still Jaune at heart.
"You've grown a lot, Jaune. As a matter of fact I think you've become a new man. And I couldn't be prouder." Nicholas said to Jaune.
Looking up to his father, Jaune couldn't help but smile at his approval. "Thanks Dad. I hope I've made you and mom proud."
"You have, but you'll make this old man even prouder once you graduate and start working. Me and your mother would like to talk to you about your life after the Academy. Specifically, where are you going to live, and how will you get around."
"Y-You mean-" He said with a shocked expression. Though he stopped as his father raised a hand before he could finish.
"Let's talk about that later. But for now, would you mind introducing us to some of your group mates? You've told us all about them so we'd like to put names to a face."
"Alright then." Jaune said as he turned around and looked around the auditorium. Peering about, he picked out a head amongst the crowd and walked over. Motioning his parents and siblings to follow. Seeing Cardin with his mother, sister, and a uniformed officer with a reserve badge on his shoulder. "Cardin!"
Turning to look at who called him out, he saw Jaune with family in tow. He raised a hand and waved to them. "Heya Jauney Boy, bringing the entire family along, huh?"
"Yeah." He sheepishly admitted. "My parents asked me to introduce them to some of the people I've been working with here. So I thought I'd start with you."
"I'm flattered, which also reminds me I have someone to introduce to you, too." He said as he motioned to the Reserve Police Officer.
"Well Cardin, this is my Mom, my Dad, my sisters Saffron, Sable, Lavender, Sapphire , Jade, Coral, and my little sister Amber Oh, and this is Saffron's wife, Terra, and their kid Adrian."
Cardin looked at them and gave a small polite nod. "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Arc. And uh, hello to you all too."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cardin." Nicholas extended his hand to which he took and shook. "My boy's told us about his bunkmate, so it's good to finally meet you face to face."
"Likewise, he's told me all about you all. Especially his sisters…"
"Hey! He better keep his mouth shut on any secrets or talk smack about us!" Said Lavender as she cracked her knuckles. Jaune whimpered in fear and looked to Cardin for mercy.
Cardin denied it profusely and shook his head. "Not at all he said you all were quite lovely sisters! Yes!"
The seven of them all seemed to loosen up as they returned back to their normal demeanor. Coral looked at Cardin and smirked. "Good, cause it'd be a shame to have such a cutie know our darkest secrets." Winking to him as a tease.
"I'm taken, sorry." He said as he planted his foot down.
"Oh we know, we were just testing you to be sure." Said Jade.
"We were rooting for you and Alice, Jaune's told us all about it." Added Sapphire.
"Yeah… It's not like they've had a huge crush o-." Before Jaune could say anything, his sisters covered his mouth and hushed him up before anything else could be said. They all shined bright smiles to hide their deed.
Struggling out of their grasp, he took a deep breath before looking towards Cardin's family and guests. "So I suppose this is Mrs. Winchester and Clara?"
Cardin nodded with a smile. "Sure is, but this is Lyle Ludden, former VPD Officer."
"Pleasure to meet you, Son. Thank you for helping take care of Cardin while he was here." The man stepped forward and raised his hand to Jaune. To which the latter returned it and shook it.
Once the formalities were over, the two families split up. I am looking forward to a day of catching up and enjoying the company.
Location: IHOW
Time: 12:45 PM
The Arc Family had reserved themselves a table at the large diner chain. Considering it was the only place that could seat 11 people, including a baby. The Arcs all sat around their table eating. Though Jaune sat closest to his mother and father as they began to talk through some business.
"Now Jaune, with your job, you'll be working in the city. It's about time you started looking for a place to live. Considering Ansel is a ways away from here. Your mother and I thought that we should help you with the down payment until your first checks start coming in. That is alongside a mode of transport."
"Mhm, we were thinking of getting you a good budget car. Nothing fancy for your first one, but I bet you could get yourself a pretty ride once you save up a little." His mother giggled at the thought before returning to her plate.
Jaune nodded and digested the information. Things seemed to be moving a lot faster than he had anticipated. Taking this time, he started to look back at the 23 weeks back in retrospect. His lofty dreams of becoming a Huntsman seemed far beyond what he was going to be dealing with. Not Grimm but people. Everyday people from the kindly old woman to thugs and criminals. The Huntsman life seemed grandiose to uniformed work. Like the vigilantes of Vacuo like in the old holofilms. Roaming about and providing their services in need. It was noble, but so was being a Police Officer.
His sisters had gone to become great individuals. A novelist, a scientist, a Huntsman, a chef, a teacher, an accountant, and one with the lofty dreams of becoming a council member. Jaune Arc wanted to carry on the name. But he was only trained in the basics. No combat school or academy to his name, but the VPA took him in and did as they promised. Helping improve his stamina and strength, opening his mind to critical thinking and decision making, teaching him how to drive and use weapons. He felt confident in himself, not some amateur kid who only sparred with his father. He was Cadet Jaune Arc. And by tomorrow, Probationary Officer Jaune.
Sure his probationary period wouldn't begin for another month, but he couldn't wait to get to work. He wanted to help people, and now he was going to have that chance.
Well, folks, we are essentially done with the tutorial. The next chapter is gonna be our graduation, and then we're off to the races! Thanks for sticking around this leave a review and some suggestions if you'd like. I can always use more. Anyways I'll be signing off for now.
P.S. This is the final update to this chapter I SWEAR. Thank you to NotaryNinja for pointing out a duplication in one of Jaune's sisters names.
Stay tuned for more Guarding Vale: A VPD Story.