Warning: Since this Jaune didn't exactly grow in... civilized place and won't have the same kind of morality the original one have, he might sounds... vulgar for most people.
-oOo-
If he was being honest to himself, Jounn would admit that he used too much force and power to break himself out of the metal cage.
But his action was not without justification. Anyone else would have become as angry as him when they woke up on their own puke before finding themselves being caged up like animal! In fact, he should have been more angrier for almost being murdered with his own barf!
And don't let him start to talk about the boat he had created by himself and everything in it. Gah! His whole treasure, his armor, his beloved fur coat, his cooking set and all the other weapons he had created with tear, sweat and blood! Everything is fucking gone!
Needless to say, Jounn was absolutely livid.
But unfortunately, he had no idea how to track down his kidnapper. There's a distinct smell of crow on his cage, but scouring the world with only that to guide him would only lead him to a lifetime of meaningless search. Now he regretted for not learning the way of sleeping with one eye open from his father.
At least there's a silver lining in his predicament.
Ruby Rose was an interesting girl to say the least, one who smells like an untouched rose. Never have he expected to see a girl laying atop a burnt crater the moment after he woke up on his own vomit with a splitting headache and boiling rage.
The bizarre sight set his head straight again and he was thankful for it. He might be a battle maniac but he's not dumb. An unnecessary problem is the last thing he want to get in this alien world.
Though, looking at the girl's red cloak and hood, Jounn's mind went back to his home, to the time when his Nan still used to tell him stories and tales.
About a little girl in red hood in a woodland searching for her grandmother's herbs but ended up being eaten by big, bad wolf because she forgot to bring her weapon. Was it a coincidence that he was known as a "Wolf"?
That was a question he decided to put away now for he was about to burst out laughing at a random thought passing through his mind. About another 'version' of the story he had been told by his father and uncles, which none of his sisters knew for particular reason.
Well, if chance come into his hand, he won't look a gift horse in the mouth. He wanted to explore what the world have in hand after all.
But for now, he just want a guide, or at least someone who is familiar enough with the area to show him around.
And for the love of Ivar's balls, Jounn stumbled into a treasure when he decided to not being a 'Raider' for a day.
Ruby Rose was certainly an interesting girl. She was weird and awkward but not unpleasant. And he absolutely loved the way she lit up at his little tease. Oh how he loves playing an innocent maiden like a fiddle.
But by Kratos' beard, this lass sure know her weapon well. Jounn was rendered speechless when she pulled out a crimson bag that turned into a massive scythe and swing it around with ease.
Well, aside from that, nothing much happened while he followed around the little girl who looked like she was about to break down for getting herself astray with a weird stranger.
Jounn nose twitched. The young man can smell the mixed scent of people gathered in one big room northeast from the two of them. He could just get the two of them sooner and safe the poor girl from a problem, but well, he was loathed by his sisters for a reason.
"J-Jounn, I... I think I got ourselves... lost. I'm sorry..." And now he was torn between giving her a taste of mercy or enjoying the lovely puppy look.
"You are a hunter, no?" In the end, he decided to become less devilish than usual. "Then you should truly become one, Ruby."
"Huh?" The girl gave him a quizzical look.
"The first thing my dear father teaches me about hunting is how to be a good tracker." Jounn crouched to her eyes level as if he was about to really teach her hunting, eyes staring into those silver treasures. "What are we looking for, Ruby?"
"Umm... Bunch of people?" Ruby eyes wandered elsewhere, whether it was because the intensity of Jounn's look or she was just trying to focus her thought, he could vaguely answer it from the pink that dusted her cheeks.
"Then try to look out for a sign of life, human especially." He moved closer, head side by side and with hand holding her shoulder while eyes roamed around his surroundings, "What made human so... noticeable?"
The rosy shade on her complexion slowly disappeared as Ruby scrunched her face thoughtfully at the question. Good, she's taking this seriously, "Their look...?"
"Correct, but also not right." Ruby blinked in confusion, "With no one to see here, that's not the best answer."
Without as much as a warning, he flicked Ruby's adorable little ear, causing the girl to yelp slightly, "Human is a noisy creature, try to sharpen your ears. Enhance it with your Aura."
A light of understanding shone for a brief second in her blinking silver's eyes, "But how do I use my Aura on my ear?"
"The same way you strengthen your body when you used that scythe." He told her with a challenging smirk, "But a little bit gentler."
A gentle squeeze reminded her that he was there to help her and it eased her of the tension that had been buildinh up in her little body. With a deep breath, Ruby did as she was told. Crimson-like energy began to came out of her, shimmering and flickering slightly in the air before it slowly gathered up around her ears.
Ruby's eyes opened wide with a jolt and Jounn was quick to help her. He exuded a small bit of dark blue energy with black highlight, his Aura, out of the hand on her shoulder and use it to guide her own.
Relief was visible on Ruby's shoulders, although the tenseness doesn't leave her completely. Not a surprise, his Aura was told to be rather intimidating by people back home. But that never become a problem for him,
"woah... woahoho! I can hear everything!"
"Try to be more gentler next time, my friend. But good work." Jounn gave her a complimentary pat on her back before taking off to walk toward the assembly hall.
"Wait a minute, you knew it from the beginning!" Ruby shouted, "This is one of your sick joke! You jerk!" The blond only let out a laugh at the accusation.
"Not like you didn't learn something useful in exchange."
"Ugh, you're so unbelievable..." Fumed the Little Red Hood.
The way to the hall was filled with idle chatter between the two as the girl finally calmed down from her anger. Jounn easily noticed the way Ruby acted much more open about herself than before to him, although just slightly. Good, having someone like her close to guide him around this strange place would be favorable for him.
And who knows, maybe he could have something with her. Something that let him savor some sweet delight like the way that version of big bad wolf experienced that story. Heh.
Ughh... He need to get his head out of the gutter... Doing a stupid thing like that might get himself killed someday.
Sneaking into the room was rather easy for the two of them when everyone was focusing their attention on a white-haired man with a cane and weird little black thing in front of his face.
And blending in the crowd, leaving the Little Red Hood to wherever she was heading to, was like a childplay for an experienced hunter like him. Ruby's company is good, but Jounn has somehow found himself in the right place at the right time.
"Look for a white-haired man with a cane, he's the one who asked for our help and might help you live there."
His father's words resurfaced back in his mind when the man met his gaze. Hmm... meeting Ruby was indeed a treasure in its own form.
Though, someone might wonder how could Jounn went through all of this with so little care and suspicion. What if he ended up being killed?
The answer, my friend, is that he simply do not care about the risk.
After all, he's the strongest, the master of his own fate and untamed beast that wouldn't be able to be killed unless he allow it himself.
"Mr. Aerikson?"
-oOo-
Glynda first impression about the giant of a young man that was supposed to be the headmaster's guest was... less than stellar.
He was literally half-naked, looking like he was too old to be among these children while having the perfect appearance of a dangerous criminal. Add that with the fact that he was supposed to be a runaway who had managed to destroy his cage along with the Bullhead that carried him, Glynda didn't have the best impression about him.
Though, Glynda found it rather amusing how he freaked out when they used the elevator to get up to Ozpin's office.
All in all, he was nothing but an ape in full-grown human form. A possibly very strong one at that judging by muscular build.
Though...
"What exactly is this place, Glynda?"
Even with the strange accent and the laid back attitude he didn't ashamed to shows, the man exuded a strange sense of authority around him that not even Glynda could ignore with ease.
Not to mention, the way his striking blue eyes shone with a light of amusement and predator-like focus was making his presence even more overwhelming.
"Beacon Academy is an educational institution that focuses on teaching the new generation the art of hunting Grimm. We are about to arrive to the Headmaster Ozpin's office, so forgive me for keeping the explanation short, Mr. Aerikson."
An amused snort came out of his nostrils, "Just call me Jounn, Teacher Glynda. Although I felt honored to have his name, being called by my father's name is not exactly nice."
A custom from his home? Maybe, but it won't hurt to save an information about a future student.
"Thank you for the warning, but I cannot, in my good conscience, call you by your first name as a teacher. It would make the others think that you're being favored by us, by me."
"Geh, fine. Call me 'Wulfr', I was called that back in my home. It means wolf."
For some reason, Glynda found herself being driven by unfathomable force of her consciousness to ask him the reason for his nickname, "Why's that?"
"Because I am a hunting dog who bend to no one, my dear teacher." for some reason, the way he called her gave Glynda a pleasant shiver down her spine, "That's why I suggest you to not try anything funny."
The implications was pretty much clear for the two of them, but even so, Glynda won't agree to it. As a teacher of Beacon Academy, Glynda must keep the children, the next generation of huntsmans, stay true to the right path and make sure that her student stay in their best behavior.
If Glynda turned to look at him, she might be able to see the disappointment and a slight excitement in Jaune's eyes. He's not a man who is shy to a challenge after all.
"Headmaster." Glynda lightly rapped the door to Ozpin's office with her knuckles. "Your guest is in here."
"Let him come in."
With a gentle push, the door gave way for the two of them to enter the room. With a practiced swiftness, she went away to the back and prepared a beverage for the two men to enjoy while Ozpin greeted the barbarian.
"Welcome Mr. Jounn Aerikson, please take a seat." The said man looked at the gestured chair before he do as he was told.
"It's very soft..." Glynda could vaguely hear the young man commented.
If a simply chair could garner such a response from him, than life must be very primitive back in Mr. Aerikson's home...
He even looked like a little boy trying out a new gift from his parents, which was surprisingly adorable in Glynda's eyes. Maybe there's a hope deep within that gruff exterior, should she start to make out a plan for him?
"I'm honored for the compliment, thank you, Mr. Jounn." Ozpin regarded him with a pleasant, kind smile, "I just hope we could keep you satisfied like that while you stayed in here."
And... he had to ruin the child-like wonder on his face by propping his leg up on the chair while giving him an arrogant smirk. "I do not think locking me up in a cage would help keeping me satisfied... Headmaster Ozpin, yes?"
Even from afar, with her back facing them both, Glynda could feels the way Ozpin controlled his facial muscle to skillfully show a right amount of regret and shame without making him appears weak. Truly, Ozpin has mastered the art of verbal and mental warfare.
"I truly apologize for that. My... Agent have stepped out of boundary for an unknown reason and wronged you in the worst way possible. I will make sure to pay you in any way possible for this incident and punish them for their fault."
"I would prefer to deliver the justice myself, Headmaster. My people may be an infamous raider, but we still do not take kidnapping very kindly. My treasure and hard work are there, in the boat, how would you repay it back to me."
"Excuse me." Glynda announced, with tray of drinks in hand. Even if she disliked the way Ozpin handles the talking and negotiation, she can't ignore the fact that he was very capable at it.
So it is simply her obligation to support him as a Headmistress of Beacon Academy and for the sake of the world.
"Oh, thank you Glynda."
"What's this?" The palpable tension from before visibly disappeared as the young blond man looked at the beverage with curiosity and interest.
"It's called tea, Mr. Aerikson." Glynda freezed up for a brief moment when he turned his intense gaze toward her. She chided herself for forgetting the effect Jounn Aerikson's eyes have on person. It just brings such a chills that went down your spine while enchants you to be swallowed by it, as if you're drowning into a beautiful dark blue sea.
...Glynda should stop thinking unnecessary things about this boy.
"Dear teacher, I have told you to not call me by that. But 'ti' you say?" He lifted the cup in front of his mouth, "It smells... pleasant."
And when he took a sip from the cup, Jounn simply froze on his seat. Glynda watched as his eyes widened in shock while emotions flashed across those pool of blue.
"It's... good... What do you call it again, Teacher Glynda?"
"Tea, Mr. Aerikson. T-E-A."
"Tea," The young man tasted the way it rolled in his mouth, "I like it. Would you be kind enough to give me more?"
Glynda allowed herself a delighted smile at the request, "With pleasure, Mr. Aerikson."
The trickling noise of pouring water filled the silence in the room, "You're a good drink maker, Teacher Glynda."
If the compliment had an effect on the blond woman, she doesn't show it. What? She could count on her hands the amount of time someone, especially stranger, actually complimenting her in her lifetime.
"I am glad that you're enjoying your time in here, Mr. Jounn." Glynda could feel a metaphorical weight was being lifted from her shoulders when Jounn stared at Ozpin, "About your boat and belongings, you have no need to worried. We have secured your baggage in your room and placed your ship at the Beacon's dock. They're all still in pristine condition, I could assure you."
"Heh," The young man chortled, "That's funny since I remember that my things are mostly rusted and old. But fine, I guess I won't demand you my kidnapper."
"Once again, I must apologize, Mr. Jounn." Ozpin paused, looking out toward Beacon's ground, "The day is starting to get late, I believe you fully deserved a rest, Mr. Jounn. Headmistress, lead his way please."
"Thank you for the politeness, Headmaster. I have a lot of questions about this drink and I hope Teacher Glynda wouldn't mind to answer it." The man rose from his seat by vaulting over the armrest of his chair, "Though, fair warning, Headmaster. I do not appreciate a stinky lie."
And with that, Glynda ended up escorting the giant of a man once again. Though this time, she found it rather... satisfying compared to the last time, what with their endless talk around the shared subject of interest, which is tea.
-oOo-
"Seriously Qrow, why did you have to do that?"
Qrow's avian form dived down from perch somewhere around the ceiling, and instantly transformed into his human form once he landed on one of the couch. Annoyance clearly displayed on his surprisingly sober-looking face.
"I have a bad feeling about that guy, Oz..." And he had to ruin the moment by taking a big chug from his liquor flask. "Something is wrong and wicked about that guy."
Ozpin had to suppress down a sigh, "You're not thinking straight, Qrow."
"Oz, he literally looked rougher and dirtier than me, what with that beard and dirty clothes. And why do you think he was walking his ass around half-naked, showing off all those big muscles and scars? Think, Ozpin, think! He definitely aiming to broke some poor girl or two!?"
"He came from a far away and backward land with a completely different custom and lifestyle, Qrow. This might sounds rude, but as far as I know, Anselg most advanced technology is literally something we had managed to found thousands years ago."
"He fucking ogles my little nephew, Ozpin!" The flask in his hand came slamming down unto the tea table, hard, "And touched her all over the place while whispering some dark shits into her ears to corrupt Ruby!"
"Qrow, you're exaggerating. His interest on Ruby's hair was genuinely child-like and harmless. And you knew better than me that Ruby is quite awkward with social interaction, so it is obvious that she found Jounn's open intimacy to be overwhelming."
At this point, Ozpin was starting to get heated with the arguments that they are having right now.
He had to do something to stop this, "Also if I had to add, Jounn gave Ruby a skill in regards of Aura application, which also very, very useful for her Huntress' career. Who knows just how much priceless knowledge he could teach Ruby to become even more stronger, Qrow.
And I don't want you to forget about just how much we needed him to save Amber. Even if it was abysmally little, there was still a chance to save her with him in here."
Fortunately, he had managed to make the raven-haired man to listen to him and calm his mind down, albeit grumpily.
"Fine, I will let him go this time." Ozpin watches as his friend rose from the seat with a frown on his face, "But if I ever find out that he was doing anything funny to Ruby or even Yang, I will personally gave him the taste of my boot."
With that, Ozpin allowed himself to take a deep breath and relax. His talk with Jounn had drained a considerable amount of energy from him and the following debate with Qrow wasn't helping either.
He supposed that it was natural that he felt tired about the former. Jounn, despite being uncivilized and barbaric, was a man of noble blood and knew how to play his the game well.
Honestly, he doesn't find Qrow's concern to be unfounded. Ozpin had to agree with his friend's points more than a single time.
But Ozpin couldn't allow any problem to happen between his faction and the people of Anselg by harming their prince. If his memory serves right, a single warrior of the Far North is far stronger than the average huntsman's team.
As Qrow prepared himself to leave the tower through unconventional way, i.e flying, Ozpin opened his mouth, "I think you owe him an apology, Qrow."
"No fucking way I will do that!"
Ozpin calmly sipped at his tea while enjoying the aggravated caw of a certain crow.