Hello everyone, Azrael here! Before we proceed, I do want to thank the people who left me the feedback, encouraging me to continue. I do however, also need to thank lifeofpuzzle, who did point out on character portrayal. It began as silly fun but then kind of got a bit heavy in the next chapter. I do want to touch up on that eventually, but I want to try and find a way that is not too clogged.

In the meantime, due to an odd surge of motivation (and a quick poll with friends), I bring you all the first Fun-Shot in this fic! Basically a one-shot finished in a day since it does seem fun. Not only that, but they can be tied to the story, albeit at a more loose moment in time. One last thing, I do want to thank AllSlayer on Fanfiction for helping me sort of shape this one out… it was quite an interesting conversation. Without further ado, let's begin!

"Your story may not have such a happy beginning but that does not make you who you are, it is the rest of it- who you choose to be"

― Soothsayer, 'Kung Fu Panda 2'

There were a few things Jaune had not expected when joining Beacon: Aura, Semblances, being part of a fairly powerful circle… he felt little in the grand scheme of things. No, that is an understatement: miniscule would be a more suitable term. The two were currently on their way to Menagerie, for it was Break Week after a series of final exams. Fresh off of the end of the first year, the Vytal Festival was pushed back due to security concerns. While considered an odd course of action, it would ultimately be 'for the safety of the kids', which only got negative feedback from the old coots in Council.

It was a bit of a long trip given how they had to go by ship, let alone the time they spent in Mistral. Roughly a day, but it was a fun experience to say the least. It then lead to almost being left behind by the ship, and bickering which then leads to laughter between the two… and him apologizing despite the resolution.

"Hey Blake?" Jaune asked, as they stood on the ship's edge, leaning against the railing.

"Yeah?" she asked, having ditched the bow time ago.

"Is there something I should do while in Menagerie? I mean, it's kind of the unofficial Faunus kingdom, and I'm a human, and uh…" he said, drifting off and looking away awkwardly.

"Just act normal, but without sticking your foot in your mouth that much."

"Ah, fair enough," he said, holding her hand and tapping it with his index finger. Whatever bravado he had was usually in his comfort zones, topics he was an expert on: topics, handling siblings or bickering, pain… as long as said pain was not his. But here? It was a brand new kingdom, the source of origin to the Fang… the kingdom with a village run by Blake's father of all people. Yup, absolutely nothing to be nervous about.

He was however knocked out of his worries as the ship came to a stop, with him trying to get his footing. His lack of balance was quickly ended thanks to the swift hand of the woman who had become the object of his affections, the one he had confessed to recently. The Breach had been a bit of a wake-up call of things going south, and with his thoughts finally put in place, he asked her out. A trip to Vale, a simple dinner, reminiscing about time spent at Tukson's, and the two became an item.

This had earned the ire of a certain blonde brawler and the muted acceptance of a certain Spartan. The lovers had been quick to tackle their respective teammates, with Jaune having made a bit of a vow to not rest until he found someone worthy of her affections. This and also reassuring her to think things through as it could have just been a matter of an exception out of ignorance.

Yang? Well, Blake had easily countered by ultimately saying that it was her choice to decide who received her love and who didn't. Not only that, but she went on to explain something similar that Jaune had told Yang time ago: both had seen each other's weaknesses, both had been willing to learn… both managed to grow and become better individuals, one way or another. Not only that, but a run-in with Adam Taurus during the events of Mt. Glenn had fortified that bond. It was when the haze lifted that Xiao Long had finally seen what Blake had mentioned.

Yang and Pyrrha would eventually find solace in each other but in an interesting development: with Nikos asking her to hang out, both would become sparring partners and also spend their fair share of time out on the town. It had given the brawler much to think about, as Pyrrha developed a sense of confidence that went beyond the cameras and tourneys. Hell, the Invincible Girl had become a great drinking buddy, which in turn had also led to less destruction caused by Yang, and also fixing oneself. It was odd really, but she didn't mind.

With the people already getting off the boat, the couple joined the crowd, both of them getting their belongings as they made their way to Belladonna residence. The stares he received from a few citizens had made him very uncomfortable: whether it is as an uncommon sight, rejection, or vitriol in its purest form. He could not blame them given the world that seemed to be changing with every waking moment. This was then felt by Blake, who squeezed his hand, which brought him a sense of tranquility.

"Is this normal?" he whispered in her ear.

"To be fair, you are the first human to set foot here since who knows when," she answered, as the two sped up and reached the manor.

"Umm, nice place," he said, looking at the impressive home.

"It's an understatement, but we'll take it."

"Sure as hell beats my house."

"It's not a competition," she countered before looking at him. "I'm nervous."

"Me too, but we made a promise. Let's see it through," he answered, only for the two to be intercepted by a group of guards.

"Halt, what is your business?"

"Visiting family," Blake answered.

"Is that so? I'd like to see some-"

"Sorry for the kid, he's new," an older guard said. "Hey kid."

"Deimos!" Blake said, being pulled into a hug by the older man.

"Blake, it's been a while. What have you been up to?"

"Nothing, though I do need to see my parents."

"Aren't you going to introduce me?" The seasoned guard asked.

"Right. Jaune, this is Deimos, head guard of the household. He says he served with my grandfather in the Great War."

"O-oh, pleasure to meet you. I'm Jaune Arc… huntsman-in-training," the young knight said,

"An Arc in Menagerie? Last I heard of was a fine young lass in Mistral!" he replied jovially.

"How did you know?"

"A friend," he answered, a soft smile on his face. "Though while on the topic, I insist we need a CCT on the double!"

"A request you've been making for the last few years, sir," a slightly younger servant replied.

"Boreas, why don't you show the two to the rooms they'll be staying in?" the older man asked. "The Belladonnas will not be back until late."

"Right away," the servant answered, entering the manor with the young couple. They eventually set their luggage in their respective rooms and left the room.

"So, the day's almost over…" Jaune said awkwardly.

"Yeah, I guess. I'm feeling tired."

"Same. Want to raid the fridge?"

"Jaune!"

"What? Figured we could make something quick… It was a long trip," he said, looking away and blushing.

"Fine… I want fish skewers."

"Alrighty, let's see what we've got," he said, rushing down an empty hallway, only to return quickly. "I have no idea where the kitchen is."

"Let's go."

A few moments later…

With the help of the sizable spice rack, carrots, salmon and scallops, around 10 skewers were made, 3 for each (1). Once the four remaining skewers had cooled down, he grabbed some tupperware and stored the skewers in it.

"So, see you tomorrow?" he asked, looking at her.

"Yeah… or we can, y'know, cuddle," she replied, her ears flattening, as if trying to look cute.

"Oh you," he said, smiling as she led him to her room.

"What, is it wrong for me to want cuddles? Didn't Mama Arc raise a hugger?"

"You got me there. Should I read 'Disaster of Passion' (2) out loud as well?"

"Yes."

It would be a bit later as Ghira and Kali would return to their home. Making their way to their room, they stopped by Blake's room, for they could hear the voice of a young man. Peeking into the room, they would see their daughter leaning against him as he held a book in his hands.

"Let's call it a day, dear… I think it was a long day for all of us," Kali whispered, a hand on his arm. Now normally, he would barge in and start questioning them, but it was something he could check with Deimos… or he could hop into the bath first. The head guard was already gone anyway.

"Sure… could you go ask the guards when Blake and her plus one arrived? That way, you could also get some wine for the both of us," he replied. "I'll get the bath going."

"Oh you romantic lug you," Kali said coyly, making her way to the first floor and checking on the guard, only for it to be another individual, one who had clearly seen better days.

"Hello Ull," she said. (3)

"Good evening, Miss Belladonna," the guard said.

"About my daughter and her 'friend'..."

"Oh, they were here when old man Deimos left, he told me to keep an eye on them and yet not abandon my post. Funny, huh?"

"Yes, but we love him regardless."

"Is something the matter?"

"No, not at all… just relay the message to Kagutsuchi when he begins the morning shift."

"Yes, ma'am." The interaction finished, the loving wife of Ghira made her way to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of wine. What she did not expect was the young man from earlier in the kitchen.

"Um, hey," he said, looking at her nervously. "I came for some water, there's some leftover fish skewers from earlier if you guys want some. I'll be upstairs if you need me," he finished, grabbing a pitcher of water and two glasses before rushing off to Blake's room.

"Hehe, kids… almost makes me want another," Kali said, a dreamy smile on her face before she snapped out of it and got the wine she came for. Amidst the remainder of a bottle of wine and the embrace of her beloved, the conniving mother of the Belladonna household came up with a plan so amazing her husband couldn't refuse.

Belladonna household

The next day…

There were many things Jaune expected waking up, but one of them was not an older, perhaps more unpredictable version of Blake.

"Good morning," the mother said, looking at the young knight who had fallen asleep with her daughter.

"Ummm, good morning ma'am," he said.

"Comfy?"

"Hahhhh… yeah," he answered, looking away.

"Do you know what time it is?"

"I dunno, seven in the morning?"

"Exactly. There's a restaurant I've been wanting to go to for a while, but it opens until 8. My big cat is clearly sleeping in, and I want to know more about the man who became the object of my daughter's affections."

"How did you know?" He asked, only to be greeted by a smug smile.

"You just told me… just kidding, I have a friend in Beacon."

"Oh, ummm… should I freshen up?"

"I'll see you at the front gate in 20."

"Roger roger." A quick shower, along with making sure Blake was comfy, Jaune ended up walking with Kali, a few people here and there as they made their way to the restaurant in question.

"So uh… why are we going at 8?"

"The restaurant opens at that time. If we go at 9, there will be more people and if we waited until 10 then getting a seat would be difficult."

"Damn… you remind me of my sister Elaine."

"Is it due to my youthful look, young man?"

"Wait, no!" he said, trying to clarify.

"So you're saying I look like a hag?"

"Of course not, you look beautiful! I mean, it makes sense why Blake looks the way she does, and- agh, I did not leave Ansel for this!"

"I'm messing with you. Now that I think about it, what is your name?"

"J-Jaune ma'am. Short, sweet, rolls off the tongue, Blake loves it?" he said, looking at her nervously.

"Oh I bet she does," she countered, smirking. "You better be ready, today I am showing you around Menagerie and I know that you can cook, so you're helping me on that front as well!"

"I-I see…"

"Very well, I hope you like pancakes and waffles, because we're starting the day with a smile on our faces and a satisfied sweet tooth!" Kali said, as she ran off. Caught off-guard, he ran after her, seeing how it was almost 8 as well. This sudden rush would bring the two to a modest restaurant that seemed to be made of a mix of wood and stone. In front of the restaurant called 'Kimat's Sunrise'.

"Wow, it kind of reminds me of home."

"To be fair, Kimat spent some time as part of the Valean Coast Guard. She eventually moved to Menagerie and passed away a few years after opening this restaurant."

"Wow…"

"Indeed, let's go in and get ourselves a table, because I don't know what you're ordering, but I do know what I will be ordering," she said, the door opening as she was greeted by a man in his mid-twenties.

"Good morning, Miss Kali," he said, smiling.

"Good morning, Rai," the mother said.

"Table for two?"

"Of course."

"The usual spot?"

"The day I ask for a different one'll be the day, young man," she answered in a teasing tone.

"Right away," the waiter said, guiding them to a table on the second floor near a window that showed some of the grassier spots and also the ocean to a degree.

"Wow, this is a nice view."

"Seeing it always brings a smile to my face, it took me some time finding the best seat to admire the view. Oh, you should've seen me the first time I got a seat on the second floor."

"Don't want to imagine."

"Your menus," a different waiter said. "I am Elizabeth and I'll be your waiter today."

"Thank you El', we'll take a cup of milk each. By the way, how do you want your milk, Jaune?"

"Whole milk please," he answered.

"Two cups of whole milk, we'll need it."

"Right away, Miss Kali."

"Bring it with the meal, dear."

"Of course, Miss Kali. Remember to ring the bell when you're ready to order," she said, pointing to a small black device with a button on it before rushing off.

"So Jaune, is there anything on the menu that catches your eye?"

"I don't know what to order."

"I can't blame you, I've consumed every plate on this menu at least twice, and yet, it's still a bit alienating. Any allergies I should be made aware of?"

"No?"

"Any foods you dislike."

"Nope, menu looks fine."

"That makes things easier for the both of us." With a quick press of the button, the waitress returned and looked at the two.

"Are you ready to order?"

"Of course. We'll have two apple pancakes, dear."

"Will that be all? If so, the wait time is around 20-25 minutes."

"Yes dear," she answered, as the waitress left once more.

"Now Jaune, I have a few questions regarding my daughter."

"Sure."

"How was she during Initiation?"

"Oh, she looked like she wanted to be alone, kept her distance."

"Anything you thought about her then?"

"Nah, I was kind of focused on making sure I survived. The launch pad caught me off-guard though."

"No need to play it cool, dear. You must've been nervous."

"Trying not to die, getting used to Aura, I felt like there was a lot I needed to learn."

"I can't blame you, given how most Arcs are usually found within or near Ansel."

"Wait, how do you know about my family? I mean, you, the guard…"

"Oh, the Arcs crossed paths with my grandfather. It was a decent bond for a group trying to buddy up when the Grimm were starting to be a bigger threat during the Great War."

"Wow, I didn't really know that."

"I can't blame you given the way you were raised. Though I kind of also blame myself for Blake's choices.."

"Why?"

"It bugs me, and I'm glad she's here again but these five or so years just feel… odd. But enough about me, what about you? How did Blake meet a dashing young man like you?"

"Well…" And so, he regaled her with the tale of her first comic book, which earned a few laughs from the older woman. After that were the events that lead to both of them confessing about their pasts, which earned a small smile from Kali.

"Jaune, before I let you continue, I need you to listen to me. I can't blame you or Blake for what you've chosen. Desperation leads us to doing some pretty stupid stuff… I don't think I've met someone who didn't do something stupid. I was able to see the two of you happy last night. She didn't look afraid, distant, nothing… she looked happy as could be."

"I'm just trying what I can."

"And you've done plenty for her, the same way I know she's done for you. A bond such as the one the two of you share comes only once in a lifetime. I'll let you in on a little something though: before you see Ghira, my big, gruff and confident husband, I'll have you know he was kind of like Blake, but without the Fang," she said, the mention of the Fang bringing a somewhat sour look on her face.

"Wait, really?"

"Of course. The best men aren't made in a day. I think the two of you are making great progress from what I've heard on your end. Please, please take care of my kitten while Ghira and I are unable to reach her," she said, holding his hands tight as she held them together.

"I, I swear I will protect her."

"None of that, I want the Arc Promise my grandfather once told me of."

"Sorry 'bout that. I will be there for your daughter and make sure she's happy and safe, Arc's Promise."

"There we go! While we wait for breakfast, why don't we talk about ourselves? We still have a day ahead of us, but we do have some time until we need to start preparing dinner."

"Sure thing, but where do we begin?"

"Well, why don't you tell me about your family?"

"Oh dear…" he said, looking up and tapping the table with both hands. Safe to say, he enjoyed the apple pancakes, and their breakfast was spent talking about random tidbits of info involving them. If this was happening between a concerned mother and her daughter's lover, what was happening with her husband and daughter?

What will happen in the rest of Kali and Jaune's day? Will Ghira let Jaune cook? Will Sienna swing by? Will the author rework his portrayal of certain characters? Find out next episode- err, chapter: '1001 Knights in Menagerie: The Longest Monday'

(1) Based on Diona's specialty food in Genshin Impact… they have some interesting meals to say the least… Also don't let Amber cook, she somehow made a steak half uncooked, half burnt.

(2) Solid recommendation for a Guilty Gear: Strive song

(3) Deities referenced in the upgraded variants of the BO2/BO3 Origins Staffs.

So yeah, once again I want to thank AllSlayer because the talk on possible Jaune pairings lead to Blake needing some more attention with Jaune, but also flipping the script: what if instead of bonding with the father-in-law, he bonds with the mother-in-law? I did cut off the chapter here since I'm getting used to 3k chapters, as well as feeling as if we could dedicate next chapter to some Ghira and Blake moments as well as some random things like a family dinner. So once again, I want to put out Part 2 of this chapter this week, but for now I'm going to rest. Thank you all for reading, feedback is welcome, and I'll see you all next time!