Residuum
Blood 1.5
ii
Jaune stood beside Ozpin, doing his best to keep his nervousness under control. While he had gotten angry at Russel, he didn't think he did anything particularly outrageous to the boy. Given the reactions of everyone else however, apparently he shouldn't have tried to knock his opponent unconscious.
The elevator ride was uncomfortably long. It definitely felt longer than the time he had come up to Ozpin's office with Qrow. The headmaster of Beacon hadn't said anything to the blond as of yet which only served to feed his agitation.
Was it so serious that he might be in trouble? Would Ozpin kick him out of Beacon for it? He didn't have anywhere to go. Were they going to send him back to the Wilds, give up on finding his family? Terror clenched at his heart at the thought and Jaune hadn't felt like this in a long time.
"Stay calm," Ozpin said, as if he knew exactly what Jaune was thinking, "I've only invited you here to have a conversation, nothing more."
Jaune felt some of the tension leave him at the man's words. He hadn't ever really talked to Ozpin before, not even when he first met the man. Perhaps the man had just wanted to have a conversation with him as Qrow's apprentice and the timing was purely coincidental.
The two arrived at the office soon enough and Ozpin walked over to behind his desk and took his seat, gesturing for Jaune to a seat in front of him. He stared at the boy for a moment before saying anything.
"I don't suppose you've come across many stories during your time in the Wilds, have you?" Ozpin asked. Jaune was taken aback at the question, not sure what the man was talking about.
"No," Jaune replied slowly, "Not really."
"If you would allow me the honor, I would like to tell you a story, Jaune. The very first story you've heard in at least the last eight years," Ozpin said, "Is that okay?"
The blond nodded his consent, relieved he wasn't being expelled.
"Hmm…"
Ozpin rose from his seat, walking over to a section in his office where Jaune noticed a kitchen area. Jaune watched as the man silently made poured something into a mug similar to his own. Walking back over to him, the headmaster handed Jaune the steaming drink.
"I believe a story is always better with hot chocolate and marshmallows," Ozpin said, giving the boy a light smile, "Now then, this story is begins with a boy and a girl as many do."
"Not just a boy and a girl, however," Ozpin continued, watching as Jaune took a sip from the drink, "They were siblings and quite close to each other at that. The brother was the more reckless one between the two, whereas the sister was a bit more serious. If there was one thing that they had in common, it was their love for one another."
"Both of them were entrusted with the task of being protectors of this world, like so many of this world have. They took to the task with conviction and grew stronger and stronger as they trained to the best of their ability."
"Like a Huntsman," Jaune said, making Ozpin nod.
"Yes, much like a Huntsman is a protector of the world. However, these two knew something else. Friends that contained a greater power which served to bring peace to the world in a way that no one else really could," he said, "Well, that power is a tale in and of its own, but we'll leave that for another rainy day."
Jaune looked outside, noticing that it wasn't exactly raining today but didn't bother correcting the man.
"As this brother learned of the powers his friends contained and how much of a difference they made in aiding the people of this planet, he did everything he could to protect them. His sister did so as well, but… she also thought something else," Ozpin said, his voice slightly darkening, "Her quest to grow strong became less something she did for others and more something she did for herself. It grew from being a quest into more of an obsession."
"Instead of protecting their friends, the sister desired that power for herself. At first, she tried to find another way to grow strong but eventually realized that there was nothing she could do that would grant her strength like that of her friends. But... she found out that the power could be transferred. She grew jealous and decided she was more worthy of the power. That jealousy stirred something dark within her and she went after her friends to gain the power for herself."
"Did she succeed?"
"Almost," Ozpin said, "Indeed, she was already very strong and would have succeeded if not for the interference of someone else."
"Her brother," Jaune filled in as he took another swig from his mug; it was quite delicious.
"The sister had abandoned so much for that power. It poisoned her towards her friends, her family. But despite it all, she still loved her brother dearly and he still loved her. Their battle was as tremendous as it was terrible. As strong as she was, her brother was stronger. She fought for herself but he fought for everyone including her," Ozpin said, nearing the end of his tale, "In the end, she was unable to beat him. Her brother spared her life however, unable to strike down the sister that he loved despite it all. She did not go after the power again after their confrontation, but everything she had done had warpedher forever. Thus, her brother made her leave, never to return."
The two fell silent as the boy considered the story. The headmaster was trying to tell him something but he wasn't exactly sure what.
"Do they still talk?" Jaune asked, finishing his hot chocolate.
"Perhaps, perhaps not," Ozpin replied, "It is just a story Jaune."
The blond didn't quite believe that it was just a story. Hadn't Qrow once mentioned he had a sister? But why would the headmaster want to tell him about them?
"Everybody desires power, Jaune," the bespectacled man said, "What matters is your reason for growing strong. You had to be strong to survive when you were alone in the Wilds. For what purpose do you seek strength now?"
The blond considered his words. His life had changed since then. He had friends, a team. He didn't have to fight for just himself anymore.
"This isn't something that I expect for you to answer today," Ozpin said, "Learning what to fight for is something that can take a lifetime for some. It is more important that you search for an answer rather than come across it."
He sat quietly as he thought of Ozpin's words. The man oddly reminded him a bit of Qrow, at least when he and his mentor had that rare heart to heart on occasion.
"For now, I'll offer you this advice: the friends you have made here are irreplaceable. Do your best to protect them. Now, I believe that Glynda is waiting for you to return," Ozpin said, dismissing the boy, "You still have detention with her. Off you go."
Jaune took those words to heart. Perhaps he didn't know why he truly desired strength now, but he knew what he wanted. If there was anything he was going to do now, it would be to keep his friends safe.
Notes: Obviously on the short side, but this wasn't meant to be a long scene. However, I'm sure people can guess it's a very relevant one. I'm curious to see what you'll make of it.
There was some really good response to the previous update and I'm glad a lot of people are getting into it. It was mentioned briefly, but Glynda realized something very crucial to Jaune: he identifies people in very one dimensional manners. He doesn't really quite understand bullying or due process. There's a certain distinction between teasing and bullying. Jaune has been teased (mostly by Qrow) and has even done some teasing himself. To some degree, Jaune understands that it's a harmless way people like to communicate with each other. But bullying has a certain sense of malice with it and if there's anything Jaune can recognize, it's malice. But again, he doesn't know how to deal with a bully within the confines of society. Anyone can see Russel / Cardin are being bullies, Jaune sees an enemy.
Obviously, that isn't going to go over well, and it's hard to deal with that kind of thing.
Anyway, thanks for reading and leave another review! I really wanna know what people thought of this chapter. The next two will be pretty fun, I think.
knuckz
