Sorry for my bad English.
An annonimous review told to me to just admit this story is based on a OC.
And I say NO!
Cerodore was Jaune from the very beggining, and those who notices the three first lines of this fic know that I'm telling the truth.
And I know that a lot of the readers notices after the first chapter the connection between Jaune and Ceodore from his interactions with Ruby on that chapter. Besides, we all know how fanfiction with OCs are not so popular.
This story have more was favorited and have more than one handred followers, way more than a fiction based on OCs have.
Yes, the clowns from the sock's commercial got a TV series.
It was partially the clow duo getting in shenanigans around the city of Vale, most of the times one of them trying to woo a lady, only to end getting slapped on the face.
In today's episode, the clows just got themselves a job to gluing posters in the city of Vale, sometimes entering forbidden areas and being chased by the police.
-Why would someone give those clows their own show? -Miles asked.
-I still would buy the socks for a dollar. -Ceodore stated.
When Ceodore decide to tag along with his combat teacher on this little trip, he did not expect her to introduce him to her father. Normally, when a woman introduces her father, it means-
-Bad thoughts, Ceodore. Bad thoughts! -Ceodore thought.
Laguna already surprised the apprentice by his size only. Even a Beringels could only come close to how big the silver-haired man was. Something else that caught his attention was the strange glowing marks he had in both arms. He could feel some miasma coming from the glowing purple marks, something he did not feel even from his master.
But then again, Miles had miasma on him longer than anyone in Remnant.
-I gotta say, when I heard about the apprentice, I was expecting something more... intimidating. -Laguna said.
-Dad, please. -Glynda said, scolding her father who chuckled nervously.
-No, it is okay. -Ceodore said. -I heard that a lot.
-But now that I have the chance to talk to the apprentice, tell me: How is going your old man?
-Actually... I did not speak to him since I came to Beacon. -Ceodore answered before continuing. -Sorry if I am being rude but what is exactly this place?
-As you may have noticed, it is an installation to threaten those who were infected with miasma. -Laguna answered and continued. -I was brought here a little while after I meet the man himself that I got infected as they say.
-You meet my master? -Ceodore could not help but ask.
-Of course. We are old friends.
-WHAT?! -Ceodore asked more loudly than he wanted.
-Is this surprising? -Laguna asked.
-Well, a little. -He used those words merely to not be rude.
If there was anything that Miles hated more than Grimms was other people. So the thought of him having a friend after what he did to Arcadia would knock down even his daughter. Of course, he was a grump old man but still.
There is also the fact that the woman drinking tea by their side also attacked him at the first sight.
-So... how come I never heard of your feats as a huntsman? -Ceodore asked. -I've heard about some really big guys who are huntsmen but never heard your name before.
-Actually, I was not a huntsman. -Laguna answered.
-Really? -Ceodore asked with a raised eyebrow.
-I was just a man who happens to own a ranch near Vale. -Laguna began. -Used to breed horses, walk with cattle, do agricultural work, and all those things. Of course, Grimms appeared from time to time to make my work harder but we manage to survive. Not that I don't know how to deal with those beasts. It is just if you are going to live on a ranch far from civilization, you need to learn how to defend your property.
-You grew up on a ranch? -Ceodore asked Glynda.
-Is this surprising? -Glynda asked.
-It just... you don't seem like you grew up around farm animals.
-I may have adopted a more professional look but this is no reason for me to forget my humble origins. -Glynda said. -In fact, if you already have not noticed, my weapon of choice has some meaning behind my growth in my father's ranch.
-Is it? -Ceodore asked which Glynda nodded.
-One of the things I most loved in the ranch was the horses. -Glynda began. -While most of them were used for labor, I was glad my father allowed me to have one. It was the greatest birthday gift I ever receive. -Glynda ended with a surprisingly warm smile.
-Oh yeah, Mirage was one of kind type of horse. -Laguna said. -Brave and bold, running without fear.
-He seemed to be a really good horse. -Ceodore stated.
-The best a girl could have asked for. -Glynda said looking to her tea.
-Ceodore, may I ask how his daughter is going? -Laguna's question surprised both Ceodore and Glynda.
-You know about Sylph?
-Miles may not enjoy talking too much words but the ones he share are always something interesting. -Laguna stated. -I mean, imagine my surprise when he said miasma made my body grow even more.
-Miasma made your body bigger? -Ceodore couldn't help but ask.
-Yep. -Laguna answered. -Before I was just a bit taller than Pixie...
-Dad!
-... but then, I found my head nearly reaching the ceiling of my own house. -Laguna finished with a laugh. -Not the best situation to be but was funny nonetheless.
-He ever explained how this happened? -Ceodore asked.
-According to the words of your master, it was because of his semblance. -Glynda briefly explained.
-So, Laguna has his aura unlocked?
-If you are going to deal with Grimms, it's something you may need. -Laguna explained before continuing. -My semblance used to increase my muscle mass, making me stronger physically.
-Used to? -Ceodore asked.
-Yeah, according to your master, the miasma that infected me turned my semblance on and keep like that and increased the level ten times. -Laguna explained. -Since then, my semblance never turned off, even after my aura was at a low level. From what Miles said, miasma, different from the aura, would keep going even without aura to feed the energy, but without aura, the miasma would start to feed on vital energy from earth itself. It is this or...
-It is draining miasma from another source. -Ceodore finished the theory. -You are constantly absorbing miasma which is not inside someone, that's why your semblance does not deactivate.
-You are a smart kid. -Laguna said. -Now that I explained my situation, how Sylph is going?
-She was doing fine last time I saw her. -Ceodore explained. -Like my master, I don't see her since I came to Beacon. But she's been doing fine on her own.
-On her own? -Laguna asked.
-Oh yeah. It has been two years since her mother passed away from sickness.
-What?! Yousei is dead? -Laguna said surprised. -What sad news.
-Y-you knew the mother of his child, dad? -Glynda asked.
-She was a very gentle soul. -Laguna said. -She would not hesitate to help someone if she could. If there was someone who could soften that stone heart that once belonged to Miles, it was her.
This was new even to Ceodore. He meet the woman a couple of times when Sylph came to his house to visit her father. One day, Yousei had come as well and while he spent most of his time with Sylph, his master would spend hours talking to the emerald-haired woman.
By some of their interactions, Ceodore knew that Laguna was telling the truth. She was a woman in one million, the type who could cause jealousy on other men against the one who got the heart of the gentle beauty.
He was also thankful that Sylph got more of her mother than her father. The thought of a young female version of his master sends a shiver through Ceodore's spine.
Because of her predicament, Winter could only communicate with her sister through the pod she was inside. She complied with those demands, not wanting her sister to get any contact with the evil energy. The apprentice already is in Beacon and this was a constant danger for her.
Except for what Weiss spoke, Ceodore seemed not to be such a bad guy like his master.
-I see. -Winter spoke. -It seems the apple did fall away from the tree.
-You have no idea. -Weiss said. -He seems more like a Buffon than the apprentice of the so-called monster.
-He spoke about his reasons to choose this path?
-I think it is something personal so it is not something he would reveal right away.
-I see. Well, I... -Before Winter could continue, the doors opened.
Weiss saw entering the room someone who seemed to be a bit young to be a soldier, with deep crimson eyes and armor like the one from the soldiers of Atlas, colored red.
-Weiss, this is Crimson. -Winter said gesturing to the young soldier with red armor. -He is been helping us in our mission regarding miasma.
-It is a pleasure to make you acquaintance. -Weiss said, bowing to him.
While she expected for him to give back the gesture at the same level, she only saw confusion in his eyes, as if he did not understand the reason for her introduction.
-Crimson, don't be rude. -Winter spoke. -She just introduced herself to you. Do the same.
The boy nodded before starting.
-My designed title is Crimson. -He began, which made Weiss raise an eyebrow. Designed title? -Unit serial number 0002, created and designed to...
-Crimson! -Winter shouted right at the same time Weiss was getting confused by the boy's words. -Just your name is an acceptable introduction.
-I see. -Crimson said, not seemly bothered by Winter's outburst, making Weiss even more confused, something Winter notices.
-Don't pay attention to him, it is just that he spends so much time among robots that he sometimes talks like one.
-Ah, I see. -Weiss said, believing in her older sister's excuse.
-By the way, Crimson. -Winter began. -There is something you wish?
-I'm here to tell you that any form of infection was not found among the squad, you included. -He explained. -While the doctors said there is nothing to worry about, they wish for you and the squad to stay until night.
-It is acceptable. -Winter said. -We can't be careless when it comes to miasma. Speaking of which, Weiss. -Winter calls for her sister, who turns to see her. -If possible, could you do me a small favor?
-Of course. -Weiss said. -What do you need?
-I would like to have a small talk with the apprentice.
End of the chapter.
Just something to keep this active since I have been getting late with the uploads. Laguna is a character who I wanted to write about make a while now and was taking too long before I reach a part of the story where I could introduce him. I like the idea of the stric and professional Glynda Goodwitch having a charismatic and fun-loving father to get some laughts and interesting situations.
Unfortunately, this is the only way I could introduce him in this story in a way that would make sense for his appearance in this fanfiction. I don't want to just drop a character and forget about him. As I always say, a character must have an impact in the story, and I felt like that, he will have some meaning in the plot written in my head.
That's all folks, see you next time.