A/N: HOLY CRAP I'M SO SORRY! It's been a way too long hiatus, but now I am back! I got you guys another sizeable chapter full to the brim with character interactions to make up for the wait. I promise, you will not be waiting 8 months for the next update. In fact, part of my goal this year is to release chapters and side stories between every one week to two weeks. I'd like to thank all those still around and let you know you are the best fans anyone can ask for. Don't forget to leave a review, I would love to read your feed back!
~O~O~O~O~O~
The coffee this morning tasted dully bitter, noted Ozpin.
It wasn't that he disliked bitter flavors in his coffee, for any true connoisseur of the mug will take their morning coffee in its intended form, black and strong. A coffee that can't stand on its own isn't worth brewing in the first place.
Professor Isaac Ozpin took another sip, savoring the taste as it lingered on his tongue. He closed his eyes, trying to identify what was different about the coffee today. It was the same brand he always used, Cafe Royale, so by all accounts it should be the sharp earthy taste he knows and loves. Was it possible the beans had gone bad? Has the water temperature or brewing time changed? Or was it something else entirely?
Perhaps it wasn't the coffee at all, Ozpin thought to himself as he sat back in his favorite chair, typed a few things into his console, and brought up the student roster for the first years starting today and disappointedly sighed.
They had a full turnout this year of talented young men and women, all equipped with the skill and will to one day become fine Huntsmen. Surely their contributions here will push humanity ever so closer to an idyllic future, the Grand Design as Ozpin liked to call it.
It's just these students were all so… dull.
Well actually that's a bit unfair of him, Ozpin knew that it took a special kind of person to seek out a living fighting monsters and other superpowered beings. Every Huntsman he had encountered had possessed a certain natural quality that convinced them the risks of being eaten alive were worth it for the potential rewards of a successful career, and he had personally mentored many of them.
But when all Huntsmen are like that, then isn't that really just the norm? That's what the problem with this batch of students this year was. Out of sixty-four new students, not a single one of them was the least bit fascinating.
None of them come from influential families or were raised by wild animals in the woods. Blood tests confirmed that they have no traces of drugs, no secret royal lineage, and no supernatural abilities inherited from supernatural bloodlines. Comprehensive background checks revealed no spies from one of his many enemies or repentant criminals seeking redemption. Most of them even have both parents still alive, none of whom are legendary heroes or hidden villains.
Ozpin couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment wash over him as he continued to scan the student roster. As the headmaster of Beacon Academy, he had seen countless batches of students come and go, and he couldn't help but compare this year's cohort to those of the past. The last time he had any interesting new students was Beacon's star Team CFVY, and they were in their third year now!
With another sigh, the headmaster took another sip of his bland coffee. He recounted just how close he was to getting two potential students who could have livened up this school year.
Initially, Ozpin tried numerous times to persuade Pyrrha Nikos, the Invincible Girl, and reigning world champion, to consider becoming a Huntress. He had made several offers, including a scholarship, her own personal dorm, and went as far as a job on the school staff, but his plans were foiled when Glynda caught on to him trying to hire an unlicensed minor. Despite his efforts, Miss Nikos ultimately declined his offer and expressed contentment with her current career path.
And then there was that one young man that caught his eye, yet had seemingly pulled his transcripts at the last minute without so much as a phone call. A shame really, he had recognized the boy's name and knew his parents well. He would have enjoyed teaching the son of-
Ring-Ring! Ring-Ring!
A call notification flashed on Ozpin's desk dashboard. Recognizing the caller ID, he straightened his black suit coat and answered with a welcoming smile. "Lucien, what a pleasant surprise. I was just reminiscing about old times."
The ruggedly handsome face of Lucien Arc appeared on the screen, his expression stern. "I wish I could say the same, Ozpin. I need to talk about my son, Jaune, now."
Ozpin's smile faded, and he leaned forward in his chair, intrigued. "I'm afraid that's not possible at the moment, Lucien."
Lucien's green eyes hardened. "This can't wait, Ozpin. Drag him from whatever he's doing and get him on this call. It's an emergency."
"I would if I could, but it's not that simple. I have a lot on my plate right now, with initiation, paperwork, and other responsibilities."
"Cut the crap, Isaac," Lucien barked, dropping all formality. "Jaune ran away with my father's armor and Crocea Mors, and I know he's headed for Beacon. And I'm starting to think you had something to do with it."
Ozpin sat in silence, taking a long sip of his coffee.
"I KNEW IT! I told you, Isaac, I told you to keep me and my family out of your secret society bullshit! Of all the low-down, conniving things you've done for your 'Ultimate Plan' or whatever the hell you're calling it these days, luring MY SON into your damn schemes is the lowest of the lows!"
Ozpin raised a hand to interrupt Lucien's rant. "I understand your concern, Lucien. But I assure you, I had no part in Jaune's decision to leave with his grandfather's equipment, nor in his procurement of fake transcripts. As for his destination, I cannot confirm or deny whether he's headed for Beacon."
Lucien's face had softened from anger to worry. "You mean, he isn't at Beacon? Wait, you knew he faked his transcripts!? WERE YOU STILL GOING TO LET HIM ATTEND ANYWAYS!?"
"Of course not." Ozpin waved away, lying as easily as he breathed. "I had just planned on holding him here at Beacon for you whenever he arrived. To be honest, I thought you had already caught up to him first."
"What made you think that?"
Ozpin pushed a few buttons on his desk and opened a few files on his terminal screen. "Wherever your son is, I don't think he's lost or anything like that. You see, Jaune's transcripts had been pulled beforehand, along with a letter of resignation from admission to Beacon. Therefore I thought you found him and made him come home. So if that wasn't you, whatever had happened on the way between your home and the Academy, Jaune had made concise actions to back out."
Lucien's eyes widened in surprise. "Resignation? But why would he do that? Jaune had recently been all about becoming a Huntsman. Damn it, and now he's out there doing God knows what, who knows where, and I can't reach him at all."
"He may be just going through a rebellious phase," Ozpin suggested. "Jaune is a young man now, maybe he just wants to see the world for a while and will come back on his own eventually."
Lucien scoffed. "Rebellious phase? This isn't shoplifting or staying out past curfew, Oz. Jaune made a stupid decision to steal from his own family and run away. And now he's out there with no support or training, in a world full of Grimm and who knows what else. I just want him back safe and sound."
"I understand, Lucien," Ozpin said, his tone calming. "The school will do everything we can to help you find him. I suggest you keep me updated on any leads you might have, and we'll do the same."
Lucien sighed heavily, his face full of worry. "I appreciate that, Ozpin. I just hope we can find him soon. And I'm sorry for my outburst earlier, I know you only do what's necessary to keep the world in order, but the last thing I want is Jaune to be mixed up in all of it."
"Of course," Ozpin said with a reassuring smile. "And don't worry, Lucien. We'll find Jaune and bring him back to you safe and sound. You have not my word as headmaster, but my word as an old friend."
Lucien nodded. "I'll report any updates, you do the same."
The call ended and Ozpin leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. He made a mental note to have his staff and field agents keep an eye out for any information on Jaune's whereabouts, while also keeping a close watch on the movements of the Grimm and any other suspicious activity.
He hummed as he took another sip from his favorite mug.
The coffee this morning tasted fairly… interesting, noted Ozpin. A small smile formed on his lips.
~O~O~O~O~O~
"'We just need you to come with us for questioning,' she said. 'You're not in any trouble', she said. 'It'll take thirty minutes at most,' she said." Jaune sighed for what felt like the fifteenth time as he sat waiting in the downtown precinct. At the very least, he was glad he wasn't handcuffed or sitting in a jail cell, instead, he had been left waiting in an interrogation room.
Jaune shifted uncomfortably in the hard metal chair, trying to get a little more comfortable. He couldn't believe he had been brought in for questioning. He had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Well, in their defense, he was in the middle of the robbery, and now from what he could gather, they were investigating him for vigilantism and carrying a mecha-shift weapon without a permit.
He looked around the small room, trying to find something to distract himself. The walls were plain white and the only other furniture was a table and a couple of chairs. A single broken clock on the wall didn't tell him how long he had been there, and his personal scroll had been shorted dead after he had jumped into that river to save Roman.
Jaune couldn't help but feel frustrated at the situation he found himself in. He knew going into this he had to keep his head down and get through the school year unnoticed. Now before the school year even officially started, the local police were calling Bulwark Academy to confirm his status as a huntsman-in-training and for copies of his forged transcripts and licenses.
As he sat there, he started to wonder what would happen if he was found out there and then. Would he be expelled from Bulwark Academy? Arrested for fraud? Would he be forced to leave the city? He couldn't bear the thought of traveling all the way back home and seeing the disappointed looks on his parent's faces. He had risked far too much to get here, and he wasn't going to let it all go to waste.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door to the interrogation room opened, and a woman who he recognized as Detective Gale Lestrade walked in. She had been the one to originally find Jaune near the scene and brought him in for questioning.
Her sharp eyes scanned the collection of files she was holding as she made her way to the center table. She had short, cropped dark purple hair that was styled neatly and a no-nonsense attitude that seemed to match her appearance. Her sharp jawline and defined cheekbones gave her a striking appearance, and she had a lean, athletic build that suggested she was someone who took her physical fitness seriously. She was dressed in a simple black suit, the material pressed to perfection, and a white blouse underneath. Her badge hung on her belt, and her gun was holstered on her hip, both of which gave off an air of authority. She also had Crocea Mors and Jaunes backpack slung around her right shoulder.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Arc," Detective Lestrade said as she closed the door behind her. "We've had time to verify some information."
Jaune straightened in his seat and nodded. "So, what's going on?" he asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Lestrade eyed Jaune for a few tense seconds before lightly dropping the stack of folders on the table. "Looks like everything checks out. We managed to get copies of your training licenses and carry permits. The school has been notified of your involvement with last night's robbery and they are sending a staff member to come to pick you up." The detective also dumped Jaune's belongings onto the table in front of him.
Jaune breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, feeling the tension in his shoulders ease up. "Thank you, Detective," he said gratefully. He got up from his seat and started gathering his stuff together. "Does this mean I'm free to go?"
Lestrade sat down in the chair across from him. "Yes, but you might as well stick around, it's going to take a little while for your ride to get here. If you want I can keep you company and ask a few follow-up questions until then. That is if you're not in a hurry."
Jaune hesitated for a moment, unsure if he wanted to stick around longer, but ultimately decided it was better to cooperate and answer any remaining questions. "Sure, I don't mind," he said, sitting back down in his chair and setting his belongings aside.
Lestrade nodded and leaned forward, opening one of the folders in front of her. "So, Mr. Arc, can you explain to me what you were doing out so late at night? By your personal account, you visited a few stores before coming to Dust to Dust."
"I was buying extra supplies for school," Jaune answered, suddenly feeling a tinge of worry again. "I hadn't realized how cold it was going to be, so I made sure to get warmer clothes. Then I thought I'd buy some Dust for Bulwark, if I'm going to be a Huntsman I thought I'd get some just in case."
Lestrade nodded, making notes in a small notepad she pulled from her coat pocket. "Pays to be prepared. I'd get some late-night shopping done too if I arrived as late as you did. Can you tell me about what time your airship arrived?"
"I'm… I'm not too sure. I'm sorry, did you say that this was part of the investigation?"
"Just some follow-ups. This is more just to sate my own curiosity than any real official work. If any question makes you feel uncomfortable, feel free not to answer." She jotted it down in her notepad again. "How was the flight here, by the way?"
Jaune shifted in his seat, feeling a little uneasy under the detective's questioning. "It was fine, uneventful really," he replied, trying to keep his tone casual. "Just tried to focus on keeping my lunch down."
Lestrade raised an eyebrow. "Quite the long flight to deal with motion sickness. In fact, we're quite a long way from Bourbon Village. Did you fly the whole time?"
"N-no, I took a train from a nearby town and got a flight from Vale." Jaune's voice cracked. "Again, sorry. But can I ask what you're curious about?"
Lestrade raised her gaze from the notepad, placing it face down on the table. "As a detective, Mr. Arc, it's my job to be inquisitive about a lot of things. I am particularly curious as to why an aspiring Huntsman like yourself chose to attend Bulwark Academy but failed to pack adequate warm clothing for the coldest region on Remnant, and neglected to bring medication for your motion sickness despite knowing you would be on a transcontinental airship ride, and purchased your airship ticket at the very last moment to make it just in time for the school's start."
Jaune swallowed nervously, feeling a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "I...I guess I didn't plan ahead well enough," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was in a hurry and didn't think things through."
Lestrade leaned back in her chair, studying Jaune's face carefully. "You didn't plan to be here at all."
Jaune's eyes widened in surprise at the detective's statement. "What do you mean?"
Lestrade sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I mean that your story doesn't add up, Mr. Arc. Your behavior and actions suggest that you were not prepared or intending to attend Bulwark Academy at all. So, I'll ask this once. Why are you really here?"
Jaune's mind raced as he tried to come up with an explanation that would satisfy the detective. He hadn't realized how many holes he'd left behind just getting here. Whatever he did, he knew he couldn't lie to Lestrade, she was too damn good.
So if he couldn't lie, maybe he would be safe in the partial truth…
"I originally planned to attend Beacon." He started, easing his tone to hide his nervousness. "My dad had gone there before me. He'd tell me stories of his time there, the adventures he had, how he met mom, and it just sounded so… perfect."
Lestrade nodded. "So what changed?"
Jaune stayed quiet for a few seconds before continuing. "The village I grew up in, it always felt so small to me. It was like I was growing up in a tiny box. I wanted so badly to get out. I wanted to see more of the world, experience new things, and become a great Huntsman like my father. But after I had left Bourbon and made it all the way to Vale, I could still feel it, that smallness, that suffocating feeling. It was like… the box was bigger, but you're still in the box, right? I guess coming here to Bulwark is just a way to make the box feel at least a little bit bigger."
Lestrade listened intently, her gaze still fixed on Jaune's face. She seemed to be studying him, trying to read between the lines of his words.
After a moment, she began to speak again but was interrupted by a knocking on the interrogation room door which was then opened by an officer. " Ey' Lestrade, I got a Professor 'ere for a Jaune Arc?"
Lestrade turned her attention to the officer. "Thank you, he'll be right out," she said before turning back to Jaune. "Well, thank you for clearing some things up for me, Mr. Arc. Hopefully you won't need to see me again anytime soon."
Jaune let out a sigh of relief as he stood up from his chair. "Thank you, Detective Lestrade. I appreciate your understanding."
He followed the officer out of the room and down a corridor to a small waiting area where a tall, thin man with dusty brown hair was. He wore a large decorated seafoam green military cloak with a furred collar and its right sleeve missing.
"Ah, Mr. Arc," The man said with a smile, his grin causing some dark spots on his left cheek to shift. "My name is Professor Gawain Porter. I'm glad to see you're alright. Headmistress Cordovin was starting to worry you weren't going to show up for initiation."
Jaune nodded, relieved to finally meet someone who wasn't grilling him with questions. "Yeah, I had a bit of a rough start, but I'm more than ready to go."
The man laughed. "Rough start, huh? Stopping a robbery and facing down Roman Torchwick himself, and it's simply a rough start for you? I like your spirit already!"
Jaune chuckled nervously. "Well, I guess when you put it that way…"
Professor Porter clapped Jaune on the back. "Now, now. There'll be time for boasting later, big hero. But we really should be going, we're going to cut it really close if we're going to be there in time for the big opening ceremony speech."
Jaune nodded and followed Professor Porter out of the station and into a waiting airship. As they ascended into the sky, Jaune couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately, it was to be ruined by a sudden sense of motion sickness made worse as they made the long journey to the city in the sky.
~O~O~O~O~O~
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the airship landed at Bulwark's ship dock, various buildings and platforms connected to a grand and imposing building made of white marble with tall pillars and intricate carvings. Jaune got off the airship, feeling relieved that the journey was over. He took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling the cool breeze on his face, and looked up at the towering skyscrapers that surrounded him.
"This is it," Professor Porter said, gesturing to the bustling city around them. "Welcome to Atlas, Mr. Arc. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime."
Jaune looked around in awe, taking in the sights and sounds of the city. It was unlike anything he had ever seen before. The buildings were towering and impressive, gleaming in the morning sunlight. Instead of streets, there were skyline tubes and air traffic. Flying machines of every design flying overhead, weaving in and out of the buildings, adding to the already vibrant atmosphere.
Eventually, they made it to the academy proper. The academy was made of the same white marble as its ship dock, and it had the same grandeur and imposing presence. There was a large archway at the entrance, filled with the bustling activity of students, staff, and what Jaune even recognized to be patrolling soldiers.
As they entered the Academy, Jaune was immediately struck by the sense of energy and purpose that seemed to permeate the air. Everywhere he looked, he saw students hurrying to and fro, carrying books and equipment, while teachers and other staff members bustled about, overseeing various activities and projects.
"And this is Bulwark Academy," Professor Porter said, leading Jaune through the grand doors that were its entrance. "This is where you'll be spending the next few years of your life, learning, and training to become a Huntsman."
The Professor reached into his coat and retrieved a scroll. "I wanted to wait after you felt better to give you this. This will be your own personal academic phone. With this tool, you will be able to do everything from accessing course materials and assignments to communicating with your fellow students and professors. It's an essential tool for success at the Academy."
Jaune took the scroll, examining it closely. It was a sleek device, with a touch screen and several buttons on the side. It was even fancier than the last one he lost.
"Wow! Thank you, Professor! And thanks for the ride as well!"
"You're welcome, Mr. Arc. It was my pleasure," Professor Porter replied with a small smile. "Now, I'm sure you're eager to settle in and explore the Academy. Just remember to make it in time to the opening ceremony in the grand hall."
"I will." Jaune nodded. "By the way Professor, will I be in one of your classes?"
"Actually, Mr. Arc. I don't have my own classes. I'm here as an assistant teacher." Porter explained.
"Oh cool! What do they do?"
Professor Porter struck a pose that reminded Jaune of a superhero. "It means I go where I am needed! If any colleague of mine requires assistance or a student needs extra attention, I'll be there!"
The Professor's personal scroll pinged, which he then opened and read. "And right now I am needed in the training area to help a colleague move training dummies. It's been a pleasure, Mr. Arc. And remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. We're all here to help you succeed."
Jaune shook the Professor's hand. "I will, I look forward to seeing you around, sir."
With a final salute, the young professor sprinted off into the corridors of the building, leaving Jaune alone in the bustle of the main foyer.
Jaune took a deep breath and looked around, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. He knew that the next few years would be challenging, but he was eager to learn and improve himself as a Huntsman. He had gotten this far, so if he could keep a good head on his shoulders, he may be able to get through with no trouble at all.
"WATCH OUT!"
Something hit Jaune from behind and sent him careening into the nearby luggage area. He barely managed to claw himself up from the depths of a couple dozen suitcases just in time to catch a glimpse of his assailant, a girl in a purple hoodie flying away on a hoverboard.
"Sorry, dude! I'm in a rush!"
Jaune rubbed the back of his head, feeling a bit dazed from the impact. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance at the girl's lack of consideration. He would have probably been madder if she wasn't riding a hoverboard, easily in the top five of coolest things that have run him over.
Shaking his head to get the stars out of his eyes, he began to try to reorganize the scattered luggage as best he could before leaving. As soon as he took a good hard look at the pile, he could see a single hand in a white-button sleeve poke out, grasping at empty air.
"Mmph! Mmmmph!"
"OH CRAP!" Jaune hurriedly tossed away a few fancy white suitcases off to the side, before grabbing the protruding limb and pulling back. After a bit of effort, he managed to rescue a short-stocky man from the avalanche.
"I am so sorry. Are you ok, sir?"
The bald man patted down his well-trimmed suit and wrinkled his mustache a few times before answering. "Not to worry, I'm quite alright. I guess you can say I've been dealing with some baggage lately." The man's light-brown eyes squinted as he chuckled at his own witty pun.
"What are you doing!?"
Before Jaune could turn to the shrill voice, he felt himself get shoved out of the way into another pile of luggage by a small, but angry, force.
"Are you okay, Klein? That buffoon didn't hurt you, did he?"
"Oh please don't worry, Miss Schnee. It'll take more than a tumble to bring this old soul down. Yawwwnnnn I just need to sleep it off is all." The short man with lavender eyes sleepily got down onto the concrete floor for a nice nap, using a nearby discarded suitcase as his headrest.
Jaune dizzily got up from the ground again, picking up one of the many white suitcases to try and fix the mess. "Again. I'm so sorry, you see this girl-" His words immediately caught in his throat as he met eye-to-eye with what had to be the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
Her crystal blue eyes were sharp and piercing, with a delicate face marred by a single scar over her left eye that did nothing to detract from her elegance. Her skin was pale and flawless, and she was dressed in an elegant white outfit that nearly matched the color of her sleek hair. If you had told Jaune that this girl was a royal princess that hopped off the pages of a fairytale, he'd believed you.
"You're sorry!? Do you have any idea of the damages you could have caused? You could have gotten Klein seriously hurt!"
A soft snoring could be heard from Klein nearby, now using his fancy black suit coat as a blanket.
"Uhhh-buh… uh…" Jaune couldn't form words to respond. Part of him was afraid that if he spoke coherent words he'd ask her to marry him on instinct, which probably would have not done much to help her mood.
"Give me that." Miss Schnee huffed, snatching the white suitcase from his hands, and opening the latches. "Half of these cases are filled with Dust. Mined and purified from the Schnee quarries. See?!"
Jaune suddenly felt fear grip him as the girl shoved a vial of red Dust powder into his face, struck by a certain memory of himself exploding out a window after landing on a whole bag of the stuff, which he had now realized just how extremely close he was to doing again.
As Jaune struggled to regain his composure, he desperately tried to think of any words that would satisfy the girl's wrath. "I- uh- I-uh- miss -I-"
"Are you even listening to me? Is any of this sinking in?!" She kept shaking the bottle with every word, eventually, the cap must have cracked a little as a smoky puff of Red Dust flew straight up Jaune's nose. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"
"Ah- ahhhh- AHHHH-" Just as Jaune was about to sneeze, Klein, having seemingly teleported from the ground, swiftly reached for a handkerchief and pressed it to his nose, halting the sneeze in its tracks.
"Wooh! Thank you, Klein, good catch." Jaune said, taking the handkerchief and blowing his nose.
"You know, Princess has a point, man. Dust shouldn't be taken lightly." said a young, dark-skinned young man in a dark suit and blue trimmed fedora approached them, his silvered dress shoes clacking against the school pavement.
"Finally, someone else with sense around here." Miss Schnee haughtily boasted.
The newcomer lowered his pair of shades, revealing his incredulous dark brown eyes. "Which makes me wonder why Weiss Schnee, next big wig to be in charge of the Schnee Dust Company, doesn't seem to know how to handle her own product. Or maybe they skipped safety lessons and proper handling in favor of cutthroat business practices and spitting on poor people?"
The air suddenly felt tense as the man's words hung in the air, and Jaune could feel the hostility radiating off of Weiss. She clenched her fists, her pale skin turning red with anger. "Wh-wh- how dare-! I-I-"
The heiress forced her eyes closed for a few moments and took a shuddering breath that seemed to calm her down. Her eyes opened to reveal they were now cold and measured, her voice now even more so. "Klein. Are you truly alright?"
"Yes, my dear."
"Then reorganize the luggage immediately. We have better places to be than here indulging miscreants."
"No rush, Schnee. We were just leaving. C'mon man, the air is a bit frigid here." The well-dressed young man nodded towards Jaune, who now was looking back and forth between the both of them, gave another small apology, and started walking away with the stranger.
"Hey, you alright? Wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of what she was dishing out, feel me?"
Jaune gave one last look behind him towards the luggage area. "Uh yeah, I'm fine. Thanks. Although I think you may have just made her more upset."
"Oh, believe me, I could have said worse."
"Well, thankfully you didn't ha-ha…" Jaune half-heartedly chuckled, before holding out his hand. "I'm Jaune by the way."
The man returned his handshake. "Thought so, my dad told me all about you. Told me to look out for the tall blonde kid in white armor."
"Your dad?" Jaune asked, taking a moment to observe his new acquaintance in full until realization hit him. "As in Charles Coal?"
"One and the same. Call me Flynt." Flynt said as he tipped his hat. "Flynt Coal. And you did my old man a real solid last night, fighting off Torchwick the way you did."
Jaune cringed at the memory of the botched robbery. "You mean by blowing up his store? I'm sorry, but I feel like it might have cost less if I had just let Roman rob the store."
"All's good, Jay. You were up against one of the top criminals in Atlas and his entire gang all by yourself, you'd have to get creative to fight your way out of that. Plus you can stop worrying about damages, the school is gonna take care of all of that."
"R-really!?" Jaune said, astonished. "Bulwark would do that?"
"Yeah, it's part of the budget. Anytime a student goes out into the city to do Huntsman work and busts up the place, the school is obligated to cover any property damage."
Flynt swung an arm around Jaune's shoulder to bring him closer. "Between you and me, 'Dust to Dust' had been strugglin' for a while now. But between Bulwark's payout and my Pop's insurance, we're going to be better off than we were before the robbery! Even when we finish repairs on the store and restocking, we'll have made enough profit to keep the store open for a couple more months than thought possible. Hell, Dust to Dust could have time to bounce back for good!"
Jaune couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had always been worried about causing trouble or getting in the way, but to hear that his actions had actually helped someone in need was a feeling he couldn't describe.
"That's... amazing," he said, a smile spreading across his face. "I'm so glad that I could help, even if it was just a little bit."
Flynt clapped him on the back. "Don't sell yourself short, Jaune. You did a lot more than just a little bit. You looked out for my pops, and that makes you and me tight. The Coals always look out for our own. Which is why I was told to give you this."
Flynt unclipped a satchel around his waist and handed it to Jaune. "Courtesy of 'Dust to Dust' free of charge."
When Jaune opened the satchel, he was met with rows upon rows of vials and crystals, each one containing a different type of Dust. The vials were made of clear glass, and were filled to the brim with shimmering powders of all colors - red, blue, green, yellow, and more. Some of the vials had labels on them, while others were unmarked, their contents a mystery.
The Dust crystals, on the other hand, were much larger and more imposing. They were jagged chunks of sparkling rock, each one containing a concentrated amount of Dust energy. Jaune could see that there were crystals of all types - fire, ice, lightning, gravity, and more - and he couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement as he looked at them.
"F-For free!?" Jaune boggled.
Flynt once again chuckled. "Of course, my man. Part of the 'Hero Discount' we made just for you. This is pretty much half the stuff we had left. Should you start running low on Dust, you are always welcome to come back and shop at our store when it reopens. Pops will make sure to hook you up for a good price."
Jaune was at a loss for words. He had never been given such a generous gift before, let alone by someone he had just met. He looked up at Flynt, who was grinning at him with a friendly expression.
"Thank you so much, Flynt," Jaune said, still in shock. "I don't know what to say. This is incredible."
Flynt shrugged. "Hey, no problem. If there is anything you need, just ask me and I'll help you out."
Jaune smiled gratefully. "I'll keep that in mind. And... Thank you again. I really appreciate it." It was then a thoughtful look came upon Jaune's face. "Actually, there is one thing…"
Flynt raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"
Jaune blushed. "That girl from earlier, what was her name again?"
"Nah, nah, nah." Flynt repeated, shaking his head as he walked away. "Anything but that."
"Oh come on! I think we just got off on the wrong foot is all!" Jaune said as he quickly followed Flynt. "Maybe if I explain what happened, I could start off fresh again."
"Not worth it, man. The last thing in the world you want is to get mixed up with a Schnee. If you want a glimpse of the 'Dating Weiss Experience' I can go ahead and lock you in a freezer for an hour and see how you feel then."
"Weiss, huh?" Jaune said dreamily. "Weiss Schnee, gods even her name is beautiful.
"Ok. Here's what I'll do for you, Jaune." Flynt sighed. "If you want a girl that bad, I'll help you get any other girl in the school. Preferably one that isn't both rich and mean enough to buy and then sell you."
Jaune chuckled. "Thanks, Flynt, but I don't want just any girl. I... I got a feeling about Weiss. Even if she can be a bit... intimidating."
Flynt rolled his eyes. "Trust me Jaune, there's gonna be plenty of other girls here at Bulwark. If you want a honey of your own, you just have to ask the right questions."
"Well, what's the right question?"
"Haaaaaave you met Jaune?"
With a subtle push, Flynt smoothly strolled away and left Jaune alone in the presence of a girl sitting alone on a courtyard bench. She was dressed in bright vibrant colors that made her stand out from the school's marble and concrete architecture. It was a wonder how Jaune hadn't noticed her a mile away, especially with her pair of blazing orange pigtails that bobbed along to muffled music that became clearer when she lifted one of her headphones.
"Sorry did that guy, like, tell me something?"
"Oh um…" Jaune could already feel a blush creeping up his face, "... he wanted to know if you and I had met before?"
She eyed him up and down, genuinely trying to gather clues to their non-existent meeting. "I don't know, have we?"
Come on think, Jaune thought. Flynt got you into this, might as well make the best of it. What would dad say?
"Y-yeah! I've seen you around before, in my dreams."
Oh wow, that's actually not too bad!
The girl immediately snorted into her hand. "Are you, like, for real?"
Oh Brothers, kill me now!
Jaune felt his face turn bright red as he cleared his throat and tried to recover.
"I mean, not in a creepy way or anything! It's just that you have a really distinctive look, and it stuck with me."
The girl raised an eyebrow, still looking skeptical. "Uh-huh. Well, I hope it was a good dream then." She lowered her voice to a whisper, a mischievous glint in her eye. "It wasn't a dirty dream was it?"
Jaune's face turned even redder at the girl's question. Although her boldness caught him off guard, a part of him couldn't resist finding her amusing. He shook his head fervently with a nervous laugh, trying to assure her that it was nothing of that sort.
"No, no! Not at all! It was just a dream...about meeting a girl as cool as you," he stammered.
The girl chuckled, revealing a bright smile that made Jaune's heart skip a beat. "Dawww, and here I was hoping for some saucy details~. You can chill, Cutie, I'm just messing with you."
Jaune couldn't help but feel relieved at the girl's playful attitude. He finally managed to relax a bit and even chuckled at her joke.
"Well, I'm glad I can be your source of entertainment," he said, a small smile creeping onto his face.
The girl leaned back on the bench, her orange pigtails brushing against the backrest. "Oh, you definitely are. It's not every day that a guy comes up to me and says I'm the girl of his dreams."
She paused, looking at him curiously. "So, what did that guy say your name was again? Sean or something?"
Jaune felt a sudden jolt of excitement, for she had unknowingly set him up with the perfect rebound. "Well actually, the name is Jaune Arc." he replied, sticking out his hand for her to shake. "Short. Sweet. Rolls off the tongue, and ladies love it."
"Hmm, well Jaune Arc." The girl got up from her bench and took his hand in hers, her cat tail swishing behind her. "My name is Neon Katt. Short. Colorful, just like me. And boys love to scream it~"
Jaune's face had attained new levels of red once thought impossible as he failed a blustering response, much to the amusement of Neon who at this point burst out laughing.
"O-M-G! You are too easy!" she gleefully sighed. "You know what, I'm actually a little relieved. Everyone here is, like, so serious and boring, it's kinda refreshing to see someone as… laid back as you around here. I can tell I'm going to have LOTS of fun with you, Jaune."
Jaune still felt way out of his depth by the faunus girl's forwardness, but at the same time, he found himself drawn to her carefree and fun-loving personality. He smiled back at her, feeling a sense of excitement at the prospect of spending more time with her.
"Well, I'm definitely up for some fun," he said, feeling a little bit more confident now. "I'm new here at Atlas, so I'm still getting my bearings, but I'm always down to try new things."
Neon's eyes lit up at Jaune's words. "Oh, so you're, like, new to the Kingdom then? That explains a lot. No wonder you're not all uptight and stuffy like everyone else around here."
She leaned in closer to Jaune, close enough he could smell bubble-gum perfume. "You know what, Blondie? Maybe after you survive initiation I can give you a personal tour around? I'll make it my mission to show you all the best spots between here and Mantle."
Jaune couldn't believe his luck. He had only just met Neon, and already she was offering to show him around. Wait, is this a date? Did Jaune just get a date?! The boy silently sent his ever-dying gratitude to wherever Flynt now was, for he must have been an angel in disguise for this blessing.
"Really? You'd do that for me?" he asked, feeling a surge of gratitude toward her.
Neon nodded eagerly. "Of course! I mean, I've got to keep you entertained somehow, right?" She winked at him, her mischievous smile making Jaune's heart race. "Well, Blondie, it was fun meeting you, as I'm sure you were honored to meet me, but I gotta go take care of some things then head to the opening ceremony with the rest. Catch you after initiation, kay?"
"Y-Yeah! It's a date! DOH! Wait, not as in like a date-date, but like a meet-up to hang- uh - you know?" Jaune stammered out. Neon simply laughed as she started skating away.
"We'll see, Dreamer-Boy~!"
Jaune took a few moments to watch Neon leave, the moment he was sure she was out of sight he started hopping and dancing in place. He couldn't believe it. He had just met a cute and fun girl who seemed genuinely interested in spending time with him. It was a welcome distraction from the pressure of initiation and the mountain of lies that grew every day.
After his victory dance, Jaune decided it was about time to head over to that ceremony everyone was talking about. He looked around the empty courtyard to start making his way… that way? Or is it that way?
… Did Professor Porter tell him which way the grand hall was?