Chapter 13: Arcadia
In the quiet serenity of the morning, Team JNPR's quarters were bustling. Nora was excitedly packing, occasionally trying to fit an oversized weapon into a suitcase much too small. Pyrrha, with her usual grace, methodically organized her belongings, while Ren tried to persuade Nora that perhaps they didn't need to bring every bottle of maple syrup she could find.
Outside their window, the landscape of Site Beta stretched out. In the distance, the airship port was already alive with activity, prepping for the day's departures. From their vantage point, they could see the Beacon delegation boarding their vessel, set to return to the academy.
Knocking interrupted their preparations. It was Jaune, looking every bit the leader he had grown into. Behind him followed a few of Chaldea's servants, helping with the transport of equipment. "Morning, team! Ready for our journey?" he greeted with an infectious enthusiasm.
As Jaune approached the Beacon delegation at the airship port, the atmosphere was thick with the hustle of activity, fueled by excitement and anticipation. He felt a tap on his shoulder, turning to find Velvet from Team CFVY holding up her camera, a hint of mischief in her eyes.
"Mind if I document our journey to Arcadia? I've heard so much about it," she asked, her fingers itching to capture every moment.
"Only if you promise not to catch me in any embarrassing moments," Jaune replied with a grin.
Velvet chuckled, "No promises there."
Over by the CRDL group, Russel was animatedly discussing Arcadian legends he had read about. "I've heard there's a mountain where stars touch the ground," he mused, looking excited at the prospect of witnessing it.
Dove nudged him playfully, "You and your fairy tales."
Jaune's attention shifted as Councilor Mauve approached, her aide in tow. "Prince Jaune," she began, her voice formal but with a touch of warmth, "It's an honor to be invited to your homeland. I've always believed in the power of firsthand experience to bridge understanding."
Sky from CRDL overheard this and remarked, "Well, we're here for the adventure. Right, Cardin?"
Cardin, trying to adjust his armor, looked up and smirked, "And the food. I've heard Arcadian cuisine is something else."
Nora, overhearing this, chimed in, her eyes gleaming, "Did someone mention food?"
As they chatted and teased, Ozpin and Ironwood walked over, exchanging a nod with Jaune. "While it's a tempting offer, General Ironwood and I have matters in Vale that require our attention," Ozpin replied regretfully, "So we must unfortunately decline."
Ironwood extended a hand, which Jaune shook firmly. "Make sure to bring back some of that famed Arcadian wine," Ironwood added with a rare smirk.
"I'll shall make sure to bring you back a few bottles general." Stated Jaune.
The sun reflected off of the concave glass of the airship's cockpit, giving them a breathtaking view. The pilots at command guided it easily through clear skies with a panoramic view of the world below.
Team JNPR and the others whiled away the remaining time with idle conversation, musing about what wonders awaited them upon their arrival to Jaune's homeland. They peppered him with questions about the culture and what they should expect to find when they touched down.
As seen from high in the sky, Arcadia was more magnificent than anything else Pyrrha had ever seen. Green forests stretched out as far as the eye could see, interspersed with shimmering lakes and majestic spires that rose towards the sky like so many trees reaching for sunlight. Then suddenly, between a pair of valleys lay Arcadia's capital city, with its mix of ancient and modern architecture, sparkling in the mid-morning sun like a thousand candles against the deep blue sea.
As they touched down on a grand landing platform, they were met with a spectacle: Rows of guards in ornate armor stood at attention, their banners fluttering in the breeze over rows of onlookers who cheered and waved enthusiastically at them. A path was lined by civilians who couldn't stop smiling; children jumped up and down excitedly while adults called out familiar greetings or gave quiet waves and smiles to friends obscured by distance. After a long absence their prince had returned.
At the forefront stood King Jonathan and Queen Evelyn, surrounded by a group of officials. It took only moments before Jaune stepped forward and into his mother's arms. His father patted him firmly on the back before embracing his son tightly.
"Welcome home," he whispered softly into his ear. He pulled back briefly and then encircled Jaune in an embrace with Evelyn before pulling away to take a better look at him. "You've grown so much," he said with pride in his eyes that shone brightly enough to be seen even under the shade cast by his crown."
As the group sauntered along the cobbled streets of the capital, they were immediately captivated by its vibrant atmosphere. Everywhere their eyes landed, there seemed to be something new and exciting; from glittering jewelry stalls selling necklaces and earrings that sparkled in the warm morning light, to tantalizing aromas of freshly cooked dishes coming from food vendors.
Pyrrha paused at a stall displaying an impressive collection of intricately designed shields and spears. She ran her fingers over the grooves of one shield, admiring the artisan's meticulous workmanship. "The craftsmanship is incredible," she murmured in awe.
Not far away, Ren was sampling traditional Arcadian pastries offered by a jolly old man who owned the stall. With each bite, he experienced a burst of flavor and his eyes lit up with excitement. "This is amazing!"
Nora, meanwhile, was negotiating with a vendor over the price of a trinket that had caught her eye. Her enthusiasm as she haggled was palpable.
Jaune, on the other hand, had engaged his parents in a deep conversation about politics and current developments within Arcadia; while King Jonathan saw this potential collaboration between Chaldea and Arcadia as an advantageous alliance for both parties, Queen Evelyn was more interested in addressing Ruby's contributions. Drawing Ruby aside, she thanked her profusely for being there for her son amidst his challenges in Beacon. Slightly taken aback by such forthrightness, Ruby replied with a warm smile, "Jaune's been there for us too—he's a great leader and an even better friend."
As the afternoon sun began to dip, the group was led to the royal palace, a magnificent structure that dominated the city's skyline. Its tall spires reached towards the heavens, and the golden hues of its walls reflected the setting sun, making it look as if it were made of light.
Inside, the group was ushered into a grand hall, where preparations were underway for the evening's banquet.
The grand hall was a marvel of Arcadian architecture. The long dining table, made of a deep mahogany and polished to a fine sheen, was set with silver and crystal, shimmering under the soft glow of levitating chandeliers.
A giant mural, an intricate tapestry depicting scenes from all over Arcadia's history, told tales of life in this land. Tall arched ceilings decorated with intricate frescoes depicted people engaged in everyday activities- trading, farming, crafting weapons, or fighting Grimm. Small electric lights floated throughout the hall, illuminating the base of each chandelier.
Jaune sat at the head of the table with his parents on either side of him. As courses of delicious Arcadian delicacies were served, the hall was filled with the hum of conversation and laughter. Councilor Mauve conversed with Queen Evelyn about the similarities and differences between Vale and Arcadia's system of governance.
On one side of the table Coco and Velvet discussed fashion influences with several Arcadian dignitaries. Cardin joked around with an Arcadian knight they'd met during their walk around the city, comparing techniques for melee combat and enjoying some friendly rivalry while Jaune smiled to himself from across the room. His younger siblings asked Nora about life at Beacon and all it entailed. Towards the end of dinner, his father stood and announced that it was time for speeches. Raising his glass he said: "Dear guests, I'm truly delighted you could join us tonight for our celebration. Not only is this event to celebrate the return of my son to his homeland, but it is also to celebrate the new friends we have made today."
The evening progressed with more light-hearted conversations, music, and dancing.
As the sounds of celebration dwindled, Jaune and Da Vinci found themselves in a secluded balcony overlooking the city. The capital was bathed in a soft glow, with lanterns floating up into the starlit sky, creating a mesmerizing dance of light.
Taking a deep breath, Jaune remarked, "It's always surreal coming back home. Even after all I've seen and experienced."
Da Vinci, sipping from her wine glass, replied, "Home has a way of grounding us, reminding us of our roots and our purpose."
There was a moment of contemplative silence between them before Jaune added, "Ironwood's willingness to cooperate with us is a good sign for further relations. With Torchwick soon to be under our watch and Chaldea's advancements shared with them, I hope it's a step towards mutual trust."
Da Vinci nodded, her eyes focused on a distant lantern. "Alliances are a delicate balance, Jaune. Benefits and compromises. But remember, every decision you make echoes in the lives of your people and those you've sworn to protect."
He looked at her, appreciation evident in his eyes. "Your counsel has always been invaluable, Da Vinci."
Before she could reply, a shadow approached them. It was Neo, holding a note. She handed it to Jaune, her expression serious. Reading it, Jaune's face darkened momentarily, before he gave a reluctant nod of acknowledgment. Neo then made a series of hand gestures, a method she had developed to communicate.
"She says that Torchwick will cooperate if we can show that Neo is working with us without coercion and if we guarantee their safety. If we can get him to cooperate, he might provide vital intel for future operations," Da Vinci interpreted.
Jaune sighed, "Another piece on the chessboard. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
With that, the trio retreated from the balcony, each lost in their thoughts, the weight of leadership pressing on Jaune's shoulders as they disappeared into the palace's grand corridors.
The royal palace gardens were a haven of tranquility. A roaring bonfire stood at the center, surrounded by the silhouettes of those drawn to its warmth. The soft glow of the fire painted everyone in hues of orange and gold, with the flickering shadows dancing on their faces.
Da Vinci, always the storyteller, was recounting the adventure she had in Babylonia with Jaune and Mash, her animated gestures and storytelling ability eliciting sounds of awe from the group. "
As the laughter rang out, Jaune and Pyrrha shared a quiet moment, reminiscing about their early days at Beacon. Pyrrha's face lit up as she remembered their first clumsy combat practice. "You've come a long way since then, Jaune."
He chuckled, "With a lot of help from a certain someone."
The air around the table was abuzz with the happy sound of fifteen people coming together. Ren and Coco were deep in conversation about the delicate blend of herbs used in Mistrali and Arcadian tea. Velvet, intrigued by the tales of Arcadian wildlife, was asking a servant about the creatures that roamed the kingdom. The smells from multiple dishes danced on the breeze, making it impossible to decide where to start eating.
Ruby saw Jaune being pulled away to talk with an aide and discreetly nudged Nora, nodding towards Jaune subtly. Nora's brows furrowed and she turned toward them, worry etched into her features. Pyrrha saw Jaune approach with an aide as well and watched him intently, hoping that everything was alright.
Da Vinci looked over at them and asked, "Everything okay?"
Jaune hesitated for a moment before replying in a whisper, "Arcadian Intelligence wants to ask me a few questions that's all."