Blonde shaggy hair, pure oceanic blue eyes, this baby face-boy is Jaune Arc. Of the Arc family. A family bounded in history of the Great-War.
Jaune is a 15 year old boy who is currently staring at himself in the mirror, his eyes zoned on the cut he had accidentally received while trying to train with a wooden-blade. His stance was unfit and he was unbalanced. With a simple step and force of swing that was too harsh in that improper stance had him slip, leading to the sword being thrown out of his grasp and flung upwards, while he was falling down. He managed to move his head to the side, as the hard and rough wooden-texture ran down his cheek, as he had avoided it landing right at the top of his head.
But a small cut shouldn't be an issue, and it wasn't. The cut didn't bother the boy, but it was how he got cut. His brow furrowed in, his eyes looking at the scar in disappointment. The boy sighed, running the sink-water before splashing his face. It burned around the area, but Jaune didn't react and continued washing the wound.
After leaving the bathroom and putting a band-aid on the area of skin, he got back to the training-hall of the three-story mansion out in the middle of private woodlands. It was the Arc Manor. A peaceful and quiet area.. well, to an extent if you were to be exceptional to seven siblings.
Jaune walked over to the sword that had damaged him earlier, staring at it before picking it up again. He inhales before exhaling, calming his nerves before trying again. He took his stance, steadying his hands this time to make sure his grip was more balanced. The blade now straighten as he applied proper pressure, he took a step, and swung vertically. His form was sloppy. But he didn't trip this time. Jaune checked his foot-work, and noted that he was too brazen. He over-extended his movement and if an enemy was either experienced or intelligent they would capitalize on how open he made himself.
Jaune narrowed his eyes before standing straight again, blade in proper form and hips preparing for the rotation, he this time only used body movement, swinging the blade while tilting more of his body rather then over-extending with his legs. Jaune analyzed this way of approach and deduced that although his body itself was not over-extended his head was wide open for an exchange.
He tried again, this time swinging while using his shoulder to block his face. If he had a pauldron he would've been protected, however the pauldron's bulky design would definitely leave him blinded on the respective sides he would have to swing. Jaune experimented with forms and sword swings. And as time went on the furrowed frustrated brow eased. As the boy found himself having fun.
Jaune found a rhythm with the wooden-blade, little by little each swing became more adaptable. More straight, was it correct? There isn't exactly many ways to swing correctly with a blade. There is proper ways, but correctly is depending on the person behind the steel.
While he may found his rhythm with the swing and movement. He was still ungraceful, it's expected however. The boy never had any training in sword-technique, why start now? Well. The determined blonde always wanted to be something akin to his stories.
A hero.
However, his family was not so pleased of his musing's and did as much as possible to persuade his judgement. His sisters and mothers, would baby him, and while he has no issue with being treated as the little baby-brother. (Partially) it was evidently clear how much they did not support his dream and wishes.
A path that he had been chained away from, even though he was told of tales that his grandfathers and even his fathers ventures thinking that he'd be able to pursue just like them. Only to be told no, and over the years that no never changed.
Even to this day. The only reason why he is holding this wooden-sword. Was because of an Arc's saying.
"An Arc never goes back on his word." He said to himself as he took one final swing, the wooden-blade landed onto the protected-padding. Jaune grinned, wiping the sweat off his brow as he heard the ghostly shout of his birthday.
Tears in his eyes, his teeth barring with anger. He pointed at his father who's eyes shot open as if he saw someone he never thought he'd see again.
"I SWEAR UNDER THE ARC NAME! THAT I WILL BECOME A HUNTSMAN!" The just turned 15 Arc shouted with such frustrated vigor that it reverberate around the house.
The teary eyes of his mother looked at the boy with hurt but also regret. As his father's visage morphed into that of acceptance before pulling his birthday gift for his only son.
A wooden sword.
Jaune was inspecting the fake sword, it was practically worthless. But... While in it's literal form it meant nothing. The metaphor behind this cheap wooden-sword held dear to his heart.
It meant he was entrusted to be what he swore and this gift was a challenge from his father, to pursue in it. And while on that day his mother did not say much to him. He knew her answer was still a no, but she did not verbally tell him, that. She only smiled somberly and said "Become what you wish Jaune." And although it was hollow and empty. He accepted that as her way of acquiesce, he knew she didn't like it. But as he had swore under the Arc name, she was forced to silence herself.
His sisters weren't happy either. Some were agitated, some were upset, but one. Just sighed and smiled in jest exasperation. And she was the second eldest. Being Saphron. Saphron was never really against his ideal's however she was worried about how he'll survive as she too was another person that would baby her little brother abit too much. But that was only because she didn't have alot of time with him due to her being a wife and mother.
Even though one of his closes sibling's never outright told him she didn't want him to become a huntsman. She never exactly motivated him either. But Jaune just accepted that but also. When he thought about it. She would've lost the battle even if she had tried. 7 women whom feared for his being, 8 including herself. It would've been slightly hypocritical and she wasn't winning an argument with the head-woman of the house. And she had her six dwarves with her. (7 if you include Saphron herself)
Would it had felt like she cared more if she did? would he had appreciated her effort? Of course. He isn't someone that would just scoff if she didn't succeeded.. which she would not have, but all and all. He doesn't hold any grudge's against her for that, he'd rather not have drama within the family that could split them a part just because of his whiny dream. Infact, he held no disdain for his family either. Why would he? They are just looking out for his well-being it's what families do, they worry for one another.
The blonde chuckled to himself, righting himself up as he rested the wooden sword beneath his weight. He looked up at the ceiling, this was his chance.
No more denial, no more influence, no more begging. He was given this opportunity because he swore under it. And he must not lose. An Arc never loses. "Ah..." Maybe that was abit too arrogant, the blonde thought.
[Later in the day]
Jaune had just gotten out of the shower and is in the midst of dressing in an attire consisting of a black t-shirt that has literacy saying [A Knight In Shade] and has a picture of a cat on the back. For the leggings he just wore his regular jeans.
"Jaune, can you help me dear?" A shout from a sweet feminine voice caught his attention.
"Coming mom!" He informed his mother that he had heard her and was on his way to assist her. Making his way out of the room he went downstairs to the kitchen where he saw his mother preparing lunch.
Carmilla-Arc. Is a woman of average height, long honey blonde hair that was looped by a hairpin to form a ponytail. The woman turned to her sole son and smiled gently at him with those gentle blue eyes, greeting him for the evening.
Her smile immediately fell however once she took notice of the band-aid on his face "Arc dear? What happened." She made her way over to him. Cupping her baby boys face with such gentleness, truly this woman was the definition of worrywart.
Jaune just sheepishly allowed her to fret over him, even if he could do anything he would not. Simply because the woman infront of him meant too much to him to even tell her off. And some part of him was guilty for going against her wishes. But as much guilt he felt, he knew that it was necessary.
"Just had a small accident when using the gift dad gave." Jaune sheepishly smiles, the countenance of the woman soured slightly before sighing and gently rubbing her thumb around the area he had hurt himself "Be more careful next time please.." she almost whimpered to him, to which Jaune responded with a slow nod to her plea.
After moving away from her son, she continued making lunch with the assistance of her son, Jaune and Carmilla together in the kitchen was something straight out of a video game, if you were to have characters matched into the party. You'd get perks that compliment the characters, except this was real-life. With Jaune not even needing his mother to speak or motion, what she needed for her next step Jaune was there, what she missed. Jaune was there to add onto it, Carmilla couldn't stop the smile that was spreading across her face, over the fact that Jaune had grown so accustomed to her that he is able to follow through without the need of her vocalizing the steps.
She may not have been able to persuade him from huntsman-ship. But at the very least, she rubbed off on him with how to be the perfect-husband material. Though, a part of her was alittle unsure, for most of Jaune's life he had never interacted with the fairer sex aside his sisters. And even then, he never even had friends of the same gender. "Hey Jaune?" She put the mixing bowl to the side, as Jaune passed her the chicken on the tray.
"Yeah mom?" He looked at her "Do you..? Do you have any issue with being around people?" Jaune seemed to have been caught away by her sudden comment. His shoulder sagged, and he looked to the side "Wh-Where did this suddenly come from?" He stammered out almost shamefully, which had Carmilla's mother senses tingling.
"I've known since before. That you aren't exactly fond of people, do you get afraid when you meet new people? Don't be like that my dear, i have an old saying that grandmother taught me. Strangers are just friends you haven't met." She grinned.
...
...
...
"Mom i'm thankful for the advice but, we are almost inside the middle of a woodlands. What friends am i gonna make aside bugs and mosquitoes?" He was meeting her eyes with bemusement, Carmilla's eyes then went in the opposite direction as her brain had seemed to miscalculate her little motivation platitude.
"I... May not have considered that." A magical gloom cloud loomed over her, Jaune was at a lost. How could she had not noticed this when she has lived in this house long before he had even been birthed..? He almost felt bad at how much of her effervescent nature had been diminished by his bluntness.
"I Mean... She isn't wrong.. pre se, i don't exactly do well in social norms. But, it's not like i'm a B with it." Jaune ranted to himself while he sweat abit.
A young girl sneezed, looking around her room in confusion as she felt she had just been teased without even being introduced yet.
Lunch had been finalized, with the family eating at the table. Saphron and Terra were here as well for the time being as Terra had been given time off from work.
His sisters conversed within their little space of the table, father and Terra were talking about her career and where it will be heading as she progresses through the company she currently is employed in. Jaune himself sat near his mother, and although the family were conversing with one another. Jaune just kept to himself, Carmilla noticed this and felt guilty for seemingly leaving him out, that is her assumption atleast.
Jaune had no such thought, he was just enjoying his chicken.
"Jaune?" Carmilla called, Jaune acknowledged by turning over to her. "What is it mom?" He asked his mother who had her lip slightly down. "I was just wondering if you have anything you wanted to share? You've been quiet through out dear." Now Jaune's ear had suddenly registered that it had went silent, his eyes traced the table and sure enough.
Everybody here had their gaze on him, Jaune now feeling awkward sheepishly smiled. "Umm... I..." Jaune stumbles, he didn't know what to say, and was he suppose to? Everybody earlier was just minding themselves, now all eyes are on him as if he must comply.
"I mean, i tried out the sword." Right after saying that, Jaune was almost tempted to bite his tongue when he saw some of the color dimming from his mother's eyes, his father however. "It took you sometime to use it, was it not to your liking?" The current head of the Arc family, Cena Arc questioned him with a brow raised.
"N-No! I completely appreciate it dad, it was just... I guess i was still processing everything.." Jaune muttered. Cena just let out an amused breath. "I understand. However, you swore under the Arc name. I hope you remembered our motto Jaune." Cena lowered the tone of his voice, his eyes hardening as if he were a lion. Jaune felt himself shrink slightly, but a shaky grin made it's way to his face.
"An arc never goes back on his word."
Cena now too grinned, seeing his little boy not collapse under his gaze. Made him slightly emotional.
Carmilla said nothing, but her eyes have been stationed at Jaune's face. She felt her heart pang, he was growing before her. And one day he'll leave, and... And...
[On A Sunny Day]
The Arc family were currently inside of the woodlands, Carmilla had thought that before the day Terra and Saphron had to go back home. That they might as well enjoy some outdoor lounging, and they did. They treaded into the woodlands and set a picnic for the family to enjoy.
Jaune however, was deeper in. His reasoning was that of him training again, the wooden-sword now steady in his hands as he swung. Was it dangerous to be isolated away from his family with Grimm around? Yes, but he wasn't too far that he couldn't run. So Jaune kept his focus on his self-improvement. And simply by days the result was surely making it's way known. His grip was more intermediate, his swing's although amateur weren't as sloppy as before, his stance has improved and most importantly his confidence with the wooden-blade had risen.
While Jaune continued to practice his mind wandered, "This.. this is not enough. I could train like this everyday and i still wouldn't be able to fight someone one on one. Unless they too have no experience like me any sentient being that is an aggressor can easily win against me." He frustratedly mused to himself. Jaune knew no matter how sedulous this might be, it will not make him stronger. The delineation between Combat training and Shadow training couldn't be anymore cut.
He'll reach a ceiling. As he himself has no one that can teach and or spar with him, does he want to ask his father? He could. But he only declared that he'll become huntsman. That meant Cena has no reason to actually assist with his training.
Jaune's thought's were fizzled when he suddenly hit the tree-bark, the shock causes him to release the wooden-sword. "Agh, Shit.." he cussed as he shook the strain out of his hand, when Jaune bent to retrieve his sword, he noticed something. Why was it so quiet all of a sudden?
A shrill scream caught his attention, and the scream sounded...
"JOAN!" Jaune now in a rush, quickly snatched the sword and ran towards the scream of the youngest elder within the Arc family, who was one year older then him. When making it back to the area where his family was, he now saw only Joan and...
A nasty growl escaped the maws of this monstrosity. It's black fur menaced, the protruding bone-like spike on it's spine, as if it were a porcupine, however that was not the case. Instead, it was an Ursa.
From what he had been told, this was only a Minor. A smaller variant of the bear Grimm, but Minor or not. It's size comparing to himself were nothing to swat at.
Jaune was in a state of incredulous, almost not wanting to believe that an Ursa was here. But most of all why is only Joan here and no one else!?
The bear began to stand on it's hind legs, it's front paw in a position to strike Joan, who was in macabre as she tried to move away. Her breathing was heavy and rapid. As she screamed again when the claws strikes her, Joan closed her eyes bracing for her demise.
"Joan!" Her eyes quickly opened, her view now consisted of the bear Grimm and Jaune's back. He was currently holding the Grimm back with the wooden-sword that looked like it could snap at any moment.
"Jaune!" Almost as if she had forgotten that death was near her one moment ago, all her worry went to her little brother. "Joan, where is dad!?" He demanded, his voice struggling as he was being pushed down.
"Th-They went back to the house to get more food, and dad went to get the tents!" She told him frantically. Jaune gritted his teeth as he his knee's buckle, how was he gonna get out of this?! Jaune's mind raced. Thinking of inane ways to escape, untill.
"Joan, GO AND GET DAD!" Joan who was dumbfounded by the request tried to retort. "THERE'S NO TIME JO! GO! AND GET...!!! DAD!!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. The the rawness of his voice reminded her that her brother.. was protecting her. She quickly turned and ran back into the direction of their manor.
Jaune who heard the rushed crunches of the dead leaves, now prayed under his breath. Before now letting the pressure slip away as he rolled towards the right. The impact of it's claw created a miniature shockwave, having Jaune stumbling further away.
Groaning, he lifted his upper half up. He noted that his hand that was holding up the blade is bleeding, but it became frivolous once he heard the snarl of the creature. Jaune turned his head, with the Ursa now having it's red hungry eyes targeted at him. Those red eyes made him feel like his heart had just stopped pumping, the Grimm growled, almost as if it was amused by the fear that was consuming it's prey.
Jaune couldn't move his limbs, "Why!? Move! Move GODSDAMNIT MOVE!!!" however even as he chided himself to move. His body would not respond to the command. The Ursa roared, before lunging straight for him. His senses returned at that moment, and he rolled away. The Ursa hitting the tree instead, dazing it as of now, Jaune himself had rolled closer to his wooden-sword. He brandishes it, standing up. As he did the bear too had recovered now seemingly angrier somehow, the Ursa lunge's again. Forcing Jaune to dodge to the right, he quickly took form and slashed across it's side. It.. did nothing as one should expect.
Well it infuriated the Ursa that's what it did. Jaune placed himself in a parrying position. But the Ursa's strength being more surplus then a meek wooden-blade. It simply clawed at him. The blading part of the wood went flying, along with Jaune. Jaune felt his hands now bleeding even more along with his arms, the arc begun to drag himself up. A growl sent shivers to his body, and when he turned. The lunging posture of the Ursa was nearly right infront of him.
Carmilla ran with her husband in the direction of the woods, they had told the girls to stay behind while they ran as fast as they could to get to Jaune, and while running Carmilla was cursing herself for being too careless, although she knew that Grimm did roam around she hadn't expected them to be this close. And now, her idea for a family picnic could be the reason her son dies.
"Oh jaune..! Please! Please be alive! Oum, GODS! Please..!!" She pleaded to any being above, those that would listen to help give strength to her child who was haplessly fighting for his life.
Cena Arc wasn't fairing any better. If anything he berated himself for being so naive, thinking that no Grimm would have shown itself. His expression glowered, as he ran even faster to make sure that his son would be alive.
Carmilla and Cena made it to the area, and they saw the Grimm currently ontop of Jaune, Cena was quick to rush over to help. But in the midst of doing so he couldn't fathom it. It was... It was incredulous, he almost feared thinking it was taboo. But in his thoughts.
"He has no Aura.. so how is he holding it back..?!"
Carmilla stood at the back, helplessly watching. Fear, anxiety, the feeling of uselessness all engulfed her. She could do nothing as she was watching this monster trying to kill her son, her... Son...
Carmilla was staring at Jaune's eyes, the emotion in them showed her that he was scared, he was fearing for his life. But she also saw the determination
"Mom, i wanna be a huntsman!" A 5 year old Jaune grinned at her.
"Mom please! I wanna be a huntsman!" He pleaded with her at 13 years old.
And of course.
"I SWEAR UNDER THE ARC NAME THAT I WILL BECOME A HUNTSMAN!" He shouted with the intention of everyone to hear.
Carmilla stood there. Her eyes glistening as tears threaten to fall, "Jaune... You... You never quit.. did you.." she felt her heart burn with loathe at herself. For not being able to help him, but also feel as if she herself had failed as a mother.
Cena Arc, who had reached close enough. Released his sword from the sheathe, and with a single powerful strike, the Ursa's head went flying. The woods had became silent as the Grimm's body dispersed into particles, with breathing being the only thing breaking it. Jaune gazed up at his father's eyes in awe, at seeing him easily take out the Grimm while he struggled with the beast.
"Jaune!" Cena knelt beside his son, checking on his injury. "Jaune, is it bad? Did it caught you from behind. Is your back injured?" Cena inspected what was visible. That being the deep-scratches on his arms, the hands that were gushing with blood, a small wound on his lips, a cut on his temple. A few rough spots around his body from the front, but overall nothing that seemed fatal. "Probably some scratches on my back.." Jaune wheezed, as he now is able to focus on his breathing, he saw his mother come into view, she knelt on the opposite side of his dad and frowned at his state.
"Jaune.. i'm so sorry." She said with a hush tone, her eyes dampening. Jaune now noticed his mother was gonna cry, and felt himself become protective. "Don't be sorry mom.. it was an unexpected event, non of us thought a Grimm would be near here.." He reassures her with a languid smile. Carmilla kept quiet, her bangs concealing her emotional visage.
Cena held his wives hand, squeezing it as he needed her to cool herself, not wanting to attract the Grimm anymore. Or worse lure them near the house.
Carmilla lays her head onto Jaune's chest, he winced but did not fight or struggle against it. Especially when she's in this kind of pain, the emotional pain of nearly losing her child. Could it had been avoided, of course. But in reality, that is fate with hindsight. Anything could be avoided if it had been warned or told, even thought of. But if fate wanted to, it could've been more then just an Ursa. So Jaune was just thankful he was still alive, and that they made it in time.
"Dear, you can check and continue with him when we get back. If we sit here however Grimm may get attracted by the emotion." Cena said gently, Carmilla sobbed but nodded, moving away from Jaune.
[After that]
The moon was eclipsing the orangy skies, turning the warmth of the sun into the soft breeze of the cold night. Jaune laid in his bed, his arms and hands wrapped in bandages after cleaning and stitching courtesy of Carmilla, his face had two plasters now, and the damage to his lip had dried up. All n all, it could've been worse. Though he did took pain-killer's mother had given him to minimize the aching his body was going through. The healing might take awhile, and in that time he couldn't train. Simply because it hurt to even move his body, let alone his arms that took the brunt of the damage.
While Jaune was in reverie, the door to his room was open. His ear catching the disturbance, Jaune looked to see who it was. He saw Carmilla standing in her night-gown. Her hair down signifying that the woman was going to bed soon. She stepped inside the room, walking over to his bed. "Mom? What is it?" Jaune who was not expecting her asked, the woman in question replied once she had reached close enough to sit beside him.
"Jaune, can i ask you something?" She looked into his eyes, Jaune who stared did a short nod.
"Why?" With no context Jaune was confused, he was about to ask what she meant. But she continued. "Why do you want to become a Huntsman." She cleared the mist that was there. And Jaune has the answer prepared for it. "Because i want to be a hero." Carmilla's eyes harden abit, her mouth opened. "But that would be childish wouldn't it?" Her mouth was open, but nothing came out. Because of his remark. "I want to help people mom, i want to become more then ordinary Jaune. I want it not because i want fame, not because i wanna become rich, not because i want some sort of stupid legacy! Hell the most i want is a harem." She saw how he was becoming more and more vocal, and more passionate, and... Wait, what was the last part? "It isn't for me to gain anything mom, what you had always done was stop me from becoming what i had always wanted to do, and that is to help people.." Jaune sighed. His expression that was ablaze earlier became docile his sight now on his arms.
Carmilla still gazed, she by now had made her mind up. But as she continue's to listen the pang returned to her again, all her son wanted is to help people. Why couldn't it had been from the side, perhaps through the law or office, why physically in the world of Grimm. Where many died, suffered, lost, and or went missing. Was what she should have thought. Except it isn't, Carmilla cupped the side of his face, his eyes meeting hers again.
"Jaune. I'm sure this will come as no surprise, that i do not want you to become a huntsman." Jaune was about to rebuttal. "However." She reproached, shutting the Blonde from doing so.
"I think, it is time for that to change." The way Jaune's eyes practically shined with hope, it made the pang in her heart be replaced with pleasantness.
"You mean..?" He gaped.
"Yes, Jaune. I accept. Your dream."
[Midnight]
Jaune was still in disbelief. Even after a few hours, he still couldn't get the approval out of his head. Carmilla Arc. The woman who had denied him relentlessly, said... She accepted his dream.
While the oath could not change the fact he would have to fulfill his swear. It was still meaningful, because he had her blessing. Her blessing... To protect people, and become a hero. Jaune's heart pumped with determination, giving it more reason now to not quit. Ever, his father seemed to be behind him. But now his mother? He's got this in the bag!
"Oww!!" He had shot fist up in his moment of jubilant, the injury reminding him that it was not feign. "Alright.. maybe i deserved that.." he thought in droll.
But as he pulled his composure together, he noticed someone now standing at his bed-side again. This time being Joan.
Joan is almost a spitting image of himself, with the only difference being their... Appendages and her more smooth feminine face, the two were mistaken as twins a plethora of times. They were not. She was a year older then he was, which was used as a teasing tool. At first it got under his skin, now although still an annoyance. He didn't mind it as much. Besides, if she ever had wrinkles. He'll just make fun of her instead.
"Joan? What are you here, shouldn't you be resting." He worried over her state of mind, almost like he forgot that he too almost died. The girl who was in attention only quietly fidgeted, Before quietly speaking. "Can i sleep here..?" Her voice was small, almost pleading. Jaune originally wanted to tease. But with what she has gone through today, he patted the empty side of his bed. Joan got onto it, and if another thing that made them distinct, were the height difference. While she laid beside him, he still manages to be a few inches higher. She worms closer, Jaune whom saw her action from his peripheral, slowly wrapped his arm around her. It hurts a fucking lot, but it will pass after awhile. Hopefully..
However, pain meant nothing to him as long as it comforted the girl who has been traumatized.
"Jaune." She whispered to him, he looked into her eyes. That were beginning to water with gratitude. "Thank you.." Jaune blinked, but he only smiled at her.
"You have nothing to thank me for."
End
(This story is a Jaune based story.)