Jaune who now, has recovered quite abit from the Ursa attack, sat in his father's office. The man himself sat at his desk with his hands bridged, his expression in the form of a smile. "Jaune. You seem healthy again my boy, i'm glad." Cena told him sincerely. In turn making Jaune himself smile at his dad's concern over his well-being.
"Thanks dad, but really the attack wasn't that severe. It could've been alot worse as you would know.." Jaune murmurs, Cena nodded his head. "Yes. I won't lie or sugar coat it. You indeed got lucky, however my boy. You should not see your efforts as anything less. Luck or not, you saved your sister. And i can not be any more proud of that." He stated, his voice booming with fatherly pride. In which Jaune only sheepishly grinned. "That aside however, i have something that i wish to discuss with you about." He deviated and told the young Arc.
Jaune moved his head to the side, his face contorting into a thoughtful expression. Cena saw the way his face shifted into pondering and couldn't help the bubbling mirth that came from himself. "Hmhm, boy. You not need to look so rigid, it's nothing bad i promise." He assured the boy who now is timid over being deduced so easily by his father. Chuckling to himself before he elaborated more on the subject.
"During the encounter the wooden-blade i had given you snapped, so i had decided to replace it with something better." He told Jaune, his countenance shifting into one of mischief. Jaune, alittle unnerved now but also over the moon that he could continue training. "Really!? Where is it." The way that came out almost made it sound like a demand, however Cena only guffawed at his son's excitement and only ruffles his hair. Messing the already scraggly blonde mop.
"Gahaha! My boy, patience. I will get to that." He grinned at him, Jaune returning it albeit more embarrassed with his cheeks shaded in a tad red. "As i was saying. It is better, but it isn't good enough. So i thought to myself, what could make this gift more worth of the deed you have accomplished." Cena Arc was beginning to enter his theater acting days when he was alot younger and more romeo like. Jaune listen's as his father's perspective changed into third-person, almost amazed at how this man whom he had known to be one of the greatest-badass in history by simply waving his hand infront of his face and he quotes.
"You can't see me." Becoming more and more animated, as if he were on a movie-set. "Dad?" "And i thought to myself why not do this instead-" "Dad." "But then i realized my Son's effort cannot be as cheap-" "Da-Dad.." "AND SO I HAVE FIGURED IT OUT!" He expressed in an exaggerated voice, slamming his hand onto the desk making Jaune jump, leaning deeper into the seat's rest. Cena who had came to his sense's coughed into his fist, before straightening himself. "It is in the training-hall. You will find it there, don't keep her waiting." He said in a more toned down voice.
The two Arc's sat in silence, the air-conditioning was the only volume in the room. Blue ocean eyes met dark water eyes. "Did you... Did you just become a character. In the middle of talking?" Jaune blurted. Cena leaned into his chair.
"I mean... It charmed your mom didn't it?"
[At The Training-Hall]
As Jaune was making his way to the room downstairs, his mind suddenly picked up on what his father had said.
"It's in the training-hall. You will find it there, don't keep her waiting." The reminder had Jaune pensive, who's her? With only one decision to the truth. He entered the Training-Hall, at first he saw nothing but once inside. There, standing near the far right. Holding two sheathes. Was the eldest sister within the current Arc family.
Sincere Arc.
Her hair was braided, and fell down right to her waist. Her body was quite muscular, from her mid-riff down to her legs, her arms weren't as large. But it was larger then his that was for certain. But what made her stand-out, was the patch on the left eye. Sincere Arc enrolled into Shades Academy, and during her studies there. She was sent on a rescue mission, along with her team. SSND (Sand) and in the mission she had been the first to land, and when landed she had been tackled down unsuspectingly by one of the members that led to the mission.
He had a dust infused knife, and in a panic of her predicament. She wasn't in the right head space and kept squirming and thrashing. Which infuriated the man, and well. You can guess what happened. Thankfully however N for Nana was able to defuse the escalation from going any further. But as terrifying and traumatic that moment was for her in her life. She had come to terms, and now had reformed into a well fitting title for herself.
Gold Speed.
A play on the word god, but using the word god as an alias would be seen as arrogant and presumptuous. So they would swap it with the color of her hair, although the connotation was pretty obvious. It still was able to pass, giving her the well-earned and much deserved name of Gold Speed. She now work's at Signal academy being the third teacher there. So it was surprising for Jaune to see her standing there in the flesh.
The woman grinned, revealing her sharp fangs with her eye narrowing. "Hey there Jauney boy." She called him by the name she had teased him with. When he was younger, it was annoying and embarrassing. Irking him anytime she vocalized herself to let her presence be known. However, as time went on. And she wasn't home all the time. He became more fond of it. And now seeing her after quite sometime.
He was very fond of it.
"Sincere!" He cheered, he ran over to her pulling the woman who was about the same height as he was, if not just a tad bit higher into an embrace. Sincere cackled, wrapping her arms around him much tighter then necessary, however Jaune did not protest or even seemed to notice as he was too busy laughing, grateful for her being here. "Look at you mr'knight, not long ago you rebelled." A smug tug on her lips, Jaune shrunk abit, forcing a laugh. Sincere however didn't acknowledged and resumes. "Now you became hero, i mean. Seriously it took me by surprise that mother suddenly was beaming at me about how proud she was, instead of crying her heart about how her little baby boy is going to go-" Jaune placed his index finger on her babbling lip. Sincere blinked, almost not believing that he had just done that. Jaune's deadpanning visage however broke her into laughter.
"Wowie! Look at you little guy, keep showing this side and trust me ladies would be down at your feet." She snarked, Jaune's face lit in color at the idea of... Beautiful, hot, wonderfully filled bodied ladies down. Eyes fiery with salacious wan-STOP IT ARC! Sincere smacked him across the shoulder in jest, well her kind of jest since he was sent to the pavement. "Okay, pleasantries and greetings over with right? Now. Tada." She spread her arms wide, as if she were revelation.
Jaune was non the wiser, he gawked at her as if she was strange. "Eh? What's with the face don't you like the gift?" She grunted. "You, are my gift?" Jaune bemused, Sincere's spirit was nearly crushed along with her ego. But she steeled herself. "Sound abit more enthusiastic would ya!?" She glowers. "S-Sorry! That sounded really bad now that i think about it.." he stammers. Sincere clicked her tongue, looking to the side in irritation. Jaune now felt bad and was about to placate, but she shoved the white sheathe at his face, it had gold trimming around the tip and an X across the base. Jaune was in awe at the smooth and intricate little accents, making a simple scabbard have personality.
"Take it." She said, Jaune who was knocked from his admiration, looked at her for confirmation, to which she just pushes the scabbard onto him. Jaune stumbles backwards, still admiring the detailed emblazon of the sheathe. "That's the second gift." Jaune looked up at her again. "Second? Wait, wait. You are my first gift, this is my second then..?" Jaune lingered on it, Sincere then in one fluent movement, had the blade out of the scabbard and the tip of the sharp object pointed directly at his nose. Jaune froze his muscles cramping slightly. "The first gift. Is me, because for this singular week. You are under my tutoring, understand?" She practically commanded. Jaune, was awestruck once more. Before his face shifted into his regular goofy grin.
"Yes ma'am!" He acknowledged in glee, Sincere's eyes softening at seeing her little brother hyping up. "Then let's begin!" She roared, her blade flying at terrifying speed. Jaune's eyes widened and he quickly threw his arm up. Parrying with the scabbard just in the nick of time. "Wah!? Hey! Sincere wait! I'm not prepa-WAH!" He yelped in fright when she pressured him back. "In any scenario you think the opposition is gonna wait for you to unlatch that sword? Don't be foolish, chivalry doesn't work on egotistical dickhead's Jaune." She schooled him, Jaune now standing up was able to release the blade out of the scabbard, but fell onto the ground again when another powerful yet nimble swing sparked against the scabbard, when Jaune released it from his grasp it went flying across the training-room, clattering near the doorframe. Jaune's attention was on the sheath, his face in bewilderment. Turning over to his teacher, she was glaring at him. Her entire presence wasn't the joking and playful yet bullying kind anymore. She saw him as an enemy, and wanted to kill him. Just like...
Jaune's trauma begun, as he hyperventilated. What he saw now wasn't his big sister, it was the black fur, the red grim reaper eyes, the growling that signifies death. He shook, not understanding what was going on and why he was suddenly in such terrible fear. It stomped forward, maw dripping, salivating in hunger, and it pounced. Jaune screamed in terror dropping the sword, only to be enveloped into a warm hug.
His hammering heart nearly stopped, but reality had reclaimed him and he was in the arms of Sincere instead of a beasts stomach. "I thought so." She whispered softly into his ear, Jaune shuddered before he began to cry onto her shoulder. He felt Sincere's hand run through his hair, softly stroking him into comfort. "I was abit surprised that no one noticed, but i saw it the moment you entered my sight. Jaune, the experience you are feeling is normal for anyone who had an encounter with death. Trust me, i would know.." she was referring to her left eye. "It's okay baby. Cry, let it all out. Big sister is here to make sure nothing will harm you." She would say sweet nothing's into his ear, which declined his wailing into sobs. She pulled away, wiping away the tears. "You wanna be a hero right?" Jaune nodded, wiping his face with his arm. "Then when you feel that rising fear, the cramping of your body, the race of your heart. Remind yourself, that if you freeze. People around you could possibly be hurt, or even worse. Die." Jaune stiffens, the death word always hitting him differently simply because all he wants to do, is to save people. So... What if he became the reason they died.. he couldn't accept that. He would not accept that. A huntsman's duty is to save those who are in danger, and if he allowed it to cloud his judgement. Then he is nothing more but a liability.
"I see it in those eyes of yours." She giggles, getting into position. "I know you still wanna fight." Her demeanor shifted to serious. Jaune's hand that picked up and held his sword shook, his heart racing once more. But the blonde tightly gripped the handle, and getting into his less graceful stance. Sincere rushed forward, Jaune felt himself freezing like in the forest again, he kept still not moving as Sincere's frame only got larger. "If you don't move and protect yourself then you can't protect anyone!" She chided him, Jaune managed to awaken his sword-hand and parried it sloppily from his sister. "That all you got?" She taunted, Jaune's eyes narrowed and he tried overpowering her into submission, too bad she is strong, much, much more stronger then he was right now. "You can't push me back when you, yourself don't have the ability to." She mocked and like a fly, he was swatted away with ease. Jaune crashed into the wall, his teeth gritting in shock. Sincere allowed him to recuperate, Jaune stood back up. He looked at his shaking hands, and smacked the wall behind him in agitation. It caused him to bled, and and even a small pop was heard from his bone, but Sincere saw that by inflicting some damage, he was able to stop his shaking to be more controllable.
Her lip tugged into a smirk, getting into her stance, Jaune did so too. And the room's atmosphere had now become heavy as the tension was now heating up. Jaune charged forward, he swung vertically, Sincere took one step to the right. Completely evading it without any trouble and smacked the pommel of her sword into his face, Jaune grunted and swung wildly. Sincere duck under and went to finish it with a thrust to the neck, Jaune flicked his arm using the blunt side of the blade to deflect, the clash sent Jaune's arm off balance. Sincere cocked her right fist, and landed a solid one to his right cheek. She obviously held back due to her having Aura. However make no mistake the punch did have Jaune staggering down to his knee, Sincere went to capitalize. But to her genuine surprise, he lunged at her as his last resort. She managed to block the horizontal slash, but Jaune's element of surprise now sent her arm upwards. Sincere wasn't prepared for that burst, it was risky to even do anything like that. But she respected the will to do whatever it takes to win. So she kneed him on the chin for his troubles, Jaune slumped back. Hitting the pavement, he was now in a stupor.
Sincere sighed, putting her sword down. "You swing wildly and without precision, you do it simply because you think you have to. You don't flow with the blade, you don't set the strikes to be in your favor." She listed his mistakes and wrong doings, but stopped and said. "But i'll say, you playing possum at the end there got me quite good. Sure you still got knocked out, but you got the jump on me. That won't work again though." She finished her praise with a fact. A snarky fact, but a fact that cannot be denied.
Jaune coughed, groaning at the aching. "I thought i wouldn't have to take painkillers for awhile.." he whined, Sincere only rolled her eyes but smiled warmly. She'll definitely enjoy this week.
[Day 2]
Spark flew as their blade's met in the center again, Jaune's arm shook as his rising anxiety was beginning to get to him. Sincere taking advantage of his distraction, broke off their clash and swung wildly from under. Knocking Jaune's sword out of his grip. The shock was where he would've been dead, had Sincere been any malicious person. However, she just had the blade to his neck. "Yield." Jaune raised his arms up, and knelt down.
27 - 0 the current score. It could be worse.
Their 28th bout today begun. Jaune rushed forward, his movement was dissonant, simply too readable and assimilated by Sincere whom allowed him to take the strike. He slashed with the beginning vertical, she moved her body away. Preparing to retaliate but he quickly parries her into an early lock. It was quick sure, but isn't proficient. She deduce his grip had became disturbed, so she simply pressured upwards, sailing Jaune's arm again and pulled her arm back quickly. Thrusting with her might, the tip of her sword millimeters from piercing his adam's apple. "Yield?" She grinned, only to have it wiped off her face. As she saw the reflection of herself from his blade. "He...he used it as-" but her internal thought's froze once his hands had wrapped around her neck, and his other pushing her blade to the side. "Yield?" Jaune fired back with his variant of cockiness.
27 - 1
Jaune and Sincere took their short break, both chugging down from their water bottles. Sincere finished and done an exaggerated yet satisfied sigh. "Ah, that hit the spot." She grunts, Jaune being more mannered. Pulled away quietly, however sighing in content. "So?" Sincere questioned, Jaune turned towards his teacher. "So what?" He asked for clarification. "So, did you mean to execute that stunt you pulled earlier?" With the context Jaune looked away, he pondered his earlier action. "To an extent i had an idea of pulling my arm down to cut across from you thrusting. But, you actually put alot more strength then i anticipated. So i lost my grip." He admitted. Sincere snorts. "You won by fate it seems." She shrugged, not bothered by it. "Well, whatever the case maybe. It won't work again." She turned, a feral grin on her face. Jaune swallowed the invisible force in his throat, feeling the dread already happening on his person. "Fun.." he lamented.
[Day 3]
Jaune slammed into the wall, groaning in agony as his body was basically burning. Ever since yesterday's lost. She had not gone easy on him anymore, and it terrified him. Because she had those eyes from the first day, those eyes that reminded him of the bear Grimm. It frightened him how dark her countenance could get, and how much it almost resembled that creature. He's freezing over and over again, he kept allowing fear to grip his heart and it is costing him. And his spine. "I hope you realized i'm not here to make it easy for you." She stated, huffing while hefting the blade onto her shoulder. "I've faced everything without anyone holding back. So i will do the exact same for you Jauney boy, because i want to you to succeed. And success is done through experience and failure!" She roared, charging forward. Jaune ducked under her horizontal slash, he rolled up. Blocking another strike from the aggressor Sincere, she pushed, pressuring him to break their stand-still. A vertical slash from Sincere had Jaune back paddling once more. He could not find an opening on her at all, if anything he was the open-field against her, the mysterious forest. She thrusted her blade, Jaune slashed from under sending the blade up. But Sincere showed her superior experience and training, by humbling his strength. Pushing her blade with ease and the tip of the blade ready to gouge out his eye, if it weren't for the person behind it. "Yield." She demanded, Jaune's arm dropped.
42 - 1
Jaune knelt down, resting for a short while. "You know, you are unlike anyone i've ever fought before." She blurted, Jaune's brow rose. "You don't have to feel like you need to heal my pride, i know i'm nothing compared to you." Jaune lament, however. "That isn't what i meant." She quickly shot it down, Jaune curious, looked at her to understand more on her point. "You have the ability to adapt too fast Jaune, i see it. For the amount of times we clashed, i noticed that you keep getting better and better. But of course you won't surprise me with these little assessment. Though you can definitely catch fighter's off-guard with how well you are able to adapt. I will have to be brutally honest though, Jaune you are inept at movement and swordsmanship." She told him the cold truth, Jaune flinched and sagged. Knowing that he lacked the aptitude of the average training. Let alone the like's of Sincere who isn't just league's ahead. She isn't even on leagues. She's on the stratosphere, while he remained in the meadow and dirt.
"But, you are on another level with technical fighting, Jaune. I mean this when i say that on the fly-thinking while fighting, isn't easy, you don't have the formula on how to fight. But you create it whilst you flow. I understand now, your aptitude shines and shows from planning how to defeat rather then the old and overdone, guns blazing. But i'll have to be harshly honest, it is the worst fighting style to have if we are being analytical here, but if you can master planning and fighting in tandem. You can imagine the difficulty of overcoming an advisory who can adapt to the fighting technique and use it against yourself, i believe you can become one Jaune. A master of what i like to call, Free-Bird style." Sincere grinned at his bewildered and flummoxed face. "Alright breaks over!" She rushed forward, making poor Jaune yelp.
[Day 4]
Sincere and Cena sat at the dining table area, the two were conversing on Jaune's progress and how it was going. While Cena expected gradual yet perfect results, he got alot more then he was prepared for. "You mean to tell me in just three days he's improved that much?" Cena was incredulous, he had expected Jaune to do well of course. As the man himself knew the boy had potential, ever since he had started training himself, he saw that the spark was diamond, his boys Arc oath becoming more and more of a possibility the more he kept pursuing his beliefs. "I don't joke over stuff like this pops, he really is improving that much. And the fact is there, even with no combat aptitude, school knowledge, or the fighting basic's he is able to adapt that fast. It's genuinely scary how he can understand in such short amount of time, and not only just that. But to also use it against them within his short assimilation, it's crazy but. That aside however, i have my own question, his dream is to go to beacon right?" Cena Arc nodded correct. "Then we have an issue, transcripts. He has no proof of ever training, learning, or studied the basic of Huntsman ideology. So they won't just accept some random nobody that has nothing to show for themselves, it'll basically mean they are willing to accept murder for an unprepared child if he is allowed in." Sincere warned her father of the issue that has been eclipsing her train of thought. However Cena arc only smirked.
"Then we do it the Arc way." Sincere's eye nearly flew out. "You mean your way dad!?" She was about to reason and elicit how badly his idea could go. "You saying no would be you rejecting him, again." Cena coldly obliterated her argument before she even had the chance to articulate it. Sincere's expression soured, but she sighed in exertion, coming to terms even if she isn't onboard completely. "Fine... But what if they know?" Sincere was referring to the higher-positioning or more importantly the head-master of the prestiges school. Cena only grinned even further. "Oh, he'll accept nonetheless. I know he will." Sincere was taken aback by her father's sureness. But decided to put her trust in her old man, he never failed her...
Atleast when it doesn't have the matters of mathematics.
"Also what about his Aura?" She brought up another elephant in the room. To which senior Arc smiled fondly as if he was reliving his glory days. "It will unlock like most of the Arc family tradition." Cena paused, looking at Sincere who just huffed amusingly. "They're destined partner." Sincere said to herself.
[Day 5]
Jaune parried her slash, their blade sparking from their stand-still. By now this was probably their 100th time clashing like this. However, it never gotten old for either of them, Jaune took it as learning material. Analyzing as fast as he could, trying to find an opening for himself. Sincere to her name, did not hold back. She would not let him simply slip by and allow herself to become guard-broken. Jaune pushed, and she too pushed. Their blade's scrapping across, Sincere stepped back slashing in a wide arc diagonally to the right, Jaune blocked it in time. Flicking his wrist up to send her arm away, he swung vertically to the right. Sincere would block the attack and shift the direction of the blade away, her blade glinting as it thrusted for him.
Jaune switched his sword to his weaker-arm, twirling around as he deflected the blade back before swapping back to his dominate hand and thrusting forward. Sincere contorted her body into a jump with great flexibility, Jaune's eyes widened at the finesse. Sincere who now used gravity to pull her back, slashed downwards. Jaune's blade was forced to bow. When Sincere had landed, she stepped on the blade while moving her own to Jaune's throat. "Yield." She told him.
Jaune sighed. Seeing that no way to twist the position, Jaune shoulder surrender down. "Well done." Sincere's way of congratulating may seem shallow for those who do not know her. But she believes that telling the positive too many times and too much platitude would inflate anyone into thinking they are above and or becoming better then people. And while that narrative isn't necessarily bad. It isn't healthy either, but Jaune never took compliment's to heart, he never really believed that he deserved them. To him, it's just undeserving praising people do so it would be seen as if his effort weren't so shit. The two Arc's line of thinking were contradicting to say the least. Because one believe's a job well done, is a job well done. While the other believes no matter how well the job is done. He must do even more.
"You don't have to say stuff like that." Jaune sighed, but Sincere crossed her arms clearly not pleased. "And why?" She challenged, Jaune's brow twitched in irritation as he eyed her. "Why? Because i know it isn't. It isn't well done because i have barely seen any improvement in myself..!" Jaune growled, Sincere's eye narrowing heatedly back, Jaune felt his legs cramping-up however his emotion got the better of his body's argument. "I've just been able to parry, or block, i've never once even made you back-paddle so of course i don't think that i'm doing well at al-guagh!" Sincere had heard enough of his whining and shut him by smacking the blunt side of her sword across the top of his head. Jaune looked up to Sincere, she didn't look angry, sad, unpleased, or anything. Because her expression is impassive. They held nothing, and they ripped into Jaune, not fear, not sadness, but disappointment within himself. He had lashed out at someone who was just lending him her support. Teaching him when he himself knew no one could teach and tutor him like she is currently, yet here he was being ungrateful as if she had not done just that. As if all this time she was just pushing him around. Well, perhaps to a degree that wasn't so false.
Sincere inhaled, before speaking as she exhaled through her nose. "Have you already forgotten what i said?" Jaune still held eye-contact, she smiled. A tiny smile, that expressed it all. "Failing is the only way for you carve the path to success, pruning the jagged inclines to smoothen it into the pavement you walk." She shared her wisdom, Jaune was intent on listening. "So while you may feel frustrated. You may think that what you are doing is completely frivolous. Just understand i was there, before you. And i learned, i was humbled, Jaune. You are being humbled because if you aren't then you will not overcome failure. Failure is not about falling over and over, and over! Jaune failure is about you quiting the resilience, the fight. Do you want to quit? Simply because you aren't progressing fast enough, just because some people are better then you? No! A hero doesn't think about progressing faster or becoming stronger. A heroes first line of thinking is how do i become someone that can save people." She took a moment to catch her breath, Jaune processed everything that he had been taught of. And couldn't help but ask. "But, if i'm not strong enough then how can i save someone?" Jaune asked, his voice meek. The eye-patch Arc didn't expect the question so she wasn't able to stop her chuckle that elicit from her lips.
"An excellent point. Yet, when you think about it. What does getting stronger really mean Jaune? Is it through religious amount's of training? It is one of the reason's correct. But if strength and ability alone is what makes you save people." Her eyes emptied. "Then why is it that people care about their abilites to impress, to show off, to have some sort following? To appeal to the public, for their precious standing in social gathering, rather then using it to save people? Innocent people who need protection, the weak that have no will to fight. Heroes, don't ask for fame or even gratitude. They do it because it is their duty and belief." She spat, her teeth grinding with fury. Jaune noting that Sincere was beginning to fume, stepped back, just for his safety. "You see? People who at one point were weak, small, pathetic little worms. They trained, put in the work, effort. And when they achieved their goal, the success, the fame, their name rising among the status board. But in achieving accolades, most forget that they started not for medals, titles, or ascension from the eyes of critics. They did it because they wanted to save people, but they forgot the challenge, the hustle, and in turn their loyalty faded with respect meaning zero." Sincere snarled. "Now, i'm not saying that fame, titles, medals, honor, respect are something we should just ignore because it is a part of our nature to accept such gratitude. But do not, and i mean it Jaune. Do not make it something you chase, i'm not bashing people for wanting fame or lien. Because hey food is food right?" Sincere sighed. "But do not forget why you wanted this since the beginning Jaune. It was to save people, to help people, to make remnant better. Isn't that what G-pa did?" Sincere brought up their Great-Grandfather. Sincere loved to call him by the nickname that she came up with when she was much younger.
Jaune did not mull for long on what Sincere was referring to. He nodded his head,
"So do you get it. Do you understand now? When i tell you well done. I mean it. I don't sugar-coat or try to layer it with some sort of invisible tarp to make you feel better. Jaune, the gradual-path will be worth it. Trust me. You will overcome every shortcoming, as long as your heart never forgets why you are pushing for this." She looked into his eyes, her irises burning with her heart, Jaune would look at those flaming orbs, and he felt the rejuvenating feeling come back. "I trust you." Jaune did not hesitate, he put his trust onto her without the shadowing doubt that had been pinning him this time. "Then stop getting so agitated. Remind yourself that every lose is another experience, humbleness build's the person into shape, and you have to guide that shape to properly balance it." She grinned again, Jaune smiled bashfully. Feeling the once burning moody feeling subsiding for the time being.
"Now." Sincere pushed Jaune back. Jaune caught his equilibrium mid-shuffle, Sincere finesses with her sword, like playing golf took her swing and had Jaune's sword flying towards him. The male Blonde caught it from the guard-part in his entire hand, The eye-patch Arc scoffing in jest as she got into position. "Enough of the cheesy talk, let's have the fight do the talking." Sincere growls in encouragement.
Jaune gripped his sword into his comfortable stance, his expression between mirth and smug. "BRING IT JAUNEY BOY!" With a cry, Sincere lunged forward with all her might. Jaune having to press his weight forward and onto his arms and upper-torso as to not get thrown off-balance with their swords emitting cacophonic screeches.
The siblings, one struggling more then the other, were madly smiling at each other as the fun got turn up further with their dancing scrapes and parries of the blades heard throughout the training-hall. Cena Arc who was leaning in secrecy, wanting not to disturb his two children watched as he saw what his eldest daughter meant. Jaune was learning, he was consuming every bit of detail, and his movement evolved every single time he failed the first approach.
"My boy..." The Arc senior couldn't help but admire. "It seems you were always meant for this." Cena laughed inside, his line of thinking though was wandering on what to give the boy as another reward.
[Day 6]
Jaune was suppose to have his break today, however the boy himself had refuse to do as such. Wanting to keep going further even though his body was sore from the constant smacking, falling, and smashing into walls, pavement, fist, pommel. You name it he had been subdued with it by the ever so talented Sincere. Jaune noted that ever since training with Sincere that doing it by his lonesome felt alot different now.
Because he believed that he was fighting an enemy, which made him work on his footing. Dodging an imaginary Sincere putting all her arm power into the regular thrust he has come to know her for, Jaune ducked under, using momentum to shift into his leg power, and slashing once he stood up diagonally. Another imaginary Sincere rushed up on the Arc going for a wide-horizontal slash on his back. Jaune leapt forward to avoid the incoming slash from the Sincere created in his mind. While still leaping, Jaune turned with his hips, his arm charged with the momentum and swung as hard as he could. The shadow sword, that shadow Sincere used went flying upwards and embedded down behind her.
Jaune panted, beginning to perspire from the excessive and blurring movement. The young Arc took his moment to regain air into his lungs. "Different huh?" An unexpected voice caught Jaune's attention, turning towards the entrance he saw Sincere who wore a t-shirt twice her size with shorts to match, stood there with her arms crossed. The expression on the Eye-patches face telling him she was implying something he was not catching on.
"I'm talking about how you felt while training alone. It feel's alot different now when you do it by yourself doesn't it?" As she said that she walked closer to him, it reminded Jaune enough to remember that he was just thinking what Sincere referred to. "Yeah. It was almost like i was fighting you there for a moment. Albeit alot more slower." He sheepishly smiled at her. Sincere rolled her eyes, giggling to herself before ruffling his hair, Jaune grunts at her slight roughness and pouted. "My sweat is now all over your palm dummy.." he deadpanned. But the one eyed Arc took it with no issue and just acted as if she didn't care. "Hey. Put some respect on my name would ya? I'm the Gold Speed." She winked, Jaune did not overlook the fact she had just ignored his earlier remark but there was no reason to have it resume. "Weren't you just scolding me about not caring for titles and humbleness yesterday?" Jaune impassively said. Sincere only cackled. "Good to know you atleast still have it saved up in that hard drive you call a brain." She snarks in her own gentle way.
Jaune scoffs, and whips his not so long hair in an act. "Thou shall know i have a 12gb ram in here." He said in an accent from the fairy tales. Jaune and Sincere went silent staring at one another before breaking into hysterical laughter. The two just bonded together with jokes and conversation. Jaune seemingly forgetting about his earlier pledge of not taking the day off. But, Sincere did this deliberately. Just so he wouldn't burn himself out. Training is training. But resting and relaxing is also as important.
The two were together for most of the day. Untill it had became midnight, Sincere said her farewells and headed for her old bedroom to have her snooze for the night. Jaune was still sitting and watching the news.
Fanus-Riot in Atlas, casualties of both human and Fanus alike numbers ranging from 100 to 150 hypothetical reports of the cause was due to the sudden economic rise. With half of the Fanus race already living in poverty, had them enraged, causing civil disorder among those who feel as if they have nothing to lose. Councilman working on accomodations, with General Ironwood being the forefront to settle the issue as to not have the outbreak escalate to further levels, as the casualties will definitely taint Altas's reputation even further.
Jaune blankly stared at the screen, he felt sympathetic towards the Fanus race. They truly were treated as lowest of the low, racism among color had not been settled obviously, but it had taken a back seat. Simply because the discrimination towards the human's with animal traits was so dangerously high. If power-point were to be used as concept, the red would point towards the Fanus. Highest in rate such as homelessness, abuse, mistreatment, criminals, and while this may offend some people. The fact is... It was facts, they were treated as bottom-feeders in society. They were not accepted in social norms. That doesn't mean Jaune agreed. If anything he hated it. He hated everything on screen, but not just the Fanus. The people too. They are dying for causes and reasons that should not have gotten to this point. But it did, and for what? For greedy businessmen? For public acknowledgement? For views on the web. Climbing in numbers due to controversial topics being put at the very face, simply because the lien rained. And then they'll have donating advertising for you to feel bad while they themselves use it as tools for more opportunities to gain higher viewership and numbers, stats, stats, stats.
However. Thinking like that isn't necessarily right either, because looking at it from another perspective this is basically people just working. Writers doing what they can to have the information albeit scandalous and or absurd to catch waves and get attention. Or else, they themselves cannot put food on the table. Numbers need to be high for them to keep their ranking and spot with the ever demanding network, and these news reporters themselves are reading from paper that has been either printed or documented for them. Some even travel to the physical area, needing to have it live while their life could be at danger, and you just have to respect that. Is it dirty? Is it necessary evil? That is all subjective. Agreement to disagreement, these people are just doing what... They have to, as dark as it can be. It isn't exactly their fault.
That's how this world is depressingly. Everything on that TV screen that is informing you, is technically part of a norm that society has seemingly accept, although you may have opinion's you are entitled to, that doesn't mean the world agrees. And you can't subject that.
The reports showed a different article, moving from the saddening piece of news that the world is tainted to, it now showed about third-year students graduating from their respective huntsman academies. While Jaune would usually be interested in the name's that are now alumni. The Fanus-riot had exhausted him, he switched off the TV before heading upstairs to go to bed himself.
Missing the last piece of coverage.
Schnee heiress now in the process of engagement with the house of Phoenix.
[Day 7]
Jaune and Cena Arc held onto their stomaches, both of their faces blue as they seemed bloated. Meanwhile Sincere was leaning against her seat of her private Bull-head traveling towards the Island of Patch. A place that had her occupation currently. Sincere was snickering at seeing her dad and little brother struggle due to air sickness. "Alright. Jaune i can forgive, but dad. Really? 40 and still fighting air-sickness." She was smug and rude, Arc senior gave her a dirty look which Sincere just waved her hand as if to wipe it away from her. "You... I'd like to see you have it for a day.." Cena grumbles. Sincere stuck her tongue out. "Love ya dad." She teased. Cena just gave her the bird, making Sincere burst out in hysteria.
The entire ride there was eventful for the two male Arc's as they fought the urge from their throats and stomach to release everything. Sincere just kept making fun of the two, getting cursed out by Arc senior while his eldest only cackled at the saddening-state of the two. But once the Bull-head landed within a clearing of a cliffside-forest. The door of the Bull-head descended downwards as a ramp for the passengers to exit out from. Sincere paid her private rider then dragged her sorry excuses of family members that were on the floor. Once outside, the Bull-head's ramp folded back in as the engine roared and it ascended back up before taking off.
Sincere was waving at the transportation vehicle, before turning over to her father and brother. Who were finally free to wretch their lungs out if they needed to. Jaune wasn't excessive and he stopped after one good clean, the young Arc shook his head from the static-like noise that was intruding his ear. Cena Arc however... "ARRRAAGGHH!!!" He was still going at it. Jaune now who had reassembled his composure turned towards his father. Jaune was incredulous at the multitude of times he saw his father was repeating to empty his stomach. After about the 7th time, he finally found his balance and coughed into his hand. "Let's get moving." He tried to skim past the fact he was basically about to puke out his organs earlier. Sincere just giggles silently to herself, but complied with his wishes. And took them towards the plot of Signal-academy. "We should heed carefully. This is Grimm territory." She informed them, and when she did Jaune's heart raced as the image of the Ursa's red eyes glared at him. Sincere who caught wind of this pulled her little brother into a hug, comforting the scarred boy. Cena had been told by Sincere of Jaune's PTSD. But seeing it for himself hurt his soul, Cena still blamed himself that day for even thinking that no Grimm would have emerged to harm them. They lived in the woodlands, and although it may not be Grimms camping-ground, it isn't like Grimm don't travel for territory. Cena went over and held his boys hand, Cena and Sincere walked together keeping Jaune close to them.
"Thank you.." Jaune weakly weeps. "What families are for Jaune." Sincere softly responded with a gentle look on her face. An expression that is seldom for the Gold Speed. They exited the forest and onto more colorful land, they passed houses and some shops. The locals that they passed through there were waving and greeting Sincere. Welcoming her with warm open arms, she clearly was beloved on this nice-peaceful island. "Do most people know you?" Jaune's curiosity couldn't help itself. "Well. I wouldn't say most, but i'd say Patch know's me by quite abit." She admitted with a touch of blush on her cheeks. After awhile more of no one saying anything except the sound of their footwear hitting the dirt-ground. The trio arrived at the front of the school.
Signal Academy. Now it wasn't some grandiose place, as this school was more private rather then Beacon, Shade, Haven, and so on. It was still quite sizable, it was only two-stories high but from the outside they saw students who were sparring with one another. While a blonde, teacher watched and analyzed. And in the midst of their fight, they paused once they saw Sincere standing near with her arms on her hips. The Signal academy children all were perspiring at her presence. The blonde-man turned at what his students were gawking at, and he too went abit rigid.
"O-Oh shit, I-I mean! Sincere welcome back how was the vacation?" The man asked kindly, even if the clear trepidation was in his voice atleast he tried.
"I had fun, but i brought my brother that i told you about." Sincere pushed Jaune forward, the poor blonde nearly tripped. But he managed to find himself once infront of the much larger man. You know... Jaune suddenly realized how many people had blonde hair. Should he change just for the sake of not being part of the loop? "Ahem.. Hello sir, m-my name is J-Jaune.." he stuttered out. The man looked at the poor-boy. And his stare was menacing, did this man already hate him!!?
"Huh... He acts like Ruby.." The man thought to himself of Jaune's first impression. "Hey there Jaune, my name's Tai, Tai Xiao Long." He greeted with a friendly smile. "I heard from your sister that you had just gotten into training?" Jaune's face stoned as his left eye twitches in embarrassed rage. "Haha... Yeah i..." Jaune now felt his insecurities eat at him.
"Wait? You only just started training?"
"Yeah? Shouldn't you had done that alot earlier?"
"I mean if you just started training then you don't really match any of us."
"Wait if he just started training does that mean he doesn't have Aura?"
The many voices of the teenage Signal children voiced out their thoughts, a few feminine giggles were heard, and Jaune saw the smug stares of the much larger boys, making Jaune feel little as he stepped back abit, his social awkwardness beginning to play apart.
Tai was not pleased at the not so secret gossiping and went to sent them strai-
"OI..." The tone of one Gold Speed had changed, leading to the whispering and questioning to die in an instant. "What you don't understand. You should ask first, instead of coming to conclusions. And i will say this, and i mean it.." she growled. "Jaune can beat any of you... Without Aura." She stated, and by how she planted it. She meant it. The student's now in fear, but curious looked at Jaune. Nothing about him physically impressed anyone. He looked... Bland, and typical. Yet, Gold Speed isn't one to hype someone without proof. She knew something they do not. And perhaps.
Their image of Jaune standing there all sheepish and nervously suddenly turned grim and deadly, his eyes passive of emotion. Which put some students unease, although he looks normal. Had no Aura whatsoever, could actually fight fair and square with them?
"Hey." A feminine, but also somehow tomboyish in nature voice called out to the young Arc. Jaune who was just awkwardly shifting, turned to the person who had his attention. "H-Hel...h...he...o..." He could not form any sort of sentence, almost as if his tongue were too busy dancing to have proper lexicon.
"S-SHE IS SO PRETTY..!" Jaune panicked. What he was looking at, was purely beauty. To himself atleast, long, blonde, kempt, but prim hair. Shining with the sun, all wild yet somehow... Behaved, what is this witch-craft.. also those eyes. Those lilac, pretty gorgeous irises. They were so friendly, so kind yet mischievous. WHY THE FUCK WAS HE READING EMOTIONS ALL OF A SUDDEN!?
The girl whom seemingly he was entranced to, at first felt herself revolting that he was staring at her. However she soon noticed that his line of sight, was entirely right at her. More accurately. Her face, the revelation had the bombshell blinking. Nearly making her squeeze her... Assets to make sure they were still there. But she knew they were. So why the hell is he so fixated on her face? "Hey man? You alright in there." She asked him. Jaune was still unable to elicit coherency.
"Did he malfunction?" Cena asked, concerned over his son. "I don't know but it's comedy gold for me!" Sincere was giggling a storm at Jaune's interaction with a girl that wasn't one of their siblings.
Tai would usually not be pleased with young men being near Yang. Or hell Ruby for that matter. But seeing the sputtering and jumbled mess that was Jaune. He... He almost felt bad.
Almost.
"Well.. i guess Ruby could have a friend.." Tai mused to himself.
End