Meeting, Fighting, and Farm Work
A/N: Hey everyone, I am back with another chapter of Moving Forward. We last seen Jaune talk to the Smithing Shop, about working, and Jordan the shop keeper and smith there told him not right now. And he is also willing to teach Jaune somethings, with upgrading his weapons.
We will see how Jaune will do doing some farm work for Maple. Hopefully people will start taking a liking to Jaune going forward. After, Jordan accepted him, and Maple sees the good in him, right?
With all of that said. Here we go!
Jaune woke up, early the next morning. He talked to Tai about him doing temp work. And Tai was surprised, and happy that he could at least find some work. He told him that Maple was the one who accepted him.
Tai, raised an eyebrow at that. And wondered if he could handle farm work well enough. Jaune just nodded his head with a smile and conviction. Tai clapped his shoulders, and supported him. Jaune woke up at 6:30 AM. He got up that early to make some breakfast. He could hear Tai still sleeping with Zwei sleeping somewhere. Jaune got himself dressed ready for the day. He wore boots, since he will be getting his hands dirty.
He went downstairs to make himself some food, don't want to do any physical labor on an empty stomach. He learned that the hard way, going hiking with his sister one time.
He created a protein esc breakfast of bacon and eggs. Basic, but that's all he needs. Tai gave him the eggs and bacon for him easy. He had made scrambled eggs, and about five of them. He needs the protein going forward if he wants to build muscle.
And 6 strips of bacon. Once he starts working properly, he will start with making more food, at smaller portions. He use the hot sauce in the fridge for more flavor to the eggs.
As Jaune ate he looked down at the directions where he can go to Maple's ranch. He can cut through a path he saw before. Tai never told him where all the paths lead to, saying "you need to 'branch' out more and explore more on your own." Is what Tai said, and Jaune cringed slightly, he made a joke about the forest all around them.
He made sure to bring Crocea Mors, and Ballator Rose. He needs to be recognized with his weapons more.
He started to practice more with his shield and sword, with a video Pryyha left him. He can still remember the words and instructions somewhat
Flashback
Jaune stood up tall with his shield in his left hand, his sword in his right hand, and his gun on his back. He would train more with his gun by keeping it on his hip for quick use. He is planning how to draw his gun, and use his sword rapidly. But that is for another day. But for now. He will start with the video Pyrrha made for him.
He set up his new scroll on a rock and planted it on a rock so he can see it. He had a small smile, and then went serious.
"Alright Jaune just like I showed you, and practiced briefly. Follow these instructions." The video of Pyrrha said to him. Jaune listened carefully and closely.
"Shield up"
Jaune raised his shield infront of him, like how she taught him.
"Keep your grip tight."
He clenched Crocea Mors and his shield tightly.
"Don't forget to keep your front foot forward."
Jaune then looked down to make sure his foot was placed down correctly, and a firm stance. He was correct and smiled a little at that. He waited for the next command.
"Go!" Said Pyrrha.
Jaune did a forward thrust with his sword, like how Pyrrha taught him.
"Again."
Jaune then twisted himself to his right and gave a right diagonal slash.
"And again."
Jaune then twisted his body to the left and did a left diagonal slash.
"Ok Jaune I want you to keep doing this for at least 2 minutes. As time goes on, if you can feel that you can keep going, pause the video if you need to." He heard Pyrrha say. He then went to pause the video and put on a timer.
For two minutes he was doing the basic thrust, and slash techniques that Pyrrha taught him. After a minute, he was starting to feel the burn. After two minutes he was starting to take in breath a lot more. But he felt that he could continue on. For the time he had the video, and the time before he came to Patch, he was already training.
At that time he stopped at 2 minutes catching his breath. But now, he feels that he can go for 5 minutes.
But, he stopped at four minutes. Some may say he was weak for only going on for two or three minutes, but swinging around a blade over and over again, can really make you tired. Especially when you don't have much experience with it.
He stopped to catch his breath already sweating slightly. He needs to get better soon, this is a good start, and doing farm work will help him even more.
But he still felt weak, not being able to go even 5 minutes of training. He felt that even the kids back home could go even longer than him. And they were his bullies!
Jaune was about to become depressed again, but he shook his head to get back into the funk of things. He quickly un paused the video waiting to continue.
"Alright Jaune, assuming that your not cheating. We can take a break." Pyrrha said with humor in her voice along with teasing. Jaune playfully pouted at that, but laughed a little in the end. He sat down for a little bit, and breathed from his stomach. He did some research on catching your breath quicker, and breathing threw your stomach helps.
It was hard at first, but through practice, he was able to do it easier slightly. He still has a long way to go, but it's a start. He looked to the video and listened to the video again, when he heard Pyrrha speaking to him again.
"Jaune…..I know all this is frustrating and hard. But I believe that you have what it takes to get stronger, and be able to fight a lot better. Able to even give other hunters a rough time with." Pyrrha said to him, hoping to lift his spirits. It was working slightly, he continued to listen on.
"It takes time for everyone to get where they want to be. I may have been gifted in fighting, but I still needed polishing to get to where I am today. And….I believe that you have that too." Pyrrha said to him surprising him.
"I seen the way you swing, when you had proper instruction, and practice. You have a gift, and I want to see it be unwrapped into something amazing." Pyrrha said to him, making Jaune looked on in with shocked eyes.
"It's not just me who see's it. Ruby see's it, Yang, and even Ilia. They all see how much potential you have. And we are all eager to continue to help you." Pyrrha said smiling at him happily. Jaune felt his eyes starting to well up with tears, he was so happy to have them. But it continued.
"Jaune, just being in your life, and you being in my life is so amazing!" Pyrrha said, but paused at that. "And it's not just me. Ruby, truly is happy to have you in her life. You may not have know it, but you help us with our own loneliness. We couldn't find true friends, and people who care for us for a long time, and just you being in our lives is so…..there is just no words to say how happy we are having you in our lives." Pyrrha said with her own eyes tearing up slightly.
Jaune sat there with tears slowly coming down his cheeks, not a lot right now, because he can feel that there is just the beginning.
"Jaune, I want you to know, both me and Ruby, want you to know that…..even if you feel that you are the most hated, and the most alone person in the world. Just know that, you have us. We will not let you suffer in that loneliness, we know what that feels like, and we will be there, even if the whole world hates you, we will stand with you, and tell them, Jaune Arc is our friend, and the person who we care about the most, outside of our own families of course." Pyrrha said to him, Jaune was starting to really cry now. But she was still not done.
"Jaune Arc, me and Ruby…we love you very much. Your our best friend, and that will never change. Thank you so much for being our friend. And I feel that our teams will love you just the same if they get to know you, the real you more. So stay strong Jaune Arc, and continue to grow." Pyrrha said to him with Tears in her eyes as well.
Jaune was full on crying now. He loved those two with all his heart. He was pretty sure they didn't like him romantically yet. It was too soon. They, only been friends for about a few months now, so don't want to rush into that yet.
But Jaune composed himself after a while of course. He stood up and continued his basic attacks, for some time.
Little did he know, Tai was looking on with pride and happiness. He was so proud that his little girl gave a nearly broken young man such hope, and friendship. She truly made some great friends. But he was still wary to all of this.
He can see the signs of attraction that Ruby was showing, and acting on for Jaune. It was strong signs, but Jaune was probably too dense to see it.
That is true for him of being dense, but he doesn't want to jump to a romantic relationship yet, again, he just became their friends, and he will risk it so early.
Flashback End.
Jaune teared up a little going down memory lane. Gods he is getting really emotional lately, sure he got sad and happy at times, but he never teared up in joy. Probably all because of what has been happening lately.
As Jaune got up and put his plate in the sink, doing a quick wash, drying it, and putting it away, he kept thinking on how often the grimm attack in early mornings.
He remembers hearing how some grimm move more in the night, but in the morning he is not so sure, he assumes it is the same principle, so he will always have his guard up. He heard that Patch doesn't have a lot grimm, and he was probably one of the unlucky ones to run into a few, and he thought of Maple's late husband, they were unlucky their too.
He still felt sad for Maple, and continues to hope that she will continue smiling, and being joyful, that and her daughter whom he never met yet. Jaune froze at that, he doesn't know what her daughter will think of him. She is young, and listens to social media more probably. And learning stuff over the news has to be something a huntsman, and huntresses probably need to keep up on.
He assumes that her daughter probably knows about him, and he was fearful of Maple and others shaming him, and looking on with fear, and scorn. He was so glad that some people in Patch didn't condemn him for what he was accused of, they have a brain, knowing that he is innocent. And treated him fairly and with respect.
He could see that others knew of him, and didn't out right say anything but were wary of him, and some probably believed that he did do that besides listening to the overwhelming evidence supporting him.
He just hopes when Maple figures out who he is, that she will still accept him, and he continuing to work. Jaune left out the door, feeling the cool morning air, and seeing a soft baby blue sky, indicating that the sun will be rising soon. So it is time for him to get going. He approached the path way he needed to go down, and took out a flash light that Tai lend him.
Jaune then took a deep breath, and breathed out gaining his courage and moving forward. Jaune was walking down the path smooth, easy, and big enough for two cars to drive down on. Jaune kept the flashlight in front of him, and looking around. He was looking at the beauty of Patch as he kept walking down the road.
He could see the sun rising, and it made the woods glow, in amazing beauty that, Jaune couldn't help but admire. He got so lost in thought he looked at his scroll for the time. It was only 6:55AM, and he left out at 6:50 AM!
He looked down thinking he was making great time so he decided to stroll looking at the sun starting to rise. But, he looked on to see a cliff? He was walking for more than five minutes now, and didn't bother to look at a map to see where this area technically is, but he couldn't help but look. The area was pretty huge and with a few trees around, he was out of the forest for a little bit.
Jaune kept walking, getting closer to the edge, but stopped when he seen a rock that was a little smooth and angled. He got closer and quickly realized it was not a rock, it was a tomb stone. Belonging to Ruby's, and Yang's mother, Summer Rose.
This made Jaune freeze. He remembers how Ruby, and Yang would talk endless praise about Summer Rose. The 'Slayer of Monsters, and Baker of Cookies!' He laughed a little at the nickname, but he knows how important she is for all of them. Tai, Ruby, Yang, and even their Uncle Qrow whom they told him about.
He looked at the Tombstone to see what it has and says on it. It had the symbol Ruby has, she inherited the symbol from her.
"Summer Rose"
"Thus Kindly I Scatter"
Was written on her tombstone. It was a short, and equally beautiful. He doesn't know what she looked like, but Yang told him that, Ruby looks almost like a splitting image of their mother. Just smaller right now, since she is still young.
Jaune decided to pay his respects.
"Hello ma'am, my name is Jaune Arc. I am a friend of your daughters. They had told me of how incredible you were, and how much love you gave them." Jaune said as he was looking at the grave.
"They told me that you are one of the biggest reasons why they want to get stronger, and protect everyone they can. And the stories they told me, had inspired me to continue to be even better." Jaune said pausing a little.
"Honestly, I am so glad to have met Ruby…she gave me hope in the most darkest time in my life. She lifted me up out of that terrible darkness I was in. She talked to me. Laughed with me. Trained me. And she even made a gun for me. I truly am so blessed to have your daughter in my life." Jaune said now on his knees smiling while crying a little.
Jaune then looked up to the rising sun.
"And, I swear not to waste this opportunity. She is someone special to me. And I think she likes me, but I don't want to jump the gun too soon. We have only been friends for a few months, and I want that friendship to grow further before anything happens. " Jaune said now standing having a determined look and smile.
"They believe you are watching over your family, and I will ask you, to watch over me as well, so I can make not just them proud, but you proud as well, and to have your approval, to continue to be great friends with them. And, I promise to look after them, after all, strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." Jaune said smiling at the sun rise, and started walking away.
Jaune turned around one more time to look at the grave.
"I will come by to talk again if that is ok with you, I would like to share my experience, and the experiences that Ruby and Yang give me, they gave me training videos, and I will tell you how it goes, and how things are going in Beacon for them if I you want me to. See you later Summer Rose" Jaune said one more time and started walking away.
Little did he knew he saw an almost ethereal looking woman, older than Ruby, with a white hood, looking on with a smile, seeing the young man walking away from. She felt herself tear up due to hearing how her daughters gave a young man hope, and starting out to be even better than her.
"You got it, Jaune Arc." Said Summer Rose.
Jaune stopped in shock because he heard his name. It almost sounded like the wind, and he looked back to Summer's grave seeing leaves blowing in the wind, and a few, rose petals?
Jaune just stood there for a little bit, just smiling at the area, and finally nodding with determination of pushing forward.
He then kept walking down the path he was walking originally. He was half way there, and it was only about 7:20AM. He was strolling because he felt that he would have gotten to work too early, and personally, he was not ready to meet Maple's daughter.
Jaune then stopped when he heard a growl, and howl in the distance. He would have reached for his gun, but felt that if he was in a more open area, he would use it, but he went for his sword and shield instead.
He could feel someone, or something looking at him, no, leering at him, waiting to attack in the foliage. Jaune took his shield in his arm, looking all around him calmly, as calm as a shaking leaf, his legs were shaking a little.
Even after fighting grimm before, he still felt afraid of them. But in time he can learn to have more courage.
He then gripped his sword, and unsheathed it while deploying his shield. It was a good thing too because he seen a few beowolves coming out of the bushes. What he has seen was these ones were practically stripped of any bone armor, he could see some bone spikes starting to sprout out, these were very young, but none the less still dangerous!
Jaune put his shield up in front of him, remembering what Pyrrha taught him, and he repeated to himself what she taught him.
"Shield up." Jaune whispered to himself, as a beowolf sliced at him hitting his shield with an over head slash. Jaune lifted his shield slightly to try to deflect it's paw upward. He then recited another teaching that he had drilled in him now.
"When deflected thrust your blade forward. Go!" Jaune whispered yelled to himself. He stabbed forward into the chest of the grimm, the monster yelped and fell backward disintegrating. Jaune was going to cheer but quickly remembered the others coming at him.
He quickly turned his head and put his shield up just as quick, and blocked a swipe coming to his side. He quickly remembered the basic diagonal slash that Pyrrha taught him, practice over and over again.
"Go!" Jaune yelled out.
He quickly did a left diagonal slash to the creature, cutting through it like butter. Jaune then quickly turned around gave another diagonal slash this time to his right. But he was too fast and grazed the grimm's muzzle, it howled in pain, and Jaune quickly went forward, cursing himself for jumping the gun too early.
Jaune then decided to do something he did to that Deathstalker in Initiation. He thrusted his shield froward to disorientate the monster. It wasn't stopping a pincer but it, it did a lot of damage. He seen a few fangs fly out of the monster and Jaune lifted his sword up and brought it down vertically cutting the grimm in half. Jaune then looked around breathing heavily making sure no other grimm was around. Catching his breath and calming his nerves, but to make sure he leaves himself prepared for the unexpected.
That's what all the girls, including his dad taught him. The girls when it came to combat. And his father, when having his aura up. After a few seconds of looking around he released a relaxed breath, but again, keeping his weapons at the ready.
Jaune, smiled at his achievement. It was so amazing, seeing your hard work in combat and training being used properly, and effectively. The basic training being used was gold. He knows that basic moves like that won't always work on the more experienced, and durable enemies.
He learned that the hard way, with the first beowolf he fought when he came back home in Ansel. And with the last beowolf he just killed, that was scary, and he didn't have the proper training with the first beowolf he killed by himself. He did the moves he just remembered seeing online, and some video games, to see if he could do that too. It was painfully obvious it was harder than it looks. Without training, and practicing those moves, it is very hard.
And of course his training with Pyrrha and Yang…especially Yang, his bell got rung so hard, he was still hearing them the next morning. He tried the basic moves on them, and was flattened so quickly it wasn't even funny.
But, seeing as the basics can still help him with fighting, and can still achieve victory, he will continue to polish those moves, and be better than before. When he feels that he can continue on with more advance moves and fighting he will contact Pyrrha and Yang.
So maybe another few weeks of doing the basics, then move onto something more advanced, yeah that's a good idea.
Jaune decided to pick up the pace to get to Maple's farm, he doesn't want to be late, he looked at his scroll and seen the battle was only a few minutes. The battles at Beacon was almost half an hour. Probably because they were all running, and the fights lasted about 5 mins in a group. He will get to be so battles like that will be over in seconds, a minute at best.
He finally approached a farm that looked almost 20-30 acres of land(acres are so much bigger than they look 1 acre is a football field!) He could see some plants, and vegetables. He could see a few fruit trees, surrounded by the forest. He could see a stream farther away from the land. He see's a pretty good looking log cabin like Tai's, just a little bit wider. He could see some cows eating the grass, with chickens running about. It was more than at his home.
They must be used for meat if they need it. While he had seen Patch has a few grocery stores, not big enough for constant consistency.
His family doesn't eat their chicken, they just use them for their eggs, if they wanted more meat, they would get a rooster, and populate, but that never went into fruition. Jaune seen that it was 10 mins to 8.
So he decided to got to the front, a great front porch, with a comfortable porch swing. From what he could see the sunset and sun rise must be amazing here. Jaune was about to knock on the door, he couldn't find the doorbell at first, the door opened up, seeing Maple dressed up about to get the day started.
She had jean overalls on a shotgun on her back, just incase any grimm will show up. Gloves just in case as to not hurt her hands too much. Some good boots for farmers, with Jaune here, he will be a big help for her. He can see her shoulders more clearly now, and how broad they were on her. Farm work really has done a lot for her. She has pretty big biceps and triceps. Almost like Yang's it was a little endearing.
Over in Beacon, the girls felt another disturbance, while trying to stay awake in a portly professor's class. That disturbance had woken them up, to see another cage brought in, like in their first class from the beginning of the year. It was huge, and they could see a gorilla like grimm inside.
Yang cracked her knuckles. This was going to be fun.
Back with Jaune he was still frozen in shock and so was Jaune. He didn't expect to see her right away like this, but that wasn't the only reason he froze he seen a slightly shorter than her mother, probably around 5'8 or 5'9. She had her mother's hair. It was straighter, and curled in the end, and she had her hair in a pony tail. She seemed to have a spear on her back, and was thicker than regular spears. It looks like it could extend but he looked down to see that a barrel of a gun could be in the end. The spear head seemed to open up to shoot, so his assumption was right.
It seemed to extend for a long ranged shots, and penetration for her spear. It could be a lance, but he couldn't tell. The
She wore Cargo pants, combat like boots, a long sleeved work out shirt with a what looked like a tactical vest unzipped. She also seemed to a utility belt, that Ruby, and Yang usually carry. Probably for ammo.
She seemed to have a great defined amount of muscle. Almost like Yang, but not as big as hers.
She was almost as voluminous as her mother, just a little thinner, and smaller in some areas. She seemed to be around Ruby's age maybe older? She also had the same horns as her mother, that tipped upward, that can stab someone if she had to. She was still a growing young woman, she was pretty, and would be beautiful when she becomes older.
Like her mother, she also had amazing blue eyes. It was like Nora, that Pyrrha showed and told him about. She was also looking at him with fear, and gained a protective and hostile look. Jaune ended his shock, and started to break the ice with them.
"H-hello Maple, I hope I'm not too la-" Jaune was unable to finish his sentence when he had a spear's head, and a gun's barrel pointing at him. Jaune held his arms up in fear. He has no idea what is going on here!
"Abigail Thyme! What do you think your doing?!" Maple yelled out to her daughter stepping in front of her knowing that he daughter won't shoot her. She never seen her daughter have such a look of disgust, and anger on her. She only had that look on her when she was fighting grimm, or terrible bullies at times.
"Get out of the way Ma!" Abigail commanded her mother with a slightly country voice, must have picked it up from her mother. She still has the weapon pointed at them, ready to fire. "This man is a disgusting freak, and will harm us if we are not careful." Abigail spat out with hatred towards Jaune with made him flinch. It reminded him of back home. The hatred for him. That made him back up a little.
"What in the hell are you talking about Abby?" Maple questioned placing a hand on her hip, and looking at her only daughter strangely.
"This is the new temp I had told you about yesterday, but you were probably too tired and not heard me, or forgot." Maple said getting closer to the blade, making sure her daughter had her focus on her and not Jaune. Abigail backed up slightly, more into the house, as to not hurt her mother.
"Mom, do you know who that is?!" Abigail questioned lowering her weapon slightly, and looked at her mother flabbergasted. Maple just tilted her head in confusion. Abigail just looked at her like she was stupid, and pointed to Jaune.
"That's Jaune Arc! The guy who raped his classmate, he even has his aura unlocked!" Abigail then pointed her spear back at Jaune.
"You think you can take advantage of an huntress in training and her mother, you got another thing going you bastard, do us all a favor and get out of her, before I blast your little thing to kingdom come!" Abigail threatened Jaune, he looked on with fear, because he knows that she was ready to do it.
Abigail had a look of complete determination on her face, in her eyes, her whole body even. Jaune was about to say something and leave. Thinking that he will just have to wait until Jordan was going to hire him as a temp.
Maple was there looking and thinking about Jaune. Then she remembered on the news, and from her daughter about what happened over in Ansel. It was that Jaune Arc. She put her fist into her palm in realization.
"Oh so your that Jaune Arc, I knew I remembered you." Maple said. Jaune looked down in sadness. Abigail assumed he was just sad for being caught, and being alone.
"That's right ma, now get your gun out so we c-"
She stopped and froze when she hugged Jaune and put his head into her bosom. Not in any sexual reasons, but how a mother comforts their child, or someone who is genuinely hurt.
"I am so sorry for what happened to you, I know it's tough, and you came here to get away from all of that hatred, so please don't be intimated by coming here, I welcome you." She gently stroked his hair. Jaune just hugged back crying lightly, thankful that this woman doesn't hate him, and turned him away. But the same can not be said about her daughter though. She quickly kicked Jaune away, much to her own mother's shock.
"What the hell mom, he took advantage of woman, and you feel bad for him, what are you thinking, or has the hard work, and sun finally fried your brain?!" Abigail asked flabbergasted of what she has seen. Maple ran over to Jaune helping him up, and glaring at her daughter.
"Abigail Thyme, y'know he was already cleared of that, that little whore tried to bring him down for good." Maple said to her daughter now crossing her arms over her breasts. Abigail rested the butt of her spear in the deck of the porch and just looked on not believing, and scoffing.
"Oh please, anyone can say they didn't do it. He probably had help from the law enforcement over there. I read about the Arc family, they can be very powerful if they truly wanted to. So who's to say that his family, or him didn't bribe them. I don't believe it." Abigail said looking at them with a hand on her hip. She was really like her mother in some regards.
Her mother just formed a scowl.
"Abby, I have been alive for a while, and I know when a woman is lying. Heck I used to be a great liar growing up, but stopped knowing it will eventually get me into trouble. And that's what happened with girl, who framed this poor boy. Her lies, and spite got the best of her. I seen how she was acting when she got arrested, not innocent woman, who was just taken advantage of, would lash out at her attacker like that." Maple said walking up to her daughter. Abigail's scowl lessened a lot.
"That's why I feel bad for him. He will have to go his whole life, with people like you hating him, even though he is innocent. When I met him, he was someone who was still hurting deep inside. I knew he needed something, someone to help him even more, to move forward with this That's why I accepted him in. I can tell he is a hard worker, and that he is willing to be a good person." Maple said to her daughter. Said daughter just looked to the side, not wanting to look at her. She jus
"Now Abigail, I thought you had something to do at Signal, something about training before school starts back up for you, so you can ace any surprise test?" Maple said to her daughter, making her daughter perk up. And collapsed her spear a little, but looked at Jaune one more time, and ran off. Jaune had seen the look of 'I'm watching you, and I don't trust you.'
Maple just sighed and looked at Jaune again, the boy was looking to his side, with a little sad face on him. She grabbed his bicep gently, to give him some comfort, and to bring his attention to her.
"I'm so sorry that you have to go through that Jaune. I knew I heard about you before. At first I was surprised and admittedly disgusted of what happened at first." Maple said to him this caused Jaune to nod slightly, and looked down to his side a little again. But Maple gave him a quick tug.
"But, hearing what that little hussy said, and posted a video about what happened, I could see it from a mile away that she was over exaggerating. I thought you two had a bad break up, and she wanted to hurt you like that. And I felt so horrible for you." Maple said to him.
"But…..hearing how it was done thanks to bullying, that threw me over the edge. She is just an evil little slut who doesn't know what a good person is. And seeing when she was arrested, cursing your name like that, and threatening ya, I knew you were innocent with everything." Maple said to him giving him, a kind motherly smile, and look.
"You are welcomed here Jaune, and I'll be damned if my daughter says anything about it." Maple said giving Jaune a cocky smile. Jaune just started to cry a little at that and hugged her again. She just started to rub his back like how she did for her daughter, when she was younger, and crying.
After a few minutes, to collect themselves, they decided to get started.
"Ok Jaune, I got the tools all right over there by the house. I will show you how to use them and what to use them on. It is easy hacking and slashing, basic stuff." Maple said guiding Jaune to the side of the house.
There was a few machetes, a scythe, pitch forks, baskets for collecting the fruit and vegetables, and other stuff for farming that they would need.
"We don't need the wheel barrels, since I already planted new seeds for some time ago, and we won't have to do any weeding today so we are good." Maple said, Jaune just nodded, glad that things won't have to be too hard.
"Oh and by the way you won't need to use your sword on you, we won't need to worry about that too much. A gun will be the best outcome for right now. Plus it would just weigh you down. " Maple said to him. It made sense, they are out in the open, and usually not trained individuals with no training with aura and weapons like that, is not good with close quarters, so distance is your best friend.
"I will leave the sword inside if that's ok, but I am keeping the shield, you never know. I say that because on the way here I ran into a few grimm, and I want to be safe." Jaune said to her. The mother just got worried and looked him over.
"Oh gods, are you ok, do you need to see a doctor?!" Maple asked him, very worried for him. Jaune just shook his head with a small smile.
"I'm fine don't worry, they were pretty easy to take out, and my friends gave me some training, and left me some videos to remind me, and show me how to fight, well the bare basics so there is that." Jaune said to her, that caused the woman to sigh in relief.
"Oh thank goodness, I'm glad you have friends to help you, and silly me, I forgot you are training with Tai also, so that makes sense too." Maple said getting a little sheepish.
Jaune just laughed a little.
"It's all good thank you very much for the concern, but yeah your right, I haven't gotten much advise from him yet, it's only been about a week." Jaune said to Maple.
"Alright with all of that said lets get to collecting and reaping the crops." Maple said to him.
With that Jaune nodded and Maple gave him the proper tools to use for grabbing the fruit, and vegetables. Jaune put his sword inside the house, on a mantle which he assumed where the shotgun goes. As Jaune walked out of the house, he could truly see how big the place actually is.
He can see cabbages and lettuce grown and ready to be picked. It looks like iceberg lettuce and regular cabbage. There was cucumbers that were still growing, and some ready to be picked. Potatoes ready to grab out of the ground too.
For fruit he can see blue berries, and a small vineyard.
"Hey do you make wine here?" Jaune had to ask. Maple looked on and laughed a little.
"Oh no, I sell any grapes that grow, we don't have anything to make wine, there isn't enough space for that anyway." Maple said, but then she pointed out to the far end of the acre field.
"We have a wheat field over there, we are harvesting some of that too. Don't worry I will tell you where to stop and what not to grab with everything here. Your can see some orange trees over there, a lot are ready, we will do those last." Jaune nodded at this.
When they got in front of everything they both stretched for a few minutes, and with all of that said and done, they started on the lettuce. She showed Jaune how to properly harvest the lettuce and cabbage. After seeing how it's done it looked pretty simple.
Jaune was picking the lettuce and cabbage pretty easily, this impressed Maple, she got started on her own bundle. After 15 mins of harvesting, and killing any insects trying to eat the vegetables, Maple told Jaune to stop.
They then moved on to cucumbers much easier, they were pretty firm ready to pick at least some of them. Maple and Jaune were having small talk. Talking about his time before he got hated.
How big his family was, and Maple teasing him, of how much his parents love each other, and Jaune laughed at that. But she teased how his mom was probably a lucky woman, for a reason to have all those kids. Jaune sputtered at that, at dropped to his hands and knees.
Maple saw this and wondered what happened. He told her how he heard his parents doing it one time when he was younger, that's how the twins were conceived. Maple just patted his back and rubbed his shoulder, apologizing to him. She didn't want to hear her parents doing it, but hers was worse. As punishment for herself she told him her trauma about that.
She actually seen her parents doing it one time. She was about 10 years old at the time, and she knew about the birds and the bees. So that is a scar that she wanted to bury. But with all of this going on, and the trauma the young man had faced, she felt that mental scars that she had deserves to be shown.
Jaune then talked about Beacon, and how he met Ruby. Maple was on the ground laughing her butt off.
"Bwahahaha, s-she actually e-exploded, hahahaha, and you call her crater face, hahahahah!" Maple was pounding the ground. Jaune couldn't help but laugh too. She was already laughing how he puked on the bullhead, and the nickname that he got from Tai's daughters.
"Oh, I truly needed that Jaune, woo!" Maple said ending the laugh. They were talking and, harvesting for almost 2 hours. Separating what's good for them and what they can sell at the market. She goes around noon time, everyone goes to lunch, and eager to buy produce for the time being.
"I swear Abby would be so glad to hear that Ruby is doing good over there for the time being." Maple said hacking away the wheat. Jaune paused and looked back.
"Does your daughter know Ruby well?" Jaune asked now curious about that. Maple looked over, and smiled slightly.
"Oh yes, she and Ruby are friends back at Signal Academy, she was a little upset that Ruby got in early." Maple said to him looking the wheat a little.
"She was a little jealous that Ruby got in before she did. And the fact that Ruby is gone, she considered Ruby her best friend for the most part. Yang introduced Ruby to her, so her sister could have a friend. She was one of the few people who really liked Ruby. But now that she is gone, she feels a little lonely but she still has her current friends right now." Maple said to him.
Jaune looked down at that. Ruby and Yang still did have friends here, especially Ruby. Ruby did mention that she did have to leave her small group of friends behind, while she had to go to beacon. Maybe Jaune can help more, in getting Ruby and Abby to talk more, and tell her when Ruby is coming to visit. Don't want her to feel left out.
Over in Signal Academy, Abby was panting and sweating, drinking water from her work out. She was letting off a lot of steam and anger.
She had seen that the accused rapist at her home, and she didn't like it one bit.
Call it biased, but she believes a woman's word over a man's word when it comes to that. She seen the beat down he got, and the humiliation. She slightly wished he got it worse, maybe a crippling to make sure her will never be able to use it ever again.
He violated a woman like that, people don't know how serious rape can be when it comes to grimm.
Serious crimes like that, can cause grimm to frenzy near places, the amount of negative emotions from both parties can really, draw in grimm. And she was worried that if he did that to her or in her eyes worst her mother, they would have beowolves around the area faster than flies on cow crap.
'I swear to you Jaune Arc. I will find a way to get you out of here! I will talk to Mr. Xiao Long to watch him, and maybe warn him to leave or something! I really need to get into contact with Ruby, tell her what is happening, maybe get Yang to beat the crap out of him, we can all jump him, and be local heroes!' Abigail thought to herself having a small plan in place. She stood up about to get back to work in training. She will be a better fighter, by the time she gets into Beacon, she could possibly be Ruby, and Yang's equal.
Especially since the Invincible Girl is at Beacon, She only has a year left, and after that, she will be in.
"Just you watch Jaune Arc, you will not be in Patch anytime soon. You will not touch, or hurt anyone else, this I swear!" Abigail yelled out getting back to training.
A/N: Hey everyone a new chapter is done. I wanted to have Jaune learn about Summer's grave and have a 'talk' with her. She will be looking after Jaune in the background like she does for her family now. And no she will be in this story as a ghost, just probably some brief moments looking at her family and the family's newest friend.
We meet Maple's daughter Abigail, and she is one of those people believing Jaune did something bad. She is a young woman, and ignorant right now. She doesn't know Jaune yet, so she will need time for that.
And, let's just say she will be horribly disappointed hearing from Ruby, and Tai about Jaune.
Next chapter, I am thinking about Jaune working at Signal for a little, much to Abby's outrage, and we maybe going back to Beacon to see how things are going there.
With all of that said. I am so glad for everyone reading my story, and please stay safe.
May God Bless You All!