"Finally." Nora groaned. Echoing the sentiment Jaune shared wholeheartedly. He didn't have anything against the matron, she was nice enough. The problem was that it was somewhere between lunch and breakfast, and he hadn't eaten since yesterday.
"Now you are just being dramatic Nora." Ren chided teasingly, a mirthful little smile on his lips.
"She gave me decaf Ren. Decaf. Do you have the slightest idea of what that goop does to my intestines?" Nora forced out trough gritted teeth. The overly energetic girl only a shell of her former self. All energy seemingly drained out from her. Walking at a normal pace, talking at a normal speed, not bussing around like she was prone to doing. A hand running over her stomach as she frowned deeply. "I'm going to have the runs all evening."
"I, for one quite like her." Pyrrha beamed, a bright smile plastered on her face. Walking with an energy that had been absent earlier.
"You only say that because she allowed you to sleep in one of the empty beds while she gave Violet a check-up." Nora pouted, giving the red haired spartan a faux glare. Pyrrha only giving the bomber a little smile, humming contently.
Ignoring her, Nora turned her attention to Violet. So terrified was she of separation, that she hadn't let go of his hand since leaving Ozpins office. Even trying to drag him into the toilet with her, because she was terrified he would disappear the moment she let go. Thank small mercies that he managed to convince her to stand guard outside instead.
Jaune wouldn't pretend he didn't understand where the fear of abandonment came from. After all, her mother had run of only to die. She would have followed her example if it hadn't been for him racing through half the district to get to her in time. And even then, he was barley in time. Her father was dead, buried together with her mother, with her sister being nowhere in sight. She didn't choose to be his apprentice for the goodness of her heart, but because she was afraid.
Afraid that she would once again be left alone. Latching onto him tight, the only pilar she had left in her crumbling world.
Jaune felt Violet stiffen when Nora shifted the attention to her. Two scared blue eyes shoot up to him. Giving as gentle a smile he was able, the tension eased out of her. Some tension remained, she looked ready to bolt behind him at the first sign of trouble, but she took a deep breath and continued walking by his side. Hand in his.
"What did the little lady think of the nurse? She was half a second from adopting you, after all." Nora asked kindly, voice taking on her usual pep.
Again, two blue eyes shoot up to him. They were still afraid, but they were also asking for permission. Giving an encouraging smile, he mentally noted having to build her some confidence. That would come as she grew into herself. While he would never be the epitome of social grace as awkward he tended to be, he felt and was more confident now than he had been before. Violet didn't need to become a second Yang, but he wanted her to stand on her own, without him being a constant looming presence.
"I don't like her. She smells weird." Violet whispered softly. A frown marring her features as she raked her brain for the words she wanted to say. "Clean, she smells clean. No one dressed in white smelling clean can be a good person. She must be hiding something."
Jaune felt his lips twitch at her answer. 'She's from Yharnam alright.'
Throwing a look over at Nora, surprise was plastered over her face even if she put in a staller effort to hide it. A soft 'ohh' sound escaping her. She threw him a glare, something flashing in her eyes.
He had to do his best not to roll his eyes at her antics. 'It's not my fault you didn't want to believe.' He thought somewhat bitterly. Nora might be a wellspring of energy and positivity, but she also had a bad habit of not wanting to believe how bad things could be. Always wanting to believe the best. A wonderful quality, even if it did grate his gears once in a while.
"How about lunch?" Jaune asked. Shifting the attention from Violet to himself. Something she was thankful for, if the way her grip eased was anything to go by. None of them had eaten anything, and he couldn't be the only one starving.
"Lunch sounds lovely." Pyrrha smiled softly. An inhuman growl following her words. Her smile turning brittle, her cheeks burning the colour of her hair.
"Lunch it is." Jaune decided quickly, turning away from his partner before she saw the little smile on his face. Throwing a look at Violet, he found her practically beaming. Cradling her stomach as a bellow straight out from Yharnam's darkest alley's escaped her.
Everyone froze, staring at the little girl who had a monster caged in her stomach. Violet's cheeks turning rosy, nervously fingering the hem of her shirt.
"Snnrk." A snort escaped him. He tried acting as nonchalant as possible when Violet turned to him with a look of abject betrayal. Not wanting to make fun of his apprentice and make her uncomfortable, he did his best to school his expression.
"Awww, isn't she just precious." Nora cooed brightly. Looking set to sweep Violet of her feet and smother her in a crushing hug. The only thing stopping her was how Violet shied away from any physical touch that wasn't his. Even the nurse hadn't been spared. It had even gotten to the point where it had been him who had done most of her cheek up, with the nurse looking over his shoulders as Violet wouldn't allow her to touch her.
"That she is." Ren replied with a soft smile of his own.
With that idle conversation returned as they quickly approached the cafeteria. Talking about everything and nothing at once.
"A lien for your thoughts?" Pyrrha asked gently. Giving her a little smile he cast a look over at Nora who had started narrating one of her many dreams to Ren. Violet hanging onto every word, earlier embarrassment long forgotten. Nora puffing her chest out with a smile, eyes twinkling as she brought Violet on an amazing trip.
"Just thinking about how much everyone means to me. I don't think I say how much I appreciate you enough." Jaune said. A soft smile splitting his lips. The conversation between Ren and Nora suddenly stoping.
Pushing open the cafeteria doors before anyone could reply, they were greeted with soft chatter from the few teams that sat huddled about. They were sent some weird looks and raised eyebrows. But they were quickly ignored in the favour of food.
Quickly glancing over today's menu, he tsked softly. Not quite feeling anything, he instead snagged a baguette. A quick look down to his side found Violet looking around. More than a little overwhelmed with all the options on display.
"Here, salami and cheese. Should be easy enough on your stomach. Trust me, I know how eating anything with new spices can wreak havoc on your system." Jaune said supportively as he gently hander her the baguette in his hand. Blindly snatching another one as they made their way over to their usual spot.
"I can't believe you are bringing her onto that blasphemous path, ham and cheese is clearly superior." Nora huffed the second she saw the baguette Violet was clutching in her arms.
"Nora, we have had this debate a thousand times."
"And we will have it a thousand times more, until you see the light and renounce your blasphemous ways." Nora shot back as she took a bite of her baguette, a distinctly ham and cheese baguette.
With a sigh, he turned to Violet who looked perplexed at the foil around the baguette. Gently showing her how to open it, she gave him a dazzling smile, before taking a tentative nibble from her baguette. Brows disappearing into her hair as she began eating with gusto.
Deciding to follow his apprentice direction he cringed after a single bite. "Eug, omelette and fish." While he complained, he chomped down. To hungry to care about petty things like taste or preference.
Feeling a little form resting against him, he looked down to find Violet leaning against him. Nibbling away cutely at her baguette, cheeks puffed up like a mouse. His lips quirked up into a smile, his hand coming down to rustle her hair affectionately. A gentle smile colouring his features when she leaned into his touch like a cat. 'Come to think of it, does anyone in Yharnam eat? Or is it just me time behaves weirdly for?'
"Hey, Ren. Can I ask you to do something for me?" He asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"You already did. But go on." Ren answered calmly, a brow raised as he took another bite of his whole grain bread. How his teeth didn't break at eating a literal brick, he didn't know, and neither was he in the mood to particularly care.
"Do you think it would be possible for you, and maybe Nora, to head to downtown Vale later to grab some essentials for Violet?" Jaune asked carefully. Doubling down when he saw Ren give him a look that said, 'go on'. "I would have done so myself, but I think taking her into the city would be a little bit much. Maybe we can take some trips when she gets settled, but now it would be overwhelming to say the least."
"I was in the mind to getting some things from city later today. Picking up some extra essentials won't be too much hassle." Ren answered, giving Violet a little look.
"Can I come with? Can I come with?" Nora pleaded to Ren; hands clasped as in prayer, fat crocodile tears in her eyes.
"Yes, of course. Pyrrha can come as well should she want to get anything." Ren reassured, acting as if Nora going with him was already a forgone conclusion.
"Yes… there are somethings I do want to get." Pyrrha hummed softly, sharing a quick look with Nora. Turning to Jaune she hummed softly. "What will you be doing Jaune?"
"I was thinking of heading to the library, picking up some fairytales and other light reading for Violet. Also to see if they have some worksheets Voilet could practice on before Friday. After that, well, I was planning to look for Yang." The last part was sighed out. Already having a migraine about introducing Ruby to Violet.
While he loved his best friend, he wasn't blind to her fault's. Ruby tended to be overly excitable. Not something that was wrong in of itself, but she could be more than a little much. For someone like Violet, who was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, she would be just too much too quickly.
"You aren't thinking of asking me to the dance, are you Vomit boy?" Yang teased. A boisterous smile on her lips. Sitting down beside him. Eyes traveling over Violet, before they popped out of her skull. "Sheesh, where did the kid come from? Aren't you, you know, a bit young to be a dad?"
"Violet isn't my daughter." Jaune sighed tiredly out, arm coming down protectively around Violet. Her mounting panic attack melting away. Two smell arms coming down and pulling his arm tighter around her. Violet sent him a beaming smile. Fishing out a handkerchief, he dabbed away the crumbs around her mouth.
"Snrk." A loud snort escaped Nora. Quickly developing into a coughing fit when orange juice came tickling out from her nose.
"Not his daughter he says." Ren hummed, a little smile on his lips.
"However." Jaune started, looking back over at Jaune who had an unreadable smile on her lips. "However, she is the reason we weren't in class today. We were talking with the headmaster about accommodations."
"Jaune, you are almost never in class." Yang deadpanned back him, taking a bite of her lunch. Fork coming up and pointing at him while she quickly chewed. "The only reason we know you haven't dropped out, is because your grades are somehow in the top ten. Do you know how bad it feel's you a dude who never attends classes still score higher than you? Let me tell you, not good."
"Thank you, my secret is diligence." He snarked back. "But you do know that you don't have to sit in class, right? Beacon has an open curriculum for a reason after all."
Yang's fork clattered onto the table, her moth hanging open from surprise.
"I take it you didn't know?" Jaune asked softly, taking her silence for yes and shrugging. It wasn't his problem that she had never read the rulebook. Every scroll did after all come with a copy of it. She couldn't blame anyone but herself that she didn't read it.
"Anyway's-"
"What anyway's, is this why you haven't been in class? Because we don't need to?" Yang asked, no heat in her voice, only honest confusion. Turning to Ren and the rest before continuing her questions. "Then what about you? Why are you in class if you don't need to."
"I feel I grasp the curriculum better when in class." Ren replied calmly.
"Eh, I go wherever Renny goes. It's easier to focus with him around than it is on my own." Nora shrugged.
Pyrrha just smiled and shook her head at their antics. Having been the only one other than him to make us of the open schedule. Reading up on some classes in her own time instead of slugging trough both Oobleck and Port's classes. Her grades were better for it.
"But anyway." Jaune coughed, dragging Yang's focus back to him. "I was planning to ask if you could help tune down Ruby's overexcitement when she eventually meets Violet. She has bad abandonment issues and is fidgety around new faces."
"Ohkay? I think? But where did the kid even come from? And don't tell me she's yours. There is no way you got a kid at twelve or thirteen." Yang demanded, shooting him a look while she went back to eating.
At that a wry chuckle escaped him.
"Well you see…"
"I think it's time I took my leave. I have some errands to run." Ren said curtly, standing up and cleaning up after himself. The smile full of mirth wasn't lost on him.
The second he tried doing the same, a hand bit into his shoulder. "Now where do you think you are going? You are not leaving before giving me the deets." Yang commanded, eyes burning with curiosity as she looked over to Violet.
####
"Was walking out on Jaune like that, really necessary?" Pyrrha asked when they stepped out of the last store of their shopping trip. Having been sitting on that question since before they sat foot in vale.
"If it was necessary? No. Did it feel good? Yes. Would I do it again if given the change? Mayhaps." Ren answered calmly, looking through his bags to see if they had forgotten something.
They had bought Violet three toothbrushes to choose from, some different workout gear ranging from conservative to more freeing, not knowing what she preferred. Some nighties, deodorants, and her own soap, even some tampons and pads should she start puberty while in their care. Something which was bound to happen, given the way Jaune had all but adopted her. After all, taking an apprentice stood as a proper adoption in the legal system in Mistral.
Humming to himself, he checked the text Jaune sent him. 'We have eaten. I didn't want to overwhelm Violet more than she already have been by bringing her to the cafeteria when it's full.'
"Anyone want to grab some quick food while we are out? Jaune and Violet have already eaten." He informed his team politely. Any discomfort he felt about Jaune having adopted and taken a child under his wing expertly pushed to the side. Slammed behind lock and key, and throw beside the mounting guilt, knowing deep down that his words helped Jaune find the confidence to do so.
"It has been long since we ate junk food." Nora started leadingly. Sending a look to Pyrrha. A conflicted expression on her face, her eyes shining with curiosity.
"I shouldn't… I need to follow my diet plan. I'm sorry." Pyrrha apologised. Nora gave him a look, then a nod. And that was how Ren knew they were eating fast food today.
"Don't worry Pyrrh, given your workout routine you can indulge every once in a while. It shouldn't have any negative effects on you." Nora assured, grabbing both of their shoulders before dragging them into the closest Pizza and Grill.
If he didn't know Nora in and out, he would have thought this was some sort of integration. Both girls sitting opposite of him, giving him two different glares. A sigh escaped him the moment they shared another glance.
"Soooo… "
"Ren, please, we are a team, please no more secrets. Please tell us what happened between you and Jaune." Pyrrha pleaded, desperation and hurt in her eyes. Voice breaking slightly at the end.
"No." Ren answered plainly. Face a mask of stone, even if Pyrrha recoiled, hurt brimming in her eyes. "While we disagree, I still respect Jaune. Just like I wouldn't spill any secrets the two of you entrust me with, I will do the same for Jaune."
His words having taken the winds out of her sails. Pyrrha sent him a hurt glare, before going through the menu.
"I told you." Nora gently, sending Pyrrha a comforting smile. "Ren is too loyal to spill secret's like that."
"But I had to try." Pyrrha muttered, hurt hanging heavy in her voice. "I just want things to go back to how they were. Back when we cracked jokes, had fun, and could just enjoy another's company. Is that so much to ask?"
"It's not." Ren sighed, knowing where Pyrrha came from. He wouldn't say he regretted being burdened with 'Insight'. It was just an interesting ability; it didn't majorly affect him. He saw some spirits here and there, but they were gone the second he looked at them. The only constant spirit he knew of was Iosefka, however she was tied to Jaune, much like Violet now was, and nothing but Jaune seemingly interested her.
That didn't mean he didn't fear it. Or more accurately, fear what it represented. Jaune, for as much as he didn't show it, wasn't always completely there. He wouldn't call his friend insane, far from it, Jaune was far too clear of mind for that to be true. However when he looked at them, he looked at them, and trough them at the same time. As if he could read them like an open book.
Something he could, if Jaune was to be believed. And Ren was inclined to believe him.
What someone more prone to manipulation could do with Jaune's 'Spirit Vision' terrified him to no end. How easily could he wrap someone completely to his will with just a few choice words.
Not to mention Jaune and his 'vision's' were still in their infancy. What more would Jaune be able to see? Would he be able to read their thought's, able to see their worst fears?
What about him? He could see glimpses beyond the veil of life and death. What more would he be able to see when his Insight eventually increased? Not to mention, what would he be able to do? After all, if you could see something, there should be a way to maybe manipulate that something. Or at least it would be a lot easier instead of waddling around blindly.
While he hadn't 'felt' his spirituality, he should have awakened it now that he had insight. He hadn't bought talisman paper, cinnabar ink, and multiple calligraphy brushes just because he could. If Jaune could pull multiple working potion recipes out of his ass, why couldn't he do the same with some Onmyo magic? At the end of the day it was just paper and ink. Even if should he fail, he would get to learn calligraphy, something he had always wanted, but never had the time nor safety to pursue.
"Ren!" Nora called loudly, snaping him out of his thoughts, just in time for a burger to be sat before him. "I ordered for you, given that you were away in coco land."
"Thank you." He smiled, taking a bite. Throwing a subtle look over to Pyrrha. Whose earlier enthusiasm was nowhere to be seen. Not knowing what to say, a sigh escaped him.
"Look Pyrrha, I'm not saying I don't understand where you are coming from. Trust me, I do, more than I like to admit. But this isn't something I can even begin to explain without Jaune's help." Ren explained softly. A contemplating look settling over the red headed champion as she hummed lightly. "I wholeheartedly agree that it's something the whole team should be informed of, that is what our disagreement stem from. Jaune doesn't want you know; I want you to know. However now that Violet suddenly is with us, I will take it up with him. You deserve to know."
"Thank you, Ren." A brittle smile adored her face. Digging into her burger with a bit more enthusiasm. He knew his answer wasn't what she wanted to hear, but it was the best he could offer without starting to spill secrets. Something he had sworn to never do again. The blood was entirely on his hands, no matter what Nora said.
"Soooo, I know we left school before the headmasters welcome speech and all that. But think we will see any familiar faces?" Nora asked excitedly. Pyrrha giving her a little smile.
Once again thanking Nora for her social acumen, he allowed himself to be absorbed into gentle conversation. Dinner passing by in the blink of an eye. Even if Pyrrha kept sending him glances trough the dinner. If he hadn't known her as well as he did, it would be easy to mistake her glances as affection, instead of subtle hints that she would hold him to his word.
Paying and grabbing their things, a quick bullhead ride, and the familiar walls of Beacon was quickly before them.
Cliques of students were scattered all around Beacon. While the ice had yet to be broken with students huddling into familiar cliques, some social butterflies were caught up in the spirit of the Vytal festival. Bravely striking up conversation with new faces, light conversation gently settling into the background.
While Ren wasn't one to put much stock in stereotypes, he knew they weren't born from nothing. Those from Vaco were dressed in airy clothes hiding tough and reserved attitudes. Almost completely polar opposite to the outgoing Mistralian students, the first students he had seen striking up conversations. Those from Atlas stuck out like a sore thumb's, dressed in white and grey uniforms, together with the unapproachable air they held themselves with.
He gave them two days, three at best, before their stoicism vanished. For all their posturing, try as they might at the end of the day, they were young adults. The second they got over their jitters and warmed up to Beacon, they would act completely different.
They got their fair share of looks on their way to the dorm, be it because of Pyrrha was with them, because they were new faces, or just because they were carrying shopping bags.
Thankfully no one stepped out to greet them. Opening the door to the dorm, he had to blink and do a double take to check if this really were their dorm. He wasn't the only one, while the dorm still looked the same, it felt double in size.
Two wooden bunkbeds, with the lower bed coming out a bit to make room for two, rested against the wall. Another single bed connected the two beds together under the repaired window. There sat another desk beside Jaune's, where Jaune stood, patiently lecturing Violet about how to do proper maintenance on one of the ugliest weapons he had ever seen.
He gave them a polite nod, before gently focusing Violet's attention back to what they were working on.
"Woowwww… the dorm is absolutely huge!" Nora marvelled, stepping past him. Throwing her bags to the side before launching herself up the leftmost bunkbed. "Dibs!" coming out of her with an exited squeal.
"It really feels like another room entirely." Pyrrha chimed in, closing the door behind her. Humming lightly, a pensive look settling over her. "Maybe we could add a coffee table and some sitting pillows to fill the space? Our desks fill out the walls, however it could be interesting to see how much space we get if we were to place them back-to-back in the middle. It would at least leave room for something more tasteful in the corners."
"Maybe. I do like the coffee table angel. Having a private place to sit, talk and just hang out has merit. I can't say the same about moving the desks. We can try, but it would feel messy." Ren commented. Liking the idea more and more. Something that couldn't say about moving the desks.
They were too large and clunky. It wouldn't come out feeling 'clean', not to mention what should they add in the corners? A plant would die in a week tops. An aquarium wasn't worth the hassle.
"Sooo~ Fearless Leader. How did Mt. Xiao-Long take learning about Violet?" Nora asked intently. Schadenfreude shining in her eyes.
"You are all dumb, and my revenge shall be oh so sweet." Jaune scowled. Shooting them a dirty look.
"How did it go?" Pyrrha asked gently. Calling dibs on the other top bunk.
"It went, okayish..." Jaune sighed, quickly shifting his attention to Violet. Whispering some soft instructions. Earning a bright smile as the little girl grabbed the grizzly weapon and touched a mechanism.
Saw blade snapping open with a menacing *snap*. Numerous sharp teeth glowing ominously in the light. A stark difference to the impish snigger, that quickly transformed into full blown maniacal laughter coming from their young charge. Jaune gave a proud smile, running a gentle hand through her hair. Turning to them with another sigh.
"I gave her the brief 'she is a byproduct of my semblance' speech I gave Ozpin and told her she had aura. She is still sceptical, and rightfully so, but I don't doubt for a second she won't mother hen Violet when she have warmed up to her. She also promised to help me rain in Ruby's overwhelmingness for when I decide to introduce Violet to them, which is tomorrow." Jaune explained, giving a little shrug. "Depends on how Violet feel's after a night's rest."
"Huh, I'm surprised she bought that." Nora whistled incuriously.
"Bought and bought, she looked ready to punch me through a wall for that matter. Would have if I didn't tell her about the thing with Ozpin." Jaune grumbled, shooting him a dirty look.
He didn't mind it much, if anything an ugly feeling of schadenfreude made itself known. A subtle glance up to the bunks, showed the same emotion tinkling in the girl's eyes. With Jaune keeping secrets from them, it wasn't weird they got some satisfaction from seeing him feeling something of what they did.
It wasn't the most noble of inclination's, and even if Jaune's intentions were good, emotions didn't care about logic.
"I understand you want to introduce Violet as quickly as possible, however are you sure more people are what she needs right now?" Ren asked carefully. Throwing a stray glance over at Violet and the deranged smile she wore. Sprinkle some drops of blood over her face, dress her in a torn down and dirty dress, and she would look straight at home as a horror movies main antagonist.
"No, it's not." An exasperated Jaune sighed for the nth time in five minutes. "However, I won't hide her away either. Hopefully it will be akin to ripping away a plaster. A short spike of pain, before it's gone in a flash."
"We can only hope." Letting out an exasperated sigh of his own, he handed over the things they bought for Violet, before picking a bunk of his own. A content smile on his face, the girls had taken the two upper bunks. Something that left him to choose between one of the two larger bads.
Clearly something Ozpin had decided on, in the case Violet ever wanted to sleep in the same bed as Jaune. Not that he wasn't half expecting to wake up with Nora hugging the daylights of him. She had made herself a habit of always worming herself to his side.
By now he wouldn't be surprised if she had a second short range teleportation semblance.
"Thank you, I would have done it myself. But…" Jaune didn't finish his sentence. Not that he needed to. They had all seen how terrified she looked when Violet almost 'unmaterialised'. Just as they had seen her shy away from any other students on their short walk towards Ozpin's elevator.
Quickly snatching the butcher weapon from Violet's hands, Jaune snapped it shut. Much to the dismay of Violet, who gave him the largest pout he had seen.
"None of that. You, little miss, is going to take a long shower to wash away all the oil stains. Then it's straight to bed." Jaune ordered sternly, ignoring the huff Violet gave him.
With a loud huff, Violet got up from her chair and moved stomped over to the bathroom. Anger and indignation bleeding out of her as she sent Jaune an uncertain look. "Will we be going hunting tonight?" Her voice was barley a whisper, but it rang loud and clear in the room. Sucking all life out of them, four set of eyes boring into Jaune. Patiently waiting for what he was going to say.
"No."
"But-"
"No buts." Jaune shushed quickly, giving Violet a soft glare. "Yes, the contract states that I take you with me on a hunt once a week. And you will. But that will not be tonight. Tonight you will get a full night of sleep, for tomorrow I will start drilling you in the basics of combat. Friday night. Only then will you join the hunt."
Violet pouted, hurt flashing in her eyes, angrily slamming the door behind her.
Jaune ran a hand through his hair, looking relived that she hadn't broken down in tears or started a screaming match.
Silently he turned back to her desk and swiftly began cleaning it.
"Jaune-"
"Friday." Jaune interrupted. Turning to give him a tired look. "Friday. I don't want to repeat myself."
"Thank you." He said softly. Leaving his friend to clean while he took a moment to rest. More than a little drained after being dragged into shop after shop by Nora.
"Jaune. Quick question." Nora asked. "Does Violet even know how a shower works?"
"You know we didn't do nothing when you were out shopping, right?" Jaune sassed. "I taught her how to use a shower and other day to day things. Then I had her work through some test to check how much she knows academically. Which was about what I expected. Lastly, as you saw when you got back, was that I taught her how to perform basic maintenance on her weapon."
"Weapon? That thing is a butcher tool at best." Pyrrha exclaimed somewhat affronted.
"I mean… yes? It is?" Jaune replied somewhat unsurely. Looking over at them with surprise clearly visible in his eyes. "I don't really see the problem? The saw-cleaver is a perfectly respectable weapon. It kills things quickly and effectively, something that half our class can't say about their weapons. No need to overly complicate things when she is just starting out."
Before he got time to think over what Jaune said, a disturbingly gleeful laughter rang out from the bathroom. Sending chills down their spines. The sound of the shower turning out rang out, before turning of a minute later.
A glance at Iosefka's spectral form, revealed a kind smile. So it wasn't something bad, he hoped.
Not before long, Violet came marching out from the bathroom with the warmest smile he had ever seen on her. She was dressed in Jaune's pumpkin-pete hoodie. The cute bunny motif smiling with her.
Pyrrha and Nora cooed at her, before Nora jumped down and stepped into the shower after her. Violet giving her wide breath but seemed marginally calmer. Now dressed in Jaune's hoodie.
"Knew I forgot something." He heard Jaune mumbled, even if a soft smile showed itself on his face.
A yawn escaped Violet. On tired feet she marched towards the bed under the window and crawled under the covers. Pokking her head out and looking at Jaune with big doe eyes. "Dad… Can you hold my hand while I fall asleep?" She whispered tiredly, not thinking about what she said.
"I will." Jaune smiled gently, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking her hand in his. Gently running his thumb over the back of her hand.
"What will you be doing tonight?" Violet asked curiously.
"I will be picking up something I have pushed to the roadside for too long." Jaune chuckled, wryly.
Violet hummed lightly. "Can you sing for me?" She asked softly.
Humming softly, it didn't take long for Jaune to decode on something. Before he knew it, Ren felt his eyelids becoming heavy. 'I'll just rest my eyes for five minutes.' He lied to himself, closing his eyes with a soft sigh.
####
"Gehrman. I need help." Jaune called out the second he appeared in the dream.
"When don't you ever?" Gehrman sighed out tiredly. Shooting him a dirty look. Nonetheless, he turned towards him. The light of the fireplace making the lines on his wizened features dance. "Go on. What troubles you?"
Well used to Gehrman's barbed words, he ran a hand through his hair. "I was thinking on starting to refine my fighting style. It's something that was pushed to the wayside, surviving the hunt taking precedence. However it's high time I begin refining my skills further. So I was wondering if it would be worthwhile to invests blood echoes into the attribute, now, or after I have ironed out the core of my fighting style."
"The smartest thing I have heard you do in a long time." Gehrman grumbled. Giving him a harsh glare. The old man hummed slightly; eyes drawn to the fire. "However, my answer will chance depending on how you want to refine your fighting style. Are you planning to add stances and forms, proper footwork, with an overarching philosophy or focus. Turning it to something that can be passed down. Or are you planning to refine what you already have? Sharpening your instinct's, upping your lethality and effectiveness?"
"I was thinking more in the directions of a proper style. Something along those lines at least." Jaune replied softly. A quick glance to the older gentleman by his side was all he needed to know that Gehrman wasn't enamoured with the idea.
"You are… ambitious if anything. Reckless to. But so is the folly of youth." Gehrman said softly. Sounding more exasperated than anything. "However, if it's what you wish, then I don't recommend raising the attribute with blood echoes. It would be counterproductive and go against what you wish to accomplish."
"And why is that? Wouldn't increasing my skill make the process easier?" Jaune asked somewhat disbelieving.
A snort escaped Gehrman, rolling his eyes at him. "You would think so. Have you ever deigned to think about what happens when you use blood echoes to raise an attribute? Have you ever wondered where the new instincts and knowledge came from the first time you raised Skill? After all, it only raised your senses, reflexes and balance. The new fighting instincts could be awakened. But the knowledge? It had to come from somewhere."
It was a question he could admit to not having given much thought. He knew his soul space was a thing, he knew what spirituality was and had an inkling about how it worked. He knew what blood echoes where. He also knew what happened when his attributes were increased. But he had never given it much thought. Having subscribed to a line of thought that went something like 'it just works, I'm not going to bother questioning it'.
"No, I can't say that I have." He answered with a shake of his head.
"I thought so. Not that I can overly fault you. You are not to be the first that gloss over it, and neither will you be the last." Gehrman scoffed. "You need to stop taking everything at face value. Start looking underneath the underneath, so to say. If you should need it, consider reading 'The Oneness of Things', it should be somewhere in the workshop. A hunter found it on the corpse of a wandering monk, it has gathered dust on the shelf ever since. It's a more flowery work for my taste, however it should give you some insight about what I mean."
"But let's get back on track. Blood Echo infusion is essentially a forced evolution. A centralised evolution in incremental steps, tied into the concept of said attribute for direction. Given how you have pumped vitality, it wouldn't surprise me if you were spry and agile well into your hundreds." Gehrman shrugged nonchalantly.
"Excuse me?!" Jaune blurted out. Feeling completely justified in his indignation when told he would live to be well over a hundred years' old. He was seventeen, a year was a long time. He couldn't begin to think about what a hundred year's would be like.
"Lad, you can eat a small calibre bullet to the face with no protection and come out mostly unharmed. You didn't think for a second that there was more at work?" Gehrman guffawed mirthfully. Obviously finding humour in the situation.
Jaune was about to retort, only to come up blank as the many small things he had noticed about himself. He recovered quickly from scraps and bruises, and with that he felt his training sessions become even more rewarding. His posture had improved without his notice, he didn't feel dead tired on his feet ever after waking up from the hunt. In fact he had notice he slept better than before, something that helped him in keeping his focus on tasks.
Many things he had ignored and glossed over, suddenly making so much more sense in hindsight.
"Ok. I can freely admit to not being the sharpest tool in the shed." Jaune grumbled out.
"You don't need to be the smartest, the strongest, the fastest, or the most skilled. All you need is a good head on your shoulders, the determination to not give up, and the drive to never stop improving. And before you know it, you will have surpassed those who came before you." Gehrman whispered softly, eyes turning glassy.
"Are you talking from experience?" Jaune asked, gently pulling Gehrman out from whatever memories he found himself in.
"I may be known as the 'First Hunter'. However, the mantle of 'Most Accomplished' rested upon the shoulders of another." Gehrman finished. Clearly done with that particular topic.
"However, back on topic. Show me what you have so far."
Handing over his notebook, a feeling of vulnerability fell over him. The notebook having become a window into his soul. He loathed to part with it for even a second.
Gherman hummed while he read, nodding at some places, scowling at others. In the end the threw the notebook back to him. Ignoring how his heart beat out of his chest.
"At least you know what is important." Gehrman started with. Running a hand over his chin while in thought. "Footwork and posture will be the two most important building blocks you should occupy yourself with for now. Footwork, it will be what restricts and control's your movement in a fight. And posture, is what decides where your strikes come from, and how much force you can leverage behind them. How well your style works, will depend on these two factors. The rest will come with time and experience."
"That wasn't as helpful as I would like." Jaune grumbled out.
"Ah, such arrogance, to think that everything will go exactly as you wish. You of all people should know better." Gehrman goaded with a toothy smile.
Not rising to the bait, Jaune gave the mad old man a deadpan stare instead.
"Creating a proper style is a whole ordeal in of its own. You will see yourself take a drastic hit in your lethality and efficiency in the beginning. Should you be successful in your endeavour, you will come out a better hunter overall." Gehrman added uncaringly. "You will waste no one's time but your own."
Knowing when a conversation was over. Jaune gave the old man one last look. "Thank you for your help." He mumbled out half-heartedly, mind running rampant with ideas. To caught up in his idea's to question where the instinct and knowledge he got from raising his skill attribute came from.
"Lad." Gehrman stopped him. "Go hunting. It will be the quickest way to find out what does and doesn't work for you. Remember, the best fighting style in the world isn't the strongest, or fastest. It's the one that fits you best."
"Thank you." Jaune replied softly, before making his way down the familiar steps lines with gravestones. Giving a courteous nod towards the Doll who was tending to some graves on the other side.
Walking past the grave that 'woke' him up in Yharnam, he stopped before another grave. He had another destination in mind tonight. A place where he could reset the cost for spending a night in the dream, where he could freely practice his new fighting style, and a place he had wanted to explore.
The tomb of the gods.
A pretentious name if any, but given that the healing blood was found there. He could understand the air of mysticism and legend that surrounded it. Who knows, maybe he could find some good stuff there.
Kneeling before the gravestone, he performed his first chalice ritual, of what felt to be many to come.
The chalice was quickly filled with ritual blood. A miasma of red mist oozing out from the gravestone when blood echoes revitalized the blood.
A bright red light accompanied by the sound of muted terror filled screams.
Screams were nothing new to him, not that lingering echoes could even hope to achieve the heartbroken man wail some of the beast patient's in Old Yharnam. He had killed innocent's that day, pitiful beings whose only sin was being born with an incurable disease.
His eyes stung with familiar unshed tears. With practiced motions, he grabbed the memories and forced them deep inside. Crocea Mors already resting comfortably in his hand while he allowed his eyes to take in his new surroundings.
Four entrances, four directions. Taping his hand lantern, soft blue fire roared to life. Casting an eerie light against the stone walls. Gnarly roots coming creeping down trough the roof. The strain on his spirituality miniscule enough, allowing him to use the rune ability as he saw fit. Spirituality being just another resource in his seemingly ever-growing toolkit.
"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe-" He started, quickly running through the rhyme. Finger landing towards the western gate. Shrugging, he started walking down the corridor. Footsteps echoing down, coming out like tolls of a bell. Who the bell tolled for was anyone's guess. But Jaune knew in his heart that blood was going to be spilt today, just like it did every time he was in Yharnam.
The corridor quickly opened into a larger room. Stone statues of weeping women holding smouldering braziers over their heads. It was an open room, with a large staircase leading up to a second floor. He also was quick to spot another two other doors hidden behind some roots on either side of the staircase.
Before he could move around and explore the room he found himself in, multiple howls roared out. Echoing of the walls, drowning out his own thoughts. A pack of rabid dogs throwing themselves down the staircase with two half starved, half bloated men not far behind them. Having long lost themselves to madness, they jumped down from the second floor in a mad attempt to get to him before the pack of hounds.
Ancles snapped, bones poked out of skin, teeth broke against stone, the tantalising smell of sickly blood permeated the heavy air.
Maybe out of loyalty, or maybe because they would rather eat fresh food instead of something rotten, the dogs ignored the smell of blood. Even if droll fell in great waterfalls.
This wasn't the first time Jaune had been up against a pack of dogs driven insane by hunger. A kick, shattering the leading dog's ribcage. Ending its life in the same second. A heavy downwards swing cleaved another dog in two. The return leaving another dog bereft of a head.
A familiar flow settling over him, making quick work of the rest of the pack. Just in time to end the life of the two madmen who came charging at him on broken ankles. A slash, and a thrust later, they shared the same fate as the dogs.
Looking down at the blood that seeped over dirt stone, Jaune blinked dumbly. "Huh. This fighting style thing might be a bit more difficult than I expected." Having fallen into ingrained habits before he knew what happened. Any idea of using waltz as the backbone of his footwork and his other ideas thrown to the wayside the second, he started fighting.
Turning towards the staircase, and the two doors leading elsewhere, Jaune shrugged.
"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe-"
####
Note: Ren is about to start his delve into 'his' type of magic. While he can create things with the same effects as Jaune, his magic will take a completely different path and focus. A theme all other spiritual magic's will mostly follow as I want to keep everything unique and with its own flavour.
Note: I changed the Chalice dungeons slightly, in only the cosmetic ways. It is still a 'living' labyrinth, but it's larger and more convoluted. With multiple ways between layers. I'm thinking of adding some original bosses, to replace double bosses, but for now that is a 'maybe'.