(Full Story Summary)
Jaune has been at Beacon for nearly four years. Hiding away in the basement, away from potential threats and victims, at the behest of his mother and his aunt. You see, Jaune is not an actual human. He's a Gorgon, often called a Medusa. A creature hidden in folklore and legend. His mother had Echidna blood, and due to that, all her children had the possibility of expressing monstrous traits.
As he came of age, and his powers began to manifest, he was taken to Beacon to be under the watch of his Aunt, and fellow Gorgon... Glynda Goodwitch Deputy Headmistress of Beacon. Now with his abilities stabilized and controllable, he rejoins society, and must navigate a world where many would see him due to his nature... no better than a grimm.
/== A/N - Cross-Posted from Tumbr (hence the short chapters) & Ao3. ==/
Ozpin stood just inside the entrance of Beacon's labyrinthine basement. The only light was what was streaming inside through the open door behind him. Tapping the metal tip of his cane against the masonry floor, he closed his eyes and concentrated on his sense of hearing. Standing like that, he waited, completely immobile.
The scuff of rubber soles against the stone worked floor, had him turn his head in the direction of the source.
"Were you waiting for me, Jaune?" Ozpin asked.
"Maybe" Jaune replied, "Why do you ask?"
"You arrived much sooner than I expected, considering the past." Ozpin commented, "Is there something wrong, Jaune?"
"I'm bored."
"I see." Ozpin responded, "I assume then you've explored the entirety of Beacon's basements?"
"If you are referring to those that I have access to..." was Jaune's answer, "then yes, I have."
"Well then, I think it's time."
"Time for what?"
"For you to leave the basement behind, and..."
"NO!" Jaune snapped.
"Jaune, you can't live out your life in the darkness of Beacon's basement."
"I said NO!"
"Jaune, what's wrong?" Ozpin asked, "Why are you against the very thing you spent four years asking me to do?"
"I said NO!" Jaune once again snapped.
"Jaune, I promised your family. I swore to your mother to keep you safe, and to give you the time to gain control of your abilities." Ozpin, still standing there with his eyes closed, spoke. "I know you've gained such control. So why? What has changed?"
"I heard them." was Jaune's less than revealing answer.
"Heard whom?"
"Your students. They... they were bragging..."
"I see." Ozpin responded, "I assume they were talking about hunting monsters?"
"Yes."
"Did it cause you... concerns, hearing their words?"
"You could say that, but it was more... and that was what really bothered me... I wanted to..."
"What did you want to do?"
"To... to scare them." Jaune replied, his voice almost at the level of a whisper. "To... to... prove their words as... as lies."
"Why didn't you?" Ozpin asked.
"It wouldn't be right. I wouldn't be what mom tried to teach me before I came here."
"Then it really is time." Ozpin informed the young man. "You need to see the world beyond this... darkness."
"But..."
"Jaune, you've mastered those skills I taught you, correct?"
"Maybe..."
"Jaune you are safe here. This is a place to truly learn the full extent of your abilities. There is nothing to fear. You are not the only Other I have as a student, or even staff."
"But..."
"Jaune it's time. You need to have faith in yourself. In your abilities to adapt." Ozpin comforted. "You are not some mindless horror as told in the stories, and fictions."
Jaune stood there silent, still cloaked in shadows.
"Put on your visor, and calm your hair. It's time." Ozpin smiled as he opened his eyes and looked upon the young man standing at the border between the darkness and the light. "Let's go Jaune. It's time to leave this prison."