Finding Work
A/N: Hey everyone a new chapter of Moving forward! I am so sorry for not updating this story. It was the mixture of laziness and not having any ideas on writing this story without making the chapters too short, and lazy. But, I had a lot of ideas for my other story. So hopefully I can continue to make more chapters properly, efficiently, and frequently.
Now he met this new friendly face here in Patch, and hopefully it will stay that way going forward. She is just going to be his employer for now, I am not sure how to write it going forward. I will think of something. He will be a temp for this woman first, and he may join a few other places. Of course with Tai, but the others probably not so much, still deciding going forward.
So without a further ado, let's get this started!"
Jaune was finishing walking around the area with Zwei. He was kind of a celebrity to the village somewhat. He already knows that this small corgi who is barely higher than his shin, can take down multiple grimm. Yeah…that was still a sight to see. They all say hi to him, pet him, and sometimes give him small treats. The people around here were friendly, and some didn't recognize him thankfully.
But some look like they have seen him before. If they knew he didn't know or really show it. A very few amount didn't make eye contact with him, but everyone was fair to him. Jaune felt a lot better here, than back home. A lot of people were wary of him, even with the evidence helping him. It was all the negativity against him over the years, people in his home always had a negative opinion of him. All his family was so accomplished in something, and talented in something, but he was the clutz, the 'black sheep' of the family. So they believed that he would just be an embarrassment.
And by his own opinion he was. He felt that the only way to be something great, and do something great for others, was being a huntsman. Faking his way in was his only chance. He almost made it, but, things didn't work out. The looks he got from others from when he got back was so painful, looking at him with, 'I told you so' looks. And everyone having no faith in him. It was terrible.
But here, some looked at him warily. Due to him being new, and some were probably aware of him, and again wary. But maybe he can do better.
Jaune went by the smithing area Ruby showed him and asked the owner for work. The owner, an older gruffer man, was going to shoo him away.
"Listen, I don't need any kids messing up anything in my shop. So get out." The gruff man said. Jaune had a feeling to walk out, but remembered that this man taught Ruby how to forge. So why not give him the time of day? So he had to stand his ground.
"Listen sir, I am eager to work. I am trying to make good money to support my friends father. I want to be able to stand on my own two feet and continue to be better." Jaune said to the man giving his best determined look. The man looked at him with skepticism. But Jaune continued forward.
"And besides my best friend advised me to come here for work, and a way to learn how to be smith, upgrade and maintain my weapons." Jaune said to him in the end. The man raised an eyebrow at that.
"And who is this best friend of yours?" The man asked him. Jaune gained a small smile at that.
"Ruby Rose." Jaune said with conviction, upon hearing the name Zwei came in almost looking for her. The man saw Zwei and gained a small smile on him.
"Well then, my most eager student found someone she can see as her true friend." The man said to him with a smile. "And by the way you talked, I can tell you are serious, and testing you to see if you are serious with this. I am glad." The man stood at his full height only about 5'8, but super stocky. He had a small gut on him, but built with all the work he has done over the years. He had Jaune's complexion, but just a little darker, so not pale. He had and epic beard and mustache combo. It looked dark brown, and with very little grays. Even though he is a little older than Tai, he didn't seem old.
He walked up to Jaune looking him in the eye, and put out his hand.
"I am Jordan Jameson, good to meet you young man." The now introduced Jordan continue to hold out his hand which Jaune shook. The man's grip was insane. All those years working hard truly helped. But Jaune kept a firm and strong grip himself, to show that he is a hard worker, and trust worthy.
"Jaune Arc sir." Jaune introduced himself. The man froze at that. And looked at Jaune. But then his eyes lit up.
"Oh your that Jaune kid I heard on the news." Jordan said with some surprise. Jaune flinched and became worried and sad. This man was going to kick him out, and ban him isn't he? But before Jaune could go even further, the man kept shaking his hand and patted him on his shoulder. He gave Jaune a sad look, and one of sympathy.
"I am truly sorry you went through that kind of harassment. I can tell you are a good guy, and will never do that. You came here for a new start didn't you?" Jordan asked him. Jaune was surprised and looked down sadly.
"Yeah, yeah I did. Ruby, her sister, and my other friend volunteered to let me stay here. I am living with Taiyang Xia Long, as you see with Zwei here with me." Jaune said to him Zwei sitting next to him looking up at Jaune, sensing his sadness. Zwei whined at that. Jordan looked on with understanding.
"I am glad you found good people in your life, you were at Beacon I could tell, other wise you wouldn't know about Ruby or Yang like that." Jordan said to Jaune. They stopped the hand shake after Jordan voiced his sympathy for Jaune.
Jaune just looked down and away from him, with a small smile, while rubbing the back of his head. He was right about Beacon, but he didn't want to say how he got in, he didn't want others to know too much about that. They would lose all respect for him, and truly believe the accusations towards him.
"Yeah I met them at Beacon. Ruby especially, we were each other's first friends there." Jaune said to him now smiling more. Jordan nodded at that.
"But why are you here then?" Jordan asked him. Jordan was wondering why he was in Patch rather than Beacon. Jaune then gained a sad look, took a deep breath. It was still a sore spot for him, but he was getting better. Jaune exhaled and told him.
"I couldn't get a 'relic' they wanted us to grab, and I didn't find a partner. I fought along side Ruby, and her team, but no relic or partner, you can't get in." Jaune said to Jordan now a little sad at the memory. Jordan just looked at him with sympathy again. He put his hand on Jaune's shoulder again.
"It's ok son. You almost made it in, just a mission incomplete. You would have made a fine huntsman, and I believe the teachers would believe that too, if the relic wasn't a factor, you would be in, this I know Jaune." Jordan said to Jaune, now giving a smile. Jaune looked on with a sad smile.
"Yeah….that would be true too huh?" Jaune said to him still with a soft sad smile. Jordan seen this and gave a smile of his own.
"Stay strong kid. You will be something amazing in the future." Jordan said to him one last time. Jaune wiped his eyes, with some tears, threating to leak out. Jaune just gave him a genuine smile and nodded at him. Jordan returned it and started to talk more.
"Now, you said that you wanted a job here right?" Jordan asked Jaune. Said boy just nodded and looked at the man. Jordan just sighed slightly.
"I am still sorry about this son, but I am honestly not hiring full time. And barley part time. It's near the end of the year for the kids at Signal. And the amount of work goes down for those who are not in school." Jordan said to Jaune, with Jaune slumping slightly.
"On top of that, not a lot of hunters come by Patch all like that, but granted some do try to come by here every now and then. But not enough for an extra hand. Again that is usually in the beginning of the year. Or after winter break going into now." Jordan said to him sadly. Jaune slumped down more. He was about to thank him and leave, he could look for more, and he has work with Maple so that is a plus. And Tai will come along and ask him for work. But before Jaune could leave he brought up of being a temp.
"Wait, do you allow temps?" Jaune asked him, hoping that there was. Jordan widen his eyes slightly, and brushed his beard in thought.
"Hmmmmm. I never tried a temp, for right now I'm not sure." Jordan said to Jaune, with him slouching slightly.
"But, that doesn't mean I am not open to it." Jordan said to Jaune with a small smile. Jaune looked up. "Come back some other time, and ask me again. I got to do research on that, so I know how it works, then we can talk business." Jordan said to him. Jaune slightly smiled at that, it wasn't a no, but a not right now. Jaune nodded at that. Jordan then smiled at the young man, glad to see that he accepted his offer of coming back some other time.
As Jaune and Jordan finished up their business. Jaune looked around for ammo and other upgrades for his gun that he could possibly use after a while. Ruby told him, that he may need new stuff from every now and then. The barrel was a different story, it can shoot thousands upon thousands of rounds and not need any change! Ruby Rose was a genius. And she will be pretty rich soon after the Vytal Festival.
Jordan showed Jaune the kind rounds and shells he could use and the prices were pretty good. Slightly expensive, but what can you do? Jaune left out and started exploring more with Zwei.
As he looked around for more work, he was denied back and forth. Either because they were either not looking, like he was told by Maple before. Some were still weary of him since he is new. And from what he can see, and know they know who he is. That guy who was accused of that crime.
They may not out right show it. But he can tell, some people avoiding him, pulling their kids away from him, particularly their daughters. That really hurt him. He may never be able to live a 'normal' life because of that.
It was very painful to see people so either fearful, warry, or even hateful toward him. He knows that people would still be warry of him, but it still doesn't mean he won't feel so sad that people will continue to assume that he took advantage of his bully. He just hopes as time goes on, they would at least understand that she was lying, she was doing that, just because she didn't like him.
But hey, at least he has people who doesn't care for what has happened to him. They know who he is, and would never do any anything like that to anyone. All he can do now is prove himself with his actions.
He will continue to work with school. And continue to do temp work. He will also continue to train with his weapons. He is still thinking of what to do as a career he needs to figure it out later on. Tai volunteered to help him here and there of course.
And again there is Signal. He can pick up a few things while there, since he is going to be an assistant for the most part. It may be all jumbled together, but even learning the basics can really help him out.
Jaune walked away slightly defected, with Zwei next to him. He went by Maple one more time to make sure the directions he got was correct again. She confirmed it, and waved them both off with a smile on her face.
Jaune felt more upbeat now that he has a way to work now. She told him that he can come by everyday majority on the weekdays, since she won't have to worry about extra hands on the weekends. Her daughter sometimes helps out. And she doesn't have to break her back a lot when it's the weekends. Majority it was rest those days so no need.
As Jaune thought about working for her more he can't help but think of a good point.
"Yeah, I can ask her more about farming, caring for crops better." Jaune muttered to himself a little excitedly, Zwei heard him, and looked at him with a slightly tilted head. "Yeah! She can help, sure back home we had chickens, but nothing too spectacular. I can figure out how to survive by myself more if I do this! Great I have a plan!" Jaune yelled out slightly. Zwei whined a little, concerned for Jaune, and Jaune just looked at him sheepishly at that.
"Ehhh hehe, sorry Zwei I just had a break through with learning more!" Jaune said to Zwei excitedly. Zwei started to understand more and started to wag his tail in happiness more. Jaune saw this and thought of a plan.
"Hey Zwei, you want to run the way back? We will have some good exercise?" Jaune asked Zwei, egging him on to run. Zwei started running around him, excited to that. He hasn't ran with anyone like that, since Ruby, he was so glad!
Jaune chuckled at how excited he was. It was adorable.
"Alright Zwei, let's go!" Jaune yelled out with them both running.
The day was shaky slightly with how some of the people looked at him. But was glad that he found more people willing to give him a chance, it was so awesome. He will continue to be better. This he swears!
A/N: Hey everyone I know this chapter is all over the place. I would talk to a beta reader, but I don't know the whole process with that. But this chapter is just Jaune learning more about the area, and the workshop Ruby had told him about. I will try to make the next chapter more enjoyable to read.
The people here don't really have a problem with Jaune, it's just that he is new, and some did keep updated with news, some are ok, with him with what happened to him, and as you seen. Some are wary, but as we seen, some will always be skeptical.
Well with all of that said, I will see you all next time!
And May God Continue To Bless You All!