Day Five

Day Five

Gym Buddies.

Day five of DragonSlayer week has started! Please remember the guidelines and rules for this event so everyone can have fun! Be sure to use #dragonslayer2021 or @ us!

Like a Pro

Yang: We gotta be on our best behavior with my father.

Jaune: Right.

Yang: So no sexy puns.

Jaune: Wait what?  I love our couple innuendos.

Yang: You know I do too, but I just know it’ll set Dad on fire.

Jaune: Like I set you on fire oooor..?

Yang: *cheeks go slightly pink* Jaune...

Jaune: You love it.

Yang: *clears throat* I really do, but I don’t want him going primal on your ass.

Jaune: Hmm yeah I’d prefer you being the only one going primal on my-

Yang: JAUNE! *face fully red now*

Jaune: Haha oh don’t worry Yang, I’ll be good.

Yang: Promise?

Jaune: On my honor as an Arc.

Yang: *sigh* thank goodness.  I might be rubbing off too much on your.

Jaune: Yeah, make sure you behave too.

Yang: Ha! Babe, please.  Pros know when to keep it in check.

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Tai: So I hear you two spar a lot?  Boy, that takes me back.

Jaune: I’m not sure I’d call it sparring, and more acting like Yang’s sandbag.

Yang: Hey you do fine.

Tai: Yeah Yang can overdo it sometimes.

Yang: Wow, thanks Dad.

Tai: All with love, kiddo.  It doesn’t seem to bother your boy either.

Jaune: Well I’d be lying if I said getting pounded in training doesn’t get tiring.

Yang: Ok don’t get down on yourself Jaune.  We both know you do all the pounding when it’s 1 on 1.

Jaune:

Tai:

Yang: ...guys?

Jaune: Nice pro move

Yang: What are you talkin-oh. OH

Tai: Yang Xiao Long.

Yang: Eep!

Jaune: *sigh*

Tai: Did you just imply doing “that”?

Yang: Um-

Tai: And you just started going out.

Yang: Actually it’s been a few mon-

Tai: You promised me you’d wait until marriage.

Yang: I did, but-

Tai: I don’t recall getting a wedding announcement.

Yang: Daddy please-

Tai: Go yo your room young lady.  Jake and I need to have a “talk”.

Jaune: : It’s Jaune.

Tai: Shut up George.

Yang: No! Jaune’s done nothing wrong!  And I am too old to be-

Tai: ROOM! NOW!

Yang:

Yang zooms off, leaving Tai, Jaune, and the uncomfortable tension between them in the kitchen.

Tai: Well?  What do you have to say for yourself?

Jaune: Before you attempt to murder me, I just want you to know: Yang does NOT call me daddy.

Tai:

Jaune: I figured it might put you at ease.

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Based on this post by @idrownfishes0

https://idrownfishes0.tumblr.com/post/673307225388974080/jaune-and-yang-keep-talking-in-innuendo-without

Day Three

Hair Care.

Day three of DragonSlayer week has started! Please remember the guidelines and rules for this event so everyone can have fun! Be sure to use #dragonslayer2021 or @ us!

Ignited ch2:Reunion

Ch1 right here<-

How often do memories become a prison? Jael had wondered that recently. Being young and naive should’ve been time to make memories; Vale no doubt would be the birthplace of so many. Yet as she stood inside a crowded airship with people she might encounter in or school or by circumstance, Jael didn’t spare a moment to any of them. All she could do is think, remembering the last time she was in an airship…

xxxx

It felt like any other day in Menagerie. The sun blazed high in the sky and the desert air was dry, but it never bothered Jael. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and growing up here made her stronger than most. Jael put one foot in front of the other with her head held high and an ice box filled with fish by her side. All was normal, until…she saw it come into view from atop a sand dune. An airship. Suddenly the joy of catching a tuna was overshadowed by one simple thought.

“Dad’s home.” Jael dropped everything and took off flying, a grin and tears of absolute joy welling up inside her. It had only been six months since they said their goodbyes but each day felt a little more empty than the last without him. To think she worried about him being gone for ten years? How silly. He would never keep her waiting that long. Jael slid across the sand and ran right up the hangar door. Her voice was ready to say his name. Hey eyes wanted to his tired yet happy face, but that’s not what she got. Before Jael could even speak, her words were caught in her throat. The way she stumbled in had startled her mother who spun around towards her, eyes full of tears.

“Mom?” Jael looked to her left to see her older sister, Sienna, quiet as a deadman with her ears down and own set of tears streaming down her face. Then there was a third person standing in the middle further back. Yang Xiao Long; what she lacked in tears was made up for with the look of pure guilt and remorse plain on her face.

Whatever joy Jael had was killed instantly. Then, a beep echoed through the hangar. One Jael knew well from her many hospital visits. Her stomach twisted into knots when her eyes noticed a body laying behind Yang, it’s face out of view. “D…ad?” Jael only made it one step before Sienna’s arms tightly embraced her. Why was she hugging her? Why wouldn’t she let her go forward?

“Dad?” She said with more effort, her body unable to move. Just like how his wasn’t. “What’s happening? That’s him right. He’s come back home safe just like he promised, right?” Jael was given no answer, and she began to tremble. “RIGHT!?” Tears flooded her eyes as Jael began to struggle against Sienna’s grasp, but couldn’t. “Sienna let me go.”

“Calm down…”

“Sienna! Damnit! Let me- Dad! Get up!” She yelled. The pain in her chest brought the taste of iron in her mouth but she didn’t care. “Dad! ADAM!! Why won’t he wake up!? He should be moving! You said he’d be safe! He promised; you both promised!!!” Jael started coughing violently. “You-”

Jacquelyn finally moved, lunging at both her kids and hugging them with all her strength. Through tears and gritted teeth she spoke, or rather started shushing. “Sshhhh~ stay calm sweetie.” Jacquelyn rubbed Jael’s head, looking into her eyes. Jael’s eyes filled with pure heartbreak. The girl's body gave out on her, dropping all them onto their knees.

“He promised…” her lip quivered. The air in her lungs burned. Eventually it escaped her body as she began to sob uncontrollably. “He promised.”

Yang couldn’t bear the sound of the girl’s voice shrill and cracking from the pain. It was too much to handle. Yang turned her head away in shame. What right did she have to cry before them, or offer any words? Still, Yang found herself crumbling from the weight of it all. Falling to her knees and forearms, Yang hit the ground in frustration over the only words she could think to say.

“I’m sorry. I am so, so sorry…”

xxxxx

“Jael?” Jacquelyn said, startling the girl from her trance. “You okay? It’s time to get off.”

“Right. Uhh sorry.” She shook herself off and walked out. Now wasn’t the time to be caught up in the past. It was easier said than done given where she was at. “Woah, so this is Beacon?”

“The old one, yes.”

Before them stood what was the former pride and joy of Vale. Unlike other reconstructed buildings, Beacon was repaired with the intent of returning to its original design. The difference was the path. What was once vastly open space with gray stone pathways had vanished. Stone became gold bricks, the original statue in the middle replaced with a sculpture carved into the shape of a candle lit lantern; the names of all who fell that tragic day were engraved on it. That alone would have meant a lot to the citizens, Jael thought. However, The path forward said otherwise. No matter where you looked, statues could be seen along the paths of the former campus. Not a single one was identical.

Jacquelyn took a minute to let it all sink in just like her daughter. “If you died that day then your name was placed on the lantern, but if you were a huntsman who stood their ground and chose to give up your life for the people…”

“You stand watch, immortalized and honored.”

“No student was ready to be a huntsman yet. Still, it’s only fair to remember them as one when they died being one. They’re called The Ignited.”

“If this is no longer the school then why rebuild it? Call me dark, but I would’ve left it as is and only built the statues.”

Jacquelyn pointed towards the dozens of people around them. “Tell me, do you see it? Really look at the faces of everyone staring at the statues; the young adults that will be your peers. Can you feel what they feel?”

It was hard to comprehend at first. Jacquelyn was always that kind of mom. Always making Jael dig a little deeper. She studied their faces. Maybe it was the way the air felt heavy or perhaps the light bouncing off the building. Whatever it was it made Jael curl her fist and brace her body for impact against…nothing. Nothing at all. Still, her body couldn’t help but try to prepare itself for the wor-

“Oh.” She said, “I get it.”

“No need to leave a wound open to rot. Best let it scar and fade with time and become a reminder. That aside, the building itself is now the central hub for huntsmen in Vale to receive missions, collect rewards, and be ready to defend the school. The natural flow here makes it so there’s always going in and out across the entire kingdom. A helping hand is never too far.”

“What? Why didn’t you lead with that explanation?”

“Because now you’re motivating.” She patted Jael’s back and started walking. “Move those feet. You go wait around the lantern and possibly make a friend while I put your name down officially since you didn’t go to combat school.”

“Don’t trust me to put the correct last name?” Jael said. Her mother only looked back at her and gave a smile before leaving. “At least she’s not lying about it, in her own way.” She mumbled.

People trickled in at a steady rate. A blind person might’ve mistaken all the airships as a hive of Lancers the way the engines hummed from the constant drop offs and take offs. It was a miracle how people could carry out a conversation. Then Jacquelyn started thinking the quiet of the desert had simply gotten to her. That was until she heard one thing as clear as day.

“Is that Ruby Rose?”

Her feet stopped and head whipped in the direction she heard the question. Sure enough, Ruby Rose was several feet away. Right by Yang Xiao Long and more importantly, “Yujin.”

The young girl laughed nervously, standing behind her mother. Something about all the looks made her anxious.

“You alright?” Yang asked.

“Uh huh. I guess being out with you in front of all these people is a little frazzling. I’m used to being your kid, but now I’m your kid right next to you.”

“Haha, yeah~ didn’t really think about this happening.”

“What should we do?”

Right on queue, a shout came from yards away.

“Oh my god it’s TZ!” A girl yelled. Attention turned towards a new group of people bubbling with excitement around Tenzen’s street persona in his trademark light green tracksuit and fox. Before Yujin could question why, Raven used the opportunity to nudge her family off to the side where Ren and Nora stood waving.

Nora puffed out her chest with pride. “We are now accepting gratitude for another brilliant distraction.”

Jaune smiled at his teammates' antics. “So that’s why you stopped at your place first.”

“I see smiles but not feeling the gratitude. Bring it in! It’s only been a year of heroism.” Her lovable leader scooped her and Ren into a bear hug. “Yeah! That’s what I’m talking about.”

Ren ruffled Jaune’s hair. “I don’t see you for a year and you start letting this go wild.”

“Oh you know. Had to grow it out and try to steal your look. Fortunately a year is far too short. How are you feeling?” He finally let them go.

“Better than I’ve felt in a very long time. The miracles of modern medicine and motivation. Don’t even need the cane anymore.”

“Good, because I might. Keeping up with your kid for a year was like a never ending marathon. Especially whenever I heard footsteps at night. He’s a good boy but with the way he looks at Yujin…

Her face went red. “Dad! Nothing happened. We would never!” She looked at Yang and Ruby to see pursed lips and raised eyebrows. “We wouldn’t!”

Yang and Ruby laughed, teasing the love struck fighter. The joy was abruptly cut short however when Raven elbowed Yang. “Ow! Mom, what the-” Yang’s eyes locked with Jacquelyn. She stood right in front of them. Suddenly all who had returned from their long journey went silent.

Yujin, Jaune, and Tai all took notice of the sudden mood shift. They looked at one another to find an answer but we’re left with nothing.

“So you’re back, all of you. Is the job done for real this time?”

Yang nodded. “Yeah, I promise. No more cult.”

“I see. Well that’s good. I’m glad…” Her lips made a gentle yet tired smile on her face. Jacquelyn’s attention turned towards Yujin. “Hello Yujin. Your hair is longer than last time. Now you really look like your old lady huh?”

Yujin remembered briefly seeing Jacquelyn last year when everyone departed. They didn’t get a chance to actually speak and now that she was getting a good look at her, Yujin was stunned. So this was Adam’s wife? She was very beautiful and her eyes were hypnotic. They looked a lot like Yang’s.

“Hello. Nice to meet you officially. I’m Yuj- actually you already know that hehe. Ummm.” Yujin held her hand out to shake. Jacquelyn gladly accepted. Though she looked kind, something about the eye contact felt…intense, like the woman was looking into her something.

“Ready for today?”

“Uhhh of course!” She stuttered, I umm I’ve trained the entire year! Originally I wanted to take it last year but as you know, lots of things happened. If I was confident back then, then I should be fully equipped now. I even mastered a move that…you know who taught me. Speaking of him, is he here?”

Jacquelyn looked at pure joy and shyness all over Yujin’s face. To say she was ignorant would be unfair. It’s not her fault, not when she was kept in the dark from the start. A part of Jacquelyn wanted to bring her into the light. She spoke low, “Adam is…”

“Resting at home.” Jacquelyn cut off, gaining all the attention. “Dad’s tired. As I’m sure most of you are as well? Saving lives is hard after all.”

Those words made Yang’s eyes dart to the ground while Jacquelyn felt her own uneasiness with the way Jael’s right hand rested on her sheath.

Yujin’s face was lighting up while others went pale. “Jael!” Her voice was so energetic. She wasted no time stepping closer. “Hi. I was wondering why your mom was here. Now it makes sense. I had no clue you wanted to be a huntress, but that’s par for the course. I only know your name because of last year.”

“Dad never said a word about me?”

“He was very secretive about his life. Said it kept everyone safer and he wasn’t a talker anyways.”

“Well at least he was fair with information. I snooped to know you.” Jael examined Yujin. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting. A light blue overcoat with orange on the inside was certainly not it. Her hair was the only thing noticeably different. Same faded jeans with a plain white shirt. Same annoying face with the same aggravating eyes in them. Not to mention around her neck was that same sun pendant. Jael reached down her shirt and pulled out her star pendant.

“Oh! He gave you one too.” Yujin held hers up. “Guess we’re twins. Judging by that sheath I have no doubt he also kicked your but around and called it training. Looks like we’re sibling disciples.”

Jael breathed through her teeth quietly. Her hand left her sword and began casually rubbing her chest, applying slight pressure. “He trained you too huh? Interesting.”

“Yeah I learned a trick or two, but you probably have me beat.”

“You’re smart enough to know that much.”

Yujin pumped her fist forward. “Anyways, good luck out there. Not that you’ll need it. Maybe some of my birthday magic will rub off and we’ll both ace this.”

“No need. It’s not just your birthday.” Jael said nothing else and left Yujin stunned.

“Hold on…does that mean-”

“Jackie, may I speak with her?” Yang said quickly. Jacquelyn let out a stressful sigh. She shrugged before motioning in Jael’s direction. Yang took that as a yes and broke into a jog.

Tai leaned close to Raven. “What happened?”

“Not here. Wait until the exam starts, both of you.” She looked at Jaune. He nodded while Ruby rubbed her arm, feeling guilty.

Jacquelyn put her hands on Yujin’s shoulder. The girl snapped out her head.

“Y…Yes?”

“Jael gets really worked up about things like these. Could you do me a favor and let her be during the exam? She can be rather mean if things break her concentration.” This was for her own good. If today could end without incident, then hopefully the storm could begin to pass.

“Okay. I should probably do the same honestly. I can get to know her later, but about what she said. Is today…?

“Yes. You share more than a mentor. Jael turned sixteen like you today.”

Yujin’s smile grew. For reasons unknown to her, that really made her day. “Is that so? Heh~”

Warmth couldn’t begin to describe what Jacquelyn saw in Yujin. If you could make a drop of sunlight it would be her. Jacquelyn held no resentment towards Yujin or anyone for that matter. However, she couldn’t help but feel a little envious of Yang for having such a happy daughter. If only Jael could feel this warm again.

“‘Mrs. Frost!” A firm and all too familiar voice called, accompanied with the sound of clacking heels.

Jacquelyn stood up straight and turned around. “Hehehe, hi Glynda. Boy, did Oz make you a vampire instead of a bird, because you haven’t aged a day!” As much as it was blatant flattery, it was also the truth! What was Glynda’s secret? Jacquelyn wouldn’t mind getting in on that.

“Save the kissing up for after you’ve signed everything. You’ve had me waiting long enough.” She looked behind Jacquelyn to see a group of familiar faces. Glynda nodded.“Children.”

“We’re adults.” They all said in unison. Glynda gave a coy smile as if they told a joke, then dragged Jacquelyn away by the wrist.

On the other side of the courtyard, Yang managed to keep up with Jael until the girl stopped in front of May Zedong’s statue. Yang reached out. “Jael I know probably don’t want to see me but-”

Jael began coughing again. A thick gurgle came from her briefly before Yang watched her spit blood into a nearby bush. There wasn’t even a chance to question it. Jael finally looked at her, pupils shaking and a trickle of blood coming out her nose before she wiped it.

Whatever Yang planned to say was completely derailed. “What in…are you doing okay-”

“I’ll be fine when I’m done looking at you. Now what do you want? Came to clear your conscience again? You know it’s almost too perfect today of all days you all come home. Yujin must be having one hell of a birthday. I’m only surprised you didn’t tell her about dad.”

“You’re the one who told me not to.”

“And thank goodness I did. That right belongs to me and only me. On a big day like this, Yujin should only be at her best right? Today wouldn’t matter otherwise.”

“Beacon exams are brutal, not to mention random. If this is your way of trying to prove something against her, then quit it. She has nothing to do with what happened and I don’t want you getting hurt because you aren’t focused. I…I promised to look out for you.”

“…I hate you.” Her voice was calm, each word said as easily as breathing. “Don’t even pretend you give a damn. Just keep looking at me the way you looked at my father, then walk away. No need to be scared for your daughter. I’m not like you.” Jael walked away. “I don’t tear apart families.”

Yang found herself speechless yet again. In a way, Jael was right. Maybe there wasn’t anything she could do at this point? The right to parent anyone wasn’t hers to begin with. She had given that up long ago. Still, looking back at her daughter brought peace of mind. That girl, she very much still wanted Yang to be a parent. Jael no doubt wishes for the same of Adam. Apologies were never going to cut it.

“You better not die, not at a time like this. We have things to mend. I’ll keep my promise, but Adam, she needs you.” Yang rubbed the bridge of her nose, resisting an oncoming headache as she walked back towards her family.

It wasn’t long after that nearly everyone had finally made their way. A grand bell rang throughout the courtyard. All participants gathered in rows to stand before Mrs. Goodwitch in front of the stone lantern. Any parents stood aside to the right or already left. Tenzen somehow managed to wiggle his way over right next to Yujin. They bumped fist discreetly before focusing on what might be the unofficial first day of a four year journey.

Glynda stood with as much confidence and grace as ever. New faces were always the best part. “Greetings children. You may already know me as Mrs. Goodwhitch, Headmaster of Beacon academy. After today, some of you might even come to know me as the woman who wrote your detention slip.” Scattered chuckling proceeded. “Hmm laugh at it while you can.” She smirked. “Now I originally this is where I’d introduce- ah, well never mind.”

She pointed out towards one more airship on the horizon. Everyone looked to witness it glide through the air at astonishing speed, the Schnee symbol painted on the door.

Tenzen whistled, “Woooo, that’s pretty. Did you know Weiss was showing up?” He looked at Yujin to see her standing rigid. “Jin?”

“That’s not Weiss’s ship.” Yujin went back to facing forward with absolute focus.

The ship swung around over Glynda. The door opened and the woman who secretly paid Yujin’s home a visit came free falling out, doing a flip midair that landed her perfectly beside Glynda. Unlike earlier, her overall straps were now properly on her body and she added a lab coat that had a splash of tranquil blue at the bottom of the back of it. It kinda resembles water flowing on a table, stopping a third of the way up the coat; a little odd considering the rest of her outfit was either white, red, or black. The airship took off to land properly.

Glynda crossed her arms, “You were supposed to be here at least five minutes ago.”

“Turbulence never cares about flight schedules, with all due respect. It all works out though. Those extra five minutes was more than enough time for me to prepare a speech.”

“Is that a fact? Well then, show me what you got.” Glynda brought her forward. “As I was saying, this is where I introduce not only one of your examiners but also Beacon's newest teacher. My right hand, Canary Branwen.”

If Raven and Tai weren’t invested before, they sure as hell were now. Both of them had no idea of her arrival today. Yang’s eyes went wide while Ruby put up her hood, moving behind all of her family. Today was one surprise after another.

Yang inhaled like she’d been gasping for life. “Talk about a reunion, huh Rubes?”

“When it rains, it pours.” She mumbled.

Canary put her hands together and stretched them forward, loosening up. “Mmm ahhh~ okay, let’s get the major thing out of the way first. From the looks on most of your faces you either recognize the last name, or the very obvious symbol on my ship. I don’t if you call me Ms. Branwen, Ms. Schnee, or even Lady C. They all work so don’t overthink it. Just don’t call me ma’am; I’m 22 for crying out loud.”

The tenseness of the crowd softened a little. Good, now they were ready to actually listen. “I’ll be blunt. Beacon only expects the finest, and I don’t see that right now. Whatever dreams and fantasy you have about huntsmans should die right here because the grimm will do it if you don’t.”

Tenzen clenched his fist. She definitely wasn’t lying. After what happened last year in the forest with his mom, he knew he had to step up. The peers around him shared mixed expressions of reservation and anxiety; but not Yujin. She remained focused.

Jael, a few rows down, also wasn’t unnerved in the slightest.

Canary continued, “Today my job is to look at every single last one of you and look for that spark you all claim to have. Show me just how brightly you can shine; be a beacon. As for the many who will waver, who give it they’re all yet fear their flamed being snuffed by today’s hardships, don’t be stupid. Shining bright and burning out are not the same. Take a breath and give up. There’s always next year. You all see the statues. Beacon has had enough losses. Don’t be one because of an exam. So with that said, who wants to leave right now?

No one budged an inch. More importantly, Canary could already see several students trying to shine, while others rightfully looked nervous. “Hmm I’m pleasantly surprised. Not a single one huh?” She reached behind her and pulled out Harbinger, spinning it around in her right hand as it transformed into a scythe from the start. The legendary weapon was spun over her head before resisting on her shoulders. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained I guess. Well then let me get to the part you’ve all been waiting for. Part one of your exam is…a knowledge test!”

In that moment, all flames of determination seem to flicker out. “Whaaaaaaaat!?!?” They all said collectively.

“What? I said Beacon wants the finest and I meant it. We’re not here to teach bricks ya know. It should be no problem for anyone who paid attention in combat school.”

Jael’s face went pale. She didn’t go to any school! Yes her parents and sister made sure to teach her many things for life as well as being a huntress, but was any of it up to the standards of a curriculum!?

“Of all the things to fall short in…”

“Roughly 12 minutes after I’m done explaining, the test will officially start inside the building. It’s 60 questions and you’ll have 45 minutes to complete it. Anything unanswered is wrong.”

“That’s less than a minute per question!” A random participant yelled.

Canary smiled, “And you figured that out in less than a second. I think you’ll be fine. Use those 12 minutes wisely. Ready? Start!”

Yujin immediately grabbed Tenzen by the arm and ran off towards the former school. She glanced over at Canary to see her cousin staring at the two of them.

“You have time for a hug ya know?” Canary said, watching Yujin completely ignore her words. “Hehe, maybe I was too obvious?” Canary mumbled.

“Ten- I mean TZ, pick up the pace!”

“Wow! We have time to-”

“Canary doesn’t mince words. The test officially starts in 12 minutes. That doesn’t mean we can’t take it sooner. If we start the moment we get in then we technically have about 55 minutes to answer all the questions.”

“…..You can’t tell but I’m going bug eyed under the mask.” He freed his wrist and started sprinting. “Keep up slow poke!”

“Hey!” A gust of wind blew byYujin, whipping her hair in her face. When she moved it out the way she saw Jael ahead of her. She went by so fast it was almost like her feet didn’t touch the ground! “Woah. Talk about being a light steeper.” Yujn picked up the pace.

Glynda approached Canary while all the kids left. “Not bad. A little unconventional, but not bad.”

“Unconventional? This school has Professors Port. I think I was as average as a person could get.”

“Yes we’ll no one flips things on their head quite like that man. I will personally watch over the students' tests. Not that I don’t trust you but I have a feeling you don’t have an eye for catching cheaters like I do.” Glynda walked off. “You’re grading them though.”

Her eyes squinted. %“Of course I get the boring part.”% At least now she had a little time to kill. Canary’s eyes shifted left to see her relatives were still standing in place. “Wel…l well…well, if it isn’t half the family tree? Plus a few.”

“Did you take that from the house?” Raven was the first to ask, her tone a bit irritated. “You should’ve called.”

“Why? This by all means is mine. I even spruced it up. Yujin has a talent for tools but sometimes less is more. It was like surgery up in the gears.”

“That doesn’t justify-”

“Ya know I haven’t heard a hello yet, Auntie. It’s only been forever, but you’re pretty used to not seeing family so this must be normal for you.”

Raven scowled. Tai put a hand on her shoulder before stepping between the two. “Can we not meet like this? Canary, hello.”

“Hey Uncle, you well?”

“I’m fine. Especially today.”

“Glad to hear it, seriously.” She walked closer with Harbinger still resting on her shoulders. “For the record I thought Jaune and Yujin were still at home. I was gonna say hello, ask for this, and offer to drop my cousin off. How was I supposed to know this was a big family event?”

“It…sorta sprang up on us too. They all just got back.”

“Riiiiight, for the second time. Ya know it would’ve been nice to get a call or anything the first time around. If mom didn’t inform me then I wouldn’t have a clue.”

“It’s not like we forgot, not exactly.” Yang admitted, “We were only back for roughly a week and the entire time was craziness. Next thing we knew it was time to leave again. I know that’s not the best answer but it’s the honest truth.”

“Relax, I get it. I’m just saying the send button is on every scroll. A quick text goes a long way. Oh well. I forgive you.” Her attention shifted to Ruby. “Nothing to say?”

Yang sighed, “Canary, don’t-” a glyph popped up under her feet and moved Yang out of Ruby’s way.

Ruby stood silently ashamed as Canary strutted closer and closer until she was close enough to remove the red hood. Ruby looked up into the icy blue eyes that threatened to swallow her up. “You’ve gotten so big. I…see him in you.”

“Those really the words you want to say to me right now? Better than Auntie’s I guess. So you finally killed the people who killed dear old dad? Feel better?”

“Listen, it’s not like-”

“Not like what? Vengeance? It was absolutely that. Oh wait, no no no, that’s not what you were talking about. You must’ve thought I asked if you felt better even though the only reason my father died in your burning home was because your husband invited him over after another argument broke out because of you. You know, instead of being at home with his wife and child? I wasn’t talking about that but please let me know Ruby, has that guilt gone away?”

“CANARY!” Winter shouted several feet away, “Leave her alone. You know as well as everyone else who hurt the most that day and who’s to blame. Do not pin that on her. Qrow wouldn’t.”

“Yeah…he’d chalk it up to bad luck.” Canary looked at Ruby. Not once did she turn away or blink. She just…stood there, taking all the harsh words. Canary pulled Ruby’s head back over her head. “I got papers to grade.” She left towards the building, but it wasn’t even five steps before she stopped. “For what it’s worth, I’m truly happy you're back in one piece, all of you. I don’t think I could handle another funeral. Also…Ruby?” She let out a sigh, “Actually I’ll tell you after all this exam stuff is wrapped up. Stick around for me will ya?”

“Okay…”

Canary threw her hand up. “Bye everyone. Later auntie. Stick around too. I know that’s a little hard for you.”

“I’ll be here damnit.”

“Hehe.” Canary walked away, controlling her emotions. It was her first day after all. Now was not the time for any drama.

Winter walked over to Ruby and hugged her. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. She didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. That’s not what really bothers me.” Ruby kept looking at Canary. The way she walked, her gaze, even the way she spoke, it all was too much. Ruby put her hand over her mouth while eyes watered. “It’s just…seeing her all grown like this, It really makes me wish more than anything that he could see it.”

Everyone gathered around Ruby to comfort her. All except Yang, who stood silently replaying her sister’s words through her head. Over a decade yet anger and grief weighed on her sister’s and cousin's heart. Is that what she was in for, more indefinite heartache? Yang wasn’t sure she could handle that. Selfishly she closed her eyes and repeated her silent plea.

“Adam, don’t you dare fucking die on me.”

Why I love Dragonslayer, I guess.

[If you’re more interested in my mini-fics instead of my ramblings, feel free to scroll down.]

No one asked but I wanted to talk about it anyway. Below is my attempt to explain my guilty pleasure for Dragonslayer as it slowly clawed its way to the top of my shipping.

Canon Jaune and Yang are largely lacking together. Up until present day canon, we spent entire seasons where they’ve barely even talked to each other. This is the reason why I initially shipped only Lancaster and Arkos…

…and then fanfiction happened.

College Fool’s “Breaking Through the Bottom of the Bottle” places the two through a night of longing well after their years in Beacon. Bar hopping, flirting, and drinking, they spend the night as long-time friends would while Yang’s bottled feelings try to break through Jaune’s walls. They even connect literally on an emotional level as Yang’s glitchy cybernetic arm lets her aura pour out and mixes with his own, giving him a glimpse of her burgeoning, myriad, emotions. (I also have strong feelings about the supposedly open-ended ending, which it isn’t. I’ll take that to my fucking grave.) I don’t remember how old they are in the story. Largely, it doesn’t matter because it doesn’t feel like adults clutching at the strings of their bygone youth. The longing of simpler days feels ageless, like missing yesterday or how much fun you had last week on that quiet evening with an old friend.

Then we got Couer Al'Aran’s “White Sheep” where Jaune is a Grimm prince fumbling his way into uniting humanity and Grimm in peace and harmony. Barely capable of comprehending human subtlety, Jaune manages to accidentally flirt his way into Yang (and Ruby’s) heart. It doesn’t fully focus on the romance. True to any real adventure story, romance is a subplot that gets its lense but doesn’t blind you with the spotlight.

TheRedPoet’s “Adequate” is of particular inspiration as it manages to be short and sweet, but implies enough that it gets the creative juices flowing. This blog may end up being longer than that entire story and I’ll still recommend the simple but punchy read.

Finally, Raalm’s “A Burning Desire” manages to balance smut and romance in a delicious little cocktail that actually made me giddy at the end of a particular chapter. And with what felt like an honest look at Yang’s developing feelings for somebody in proximity, I came away needing to look back frequently to reflect on it.

…

After reading many more stories - plying the Internet for every good bit of Dragonslayer I could find - I found myself, perhaps inevitably, spiraling into possibility.

What I’d gleamed from my reading was Yang and Jaune in various states. Childhood crush, sibling-in-law, sudden and inexplicable partner, master-apprentice, actual dragon and actual “slayer”. What I’d settled on after the fact was that they were an interesting pair with a lot to tell and a lot to YET tell.

I felt like wanting to tell everything else I could.

They can be sympathetic, friendly, naïve, goofy, awkward, inspiring, emotional, angry, dependent, boldly self-assured, riddled with self doubt… And with the nature of fan fiction, you can progress or regress any of these with time or with notable events - be they cruel, kind, or revelatory.

I’ll admit that this could apply to every pair, but I’ve gravitated to works that don’t just decide Jaune is an every man or that Yang is just a “blonde bombshell” because neither quality makes a person alone. College Fool flips Jaune into a cautionary cynic, Raalm saw Yang’s partygoing as both pastime and defense mechanism. Couer dabbles into their sudden parenthood as sweet and slapstick.

And I wanted more and more of all of that. More ideas. Expand them into critical mass, logical extremes. New ideas where you pull back and try again from a different angle. Give me time-worn friends, strangers destined to find each other, survivors making the most of it. And when I exhausted collections and little one-offs, when I peeled away little lesser known romances I told myself I’d fall in love with if I gave it a chance - let an author grow and take their idea till they can master their own prose - I found myself wanting again.

I’m not going to claim the ship is transcendental or something. There is no cosmic meaning behind two blondes sucking face.

Maybe it’s all incidental. Maybe them overcoming their anger or coping with loss resonated with me a little too well at just the right time in my life but by the time I’d sat down and started writing, I realized that it had wormed its way into my heart and flooded every other idea I had.

Even when I was writing for other relationships in RWBY I ended up placing a Dragonslayer SOMETHING anyway. Storied friendships, a bit of witty banter, something.

Because there’s just something about a grief-stricken fool and an emotionally wounded biker finding each other so they can quiet the madness that’s just everything I wanted. Or maybe this is just a ship and I happen to like it. Either way, I’m still hopeful and ultimately excited for how many more ways this ship turns out through someone else’s creative lens.

…

This isn’t an essay. This is all still just me struggling to explain why I love a ship and I feel I’ve always been better with stories than I have with just talking.

So below are three excerpts from three different stories that I may or may not complete that might hopefully better explain why I like any potential dynamic with Jaune and Yang.

*-*-*

Just A Little Bit of Sunshine

I threw around the idea of Jaune being Ruby and Yang’s brother. And when I had Qrow be the adult that dies and kept the rest of STRQ together since the adopted Jaune took up the Branwen name (endearing him to Raven) I came up with this little piece. However, despite all the family shenanigans I cooked up, that’s all this story turned out to be. Family vignettes with nowhere to go. So without a central theme or a climax, I gave up on the idea.

Jaune doesn’t talk about the way Yang gives him strength. As the eldest he’s expected to be the source of it, adopted or not, but there are days where he looks at the three month gap between them and it feels like vapor. A span of time that means nothing.

When it’s stormy out, Ruby calls on her siblings cause she never wants to show her parents that she’s afraid of lightning. That the flashing light curls her little body into a ball just before the thunder in anticipatory dread, and that the noise jolts her entire body awake, never allowed to relax.

Jaune is afraid of it too. It nearly struck him twice when he lost his first family and the fear has etched itself into the twitch of his fingers and dryness of his throat, but he doesn’t show it. It took a brave face to weather that storm and find shelter, and he calls on it again whenever he’s huddled under the sheets with Ruby and Yang.

Somehow, he thinks Yang knows he’s afraid of it too. Every time they’re in here with Ruby, Yang always has her cling to him while she holds them both. Ruby listens to his heartbeat and Yang’s easy hum. She does this till they’re asleep. Jaune never knows for sure if she ever falls asleep with them.

When morning comes, Yang’s always the first one awake if she’d slept at all. He peers up at her, sunlight casting over her features till her skin is as golden as her hair, cutting through her skin till some parts glow a little red. Somehow even the tiny red veins in her earlobe seem clean and immaculate. It’s like she’s carved out of a star and molded under summer’s glow.

He loves his sister. And when she glances his way and pretends not to see him looking, he knows she loves him too.

*-*-*

You, Me, and the Daisy Chain

Yang and a diary? Nope. How about some letters? Eh, better but not enough. Okay, how about an album full of memorabilia? Perfect.

The idea here was to have Yang’s teenage kids find her old album that wasn’t full of pictures but of old things she collected over her relationship with Jaune. She’d sit them down and tell them the stories behind it.

This excerpt was from the first chapter called “Sky Lantern” describing some loose bits of spare wax paper.

I loved when he used to play.

Jaune had a shoddy old guitar he pried from his dad’s attic. We fixed it up with spit and prayers but then it made sounds, and it didn’t matter that it didn’t make any real notes or that anything he played could barely be considered music. We were ten, but we thought we were so cool. Didn’t help that our friends thought we were too. I fancied myself the vocalist. I couldn’t sing. Still can’t. We didn’t care.

Then an actual musician, his sister Sable, heard the noise we were making and she sat us down with actual lessons. I didn’t stay long when it turned out that making music wasn’t for me, but he left that summer for camp and by the time we’d meet up again, he’d learned a few chords and joined the music club when we got into high school.

I remember kicking back at the end of the day by the grass and he’d find me like he always did. He would go on and on and on about this girl he had a crush on. Weiss was her name. I thought she was kinda hardcore. She ran away from some elite prep school and fancy living in a mansion to live with her older sister here in Glenn.

I didn’t think much of it at the time, but then I actually met Weiss and she was actually cool and I realized his feelings for her were real and… Well, I got jealous.

I had feelings for Jaune when we were eight but then mom told me I was too young for love and that was that. When I turned fifteen I’d already gotten the basic grasp of what love actually was. Those feelings resurfacing suddenly threw me into a panic.

Luck was on my side though. Turns out, Jaune was too nervous to confess to Weiss so he thought he’d hype himself up by practicing a song to sing for her. That month I spent so much time in that music room after class that I was starting to come home late. Mom thought I was doing drugs until Jaune confessed to holding me hostage to practice guitar.

He wasn’t a very good singer either, but I loved the way he played. The strings echoed through the empty room, and shook my bones, and my cheeks were flush and… and the way his eyes closed halfway when he was really getting into it just drew me in.

Entranced. That’s what it felt like. I liked it a little too much. We did this every day for a month. And I know it’s weird to call it our special time when we spent most of our lives attached at the hip anyway, but I loved sitting in that room alone with him, letting him play till his fingers ached and his throat had gone dry.

I even forgot he was singing for a different girl.

It was February when I told him to drop the singing and just play. And he did. No more lyrics or cobbled together confessions. He just played. It went on for an hour.

Remember when I said his eyes would go half-lidded when he played? When he stopped singing, his eyes shut. Like he’d let go of something he didn’t need anyway. And when he opened them again after playing his heart out, I kissed him.

It was the day before Valentines. You can tell where this is going. I panicked on the last day and wedged my confession in on the last minute.

He didn’t mind.

Remember when I said Weiss was cool? She took me shopping so I could pretty up for our first date. I showed up in a dress and done up my hair in uncle Qrow’s tiny little daisies like I was living flower bed. He showed up in a dark red polo and a necklace from one of Sable’s favorite bands.

I told him we should’ve switched outfits. He said he’d totally do it and rock the dress better than I could. Ok, so Jaune was cool, too.

He took me up a trail that had this great view of the town by a cliff and he set up a picnic for us. Only he came up here the day before with half our friends and stuffed everything in a duffel bag and mini cooler. The food was fine but the ice cream was half melted.

It was strawberry and I loved it anyway. We got some on his shirt and we knew it’d stain. He panicked cause it wasn’t his, it was Cardin’s, and I panicked cause I didn’t know what a girlfriend does when you aren’t just his tomboy of a best friend anymore. So I kissed him, and when that worked, I decided I’d do that every time.

We ate and talked about algebra being the absolute pits and that I might get a license before he does. I promised to take him around town and pick our next date.

Then it happened.

When we visited Mistral a year ago to meet Blake’s family for an annual festival in her hometown. It was crazy cause they had exotic snacks like bananas covered in hardened sugar, purple bread, little cakes made from coconut milk and eggs, and chocolate-filled balls made of pancake mix. They capped the night with these wax lanterns and I thought they were going to let then into the river or something. But no, we held them up and the candle carried the lantern into the wind.

And as I sat there with him on that cliff and the lanterns filtered into the night sky like stars I could touch. My heart soared cause it was beautiful and it felt like something that’d only be ours cause we held that lantern together and I know he couldn’t have possibly known how much that moment meant to me but somehow he did.

He pulled out a lantern from the duffel bag and we spent minutes putting it together. He was afraid of lighters so I lit it for him and we sent the sky lantern after the rest.

Jaune wasn’t a singer but he’d slaved over a poem with Ren. He fumbled over his words and my blush turned into laughter and he gave up trying to say it. He got worked up about not getting it right and ruining the night.

I told him to stop trying so hard. Cause when he stopped singing, and it was better when he just played. And I was sure that if he told me what he wanted to say without needing a poem to get all his feelings out, it’ll turn out better that way too.

So he pulls out a necklace – a cheap gold chain with a gold ring at the end – wordlessly ties it around my neck and when I think he’s not gonna say anything cause, honestly, he didn’t need to, he ends up asking me out to everything.

His Valentine every year. His date to every dance. His plus one to all of his too-many-sisters’ weddings. And I say yes, and yes, and yes. To everything. All of it. Forever.

We were fifteen but that didn’t stop me from coming home feeling like I’d just gotten married. And I know it’s silly, being so young but so sure. But isn’t the best thing about it? Love like that can only be pure.

*-*-*

Dancing Under the Broken Sun

The title is a play on the shattered moon in the series canon, i.e. reversals. And the idea was to play the flipside of anything that seemed interesting. I’ve about three other versions of this but this one came up when I was thinking of genderbending the Arcs. All of the Arc sisters I’d made had a level of sass and snark and when I genderbent them, all of that slid into Jaune (now Joan) instead! And I ended up really liking the idea of a flirtatious girl-Jaune giving even our boy-Yang a run for his money.

Unlike the other stories, this one was purpose built for tumblr so I could experiment with styles. It’s a little liberating honestly but GOOD GOD THE COLORING.

Yin is working on his car. Oil drips coldly onto his cheek.

Y: “Fuckin’…”

A loud thud slams onto his workbench.

Y: “Whoa! Scar-!” He slides out, looking up at the dark skirt beneath a cheeky blonde. “Fuck! Joan!”

He pulls up and out and keeps his eyes shut.

J: “Relax, big guy.” She lifts one side of her skirt. “I’ve got spats. I don’t take any chances.”

Y: “Well as much as I like seeing pretty face, it’s getting late. Shouldn’t you be heading home?”

J: “Aren’t you sweet, but don’t worry about me. I’ve got a ride coming.” She’s doing something on his workbench with her canvas sling bag. Joan was never really one for purses.

J: “Here.” She’s on him in a breath, a tissue drenched in alcohol wiping the oil off his cheek.

Y: Swallows.

J: “Too close?” Inches in. “I could get closer.”

Y: Breathes. Rolls his eyes playfully. “Thanks, princess, but I was plannin’ on a shower anyway. Let’s not dirty those delicate little hands of yours.”

J: She pouts, pulling her hands back to her chest. Her hands have calluses, just like his, and he knows she’s conscious of them.

Y: “What are you doing down here anyway? Got lonely in the living room?”

J: “Just got finished tutoring Scarlet. He’s a shoe-in for Beacon High if he keeps this up. You should be proud. Might not even need me to come over anymore.”

Y: “I don’t think he’d like that very much. And, FYI, I’m plenty proud but that’s no secret. ‘Sides, looks like someone’s dodging a question.”

J: “I just got bored, Firecracker. Don’t read into it.”

Y: “C’mon. I know that look. You’ve got something to say so just say it.”

J: She says nothing and slips onto his armless swivel chair. Her scroll pings. She puts on some glasses he doesn’t remember her having before. She types.

Y: He manually pops the hood off his car with a wooden stick. The support struts were missing when he bought it.

J: “I need a date.”

Y: In a panic, he slams his head onto the propped-up hood. “Ow! Fuck… What?”

J: Giggles. “You alright?”

Y: Waves her off.

J: “With a potty mouth like that, I’m surprised Scarlet’s as pure as he is.”

Y: “You were talking about a date…?”

J: She isn’t smiling anymore. “There’s a party down in Vale this week. And I’m not going stag.”

Y: “This have to do with your shadow? Doesn’t have the guts to ask you out yet?”

J: “You talking about Achilles? Please, boy’s too soft. If anything, I’m his shadow.”

Y: “Cause of Saffron?” Her other shadow.

J: “Maybe. Or Ace just isn’t into me.”

Y: Chuckles. “Sure. But it’s not like he’s your only option.”

J: “Same answer: Saffron.”

Y: “It’s the twenty-first century, honey. Why don’t you try asking someone out instead?”

J: “Either you’re not getting the hint or I’m not making myself more obvious.”

Y: “Right. And I’m supposed to be putting myself between you, Saf, and your six other brothers? Doesn’t matter that half of the them are adorable little runts. They’re all boys with white knuckles and a contact sport each.”

J: Sighs. “Hence my social suicide.”

Y: “Since when do you care about what any of the rest of them think?”

J: “I don’t, but I’ve never been on a date. Ace chokes on his lunch any time I even suggest being alone, Scarlet’s like a baby brother, White still hasn’t forgiven me for freshman year so I’m not even gonna go there, and Blake’s… Blake.” She fixes him with a serious look, half lidded and striking. “So, I either get the stoic bad boy with a bar fight on his belt to take me or I ask a gutsy stranger on campus.”

Y: He didn’t like the idea of her asking a someone outside of their circle but if Ace was going to sit out, this might jolt him into action. They’d already tried urging him on so this might work. “No strings attached?”

J: “At least one. You’re already taking me on my first date. Even as a friend, that makes you special.” She smirked. “Plus, I haven’t had a first kiss yet.”

Y: “And if I refuse?”

J: She laughs. “I’m not forcing a kiss on you. I’m just confident I can bring you around.” Winks.

Y: Gulps.

J: Her scroll pings again. “It’s Saff. Almost here. Could you open the garage door for me?”

Y: He grabs the remote off the wall. The garage door loudly slides open.

J: “Am I taking your stunned silence as a yes? Or am I gonna have to get a date somewhere else?” Her hip is tilted, angling in a way so she can look up at him behind her glasses (they’re the same height). He is also fairly certain she is puffing her chest out deliberately.

Y: He scratches the back of his head. “Y’know what? Why not. But we keep it casual.”

J: “I won’t do anything you won’t want me to.”

Y: He laughs. “Okay, okay, you’re doing this on purpose.”

J: She relaxes. “Sorry. When a girl has to scream her confession to a pretty pale prince in the middle of campus just to get through to him, you can’t blame her for having to lay it on thick.” She stops giving him bedroom eyes and she moves loosely. This is more like the girl he knows.

Y: “White’s dense. Naut’s still trying to get him to notice her.”

J: “Bless her. She’ll need a billboard.”

They laugh.

Saffron’s car comes up from the long road ahead.

Y: “Hey, since when did you need glasses?”

J: Takes them off. “Oh, these? Blake said you’d be into them.” She bites it. “Are they working?”

Y: Blush.

J: She puts them on him instead. Looks him up and down with a bit lip. “They look good on you. Maybe I’m into them too.”

J: She jogs off and hops into her brother’s car.

Saffron waves at him.

Y: He flinches but recovers and waves back. He has to keep telling himself that the Arc brothers don’t suspect him of anything yet.

Y: The garage door shuts behind him. He takes off the glasses. “What have I gotten myself into?” He’s still blushing. “Damn it, Blake. Whose side are you on?”

…

J: Slides into the passenger seat and tosses her bag into the back.

S: Pulls the car into the road. “So did you do it?”

J: She exhales sharply and buries her face in her hands. “Yes! Oh my god, my heart is racing. I was so fucking scared.”

S: “Language.” He hasn’t stopped smiling for her, his cheeks seem stuck.

J: “Sorry. Anyway, he said yes. Can you believe it?”

S: “Never a doubt in the world. My baby sister gets everything she wants.”

J: “Stoooop! You boys spoil me way too much.”

S: “Just calling it how it is. Oh! By the way, Parm was asking after his prop glasses. They’ve got dress rehearsal tomorrow.”

J: “Oh, I’ve got them right… here…” Her eyes widen. “I left them behind…”

S: Chuckles. “Y’know, if you wanted to keep seeing him, I could have taken the long way around the neighborhood .”

J: She won’t look up from her hands. “Just drive please. I’ll grab them in the morning.”

*-*-*

So what else is there to say? Siblings, genderbent, and a high school romance (which I always had difficulty writing). And I’ve so many more ideas for them. From an evil AU down to the largely underutilized thrall of all things. Honestly, I’d spend years writing them all were I somehow crazy and/or immortal but if I ever want to actually publish a book before I die, I gotta limit myself and only do a few of them before I stop writing fan fiction altogether.

I suppose I’ll write more excerpts though. I don’t know, I had a lot of fun pulling these from my drafts and making them coherent. So I might do this again.

Streaming now!

https://www.twitch.tv/mcmystery18

Gonna be working on a DragonSlayer commission! Come chill with me!