Chapter Text
Jaune could admit it: Cinder’s methods were… creative , to say the least.
Her training was harsh, sometimes bordering on brutal, but mostly fair. Sure, he got kicked around—a lot—but he couldn’t deny that he was learning. Every bruised rib, every aching muscle taught him something new.
But now that he had Aura? He expected things to be easier . After all, Aura was supposed to give him an edge: He could tank hits better! Heal faster! And get tired slower.
It only made sense that Cinder would step up the intensity of their sessions. But getting the Florentia kids involved? That was something he couldn’t have predicted in a million years .
The idea itself was deceptively simple, and Cinder had laid it out in her usual calm, matter-of-fact tone, as if she weren’t suggesting something borderline absurd.
“The easiest way to take out a Huntsman,” she explained, her eyes serious and unblinking, “is when they’re out of Aura—or when they have it turned off.”
Jaune had nodded along, already anticipating what she was about to say.
“And the easiest way to eliminate that weakness is to always have your Aura up. If you had a small reserve of Aura, we’d start with control and efficiency first. But since you have a… decent amount,” she said, with a small smirk, “we’ll begin with shielding. Then, we’ll move on to control. Simply put?” She leaned in slightly, as if imparting a secret. “First, you’ll grow accustomed to having your Aura active all the time—ready to defend you. Then we’ll make sure you’re not wasting too much of it while doing so.”
Jaune couldn’t argue with her logic. It made sense, and he appreciated that she wasn’t treating him like a total novice anymore.
Still, he had questions. "But wouldn’t having it always on become a crutch? Wouldn’t I grow too dependent on the extra speed and strength?"
For the first time that day, she smiled—an actual, genuine smile—and then, of course, followed it with a snide remark. But Jaune was focusing on the positives today.
“If you always have it on,” she replied with a sharp edge of amusement in her voice, “the only way you’ll ever be without it is if someone breaks yours. And trust me, when that happens, you’ll have more pressing concerns than missing a little extra strength.”
Again, it made sense.
But—again!— why did she have to get the kids involved in this?
At breakfast that morning, Cinder had asked a seemingly innocent question: “Are the kids too busy today?”
She must have known they weren’t. After yesterday’s events, when Grimm had breached the farm, both Lucia and Jorge had decided the children needed a day off to relax and recover. Both Newt and Emily were still visibly shaken by the attack. So when Cinder suggested she had a "mission" for them, the adults around the table exchanged looks—skeptical at best, indignant at worst.
The Florentias trusted her, yes, but the idea of putting the kids to work after what they had just gone through? That was pushing it.
“What do you mean by mission ?” Jorge asked cautiously, his brow furrowed.
Cinder smiled easily, her voice calm and persuasive. “Do you think you can help me train Jaune?”
Newt’s eyes widened in awe, his fork clattering to the table. “ Me? Train a Huntsman?!” His voice was practically shaking with excitement.
Even Emily, who was usually more reserved, leaned in slightly, her interest piqued.
“I remember you have a sling, right?” Cinder asked Newt, her gaze steady. He nodded eagerly, practically bouncing in his seat. “And if I recall correctly, I’ve seen you go three for three hitting those mounted bottles.”
Emily gave a small, proud nod, confirming her brother’s skill.
“Well then,” Cinder continued, her tone almost playful now, “today, you’ll be shooting Jaune!”
Silence.
Every set of eyes at the table widened in shock, jaws dropping in unison.
“You’ll help make sure he doesn’t slack off by keeping him on his toes,” she added casually. “He needs to keep his Aura up all day, and I want you two to make sure he does while I go hunting.”
The table erupted.
Jaune froze mid-bite, his mind racing. Wait—what?!
Maggie’s eyes narrowed with a mix of concern and disbelief. “You’re what ? You can’t go hunting, not in your condition!” The older woman’s tone was stern, her words slicing through the noise.
Lucia and Jorge exchanged furious glances. “We don’t shoot our guests, Cinder!” Lucia snapped, her voice rising. “And after yesterday? You think it’s appropriate to have the children—”
Newt and Emily, on the other hand, were practically vibrating with excitement. The chance to help train a Huntsman was the coolest thing they’d ever heard.
Mike and Peter? They just burst into laughter, slapping the table like it was the funniest thing they’d ever seen.
Joshua, always calm and practical, simply nodded. “Just make sure they don’t use the metal ball bearings. Stick to wood and stone.” He said to the children.
Cinder raised an eyebrow, the barest hint of amusement on her face. She lifted her hand, a quiet yet commanding gesture that somehow brought the chaos to a halt. “One at a time, please.” Her tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable authority in her voice.
She turned to Lucia first. “Lucia?”
The matron didn’t hesitate. “You can’t just ask children to shoot him!” She gestured sharply toward Jaune. “What if they start shooting each other? Or worse, what if they hit another kid? They could hurt themselves!”
Cinder’s gaze shifted to the children, her expression growing serious. “Newt. Emily.” Her voice softened slightly but carried a weight that made both children sit up straighter. “What I’m asking you to do is special. You must never do this to anyone else. Jaune knows my methods and has Aura to protect him. But if you shoot each other—or anyone else—they could be seriously hurt.”
She reached up and pulled back the hair covering the burned side of her face, revealing the scars beneath. “You could blind someone. Or worse.” Her voice was steady but heavy with meaning. “Trust me—it’s not something you want to cause or force someone to live with.”
Both children started, their wide eyes filled with both curiosity and fear. They nodded vigorously.
“Only aim for his body,” Cinder added, letting her hair fall back into place. “Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison, their voices small but resolute.
Cinder turned back to Lucia, offering a small, satisfied smile. “Does that settle things?”
Lucia squinted, clearly still uncomfortable but recognizing the seriousness in the kids’ responses.
“Children,” she added, her voice sharp again. “If you hit anything or anyone else without my or your mothers permission, I will take your slings away. And since I’m in need of weapons, you can be sure you won’t get them back.”
The kids nodded again, a bit more solemn this time.
Lucia, though not entirely happy, sat down. Not completely happy that the children listened so promptly to someone else, but proud they did.
“Maggie?” Cinder turned toward the older woman with a raised eyebrow, knowing exactly what was coming.
The elderly healer cleared her throat, fixing Cinder with a stern, no-nonsense glare. “You ain’t going anywhere until I review your wounds. You did well against a lone Grimm, but you’re not at 100% yet. And I’ll be damned if I lose a patient just because she thinks she can take on a Beowolf pack all by herself!”
“That doesn’t sound like a vet, dear,” Cinder replied smoothly, her voice calm but with just enough smugness to make Jaune wince. Gods, she can be too smug for her own good. He half-expected Maggie to retaliate with her cane to the shin.
Before the old woman could deliver her signature verbal—or physical—rebuke, Cinder raised a hand in a placating gesture. “I have no intention of actually fighting. I’ll be doing reconnaissance, nothing more. I’ll only engage if I find stragglers or packless Grimm. If I run into anything bigger than a lone Beowolf, I’ll head back and help you report it to the Huntsmen in the nearby village.”
Maggie’s lips pressed into a thin line, unconvinced. “You better .” She crossed her arms. “Better yet, let’s just call the Huntsmen now! They can start clearing out the area earlier.”
“And how fast can they mobilize?” Cinder shot back, her voice patient but firm. “How long until they finish with the areas around the village and have time to come out here?”
Maggie didn’t answer immediately, clearly weighing the logistics.
“And,” Cinder continued, her tone soft but insistent, “what difference does it make if I scout the forest, wounded or not? It’s what I do. ” Her eyes gleamed with quiet confidence. “I’m a Huntress. If I tell them this farm needs priority—and give them the right reason—they’ll come. They won’t have a choice.”
There it is again, Jaune thought, watching her. That smile. Confident, smug, and filled with a kind of energy that made you believe she could bend the world to her will. One of these days, Maggie is going to whack her across the shins with that cane.
Maggie sighed, finally sitting down, though not without a final warning. “Only scouting, then! And if you get hurt out there, don’t come crying to me for more stitches.”
Cinder chuckled softly, but Jaune knew Maggie would be the first to run into the forest if something happened.
Cinder turned to him next. “Jaune?”
He sat up straighter, already knowing she had a plan but feeling the need to voice his concerns. “You’ve beaten me enough in training to know what you’re doing. But… what about weapons? Or support?”
“I can’t afford to wait for someone to catch up if things go south,” she replied simply. “And any decent weapon can be made effective with Aura reinforcement.”
“And what weapon are you planning to take?” Jaune pressed.
“The shotgun and the scythe,” Cinder answered, glancing toward Joshua. “If you don’t mind, of course.”
The older man nodded without hesitation. “Take what you need.”
Jaune hesitated, then spoke quietly. “What about Crocea Mors ?”
Cinder blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “That’s your weapon. A legacy blade. You can’t just lend it out—not after everything you’ve told me about it.”
Jaune smiled softly. “It’s my blade, and I trust you with her any day.” His voice was steady, though his thoughts briefly flickered to his father. Dad would cuff me for lending it out. But… he’d cuff me even harder if I let a woman go unarmed into a Grimm-infested forest. He chuckled internally. Come to think of it, I’d probably get cuffed anyways for running off with it in the first place.
He met her gaze. “It’s made to channel Aura, it’s in better condition than any blade we have here, and I know you’ve trained with swords before. What do you think?”
Cinder stared at him for a moment, surprise flickering across her face. She didn’t seem accustomed to this kind of trust. “If you’re willing to lend it, then yes. It would be my preference.” Her voice softened slightly. “I swear I’ll bring it back in the same, if not better, condition.”
She always gets like this, Jaune thought, watching the subtle shift in her demeanor. Serious, almost formal, whenever he showed her genuine kindness. She probably hasn’t had many people willing to help her without expecting something in return. Solo Huntsmen often walked lonely roads, and Cinder, more than most, seemed to know that isolation well.
And that was how he found himself outside, cutting and hauling wood while Newt and Emily took turns pelting him with pebbles and small stones from their slings.
At least they were considerate enough not to shoot again if they didn’t see his Aura flash. Cinder wouldn’t like that, he thought, imagining her calling it “going too easy” on him. But Newt and Emily weren’t trying to hurt him—they just wanted to help. He doubted they would’ve agreed to this if they thought they’d actually hurt him.
It was almost dark now, and despite his growing fatigue, Jaune couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at the back of his mind. He knew Cinder was more than capable of handling herself, especially with proper weapons and her Aura. But something about the fading daylight, the whispering shadows, kept him from fully relaxing.
How does she keep her Aura up all the time? He clenched his fists, focusing on the glowing shield that flickered around him. I’m concentrating as hard as I can, and I still can’t maintain it across my whole body while moving.
The day had been straightforward. Joshua and Jorge had kept him busy with physical labor: chopping wood, hauling supplies from the barns, hammering stakes into the fence posts—anything that required brute strength. The work wasn’t just about training his body; it kept him and the kids distracted from yesterday’s Grimm attack.
To make things more engaging for Newt and Emily, Jaune had turned the shooting into a game. “Whoever hits me the most without getting seen gets my dessert tonight,” he had announced with a grin.
They had loved the idea, and it had kept him on his toes, forcing him to maintain his Aura over more than just a single spot.
Newt is winning by two. Jaune smiled. Never thought he’d be that good at hiding. He made a mental note. I should make strawberries with cream and sugar for dessert. That way, Emily still gets her favorite, even if she loses.
Just as the last light of day faded, Cinder returned.
She walked up to him, holding Crocea Mors with care, showing it off like a prize. “See? Still in perfect condition.” When she tried to hand it back, Jaune shook his head and pushed it gently back into her arms.
“As long as you’re going out there, it’s yours.” His voice was calm and confident, though a part of him ached to join her. He wanted to be out there, to help, to protect. But he knew—Aura or not—he’d only slow her down.
Cinder nodded, her expression unreadable, and they walked back toward the house together. The kids raced ahead, eager to clean up before dinner.
“So… is everything fine?” Jaune asked after a moment.
Cinder nodded. “A few strays. The biggest threat I found was a small flock of Nevermores flying along the west side. Nothing we can’t handle.” She paused, considering. “We probably won’t need the village Huntsmen. But I’ll speak with Maggie about letting me take care of the weaker ones.”
Jaune blinked in surprise. He had expected her to clear out every Grimm she encountered. “You didn’t just… exterminate them?”
Cinder grinned. “Not yet. I took care of a few lonely creeps, but left Beowolfs and the flock alone as I promised”
As they reached the house, Cinder glanced at him. “What’s for dinner?”
“Lucia’s making some kind of pasta with sausages,” Jaune replied. “And I’m making Em’s favorite dessert.”
“Emily’s favorite?”
“Strawberries with cream. I added a bit of crystal sugar for some crunch too.”
Cinder’s eyes lit up slightly. “The girl has taste. I’ll give her that.”
“You like berries and cream?”
“I’m partial to strawberries,” Cinder admitted with a rare softness. “I adore their sweet and sour balance. They pair well with almost everything.”
They cleaned up and sat at the dinner table, the scent of fresh pasta and herbs filling the cozy farmhouse. The Florentias were already seated, and Lucia was distributing spoonfuls of pasta onto the plates with practiced efficiency.
“Took ya guys long enough!” she said jovially. “Come! Sit, sit. Maggie told me that Aura needs proper fuel to regenerate right.”
“Ah said broken Aura consumes lots of calories. Keeping it up does too,” Maggie corrected, smiling sardonically. “That’s why ya rarely see fat Huntsmen.” She chuckled lightly, her sharp humor earning a few chuckles around the table.
Dinner went on as usual, with each member at the table talking about their day. The warm hum of conversation filled the room, blending seamlessly with the clinking of cutlery against plates. The only difference was Cinders' little retelling of her scout mission. Which didn’t actually cause as much a stir as Jaune had expected. Maybe because she actually didn’t go hunting like we all thought she would. I bet no one expected her to not hunt as many Grimm as possible while out.
“And children? Did you make sure that Jaune didn’t turn his Aura off?” Cinder asked, her voice calm yet inquisitive, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
Newt seemed eager to please the older Huntress but didn’t want to tattle on Jaune for the few times his Aura had failed. His hands fidgeted with his fork, betraying his thoughts. Emily was much the same, stealing glances at Jaune as if waiting for him to explain first.
“They did a great job, Cinder,” Jaune said quickly, sparing them both. “But I wasn’t able to keep it up the whole day. For some reason, if I got too absorbed or lost concentration, it would just turn off.” He glanced at Newt with a grin. “This guy caught me quite a few times with my pants down, right, buddy?”
“Three times!” Newt declared proudly, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “And Ems got him twice! I won!”
“Won? Won what, son?” Jorge asked, raising an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair. He wasn’t all on board with the shooting Jaune idea, but acquiesced when she had explained why it was so important.
It was Emily’s turn now. She straightened, her voice eager. “Oh! Jaune made it a game for us! We had to hide and get him before he spotted us or could point us out. Double points if we got him without Aura.” She deflated a little, her enthusiasm fading. “I lost… Newt kept climbing on trees, and Mom says I can’t do that in a dress…”
“I suggest you wear pants tomorrow then,” Cinder said with a small smile, her tone teasing but thoughtful. “Also, boots and green clothes. You need to prepare if you want to win.”
“No fair! You can’t help her!” Newt bemoaned, his face scrunching up in mock outrage.
“Nothing’s stopping you from copying your sister tomorrow, Newt,” she added simply, her smirk widening just a little.
“And now for your prize,” Jaune said theatrically as he got up and strode to the kitchen with a playful flourish.
Moments later, he returned, balancing various cups filled with strawberries and covered in cream. He placed one in front of each person before sliding his to Newt.
“Now for the secret touch.” He held up a small jar of crystal sugar and sprinkled a delicate layer over the cream of every cup, making the surface glisten in the soft light. “Dig in!”
He didn’t completely go without dessert, though. He took a few strawberries for himself, knowing he had promised his dessert to Newt, but technically not that he wouldn’t eat some of it.
Cinder had always eaten plenty, especially when Jaune cooked. He’d noticed she seemed to enjoy the food more when he was the one behind the stove for some reason. But tonight? Her reaction was different. Nothing compared to the delight on her face now. She savored each bite of the simple dessert, clearly trying not to make a sound but utterly failing to hide how much she adored it.
Okay… she really likes strawberries. Jaune made a mental note. I need to look up some extra recipes. We still have a bit left—maybe a strawberry meringue cake? We’ve got cream, sugar, and strawberries… but I don’t have anything for the base vanilla meringue. He frowned slightly, his mind racing. I could just make strawberry meringues, but those are so boring compared to the cake…
“What are you thinking about, boy?” Joshua’s voice broke through his thoughts.
“Huh?” Jaune blinked, realizing he’d been absent-mindedly gnawing on his spoon.
“You’ve been gnawing at that spoon for like three minutes,” Maggie sassed. “And if you stared any harder at that strawberry, it might just explode.”
Jaune chuckled, setting the spoon down. “Do you think we can make meringues, Lucia?”
“No clue, hon. What in the Light’s name is a meringue?” Lucia asked, looking genuinely curious.
Before he could explain, Cinder interrupted. Her voice shifted slightly, her eyes brightening. “Imagine this: a delicate, airy shell that’s just barely crisp on the outside but soft—almost melt-in-your-mouth—on the inside. That’s the meringue.”
She leaned forward slightly, her excitement palpable. “It’s so light it practically dissolves the moment it touches your tongue. Sweet, but not overpowering. And then,” she continued, practically glowing with enthusiasm, “there are strawberries. Not just any strawberries, but the juiciest, ripest ones you’ve ever tasted. They’re sliced thin, so the juice just mingles with the meringue perfectly.”
She held up her fingers, pressing them together in emphasis. “When properly made, it’s like biting into a fluffy cloud bursting with strawberries. And if you’re lucky, there’s a drizzle of strawberry sauce—fresh and a little tart—that ties it all together like a dream. It’s a dessert you don’t eat—you experience it.”
Jaune couldn’t help but smile. No choice now—I’m making a meringue cake…
“I was thinking of a strawberry meringue cake, Cinder,” Jaune admitted. “But if you prefer, I can just make the meringue.”
“Cake?” She raised an eyebrow skeptically. “I don’t believe the texture of a cake would go well with it, Jaune.”
“Ya can’t even properly boil an egg, girly,” Maggie interjected, smirking. “If the kid says cake, I trust him. He’s added more recipes to the family book during his stay here than me and any of my siblings.”
“And me,” Lucia grumbled, crossing her arms.
Jaune grinned. “How about this? You have to report about the Grimm at Ravenwing anyway, right? I can go with you and grab a few extra things. Then I’ll make the best dessert the Arcs have ever made for you all.” His chest swelled with pride. Mom might still be a better cook, but I’m the second best in all Doremi.
“I’m game as long as you leave the recipe for me,” Lucia said with a mischievous smile.
“Planning on stealing an Arc recipe, Lu?” Jaune teased back.
“You’re going to need to pay for your stay somehow, boy. I think a little recipe trade is a fair price.” She matched his playful tone.
“Jorge! This is extortion! She’s demanding my most important recipe! It’s priceless, I tell you!”
Jorge chuckled, clicking his fingers. “The missus gets what the missus wants, boy. The room’s price just went from free to priceless in an instant.”
“And that, ” Mike added with a grin, “is how you stay married.”
“You’re single, Uncle,” Emily said deadpan.
The table erupted in laughter.
“Et tu, Ems?” Mike clutched his chest in mock betrayal. “You’re too young to have such a sharp tongue!”
The dinner carried on in a jovial atmosphere, the group laughing and bantering as they planned their trip to the nearby village. Between bites of food, they jotted down a list of supplies: basic necessities, replacement equipment, and a few tools Jorge insisted were non-negotiable. After some deliberation, it was decided that Janue and Cinder would accompany Jorge and Lucia on the journey to Ravenwing to fetch what they needed.
But one seemingly innocent comment from Cinder would haunt Jaune long into the night, turning what should have been a simple village visit into a source of dread.
“Is there a good CTT connection in Ravenwing?” Cinder asked, her tone casual as she leaned back in her chair. “Or at least a way to send messages to Vale or Mistral?”
Lucia, still working through her second plate of pasta, waved her spoon in the air. “Yup. They’ve got a receiver-sender for the scroll network. Not a big fancy tower like in the capitals, but it does the trick. You can make calls pretty much anywhere—if you can pay for it.”
“Expensive?” Cinder pressed, raising an eyebrow.
“If it’s not Vale? Oh yeah, big time.” Lucia grimaced as though the memory of the fees still stung. “But there’s always the delay message system. It’s free. Takes longer to reach wherever it’s going, though.”
Before anyone could move on, Mike chimed in, his voice casual but enough to hit Jaune like a gut punch. “Thinking about sending a hello to your family or team?” he asked Cinder. Then, with a glance Jaune’s way, added, “If they aren’t too far, I could spot you a few lien.”
Cinder smiled faintly. “Most kind, Mike, but I don’t think it’ll be necessary. If I can get a decent connection there, I’ll just debit it to my personal account. Otherwise, I’ll use the free option.”
Mike shrugged, then turned his attention fully to Jaune. “Offer’s on the table for you too, Jaune! Yer probably need to let your folks know you’re still kicking, right?”
The room quieted, and all eyes turned to Jaune. He forced a smile, one he prayed looked more natural than it felt. “...Yeah, that’s a great idea, Mike. Thanks.”
He hoped the words sounded as nonchalant as he intended, masking the churn of unease in his stomach. The thought of calling home made his chest tighten. He hadn’t contacted them—not once—since running away to Beacon. More then a month and a half had passed since he should have arrived at school. What had they thought? That he was missing? Hurt? Dead?
Or maybe they just think I’m a coward, Jaune thought bitterly, picking at the edge of his plate. And they wouldn’t be wrong.
It wasn’t as though he hadn’t had the opportunity. All that time with the Florentias, not once had it occurred to him to send a letter or visit a connected village to make a proper call. What excuse could he offer now that wouldn’t sound hollow?
“So, time for bed, everybody!” Jorge’s cheerful voice broke through Jaune’s spiraling thoughts. “We’re heading out early tomorrow. Don’t want to be caught tracking back at night. Plus, we’ve got chores to finish after Ravenwing!”
Jaune was grateful for the distraction. He jumped to his feet, eager to focus on something—anything—other than his own turmoil. Together, they dismantled the table, cleaned the dishes, and prepared for the next day. Yet even after bathing and changing into fresh clothes, Jaune mind wouldn’t leave him alone. Lying on his bed, staring at the dim ceiling, his thoughts churned with morbid anticipation.
How angry are they going to be? Would they even want to hear from me after what I did? Maybe I shouldn’t call them. Maybe it’s better if I just… don’t.
The hours dragged on, the night offering no comfort, only the relentless hum of anxiety. His heart pounded as though each beat was counting down to an inevitable confrontation. He hadn’t even decided what to say—if he could muster the courage to say anything at all. What kind of huntsman hides from his own family?
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the windows, Jaune sat up, groggy but resolute. He hadn’t slept much—barely at all—but in the stillness of the early morning, he’d reached a decision.
It wasn’t one he felt confident about. It wasn’t one he was even sure was good. But he thought of Cinder’s vow, her words ringing in his ears. To rise as a proper huntsman, that power came from unyielding will.
If he couldn’t face his family now, after all he’d been through, how could he ever face himself?
He would make the call. Even if it was the last thing he wanted to do.