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This was shaping up to be one of the most confusing mornings for Teams RWBY and JNPR—well, for the NPR part, at least. Jaune, on the other hand, seemed to understand everything that was happening. Not only that, but he looked way too happy about it.
It had started like any other weekend at Beacon Academy. Each member of both teams woke up, shuffled out of bed, and took their usual turns in the bathroom—after the typical argument between Yang and Weiss over who got to go first. That was settled in its usual fashion: Blake silently walking past them and locking the door behind her.
After getting ready, they gathered in the hall to wait for their respective sister team. It had become a tradition for the two teams to have breakfast together on weekends. The Beacon cafeteria stayed open later on weekends, but they’d grown accustomed to starting the day together, unless someone had plans they’d informed the others about in advance.
Today, however, was supposed to be a typical, uneventful morning.
The two teams walked to the cafeteria as usual, grabbing trays and heading for the food stations. Jaune and Ren moved ahead to secure their usual table near the large windows that overlooked Beacon’s central courtyard. Just because the cafeteria was open late didn’t mean the morning rush wouldn’t come in full force.
The cafeteria was a bright, sprawling space with rows of long wooden tables, the morning sun casting golden beams through the tall windows. The smell of fresh pastries, sizzling bacon, and warm syrup filled the air as students moved from station to station, piling their plates high with food. None as high as Noras leaning tower of pancakes, but there was some respectable competition on other plates.
Nora and Ruby hummed happily about pancakes as they filled their plates with towering stacks. Yang, as usual, piled her tray with an unhealthy amount of bacon and sausage, while Blake opted for a bowl of cereal topped with fish sticks. Pyrrha, ever the disciplined athlete, assembled a balanced breakfast of eggs, fruit, and toast. She also made an extra plate for Jaune. She and Nora were responsible for the boy's food when it was their turn to stay on the table.
The first to notice something unusual was Yang.
“Oh, crud. Trouble’s honing in on the boys,” she muttered, eyes narrowing.
The rest of the group turned to see what she meant. Two familiar figures were approaching Jaune and Ren’s table: Nebula Violette and Dew Gayl from Team NDGO, notorious for their sharp tongues and barely-contained disdain for anyone outside of Vacuo.
“It’s like eight in the morning!” Weiss said, incredulous. “They can’t be trying to start something this early… right?”
The girls shared a concerned look.
Nebula and Dew were infamous for taunting, criticizing, and skirting just shy of outright bullying anyone they’ve found ‘lacking’ as a proper huntsmen. They rarely targeted anyone outside their usual list of "acceptable" rivals— that meant any and all students not from Vacuo.
“If they touch Renny or Fearless Leader, I’m breaking their legs,” Nora said darkly, gripping her tray as if it were a weapon.
“Do you think they’re after Jaune?” Pyrrha asked, her eyes filled with concern. She knew Jaune had improved dramatically since joining Beacon, but he was still at the lower end of the combat spectrum—a tempting target for two experienced huntresses-in-training like Nebula and Dew.
Then things got… strange. They were too far to hear what was being said, but not enough to not see what was happening.
Jaune wasn’t shrinking under their approach. He wasn’t awkward or nervous. In fact, he was… smiling . Not just smiling—he was happily chatting with two of the most notoriously unpleasant girls in Beacon. And they seemed to be just as excited for some strange reason!
“What… is happening?” Blake asked, her calm exterior cracking with confusion.
The situation only grew more bizarre. They were too far away to hear the conversation, but it was clear that Jaune and the girls were exchanging scroll numbers. Dew handed Ren her scroll, and then—of all things—they started taking pictures .
“Are they playing some kind of prank?” Yang asked, genuinely baffled.
Nebula and Dew weren’t just posing for casual photos either. Dew moved to Jaune’s side, and Jaune—smiling like he’d won the lottery—knelt down, wrapped his arms around both girls’ thighs, and lifted them effortlessly onto his shoulders.
“What the fu—” Yang started, only to be elbowed in the gut by Ruby.
“Language, Yang!” Ruby scolded, though her wide eyes never left the scene unfolding before them.
“Come on, Rubes!” Yang gestured wildly toward Jaune. “What else do you want me to say?!”
Nora, between bites of pancake, added nonchalantly, “Pyr-Pyr is shutting down.”
The rest of the group turned to Pyrrha. She stood frozen, utterly confused, a tinge of envy in her eyes, unable to process what she was seeing.
“At least we know his training is paying off,” Blake remarked dryly.
Jaune struck a few more poses with the girls balanced on his shoulders, his grin never faltering. He finally knelt to let them down, both girls laughing as they fussed over the photos on their scrolls. Dew gave Jaune a hug, whispered something that made him blush and scratch his neck, and playfully punched his arm before both girls waved goodbye and left.
“ Xiao Long! Stop holding up the damn line! ” Cardin yelled from behind them.
“Come here and make me!” Yang snapped back but glanced at the growing line behind them. “We should probably go, girls.”
Reluctantly, they moved through the line and made their way to the table, plates loaded. Weiss, however, was still deep in thought, her sharp mind trying to piece together the scene. “ Lets just go and find out what is happening from Arc himself. No use just speculating here.” It looked almost like… fans asking for photos. But why would Jaune have fans?
Once seated, Nora passed Ren a bowl of fruit and green tea, while Pyrrha handed Jaune a plate of pancakes and eggs.
“Hey, VB,” Yang began, her curiosity getting the better of her. “What was that?”
“Hmm?” Jaune looked up, mouth full of scrambled eggs.
“The girls from NDGO?”
“Oh!” His eyes lit up. “They recognized me from the show last Saturday. First time I’ve been recognized without Mel or Mil around!”
“Mel? Mil?” Pyrrha asked, eyebrows raised.
“Yeah! They used to work with me before I got into Beacon. They actually helped me land this job too.”
“And by ‘show,’ you mean…?” Blake prompted.
“Music,” Jaune said, scratching his neck awkwardly. “They sing. I just dance and help at the bar if things get hectic.”
“You? Dance?” Weiss asked, incredulously.
“Yup! I even helped them with some choreography for their new song. They kinda needed someone with Aura for a part there to be safe.”
Yang leaned forward. “Okay, but why would Nebula Violette want a picture with a background dancer ? no offense VB, but they don’t seem the type”
“They don’t,” Blake interjected, turning her scroll so everyone could see. “But this isn’t a post you’d make with a ‘background dancer’.”
The photo showed Jaune beaming at the camera,Nebula had her typical haughty smile and was posing with an arm behind her back and her body turned to show the most of her curves. While Dew had her legs closed and a hand over to Jaunes other side. The caption read:
"Found Blondie! He’s better with a sword than a whip, it seems."
“Oh! They tagged me and the girls too!” Jaune said excitedly, missing the collective blush and incredulous stares from his teammates.
“You have a nickname ?” Ruby asked, wide-eyed.
“It wasn’t my idea,” Jaune muttered. “Junior thought it would help bring in extra money. ‘Set up a character,’ he said.”
Weiss narrowed her eyes. “Why would a back dancer need a stage name?” She had back dancers in some of her performances before, and only groups had stage names, if you were part of a famous show like the Valean Cirque then maybe you could use your name and an extra description to link you to said institution. But a random dancer? That made no sense to the heiress.
“I got it when we started doing themed nights to bring people back after a crazy huntress—” Jaune paused as Yang sneezed. “Bless you, Yang. Anyway, as I was saying his place got thrashed a few months before the start of the year. Junior needed new acts, so he brought me, RadioBear, Mel, and Mil to do shows.”
“Is this account yours?” Blake asked, holding up her scroll to show a profile with the handle @theBlondieVale.
Jaune leaned forward, peering at the screen. “Yes and no,” he replied, scratching the back of his head. “Junior or Mel handle all the posts and media stuff. You never added my actual account?” His voice held a hint of disappointment.
Blake didn’t respond immediately. She simply tilted her scroll back and kept scrolling, her amber eyes widening with each post.
The photos were a mix of promotional flyers, dance routines, and candid shots of Jaune—on stage, mid-performance, and even posing with various audience members. His charm and confidence in each image were striking, far removed from the bumbling, self-deprecating Jaune they were used to.
“You… put on a dance show?” Yang asked, her tone laced with skepticism. “No offense, again, VB, but people don’t typically go to clubs to watch someone dance .”
“They go to dance! And get hammered!” Nora chimed in with a grin, raising her hand for a high five from Yang, who eagerly obliged with a loud smack .
Jaune chuckled. “Yeah, but we didn’t just do dance nights. We had street dance tournaments, tango events… but what really brought in the lien was Women’s Night Out .”
“Wait, what? ” Pyrrha blinked, clearly struggling to process the information.
Jaune grinned sheepishly. “I wasn’t the main attraction most nights, but when we started karaoke and the full-blown dance routines on Wednesdays, things really picked up. That’s when I started getting, uh… popular.”
“Easy to see why…” Blake murmured under her breath, eyes still glued to the screen.
Ruby, sitting beside her, was as red as her cape. At some point, she had scooted closer to Blake, leaning over to get a better look at the scroll. Neither of them had spoken much, their attention entirely captivated by what they were seeing.
None of the others had noticed Ruby’s silence, nor the faint blush creeping up her cheeks as she watched the videos and photos.
Jaune, oblivious to their reactions, continued. “Are you guys interested? Karaoke night is super fun! And if I’m not working, I can keep you all company.”
Weiss folded her arms, skepticism still etched across her face. “I still find this… questionable. I don’t believe you can properly sing, much less dance, Arc.”
Her voice carried a note of disdain. Weiss, after all, knew how much training and discipline it took to perform on stage. Singing required years of vocal training, and dancing wasn’t far behind. There’s no way Jaune Arc—a clumsy, awkward dork—could hold a candle to professionals.
Jaune shrugged with a smile. “Never said I could sing. I can dance, but that’s where it ends. I can harmonize a little, but only because Mel spent months drilling it into me.”
Weiss raised an eyebrow. “I still think proof is in order,” she grumbled.
“I’m in a few promotional flyers and music videos,” Jaune offered, still grinning. “Oh! I can show you the recording of our last show! That one was amazing—I was in four of the dance sequences!” His excitement was contagious, his eyes shining with pride.
Nora, as always, was the first to jump on board. “To the TV room, then!”
“After breakfast?” Ren asked calmly, raising a single brow.
“After breakfast!” she amended with a grin.
A few minutes later, both teams were gathered in the TV lounge of the common room. The space was cozy, with a large sectional sofa and several beanbags scattered around the room. A wide flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall, the central hub for all team movie nights and late-night gaming sessions.
Jaune crouched by the TV, fumbling with the digital connections display as he tried to link his scroll. His fingers moved awkwardly over the dual screens, clearly out of his depth.
“Need some help, Jaune?” Ruby offered, stepping closer with a gentle smile.
“Please, Rubes…” Jaune sighed. “I really don’t get all this net stuff.” He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. “Back home, we just connected things with plain old cables and dockers.”
Yang smirked from her spot on the sofa. “Ancient tech back in the Arc household, huh, VB?”
Jaune shrugged, his grin sheepish. “What can I say? We keep it simple.”
Ruby crouched next to him, her hands deftly working the scrolls screen. “It’s not that ancient, but Beacon’s setup is a bit more high-tech.” She glanced at him with a playful smile. “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”
As Ruby clicked the last button the screen flickered to life, Weiss crossed her arms. “This better be impressive, Arc.”
Jaune simply smiled, confidence radiating from him in a way that none of them were used to seeing. “Well! Prepare to be amazed Snow angel! The girls know how to put on a show.”
At first the big TV screen was just mirroring the ‘home screen’ of his scroll. Pyrrha's cheeks grew a bit warmer at seeing the full team selfie he used as a background. They were all hugging and smiling at the camera. She remembered Jaune asking professor Port to take the picture after their first mission last month.
Jaune then quickly entered his contact list, found a group chat called ‘Showtime’ – with hearts and sparks to it – opened and went to the shared links, where he clicked at a random one.
“This one is an edit from the last show.” The large screen flickered to life, illuminating the common room with the vibrant energy of a live music show. The camera panned over a massive stage, its backdrop a fusion of neon lights and industrial steel, giving the set a gritty, underground rock vibe. Smoke machines hissed, releasing tendrils of mist that snaked around the performers’ feet as the opening notes of a high-energy rock melody filled the air, guitars wailing in perfect harmony with pounding drums.
Front and center were two striking female vocalists—Melanie and Miltia Malachite — both commanding attention with their confident stage presence. Mel, with her electric blue dress and leather jacket adorned with studs, took lead vocals, her voice raw and powerful, while Mil, in a crimson crop top and ripped jeans, provided a sultry harmony. Their chemistry was magnetic, their synchronized movements fluid as they worked the crowd, trading lines and sharing the spotlight with ease.
But that wasn’t what caught the attention of the gathered students.
No, their focus was on the group of backup dancers emerging from the shadows behind the singers. And leading them, front and center, was none other than Jaune Arc—except this wasn’t the Jaune they knew from Beacon.
This Jaune was… different.
Gone was his usual goofy hoodie-and-jeans look. Instead, he wore a dangerously skimpy outfit—a tight, sleeveless black vest that left his toned arms and chest exposed, paired with low-rise, ripped black jeans that clung to his frame and left little to the imagination. A chain belt hung loosely around his hips, swaying with every precise movement. His blond hair, usually a bit messy, was slicked back, adding an edge to his normally boyish face.
All heads turned to the blond sitting by the couch's end, smiling and humming to the song. All mirroring the same thing ‘No brothers dammed way….’. In Yangs case there was fucking added to the sentence, but the feeling was pretty much the same.
The first collective gasp came when Jaune stepped into the spotlight, his body moving with a fluidity and confidence none of them had ever seen before. Every step was deliberate, every sway of his hips perfectly timed to the beat of the music. He moved like he owned the stage, exuding a charisma that was equal parts mesmerizing and… sexy .
The choreography was bold and provocative. Jaune rolled his hips to the heavy bassline, his hands running through his hair before trailing down his chest, teasing the audience. He spun on his heel, arching his back slightly as he transitioned into a deep, rhythmic grind, his movements hypnotic and precise.
The camera cut to a close-up of his face—blue eyes glinting under the stage lights, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
In the common room, silence reigned.
Ruby’s face had turned a shade of red that rivaled her cape. She sat frozen, eyes wide, fingers clutching her scroll like it was the only thing grounding her to reality.
“W-what is he wearing?!” Weiss stammered, her usual composure shattered as her gaze flicked between the screen and Jaune, who sat obliviously on the couch, happily munching on a cookie.
Yang, meanwhile, was having the time of her life. “Oh. My. Brothers. ” She leaned back, cackling, slapping her knee. “Jaune! What the hell, man?!” Her eyes were glued to the screen, thoroughly enjoying the sight of Beacon’s most unsuspecting student pulling off moves that could put a professional to shame.
Blake remained quiet, but her amber eyes were locked on the screen, her cat ears flicking with interest as Jaune executed a perfect body roll. She took a slow sip of her tea, hiding a small, amused smile behind the cup.
Nora’s reaction was immediate and loud. “ Fearless Leader! ” she practically shouted, nearly dropping her extra set of pancakes. “Since when do you have abs like that?! And why didn’t you tell us you were a dance god?! ” She grabbed the boy. “You are teaching Renny that, got it?” It wasn’t a request. The blond just nodded and went back to humming the song.
Ren, sitting beside her, raised an eyebrow but said nothing, though a subtle smirk hinted at his amusement.
Pyrrha, however, was another story. She sat stiffly, her emerald eyes wide, cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she watched Jaune— her Jaune—execute another sinfully smooth hip roll, followed by a spin and a graceful dip. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, unable to find the words. I… I knew he was improving, but… what… is this?.....I need to buy tickets next time….. Can I buy this video somewhere?
On-screen, Jaune leaned against one of the female singers, his hand resting lightly on her waist as they moved in sync. The audience erupted in cheers, and the camera zoomed out to capture the full group, showcasing the intricate choreography and Jaune’s center-stage presence.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Yang said, waving her hand as if trying to stop time. “ Is this real life? ” She pointed at the screen. “Jaune, how do you know how to dance like that?!”
Jaune, blissfully unaware of the collective meltdown happening around him, scratched the back of his neck. “Oh, that? It’s just a side gig. My sister Vermillion is a professional dancer, she forced me to accompany her in all her classes. Everyone was afraid of dancing with her and no one home had the free time. Mel and Mil taught me the more risque stuff, it's a lot of fun!” He beamed. “Plus, it pays well.”
Weiss blinked. “ Fun? Jaune, you’re practically… seducing the camera!” She had shows taped before, hells, she had profissional videoclips made! She knew how hard it was to actually be comfortable on the stage and it went doubly so for being on camera.
“Really?” Jaune tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. “I just follow the choreography. It’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal?” Pyrrha whispered under her breath, still too stunned to speak louder.
Blake scrolled through her scroll, finding another promotional shot of Jaune with the caption: "Blondie steals the show again!" She showed it to the group. “It looks like he’s more than just a background dancer.”
Jaune leaned forward, eyes lighting up. “Oh! That’s from the last Women’s Night Out! Great crowd that night.”
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. “ Women’s Night Out. Of course.”
Blake's fingers hovered over the screen for a moment before she tapped on a video attached to the promotional post. The screen in front of them flickered as she mirrored it to the large TV in the common room.
How did she connect it so fast?! Thing is a damn puzzle even with Rubes explaining it to me! The blond taught, mildly offended by the catgirl's superior skill.
The video loaded, revealing a dimly lit club, its atmosphere a mix of sultry red and deep gold hues. Tables surrounded a small stage where couples danced, the air thick with energy and anticipation.
A sensual tango melody began, the sharp strums of a guitar blending with the sultry rhythm of a violin. The camera focused on a couple at the center of the dance floor—Jaune Arc and a stunning woman in a sleek red dress, the fabric clinging to her curves as she moved in perfect sync with him.
Jaune's outfit was as daring as before: a fitted black vest with a deep wine red velvety shirt underneath, paired with tight black slacks that emphasized his graceful movements. A red handkerchief was tied loosely around his neck, completing the look of a tango performer straight out of a dream.
The camera zoomed in, capturing the intensity of his expression. His usual awkward charm was replaced by something else entirely—confidence. His eyes locked with his partner’s, their movements precise yet fluid, as if they were telling a story with every step.
The woman placed her hand on Jaune’s chest, pushing him back slightly before he pulled her in with a dramatic spin. Their bodies were impossibly close, moving together like they were the only two people in the room. His hand rested low on her back, guiding her effortlessly across the floor, his movements commanding but elegant.
The camera panned briefly to show other couples dancing, men dressed similarly to Jaune, but it quickly returned to him—the undeniable star of the performance.
The group in the common room sat in stunned silence again.
Ruby’s mouth hung open, her face a bright shade of red. “H-How… How is that Jaune?!” she squeaked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Weiss’s eyes were glued to the screen, her usual composure shattered. “This… This is absurd. That can’t be our Jaune.”
Blake, ever calm, leaned back slightly but kept her eyes on the screen. “It’s definitely him.” She tilted her head, watching as Jaune dipped his partner low, their faces inches apart before pulling her back up in a fluid motion. “And he’s… really good.”
Yang, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since this video began, finally spoke. “Damn.” She let out a low whistle, leaning forward with a grin. “Jaune’s got moves. Serious moves.”
Nora’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Fearless Leader! You’ve been holding out on us! Look at you! You’re amazing!” She bounced in her seat, practically vibrating with energy. “You are also teaching Ren this one! I want to do that spinny thingy!”
Ren, ever composed, raised an eyebrow but offered a small smile. “It’s impressive. The control, the precision… That’s not easy to do.”
Pyrrha, meanwhile, was having a moment. Her green eyes were wide, and her hands gripped the edge of her seat as she watched Jaune glide across the screen, leading his partner with an ease and grace she never imagined. This is… Jaune? She bit her lip, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up her neck and the flutter in her chest. I’m buying all the tickets. And a new dress.
On the screen, Jaune and his partner executed a final, dramatic move—he lifted her effortlessly, spinning her once before setting her down in a graceful flourish. The crowd in the club erupted into applause, the camera capturing Jaune’s confident smile as he bowed slightly, offering his hand to his partner.
The video ended, leaving the room in a heavy silence.
Jaune, completely unaware of the effect the performance had on his friends, turned to them with a sheepish smile. “It’s really fun! The choreography took a while to learn, but once I got it down, it was easy!”
Weiss, still reeling, adjusted her posture, attempting to regain her composure. “Easy?” she echoed, her voice tight. “Jaune, that was… that was professional-level dancing.”
“Yeah, as I said Verm is a professional and I was dragged to most of her classes.” He replied as if it not only it made sense but was obvious.
Ruby fidgeted in her seat, her eyes darting between the screen and Jaune. “And… and you looked so confident. Like, not nervous at all.”
Jaune shrugged. “Oh, I was terrified the first few times. But Mel and Mil helped me a lot. Plus, once you’re out there, you kind of just… forget the nerves. Junior also gave me one hell of a tip: ‘Fake it until you make it, Just pretend you are the best, coolest and most amazing person around. If you can trick yourself you can trick them all to.’”
Yang leaned in, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Forget the nerves, huh? So, Blondie, when are you going to teach us some of those moves?”
Jaune blinked. “You… want to learn?”
Nora shot up, pointing dramatically at the screen. “Yes! Teach us the Tango of Doom, Fearless Leader! I want to tip Ren like that!”
Ren coughed lightly, eyes widening. “Nora, I don’t think—”
“Oh, you’re totally doing it, Renny!” she declared, crossing her arms with a grin.
Pyrrha, finally regaining her voice, offered a tentative smile. “It… would be interesting. You’ve clearly worked hard on it.”
Weiss, ever the skeptic, crossed her arms. “I still can’t believe this. Jaune Arc, backup dancer for a nightclub? Performing tangos in front of a crowd? It’s ridiculous.”
Blake, still scrolling through her feed, smirked. “Ridiculous or not, Weiss, it’s real. And judging by the number of likes and comments… Jaune’s a bit of a celebrity in Vale’s nightlife.” She also had followed his and the clubs accounts. Right now she was watching another video that made very clear why the girls of team NDGO had talked about a whip. Pyrrha and Ruby would pass out seeing this one…. Maybe next time?
Jaune blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not a big deal… It’s mostly Junior marketing”
Yang nudged him with her elbow. “Oh, it’s a big deal. You’ve got a fan club, Jaune. Blondie’s making waves.”
Ruby, still blushing, tugged on Jaune’s sleeve. “M-Maybe you could teach us. Just… you know, for fun.”
Jaune smiled warmly, oblivious to the chaos he’d caused. “Of course! It’ll be fun! Tango, Waltz, Salsa you guys name it!” he got up smiling and ready to share with his friends something he loved. He extended a hand. “ Anyone up for it?”
The room buzzed with excitement, each of them secretly wondering if they were ready to see Jaune Arc—Beacon’s lovable goof—transform once again before their eyes. And quite a few planning to see much more in the future.