Stranded 023 (Patreon)

Menagerie was much like Blake described and more.

As their Bullhead landed on the coast and they disembarked, the town of Kuo Kuana unfolded before their eyes. Jaune drank in the sight as the harsh rays of the sun beat down from overhead, his eyes following the wide dirt roads and rows of wooden structures, homes, stores and stalls, built upon tiers rising up before flowing down towards the center of the settlement where a large home stood alone.

Boats were moored at the wharf, people carrying goods into the nearby market which bustled with life. A sea of palm trees spread throughout the town, their leaves rustling as a gentle breeze came in off the ocean, cool and refreshing, an ocean that glittered like a sea of gems, the calm waters rippling with minimal motion. At first, they garnered no more than a few curious glances as they walked, a few greetings for their chieftain forthcoming.

It wasn’t long until they realized that the company he kept was far from ordinary.

Jaune felt the change in atmosphere at once. As they moved up one of the wide lanes, eyes followed their every step. What was once an overwhelming din of chatter dimmed, whispers exchanged with hasty words. Doing his best to remain subtle, he glanced from the corner of his eyes at the surrounding people.

Faunus of all types gathered. Some merely looked curious, attempting to catch sight of what was undoubtedly a rare sight here on Menagerie. Hadn’t Blake mentioned that humans had once come here before the new radical White Fang had driven them out? Jaune doubted many came after that, so their presence alone must have been a little bit of a spectacle.

But for every set of curious eyes, he saw some expressions of displeasure and even scorn, directed at one person in particular. It was difficult to mistake her for anyone else.

Weiss walked as if nothing were amiss, head held high and eyes straight ahead, her expression open as she took in the sights. They’d had time to make themselves presentable on the ship, their first hot shower since their ordeal had started and so she was in top form, her long white hair combed to a fine shine. She looked every bit the heiress she was, at least in bearing and appearance sans her clothing. Jaune wasn’t stupid enough to think she didn’t notice what was happening around them, however. Even so, she continued to move with grace and poise, even engaging Blake’s father in conversation. Ghira had been leery of the heiress at first but it hadn’t taken long for Weiss to break through his rough exterior. Whatever her real thoughts, they were well hidden.

Jaune couldn’t sense even a hint of apprehension.

On the other hand, Blake oozed malcontent. The scowl on her face left little to the imagination on how she felt about the current predicament. Amber eyes roamed over the crowds, searching, vigilant. She wasn’t happy. She wasn’t happy at all.

Her good mood from reconnecting with her father had all but evaporated. That was a shame. She’d been so happy only twenty minutes ago.

“Hey,” he whispered, lightly nudging her. Blake jumped, startled. She was that high strung. “Calm down.”

Those piercing eyes landed on him. “How can I? Surely you can feel it?”

Jaune nodded. “Many of them aren’t too happy with our presence here.”

Blake’s scowl deepened. “That is putting it lightly.”

“Do you think they’ll try anything?”

She hesitated. “The White Fang’s roots run deep. Even though their involvement in Vale was made known and Sienna Khan distanced herself from Adam’s actions, many still believe in their more radical mindset.”

Jaune hummed.

“They don’t even know her and yet they judge her guilty,” Blake muttered angrily, hands balled by her side. “They believe they are righteous in their indignation but they are hypocrites, directing their displeasure at someone that has done them zero wrong.”

“As you once did.”

Her glare sharpened before it softened, contrite. “Exactly. That is why I know it is wrong. Weiss doesn’t deserve this.”

“No,” Jaune agreed. “She doesn’t. Just as faunus don’t deserve the raw deal they receive from many humans. But the only way that will change is if they communicate. It took you two some time, didn’t it? To get to know each other, to understand one another. To become friends. They need the same time to see the type of person Weiss is. That she isn’t her father.”

Blake clucked her tongue. “How can you be so calm?”

Jaune smiled grimly. “Trust me, I’m far from calm. If one person makes a move for her, I’m worried I might cause an international incident.”

It was taking all of his willpower not to rest his hand on the pommel of his sword. Such an action would be received poorly, he knew. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t ready if someone felt bold enough to make a move. Jaune didn’t think that would happen though.

Because as they continued to make their way deeper into the town, it was obvious that those that felt slighted enough to show displeasure were in the minority. Many of them were older, faunus that may have even experienced the Faunus Rights Revolution first hand, through battle or as children, watching their parents strive for a better future. The younger faunus mostly seemed intrigued, watching as their leader conversed with the daughter of a man many reviled.

The children didn’t seem to care at all.

Other than some interested looks, they continued to play without a care in the world, engrossed in their own world. A young girl with colorful red feathers threaded amongst her raven black hair mistimed her kick on a ball and it came bounding in his direction, her face mortified as she tried to chase it down. Without a break in stride, Jaune kicked it back smoothly. He tried not to laugh as she stared at him with wide eyes, her mouth falling open in wonder as she realized he was human, the ball bouncing off her leg and rolling away. Her friends crowded around her, their excitement infectious.

“We were wrong all along,” Blake shook her head, sighing.

Jaune shot her a questioning look. “What?”

“About you. You really are a ladies man, aren’t you?”

Jaune rolled his eyes as she grinned at him slyly.

“You’re an idiot.”

“You’ve got a fan,” she gestured at the young bird faunus that was still gawping at him.

Jaune smirked. “That’s how I’ll win over your people. One kicked ball at a time.”

Blake snorted.

He was pleased that she seemed a little less tense after that.

It soon became clear that the large building in the middle of town was where they were heading, a handsome manor house built from wood perched upon stone foundations. The ground flattened out, the path now flanked by trees rather than buildings. They were just approaching the stairs that would lead them up to the large wooden doors when they opened.

A familiar figure stepped out.

“Ren!” Jaune shouted – and he was moving before the name had completely left his lips, taking the stairs three at a time. Ren’s normally stoic expression broke, unfiltered surprise etched on his face before an unrestrained smile stretched his lips.

“Jaune?” he said in disbelief before they came together in a rough hug. Jaune tightened his hold, crushing his friend and brother against his chest, clapping him on the back. When they pulled apart, he saw the naked relief on Ren’s face – the sheer happiness.

“Sorry to worry ya,” Jaune said, voice thick with emotion. Ghira had already alleviated their fears but seeing him, touching him made it real. They hadn’t lost anyone. Ren was alive. He was safe. He was here.

“Just don’t do it again,” Ren said, blinking away a sudden onset of tears.

“Ren,” next was Weiss, flying into his arms and squeezing him with every ounce of strength she had. Ren grunted but returned the embrace, a startled laugh escaping his lips, more than used to Nora’s overwhelming glomps. “You have no idea how happy we are to see you.”

“I’m sure I have some idea,” Ren deadpanned, releasing her.

Only to be replaced by Blake.

Ghira watched the reunion with a fond look, eyes lingering on his daughter.

“Ren, darling – is someone here?” a feminine voice called from within, and then moments later, a small woman that looked remarkably like Blake emerged, a woman that could only be her mother.

She had short black hair, two large cat ears standing prominently upon her head adorned with golden piercings. He could see a lot of shared facial features with her daughter; her nose, the rise of her cheeks, the shape of her eyes which were the exact same shade as Blake’s. They were of a similar height, though this woman seemed more dainty than her daughter with a slighter frame.

The aura she gave off was pure mother.

“Blake!” she exclaimed, dropping the basket she held.

“Uh – hey mom,” Blake said awkwardly, shuffling. “I’m hom—ooof~!”

The pair fell to the ground in a heap as Blake was tackled off her feet.

“This is Kali, Blake’s mother,” Ghira said dryly. “Dear; we have guests.”

Kali didn’t hear a word as she embraced her daughter in a crushing hug, her happiness tumbling from her mouth in a series of unintelligible words. Blake didn’t even bother trying to struggle like she did with her father, though she shot Jaune a pleading look as if he could somehow save her from this fate.

“Mom, stop – you’re embarrassing me in front of my friends,” she finally managed when it was clear Jaune was more than happy to watch things unfold.

Weiss grinned. “Don’t mind us. This isn’t embarrassing for us, at all.”

Eventually, Kali seemed to recognize the situation and peeled away from her daughter, a sheepish expression on her face as she climbed to her feet.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore you,” she apologized, though there was no hiding the radiant happiness she was experiencing at this moment. Blake quickly scrambled to her feet, disgruntled – but Jaune saw the pleasure, the joy she tried to hide from them. Her fears about her family were melting away. “You must be Blake’s friends.”

Just as she did with Ghira, Weiss dipped into a curtsy. “Mrs. Belladonna – my name is Weiss Schnee. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Oh, isn’t she just the cutest?” Kali almost squealed, taking Weiss in with a quick sweep of her eyes. “And such manners! Blake, you could learn a thing or two.”

Blake pouted as Weiss shot her a cheeky smile.

“You’re on Blake’s team, right? Ren has told me so much but you must tell me everything about her time at Beacon,” Kali began to gush, looping an arm through Weiss’ and leading her towards the door. “My daughter doesn’t call, she doesn’t write – so you’ll fill me in, won’t you?”

Weiss beamed. “Of course.”

Kali then paused, her eyes falling on Jaune. She blinked.

“Jaune Arc,” he supplied, offering his hand.

Releasing Weiss, she seized his hand in both of hers. Looking him up and down, she turned to her daughter. Something passed between them silently but whatever it was, it caused Blake to look away first. Triumphant, Kali turned back to him with a pearly smile. At complete odds with his wife, Ghira began glaring at him like he’d committed some grave insult.

He was missing something.

“Kali Belladonna,” she needlessly introduced as he did his best to ignore the death stare he was now receiving from her spouse. “Aren’t you a handsome one. You’re on a team with Ren?”

“That’s right, ma’am,” he said. “I’m the leader of Team JNPR.”

She nodded happily. “Ren has told me so much about you. I’m glad that you are all safe. Please, come in. We were just stepping out to do a bit of shopping but that can wait. Ghira, why didn’t you call ahead!? I have nothing prepared.”

The larger man opened his mouth to defend himself but Kali had already swept Weiss inside, not giving him a chance to respond. Blake followed, leaving the men all alone.

He wasn’t sure why but he felt a bout of nervousness assault him as those yellow eyes made their way over to him. Straightening up, he smiled awkwardly. Now that the rush of their sudden, unexpected rescue had faded, Jaune was beginning to feel the pressure of meeting the parents of a girl whom he was currently intimate with.

This was a pretty big thing, right?

The circumstances were far from normal but Ghira and Kali were Blake’s parents. He was involved with her, so this was a big step. It was their first meeting. Things had gone well so far. Jaune had shaken his hand like a man, just as his father had taught him, and he hadn’t shied away.

He just needed to continue showing his good side.

Now if only those butterflies that had chosen now to appear in his stomach would go away. He hated when this happened.

Luckily, he wasn’t alone.

“Do Pyrrha and Nora know you’re here?” he asked, focusing on Ren.

Ren nodded. “Yeah. Since they were out on their own missions, they hadn’t heard about the attack until they returned to Beacon. Mr. Belladonna was able to get a message to Headmaster Ozpin informing him of my presence here in Menagerie but...”

They thought Jaune, Blake and Weiss were still missing – possibly dead.

“Is there a way I can call them?” he asked, directing this at Blake’s father. Blake had assured them that despite their lack of CCT, they had ways of communicating with the rest of the world. “Our friends will be worried sick.”

“There is. Follow me to my office.”

The entrance hall was large and well lit by natural light, filtering in through the many windows flanking them on either side. Despite its size, there was a warmth to this home that you might not expect when visiting the residence of a nation’s leader. The walls and floor were varnished hardwood, woven flax mats leading the way. Above them lattice railing ringed the room, lush plants with healthy green leaves draped over the top, giving the air a very fresh, earthy scent.

Ghira’s office was just as impressive, the walls lined with books. Not a single space was wasted, the shelves crammed with knowledge. There was a long couch in the center with two chairs at each end of a low table. A little further in was his desk, sectioned off from the rest of the room upon a raised marble platform, two steps leading up to it. Behind the desk was a magnificently detailed painting of Kuo Kuana from what appeared to be the front door of their residence, the main avenue leading all the way through the settlement.

This was the office of a learned man, a leader. It was certainly impressive.

On the desk was a phone. It reminded Jaune of the terminals they had at the CCT, though a more compact version with a smaller screen. Ghira led him over and then started typing on the keyboard. He dialed a series of numbers and within a few seconds, a face appeared on the screen as someone picked up.

They were a faunus with sharp spines protruding from their skin all across their face, though they weren’t long; an echidna faunus?

“Terry,” Ghira greeted, as if speaking to an old friend. “I need you to patch me through to the Vale CCT.”

Terry nodded. “Sure thing, mate. Putting ya through now.”

“Thank you.”

Call rerouted, it wasn’t long before a new person appeared – a young woman, in her twenties, neatly dressed in a familiar uniform. Jaune had seen them around campus. The CCT was located at Beacon and it wasn’t unusual for students to see workers arriving from Vale in the morning, or see them leaving in the afternoon for shift changes. She was one of the operators that worked inside the tower and helped direct international calls.

“Hello – this is the Vale Cross Continental Transmit office, you are speaking with Linda. How may I help you today?”

“Headmaster Ozpin, please. Inform him that Chieftain Belladonna has important news.”

Linda blinked, her eyes widening slightly as she realized just who she was talking to.

“At once, sir – please hold,” and then the screen went black.

Ghira then stepped away, waving Jaune forward. Giving an apprehensive nod, Jaune took his place in front of the screen just as it lit back up and the familiar face of Beacon’s headmaster appeared.

“Ghira, I’ve been informed...” he trailed off for a moment, taken aback. “Mr. Arc?”

“Headmaster,” he confirmed with a smile. “It is good to see your face.”

“My boy, I should be saying that,” the relief in Ozpin’s voice was palpable, his usual stoic expression softening. “You are well?”

Jaune nodded. “I am.”

“And Ms. Schnee, Ms. Belladonna?”

“We’re all well. More tanned than we were when we left but in one piece.”

“That is good news.”

They talked for some time as Jaune relayed his version of events, required information that would go down in their files seeing as they’d been on an official mission at the time of their disappearance. It was standard procedure and something that needed to be done. As team leader, it was his job to see that it was finished.

Once that was out of the way, “Sir, I was wondering if you could pass on a message to our friends. Let them know we are safe.”

“I can do you one better,” Ozpin smiled. “They should be here any minute.”

Jaune heard them before he saw them, Ruby and Nora’s frantic voices as they exited the elevator that led to Ozpin’s office. The Headmaster barely got out of the way before the pair came barreling into shot, their faces almost pressing into the screen.

“Jaune~!” they both exclaimed.

“Oh my god, are you okay? We’ve been worried sick! We didn’t know if you were dead or alive and we wanted to come searching for you at once but they wouldn’t let us,” Ruby babbled with big watery silver eyes that filled Jaune with affection and warmth.

“You big stupid dummy~!” Nora was practically bawling. “Don’t do that again! I’ll kill you if you die on us!”

“Aha – my bad?” he rubbed his neck. “The Grimm was kinda big.”

Before they could continue, they were shunted aside. They both squealed as a flash of crimson appeared, beautiful emerald eyes dominating the screen. The expression on Pyrrha’s face made his heart ache, the air leaving his lungs as if he’d received a physical blow.

“Pyrrha,” Jaune whispered.

Her smile was radiant, though he could see the bags around her eyes. She hadn’t been sleeping well.

“Jaune,” she returned. “You have no idea how good it is to hear your voice.”

He smiled back, feeling emotional. “I think I might – just a little.”

Yang tilted her head into camera shot, her lush blonde hair tumbling over Pyrrha’s shoulder. It was like looking at a sunset with both of them on screen, reds and yellows, captivating.

“Heya,” she said warmly, lilac eyes soft. “Are you all good?”

“Yeah,” Jaune cleared his throat. “I’m all good.”

“And how’s my partner doing?”

“She’s with her mom. They have some catching up to do,” he shot a brief glance at Ghira. “Weiss is with them. It seems like she has made a good impression.”

Yang snickered. “That’s... that’s good,” her voice wavered. She tried to put up a strong front but her face quickly crumpled. “Crap, I didn’t want to get a-all emotional. God damnit.”

Jaune laughed. “I’m flattered. I never thought I could make Yang Xiao Long ever lose her cool.”

“Shut up, you ass,” she sniffled, wiping at her eyes. Pyrrha beamed at her friend and wrapped a strong, comforting arm across her shoulders.

“Sorry for worrying all of you,” he said as Ruby and Nora made their way back into the picture. “Our scrolls got trashed and we ended up on some island in the middle of nowhere.”

This time when he told the story of what happened to them, it was with much more levity since it was a conversation between friends and not an official mission brief. Jaune told them as much as he could, though certain activities were left out. They would find out about the situation between them at some point, it would be impossible to hide it forever but that was something that should be done in person, not over a holocall.

There was also Blake’s father hovering to the side. He somehow doubted that the man would take too kindly to the fact that he was not only in a relationship with his daughter but he was dating another girl at the same time. The Schnee heiress to boot.

Yeah, this was going to take a miracle.

By the time he finished telling his story, his throat was feeling a little raw. After some tearful goodbyes and with a promise to call again soon, the call went dead.

“You’ve got some good friends,” Ghira spoke up.

Ren and Jaune shared a look.

“Yeah,” Jaune said.

“They’re the best,” Ren finished.

After that, they joined the girls in the dining room. Food and drink had been prepared in the meantime, a tea set arranged on the table with a number of small snacks. As they entered, Jaune found himself the object of an intense stare, Kali pinning him to the spot. Jaune paused, unsure.

The smile she graced him with made him nervous.

“Come join us,” she waved them over. Ghira took a seat beside his wife while Ren sat down next to Blake. Jaune hesitated for a second before moving over and sitting down next to Weiss.

“Hungry? Thirsty?” Kali asked.

“Thirsty,” Jaune said.

Tea wasn’t really his thing but at this moment, he didn’t care. Pouring himself a cup, he sipped on the steaming liquid and sighed. It held a herbal note and lacked the bitterness he was expecting. It soothed his parched throat and he found himself liking it.

“Kali has been sharing childhood stories,” Weiss told him, grinning evilly. Now that he looked, Blake did look a little flushed. “Blake was quite the naughty little girl.”

“I was not,” Blake huffed. “Don’t listen to them.”

Kali giggled. “She was very curious as a girl. Always asking questions, getting into mischief. I have photos, if you’d like to see them?”

“Yes, please,” Weiss said at once.

“No, mom!” Blake flinched as out of nowhere, her mother produced a photo album and slapped it down on the table. It was a couple inches thick and bulging with memories, no doubt embarrassing. “Dad, stop her!”

“Maybe you shouldn’t,” Ghira tried but held up his hands when Kali glared at him. “Right.”

“So~!” she beamed at Jaune and Weiss. “Behold!”

He couldn’t help but compare Kali with his own mother. While the Arc matriarch wasn’t quite so chipper, this was exactly the type of thing she would do to him if he should ever bring home any of his friends. Matter of fact, it was the type of thing all of his sister’s would do, as well.

They just loved to embarrass him.

For the next hour, they were shown Blake’s greatest hits. A myriad of photos of her growing up; everything from her first potty training to the young girl frolicking around in the mud, her first time swimming, her first missing tooth and anything else Kali had felt the need to document. Blake covered her face, moaning piteously as she was forced to endure the torment.

It certainly didn’t help that in a lot of these photos, she was buck naked.

“Blake didn’t like clothes,” Kali told them, shaking her head fondly. “It took us years to train her out of the habit of pulling them off the first chance she got, didn’t it, Ghira?”

Blake’s father grunted.

Weiss must have thought of something particularly amusing because Jaune saw her face spasm, her cool visage almost breaking as she turned his way briefly before returning to the photo album.

“Mooooom,” Blake growled, pressing her forehead into the hard surface of the table. “Please, stop.”

“Hush. Your friends think they are cute, don’t you?” she asked them, grinning.

Jaune got the feeling that this was partially revenge for Blake running away for years on end without contact, and part a genuine desire to show her daughter’s friends a piece of Blake’s life that she held dear to her heart.

“I think they are wonderful,” Weiss’ smile showed a few too many teeth. Blake glared at her from beneath her hair.

Jaune cleared his throat. “Don’t worry, Blake. If you ever meet my folks, something like this is bound to happen. The things my sisters did to me are well documented.”

“When I meet them,” she muttered, correcting him. Those intense eyes of her father once again fell upon him and he did everything in his power not to react in any observable way.

“Right. When.”

“And this was Blake’s first official event; the previous chieftain invited our family to accompany his for a ceremony during the annual festival we hold here on Menagerie,” this photo was of a young Blake – maybe seven? -- dressed in a beautiful kimono, a traditional garment from Mistral. Her hair had been expertly styled and pulled back in a tight bun, two long ornate sticks threaded through and holding it in place. Her human ears were adorned with golden dangle earrings. “Doesn’t she look adorable?”

She did.

“She looks like a princess,” Weiss said happily. Jaune smirked.

Oh yeah, he could tell Weiss was really enjoying this one. It was usually her that garnered princess comments so he had no doubt in his mind that she was relishing the chance to return the favor.

“Could we get a copy of this one?” Weiss continued. “Our friends at Beacon would absolutely adore it.”

“Don’t you dare,” Blake sat up straight, staring at her mother in horror. “Don’t you dare!”

“I’m sorry, Weiss – it appears my daughter is a little shy,” Kali sounded remorseful but then she winked at Weiss, in a poor attempt at being sneaky. “I can’t make a copy of this and slip it to you in secret before you leave, that would be a breach of our trust.”

“We can all see you winking!” Blake accused, pointing.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Kali cupped her cheek and tilted her head, appearing innocent.

Ghira sighed, “Perhaps you’ve teased Blake enough for one day, dear.”

“Dad...” Blake shot Ghira a look of gratitude.

“You two are no fun,” Kali pouted. “When was the last time we had friends of our daughter over?”

“Hmm,” Ghira thought about it. “Not since she was ten.”

“You don’t seem very surprised by any of these pictures,” Jaune said to Ren. His teammate had been sipping at his tea and not much else, content to let them do their thing.

Ren shrugged. “She’d already shown them to me.”

Blake made a strangled sound, deep in her throat. “No...”

“Fiiine – just one more,” Kali relented, turning the page. “Of course, that beautiful kimono couldn’t stay on. This was at the same event~!”

Blake’s hair was still done up in a bun and those gorgeous earrings still hung from each ear, but she was buck naked with the exception of a pair of socks, playing in the mud with a group of other children of similar age.

“We were mortified,” Kali continued, her words at great odds with her expression; pure joy. “The chieftain thought it was funny, though, and invited us back for dinner the following week.”

Blake finally had enough and snatched the album from the table and threw it across the room, her chest heaving.

Weiss began laughing hysterically and as much as he tried to fight it, it was a lost cause. Jaune snorted and it opened the floodgates, uncontrollable laughter surging up and out of his mouth as he doubled over, slapping the table as he was overwhelmed. Ren pinched the bridge of his nose, his shoulders shaking as he valiantly fought off his own fit of laughter but even he broke when Blake began shouting at them.

“It isn’t funny!”

No, it wasn’t funny. It was hilarious.