928Jaune Arc stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his sleek black suit jacket for what felt like the hundredth time. His palms were sweaty, his mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming speech. The anticipation was almost overwhelming, but he knew he had to keep it together. Today was important. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, but it did little to help.
He reached for his favorite yellow tie, the one he always wore. It was burnt and frayed at the edges, a testament to the countless times it had been worn. As he fumbled with the tie, trying to get it just right, a familiar voice interrupted him.
"Jaune, stop." Winter Schnee walked into the room, her icy blue eyes sharp and discerning. She crossed the room in a few swift steps, stopping just in front of him. "You'll ruin it further if you keep tugging at it like that."
Jaune froze, hands suspended in mid-air. Winter's presence always had a way of grounding him, even in the most stressful moments and lately even more.. She reached up and deftly adjusted his tie, her fingers cool and precise.
"There," she said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Much better. But you really should have your favorite yellow tie repaired if you aren't planning to replace."
She gave him a pointed look.
Jaune chuckled nervously. "It's my lucky tie, Winter. I can't just retire it."
Winter rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile playing at her lips. She glanced around to make sure they were alone before leaning in and pressing a quick, almost imperceptible peck on his cheek. It was so brief that Jaune barely registered it.
"Good luck," Winter said, her voice softer. The usual ice melted away for a moment.
Jaune stared at her, momentarily taken aback. Then, with a shy smile, he leaned in and returned the gesture. Both of them were a little awkward about it, but the warmth of the moment lingered between them. They pulled back, smiles tugging at the corners of their lips.
"Thank you, Winter," Jaune said, his voice more confident now. He took a deep breath and turned towards the door, ready to face what awaited him.
As Jaune stepped outside, he was greeted by the sight of news crews setting up their cameras and reporters bustling around. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and the buzz of activity filled the air. Jaune felt a familiar knot in his stomach, but pushed it aside. He had faced far worse than this.
He walked up to the podium, the weight of the past year heavy on his shoulders as he wore his professional demeanor. The crowd quieted down as he approached, all eyes on him. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, looking out at the sea of expectant faces.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Jaune began, his voice steady. "Thank you all for being here today. I know you've been waiting for answers, and I'm here to provide them."
He paused, taking another deep breath. The gravity of the moment settled in, but he felt a renewed sense of purpose.
"It's been a year since I last stood before you. A year of silence, of questions left unanswered. Last time I was the temporary headmaster of Vale and now I stand again as just a mediator. Before that, I want to explain why I've been gone, and what has transpired during this time."
Jaune's gaze swept over the crowd, seeing the mix of curiosity and concern in their eyes.
"As many of you know, our world has faced unimaginable threats. Salem, a force of darkness that has loomed over us for centuries, possibly even millennia, has been at the center of these threats. A man told me that the world can't handle the truth, that it would cause more Grimm. But look at us, so proud and brave. I think he forgot how… proud we are. Alongside her, Ozpin, a man shrouded in mystery and burdened with the weight of countless lifetimes, has fought tirelessly to protect us. His Semblance has been keeping him in the fight against her... "
He paused again, letting the names and their significance sink in.
"This past year has been one of the most challenging of my life. I, along with many others, have been engaged in a battle that has taken us to the brink of despair and back. We have faced horrors I can barely begin to describe. But through it all, we have persevered. All Remnant did. When the darkness stared, we did not quiver, we did not weep nor cry aloud, but raised our heads and stared back and said no."
Jaune's voice grew stronger, fueled by the memories of the struggles and triumphs.
"There were forces in this world, both seen and unseen, that have made this year of subdued silence possible. Allies who have stood by us, sacrifices that have been made. I want to acknowledge the bravery and resilience of those who have fought alongside us. Without them, we would not be here today."
The crowd was silent, hanging on his every word. Jaune felt a surge of emotion, the weight of his experiences pressing down on him.
"We have come through the darkness and into the light. And while the battle is far from over, we have made significant strides. We have pushed back the darkness, and we will continue to fight until our world is safe."
He took another deep breath, the final part of his speech coming into focus.
"I know many of you have questions, and I am here to answer them. But more than that, I am here to reaffirm our commitment to this fight. We will not falter, we will not give up. Together, we will face whatever comes our way. All those who are in their stations would not give in. The Grimm might have slept in silence for a year, but our Huntsman and Huntresses did not. I assure you that we still stand… the difference is that there's no Queen of Grimm this time."
The crowd made a ruckus.
The applause slowly died down when he raised a hand. The crowd's murmur of conversations turned into a focused silence as Jaune stood, ready to answer questions. Reporters raised their hands eagerly, but Jaune pointed to the first one he noticed, a woman with a notepad clutched tightly in her hand.
"Mr. Arc, can you tell us what happened to Salem and Ozpin? Is the Queen of Grimm truly gone?"
Jaune took a deep breath, his mind racing as he prepared to explain. "Salem is now in a place where she has been reformed. The Queen of Grimm is no more, but the Grimm still exists. They were given a choice: to continue their war or to go in peace. They chose peace. And now, we're free of them." He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in. "However, the work continues. There's still much to be done to ensure lasting peace and to rebuild what has been lost."
The room was silent for a moment, absorbing the significance of what Jaune had just revealed? Then, another reporter, a young man with a camera slung around his neck, jumped in.
"So, you're saying the Grimm won't be as much of a threat anymore? How can we be sure?"
Jaune nodded, understanding the skepticism. "The Grimm are no longer driven by the same dark purpose they once were. At least we believe that without Salem, they won't be used as a weapon. Their choice to lay down their aggression was a genuine command by their Queen. With Salem gone, the Grimm are only remains as a natural threats, and it's up to us to maintain the peace of being away from them. They'll remain a problem, but we've taken measures to monitor and safeguard against any resurgence of violence. Our focus now is on healing and rebuilding."
A wave of murmurs spread through the room as the reporters discussed this new information. Jaune pointed to another reporter, who stood up eagerly.
"Mr. Arc, does this mean we can expect a period of peace and reconstruction? How do the leaders plan to lead us through this transition?"
Jaune's expression grew determined. "Please understand that my role has always been a mediator. However, I can confirm that we're entering a time of reconstruction, both physically and emotionally. We'll be working with leaders from all corners of Remnant to ensure that everyone's needs are met. It's a collaborative effort, and I believe we're up to the challenge. Together, we will build a better, stronger future. If could win against the Queen of Grimm… Ladies and Gentleman, I hope you can imagine what it would be like that now those without those who'd have been warring for a thousand years. We have hope now. Hope that we haven't had since forever."
The next question came from an enthusiastic reporter who was practically bouncing on her feet.
"Mr. Arc, are you the Rusted Knight?"
Jaune smiled vaguely, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. He didn't confirm or deny, but somehow, the reporter took his silence as confirmation. Her eyes widened, and she scribbled furiously in her notebook.
"Next question, please," Jaune said.
"Can you tell us more about your time away? What were the most significant challenges you faced?"
Jaune took a moment to collect his thoughts. Trying to form the most convincing thing he could answer without detailing too much about his experience, giving what they want with some white lies.
"The past year was filled with trials that tested our resolve. Facing Salem's forces was a constant battle, not just against her army but against the fear and doubt within ourselves. The most significant challenge was maintaining hope and unity in the face of overwhelming odds. But we learned that together, we are stronger than any adversary."
Another reporter raised her hand, a look of deep curiosity on her face.
"Mr. Arc, what role did others play in all of this? How did their guidance impact the outcome?"
"Their role was crucial," Jaune said thoughtfully. "The Council of Vale and Atlas saw wisdom in taking a shot in the dark. They provided wisdom and strategy that we desperately needed. Their experience and knowledge were invaluable. But more than that, they reminded us of the importance of our humanity, our connections to each other. It was their guidance that helped us see the path to victory. Believe me when I say that if had shaken their heads the day I told them this… we would not have the year of silence from the Grimm."
A sense of respect and Jaune could see the respect in the eyes of those gathered. Another question followed quickly.
"With Salem reformed, what does the future hold for our alliances and our approach to governance?"
Jaune weighed the question. "The future of our alliances is bright. The Kingdoms stand strong. We've seen firsthand the power of unity, and we plan to strengthen those bonds moving forward. Our approach to governance will be more inclusive and collaborative, ensuring that every voice is heard. This is a new era, and it will be built on the foundation of trust and cooperation. It showed us what we can do."
The questions continued, each one addressing different facets of the past year's events and the road ahead. Jaune answered them with honesty and conviction, knowing that transparency was crucial at this moment. Though he had to add in some white lies as well.
"Mr. Arc, what can you tell us about the state of the Kingdoms now? Are they recovering?"
"The Kingdoms are in various stages of recovery," Jaune replied. "Some were hit harder than others, but the spirit of resilience is strong. We have teams working tirelessly to restore infrastructure, provide aid, and support communities. It's a massive effort, but we're making steady progress…"
As the press conference went on, Jaune felt a growing sense of hope in the room. The initial tension and uncertainty were giving way to optimism and determination. He could see it in the faces of the reporters and hear it in their voices.
"Mr. Arc, what message do you have for those who are still afraid, who still feel the scars of the past?"
Jaune's expression softened. "To those who are still afraid, I want to say this: you are not alone. We've all been through a lot, and it's okay to feel scared. But know that we are here for you. We will support each other, heal together, and move forward as one. The future is ours to shape, and I believe in our collective strength… and I think you saw it all in the skies already. Up above, the maidens are watching over us all now openly."
The last question came from a reporter who had been quietly observing the entire time. It was a question that baffled Jaune.
"Mr. Arc, what keeps you going? What gives you hope?"
Jaune smiled, thinking of Winter and the friends who had become like family. "What keeps me going is the belief in a better tomorrow. The people I've fought alongside, the sacrifices we've made, and the dreams we have for the future. Dreams ascends us to strive. Hope is a powerful thing, and it's what drives us to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey is ."
With that, the press conference came to an end. The reporters began packing up their equipment, the buzz of conversation filling the air once more. Jaune stepped away from the podium, feeling a sense of relief and accomplishment.
Winter was waiting for him, her expression proud and supportive. "You handled that beautifully," she said.
"Thank you, Winter. I couldn't have done it without you."
"Have you? You seem to be fine without my presence for a year."
"Come on now, Win…"
"Am I not allowed to pout?"
Jaune raised both hands. "Ah, Ice Queen herself pouting… how I can ever dare she cannot."
"Now that we're done here. I think I liked this restaurant I saw."
"Please spare me."
"I'll think about it. Come now, I don't intend to be in the limelight."
Jaune looked at the curious reporters eyeing them. One particular reporter, who Jaune recognized, was coming from a gossip company, was perking her ears for a scoop.
As they walked away together, Jaune looked around and whispered in Winter's ear. "Aren't you worried about gossip?"
Winter rolled her eyes. "I'd pay them to gossip more."
"Win…"
"Kidding. It's fine. They know not to publish without consulting my legal team."
"Is that so? Ugh, eh, Ms. Schnee, with your vast wealth… can we not eat at an expensive place?"
"I mean, if you want to be part of a gossip. I'd like to see you try."
"Oh man, I thought we're done with this." Jaune scratched his head.
"It was, then you were gone for a year."
"Aw… I'm going to lose my savings."
Winter grinned playfully and then hit him on the side and walked ahead.
NOTES:
Taking a break after this.
Thanks for reading this.