Here There Be Pirates (Pirate AU Jaune Harem) - Chapter 2

Hey. Sorry for the delay. I'm REALLY trying to get the creative juices flowing again. I feel...lethargic, dunno why. I'll see about doing better. Promise.

For anyone interested in making a commission, email me at: storylover543 gmail . com

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Jaune took a deep breath and forced himself to smile as he led Ruby and Yang back to the Beacon. Be confident, he reminded himself. He wasn't just the cabin boy anymore, he was the captain. The guy who (accidentally) killed Dread Pirate Ozpin and made the Beacon his own (after Glynda basically forced him too). He could ask a couple of girls to repair the ship. Just be professional. It wasn't like the Beacon was lacking in funds or anything. Ozpin had been a pirate for decades - centuries, if you believed the stories - and had the wealth to match. Wealth that was his now.

If he lived long enough to enjoy it, at least.

His eyes flicked over to the two women following him. Despite being sisters, the two looked like polar opposites. Ruby was on the shorter side and her pale skin told him she was someone used to being cooped up in workshops even though Patch was a coastal island. Her fingers and cheeks were speckled with dust and soot and her even now she was consulting blueprints, reading it while side-stepping any people or obstacles like it was second nature.

Yang was someone who reminded him of the hard laborers back home. Sun-kissed skin, solid muscles, and abs you could grate cheese on. His eyes lingered on her midriff before forcing his eyes back to the golden curtain of hair. Even from this distance, he could tell a lot of love and care went into it. The blonde locks could put any governor's daughters to shame, and there was something almost hypnotic with the way the ponytail swung with her movements.

He shook his head. Focus, Jaune. He was the captain now! All he needed to do was get the Beacon repaired and then he could have the life of amazing adventure he always dreamed of. He could see it now. Gentleman Pirate Jaune Arc, bane of the evil and corrupt and idol to the masses. Fair maidens would swoon when he arrived, and the oppressed would cheer while he fought epic duels to save them. That was what being a pirate was all about... plus treasure, of course. Even heroes needed to eat.

When they arrived at the docks, Ruby stopped and stared at the ship, eyes wide with wonder, "Th-That's... " She gasped, both hands covering her mouth, "THAT'S THE BEACON! THE Beacon! Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh gosh!" Ruby was practically hyperventilating, bouncing on her toes like a kid in a candy store, "Beacon! THE Beacon! Scourge of the four seas! Legend of the ocean! And it's here!" She turned to Jaune and grabbed his shoulders in a vice grip, "Why is this here?! Is Ozpin on board?! Can I talk to him?!"

"Woah! Down, Rubes!" Yang laughed and pulled her little sister back by the collar, "Let the guy breath!" She looked at the ship, "That's that pirate ship, right?"

"It's not just A pirate ship! It's THE pirate ship!" Jaune said defensively, puffing his chest forward, "And I'm it's captain!"

The sisters looked at him with disbelief (Yang) or utter confusion (Ruby). A moment of silence passed, long enough for a seagull to fly overhead and crap a few inches from his boots. He refused to move or break his pose. Eventually, Ruby spoke up, "Uh... no you're not. Everyone knows that Dread Pirate Ozpin is the captain of the Beacon. Has been for centuries." She looked at him like he was an idiot, which was devastating from someone who looked that cute.

"Well... he was the Captain." Jaune put his hands on his hips and puffed up his chest more, "Except I beat him in... a duel. So I'm the Captain now. Glynda says so." The last part sounded more pathetic now that he said it out loud, but he refused to budge from his pose. He reminded himself to tell the crew (or rather, have Glynda tell the crew for him) to avoid spilling what really happened. It'd be pretty... awkward for people to know that Dread Pirate Ozpin died because a pirate lord couldn't freaking swim.

Ruby looked like she was still doubting him till the sounds of clicking heels reached their ears. Jaune turned in both dread and relief at the sight of Glynda walking over to them, "Captain Arc." She nodded to him, "I trust you've found suitable people to repair the ship?"

Before he could reply, Ruby squealed. The sound echoed across the docks and dozens of people turned to look at the sound before seeing Ruby getting on with their day, "Y-You're... YOU'RE GLYNDA GOODWITCH!" she shrieked. Jaune winced at just how loud her voice was, "The Siren! Oh my gosh, this is amazing!" Ruby rummaged through her back pocket and pulled out a scroll and (somehow freshly dipped) quill that was way too big to fit into her back pocket, "C-Could you sign this?!"

Glynda blinked in surprise and he swore her mouth twitched up in a smile before she quickly suppressed it, "Of course." She took the parchment and signed her name in noble cursive, "I assume you're the one repairing our ship?"

"Yep! Ruby Rose, best shipwright in all of Patch!" She took both paper and quill back and stuffed them behind her again.

"She's being modest." Yang wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "She's the best damn shipwright in all of Remnant. She's been getting offers to move over to Vale and Atlas with juicy ten year contracts, but sis here's convinced all she needs is one little push to start her grand adventure."

"Yang~!" Ruby tried to wriggle out of her sister's grasp, but the taller woman easily kept her at bay, "That's not- ugh, whatever!" She shook her head and looked back to Glynda, "But I can totally fix it up in just a couple of days!"

"A couple of days? The Beacon is a large ship, young lady, as you can well see." Glynda gestured to it.

"Sure, but I've got my Semblance." She disappeared in a burst of rose petals. Jaune looked around only for her to appear again, this time carrying a stack of blueprints, "Super speed makes repairs super quick! Plus Yang's super strong! No need to hire people to carry stuff!"

"Thanks for volunteering me to be your gopher, Rubes." Yang scoffed playfully.

"The rest of the crew is experienced with repairs, this shouldn't be an issue." Glynda turned to him, "If we're lucky, captain, we may be back at sea before the week is done. I trust this is acceptable?"

"Huh? Yeah, yeah, totally!" Jaune nodded. Even now, Glynda managed to look absolutely terrifying while asking regular questions.

Ruby gasped again and looked at Jaune with awe, "Wait, so you really are the captain?!" She stepped closer and looked up at Jaune with a twinkle in her silver eyes, "How?! You said you beat Ozpin in a duel! Does that mean he gifted the Beacon to you?! Oh, oh, were you his apprentice?! His second-in command? No, no, that's the Siren. So you have to be-"

"Captain Arc killed Ozpin," Glynda cut in. Ruby's eyes widened while Jaune choked on nothing, "Ozpin was basking in his victory when Captain Arc claimed the title. He never saw it coming." How did she make it sound so accurate yet not completely pathetic? It was impressive, "It was all very dramatic, I'm sure he can tell you the rest another time, Ms. Rose. Right now, our priority is getting our ship repaired. Payment will not be an issue."

But Ruby wasn't listening. She just looked at Jaune with an unreadable expression that suddenly made him feel awkward. Yang looked between them and snorted, "Dread Pirate Ozpin? Ha, more like Dead Pirate Ozpin, right?"

None of them looked at her, though Glynda looked away and coughed into her hand from what was either a laugh or a growl. Ruby looked dizzy, still giving Jaune that unreadable look. He was just about to suggest maybe finding another shipright when she suddenly surged forward and held his right hand between both of hers, "OH... MY... BROTHERS... !" She stood up on her tiptoes till her faces was inches away from his. The closeness only amplified how cute she looked under all the dirt staining her pale skin, "You beat Ozpin! Th-That must mean you're even more awesome than he is! He's beaten everyone! Even Admiral Ironwood! How did you do it?!"

Tripped and knocked him into the water cause apparently Dread Pirate Ozpin couldn't fucking swim. He didn't say that, of course. Instead, he smiled in a way he hoped was dashing and mysterious and winked, "Ah, some legends are worth waiting for, Ms. Rose." Glynda raised a brow while Yang snorted. Ruby's eyes sparkled even brighter than before, "I wouldn't want to ruin your imagination by spoiling it so soon. Legends need time to grow, after all."

Ruby practically swooned on the spot while Yang rolled her eyes and made a rude gesture, "Oh my gosh, this is history in the making! The Beacon has a new captain! And I'm repairing the ship!" She bounced up and down, "Wait, wait! We can do more! A lot more!" She rushed over to a nearby table and opened one of the blueprints, "We can improv it! Most ships wouldn't be able to handle my babies, but the Beacon? It's a fortress in the sea! It can take anything!"

They all looked over the blueprints. Jaune, sadly, wasn't an expert, but Glynda looked impressed enough, "These are... extensive, Ms. Rose. If these are truly able to be made, then it would increase the Beacon's capabilities quite handily. We certainly have the funds to purchase these upgrades, assuming you can actually build them."

"I know what I'm doing!" Ruby preened, "But I don't want money! Well, I do, but I want something else!" Her eyes flickered to Jaune, "I wanna join your crew!"

"... What?"

"Hahahaha!" Yang doubled over in laughter, "Seriously, Rubes?"

"What?" She looked to her sister defensively, "Captain Jaune beat Ozpin! That means he's THE greatest pirate in the four seas right now! I'm not giving up this chance! You can't stop me, sis!"

"Who said anything about stopping you?" Yang grinned, "But if you're going then I'm going too. I'm getting tired of Patch anyway. Wanna see the world before I get so old even Aura can't keep this luscious locks fresh." She fluffed up her (admittedly amazing) mane of hair and turned to Jaune, "What do you say, Captain? We in?"

Jaune looked to Glynda who just shrugged in response, "Why are you looking at me? You're the Captain. You decide when to hire new crew members."

The Captain. Right. Jaune gulped and nodded, schooling his face in the same confident smile as before, "Well... how can I say no to two eager young adventurers?" He wasn't even lying about that. Jaune could tell Ruby was a kindred spirit. Someone who saw the life of piracy as a way to get treasures and adventure. He needed someone like that on his crew.

... Plus, it'd be two more crew members who didn't see him trip Ozpin into the sea.

Ruby squealed. Seagulls all across the harbor took the skies while he, Glynda, and Yang winced, "Yes, yes, yes! I promise you won't regret it!" Ruby dropped the rest of her blueprints and hugged Jaune. He grunted at the suddenly tight grip. Ruby was way stronger than she looked, "The upgrades should only take a few weeks, but after? Not even the entire Atlesian navy can take the Beacon!"

"Assuming this all works, of course," Glynda muttered.

"Of course it's gonna work! The only explosion happened because the last captain didn't listen to me!" Ruby huffed, "You'll see! I'll earn my place at the Beacon!"

"Here's hoping." Jaune's smile became strained. The last thing he wanted for his first official voyage start with half his ship exploding.

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Weiss Schnee was someone who had it all. Beauty, grace, riches, and power. As the heiress to the Schnee Trading Company, she held an unprecedented level of power in the four seas. Her porcelain skin was unmarred by scars or blemishes, her snow-white hair cascaded down her back like spun silk, and her ice-blue eyes could freeze a man's heart with a single glance. She moved with the refined elegance that only came from years of the finest tutoring, and her voice could command attention in any room.

But beauty wasn't her only asset, of course. The Schnee family possessed a hereditary Semblance that had been passed down through generations: the power of their glyphs. She could create barriers of crystalline ice that could stop cannon fire, use Dust like it was part of her body, freeze the sea itself, and move at speeds that would put even the fastest ships to shame. She could outfight and overpower just about anyone in the Atlesian navy, a fact that both impressed and unnerved her father's business partners.

Yet for all her advantages, there was one thing that eluded her: freedom

Her position was nothing more than a gilded cage. Beautiful and luxurious, but a prison nonetheless. Every decision was made for her, every relationship scrutinized, every moment of her life planned and orchestrated by her father. Jacques Schnee was a horrible man who would do anything for profit - Dust, slaves, weapons, anything he could transport and sell across the four seas. It was disgusting. The way he spoke about people like they were commodities, the way he smiled while discussing trade routes that relied on human suffering, the way he used his own daughter as a bargaining chip.

Her mind wandered, as it often did these days, to the stories she'd heard of pirates. Dashing rogues and charming scoundrels who sailed the seas with nothing but their wit and their crew. Many of them were handsome as well, supposedly. Sun-bronzed skin from life at sea, strong arms from hauling rope and wielding cutlasses, eyes that sparkled with mischief and adventure. Freedom fighters and rebels who took what they wanted and lived life on their terms, no one else's.

She could picture it so clearly. A pirate ship appearing on the horizon, sails billowing in the wind. The crew would board her vessel, and their captain - tall and mysterious yet with a roguish smile and gentle hands - would see her standing there. A young, beautiful maiden ripe for the taking. She would resist, of course, putting up a proper fight befitting a lady of her station. But then their eyes would meet, and she'd see something different in his gaze. Not crude lust like the nobles back home, but genuine desire mixed with respect. He'd sweep her off her feet with wit and charm, and she'd find herself willingly sailing away into the sunset, finally free to live as she chose...

Weiss sighed into her tea, the delicate porcelain cup trembling slightly in her hands as she ignored the gentle rocking of the ship. The fantasies were pleasant, but they couldn't dispel the reality of her situation. Right now, she was on a ship ferrying her to meet her future husband. Cardin Winchester, the son of a Valean admiral from a prestigious family. Father had offered her up like a pig at a feast for a trade deal, promising her hand in marriage to secure military protection for Schnee shipping routes.

Mr. Winchester was apparently "respectable," from what she'd been repeatedly told. Which meant he was a proponent of the corrupt, bloated system that kept the rich in power while the poor suffered. He had no charm, no wit, no dreams beyond climbing the ranks of his father's navy through nepotism. He talked about his position as if it'd been earned rather than handed to him. Spoke proudly of a ship he'd been gifted when he turned 17 and a commission he was fast tracked for. His "war stories" of attacking Faunus natives sickened her to her core.

She shuddered at the memory of the way he looked at her during their brief meeting months prior. The obvious lust in his eyes as they roamed over her figure. There was no charm in it, no subtlety, no romance. Just crude, base want. Like she was a piece of meat to be devoured rather than a woman to be courted. And father had approved of it because he was a "respectable man".

He'd spoken to her like she was already his property, discussing their "future together" as if her opinion on the matter was irrelevant. She knew what he wanted. A blushing bride to slake his lusts on while he had his "fun" out in sea. A breeding sow to cement his legacy.

Oh, what she wouldn't give to escape right now...

She set the cup down and furrowed her brow at the sudden sounds of screams coming from outside. What in the Brothers? She stood up and almost stumbled at the sounds of cannonfire. An attack? She grabbed Myrtenaster and looked out the window. Across the distance, she made out a ship. Black and green wood, dark sails, and that flag... her eyes widened and she gasped. The Beacon. That was the Beacon. The ship of Dread Pirate Ozpin!

Her grip on Myrtenaster tightened. She'd heard the tales of Dread Pirate Ozpin, everyone had. His rivalry with Admiral Ironwood was legendary, and Ozpin himself - despite being called a Dread Pirate - was reportedly a gentleman and a man of honor. The wanted posters she'd seen were very flattering to the man. A true Silver Fox. He was the talk of ladies of the court, the subject of tantalizing whispers in formal gatherings.

Her heart beat rapidly. Not in fear, but in excitement. Her ship was being attacked by the Dread Pirate himself, likely because of father's ostentatiousness. She was to be delivered to Vale like a prize pig and no normal ship would suffice for that. Pride (alongside greed) had always been her father's fatal flaw. He assumed the crew - Cardin's cronies who she felt little sympathy for - would be enough to fight off any pirate ship that dared to raid them.

Evidently, he didn't expect the Beacon.

She could hear the sounds of fighting outside escalating. She almost rushed out before she remembered the situation. She had no desire to be taken to Vale as the blushing bride and the men outside were hardly worthy of sympathy. They were part of Cardin's raids against the Faunus and guarded slave ships. If she saved them, they'd simply haul her off to Cardin, likely while downplaying her achievements and claiming they all fought off the pirates while she cowered in her tea room.

She sat back down, crossed her legs, and drank her tea as the sounds of battle intensified. She would play her role perfectly. Once Captain Ozpin kicked down the door, she would surrender herself for ransom. From there, she would either convince him of her use (she knew more about the SDC than Jacques thought she did) or escape on her own. Her beauty and abilities, plus her business sense, ensured she could live independently if need be.

Minutes passed and the sounds of fighting began fade. Weiss finished off her tea and set the cup down just in time for someone to kick the door down. Weiss perked up, readying herself to play her role perfectly until she saw exactly who'd stomped inside. It wasn't Captain Ozpin. It wasn't even a man. Instead, the one who stood in the door was a tall blonde woman, her lilac eyes shining with mirth as she tossed the captain of the ship onto the floor in front of her, groaning but undeniably still breathing.

"... Rude." Weiss looked at the woman with distaste. She almost drew Myrtenaster and froze her solid before she reminded herself of what was at stake.

The tall blonde grinned and walked towards her like she owned the place, "Well, well, well. Guess you're the treasure of this ship, huh?"

"It would seem so." Weiss stood and picked up Myrtenaster. The blonde's eyes flicked over the the rapier and her posture tensed, "Well? Take me to your captain."

"That's really not how this works. This is a kidnapping, princess. I've got the sack right here." She gestured to the sack she held in her left hand.

"Attempt to stuff me in there and I'll throw you overboard and find someone else who'll treat a lady with the respect she deserves." Weiss said, glaring at the woman with her eyes narrowed, "You must be new to this. I'm Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Trading Company. My father will pay a king's ransom for me, but touch one hair on my head, and you get nothing. Then you'll have to explain to your dear Captain why you lost a very easy fortune."

"Alright, alright! Geez.., " She rubbed the back of her head, "Come on then, let's just go before I change my mind."

Weiss smirked and primly followed the brute out, pointedly ignoring the groans of the crew. Most of them were still alive, though they'd have a hard time explaining to father and that lout Cardin why exacly they lost the precious heiress. She prepared herself on the speech she planned to give the Dread Pirate. She could be useful to him, and her information would be worth more than any ransom. If not, she could at least comfort herself knowing that father got egg on his face.

The crew of the Beacon saw her walking on her own power and looked on in confusion. Weiss continued with her head held high and refused to give them the satisfaction of being a meek damsel," Hm.., " She looked around the ship. It looked slightly different from what the stories told, but that was to be expected. Stagnancy killed and it was to be expected that the Beacon would improve its capabilities. If the legends were true, it was hundreds of years old.

The blonde took her to an older woman she recognized as Glynda Goodwitch. The Siren stood next to a blonde young man wearing a rather dashing outfit. She eyed him up and down. Young and good looking enough with a smile she couldn't quite place. She looked past him, trying to find the head of silver hair she expected, and frowned when she saw no trace of the legendary pirate.

"Excuse me?" she said, "Where is Captain Ozpin? I believe he'll be interested in hearing what I have to say."

The blonde man's smile twitched slightly while Goodwitch sighed, "Ozpin is... no longer with us." She gestured to the young man next to her, "He was defeated in an honorable duel a few weeks ago." For some reason, a ginger woman and a monkey Faunus man suddenly started snickering, "Right now, Captain Jaune Arc is in charge of the Beacon. If you have something to say, then please say it to him, Ms. Schnee."

Both eyebrows rose and the heiress turned back to the young man. Him? He'd been the one to defeat Dread Pirate Ozpin, king of the four seas and scourge of the corrupt? She looked him up and down again. His face was handsome, but not in a way that would make him stand out from the crowd. His blonde hair was messy, his blue eyes looked at her with what looked like uncertainty, and his smile looked more awkward now that she was paying attention to him.

This young man was the captain? She felt an almost profound sense of disappointment wash over her before it suddenly clicked.

Appearances could be deceiving. That was one of the few good lessons father had taught her. The man in front of her - Captain Arc, she reminded herself - appeared to be no more than some naive city boy, but he'd defeated Dread Pirate Ozpin. The man who'd successfully evaded the Atlesian navy and survived countless duels against Admiral Ironwood. No mere man could defeat a legend, which could only mean that Captain Arc was...

Her face flushed slightly, the red color noticeable against her pale skin. He still looked at her with an odd boyish charm, but she knew now that it was calculated; meant to put her at ease. She almost smiled back. Clearly, this man was a clever sort, putting on the front of uncertainty in order to be underestimated. Dread Pirate Ozpin cut a dashing figure, and look where that got him. This Jaune Arc, whoever he was, was clearly a more intelligent sort. A different kind of legend in the making.

"I see." Weiss' lips curled in a charming smile, "Well then, Captain Arc, I suppose I should introduce myself properly." She curtsied, ignoring how out of place it looked, "My name is Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Trading Company. I'm sure you're interested in ransoming me back to my father, but I have an alternative in mind. Surely a man such as yourself understands the value of a good deal?"

"A... deal?" He looked to Goodwitch, who only raised an eyebrow in response. Silent communication. Clever. He turned back to her, "I mean, yes, of course, a deal. I'm sure a woman of your great standing knows all about making deals."

"Indeed." Weiss actually did smile. Jaune Arc clearly inherited his predecessor's cunning, "Well, I think we should speak privately, Captain. Also, I'm sure you have a brig prepared for normal prisoners, but I am not one of them. I will not be sleeping in a cell or bunking with your crew. A woman of my standing deserves better."

"Ah... right, right. Well, you can go to the Captain's cabin for now, Ms. Schnee. We can talk after we... well, clean up and plunder."

"Hm. I'd recommend the paintings." Weiss waved a hand airily, "Father wanted to send it as a wedding gift. Another way for him to flaunt his wealth, no doubt. I'll be in your quarters when you're ready to talk, Captain." She snapped her fingers, "Could someone please lead me there?"

"Uh, I'll do it!" A dark haired young woman eagerly bounded next to her, "Name's Ruby!"

"Weiss Schnee. Normally I'd insist on being called Ms. Schnee, but the current circumstances don't force formality. You may call me Weiss."

"Alright, Weiss! I think we're gonna get along great!"

"Hm. We'll see."

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Jaune was absolutely, completely, and utterly screwed.

He stood on the deck of the Beacon, watching Weiss Schnee disappear into his quarters with Ruby in tow, and slowly felt his soul leave his body. This wasn't supposed to happen! He only attacked the ship because it had the SDC flag flying high and proud, and that's what pirates did, right? They attacked corrupt corporate ships! It was practically a public service! Steal from the rich, and give (a portion) to the poor! He was being a hero!

Yang, of course, conveniently failed to mention one tiny, insignificant detail until AFTER they already sprang the attack: Weiss freaking Schnee was on board.

"Oh yeah," she'd said casually while swinging from a rope like it was no big deal, "That douchebag Cardin had his ship repaired in Patch a few weeks ago. Wouldn't stop bragging to anyone who'd listen about how he was getting married to a Schnee. Real asshole, that guy."

And now they'd kidnapped the heiress to the biggest, most powerful, most take-everything-personally company in all of Remnant.

... Sort of.

Jaune wasn't entirely sure it counted as kidnapping when the victim walked onto your ship voluntarily (while fully armed) and started making demands about private quarters. Weiss was taking her ship being attacked weirdly well, all things considered. Most people screamed, or cried, or at least looked a little upset about the whole "being captured by pirates" thing. Instead, Weiss looked... intrigued? Like this was exactly what she'd been hoping for?

He watched her walk away until she disappeared around the corner, and then felt his brain stop for entirely different reasons. He'd seen the governor's daughters before back home. Gwen Darcy and her friends, all dolled up for fancy parties and social gatherings, batting their eyelashes behind their fans. They were pretty enough, the kind of women who made young men in port towns dream impossible dreams of taking them away or marrying into luxury. He'd heard all the fantasies before in his nights at the tavern.

Weiss put them all to shame.

Even after getting kidnapped (sort of), she looked absolutely flawless. Her hair caught the sunlight like pure snow, her skin was flawless like a fine painting, and those icy blue eyes looked at him with an intelligence that made his stomach do weird flips. She moved with the kind of grace that came from years of etiquette training, but there was something else there too. A sharpness, like she was constantly calculating three moves ahead of everyone else. She wasn't scared. She looked like she was planning this.

If he were still back home, working some boring job and spending his evenings at the tavern, he probably would've been pining for her like the rest of the lads. Dreaming about some impossible fantasy where a girl like that would even notice a guy like him, let alone run away to-

The back of his head was smacked. Hard.

"Ow!" Jaune yelped, clutching the back of his head as he whirled around to face Glynda. His second-in-command was giving him the flattest, most unimpressed look he'd ever seen. Something that would've put Mama Arc to shame.

"No untoward actions towards hostages," she said firmly, adjusting her glasses, "We have a reputation to maintain, Captain. A professional reputation. You don't want to be like Tyrian Callows."

"I wasn't planning anything!" Jaune sputtered, his face turning red, "I was just- she's very- I mean, I just noticed that she's-"

"Attractive. Yes. I have eyes." Glynda's expression didn't change, "She's also the daughter of one of the most powerful men in Remnant, which makes her significantly more dangerous than her appearance suggests. Do try to remember that."

"I wasn't gonna do anything! Honest!"

"Mmm-hmm." Glynda's expression made it cleary she didn't buy a word of it.

"I wasn't!" Jaune protested, waving his hands frantically, "I was just... looking! You know, making sure she wasn't going to try to escape or pull a hidden weapon or something!" Nevermind that she was openly carrying a rapier and had dust vials in her corset, "That's normal captain behavior, right? Keeping an eye on prisoners?"

Glynda raised an eyebrow, "Is that what we're calling it now?"

"Yes! That's exactly what we're calling it!"

Jaune was about to say something else, but Glynda clearly wasn't interested in his (honest) excuses. She turned to look at the raided ship being looted, hands clasped behind her back in that way that meant she was thinking through a problem, "Speaking of which," she said, her tone going from exasperated to grimly serious, "Kidnapping Ms. Schnee will incur the wrath of both the SDC and the Atlesian Navy. Jacques Schnee has more money than some small kingdoms, and he's not the type of man who forgives slights against his family. Admiral Ironwood will mobilize half the fleet to hunt us down, and that's if we're lucky."

Jaune felt his stomach drop into his boots, "If we're lucky?"

"If we're unlucky, Jacques will put a bounty on our heads so large that every pirate, bounty hunter, and mercenary in the four seas will be trying to collect it." Glynda's voice was perfectly calm, which somehow made it infinitely more terrifying, "Granted, he already had a standing bounty for the Beacon, but kidnapping his daughter is a slight not even Ozpin committed. I'm almost impressed at your audacity." She smiled slightly, "It's sink or swim now, Captain."

The weight of her words settled over him like a falling sail. This was it. This was the moment where his dreams of adventure and excitement crashed headfirst into reality. He wanted to be a legendary pirate, sure, but he'd been thinking more along the lines of "gradually building a reputation over several years". Instead, he'd (accidentally) killed the most legendary pirate in all of Remnant and followed up by kidnapping the daughter of a man richer than the king. And that wasn't hyperbole.

Glynda seemed to read his thoughts, "I recommend swimming."

"Swimming?" Jaune repeated weakly.

"Swimming," Glynda nodded, "Which means we need to be very, very careful about how we handle this situation. Ms. Schnee mentioned wanting to make a deal rather than be ransomed. That suggests she has something specific in mind. Information, perhaps, or some other form of leverage that's more valuable than the king's ransom Jacques would've paid for her. Whatever it is, it might be our only way out of this mess that doesn't end with the whole crew in gibbets for the next fifty years."

Jaune nodded numbly. Right. A deal. He could handle a deal. He was the captain now, after all. Captains made deals all the time. They parleyed. How hard could it be?

...

He was so screwed.

"Also," Glynda added, almost as an afterthought, "Try not to stare at her quite so obviously next time. It's undignified. You're the captain of the Beacon, please act like it."

Jaune's face turned an even deeper shade of red, "I wasn't staring!"

"Of course not, Captain." Glynda's tone suggested she believed that about as much as she'd believe him if he said he could fly, "Now, shall we see what our unexpected guest has to offer? The sooner we resolve this situation, the better our chances of survival."

Jaune squared his shoulders and tried to summon whatever confidence he had left, "Okay. I'm going to go talk to the most dangerous woman in Remnant, who could probably have me executed with a single word to her father, and try to make a deal that doesn't end with all of us at the bottom of the ocean."

"That's the spirit," Glynda said dryly, harsh enough to peel paint.

"...This is going to go horribly wrong, isn't it?"

"Almost certainly."

[line break]

Winter Schnee was absolutely furious.

Her boots clicked against the marble floors of the Atlesian Naval headquarters with the sharp, stabbing rhythm of barely contained rage. Her pristine white uniform was immaculate as always, her posture perfectly straight, her expression schooled into the kind of cold professionalism that had earned her respect throughout the entire navy despite her youth and familial background.

But beneath that controlled exterior, Winter was a tangled mess of ferocity and rage.

Her precious little sister had been kidnapped. Kidnapped! The audacity of it was beyond comprehension!

She'd received the report less than an hour ago from the surviving crew members of Weiss's escort ship, and every word had been like a dagger to her heart. Pirates had attacked without warning, overwhelmed the crew, and made off with her sister like she was some...some common strumpet! Winter's hands clenched into fists at her sides as she imagined what that pirate captain was doing to her right now.

Weiss was young. Innocent. Pure. She was everything good and noble about their family, untainted by the political machinations and corporate dealings that had hardened Winter over the years. She was the kind of woman that brought out the most base desires in those... those ruffians! Pirates had no concept of honor, no respect for nobility or virtue! They were lawless savages who took whatever they wanted without thought for the consequences!

Winter's mind conjured horrifying images of her sister's delicate hands being bound with rough rope while she screamed for her sister to save her. Images of some scarred, leering pirate captain dragging her into his quarters while his crew cheered and jeered. The thought made her stomach churn with rage.

Winter shook her head sharply, forcing herself to focus. She couldn't afford to let her emotions cloud her judgment, not when Weiss' safety was at stake. She needed to be calm and decisive.

She needed to get Admiral Ironwood to mobilize the fleet immediately.

She reached the Admiral's office and didn't bother knocking. All decorum forgotten in the face of family crisis, Winter pushed through the doors and strode inside. Admiral Ironwood looked up from his desk in surprise, blue eyes widening at her sudden entrance. He was a imposing man even while seated, broad-shouldered and strong-jawed, with graying hair that spoke to years of military service. A far more respectable figure than her own father. Under normal circumstances, Winter would have apologized for the breach of protocol.

These were not normal circumstances.

"Admiral," she said without preamble, her voice clipped and professional despite the fire burning in her chest, "My sister's ship was attacked not long ago. She's been kidnapped by the Beacon."

The admiral's expression immediately shifted from surprise to grim understanding mixed with a tinge of annoyance. He leaned back in his chair and let out a long, weary sigh, rubbing his temples with one hand, "Oz is really pushing his luck this time," he muttered, more to himself than to her, "Attacking a Schnee transport directly? That's bold, even for him." He looked up at Winter with the kind of tired resolve that came from years of dealing with the same persistent threat, "We'll make a deal. We always do. Ozpin's reasonable enough when it comes to ransoms, especially for high-profile hostages. Your sister will be home within the week. I'm sure Jacques is willing to pay for his-"

"Admiral," Winter interrupted, her voice sharp enough to cut steel, "Dread Pirate Ozpin is dead."

The admiral froze. The casual confidence drained from his face like water from a sinking ship, leaving behind something Winter had never seen before: genuine shock, "I beg your pardon?" he asked, his voice strained.

"Some new pirate calling himself Captain Arc was the one who committed this heinous deed," Winter continued, her voice growing colder with each word, "The surviving crew members were rather clear about that. He announced it to them, as if he wanted them to spread the word. This...This Arc killed Ozpin and took command of the Beacon. My sister is in the hands of a complete unknown." She grit her teeth. Ozpin was a nuisance, but he was a known quantity, and she almost respected him for attacking Jacques' commerce. This Arc was a different breed of savage.

For a long moment, Admiral Ironwoodsaid nothing. He just stared at her, his mouth slightly open, his eyes wide with disbelief. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a whisper, "Repeat that."

"Dread Pirate Ozpin is dead," Winter said again, each word carefully enunciated, "Killed by the hands of this new...I don't even know what to call him. This Arc." She leaned forward slightly, her composure cracking just enough to let her desperation show through, "Admiral, we need to act immediately. We have no idea what kind of man this Captain Arc is, what he's capable of, or what he might do to Weiss. For all we know, he could be some bloodthirsty savage who-"

"I see," Ironwood said suddenly, his voice flat and emotionless. He stood up slowly, like a man in a trance, and turned to stare out the window at the harbor below. The hands folded behind his back shook with barely suppressed rage for her sister's safety, "Please ready the ship, Commodore Schnee. We need to...to confront this Arc." He said the name like a curse. Good.

Winter nodded gratefully, relief flooding through her chest. The admiral clearly understood the gravity of the situation, "Thank you, Admiral. I'll have the crew prepared for immediate departure within the hour." She turned sharply on her heel and strode toward the door, her mind already racing through tactical considerations. They would need to move fast, strike hard, and rescue Weiss before this Captain Arc could do anything irreversible. The thought of her innocent little sister in the hands of some unknown pirate made her stomach churn, but at least now they had a plan.

And if it came down to it, she'd sacrifice herself to swap places with Weiss. She could take whatever abuse those sea thieves could dish out. Anything to protect Weiss and keep her innocence intact. Whatever this Captain Arc would do to her, she would not break.

As soon as the door closed behind her, she heard a loud slam from inside the office follow by a muffled scream.

Winter nodded approvingly as she continued down the hallway. Clearly, Admiral Ironwood saw this situation as seriously as she did. He was obviously as outraged as she was about what this Captain Arc might be doing to poor, innocent Weiss right now. They needed to save her sister before her purity was tainted by that villain's vile machinations!

The rescue couldn't come soon enough.

[line break]

Poor Jaune. Kidnaps the most powerful woman in Remnant (who thinks he must be a cunning genius), Winter wants him dead, and now Ironwood is malding because his rivalry with his old roommate (oh my god, they were roommates) was cut short.

Question:

1. So we got Weiss (plus Ruby and Yang earlier), we've still got Pyrrha, Blake, and Penny. Who do you guys wanna see next? Note that they're not gonna be recruited next chapter. Still gotta deal with Weiss' "kidnapping".