A Shadow of a Doubt

[arcward]

Who: Jaune Arc, Pyrrha Nikos, and OPEN to close CR with Jaune
What: Jaune confronts his shadow
Where: The lab
When: February 22


[Jaune’s not exactly thrilled to be doing this, but he feels that confronting his Shadow is something that needs to be done. It’s not like he doesn’t know what it’s going to say – his self-confidence was never the highest – but hearing it actually said? That isn’t going to be pleasant.

Still, he has to do it. He takes a deep breath and nods to the moogle in charge. He’s not ready, per se, but he’s as ready as he’s ever going to be. He closes his eyes, and when he reopens them, his doppelgänger is there, smirking at him.]

Well, well, well. I didn’t think you’d actually have the balls to do it. Then again, you did cheat your way into school, so I guess I shouldn’t be all that surprised. How’s that going, by the way?

[He cocks and eyebrow, as if he actually wants to hear Jaune’s thoughts on the matter. While this might have once been a touchy subject with Jaune, though, he’s already talked it out with Pyrrha so he barely flinches.]

I made team leader. And Pyrrha’s been helping me learn to fight better.

[The Shadow snorts.]

You call what you do fighting? Please. It’s fleeing. You’re a coward, Jaune Arc.

Th-that’s not true! I took down that Ursa that attacked Beacon on my own.

By closing your eyes and swinging wildly. Some hero.

[He pauses, grin growing wider when sees a flash of self-doubt go across Jaune’s face.]

Tell me: What happens the next time when he has a friend that attacks you from behind? What happens when Pyrrha can’t guide your shield in time? Face it, Jaune. You’re not cut out to be a hero. You never were. You’ll always be a pathetic brat.

Comments

[neverfirstclass]

[Cloud is in agreement with Chrom. Letting go of his sword he gives Jaune a waist high thumbsup at how he handled this in the end.]

Looks like you remember what you said to me that day with the chocobo. Good on you.

[Jaune already knew that being afraid was okay. He just needed to remember he knew that.]

[pole_position]

[Jaune's friends are doing a fine job at encouraging him with words, so she decides to take another tack. It's rare that she's this brave about this sort of thing in public, but he deserves it. And so with a deep blush and a big smile, she leans in to kiss him on the lips.]

...I know you will.

[unyieldingspirit]

[K'pandolu grins, wide but settled with the situation resolved. It'll take more than just words, but she's sure he knows that- and more, he's got the reasons to build that strength in himself, now.]

We've every faith you'll come through.

I guess this is a wrap :) go team!

[arcward]

[Jaune grins into the kiss, returning it gladly. When they break apart, he gives her hand a squeeze before chuckling at Cloud, remembering the mess they both were after the incident.]

Yeah, looks like I should start following my own advice.

[He grins at Chrom's retreating form and K'pandolu.]

Thanks for having my back and believing in me, even when I didn't. I couldn't have done this without all of your support.