Hello everyone! As I promised to those who read my other fic "An Arc's Mad World" this outline has become a full length fic by popular demand! Thanks for those who came over from there, and welcome for those who are just now seeing this. I hope you enjoy this idea, because I sure do, and I hope you'll come back for more chapters!

Thanks again.

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Jaune adjusted his tie for what must have been the 11th or 12th time for today. He gazed back at his reflection and saw an utter hopelessness in his eyes, the look of a man defeated one too many times. He rubbed his temples tiredly as he leaned onto the expensive marble sink, he looked down absently into the basin as he tried to breath in and out.

Jaune was going to be married off to the beautiful heiress of the Goldmine dust company, the second largest producer of dust in the world and just behind the Schnee Dust Company in money and power. They were situated securely in Vale's council just as the SDC were rooted in Atlas's council, and that meant they were the perfect family to be married into and it just so happened the prestigious Arc family had a strapping young heir that was coming into the age of adulthood.

Jaune snarled bitterly to himself, this marriage was the talk of every high-class group of philanthropists and government officials in all of Remnant, seeing as how one Weiss Schnee was going to become a huntress and thus spare herself of being married off, he was the next biggest talk of the town. Think of it: the sole male of the greatest line of strongest huntresses in history being married with the beautiful and intelligent heiress to the second largest dust company in all of Remnant! It would be huge!

Jaune gripped the sides of the sink hard, in other words his own parents were selling him off to some hard-ass ice queen that cared little more about him than his mother's family name. That's right- he was just the sole male of the Arcs, a novelty at best and an unwelcome distraction at worst, but the moment the Goldmines offered a chance for marriage was the day his father gave him a talk about upholding his duty to the family.

His father. A cowardly man who had been whipped into such submission that if his mother told him to eat his hand he'd ask "which one?". The day he gave him the talk was the day Jaune found he had developed a tic when his emotions got out of control. He hid his livid rage well, only allowing a couple twitches of the eyes to escape his rapidly cracking mask of placidity.

He had been groomed for this "honor" for the past 4 years or so. Ever since he was 13 his innocent view of the world was shattered like fragile glass, his parents basically told him the score of things. He was going to be married off to some rich family's daughter and that would mean mommy and daddy could be richer and more influential than they were now. For the rest of middle school and all through high school he spent whatever free time he had going through etiquette lessons, physical conditioning, extra studies, and countless hours of meetings and preparations.

It exhausted him to the point where he suffered a full-on nervous breakdown and was about one shot of vodka away from eating a bullet before Sunny found him and stopped him. His parents hired a therapist for about a month, covered the whole thing up, and then went about like nothing ever happened; he was about to meet his fiancee for the first time after all. Yes, the entire time he didn't even get a damn look at her nor did he know what she was like.

"Jaune, I'd like for you to meet your Fiancee!" his mother said in a chipper voice, opening the doors to the spacious living room he got a good look of the only person around his age, some small 15 year old girl that looked just as likely to have him assassinated than marry him. Jaune took a tentative step forward, before being pushed along by his father who gave him some useless words on how to charm a woman which he promptly ignored.

"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Jaune Arc." he tried to greet her with some modicum of courage, but this woman could stare down a beowulf.

"Kim Goldmine, you're my fiancee?"

"Yes?"

"Fine then."

And that set the tone of their "relationship" for the next two years with them meeting occasionally every few weeks to get to know eachother. He had taken her on more than a few dates but she just spent the time doing some stock market crap on her scroll. They felt more like acquainted strangers than actual fiancee and fiance respectively.

A knock at the bathroom door pulled him out of his reminiscing.

"Mr. Arc? Your parents have requested your presence at in the dining hall. The party has begun and you're expected to provide entertainment." came the voice of their head maid Sunny Solaire. An unconscious pull of the muscles near his lips did little to reflect the anger inside, entertainment, yes that's what you are. Entertainment.

"Of course." came the curt reply.

In the world of Remnant horrific monsters known as Grimm are kept at bay by noble warriors known as Huntresses. What makes huntresses so adept at battling such creatures is their inherent connection to the protective lifeforce known as aura that shields them from injury and heals whatever cannot be absorbed. It does well to give a normal human an edge against these monsters, but additionally, this connection also grants them a sort of trump card known as a semblance. A semblance is a power or ability that is unique to each person and manifests itself as some kind of "superpower" furthering their ability to battle the Grimm.

Strangely though, only females have the ability to possess aura, thus they are truly the only ones who can fight the Grimm. Naturally, women rose to power in the world and throughout history there have only ever been female heroes of legend and only famous female role models. Men, instead, were shoved down the ladder of importance and took up the jobs of cooking, cleaning, accounting, gardening, and other more passive and safe jobs while women took on the tougher jobs. This institution of power led to the common principle of male subservience such as taking the female surname, being expected to come second to a women's more important tasks, and being expected to be married off at their mother's discretion.

The whole thing made Jaune bitter and resentful. He came to distrust any women, hate his mother and father, and grow emotionally distant from his once beloved siblings. His sisters had noticed and tried to bridge the gap between them, but, as always, their duty as the 7 of the top 10 huntresses in the world were more important and their relationship never changed.

Jaune exited the bathroom he had been spent his time hiding in and followed Sunny to the dining hall where more rich, snobby guests mingled with eachother to feel more important than they were. His shoes clicked across the shined floor as he could hear the drunken mingling get progressively louder as they neared the dining room. Sunny cast a glance at the boy she had taken care of since he was 4 and hid her grimace, she could see the small tic in his cheek not to mention those glazed eyes, they made her feel sick that her boy was going to be sold off like cattle.

They reached the grandiose doors and Sunny opened them slightly before stopping to regard Jaune. "It will get better Jaune, but you must be willing to let it get better for yourself and those around you."

Jaune didn't even react apart from another tic in his eye but she guessed it was most likely involuntarily. She opened the door completely and allowed him to step in; he took a purposeless step forward garnering some lazy glances from drunken guests but was otherwise ignored. He spotted his mother and father chatting up his soon-to-be in-laws Aurelian Goldmine and Sylvia Goldmine, they were good looking enough about as much as rich billionaires do with Aurelian standing slightly smaller than his wife with a close-cropped head of salt-and-pepper colored hair. Sylvia and Aurelian were both dressed in a fashionable matching pair of mahogany-colored suit and dress, Sylvia had hair as black as the night and a face that was all angles. Despite seeing them often enough these days he rarely truly looked at them in any meaningful way, their faces might as well have been muddled blobs of color.

He strode over to them to make a gentlemanly appearance as a man should. He got near them and their light laughter paused briefly as they looked at him, dressed in his three piece black suit and red tie they apparently approved as they flashed smiles that had won them all kinds of favors before.

It made him feel sick, like he was just surrounded by fake, plastic people.

"Jaune my good man, it's so great to see you." Aurelian said, extending a hand as Jaune took it and gave it a few firm shakes.

"Yes Jaune, and I as well." Sylvia replied, extending her hand as Jaune bowed to kiss it slightly.

"Mrs. Goldmine, Mr. Goldmine, a pleasure to see you this evening." he managed to choke out, trying to remember his lessons on how to greet distinguished guests. His parents nodded approvingly yet Jaune did not even glance towards them, one look would send him into a ticcing nightmare.

"Jaune my good man, your fiancee is over there mingling with that wonderful Schnee and that amazing General would you care to join them?" Sylvia asked politely, but Jaune knew that was an order more than a suggestion. He looked over to where his fiancee did indeed stand, talking to some woman -a Schnee apparently- and her slightly more rugged superior if the crisp, decorated uniform was anything to go by.

Yes, Kim Goldmine. The heiress to the Goldmine Dust Company and his fiancee, she took after her mother more than her father with a face of sharp, hawkish features that reminded him of that Goodwitch lady from Beacon and stark black hair with silverish streaks done up in an extremely tight bun. She wore a grey pantsuit and had a pair of slim glasses on her face, she stood slightly smaller than him but she made up for it with a calculated and intelligent attitude. Her knowledge of economic and government were matched only by her diplomatic skills and it was obvious those were nothing to scoff at.

His dear bride to be was so much less than Jaune wanted. His sisters always told him that whoever he would marry he would love unconditionally, and they would do the same vice verse. Kim wasn't quite obsessed with money and status, but she did not, no matter what the talk shows and the magazines say, marry Jaune over some attraction to the blonde boy. She considered life to be more about upholding one's expectations than actually living how you want; it almost made him feel sorry for what a shit life she must have had, atleast he had his sisters.

Almost.

Jaune sauntered over to the gathered group and nodded quietly as they caught sight of him. The Schnee was dressed in a white coat that was similar to that of Atlesian officers but she had apparently incorporated her own style into it, a red brooch hung near her neck and the tailcoat was significantly longer reaching towards her knees; additionally, her feet and legs were garbed in some kind of boot-high heel combination that didn't look practical at all. Jaune subtly raised a brow at the silver saber sheathed at her belt, she held a relaxed but disciplined stance as she talked with Kim.

"Ms. Schnee, Ms. Ironwood, this is my fiance Jaune Arc." Kim introduced in that same formal tone she always used when speaking, no matter the situation. It grated against his ears but he swallowed his displeasure to smile kindly at their distinguished guests. If the white-haired one was the Schnee then the taller one with the black pixie-style haircut must have been Jocelyn Ironwood -A general if he remembered correct- who wore a white overcoat, with a gray undercoat, black sweater, a red necktie, and a white glove on her right hand. Her suit pants share the same color as her overcoat and are tucked into silver boots accented in gray.

"A pleasure Mr. Arc, I'd like to say you've gotten very lucky on who your mother picked out. She could not have found a better suitor." Ironwood complimented as Kim forced -more or less- a polite smile.

tic

He lowered his head slightly to cover it but he was sure he saw the Schnee's eyes narrow. "Truly an honor as well General, and you in kind Ms. Schnee." he greeted with another forced but polite smile. He had heard of the Schnees, and he had attended a few of their stuffy parties before. From what he remembered this one was Winter, and her younger sister was Weiss.

Yes, she was always the entertainment at the party. And afterward, she'd be forced to sit with her parents while they entertained more important people, she couldn't move or go anywhere without their permission, just like his situation. All that was missing was the leash and collar at those parties, and he could even go so far as to say he felt a sort of connection with her at one point; kindred spirits if you will. But, unlike him, she could become a huntress and escape such a bleak future and she did, going to Atlas maybe? It'd make the most sense. He was brought out of his tangent of thought by General Ironwood's response-

"Please, Jocelyn will suffice." Ironwood said as she raised her gloved hand slightly.

"Yes, you may call me Winter if you like." said Winter as she kept her hands clasped tightly behind her back.

"So, Kim, have you thought about your future with your new husband?" Ironwood said, trying to make casual conversation as they sipped their drinks.

tic tic

"Yes, the Arcs carry a lot of weight politically so I am quite impressed about the choice my mother and Mrs. Arc decided upon." Kim said, gesturing to the aforementioned group of people somewhere behind them.

"Indeed, a fine choice for a fine heiress."

tic tic tic

Jaune scratched his nose to prevent the ticcing in his eyes and face from showing but Winter was much to observant. "Mr. Arc are you alright" she asked politely, but before he could answer Kim took over.

"My husband has a slight tic you see, we're working on fixing it at the moment."

"Mmhmm." was the only response Ironwood gave as Winter looked at him warily. Kim talked more and more about the economics of Dust Trading, the increase in White Fang attacks, and the socio-economic policies between Atlas and Vale. It all bored him to death, but it was his "solemn duty as a husband" to stand there and make sure his dear wife would look good.

tic

Yes, that was what he was. A trophy, a decoration, something to be flaunted and looked at occasionally before being stuffed back into the proverbial closet for months at a time. His happiness was not a factor, his father, his grandfather, and his brothers-in-law had all been raised in this, trained even. Like dogs.

tic tic tic

Anger rose in his chest, not at anyone in particular but it was palpable enough he could feel the waves of phantom tugs on his face.

tic tic tic tic

tic tic

tic ti-

"Dear, I'm going to step out for a moment. Excuse me Ms. Jocelyn, Ms. Winter." he hastily made his way to the exit and was withing a few feet when he felt something latch onto his arm. He whirled around to see his father staring back at him, impatient and curious at his hasty exit.

"Jaune what is the meaning of this? You do not simply leave-" whatever he saw in Jaune's eyes made him pause as his son looked back at him for a moment before slipping that mask back on, the ticcing in his face never leaving.

"The tics have begun again, I'm stepping out for a moment." Jaune said emotionlessly, like some kind of automaton. Jaune's father did not say anything, but he did let go and warily returned to his wife to relay some simple message. Jaune took the chance to step out of the dining hall and into the chilling corridor as he briskly walked down to the kitchen.

He entered in without a word and spared not a single glance at those around him, some hired catering staff and servants of the Arc family. One in particular, the head butler Floyd, came to meet him halfway.

"Master Arc, something the matter?" he stopped when he saw just how bad Jaune's tics had gotten, over the course of minutes it had transformed but slight facial tugs into pulls enough to make him jut his head slightly.

Jaune trudged over to a low-laying cupboard and rent it open without a second thought. Inside lay a few bottles of expensive wine, some fancy scotch, malt liquor, and spiced rum all the way from Vacuo; Jaune took no time in grabbing the rum and disappearing from the kitchen without a second thought.

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45 minutes.

45 fucking minutes of this was all he lasted.

And this was his life now. Rubbing elbows with the rich and playing househusband to some frigid cunt that couldn't care less if he was ripped apart by beowulves the day after they were married.

I mean for fuck's sake they threw them a contract for their marriage! He was mandated by the terms of the marriage to bare atleast 2 children, or one singular female child by law. Not to mention the countless impossible legal hoops required for him to divorce her he also had terms that were aimed at him specifically: no unauthorized activities, no criminal activities, no military service, additional schooling when applicable yada yada yada.

Jaune had never been so close to killing a man with a broken glass cup than on that day. Damn it all, the rum was hitting hard and fast, that crap always got him worked up in ways he couldn't help.

People tended to avoid him when he drank.

So there he sat, on the back balcony, away from his "family" and "loving wife" as he chugged a bottle of Captain Oro's spiced rum. It made him feel pathetic, what was the point of it all? He essentially had no say, this decision was going to come before his 18th birthday so his mother had full legal rights over him, but he could get married at 16 for some reason.

It was all some big conspiracy he swore to Oum above.

He sighed as he thought about the huge fuckup that was his life. He considered dropping himself off the balcony, it would atleast piss of mother since she'd never find such a good opportunity to marry her kids off he thought bitterly to himself.

A useless father, an uncaring mother, a bleak future, and a frigid wife. Oh boy.

To her credit, maybe he could learn to love his new, terse relationship with his wife. Maybe he would be fine taking some business classes and ending up in some cozy job on some useless committee board. Maybe he could just raise a couple of-

No.

Hell fucking no.

He was a human being! He had free will! The gods above did not put him on this world to just submit and do nothing quietly and accept it with a fake smile! He heard thunder rumble overhead, but he could have sworn the sky was clear soon before.

He shook his head, it didn't matter. He needed a way out, somehow he needed to escape his mother's grasp and save himself. He felt warmth flow through his core as his world lit up slightly, damn that rum was good stuff!

He'd resist, he'd bite back, he would kick, claw, scream, and punch until he died or they left him alone.

"FUCK YOU!" he shouted, throwing the now empty bottle at the open, mowed field of his mother's estate. But, before the bottle could hit the ground, an earth-splitting spear of magnificent divine wrath split the earth asunder and vaporized the bottle into a fine powder.

The lightning had struck so close that the resulting boom shook the house. He could hear guests and servants run outside to check what was happening, but he could also hear the sounds of footsteps approaching the door to the balcony he was on.

Floyd burst through the door, worry etched into his old face, "Master Arc! Are you unharmed?!" he asked as his bleary eyes scanned the balcony to make sure his boy was still in one piece. But something was wrong, in the middle of the balcony, on the railing, was someone surrounded in a white glow, almost like that of an-

"Aura." Floyd breathed to himself.

Jaune turned around and quickly ran to his old friend. "Floyd! Are you ok what's happening?"

"S-Sir, I... We must find your parents." was all he could must as he saw his definitely male charge's aura glow and blanket him. Without another word he took Jaune and ran down to the dining hall, when they entered they were greeted by the confused faces of his parents and in-laws.

"Floyd, what's happening out there? Is it storming?" his mother asked as she walked up to them.

Floyd just shook his head. "No ma'am, but we need General Ironwood and quickly!"

Almost as if on cue, said General Ironwood made herself known to the small party. He saw the apprehension on their faces and turned to face both Floyd and Jaune, "is something the matter?"

"Well sir, I believe that Jaune..."

"Jaune what?"

"Jaune may have an aura."

"What!"

"What?"

"What."

Floyd winced at the reactions but continued. "Yes, I saw him out on the balcony, after the lightning came down, and he was glowing or something. Glowing white I believe."

"Jaune, what is the meaning of this?" his father asked.

Jaune just shrugged and tried to make sense of it all. "Well, I did throw that bottle over the balcony and the lightning did indeed strike perfectly on it." he mused to himself, but surely that was a coincidence.

Ironwood exchanged looks with the gathered people. "I think we should end the party and get some rest, I'll be back in the morning to run some tests so please keep him here until then Mrs. Arc."

"Of course Jocelyn. Of course."

Jaune could feel something tie itself in his stomach. This was going to be the beginning of a lot more trouble.

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Of course, as I mentioned in my other fic, the first two chapters of this series will be extremely similar to the one's on "An Arc's Mad World" but I plan to make chapters 3 and beyond their own original chapters. Leave a review of what you think and I'll see you next time!

XOXOXO

CoffeyJoe