RWBY: Forces of Grimm

Mauve hated the fact that she had a teammate that she utterly despised from the get-go. And normally that would have been just something to be annoyed at that she would have to adapt to. What just happened to her made her infinitely more pissed off though. She was not in the mood to interact with her team right now, especially her team leader. Mustering as much dignity as she could, she slinked off towards the dorm rooms. Right now she knew that nobody else would be there. She might as well set up her room to how she liked for it to be.  

                          -------------------



First come first serve! The moment Mauve had gotten to her dorm room, she had plopped her bag and the suitcase that she had found waiting for her outside the dorm room onto the far left bed close to the window. Atlas had decided to forward her stuff to her dorm room once it had been designated to her. 

Given her mission, it was possible that she could have ended up in a combat situation before she got to her dorm room. So they had elected to hold onto her stuff until she could put it somewhere safe. Her dorm room qualified as such.

Once that had gotten out of the way, Mauve picked out a clean set of clothes that was more casual wear and a pack of cigarettes and took them into the bathroom. She lay them both on the sink and quickly disrobed, locking the door behind her. She got undressed, even taking off her eyepatch, and stepped into the shower, turning it on and letting the warm water rain down on her.

Mauve sighed, closing her eyes and letting the water rain down on her. Right now, she needed this. Her encounter with the pink-haired student had left her looking rather disheveled. And she needed to do relaxing things to calm herself down. Step one was a shower. As she began cleaning herself, she thought back to that pink haired girl.

“Get a grip Mauve, you only lost cause of the stupid pacification field and having to hold back. You've faced tougher foes before. Besides, fighting newbies isn't why you're here."

Mauve stayed there for about half an hour. She dried herself off and made sure her hair wasn't messy. Then she put her eyepatch on and exited the bathroom. She lit a cigarette and sat on the edge of her bed, ruffling through it and setting out a set of clean clothes. Mauve relaxed in the meantime, being in no rush to get clothes on. A smoke always did help her calm down.

---

Moon just glanced briefly at Sapphire. It was fine to let her believe that. It was true that she could control her while she was awake. But she had to sleep eventually. If Moon really wanted to, she could wait Sapphire out if she felt like she needed to make a move. Although as Bowie pointed out, there was a problem to that.

"I doubt Ozpin knows about people like me and Sapphire, but he does seem to be wary of something. We need to find out what triggers the pacification field. It isn't our semblances: it would have reacted to my ability the moment I stepped onto campus. So it must be triggered whenever a battle is fought. But how? This field will be a hindrance if we can't work around it."

Moon did nod to Sapphire's assessment of the situation. "We need to plan carefully so that I don’t show up on security cameras. My ability doesn't work on anything without an aura. I also want all possible advantages. We'll find out what teams the three are on and obtain. As much info as possible. Psychological evaluations and semblances will be particularly helpful to know."

Moon looked over at Bowie as he commented on the feeding.

"I intend to spare you from witnessing that process. I doubt the headmaster knows of our existence yet. I doubt we'd be able to gather like this if we did.

Moon turned her head as their new teammate revealed herself. She didn’t flinch like Bowie did. Although her hand had gone to the hilt of her weapon briefly. It relaxed though, and Moon slightly smirked. The brief panic she had felt from Bowie was enjoyable.

"I was going to insist on a brief assessment of your capabilities. Since you snuck up on us, that won't be necessary. Welcome to the team, Ilia." Moon extended her hand up towards her new teammate.

---

"Holy cow, this guy is clumsier than I am."

A fair distance away outside of Arcana range, was a very strange figure with a telescope. She was spying on Alba and the people around him. She then put away the telescope and slipped it into a slot in her cloak. For the first time in awhile she felt hope.


"He felt so much weaker than me when we passed in Vale. This might be my only chance to absorb someone. I can’t do anything to him right here, so I've got to lure him out here. And I've got just the plan to do that. This guy is mine!"

The grimm side of her roared strongly, and she grinned wildly, licking her lips at the prospect. This was the first time she felt the dominant grimm side this strongly. Although perhaps it came on a little true strongly.

The reason why the event that transpired next occurred was anyone's guess. Perhaps her grimm emotions roaring this strong for the first time confused the sensors. Or maybe there was some kind of malfunction. Whatever the reason, the pacrification field activated, sending jolts of electricity through the arcana body.

"AAAAAAARGH!"

The girl cried out in pain, her body convulsing as the shocks went through her. Amazingly, she managed to stay on her feet. She supported herself by putting both her staff, which was on the constrained medium length mode.

"Ouch owie ow! Why did it activate?! Nevermind, I gotta go and get my hands on some paper and pencil. I'll also need an envolope… ow!"

The field would have stunned most people longer, but Arcana were made of tougher stuff. Glancing around to see if anyone was around, she made a run for ut, dashing away back towards town. She definitely didn't want to get shocked again.

(OOC Notes: Fool is exiting the thread unless something or someone stops her, or if something going on makes her stop. If an arcana does end up saving her, her signature is noticing weaker compared to others. And while grimm side feels like… grimm, the human element in her shines brightly.)

”You see them to right? All in one little spot, protected by what hates them most… it’s ironic”

A taller, brown haired girl walked out behind the Arcania with a smile, ignoring her little stumble even as delightfully fitting as she found it. She walked back and forth behind the Fool, hands behind her back as she talked to her. Her clothing left little to the imagination, the only bit of jewelry on here the circlet she wore on her head. She  had no need to disguise herself around another arcania, she wasn’t here for feeding purposes anyway. No no, she only wanted to get some entertainment rolling.

”Nice isn’t it? Your not the weakest anymore! Well… until he consumes an Arcania himself, then your shit out of luck aren’t you?”

She gave a look of pity that, while convincing was absolutely faked, she cared no more for the fool than she did any other Arcania, or people in general. To her they were no better than pieces on a board for her to move around against each other for a laugh. Unlike the others she knew there was better ways to absorb the Arcania than simply doing herself. For example, what if Fool here were to absorb a few of the rougher ones for her? It made her job easier.

Besides~ It gave her some semblance that maybe, just maybe she’d make it through…
Not that she ever would, of course.

”My my but you can’t go back in there can you…? You’ll just get shocked again~ hehe…. My, you’re going to lure him out right? Do you need some help little Fool? He has friends now, and your all on your own~ I could make things… just a little bit easier you know”

She grinned mischievously, even if Fool didn’t trust her, even if she knew she was up to something, what choice did she have? This luring plan of her relied on chance, on no one coming with him. It could work perfectly, or it could all go south in an instant. They weren’t close, but they knew each other’s powers from meeting in the past.

Fool may have been able to stop the fledgling Arcania by itself, but she wouldn’t be able to handle his unorthodox allies.

And that, was why she was certain Fool wouldn’t be able to refuse her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Motet blinked, as if genially confused that her statement was taken badly, why? Food was great! Why would being called tasty be bad? They should love it! Maybe they just didn’t think they were tasty enough to be called such….? Oh, maybe she could give a taste then to reassure them! Yeah, she could do that! Or at least she would have, but it seemed Vani knew humans didn’t like being eaten ether, she wasn’t sure if it was exactly Cannibalism… but she understood what Vani meant. They were imitating humans, so it would be to them. Sighing, she nodded her to show her acknowledgement of that fact. She whispered back:

”Okkkk I won’t keep talking about eating them, humans are so fragile though…”

Pretending huh? Motet tapped her chin in thought at that. She supposed it couldn’t hurt to let someone have some fun playing at being leader. Though if they tried to order around Van Van there would be problems! Still she gave a light smile, it was reasonable enough! Vani however would always be the real leader!

”Fineeee ok Vani, she can pretend to be leader”

Then Vaneera gave Motet an order, once she at first didn’t understand, but assumed there was some danger she wanted to observe, and thus did as asked pretending to check teams on the terminal. Instead, she went over the other teams while her partner made her observations. Though it wasn’t long before Motet began having the same feelings as Vaneera coursing through her.

Devour

Destroy

Break

Shatter

Now, pounce

Devour….. Destroy

Motet wasn’t as in control as Vaneera, not by a long shot. A lot of the time it took Vaneera reigning her in for her not to do something she shouldn’t. She had been making a lot of progress of course, but the feral side of her was still very much strong, even more so than a lot of the other Arcania.

This was why Motet ended up on all fours beside Vaneera, like a protective dog growling at where she felt that energy coming from as it passed. This also caused several disfunctions with her outfit, namely her skirt, not that she noticed.

The problem was that even as they passed by Motet remained in that feral state, on all fours and a low growl. She had slipped back into her more feral tendencies, and notably very much didn’t allow anyone to approach her or Vani.

She tried to bite at someone who did and received a minor shock as a result, causing her to reel but also making sure the person left them alone.

”Grrrr…”

Even as Vaneera comforted her she didn’t return to her usual self at first, though she did give a soft whimper as she reassured her, nuzzling against her side as she did so.

These things… affected the girl very heavly. That didn’t mean she didn’t understand what Vaneera said, she did, right down to preparation. She was simply responding it way more akin to a beast at the moment. Until recovered (likely with Vaneera’s help) She would follow behind her still on all fours, likely getting quite a few looks her way…..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sapphire shook her head, as if Bowie was making a critical failure in his evaluation of her statement. Hand on her hip she sighed.

”And what’s the best way of getting our job done? By doing all we can to make it look as if we truly are what we are, down to the last detail, you know what gets caught fast Bowie? Shoddy perfromances”

He was right about not underestimating the scum that was Ozpin however, and she nodded in agreement to it. He at least had some level of brains, which would mean they would have to carefully plan there moves in order to checkmate them.

”Agreed, his pawns are the main threat, without them he has nothing… we’ll need to plan removal if need be, if it comes to it”

She paled at Bowie’s comment about Grim, shaking her head and crossing her arms. That was COMPLELTY different and unrelated! Besides she was past that now!....MOSTLY.

”Hmph! That’s not my fault! they really need to just… stay in line! Walking around with moms look while acting like that… unacceptable”

Back to planning Moon brought up a strong point about the field. They needed to figure a way around it, or else there plans would be halted as soon as they put them into motion.

”We’ll need to find the source, they likely have a generator and a sensor, We’ll need to interfere with, or ruin one or both to clear our way”

As for the cameras, that was simple enough Sapphire felt, letting a bit of dust spark in her hands as her hands.

”From what I’ve seen this class will be quite rowdy, it should be simple to short out the cameras around us as a ‘side effect’ as a result, I and Bowie can easily handle that aspect right Bow?”

On Illa’s arrive Sapphire only stared her down, observing her motions but not commenting on her antics. This was the person she had to deal with instead of getting her Karasu? Subpar at best.
Illa for her part rolled with the motions with ease, putting on a strong front as she smiled wide a put on a gleeful disposition.

”What’s wrong Mr Bowie? I simply figured you would all like an example of my skills going forward, we are a team after all”

Lies mixed with truth, she only worked with them because she had to for now. She held no trust, nor care for any of them. But she would work with them, as effectively as she could to further the fangs goals.

She pretended to not understand the Arcania talk. Of course she wasn’t an expert, but you weren’t in her line of work without picking up things, whether through her contacts, the Fang, or her own work. She was far from knowing everything… but she knew they were more than human, and she knew how to identify them.

Being in the presence of one would only let her keep her allies even better informed with new information.

With a bright smile she accepted Moon’s hand in her own. She was of course well trained in this, ready to handle working with the team even as much as it irked her to do so. She shook her hand as if Moon telling her this was the greatest honor she could be given.

”Thank you, it’s good to see my effort was worth it! So then… where do we go from here? We have our work cut out for us it looks like!”

And it would only get harder with time.

Minti gave a nod, she could understand Penny’s words, she understood that she didn’t mean harm. But despite what she was there were several flaws in her logic. And Minti was going to point them out with one statement, an uncharacteristically cold glare to her eyes as she did so:

”Noted Penny, I will be sure and remember this assessment if ever one of my students is in immediate danger. Or one of my friends or allies in battle perhaps? No, perhaps I should allow a wounded wolf to attack an unarmed citizen simply because it has a scar. Would this satisfy you? For as bright as Ozpin here is, he’s not as effective as you seem to think in combat. Rivala was that wolf, Oz here the unarmed citizen, please do take that to heart. I know you mean the best with your words, and your looking out for a friend, however, you will need to learn to broaden that view of yours….  Or endanger those very friends you care about one day”

She wasn’t being entirely truthful with her words on Ozpin, but not untruthful ether. Besides that, it was an important point to make regardless.

After this, Minti gave a nod at Ozpin’s explanation. It was reasonable enough, it made perfect sense really. He was going to continue the conversation when Ozpin got call.

What followed was a rarely fuming Ozpin.

A Comforting, but also laughing Minti.

And the simple, annoyed sigh of one Glynda

This year was going to be an absolute pain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rivala noticed the feeling. She didn’t know what he felt it towards, nor why.

But she knew that feeling, that primal animalistic feeling.

He didn’t need to be here right now, there was a danger for him her right now.

……..

She didn’t know why she cared, but gave a groan holding her body, feigning more pain than what she actually felt, an attempt to get them towards the medical and away from whatever it was that was giving him the sense of danger here. Unfortunately this also led them into a bit of chaos Rivala WASN’T prepared for and more over could only make her groan on the inside.
She regretted agreeing to stay already.

As for Penny’s insistence that they could always rely on them? Rivala wasn’t sure but, they were at least… not the worse company ever. She gave a light smile in response and nodded before the chaos unfolded. At least thankful that she didn’t have to continue trying to comply with social norms at the moment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



“And she was REALLY mean and I just wanted her to stop but she wouldn’t, she was like a time bomb, and then I was an actual bomb! And I just couldn’t and…”

The explanation trailed off as Ruby and her sister walked into the group, Yang of course thought she was being sarcastic but she really wasn’t! Agggh couldn’t she become the best huntress a different way? THIS WAS TO MUCH!

So distracted was she in fact that she nearly ran into Weiss.

On the ground, in fact.

Hovering over her, suddenly very much at attention once she saw Weiss ruby immiedly began freaking out again, as well as the lashing of high pitched voice that was most certainly coming next. As well as an explanation that just might surprise her sister because of said yelling.
Ruby in a flash leapt into her sisters arms, calling out:

”OH NO ITS HAPPENING AGAIN!”

As Penny introduced herself Ruby briefly took herself from her spot practically buried in her sisters chest in fear, and waved to rather eccentric girl.

”Oh hi Penny… I’m Ruby”

Pulling on Yang’s collar as a clear ‘PLEASE GET US OUT OF HERE’ Ruby also tried to be polite to the girl, while also trying to stay as far away from Weiss as possible despite already being in her sisters’ arms.

In doing so she made a fatel error (fatal success?)

”Well ummm take care friends!

Please Yang. Please please please blast us out of here!

Please note Rivala, doing her best ‘I’m not getting involved in this shit’ rest against the wall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Amber simply continues trying to comfort Veronica more in her own way, her patting continuing as they walked. Nodding in understanding but also delighted that she got the perfect team set up to start her Support attempts. Thinking it over a second she attempted to give her own words of encouragement.

”If Mist… ahem, Snow is anything to go buy I’m sure you’ll do excellent Veronica”

As Snow addressed her Amber became flustered once more, shaking her head in embarrassment

”O…oh just another term from home sorry!”

Amber of course followed close besides Snow regardless, it seemed however that misunderstandings were the pairs destiny a, when Snow offered to train her, several OTHER thoughts went through her head as she completely got a different understanding in mind.

”YES! Oh gods yes please…

And then what Snow ACTUALLY meant occurred to Amber and she coughed, hoping she only came off as excited.

”Ahem… I mean… Yes, please that would help a lot Snow I definitely need it”

Not QUITE as much as she made it sound but…. There was no way she was turning down the opportunity to spend even more time with Snow if she could get it, that would be INSANE! She then proceeded to clarify rather embarrassed as Snow sought to learn what a B rank was. Shaking her head she tried to get out of it fast…

”Yes mam, just an Atlas phrase, sorry! Ummm still getting used to how things are said around here”

Such a chaotic day for our future heroes….

According to Penny their leader being a mystery was likely a numbers problem. But...Was it really that simple? It was all certainly odd when you put all the details together. This was the only person on the list given this treatment. And it was a BIG list. Regardless...That mystery could wait. There were more pressing issues at the moment, like the fact both Penny and Rivala noticed him stumbling. No more than that they seemed to be aware that he was experiencing fear.

He tried to brush it off by smiling.

"I'll be fine. Just got a weird vibe from the crowd I guess!"

He wasn't entirely lying given the source of his feelings seems to have been within the gathered students, however he wasn't being fully truthful on the sheer weight of that alien feeling he had. Thankfully the chaos that ensued buried the issue much more effectively than he ever could have. The issue at hand was...Something, to say the least.

Unlike literally everyone else, Alba wasn't phased by Penny in the slightest. Even just one morning was enough for him to have adjusted to her particular quirks. Besides it wasn't like he was any more normal than she was. Something that was immediately evident to Weiss and Blake. Blake who was quick to give Karasu a scolding smack for his choice of words. Alba simply chuckled as Penny expressed surprise that he was able to name the time so accurately.

"I'm not entirely sure what THAT was...Ah, right! My name's Alba! And you are...?"

He asked, gesturing to the only two who had yet to introduce themselves. Blake was fine with introducing herself, Weiss on the other hand...Was confused.

"Blake."

"Wait...Another person who doesn't know who I am? Are you SURE you don't recognize me?"

Alba simply blinked, shaking his head.

"No? Should I?"

Weiss raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to him, trying to judge his reactions.

"Weiss Schnee? Of the Schnee family? Big dust company? Rules the dust market?"

Alba's eyes opened wide in surprise! Weiss simply took on a smug expression as it seems something clicked with him!

"Ooooooohhhhh!!! Well why didn't you just say so? ... Nope doesn't ring any bells. Oh but...Penny told me all about dust! Seems pretty cool to me."

Blake covered her mouth as she let out an amused exhale, desperately trying to keep herself from laughing. Weiss though...Simply seemed skeptically impressed.

"That's...Surprising...But I suppose if you have an interest in dust I have a few educational pamphlets you can borrow."

She was certainly surprised there was someone so lacking in knowledge on one of Remnant's most recognizable industries. However this was just a chance to educate the ignorant masses right? Yeah that was definitely it. Weiss Schnee didn't make friends!

Although before he could respond to her, there they were. The blonde one? Hot pretty, Easily. She was tall, busty, carried herself with confidence, and could probably beat you up. The other one? The short girl with the red cape? That had to be Cute pretty. Not really his type, but he could admit the merits of being innocent and bubbly. After all that was like Penny! But with his two friends that then added 'Nerdy pretty' and 'Exotic pretty' to this school's problems. That's TOO MUCH pretty! Alba grinned, looking over to Yang as he spoke up.

"I see tall, blonde, and intimidating decided to join in.

He gave a laugh, making it clear he was simply joking. Although she uh...Certainly was imposing in a way different from someone like Glynda. Karasu on the other hand seemed to be a victim of pretty girls himself...Alba could only give him a sympathetic nod.

Weiss sighed as Ruby panicked.

"Relax I'm not going to yell again you dolt. But did you see this error they made? They listed YOU as team leader. I'm simply here to get that sorted out. Oh uh...I suppose I should ask why you three are here? Did they make an error on your team too?"

Alba shook his head, still smiling brightly.

"Not exactly. We were just talking with the weird green guy! Rivala got beat up and needs to see the nurse now. It was BADASS."

Both Weiss and Blake stared at him in shock. She got injured just for visiting Ozpin...? Suddenly the Heiress broke out in a cold sweat.

"Maybe...I DON'T need to see the headmaster. A-after all it's just a list right? Hahaha..."

Ruby seemed to be in such a hurry to leave even before they had finished speaking, but Alba took note of the words she uttered in a rush.

"Did you hear that Penny? You made another friend!"

Alba idly glanced off in the distance as he heard a loud thundering boom and a clumsy girl screaming.

"Huh? Fireworks?"

---

Bowie scoffed at Ilia's feigned innocence. To others the faunus seemed truthful. But he had many dealings with white fang in the past. He could see right through her.

"Yeah sure, and I suppose you getting one up on a human is just bonus? I'm only here to get the job done, so just stay out of my way.

He crossed his arms, looking away from the faunus. ... After a short pause he looked back over at her briefly, adding onto what he had to say.

"... And...Don't blow yourself up. Even if it IS a common cowardly fang tactic, we're going for subtlety here."

It didn't need to be said that there was no love lost between Bowie and the white fang. He cared very little about saying such callous things. After all, he wasn't here to make friends. He was here strictly for the one goal assigned to him. What those around him thought of the boy mattered very little to him.

He moved swiftly on to other matters, such as Moon's insistance that they find a way around the pacification field. It was true enough that it would require careful planning.

"A good point...If combat is what triggers it then I would bet anything they have a way to set up exceptions. Wouldn't make sense for them to take out their own guard with it. And if that's the case...We might be able to put ourselves as exceptions too. Would be a nice back up plan even if we don't end up needing it. ... Better yet...Say we took Beacon's finest out of the exceptions...When everything starts they would be completely useless. I mean between you and me I think that would be better than just destroying something we can use."

Bowie simply shrugged as the other two discussed the arcana. He knew little about them and wasn't particularly concerned. If anything, he didn't see them as a threat at all.

"Yeah...You do that. Meanwhile I'll be focusing on our main objective."

But when it came to scrambling security...That was where a particularly mischiveous grin painted his face. At Sapphire's insistance that the two of them cpuld handle the cameras, he gave a nod.

"Point them out and they won't bother you from here on."

To accentuate his point he let sparks lf electricity roll across the cloak he was wrapped in, lining it up with Sapphire's own display to make it clear...Between the two of them there would be plenty of "accidents" when it came to Beacon's cameras.

---

Veromica sighed, letting all the tension roll off of her. Or at least...As much tension as she could possibly manage to get off of her anyway. A smile grew on her features as she addressed the bespectacled ginger.

"Maybe you're right. Snow's really great at judging character. Still...That girl was REALLY scary. Did you see the eyepatch?! T...That's like the pirates from my favorite novels!"

Snow chuckled confidently, addressing her sister with a calm tone of voice.

"There are no such thing as pirates Vera. Besides, she only seemed to act from provocation. It's a simple matter of not making eye-contact."

Veronica idly twiddled her thumbs as she listened to the advice being given by her elder sister.

"W...Won't...That just make her angrier? She'll think I'm hiding something from her! Or worse, mocking her! I'm too young to get shanked!"

Snow placed a reaffirming hand on her younger sister's shoulder, a stern gaze crossing her face.

"You're overthinking this. You are a Merlot. The capability you need already rests in your very blood. If they don't respect you then you need only gain their respect by giving them a leader worthy of reknown."

Veronica's eyes went wide. It seems that things finally clicked. Though she was still filled with uncertainty...She realized she wasn't going to get better standing in her sister's shadow.

"No...You're right! I'm a Merlot! I'M GOING TO...ASK DESTINY TO KINDLY MOVE OVEERRR!!!!"

Veronica puffed up her chest, put on her "scariest" leader face, and marched off towards her dorm room! She was going to be there waiting for her team when they arrived!
... Or so she thought.

Snow watched her sister storm off proudly... ... And the
glanced over at Amber, blinking in confusion as the Atlas girl practically wet herself in excitement over the prospect of training. But the eldest Merlot smiled as Amber clarified

"Very well then! Let us make our way to the training arena! I am going to push your body to its limits!"

Snow took a mental note of the strange Atlas ways of speaking. Perhaps if she addressed Amber the same way she would feel more at home?

"We can do that, Yeah!" I responded back to Pyrhha

The words that Minti said lingered in Penny's mind... She had a lot she wanted to say to her, but they didn't have the time to stand around and talk all day. Even if she disagreed with the point that Minti was trying to make on a fundamental level. Because it was one thing to use that kind of force in a battle, against an assailant you can't reason with.

Bandits and other ne'er-do-wells are one thing. Wild Animals and Grimm are different -- and none of them described Rivala at that point in time. It was no mere "wolf with a scar", but a living, breathing person without Aura that had been struck with excessive force. Her target was someone that had Aura, that was fully capable of defending himself BECAUSE of it.

All Minti had managed to prove to her is that she was a callous individual that saw no problem with causing harm, and then making excuses and justifications for it after the fact. It's funny. The situation was supposed to be reversed... With an overeager student receiving a lecture from the teacher about control and restraint.

(What an illogical child.), Penny finally deduced.

Well. She pushed that aside. There were other things to focus on right now, and she wasn't going to let that sour 'Dragon' ruin such a pleasant introduction to new potential friends!




Alba didn't seem to recognize Weiss Schnee, but Penny sure did! When he expressed his confusion over her identity, and Weiss gave her explanation, that was when the Android decided to chime in. "Weiss Schnee is the current heiress of the Schnee Dust Company! It's a pretty safe bet that any Dust that you find in Remnant, whether it's refined or otherwise, the Schnees had something to do with it!"

Penny elaborated with that trademark smile of hers. "We went over the combat uses for Dust, but there's a lot of practical, everyday use for them as well. The pamphlet that she just gave you should give you a glimpse into the wide arrays that it can be used!"

Well, if Weiss wanted someone to recognize her, it seems there was at least one person here that did, and thankfully they only had nice things to say!

Ah, but it was time for another one of the elements at play here... Yang Xiao Long; she took notice of how Alba phrased his description of her. In response, she walks towards him with a seductive sway and a grin on her face.

"Aw, I'm not so intimidating. Reach out and touch me.", she thrusts her chest out purposefully. "I don't bite. Unless you want me to~"

Her eyes were half-closed, furthering the obviousness of her flirtations when combined with that sultry smile she was offering, combined with the posture she had taken and kept -- some very distracting elements of her chest were left in front of his face.

Of course, all of that got interrupted by Ruby leaping into her arms. This caused Yang to stumble a bit, but she soon found her balance. "Jeez, sis. Calm down. You're acting like she's a tiger ready to bite your head off."

Yang looked Weiss over. She must have made a really bad impression on Ruby... Or vice versa... Or maybe they both made bad impressions on each other. That last one seemed the most likely.

Ruby then attempted a sudden departure, and some words she said before doing so... It got exacerbated by what Alba said right after.

The Android gasped, sparkles formed in her eyes, and then...

"YAAAAAAAAY~!", Wow, those were some strong vocal chords and lungs!

"Whoa, whoa whoa! Wait! Hold on! I'll put her down and then you can-!"

Too late.

Penny immediately tackle hugged Ruby Rose with surprising speed -- and force. Unintentional on the force part, though. In the process, she ALSO snagged Yang in on the fun.

"Guh...! Holy crap! She's heavy!",Yang managed to struggle out.

Fortunately, Penny was so overjoyed at the prospect of a new friend that she didn't overhear that comment regarding the beating that Rivala took.

Karasu though, he took notice of it and chimed in.

"Don't worry. He takes a swing at you, I'll break his arm in half."

... He said that rather casually. Like he'd done that plenty of times before, and it was just a normal thing to do. If anything could prove that he was battle-hardened, it was probably that...

Well, that and when Alba commented upon the "fireworks", Karasu chimed in just as calm as before.

"No. That would be the sounds of a battle. Seems like they were pretty serious too."

Just what kind of battles had he been through in order to be so nonchalant about that? It could give one the impression he was already a Huntsman...

---

This was bad, Motet didn't have as good of a handle on her nature as an Arcana as she did. Vaneera thought fast, and threw a card off in a direction where it would then spray some water into the air harmlessly, but noticeably. With the hand that she just threw with, she shifted to a finger pointing and then...

"Whoa, check that out!"

It actually worked pretty well, with all the focus on something else, Vaneera would quickly take Motet to a more discreet location. There, she took the time to correct Motet's particular wardrobe malfunctions, and then knelt down in front of her.

She would place her hands reassuringly on Motet's shoulders.

"Hey. Everything is fine, Motet. We're not in danger, I promise."
Vaneera said softly, trying to ease that feral side back into control.

Her expression had similarly softened into a smile. "I'll take care of everything. You won't have to feel like you're in danger anymore."

More than anything... That was what Vaneera wanted for Motet, a normal life. Even if training her at Beacon also entailed combat, but deep down she knew well enough that Motet was going to follow her.

But Vaneera still had to try. "Hey, why don't we go check out our newly assigned room?"

Vaneera then asked, and then attempted to help Motet stand on her two feet, instead of being on all fours. Only when she was successful in getting Motet's feral side under control would she then decide to start moving in the Academy again. They would attract far too much attention if Motet kept walking around like a barely trained wolf.




Either way, once things were back to normal, Vaneera and Motet would be making their way to the dorm room, and because of the delays, they would be arriving last. So one of them was already here...

Vaneera calmly waves, and announces their arrival. "Hello. I guess we're on a Team now."

She then turns her attention to the fact that Mauve was smoking. "... At least smoke outside. The minute my things start reeking of that foul stuff, I'll throw those smokes out."

She wasted little time in making her feelings known. Sheesh, they even had a balcony... Was basic etiquette lost on this girl?

Well, it didn't matter. She'd pay enough attention to listen to Mauve, unless her new teammate decided that more than talking was needed, but otherwise she went straight to organizing things on her side of the room.

Motet would presumably do the same, and start pushing her things to be right next to Vaneera's... They certainly made for an odd couple, even as far as Beacon was concerned.

---

"Excellent!", Pyrrha then grabs Chaos's hand, and starts to lead him to the dorm room she was assigned to!

Well, she might be a little eager to jump straight to that plan they had agreed upon, but at least her spirit is in the right place. Although now Chaos had a first row seat to just how confident Pyrrha could be.

... Well, outside of romance. But right now this wasn't about romance, it was about two friends making plans!

"If you need any help with anything, like with your training or your studies, you can ask me! I'm sure your Team will be happy to help too, but sometimes another perspective can help."

Pyrrha seemed to be quite attached to him already.

Mauve looked up at the sound of a voice. She saw two figures standing in the doorway. The one who had greeted her was a pale girl in a cloak. She studied the both of them with her one eye.

"If you aren't in the wrong room, I guess we are."

Mauve scowled at Vaneera when she told her not to.smoke. This made two people objecting to her behavior. Very few people would have the nerve to do that back in Atlas. She took the stick out, exhaling a bit of smoke from her mouth.

"Hmph, you're gonna be picky about it too, eh? Do all Vale citizens have sticks up their asses? Fine, I'll smoke on the balcony from now on. But I'm finishing this stick."

She put it back in her mouth. She then stood up and crossed her arms under her chest. Smoke rose up from the end of her cigarette. She wasn't going to relent on this particular stick. If it ended up leading to another fight then so be it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moon glanced over at Sapphire. "I'm certain Bowie is aware that we don't have any leeway for mistakes. As long as we prepare properly then we'll be successful. We were handpicked for this mission, so we shouldn't question our qualifications now. And we shouldn't try and antagonize each other. We need to get along."

Moon shifted her gaze to Bowie. She knew that Sapphire  could be annoying sometimes. But throwing out insults could cause problems down the line. They needed to be as efficient as possible.

Moon then put a hand on her chin, pursing her lips and considered everything both of her teammates said about the pacification field.


"I think Bowie's analysis is spot on. There must be something that protects the staff from the field's effects. I think we should make that a focus rather then as a back-up plan. If we're able to gain that immunity, then we can speed up our timetable considerably. It might be possible to turn the field on the staff as well."

Sapphire paused for a few seconds, then turned and looked over at Sapphire. "I think we should go with Bowie's suggestion. It would be easier to destroy it, but we can fall back on that we aren't able to take control of the pacification field."

Moon withdrew her hand after she was done shaking Ilia's. If she was bothered by her attitude, she didn't show it. "Today is a prime opportunity to scout around for information. The staff likely has their hands full keeping track of all the new students that are arriving, and we can always claim we got lost if the worst case scenario happens and we get caught in an unauthorized area. I suggest that we split into two teams: Bowie and Ilia should go and reconnaissance and find out as much as they can about the pacification field. Me and Sapphire would take care of some other objectives. Sapphire, as team leader all final decisions fall on you. Shall we proceed with this plan?"

Moon looked expectantly over at Sapphire. She was the self proclaimed team leader after all. Hopefully she would consider what they had all said and make the right call.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Gah!" Fool cried out, stumbling and trying to keep her balance. She whirled around, her cape whirling around her and settling behind here. If her face could pale, it would at the sight of who she saw. Every fiber in her being was telling her to run.

"D-d...Devil! I didn’t expect you to be here! Our Master already has Mm...Moon infiltrating the academy! Ww..What brings you h-h-h...here?"

This was just great. She was already going to have to work around Moon. The only advantage she had was that Moon or any other Arcana didn't know she was there. Now that advantage was gone. Devil always gave Fool a sense of dread. She wasn’t as openly hostile as someone like Death, but she was still scary. Fool felt like she was trying to get her to lower her guard. No, even if she was genuine, she couldn’t let her guard down, ever. Fool swallowed, moving her other hand onto her staff.

"He's n-n-n...not going to get the chance to ab..absorb anyone! I have a plan!"

Curse her stuttering. It had always been a problem for her growing up. She had put her a position to get picked on as a kid. Not that she regretted doing those things that got her singled out. It meant she had to live in fear though.

"I'm… I'm going to lure him off the academy grounds! That f...field won't protect him o-f-f… off campus!"

Fool's blood ran cold when Devil offered her assistance. The was no way that this wasn't a trap or a ploy to absorb her and the other weak arcana. But if she refused to play along, Devil could eat her here and now. She gulped, slowly tilting her staff until it was pointing at Devil. Just that action felt like she was walking through a bog. It took all of her willpower to resist the Grimm's urge to run.

"B...backup. Just… b-b-back me up. Keep the other Ar-ar… Arcana off my back. I can han...handle the rest. You can absorb the o..others, but not this one. He's m---mine!"

Fool put every bit of courage she had into that statement, narrowing her eyes at the other Arcana as she tried to assert herself. But her arms were trembling so much that her staff was visibly shaking in her grip. But she had to be brave, she had to! If she didn't take this chance then she'd always be the weakest.

Fear

Something that resounded throughout the small village.  And why shouldn’t it? The hoard bearing down upon them was nothing short of terrifying. Why this little village? What had they done? They were nothing more than a small farming village. They did not take part in the affairs of the outside world. They only raised their stock, there gardens… and sold what they grew to get by.

So what did they do wrong?

To answer such a question properly…. if there even is one, we must first tell another story.

The story of two girls, a kingdom of selfishness, and a man who defied fate
.
This is another story of ‘that man’ A memory forgotten even by the three who made it.
A kingdom, who no one remembers the name of.

Two princess’s, one dressed in pink and the other blue, once met a lost young man. They had never seen an outsider before, as sheltered as they were. They took interest in his foreign clothing, in the way he carried himself They asked a simple question of this wanderer. One he was happy to accommodate.

They wanted to see the outside world.

But the kingdom of ______________ was selfish, of it’s royalty most of all. For the heirs to the kingdom bore a terrible fate, one none had ever escaped from.

A terrible darkness would descend upon the kingdom every thirty years, and it was during that time that the princess’ born with a special power were to comune with the darkness, sacrifice themselves to send it away.

The time for this wasn’t long now… just a half a year, and they wanted nothing more than to experience the world before they left it.

So it was that the wanderer took the princess’ out in secret, each and every day. He showed them lakes and rivers and forests, he showed him the friends he had met and the people he loved.
He had a lot of tall friends, but that was neither here nor there.

He showed them more than they had seen in their entire lives, and the three grew close as a result.

So close, that they couldn’t lie to him anymore.

They told them what at this point would happen in only a few days time, and they saw something they had never seen from there new friend:Anger. Not at them, but at the kingdom, at the world that desired this sacrifice of them. And the creature of darkness itself.

And then the Princess’ left, for they never wanted to burden him again. They thanked him for everything and left the tear-filled wanderer alone.

On the day so dark it consumed the son, that was the day the darkness came forth. The princess’ stood before it, ready to do their duty. But unlike before… they weren’t sad, they were happy… for they had seen all the world had to show them. If they had only one regret it was that they couldn’t spend more time with the wanderer. But this was there destiny after all, there fate… and there was no escaping fate….

Or so they thought.



As the darkness came down and they prepared their power, that same wanderer leapt forth, his spear clashed with the foul darkness and, as amazing as it was it held it back.
He told the princess how wrong this was, and when they tried to explain, he simply shook his head.

He told them that if there was such a thing as fate, then he hated it. For it to take people such as them away.

He told them if Destiny was real, then he would defy it, for it wasn’t something he could ever accept.

He said that if their fate was to die here, then he would tear at fate itself to ensure they never had to.

And that was exactly what he did, even knowing everything it would cost.

Even knowing that none of them could ever remember.

For he destroyed the destiny that this kingdom ever came to be, He tore the thread of fate that made the girls princess’

As a consequence… he tore the fate that they had ever met to begin with. But the wanderer knew this.

He knew this, and he did it anyway.

Even if he was the only one that remembered those days… that was ok.



And so, the Princess’ were no longer Princess’

The kingdom was no longer so selfish.

No one remembered the dark fate of this unknown land….

The kingdom of ________ that was now Remnant.

Thus, would two girls follow onto the dirt, an empty wasteland before them, and a nagging, painful feeling in their hearts.

Thus, were they happened upon by a woman most ancient, who promised that she could heal that hole if they came with her.

And did the sisters stop being human. In time they hardly remembered who they were at all as they became different people for there new mother, people throughout history as they furthered her aims.

All so that feeling could go away, did they change so much.

And yet even now, three centuries later does that feeling still creep.

Of wanting to tell someone something, but not being able to, not being able to tell to who or what it was they wanted to say.

But to anyone who read this tale, a tale that never existed… it was clear.

All they wanted to say was “I’m sorry” to that man from so long ago.

Even as the girls sent grim on this village, in chase of the maiden who refused their mother, even as the maiden pushed the grim back with bursts of wind and splendor as she defended the one place, she called her home.

Even as a traitor came to defy them.

Even as they took the lid off the crate they brought with them and unknowingly released a shard of that darkness form so long ago, from a time forgotten.

A darkness that could sense magic.

A darkness that consumed magic itself, a beast from times forgotten.

”Finally that headaches like… gone! Let’s have some fun!”

”Were gonna crush them~ bit by bit~”

The villagers called out to the jester like girl, lamp shaking at her side.

“What are you going to do?!”

The girl smiled wide and shot off another blast of wind as she split into four agile and some (she) would say quite sexy doubles and winked.

”I’m going to make them work for it!”



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


”Why… you bring me here Fool, poor poor little Fool. Not strong enough to warrant respect… to insight fear, but not weak enough to insight protection ether, why someone has to keep an eye on you, or you might blow away~”

It was said in a completely mocking tone, as if even feigning concern was meant to drag her fellow arcania down. Because it was.  She desired nothing more than to make Fool squirm, to enjoy every second of her struggle, her suffering. And then… When she had served her use, when she could no longer entertain her?

She would be gone.

Her hand quickly went to her mouth in mock surprise when Fool declared that she had a plan. She listened in interest at what a mite like her could come up with. Perhaps it was something that could not another little bug off her list of things to squish. Sure it meant that she wouldn’t get the pleasure herself…

But watching Fool struggle through it was just as good~

When she mentioned luring him off the school grounds Devil grinned, a wide, cruel as she walked around the girl.

”And how are you going to do that Fool? Are you going to use your feminine wiles to tempt him away from safety? Offer sweet nothings… before you DRAIN. HIM. DRY.?”

She giggled, a playful, cruel giggle that showed what a joke she thought this was. But at the same time, if that was how she did it, if that Alba was into something like her well… that just made things easier for her down the line. When it came to her oh kind gesture it seemed Fool accepted, though only as far as the other Arcania are concerned. She grinned

”My my~ how cruel you are, there’s three other Arcania besides me here, you want me to keep them all away? Magician, Moon, and the Sun. my my! You ask so much, you’ll owe me quite a lot for this you know~ Lucky for you… My abilities don’t require violence”

She had a malicious grin on her face as she leaned against the stuttering arcania, and how would she pay her back? Why, that was for her to know, though in her mind it shouldn’t be clearer.

”Hmmm? Not reaching for the sky, are we? One Arcania, and an Arcania even weaker than you at that? You think that will be enough for you to survive? You’ll need much more.. unless you want to get devoured as well. And another thing, remind me

She leaned in giving Fool a cold glare.

”Since  when did you order me around? Hehe… Maybe you’d like if I just let things run wild again? you’re a lot more fun like that I must say”

She smirked, then leaned back and nodded her head.

”However, despite your rudeness, I will still help you little fool, so rejoice~ I will ensure the other Arcania do not endanger you… I will ensure they cannot pursue you… after all, there’s at least two there I can twist for a particularly fun time… one of which, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind me doing so to~ hehe… as you say, I shall keep them off your back, so feel free to thank your senpai Fool~”

That mocking, cruel tone, it was merciless.

She didn’t care how Fool felt about her.

All she CARED about was that she did what she needed her to do, nothing more.

And after that? She would fade from the world’s memory as well.

She would discard her like so much trash

After all really, what use did the world have for a Fool?

............................................................................


”That’s because she isssssss sis, I thought she was gonna eat me last time!!!”

But…. No explosions, no yelling, no infinite rich girl rage… hey she was making her look like a fibber what gives?! She was an honest girl, who did Weiss think she was not…

……

Was she complaining about Weiss not yelling at her?

……

MOVING ON

Weiss seemed pretty confident that the school had made a mistake, Ruby was curious what mistake bothered the Ice Queen at first, she was sure it could be any number of things! She was sure it could be a number of things. Maybe her connection to her bank was cut off, or maybe her scroll was acting up and gave her someone else’s dorm assignments. Oh oh or maybe…
…..She was complaining because she thought she should be team leader instead?



Ruby, still in Yang’s arms at this moment, crossed her own arms as a dissatisfied expression crossed her face. How would Weiss know if she wasn’t fit to be team leader? She was going to be the greatest huntress in the world, even better than her mom! Then her mom would show up and be like “wow Ruby you’re so amazing and awesome it made me poof back after so long, you’re so wonderful!” Yeah, just like that! That meant she was definitely qualified to be leader! This caused her to mumble, in a way likely only able to be heard on Yang and, possibly Weiss herself if she was listening to her.

”Or maybe I’m better than you think, maybe your wrong…”

Though she was going to continue that line of thought with Weiss, undoubtedly, previous words came back to haunt her, and also prevented her from being able to simply walk away from the area.

And that was the girl currently slingshotting right for her!!!

”Wait, what? What SLOW DOWN I….”

Two seconds later the trio was on the ground, Ruby for her part had swirls in her eyes as Penny laid atop her. She had tried to hold as tightly to her sister as she could, but it was sadly to no avail!



”No dad I didn’t help Uncle Qrow evade his taxes it was a complete misunderstanding!”

The statement was made as she dizzily waved her arms about.... before toppling straight down to her sides.

….Oh…..oh my, Penny made her dizzy, how unfortunate!

The young huntress raised a hand in defeat.

”w…why…. Also why… is that one guy so… white…? Aggggh….”

Rivala chuckled at the defense the human offered, shaking her head.

”Only break? I’d rip it off, maybe use the bones for something more useful”

Yeah... it was just as casual for her….

In other news, the actions of everyone involved here was…. A sight to behold for Rivala.

Scratching the back of her head she leaned over to ask Alba a very important question:

”Are… all humans like this…? Is Penny trying to find a mate or something? Why is the icy one so concerned with being pack leader?”

She wasn’t wrong, in a sense but....
......................................................................


”I dunno… The White Fang are kind of like that right? All those faunes that raid and the like, rebel… Faunes do that a lot in general right? It’s kind of a shame, I’ve always thought they looked pretty neat. Hmmm maybe if there’s some that aren’t like that here…”

Amber tapped her chin in thought. It could be similar to her anime maybe! That would be marvelous, It saddened her that so many were bandits, or thugs, or just straight up in the white fang. Faunes were so cool looking, it was just such a genuine waste of interesting characteristics in her eyes.  As Veroncia continued to freak out however Amber offered a more technical answer to her problems, adjusting her glasses as she gave her thoughts, while also offering her mist… Snow support.



”I’m sure it’ll be fine Veronica, besides, if she did try to shank you the schools system would fill her with enough electricity to put out a bull elephant. Going by the power of said field and its timing there’s a 92.7 percent chance of her being shocked into unconscious before she could reach you, more so if she’s trying to shank you with a metal item, due to conductivity, besides…. I’m sure you’ll make a great leader, like your sister said you’re a Merlot to”

While Amber didn’t put a lot of stock in noble prestige, she did know the power it held. Hopefully that would be help Veronica at least. In any case she was glad Veronica gained her confidence back as she waved her off. Yes, now everything could go as planned, now her plan could go into action, and she could rank up the points with Snow all on her own! And all she had to do was…..

…..train....

Oh no, oh no her plan had been to get her to come to her room and woo her with her anime… she had spoken without thinking, ok slow down, she could still do this. She just had to reword a few things and…

” I am going to push your body to its limits!”



”YES yes mam! I’ll take all your training, all of it, take me… there yes lets go! IM YOURS SNOW”

In a slightly uncharacteristic fashion Amber proceeded to grab Snow’s hand and, with possibly even more uncharacteristic upper body strength managed to drag Snow right along with her, as expected taking in a bit too much of what the Merlot said, or more accurately letting those words rile her up to much.

Yeah, they had gotten to the training area in no time flat, never underestimate the power of UNINTENTIONAL FLIRTING!

Some might say it was the most powerful thing in the universe….

Well, maybe!
................................................


As they were brought to a less crowded area Motet nuzzled up to Vaneera’s leg on instinct. They were further away from the danger, and it was farther away. This along with Vaneera’s comfort, looking her in her eyes, Motet pouted as her shoulders would gently held by her hands. The warmth helped her breath, helped her calm down. Slowly but surely her friends’ words were able to get through to her. They weren’t… in danger. They were safe… Vani knew this. At first Motet nodded, her pouts becoming less and less fearful and mad. Eventually It came to a point she was able to speak once more, as she rose to a sitting position, that feral look in her eyes returning to its usual innocence.

”Vani… were… safe… safe… your right”

She pouted a bit more, shaking herself back and forth as she adjusted herself.

”It was…. That… I hate that…. The… the eyes… V…vani, why are the eyes here? They can’t touch you! I… won’t let them!”

The fear was of course also for herself, but the worry as always was for Vaneera more than anything. She did after all mean the most to her. But… she knew Vani could handle it. It was why her words brought her such comfort. She knew how good her Vani was, so of course she completely believed her. She gave a light purr, some of the feral instinct still leaving her, as she slowly got to her feet with Vaneera’s help.

”I trust… Vani. I know… together….”

She wanted to go meet there new team… Well, they should all meet there true leader! The scroll had said something about a ‘Veronica’ being team leader, but that was clearly due to not knowing how awesome Van Van was, it would be easily fixed once the truth was shown to them all! She wanted to see the people they would be working with… She couldn’t wait to see what kind of people she was teamed with. What were there powers? There looks? There fighting style?!



”Ahhhhh yes yes! Let’s go Vani~ I want to see where we’ll be living… and who with! Oh OH and we can fix the leadership mistake, I will don’t worry!”

Oh boy… poor Veronica was in for a hard time….

When the later arrived to there dorm, Vaneera first observed Mauve, oh it the was the conductor! She was REALLY good at taking in electro shocks, was that her Semblance or something? Oh Oh, but the other girl was here to! While Vaneera politely asked Mauve to not smoke in there enclosed space Motet dashed RIGHT up In Veronica’s personal space, Why, the poor girl barely had centimeters between them both!





”Hey Hey hey!!! So your on our team?? Meeting before must have been fate then! Even though we didn’t… talk….  Or anything… Doesn’t matter! It was FATE, normally I hate fate and want to eat it up, but in this case it’s A ok! OH I didn’t get your name though, It has to be Mauve or Veronica though… WHICH, I gotta know!”

As Motet spoke, she was bolting all around Veronica in quick succession, poor girl… it seemed like today just wasn’t her day! Motet in fact, wouldn’t stop until she overheard a comment by Mauve and felt the need to comment on that as well.



”Vani I’m confused, If sticks are supposed to be the cigerates, isn’t she the one with sticks up her ass? And also, her mouth, especially her mouth it looks like, hey wait is that where you store them then?!! That’s really inefficient Storage Mauve, you should use clothing, or a case!”

Motet wasn’t even trying to insult Mauve, this was simply her general lack of ‘normal people’ knowledge at work, along with her innocence.
Yeah uh…. If the other two didn’t know what chaos awaited there coming days…. They definitely did now…

Gods help this team….
.........................
”Wow, your grumpy Bowie, do you not like Faunes? We can be pretty rowdy I suppose”
Illia feigned a laugh. She was good at that, good at trying to blend in with humans, even ones who hated Faunes. One could say she was good at going with the self-deprecation, when she was younger it was to try and be able to play with the humans, but as things got worse, as she grew up…. She used it to make her own mask. To make her seem vulnerable even though she was not, friendly because that’s how she needed to be.
In truth she couldn’t think of a human she liked right now, not really.
She had spent hours, days trying to figure out what Blake did see, why she left home. Why she left her.
Blake….
………


”We all want to get the job done don’t we? And so we shall, we are allies you know”



That being said, Bowie’s snide comment about the Fang blowing themselves up made her grip her hand at her side, in her mind she seethed. She wanted to smack that smart mouth right out of him. Talking about her people like this, she wanted to lay him on his back!

…..

But that wouldn’t do, that would not get her where she wanted to be, so she attempted to put on a smile, even as that smile failed to express itself as it normally did due his words.
He was a harsh bastard, he would be difficult, that was for sure.



”Ha! I know right? No worries I… Don’t have any predisposition towards blowing myself up!”

Trying to move along she nodded at Moon’s suggestion, she wanted to keep herself as straight as possible before she popped a blonds head off.

”Getting more information is always good, I can assist with that you know, I’m a Chameleon you see, So I can gather it socially… and more sneakily”

Focus on the mission Illia, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, you’ve got this, just focus…

This was going to be harder than she thought…

Sapphire for her part sighed, Moon made a good point, It was difficult to keep pushing her point with her moon ageing with Bowie. Besides, he still had the gist of everything. Well, he should, they had been through the same training and worked together forever, she would hope so!

”Fine, fine my Moon, the main point is that we ensure the completion of our plan, Moon is correct, we need to gather all the information we can… however we can do so. Anything we can use, anyone we can use to our ends”

She tapped her chin in thought, walking back and forth as she considered things. The different ways to control this situation and anything they could use to further there plans.

”We’ll need to find the weakness’ of our main targets as well, perhaps attending our… classes are the best way to try and worm our way in that respect”

She smirked at her moons suggestion of turning the field to her advantage. It would be the best option indeed. Control the power, later than let it control them. Her first thought had been to simply deactivate it but…. Yes, this would be much better.

”Your right sweet Moon, you to Bowie… if we take control, our enemies will bet he one in pain.. yes, I agree. I welcome it”

She tapped her chin in thought once more, then grinned darkly

”A back up plan to get my Karasu to~ errr… and to pacify our foes, specially shitty old Ozpin”

She crossed her arms, returning her glare to Bowie, before giving a cold smile.

”I’m well aware of our objective Bowie, it’s my main focus. This is simply… a side mission”

She smiled, yes, a side mission she was going to complete! When Bowie gave his grin however Sapphire’s grew. She knew what he was getting at, and she liked it, she nodded her confirmation.

”They will be found, and we will take care of them, heh…just make don’t miss your targets ok Bow? And only when we need to, it’s worthless if they just replace them later”

Her sparks lined up with Bowie as they both grinned, yes there would be lots of troubles.

She would make Mother’s wishes come true, guaranteed.

”We’ve got our priorities, now we put them into action…. This… will be a wild year for Beacon. Heh…and there last”

Her eyes glowed a bit as she thought to herself, If she had anything to say about it.... there would be a feast for her Moon as well....

"Thank you Pyrhha, Im sure you can help me a lot"

Karasu can't help but arch a brow at how Blake is acting towards Weiss, but it's not like there's outward, extremely apparent hostility. Plus to be fair, the Heiress was making herself a bit of an easy target.

"Well. She is an Heiress. It stands to reason that she has the education necessary for leadership.", he chimes in to address Blake's question.

"Though I suppose it's also not like we know everything about Ruby like the Headmaster probably does. Maybe she has qualifications that we're unaware of?", he tried to play the role of the one to diffuse the situation some.

But, there was a third option he didn't consider. That Ozpin was not entirely truthful about anything he did. But even if he had thought of it, it's not like bringing that up would have helped smooth over this little altercation.

On the upside, he wasn't the one currently reeling from one of the soon-to-be-infamous Penny hugs. Yang lets out a small groan.

"Ugh... You mean she hugs like this all the time?" she directs her question towards Alba.

Penny perks up a bit after hearing what Alba said. Although her reaction was a little bit too late, considering she had already gone for the hug and all... She did at least push herself up a bit, releasing some of the weight that Yang and Ruby felt.

"Oh, right. Sorry!", with that, Penny hops back onto her feet, allowing Yang and Ruby to get back onto their feet.

After catching her breath, Yang gives Alba another look over. "Huh. I guess he is pretty pale. Not any more than you are though, sis."
Yang then gives Ruby a teasing poke on the shoulder.

"And you look as pale as he does because you insist on wearing all that black and red. Anything with a brighter color is gonna seriously stick out."

Seems like things were calming down a bit now at least. Weiss did state that it wouldn't be necessary to break Ozpin's arm. That prompted Karasu to speak once more.

"On the contrary. It would be entirely necessary if he attempts to hit a lady.", he responds.

Rivala had her own take on the matter. That was pretty remarkably violent, but Karasu simply shrugged in response.

"Eh, not worth dealing with the mess and the hassle that comes with it. As it is, they're going to be freaking out about breaking the arm. Besides, anything I could fashion out of bone could be made using better materials.", he replied genuinely.

And after a brief silence, Karasu then adds; "I guess I know not to piss you off, though."

Rivala's confusion was probably going to be built up even more though. Why? Because Penny considered what she said, and then chimes in.

"Don't be silly, I already have a mate! It's Alba!
And you're my mate too, Rivala!"

... Ooooh, she thought "mate" meant "friend"... Well, that wasn't TECHNICALLY wrong... But this was the wrong context to use it for...

Well, Rivala wouldn't have to dwell on it for too long, considering that Alba suddenly remembered that they needed to be on their way to the nurse. Alba picks Rivala up, and then says they need to get going -- Penny included.

"Right! Farewell, friends!", with a grin and a wave, she quickly departs with Alba.

Along the way she was able to take in the sights. Beacon was a fascinating place, and while it might not be filled to the brim with technological marvels like Atlas, that didn't mean that it was lacking in that field either. Holographic maps, pacification fields -- the works.

At least they were able to find where they needed to go easily enough. After arriving at the Nurse's Office, she steps inside along with Alba, and looks around. After Alba called out, the medical professional makes themselves known.

Penny felt slightly taken aback, but moreso because of what was said. Were fights with teachers really that common? But after Rivala is taken to the bed and the Nurse has the chance to look her over, the comment of "It was Minti, wasn't it?"...

That rubbed Penny the wrong way. Did Minti make a habit of treating her students like this?
"She... Causes a lot of her students to end up in conditions like this?"

Penny probes a little, wondering if she might get confirmation on her suspicions, or a response that proved otherwise.

She wanted to believe that Minti was a professional and didn't routinely harm the people she was supposed to be teaching. Or at the very least, that it didn't happen without a good scolding after the fact. But she didn't have a lot of information to work off of at the moment...

~Meanwhile...~

Karasu looks to Weiss, now that the crowd was starting to thin out a bit. "Did you still want to talk to the headmaster? I don't mind going with you if you're worried."

Yang also hoped to smooth things over now that she had gotten her bearings back. "Look, for what it's worth... Ruby's a great girl. Can you give her a chance to prove herself?"

And after having said that, she then throws an arm around Ruby and pulls her closer, so as to accentuate what she would say next. "After all, Ruby is going to try her best to make a good impression. Right, Ruby?"

Said with a smile, but just enough of a hint that Ruby should definitely take this seriously.

---

The situation was starting to get a little tense. Made evident by Vaneera simply staring at Mauve after her response, and then letting out a hefty sigh. She takes out a few cards and begins to shuffle them with the kind of experience that one would only see from dealers in a fancy casino, or a street magician about to perform one of their best tricks.

"It's common courtesy not to smoke inside. The fact that you don't know this tells me that you don't know the first thing about being polite."

She then stops shuffling her cards, but catches one between her middle and index fingers.
"So perhaps I can show you why being polite can be preferable."

She then flicks the card, and it flies out with surprising speed -- striking the cigarette, piercing into it, and carrying it out of her mouth and into the wall; at least if Mauve didn't react in time.

That card was more like a shuriken than a normal playing card... Vaneera then continues to shuffle the deck of cards.

But the tense atmosphere would soon be struck down in ways that couldn't be entirely ignored. Thanks to Motet and Veronica...

First was Veronica's announcement. Then her subsequent flustering, screaming, and rapid departure from the room. It was enough to get Vaneera's attention as she looked over at all the racket. Just in time to see Veronica peeking back into the room, only to be startled by Motet and saying something rather curious.

"Shank?", Vaneera expressed her bewilderment with that one word.

Motet's out-loud thoughts in regards to what Mauve said did not help things. Vaneera lets out another sigh and simply puts her cards away.

"... Motet... We seriously gotta have a talk about a lot of things one of these days.", Vaneera states, and then looks to Veronica as she chimes in in regards to the swearing.

"Yeah, uh. You'll have to be patient with Motet. She doesn't really work on the same wavelength as everyone else. I'll try to keep her in check.", she then adds.

Well, now that the moment was ruined, Vaneera calmly walks over to the wall, retrieves her card and opens the door to the balcony, where she flicks the now ruined cigarette outside onto the stone flooring. She at least had the presence of mind to deal with it so that no fires would happen.

"... Anyway. I should go ahead and address something before Motet does.", she states as she turns around, pocketing the card with the rest of them.

"I'm not concerned about being Team Leader. The only thing I do want is basic respect and etiquette. We're going to be living in this Dorm from now on, so the least we can do is try to get along.", Vaneera then says, hopefully dealing with a problem before Motet runs it into something bigger.

"And Motet, that means not being hostile to them. They're on our team now, so we should try to work together with them. Okay?", she then adds.

Still... Vaneera wasn't sure what to make of Mauve. She seemed like a bit of a thug, getting into a fight earlier and being so lacking in courtesy now. But she would hold her tongue on anything too specific as long as Mauve didn't feel the need to press on it.

Which... She probably would, considering what Vaneera did with that cigarette. But she sure as hell wasn't going to roll over and let Mauve do whatever she wanted.

---

Pyrrha simply smiles at the compliment she received from Chaos. "Thanks. I hope to live up to your expectations!"

With that, she opens the door to the dorm room she had been assigned with her Team, and invites him in. Pyrrha glances around, wondering if anyone else had arrived yet. If not, then that gave her and Chaos a chance to talk a bit more and determine what he should do moving forward.

"Wonder if we're the first ones here?"

Classic fairy tails are passed from generation to generation. Yet Not all stories are centuries old. A decade ago there was a small village in Minstrel, much like this one. A community of Faunus had built their own home in a land hostile to their kind. They lived in harmony with one another, making do with what little they had. Those peaceful days were not meant to last.

On a night where the full moon shined, a Raven descended upon the village. And with it she brought a storm of crows that ransacked the village. That terror gave birth to a night of horrors. When fear and despair took hold of a community, the vultures always descended. They were creatures that fed on despair. Underneath the full moon, the screams rang throughout the night.

The twin arcana would feel a massive pressure on them. A figure lept into view. A gray aura surrounded them, indicating that some kind of semblance was active. The wolf-faunus gave the twins a wide grin.



"Nehehe, two fellow Arcana… you're ripe with Sin. Hehe, I get to punish you. But first you must understand your wrongdoings. Can you hear them yet? The cries of the weak that you both have trampled."

Actions always held consequences, whether those who committed them knew it or not. Those who lived a life of hurting others could run from retribution, but sooner or later their actions caught up with them. For the Semblance they faced was one of consequence.

(Note: Justice's semblance affects different people to varying degrees. As such I shall always post who is affected by it and how badly it hurts them. The Twins will feel heavy, and hear the voices of those they have wronged echoing in their head. Under the effect of the semblance, it takes much more aura to activate or maintain their own semblances.)

---

"That's the style she prefers. She pushes her students hard, but she usually knows how much her pupils can handle."



Mrs.Skye had just finished putting Nora into a bed. She frowned, bending forward and looking over at Rivala. She frowned, looking over Rivala.

"Very strange... those injuries look like something that was inflicted by direct contact. Without being buffered by an aura. There are some people here who can't use semblances, but every living being has an aura. Do you have a condition that prevents you from manifesting it?"

She stood up straight again, staring up at the tall girl. She didn't comment on her unique appearance, strangely enough. She just looked at the other girl with a slight down, her brown furrowed in concern. If she didn't have an aura, things were going to be difficult for her here.

---

“What me? Don’t be s-s-silly! I'm not totally helpless!” She couldn’t of course. At least, not against other Arcana. Well, most of them anyway. Fool made sure to keep her eye on Devil nervously, her head turning constantly to follow her with her eyes. She froze like a deer in the headlights once the rampant teasing began. Her pale face turned as Crimson as her eyes.

“N-nonononono! I’m not ch-ch-charming or s-sexy! Please don’t make me sound like an m-m-m-monster! I have a plan! A good, not monsterous plan! It's devious though! Very very devious!” Fool squeaked out. She could barely handle all the teasing going all her way. She couldn’t deal with this, not at all!

Fool’s face was changing colors like a chameleon. It turned even paler than it started out as. There was just no color left in her face. Even her terror-stricken eyes seemed to be dimmer.

“M-m-m-moon is here?!” She asked meekly. Moon and Devil were always the worst to her out of any of the arcana. Not that any of them were nice. She never got to know Magician or Sun though. They were likely bad in their own ways though.

“Alright, I’ll make it up to you, I swear it. Just keep them distracted. Please! I mean please!” She clasped her hands together, bowing apologetically. She couldn’t afford to offend Devil right here. At least she was helping her… for now. There was an inevitable end to all of this. But first things were first.

“S-s-sorry! I don’t mean to be rude! I have a long way to go, but if I absorb one, it’ll make absorbing the next weakest easier! I just need to absorb one at a time, one at a time… Oh! T-t-thank you!”

Fool squeaked out again. It was hard to be polite when the person in front of you could torture you with a snap of their fingers. Fool knew her semblance better than anyone. And it was something she did not want to be subjected to again.

---

Mauve crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at the cloaked girl who had taken out… a deck of playing cards? Her attitude was pissing her off.

"There’s a difference between not knowing what's polite and not caring. Agreeing not to smoke in here after I finish this one is the best you're going to get. Being polite doesn't kill Grimm or accomplish anything, so why bother?"

Vaneera made one mistake that put Mauve on guard: saying that she would show her immediately put her senses into overdrive. The moment she saw the flick of Vaneera's wrist, she bounced back, managing to avoid the attack. She had to hold the towel against her body with one hand to keep it from falling off.

It was part of the training she got as an orphan: no matter how quick a projectile was, the delivery mechanism (or in this case, hand movement) indicated when a projectile would come out. In this case, Mauve knew what she was aiming at too. She gave her teammate a cold grin as she flicked the cigarette out the balcony window.

"You're 10 years too young to be pulling the stoic badass shit on me. I've got some advice for you too: don't rock the boat over tiny crap like that. Do that too often, and you'll get tossed into the ocean."

The air was tense. Mauve wasn't planning in getting into a fight in her current condition. But she wasn't backing down either. While she would refrain from smoking, she wasn't going to let Vaneera push her around either.

The tension broke the moment the door opened. Everything fell into chaos. At first, she stared at the smaller girl incredulously.

"I seriously can't believe this meek little mouse is our team leader. Her parents must send generous donations to Beacon."

Once all four of them got into the room, Mauve could barely keep up with what was going on. Their team leader was embarrassed over her state of dress, then scared over the third team member getting in all close to her. And speaking complete nonsense.

Normally she'd be angry if someone was so blatantly disrespectful to her. But for some reason, she was talking about figures of speech literally. She snorted, then burst out into hysterical laughter.

"BWAHAHAHAH! YOU TWO… WHAT THE FUUUUCK?! HAHAHAHAH!"



Mauve was laughing so hard that tears were forming in her eyes. She doubled over, slapping her hip repeatedly. Afterward, she shakily climbed to her feet, wiped her eyes up, and looked over all her teammates.

"No shit. Forget the same wavelength, Motet's brain is in an entirely different kingdom. And we have a team leader who thinks she can't swear. Look, this is your show to run now. You can whatever the fuck you want to say. If. Careful though: if you keep acting this timid, I'll snatch that leadership spot from you."

She gave the team leader a wink. Veronica seemed really easy to push around. If she played her cards right, she could be de facto team leader. Vaneera was a problem, but all she needed was time. Time to make her understand who the top dog was around here.

"Okay, as entertaining as that was, I'm going into the bathroom to change. If I stay out like this much longer, our team leader is going to die of embarrassment."

Mauve flashed Veronica a sly little grin. She reached out and pulled out the card stuck in the wall. She gathered up the second set of clothes she had brought with her, then walked into the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her. She whistled, slipping on her clothes while listening to the others. Hopefully, they'd say one or two things interesting by the time she got back out there. When she was done getting dressed, she turned the card over in her hand, examining it.

"Alright, let's see if there's anything special about that card she threw."

---

Ilia was being a team player, which was good for the sake of the team. But Moon could tell that her smiles were fake. It was something she had seen before: they were the kind she had been forced to put on back when she was human. She was going to have to talk with Ilia about this later: she couldn’t have the team tear itself apart with what was on the line. For now, it was best to diffuse the situation.

”Let them bicker and destroy each other. The only one we need is Sapphire. I want more of that resentment!”

She clutched her forehead for a couple of seconds, wincing as the Grimm inside her clamored up. For now, she tried to ignore the voice in her head. She didn’t want to be patient either, but they couldn’t afford any screw-ups. She turned to Bowie, folding her arms and looking at him sternly.

“Don’t speak ill of valuable allies we’ll be working with in the future. They’ve already seen fit to put a valuable contributor onto our team. Don’t let your feelings get in the way of the mission. Every part is crucial. I expect you two to come back to the dorm with valuable information.”

Sapphire didn’t raise any objections to the plans, so everything was going without a hitch so far. There was one thing that bothered her though. She watched as Ilia and Bowie walked out of view. Then she turned and looked at Sapphire.

“Karasu seems more at the forefront of your mind than the actual mission. I’m going to need your help settling in. The presence of the other Arcana has stirred up my Grimm side. I need you to lull it back to sleep with your abilities once we get back to the dorm. I didn’t anticipate it waking up this quickly.”

Moon felt another spike in her headache. She grimaced in pain, closing her eyes and covering her forehead. ”Stop acting like you’re the dominant personality Aurora. Even now you want to sleep.”

”Not yet. You’re ill-suited for this stage. The other arcana will have to wait.”

She opened her eyes, raising her head and glancing over at Sapphire. Even now it was challenging to hold back her Grimm. It was hard since she had never wanted to hold it back until now. The only reason she could control it now was Sapphire’s abilities. Hopefully, this mission would be the last time she as Aurora would have to take the reigns.

”Aha! Bias!! I spy, nobility bias!”

Wait wasn’t Ruby dizzy when Karasu said that…? Those were some crazy ears she had! Despite this she had made the statement with confidence, her hand in the air.

”I’ll have you know,I have tons of experience in leadership from playing Minefield as a kid, tell em Yang!”

When Karasu, spoke of qualifications she struck a confident pose, hands on her hips and nodding her head.

”That’s right! I’ve been training,  growing, drinking my milk! Tell them my qualifications sis!”

Wow she sure relied on Yang for a lot didn’t she?

…………..

Naaaaah

She had however, recovered a bit quicker than Yang when it came to penny’s hug, almost like her body was built for this kind of thing and it was going to keep happening.

……….

Naaaaah….

”Oh don’t worry Penny, I think it only bruised a few bones! All gooood”

She blushed a bit when Yang teased her, shaking her head in defiance. Sh…she was not! Just because she didn’t get tanned in the sun riding her motorcycle all the time like Yang did didn’t mean she was a ghost darn it!

”H…hey I’m not pale! I’m moon kissed, duh! Besides, I’m inheriting moms look! She wore black and white, I wear black and red, it’s heroic inheritance!”

She gave a huff as she was poked, Yang always did this! Aggh!

It wasn’t long before Penny and her friends left after this, but not before Weiss informed her of how she couldn’t just ask why people were white.  B…but It didn’t even bother the guy! Did he step on some unknown social thing again?! Why couldn’t she do this solooooo!

”It..its just a question! I was dizzy ok?! ……also you really won’t eat me….?”

Weiss was a premier predator, she had reason to worry! When Alba did finally escape with his friends Ruby leaned towards her sister, a look of confusion on her face.

”Sis… I think you scared him off with your flirting, and your teasing… also he might be afraid of your… ahem, chest”

As a side note, she hoped they all forgot the weird things she said while dazed, especially the taxes thing! Alba had mentioned it on his way out! …..how did he not know what taxes were…?

She was also…. Wait what did that Rivala girl look like?! WAS SHE BLUE?!!!

When Yang stood up for her, and then Asked if she would give a good impression, Ruby smiled.  it was down to less people, ok Ruby, you can do this, show your stuff, show your chops as team leader!

She stood proudly at the center of the group of remaining people, hands on her hips.

For a moment she practically radiated confidence and grace, truly she was like a role model to all....

”Ok Team, I promise as Team Leader Weiss please stop trying to take over I will do my best, and lead us to victory against the grimm! And ummm other teams if we compete, also, I shall ensure we all drink our Milk! Ill make you and my mom proud!’

Ok so maybe she was radiating to much confidence, but surely it would be a new and wonderful thing for her sister to see. After all, it was what she wanted for her little since. ….or maybe it was something Yang was very much used as Ruby tripped over her own cape and fell on her butt.



For a moment everything was quiet. Ruby blinked, Yang blinked, people stared. And then…..

”Ahhhh I flumbed it up!”

And then there great leader attempted to flee the scene, only to be picked off the ground by her older sister.

Truly, this was the beginning of the legend of team RWBY…….
…………………………………………


Sapphire didn’t fail to notice her Moon clutching her head, that was something she would be looking into once they were alone, I seemed she was acting up again. Personally, she wouldn’t mind if she fed, but it would mess with the mission if she did so right now. She was sure that was something Moon was aware of, and likely the reason for her struggle here. Soon her eyes would be needed again.

For now though, Moon was able to move forward, so she would finish what they were doing here first.  She nodded in agreement with Moon, shaking her head at Bowie.

”I know why you don’t like them Bowie, but being passive aggressive won’t help our mission, I’ll speak to mother about not making you work with them for our next mission, but for now you’ll simply have to deal with it”

Bowie had a decent enough reason for it, but Sapphire would not have her mission soiled because of his tiny hate boner. This mission would show mother just what she could do, what she and hers could do. She would show that she and her team was the only asset she truly needed.

Illia for her part was still trying to keep her figurative mask on as well as she could. Giving a light sigh she grinned widely. Nodding her head as if agreeing with them.

”Our work is easy to misunderstand! But don’t worry, were just as invested in this alliance as your side is”

He could trust him? She didn’t trust any human, let alone one that so readily insulted her and her allies. He was already on her shit list, but she had a mission to do, a many folded mission at that. So, she would have to rely on him and the others for now, which meant some degree of trust would e needed.

She put out a hand to shake, that smile never leaving her face as she did so,  her mission was what mattered, and it was one she would fulfill. She nodded in agreement to his statement. She could agree with that at least, this was all business to her as well. She would not attack Bowie, from behind or otherwise, and while she didn’t trust him not to do the same, she would have to make do with it for now.

”You can trust me as well, of course it’s business, together we will succeed in this mission!”

So there first goal was to gather information… that was perfect for her.

”Right, like he said we’ll be back with anything useful, promise”

As the pair walked off Sapphire would turn her attention back to Moon, the first thought on her mind was addressing her issue from earlier, she was concerned with her being to focused on Karasu. This was a mode of questioning that brought out her usual colder side, a blank stare in her eyes as she did so, it was one moon would be used to seeing, ether side of the coin in fact.

”Your wrong, my moon, mother’s mission will always be my greatest concern, fulfilling her dreams is my hearts desire, and I will see done her wishes, just as  I will make you the strongest of your…. Family, nothing else matters, noting else will do, Karasu is my side mission, one I will simply claim along the way, I take what's mine”

Wording was important, even a more quite area like this. What came next was the part of the conversation she had really been concerned about. She nodded, Exerting her power would draw attention even in a private area like this, and as much as she wanted to take out Ozpin, she didn’t need him and the whole school on their ass right now.

”Then let’s go, the mission can’t be disrupted, it will have its place later”

Another headache, she presumed more bickering. Sapphire sighed. It was clear this was something she would have to do throughout the mission, even more so if those lesser Arcania stayed around. Regardless she kept herself focused and, once they did make it to the dorm she sealed the door behind them, turning back to Sapphire her eyes had already begun to glow silver. The energy flowed through her as she focused herself for the task ahead.



”Sleep for now my little moon, your time will be soon, for now we need my Aurora to make the way, so sleep, and await your day”

After her yes, completely unneeded rhyme Sapphire’s eyes would do there thing, coursing through, and repressing her grim half down, just as they had done a few times already. She had a steady use of this skill thanks to her mother, She would usually use a more fierce version when dealing with Arcania, But Moon and Aurora, both halves were hers, so that was unneeded, this simpler version was all she had to use for this.

”There, as usual tell me if she has been suppressed fully”

As Silver eyes and snow white continued there conversation Illia and Bowie had continued their own walk, though the other two were of course used to how Bowie talked and handled things, and thus payed it no mind, Illia was not, so it was a bit unnerving to her. She could fake it, she could fake so well she could even full herself at times, but what Bowie did was different.
What was with this guy?

Still despite there rocky start she did agree with plan for things. Because of her abilities people wouldn’t be able to see her. This meant she could gather information easily, and that Bowie could do so as he saw fit as well without needing to worry about her.

That Sapphire girl had simply nodded when Bowie said he never missed when it counted, the cold way they interacted, yet…. Not emotionless, it wasn’t that. She could tell they were close but… it was different.

Forget just Bowie, what was wrong with both of them?

Once they were truly on there own Illia decided to give her own answer to what he stated earlier



”I’m not just good at stealth, I’m the best”

To make her point she activated her camouflage…. And blended in with the environment, Bowie would be hard pressed to see any remnant of Illia around him, using her chameleon like skills she simply naturally blended into the area she was in.

”Ok Bowie, let’s get this done then, they won’t see me coming, you probably won’t ether~  time to hunt~”

Perhaps on Bowie’s mind through this, or perhaps something he was used to might have been Sapphire’s words before they went their separate ways, something she had told him a few times, especially when questioned. Said in that cold mode she was often in, not that he was one to talk of course!

”I don’t DO sympathy Bowie”
..................................................................


”Completely helpless? Of course not dear, just MOSTLY helpless, that could be worse really… at least completely useless people have a charm to them, a certain cuteness,  people want to protect beings like that at least… but don’t WORRY Fool, Devil is here for you instead~”

The playful malice was clear in her voice, she was enjoying this, as she usually did. Enjoying every moment of using her tool, Fool knew she was being used to some extent she was sure, but really, what could she do about it?

She laughed as Fool stumbled over herself, her plan wasn’t monstrous, but it was devious huh? God her reactions were a delight to see.

”You forget a lot Fool, we are monsters, all of us, never trick yourself into thinking you’re still human, or ever will be again”

Not that she cared about it herself, having long since discarded any remnants she had clinging her to that stupidity. Her plan was to lure the boy out here and absorb him. Ha! She thought she wasn’t a monster? She was a foolish, idiotic monster, but she was one none the less, they all were. She delighted in the negativity produced here though, most of all in Fool’s fear of her, and of Moon as well. She knew just how much Fool feared them both. This was another reason she messed with the girl so much, she was so easy to manipulate, and her darker emotions were just oh so delicious~

”Of course she’s here Fool, along with her little handler, mmmm my, you do need me don’t you?  What if Sapphire decides to feed you to her? What~ If~ She~ Gets~ Hungry?”

She let her words hang in the air, poking it more as she drunk in that worry, that fear seeping off her. It was easy to have her agreeing to make it up her, Fool was putty in her hands, she would be shaping that putty however she wanted, to whatever she wanted. The girl was practically begging her to do it before she agreed to it all. It felt good, it tasted great~

”that’s it~ You remember that, each runt you absorb lets you absorb the next runt, that’s the best you can do to survive among us. But remember, You will ALWAYS be below my heel Fool, I don’t need power to break you, don’t forget that”

It had been done several times already, and Devil had no issue doing so again, in fact it would be a delight to see the results. But for now? She wanted the others out of the way, and she would use her little Fool to do just that.

She didn’t mind waiting; it just made the climax all the sweeter~

”I know just how to handle them, don’t you worry, Moon would be harder to distract… but lucky for us there’s another one there, that’s ripe to run amok, hehe… you haven’t seen her yet, but who knows, maybe you’ll get a glimpse of her, and a reminder not to ever think you can play games with me, little Fool~”

She laughed, in her typical dark way, hand on her hips as she smirked.

"I think it's about time the Sun set~"
........................................................................




Shank? Shank? What was she talking about? Why would she shank her? She was just saying hello! Was she not excited? She was!  Besides, she only shanked bad people, and a member of her own team wouldn’t be a bad person, right? No no so long as they all fell in line and recognized Vani as the true leader all would be well! Speaking of, Veronica was lucky Motet hadn’t heard the part she whispered out at rapid face. If she had, she might have been even more scared of a shanking coming!

”Vani she thinks I’m going to shank her… why? I’m not gonna shank you Veronica! I only shank people who get on my stabby list, and your not on it don’t worry!”
She was so geninue saying that, as if it was the most normal, common thing to have  a list of people you were going to stab or otherwise mutilate.

”Besides, people don’t stay on my list for long anyway, so you wouldn’t want to be anyway!”



God that smile… she really, really thought she was helping the situation, didn’t she?

Veronica continued to confuse her even after this though, what was she talking about? Rude? And why couldn’t she say words? GASP were there… forbidden words she didn’t know about?! Motet gasped in surprise. Shaking her head and turning to Vaneera.

”Van van! You didn’t tell me there were forbidden words! Quick you have to tell me them all! Talk about things….? What things? vanniiiiii”

Even more confused by the prospect she had been rude Motet turned back to Veronica, tilting her head to the side.

”Huh? I’m not being rude, Muave is the one putting sticks up her ass for some reason, if anything she’s being rude! Your so weird though, so silly, do you come from a grumpy place that’s mad all the time or something?”

This naturally brought things back around to pair of Mauve and Vaneera, Motet, naturally seeing nothing wrong with what Vaneera did ever, couldn’t see why Mauve was bickering so much. She should just listen to Vani and put the smoke stick out! Or up her butt, gosh why did she store them there anyway? Why, she was even showing her her card tricks, and she was still being so grumpy!

In fact, Motet was pretty much zoning out what was being said in this convo, as to her Vani was already right and Mauve just kept dragging it along for some reason, That was until Muave made the threat (The one that was actually just a warning, but.. this is Motet) Motet’s cheerfulness turned dark, and Muave’s reward was  a cold, unnerving glare that she likely wasn’t expecting from this young girl who had only displayed a cheerful innocence until now.





”Don’t touch Vani, if you do you’ll find…. Not a tree, a plant… or even a place to walk that likes you anymore, or... even tolerates your presence”

What came with that threat was a great deal of malicious intent, one might say it weighed on the room for the minute she gave Muave that glare. She wasn't joking, it wasn't just a threat. She meant that as sure as ice was cold and fire burned.

That is to say, she said it as a fact.

…..and then Vaneera got her attention again, and she was back to normal just as quick! In her play with Veronica and Muave she had gotten distracted from announcing the true leadership! That’s right she needed to….

…….Vani wasn’t interested in being leader?

’but Vani! You’re clearly the proper and needed leader! Veronica can just step down or something can’t she?”

But Vaneera was insistent on it, and Motet eventually grumbled in acceptance, crossing her arms, added on to this was Vani insisting she not be hostile to there teammates, to work with them. Well, as long as none of them touched Vani that wouldn’t be a problem now, would it? No one touched her Vani. As long as they kept to that of course she wouldn’t hurt them! As such Motet clasped her hands together and nodded



”Fineeeee I’ll play nice with my new playmates, promise!”

In fact, she would do that right now, leaning in way to close to Veronica and…. Giving her a completely uninvited hug, oh yeah funny enough a local tree branch came through the nearby open window and gave Muave QUITE the shove…. Right into that same hug….

”Team Vaneera, with Veronica as current team leader, we’ll be best buddies!”

Yeah, that uh… that name though….

Fortunately for Muave she had been able to get dressed and do whatever she was going to do with the totally not going to back fire card first,  what if she had been naked?

Well, Motet wouldn’t have noticed ether way really…
.............................


A dance

That was what the people saw from behind the windows of the buildings they had locked themselves in. Even Hazel knew that was the best place for them right now. Still, what she gave was testimount to making it look like a show. She spanned like a ballerina, flames dancing off her body in a spiral and burning the grim that leapt at her. Somersaults of ice brought trails of ice down on her foes, an icey ring smashing what she passed by. Perhaps though, her greatest performance. Though was the tornado of wind she made, drawing  a hoard of grim into her and sending them flying far off into the distance. It was like a beautiful, elegant dance, much different than what was going on on the other side of the field.

”Ah yes, the dance of your lives… gone! Yee who wreathes in darkness and hate can not hold a candle to I or my apprentice! Why I’ll….

Even Hazel was cut short by what happened next, the battle had been going on a while now, Justice had made her way to the enemy commanders and would most assuredly be dealing with them.

So, what was that thing?



If it was Grimm, it was different hen what she saw so far. It moved across its ‘brethren’  and they slowly faded to dust, moving into it’s core. Hazel was left confused. Why devour it’s own allies? Was it trying to consume them to increase it’s own power…? Ha! That wouldn’t work on she! For She was the wielder of spring, a powerful, mystical force that could move moments, some moth creature couldn’t hold a candle to her, HA!

……………..



………..the wind she fired, she hadn’t held back, but the beast. It ate it. It didn’t stop moving, no, if anything it seemed even more energetic now than before!

…………

Suffer the twins did.

Sins they remembered, sins they did not.

Scars that had healed, scars that had not.

It all burned into them; it all tore them apart.

They both fell to the ground, on hands and knees as that pain coursed through them.
”A… sister”

”A traitor”

”A likeeeee… fool…

As much as it bore down on them they managed to get up to there feet, and they grinned.
Not because they weren’t suffering, no they were smiling in spite of the pain that they were feeling.

”Brought us our food….”

”And totally… left what…. Matters out to dry, airhead!”

Every burst of magic Hazel shot out was absorbed, absorbed as if she was throwing healing magic at it and every time it moved quicker, every time its struck faster.

Hazel was sent spiraling back with the next blow.

”That your justice….?”

”HAahha! You let others die, so you can play judge!”

And then it was to much, and their sins brought them back down to their feet.

”Ether way we win, we get you, or we get her… so which is it?”

”It like, doesn’t matter! The world loses a maiden or we gain a meal! Haha!”

A choice

A choice needed to be made

Save the Maiden or save yourself?

Save the Maiden or save yourself?

Save the Maiden or save yourse….

”Focus!”





A voice called out, practically demanding it of Justice, the voice was synthesized, whoever it was clearly using some device to mask what they were saying. If justice looked over, she would see what would likely be a welcome sight. A cloaked figure over her prone mentor, who was now getting to her feet with the beast held back by the girl herself, if barley.

”Please, make them run before we have to hear another round of atlas style sorority babble”

The scoff of annoyance was clear even in the sythization, Hazel herself was up at this point, bringing out a rarely used hammer to now stare the beast down, she gave Justice a wink in the distance, as if confirming her focus was fine, then turned back to the creature.

In one girl, A green aura surrounded her eyes, if magic didn’t work well, she’d just have to smash it wouldn’t she?

The other, only one eye glowed orange, a low wisp flowing out of her hood

The twins for there part were pitching one hell of a hissy fit

”Bullshit!”

”That’s like… this isn’t some comic or video game! That doesn’t happen! It totally… never does!”

The two paused for a moment

They stared at justice

”Fine”

”Were just like, gonna take you then!”

In the pink haired girl formed a blackened great axe, in the haired a spear, along both danced traces of ice on there blade, touching them would get you a cold reception.

And then they charged, trying to swipe and stab at he girl, though that burden likely gave justice an advantage she wouldn’t have otherwise as they exchanged blows.

The battle… was really beginning now.
...........................................................


”AHA! Ships, there all ready raiders, my anime, manga Two Pieces and my Atlas education say those are all sings of a pirate! …..oh they haven’t been that far north though… really weird pirate actions… The bladed Tauris…. I’ve heard similar, he’s a terror, unruly and causing nothing but trouble”

Amber paused for a moment, tapping her chin, she sighed.

”I haven’t seen Faunes much myself… outside of the ones that worked for our family and others, but they never talked much. Mom always said they deserved the position there in… which, if so many of them do end up becoming pirates and raiders…. I don’t know, I want to find out myself, I think, but… all I hear about is how unruly they are, from everyone in Atlas before I left”

Amber was interested in finding out herself, but also hesitant. Were they as dangerous as she was always told? Were they supposed to serve them do to those crimes? Was that ok, or not? Snow said she had already seen some in the crowds, namely a rather…. Flashy one? Wait that meant she WOULD be able to see for herself. She wanted to know… to know a truth. Were they the monsters her mother described…. Or was it just another light inscribed into her? However, it seemed this wasn’t a subject to stay on for to long, as Snow quickly moved on to Amber’s calculations. Unlike Faunes, this WAS something she was confident in, as a result she adjusted her glasses once more, a wide grin of confidence on her face as she nodded.

”One hundred percent! Going by all statistics I know, that is the closest percentage down to the percentile Snow, If there’s one thing I’m confident in, it’s things like this, I always make sure my studies are as close as humanly possible, so you can be rest assured!’

Oh yes, she was REALLY proud of it, despite not attending the Atlas academy she was quite a bit ahead of several of its students-mentally anyway.

Physical prowess was another thing entirely.

This brought us back to the excited, totally not lust driven Amber gaining the unnatural ability to drag Snow straight to Amphitheater, thus was the power of teen hormones, they could move mountains!

’What am I Doing?! Were going to train! Your going to take me and…. Take…me and…. OH GOD I’m sorry!”

They were now slap dap in the middle of there destination, and Amber had come to her senses from Snow’s accidental flirt, first looking completely flustered and embarrassed at what she had done.It was also this point that Amber realized just what she had gotten herself into with her lust, romance filled haze. She had gotten herself into live combat training with a woman who could easily step on her (oh god yessss) as easy as she could blink!



God why had she done this

No no, Snow was team leader. As much As Amber wasn’t overly enthusiastic to be on a team she did know she had to be of use, that meant showing what she could do to her leader so she could better coordinate with her.

……Maybe she’d slam her down at some point…..

…………..

Focus!

”Ok! Got it Mistess Snow…. Snow, I’ll show you what I can do!”




Focusing herself Amber brought her semblance to bear, manipulating the nearby tech in the amphitheater. Since Snow was using an axe, she would need a counter for the mountainous [s]hottie[/s] woman. To this extent she formed one chakram blade in her hand, the metal crafted in a way she was certain would be able to hold up to the axe’s strength… she hoped. In her other she formed a small gun, a pistol like weapon. It was nothing overly impressive, but it was what her abilities could do in this situation. It would be able to shoot out bursts of electricity and shock her foe, that was what she needed here.

”Here I come!”

Amber charged forward, shooting a few bursts from her gun in an attempt to put Snow off guard, her goal was to disarm her, that would show her skill right? So she kept firing the shots form her gun as she moved in, if she was able to get in close enough she would try and connect with Snow’s axe, clashing against it form the bottom in an attempt to to knock it out of her hands.

She could do this… she WOULD!
...................................................
Rivala tried her best to ignore the chaotic goings on but there were some key points that still riled her despite her best efforts. One was, of course, Rivala and the Yang girl. Her advances were… quite remnenct of how her tribe went around mating rituals actually, showing off ones assets in an attempt to be accepted by ones target. However, she was unsure why Yang was doing this to someone she had just met, she couldn’t already love him, nor had she had a chance to display any beneficial assets himself yet.

Unless complete obliviousness counted, she supposed. Though to Alba’s credit he seemed very eager to book it out of there as soon as possible. She also disagreed with Karasus’s assement of the waste it would be, though she supposed some targets also didn’t particularly deserve the honor of becoming a properly reinforced bone sword or arrows.

Herself, she preferred to make a truly worthy opponent into them.

But that perhaps would be a discussion for another time, for now she wanted to get out of the chaos that was this whole conversation. Much as she hated to admit it she did need a chance to recover at this point. A medical area would at least be more quiet and peaceful, surely?
The other thing was, of course, Penny, among other such chaos she tried to just air out. She was as unsure of the girl as ever. Perhaps she simply didn’t understand modern culture well after all, because she had no idea in what way she and Penny could be considered mates. This applied to Alba as well, but they had not even had any emotional talks, and more than that she had not even been INFORMED of the fact.

”Penny, I believe you might be using your words wrong, Penny…. We are in no way like that. We’ve barely been acquaintances, sort of friends… let alone mates…”

Probably a good thing Rivala was injured, might have been in danger other wise saying the ‘F’ word.

As for Blake’s comment? Well, the answer to that probably wouldn’t help Blake’s concerns any.

”Yeah, so I’ve heard, another reason were heading to the medical area”

Yeah, that sounded a lot worse than one might think… Which brought things around to Alba answering her earlier question. She nodded in understanding. That did make quite a bit of sense, indeed. The Weiss girl wanted to prove herself. Perhaps she should have brought it up to her tribe leader. Hmmm did humans have tribe leaders? Perhaps she should just as for the headmaster for a trial by combat then…. Penny just wanted friends… understandable enough, ultimately she nodded her head in understanding.

”I see… I see… then perhaps she should simply fight the Ruby girl and see who would make the stronger leader then, it seems simple to me”

When they finally did leave Rivala noticed how much easier it was for Alba to carry her this time, that was good, he was getting stronger, one less thing to worry about.

Something not good was that his brain was NOT getting stronger. He could not easily read the electric map it seemed, electing a sigh from the Ogre. Though, for her own part she also wasn’t sure why they had decided to make there maps in such an inefficient, dangerous way. What a waste of electricity…

Once he did figure it out, well things had only begun it seemed…..

And Rivala was wrong, it didn’t get any quieter.

Not even when she was laid Gently on the bed.

Poor Rivala, this was such a wild introduction to modern society…

As proud as she was, however, she simply gave a huff at the doctor’s question. Though… that would also make the answer quite clear….

Another girl came, asking a question of her. Aura… what was that? She huffed again. She shook her head.

”I have no idea what that is, but I don’t need it, my bodies plenty durable without need of a shield”

It was going to continue even here, wasn’t it?

Yes, yes it was Rivala, and the other girl in the medical ward wasn’t going to make it any better!



Nora stretched as she awoke in a medical bed, looking around she was able to asset where she was. Was that mean girl also here? It didn’t… look like it from a quick glance. What, had she crawled away or something? Weak! She’d definitely have to settle things later with her! No one insulted the things precious to her, no matter how small it may have seemed to her.
Fortunately, those more negative thoughts wouldn’t be able to permeate her for long as she caught sight of the people a bit away from her on the other part of the ward. Two seemed to work here, or at least they looked that way, while the other were clearly students, cute ones to be sure to! Ok time to get up!

….was what she wanted to say, but as soon as she did she felt the consequences of doing so, giving a loud yelp as her body told her ‘NO” and freezing her in place on the bed. If her sudden jump hadn’t already gotten attention, that certainly had! Still she took a rather deep breath and began moving forward, surprisingly well given her current condition, though she couldn’t really… make any strong movements.

Strong movements hurt right now!

Still, she had every intent of thanking whichever of the two staff had brought her here, she as black out cold in the middle of the campus after all! What if she got frostbite over night or something?

And so, she gave an energetic (slightly controlled) Wave to the gathered people as she made her way over.

”Hello all! Soooo what are we doing? What are you guys in for?”

She gave a laugh, coupled with a wide Nora grin as she asked the question, like it was a prison or something, then turning from Alba’s group to the two staff she gave a light, but still energetic, perky bow.

”And… I’m not sure which one of you brought me here, but thank you, I.. uhhh I’m sorry I got into a fight so soon, but listen, I can TOTALLY explain!”



Though she was clearly still hurt and recovering Nora was as full of energy as she always was! Pain was temporary, the super charged tank that was Nora Valkyrie was forever!
And a day, even!

"Yeah probably" I reply, looking around the room. "Seems like the whole building is empty..."

Come to think about it, we are alone. A male and female and we can do... Lots of things. Snap out of it you pervert.

"Come to think about it I havent yet packed my things yet"

Penny tilts her head as Rivala suggests that she's using her words wrong, and Alba's very noticeable reaction only furthers her confusion. But, at the same time... "Rivala, if you weren't in critical condition right now, I would give you the biggest hug ever for saying that we're friends!"

Still, when Alba mentioned that there was more to leadership than simply being strong, Penny gives a nod at that. "It's true. Personal strength is an important factor, but you also need to be of sound mind, and possess a certain charisma. Though it's hard to say that there's only "one type of ideal leader", they usually have those traits in some form."

Still, there was plenty to talk about once they got to the Medical Office, and Peach elaborating on what she said about Minti did calm the Android down a LITTLE bit. But she does still cross her arms in a huff.

"Indeed, she was even present for my report, and knew that she was previously injured... Honestly, it's irresponsible!"

Seems Penny already had a strong opinion of Minti -- well, hopefully things could be cleared up in time. Either way, she doesn't stay in a bad mood for long, as Peach begins explaining what an Aura is to Rivala and Alba.

This prompts the ginger to give a nod and add her own two cents onto the subject. "In other words, think of it as bringing out all your inner strength and potential! Things that may have seemed impossible before, they become quite possible with Aura!"

Penny then adds the following with a grin; "That's how I was able to lift up that creature from earlier. Oh, and it's not like you unlock the Aura and that's it -- the road to self improvement doesn't stop there. As you continue to train and practice, you can think of the Aura intensifying every last bit of that! Everyone here can get way better than they are right now."

Of course, there were two energetic girls now, as Nora introduces herself in a fashion that can only be described as very "Nora-like".

"We're here because Rivala got attacked by a giant beast. And then Minti attacked her again.", Penny probably didn't need to add on that last part, but... Well. Both of the girls in this equation were a little "off'.

When Peach then mentioned that Glynda could be rather strict, Penny could only give yet another nod in response to that.

"Yeah... She looks like she really knows how to use that riding crop."

... It seems Penny was going to end up in these situations of using words wrong a lot. Oh well! There was one other thing to address right now, and Penny turns to Alba in order to do just that.

"By the way, I can unlock your Aura too, Alba!"

---

Weiss seemed certain that she wasn't going to get hit, and told Karasu to calm down. He had his doubts because of the condition that Rivala was in -- but hey, he wasn't going to insist and distress Weiss further. He'd just act if it was needed. Right now, things were fine.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm used to being rather direct."

He really did seem out of place compared to most of the Students... Especially compared to Team RWBY here. Either way, the more others interacted with him, the more it became clear that he wasn't a hostile guy. Just very blunt and direct -- as he said. Always carrying himself like he had a mission.

Either way, the conversation rolls along even as some people begin to depart. He gives a nod as Weiss mentions just letting this go for now. "Fair enough."

He did arch a brow as Ruby suggested 'nobility bias' though. "I'm not sure what you mean... Yes, it's true that some members of nobility don't have a lick of sense when it comes to leading people. But that's not true for all of them, and it's just as true for people on all economic levels."

He admits, but then continues. "However, if anyone is in a position to afford formal education about such things, it tends to be those with money. The Schnees have that in spades. It would be far more surprising if Weiss didn't have any qualifications."

A rather logical response. After which, Ruby then proclaims her own qualifications due to a game called 'Minefield'. Yang seems a little confused, though not so much because she's been put onto the spot like this...

"Uh, sis. Minefield isn't a game about leadership. It's about mathematical risks..."

Following Ruby's exasperated response, Yang blinks as she processes this new information.

"... I thought we were playing something entirely different outside. Wait, is that why I could never get it right?"

Blake then points out that it's more important to simply function properly instead of caring about honor and prestige, and that was true enough.[/i]

"Yeah. The Team and their Leader is going to be truly tested when the fighting starts."

Regardless, now that the spotlight was on Ruby, she was trying her very best to be a proper Leader! First order of business, defending her heroic look. Yang simply grins.

"Pretty sure that my uh -- biological mom is the one that wore black and red, sis.
You would be inheriting a white cloak from our mom."
She corrected herself in the middle of saying it. Mainly because it would be pretty confusing for Ruby otherwise.

Summer was always gonna be mother to her. She was just going to give Raven a chance to make the whole 'biological mother' thing mean more than be a fact.

Either way, as Alba slips away with Penny and Rivala, Ruby mentions that Yang must have scared him off with her breasts. Yang seems rather offended by that notion. Now bringing her hands to her own chest, grabbing them.

"Oh come on! Who would be scared of these? Hey, you like them, right!?", she was now flaunting her sizable mounds at Karasu.

He quickly averted his gaze with a blush.

"I decline to comment."

Now reassured, Yang smiles with half-closed eyes as she looks back to Ruby, hands returning to her sides in the process. "See? Couldn't have been that."

Either way, it was now time for Ruby's big speech! And it was certainly... Quite the speech! Sadly, however inspiring it might have been instead gets the cherry on top of Ruby tripping on her own cape and falling on her butt.

Yang blinked, then sighed. She already knew what was gonna happen before Ruby even said anything. That was why she picked Ruby up, just as it finally clicked in her little sister's head.

"Yeah, you really did. This is why you need to get out more.", she states, but all the same Yang does offer a sympathetic smile. Hard as she was on Ruby, she also wanted the best for her.

Which meant that there was gonna be a lot of moments like this...

Karasu silently wonders how well this Team is going to do when things get serious...

---

Vaneera lets out a very annoyed sigh as Mauve suggested politeness didn't matter because of the Grimm, so why bother?

"Because even though the Grimm are around, you still bother to bathe yourself. You still bother to dress nicely, you still bother to do a lot of things. It doesn't take that much more effort to not make a complete ass of yourself."

Following that, Mauve then tried to be intimidating towards Vaneera, all because of dodging one simple attack that wasn't even aimed directly at her. She then goes into a spiel about being "too young to try being a stoic badass".

In response? Vaneera simply starts to clap slowly, nonchalantly.

"Congratulations. You dodged an attack that I let you know was coming. In so doing, you left yourself open to several counterattacks that would have capitalized on your position and limited mobility options."

Vaneera then stops clapping. "But we're all very impressed that you grasp the basics of dodging. You're too green to act like you know what real combat is."

She then smirks. "Guess the girl with the hammer taught you that lesson too. Maybe try dialing your pathetic attempts at grandeur back from now on. Or we can take this off Academy Grounds and I can show you what it's like when I'm serious."

To say that Mauve got onto the wrong foot with Vaneera would be putting it mildly. Mauve was entirely too proud for her own good, and she wasn't going to let some little upstart hotshot act like she was the biggest and baddest thing around.

Their Leader, though... Veronica was a real piece of work. She was trying her very best to own up to the position... But it was pretty painfully obvious that she was a stressed out mess that could barely hold it together. Vaneera simply shakes her head and pats Veronica on the shoulder.

"Calm down. I'm only saying I have no interest in being Leader because if I don't, Motet would be insisting in many ways that you should step down."

That said, Vaneera was relieved that Motet was going to listen. Though... Predictably, Mauve would end up getting onto the wrong foot with Motet too. Vaneera didn't do anything to rein it in this time though; she was asking for it for laughing at Motet like that.

True, it was because she didn't know the circumstances. That didn't make it any less annoying to Vaneera. Motet had been through incredible hardship... Both of them have. Anyone that could make light of it and laugh and joke about it in such a manner, they needed to quickly re-evaluate some things.

Veronica was doing her very best to keep the peace though. Setting all those ground rules. Vaneera would simply let Veronica do what she felt was necessary, not much sense in trying to fight her on it, or always give her advice. She would need to come into it in her own way. There was one thing that she wanted to address though.

'Don't worry. If it comes to blows, I won't let anyone get seriously hurt. But I'm starting to think the only way she learns is through a good beating.", she casts a glance at Mauve.

Finally though, she smiles as she sees Motet hugging Veronica, prompting their Leader to become distressed all over again, calling out to 'Redhood' for help. "She's friendly, just roll with it. By the way, I'm Vaneera."

She then introduces herself properly.

In the midst of all this chaos, Mauve probably thought she was being clever by taking that card with her into the bathroom to study it. But Vaneera knew exactly what was going on with it. It was part of her Semblance, after all.

She'd get about a second to look at it before it spews confetti and glitter suddenly with what sounded distinctly like a party horn, all over Mauve of course. The card itself then bursts into flames, but just as suddenly as the flames are produced, they vanish, along with the card.

Why did that happen? Well, it was a very particularly chosen card. One more for tricks that she would do to entertain Motet during their long trips on the road, rather than for combat.

Vaneera couldn't help but grin as she heard the party horn go off from the bathroom.

"I don't think she dodged that one."

Why yes, that WAS a shit-eating grin that Vaneera had on her face right now. Mauve was going to learn one way or another that Vaneera was no pushover.

---

Well, being the first ones here wasn't a bad thing. Pyrrha sits on a vacant bed and crosses her legs as she looks to Chaos. "Well, there's nothing wrong with some quiet time."

She smiles. "I don't hate the attention or all the training. But sometimes it's nice to have a personal moment like this."

He did seem a bit nervous, though. Pyrrha was curious as to why, but she wasn't going to start prying yet. Especially since he commented something which did bring the attention towards something else.

"Oh! You didn't even get the chance to pack your things? How suddenly were you uprooted before coming to Beacon? If you need help, I have the free time right now!"

That did include if shopping was necessary... Pyrrha did have money to work with. Not like Chaos was out to take advantage of her in that regard either, considering he seemed unaware of her popularity.

Mauve had raised her eyebrow when Motet brought up a "stabby list."

" Were you an assassin for hire before coming here? Or do you just have a short fuse that I do? Not that I'm judging or anything. I have lists of my own, but I usually don't cross them out quickly."

Mauve didn't seem to be upset by the stick-up-her-ass comment. If anything, she looked amused.

"Girl, you're really off the mark there. I'm the furthest thing from a prude you'll ever meet. I'd show you what I mean, but I have a policy of sorts. Don't wanna make the team chemistry even more awkward than it already is."

Mauve gave Motet a wink, her lips curling into a slight smirk. The meaning behind it was very clear. Although she had just said that teammates were off-limits. That didn't mean she couldn't clue Motet in on what exactly she meant.

The mood had shifted drastically when things heated up with Vaneera. Mauve could feel the killer intent radiating from Motet before she even looked up. She smirked at the girl.

"Am I on your list already? Better get that anger under control. I lost my cool earlier and got shocked because of it." Mauve then shrugged her shoulders.

"Not that I intended on harming you guys. Well, nothing serious."

Mauve let out a snort at Motet's insistence of Vaneera being the team leader.

"I agree that they got the wrong person as team leader. If anything my qualifications should have gotten me that. But what can you do? Veronica's family probably gave Beacon a charitable donation or something. Those clothes are nicer than anything I've ever had."

Speaking of the leader, she was doing her best to command them. Although she wasn't really all that intimidating. She wasn't going to take most of it that seriously. She shrugged her shoulders.

"I've been overruled on the smoking, so I won't do it hear again. That being said, I ain't going to change my behavior for anyone. Who cares what your parents or sister think? The moment you enrolled at Beacon you became an adult. That's what the law is. Your sister ain't got nothing over you anymore."

Mauve had shrugged at Vaneera's comments on her hygiene. "I do the bare minimum. I sometimes do a bit extra if I have to. If you think I should do more, I dunno what to tell ya."

Mauve gave the Arcana a slight smirk at her sarcastic remarks.

"Ohhh, you're feisty. Not nearly as boring as I thought you were. I could have handled that card in ways that wouldn't have left an easy opening. But I don't really have to when I'm on academy grounds. I'm willing to bet that's the most you can do with that pacification field they have encircling the school. You're rather bad at bluffing for someone who uses cards as weapons."

Mauve let out a chuckle at Vaneera suggesting that they could take things off academy grounds if they really wanted to go at it.

"You don't want to fight me when I'm serious. I only lost that battle because that girl can absorb electricity. Just dumb luck, that's all."

Of course, she couldn’t go all out. Or rather, she was under orders not to do that, barring a life or death situation. But her team didn't know that. Hopefully, this bluff wouldn't be spotted.

"Gah!" Mauve was suddenly covered with confetti. A couple of strands had even gotten in her mouth. She spat out into the sink a few times, then looked up to see it all over her. Great, now she was going to have to get it out of her hair. She gritted her teeth, a vein popping in her forehead.

"Think that's funny huh?! I'm not going to pick up all the confetti on the ground! If you want to have a party, then you need to clean up the goddamn mess!"

Mauve grumbled, focusing on getting confetti off her body. It was the only thing she could do to keep a semblance of dignity: calm herself down and make sure not a speck of the confetti was on her. She hated how she got outplayed like that.

So much for my plan of analyzing the damn thing. So is her semblance a long-range trigger? Or did she put a timer on it before throwing it? I doubt it's the latter: she had no way of knowing I would take it. Tch, I'll find out sooner or later."

---

"I expect no more than that. We'd need to plan for a long time to get anything truly meaningful. Get what you can and don't get caught."

Not that Aurora was worried about them getting caught. Their team was practically fully fledged hunters disguising themselves as students. She didn’t expect too much trouble for them.

Moon clutched her head, looking over at Sapphire.

"I hope that's true. I want to sleep and let Moon take over completely. Coming out of my dream realm is exhausting for me. So I need you to focus on the mission and keeping our cover intact. I wouldn't mind it if you trained to unlock a semblance in your off time. But anything that doesn't help us directly is just a distraction. If you can take him with minimal effort or can use him for our plans, then that's fine. But I want to sleep as soon as possible…"

"You can sleep right now if you let me out."

Aurora had ignored her all the way to the room. When the Silver Eyes glowed, Moon let out a shriek inside of Aurora.

"NOT AGAIN! I NEED TO CONSUME THOSE WEAK ARCANA! LET ME OUT! LET ME… out…" Moon's voice faded as it went back into slumber. It took longer than normal, as Aurora had suspected it would. But eventually, it passed. Aurora took a deep breath, looking up at Sapphire.

"It worked. We're going to have to do checks every 6 hours from now on. There's a chance Moon can stir again under the right circumstances."

---

“Hey! I don’t have a semblance I’m just as physically strong as any other Arcana! Except for Strength, cause he’s strong. And you, of course. I’m not totally helpless!”

Fool froze when Devil called her a monster. She looked down at the ground, mumbling quietly. “Not yet. I’ll become one when I absorb him though. But that’s what I have to do, isn’t it? Die a human or survive as a monster. Killing someone and consuming them isn’t something a human would do.”

Fool paled even further if it was possible. No one had eaten each other when they were with Salem, but when they were away from her protection, all bets were off the table. “Of, of course I’m scared! But how can you h-help?” Suddenly her eyes widened, and she took a couple steps trembling.

“I mean, I’m not saying you’re weak or anything! B.b.but… the eyes. You feel their power too, don’t you? W… what can we do against them?”

Fool didn’t agree with that. She had to get stronger than Devil, or she would just be a snack. She knew that she was being used right now. But what choice did she have but to play along? Devil liked toying around with her. She would use that to her advantage to survive. Everything she did was to survive.

“Survive. We must survive. Let me take control, so we can live.”

Fool shook her head, trying to let the fear of the Grimm overwhelm her. Even her inner Grimm was a creature that felt fear. It made sense in a way, since it was born from her desire to survive. It was afraid of death and wanted nothing but to live, no matter what. That was hard when she was already scared stiff. She nodded at Devil.

“I know. You’ve used your semblance on me many times.”

So Devil had a plan already. She had a sinking feeling in her chest. She knew Devil well enough to know what kind of scheme she was planning. Devil’s ability could cause a distraction in the worst possible way. Devil waved her arms, giving the other arcana an awkward smile.

“M-m-me? Don’t be silly Devil, I wouldn’t dream of cr-crossing you! No games! Um, how are we going to deal with the Silver-Eyes?”

---

"Nyahahaha! Traitor? Can't betray what you were never loyal to. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the second chance Salem has given me. Doesn't I'm gonna be her lapdog the way you two are."

Justice stared at the two twins in confusion as they stood up. They were on their knees due to her semblance, so they should be the ones that were afraid of being consumed. At their words, she looked over towards the village. Her tail stiffened, pointing straight up. She gritted her pointed teeth, snarling at the Twins.

"I don't need to explain myself to the likes of you! All the condemned can do is wait for their sentence to be carried out!"

When Justice saw that Hazel was having trouble, she stabbed one of her blades into the ground and moved her hand from the hilt to the base of the strange protractor that extended from the sword.


"So you brought a creature that can absorb magic. You've only weighed yourselves down further with your actions. Justice will always find the wicked."

Justice raised her blade from the ground and pointed it towards the direction of the flying Grimm. She pressed a hidden switch. Immediately her blade extended.


"I bet it can't absorb a sword flying through its skull. Keheheh!"

Justice smiled coldly, pulling back her arm and taking aim. The stance she took looked similar to someone about to toss their spear or javelin at someone. The town was a good distance away, but Justice had more than enough strength to send it that far.

Suddenly a voice called to her, telling her to focus. A hooded woman had shown up and defended Hazel. It was perfect. Justice laughed maniacally at the twin's disbelief in the situation. Then she gave them a shit-eating grin.



Hehahaha! When the vilest of scum stand before me, their fate is sealed. Destiny will ensure that I'll execute the condemned!" Justice pressed the switch again, and the blade shrunk back to its original size. She swiped one blade to the side, blocking the thrust of the spear with the protruding protractor-shaped part of the blade, which knocked it aside and sent it off its trajectory.

She treated most of the spear attacks the same way, either blocking them or dancing around them. Avoiding the ax wasn't a problem with how the twins were weakened. She ran, lept, slid, and jumped around the attack. Her movements were hard to predict, but some of them seemed very unnecessary. She called out to the hooded figure.

"Take Hazel and go! It won't take long for me to end these two like this. Kuheheh… I'll be the first one to evolve."

Justice licked her lips, then grinned wildly as she lept at the two, swinging her blades around ferociously.

---

The more Rhea listened to Rivala and the others interact, the more she got convinced that the bed-ridden girl had come from a culture where violence was an acceptable way to solve disputes. That didn’t explain her lack of understanding of Aura though. She decided to address the elephant in the room.

“Minti is a firm believer in practical lessons. You’ll still have to take notes, as you have to do with all classes, but you won’t require many books for her class. Unfortunately, as my colleague here mentioned, this means she sometimes doesn’t know her own strength. Although in this case, I think it’s something else.”

Rhea turned and looked at Ms.Peach “I think Minti knew that she didn’t have an aura, but had to make sure that Rivala didn’t attack. The Pacification field wasn’t designed to be used against anyone who didn’t have the protection with aura. If Rivala wasn’t restrained quickly, it would have activated against her and caused serious harm. Given how it activates, that meant incapacitating her in such a way that would diffuse her intent to harm.”

She slipped her hands in her pockets, asking the girl a simple question. “Do you intend on attending school here? I’m sure your body is durable, but I can’t in good conscious allow you to take the entrance exam if you don’t know how to manifest aura. That goes for you too.”

Rhea looked over at Alba. She raised an eyebrow when he mentioned that he didn’t have any memories.

“You’ve lost your memories? I recommend that you stay long enough for an evaluation.”

Rhea was not one for overexerting herself. So when Nora asked her who brought her there, she simply raised her hand briefly before resting it on her hip.

“Fights aren’t entirely uncommon here. Although it would be easier for both of us if you could explain to me why you were fighting. And how you were able to withstand the pacification field. Does your semblance absorb electricity?”

”I’m sure there trained, but then, humans have this silly habit sometimes of overlooking things wouldn’t you say? Especially the older, prouder ones, you know the saying, ‘pride comes before the fall’ In this case, it’ll be to our advantage”

Well, little did Illa know that even if her point was true, they were currently being trailed by very much not a human, no, even worse, someone who knew her quite well to boot. But Illa didn’t know, and so she was confident in her statement, even as playful as she made it sound on the surface.

But there was more on her mind than. Blake was here…. At Beacon. This was where she went? Why had she come here? Why had she left them, left her?

Illia flinched a moment, though it was difficult to tell as much with her camouflage up.
First, she chose him over her…, then she chose… this, she chose humans! She chose… ugh!
She couldn’t understand it, after all humans had done to them, to all of them. And now… now she was happily living among them.

But she gave a dry laugh in her head, she noticed, if only for the moment she saw her. To live among them she had to hide what she was, just as she herself had to. It was such a contradiction she couldn’t stand it!

The faunas took a deep breath, no… she needed to focus. The mission took priority over her. Her people took priority. That was what she worked for here.

Focus

Blake…

She had to wait

And just in time for Bowie to bring up his thoughts on there target. The classrooms huh? It made sense. The teachers wouldn’t be in them right now, more than that there would likely be something in them they could use. IF not information, something to help them obtain the information.

”It seems dangerous to try and obtain one of the teachers keys,  if its an electric lock I can overload it with my weapon… otherwise, we can pick it, I assume you have experience there to”

No matter how they found there way into the classrooms it would be there next location soon enough, Illa didn’t like working with Bowie, but she couldn’t deny he was effective. It reminded her of Blake to a degree, even if not quite as good in her eyes.

Why, Blake would be able to follow her in her camouflage, probably without her noticing! She was simply that good.

Bowie was a close second or third though, she couldn’t deny he was skilled in this craft as well. If nothing else, she wouldn’t have to worry about him weighing her down.

And then the door snapped open.

”Now then…”

She finally de cloaked herself. A determined look on her face as she began looking the room up and down, careful to put things back as she went. it wouldn't do to be caught so easily after all.



”Let’s get started, shall we?”
.....................


”As I said, I am focused on the mission. Mother’s will is the most important thing for me. You’ll be able to sleep soon, as you so wish to, I still dislike what’s mine doing so… but I understand why.  When she does take over… we’ll handle things from there”

She had a light smile on her face there, a hint of care. Sapphire wanted the best for what was hers. She felt for them, even if she didn’t know how to describe it, or how to do so. When you were raised by someone like Salem your sense of tenderness and care tended to be all out of wack.

”I’ll feed her the other Arcania, I have no issue with that, I want my Moon to be the strongest, shame she can’t devour now… but it’ll get in the way of things. Look, I know, I’m not going to do anything that interferes with our plans Aurora, He will simply be mine, and I will show his usefulness… but nothing, nothing will get in the way of our plans, you don’t have to worry about that, when have I let things get in my way?”

Grim, Hunter, Arcania… it didn’t matter. The three of them were a team, plus one more now. She could have her ‘moments’ but the mission was always something she put first, they were goals from her mother, whom loved her dearly, whom relied on her. She would never let her down. Nor would she allow Bowie, Aurora or Moon to come to harm because of her tendencies. They were hers, it followed she would not want them tarnished.

It simply followed that Karasu would be a part of that.

”Right… every six hours, also be sure to wake me at night if she stirs, better safe then sorry,  mmmmm Aurora? Can you cook? It occurs to me I….. we usually have Bowie do that. Mother did not include… cooking skills in her training… Besides, we need to lay a foundation for our future movements to explain when they get back”
..........................................

She was so forceful, dominant… focused, determined. If she was being honest even putting aside how her body felt… those were admirable things about Snow. Things she had…. But not nearly as strongly. And perhaps she was simply kidding herself even then, maybe she just didn’t want to admit just how much of a drive she lacked. Did she leave her home because she didn’t agree with her family, or because she didn’t want to take responsibility as the heir? She didn’t know… she wasn’t sure….

Focus No, she needed to focus, she was over thinking things again. Letting things in that didn’t need to be so complicated, she’d need to maintain focus if she was going to spar with Snow, sure she didn’t mind being crushed, but NOT like this!

So, the fight begun…. And God she so casually knocked the blasts from her gun aside. Sure, this wasn’t the strongest combination of tech she was running but jeez! If she was going to show Snow what she could do she couldn’t get knocked aside two seconds in! Snow was by far the more well-trained warrior, but she had her brain! She just had to think her way out of this. She’d have to do so fast to, as she was about to get TKO’d harder than a newb playing Lunatic difficulty! As Snow readied herself to slam her down it hit her, that was it, it would leave her more vulnerable but…. It was her only move right now! Focusing, Snow might have noticed energy building in the gun, as Amber let go of it, the force of Snow’s move still causing her to tumble a good ways away. However…. While not deadly, if Snow didn’t notice the energy building in the gun itself, she would be subject to quite the decent boom to send her back a few notches! Either way what Snow would find as the dust cleared was a grinning Amber, her chakram at the ready-more so when she tapped it, causing a light energy current to course through it, making the chakram’s ‘blade’ larger.



”Never underestimate a NEET in her prime! I haven’t spent months dominating Eldritch Relic just to be beaten that easy!  No mis… Snow! Come at me!”

Amber was getting into this, getting into it like she did in her games. And if there was one thing Amber didn’t like doing in her games… it was going down before she had fun!
Snow was powerful, but comparability not as fast. She of course, was no slouch, but the difference was enough that with a little engineering…..

Manipulating the area’s tech a bit more, Amber was able to jury rick a two piece jet back of sorts onto her frame. Much like her weaponry it was nothing special, it wouldn’t even last very long in live combat, nor could it fly her high in the air.

But she didn’t need it to do either of those things.

”I’m going to show you why I’m tops in Amity Arena competitions three years running!”

The packs shot of, and sent the young Alchemilla flying towards Snow at a rapid pace! Chakram in hand she would attempt to now overwhelm Snow with her new found speed and get past her defenses… she was hoping the rapid strikes in different directions would be enough to push her back…

Though given that large, powerful body….

….Well she was a gamer first dang it, gamers over came large, hot bodies all the time! Like in Monsterus Girl Journeys! She could do it to!
..............................


"Grateful? that's totes.."

"Bullshit"

The pressure was strong, unexpected from such a young, new Arcania. It had put them off course to have their actions judged and brought against them was not something they expected, more so to be judged by a youngling who understood nothing up what those actions represented.

She thought she could judge them? She thought with her short lifetime she had any right to?

Her justice was shit, her justice was nothing! Her justice was flawed, and held all the weight of a school yard bully the twins smirked in tandom, arms twitching as they grew more and more accustomed to what was going on.

”Condemed you said we were, right? We’ve taken far worse than you in our time, you call us lapdogs? Were movers, we move the world for Salem, we change the world for Salem…. That is our role, a role that won’t be doused by an upstart, least of all one whose power is something so flimsy as perceived justice!”

The pinkette laughed out loud at the girl's words. A constant giggle that mocked the mantle of justice.

”You like, think were done? You think your all that? Your no zero to hero, your a dud to none!”

More grim like markings began to cover the pink twins body, skeletal, bone like pieces here and there, but the most noticeable thing? The long, black tail now coming out of her tailbone area,  white spike like protrusions on each one.

”We have more experience than even that little maiden you're protecting! An upstart like you…”

”Won’t hold our powas down!”

”The chick thinks its gonna evolve”

”But it’s gonna die!”

Energy swirled around the sister in blue, if there normal attacks wearn’t going to cut it then the answer was simple. They would rely on their grim abilities instead. Justice could hamper there semblance, there physical power… but could they stop that?

The ease with which it burned through them seemed to give them an answer.

It erupted from the sister in blue’s hands. Several blue colored blasts of energy fired straight in justice’s direction, using her own weapon to with some difficulty block the girl’s blade. But it would be enough for her sister to make her move now the tail flexed, and begin firing off the spikes upon it in Justice’s direction in rapid succession, regrowing as they were fired off. The spikes had there own kind of magic, a magic Justice would not want to get hit by, as it was very much the Grimm kind- for the magic was a type of numbing toxin that while it wouldn't affect her to badly at first… would gradually get worse and worse and if enough got through well….

She’d be having a movement issue of her own.

They had a back up, sure, but they refused to rely on a human to get their job done.


They didn’t care if he got the maiden, but they wouldn't have this girl, THEY would devour her, for all her fally and her hubris she would be their meal! So the human could have the maidens, to try and suck up to their mother all he could.

That is, if the beast didn’t eat them first.

Cinder was more than happy to follow the wants of the arcania. After all, the last thing she needed was this maiden going off to her death. Tracking maidens was hard enough without having to find a newly birthed one due to an untimely end.

”Ok, you heard the girl, I know you maidens are all about self preservation so lets get…”

”Nah, I’m good”



Cinder blinked a moment in confusion, what had she just said? She could have sworn this was hammered into all the maiden’s, heck it was why fighting autem had been such a pain in the ASS and….

”No, you should know better Justice! The great Hazel never leaves a performance before the final act! No, even less so that I would my apprentice to toil. No…. let’s make a scene together~”

Her words annoyed Cinder, but more than that they forced her to have to engage in battle with that… thing. Bringing out her bow she began firing arrows in rapid succession at the beast, while using her own magic to block blasts.

The arrows served as a good distraction, for what you might ask? And where was Hazel at that moment? Why she had made herself three once more, using her windly powers to project three hers, two of which slammed into the beast with hammer combos so fierce it sent it reeling back, and one slammed it’s heel so fine down on its skull to send it slamming down to the ground!

The maiden of spring floated back down to the ground, pointing her trademark hammer at the beast that had given her so much trouble a moment before.

”A cheap trick is all you have, and once you lose it your far below mine apprentice! Learn your place for if you get up again you’ll learn why they call me the great and majestic sorceress Witchhazel!

No, literally no one called her that, not even Justice, not even her apprentice, nope!

Cinder could only give an annoyed grunt in the background, another wasted opportunity... sigh, least the alternative hadn't happened, she supposed.
.........................


How desperate was Fool to give some impression of strength. But Devil knew better. Physically? Of course she was like the other arcania, but mentally? Ha! When it came to mental strength she was by far the weakest Arcania. The only one that even compared was the Sun, though hers was in a different way.  The brown haired Arcania leaned down, taking Fool’s chin in her hand, fully confident in her not resisting such a motion, and knowing, almost cuing sound gave a statement.

”Are you Fool, are you really?”

After her words she let her fellow arcania go, listening with amusement as Fool continued her sputter. She nodded her head in agreement at her words, pacing around her with a faux sympathetic frown.

”Your right about two things, this is what you have to do to survive, for more reasons than just that, you have to feed to survive, and to survive you have to be useful to me~ Don’t forget precious Fool~ I keep the more hungry off you with my benevolence~ but as to your second….hehe… it's true, humans don't do what your going to do, at least…. Not ones that aren't monsters themselves”

Fool was a meal for her in a different way, she fed on her misery, on all the negative feelings that festered inside her, as a result of Devil’s actions and without them. They… were delicious, they never grew stale for her, they never rotted… it was a wondrous meal she would keep cultivated until it was fully ripe.

”How can I help? I told you, you serve me, I keep you safe, you're my tool Fool, I will give you a path to Alba, all you have to do is avoid the chaos on your way to him~ I’m going to release the restraints on one of the most unstable arcania we have. Oh… I can’t wait to see what she does! In turn…. That should give you all the time you need to absorb your runt, I leave that to YOU surely you can’t mess up something so simple hmmm?”

My my, here she thought she’d have repressed all the times she had used her semblance on her, all the times fools' darkest aspects came to the surface. She leaned towards the girl once more, and smirked with the realization, nodding.

”That’s right, and don’t forget it. I know the deepest parts of you thanks to that, the real you buried deep with~ the darkest, murkiest parts of you… do you want to see them again?”

Devil let her aura rise, feigning activating her semblance before laughing as she let it die down, she returned to the conversation at hand.

”Sapphire’s eyes are powerful indeed, but a rampaging Arcania like Sun will be a lot for her, let alone the rest of this academy to deal with. And even then… she can’t risk using those eyes at will right now, so your to use that, get your meal… aren’t I gracious? Soon you’ll feast, devour another, body and spirit… Do tell me what it was like when you're done, ok?”
.............................................................................


Rivala had a confused look on her face, blinking as she looked at Alba’s face, her expression genuinely unsure of why he had said that. Couldn't fight your way out of every problem? Since when? Of course you could, it was simply a matter of if you were strong enough to do so. The scaly faunes teacher was a good example of that, in her state she simply didn’t have the power to overcome her. So now…. Bleh, at least she wasn’t stuck with the teachers teh whole time.

”I beg to differ Alba, you can do a lot with sufficient upper arm strength, lower leg strength as well””

Alba’s reaction to Penny’s statement had been messy though, and yet, also completely expected at this point. She had to admit it had a certain charm to it, not that she was interested or anything, but if someone was, then… yes it had a certain charm. She certainly also didn’t feel anything from his aid other than emberesement, a warrior like her having to be carried like a dainty flower!

Yes, that was definitely all she felt on it.

The notion of Penny giving her what she called a hug, and what rivala would consider a war crime in her current state, gave the woman a sense of fear, the last thing she needed was more aching bones. Marks of war were honorable and all not at all in this manner!

”Ahem,  I’m getting enough bruises from outside sources Penny… so please continue to refrain for the forcible future”

To the situation at hand in the nurse's office, Rivala was finally put back down on a bed. To the state of what Minti did, Rivala wasn’t concerned as far as the attack went, at least not to the degree her two companions had been, namely Penny in particular given how her tone seemed to shift when it happened. The concern was appreciated but… it was quite simple, she had simply lost that bount, she held no hard feelings.. Other than wanting to beat her the next time they clashed. If anything she liked that someone so combat trained was a teacher here, meant the humans would learn a thing or two if they payed attention.

Rivala listened closely to what Peach had to say, she didn’t ignore it by any means. Her kind was from the old, they didn’t have the gift that was so common to humans today. Peach made it sound so simple. ‘Utilizing your full potential’ huh? For humans maybe, but…. None of her kind had that. Or the power Peach and the others called a ‘Semblence’ What they had were powerful bodies and the power lost to all but a precious few in the current day.

The power that once upon a time, everyone had… but not anymore. That being said… she wouldn't deny anything that could help her find *him* even if she had her doubts that it could work at all.

”Feel free to try, though you might find it a lot harder than you think. …..Don’t feel bad if theres nothing to bring out”

Rivala looked to the ground a moment as she said that. There would noticeably be something there to onlookers, though she didn’t seem eager to spout it out any time soon. Penny explained that power as something that made the impossible possible, and she scoffed, if only for a moment, though not in a venomous way… the scoff was more.. Empty feeling.

”Would that include finding the people you care about? heh”

The other adult human, Rhea then directed questions at her, and she shook her head as the answer to her question.

”According to your boss, I’m to be some assistant here, for a teacher, Don’t remember the name at the moment, that being said… I still don’t mind the attempt to learn it”

When Rhea addressed alba she chuckled, waving her arm dismissively.

”Yeah apparently he’s some kind of amnesic, I swear if I didn’t know better I’d say he’s like a hard head I know, he’d be much taller now though so…. Count that out”

Rivala went silent after this, there was both nothing else for her to say, and also well….

Another loud person had arrived.



For Nora’s part she tried to play off what Miss Peach said, confidently pounding her hand against her chest in confidence, a wide grin playing on her face.

”Don’t you worry doc, I’m made of strong stuff! Heh… from my thighs to my highs i’m a walking tank Sides this was chump change compared to sparring with my friend Tetra the other day! URP!”

Nora proceeded to lean over the railing away from the group and expel things… we won’t be mentioning here, needless to say it included her lunch. So even the ever durable huntress in training did, in fact, have a recovery period. That being said it seemed that either, her training with this Tetra constantly put her in the doctor's office or…. Well… the more likely answer was she just didn’t want to admit that the person she fought had pushed her to that point. Well, it wasn’t just her, but it’s not like she was super eager to admit the security system got the better of her ether!

Turning back around she gave a slight cough, shaking her head and returning to her smile as if nothing had just happened.

”Anywaaaaay like I was saying i’ll be fine miss Peach!”

Penny and Alba both addressed her, it seemed that the other grumpy looking girl on the bad had gotten hurt, first by some beast, and then by the Aura teacher? Well…. That was certainly a wild way to introduce yourself to school life! Heck it even out did her own day today if she was being honest! On the other hand having no memories sucked to… though….

”But you have the memories you have gained since you woke up right? So that's good! AND you have friends, so that's double good! It’s not so bad”!

Well then, it seemed Nora was putting on just as positive of a showing as Alba was! There was a saying for this, birds of a feather?

It seemed the red head was the one who helped her, Miss Peach said she didn’t have to apologize but well… that just wasn’t in her nature! The way she grew up, help was always appreciated, it just wasn’t in her nature not to give people their dues!

”I understand miss peach! But I have to give my thanks, it wouldn't be right not to! But ell… I can try to be more careful, but to be honest you're… probably going to see me a few times with my current training regime going”

Nora couldn't help but snicker at what she considered to be a joke by Penny, it was a good one to! She could practically envision it now, well, it was the ladies own fault for making a whip one of her main tools really!

”Right?! Honestly I think all the teachers might have secret kinks… oh, no offense miss Peach and Miss Rhea!, and… thanks again Miss Rhea”

Speaking of, the teacher had her own questions for her. Two specific ones, namely. Well she was a teacher so she supposed it was fine to explain the second thing to her two. For why she was fighting she had a firm, serious look to her face, a bit in contrast to how she had been acting up till then.

”I was fighting because that woman was showing disregard, and mistreatment to nature, and the people around her! She’s definitely a bully through and through, and I don’t tolerate people like that no sir!”

When it came to explaining how she withstood the pacification field, that she was much more excited to explain, as shown by how quickly she returned to her trademark grin, one hand on her hip and the other on her chin as she leaned forward to her ‘audience’



”That’s right! With my Semblence I can absorb and store electricity within, from my top to my thighs, then i can use that same power to super charge my attacks!, pretty amazing huh? People say I’m a real blast!”

To top things off she did a spin, complete with bow.

Yeah, she might have been just a LITTLE proud of her accomplishment, just a bit.
-------------
The young huntress had every intention of proving herself (even if she’d really prefer to not be doing this in a team, sersioly, were there no solo Huntress courses???) Still.. That just put her in the same position as her mom right? Was it hard for her to? Was it hard for uncle Qrow? Dad? She just…. She wouldn't let them down. She would take her mother's legacy and raise it, she would show everyone how awesome their family was, how awesome she was! She was going to be top tier Huntress Ruby Rose!

Ignoring the fact she later fell flat on her butt.

It was about this time that Weiss said she would let things go…. But not before starting to poke her in the chest. Hey, hey! Awkward! Poking! She wanted her to take responsibility, to be the best leader possible. Possible? Ha! She would do more than that, she was going to be the best leader ever! So the girl briefly puffed her chest out with pride and a wide smile on her face.

”Ha! I’m going to be the best leader ever! Right Yang? Don’t worry Weiss, I’ll be the best… umm where is Blake going?”

The faunus had walked off, right in the middle of her big speech, how rude! Apparently she was going to see their dorm though…. So she guessed it was ok? Maybe she just wanted to top bunk or something? She wouldn't be allowed to focus on that though, as Weiss continued her barrage, namely, not agreeing to cease trying to overthrow her. The girl flailed a bit in response, likely adding to the whole falling on her butt thing later.

”How can I not when you're literally trying to overthrow me!Ahhh… why…”

At Karasu’s well informed, well structured rebuttal the young of the sisters crossed her arms, giving a light huff.

’Hmph! We haven't even seen Weiss (or my) skills yet! For example, how good is she at Remnant: The Game huh?! We just can’t be sure! Maybe we should play a game later and find out!”

She then looked around for a moment, the world couldn't be certain why, perhaps some of her sister had found itself lodged in her brain, or perhaps Ruby to just had some of that signature Yang charm at times, but needless to say everyone, except perhaps Yang herself would be utterly confused as Ruby wagged her finger at them all.

”But be warned, I will not stand for such threacury!”

Going straight from this to a ‘really’ face she stared at her sister for a straight minute as Yang failed to remember what she had been referencing with her cool, epic sounding speech.

”Yannnng thats the wrong game!”

At the same time Yang managed to break the coolness Ruby felt winning all those times by admitting well, she hadn’t been able to grasp what they were playing at all. In front of her new team mate none the less.

”Yang! I’m the leader you know! You're supposed to support your sister!”

She then pointed out it was her biological mom that wore the white and black, causing ruby to huff, hands to her hips as she shook her head.

”Clearly your not as in the know anymore Yang, I’m inheriting mothers look, while also expanding the style! Black and red to show my fierceness! The other side to our mother, the coolness! I am Ruby Rose, hear me roarrrr!”

Annnnd then Yang flaunted her chest at Karasu to try and make her point. Causing Ruby in turn to nearly have a meltdown of embarrassment.

”Yang! You can’t just… throw your funbags at people! It’s… it’s.. Rude.. and RUDE and rude!”

And she wasn’t at all jealous nope.

She sighed as Yang with confidence turned back to her, the younger sister shook her head.

”Yang, if you keep showing off your chest to everyone we’ll be home before the weeks out… also ummm…. Isn’t it bad to throw your chest at claimed men?”

She was confused, but also she was trying to desperately change the subject from her sisters chest.

Yes this was what led to Ruby attempting to flee the scene, and instead ending up in her sister’s arms. It also led to Ruby balling her eyes out in Yang’s shoulders, likely inspiring no confidence in Weiss on the matter. When she did dry herself she silently muttered to her sister.

”I’m trying… it’s hard…”

She was doing her best, but as determined as she was thee would be times like this, times where she fell. For times like this she knew her sister would be there, and, though she didn’t know it yet, so would her team in time.
---------------------
Motet nodded along with vani, agreeing with what she said, she did have one comment to make though, one that would COME ACROSS like she was insulting Mauve, but in reality she was simply used to how Vaneera dressed, usually in a pristaine, presentable way. Which would result in, well….

”But Mauve doesn't dress nicely at all Vani!”

Oh yes, there were going to be so many misunderstandings on this team, poor veronica.

Motet continued nodding along with Vaneera confidently after this, until she go to the part about Vaneera sarcastically congratulating her. This also got one of motet’s rather… unique responses, just as innocent as the last.

”Yeah, I could have stabbed you in the spine! Or the lung… or the heart… or the thigh…. Anywhere! WIDE OPEN!”

And then, if it was still a question if Motet was intentionally insulting Mauve or not she clasped her hands to her cheeks and exclaimed:

VAN VAN! She's not green though!”

Vani didn’t stop her, and so Motet was able to go through completely, Mauve deserved it, every bit of it..  An angry motet was not what you wanted. Vaneera was practically the only leash she had, so mauve was a bit lucky Motet hadn’t just lashed out on her yet! At least, until Veronica’s interruption surprised her. She had already accepted she was going to be the leader, for Vaneera anyway. That didn’t mean she liked however, Veronica trying to boss her around. Vaneera could always do that, she was Vani, and Vani knew best. But Veronica was not Vani, so that meant if she wanted to boss Motet around she had to be queen of the back, the fiercest. She had to be capable of not backing down from her when she approached. And approach she did, as Vaneera would have seen only few times before, the very few times she had decided to tolerate things, which could be counted on less than one hand.

She approached Veronica, with the same glare she gave Mauve earlier, unflinching, Feral, primal, A look that said she could leap at any second.

….But Veronica continued, to her surprised. No even more than that. She continued her words without reproach. Motet blinked, and that was when she had pulled her into the bear hug she so grateley begged Vaneera help stop.

Vaneera had done no such thing, so the hug kept going unphased.

”Not super well actually, Vani usually reads the bigger stuff for me, i'm not an expert, but if our team name is Vowel, which Vowel? Your not being very specific Veronica”

Veronica pulled herself from a now pouting Motet. What she was just going to prove pack leader status and then pull off? That was boring! Were hugs her weakness?

Note:In case a replacement is ever viable, take out Veronica with hugs!

settle down!

And now Motet was on all fours again, looking up at Veronica, then Vaneera. Back and forth and smiling. Yeah she pretty much took that order the way a dog or similar pet might.

Vaneera was used to this, Veronica? Probably not so much.

”Vani’s right I’m the friendliest everrrrrr~”

Not moving from her spot Motet did in fact give a wide giggle at the same time as vaneera’s shit eating grin, it was practically in sync in fact! The meanie deserved it for laughing at her. She deserved a stabby to but Veronica forbade that.

”I’m Motet, by the way!!”

Oh but she did have one more thing to say to Mauve, in a rare moment of clarity, while still in her pet position mind you, she glared Mauve’s way again… and giggled.

”Oh Mauve, I have a question, about what you said earlier”

The girl smiled, purely, happily and simply, but, this time it was veil, a veil over something else.

”Do you think the system can tell if it’s just nature kicking someone's ass? Asking for a friend~”

Mauve may not have understood just what that implied at that moment.

But, well…. She would when she saw Motet’s Semblance during the test!

"Yeah, I havent packed my things yet" I sit down next to her, but not just so close to her "I did brought some clothes and some random junk but thats pretty much it"

Alba then chimed in that a leader also needed a 'cool outfit'. Penny wasn't so sure about that requirement herself, but after thinking it over for a moment... "I guess appearances ARE pretty important.", she admits.

Rivala seems pretty hung up on the importance of strength, though.

"Well, I certainly can't deny that strength makes a difference. I feel as though that it would only really work well in times of war, and even then it becomes a question of their ability to think and plan ahead."

They could probably debate in circles at this rate. Trying to narrow down what a leader was to one or two simple things wasn't as easy as it seemed, because you could end up lacking in something else...

In any case, Rhea mentioned that it was possible that Minti had to act in the way that she did in order to prevent more serious harm from taking place, and that was because of the pacification field and Rivala's distinct lack of aura. In the heat of the moment, that was something overlooked even by Penny.

Her slightly upset mood is replaced by one of realization. "I... Suppose that the pacification field could have indeed done more damage. But if that was why she used such a method, I wish she had simply said so, instead of using analogies that I find rather distasteful."

She felt a little bad, maybe it was a misunderstanding. On the other hand, Minti's use and justification of that force was still something she disagreed with. "When I pointed out that she should have restrained Rivala instead of use a disabling attack, she likened the situation to showing mercy and taking inaction against a scarred wolf that was set to attack a civilian."

Penny felt a little conflicted. It wasn't really in her nature to hate, but she felt like it was pure reckless endangerment...

About at the time it was necessary, Alba placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled reassuringly. In response, Penny smiled softly, now seeming a little more at ease.

"You're right, maybe she just needs a chance. As long as Rivala is fine, I'll try not to hold a grudge over it, either."

With that said, it also seemed that Rivala was convinced to go along with unlocking her Aura. Though she seemed skeptical that anyone would be capable of doing that.

"Well, there's no harm in trying!"

Sure enough, she wasn't deterred by Rivala's scoff and comment either. Alba had already delivered a great response here, but nonetheless Penny responds; "You'll be able to go on for longer without resting, fight harder than before, you may even experience heightened senses, and if you discover a Semblance as well, then you'll be really thankful you have Aura with you!"

She said with a bright smile. "Most importantly though, you'll have us helping you, just like Alba said!"

Shortly thereafter, a comment about Alba's height proves to annoy him slightly. Penny can't help but giggle slightly, before throwing her own two cents into the ring. "I like you just the way you are, Alba!"

And now, introducing the one and only; Nora Valkyrie! Unfortunately for all of her gusto about being made of stronger stuff -- she's losing the contents of her stomach in short order. Well, that wasn't good for keeping the place sterile...

Though to Nora's credit, she does gather her composure quickly and move on as if nothing happened. It also soon becomes clear that she's just one big ball of positivity, because she takes Alba's situation and makes it sound like he won the lottery. All things considered, that may not be too far off from the truth!

At Alba's dramatic response and laugh, Penny would clap encouragingly. The conversation continues as Nora then explains her Semblance, and at the comment of 'thighs', that seems to have triggered something. Because Alba's eyes wander and Penny does take notice of this.

She mutters under her breath.
"Preferences noted."

After that slightly odd showing, Penny is left feeling a rather unusual feeling. For some reason, she wanted to be the one that Alba was looking at in such a way, instead of Nora.

Though she couldn't understand why, much less how to talk about it. So, she settles for moving a bit closer to Alba. If he turns his attention to her, he'd find that Penny would be practically back to normal, going from a focused stare to a relaxed expression and smile.

What an interesting team this was going to make up....

In any case, Alba is soon ready to get his Aura unlocked, and Penny would give a nod, and then take hold of his hand. Just like that she begins to move to a more appropriate venue. Her intent was the sparring ring, as that would also be perfect for evaluating his fighting performance!

Penny was eager to get right to it! After a short walk that attracted some attention, they would be at the exact spot that she wanted to make use of. With this, she faces Alba, and steps even closer to him than she has at any other point today.

She gently presses her forehead against his, and places her hands on his cheeks. The sensation of warmth would be a very noticeable part of this whole process. Though whether that was because of Aura, or because of how intimate this method was -- that was unclear.

Nonetheless, Penny is doing her best to unlock Alba's Aura, and in so doing, she's also speaking softly.

"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality."

She couldn't stop to check if it was working for Alba or not, she hoped that it was and continued on.

"Through this we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all, infinite in distance and unbound by death. I release your soul and by my shoulder protect thee."

With the chant finished, she would then gently pull her hands away, and step back to observe.

"How do you feel?"

Penny then queries.

---

Both Yang and Karasu couldn't help but watch as Blake just left as suddenly as she did. Each of them had their own thoughts as to why, but ultimately there was still plenty to focus on here.

Such as the fact that Ruby still needed some backing up here. Yang was currently in "Big Sis" mode, so might as well keep it up! "Don't worry, sis.!"

Shortly thereafter, she points at Ruby! "Don't believe in yourself. Believe in me! Believe in the Yang who believes in you!"

... Yep. They were sisters alright. Unfortunately, Ruby's currently flustered state continues to grow because of Weiss's personality. Yang was steadily realizing that Ruby had a lot of growth to go through, but at the same time, that might be true for the entire team they now found themselves on...

Speaking of, Ruby then proudly proclaimed that Weiss likely had n chance against her in Remnant: The Board Game, and followed up that declaration with a firm policy of not standing for any treachery.

Karasu couldn't help but arch a brow in response. "Uh... You want to decide who is best at leading through a board game?"

At that comment, Yang interjects. "Not just any board game! The greatest board game of all time! We're DEFINITELY bringing you along so you can experience it, not taking no for an answer!"

Karasu raises a hand and a finger to object. But ultimately realizes that it would be fruitless. He sighs, and lowers his hand back into a relaxed posture. At least on the other side of things, Weiss was both appreciative of his attempts to protect her, and of his well structured argument.

Even if it seemed like that argument was not going to be accepted by Ruby anytime soon. Well, he could take another comfort in that he wasn't the only one unfamiliar with this game -- and because of that.

Yang spoke up once more. "Sweet! We've got a game night in our future! We'll figure out a good time for all of us and we'll just see who can conquer all of Remnant!"

She ended that with a grin and crossed arms. No, no she wasn't going to add any additional context to that line. Even after Ruby got a gentle flick on the forehead from Weiss.

Of course, it's not like that was the end of the particular struggles that the two sisters were facing. The whole confusion regarding the childhood game they were playing puts that pretty well into perspective... "Hey, I'm supporting you! I'm just doing it in a very roundabout way!"

Ruby then defended her choice of attire and color scheme. At the comments of fierceness and hearing her roar, well... Yang stifles a laugh. "You're a dork, sis."

Ah, but it was just going to keep getting better. It seems her flaunting was very effective, given the reaction it caused out of Karasu, Ruby and Weiss all at once! Yang is now proudly making her breasts more prominent via her crossed arms.

"I think it'd be rude to NOT show these off to the world!"

Karasu was trying not to stare, especially as Weiss pointed out that his statement earlier was a comment. The Heiress exacerbates the situation by stepping over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder, and following up with a much more emphasized version of Ruby's comment.

All the while, Karasu was a little worried. "Uh... I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say here."

Ruby then mentioned that perhaps Yang shouldn't be showing off her chest to claimed men. Yang then looks Karasu over, and then looks Weiss over...

"Well, it's not like there's any harm in looking, right?", Yang remarks with a shrug. "Wanna feel?"

Karasu just looks at Yang with an expression that says 'why are you doing this to me?'

Yang's smug smirk says it all in response.

Eventually, he tries to find the right words. "I think I might have interacted with chests enough for one day. Especially given that my face ended up in Weiss's chest earlier."

Yang lets out a whistle. "Damn, just went right for it, huh?"

There's a brief silence. Then she follows up with; "Well, I don't mind if you want to try that with me too."

Well, one thing led to another, and Ruby was prevented from fleeing the scene, though she was more bothered than ever. Yang can at least take the hint that it's time to let the humor take a side seat and tend to her younger sister.

She simply hugs Ruby close, and gently pats her head. "I know, but it'll be okay! You gotta get used to this, but just think: Mom had to as well!"

Thankfully, it seems like peace was being made, with Weiss offering to help Ruby study later. It also seemed like maybe Karasu managed to avoid a painful situation.

"Well, this has been an... Eventful first day."

---

Well, this conversation was plenty weird. Vaneera turns her gaze towards Motet. "... You do know the towel isn't her actual outfit... Right, Motet?"

Ah, of course Mauve had to comment on Motet's infamous "stabby list", wondering aloud if she was some kind of assassin before coming to Beacon.

Vaneera lightly shakes her head. "Of course not. Someone of such ill repute would hardly be allowed into Beacon."

That said, she did get a little annoyed when Mauve suggested that she wasn't a prude and she would show Motet exactly what she meant by that, even with the idea that the thing holding her back was a 'policy' about not making things more awkward. "I'll thank you not to teach her anything strange... She's a handful as is, but she's my handful."

That in mind, Vaneera then addresses Motet's idea of "helping".
"Motet, people tend to be put off when you casually talk about causing grievous harm to them. Try to keep the stabbings to a minimum. Both conversationally and otherwise..."

Mauve was certainly smug, and didn't seem deterred in the slightest by what either Vaneera or Motet had to say. The red-haired girl could scarcely believe that anyone could be so full of themselves, even after admitting to losing a fight and getting nailed by a pacification field.

Well, it was Vaneera's assumption that Mauve had lost anyway. It certainly didn't sound like she was a winner, despite her then going on to talk about her qualifications about being leader. To that, Vaneera rolls her eyes. "It takes more than bravado and an entitled sense of self to be a leader. You'd run the whole thing into the ground before we could even get to our first fight."

Yet another interjection by Motet! She was quite good at those. But Vaneera was just as good at keeping her pace and balance despite that.
"It's a turn of phrase, Motet. I'm calling her a rookie."

Taking Mauve down a peg was only one part of the response, though. Because then she backed up Veronica -- who was rightly upset at the implication. "Bribery wouldn't work on the most prestigious academy anyway. You get here by own your skills and merits. If Veronica was named leader, it was for very good reason. She only needs a chance to prove her capabilities."

Mauve didn't seem deterred much, if at all though. Continuing on to remark upon Vaneera being feisty. Well, if this joust was going to continue, then Vaneera intended to point out a critical mistake that Mauve was making.

"It is precisely because I didn't activate that pacification field that you had a chance to 'handle it in more ways'. If you think that is the extent of my capabilities..."

Well, when Mauve then added that Vaneera wouldn't want to fight her when serious, to that, the red-haired girl replied simply; "You would lose before you even get the chance to attack me. Keep that pride of yours in check, or it will affect the entire team."

But thankfully, Mauve was in the bathroom now, and that left Vaneera free to focus on other things in the meantime. Namely, responding to some of the things that Motet said -- Vaneera had to tackle one problem at a time, and Motet's particular brand of trouble might as well require all of her focus.

That was probably in Veronica's favor, though it seemed that Motet wasn't going to hurt their leader either. Instead Motet was more concerned about messing with her. To Veronica's credit, she tried to respond to the best of her ability despite that.

Which prompted a nod out of Vaneera on the subject of their team name.

"V-O-W-L. A letter is taken from each name and put into an abbreviation. It might take a little getting used to, but it's supposed to encourage teamwork and effective communication. You'll never know when multiple teams have to work together."

Now, an unfortunate part of Veronica's phrasing was that Motet took it very literally and went right back down onto all fours. Vaneera can't help but sigh in response, but at least she did have a light smile from how enthusiastically Motet was smiling, and Veronica's reaction did prove a little amusing as well.

"Motet's had a pretty rough life. I can't go into all the details, but social norms and etiquette are things we're still working on. That's part of why I wanted to bring her to Beacon, I hope that she can get a formal education and experience interacting with other people -- besides just me, anyway."

Then, the surprise from the bathroom hit! Motet shared a grin with Vaneera, and Mauve's reaction certainly didn't make those go away anytime soon.

"Aw, poor baby!", she responded mockingly to Mauve. "It's just confetti. Besides, you should know better than to take what isn't yours. You were asking for that."

... Still, it soon became clear to Vaneera that despite her best efforts, Motet was still a little more wild than anticipated. The shared amusement at Mauve's annoyance was one hint, but then the follow-up glare and question certainly didn't help things.

Vaneera does decide to intervene at this point. "I get how you feel, Motet. But we'll just have to try and get along with her. That includes nature."

Hopefully that left things vague enough, because Mauve was obviously trying to collect information on them. Vaneera didn't know for what purpose -- but if she was willing to try it via underhanded methods, then she surmised that it could be nothing good.

"That is the only hint you'll be getting on what I can do with my cards, by the way. If you want to know more, try being polite and asking."

She then directs at Mauve, and follows with; "Also, I have a sword. I'd think such a talented individual such as yourself could have seen it."

Vaneera then purposefully taps the hilt of the sword sheathed at her side. Granted, it was slightly obscured by her choice of clothing and cloak, but by no means was it hidden since she wasn't going out of her way TO hide it.

---

Pyrrha listened and nods in understanding. So he really didn't have much but the clothes on his back... That was unfortunate.

"Well! I think we can fix that. We might just have to go shopping so we can get you set with the things you need."

She replied with a smile. "After all, it would be a shame for you to have a harder time because you had to come to Beacon in such a rush. Don't worry about the costs either, I can cover that."

This was a pretty good glimpse into what Pyrrha was like; calm, confident, willing to lend a hand... Well, confident in most things anyway.

"Though we may have to wait until after the entry exam. Think you can tough it out until then?", she then asks, hoping that would work for him.

Aurora gave Sapphire a relieved smile, then hung her head. "Good. Everything is tiring enough as it is. Dealing with one new teammate is hard, let alone someone not affiliated with us. As long as he won’t get in our way and you help me feed Moon, then use him however you wish.”

Moon lay down on her back on one of the dorm beds. She closed her eyes and folded her hands before resting them on her chest. Her pose was not unlike those shown in an open casket funeral. ”Every 6 hours is acceptable. I can cook very well if need be. But Beacon will supply our food for us. I wish to sleep right now: wake me up when the others get back.”

They would have much planning to do when they got back. But for now, she could rest. She didn’t have to hold back Moon, talk with anyone, or anything else. She could just sleep and be at peace.

---

Devil was right in her assumption. Fool did not shy away from her touch. With Devil leaning in as close as she was, she couldn’t find the words to push back. She swallowed, shaking her head in denial. Yet even as she tried to push back against it, she could feel Devil’s question pulling her down like an anchor.

Fool never took her eyes off of Devil as she circled around her. Her entire body kept on turning to face the other Arcana. Her whole demeanor was that of prey: wearily watching the predator, unsure of where to move. Maybe it would show mercy if she cooperated.

”I’ll always be useful to you! I’ll… I’ll keep doing whatever you ask! Even… even if it means being a monster! Yes!”

She squeaked out, the thought of what she was going to do terrifying her further. Scarier still was the prospect of Devil making an arcana unstable and lashing out at others. But she didn’t have the voice to speak up against it. She nodded fervently.

“Yes, I won’t… won’t mess it up!”

If there was a color that was paler than white, then Fool’s face would be that right now. She took a few steps back, her entire body trembling. “N-n-n-n-NO! I never want them to get free again! I won’t fail! I won’t! I’ll… I’ll tell you what it was like after I… I… I’ll do it, okay? I’ll absorb him! I’ll get him alone and… and… do it! Bye!”

Fool squeaked, turning and trying to run away as fast as she could. If Devil didn’t stop her, she went as far as her legs would carry her, all the way to the outskirts of Vale.

---

It wasn't her intent to pry into their conversation. Short of exiting the room or covering her ears she couldn't do much not to overhear it. And there was something she was compelled to address.

"You should listen to your friends Rivala. You can't approach every problem the same way. There are situations where using physical force can work against you. We teach the students to handle a wide variety or situations that they're likely to encounter once they graduate."

Rhea had to resist the impulse to sigh. Of course, Ozpin was going to make things more difficult. But any teacher worth their salt would adapt. "Ozpin is as hard to predict as ever. Regardless of why these circumstances came to pass, you should use it as a learning experience. You'll gain valuable knowledge from assisting the staff."

Rhea raised an eyebrow at Nora's joke as she rubbed the back of her hair. "Goodness, you should know that there are just certain things you don't bring up in front of other ladies. Let's keep what you said in this room."

She didn't seem to be that mad about it. Rheas didn't believe in applying force as much as Minti did. Reinforcement worked well in its own right. She gave Nora a smile.

"I hope all the first-year hunters have a similar mindset about you. It's a hunter's duty to help others. Whether it's to provide for them in some form or to protect them, hunters and huntresses exist to help those who can't help themselves. But only resort to confrontation when necessary. There are other ways to resolve issues, which you would be wise to learn during your time here. As would the opponent you faced"

Rhea smiled lazily as Nora explained her semblance. "It would have been embarrassing if I was wrong about your semblance. Considering that's the subject I teach. Your ability is impressive Nora, but like you, it has yet to fully grow."

Rhea sat down on one of the office chairs near one of the desk, crossing her legs and looking over at Penny.

"Minti's bluntness can be offputting, but she was right. It's not something we normally don't talk about with first-year students. But considering the circumstances, I'll go over the basics. It's something we start to teach to 2nd years. The 2-second window."

Rheas folded her hands and leaned forward. "When you're in the field, you're constantly in danger from Grimm. Negative emotions attract them. There are situations where you have less than 2 seconds to prevent an incident that could attract Grimm. If someone pointed a gun at an unarmed civilian, you have less than two seconds before they pull that trigger. In that amount of time, not only do you have to neutralize them, but you have to do it the right way for that situation. If they fire their weapon, or you inflict a fatal blow on them in front of civilians, you risk attracting Grimm."

Rhea paused, then leaned forward to give her attention to the android. "Minti couldn't sense an aura. She had to neutralize Rivala before the pacification field came into effect. It's very hard to process and think all of that in just two seconds. Minti likely resorted to what she trained herself to do instinctively. Think of it as a mental shortcut."

The paused, her tired gaze not faulted as she looked at Penny. "Did she make the best choice she could have made in those two seconds? It's hard to say. A less harsh restraining method would have been better. But sometimes you don't have time to process everything. And that's the choice that Minti made. It likely wasn't the best one, given all the circumstances. And she could have worded things differently. But there will be times when you can't pick the best solution. We can only do the best we can."

Peach had the aura unlocking and care of two of the students in her care. She watched as Penny took Alba out of the area to get his aura unlocked. Being the semblance teacher, there was a possibility that he'd unlock his semblance as well.

"I should observe from a safe distance."

While she hadn't been in the field for a while, there were some things you never truly forgot about. Tracking a target, human, Faunus, or Grimm, was something that was beaten into the head of any academy graduate. And so Rhea followed them to the arena and found an out-of-the-way spot so that she wouldn't disturb them. She wasn't trying to hide, but she wasn't making her presence easy to detect either. She watched as Penny attempted to unlock his aura. The scientist in her was interested to see what would happen.

---

Mauve looked over at Motet, rolling her eye. "Yeah yeah, good luck stabbing me without getting zapped." She waved her hand dismissively. Engaging in conversation with her was a waste of breath if it wasn't necessary. Her childish way of talking was proof enough of that. Unfortunately, Motet dragged her back into the conversation with a really strange question and shrugged.

"Beats me. I didn't make the field."

Mauve couldn't help it. She started snickering as Veronica practically stomped over to her while dragging Motet with her. It was kind of impressive in a way, considering her stature.

"Look kiddo, I don't need to meet your family to know what they're like. "Good people" and "rich" don't mix in the same sentence. Luckily you don't have to do that much. Vaneera seems damn good, and I have my experience. Be a good princess and let the Knights take on the workload."

Mauve folded her arms "As long as she's a handful only to you. She better not screw up during the exam."

She was concerned about Veronica and Motet. But if worse came to worse the two of them could pick up the slack. But right now her mind was focused on something else.

Mauve grit her teeth in anger  Vaneera's comment on being a poor leader only irked her a little. She could retort a direct insult, and she had plenty thrown her way. What really bothered her was her "translating" what she was saying to Motet. It took a lot of restraint not to lash out.

And it took yet more restraint not to lash out at Vaneera. She came out slouched, her posture telegraphing her embarrassment and anger. She clenched her right fist tightly.

"Veeeery funny. You're a natural comedian. So, I'm supposed to take your word for it if I ask about your semblance? I'll figure it out on my own. And yes, you're armed. You'd be a piss poor hunter if you weren't packing heat. Even the princess over there is armed."

Mauve jabbed her thumb at Veronica, then jumped back onto her bed. Naturally, she landed on the back and caused the mattress to bounce a few times. She crossed her legs, getting herself comfortable.

"I want to make things crystal clear. I hate you and you. You two piss me off. And we have a greenhorn as our leader."

Mauve pointed her finger at waved a finger pointing at Vaneera and Motet, then pointed directly at Veronica. She then raised her head and slid both hands underneath it before resting back down.

"I'll go along with the whole teamwork schick though. We only have to tolerate each other for a few years. And we need to pass the exam. After that, it's every woman for herself."

Mauve was probably leaving before that though. She was here solely on a mission. And once that mission was fulfilled, she would leave. No sense in trying to get attached to or make friends with people she wasn't likely ever to see again.

---

Justice let out a giggle that quickly evolved into laughter. Her erratic behavior was only getting stranger and stranger by the minute. Not only that, but her emotions, demeanor, and words were all actively contradicting one another.

"Excuses, Excuses, **Excuses!**" Her speech devolved into a snarl. Her silver eyes burrowed into the Twins. It was as if a wild animal had possessed Justice as she was laughing. Her words came out as a growl.

"That's what everyone uses to justify their actions! It's for the greater good, I'm only following orders, Excuses! Excuses and lies! They lie to others and lie to themselves as they spread misery! Your kind is the worst!"

The silver aura around her shone even brighter. It was using her rage and hatred as fuel. The more the twins spoke, the more they poured into it. This was why when the blue-haired twin blocked Justice's sword, she was confident she was going to push through.

Then justice's ears twitched. She suddenly dropped to the ground on her stomach, and not a moment too soon. A barrage of spikes flew past where she had been standing prior. When there was a lull in the firing, Justice ran 5 feet to the left and then jumped a full 15 feet into the air. She swung her arm, and let one of her swords fly like a missile on a downward trajectory. The target? The middle of the long black tail that the pink-haired twin had grown. Justice was trying to pin her down there.

Of course, there was a downside to this. Even if it hit, she was heading back to the ground. This would leave the twins with an opening to hit her when she landed. Even if it was for a second, that window would be there. Right now the battle with the twins was Justice's only concern: Hazel and Cinder were on their own.

”I will ensure it all goes smoothly Aurora, I guarantee it. I am my mother’s child, I will see her work done.. And I will see Moon fed, and the strongest Arcania there is. I made that promise did I not? When the time is right, Moon shall consume them, until there gone as  far as i’m concerned”

And in the process she would get what was hers as well. It would be no trouble to bring Karasu to her side. She had her own advantages, both physically, and tactfully. She had ideas already and, from their brief conversation she was sure there were several things they would be able to relate on.

Things she could tell him anyway.

Aurora proceeded to lay down in her.. Usual way. And Sapphire took a seat next to the bed, both in case Moon awakened early somehow and because it was comfortable to be by what was hers. There were also many thoughts on her mind. This mission was an important one to her mother. That was the only reason she was willing to work under the half maiden to begin with. There were only a few things she relied on to begin with after all. What was hers, Bowie, and her mother. She did not care for anything else, least of all the other Arcania besides Moon. But they would serve their purpose far better by the time everything was done.

”I will do so, Aurora, rest well”

Sapphire would then relax in her seating position. Sapphire leaned back in her spot and smiled.

Aurora was hers.


Moon was hers

She would make mother’s wishes come true……

The other Rose gained a grin to her face, a determined, grin. A grin that showed her craving.

Of course, Karasu would also be HERS
............................................................


‘Believe in the Yang that believes in you’

For most, this would perhaps just be an annoying pun. And let there be no doubt, like the hundreds of other puns her sister had stacked upon her (no doubt as a result of their mother’s influence on Yang, she was convinced of this to this day) This one irked her just as much, but the support behind it also let Ruby breathe, relax herself enough to regain her composure.

”Yeah! Believe in the Yang that believes in me…. Believing in her…. In me…. Ah… yes yes! I’ll do it!”

Ruby gave a half confident, half nervous pose as she said those words. She was grateful to have her older sister on her team for all of this. She would need her support until she could get used to… all of this. She wanted to be an awesome Huntress, just like her mom. She wanted to make her and the rest of her family proud. So that wherever her mom was she could smile down upon her. To Karasu’s confusion he only received a confident nod from Ruby, who proudly put her hands on her hips, leaning forward with a bright smile.



”That’s right! Like sis said it's the greatest board game, and therefore the ultimate way to determine this, no one's backing downnn!”

Ruby was clearly getting into things, maybe getting a little more comfortable:Who knew if it would last? Like a fragile bud Ruby Rose’s confidence in this field had not yet fully flourished. However it seemed there combined reasoning had left Karasu stunned, speechless. Good! Score one for team sister! On Weiss end of things? Ruby had a wide grin when Weiss said she didn't play board games, hands still confidently on her hips. As she still accepted the challenge.

”Then its set! A game night! Don’t worry ice queen, there will be no fun, only… DOMINATIONNN!”

Ruby was confident, but she had reason to be! She had won the last two games with her family before coming here. Sure Yang won the three before that but that was no matter! Point was, she had this covered!

Dad had won a game at some point to, but that was another story….

Ruby rubbed her hands together in a fashion similar to a super villain as yang commented on seeing who could conquer all of remnant, a devious expression on her face.

”Hehehe yes… i shall keep my reign of terror alive..”

Much like Yang’s statement, Karasu and Weiss would be getting no context to Ruby’s words, nor to what chaotic game they were getting themselves into.

Yes, yang did everything either in a very roundabout way, or so close quarters you’ think she was challenging you to a fight.

Half the time you’d be right…. Wait, Yang just….

”Am not! I am a proud rose warrior! Would a dork have her sweetheart polished and ready to go at all times?! huh?!

This wild roller coaster wasn’t stopping any time soon though, as her older sister refused to step down from her nuclear boob drops. Ruby’s face was of red and embarrassment as she desperately tried to stop her family.

”Please… please Yang! This is embarrassing, especially since my roses haven’t bloo… i mean, it’s indecent! Rude! Come on pleaseeeee sis!”

Yang’s chaos knew no bounds, but with Weiss’ reaction an assumption came to Ruby’s mind, one that made her expression to quite curious as she leaned into her sister.

”You know Yang, I think this Karasu guy might be Weiss’ boyfriend! Look at her reactions…. Yeah that must be it! There one big semi grumpy pair!”

When things got serious Yang proved why she could be a responsible older sister. Her comfort eased Ruby’s mind, she knew she was right…. Even if she wasn’t a huge fan of it. She would just have to get through it all… day by day.

”Thanks sis… I know.. I’ll do my best”

Weiss offered to help her study, and this had a well….. An almost ‘penny’ reaction out of Ruby as she immediately sped over and grabbed Weiss in a hug in appreciation.

”Really Weiss? THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!”

When Karasu commented on the hectic day Ruby chuckled, shaking her head.

”Rocky days are the start to the greatest of adventures right? Dad said that once, it sounds right to me! At least you didn’t almost get blown up!”
........................
”Everyone in the fang has a reason to hate humans,  how many horrible things has your kind done? Don’t get me wrong, we're not clean, far from it. But everything we do has a reason behind it. Have you ever been hated, just for existing? Ever felt the feeling of normality, only for them to rip it from under you once they learned what you really were?”

There was more to it than that, but she wasn’t about to spill her guts out to Bowie, partner or not. He didn’t need to know everything. The ringing in her head. The memory of that day when everything changed. The day she was at her lowest, that she felt the worst.

And all she heard was laughing.

”Absolute power corrupts absolutely, as they say…. Any chance to bring down people like that… i support”

She disliked being corrected on the lock, but it wasn’t the fault of Bowie. Though she had been with the fang  for a while, she was still a ‘newbie’ when it came to a lot of its members. She still made mistakes at times, even as careful as she tried to be. She didn’t think about what would be sent if she surged the lock, only that it would be opened, this resulted in the annoyed look n Ilia’s face, this time directed at herself more than anything.

”Right”

Meanwhile Bowie had gotten the lock open easily, using his aura to shape the pick and his own skills it came open in no time. She was jealous of the efficiency, not that she was going to show it to Bowie.

And so the search began. Ilia began looking through the more physical aspects of things as Bowie had taken to their computer systems. Drawers, desks, cabinets, of course she put everything back exactly how it was, more so when Bowie had hit the jackpot, on his word she silently slicked back over to him. After they sifted through the useless stuff they did in fact find a goldmine. The students register… information on every one of them-it would serve their purpose perfectly. Bowie asked that she download the files while he kept looking, so she sat down and did just that. Her bias had no place in the middle of an operation, all that mattered was getting their work done. Soon they would be finished, and they could slip back to the dorms without anyone the wiser…

Or so she thought.

Blake walking in had a number of effects, the most profound for Ilia herself.  The faunus blinked for a moment, and her world went white as she froze.



Ilia! I’m here to support you!

Ilia smiled, Blake was here of course, just like she always was. They were inseparable as partners, as friends… as more. Adam had tried his hand of course. But when Blake denied him he silently went away and focused back to his role in the group. Blake had her hard moments of course, as did Ilia but they were always able to help each other through. As members of the Fang they sought to make things right for their people. Their promise lied unbroken as came to Beacon. Sure they had to work Sapphire’s group, but that was fine, both sides would get what they needed and they would move on.

The girl’s face and skin turned it’s usual reddish hue when in her girlfriend’s presence and she grinned.

You're late, we already have everything we need here Blake!

She moved up from the chair, their partner Bowie of course gave an annoyed roll of the eye, but that didn’t matter to her. She couldn't be happier to see the woman she loved. Who she couldn't believe… had actually loved her back.

Heh…  well maybe you all were able to find the student lists, but I GOT the big fry, all the information we need on the pacification field~

Blake confidently dished out her own stick, filled to the brim with all they needed, that was just how great Blake was! The chameleon faunus jumped for joy, running over to the one she cared for most and pulling her in an embrace.



You deserve a reward my kitty

Oh…? Is that so?

The two leaned into each other, their lips moments from connecting….

And then everything faded back to reality, like a painful stab in the gut… a reminder of what could have been.

Because some dreams… could only ever be just that.



"Hold it! Stop what you're doing and keep your backs facing me."

She was shaken from her day dream by Blake’s true words, and reality came crashing down. Right.. That was how things really were.

Blake had chosen Adam, not her.

Blake had abandoned them, not stayed.

Blake… was a foe… not a partner.

”Blake….”

Her emotions were a rollercoaster, running through her like mad, Her skin first an embarrassed yellow, then a sad blue.

Blake’s weapons were trained on her, on her actual partner in this, Bowie. Her fingers twitched in response to her words, her assumptions. Why? WHY?!

”You don’t know… you don’t know… YOU DON’T know?! That’s all you can say???”



Her tone was kept to a hush even now, but the anger behind it was evident. If not by her words then by the red tint that had covered Ilia’s eyes, colors that would be all too familiar to the runaway.

”You abandoned… me, left me.. Left everyone! We… were supposed to be partners and you just…. left…”

Her glare deepened, as she stared down the subject of that daydream.

”I’m sorry to say we can’t always have what we want.. I didn’t follow you here, and I’m not telling you why, your not one of us now remember?”

The statement was made coldy, with the pain ilia felt behind it.

Ilia caught sight of the dust crystal in Bowie’s hand, but she did not smile in return, however it would be clear enough she had seen it as she closed her eyes in confirmation. She just wanted to leave, to get this over with. This wasn’t how things were supposed to be, not how she wanted them to be. She just wanted to go.

When Blake questioned his words, on what he meant by two against one Ilia turned back around, looking her down, she wasn’t any less angry than she had been before.

”It means you can’t have the best of both worlds Blake, none of us can… I’m… your enemy now, all of us, the fang… you turned your back on your people Blake! So that's what he means.. It means… you're outnumbered.. So leave. You know what I can do… but not my partner… do you really think you can reach that alarm before one of us stops you?”

She made no mention of the crystal in Bowie’s hands, she didn’t even look to it. The message was clear, the moment Blake was distracted enough… they would move. That it let her vent her feelings was only extra.

”Or are you that determined to make my life WORSE?!”
......................


She enjoyed the suffering of humans most of all, even if that wasn’t what they now called themselves.She loved nothing more than to see them kneel, to see them cry, to see them forced to make a choice they didn’t want to-Fool was weak that way. She knew full well the Arcania didn’t want to devour Tower, not truly. But she had no choice in the matter, it was the only way she’d survive, and the only way she stayed on her ‘good side’ The predator would show mercy, if only because the greater meal came from Fool’s long term suffering, as she had no choice but to move her own plans along. To do things she’d never have wanted to as a human.

That was ok though, she was still a human to her, and she would be treated as such~ Until the day she showed her just how worthless it all was to begin with. Her face then… it would be delightful.

”Then I have nothing to worry about~ i’d  hate to leave you to someone like Moon or Sapphire if you become disobedient, but… I don’t think i have to worry about that~ you know your place in this hierarchy”

Her expression was pleased, a light glow to her eyes as she watched Fool squirm. Until she recovered things like this would be enough, she would have Fool destroy everything she was, burn it all to ash. And it would be all for nothing. She would use her until she tried out, and then she would devour her as well.

”Then be off little fool, i’ll have things done by the time you start, good luck and... enjoy your meal~”

As Fool left she gave her a wave, one that could almost mistaken for one of caring if not for the smile she bore, dripping with her twisted satisfaction. That was one more piece in place, and  soon one less Arcania on the board. After all, as weak as she was even Fool should be able to handle Tower as things currently stood. And each piece that fell on the board brought her one step closer to what she wanted.

Fool was only one step, one piece that would spread to the roots like a wildfire.

So as she turned her back away from Fool, two different directions, two different destinations, they still moved towards the same end goal. She gave a satisfied grin as she turned her gaze back to Beacon as a whole, her eyes burrowing as if it only saw two things within in that moment.

”I do hope your still good at chess Magician, 3/3 that's the current record, but this time… the board is bigger, failing in the first act…. Would be so unfitting for a knight~”

A game of chess that would last longer than anyone could imagine, even Salem and Ozpin themselves. With pieces so out of the ordinary.

Salem underestimated Magician, but she would not, she had already seen her mind herself after all.

But what mattered… was how she moved now.
..........


The jester fell to her knees.

Her bookish skirt made a thud against the ground.

A pained gasp escaped a usually joyful mouth.

As she fell her hat, which she never let leave her ensemble, fell to the ground in front of her.

And everything went white as the relic escaped her grasp.

”I actually do have a request though, if you would hear it”

Fuzzy, so fuzzy, words of so long ago. Of a dream held dear even to this jester’s heart.

”Ummm I guess, I don’t really know what someone so great could want from me though, miss Witchazel”

The blond child frowned, crossing her arms, but the older lady smiled,  shaking her head and placing a hand to her shoulder.

”It’s a simple request, actually, don’t you worry, your going to be my next in line, so my only request of you… is to be free”

The young girl gave a confused look, her eyebrow raised, before the woman known as Witchazel playfully tapped her on the forehead.

”Don’t think hard on it, I just want you…. To live for you, to live for what you want... Don’t let people control your life. I have spent… my whole life living according to that man’s wants and ideals, and I don’t want that for you. Heh… that’s my only request, live for yourself Jane”

The child now identified as Jane was still confused, but nodded none the less. So just don’t listen to that grumpy old Ozpin guy right? That seemed easy to her. She just wanted her to live life by her rules. Hehe!

”Alright miss Witchazel, if that’s all you need I can do it easy!”

”Well… there is one other thing”

At this the young Jane gave a childish huff! And put her hands on her hips.

”That’s not fair! You said ONE thing, it’s not fair for a grown up to just….”

However Witchazel simply gave a warm smile, and continued with her explanation.

”It is usually tradition in my family to pass on our name to the next female in line, the next maiden, but…. In my life i have not made a suitable heir sadly and… even if i had your the one that the powers are passing to now…’

The young Jane gave a guilty look at that, looking away.

”Sorry, if only I hadn't teased Harry, that horse’s back kick is insane!”

The older woman gave a chuckle at that, shaking her head.

”It’s fine, dear, my point is…. I was wondering if… you would carry on that name, heh… you are the closest thing I've had to a daughter I admit, and.. There's no one more fitting i can think of to inherit it”

Jane stood, dumbstruck for a moment, not quite able believe what was being offered to her, this woman who had been a parental figure to her since she was little, since her parents passed away. To be given this…

Yes, a thousand times yes, the young blonde jumped up and down in delight, pumping her fists in the air as she hopped all around the void.

”Yes, yes yes Miss Witchazel I’d love to!! Please yes, I’ll make you proud!”

Witchhazel gave a proud, warm smile in response

”Then from this day forth… you are no longer Jane Foole, You are now Witchazel the 7th, Maiden of spring, please, live your life to the fullest dear”

This is but a vision of a dream, a passing of the torch.

A tale known not to the world,that shaped a young girl’s future, that shaped her ideals.

This girl did not care what was ‘good’ or ‘evil’

No, She did not care what labels were put upon people, if anything she sought to break them.

For that was what the girl represented, and what the girl always desired to bring: ‘Freedom’

That is something that would never change.

”Aaaaaah!”



They would all feel it, everyone around, that pulse in the air, the way the wind shifted. For even Justice this would be something familiar, but almost never seen. If one were to put it the words: ‘The wind hates me now’ would be the best way to do so, and it would be hard pressed to argue against. For between the air that so calmly danced around Hazel, and the wind violently jerking around her one would be forgiven for thinking a small storm had rolled in! And of course, her trusty hat had been placed firmly where it belonged once more.

”I! AM~! The wondrous, the magnificent! The all encompassing! WITCHAZEL, Maiden of Spring, warrior of freedom… and the undoing of people who STEAL MY SHIT!”



Watts was stared down by a maiden in heat, heat as in fired up, that is! The air whipping around her as she stared him down, ready to combat him and hang him up to retrieve her relic posthate! Luckily for him he at least had an ally in the Grimm like being who had manged to get up once more and was flanking behind him, but it didn’t make Hazel back down even an inch…. She was determined… and she WOULD see this through!

What of Cinder you may ask? She was stunned, for once,thinking  she would have to step in against Watts, only to find this maiden rising back up.

She had also missed SUCH a good opportunity in the process.

This trip was turning into one hell of a drag.

As for the Twins? Their opponent was a contradiction, a mess of emotions, Pathetic pathetic! That something like this could hold them down, How someone like this was given the right to be an Arcania, let alone the right to run loose like this was beyond either of them. Elsi found it deplorable, Elisha thought it was a joke. It made them fume, it was ridiculous! They were the top, of the circle Salem counted on. Those defective eyes bore into them like she had something to prove, like she knew what she was talking about.

They had a wish.

A wish…

A wish…..

Wish….

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh

Their aura whipped up, became more fierce as their features changed, for Elisha, wings flew from her back, and horns  frew on her head, complete with a small tail at her backside she was the vision of a devil like creature. Elsi looked much the same in her own shade, but without the wings and of course, her tail was far longer.

”Your maggot little self, thinking yourself a judge, think you can cast on us? You wish! Your three hundred years to to early brat!”

”I’m sick of hearing your whining, your like, a zero, less than a zero! Nothing but an Arcania made to be devoured! Your nothing nothin! With eyes that don’t even work!”

Though still being  stronger, allowing them to move better under it stronger, allowing them to move better under it. A silver aura washed over the faunis as it attacked them once more, they clashed. She had barely managed to escape Elsi’s ranged attack, but, Justice had also been able to take advantage of the lul in that tails movement, she succeeded in pinning Elsi’s tail, causing a pained, echoing scream to escape her. That tail was powerful, but it hurt like anything else when attacked, and it was just another part of her body, not something armored, this also prevented her from retaliating at least as Justice descended down, preoccupied with the pain and ripping the sword back out. Elisha however?

Elisha was ready.

As the Arcania came down, she pushed herself through the Semblance to make her way under her, she focused her aura, the blue energy radiating throughout her ax, growing in force until she lashed it out at the girl ready to touch the ground, ready to hit her right in her vulnerable spot!

”Hit the ground, ya throw away trash!”
.................


Hehe! Underestimated her? Clearly! She was the queen of games, perhaps even the mistress of electronics~ she was top rated in all the pvp games she played, to beat her in a game you had to really step up your game and…..

Wait, underestimate….? What…? WHAT?! Wait, no slow down! Slow down, this wasn’t one of her actual games she was just getting to hyped into this~ her attacks were being deflected, quickly at that! Amber of course tried to keep up with things, but the realization that cut her out of her NEET mode meant she was a bit less focused but still keeping up. Bu…but Snow was slowing down, if she just kept it up a bit more she could get past her, she could make it.

….Would snow use her hands then?

But then, Then Snow struck her jetpack, and this well… this would lead to some chaos. While the boom that came didn’t hurt Amber much…. It did cause enough of one to shoot her into the air. This would be quite the sight for Snow to see as Amber flailed.

”Ahhhhh i did it againnnnn!”

Wait, was amber now coming back down? Yes she was! What might have expected her to simply flop on the ground. Heck that's what Amber thought was going to happen! She was hoping to be a smoldering wreck, smacked down by snow and carried back to her dorm…

That’s not what was happening, she was currently racing back down at Snow like a rocket,unfortunately for the NEET she had also taken her chakram out to block her fall… which instead now gave the impression she was charging right at Snow! And for a battle ready woman like Snow? Probably look like Amber hadn’t given up yet! She was shooting fast, and hard! Why if not stopped she’d ram right into the larger woman!

”Whyyyyy meeeeeeee!”
.............

Motet huffed, crossing her arms.

”Hey I’m reasonable! Vani gives perfectly reasonable arguments all the time, and I listen to them all! Since your the… leader, Vani says i need to with you to, and i listen to that to!”

Was the girl’s response, still latched to Veronica at the time, giving a firm confident nod, complete with a thumbs up as the girl stood up for herself. Motet would however give a genuine gasp a Vaneera explained that teh towel wasn’t an outfit for mauve. To bad, she thought it was a nice dress.

”Then why is she wearing it vani?  Does she not like showing her skin and stuff like you?

Oh… oh the name thing was the letters of their name? Veronica and Vaneera both helped to explain it well.HEY hey that was cool? Who thought of that? The school/ this was a cool school! Finally letting veronica go motet would proceed to jump up and down in excitement clasping her hands.

”That’s awesome! OH OH wait, shoudnt it be VVMM or something though? Do they use our last names to make it sound better? Do thy just really like the alphabet?”

Unfortunately for Veronica, while she did get an explanation from Vaneera, she did not from Motet, in fact, motet’s only answer was to rub against veronica’s leg a little playfully, like a pet, along with a little humming sound.

Oh yes, Veronica needed help. It seemed her team was literal chaos.. Or at least very, VERY unique.

Muave on the other hand spoke to her dismissively, and Motet only gave a fanged grin in response, she said no words, she didn’t need to, the plan at hand was the fine growing steadily from its pot, quietly so until it was looming over, Mauve, silently it was about to give mauve a slap here, before Vaneera had made herself clear. they had to get along… including nature. Motet nodded, frowing briefly. The vine then returned to it’s pot, as if nothing happened to begin with, with mmauve potenally not having seen it at all… Veronica and vaneera certanly had though.

”No fun…..hehe… It’s fine, I make the field!”

Motet tilted her head, a little confused by what Mauve had told veronica. Still on all fours she rubbed her head, then pointed right at her.

”You don’t look like a knight though! You look more like a street thug! So, it should be let the hero and the street thug handle it, right?, oh but you can’t leave me and veronica out! I’m going to be a super cool, vicous hound! And veronica gets to be the sauve, cool leader guy! Right Veronica?!””

To elaborate on Vaneera’s explatnion on her assian status Motet had her own words to get in edge wise.

”Assassins are boring anyway! I just slice people on my list up, it's simple, its effective, i even keep their names in alphabetical order!”

On the subject of her messing up during the exam, Motet first leaned up, in a cat like fashion, her butt hiked in the air, unfortunately for vaneera this hiking was directly in her eyeshot. Returning to her feet, the girl only giggled, Rocking her body back and forth playfully.

”Of course I won’t im going to bury this silly exam,  It’s going to b e SO fun and i have a group to play with this time!”

Vaneera… perhaps might need to check on that wording….

Motet giggled as Mauve went through things with Vaneera, grinning back to her all the way. Nex mauve made herself at home on a bead, did that bed rock for  a brief second when she did? Or was it people’s imaginaiton? Ether way Motet only grinned at mauve as small vines seemed to slither back.

”Vani tells me to try not to just hate people, so i don't hate you Mauve! Even if your a super sour apple that needs to be dipped in cotton candy REALLLY bad”

As Vaneera explained Motet’s circumstances the girl herself had now returned to the hooded girls side, steadily rocking back and forth. In truth she didn’t understand what vaneera wanted with this, after all she thought she was perfeclty fine! Still, she knew Vani wanted her to larn things, so she was going to do her best to do so.

”I’m going to learn a lot! For vani! I’m going to bend the school over my knee!”

She then realized something by mauve laying down, something important. More important in fact than any conversation so far. Words that yes, would send shivers down Vaneera’s spine…

”Is it bed time?! AHH Guys getting sleep is important!”

Oh no, she grabbed Vaneera and Veronica under her arms.

Oh no she tossed them both, expertly on to the bed, complete with a confident,assured smile.

So what then, did Motet do?

She curled up at the end of Vaneera’s bed of course, just like a pet might, she’d remain that way to, unless corrected, Veronica wasn’t the only one that had her work cut out for her.

V was truly a cursed letter it seemed…[/color]
..............

”Never stop smiling… huh?”

The ogre closed her eyes a moment in contemplation, Thinking back to a memory in her past, as a child, a memory of how a certain man used to act. Memory of him acting in just the way Alba described. It made her cross her built arms as she lay there, thinking it over.

”Maybe…. Your right, ….maybe”

Her eyes opened once more, Alba had earned a warm smile from the taller woman in response, though ever so slightly so.  Though she acted neutral in her response their was a warmness to her tone, reflecting what she felt inside at his words.

To Penny’s concern she frowned, her concern was nothing she disliked, she appreciated it. But she did not wish for that concern to sour the relationship they would need to be having soon. Rhea herself seemed to give a convincing defense, but just in case.

”I will be fine, in time Penny, promise. I’m really quite durable”

With Peach’s reassurance Rivala gave a light smile and nodded.

”It’s appreciated”

Everyone seemed confident she would need this Aura deal, she wasn’t so sure. But if it would make her stronger… she could accept it. She would take whatever she needed to make her journey to find that man easier. To all that were talking about it, she reaffirmed her choice with a nod, giving a more firm.

”Yes, I will give it a shot, I.. can’t see a downside here”

On assisting the staff however, Rivals simply sighed, crossing her arms once more.

”I am… hoping so, it would nice for this not simply be holding me down here, no offense”

To penny’s and Alba’s combined insistence that she and alba would be there to help to, Rivala hesitated. A confused look on her face.

”Like a pack…? That makes sense… I suppose I will need some aid adjusting, only so much though. …..thank you both, then…. ….. I suppose”

The moment finally came then, Rivala closed her eyes as told, following Peach’s instructions. She relaxed herself, well as much as she could in this forign environment anyway.

And then she felt a burning inside, a burning that drowned out Peach’s chant as it flowed through her, at first it hurt, forign as it was to her. But slowly, at least for her it then dulled, filling throughout her body. That was the best way she could describe it, even to herself. As things did settle in fact, she could only make one comment on it as a whole.

”This is…. different”

She stopped for a moment, then realized she should give thanks to the odd doctor.

”I… thank you, for that…”

This strange feeling she was getting used to wouldn't stop her from reacting to alba with a grin however, a knowing, confident grin that showed her teeth well.

”You are barely half my size, so yes, that makes you short, I could pick you up and carry you all throughout this school, with ease in fact”



Rhea would receive a massive grin from the girl herself when she complimented Nora, the girl eagerly giving the teacher a thumbs up. Maybe slightly to eager, belly still rumbling. Still she couldn’t help but frown. She did have to resort to violence didn’t she? It was clear, that woman was rude, uncaring and utterly savage! She needed to be put in her place, and Nora was more than happy to do so! That said… she did at least get what the teacher was trying to say. And nodded in response.

”Yes mam… I’ll…. Try to. Ah but of course! I’m going to brigin my body, my thighs, my arms….and my Semblance to full strength!”

Between Rhea’s two statements Nora had gone from emberrsed to spunky and confident without missing a beat, that was Nora!

Poor Alba though, so many powerful, dominant woman around him, well at least Nora was already taken!

She listened close to Rhea’s mini lesson thereafter, though she didn’t respond, busy absorbing the information and nodding along. It made sense. She’d have to remember to think quick, Even more so if she had to move to protect Lumin or her team. Peach however wanted her to rest, if only for an hour or two, to which Nora grumbled, hands on her hips as she gave a look that said ‘but I don’t wannaaaa’ still….

”Fineeeee but only two hours, then I'm back into things, that's the time frame you gave teach!”

Oh yeah, Nora was all for finding a good loophole! Especially when it came to her training!

It seemed Alba really did get it! Oh yeah, they were going to get along really well, she could already tell!

”Exactly! The world is all new, and you can experience every last moment of it! OH yea, it makes me wish I COULD knock out my head! Ahhh man your gonna have a great time with this!”

On the subject of Goodwitch Nora smiled. Boy would she! That woman was SUPER strict! Even Nora didn’t want to be caught on the wrong end of one of HER tongue lashings.

”Oh…. Oh… I know, I watch out for her….”

Though she didn’t catch Penny’s whisper, (Thankfully for her, she’d have gotten what Alba was about to get) She did catch Alba’s and a small bit of what was muttered under his breath, causing her to round right over to him, motion sickness be dammed, and threw her arm around his shoulder playfully.

”Oh, so you're THAT kind of guy huh? Good taste I’ve gotta say! You know what to look for, sadly, well, not for me but you get me, I’m taken, I already have a strong, powerful woman in my life! Though, to be fair I’m pretty sure you have a couple to”

Playfully her eyes drifted to Rivala, then to Penny in turn.

After this was said and done Nora would step back for Penny to do her thing, both she and Rivala watching intently, interested in the results. Nora for her part had assumptions and was already waiting for to congratulate him, Rivala was to… at least in her own way.

Boy were they in for a surprise!

Alba gave Penny an enthusiastic nod in response as she admitted he probably had some sort of point in regards to a really great leader having a cool outfit. He chimed in yet again as he agreed with her that appearances were in fact very important.

"Right?! Who are you gonna listen to more, the guy wearing a clown suit, or the guy in a cool uniform! Maybe something with a cape...Capes are cool aren't they?!"

The boy almost went completely off-track in his excitement over the visuals dancing in his inner mind's eye. He certainly had some strange ideas of what a leader must have looked like, but perhaps he wasn't entirely off-base considering the current state of Beacon's team leaders...Although Rivala's own comments drew him out of his fantastic visions of heroism. He looked down to the tribal girl with a bright, warm smile given in return to the smile of hers she gave him.

"That's right! It's a lot easier to keep going when someone's smiling at you. I think even though I'm not very strong, there's a lot of things I could do as long as I've got someone keeping a brave face for my sake. I hope whoever our leader is, they're like that. That wouldn't be so bad."

Alba rubbed the back of his head bashfully, looking down at the floor as Rhea clarified just exactly why Minti may have chosen something like that. It wasn't shame from any kind of misconception, he had already chosen to give her the benefit of the doubt, it was shame from not figuring it out sooner. It was true that if there was some kind of big shock it really could have done some serious damage to someone who was already injured, never mind the lack of aura. He resolved to work on his observational skills...That kind of thing might be more important than he might have first thought. However, any shame he felt was quickly brushed off and replaced by a grin as he made his grip on Penny's shoulder just ever so slightly tighter, if even just to ease her concerns for a single moment. He chuckled as Rivala so curiously asked if their friendship made them like a pack.

"Yeah, I guess we are. That makes us the Trouble Pack huh? One day together and we've already caused a stir in a major town and ended up dropping right into a fancy academy!"

A bit of humor tossed out to lighten the mood, he couldn't really stand to see two girls looking so down about their situation after all. The need to do something about it burned at the back of his chest, something he couldn't ignore. The "Trouble Pack" certainly had their work cut out for them...But he wasn't going to let them give in to despair. Alba shook his head as Rivala thanked them for their help.

"What else are friends for if they can't help each other? Besides...It's not like I've got anything else I can do right now. It's better for me to stay here with everyone else and focus on passing that exam. All of my answers are bound to show up if I keep going down this path."

He gave her such a confident grin...Only for it to be completely broken as she teased him about his height, about how she could easily carry him around. The amnesiac barked in protest! A slight blush growing on his face.

"Oi oi! I don't need anyone to carry me around, I've got legs that work just fine!"

He huffed and pouted in protest to her teasings, calming down slightly when Penny complimented him. Despite that though, he felt the blush on his face burn a little deeper as she did so. He rubbed awkwardly at the back of his head as he turned away from the two girls.

"A-Ahaha... Thanks Penny..."

Professor Peach couldn't help but chuckle at the antics these three shared, they certainly were a "trouble pack" in every sense of the impromptu nickname. Though she didn't show it on the surface, Peach was quite relieved to have witnessed the aura process go through without an issue. It always brought concern to her when placing any of the students under her care in any form of stress. Perhaps it was an overreaction to do so with such a safe process, but all the same it was a feeling that came to her every time. She clapped her hands, smiling at the trio.

"I'm certainly not surprised in the least Rivvie! It's an overwhelming process, but all the same I think it's one you'll come to adjust to in time. You really don't need to thank me! I only used a fraction of my own aura to draw yours out of hiding. All that you're experiencing is something you were already capable of. Think of this as more of a...Shortcut!"

Alba's grin soon returned as he gave Rivala an excited look.

"You hear that Riva?! POWER-UP get!! And it was inside you all along!"

Nora did her best to try and get out of resting by finding loopholes in Professor Peach's words, and at that she had only one clear response...She gave Nora a smile. Not just any smile, no this wasn't a cheerful positive smile. Oh it certainly looked cheerful on the surface! But behind it was the terror and intimidating aura of an experienced Huntress fully capable of putting Nora into bed by force, and without even glaring she made that message loud and clear...And as she continued to give her terrifying smile, she spoke with such a cheerful tone of voice!

"I should certainly hope you won't try to ignore your doctor's orders little Nora! It would be such an awful shame if I had to bring you back here so soon because you tried to sneak out early, wouldn't it?"

She ends this by patting Nora on the head ever so gently, a pat with no ulterior intent behind it. Alba feels a shiver down his spine for only a fleeting moment before the teacher's intimidating aura disappears entirely, as if it had never been there to begin with.

At the Amensiac's overly dramatic posturing Penny did her best to encourage it with a clap, something he took notice of naturally. What he almost missed were the words spoken with barely even a whisper as he conversed with the bubbly pink girl in front of them.

"Uahaha! I won't just experience it, I'll conquer it! I'm not gonna do anything half-way y'know?!"

Yes, those words spoken even as his eyes finally managed to drift away from the thunderous thighs...He glanced over at Penny as she scooted closer to him, her action going unnoticed as he focused more on what she said.

"... What?-"

He didn't really have time to finish asking before Nora threw an arm around his shoulder, it was only then he noticed just how surprisingly small Nora really was. Despite her boisterous personality she barely came up to his shoulder, it seemed like she was even shorter than that girl Ruby. Alba didn't seem particularly bothered by her closeness, but rather by a different matter entirely.

"Hey if you lose your lunch again make sure to point it away from me."

With a weary smile on his face the amnesiac would lightly press a finger against Nora's face, squishing her cheek in an attempt to point her head in a different direction.

Oi! What kinda guy do you think I am huh? Powerful Women?! I uh...I might...I mean, You-"

His train of thought was completely derailed by the bubbly warrior's words. So derailed in fact that he even stopped being concerned over the direction of her mouth. Alba gasped loudly as he stopped speaking. He gave Nora a look of deep concern, and then glanced to Penny with that same look...Just what had him so worried? He quickly clarified what it was that nagged at him so badly.

"Taken...? You mean...They kidnapped you?! Penny! We gotta get Nora out of here quick! This is serious! This is...Wait, where are we going-?"

Without a moment of hesitation, Penny began pulling him away from there. He DID ask her to unlock his aura after all...He didn't resist as Penny took gentle hold of his hand, following along as she lead him out of the infirmary. He gave a glance back to the others, waving to them. It seems his attempt at playing the hero would have to wait.

"Uh...Well, bye! If you're still being kidnapped when I come back I'll make sure to bust you out of here!"

Peach simply waved him off, returning to check over Rivala's vitals.

"Yes, yes that's all fine Mr. Mars! Make sure to return for your check-up later."

Alba wasn't entirely sure why other people were giving them such strange looks, in fact the way the two looked to others walking hand-in-hand went over his head. He was more focused on their destination. A sparring ring on the campus grounds. The mood changed quite a bit. So...He was going to unlock his aura. Aura, the hidden power lying deep within everyone, the power to reach one's true potential. An extension of the soul...Of course, it was hard to focus on the implications of all of this as the redhead stepped very close to him, placing her forehead against his. One thought raced through his mind as she did so..."Close! Close! Really close...!" her touch was warm...The feeling of her head against his own, the feeling of her hands against his face...It was all a little difficult to focus on anything else. He hadn't really ever been this close to someone before...As far as he could remember. But as Penny began to chant the amnesiac realized he needed to try and take this seriously. He closed his eyes, focusing...

Her aura reached deep within him. It burned...This warmth was different. It was like his body was fighting against it's inevitable approach. It didn't physically hurt despite this however. And then when it was finally over...Alba opened his eyes, watching as she stepped back away from him. A simple question: "How do you feel?" The albino thought it over in silence for a moment as he held a hand up to his chin...Finally he blinked idly, speaking up.

"I don't...Really feel any different at all. Is that normal?"

---

Striking the neet's jetpack paid off for the eldest Merlot daughter, she watched as the other girl flew helplessly into the air. Though even in the midst of battle Snow couldn't help but notice that Amber seemed to be losing focus...But yet again, the much more experienced Huntress in training watched as Amber somehow managed to turn things around, and began charging right at her!

"A forward attack...It won't work on me!!"

She had to knock Amber out of the sky as quickly as possible. That air superiority would prove a detriment to the Merlot girl if things kept going this way! She reeled back and aimed her axe carefully...This was it, now or never!

"I'm going to finish it with this next strike!! Haaaahhhh...! YAAAH!!"

Snow put her entire body into the throw as she put her right foot forward, digging her heel into the stone flooring and pivoting her body as the axe left her hand with unmatched speed and grace. She led her throw carefully to hit exactly the right spot...She wasn't aiming for Amber. No, she was aiming for the jetpack strapped to the neet's back. The sun hit her axe just right, shining a blinding reflection off of the blade as it struck the tank of her jetback, destroying the very last working thruster and sending the other girl into a free fall right towards Snow! With her momentum ever so slightly reduced the noble girl was now in a position to counter it!

"You're right where I want you! Take this...!"

As the distance between them closed quickly Snow stepped to the side to avoid Amber's chakram. She then grabbed hold of Amber's arm with both of her own, once again digging her heels into the ground as she pivoted her body...And swung Amber ceremoniously into the floor, quickly dropping down to pin her legs with Snow's knee. If the neet made no attempt to resist, She would then pull Amber's arms above her head, holding them together with a single hand as she gripped the Alchemilla girl's wrists tightly. Snow stared down at her opponent, a powerful determined gaze on her face.

"Checkmate."

The Merlot daughter took heavy deep breaths as she calmed herself, sweat dripping down her face from the battle the pair had just endured. Snow released Amber, standing up and brushing herself off. She reached down, holding out a hand to help Amber to her feet if she accepted the offer.

"You're really quite impressive...You still have room to improve but you certainly made me work to defeat you. I haven't had a challenge that intense in quite some time. Thank you."

Though she didn't smile, Snow's expression softened for a moment. It was still as stoic as ever, but it didn't carry such a cold aura behind it. It seems she really did enjoy their exchange, even if it was only momentary.

---

Weiss puffed out her meager chest with pride as Karasu displayed confusion over the fact that they were deciding something so important over a mere board game. A cheeky grin on her face.

"Civilization has placed a lot of importance in games of strategy for a long time. If this is what it takes to prove I'm better than HER then so be it! I was runner up chess champion in Atlas, three years running!"

Unfortunately for Weiss, "Remnant: the board game" was nothing like chess whatsoever. She would be in for quite the rude awakening considering she hadn't played even a second of this one. But hopefully no one would tell her that and completely burst her bubble. Of course, though she didn't say it, she was secretly happy he was going to be there too. You know! To cheer her on. No other reason. Nope, none at all. Weiss huffed as Ruby so bluntly stated there would be no fun to be had.

"Thank goodness. The last thing I want to do is associate with you longer than I absolutely have to."

And then Ruby went and said something...Really weird. The heiress' eyes opened wide as the subject fell upon her "Sweet heart" and keeping them "polished and ready to go".

"What? What exactly do you mean saying something like- ... You know what? I don't want to know, I changed my mind. It's better this way."

Weiss rubbed her forehead in abject defeat, sighing as Yang continued being Yang, ever so casually hitting on Karasu as if there weren't other people present.

"Honestly...You're an even bigger dolt than your sister! You can't just solicit someone for sex in a public place like this! Have some tact won't you?!"

But all of her rage went out the window when Ruby ever so loudly proclaimed that Karasu seemed like Weiss's boyfriend. To that her face immediately turned a deep shade of red as she rushed over and covered Ruby's mouth to stop her from saying anything more.

"I-I think you've made a mistake you dolt! He's nothing like that, I was simply trying to recruit him to my team! I AM a noble woman! I wouldn't just so casually take interest in the lives of commoners!"

Even as Ruby was attempting to hug Weiss, the heiress kept her hand firmly on Ruby's mouth, keeping her from getting TOO close...

"Okay, okay! Calm down! It's not that big of a deal! You're making a scene!"

Yeah, it was definitely not going to be the last day that ended up being this hectic. If Karasu kept hanging around this team he was going to get plenty of eventful days at this rate...

---

Ilia was so sure of her views, so calmly telling a human of how her people had a reason to hate humanity. Of how humans had committed so many horrible atrocities. Justifying the fang's crimes because of "an eye for an eye". That those humans obviously deserved it because of that. Bowie never said a word in response. He simply didn't care. It wasn't until she asked him if he had been hated merely for existing, if he had never been given a chance to be normal. He stopped in his tracks, glancing back at Ilia with a glare dripping with bitter hatred.

"I have."

Those were his only words as he looked away from her, continuing his mission once more. That look in his eye...It wasn't like the look a prejudiced human gave a faunus because of their race. it was one that bled rage. A desire for revenge. It was clear he despised the fang for so many more reasons than their race, but he wasn't about to tell one of them about any of those things. He felt they didn't deserve it. Ilia received nothing but a cold shoulder.

But his past didn't matter now. His thoughts on the fang were only somewhat relevant to the current situation. His experiences didn't count for the exchange happening right now. He wasn't shaken at all by the girl pointing a weapon at the two of them, much unlike Ilia...Unlike even Blake who was shaking. Shaking with anger and fear. She had tried so hard to leave it all behind, so why...? Blake snapped at her former ally.

"Shut up! You don't understand what happened at all do you?!"

She could only frown as Ilia accused her of abandoning all of them, of turning her back on the fang. Blake shook her head, still shaking with rage. The one who had been so quiet was giving everything she had not to break down from having to face her past so soon.

"You lost that chance a long time ago! I...want to forge my own path. I have to. Adam, he tried to kill a train full of innocent workers! It didn't matter to him at all, that was all I could take. I can't ever agree to something like that...It was so much easier when we fought our oppressors - Someone who would have killed us without a second thought. But you've all changed. You're willing to do anything just to get back at humans now, aren't you?"

Bowie scoffed at what he was hearing, clicking his tongue in annoyance. He glared at Blake from over his shoulder.

"Oh please, don't come up with those half-assed excuses now. You're even more self-righteous than the lizard. The fang has been killing non-combatants for years now. But you only started caring when it personally affected you, do I have that right?"

Blake fell silent, looking down at the floor. His words struck deep within her heart, shaking her to her very core. It's not like she could ever pretend to be totally innocent. Yes it was a gradual process that led to her running away. If anything what happened on that train was the last straw, not the first incident. She shook her head, trying to deny his words.

"You're wrong...That's not true! We used to do things the right way! It wasn't always like this!"

He didn't wait even a second before letting his words lash her deeper and deeper. His tone dripping with venom.

"Bullshit! The only difference between then and now is you attacked people who could defend themselves! Did you ever stop to think that maybe those people might have had families they couldn't come home to anymore? I bet you didn't. I bet it never. even. crossed. your mind. Because thoughts like that aren't convenient truths. They don't help your ideology. Don't think you're better than me just because you've stopped doing wrong. The bad things you do don't disappear just because you stopped and apologized for it. Me on the other hand...I know exactly what I am, I CHOSE this because I wanted to have freedom. You chose to run away because you can't face the truth."

Blake tried to drown out his words, aiming her gambol shroud at Ilia as she refused to give up any information.

"You don't get to decide something like that! You're going to tell me what you want or else I'll bring this entire school down on us!"

As Ilia turned around and began to explain exactly what Bowie had meant, Blake's eyes opened wide with shock. Had she really been so careless as to not notice? She had let her emotions cloud her judgement, and without even thinking she stepped right into a situation she had no way of winning...A look of sadness crossed her face. To have really let her past get the better of her like this...As Ilia shouted about how Blake was determined to make her life worse, she fired a shot right at Ilia.

"No...!"

But just before the shot could make impact, Bowie threw the dust crystal in his hand in the path of the bullet, the two colliding as a spectacular explosion occurred, bathing the entire room in a heavy fog. Bowie opened a window, leaping out of it before Blake could even register what was going on. All she knew was that she heard the sound, the steam filled her lungs, causing her to cough in surprise. She couldn't risk firing off more shots and making an even louder noise. She tried to rush for the door out of there as quickly as she could manage, but in this thick fog it was very hard to get her bearings. The last thing she heard from the human were taunting words as he slipped away.

"So long pussy cat! Stay out of our way next time!"

---

Veronica was getting visibly angry at this point due to Mauve's repeated taunting and prodding, she balled her hands into fists...But she just couldn't push herself to do anything beyond. She shook her head in frustration, letting it go. She gave a frustrated sigh as Vaneera's words helped to calm her down a little. Veronica wasn't exactly a violent person, so it's not like she would have done anything anyway, but...For once hearing words of reason helped.

"Thanks Vaneera..."

She was a little astounded that Motet was going to listen to her entirely because of such a round-about reason, but...As long as she was actually going to listen then the youngest Merlot daughter didn't exactly mind so much. It put her loyalty into question, but if Vaneera was willing to work with her, then Motet would be too. It was...A work on progress, but at least there was SOME progress. As Vaneera clarified the team naming convention Veronica gave a nod in response. Trying to clear up the NEXT bit of confusion Motet had...

"That's right Motet! they chose letters from both our first, and last names. And VMMM isn't a word...Look, I'll show you. 'Veronica!'"

She pointed a finger at herself, to emphasize what each letter meant and who it belonged to.

"Oratorio."

Vera then pointed at Motet, even as she hopped around the room in excitement.

"White."

This time she pointed at Vaneera.

"And Lolanthe."

Finally she pointed at the bathroom door...Seconds before an explosion went off in there. Veronica...Couldn't help but burst out into laughter as Mauve had a very visceral reaction to the explosion of confetti. Even as the moment passed she had a little bit of trouble stopping. It did a lot to diffuse her anger from before. And as Vaneera calmly explained why Motet was the way she was, the younger merlot gave a nod of understanding.

"Oh...I see. Well, I'm your leader so...You can count on me to help with your personal problems, okay? I can teach you a lot of things if you would like!"

Her attempt at being encouraging fell apart as she shriveled up due to Motet rubbing against her leg like a cat. It seems she still wasn't used to other people getting this close to her.

"U...Um...Should I...Pet her or something...?"

... And then it only got worse as she witnessed a plant growing out of control, right towards Mauve. Vera went as pale as a ghost as she began to silently point at the looming vine behind the faunus, trying to get the words to come out of her mouth.

"P-...P-...Pl...P-...!"

As the plant finally retreated, Veronica felt her heart start beating again as she let out a sigh of relief, trying her best to relax. Was that thing going to do that in the middle of the night too?! ... Veronica made a mental note to get rid of that plant later. As Motet insisted she wasn't a princess but instead a "sauve, cool leader guy" Veronica blinked idly, staring at her for a moment before giving her a confused response.

"Well...I suppose that's one way of putting it."

Mauve pointed to the three of them, bluntly insulting them one by one, first by telling the other two she hated them, then by having the nerve to call Vera herself a greenhorn. She wasn't entirely wrong...B...But Veronica wasn't about to take that sitting down! She huffed and pouted and began to speak!

"Oh yeah?! Well...At least the three of us aren't a...a...! gnnn...!"

Veronica's face turned red from embarrassment as she stammered, preparing to drop what was in her mind a terrifying, dirty, no good curse word!

"At least we're not a...B-I-T-C-H...!"

She felt her heart beat really fast as she oh so carefully spelled out a bad word, she committed a taboo...! She really hoped her sister wouldn't find out...It took her a moment of calming herself down before she could speak again...

"W...Well at least all four of us understand how important the entrance exam is! If we don't pass this we'll be sent home, and none of us can afford that...We all have something we want from this place. I'm going to make sure we make it through...I won't fail any of you!"

... Yet again her attempts at being an encouraging leader were cut short by Motet's antics. She gasped in surprise as Motet picked herself and Vaneera up, so easily tossing them onto the bed as if they barely weighed more than paper! Was she really that strong...?!

"I...It's not my bedtime yet! I have work to do!"

---

[The song "Shimosa Battle Theme" is still playing for this part.]

It worked! It really worked! The relic was his now! Watts really did manage to take hold of it with his sneak attack! The extending robotic arm pulled it back to him, and he latched the relic carefully onto his belt as she stared down at the defeated maiden. He scoffed.

"Is that really all the fight you can muster? Pathetic. And here she had led me to believe your freedom was a threat. Well, I suppose I should thank you! Thanks to your carelessness I've finally won the day! With this relic we will be one step closer to our goals...And now? It's time for me to make my leave! Technically I was supposed to capture you, but...You look like I've completely shattered your spirit. Those blasted arcana will take care of you from here."

He turned and began to leave, victorious. The others seemed to be too distracted by the fighting. He was sure the twins would find their way out of this on their own...Probably. It wasn't his concern regardless! His escape was interrupted by a scream of rage that erupted behind him. He stopped, freezing in his tracks as he glanced back.

"What the devil...?"

What met his sight was the same defeated maiden standing back up, a fiery look of anger in her eyes. The air felt...Different. What was going on?! Was this the magic he had been warned of...?! He turned to face her, only momentarily did he look afraid, that look soon replaced with a grin. He waited for her to finish her speech.

"Oh...Ohoho! I see what this is! I didn't finish the job...Well then, "Witchhazel". I've already broken your spirit. Now allow me to break everything else!"

His confidence burned almost as brightly as the maiden's did. The fact that the grimm that had been deployed to take care of this lot was still standing only pushed him on more. Suddenly five robotic arms burst forth from a pack on his back, each armed with sharp, powerful blades. Each carried a different element fueled by dust. Without even a spoken word from him each one individually launched themselves at Hazel, each mechanically powered tendril seeking to strike from an entirely different angle.

"Some training can be nice" I replied "My marksmanship is nice, but not my sword skills"

~~Before exiting the Hospital~~

Everyone was making such a convincing case about Minti now. Part of her wanted to argue still, at least about the way that Minti defended the logic in her actions, but another part of her realized that for Humans -- that wasn't a lot of time to work with. Fitting all the context together really made a big difference.

Her limited perspective and experience showed in this much, despite the vast strength she had shown earlier. She did smile softly as Alba tightens his grip just slightly on her shoulder. A comforting gesture that she was able to pick up on. Between that and the strong cases that everyone was stating -- Rival included...

"Yeah... You're all right. I'll be sure not to hold a grudge against Minti."
Penny gives in. Logically, it made perfect sense. They just didn't have the kind of calculative power to form the perfect response in a snap decision like that.

It did, however, make her resolve to become the best kind of Huntress. One that made it so that snap decisions like that weren't necessary. At Rivala's questioning of if their friendship was like being in a pack, Alba responded in a way that was very like him. Not that Penny saw anything odd in it, she ran with the concept of putting a name to their group.

"Oh, oh! Are we coming up with team names now? Because I like 'The Fun Squad!'"

... Yes, Rivala would be dealing with this for the foreseeable future.

That being said... The uh... Teachers at Beacon were certainly something else... Even Penny couldn't have guessed that there would be such an overwhelming, oppressive force generated by Peach. She wouldn't have believed it either if she didn't see it. But it was the kind of immovable object to really halt the unstoppable force that is Nora.

So Nora decided to get rather touchy-feely with Alba instead. Something which gave Penny another twinge of a strange feeling. She stared at Nora with an almost blank expression, with just the slightest hint of... Not quite anger -- but jealousy, perhaps? Yes, it seemed like that.

Though when Nora played into her comments and her purposeful gazes towards Rivala and then Penny, that prompted the Android to take on a different feeling behind that slight expression... Equal parts shy, yet hopeful for the attention from Alba. Though how well anyone could pick up either of those remained to be seen. Penny was easily excitable, but in moments like this she could be a bit hard to read.

~~After exiting the Hospital~~

Penny was focusing on the sensations between them as she tried to unlock his Aura. She did everything right... Uh, theoretically, and by all of the documentation on the subject. She had to use a bit of her own Aura to draw his out, she did that. In fact, she thought maybe just a little wasn't enough because of the lack of a certain reaction she was waiting for. That was why she tried using a bit more than expected for this kind of process.

Not enough to be of any real danger to herself of course. But definitely more than the average that is expected in awakening someone's Aura. Still, by sheer mathematical equation, Penny had been certain that she was successful in making it happen.

So when Alba expressed his confusion and mentioned that he didn't feel any different, that left her a little dumbfounded. What contributed to that is that Alba was also currently lacking that shining hue of an Aura's first activation. It hadn't occurred even once in this entire attempt.

She steps closer to him, and begins to look at him from head to toe, as if trying to take in every minute detail.

"That is... Strange."

She then comments.

"I'm not detecting any anomalies-
I mean, I'm not seeing anything out of place. But when your Aura tries to activate, it's almost like it is trying to spark -- and something snuffs it out before it can get going."

She comments, as she leans in closer -- at this rate she's staring rather intently at his chest.

"What I can see of your Aura is that it's not gone... But it's like it's being... Weakened, somehow?"

Eventually, she straightens out and looks at Alba properly for conversation.

"Beyond that, it doesn't look like anything is exactly wrong... Maybe you just need the right stimulus to activate it?"

It was all guesswork on Penny's part. But Alba should be fine if they communicate the issue to the faculty. That was the conclusion she had come to.

---

Seemingly uncharacteristic of Yang's personality so far, she had a smile on her face -- not a grin -- as she watched Ruby psyche herself up. She recalled what her father said. Ruby needed to learn to be independent... But it was a careful balance too. Yang had to be there to support her as well.

It was a pretty heavy ask, she'd just have to go about it in her own way. Right now, it felt right to make sure that Ruby wasn't doubting herself so much.

"Now that's the spirit, sis!"

Besides, if it was game night, that meant there would be a team up between them! At least until the board game inevitably called for one ruler of Remnant.

Or perhaps if things fell apart before the game night even started... Such as when Ruby started talking about her sweetheart, much to Weiss's confusion.

"Her weapon -- it's a long story. She's really into weapons."


Ah, but Ruby had said something that would make the situation even worse for herself. Lamenting that her "roses hadn't bloomed" yet. Yang grinned, deciding to turn this into a 'big sister showing the little sister what to do' moment.

To that end, she grabs Karasu's hands.

"Okay! When they DO bloom, sis. This is what you want the person you really like to do."

Damn, she was strong! Karasu wasn't expecting that, he was trying to resist being forced to grope Yang's chest in public, and she was trying to make it happen in a very chaotic struggle.

"Just... A little..."

Yang pauses, still holding onto Karasu's hands as she processes something she just heard.

"Wait, he's Weiss's boyfriend?"

Yang looks over at Weiss to gauge the reaction that might confirm or deny this assertion. But it seems like Weiss had already settled for 'flustered and denial.'

With that, Yang shrugs and continues pulling Karasu's hands towards her chest, prompting the struggle once again.

"H-... How are you so strong?!"

Yang now has a surprisingly dominant grin on her face.

"I do a lot of lifting, bro."

So... This was happening in front of Ruby and Weiss now...

---

Motet was ever the curious sort, asking about why Mauve was wearing that towel if it wasn't her actual clothing, and then equating it with Vaneera preferring not to show her skin.

"It's part of social etiquette, you aren't supposed to reveal your body to people except under specific circumstances. And before you ask, yes, I will make a list of those circumstances for you."

The dynamic between Vaneera and Motet... One got the impression that Vaneera had gotten used to many of Motet's quirks, and wasn't annoyed with her, or 'putting up with her'. There was a strong sense of patience, despite what anyone else might consider to be at the very least bewildering.

Motet decided to attack another angle though. This time related to the Team name.

"They try to pick something that sounds like a real word. That's why it's 'Team VOWL'."

Between this explanation and what Veronica said, Motet should have a pretty clear picture of how it works now. Though it seems like Veronica really wasn't used to Motet's "cat-like" behavior. The red-haired girl can't help but smirk at Veronica's question of if she should pet Motet.

"You can if you want. It'll help Motet to bond with you."

Speaking of Motet, though... She decided to try and use a bit of her nature to circumvent the pacifistic field in place. Vaneera wasn't sure that would work though. Fortunately she didn't have to say anything more than what she said earlier to get Motet to behave for the moment.

Mauve chimed in with her own perspective of how this team should work. Which sounded more than a little ridiculous, to put it bluntly.[/i]

"You're certainly no Knight. Though you've obviously had some military training before. Still, Motet's assessment is rather apt; you behave more like a thug."

Vaneera hoped that was the end of it. But Motet decided to get back onto her feet after being a cat for a little bit. This gave Vaneera a view that left her a little distracted.

Vaneera would lightly clear her throat to regather her composure.

"That wording sounds a bit off, Motet..."

Was all that Vaneera could manage for the meantime. Because afterwards, well...

Jeez... Mauve really needed to work on being so confrontational. That was what Vaneera had thought. Challenging Motet like this was just asking for trouble, but even setting aside Motet, it was no way to get a healthy team relationship going. Everything about this woman screamed 'has no concept of teamwork.'

"Spoken like someone who has no real experience with the world. If you think you can get the whole story from "they're rich", you're even more of a staggering fool than I first thought."

Vaneera responded, a bit on Veronica's behalf. But it was insulting enough that Vaneera wasn't going to let it slide. If all things could be boiled down so simply, Remnant wouldn't be struggling nearly as much as it is right now.

On that note, Mauve's next words only serve to fuel the tension between them. Vaneera rolls her eyes.

"Motet actually knows how to work with others. A skill I'm not even sure you possess at this point."

But Mauve decided to keep things going, and Vaneera wasn't going to be backing down from it anytime soon; if she wanted to have a confrontation, she would get one. But Vaneera's own opinion of the matter is that Mauve would end up regretting being so eager for it in the first place.

"It would certainly make it seem like you're here to be part of a team, and not just to collect whatever information through spying, stealing and other underhanded means!"

She then follows up with; "And for someone who is acting like they've got it all figured out, you missed the point of my statement about being armed. But please, keep talking and proving just how little you actually understand."

Vaneera then shakes her head. Mauve was exhausting to put up with. Veronica had her own method of response, though it was far less... Eloquent than what Vaneera had been doing up to this point, and it lacked the sheer impact that Mauve routinely delivered as well.

It was pretty clear that Veronica was raised to be a good girl. How anyone could doubt that she came from a good family left Vaneera wondering just how cynical they had to be. But, here they were...

"Frankly, Mauve. It seems like the team is more unified against you. At this rate you won't gain any benefit of teamwork."

Vaneera decides to make her next point perfectly clear.

"You won't trust us enough to talk with us, you expect to take charge of this whole team, you believe that you're going to "carry" our efforts, when on your first day of school you got into a fight and lost it handily."

She wasn't finished yet.

"Then you slink off to your dorm to act like a big shot and lick your wounds. Because it wasn't just any physical injury, your pride was wounded too. You act like you're some sort of seasoned veteran, when you're a novice trying to play at that level of skill."

Vaneera capitalizes on this by simply giving a wave of the hand -- in a manner that suggested waving the entire facade off.

"No one is impressed. If anyone needs to worry about not slowing us down, it's you. Prove that you can even be on this team in the first place."

With that said and done... She then heard something from Motet that changed the entire atmosphere of this conversation in a heartbeat.

"Motet... No, it's not bedtime."

Ah, she was already picked up.

Ah, she was already tossed to her bed.

Ah, it happened to Veronica too.

And there was Motet, curling up at the end of Vaneera's bed. This prompts the red-haired girl to sit up and clear her throat once more.

"Motet... To continue my earlier point, it's not bedtime, and you can also sleep in your own bed. You have one, you know."

She then points it out.

Unaware, of course, that this simple action would prompt Motet to decide to take things into her own hands in an unexpected way...

---

Chaos expressed his hope for some training, before then elaborating that his marksmanship is good enough, but his sword skills needed work.

To that, Pyrrha gives an understanding nod.

"I think I can help you with both of those!"

She replies with a smile, clearly she didn't mind taking someone under her wing, as it were.

"I think we have the free time right now, shall we head to a more appropriate venue for some sparring? Nothing too crazy, since we still have the entry exam coming up, but I think we can get at least some training and tips in."

Pyrrha then offers.