Vale International Airport, Vale
A teenaged girl forced her way through the bustling security hall, her brilliant white cloak flowing behind her. She paused momentarily to provide identification to the transportation security officer.
"Excuse me Miss, what are you doing with all those weapons?"
"Don't worry, officer. I'm completely licensed to carry these. One of the perks of being a Cappellana, no?"
"I suppose so. Let's see… You're only seventeen? My, Vacuo is recruiting young. What's your business in Vale, Ms. Rose?" the man asked.
The girl rolled her eyes and sighed, but answered, "To Beacon Academy. The Reggimento has started a transfer program so that we may broaden our skills outside of traditional ways. If I may, I'm late for my escort Signor."
The officer chuckled as he handed her scroll back.
"The Cappellano Reggimento, moving outside of tradition? Never thought I'd see the day. Alas, things have changed lately, what with that Mountain Glenn fiasco. Be safe, Miss."
The girl nodded and grabbed a long, slender case as well as a small bag from the conveyor belt.
"Things have changed indeed," she muttered. From the case she pulled a massive sword and strapped it to her back. The Rose tested the new weight and sighed happily.
"Stupid security, taking my love from me. Argenta Rosa, you will never leave my sight again!"
The Rose ignored the occasional odd look as she weaved through the horde of newcomers that had joined her on the aircraft. She glanced down at her scroll to review her Valean friend's appearance. He was young, presumably the same age as her, but had a frazzled look, with spiked black hair and a scraggly beard that aged him a few years.
"Qrow Branwen, I swear if you stood me up again I'll kill you," she muttered.
"Now, now, is that the way you should treat your escort, Summer?"
The Rose whipped around, almost bumping into a young man that matched the image on her scroll.
"It's Estata, you uncouth Valean."
The man called Qrow raised his hand to his heart, giving a mocking grimace.
"Estata Rosa, you hurt me with your big words. Besides, you'll have to get used to Valese. Kinda what everyone here speaks, ya know? Now, Estata, did you get everything from security? Your weapon? Your clothes?"
Estata, or Summer, scoffed.
"Of course I did. I'm not about to move across Vytal and leave my necessities. That would be irresponsible. Just like you. Now let's go."
Qrow flipped her off but dutifully guided her out of the bustling airport and into a waiting car. Estata glanced inside before glaring at Qrow.
"I thought you were my only escort. Who the hell are these people? Dammit Qrow, what have you dragged me into?" Qrow laughed as he gestured for her to enter the sedan. "Come on Summer, meet the rest of Team QSTR (Quester). You, my lucky friend, you managed to skip the orientation due to your 'Chaplain Training' so you're a tad behind; say hi to Taiyang Xiao-Long and his partner, Raven Branwen."
A tall, slender man with dark brown hair waved at her from the driver's seat while the girl in the the back smiled.
"I'm Raven, Qrow's sister, Tai's partner, and our team's dust user. Good to meet ya, Summer." Raven certainly resembled her namesake, with a mane of dark black hair and piercing red eyes.
"It's Estata, but it's good to meet you. Using dust must be quite interesting. I merely use it for various rounds in Argenta Rosa. Then again, I prefer closer combat than what dust would allow. Please tell me Qrow isn't my partner. For the love of Yahweh, please."
Taiyang spoke, "Sorry Estata, Qrow was designated your partner at the welcoming ceremony. The Headmaster also picked him as team leader. I'm sure you'll be able to keep up with him considering your... prowess as a chaplainess"
Estata scoffed as she entered the car "Keep up? I'll do better than just keeping up."
Raven leaned over and whispered, "Easy Summer, it's a lot to take in but you'll get used to it. I hope you like Beacon. Oh, and welcome to Vale!"
After spending ample time locked in traffic, and then in the airfield line, the quartet found themselves above a massive citadel. As the airship to Beacon Academy landed, Estata took in her surroundings with a look of wonder. Despite being around since the infamous Great War, Beacon Academy stood out as Vale's, if not all of Remnant's, most technologically advanced campus, with room for students to enjoy the outdoors while simultaneously providing state-of-the-art sparring rooms and spires.
Qrow smirked. "What? Dusty old Vacuo not have buildings like this?"
Estata shrugged. "We do, but not in such expanse. Places like Fuoco or Castel Sabbia are crowded because of the deserts while Vacui is expansive because of the port with Dysipoli, Mistral. But we use all of the land. You Valeans are very wasteful."
"We aren't wasteful, we just know how to enjoy both nature's gifts and the city's efficiency," Taiyang muttered. Raven shot him an odd look.
"You don't talk much, but when you do it's some weird poetic shit. You Patch people are weird."
Taiyang gave a low chuckle. "Of course I do. I have the reputation of hippy-redneck to maintain."
The group continued to chat as they made their way to towards Beacon's main tower, towards the Headmaster's office. They eventually reached the base of a nightmarishly long stair case.
"You're joking right? Remnant's top school makes you climb the damn stairs to get to the Headmaster's office?" Estata said, craning her neck to see the top. She looked at Qrow nervously, her eyes expecting an answer.
"I was hoping we'd see the infamous Cappallan in action. You're expert free runners, aren't you?"
"Of course we are, but even experts make mistakes, and I'd prefer to not fall to my death on my first day."
"You won't need to worry about that, Miss Rose. There are elevators to the left."
The group whipped around to face Professor Ozpin, headmaster of Beacon Academy. In spite of his silver hair, his eyes portrayed an almost youthful look as he hid a half-smirk behind a mug of coffee. Estata immediately snapped to, saluting the seasoned Hunter with a closed fist in front of her chest.
"Preside Ozpin, Estata Rosa Da Vacui rapporti come ordinate!"
Ozpin chuckled, "Miss Rose, there is no need to salute. We may be hunters, but in Vale we are more than mere soldiers. At ease, Chaplain."
Estata nodded and eased back into a relaxed stance. Ozpin led the group into the glass elevator leading to his office, and through a bright green door.
"Now, what is it you needed to tell me?" The headmaster peered over his glasses at Estata intently, almost as if he was scanning her soul.
Estata stared back with as much confidence as she could, but still barely managed a whisper "Professor, I am worried about my cripple. I know I am not as capable to be a huntress as I once was. Sir, I'm not sure what you expect from me."
"No need to worry, Ms. Rose. We will ensure that you give your fullest in the ensuing years. Despite your injury, you still have quite a lot of potential. Do not fear the future just because of past experiences. Now, don't you all have a dorm to decorate?"
Raven gasped and dragged Taiyang to the dorm rooms, yelling something to the rest of her team. Estata glanced at Qrow. "What on Remnant was that about?"
"Raven likes to decorate. If you'll excuse us, Professor, my sister's sense of fashion is a bit eccentric." Ozpin nodded as the pair followed the rest of their team back to the room.
As they wandered through the expansive hallways Estata allowed for her mind to wander. She had experienced quite a bit over the past few weeks, but things were finally starting to look up.