1. A New Arrival at Beacon
A man with a head full of shaggy grey hair in a primarily green suit sits at a desk, a stack of papers and one manila envelope on it; this man is the Headmaster of Beacon Academy, Professor Ozpin. He smiles as he finishes writing on the last paper signing his name on the dotted line. He leans back in his chair, taking a sip from the mug on his desk. The elevator dings, signaling that someone has come up; the door opens, revealing a professional looking blonde woman with sharp green eyes. She regally strides into the room and up to the desk Ozpin is sitting at.
"You wanted to see me Professor?"
"Yes Glynda, I've finished (Y/n)'s paperwork and I need it sent to Atlas right away."
Glynda collects the stack of papers, flipping through them.
"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this sir? Why not send him to Mistral, or Vacuo?"
Ozpin takes another sip from his mug, focusing his full attention on Glynda.
"I understand what you're getting at - however, being in Mistral may bring up... painful memories; and as they say, Vacuo is Vacuo - it would not help his situation."
"And what exactly is his 'situation'?"
"Why don't you take a look?" Ozpin slides the envelope toward his assistant. "But I must warn you, it is very graphic."
Glynda gives the Headmaster a look, but proceeds to open the envelope and flips through your files from Atlas; she pales and her eyes widen at what she sees. In all her years as a Huntress, she's never seen such cruelty - not from Grimm... no, this is something only that only other people could do to each other. With every page turned, the pit in her stomach gets deeper and deeper. She puts the papers back into the envelope and shakily hands it back to Ozpin.
"What did those... animals do to him?"
"Glynda..." the Headmaster warns.
"I-I'm sorry sir but... this is insanity."
"Yes I know, which is why he's coming here. It's been 4 years since he was rescued and I believe coming to Beacon would be... therapeutic for him."
"I understand. I'll get these files to Ironwood immediately."
"Good, and assure him that if anything goes wrong, that I shall take full responsibility."
"Yes sir." Glynda bows then takes her leave.
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One week later...
A small passenger-class airship with the Atlesian crest on the side docks at Beacon. The doors slide open and someone walks out: a young man wearing a simple black sweatshirt, blue jeans and white sneakers, with his hands in his pockets and a blank expression on his face. This changes when he looks around at the sheer number of people walking around, including... Faunus; his eyes widen, skin pales and starts sweating.
"This was a bad idea..."
He turns around and tries to leave but bumps into someone: an older woman, much taller than you, her half-white and half-black hair tied in a tight bun wearing a white blouse with shiny black buttons and a black pencil skirt with white buttons. On her feet were black heels with white soles. In her hand was a large black leather briefcase with a golden 'W' emblazoned on the sides.
"And where do you think you're going Mister Watts?" she asks, her one black and one white eye boring into you.
"L-look Miss D-Domino, I... I don't think that, uh, that this is a good idea. Maybe I should just... go back to Atlas." he stutters meekly looking down at the ground, but then snaps his head back up. "And I told you that you can call me (Y/n)."
Domino's face softens as she kneels down to your level.
"Look Mister W- (Y/n), it's been 4 years already, and we need to get you integrated back into society."
"Okay, but why did I need to come to Beacon to do that?"
"Well, since Beacon's the only school on Remnant with a Faunus population, Professor Ozpin thought coming here would be beneficial for your... condition."
"Hmm... I... suppose, but why couldn't Penny at least come with me?"
Domino stands up straight, frowning at you.
"Oh no, I know you and if she were here, you wouldn't even try to talk to anyone else."
"What? Th-that's not... entirely true."
"Isn't it?"
You fidget on the spot, looking around nervously.
"I... m-maybe... yes." you finally give in.
Domino smirks, picking the suitcase up and handing it to you.
"Well it's alright (Y/n), even though Miss Polendina couldn't be here, there is... someone you know here."
"Really? Who?"
"Oh, you'll know her when you see her."
'That's not cryptic at all.' you notice Domino walking off. "W-wait, where are you going?"
"I'm just going to inform Professor Ozpin that you've arrived and to get everything ready for you, so you'll need to come to the CCT tower in about an hour."
"Uh, okay, but I don't know where that is."
Domino looks over her shoulder, a sly smile on her face.
"Then I suppose you'll just have to ask someone."
You pale as you watch her disappear into the crowd of people. You stand there, getting weird looks from other students passing by.
'I. Am. Screwed.'
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You sigh as you walk through the gardens of Beacon; 45 minutes you've been walking and you still don't know where the CCT tower is. Every attempt to ask someone has been met with them ignoring you, or you just clamming up and walking away if they actually acknowledge you. You take a deep breath as you stroll through the garden; you could tell that this place was going to be your safe haven at Beacon - fresh air, beautiful scenery and nobody to cause you any anxiety, Human or Faunus... or so you thought when you stumble upon someone sitting against a tree reading a book.
She was a fair skinned young girl with amber eyes and long black hair. She wears a black, buttoned vest with coattails and a single silver button on the front. Underneath this is a white, sleeveless, high necked crop undershirt and white shorts with a zipper on the front of each leg. She wears heeled boots and full stockings with a color gradation of black to purple at her ankles with an emblem visible just below her shorts in white. On her left arm is a detached sleeve with a silver cuff around her bicep, with black ribbons wrapped around her forearms. A small, loose scarf is wrapped around neck and a black bow is tied on her head. You take a deep breath and walk over to her, deciding to talk to her - why not? She looked nice enough, and with only the two of you here it should be easy... in theory.
"U-um excuse me... e-excuse me!"
The girl looks up from her book at you.
"Yes?"
"Um, yeah, hi. " you wave weakly. "I, uh... I mean, c-could you help me find the, um, CCT tower? I-I need to be there in about 15 minutes a-and I, uh, can't find it."
"I take it you're new around here?"
"Huh? O-oh, uh, yeah."
"Well you're gonna want to leave here, take a left, go straight until you reach the dorms, go around them, past the main building and the tower will be in the middle of the plaza."
You just stand there, head spinning at the information just told to you.
"Are you... alright?"
You shake your head, snapping out of your daze.
"Oh y-yeah... I, uh... do you think you could... lead me there? I'm not the best with directions."
The girl closes her book and sighs heavily, standing up.
"O-oh you don't have to! I-I mean-"
"No, it's fine. I guess if you don't know what to look for it would be confusing; come on."
The girl walks off, you following close behind.
"Um... I'm really sorry for bothering you about this. I was gonna ask someone else, but there were a lot of people, and I do not do well in large crowds, and... I'm sorry."
The girl sighs softly, turning her head to look at you.
"Look, you don't need to apologize; I get it, I'm not the most social person either."
You nervously chuckle, rubbing the back of your head.
"Y-yeah..."
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The two of you keep walking, a comfortable silence between you both - though you didn't want that exactly, your eyes shifting between the girl and the ground.
'Come on (Y/n)! Just do what Domino told you; ask for a name, make small talk, continue from there.'
You speed up a bit, and then slow down when you're side by side with the girl.
"So, uh, what's your name?"
"Blake. Blake Belladonna."
You ponder on her name for a second.
"Well, I can see your name suits you, you seem... fond of the color black."
"Yup."
"And you are very beautiful."
Blake stops in her tracks and turns to you, her cheeks tinted a light shade of pink.
"Ex...cuse me?"
Your eyes widen in realization of what you just said.
"O-oh no, I wasn't trying to flirt with you! I-I was just referencing that your name, your last name, means 'beautiful lady'. I wasn't trying to chat you up I swear! I mean, w-we just met so why would I try to do that y'know? I mean, you are beautiful but that's not... I-I mean... I'm just gonna stop talking now."
"That's probably a good idea." Blake deadpans.
You nod and you both resume walking with you lagging behind. Great, the first actual conversation you've had with a new person and you act like a total spaz! But, you're not gonna give up! Domino and Penny would be disappointed in you. You catch back up with Blake and smile wide.
"Okay Blake, let's start over. My name is (Y/n) Watts, pleased to meet you."
"It's... nice to meet you too." Blake half smiles, "Wait, Watts? Like the famous scientist?"
"Yeah, he's uh, my uncle. Pretty cool right?"
"I... suppose."
Another bout of silence.
"I... um... I like your bow."
"You and about ten other people."
"Hehe right..." 'Come on (Y/n), you're blowing it!' you notice the book Blake is holding. "Oh! Your book!"
"What about it?"
"Well, I mean, what were you reading?"
"'The Thief and the Butcher'."
"Ah, that's a good one! A street urchin turned thief meets a hardened assassin and they go on a journey to find their fortune; but, in the end-"
"Hey, I haven't finished it yet!" Blake protests, covering her ears.
"Oop, sorry." you quickly cover your mouth. "Well how far along are you?"
"I'm on Chapter 21."
"Ooh that's when Jade and Silver... y'know what? I won't spoil it for you - but let's just say it gets... saucy."
"Well then, I'll be sure to read that away from my teammates." Blake snickers. "They can be a little... nosy."
"Yeah... in my experience, people can be... problematic."
"What do you mean?" Blake asks, confused.
"It's... a long story." you sigh.
You both round the corner past the main building and into the plaza. There were plenty of people walking around, making you nervous, but you managed to keep it together in front of Blake. Your eyes drift over to what you assume to be the CCT tower and there was someone standing in front of it; it was a girl dressed primarily in white with white hair in an off ponytail and bright blue eyes looking visibly annoyed. Your expression instantly lightens up and you drop your suitcase and run over to her.
"WEISS!"
The girl in question turns and, seeing you, immediately smiles. Her smile fades however, when you crash into her; you both fall to the ground with you on top of her. Blake snickers at this as she collects your suitcase and continues to walk over.
"Hi."
"Get off of me you dunce!"
"Oh sorry!" you scramble off of Weiss; she gets up and dusts herself off then engulf you in a big hug, which you gladly return. "What are you doing here?"
"I go to school here. Didn't Domino tell you?"
"Not directly; if I knew you were here, I would've found you."
"And how were you going to find her?" Blake inquires walking up behind you.
"O-oh yeah hehe..." you sheepishly scratch your cheek with your finger. "Anyway Blake, this is Weiss, an old friend from Atlas."
"I know who Weiss is (Y/n), she's one of my teammates."
"Oh, yeah, right... I... sorry."
While you're flustered, Weiss smacks the back of your head.
"Stop apologizing so much! Honestly, you're worse than Pyrrha!"
"Sor- wait Pyrrha? Pyrrha Nikos? She's here?"
"Yes she is, and I'll introduce you later; right now we need to go see Ozpin."
"That won't be necessary Miss Schnee."
You all turn to see Ozpin, Glynda and Domino standing there.
"And to think we were just about to look for you." Domino jokes.
"Hehe sorry... I got lost but Blake helped me out."
Domino saunters up to Blake, eyeing her intensely and making her sweat a bit.
"Blake?"
"Um... y-yes?"
Domino places a hand on Blake's shoulder, the sudden action startling her.
"Thank you for helping (Y/n), I appreciate it." she smiles.
"Oh, uh, you're welcome." Blake smiles back, handing you your suitcase. "Well, I'm heading back to the dorm; it was nice meeting you (Y/n)."
"I-it was nice meeting you too! M-maybe we can talk more... hopefully."
"Yeah maybe." Blake waves.
You wave back and watch Blake as she makes her way back to the dorms, making Domino eye you curiously, but she keeps quiet for now. Ozpin walks up to you and extends his hand, which you shake.
"A pleasure to meet you (Y/n)."
"O-oh the pleasure is all mine sir."
"No need to be so formal, please call me Professor." he smiles. "Come, we'll get you settled in."
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Your group stops in front of a door next to Team RWBY's dorm, which is Weiss' team. You open the door and step inside. The room was a normal dorm, but with only one bed, making it more spacious.
"I take it everything is to your liking?"
"Yeah it's great - nicer than my quarters back at Atlas. Thank you Professor." you bow graciously.
"It's no problem at all (Y/n); I hope you enjoy your stay here. We'll leave you to it." Ozpin and Glynda depart, leaving you, Weiss and Domino in the room. Weiss suddenly grabs your arm, smiling wide at you.
"You're going to love it here (Y/n)! There's so much to see and do, especially with the Vytal festival coming up! I can't wait to show you!"
"Well you're going to have to wait Miss Schnee." Domino interjects. "We don't want to overwhelm (Y/n) now do we?"
"You're... probably right." Weiss sighs. "I'll... show you around this weekend?"
"Sounds good, I'm looking forward to it." you take the opportunity to hug Weiss again, which she gladly accepts. "I'm... really glad you're here."
"Y-yeah anytime (Y/n). If you ever need me, I'll be here." she smiles.
"Of course, I'll... see ya around."
You both share one last hug and Weiss leaves your dorm. You set your suitcase down and flop on your bed.
"So... that Blake girl seems nice." Domino comments.
"Yeah... she is; she's quiet, likes to read, she's absolutely beautiful..." you rattle off, a goofy smile on your face.
"Sounds like love at first sight."
"Hardly; we just met. I may not be very social, but I know how relationships work."
"No doubt thanks to all those... romance novels."
You throw a pillow at your monochrome friend, but she dodges it.
"Oh, shut up. Besides, I doubt she's interested in me; especially after I made a fool of myself."
"Well you never know; just don't go breaking any hearts."
You both share a laugh. Domino glances at her watch and sighs.
"Well, I suppose it's time I went back to Atlas."
You quickly sit up on your bed.
"What? No, you're supposed to help me."
"I know, but you can't depend on me for help forever. You have to learn to stand on your own two feet. Besides, you have Miss Schnee to help you out."
"I guess..."
"Look, I know I won't be here, but if you ever need to talk I'm just a call away."
"I know; thanks Domino, for everything." you get up and hug Domino tight, she smiles and reciprocates.
"You're going to be alright (Y/n), right?"
"Yup." you smile.
"Good." Domino smiles back, then leaves the room.
You sigh and lay back down on the bed. The more you think about it, Domino's right; you need to do this on your own, even if you have Weiss to help you - which you are thankful for.
'Maybe this won't be so bad...'
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WOO NEW STORY! As you can probably tell, this is going to be a bit different from... well most stories that I'm going to do. For starters, there is no Salem, she is not in this story; as for her followers... well there was already mention of one in this chapter - as for the others... well you'll see. The 'villain' for this story should be apparent considering the description. This story also won't be too terribly long, maybe 20 chapters or so; and since this chapter was so short, I'll give you another one before going back to The Ties that Bind. So, tell me what you thought and I'll see you all soon.