Welcome to my second fan-fic, and to those who read 'The Vytal Tournament' (my previous and first project), welcome back!
I also have a Tumblr by the way! If you want to keep up to date with when I'll be posting chapters and my other musings, I'm registered there as 'thehorologium'. Yes, the spelling of that is correct. :3
You can follow me, and I can follow you, and we can geek out about RWBY, and stuff...
This fiction is an AU taking the characters of RWBY and placing them in a modern day American university setting, akin to the real world. With a few twists, of course...
I hope you enjoy this first chapter, the first of many.
What a crummy day.
The weather provided a perfect, real world metaphor for how Ruby Rose's first day of university had gone. The sky was overcast with looming grey clouds, which rolled over each other all the way into the horizon; a glum reminder of just how poorly her attempts at establishing friendships had gone.
On numerous occasions, the sixteen year old girl had offered greetings and handshakes to the many other new arrivals on campus; all had either ignored her or barely so much as returned the introduction. Having become exhausted with the rejections of these snobbish new students, Ruby had unpacked her suitcases into her dormitory room as quickly as she could, and resorted to her usual strategy: go for a long, long walk.
And so the lone teenager found herself wandering through the sparse woodlands, far from the campus.
She scowled, kicking dirt and leaves with the tip of her boots with every step. She had scarcely even noticed her own clenched fists, buried in the pockets of her crimson hoodie.
I can't believe I moved four states away for this...
Ruby came to a stop near the boundary between woodland and clearing. She plopped down onto a large log, chewing at the sleeve of her hoodie and tapping on her phone. A message was flashing on the screen, distracting her from arranging playlists of music. With a tired sigh, Ruby opened up the message.
[FROM: YANG
HEYYYY LIL SIS! GOOD 1ST DAY AT UNI?
HOPE UR HAVING FUN! TEXT ME BACK X X X]
She half-heartedly discarded the message. Yang would have to wait - Ruby was having anything but a good first day. Regardless, Ruby intended to lie to her big sister. It was embarassing to have made no friends, or even accquaintances; and much to her envy, Yang was the polar opposite. Her big sister was a voluptuous and lively Californian blonde, capable of attracting and building social circles within a matter of minutes of meeting strangers.
Ruby rested her face in her hands, twiddling with the red highlights of her dark brown hair. Perhaps she would just have to spend the next four years alone.
At least I'll stay focused on work, I guess.
A soft, unusual sound interrupted the steady murmur of the forest. A noise in the background that Ruby had not noticed.
She glanced upwards, and around, searching for its source - she had presumed herself to be entirely alone, after all.
The teenage girl stood up from the log and crept between the towering trees, narrowing down the location of what she now distinguished as crying. She stuck close to the trunks of the foliage, hiding and scurrying through the shadows of the forest canopy just like the squirrels which inhabited this environment.
Ruby came to a wide open field, full of grass which reached up to her hips. She waded slowly through the plants, cautiously closing in towards the origin of this distressed individual; though whoever it may be was well hidden amongst the shoots of overgrown grass.
She stepped on a brittle twig, which crunched under her boot. Ruby gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth instinctively, having alerted the stranger to her presence. In response, the gentle weeping halted in an instant, and a tense absence of sound hung in the air.
Ruby darted her head around trying to spot the stranger.
Nothing-
A rustling to her right.
She swivelled around to face the noise but saw only empty fields.
Whoever had been crying had escaped superbly, leaving Ruby alone with nature once more.
Great. Can't even help a stranger in need - let alone befriend one.
She sighed and strolled a couple steps further into the field, intending to continue her walk, when she noticed a repetitive crunch beneath her feet. Ruby looked down, curious.
Frost? At this time of year?
She observed the surrounding dirt floor, its surface glistening with a thin crust of ice. Ruby had never been the superstitious type...and yet, something about being in a forest on a cloudy day with random patches of ice appearing seemed to unnerve her.
The red hooded girl quickly navigated her way back towards the campus, albeit not without some reluctance.
Ruby eventually found herself back at Amber Apartments - her residence for her first academic year at Beacon University. She slipped through the main door and ascended the staircase, finally exiting on Floor 5.
Nervously, she edged through the flat door, facing a long hallway lined on either side with dormitories. At the very end of the corridor was a communal kitchen and living area, and emanating from it she heard echoes of conversation and laughter. Ruby could not help but feel glum that she had effectively excluded herself from the initial period of acquainting with other flatmates, simply because she had opted to go for a long walk instead. A walk which had left her thirsty and in need of a glass of water.
The only source of water was the kitchen tap.
Ruby anxiously paced down the hall, closer and closer to the intimidating sounds of flatmates she didn't even know yet.
Maybe I can just rush in and out without them noticing?
She stepped in, apparently unnoticed by the large group of fellow students conversing with each other. She made sure to keep her eyes fixed on the sink, clumsily grabbing a glass from the cupboard. Ruby hastily filled the glass with clear, cool water and turned to escape back to her room, mere moments away from safety.
"Uh, 'scuse me? Who are you?" a deep, masculine voice said from the far side of the kitchen.
She panicked, suddenly unable to find the confidence to even speak her own name. Ruby hated being put on the spot.
"Wait, is she some fuckin' homeless kid who just walked in or something? Look at her jacket..." another voice muttered not-so-quietly. Another thing she hated: people talking as if she wasn't even in the room.
"I...uhm...I'm- I'm R-Ruby. I'm...in room s-seven." she sputtered out. Ruby noticed she was nearly spilling the water with her shaking hands.
Come on, hold it together! Be cool!
The tall, blonde haired boy with the deep voice nodded indifferently.
"Uh, 'kay."
The group of ten returned to some kind of obscure card game, drinking ever more alcohol in accordance with the 'rules'. Ruby turned back to the sink pretending to be busy with something; in reality, she found herself paralysed with anxiety.
The spiteful gossip continued behind her, just barely loud enough to be audible.
"We got some weird ones in our flat I guess..."
"Indeed. Like there's that other girl, what's her name...y'know, the one who's always carrying around some book, barely came out of her room today..."
Ruby felt herself wanting to run - but could only remain rooted to the spot.
"That would be me, by the way." said a softer, friendlier voice right next to her.
Ruby was startled by the proximity of this new stranger, near enough spilling her drink all over her hoodie. She turned on her heel to see a black haired girl, dressed in a similarly dark silk dressing gown. The newcomer sauntered airily over to the fridge and retrieved a milk carton.
The black haired girl noticed Ruby's nervous glances and smiled politely.
"I'm Blake. Blake Belladonna. What's your name?" she said calmly. Feeling a little more at ease, Ruby rallied the confidence to speak once more.
"My name is R-Ruby Rose. H-Hi."
Blake shook Ruby's hand whilst clutching a tattered book with her free hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ruby. I'm just heading to bed now...but I'm sure we can get properly acquainted at tomorrow's induction ceremony. It starts at ten o'clock in the morning. We could walk there together, if you'd like."
Ruby felt momentarily mesmerised by the tranquility of Blake's voice, coupled with her captivating, mysterious beauty. Snapping out of her trance, Ruby nodded - perhaps a little too enthusiastically.
"Alright then. Let's meet in the kitchen at nine-thirty. Good night, Ruby." Blake finished with a warm smile, before swiftly leaving the room. Having been freed of her nervousness, Ruby followed suit and exited the kitchen under the scrutinising, prejudiced stares of the other flatmates.
She flopped down on her bed and exhaled. Today had been tough, but there was at least one saving grace.
I have a friend!
And with that victory in mind, Ruby drifted off to sleep.
A sharp knocking brought Ruby out of her vivid dreams. She leant up against her pillow, before she slumped back down, too tired to answer the door.
"Nnghh...come back later please..." she groaned.
"Ruby? It's me, Blake...we met yesterday evening? Our induction starts in twenty minutes."
Oh no! How did I forget?! And I can't lose my only friend within a day!
Ruby leapt out of her bed and hurriedly started changing into clean clothes, brushing her teeth, and tidying her hair - all simultaneously.
"Gah! I'll be one minute! Please wait for meeee!" Ruby shouted from inside her room. Blake smirked as she waited patiently outside the door.
Soon enough, Ruby emerged from her room looking a little out of breath - but ready nonetheless. She locked her door and wore a slightly terrified smile; the kind of awkward, feigned cheerfulness one might expect from the new kid at school. Apparently amused, Blake gestured for Ruby to lead the way, and they proceeded outside towards the main lecture hall.
The building they arrived at minutes later was breath-taking.
White bricks arched upwards into hexagonal towers around the centre bulk of the ivy-covered structure, with an enormous emblem painted above the grandiose wooden doors. This was the centrepiece of Beacon University, and Ruby had only seen it in pictures and brochures until now.
"Whooaaah..." she said as she craned her head backwards, taking in the full panorama before her. Blake stifled a laugh - Ruby's child-like reaction was priceless.
"Come on, let's get inside Ruby. Seats will be filling up quick."
Ruby nodded and they entered through the massive oak doors.
They were met with the low murmur of hundreds of new students bustling around, all crowding in to grab seats. Blake and Ruby sauntered in, casually observing the many ornate portraits of previous professors and chancellors which decorated the great hall.
"So, you and I didn't really get a chance to properly meet last night." Blake said. Ruby cleared her throat and took the initiative to secure at least one friendship.
"Oh yeah I, uh, guess not! So, uhm...what are you majoring in?"
"Literature and Creative Writing. It's always been my passion, so I saw no reason not to continue studying it at a degree level. How about you? Pardon my curiosity, but...you seem quite young."
Ruby felt anxiety creeping up on her again; she couldn't believe how easily she stuck out as 'too young'.
"I...I got recommended to fast-track to college. I'm majoring in Art. I kinda...skipped the last two years of high school..." Ruby replied meekly.
Blake almost took a step back in surprise.
"You left high school early? You must be about sixteen years old, I'm guessing...and got accepted into one of the most prestigious universities in the United States?"
"I was doing pretty well in my art classes...well enough that Ozpin came by my school one day. Asked if I wanted to move straight to Beacon."
Blake's jaw dropped.
"President Ozpin came to see you?! Personally?"
Ruby giggled and nodded, whilst Blake laughed along, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Well I guess I've heard it all now! Wow...a personal visit from the head of the university. That's...extremely impressive. You must be a stellar artist."
"I draw some pretty good stick men..." Ruby said with a deadpan expression. The two broke out into laughter again, and finally spotted a pair of vacant seats. They hurried across to secure the spot.
Ruby approached the girl sat next to the two empty seats cautiously, tapping her on the shoulder.
"Um, e-excuse me? Are these seats taken?"
The girl turned to face her.
Whoa...
The girl who faced Ruby had a beauty which appeared to be the polar opposite of Blake's. Her hair was a brilliant white, hanging in a long, offsets ponytail; the suit pants and jacket she wore were a similar bright white. She met Ruby's gaze with sapphire blue eyes, one of which interrupted a faint pink scar. Coupled with her pale, unmarked skin and perfect posture, Ruby began to wonder if she had stumbled into royalty.
The girl shook her head, and returned her unwavering attention to the front of the hall. Ruby looked to Blake, who shrugged. Together they sat down and waited patiently for the induction to begin.
Ruby's confidence had grown a little, however, and had plans to extend her social life further.
"So, uhm...I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose! What's your name?" she exclaimed, perhaps a little too overconfidently. The white-haired girl turned her head slowly once more, glancing at Ruby.
"Weiss." she replied indifferently.
"Weiss. That's a really nice name. What are you majoring in, Weiss?" Ruby inquired. Weiss seemed to roll her eyes.
"Chemistry."
"Oh cool, that's some, uh, hard stuff you gotta learn! I'm majoring in art myself. Oh, and this is my friend Blake." Ruby gestured to the black-haired girl to her left. "She's studying Literature!"
"Fine." Weiss replied in a disinterested monotone, staring straight ahead.
Ruby awkwardly shrunk down into her seat a little, returning her attention to Blake.
"Just another elitist snob. At least that one gave you her name...don't let it bother you." Blake murmured in a tone audible only to Ruby. Ruby seemed to scowl.
"That's not nice. Why generalise everybody else here as snobs just as quickly as snobs would generalise us as 'weird'?" Ruby whispered back. Blake seemed acutely embarrassed, and nodded in agreement.
"You're right. That was quite narrow-minded of me. I'm sorry."
Ruby flashed a thumbs-up back to her.
"Wait, Ruby, look...it's President Ozpin." Blake tapped her on the shoulder, and both of them looked over to the grey-haired man in a black jacket and sage scarf. Suddenly, there was another tapping on Ruby's opposite shoulder.
"Excuse me, I need to get out."
She swivelled around to see Weiss, who was gesturing that she wanted to get out of the aisle. Ruby tilted her head in confusion.
"Huh? But...the president is about to begin the induction speech, and-"
"Move, now. Please."
The snowy-haired girl seemed desperate, so Ruby stood from her seat and motioned for Blake to do the same. Weiss slipped past and strutted out of the hall swiftly.
"That was strange..." Ruby whispered as the lights dimmed, and a spotlight focused on Ozpin.
"Probably just really needed the bathroom or something." Blake replied quietly. "Look sharp, Ruby. Ozpin's about to speak."
They both found their attention fixed on the university president, just like the rest of the audience. The president calmly stepped over to the podium, pausing for effect as all eyes bore down upon him, accompanied by a tense silence.
He cleared his throat and rested his hands on a sleek, black cane.
"You are all here because something sets you apart from the rest. Talent, intelligence and ambition."
He paused for effect.
"You are also all here because these attributes you have are unrefined. Blunt, undisciplined, and inefficient."
Again, Ozpin paused, letting his message sink in. Nobody dared to break the silence; not even a slight murmur arose.
"It is our duty here at Beacon University to sharpen your skills and craft the greatest individuals of the next generation...right within these very walls. But, heed my warning. For I am only going to say this once."
"Those of you who rest on your laurels are destined to fail. Whoever you were, whatever your previous grades were, however grand your family fortune is - all of this is, ultimately, irrelevant. You will be judged only on the merits of your own efforts here."
The spotlight snapped off, and the main lights were brought back on as Ozpin briskly walked off the podium and disappeared through the curtains. The crowd of fresh students began to speak in hushed voices as they got up from their seats; many seemed demotivated by their headmaster's speech.
Ruby couldn't be more content, however.
A place full of rich kids...where I won't be judged for not being rich.
"Interesting..." Blake mused to herself as she and Ruby got to their feet to leave. They stepped down towards the corridor and joined the stream of other students heading towards the exit.
Something familiar caught Ruby's attention. A sound she'd heard before. She halted in the middle of the hallway, to which Blake looked perplexed.
"Ruby?"
"I'll meet you back at the apartment, Blake. I just need to go the bathroom, that's all."
"Oh, okay. I'll see you at home then." Blake nodded and turned to leave. Ruby waited until she had left, and slipped away from the crowd into a deserted hallway.
The young girl stepped cautiously down the long corridor, the sound becoming ever more clear as she approached the bathroom door at the end. Ruby stopped just outside the door, gently resting her ear on it to confirm her suspicions; it was the same crying she had heard yesterday in the woodlands.
Gently, Ruby pushed open the door.
She was greeted with a spectacle unlike any other.
The bathroom was coated in a glistening, tranquil layer of faint blue ice - the ceiling, the stalls and the floor were encapsulated within this frosty covering. It was as if Winter itself had swept through this room alone. Ruby was scarcely aware of her own mouth hanging open in awe.
Ruby also only just noticed the figure in the corner of the room, whose attire camouflaged her with the icy floor she was slumped upon.
Weiss?
The two gazed at each other in shock, like deer caught in headlights. Neither moved a muscle.
Silence.
Ruby tried to speak, her voice croaky and terrified.
"I-"
Weiss rushed at her from the floor, grabbing Ruby's shoulders and silencing her as they stared into each other's pupils.
"Don't. Tell. Anyone."
Thanks for reading the first chapter! It was a slower paced chapter, but one that I hope gets you hooked and intrigues you enough to want to tune in for the next chapter, which should be available within a few days or sooner.
Let me know what you thought in the reviews if you'd like. Feel free to shoot me a PM if I dun goof'd in terms of spelling/grammar at some point. I doubt I have but there's always a margin for error.
Until next time, Horologium out!