Ignoring the few persistent and wispy clouds, the sky was perfectly clear and all of the students who glanced upward while boarding the large metal aircraft felt a sense of comfort. It was one of those days, the shattered moon still perfectly visible, that brought with it a feeling that nothing could go ary. A gentle breeze rustling their hair and clothes only strengthened the almost otherworldly presence of benevolence. As the straggling students cleared the doorway a man in uniform the entire airfield, "Final call for Beacon Academy!" Within minutes the doors were sealed and the ship took flight.
A young man in a long burgundy coat leaned against the wall of the airship tapping his foot rapidly and muttering to himself. He looked down in an attempt to avoid meeting the gaze of any of the other passengers, even though they were soon to be classmates. His plan to be nearly invisible for the flight was foiled by a young woman walking into him.
"Oh, I'm sorry," She laughed at her own clumsiness. Holding out her hand she introduced herself, "I'm Riliane by the way."
"It's alright, Riliane." He shook her hand and then gestured at the window, "I'm guessing you were just distracted by the view? It is always impressive."
"I've never really cared about views all that much actually," She chuckled as if there was something the young man didn't know. "Though shouldn't you tell me your name now?"
"You uh… don't recognise me?"
"I can't recognise anyone," Another chuckle.
"What? But then- Oh!" It finally clicked for him. The young blonde was blind. "I'm so sorry- I-I didn't realise-"
"It's fine, it's fine," Riliane assured him with a bright smile.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, of course."
"Er, right then… Well I'm Xanthic Picto."
"As in The Picto Corporation?"
"That's right. Though, wait a minute, are you by chance Riliane Avadona?"
"Yeah! What can you read minds or something?"
"Nono, nothing like that. I'm glad I can't actually. It was three years back, I think, I met your mother while we were doing some business in Vale. Her and my mother actually talked about trying to develop a scroll with an interface more suitable for people with… visual impairments."
"You can say blind," Riliane was far more blunt in this statement than before.
"S-sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." He wanted to point out that he was also referring to people with green color blindness and photosensitivity but decided not to push the matter.
"Don't worry about it," Riliane returned to her cheery smile.
"Right, well I was thinking about heading to the observation deck, would you care to join me?"
"Oh no, I was actually just looking for the bathroom when I bumped into you. Think you could point me in the right direction?"
"Of course, on this model… There should be a short flight of stairs at the end of this corridor, then go to your right."
"Thanks, see you around Xan~" She waved goodbye and stumbled a bit as she followed Xanthic's directions.
"Good bye…" Xanthic turned the other way to go to the all glass room. As he opened the door a young girl with red eyes stood reaching out to where the handle used to be. "Oh, pardon me miss." He stood to the side and held the door open.
"What a gentleman, thanks~" She giggled and almost skipped away.
Xanthic couldn't tell if she was sincerely that innocent or just trying to mock him in some way. Shrugging it off he continued into the room. The glass panels allowed an unobstructed view of the world passing by. With a gentle sigh Xanthic leaned against the railing and mumbled to himself, "I wish I took mom's offer to take our ship…"
The sound of the airship taking off could be heard all around her. Celeste sat with her head resting on the wall behind her, enjoying the serenity of being alone. She began thinking about the next four years to come when she was disturbed by the rustling sound of moving clothes. Opening her eyes, she was meet with a pair of copper colored eyes.
"Can I help you?" she asked. The eyes moved back to reveal a young man, with shaggy black hair. He had some cybernetic parts to . "Could make him a good fighter," Celeste thought.
"Sorry, I was looking at your scar." Owen responded. Celeste drew her hand up to touch it.
"Why?"
"I thought it looked cool. How did it happen?" Celeste stared at him for a moment, then she began remembering the attack.
"Oh, I'm sorry that happened to you." Owen said.
"What?" Celeste asked, unsure of what the Faunus was talking about.
"You were attacked by beowolves, right?" Grabbing his collar, Celeste swung him around and pinned him to the wall, Ferrum Glacies pointed at his face. "How do you know that?" she asked, threateningly.
"You were thinking it. My semblance allows me to reads others minds." Owen quickly replied.
"What? Stay out of my head." Celeste said as she threw him to the ground. As he was getting up he noticed Celeste walking away, and sitting on the other side of the airship.
"Touchy." Owen said, getting back into his seat.
When Dart caught a glimpse of a free seat, his eyes widened slightly and he quickened his pace down the aisle. "Finally," He muttered beneath his breath, letting his bag sag down his shoulder as he began to sit down. Before he could do so, a girl his age with blonde spiky hair sat in the seat in front of him. Dart stared at her silently, blinking. The girl's burning crimson eyes flicked upwards towards him.
"Oh! Hello!" She said happily. "Did you need something?" Dart cleared his throat, doing his best to be polite.
"Well yes, actually that's," Dart stopped and scratched his head. The girl tilted her head and smiled expectantly. "I was going to sit there." He finished sheepishly.
"Oh!" The girl finished. The two were silent as the voices around them seemed to grow louder. "Sorry about that." The girl said laughing uneasily. Dart bit his lip and looked around. All the seats were full, several other students had taken to leaning against the wall.
"Damn." Dart muttered.
"Pardon me." A female voice next to him said quickly. Dart stepped back, allowing a girl with silver hair and green eyes to squeeze through the seats and walk down the aisle.
"Oh hey! Free seat." The girl said, gesturing to the spot the girl had left.
"She's not coming back?" Dart asked.
"She took her stuff, so I don't think so. Lucky you!" She responded with a grin.
Dart nodded and sat in the seat the girl had left. It was near the window, allowing him to get a glimpse of the cliffs and the cobalt sky. "Beautiful, isn't it?" The girl said, leaning forward so she could see.
"Yeah." Dart responded, taking in the sparkling water and the puffy clouds.
"I recommend going out to the observation deck, I was just there. The view is even nicer!~"
"I'll think about it." Dart responded, thinking for a bit. He faced the girl and held out his hand. "The name's Dart." He said with a smile. The girl took his hand and smiled in return.
"I'm Olive!" She said. "Nice to meet you!"
"Likewise." Dart responded. "What brings you to Beacon?"
"Well, my sister went to Shade Academy, it was only natural that I would apply to Beacon!" Olive replied as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "You?"
"To get stronger, see more of the world." Dart responded. The two were silent, not quite knowing what to say. Olive's knee jumped up and down, as if she was bursting with excitement.
"What do you think initiation this year will be?" Olive asked. Dart hesitated.
"Couldn't tell you." He responded. "What do you think?" Olive leaned back, looking away from the view.
"There've been rumors that this year's initiation will be more different and challenging than the others!" She said hopefully. Dart chuckled, putting his hands behind his head to yawn.
"They say that every year."
"Of course! But more people have said it this year." Olive replied ecstatically. Dart shrugged.
"Doesn't mean much. Hope it's easy." Dart added. Olive peered at him.
"You don't like a challenge?" She asked.
"Of course I like challenges," Dart replied, "But there's no point if there's not a better reward for it." Olive grinned.
"Fair enough!" She said cheerfully. Dart flinched when a voice suddenly began speaking. The voices in the ship slowly died down.
"We are close to arriving at Beacon Academy. Please gather your things and prepare to disembark." As if it was a signal, several people got up and rushed to the observation deck. Dart stretched his neck, trying to get a glimpse, but eventually giving up.
"Come on." Dart said, gesturing towards the crowd. Olive smiled joyously and followed him as he stood up. The two weaved their way through the crowd. When they finally broke through, they dashed to the edge of the deck and gasped. Dart observing the view, eyes wide and Olive with her mouth gaping wide.
Beacon Academy stood proudly in front of them. It was white and grey, with spiral towers and a long white bridge that curved around the school. Large glass windows sparkled against the sun. A small blue stream circled the building, surrounded by beautiful stone and obsidian lamp posts. Beautiful weeping willows swayed in the breeze, their long flowing arms brushing against the stone. A long walkway led up to the big wooden doors at the end. The two glanced at each other.
"Hey Olive?" Dart asked, not taking his eyes off the school. Olive glanced at him, her face bright.
"I think I'm going to like it here." Dart added breathlessly. Olive squealed energetically.
"I'm going to as well!"