(Announcement: This is my first fanfic, so any comments, concerns, criticisms that anyone may have are more than welcome. As for Arkan's appearance, he has longish (not quite shoulder length) dark orange hair, deep brown eyes, pale skin, and brownish antlers. His normal attire consists of a green short-sleeved hoodie, with a black long-sleeved t-shirt under that. He has a shiny black chest plate, similar to Jaune's, as well as shiny black shinguards. He wear black cargo pants, and brown fingerless gloves.

Also, I apologize, the first few chapters may be a little jumpy/choppy, as they will be a quick rundown of his experiences before Beacon. End Announcement.)

Arkan looked out of the airship window, and surveyed the city. Vale was a shining jewel in the world, and he was proud to call it his home. He looked over at the holo-display, on which a news story was being shown. There was a mug shot of a man in a white coat, and hat, with red hair brushed over one eye. The newscaster was saying, "The robbery was led by nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Vale Police Department. Back to you Lisa."

The image changed to that of a female newscaster, with a photo of Faunus protesters carrying signs superimposed behind her. The photo then changed to the logo of the White Fang, a Faunus terrorist group. "Thank you, Cyril," Lisa said. "In other news, this Saturday's Faunus Civil Rights protest turned dark when members of the White Fang disrupted the Ceremony. The once peaceful organization has now disrupted…"

"Idiots!" Arkan muttered to himself as the reporter spoke. "You're giving the rest of us a bad rep!" For Arkan Rannos was not human. He himself was a Faunus. He had small antlers that protruded from his burnt orange hair.

Arkan's mother also had had antlers, or so they told him. He didn't remember her very much. She was a huntress, and had disappeared on a mission when Arkan was very young. His human father raised him on his own as best he could. His father was an accountant for the Schnee Dust Company, and so they lived in Vale's commercial district. He always told his son that he took after his mother, and since the Schnee Dust Company still had a great deal of ill will toward the Faunus, it was decided that Arkan follow in his mother's footsteps.

He was to become a huntsman. So Arkan was enrolled in Signal Academy when he was eleven years old. He remembered his first day there, so long ago it seemed. Arkan, a boy of eleven was flown out on an airship, to the island Patch, off the west coast of Vale. As he stepped off that airship, he felt cold, and a little homesick. But he was also exited to start his training. As he was walking toward the gate of the school, which looked somewhat like a large mansion, someone shoved him. Arkan tumbled to the ground, his backpack flying off. He turned around to see who had pushed him, and he saw a human boy, with a large frame and dark hair.

"Get out of my way, animal!" the boy grunted. "What's the matter?" he said as tears began to well up in the young Faunus' eyes. "You gonna cry? Run home to Mommy?" Then the boy laughed at him. His laugh sounded like the bark of a sick dog.

Arkan pulled himself to his feet. "My mother is dead," he said, trying to sound stoic. But his voice broke, and he just seemed more pathetic. The boy laughed again, and walked off.

As Arkan dusted my clothes off, his face still wet with tears, he heard a soothing voice say, "What is the matter, child? Have you been injured?" Arkan turned to see who this newcomer was. It was the professor who had been on the airship with the new students, who was only now disembarking.

"I'm f-fine, sir," the Faunus stammered. "I just tripped."

"I saw what happened. There is no need to lie," the teacher said calmly. "My name is professor Qrow. If you ever have problems with bullying again, do not hesitate to see me. Do you understand?"

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Arkan said, calming down. "I will." And with that, he entered the school.

Arkan had many classes to attended, and he loved every one of them. History, Grimm studies, and the others were all interesting to him, but weapon design, which was taught by Professor Qrow, was his favorite. Arkan did find himself lacking friends, though, because many humans, like the dark-haired boy, didn't feel that Faunus were their equals.