Former White Fang member, Blake Belladonna, and thrill-seeker Yang Xiao Long were engaged in what was literally a heated match. The rest of team RWBY and the other freshmen huntsmen- and huntresses-to-be were scattered amongst the stands of the amphitheater at Beacon Academy. Professor Glynda Goodwitch, the Physical Training and Dueling instructor, had purposefully pitted the partners against each other.
Under any other circumstance, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, Weiss Schnee, would have intervened.
Her family's victimization at the hands of the White Fang extremists caused a lingering prejudice against all faunus. Blake challenged the notion when she revealed her status and history. In fact, team RWBY would not have been able to disrupt Roman Torchwick and the White Fang's latest scheme without her lead. Blake had proven herself trustworthy, an exception to the faunus Weiss had otherwise encountered. After all, there was no way the heiress could uphold the "best teammate" title if she treated Blake any differently. Unless, of course, Blake turned on team RWBY. It would be difficult to believe anything but White Fang affiliation would cause her to do so. Under any other circumstance besides combat training class, Weiss Schnee would have taken Blake down.
And what if Yang turned on the team? Weiss flipped the hypothetical situation on its head, playing her own devil's advocate. Without question, she would restrain Yang, too. She smirked. That would be a challenge. Often able to immobilize opponents with ice, Weiss would need a new strategy. Her fiery teammate would burn right through, leaving Yang a disheveled and sopping mess. Weiss shuddered at the thought of her reaction to a ruined appearance. Once angered, Yang was a force to be reckoned with. Disorder and insults were hardly enough to upset the easy-going blonde, but her hair was another story.
Weiss caught a glimpse of the girl's face as she leapt into the air, noting the color of her irises. Still lilac. Blake was lucky they had yet to redden, which would indicate Yang's unruly rage.
Weren't the students of Beacon supposed to fight as a team and not with their team? Today's lesson was unfathomable. Weiss Schnee, the dutiful scholar, respected her instructors more than anyone. Brown nosing for better marks might also have had something to do with it, but that was beside the point. She was hardly one to question coursework, especially from the poised and skillful Glynda Goodwitch.
"You can learn-" the professor bellowed over the clang of Gambol Shroud repelling gunfire from Ember Celica, "a lot about a person-"
Weiss turned her attention to Goodwitch, pacing with perfect posture between the stage and the stands. Had she finally snapped?
The students' eyes were fixed on the combat training demonstration. Occupying Blake with a barrage of bullets, Yang began to close the gap between the two. Seemingly satisfied with the short-range opportunity, she drew back her right arm and charged at her opponent. The blonde's fist made contact with a rock-solid Blake's midsection.
It was a shadow. Blake was nowhere to be seen.
Yang let out a deafening growl with enough force to emit a small gust.
The room went silent. Not even the clacking of Professor Goodwitch's heels could be heard. She'd ceased pacing and peered over the lenses of her glasses towards the stage, expectantly.
The dust settled to reveal Yang, head bowed and muscles tense. Her fist was still pressed against Blake's shadow as she maintained the posture of her offense. The stage lighting cast dramatic shadows on her form delineating a taut exterior. It was elegant, really, a sight to behold. That is, until the increasing flicker of Yang's flame cast the shadows away.
Cracks spread slowly across the surface of the faunus sculpture, breaking it, and the silence.
"What brute strength, miss Xiao Long!" Goodwitch remarked. Whether or not she intended to praise or criticize the student was uncertain. The stern professor was often anything but complimentary.
Yang must have assumed the former, however, for she stood and grinned.
"As I was saying, you can learn a lot about a person by the way they fight," the professor finished.
Attempting to catch Yang off-guard, Blake descended from a rafter she'd been perching on, landing silently and gracefully on all fours. Her teammate turned just in time to defend against successive kicks with her gauntlets. She swung to no avail at Blake, who back-flipped out of harm's way once again.
Glancing at the translucent, pointed banners around the amphitheater, Weiss noted Blake and Yang's Aura. The status screens displayed green bars, which suggested a safe and reasonable amount. Should either drain to life-threatening red levels, however, the professor would be forced to call the match and declare a victor. It had been half an hour and the faunus had only spent about a third maneuvering, deploying shadows, and landing minor blows. Meanwhile, her partner had only expended half on defense and simply trying to keep up.
From the stands Weiss Schnee released a sharp, exaggerated sigh. "This match could go on forever," she groaned.
"I know, isn't it great?!" piped up her partner, Ruby Rose. She was Yang's younger sister and also the youngest student to attend Beacon; as far as Weiss was concerned she was still very much a child.
Startled by the response from her typically inattentive teammate, Weiss shot back, "Shouldn't you be doodling, or nodding off?"
Ruby scoffed, as if Weiss should have known better than to ask. "Physical training is where the action is!" She chopped at the air with her arms for emphasis. "Doodling's just to get me through the boring stuff like history, sometimes Grimm studies, and that crafting class with Professor Peach."
Typical. "Oh? And sleeping?" Weiss folded her arms and raised an eyebrow, disapprovingly.
"Well," Ruby chuckled nervously before mumbling, "the napping's not really intentional."
Weiss rolled her eyes. All subjects were equally imperative to a quality education and well-rounded career as a huntress. Competitive by design, she had every desire for perfection, to excel at all things. Straight A's would bring her one step closer to reestablishing her family's name and redeeming the Schnee Dust Company. It was both aggravating and unfortunate that her team leader did not share the same educational values.
Ruby slid her open notebook over to Weiss.
At the top of the left page was Ruby's name followed by Professor Port's, the class title "Grimm studies," and yesterday's date. Weiss recalled a lesson from the long-winded professor on Nevermores. He suggested predetermining tactics for fighting the flying Grimm and other aerial opponents. The fibrous material that made up their sharp, projectile feathers was discussed in great detail as well as defenses against it. Ruby had spent the class period hunched over her notebook, scribbling furiously. But there were no notes on Nevermores beneath the heading of the page. Instead, the scratchy rendering of what appeared to be a Nevermore and a red hood followed.
"And what's this supposed to be?"
"That's me riding a Nevermore," said Ruby, pointing first at the black blob and then at the red curvature above, "but not like in the ruins," she added quickly. As the partners had quickly learned during initiation, hitching a ride on the talons of a Nevermore was not the safest way to travel. Weiss knew that at the time, of course, but Ruby had insisted on the flight. "See?" said Red, in reference to her drawing once again. "I've conquered it. I'm on top!"
Weiss was unimpressed and uninterested. "I meant," she clarified curtly, "the notebook."
"Oh, why did I give it to you? You seemed bored by class and, well," she grinned, "c'mon Weiss, wouldn't you like to try?"
"Try what?"
"Doodling!" Ruby squealed.
To Red's apparent surprise, Weiss snatched a pencil from her grasp and pressed the tip firmly against the blank page beside the Nevermore. In capital letters she carved the words, "NO, YOU DUNCE!" before slapping away the notebook entirely. Sure, Ruby had been perceptive enough to pick up on Weiss' waning enthusiasm, but she still had yet to respect her academic affinity.
Ruby flipped open to the page and whined. She began the arduous process of erasing the graffiti, lethargically rubbing the pencil's eraser against the letters. Weiss smirked. Even if the phrase were to be erased, it would not disappear. Gone, but not forgotten; the pressure with which White had written imprinted the message on the pages that followed.
Youthful team leader no longer interrupting, Weiss could return her attention to their teammates' match. It was difficult to determine which of the pair would be victorious; both were strong, agile huntresses-in-training. What made for a lengthy duel were their contrasting fighting styles. Yang simply could not overcome Blake's evasive maneuvers by force. She fought head-on and had trouble landing a blow on the real Belladonna. The secretive faunus could leap long distances and use her shadow clones to give her leverage. She was adept at escaping harm.
"I don't know who to cheer for!" Ruby burst. "Yang's my sister so of course I want her to win, and Blake's, well, Blake, and they're both my teammates! I want Blake to win and I want Yang to win," she fretted, weighing the opposing outcomes with gestures of each hand. "Do you think I could convince Goodwitch to call a tie?"
Weiss didn't answer. She considered the question rhetorical; unless one of their teammates forfeited, the match would continue until a victor was obvious. Professor Goodwitch taught without exception, and Ruby knew it, too.
In time, Ruby's rambling ceased. She rested her elbows on her thighs and tracked the movements of her sister, "If she doesn't increase her Semblance soon, Yang won't stand a chance."
So, she had been paying attention. Not only that, she had analyzed their teammates' fighting styles and come to the same conclusions as Weiss. Of course, Weiss would never admit that out loud. Still, she couldn't help but be impressed by the budding leader. Being a huntress wasn't about slicing first and asking questions later. Success could often be found in strategy, without expending too much energy. Perhaps little Red was finally starting to realize that. She certainly hoped so. Tactics to reserve Aura would be absolutely essential for longer, more lethal missions.
Weiss paused. There was no way Ruby could have erased her handwriting in that short a time. The notebook was visible beneath her partner's bosom. Curiosity getting the better of her, the heiress leaned back for a better look at the pages.
Just as she suspected, Ruby had given up. Perhaps Weiss would have apologized for the graffiti if Ruby actually used her notebook for notes. She squinted, and made out the addition of a "W" and a caret to the original markings. Instead of "NO, YOU DUNCE!" it read, "NOW, YOU DANCE!"
In spite of herself Weiss cracked a smile and stifled a laugh. What a dunderhead! What a child.
Either Blake was beginning to tire or Yang's Semblance was kicking in, or both. After spending more than a semester with the pair on team RWBY, Weiss was confident it was the latter. Charging at the faunus once more, Yang came closer to contacting the real Blake than she had the entire match. Blake crouched behind her latest deployment, panting. In a matter of seconds, she tightened her ribbon around Gambol Shroud's hilt and secured it to one of the solid shadow's wrists. Darting out and clutching her weapon with both hands, she leapt and was swung counter-clockwise. It was similar to Blake and Yang's Bumblebee maneuver, only this time Blake was the bee. As she circled back towards her starting position, the outstretched ribbon interrupted Yang's back-step and forced her to the ground. The faunus immediately cocked Gambol Shroud and fired a round at Yang.
Like a phoenix rising from ashes, Yellow burst into flame. The full-force activation of Yang's Semblance cast bullets back to Black. Now she was in for it! Within seconds the red-eyed blonde was back on her feet, and charging at the faunus with increased speed.
Freshman huntsmen- and huntresses-in-training were on the edge of their seats. All except for Ruby, of course, who leapt up onto her seat in excitement.
"Get down!" Weiss hissed, yanking on her partner's cape.
A massive explosion knocked the class off the stadium seating with a wave of intense heat. It singed the ends of students' hair and clothing. If it weren't for the professor's masterful manipulation of dust, she too would have been burned and bruised. A few light bulbs above the stage shattered, raining glass, and the backdrop was charred. A haze of smoke lingered in the air.
Weiss hurriedly pushed Ruby off her lap and dusted her skirt.
"Thanks," said Ruby quietly, still in shock from the explosion. Had she remained standing, her exposed skin could have been seriously burned.
"Dimwit," Weiss huffed, cheeks flush. More often than not, she felt the dynamic between Red and White akin to that of a child and babysitter. And one day that little girl was going to get them both killed by her insufferable enthusiasm. Weiss swore it.
She offered a stiff hand to her partner. Honestly, what would Ruby do without her?
With a gracious smile the team leader accepted. Once standing, she reciprocated by pressing the tip of a white strand of hair between pale fingertips. A small flame was snuffed out with a hiss. Appreciative though she was, Weiss batted the unwelcome hand away and began to fuss over her side ponytail.
When the smoke finally cleared, Blake and Yang were visible on opposite sides of the stage, a crater from the explosion between them. Much like the backdrop their clothing was charred and torn. Small cuts and light burns marred their skin. Sitting upright, the faunus adjusted her bow. Across from her the blonde remained spread-eagled. Smoke wafted from the golden mane whose fire had been snuffed out.
"Yang!" Ruby called, nervously.
With a leisurely thumbs-up and a grin, her sister proved to be okay.
Professor Goodwitch stepped onto the stage and strutted over to Blake. "As you can see," she addressed the class. "Huntsmen and huntresses may need to make sacrifices in battle. Ms. Belladonna was slowing down and she knew she was no match for Ms. Xiao Long's Semblance."
"That's a little harsh, don't you think?" Ruby muttered.
Weiss glared at her. This was the only lecture to be given all class, and she intended to hear it.
"So she took both herself and Ms. Xiao Long out with a fire bomb shadow instead," Goodwitch explained. "In a real fight, depending on the circumstances and location, this could ensure that her team, her allies, and any bystanders would be safe from her enemy."
Between Yang's flame and her teammates' speed, Weiss was unable to see what had caused the explosion; apparently, one last, unstable shadow detonated by the incredible force of the berserk blonde's fist. Nullifying the effects of Yang's Semblance was rather clever. Even so, Weiss had to disagree with the instructor. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em? Is that what the she was suggesting? How absurd. Under any other circumstance the explosion could very well have injured nearby allies or bystanders. After all, the resultant heat wave nearly burned Ruby.
Professor Goodwitch cleared her throat. "However, it is inadvisable to employ such detonative tactics in close quarters," she chastised, before adding, "especially, indoors." The huntress then proceeded to scribble something on her scroll. Weiss assumed she was noting the condition of the amphitheater to deduct points from both Blake and Yang's grades. Goodwitch was ever the harsh grader.
The status screen displayed Blake and Yang's depleted levels Aura. Nose out of her scroll, the professor declared, "Both students are unable to battle. This match is a draw.
To her apparent dismay, the students burst into applause. Yang basked in the praise. She strut around, pumping her first in the air, blowing kisses to the audience, and waving as if she were a celebrity. Blushing, the taciturn faunus folded her arms and diverted her gaze from the crowd.
Weiss clapped along with her peers, for even she had to admit it turned out to be an interesting duel.
"I knew it would be a tie!" Ruby exclaimed.
She leapt onto her seat once again, perhaps encouraged by Nora Valkyrie; the strong and spunky member of team JNPR was doing the same, in addition to shooting heart-stamped bullets from her war hammer above the class. It appeared her partner, Lie Ren, had given up trying to stop her. He sat beside her both defeated and disapproving, with one arm across his chest and the other propped up to hide his shaking head. Weiss wondered how he put up with her energetic spontaneity. Although she'd never admit it, White sometimes found Ren's partner more irksome than her own.
Ruby waved her arms back and forth. "Weiss, look!"
Without lifting her head Weiss fixed her gaze on the team leader. It made for a far more menacing glare.
"I'm finally taller than you!" Ruby boasted, looking down upon her partner. Regardless of the heels she wore, Weiss had an inch on Ruby. "Who's the child now?"
"You are!" Weiss screeched. One's height hardly determined their age. "That doesn't even make sense!"
Ruby continued to cheer for her teammates with increased enthusiasm, as if Weiss had played along and agreed to her nonsense. She bounced up and down with the biggest smile on her face, waving her arms and screaming for her team. The demonstration was careless, free and full of joy.
In other words, it was irritating and gnawed at Weiss' insides. Growing up, she would have been punished for such reckless and revolting behavior. Her authoritarian father only allowed professionalism and poise. It was to be expected from a man of his status with a company and reputation to uphold. He couldn't have his daughter running wild; regardless of Weiss' age, a childish heiress was unbecoming. Ruby could stand to learn a thing or two from the well-mannered Schnee. Who did she think she was gallivanting around like that?
When the professor called for the class's attention to no avail, a loud crack and flash of lightning did the trick. Storm clouds remained even after the conjured lightening disappeared. They hung over Goodwitch's head and mirrored her sour demeanor. The roar of the crowd wound down to a hum before fading to faint whispers.
She wasted no time speaking. "Be sure to read Chapter 12 on dust capabilities. We will be going over enhancements next class."
That would be an easy lesson for Weiss considering her family's line of work and the versatility of her rapier, Myrtenaster. Planning ahead as always, she thought about the upcoming days. Given the ease of Goodwitch's assignment, Weiss could prioritize her other courses for the moment, with more time for leisure. She quite liked the idea, and hoped to spend some down time with a certain blue-haired someone.
"But do not sit idly by this weekend," the professor instructed. She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "Spend some time sparring with your partner. We will be reviewing today's lesson next week." With that, the class was dismissed.
Weiss scrunched up her face in frustration. That meant more time with Ruby, and far less leisure time. She was suddenly envious of her Black and Yellow teammates, who had a head start on their homework because of their duel in class.
The professor took to fixing the amphitheater, waving her riding crop. The shattered glass of broken light bulbs fit into place as easily as a puzzle that was seamless when completed. The burns on the backdrop were swept up as if they were only ash on the surface. Finally, she pulled the dent out from center stage with a loud pop. Satisfied with her work, Goodwitch took her leave.
Blake and Yang were taking to the stands to gather their belongings. Ruby intercepted them halfway. "You were awesome!" she squealed, flinging her arms around her teammates.
"I know," Yang said, simply. She lifted both Blake and Ruby off the ground in a strong embrace.
Weiss grabbed her teammates' bags and jogged down the steps to meet them. Typically her butlers carried her belongings, as they had on her first day at the academy. It had always been beneath the Schnee to do so themselves. At Beacon, however, Weiss had to carry her own weight. So, she expected praise for taking it upon herself to bear Ruby, Yang and Blake's burdens, as well. Stooping to such a demeaning display of her own free will was not without ulterior motives; namely, the praise, earning the title "best teammate," and hastening team RWBY's leave.
Yang noticed the White heiress' descent and smiled at her, deviously. "Hey, Weiss," she greeted. "You want in?"
"No," she replied, stiffly and then after a pause added, "thanks." There she stood, team RWBY's belongings in hand. Without even the slightest mention of her selfless deed, Weiss no longer wished to carry them. She lifted her arms and allowed them to drop and tumble down a stair or two.
"Suit yourself."
Lacking the reserve to conjure a clone, Blake groaned and squirmed to break free of her robust partner's grasp. The hug had to be putting an undesirable amount of pressure on her fresh wounds. It wasn't until an emanation of golden light washed over the embracing teammates that the faunus gave up the fight. The light began to meld Black and Yellow's charred flesh and close cuts without leaving scars. Although Ruby was uninjured, she was not unaffected by the outpour of energy. The powerful, healing Aura increased her own, making her glow.
When the light began to wane Yang released her dangling teammates.
Blake reached for her bow and tightened it to ensure her feline features were hidden. Few students remained in the amphitheater, but Blake was cautious nonetheless. Satisfied with the adjustment to her accessory, she gave herself a once over; the school uniform was still torn and singed, but there were no longer blemishes on her skin beneath. A small smile graced the faunus' lips. She'd soon be licking her wounds in RWBY's dormitory if it hadn't been for the Yang's aid of shared Aura. Just to be sure she asked, "Was that you?"
Yang pressed a thumb to her chest. "Of course! It takes a lot of Aura to power a Semblance like mine." She slammed her fists together, brandishing Ember Celica. "And I recharge quick!"
"It certainly seems like it," Weiss interjected. She was standing a few steps above her team, subsequently the same height as Yang. "You were lying on the ground a minute ago from the explosion and you mean to tell us you're not tired at all?"
Yang slung her arm around Weiss' shoulder. "If I recall," she said, voice full of whimsy, "a little explosion never slowed you down, did it?"
"Hmph!" The heiress, who'd been tolerating the unwanted contact, shrugged off Yang with a violent jerk. The Yellow teammate was making a mockery of Ruby and Weiss' unfortunate introduction; Ruby had knocked over her luggage and triggered the dust shaken free from the bottle in Weiss' hand with a sneeze. The result was sparks, smoke, and an unsatisfactory first impression. Not to mention, a terrible first day at the Academy.
Weiss steamed with anger and Yang chuckled.
Ruby stared at her hands curiously as they continued to glow, missing the memo.
In time, she grasped her older sister's wrists and demanded, "Where have you been hiding all that Aura, Yang Xiao Long?" Much like the morning she called out the older huntress-in-training for suggesting the siblings be on separate teams, Ruby only used her sister's full name when she meant business. Her voice shook with purpose, as if the answer was absolutely vital to her training, education, and heroism.
Toying with little Red, Yang silently shook her wrists free.
Releasing an impatient grumble, Ruby leaned back and cupped her chin, inquisitively. She studied her older sister who had taken to removing a spent clip from her firearm, Ember Celica. Yang's gauntlets looked the same as always, as did the clip she was dispensing, which ruled out the possibility of dust enhancements. Arriving at her answer elsewhere, Ruby's eyes narrowed and her lips twisted into a mischievous smile.
"I bet it's in your boobs!"
Weiss slapped a hand to her forehead. Did Ruby ever think before speaking? Even if she hadn't learned about Aura at Signal Academy, she should have known that Aura was the manifestation of one's soul. Professors had touched upon the subject in various classes. Although Yang did have a surprisingly large bust, her Aura was not the reason why. Aura simply came from within the individual, breasts or no.
Blake, the brooding teammate, had been watching the team banter. A genuine, light-hearted laugh escaped her lips at Ruby's ridiculous assumption. It was uncharacteristic of her. Having been born into a world that shunned, mocked, and mistreated the faunus had crushed her youthfulness and optimism. She was hardened by ignorant hatred and aloof. It appeared, however, that if anyone could make her smile, make her laugh, and perhaps most importantly, give her hope, it was the quirky and unpredictable team RWBY. She placed a hand over her mouth to quiet herself, but her shoulders shook from muffled giggles.
Yang plumped up her bosom. "Sorry, honey, these are just for show."
As far as Ruby was concerned, that answer was unsatisfactory. If the energy had not come from her weapon, her ammo, or her breasts then there was only one other place.
"In your hair? I bet it's in your hair!"
Determined to find her sister's Aura reserve, Ruby resolved to do the unthinkable. She reached for Yang's precious, golden locks. Just before her fingers could tangle the blonde tresses, Ruby went limp. The overprotective owner of the mane in question had instinctively socked her in the stomach with firepower.
Shielding Ruby from serious injury, the extra Aura she had received wore off. "I just wanted," the team leader groaned weakly, slumping to the ground, "the Aura." She grasped at her sister's billowy back-skirt, no longer glowing.
"Oh, sorry, sis!" Yang apologized in earnest. Her eyes reverted from red to lilac at the realization that her prey had been Ruby. She sheathed Ember Celica and in doing so, came upon a single, stray lock of hair out of place among her bangs. Remembering why she punched Ruby in the first place, Yang retracted her previous statement. "And also not sorry, sis." She frowned, carefully plucking the misplaced strand and tossing it over her shoulder.
Weiss cleared her throat, foot tapping impatiently. "Now that that's over, Blake, aren't we supposed to be meeting someone?"
The faunus' eyes widened. "You're right."
After a particularly trying and tiring duel with her partner, Blake had all but forgotten their plans for the evening. RWBY had worn her down and convinced her to spend Friday night with the team doing something fun. She had no excuse not to participate in extracurricular activities; their safety was temporarily assured since they had thwarted Torchwick and the White Fang's recent threat.
Unfortunately for the faunus, RWBY's definition of "fun" excluded the library. So she opted for what she believed to be the next best thing, a movie in Vale with her friends.
She activated her scroll and checked the time. "It's four fifteen, we're going to be late!"
The punctual and proper heiress was ready and waiting; a Schnee was always on time if not fashionably early. Weiss was only willing to disgrace her family and be tardy with good reason. Today it was to maintain her image as a docile, desirable heiress. Team RWBY was vicariously acquainted to their friends through Blake. Therefore, it would have been far too forward of Weiss to send the invitation and set the schedule. She couldn't help but lament the loss of time, however; if she had made the plans she would have allotted an extra half hour for the team's inevitable chatter after class. She sighed and retrieved Black's book-bag, placing its straps in her teammate's hand. She scrunched up her face, struggling to withhold the nitpicking assertion that next time she would make the plans.
"Well," said Yang, helping Ruby to her feet, "it sounds like we'd better be on the next airship to Vale." Once she steadied her sister, Yang slung her backpack over one shoulder and bounded up the amphitheater's steps.
She gestured to her partner Blake, who followed suit.
"Oh, now you're in a hurry!" Weiss snapped, before trailing behind them. She had been waiting fifteen minutes for her team to finally take leave and was not about to let them do so without her.
A split second later White, Black, and Yellow were surpassed by Red's blur and rose petals. Ruby had activated her Semblance to scoop up her belongings and surpass the team. As she sprinted down the towering halls of Beacon Academy her voice lingered, echoing, "Thanks for getting my bag, Weiss! See you all at the station!"
The heiress huffed. Her face was contorted from a furrowed brow and an upturned lip. Few would realize that the stubborn Schnee's expression was one of untried complacency; someone had acknowledged Weiss' exorbitant labor at long last, even if that someone was her tiresome partner Ruby. It bolstered her confidence ever so slightly.
Perhaps Ruby had some manners, after all. Then again, a child of five could say "please" and "thank you" just the same. Was it really all that impressive?
Ruby was still a child, Weiss resolved, but a growing one at that.
The harsh clack of Black and White heels and soft thud of Yellow's boots created quite the cadence as the members of RWBY clambered after their Red leader. It was the sound of students eager to enjoy their Friday evening and it echoed through the tiled halls of the Academy.
Author's Note:
Thanks for reading!
I realize it's only one short chapter and therefore not much to go on, but comments and constructive criticism are welcome! If you're not sure what to say, allow me to offer some prompts:
How was the portrayal of the characters? Were the full name, brief description introductions strange? How do you feel about the occasional use of RWBY's respective colors in place of their names? What's one thing I did well? What's one thing I need to work on?
To answer some questions you may have:
-I chose to focus on Weiss' insistence that Ruby is a "child" because it's often ignored. Weiss brings it up so often in the show that I began to wonder, "Is it truly an insult? Is being childish a bad thing? What does it mean to be childish? What does it mean to be grown up? Is Weiss any less a child than Ruby?" etc. Let's see what sort of journey these musings will take us on!
-Although he is the bane of White Rose's existence Neptune will be involved in this story. However, you may rest assured that this fic is White Rose.
-I may hint at Bumblebee but I don't plan on that pairing being a focus (I'm certainly not opposed to it, I just don't think it has a place in this fic. At least, not right now.)
-As of right now, this takes place not long after the end of Season 2.
-The title "Strawberry Milk" references Ruby and Weiss' colors and the concept of growing up (because Ruby doesn't need people to help her do just that. She drinks milk!)
-It took about two weeks to complete this chapter of 5,000 words by writing a little bit everyday (to give you a guesstimate of how frequently I may update). Keep in mind I am in my last semester of grad school and will be job hunting soon, so I can't guarantee that updates will be consistent but I will try my best to post new chapters in a timely fashion.
Again, thanks for reading!
Now, do you have any questions for me?