"Actions are visible, motives are secret."
You're in trouble. Yang's fierce red eyes make that plenty clear.
Thrust back into the wall behind you, her grip on your shoulders make it clear you're not going anywhere. You're forced to look at her. Any deviation of your eyes and her grip gets harder, eliciting a hiss from your lips. You've hidden something from her (from all of them). It was something dangerous. Something that put you in danger. She's found out, and now she wants answers.
The others are there too. Ruby is right behind her sister, her own gaze more compassionate, but just as strong. She's desperately urging you to answer her sister. A closed fist held over her chest. Her face is twisted in sadness. Silently she's asking 'why? Why didn't you tell us?' God... If there was anyone you didn't want to hurt...
Blake you can't even look at. If this would affect anyone the most, it would be her. She's always had an inkling what it was you were doing. She didn't ask too much. But now it was all in the open. She knew what'd you'd seen, and what you'd done about it. Her eyes trembled as she struggled between anger at you (Or herself?) for your actions (or for her in action?), regret for what you'd done, and... Gratitude for your doing it. You'd done what needed to be... No matter how ugly it was. And just... Sorry for what you'd seen that had driven you to do it. Her face said it: Why didn't you come talk to her first?
You don't need to see Weiss to know she's fuming. Your solo act has never stood well with her. 'Disregarding the advantages of a team' was a constant rant you heard. You'll hear no end to it now. 'Reckless,' 'Bravado,' 'Irresponsible,' were words you were used to by now. The two of you never had the best relationship, but she had been showing she cared.
It's only the four of them in the room for now, but,your sure JNPR has heard of it too. You'll be answering to them soon enough as well.
It does hurt, that you're honest about. They had become family to you. You felt comfortable, safe with them. And your... 'Unique Position' that is, without a partner or team, had made them somewhat protective of you, nervous about what it is you did alone. So they made the effort: sat with you in cafeteria, included you in the study groups and outings on the town, made you a part of their own.
But even families fight. You just hope this wouldn't break yours.
An impassioned flame makes clear: I love you... but you screwed up big time.
A young rose urges you: tell us everything... please?
A gentle warrior that seeks redemption laments: you should've come to us... to me.
And of course, 'Snowflake' is chomping at the bit to punish you for your 'idiocy.'
They all want an answer:
What have you been doing?
At the beginning:
"What he's doing is... unique." General Ironwood explained.
The man sitting on the opposite side of the table took sip of coffee before responding. "That's one way of putting it."
Both look at you, almost expectantly, but you say nothing in response. You didn't hear a question, so nothing warrants an answer. The man with a coffee cup peers at you thoughtfully from behind his glasses.
"Ozpin," the general begins again, seeing as you won't be saying anything. "It's always been you who said the only way to face the changing world is to have a changing mind. We must adapt."
The general is smiling now. "Trust me: if he's good at anything." He gestures to you. "It's adapting to new situations."
He's praising you, and you smile, knowing you've earned it. But you keep your eye on the man with glasses across the table.
"Sorry for the wait," a new voice chimes in. The young waitress sets her Wobbling tray on the table with a small 'whew' of relief. She's new here, you deduce. "One coffee, aaaand one tea?"
The tea's for you, the coffee for the general.
"Um..." The girl starts, looking at Ozpin. "Are you sure you don't want anything from our store sir? We have coffee too..."
"That's quite alright," the man politely replies, taking a sip from his own mug. "I'm just fine."
The girl frowns. Bringing in outside drinks wasn't really allowed...
You eye the man across the table with a raised eyebrow. He had shown up to the coffee shop with that cup in hand, sipping as he walked into the store and to their table.
Who walks around in public with a coffee cup? Not a thermos, not a to-go cup, a coffee cup, ceramic, handles and all.
It makes you very suspicious.
"So nice to meet another tea drinker!" The girl happily chirps, snapping you from your thoughts. "I really like Rooibos too!"
You respond by giving her a smile. That smile.
Her smile drops and her face goes bright red with eyes expanding just a tad.
"W-well... Just let me know if you need anything else!" She squeaks quickly before leaving with a bit more of a skip in her step.
Before you take a drink, you glance over to see both older men staring at you with bemused looks at their faces.
"He is... popular," the general quips. Ozpin responds with a wry grin.
You roll your eyes and take another sip.
"A hybrid hunter-spy." Ozpin's words command both of your attentions, drawing yours and the general's gazes back to him. "That is what we are talking about here, correct James?"
The general's shoulders square off to the man. "Precisely."
Ozpin looks at you again. His eyes hold a sad glint in them. Your eyes narrow in response. What's his problem?
"He's so young James..."
Oh.
Ironwood sighs. "If it's any consolation, this wasn't my idea."
You almost cough as you look at Ironwood with alarm. He said he would cooperate! Even if it wasn't his idea!
"Oh? Then who's was it?" Ozpin asks.
The general looks away uncomfortably. "Somebody who outranks me."
The other man's eyes narrow at you. Your teeth clench. This wasn't supposed to happen. Ironwood was supposed to be supporting you all the way. He'd made clear his objections when he was approached about this project, but in the end, he said he would follow orders.
You will be telling your superiors about this. Ironwood won't get a free pass, depending on how this goes.
"Young man," Ozpin asserts firmly as he puts his coffee cup down. Your brain starts feeling pressure as you feel a confrontation coming. "For what reason are you coming to my academy? Your entrance scores were impressive enough. You could have entered on your own. But your admittance was submitted by the government of Vale itself. And our introduction was done through a man I have considered a personal friend for years."
He pauses and takes another sip of his coffee. "A lot of powerful people seem quite keen on you entering Beacon Academy."
His eyes narrow. "But what I can't understand is why…"
For once he puts the coffee cup down, before looking you straight in the eye. "You have no semblance. You do not carry any sort of special weapon... at least none that I have learned of." He glances towards the general.
"And... you won't be joining a team." The man had just bullet-pointed the highlights of the letter from Vale's city council regarding your admission to Beacon.
"Son, I of course will be admitting you to my school. It would be considered rude to refuse a request from the people who fund three quarters of its budget."
His eyes narrowed once more. "But I would like to hear from you: regardless of their intentions by seeking your enrollment; why are you coming here?"
You consider carefully before answering. You explain what you are: a student. The student is one who learns. You want to learn from the best. The Grimm were a threat to everyone. He wanted to learn how to fight against them."
"But you are not fighting them as a hunter," Ozpin debated. "You are coming for some classes, but you also will be at the call of Vale's council. Whenever they need you, you will be excused from any classes or functions you miss."
"Also," his folded lay down on the table. "You are taking certain other classes at military academy in this city as well."
Neither of you speak. Ironwood does.
"He will be attending leadership training seminars as well as history classes," the general explains.
"As well as certain seminars I am sure," Ozpin states. "Seminars that only a few are privileged to attend.
Neither you or Ironwood confirm or deny his claims.
"Everyone come to school to learn," Ozpin's attention is back on you. "But why do you want to learn? You are obviously not a typical hunter. So what are you?"
You answer with tact: There is more than one way to fight the evil of this world. As he had said himself: the world os changing, and our minds have to be adaptable. This is you being adaptable: Learn and study the ways of the evil the school taught how to fight: the Grimm. As for what you're doing with it? You're using as it was meant to be. You were doing what any other student at his school was: trying to make the world safer, better.
The man is quiet and respectful as he listened to you talk. From his face you can tell he knows you are holding back. But as far as you intentions, he can tell yours were honorable. Even if you're hiding them.
When you're finished, he nods. And then he smiles.
"Very well young man." He holds out a hand to you. "Welcome to Beacon Academy."
The sound of vomiting makes your eye twitch.
Glancing behind you, you see a blond kid doubled over, retching out whatever it was he had for breakfast. Poor guy.
His nerves were probably a tad rattled. Combine that with any kind of air discomfort, and the result was a mixture not good for a full stomach. You move away to avoid any smell.
Stepping off the aircraft, you sight is briefly whited out by the sun before focusing into view. Beacon stands before you, towering with a majesty. Huge alabaster towers stand powerful, but welcoming to those that seek the knowledge they hold.
A perfect sky with only a couple of puffy white clouds, bright-colored, lush, and well-trimmed wildlife about, and the positive vibes from those around Beacon's grounds put you in a good mood.
Despite Ironwoods objections, (along with many others in the government), the plan you and your employers put together is moving forward. Your time here at Beacon will definitely be productive. You will be ready of the threat you know is coming.
It had bothered you for awhile. The secrets you have uncovered made many sweat.
The Grimm...
There was more to it than what met the eye. For so long, it had seemed so black and white. They were the enemy of all. They attacked humans, Faunus; they didn't discriminate.
A common enemy should have united you all. But others had designed of their own...
It was these plans you had uncovered. When you did, it been brought to the highest powers of the kingdom. Action was a necessity. It's secrecy was as well. You had been the one to uncover this plot, so it made sense that you should stop it.
It felt good: yes, the threat alarmed everyone, but now you were doing something about it.
Your eyes wondered over the vary students who were loitering or making their ways toward Beacon's reception.
All of them were planning to fight the Grimm. They dreamed to be humanity's protectors.
Your mission was to protect them from the forces behind the Grimm.
The secrets you uncovered. If it ever became public knowledge...
The tranquil atmosphere of the day is rocked by an explosion that almost knocks you off your feet. Jerking your head in the direction of its origin, you take off in a dash, not having a clue what to assume. Who would attack a hunter academy? Not the White Fang, they wouldn't want to injure other Faunus. Not them, for the same reason, except they would not risk humans.
So who...
"WHAT DO YOU THNK YOU'RE DOING?!"
Was that?
You find the source: not a terrorist attack, but rather two girls.
A black blast patter in the floor encircles the two of them, giving away their identities as the cause. One is dressed in a red cape and is sitting on the ground, her eyes swirling. The other one, prim and proper in a white dress, is standing up, hands on her hips, and very angry looking.
The girl with red cape and dark, short hair, is rolling her head with her swirling eyes.
"I don't know what I'm doing..." She mumbles pathetically.
'Clearly,' you agree.
She shakes her head wildly to focus her senses. When her eyes return to normal, her face turns a mixture of scare and apologetic to the huffy, peeved girl standing over her. As the girl in white yammers on with her scolding, your eyes narrow as you examine her. Her hair done up on one side with what looked like a crown. Her white dress, white boots, white... everything...
She looks like a-
"I said I was sorry princess!" The red-clad girl pouted.
You were going to go with 'Snowflake.'
You foot knocks against something glass on the ground. Looking down, a small vial of red dust rests at your feet. Picking it up, you look back over to see Snowflake frantically grabbing similar tubes and packing them back in the suitcases that the red-hood had knocked over.
"Don't you know how dangerous these are?!" The white-clad girl continued to berate. Her voice is really wearing on your nerves.
You call out to the girl with a "Hey." Both girls turn their heads to you.
"Missed one." You inform her. Then you toss it under headed in her direction.
"WHAAAHHH!" Snowflake screeches, frantically reaching both hands out to catch it. The vial dances a few times in her grip before her fingers close around with a relieved sigh.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" She screeches. You simply grin in response.
"ARGH!" Her frustration reaches a boiling point. Jamming the last goal back into her suitcase, she storms off with her luggage in tow (the number of bags you counted was ten), mumbling about "reckless idiots," leaving you and the red-hooded girl behind.
Said girl sighs and falls back on her back looking up to the sky. You follow her gaze, looking up. There's nothing but the bright blue sky and puffy blue clouds.
She looks depressed. You offer he hand up.
She smiles and takes it. "Thanks for that," she says with a sheepish smile. You shrug. No problem.
She offers her name. "I'm Ruby."
It's not the last time you meet "Ruby."
During Ozpin's welcoming speech you watched from a distance from the cover of other students. Ruby and Snowflake were talking again. Well, Snowflake was talking. Ruby had jumped into the arms of a blond girl who was very... 'mature' was the word you'd use. They don't see you.
Your eyes shift back and forth between Ozpin and the girls. Until you hear Ozpin's voice pitch at a particular point.
"All I see is wasted energy," Ozpin specifically looked your way at this remark. Your eyes narrow at him. He doesn't respond. As he steps of the stage, the blond woman, Goodwitch, welcomes everyone once more and directs where to rest for the night.
Turning back, you see the girls are gone.
The rest of the day is rather uneventful, at least until the sun had gone down.
You've dressed down to blue sweatpants and black training t-shirt. Living down on you sleep bag with your rugs act as a pillow, you're mindlessly flipping around on your scroll, occasionally looking up to people-watch.
One you recognize: the kid from the ship who had thrown up. You smile; he's looking much better now, happily walking around the room in...
You sit up straighter, peering closer to make sure you weren't crazy.
Is that... A onesie?
Yes. He is wearing a onesie. At his age.
You chuckle. Future hunter... In a onesie.
You lay down, staring at the ceiling as your head runs through the day's events.
Air sick guy in a onesie, prissy little 'Snowflake' with her dust and an amount of luggage more for a socialite or a movie star, and clumsy red-hood ("Ruby," you almost forgot)...
The future hunters and huntresses. It was easy for most to forget they were just people. Skilled people, but people none-the-less.
Absent mindedly, by habit, you open the VNN app, examining various news articles that do little to hold your attention.
"Schnee Dust Company announces new product." Boring.
"Atlus military to beginning joint Anti-Grimm training exercises with Vale." You knew that already.
"White Fang leader found dead in Menagerie."
You blink. Once. Your tongue runs along you teeth roughly. You knew you'd see it in the news eventually.
In a bit of paranoia, you look up, checking to make sure no one can read minds.
"HELL~LLOOO~" a sing-voice nearly makes you jump.
Your head jerks in panic to face the source, you mind frantically reciting your alibi and a certain phone number to call in case of certain emergencies.
The source of the voice turns out to be blond and... mature.
The young woman, the same one you had seen Ruby jump into the arms of, has a big smile on her face as she approaches. Behind her is Ruby being dragged by her red hood. Her choked pleas of "wait!" and "stop it!" went unheeded.
You raise an eyebrow at the odd pair. A slight smile accompanies it.
"I believe you two may know each other." The girl says it as a statement rather than a question.
Still seated, looking up at the newcomers, you crane your head to get a better look at the smaller girl shyly hiding behind the blond.
'Like a shy puppy,' you ponder.
You smile and say hello again to Ruby.
"Sncetoseeygin..." She mumbles while staring at the ground, kicking it half-heartedly.
The blond turns around with a worried look. "What're you doing?!" She whispers.
"I don't know! Help me!" Ruby frantically whispers back.
You bite your tongue to hold down the snicker coming up your throat.
The blond turns back to look down at you. *Ahem* "Nice to meet you!" Her cheery demeanor returned immediately. "I'm Yang, Ruby's older sister!"
Your eyes widen. Sisters?
You look from the older to the younger, Yang to Ruby, a few times. You saw no resemblance at all.
Hair, eyes, ...*ahem* built. Nothing.
"And this," Yang slides to the side, both hands gesturing to her sister like she's introducing a superstar. "is my adorable little sister: Ruby!"
The smaller girl's hands instantly cover herself, her knees coming together, and her eyes bulge. "Y-YANG!"
You really have to strain not to laugh. It's pretty clear what's going on:
Poor Ruby's trying to be outgoing, get out of her shell, albeit with a little help from her older sister who's obviously more of such a person. You don't want to mess it up for her.
You force your smirk into a nice smile and offer up your name along with your name, which Yang probably already has from her sister. She still smiles and takes your hand.
You try to ask where their from, but Yang rambles on, apparently too caught up in trying to make conversation with seeing you trying yourself.
"I like your shirt!" she quickly says. You look down at the very plain shirt you're wearing. Aside from being comfortable, there's nothing remarkable about it. At all.
"It goes well with... your pants," she finishes with a crooked smile.
That's it. You can't take anymore.
You grab your stomach as you laugh, finally. These two make quite an act together.
You thank her for the compliment as you wipe a tear away.
"See?" She turns back to Ruby with a smile. "He's nice! Not scary at all!"
You smile to validate her praise. So, where were they fr-?
"So, I got this!" Ruby quickly announced, trying to jump into the conversation.
From behind her back, she produced a hunk of red steel that noisily folds out into-
Woah! You jump back on your hands, quickly scooting away with your feet. Was...was that a scythe?!
The girl has a big grin on her face. "Uh-huh!"
It turns out that Ruby, once she's comfortable with you likes to talk. A lot.
The three of you spend the night seated around your sleeping bag, talking randomly, getting comfortable,with each other. Well, they talk. You mostly listen.
You haven't followed half of what Ruby has said, her affinity for weaponry is clear. You enjoy it all the same. The three of you kill a good hour before the final call for lights sounds over the P.A. System. All around you, soon-to-be students start making mad dashes for their sleeping bags.
"So!" Yang stands up first, bending at the waist, in the process giving you just a peak at her cleavage courtesy of her low-cut tank top.
You turn away with a bright red face. No way that was unintentional.
"See you tomorrow?" A hand on her hip and a smirk with something gleaming in her eye tells you it wasn't.
Forcing down your blush, you smile and confirm. You look to the younger sister. Bye for now, Ruby.
She smiles, clearly a lot more comfortable with you. She skips off to join her sister.
"You didn't use the move I just showed you!" You hear Yang teasingly chastising her sister.
"SIS!" Ruby hissed, clearly mortified.
You had a feeling what that "move" was, remembering with a flushed face at her tease before they left.
Left alone once more, you turn to lay on your side with one arm propping you up. The other holds your scroll. Your eyes glance over the VNN articles, but your mind has gone back to the last topic you and the sisters discussed.
Why did they want to be a Huntresses?
Yang's confident smirk told you the answer before she even said it.
"Adventure!" She'd said. "No two days are the same, your travel the world, kicking butt, and if,your helping out people along the way, all the better!"
Her big grin infects you, making you return one of your own. You could get behind that sentiment easily.
Ruby's turn. Looking to the younger of the two, her smile is more innocent than her sister's.
Her answer to your question is so... fitting: she wants to be like the heroes and heroines of her books. (That she probably still reads, you imagine). She wants to help those in need, build the better world she dreams of.
Honestly... You can get behind that too.
Your mind abandons the recalled conversation, looking back down at the scroll in your hand, the VNN app still open.
Yes... Your think to yourself, your eyes narrowing at the last article still open.:
"White Fang leader found dead in Menagerie."
For a better world...
- Dispatch 01: Ulterior Motive -