For many the kingdom of Atlas represented safety. A strict, regimented safety that often came at the expense of others… but safety nonetheless. From the perspective of one familiar with the more intimate workings of the country, however, Atlas appeared to be more of a temperamental explosive than anything else- due in no small part by the presence of the Pawns of the Red Queen. Thefts, kidnappings, assassinations- every time they struck it seemed like Ironwood was ready to launch a full-scale assault against an enemy they had yet to even find.
None of this was on Winter Schnee's mind at the moment- she had other things to worry about, after all. Like not getting killed during initiation.
Atlas Academy- one of the crowning achievements of the militant country that shared the same name. Here future Hunters and Huntresses would come to learn the skills needed to stand against the grimm- in this regard, it was no different from any other Hunter Academy. However, unlike every other school currently in operation, Atlas Academy gave its students partial military and security training and for all graduates a minimum of four years served within the ranks of the Atlesian Army was mandatory.
Winter already was aware of all of this, of course. Her father head drilled the information into her head more than a hundred times, she was sure.
Not that it would be enough to prepare her for just how militant the place was. Nothing said 'strict' like being escorted by a group of armed guards into what would essentially become one's home for the next four years. Though, from the muffled sounds of uneasy coming from the other students around her, it appeared she wasn't the only one with that sentiment.
"Nervous?"
It took Winter a moment to realize that the question had been directed at her. Cocking her head to the side slightly, she locked eyes with a boy that appeared to be around her age, perhaps a little younger if his build was anything to go by. Brown hair, gray eyes- traits that were common enough in Atlas, she supposed.
"A bit." She admitted, nodding ever-so-slightly before redirecting her gaze forwards once more. She wasn't sure if their escorts would take kindly to too much chatter, and tried to keep her voice low. "You?" Winter asked in reply, watching the boy from her peripheral vision.
"Feels like I'm going to throw up." The statement was made without much emotion behind it- but the grimace on his face was more than enough to tell that he meant it.
"Please don't." Winter couldn't help but put up a grimace of her own at the thought of the boy getting puke on her.
"It was a-"
Any further conversation was cut off as the guards- which Winter now recognized as low-ranking members of the Atlesian Army- stomped to a halt in front of a large metallic door. They stood ram-rod straight, eyes forwards and guns held diagonally across their chests- silence permeating the air around them as they did so. The murmurs from the students were beginning to pick up again when the door opened- the sound of gears turning echoing out across the snow-covered courtyard. They had walked from the bullhead to the front door, and already most of the students had been cowed. She had to admit, Atlas certainly didn't waste time.
Once the door was fully open they were all corralled into the building, hallway after hallway passing them by as they were all led to their destination- a large, gray-white rotunda where a single man stood waiting for them. Winter swallowed hard. Even from the distance at which they stood she could plainly make out General- no- Headmaster Ironwood's robotic limb.
They stood there, at the edge of the rotunda- unorganized and fidgety, a far cry from the line of soldiers that were currently standing at attention behind them. Ironwood clasped his hand behind his back, his gaze washing over them. It made Winter seem so very small, a feeling she was intimately aware with given her father's-
The snow haired girl shook her head minutely, banishing the thoughts. Now was not the time.
"I have always felt that actions speak far louder than words," The General's voice cut through the air with all the authority of a sharpened blade. "That striking first is preferable to simply waiting for the inevitable…" Ironwood paused for a moment, his gaze boring into the gathered youths. "As Hunters, we are the first and only defense that the world has against the grimm, and as soldiers, we serve to defend against a far more terrible foe." A small frown etched its way onto his face as he continued. "Each other." He closed his eyes, and Winter felt a palpable sense of relief as he did so. "…With that said, I hope you come to view this academy as home, and that each of you will leave here stronger and more prepared to face the dangers of this world…" The man turned and began to walk away- the pneumatic door on the opposite side of the rotunda opening with a soft hiss. "Regardless of what form they take."
And then he was gone. Silence reigned once more- though it was for but a brief moment as one of the soldiers spoke. "You will be sleeping in the Atrium tonight, should you survive tomorrow's initiation you will be given proper quarters. I suggest you sleep while you still can."
And then they were gone too- the sound of their marching fading away in the distance as the door behind them closed once more. A long, agonizing minute passed before anyone started talking again- the students splitting into their own little groups as their voices returned to them.
"Good to know I wasn't nervous for nothing." The voice sounded defeated- though only in the most casual kind of way.
Ah. She recognized that voice.
"Well, at least you didn't puke." She managed to squeeze a little sympathy into her words, but for the most part she was amused.
"Don't tempt me Snowflake." His retort carried an air of seriousness to it that made Winter want to shiver at the implications. She liked this dress, damnit! Her mind changed gears, however, at the bequeathed nick-name.
"Snowflake?" Her voice was questioning, one of her eyebrows instinctively arched.
"Well I can't just call you 'girl'- and with your white hair it was the first thing to come to mind." He actually had the gall to smirk at her- placing his hands in his pockets as he did so.
Winter rolled her eyes. "My name is Winter." She made sure not to make any mention of her family name- that was something she was trying to distance herself from, after all.
"Calico." The boy- Calico- answered in turn, extending a hand towards her with a look on his face that was somewhere between a lopsided smile and a grimace. Not that she had asked what his name was, but at least the boy had manners.
They shook hands. The eldest Schnee refused to acknowledge the traitorous part of her brain that noted- with some degree of delight- that his hand was smooth and warm.
Stupid hormones…
When the lights finally went out in the rotunda many of its occupants were already sound asleep, and those that were not were on their way to join them.
Winter dreamed of snow, blood, and disappointment.
