Chapter 2: Cutting Deals Amidst the Fallout
I was standing in front of the elevator waiting for the doors to slide open. The two chicks that dragged me off their bitch of a friend still locked my arms to my back, as if I'd try something the second they let go. I swear I could hear them whispering, saying:
Weiss: "Can't this savage keep still? I'm afraid he'll only fight his way out."
Blake: "Yeah, but can you blame him? I mean, look at what Yang's done to him. And Velvet. She's still heartbroken from last week, and what happened earlier. I'm starting to think Yang may have took things a little too far."
'Well, at least SOMEone's on my side' I think to myself.
Weiss: "Too far?! If you ask me, this beast took it even further in comparison. I mean, brutally beating one of our teammates?"
Blake: *gives an offended glare*
Weiss: "Sorry, sorry. Force of habit. And I know, Yang WAS bullying him, but tat the cafeteria was not only insane, but completely unnecessary."
Blake: *gazing with a worried look*
Weiss: "Because if it's anyone's responsibility to keep her in check, it's ours. Yang Xiao Long is our teammate, which makes her flaws our burden to bear. Well, do you agree with me or not?"
Blake: "You're right. We should be the ones to handle Yang. And we should do things the right way; as Huntresses, it's our duty to keep the peace. But still, I kind of sympathize with this one. Bullying is a serious issue, and without the right help, people like him will end up lost, afraid. What happened to Yang is one of the results of prolonged bullying, and what it does to one's psyche."
Weiss: "I won't deny that. However, there ARE teachers and faculty that could have been of service. If he had just talked to someone—"
Blake: "He couldn't. That's a major disadvantage of being harassed. If he talked about it, there was a chance that no one would listen. And taking Yang into consideration, it was more likely that they wouldn't have been willing or able to help him. He knew this. And it made him feel trapped in his own nightmare."
Weiss: "So you're saying is that he was lashing out… because he felt powerless?"
Blake: "In a way. However, the reaction to this feeling varies from one person to another. His case was unbridled rage. However, this kind of feeling or mindset paved the way for people to develop negative habits, like drugs and dangerous stunts. But worst of all, some felt that this helplessness was too much for them to bear. It's the reason that some decided to… end it all."
Weiss: "I'm sorry. I did not know."
Blake: "It's fine. I'm not justifying this person's actions towards Yang, but I understand where he's coming from. I mean, take a look at me. Like Velvet, I'm a Faunus. Discrimination and prejudice is a given for people like me. I still feel the pain of being tormented. But there are times when one is in pain, and they don't know what it's like to feel another's suffering. You could say this is similar to feelings of loneliness. Some don't know it the same way."
Weiss: "I had no idea…"
Blake: "There's no way you could've known. And if you never have to know what he went through, that's something we could take solace in."
The doors to the elevator open wide, with Professor Goodwitch standing inside, waiting for us.
Prof. Goodwitch: "Are you three ready? The Headmaster is prepared to speak to him."
Blake: "We are."
Weiss: "Naturally."
Goodwitch just glared at me, already pegging me as a criminal, even a potential murderer. I looked up at her heavy gaze.
Russo: "Take me to him."
We arrived at the Headmaster's office a few minutes later. Professor Ozpin was seated in his chair, a mug filled with strong black brew. I approached the desk, my head still hanging low, my eyes looking down at my feet. He gave a stern look and just sighed as he laid back onto his chair.
Prof. Ozpin: "Help me clarify something, Mr. Russo. You, a leader of your own team, brutally assaulted the member of another in the cafeteria. Is this correct?"
Russo: "Yes."
Prof. Ozpin: "And you did so using this hammer *placing the hammer down on the desk*, which belonged to your father, Ladd, as you have mentioned. Is that correct?"
Russo: "Yes."
Ozpin looked as if he was being weighed down by the facts. He then gave a sigh as dense as lead.
Prof. Ozpin: "To be honest, I wanted to believe otherwise. Or at the very least, you would try to cover this up with some fabrication. Nevertheless, I've called someone in who could verify."
He took a look behind me.
Prof. Ozpin: "Miss Xiao Long. If you would be so kind."
Stepping out from behind me was the bitch herself. Her face was coated in bruises and bandages. Her left eye was still swollen shut, and some of the bruises still showed a little blood. Even now, just looking at her pisses me the fuck off. It even makes me wish I brought a screwdriver to gouge her eyes out with instead.
Yang: That's right. He attacked me right out of nowhere. I was enjoying lunch with my team, when all of a sudden, he threw me to the ground, and started screaming, punching and biting me. He said that my sister would be next…"
My anger started to build up again. Everything this whore was saying is complete and utter bullshit. I was about to lose my shit again and explode when…
Prof. Ozpin: *slams his mug onto the desk* ENOUGH!
Yang was completely rattled by this display of anger. Hardly anyone's seen Ozpin like this before. But when they did, total terror was resonated through your entire body.
Prof. Ozpin: Did you even ask yourself why this young man attacked you, Miss Xiao Long?
Yang: "I, uhh…"
Prof. Ozpin: "According to several witnesses, you have been harassing this boy nonstop, subjecting him to harmful pranks and sexual harassment. Although YOU might have seen it as funny, your victim did not. Adding his previous incidents at Compass, do you now see what led to this?"
Yang could only stutter with an expression of dread on her face. It may have calmed me down a little, but my rage was still at a high point.
Prof. Ozpin: "However, *looking back at me* this does not mean you're in the right, Mr. Russo. While I understand your frustration, you could have allowed a member of the faculty handle this matter, or Miss Xiao Long's team for that matter. However, since you've decided to take her 'judgement' onto yourself, you only have yourself to hold accountable."
I felt tears welling up, ready to stream down my cheeks. I was so blind with anger that I forgot to just consult someone. I have never felt so ashamed.
Prof. Ozpin: "Normally, I would have the both of you suspended from classes and school events for the rest of the year, however…"
The two of us were caught off guard for a second.
Prof. Ozpin: "I think there is an alternate approach to this matter."
Russo & Yang: "What do you mean?"
Prof. Ozpin: "I mean this: I will forget this ever happened at all, assuming you two remain on your best behavior."
Prof. Goodwitch: "Professor Ozpin, you can't be serious!"
Prof. Ozpin: "Worry not, Glynda. I will still issue to them Saturday detention for the remainder of the year and notify their parents about the incident. However, should they go at least three months without so much as a shouting match, I'll lift their punishment. They can still take classes with their respective teams and attend events, except the Vytal Tournament, of course."
Hearing him say that, my tears welled even more. I already feel two rivers sliding down to my chin. Yang was just bouncing up and down like she got a new car or puppy, immature slut.
Prof. Ozpin: "However, there IS one condition. If the two of you are going to last these next three months, you'll need to start cooperating with one another. Only with trust may the two of you overcome this ordeal."
Russo: "What does that mean, anyway?"
Prof. Ozpin: "For the next three months, when you two take on missions, you are forbidden from doing so with your own teams. Instead, the two of you must choose and complete missions together. In other words, you two will only be allowed to bring each other for missions."
Everyone in the room: "WHAT?!"
Uh oh. Ozpin's pulled another fast one on us all. Let me be frank with you all: bullying and suicide are just two things I just take seriously. Neither one is a laughing matter, and there will always be people who suffer from these kinds of things. If I offend anyone who has been bullied at some point in their lives, I apologize. I may not know what that's like, but I urge you to look at this as a ray of hope. Use this as a guide: if you ever feel like there's nothing you can do, don't lose hope. Talk to a friend, a teacher, even your family if something like this happens to you. Even the tiniest spark could make a difference.
As to the people that only wanted an update, here it is. I was lazy for the longest time, and I feel like I've put all of you off long enough. Be sure to keep following my every move, and let me see you grit your teeth in the reviews. Kamina out.
