Wow, this is the shortest thing I've posted in a while.

So, I was struggling to figure out how this fic would fit into my update schedule—since the first chapter turned out pretty long and it was supposed to be shorter… and I've already got two longer update fics. Then I had an idea. Rather than each chapter being an "episode." I'll break the chapters into arcs and each "episode" will be 3 or 4 chapters. These chapters will be significantly shorter than my other work—and the last chapter of this fic as well. Probably in the 2000-3500 word range.

That'll keep the writing manageable and allow me to update regularly. Probably every Sunday—making this my only weekly fic.

That means I've got three out of four of my fic's figured out. We'll have to see about that fourth one.

Especially since my friend keeps trying to convince me to write an adventure AU (RPG/fantasy/quest sort of thing set in an entirely different world.) I told him I'd think about it. And I made the mistake of actually doing that, so now I have a story I want to write. But I don't think I can update more than four stories regularly. Raaaaaaaaaggggghhhhhhh.

I guess I could put The Port Chronicles on the back burner. Not many people have read the first chapter so it shouldn't be a big deal.

Guess we'll see.

As per the reg—No Beta so please don't hold that against me.

Without further ado…

Community

"Grimm" Studies Part I

"Ah. Now this is what Beacon is all about, allowing the young to learn from the mistakes of the old. Is there anything more...natural or...fulfilling? Anyway, that's why you should never use a massage chair for anything more than your basic massage. I really hope you all learn from my tragic mistake. I promise you. It may never look the same again. I really don't think mine, is ever going to get its shape back. I'll repeat it once more for emphasis. I should never have stuck my—oh, hello Glynda. I thought you were sick. Oh you are? Then why are you he—wait! Ple—"

The P.A. went silent.

That story…

That story was…

Blake watched Yang release her tight grip on Ruby's ears.

Blake had never wanted her own big sister more than at that very moment.

She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, trying to purge herself of…

That.

When she opened her eyes, Blake resumed her bored observation.

Pyrrha sat to her immediate right. Then there was Nora and Ren. The boy was crushed to his friend's side. At the end of the table was Peter Port—whose reasons for attending their study group Blake could, still, hardly believe. On the other end of the table, starting from the corner adjacent to the professor, sat Yang and then Ruby, and, finally, Weiss.

Blake drummed her fingers against wood, glancing around the table.

She was annoyed. Very much so.

There were two sources for her annoyance—and she wasn't sure which was stronger.

First was Jaune. Namely, he wasn't here.

Now, under ninety-nine percent of circumstances Blake would have counted the absence of that smarmy douchebag a win.

Unfortunately, these study sessions were in the one percent.

Why the study group couldn't begin without him she could not fathom. But, considering this was their fourth meeting—and he'd been late for all of them and the rest of the group refused to start without him—Blake had begun to accept the table's adulation for their pseudo group leader.

And thus, she'd been sitting in silence for nearly thirty minutes.

Of course, Jaune's absence was only one half of the equation.

There was also Weiss Schnee's presence.

Even now, Blake could hardly believe it. The enemy of faunus, equality, and all that was good on Remnant…

Was seated five feet away from her.

What was a Schnee even doing at Beacon? Shouldn't she have been at some private school, learning how to better abuse the labor class? Minimum wage and safety standards wouldn't lower themselves!

Blake increased the pace of her finger-drumming.

What was it she hated most about the heiress?

Who could say? There was so much to hate.

There was her arrogance—although it wasn't that unbearable. Her icy demeanor—although it seemed to be a bit of a façade. There was also the way her voice screeched—although it was honestly pretty funny. But who could forget her irritating bluntness—although it was a far cry from the disgusting duplicitousness Blake expected.

There was also her…

Her…straight posture…?

And…

Her…

Her… long hair?

No.

None of those things seemed right.

And the answer wasn't the "faunus in the mines" either. At least not right now. No, the reason for Blakes abhorrence right now was…

Blake wanted to fight her

Not physically—the girl looked too small and fragile for a real fight, as if her porcelain skin might shatter under even a light blow. No, Blake wasn't looking for a violent confrontation. And that had nothing to do with her being hesitant to hurt the shrill huntress.

She just preferred to yell at her. Just as she had on day one. Only, this time, she wouldn't let Jaune get in the way. She wanted to leave this girl crying in the corner, realizing she, and the rest of her family, were scum.

Would she maintain her perfect posture as she wept openly? Blake imagined the girl on her knees broken. Blake would let her cry alone for a while, just to make sure she really felt the weight of her sin. Then she'd guide the girl into the light. She'd take those cold cheeks in her hands and force her to look at her. She'd become the single light in the tunnel of her despair. Her only shred of hope.

She'd do to her exactly what the Schnees had done to faunus everywhere.

She'd make her an animal—only, rather than a beast of burden, she'd allow Weiss to be a pet. A creature completely dependent on her for survival.

What would it feel like to collar that slender neck?

Blake blinked.

Okay, she, might have been indulging in a little too much…pleasure reading recently. She'd only meant to imagine yelling at the girl.

The point was, Blake wanted to go at it with the…Schnee. The title alone was deserving of every ounce of hatred Blake could muster.

And from there, sprang Blake's second source of annoyance.

She glared at the girl every opportunity she had…

She dropped less and less subtle hints about her support for faunus rights during their sessions...

She would even occasionally launch a snarky attack against the SDC…

So why…

Why did Weiss just keep talking to Ruby? Why the hell would a Schnee rather help a boundless ball of energy trapped in a young girl's body over proclaiming the greatness of Schnees?

"Oh, I get it now!"

Ruby's exclamation drew Blake from the mire of her thoughts.

The enthusiastic girl and the heiress had been whispering over a textbook for a few minutes now.

"You have to solve this first." Ruby motioned towards something in their book.

"Precisely," said Weiss. Her lips quirked up in the smallest hint of a smile. "Looks like you aren't such a dolt when you try."

"Don't call my sister a dolt," said Yang without the slightest force—more out of habit than anything else. The blond had taken offense to Weiss's less than flattering nicknames for her sister on the first day. But had since become less and less interested in getting involved—especially since Ruby would just giggle and grin.

At the moment, her chin rested on her forearm, her entire body limp. She was clearly bored out of her mind.

The way Weiss rolled her eyes and replied, "a dolt's a dolt" just grated on Blake's fraying nerves even further. She leaned back, peering around Pyrrha, trying to catch a glimpse of Ren.

Ren. Now there was a person she could talk to. She could already tell, he was the kind of person who wouldn't give less of a crap that she was a faunus.

The only eye she caught was Nora's. The ginger didn't look friendly.

Was she Ren's girlfriend or guardian? It was a question Blake wasn't sure it would be smart to force.

Blake glanced at the empty chair to her right.

Where the hell was Jaune?

They'd had four sessions since their first explosive meeting. Four sessions—and Jaune had been late for. Every. Single. One. Of. Them.

It was infuriating.

Why was she even still coming to these things?

Was it what Jaune had said? On day one? "This is a study group. If you have no intention of studying then just leave. But know this. Whoever leaves first, pretty much… lost." That couldn't be the reason she was still here, could it? Was she that easy? Was she that stupidly stubborn and competitive.

Blake imagined the group the day she didn't show up. She imagined Weiss saying something sarcastic—perhaps about how the air tastes cleaner.

Damn it!

Why did that make her so angry?

To Blake's right Pyrrha cleared her throat.

Everyone turned towards the redhead.

"I guess Jaune's running late…again."

Blake seized the moment for all it was worth, determined to make at least one of her annoyances disappear. "Mm…yep, it's a shame too—because of how much we all love Jaune. But maybe we should just get started—"

"No!" cried Ruby. "We can't start without Jaune!"

Yang perked up at the sound of…well…something, happening. "Yeah Blake, you trying to call a family meeting without dad?"

"I was only pointing out the obvious." Pyrrha turned towards her. "I wasn't implying that we should start without Jaune. We should definitely wait for Jaune."

"There wouldn't be much point to this without Jaune," added Ren.

"Things do seem a bit dull around her without that lad! Hell, I hardly have the strength for a story. Although I'll muster it if you give me a minute or two."

Nora gave her oh-so-helpful input next, "How are we supposed to make orange juice without the J-man? Who's gonna put the J in O.J.?"

"Who's providing the 'O'?" asked Blake.

"I am," chirped Nora.

"But your name doesn't start with an 'O'," said Blake.

"It doesn't have to!" replied Nora. "The 'O' stands for orange and I have orange hair. That's why we're orange juice, because my hair is orange and when you take the first letter of the word orange and combine it with the first letter of Jaune's name you get O.J. and…" Nora faded off. "Jaune's better at explaining it."

"I don't know, you're doing a pretty bang up job there O."

Blake groaned as she turned towards the door. There he was. Jaune Arc. The oaf smiled as if he was on time—and bore gifts.

Neither was true.

"Jaune!" The entire table, aside from Blake and Weiss, collectively cheered.

Although, noted Blake, Weiss didn't seem quite as put off by Jaune's lack of punctuality as Blake had assumed she would be.

Strange.

Blake could have sworn she and Weiss were the only ones who hadn't fallen under the blond's spell. The rest had been entrapped, befriended, and nicknamed. But there was no way…

No. Weiss would lambast him for his tardiness. Just as she had in their second meeting. She was too much of a perfectionist to accept some banal excuse.

Jaune began making his way around the table. He started with Weiss. "How's the future leader of the free world doing?"

"Hmph. I am fine."

"Good to hear, I see good things on the horizon for the SDC."

Weiss didn't smile and she didn't respond but Blake could tell by her approving glance.

The girl was hooked.

Jaune continued along the table. "Scythe-master."

"Jaune!" Ruby cheered again, responding to his offered high-five. The girl turned towards her sister. "Yang..."

"Sorry Rubes," said Yang, grinning, suddenly alive with energy. "You still can't legally change your name." She turned to Jaune.

He dipped his head towards her. "B and B. How's it…yanging?"

"Oh, I'm just golden. Thanks for asking."

Jaune guffawed as he moved to his next victim. "The professor of power!" he intoned with a deep bellow. He shook Port's hand vigorously.

"Jaune, so glad you're here, I've got an announcement to make but I couldn't bear to make it without the whole party here."

"Well, worry not professor," Jaune grinned as he released his hand. "The party is here."

When Jaune walked by Port leaned towards Yang as if he had a secret to divulge.

Then he spoke loudly enough for everyone present to hear—even without enhanced faunus hearing.

"Who am I kidding? The only person who really had to be here was Jaune. I would have made the announcement ages ago if someone else was missing."

Jaune greeted Ren and Nora. "So, how are my two favorite lovebirds doing? O? Best f-Ren-d?"

"Oh Jaune, you know we aren't together-together," said Nora.

"That's right," agreed Ren, "the best description of I and Nora's relationship is familial. With no prospective for a relationship beyond platonic—ever."

Jaune didn't miss a beat. "You sure about that Ren? Riddle me this, can you envision yourself in a romantic relationship with any woman aside from Nora?"

"Well…no. But that's because Nora wou—"

"I rest my case," interrupted Jaune. "You and Nora, not together-together but…maybe, destined for each other?" Jaune waited a moment and then shrugged. "Who knows."

"Huh," said Ren, clearly intrigued.

Nora offered "J" a monstrous high-five and a grin stretching from ear to ear. "Because the best…" began Valkyrie.

"…never rest!" finished Jaune.

He moved past the de-facto "together-but-not-together" couple and settled his hands on the back of Pyrrha's chair. The champion craned her neck back to look at him. He looked down at her with contagious mirth. "Hope those two aren't giving you too much trouble Pyr." He motioned to her right.

Pyrrha glanced at Ren and Nora before turning back to Jaune. "They are perfectly pleasant roommates."

"No need to lie Pyr. They know how obnoxious they are." Jaune leaned a little closer. "If you ever need to get away you can always come to my place. It's not a huge apartment but its comfy."

Pyrrha's face was beginning to blend in with her hair. "Ah. Well. Um. Thank…you…"

"Don't worry about it," said Jaune, straightening. "I've only got cereal so keep that in mind."

When he reached Blake, the boy came to a complete stop. He looked to be searching for the right words for a second or two. Finally, he gave up and decided to go with, "Blake."

"Jaune," replied Blake. "You're late."

"Am I?" asked Jaune, wide-eyed and innocent. He made to look at a watch, only to act surprised when it wasn't there. "I must have lost track of time. I should have kept a better watch."

He pointed at Yang.

Yang obliged him happily. "ba-dum-tish."

Ruby and Nora tittered.

"It isn't funny Jaune. We've been waiting for almost an hour. You're disrespecting us and our time."

Jaune's smile disappeared suddenly, like the off-switch on a flashlight. He surveyed the group somberly. "I didn't realize you all felt that way."

"We don't!", Ruby erupted.

"Yeah," cheered Nora.

"That Drake fellow over there is wrong," said Peter Port with a disapproving shake of his head in Blake's direction.

Who the hell was Drake?

"I assume you had a good reason for your tardiness?" questioned Weiss.

"Of course," said Jaune.

"Then I am fine with it."

Jaune swiped at his eyes, as if he had been on the brink of tears. "Thank goodness, I was afraid Blake was speaking for everyone. But I guess she just does that sometimes huh?" Jaune dropped his hand and fixed Blake with a blank stare.

Blake rolled her eyes. "Whatever…" She withdrew her textbook from her bag. "Can we just study now?"

"Just a moment their lass," boomed Port. "I have an announcement."

Jaune pushed his chair out a foot or two and propped his heels on the edge of the table. He rested his hands behind his head. "Lay it on us Big P."

"Well, as you all know, I am attending these study sessions because…"

"…you're too good at killing Grimm, and it's hard to relate to the strategies and tactics employed by lesser hunters." filled in Jaune.

"Precisely Jaune!" said Port, stroking his thick mustache. "I wasn't aware of the flaws in my teaching methods until Glynda revealed to me how poorly my students were fairing in upper level Grimm study classes years later! Glynda says I have caused a pandemic of ignorance." Port laughed. "Thank goodness I got tenure a year ago."

Blake had seen the dreaded Ms. Goodwitch prowling the school halls. She could only imagine how the woman felt about Port's job security.

"I and Glynda had a brief discussion about Grimm slaying yesterday. And it concluded with her surmising that, and these are her words, not mine, 'any fool with basic hunting experience could teach the class better than me…'"

Blake wondered if she agreed with that.

Sure, Pyrrha would certainly make a better teacher. So would Weiss. Those two were the ones who had managed to decipher the Grimm studies textbook for the rest of the group. That first test would have been a doozy without their meticulous analysis. Their combined brainpower was, clearly, a dozen times more helpful than the professor.

Nora, Yang, and Ruby though…probably not.

And Ren—although clearly intelligent—struck her as the type to get lost in his own thoughts and tangents.

Then there was Jaune…well Jaune could probably B.S. his way through a class better than any of them.

Whether the students would learn anything useful from him was an altogether different question.

"Basically," continued Port. "Glynda said she can't fire me—or even remove me from my position as an instructor. So, she promised to assign me a student T.A."

"Oh, a teacher's assistant?" said Jaune. "That doesn't sound so bad."

"I'm glad you think so!" said Port cheerily. "I was worried this news would upset you all."

"Why would news of you receiving an assistant upset us?" asked Weiss.

"Why indeed!" replied Port as he fished a vibrating scroll from his pocket. "I bet this is Glynda now, confirming everything." He brought the scroll to his ear. "Glynda I—oh Ozpin, how are you doing…? Ah you're taking over this bit for Glynda…She's sick? Glynda can get sick...? Can't quite read her handwriting huh…? Well I believe that is supposed to be assistant—as in teacher's assistant. She promised to get me one. You'll have that settled before my next class…? Great, thank you kindly."

Peter ended his call and placed his scroll in his pocket.

"As of tomorrow," the man announced, with his usual flare for theatrics. "Peter Port's Grimm studies will never be the same again."

"It's like the end of an era!" cried Nora.

"It really isn't though," said Ren. "There hasn't been enough repetition—nor have we built enough rapport with one another—or a potential viewer. To even pretend as if this signifies the end of an era would come off as unearned and fake."

The table silently absorbed Ren's comments before Jaune spoke up.

"Hear that Blake? Ren says you're unearned and fake."

"You sure he wasn't talking about your mom?" replied the faunus.

The table erupted into boos.

"Moms are off limits."

"What are you a monster?"

"Do you see the way she keeps picking on Jaune?"

"Who invited the Drake girl to this community anyway?"

Blake growled at the other half of the table, flashing her sharp canines. "You know what, let's just study!" She held up her book.

The rest of the table stared at her blankly. Blake looked around. No one was moving. Weiss stared at her. Ruby glanced around hesitantly. Yang's textbook was already out but she wasn't reaching for it. Port was staring at her too—in sheer disapproval. Ren was playing with his fingers. Nora was, attempting, to somehow involve herself in Ren's solo game.

Pyrrha, to her credit, reached for her bag—albeit in slow motion.

"She's right guys, we should study," suggested Jaune.

Textbooks were hastily produced and the relevant section opened.

Why.

Why did she even bother?

"Wait. Wait. I'm confused," said Jaune, glancing from the podium at the front of the class to his new neighbor. "What are you doing here?"

"Why, learning of course my boy! What else?" answered Peter Port. He then delivered to Jaune a hearty slap on the back.

Jaune groaned at the sudden pain running up and down his spine.

"But…you're the teacher…" said Jaune. Had the old man finally lost it?

"I told you I've been assigned a T.A.," said Port, as if that explained why the hell he was sitting next to Jaune.

"And…?" prompted Jaune.

"Did it slip my mind to say it yesterday?" said Port, slapping his forehead. "Apologies. Glynda is forcing me to take a T.A. and she's put them in complete control of the class."

Jaune required a moment to process those words.

God…

Damn…

It…

Goodwitch made Port the goddamn T.A.

They were getting a new teacher.

Jaune could feel the blood draining from his face. Sure, Port wasn't a great teacher. But at least he was a known variable. Plus, the only homework for the class was the workbook assignments corresponding with that week's chapter and section. What if they got a hard-ass? Someone with crazy expectations? Someone who was just plain crazy?

Hadn't Port said "student T.A?"

In that case…who could it be?

As if hell didn't want to leave Jaune in suspense, the classroom doors slammed open, and in entered a tall muscular man. Jaune watched him walk up to the wooden podium. When he reached the pedestal he turned towards the class, wearing a grin that could only be described as malicious.

The man spoke, "alright Beowolf-butt-munchers. The name's Cardin. But you should call me Mr. Winchester. This is my show now. The headmaster himself said so. Let's get right into killing Grimm. A live demonstration." The man—boy—person, hoisted his mace. "I'll need a couple volunteers to play the Grimm."

Anyone watch volume 5 chapter 1? No spoilers—but seriously I'm not looking forward to trying to integrate new cannon into my story Shield of Vale since it's a sweeping time travel fic. It's gonna be a nightmare—real brutal. Blergh. Good reason to start another fic and change all my big ones to tri-weekly though—so I can see where the hell this season's gonna go.

Tata,

Vronsurd.