Beta: Jefardi

Cover Art: Natzo


Flower

Lost


Beacon was far bigger than Violet had given it credit for. The towering buildings and magnificent architecture was something she could probably marvel at for hours, provided she had the time. Which she didn't. It was while gazing up at the beautiful scenery she found herself in that the eldest Arc had no choice but to admit it.

She was lost.

Great, this was just great. She had been in such a hurry to get away from Rue, that she hadn't paid attention at all to where she was going until it was too late. At this rate she was going to miss the headmaster's speech.

Of course, there was always the option of asking for directions. She considered this for a brief moment as she caught sight of a group of upperclassmen, before dismissing the thought. She didn't need anyone's help and that would simply be too embarrassing, having to admit how she got lost in the first place.

"Oh my, oh my. Where have you all led me to now?" Violet's body tensed, legs spinning to bring her around, and hand flying to the hilt of her sword. Standing not even two feet from her, was the owner of the high-pitched voice.

'Make some noise, would you!' Violet had to bite her tongue to keep from shouting this. She seriously hadn't heard this girl approach at all, and a quick glance at her feet explained why.

She had no shoes, skin bare all the way up to her knees, which was the length of her flowery one-piece dress. Orange eyes made contact with bright green, the girl's short pink hair accentuated by what looked like a crown of daisies.

"Aha, I am very sorry, Miss. I did not mean to startle you." The girl tilted her head innocently, bringing both hands up together in front of her chest.

"N-no, you didn't really…" Why was she trying to deny it? No matter how anyone looked at this situation, it was clear that she had been caught completely off-guard. Straightening herself out and taking her hand off Ostrum Tempus, she cleared her throat before starting again. "My name is Violet Arc. I am here for Beacon's initiation exam."

The girl gave two light claps, mouth widening in a bright smile and green eyes practically sparkling. "Wonderful, wonderful. I too, am also a new entrant into the prestigious Beacon Academy of Vale." Her way of speaking was even more eccentric than Violet's own youngest sister, it would seem. "To my people, I am known as Wanda Weigela." She concluded with a short curtsy.

"You're… not from around here, are you?" Violet knew people attended Beacon from all over the world, but she hadn't expected to meet someone quite so unique right off the bat.

"Oooh… a most impressive deduction." She thought Wanda might have said that sarcastically, if not for the overflowing sincerity in her tone. "I am indeed not from Vale, or any of the established Kingdoms for that matter. I hail from a tribe of wandering nomads, who explore the wilds of Anima."

A nomad? Violet had heard stories of people that lived outside of the Kingdom's protection, wandering the continent according to the seasons, somehow navigating around the Grimm. She always assumed they were myths until now. "Well, it's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine." Wanda continued to smile, causing the knot that had formed in Violet's stomach to loosen. This wasn't so bad. It might even be possible she just made a friend with this girl. She couldn't wait to shove that in Rue's face. "Now then, shall we head to the amphitheatre?"

Even better, it looked like she knew where to go too. "Yeah, you know the way?"

"I do not." Violet felt her eye twitch. Wanda, in contrast, showed no concern for their situation, twirling and tilting her head to the sky. "Fortunately for us, the fairies seem to."

"...The… fairies…?" Did she even want to know? Just to be sure she wasn't crazy, Violet looked up where Wanda was. Nothing. Not even a bird, let along something mythical like a fairy.

"Indeed. Come along now, or we will lose them!" Wanda began to skip forward, bare feet noiselessly traversing the concrete.

"..." Violet stared after her silently. Part of her really wished she had just asked for directions when she had the chance. Seeing how that was no longer an option- with a disgruntled sigh, she followed after.

Not that she had any hope them actually making it to the amphitheatre.


Chapter End