Chapter Two- School's Out
Tukson stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall of an old brick building. Springtime was in full swing in Vale. Trees coming back to life, the lush city seemed even greener than usual. A few people wandered the streets nearby, and the occasional car passed him in the streets, but Tukson wasn't interested in the scenery today. The middle-aged faunus' yellow eyes were glued to the giant wooden double doors of the structure across the street from him, the bronzed lettering above which spelled out "Signal Academy". He had been engaged in an intense staring contest with the entrance for so long he had practically memorized every nook and splinter of the heavy oak it was comprised of. Tukson received more than a few odd looks from passerby since he'd first settled into the spot with a grim expression. He chose to ignore them.
Finally relenting, Tukson closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. He began shifting his back against the masonry supporting him, trying in vain to find a comfortable position. It was time to be honest with himself. He was nervous.
There's nothing to worry about. She'll do fine. I'm overreacting, the side-burned faunus thought to himself. It was a big day though, that was for certain. This was the day when fourth year students at Signal underwent their final evaluation. A grueling physical and mental exam putting everything they'd learned in their time at the combat school to test. The results would ultimately decide whether or not the student would graduate from the prestigious academy, therefore bringing them one step closer to their goal of becoming an official huntsman or huntress. Of course, Tukson was far too old to attend the academy. No, it wasn't his future that was going to be decided today, it was-
Tukson's head shot up when he heard the sound of the doors creaking open. Immediately, he recognized the telltale monochrome hair -complete with cat ears- of his daughter, Oreonna. He smiled before carefully crossing the street to greet her, but as he got closer, he began to better notice her features. Her feline tail, usually swinging freely behind her, was still and low. Her cat ears drooped down on top of her head, and her face was contorted into a deep frown. The two briefly made eye contact, Oreonna's pink eyes locking with Tukson's golden ones, before Oreonna's gaze snapped to the ground.
Oh... Oh no...
Tukson suddenly felt all the anxiety he had been battling for the last few hours begin to overtake him. He was at a loss, really. He knew Oreonna had wanted this so badly, to see her like this was too much for the faunas father, so immediately he pushed his grief aside and let his parental instincts take over as he moved in to console his daughter.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, Oreonna still refusing to look up at him as he spoke, "Oreo, it's okay. We'll... figure something out. Maybe you could-" Oreonna made a noise interrupting Tukson. It sounded like a... snort? Confused, Tukson bent forward to get a better look at his daughter's face. Her frown was gone, replaced by a wide grin, just barely exposing her sharp canines.
"Uhh... what?" said Tukson, desperately trying to understand the situation. Oreonna's head rose, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and an enormous smile plastered across her face as she tried in vain to hold back laughter. "...Wait... so..." slowly Tukson was trying to piece together his daughters behavior. Then his eye's lit up, finally putting two and two together. "Wait, so you-"
"Of course!" Oreonna interrupted, Unable to contain her excitement any longer. Tukson swept up his daughter in his arms and let out a deep laugh.
"Are you trying to give your old man a heart attack? What was that about?" Tukson asked as he began to spin around, holding his daughter in the air. Oreonna giggled as her father finally stopped.
"Sorry, couldn't help myself. I saw how much of a mess you were this morning, and don't even pretend that you weren't standing over there practically stalking the exit waiting for me," Oreonna gestured over her shoulder to... pretty much the exact spot Tukson had been staking out the academy a few minutes ago. "You were probably getting yourself all worked up over me, like usual. How could I resist messing with you just a little?" Oreonna punctuated her sentence with her most innocent smile. Tukson smiled back, he didn't stand a chance when Oreonna looked at him that way. He had to admit, his daughter knew him well.
"So? Don't keep me in suspense. How'd it go?" Tukson asked. With that, Oreonna went into an excitable rant about her exam. Honestly, Tukson had a hard time keeping up, especially when she started trying to explain the digital constructs of Grimm she had to battle. Unlike his daughter, Tukson wasn't the best when it came to all this technology stuff, but he just smiled and nodded politely, happy to see his daughter so thrilled. Was he upset at her for the emotional trauma she had put him through with her prank? Maybe a little, but his daughter had always had a mischievous side.
Just like her mother. Tukson thought, perhaps a bit more bitterly than he wanted. He didn't particularly have a grudge against Neo, even if she had surprised him with an eight month old baby on his doorstep all those years ago, thoroughly throwing his life into chaos. Don't get him wrong, Oreonna was one of the best things that had ever happened to him, and he wouldn't trade her for anything in the world, but he missed Neo.
Their time together was far too brief for his taste. Not a day went by that he didn't look at Oreonna and think of her and wonder where she was now. Ultimately, he just hoped she was happy, wherever she was, and whatever she was doing, he hoped it was worth leaving her daughter. Ugh. He really wasn't bitter, but it was hard not to be sometimes.
"Dad? Remnant to dad? You okay?" Oreonna's questioning snapped Tukson back to reality.
"Hm? Sorry, Oreo. Got a little lost there for a moment. You were saying?"
Oreonna gave her father a skeptical glance at his response, but continued regardless. Going into detail about Professor Branwen and his "questioning" after the exam was over, as well as about Oreonna's little outburst at him. The cat girl was clearly still embarrassed about it.
Tukson and Qrow had only spoken a few times while Oreonna was attending Signal. Honestly, Tukson had a hard time getting a read on the man. He seemed aloof and indifferent, and the teachers drinking habits didn't exactly earn him any points in the faunus' favor, but at the same time, Qrow was one of the academies most prestigious instructors, and a renowned huntsman in his own right. Then there was that look he had in his eyes. They were the eyes of a man who carried a heavy burden. Qrow had secrets and demons that weighed heavily on him. Tukson couldn't help but sympathize. He knew that look all too well. He'd seen it more than once staring back at him from the mirror, but that had nothing to do with today.
This was his daughter's day, and he wasn't about to let the past ruin it. "Welp, I have the bookstore closed up for another half hour. How about a little celebration?" Oreonna's ears perked up at her fathers suggestion. Tukson continued, "You know, that sushi place down the street sounds great right about now. Whaddya say, Oreo?" Oreonna's eyes practically sparkled at the invitation, her mind already lost to a world of deliciousness, visions of the dish dancing in her head. She was so entranced by the idea, she failed to notice the bright yellow figure sneaking up behind her.
However, the incredibly un-stealthy interloper was directly in Tukson's eyesight. He raised an eyebrow at the familiar girl behind Oreonna. The blonde responded by bringing her index finger to her lips, and with a wink of her lavender eyes, she posed to strike. Tukson opened his mouth in an attempt to warn his daughter, but at the last second he stopped. She's not the only one with a mischievous side, thought Tukson with a sly smile. Suddenly, the blonde lunged forward arms extended, wrapping Oreonna in a big bear hug.
"Helllloooooo!" said the yellow haired prankster in a sing-song voice. Oreonna let out a squeak of surprise.
"Y-Yang!? Down please!" Oreonna managed to force out with her legs kicking wildly in the air as Yang lifted her smaller body off the ground. Tukson couldn't help but laugh at the girl's antics.
When Oreonna had first started attending Signal Academy- hell, school in general- Tukson had been uneasy. His daughter had always been a little quiet and skittish around strangers, and it made him worry about her ability to make friends. Tukson was all too familiar with just how cruel humanity could be to their kind, and Oreonna didn't have the advantage of her faunus traits being as easy to hide as his were. The thought of his daughter being discriminated against kept him awake at night, but that's where Yang had come in.
Since they'd met as kids, the blonde had bombarded Oreonna with her own special brand of friendship, the intensity of which could probably power a small sun. She was there for Oreonna when she needed her, like a good friend, always ready to support her or provide a little gentle teasing. Tukson was glad to see a human so accepting and understanding of their kind. She treated his daughter as an equal, and it gave him hope for the future. Though he wasn't so naive to think things would ever be perfect between their races, since he knew both sides had a long way to go to understanding each other, but with small victories like this, seeing the two of them together, the world looked a little brighter to the once jaded faunus. Finally, Yang released the wiggling Oreonna from her vice like grip. The cat girl immediately shot a playful glare at her father.
"Thanks for the warning," she said. Tukson merely smirked and responded with, "How could I resist?" Oreonna rolled her eyes at her father using her own words against her before returning to address Yang. "You've turned my own father against me, Yang Xiao Long. This betrayal will not go unpunished," she threatened.
Yang raised her hands in mock surrender. "What can I say? I choose my partners in crime well. Speaking of which," she looked past Oreonna and addressed Tukson, "how's it going, Mr.D? Good to see you getting out of that dusty old book store once in a while."
Now it was Tukson's turn to roll his eyes, "Always a pleasure, Miss Xiao Long. I assume you're preparing for your exam as well?"
Yang's grin somehow grow even larger as she cracked her knuckles, a determined look in her eyes. "Aw, yeah! They won't know what hit 'em!"
"Who won't know what hit them? All those poor defenseless holograms? Are you gonna put the fear of god into all those ones and zeroes?" Oreonna teased.
"Yes. Yes I will," Yang put simply, ignoring her friends attempt at a jab, "Speaking of which, how'd your exam go, Kit-Kat? Nailed it?"
"Nailed it," Oreonna replied, wincing slightly at the use of her least favorite nickname that Yang had come up with for her. The two shared a high five, before Yang did a fist pump.
"Alright! All I have to do now is ace mine, and the two of us will be taking Beacon by storm in no time!" Tukson saw his daughter's whole body tense up at Yang's proclamation. He felt his do the same as a feeling of unease settled in his stomach. If only things were that easy, he thought.
An awkward silence followed between the three as Yang, the only one without a clue in the situation, gave the two faunus a confused look. Thankfully for Tukson, Oreonna chose to speak up first. "Well... that might not be a thing quite yet. You see, Beacon can be a little... expensive... with tuition and everything... and..."
Tukson felt pained watching his daughter stumble threw her explanation, so he decide to interject to spare her some of the embarrassment. "Things at the book trade have just been a little rough this year," he explained, "with repairs it's needed, and just a general lack of our usual customers, money's gotten a little tight now."
Tukson's words seemed to help Oreonna find her own as she continued, "It just doesn't look like I'll be able to attend Beacon this year."
And there it was, the monkey wrench in the whole situation. Being a single parent, as well as a small business owner, had put more than a little strain on the Delsole family funds. Combine that with the fact that people these days were finding less and less value in physical books and the prognosis wasn't great, the digital age was showing no signs of stopping any time soon. Who could blame people? With the convenience of having almost any book available to you on your scroll with the touch of a screen, who would want to take time to go support their local bookstore? But Tukson wasn't about to go down without a fight though. Frequent sales, as well as things like expanding his stock to include comics and manga, have kept his shop relevant and populated, if only barely. Tukson was working six days a week to keep them afloat. His daughter helped out when she could, but her schoolwork always came first; Tukson's rule. Hiring more help wasn't an option, as a payroll would only exasperate the money situation. Things were looking rough for Tukson's Book Trade, but they'd make it. They always did. But realizing Oreonna's future had to be put on hold, that never sat right with Tukson.
Yang had a deflated look on her face as Oreonna finished up her explanation. "So, I'm just gonna take a year off. Help my dad at the bookstore, train in my spare time, and I'll join you at Beacon before you know it... hopefully..." Oreonna added quietly.
Tukson's frown deepened. His little girl deserved so much better. Of course, when Tukson had broken the news to her about Beacon several months ago, Oreonna had been nothing if not understanding. She knew how much Signal Academy alone had set them back, and with that in mind, she offered her father her full support. She was a tough kid. Though she put on a brave face for him, Tukson could tell she'd been devastated. He wished he could afford to give her everything she deserved.
Yang, for her part was doing her best to brighten Oreonna's mood. "Well... that's not so bad! Look at it this way; if you end up having to wait two years, you'll get to be in the same class as Ruby... Heh heh... heh..." Swing and a miss.
Oreonna's frown sunk even deeper as another awkward silence filled the air. Before Yang could try and attempt a save, an unbearably catchy pop song started blaring out of her back pocket. The blonde reached into her pocket to retrieve her scroll and checked it. "Oh... Well, looks like I'm up," Yang said sliding the device back in place. "Wish me luck?" she asked, offering Oreonna a weak smile.
Oreonna reciprocated, putting on a convincing smile for her friend. "Knock 'em dead, Yang."
The blonde's smile broadened as she approached and placed a hand on Oreonna's shoulder. "Don't sweat the Beacon thing, okay Oreo? You'll be there before you know it, and I'll be waiting when you get there," Yang said, "I'll try not to burn the place down without you," the blonde added with a playful wink at the end. The faunus girls smile returned, slightly more genuine than before as Yang started up the steps towards Signal's entrance. "Catch you later, Kit-Kat," Yang communicated over her shoulder, offering a lazy, two-fingered salute as she disappeared through the double doors.
With that, the father and daughter duo were left alone again, the uneasiness in the air almost palpable. Tukson felt like he should say something. He had no idea what, but he figured he'd just start talking and hope for the best. That was better than nothing, he supposed.
Thankfully, before Tukson could almost assuredly embarrass himself, a third party entered the conversation, "Pardon me, my dear?"
The hair on the back of Tukson's neck stood up straight. How had anyone managed to sneak up on him? Granted, his reaction time wasn't what it used to be, but he thought his faunus enhanced senses made him a little more aware than this. God, he hated getting old. He felt the muscles in his hands instinctively tighten, his claws ready to spring out. Tukson spun around, stance slightly lower, ready to go into a full pounce if necessary.
Oreonna spun as well, equally surprised. She may have lacked her father's natural claws, as well as her usual weapon, but she was a huntress in training, and the defensive pose she struck gave credit to this title.
To many, this fearsome duo would be enough to strike fear into their hearts, but the women who had interrupted them merely raised an eyebrow at the two, a neutral expression on her face. "Forgive me, I didn't intend to startle you both," the mysterious woman said, dipping her head into a slight bow.
Tukson refused to lower his guard as he began to examine the women before them. She wore a long green shoulder-less dress that went down to her feet, it's long sleeves widened as they approached her hands with flower patterns at the ends. At around her elbows, a long piece of sea-green fabric hung over her arms connecting behind her back. An emerald sash was tied around her waist acting as a make-shift belt of sorts. The pale skin around her exposed neck was interrupted by a gold necklace with a large emerald in the center, as well as a tattoo of a flower encompassing her left shoulder with vines that Tukson assumed traveled down her arm, but her hands were hidden beneath her sleeves, so he could only speculate. She had a stern face and appeared to be around Tukson's age. Jade eyes cast a sharp gaze, accentuated by light green eye shadow. A gold tiara rested in her forest green hair with a small leaf symbol in its center, adding a regal sense to her appearance.
However, of all her features, by far the most outspoken were the large antlers sticking out of her hair. Tukson had seen faunus with this trait before. They weren't exactly a rarity in the world, but this faunus' antlers were by far the largest he'd ever seen, extending a good foot and a half above her head. They definitely gave off an air of intimidation, but the most bizarre part about them were the flowers that seemed to be growing on the antler's tips. Multiple colors and varieties sprung out of every end of the faunus trait, giving off the notion that her antler's were actually part of a tree, but that would be ridiculous... right? Her connection to nature was obvious based on her appearance.
Was this woman a threat? Her appearance gave off conflicting messages on the subject. Seeing no other options, Tukson relaxed his pose, reluctantly deciding to let the faunus' actions speak for her. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Oreonna following his lead. Seeing the hostility of her company fade, the mysterious woman continued, speaking in a clear, calm voice, enunciating every syllable. "My name is Eden Evergreen. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation just now, and I would like to make an offer to your daughter, Mr. Delsole."
To Tukson, only two things about this woman mattered: She was a faunus, and she was a stranger. Given his history, both of those were enough to set off alarm bells in his head, especially when it came to his daughter, but he felt Oreonna place a hand on his forearm, as if she could sense her father's overprotective nature taking over. She offered Tukson a nod of confidence, and he relented. His daughter was an adult now, as hard as that was to admit, and he had to have faith in her ability to make her own decisions. Oreonna took a step towards Eden, locking eyes with her as she spoke. "What can I do for you, Miss Evergreen?"
The elder faunus offered a small, appreciative smile to the younger faunus, before taking her own step forward, still keeping a comfortable distance, but making it clear to whom she was addressing. "I witnessed your examination today. I must admit, you were quite impressive, not to mention your academic achievements. Any kingdom's academy would be lucky to have you as a student." Whoever she was, this woman wasn't doing a great job to lower Tukson's apprehension, but he allowed her to continue. "However, I also heard about your monetary concerns. I'm afraid there's not much I can do to get you into Beacon, but that is far from the only option available to you."
Eden had officially captured their interest. Oreonna offered a skeptical look, "What do you mean?" she asked.
"My dear, I represent Shade Academy. Have you heard of it?"
"Shade Academy? You mean... in Vacuo?" Oreonna replied, seemingly confused by the proposition.
Tukson knew of the academy, and even more of Vacuo. In his youth the... company he'd kept gave him the opportunity to travel quite a bit across Remnant. Not as strict as Atlas, or as well known as Beacon, Shade was located in the vast deserts of Vacuo, next to a small city called Mirage. The region's extreme climate and harsh environment added a degree of intensity to its training, which in turn resulted in better Hunters. Suddenly, Eden's strange appearance was beginning to make sense. She was a huntress.
"Glad to see you are familiar with my school." Eden said.
Wait. Her school?
"As headmistress of the academy, I travel quite a bit and more often than not, my journey's take me to other kingdoms, where I make a point to scope out the... competition," a smirk flashed across the faunus' face before vanishing. "and after what I witnessed in that building today, I would like to offer to you a full scholarship at Shade, covering all expenses including travel," Eden said with a hint of pride in her voice. "That is, if you are interested." The deer faunus extended a hand towards Oreonna. In it, was a small card. As the stunned girl reached up to instinctively grasp it, Tukson noticed something strange. As he got a good look up Eden's sleeve, he could make out something that looked like... vines? Not tattoo's like on her shoulder, but actual, physical vines, and what's stranger was, when he noticed them, they seemed to retreat back further up the faunus women's sleeve and out of sight. The word strange was quickly becoming insufficient to describe this woman.
Tukson pulled his mind away from the subject and instead focused on the incredible offer that had been presented to his daughter. He was skeptical, of course. It seemed too good to be true, but... what if it was true? This could be the answer to their problems! Oreonna would get the education she deserved now, not in a year, but now, and he could rest well knowing-
"Thank you, but I can't accept this."
Oreonna's words slammed Tukson out of his thoughts. What!? He thought. This was everything his daughter had ever wanted, why was she turning it down?
"I just... ever since I was a little girl, I've always wanted to attend Beacon," Oreonna explained, "It was my dream, and even if it means waiting a year, I'd rather that than travel halfway across the world... I'm sorry."
If Eden had been at all shaken by Oreonna's refusal like Tukson had, she didn't show it. She merely continued on in the same clear voice. "The choice is yours, my dear, as I said, but I should warn you, a year may not seem like a long time, but I've seen it be the kiss of death for many young hunters career's." For the first time since their meeting began, Eden broke eye contact with Oreonna. A look of sadness washed over the elder faunus' features before she resumed the conversation. "A year without proper training, without an education, I believe you'll find maintaining the level of skill you have now much more difficult than you imagine," Eden's gaze returned to Oreonna, "But as I said, the choice is yours."
The younger faunus looked conflicted. "I.. I just... I can't..." Oreonna stammered out. She looked to her father for some kind of answer. He didn't have one. He just couldn't understand why his daughter would turn away everything she'd ever wanted. Something was holding her back. He just didn't know what yet.
"There's no need to decide right this moment, Miss Delsole. You have my number," Eden said, referring to the card Oreonna was still holding, "However, I will only be in Vale on business for the next several days. I'm afraid I will need an answer before then." The deer faunus offered another small bow before turning away, "I hope to hear from you soon," she said over her shoulder, a small smile on her lips, before she continued down the street and around the corner out of sight. Tukson's eyes followed her until she disappeared from view. Hunters. they always had to play the mysterious stranger type, didn't they?
He turned his gaze back to Oreonna. She looked visibly depressed now, much like when Tukson had first seen her as she left Signal, only now it appeared her feelings were genuine. Whatever elation she had been experiencing from today seemed to have been extinguished by the ultimatum she'd just received.
"Hey," Tukson's spoke after what seemed like forever. Oreonna looked up at her father's voice, "C'mon, sushi's not gonna eat itself, right?" Tukson was desperate to lift her spirits. If that meant procrastinating on the decision they were both going to have to make, even if it was just for a few hours, that'd be fine with him.
Oreonna managed to produce a less than enthusiastic smile. "Sure... yeah." The two proceeded down the street together, Oreonna appeared deep in thought while Tukson gave his daughter a concerned look.
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A/N- Shorter chapter this time. Fun fact: I actually wrote this chapter last out of the eleven I have done so far. The chapters got longer as I wrote them, mainly thanks to gratuitous flashbacks in almost every one.
So now we have our starting point in the canon timeline. This is taking place around the beginning of Volume 1, I'd say just before Chapter 1. The story will basically follow the shows actual timeline, but from a different perspective, or perspectives I guess. I hope you guys continue to enjoy this!
Special thanks to snowcloud8 for editing this chapter for me. It couldn't have been easy, but I re-learned a lot from them about basic grammar that I'd forgotten about over the years.
I'm genuinely surprised by all the favs/follows I got for the first chapter, you guys made my day with all your support! Hopefully I can keep up this pace with the uploads, but I promise nothing and deliver less.
:P