ACT 1: Acquaintances


"There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't met yet."

- William Butler Yeats


"Miss Adel, if you would."

Ozpin watched as the third-year squirmed in her seat. Even with her self-assurance it didn't stop the feeling of uneasiness coiling in her gut when nearly all the Academy staff had their eyes trained on her. Her current attire didn't exactly adhere to the dress codes either. Thankfully, Glynda didn't point it out, though her eyes carried more steel than usual.

Clearing her throat, Coco began to deliver her report. "We – my team and I, that is – did as instructed. We ran the perimeters, carefully observing the fresh blo- I mean, the initiates without being seen, you know, the usual."

With a sigh she continued, "Then before we knew it, we received a distress call from the other observers. Some fourth-years, they said they ran into a big-ass Nevermore that was picking on a team of new recruits." Coco shook her head as she continued to verbally paint her memories. "That thing wasn't just big, it was bloody huge. A single feather was taller than Yatsu, and that's saying something."

There was a pause as she struggled with her words. "We found 'em alright, all dead. The initiates, the seniors, all of them. We were lucky there were two more supervising teams nearby, otherwise…"

Her voice was hollow, carefully devoid of emotion other than weariness. It was a little disheartening to see how the students became more and more desensitised to loss of life with every passing battles. Ozpin vaguely remembered the younger Coco who bawled her eyes out when her first partner died in an accident during a mission. His decision to assign Fox Alistair, who also suffered a similar loss, with Coco did much to help them both recover, though at the same time it was also the first step in toughening their hearts. They both felt the pain of loss, and it hardened them.

"We almost killed it, almost. There were twelve of us, twelve, and eight of us were fourth-years. And still it managed to give us a good beating before it took off. That's when the staff stepped in, and you probably know the rest."

The last part came out more bitingly than what was considered polite, though Ozpin did not mind. Though team CFVY was fortunate in not losing one of their own, they very well could have, and that did not settle well with its leader. She was justified in lashing out at those who she deemed were the stout protectors, fully-fledged Hunters and Huntresses whose duty was to protect lives while ending Grimmkind's.

Judging by the sympathetic expression mirrored on the staff, he knew they too understood. "You have our apologies, Miss Adel." Ozpin began, "We should have taken the necessary precautions to ensure such tragedies never take place." He would've said more, though it would've sounded nothing more than excuses. Sincere apologies were all well and good, but it didn't bring back those who died.

Coco Adel settled for a stiff nod, and excused herself with a mutter. As the door clicked shut behind her, Ozpin reached for the communicator. A holographic monitor materialised to life, as did an outline that sharpened to make out a man on the screen.

"What did you find?" Ozpin asked.

"It's as you suspected, professor. The outpost was overrun, most likely by the Grimm. We haven't found how many or even which kind, but whatever they were, they sure did a number on the tower; all that's left is a pile of rubble."

"And the personnel?" Glynda asked.

The man's grave silence was all the answer they needed.

"I see…" A gloomy silence descended on the gathered staff.

"You have my thanks. Notify us at once if you find anything else."

"Sir." With that the holographic monitor faded.

Peter Port chose that moment to speak up for the first time since the meeting. "All these reported outbreaks of Grimm across Remnant, and now they arrived on our very doorstep, hunting down our students. This cannot be allowed to continue, headmaster."

"That's why we brought in the senior students to help oversee the Initiation. They were placed to observe the initiates' progress and, if need be, step in to minimise the damage." Another lecturer piped in.

"Except, our contingency plans did not involve the two titan-class Grimm in the Initiation grounds." Bartholomew Oobleck spoke up, for once at a pace that normal people could comprehend. "Nevermores and Death Stalkers aren't anything new, though it's rare to run across ancient ones, certainly not in this part of Emerald Forest."

"You think that they came from the restricted areas?"

"Plausible. However, we've yet to gather the necessary information to draw such conclusions." Oobleck reported, taking a sip of his caffeinated beverage.

Ozpin's scroll vibrated, and the barest hint of grimace touched the headmaster's face as he saw the caller's ID. Qrow's disgruntled expression glared back from the screen moments before he exploded.

It took Ozpin some time to calm the irate uncle of two, at which point Qrow was no longer shouting, though his scowl remained carved on his roguish face. "Besides," Ozpin continued, "Your nieces' performances were nothing short of exemplary. They faced a titan-class Death Stalker on their own, and not only survived, but also felled it as well."

Technically they didn't really kill it, rather they merely pushed it off a cliff near the ruins, though the end result was more or less the same, and Ozpin didn't feel the need to point it out.

"Ruby and Yang did? Holy shit!" Doing a one-eighty Qrow smirked in pride, and Ozpin thought he heard his deputy scoff at what she no doubt perceived as an 'unprofessional' reaction.

"Yes," Ozpin intoned with a faint smile, "Not only that, but you'd be pleased to know that young Ruby Rose has been nominated as the leader of her own team, the Regality."

"She already told me the good news. Pity she's not of age yet, otherwise I'd have her bring her team over to my bar for a round of drinks."

"Didn't stop you from dragging your team to a bar before." Peter Port spoke up jovially, and they all shared a good laugh as they remembered the rowdy days of the past. Qrow Branwen was only fifteen when he dragged his older sister and his two teammates to a bar on the night of their Initiation for a party that lasted well until the next morning. It was a cheerful Peter Port who rounded up the wayward students and shipped them back to the Academy while they all nursed raging headaches, both from the copious amount of alcohol consumed and the incessant, self-serving spiel the portly-shaped professor delivered on the flight back. The stern scolding from the deputy headmistress only made the hammering in their heads worse.

Even Glynda cracked a smile at the memory, though it soon turned to a thin line as the atmosphere got heavier. "Anything else? What of the Hunters? We sent a distress beacon as soon as we could, and not one Huntsmen turned up."

Smile faded from Qrow's lips and he pursed them as he parted with the information. "The Council received them, alright. They didn't send any in your way though, stating that the Huntsmen forces were spread thin enough as it is, what with all the Grimm outbreaks and infestations around Vale. As for the military, the Council wanted them around the kingdom perimeter for any 'unforeseen' accidents."

"Distasteful excuses." One of the professors sniffed in disdain.

"It gets better," Qrow sneered, "They also said that with such an 'esteemed' individual like yourself as the headmaster, there would be no real need for concern, as you would be able to solve them by yourself, like you always tend to."

They all saw through the thinly veiled insults. "So they decide to endanger the lives of many just to get their pound of flesh?" A dark scowl adorned the witch. She understood that the Council perceived Ozpin as a thorn since Beacon was one of the few independent institutions not under the thumb of the Valean Government, but still…

Ozpin, to his credit, betrayed no hint of how he truly felt about the matter, his face locked in his usual tight indifference. "Some things never change, do they?"

"No, they don't."

"What I'd like to know," Oobleck piped in with another sip, "Is how you managed to acquire such information. Something tells me you didn't simply walk in through the door while they were holding those aforementioned conversations."

Qrow raised his brow, until he remembered that Bartholomew Oobleck was the most recent addition to the Beacon staff. "Not through a door, no." Qrow hinted with a teeth-baring smile.

Before Oobleck threw a follow-up question for clarification Qrow simply waved him off, "I'm running on a tight schedule at the moment. I'll contact you again later." He said as he glanced at Ozpin, and the screen went black.

"Interesting fellow." Oobleck tossed in his input.

"He has a knack for being in places he really shouldn't be." Glynda muttered.

That's what made him so useful, though. Ozpin smiled into his coffee.


"Thief..."

Jaune groaned, pulling the blanket closer to him.

"Thief..."

He ran like a ghost, his feet barely touching the ground. Yet no matter how fast he ran, he could hear the abomination getting closer and closer. He could barely make out the silhouette of people in the distance, and hope swelled up within him. He was saved! Just a little further-

Something jerked him back, a colossal pincer that tightened its grip around him, lifting him up into the air. He struggled to pull free, and screamed for help. They didn't move, staring at the inevitable outcome with frozen eyes.

The Death Stalker squeezed, and the ground rushed up to meet him. By cruel turn of fate the oblivion didn't swallow him yet, and the shadows stood over him wordlessly, before prying open his fingers, taking the very thing that cost him his and his team's life. The last thing he saw was their retreating form, leaving him alone, dying.

With blood pooling in his mouth, it took him every ounce of what little life he had left in him to yell:

"Give it back!"


Jaune trudged to the dining hall before collapsing on the table next to Ren. "Rough night?" He heard the adept quietly ask.

"Yeah," came the hoarse reply. Looking up, he saw Ren pouring him a glass of water. With a nod of thanks he downed in one gulp. It didn't clear the fog in his head, but at least his throat no longer felt like he swallowed a handful of sand. "That's better. Thanks."

"Anytime." With that Ren went back to his breakfast. The grumbling of his stomach reminded him that he slept the night without a dinner, and soon Jaune was demolishing strips of bacon, only now realising just how hungry he was.

Too absorbed in his food, he wasn't aware of the presence next to him until Yang squeezed in between the two males, slinging her arms around their shoulders, hard. "S'up, ladies!"

"What was that for?!" Jaune cried after nearly choking on his food. Ren ducked under her arm with a look that said he didn't find her gesture amusing. Yang apparently did though, judging by her shit-eating grin.

"What? Can't a girl say 'morning' to her team?"

"Just say 'morning' like a normal person, then!"

"But where's the fun in that?" Yang grinned.

"Where's the fun in choking people while they're eating?" Jaune volleyed.

"That's exactly why it's so funny."

Jaune threw his hands up, and Yang laughed. Jumping over the table, she took the seat across Ren, who was pouring himself a cup from a coffee mug. She waved when Ruby entered the hall, and the petite girl claimed her spot next to her sister. Whatever enthusiastic greeting Yang had in reserve for Ruby died the moment they saw the dark circles under her eyes.

"Ruby? You okay? You're not sick or anything, are you?" Yang touched Ruby's brow in concern.

"Back off, sis. I'm fine." Ruby grouched, gently prying her hand away. She met Jaune's eyes, and offered a tired smile. "Morning, guys."

"Rough night?" Ren repeated the question he asked Jaune earlier.

"Couldn't sleep." Ruby mumbled dejectedly. "So, what do you guys wanna do today?"

The young leader of Regality tried to look as enthusiastic as possible, and normally it would've been genuine, but now it just looked strained. Yang looked even more troubled than before, and Jaune pushed away his plate, no longer hungry. Ren peered over the rim of his mug, silently taking in the sudden change in mood.

"Guys?" Ruby asked again.

"Uh-" He was cut off when the bell tolled in the distance, signalling the beginning of morning classes. "How about we talk about this later over lunch?" Jaune suggested instead.

"Works for me. C'mon, or we'll be late!" Yang yelled. None of the Regalities needed further prompts and joined the few straggling students in their mad dash for their morning classes.


"…Numerous theories in the past placed the Grimmkind's origins in the animals possessed by malevolent spirits, or even the twisted souls of animals given physical forms, though recent discoveries showed that…

Jaune's eyelids drooped as the professor's lectures turned to muted amalgamation of sounds in different pitches. They weren't even half-way through the class before his mind wandered off, his sleep-deprived mind coaxing him for a quick shut-eye, consequences be damned. He struggled to keep his eyes and ears open, truly he did, though he knew his almost non-existent academic persona was fighting a losing battle.

By the looks of it, Ruby beat him to it, her head buried under her arms as she gently dozed off, quietly snoring. Yang was worse, unashamedly leaning back on her chair as she snored, thin trail of drool lining the corner of her lips. Ren who sat to her right rested his face on his hand, occasionally jotting down the wisdom nuggets from the lecture.

"…As you may be aware, the Grimm's size and strength is proportional to its age; simply put, the longer a Grimm lives, the stronger and more dangerous it becomes. There are many evidences to support this, the titan-class Grimm being the most primary example. Now…" If the lecturer was aware of the student's attentive states or lack thereof, he did not show it, simply carrying on as he paced about the room, different images of Grimm filling up the wide projector on the wall.

Pyrrha and Blake were paying attention, their eyes sliding from the slides to the lecturer. Nora mumbled in her sleep, having given up after trying - and failing - to grab Ren's attention from the row just behind him. And Weiss…

Her ice-blue eyes surreptitiously took in the other students in the lecture hall, her gaze turning as frigid as her namesake when she noticed many students who slacked off, a clear indication that they weren't taking any of this seriously. Her scowl deepened when her eyes landed on the sleeping form of one Ruby Rose, and not for the first time since the previous day of Initiation ceremony, she wondered how someone as… childish and clueless ever ended up being a leader of a team.

The heiress mentally scoffed. Did they all think Beacon was just another academy? They were Hunters and Huntresses-in-training, not some lowly common teenagers! If they couldn't be bothered learning, how did they expect to survive the four arduous years of the Academy, much less fulfil their aspirations as Hunters and Huntresses?

The girl cloaked in red shuffled as she woke up with a small groan, blinking slowly in a sleepy haze, before going back to sleep once more, her incompetent companion following shortly after.

Weiss didn't realise she snapped the pen in half until she felt the gooey ink on her fingers, and she hastily excused herself out of the class in embarrassment, fully aware of many eyes following her to the door.

The feeling of cold water on her hand cooled down her temper somewhat, though not by much. It still irked her how two different people could be given the position of a leader, a position of heavy responsibility, despite one of them being clearly not deserving of the honour. Other leaders, she could understand, a little anyway. At least in cases of individuals like that Winchester, he had enough brawn to simply muscle his way through problems, however barbaric it may have seemed.

But Ruby Rose was literally a child, physically two years or younger than the rest and even more years behind in terms of mentality and maturity. And yet, how was it that it came to this? Why was someone like Ruby Rose allowed to stand on equal grounds with the others, with her?

She felt like breaking the mirror, though her manners easily prevented her from lashing out in such unprofessional fashion. Instead she settled for a glare, ignoring the itch of the scar that ran across her left eye.


"Are you alright?" Pyrrha asked as she joined the rest of the Winterbournes on the table, Nora dragging her childhood friend to the circle, which in turn brought the Regalities along. Not that they seemed to mind, though.

Her brow automatically creased in a frown as she saw Ruby, babbling about nothing with her team and Nora. "Fine." Weiss curtly replied.

It was obvious that the heiress was anything but, though Pyrrha chose not to pry. The way how her partner looked daggers at the younger girl more or less spoke of the source of the heiress' ire, though the 'why' part still eluded her understanding. She didn't know her partner or others well enough to draw a finite conclusion for that issue. For now, at least.

None of them noticed Blake silently appraising them from the top of her book, or Nora's quick glances at her teammates when the weight of silence got heavier, before she returned to join the Regalities as if nothing happened.

"Hello. Jaune, right?" She turned to the blonde sitting beside her, who jumped when she uttered his name.

"Uh, hi." Jaune gave her an awkward smile. "You're… Pyre, was it?"

"Pyrrha." The redhead corrected with a giggle.

Jaune turned red in embarrassment. "O-oh, sorry! I'm not really good with names, so um…"

"It's alright." She didn't know why, but the fact that he couldn't even get her name right didn't offend her in the slightest. On the contrary, it felt nice. He didn't know who she was, only that she was another student like himself, just another student who wanted to make friends, like her.

And she liked that. Talking with Jaune, Pyrrha discovered, was easier than conversing with her teammates. He was somewhat shy and nervous, and he spoke in a way that showed he had little confidence in himself. But he was honest in his attempts to hold a conversation with her simply to get to know her better, not out of underlying motives. He didn't mindlessly ramble, nor did he give off any implications of finding her company distracting.

The flow of the conversation took a bumpy turn when the subject of family came to the fore. Jaune hastily changed the subject, and Pyrrha obliged. "So, is it true? I've heard that you and your team ran into one of the titan-class sized Grimm and managed to survive the encounter."

"Uh, well…" Jaune scratched his nose. "…We did, but we got lucky."

Pyrrha stared at the stammering blonde thoughtfully. His almost blasé recount of his experience seemed too simple to be believable. She was tactful enough to see that this was going down an uncomfortable lane though, and instead accepted the obvious fake answer with a nod. "I'm glad you got out safely, though."

"…I… yeah…" Jaune muttered, and Pyrrha was taken aback to hear the underlying bitterness.

"Jaune? Are you alright?"

It was difficult to smile when there was nothing to smile about. "Yeah."

Pyrrha felt the urge to pat him on the shoulder, to comfort him. Her hand only touched empty air when he abruptly stood up, declaring that he was done and walked off without looking back.

She turned her eyes from Jaune retreating form when she felt the ghostly prod of scrutiny, and Ruby Rose's silver eyes locked on to her own vibrant green, unidentifiable emotions swimming in those silver depths. Before Pyrrha could say anything, Ruby also left with a muttered excuse, ignoring the worried look on her older sister.

"Did something happen?" Blake asked quietly. Apparently she was privy to the whole exchange than her outwardly appearance of reading showed.

"I… don't know." Pyrrha admitted. She turned to Yang for any light to the matter, though the blonde shed none, shaking her head. In truth Yang did have a hunch; Ruby was her younger sister, after all. But she wasn't comfortable with the idea of broadcasting it to others, especially when she didn't even know the others that well.

Weiss, surprisingly, had no snide remark for the occasion, eyeing her cup with a faraway look.


Ruby strode down the corridor, looking for the familiar mop of blonde in the sea of blurred outline of the crowd. So far she had little success, much to her annoyance. Honestly, she wasn't that far behind him, and already she lost him! How did that make sense? As if the day wasn't bad enough, too.

The bell tolled once more, and soon she found herself on her lonesome in the corridor. This didn't bother her as much as she thought it would. This wasn't the first time she bunked a class, after all.

"Miss Rose?"

Ozpin descended down the stairs, his ever-present eloquent cane in his hand.

"Professor Ozpin?"

"I believe the classes are about to begin. Is there a particular reason why you're wondering about, or do you need some assistance in navigating your way?"

"No, it's… I was actually trying to find Jaune." Ruby confessed. "But I don't know where he went off to, and… I just… didn't feel like going back to class."

Instead of a lecture about her lack of motivation, she was instead given a light pat on the shoulder. "Something troubles you." The headmaster observed.

When she wordlessly nodded, Ozpin tapped the watch on his wrist. "Perhaps we can talk this over in my office, if you wish."


Ruby stared in awe as she took in the headmaster's office. A large, circular room of austere design and little embellishment, with only a couple bookshelves and a table adorning the otherwise spacious interior. What truly amazed her was the intricate networks of cogs and gears that spun on the walls, the floor, even his desk, encased in walls of opaque glass. What would've been a chandelier was replaced with an intricate structure of wheels and gears hanging from the ceiling. Behind where the headmaster sat was the window, or to be more specific, the top half of the large clock, the ornate clock hands casting shadow over the room as it flew around the hours.

"Here. Drink it while it's still hot." Ozpin placed a steaming mug of hot chocolate, and she took it in her hands, enjoying the sweet scent of the drink.

"Thank you."

Minutes passed in silence, punctuated by the quiet sips and the gentle clicks of rotating machinery. Truthfully Ruby had no idea how to begin. The last – and the first – time she sat across Ozpin was shortly after her run-in with the notorious criminal, Roman Torchwick, and the chaotic frenzied battle that ensued shortly after when Glynda Goodwitch entered the fray. Back then she was still running on her adrenaline rush, giving her the rare boost in confidence when she outright declared her dreams of being a Huntress.

Now, it was difficult to get the words out. She knew what she wanted to say, but she just couldn't say it out loud.

"Tell me how it went."

"H-huh? What?" Ruby stuttered, not having expected him to speak first.

Ozpin crossed his fingers as he leaned a little closer. "Our surveillance equipment were badly damaged. We've only seen glimpses of the horror you and your team has faced down in Emerald Forest, Miss Rose. We may not have the whole picture, but we have enough pieces to make accurate assumptions."

"…" Perception wasn't usually Ruby's strong suit, though she somehow knew that Ozpin knew, or had a good idea of what was eating her in the inside.

"And that's not all, is it?" The headmaster added, his eyes softening in sympathy.

Perhaps it was the man's comforting voice, or the silent acceptance that promised she would not be judged. Whatever it was, Ruby soon spilled everything she had bottled up inside her for the past week, a long, difficult week. The airship accident, being stranded and running for her life, and actually watching someone's life extinguished right before her eyes. It was a harsh revelation for her, the truth of what it took to be a Huntress laid bare.

"It wasn't your fault, Miss Rose." Ozpin reassured gently.

"But we could've done something. Anything." She whispered, wiping her tears as she imagined all those who died, the citizens from the airship, the fellow students who met their ends in the hands of the colossal Grimm.

"Sometimes, things in life spiral out of our control. We may be Hunters and Huntresses, but there's only so much we can do, Miss Rose. We can certainly try our best, but in the end, we cannot save everyone." It was a bitter pill of truth, one that even he, after all these years, had difficulty swallowing.

Ruby shook her head defiantly. It wasn't going to stop her from trying. Otherwise what meaning was there in being a Huntress?

Ozpin's sigh was barely audible. He didn't have the heart to refute her naivety. "Then grow stronger, Miss Rose. Fight for those who cannot fend for themselves."

Ruby tearfully nodded. "I will, professor. I will."


Weiss sighed for the umpteenth time, the source of her distress innocently clutched in her fingers, dimly lighting the room. It was a small classroom, one that was mainly used for group studies rather than lectures, and it was not far from the first-year dorms. She didn't need to walk far to reach her room. Better yet, it was empty, and she wanted it to stay that way.

She clicked on her scroll, only to see that not a minute has passed since she last checked. And still no notifications. She checked her call log and messages, just in case she happened to miss any. There was nothing, as it has been for the past several days.

Nothing.

A frustrated growl escaped her lips, and she flipped through the list of contacts, and was about to select the 'call' button when she stopped. She knew he didn't like it when she called him through his direct number unless it was an emergency, and the definition of emergency, in his term, meant life-threatening events or incidents, likely involving those animalistic terrorist group out for blood, more specifically a Schnee's.

Instead her finger hovered over another contact, and soon the sound of ringing phone emanated from her scroll, the otherwise light chime echoing rather hauntingly in the unlit room devoid of life save for hers.

One ring. Two. Three, four, five…

Her breath hitched when it clicked, and a smartly dressed woman came to life on the screen. "Miss Schnee? How can I help you?"

"I-" Weiss cleared her throat, "I wish to talk with my father, if he is free."

"My apologies, Miss, but your father is currently busy at the moment." The secretary apologised, though her cold neutral expression did not thaw.

"It won't take long. I simply need a minute." Weiss snapped.

"Unfortunately, he is very busy at the moment." The secretary repeated coldly.

"He can't even spare a minute for his own daughter?"

"As I said-"

Weiss cut in angrily, her patience tested and running thin. "Spare me the excuses! I don't want to hear any more of it! Now-"

"He explicitly stated that he was not to be disturbed, from anyone." The woman spoke in a clipped tone, her face still kept in that static expressionless visage that incensed the heiress.

"Fine, I shall contact him later, then." Not bothering to wait for a reply she terminated the call. Then her scroll flew across the room, hitting the wall hard and bouncing off, webs of cracks running through the glass screen.

Her lips curled back in a snarl. She knew her father was a cold man, but was it so much to ask for him to show that he cared by at least calling her? Or even checking up on her? His last words before she left was that he expected great things from her, as befitting a Schnee. Not only has she passed, she was given the position of a leader! And yet, she heard nothing from her father. Did he even care?

"Probably not." Weiss bitterly spat as she already knew the answer. Why would he, when he already had a better, more worthy successor to his legacy? After all, what Weiss could do, Winter could do much better, always better.

All her life, she tried hard to be better, better than her sister for just once, to claim the limelight for even a moment. But Winter's shadow was too big.

At that moment she wanted nothing more than to scream and yell. Cry and cry until there was nothing left, until the last of her melted away into nothingness.

Outside, Pyrrha quietly stood up and padded back to their room. She pretended to be asleep when she heard the door to their room open much later. She wasn't planning on bringing it up; after all, Weiss was too proud to admit that she was crying, and Pyrrha wasn't a tattler.


A/N: This chapter was a bit of a tricky one to write. I wanted to use this chapter to show different character interactions, rather than just focusing on Jaune and Ruby. Hope it turned out alright.

I did mention earlier that from December life will get more hectic, and it will, since I'll be working my first 8/9 to 5 shifts starting tomorrow. What time I have left will be devoted to studying and other aspects of life, so updates won't be as frequent, unfortunately. I FINALLY got my restricted driver's licence though, so this chapter is (one of) my way of celebrating.

As usual, thank you to all who f/f/r'd. It's good to see how some people don't mind the overall dark tone of the story, one particular reviewer even suggested changing the fic rating to 'M'. To be honest I'm not quite sure if this fic merits an 'M' rating... does it? Hmm...

Anyways, thanks for reading!