"I'm sure you're tired of hearing it class, but as a teacher I feel the need to remind you that final exams begin in two weeks! Now, seeing as you've all already attended several classes today, I am confident you all know the spiel- but, just in case a few stragglers have failed to grasp the message- please open up your books in the coming days."

"Most of you have done very well in this course", Dr. Oobleck continued, enjoying another sip of coffee. "However, you cannot expect to remember the things we covered months ago, not without re-familiarizing yourself with the text."

"So, I implore you, carve out some of your precious time to read, at least the early chapters. I would also suggest study groups with your team as useful practice. Although", he added with a knowing glance towards teams RWBY and JNPR, " do be sure to use your time wisely."

"Seeing as I have covered all the requisite material, I shan't be seeing you in class until you take my final. So, I wish you all the best of luck, and of course feel free to stop by my office if you need assistance.", he offered, a genuine smile radiating over the gloomy room.

Dr. Oobleck began to pack his papers into his briefcase, the students following suit and stowing their notes and books, several rising and plodding towards the doorway.

"One more thing"

The general chatter of the room died quickly, all students eager to hear any last minute advice from the professor.

"Because I have had no major problems with this class, and because I am a merciful man", he added with a wink, "I will give you one hint. For the essay portions, you will want to be well acquainted with the Faunus rights struggle, both throughout history and how it has resulted in our current world. And some knowledge of the War of the Four Kingdoms would not be remiss."

Satisfied with the general groans the class released, Oobleck strode towards the door to his office, confident in his students abilities."And once again- Good luck!"


"Well, we can't really say we're surprised, can we?"

"I mean, Oobleck always emphasized the role of Faunus in history," Weiss continued, trying to lessen the anguish of her fellows as they trudged back towards their dorms. "And The War is, like, the biggest event of the world in the last century. Of course he would ask about it."

"Listen Ice queen", Yang interjected, slightly perturbed at the tone Weiss took, as if admonishing a barking dog. "It's not about the topics, really. It's about the dream, the hope we all had that maybe, just maybe, there weren't gonna be any essays at all, or at the least just one! But now we all know there are at least two essays, and over two of the most wide ranging and complicated events in our history. So I feel somewhat justified in my whining."

Weiss stiffened up, ready to tear into the blonde huntress for being ill-prepared and not anticipating the prompts. She then realized that responding this way would neither help her teammate, nor make her look good to the others. So she bowed her head, imitating the others, and continued the walk in silence. Only Nora walked normally (well, for her), arms swinging and face raised, smile sweeping across her path like a target finder. She continued to try and initiate conversation, with only Ren replying, if his noncommittal grunts could be called as much.

Reaching the halfway point to their dormitory, Nora's continual perkiness, usually endearing if anything, began to grate upon even the nicest member of the two teams.

"Hey, Nora?", Ruby called out to the orange haired harpy several paces ahead of the group.

"Yessssssss?" Nora replied in a sing-song tone, turning around to face her teammates and friends, while continuing to walk backwards.

"You think maybe you could tone it down with all the...cheer?" Ruby continued tentatively,treading the line between hurting Nora's feelings and angering her.

"Well, I can't help it if I'm happy at the awesome study plan I made for us tonight." She replied, bumping into several students without slowing.

"Oh, is that it?" Ruby asked, unsure if she should feel excited or anxious- it could go either way with Nora's plans.

"And when were you planning on letting us in on this plan?" Weiss complained, still annoyed at the hammer wielding huntress.

"Oh, whenever one of you complained about my buoyant, bubbly, boisterous attitude. And I gotta say, I did not expect it to be you!" She added, waving a reproachful finger at Ruby.

" I wasn't complaining!" Ruby quickly insisted, slightly hurt at the accusation. "I was just suggesting that you might not have fully absorbed the meaning of Oobleck's words. On top of the short answer and multiple choice section, we have at least two essays!"

"Yeah. I heard" Nora answered calmly. "And I have two weeks to worry about it. Why start now? Besides, you haven't even heard about my plan yet!" She added, feigning hurt, pouting.

"Fine," Jaune replied, taking the bait purposefully. "Please, dear friend Nora, enlighten us to your brilliant plan" Jaune teased.

"My pleasure!" Nora acquiesced, ignoring the blatant sarcasm. "Ok, so you know how Oobleck said study groups would be a good way to review?"

"So you're suggesting we all study together? Wow, you sure are a visionary. I mean", Weiss continued, pointing at at the assembled mass of the group, " could any of you come up with such a revolutionary plan. Great idea Nora! Let's get to the library and make sure we get a big table!" Weiss finished, out of breath from the faked enthusiasm, slightly shocking even her teammates at the levels of mockery running through her words.

"NO, NO, SCREW ALL THAT!" Nora responded, her yells awakening the group from their shocked stupor. "You see, that's exactly what Oobleck wants us to do! Instead, we're gonna have a movie night!"

"Wai- what!" Ren suddenly interjected, confused at the sudden turn the conversation had taken.

"Surely you can't be serious" Blake asked, convinced this was one of Nora's 'jokes'.

"I am serious" Nora replied haughtily. "And don't call me Shirley"

"Wait wait wait" Yang interjected, suddenly entering the fray. "What movies we talking 'bout?"

"Finally!" Nora excitedly commented, smiling at her fellow huntress. "Someone asking the important questions! Well,", she went on, swinging her bag from her back into her arms.

"I have here several options for your viewing pleasure, in several genres!"

"First- Forrest Gump. A classic."

"Cmon Nora, they've all seen it. Everyone has." Ren responded

"Ok ok, plenty more. How about a comedy! Princess Bride."

"Ooh, I love that movie." Ruby commented, eyes shining, hands clasped to her chest.

"Wait, isn't that a kissing movie or something? Next."

"But that's not- ugh,whatever. Ok, this one's pretty good" Nora continued, reaching deep into her bag, pulling a case from its depths high into the air- "Lord of the Rings!"

"Aw yeah!" Jaune exclaimed excitedly, snatching the case from Nora.

"It is a pretty good movie" Ren added, practically shivering with excitement compared to his usual reserved nature.

"Uh-uh. Nope, not happening-it's a total guy movie." Weiss insisted

"Yeah, besides we only have two weeks before the exam, it'd take us like a whole day to get through those movies" Blake added, not excited at the idea of watching 12 hours of dialogue.

"Well us guys wanna watch it!" Jaune stated confidently, armored chest puffed out.

"Jaune, there're two of you and six of us." Yang noted, cracking her knuckles. "And one of us is your girlfriend."

Pyrrha, who had remained quiet for the duration of the discussion, raised her hand in a small wave.

"Ok, so not Lord of the Rings" Nora continued, the boys groans punctuating her rummaging.

"Well,that leaves us with one option-so, looks like we're watching 'Scott Pilgrim vs the World."

2 hours later

"That movie was awesome!"

"Yeah, I don't know how I missed it when it came out!"

"You and everyone else."

"I remember reading some of the comics and liking them, but this was really good!"

"Ok, well Team RWBY better be getting back to their room" Ruby commented, getting up and stretching.

"Cmoooon Ruby. It's only 9 o'clock. We have enough time for 1 more movie. " Yang pleaded, not yet tired, nor wanting to study.

"Well, I guess we do have a while before exams. And it's not that late." Ruby conceded, none too eager to start study herself. "Nora, you got anything else?"

"Wellllll, I do have a couple of movies from my personal stash. Buttttttt, they might be too scary for you little girls."

"Yeah right." Yang challenged, eyes in danger of rolling out of their sockets.

"So, what are our options?" Jaune chimed in. "I never really got to watch any scary movies growing up"

"Why not?" Pyrrha enquired, head resting on Jaune's shoulder.

"Seven sisters, remember? Anyway, don't leave us on our toes. Titles woman-options!"

"I'm afraid not, Johnny boy" Nora replied, head shaking from side to side. "My turn to choose. Besides, they're my movies, I know which ones are the best!"

Nora returned to rummaging through her footlocker, occasionally pulling out titles which caught her eye.

The minutes passed, with several conversations going on between the friends, before a sudden exclamation jolted them from their reverie.

"YES! Here it is!" Nora stated proudly, quickly walking over and inserting the disc into the player.

"So, care to let us in on what we're watching?" Weiss asked, slight annoyance noticeable in her voice.

"It's a great movie. A little old, but the effects still hold up. John Carpenter's The Thing!"

"Never heard of it"

"Well, prepare yourself for the best scary movie of all time!"

"Some high praise. Well, I'll go grab some popcorn", Jaune offered, rising from the floor."I'll hit the lights when I come back in, then we can start it up!"

Another 2 hours later

"Wait, that's it! What happened? Which one is infected? Do they live? So many questions!"

"That's why it's so good!" Nora responded, delighted to have witnessed the fear of her friends on their first viewing.

"That was really good" Blake added from here curled up position on the floor.

"Ehh, it started off a bit slow" Yang complained, always favoring action to dialogue.

"It's called plot you neanderthal" Blake mocked, thumping her forehead. "Not every movie is directed by Michael Bay"

"I mean, don't get me wrong, it had its moments. Like when the dude's arms get ripped off!"

"Welp, guess we should call it a night. Seriously this time" Ruby finished, attempting her 'stern' face.

"I guess you're right. So, you guys wanna meet in the library after lunch tomorrow? Get some actual studying in."

"Sounds like a plan. Sleep well guys. Don't let the thing get ya!"


3 A.M. -Team JNPR's room

"Hey, Pyrrha? You up?"

"What Jaune?" Pyrrha replied groggily, half-asleep.

"You don't think Weiss is one of those things, do you?"

"Jaune, are you having nightmares?"

"Wha- me? Nooooo, I'm just asking, y'know"

"No, I don't think Weiss is a shape-shifting creature from another planet."

"Oh, ok. Well goodnight."

Several minutes passed, with Jaune tossing and turning in his bed, unable to fall asleep. Pyrrha became more and more agitated at the rustling sounds, which denied her sleep as well.

"Jaune, are you ok?"

"Yeah, just fine. Why?"

"Well, if you're having trouble falling asleep, you can come lay down in my bed. I'll keep you safe."

"Oh, you don't have to do that" Jaune responded, while jumping from his bed and quickly settling in to Pyrrha's.

"But if it will make you feel better, I guess I'll do it. For you" he insisted.

"Whatever Jaune. Go to bed."

"Ok" He responded, wrapping his arms around her.

"Hey Pyrrha?"

"What Jaune?" she replied, exasperation creeping into her tone.

"You're not one of those things, are you?"

"Shut up Jaune"

"Yeah, right. Right."

"You shouldn't be scared of her" a voice called out from the dark room, low and threatening.

"You should be scared of ME!" it added, light illuminating a Grimm face at the edge of the bed.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"

"Hahahahahaha"

Nora flicked the bedside lamp on, removing the Grimm mask and laying it on the floor.

"You should've seen your face. Priceless!"

"That's not funny Nora." Pyrrha reprimanded, cradling the shaking Jaune in her arms.

"Now he's gonna be up all night!"


AN: Hey guys, sorry if this chapter wasn't great. Between starting Senior year and working on college applications, I've been a bit swamped...but, I still wanted to post something, and it was a nice change of pace from essay writing -so forgive me senpai.