RWBY: Kindred Spirits
Chapter 8: The First Day Begins
Hello there. I haven't posted in a while. Don't really have an excuse though. I'm just lazy I guess. Welp. Let me tell you a bit about my plans. I have three "stages" planed out for Vermont's character. And I'll tell you a bit about what happens in each one.
1. Call to action
This is the part we are currently in. Vermont will discover his semblance, and realize that the world needs him.
2. Blind eyes still see
Vermont will learn about his family. He will doubt everything he ever had, and he will seek a purpose he can't find.
3. Clarity
Vermont will overcome what plagues him the most. He will learn the truth of what he is, and he will prepare for war.
4. 01000100 01100001 01110010 01101011 01101110 01100101 01110011 01110011
"Russel Thrush, Cardin Winchester, Dove Bronzewing, Sky Lark. The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team CRDL, lead by Cardin Winchester." Ozpin announced. Clapping sounded across the auditorium of Beacon as Vermont started to wonder about his future. The teams were determined by what relics were retrieved by who. But Ozpin had specifically told Vermont to retrieve the pawn. How his team would be chosen, he did not know. Vermont guessed that Ozpin would tell him later. The next team approached the headmaster.
"Jaune Ark, Lie Ren, Pyrrha Nikos, Nora Valkyrie. The four of you retrieved the white rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team JNPR, lead by Jaune Ark." It sure was a surprise to see that Jaune would lead a team, but perhaps it would help him gain some confidence. Now the last team approached Ozpin.
"And finally, Blake Belladonna, Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee and Yang Xiao Long. The Four of you retrieved the white knight pieces. The four of you will work together as Team RWBY, lead by..." Ozpin was dragging it out, maybe to increase the power of the surprise. "Ruby Rose." Everyone did seem surprised. Ruby was at a loss for words, Weiss seemed a little offended and Yang hugged Ruby proudly. A small smile could be seen creeping up on Vermont's face. To have Ruby lead a team was certainly a little controversial. How she would treat her new role, he didn't know. But somehow he knew it was a good thing. Team RWBY stepped off stage and Ozpin walked forward.
"Now." He began. "This year there has been a couple of complications when it came to the formation of teams. One student was unexpectantly invited a year earlier then we had expected. Therefore he does not yet have a team or even a partner for that matter." Vermont waited in anticipation for what Ozpin had planned for him.
"That student is Vermont Scale. Vermont, could you please get up here?" Now it was confirmed. "You shall have your own dorm. But, you will get a team. We have not yet decided on who though." What!? Ozpin didn't plan that. It seemed weird and out of character. But who would his teammates be then?
"And so..." Ozpin continued. "Does anyone want this fine man as their bonus teammate?" Just like that? Really. Oh well. Luckily Vermont was not disappointed with who raised their hands. Ruby did, Jaune did, and... Blake did? Why? She had had a very toxic attitude towards him when they first met. How peculiar.
"Well then. Since two members from team RWBY want to have you, and one member of team JNPR wants to have you, you shall belong to team RWBY. The name shall remain the same as it is already encoded into the systems. Congratulations young man." With a pat on his back, Ozpin sent Vermont down into the crowd once more. Team RWBY, huh? Great. Honestly, Vermont couldn't have hoped for anything better. But the fact that Blake raised her hand still confused him. But she did know about Vermont's parents, so maybe she wanted to find out more about him. Whatever. Vermont didn't really care. He was just happy to be placed on a skilled team. The next four years were sure to be interesting, he thought. And they would indeed be way more interesting then he could ever imagine.
After having been shown to his dorm by Goodwitch, Vermont had gone to bed quite early. He was tired. And who wouldn't be? Joining Beacon, going through initiation and getting a team. It all had happened so very fast. And his lack of proper sleep didn't help. He yawned as he slowly got himself out of the bed. After getting dressed in his uniform, he approached the window. He had a good view. He could see the morning sun heating up the courtyard of Beacon and the forest that lied beyond.
"I wonder what you would've thought of this. You did always enjoy a good view." He didn't speak to anyone in particular. At least not anyone who could hear him. He then looked at his scroll. He immediately noticed that he had messed up. He was going to be late to class. He was supposed to be ready at nine, and it was already about five minutes to nine. He stormed out of his dorm and ran towards the classroom he was currently supposed to be in. What a cliche... Being late to class on the first day. He could soon hear that he was not, in fact, the only one being late. The rest of team RWBY and also team JNPR came running from another path that led to more dorms. Vermont gave them a little wave as he ran to join them.
"Oh hi Vermont." Ruby said. "Now this will give our team a good reputation..."
"For now just worry about getting there." The faunus boy responded as he sped up a little. The two teams ran across a section of the courtyard as they passed Ozpin and Goodwitch. Goodwitch was obviously annoyed by their late arrival, but Ozpin didn't seem to be very irritated. Perhaps he thought differently of the situation. Somehow the group was able to make it in time. The teams had sat down and the lecture was beginning. Then the teacher, Professor Port, stepped forward, trying to get the attention of the students. "Monsters! Deeemons... Prowlers of the night!" He spoke proudly. "Yes, the creatures of grimm have many names. But I merely refer to them as prey!" He gave a burst of sudden laughter that awoke Ruby from her slumber. To his left Vermont heard the scribbling of Weiss taking notes, and past her, he could hear Ruby coming to her senses. Blake and Yang were positioned to the Faunus's right.
"Uhh..." Port mumbled, surprised that his joke didn't land well with his younger audience. "And you shall too, upon graduating this prestigious academy." Vermont looked back at Ruby, he had never seen anyone look so bored before. And he couldn't blame her...
"Now as I was saying, Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens, in an otherwise treacherous world." Port stated walking back and forth in front of the students. "Our planet is teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces. And that's where we come in... Hunters! Huntresses!" Port raised his eyebrow as he made a clicking noise at Yang. Visibly awkward, Yang just looked away and gave an awkward little laugh.
"Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves." Port continued his monologue. Vermont couldn't help but think that Port seemed a little unprofessional. "From what you ask... Why... The very world!" Port properly expected a different reaction than what he got. Everyone was just kind of silent... Well almost everyone. One student raised his hand, stood up from his seat, and gave a "Heyyy ya!"... He just sat down again afterwards.
"That is what you are training to become. But first a story, a tale of a young, handsome man... Me. When I was a boy..." As Port continued his story Vermont got distracted. He saw Weiss turning towards Ruby. She must have been annoyed by the scribbling sounds of Ruby drawing instead of listening. "Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. Peter, he told me..." Ruby started giggling to herself. This annoyed Weiss, but Vermont was just happy to have something distracting him. Ruby then held up the paper she had been drawing on. It was a drawing of Professor Port. As she showed it to Vermont and Weiss she made a fart noise with her mouth... A fart noise. Now that's a sense of humour, Vermont thought to himself. It seemed like Yang had also noticed what was happening, and she was having a blast. But Port suddenly cleared his throat in order to quiet the sisters down.
"In the end, the beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity! And I returned to my village, with the beast in captivity and my head held high. Celebrated, as a hero." The professor then bowed to end his boastful story. "The moral of the story? A true huntsman must be honourable." Vermont looked over at Ruby. She was balancing her books and an apple on top of a pencil. "A true hunter must be dependable." She had fallen asleep again... "A true hunter must be strategic, well educated, and wise!" Okay, now she was picking her nose.
"So who among you believe themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" Weiss immediately shot up her hand.
"I do, sir!" She said with a look of determination.
"Well then, step forward." Port said as he pointed to a cage that stood next to him. Something was rattling inside of it. Vermont could feel its lack of aura, a trait he had come to know in the creatures of grimm.
Weiss had left the room. She was getting ready for her fight. Meanwhile professor Port was telling another story. Vermont was not listening though. Two questions currently plagued his mind. Why did Ozpin bring him to Beacon early? And why did Blake vote to have him on the team? One could potentially be answered pretty quickly. Vermont turned to face Yang and Blake on his right. They weren't listening either. In fact, Vermont couldn't spot one single student who was actually listening to the old man's tales.
"Well, this sure is boring." Vermont stated to strike up a conversation. His intention was to start talking to Yang and slowly drag Blake into it, but as he would soon come to know, that plan was not going to go as he intended.
"Yeah. But I guess it could be worse." Yang answered. "By the way, how are you doing?"
"Wh-I mean sorry. What do you mean by that?" Vermont was anticipating a question like that.
"I mean are you tired. Maybe a bit sore. You know, after initiation yesterday." Oh, that's what she meant.
"No, actually, I'm feeling pretty good." Vermont answered genuinely.
"Even after riding a Nevermore and being dragged up a wall? I gotta say that's pretty impressive." Yang looked behind Vermont and spotted the now, once again, sleeping Ruby, and shrugged.
"It was nothing really. We couldn't have done it without us all there." Vermont really did believe what he was saying.
"Yeah, I guess so... By the way, thanks, man." Yang smiled at Ruby.
"For what?"
"When Ruby got stuck I saw how you reacted. Of course, I know that Weiss was the one who saved her, but I saw how you charged at that bird. I like people who take action. And I like people that want to save my sister. Can't have too many friends these days." Yang had gotten super serious all of a sudden. Vermont felt his faunus ears drop down in some expression. He had gotten completely sidetracked. His plan about bringing in Blake wasn't working.
"No problem, Yang. By the way, not that I'm mad, but why didn't you raise my your hand to get me on the team?" Vermont asked her.
"It's simple really. I would have enjoyed some proper competition." Yang gave a shrug and a smug grin. "But I do like having you on the team."
"Well, I'm happy to be on it. And I guess I have you and Ruby to thank, Blake." Success. She looked up at her teammates. "But why did you want me to join." Blake looked at him with her amber eyes. Then she looked away again.
"Keep your friends close, and enemies closer. Which one you are, only time will tell..."
"Yikes! Someone might want to try a trust exercise..." Yang joked, but Vermont could see it was annoying Blake a little. She must really have some reason to hate him. Suddenly one could hear the door open as Weiss returned, armed and ready to fight.
