Makoto sighed heavily, sitting down on the bed. She glared at the papers presented before her, not eager to do any schoolwork. She knew Tsubaki would make her, though. Preparing for the inevitable, Makoto cleared a space at her desk and sat down, waiting for her friend to enter. It didn't take long for her to hear the sound of Tsubaki's footsteps echo through the halls as she walked to her dorm. The readhead walked and and smiled. Makoto knew what was coming. Tsubaki walked over to her friend and leaned over her paper.
"Alright, you understand the basic concept, don't you? I'm not going to just hand you the answers, you need to know what you're doing." Makoto grumbled at this.
"Whatever, Tsubaki," she muttered. At this, Tsubaki looked concerned.
"Makoto, you're not usually like this. Is something wrong?"
"Yeah, something's wrong. I don't want to do this stupid schoolwork."
"Makoto, that's not the real problem here and you know it," Tsubaki admonished. Makoto did know it, but she insisted on making things difficult for her friend.
"Don't psycho-analyze me, Tsubaki. Go play with Weiss or something."
"Makoto, either you tell me what's wrong or I'm going to get the nurse, because this isn't normal behavior for you." Makoto laughed a harsh laugh. Tsubaki winced at the cruelty in her voice.
"Typical Tsubaki, always blindly running to the people in charge like the suck-up you are. Haven't you considered that they're the problem?!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Makoto! What problem is this?!" Tsubaki shouted angrily.
"You know damn well what the problem is!" The fauna snapped.
"No I don't, but if you tell me, than maybe I can do something about it," Tsubaki replied, calming herself down.
"It's the problem that's been with me ever since I was born!" Makoto screamed. By now, she had gotten out of the chair and stood close to Tsubaki, giving the redhead a withering gaze. Tsubaki then realized what this was about.
"Are people harassing you?" She asked kindly, reaching out her hand hold hold onto Makoto's. The fauna pulled her hand away.
"Yeah, yeah they are."
"Why don't you tell a professor?"
"Because I don't wanna make a big scene, okay? That'll just draw more attention to me, and I've had enough attention for one day, trust me." Makoto snarled, turning away from her friend.
"So this started recently?" Tsubaki asked.
"Yeah."
"Is it because Ragna's not around?" The redhead asked, her guess hitting the jackpot. Ragna was an intimidating figure. Knowing that they could make him angry, people kept their distance from Makoto, not wanting to risk the injuries the white-haired young man would surely inflict. His absence brought numerous racists out of the woodwork.
"...Maybe it is. But I don't need him, okay? I can fight my own battles."
"But you're not. You're letting them hurt you."
"What else can I do, huh? I can't talk back or throw a punch, that'll just get me into more trouble. I could tell a professor, but they can't stop this." Tsubaki looked down, her expression turning into a snarl.
"And you're complaining now? You're better than that, Makoto. You knew what would happen if you went to Beacon."
"Look, just let me throw my hissy fit and I'll be all better, okay?" The fauna asked dejectedly.
"Makoto, you have to tell a professor."
"Oh, shut up. I told you, they can't do anything."
"You can't know that until you try."
"Believe me, I know," Makoto said darkly. Tsubaki went to comfort her friend, but was rebuked yet again.
"All you tell me to do is talk to a professor, as if they have the magical ability to make racism go away. They don't, Tsubaki. You can't solve everything with your rules and regulations," the fauna said, leaving the dorm. Tsubaki considered going after her, but didn't. She knew that following Makoto would only result in more arguing. But she felt so bad for her. Makoto had grown up in a world where the law wasn't on her side. Things weren't as bad as they used to be, but racism was still very much alive and, in some areas, thriving. She couldn't blame Makoto for not trusting authority, but she knew it would be better to talk to a professor than to do nothing. But something else also stirred in her mind. She was irritated at Makoto's words. Tsubaki wasn't blind. She knew what she was doing, and she knew that her weapon didn't cause blindness. That was a myth that had been spread through her family for generations. Tsubaki knew that Izayoi was a weapon. Nothing more, and nothing less.
Makoto stormed out onto one of the balconies, fuming. She slammed her hand into the metal bar surrounding the edge of the balcony and gripped it tight. She felt it shudder and crunch within her grasp. That was when she noticed a stocky man with a bushy mustache standing beside her.
"What seems to be that matter, Makoto?" He asked. The fauna glared at him.
"Go away."
"The last time I checked, this balcony is not the property of Makoto Nanaya. I have every right to be here."
"I'm having a tantrum, here. You really wanna be around for that?"
"More than that, I believe I can put a stop to it. Dear girl, confess to me your strife!" Despite herself, Makoto laughed at Peter Port's exuberance.
"Fine...I'm a bit, well...I'm a fauna, and, well, you know what happens to fauna..." She said, not eager to discuss her problem. Professor Port laughed.
"My dear, you shouldn't let such things get you down! You are a remarkable person with one of the highest recommendations I have ever seen! You were accepted at Beacon solely for your physical prowess! You live with yourself every day of your life. You know how you think and what you feel, while your tormentors only see a tail and ears. They know nothing about you, and so their words mean nothing," he said sagely. Makoto looked at him with admiration. She'd never received this kind of advice before. People had told her to ignore racists and their jeers. No one had bothered to tell her why.
"...It just wears me down, you know? Get told something long enough and you start to believe it. Maybe...maybe I let them get to me more than I thought," she said sadly. Professor Port sighed.
"Do you want me to do something about it per school protocol, or do you want me to employ a Peter Port solution?" He asked. At this, Makoto was intrigued. She didn't want him to do anything professor-like, such as give detention and whatnot, but she was interested in knowing what his plan was for helping her feel better.
"I'd like the Peter Port solution, please," Makoto said, smiling widely. The professor smiled back.
"Follow me to my classroom. I have something planned for you that is guaranteed to work!"
Makoto eagerly scurried after professor Port, who led her to his large classroom. She saw the familiar cage that was home to many a Boarbatusk. When a growling noise emanated from behind the bars, she knew he'd restocked.
"Is your plan to make me fight the Boarbatusk?" Makoto asked. Professor Port nodded.
"Very perceptive! In cases like this, blowing off steam is the best option. Now, after my daily Edgar-ah, I mean Boarbatusk-hunt, I have found an ample amount. Since you are in need of assistance, and are one of my favorite students to boot, I shall allow you to release some anger upon Edgar 157!" Makoto chuckled at the name.
"What's with this Edgar stuff?" Professor Port chuckled nervously.
"Nothing you need to worry about, heh heh heh...Anyhow, it is time for you to face your opponent! Fight with valiance, Makoto Nanaya!" The Boarbatusk charged as professor Port used his weapon to slash the chains binding the door to the cage. It howled a deadly howl, but professor Port had told her what to do, and she also knew from Weiss' experience. However, unlike Weiss, she fought with brawn. Makoto did the standard hop to the side to charge the Grimm, which wasn't capable of deviating from its path when it reached a certain speed, but in a surprisingly aggressive move, grabbed it by the tusks. She spun it around wildly before slamming it into the ground. The impact was so strong that it bounced into the air, and Makoto sprang up to meet it, punching the Grimm back into the ground. She kicked it away and let it recover. Beating up Edgar 157 was proving to be very therapeutic. Makoto did a silly taunt, sticking out her tongue and pulling both sides of her mouth apart from each other. Edgar 157, apparently, didn't like that. The Grimm rolled into a ball and stormed towards the headstrong fauna, who simply held out her hand. The beast didn't even move her an inch. She smiled arrogantly as it struggled in vain to push her back. With an angry shout, Makoto pushed it back instead, grunting with the effort that it took. Professor Port looked on in awe. Very few, himself included among those few, could preform such a feat at such a young age. Makoto then began to run, sprinting towards the wall. The Grimm whimpered as Makoto pushed it back. Soon, its body collided with the wall. It fell out of its spin and lay panting on the ground. Makoto then brought her foot into the air and stomped the beast out of its misery.
"How was that?" She asked, turning around. Professor Port clapped.
"Bravo, bravo! That was quite impressive! It reminds me of when I was younger, the sweat pouring from my head, dripping onto my mustache...I remember those days well," he said fondly.
"Onto your mustache?" Makoto muttered to herself, still smiling. Then, professor Port did something surprising. He pulled, from behind his back, an ice cream cone. It was as brown as Makoto's tail.
"Here. It's chestnut flavor," he said. She took it gratefully.
"Chestnut flavor? Really?!" She exclaimed.
"Indeed it is. I made it myself," professor Port said proudly.
"Hunter, ice cream maker...you really are a renaissance man, huh?" Makoto asked, impressed.
"Of course!" Was the proud reply. Makoto licked the cone. It tasted like roasted chestnuts. Peter Port knew how to make ice cream. As she took her second lick, she began to feel herself cry. She blinked in surprise, and a tear fell to the ground.
"Huh?" She murmured. Professor Port looked on kindly.
"Those, my dear girl, are tears of happiness. Treasure them," he said. Makoto looked at the portly professor and, cone still in hand, gave him a big bear hug. He didn't even flinch.
"Thank you so much! I...I feel so much better!" She gushed.
"No worries. It's my job as a professor. I think what you needed wasn't to blow off steam after all...I think, what you truly wanted, was for someone to accept you for who you are. But you didn't need me for that. You have friends, right?" Professor Port asked her. Makoto then realized that she had left Tsubaki behind, lonely and hurt.
"Oh no oh no oh no! I totally have to apologize to Tsubaki! I'm really sorry, but I have to go!" Makoto threw the ice cream cone into her mouth without missing a beat, and ran off to find her friend.
"Such a splendid young lady. It seems that the quality of Beacon's students is getting finer every year," professor Port reminisced.
Makoto ran to Tsubaki, who was doing her schoolwork. She burst through the door and gave her friend a big hug.
"I'm so, so sorry! I said some really mean things and I didn't mean them! You were right, Tsubaki. I should have talked to a professor, and I did. Professor Port really helped me out, so I'm sorry! I shouldn't have said all of those things and it was really stupid and childish of me to snap at you like that and I-" Tsubaki turned around, returning Makoto's hug. She then put a finger to her lips.
"You don't have to apologize. I understand that life is hard for you, as a fauna. Just know that you have myself, Noel, Ragna, and everyone else...but I'm glad professor Port as able to help," Tsubaki said. Makoto grinned widely.
"You are so cool, Tsubaki!" The redhead chuckled.
"That's a bit much. Now, how about that schoolwork?" Makoto sighed.
"Forget what I said about you being cool. Let's get this over with," the fauna muttered flashing Tsubaki a brilliant smile.
"Rachel Alucard made contact with Ragna Mutsuki and Noel Vermillion, Hazama," a man with blonde hair and a flamboyant purple cloak said in a deep, commanding voice. The green-haired, fedora wearing sadist glanced at his partner.
"Really? The shitty vampire made her move?" Hazama asked, sounding bored.
"Indeed she did. As an observer, she didn't say much, although she did use the word 'cycle.' However, this doesn't violate her contract and she is still an Observer, so don't get any ideas and attack her," the man replied.
"Well, Relius, that's just great. You wanna give me any other good news?"
"Of course not. I'd hate to interrupt you any further," Relius replied coyly.
"Whatever. Hey, I noticed that a shard of the Azure is, uh, missing. You have any idea where it went?" Hazama asked.
"A shard of the Azure, missing? This is quite the development. It seems I now have yet another task. If you'll excuse me," Relius said. Hazama quickly got up.
"Hold the phone there, buddy. You know how I asked you to work on the Yukianesa effect? Well, I really want that worked on pronto. I heard it's only in liquid form now, and I want it as a gas. Also, I want it to be more effective. Bluntly, I'm telling you to forget the shard of the Azure and go do science. I'll get Torchwick and Crimson to look for the shard," he said. Relius grinned.
"But of course, Hazama. I'll get right on that." With that, he walked away. Hazama glanced at the papers he was looking at and sighed.
"Noel Vermillion had better pay off..."
AND ANOTHER CHAPTER FINISHED. I UPHELD A LOT OF PROMISES THIS CHAPTER. I INCLUDED A SMALL BIT OF HAZAMA, GAVE PETER PORT A CHANCE TO DISPLAY HIS WISDOM TO MAKE UP FOR TSUBAKI INTERRUPTING THE CANON FLOW OF THE SHOW, AND THAT'S REALLY IT, ACTUALLY. I ALSO HAVE A BLATANTLY OBVIOUS ACHIEVEMENT HUNTER REFERENCE. I FEEL BAD FOR ALL THOSE EDGARS. NOW I HAVE TO MAKE A REFERENCE TO MY FAVORITE ACHIEVEMENT HUNTER, GAVIN. I'M LEANING TOWARDS REFERENCING MARK NUTT, BUT I'M OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS. IF ANYONE HAS AN IDEA OF HOW TO INCORPORATE A GAVIN REFERENCE INTO MY NEXT CHAPTER, PLEASE TELL ME AND I'LL BE SURE TO USE THE ONE I LIKE BEST. BONUS POINTS IF ITS A REFERENCE TO GAVIN'S TROPHY ROOM OF VICTORY IN HIS HOUSE OF ART AND DREAMS. AH, GAVIN, YOU ARE AWESOME. ANYWAY, THE NEXT CHAPTER, ASIDE FROM A POSSIBLE GAVIN FREE REFERENCE, IS GOING TO CONTAIN THE RETURN OF RAGNA AND NOEL AND SOME MORE FOCUS ON TEAM JNPR. ALSO, OTHER ACHIEVEMENT HUNTER REFERENCE IDEAS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME.
I WATCHED EPISODE 12 OF RWBY, AND FOUND MYSELF IMPRESSED AS ALWAYS. I KNEW THAT JAUNE MOST LIKELY DIDN'T GET INTO BEACON ON HIS OWN MERIT, BUT I HAD NO IDEA HE'D GO AS FAR AS HE DID. I DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD IT IN HIM (NOTICE HOW I AVOIDED SPOILERS. I CAN BE NICE WHEN I WANT TO). THINGS ARE LOOKING VERY, VERY BAD FOR OUR BLONDE LEADING MAN. SPEAKING OF JAUNE, I THINK HE'S NOW THE MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER IN THE SHOW, AT LEAST FOR ME. I CAN UNDERSTAND HIS LACK OF SELF-CONFIDENCE AND DESIRE TO SOLVE HIS PROBLEMS BY HIMSELF. HIS AND PYRRHA'S DYNAMIC IS REMINDING ME A BIT OF EREN AND MIKASA FROM ATTACK ON TITAN. I SAY THIS BECAUSE PYRRHA, LIKE MIKASA, IS DOTING UPON JAUNE, WHO, LIKE EREN, IS ACTING LIKE A DICK AND NOT ACCEPTING HER HELP (ALTHOUGH I WILL ADMIT THAT MIKASA IS OVERPROTECTIVE SOMETIMES). AND I ALSO LIKE BLAKE'S SHINING MOMENT. WHILE SHE HAD MAINLY BEEN SITTING ON THE SIDELINES THESE PAST FEW EPISODES, THE BLAKE I KNOW AND LOVE FROM EPISODE 3 MADE HER RETURN WITH THAT SCATHING INSULT TO CARDIN. I'M NOT SAYING THAT I HAVEN'T LIKED BLAKE THESE PAST FEW EPISODES, I DID. I FEEL LIKE WE'VE SEEN BLAKE'S MELLOW SIDE THESE PAST FEW EPISODES, AS SHE'S BEEN CONTENT TO GO WITH THE FLOW OF HER TEAM AND AND KEEP HER HEAD DOWN. ALSO, I FOUND IT ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE HOW SHE CHEERED ON WEISS. BUT IN EPISODE 12, SHE SIMPLY COULDN'T TAKE CARDIN'S RACISM WITHOUT SHOOTING BACK A WITTY REPLY. BLAKE IS PROVING TO BE A VERY INTERESTING CHARACTER, AND SHE HASN'T EVEN GOTTEN THE DEVELOPMENT THAT WEISS, MY FAVORITE RWBY CHARACTER (AS I'VE MENTIONED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS) HAS BEEN TREATED TO. BLAKE IS DEFINITELY MY SECOND FAVORITE RWBY CHARACTER, OR PERHAPS IS A CANDIDATE TO TAKE WEISS' SPOT AS NUMBER 1. ODDLY ENOUGH, EVEN WITH ALL THE GREAT CHARACTERS BEING INTRODUCED AND FLESHED OUT, I STILL THINK ADAM IS MY THIRD FAVORITE. WHAT CAN I SAY? I LIKE SEXY MEN OF MYSTERY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY LAUGH LIKE PSYCHOPATHS AND LET THEIR PARTNERS RUN OFF AND RESPECT THEIR LIFE CHOICES LIKE A BADASS. WELL, IT'S EITHER HIM OR YANG, BUT WHATEVER.
I KNOW I HAVE A LOT OF AUTHOR'S NOTES, BUT I JUST HAVE A LOT TO GET OFF MY CHEST, AND THIS IS THE LAST THING. WHY EXACTLY HAS LIE REN, MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE MEMBER OF JNPR, NOT GOTTEN ANY SPOTLIGHT? WHAT, HE GETS A FIGHT IN EPISODE 6 AND THEN HE SIMPLY EXISTS TO ACT AS THE STRAIGHT MAN FOR NORA? NO WAY. NO GODDAMN WAY. GET THE AWESOME HYPERACTIVE HAMMER-SWINGING MANIAC OUT OF THE PICTURE, I WANT TO SEE WHO REN REALLY IS. HE ISN'T JUST 'THAT GUY WHO HANGS OUT WITH NORA.' REN IS BEING DRAGGED DOWN BY HIS ROLE AS THE GUY KEEPING NORA IN CHECK. HE NEEDS SOME CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. WHO'S WITH ME?!