RWBY is owned by Roosterteeth and Monty Oum.
Chapter 11:
FAIR DAYS
"Beacon is our home now."
- Yang Xiao Long
~ Beacon Dorms, early morning ~
"In other news the Vale Charity Gala will push through with Vale's most famous attending the event including..."
Yin lounged in the common area, relaxing after a long and particularly difficult midterm week. The news this week was decidedly unremarkable, with little to no reports on any new robberies or destruction of transports.
"Its almost as if whoever is responsible either ran out of things to steal or transports to blow up." Yin thought wryly, "Oh well. Not my problem."
Yin allowed her head to tilt back on the couch, still groggy. For all the superhuman feats Aura allowed, it couldn't put the body's circadian rhythm back into place with all the late night studies she pulled over the last week.
The blonde intended to spend her break kicking back at first and then get back to her private mission. Her teammates seemed to get the first idea as well. Nemo and Gaelle sat across each other on the table. They really were as opposite as two people could get, but surprisingly worked well together on and off classes. Whereas Nemo had blue hair, was tanned, and talkative; Gaelle had red hair, was fairly pale and quiet (but far from shy in her opinions). With a laptop each on hand they had taken to browsing whatever suited their interests and had, thankfully, voiced no plans for a group "bonding excursion" as some teams were planning on doing.
Wait a minute...
Yin cracked open her left eye and spied the two. One. Two. Her eye looked down at her body, counting it as the third person in the room. Oh no.
As if on cue the door to their room slammed open.
"~We're freeee!~" Aria sang joyfully. She danced merrily around the room and sang about how their exams were over and that she wasn't meant to be cooped up on her desk like a bird in a cage. Nemo chuckled, having adjusted to living with his favorite singer and her frequent 'breaking into song episodes', and went back to his laptop. Gaelle, as normal, merely looked at Aria before returning her eyes to the screen. Yin pretended to be asleep.
Unfortunately it didn't deter the overly happy brunette.
"C'mon Yin!" She sang, "You promised we'd go to the school fair after exams!"
"I know you're awake~~~" She started poking Yin's cheek when her partner didn't respond.
Yin winced as her eyes begrudgingly registered light when they opened.
"Can't we just spend a day inside?" Yin mumbled, "We have an entire week."
"What?!" Aria gasped, "but we have so much to do! Besides - you promised!"
"Promised what?" Yin said, genuinely confused.
"To go to the fair with us!" Aria pouted.
"Did I say that?" Yin asked no one in particular, eliciting puffed cheeks from Aria.
"Uh, a week before the exams." Nemo answered gesturing backwards over his shoulder.
"Yes, but not the details." Gaelle added.
"Huh, I don't remember that." Yin said thoughtfully.
By now Aria had grabbed her wrist and was unsuccessfully attempting to pull her off the couch as Yin struggled to remember.
"In." Aria huffed as she pulled once more, "The. Hallway!"
"Ow!" Her grip slipped and she landed on her butt.
"Oh yeah! Now I remember!" Yin said, "Sort of." Her eyes lit up briefly with the memory only to be tackled by Aria.
"See? You promised!" She said accusingly, as if Yin had already broken her promise. Then Aria noted how her arms were wrapped around Yin's body, how close they were. So she decided to pull out the Big Guns.
She widened her eyes.
"Uh, What are you doing?" Yin asked uncomfortably.
In response Aria's eyes widened further.
"Stop that!" Yin chided, "What are you, ten years old?"
In response Aria's saucer-sized eyes quivered.
"That's just- Ugh, fine."
"Yes!" Aria cried triumphantly. Separating herself from Yin she did an impressive ballet spin, "Works every time!"
"No it won't." Yin grumbled, "Only because I promised earlier, which in hindsight I shouldn't have."
Which was the truth. She was so caught up in the events that week that she must have mumbled her agreement absentmindedly. Gotta watch out for that next time.
"Nuh uh!" Aria crowed, "No can resist THE EYES!"
"Try me next time." Yin said annoyed, "When do we leave and how long are we staying out?"
"Its an all day thing!~" Aria sang, spinning in place once more, "And I don't know how long, just relax will you?"
Yin mumbled something incoherent as she walked towards the girl's room.
"Oooh! Changing are we?" Aria said playfully.
"No," Yin answered back, "Getting my weapons." For public safety reasons, Beacon's rocket propelled lockers would not activate if the owner called for it within city limits, preventing Yin from arming herself previously.
"Just leave them behind!" Aria said, "Nothing's gonna happen-"
She cut off in mid-sentence when Yin whirled around and marched towards her. There was a noticeable drop in the room's temperature. The brunette squeaked in terror as she backed up, only to be betrayed by the couch as she fell on her back. As Yin walked up to her the blonde's pupils were blood red (a general indicator of her displeasure) as opposed to her regular lilac shade, her shadow enveloping Aria. The Huntress-in-training tried to bury herself in the couch to no avail while her fellow teammates made no move to intervene.
"Every single time I leave them behind, something does happen," Yin growled darkly, "And it is far less amusing than you make them out to be. Either they come, or we stay. Understand?"
Aria nodded numbly, still looking like a deer caught in the headlights of a vehicle.
"Good." Yin's expression returned to normal as quickly as she had gotten angry and headed back towards the room.
"Sheesh, she really needs to lighten up." Aria said to no one in particular, uncurling herself.
~ Two hours later... ~
Beacon Academy's shape was roughly circular in nature and the Fair organizers had put this design to good use. Where a school, even for Hunters, would have an irregular shape and thus force the administration to either use only one part or the entire grounds while spreading out the booths. The latter of which would be justified with the likely claim that students would come across an interesting or unexpected booth as a surprise. However, Vale's Beacon was different. Where booths anywhere else would be scattered or predetermined, the academy's booths were simply set up on a first come basis. The circular design meant that one would only have to head in a particular direction and (eventually) experience all that the Fair had to offer at the end of the week.
From atop, the sight would have been breathtaking with swirls of color produced by differing clothes of the students (who could wear whatever they wanted for the week) and visiting Hunter Alumnus could be seen at the right height and vantage point if not for the age old restrictions in place. Long ago, for a reason lost to the mists of time, Beacon shut itself off from the capital city allowing only Hunters, students and authorized personnel inside its halls. It was for this sad reason that this view would only be available to those present in the grounds.
"Stop that!" Aria scolded Yin as took another bite of her bacon barbecue.
"You said to enjoy myself." Yin answered back as she chewed, "So I am."
"But bacon is just fat!" Aria exclaimed, "Do you know how much fat you're adding to your body with just that one stick?"
"Do you know how many times you said the word 'fat' over the past few minutes?" Yin countered.
"Eleven." Nemo answered for Aria as he took a bite out of his own bacon stick. Even Gaelle had one, though she took more demure bites out of her treat than her teammates.
Aria shot him a look since Nemo was the one who stopped at the snack booth first, thereby drawing everyone's attention to the bacon's existence.
"ARRGHGH!" Aria ruffled her hair angrily. The brunette turned around and looked for anything that could get her mind off the culinary heresy behind her.
Her eyes settled on a particular booth with a spear at the table.
"Over there!" She pulled Yin's arm before her partner could take another bite from the offending snack.
Aria's eyes were locked on a particular stuffed toy the entire way. It was a decent representation of an Ursa Major, complete with soft white material where there would have been bone armor and spikes. It was also the major prize of the booth.
In contrast, Yin's eyes were the game mechanics of the booth. Rather than the traditional air rifles at normal fairs, it was a spear with a blunt tip of ordinary make. At the other end of the small tent was a robotic Boarbatusk held in place by a thick metal pole. According to the rules overhead, the object of the game was to deal a fatal hit on the Boarbatusk with the spear.
"You kids think you have what it takes to take down Boarbi?" Came a jolly voice from behind the counter. Team YANG turned to the speaker.
"Professor Vulkus?!"
"So, a few of my students do remember me!" The elderly hunter joked.
Professor Vulkus taught the Arms and Armor class at Beacon. While outsiders might find this class strange since it was widely known that Hunters and Huntresses made their own weapons, the class imparted not just weapon designs but also the characteristics of each particular. The result of which drove students to continually refine or modify their own weapons, with the added benefit of improving their own fighting styles in the process. Some graduates even created weapons that shifted to one type of melee weapon to another and vice versa with ranged weapons. It was for these reasons that the class was one of the most popular in school (and well attended).
"Hit any of its unarmored sides and you get a free snack ticket at any booth in the Fair," The professor declared, "But if you hit the sweet spot between the plates on the head then you get to take Arcturus the Ursa Major home." He patted the stuffed toy's head for emphasis.
"Isn't that name already bear related?" Nemo whispered. Gaelle elbowed him.
"Go Yin!" Aria bounced excitedly.
"Why don't you do it yourself?" Yin said before she quickly realized how harsh that might have sounded.
"But I can't," Aria said with mock despair, "I can't throw that hard, my arms are like noodles!" She shook her arms in a wave pattern for emphasis.
"Fine." Yin relented, despite not believing the noodle part. Aria...did things no one her size should have been strong enough to pull off (almost like Yin's arm). She turned to Gaelle.
"Hold this," The blonde instructed in a hushed tone as she handed her snack over, "I don't trust her with it."
Yin's eyes darted towards Aria who was still bouncing with excitement. The redhead nodded gravely as Yin walked over to the bar.
"How many tries do I get professor?" Yin inquired.
"One!" the hunter boomed, "When the Grimm first appeared, people normally didn't get a second chance."
Yin sighed. Leave it to a professor to turn a lesson into a game. She picked up the spear and hefted it. It was well balanced but the weapon's shape reminded her of a certain red-haired Huntress she disliked back at Atlas. How annoying.
"Not so fast!" Professor Vulkus said, "she's not ready yet." He pressed a button and the Boarbatusk curled up and began to rotate in place, simulating a charging attack a real one would make. Yep, leave it to a professor to design a game. Yin plunked down five Lien on the box and took aim and threw the spear. The first try caused the spear to bounce off the replica's head armor.
"That's just gonna make it angry in real life miss Xiao Long!" The jolly professor chuckled.
Yin deposited another five Lien and picked up another spear. Closing one of her eyes she took aim.
"I knew it!" Aria wailed in despair, "The bacon's already gone to her arms!"
Yin grit her teeth and picked up another spear. She had an idea on how to hit the weak point now. This time she slowed her breathing and waited for a black spot to appear among the white bone plates. This time the blonde tracked the spot, calculating the delay between her seeing it and her reaction.
"Third time's the charm," She thought just before she loosed the spear.
"Wheeeee!~" Aria twirled her new companion around in circles by the arms (paws?), deftly avoiding those in front of her who, nevertheless, took pains to move out of the way while the rest of the team followed behind.
"Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Yin!" She gushed, "Its so cute! and cuddly!"
The group took an involuntary step back. They had always wondered how Aria's tone could quickly change from happy to dangerous. The poor stuffed Ursa.
"Nice throw." Gaelle complimented.
"Took me three tries," Yin grumbled, "I'm not used to throwing things."
"You could have fooled me." Nemo mumbled, remembering their first meeting on initiation day.
The lilac eyed girl was lost in her thoughts about the what she learned during the exercise. She wasn't very good at hitting things precisely. Yin often relied on her gatling gun's rate of fire to weather an opponent down and closed the gap only when shooting at the target wasn't working. Either she'd need to make adjustments for herself or she could get someone on the team to - NO! She shook her head violently side to side. She wasn't planning on staying here for very long!
"No?" A sharp voice snapped her back to reality.
"What again?" Yin asked.
"I said we should go see a movie now." Aria puffed her cheeks in irritation.
"None of the offerings look good." Yin replied.
"Yes there was!" Aria countered, "There was the one about Grimm in a theme park!"
"Oh that." Yin had in fact seen the trailer about this movie. She was hesitant for a good reason.
"Wasn't that thing in development hell?" Nemo wondered.
"For four years." Gaelle confirmed.
"I'm not sure about this..." Yin said.
"The only way to know if its any good or not is to watch it!"
~ Beacon Hall, Vale Annual Charity ~
Ruby, together with Weiss and Cardin, eyed the two approaching Council members as they made their way towards them across the crowded floor. Almost everyone who was someone was present in annual the event which was traditionally held to raise funds for a previously decided societal issue, such as the improvement on non-private schools or public transportation. This being the case, it was almost unthinkable for Council members to be absent on such an occasion no matter what their schedules were.
For Ruby Rose, however, it was neither a simple party or a charity, but a battle that she and Weiss had to win. The Council, in a vote of two to one, resolved in a preliminary meeting to begin reclamation of a certain ruined part of Vale's territory now that Grimm activity was noted to have lessened over the years. So much hinged in making the Council reconsider its stance before making it public since any sudden withdrawals would raise too many eyebrows for her liking.
Vale's population had grown over the years, despite the disaster at Patch, that the City was hard pressed to find living space for its inhabitants. Property prices, even those that were relatively small, were reaching astronomical heights with every passing year. This, as well as other issues that came up with an increased population such as sanitary conditions or food production that even advanced technology could no longer keep up with made reclamation a very real and universal issue.
As with all things in Remnant, though, the solutions were rarely simple. Beyond the wall was Grimm territory and there have been increased sightings over the years both by Huntsmen and the military sectors. The mere act of expanding was perilous and expensive. Defensive formations had be erected in order to protect the work crew from attacks of the foul creatures on a 24 hour basis and that was after the area had been cleared by Huntsmen.
Sadly, none of the projects over the years had born fruit. The Grimm always retook what was theirs. Whether it was the walls being breached after continuous assaults or the appearance of a new, nightmarish type of Grimm the settlements were always abandoned sooner or later. Their remains dotted the landscape of Vale like scattered bones and like such, nature eventually covered their existence with foliage.
This was due in part to the geographical feature of the Vale city, as well as other major population centers in the Kingdom and Remnant itself. From the rear of Vale stood Mt. Glenn, a massive land formation that provided a natural defense which even the burrowing Grimm could not dig through. Next was the coast which, likewise, also provided a natural barrier from predations. Then there were the two forests which flanked that city. The latter two ended in a natural chokepoint that was easy to defend. Beyond these, however, was Grimm territory and the Grimm didn't like visitors.
In recent years though, preliminary reconnaissance had revealed that the Grimm presence at Patch had lessened which had marked the location for potential reclamation. For the Vale and its growing populace it really wasn't a question of whether the gamble to expand had a good chance to succeed, rather the proper question would be: Was the opportunity present?
"Remember," Cardin had whispered to them earlier, "Its two to one. Even a kid would know the odds."
"Numbers aren't everything." Ruby smirked, "Otherwise, we'd be overrun by now."
"You did what we asked you to do," Weiss said, referring to Cardin's dissenting vote which had prevented the resolution from becoming formal and reaching the public, "Leave the rest to us."
"Good evening, Miss Schnee," Councilman Sanct greeted, "Assistant Headmistress Rose."
"Good evening Councilors." Weiss answered on their group's behalf, "It has been a while."
"Yes, it has." Councilor Amell agreed, "Thank you for taking time in visiting Vale miss Schnee."
"There are lots of reasons for me to come here councilor." Weiss said, "It is almost time for the anniversary of Vale and Atlas becoming allies as well as...more unpleasant reasons."
The CEO wrinkled her nose as if she'd just inhaled something foul.
"Yes, the increase in crime rates have been troubling," Councilman Sanct agreed, nodding his head, "That's what happens when there's too much people packed together I suppose."
Ruby smiled wryly at how the councilman avoided the SDC's near total singling-out in those attacks and simultaneously pushed Vale's agenda on Weiss. Her friend, however, was an expert dancer in more ways than one.
"Indeed," Councilor Amell chimed in, "We should look outward for more territory. If we expand, not only will the housing problem be solved, it would create new jobs as well."
"Not to mention a proportionate growth in business," Sanct continued, "People will be occupied with living their new lives to consider turning to crime."
"What a slimy pair." Ruby thought as she listened to the two politicians pitch their idea to Weiss. She was glad she didn't have to deal with them constantly, it was one of the reasons why she was glad to know someone like Weiss who was savvy enough with this sort of thing. Ruby was always the more hands-on of the two.
"I wasn't aware that Vale was planning to build new high-rise living structures in it territory." Weiss smiled coolly at the pair.
"Not living quarters miss Schnee," Councilor Sanct said, "We plan to reclaim some of Vale's lost territory."
"Surveys have shown that Grimm activity on the isle of Patch," Amell informed everyone, "I think its time we cleaned out those Grimm still remaining and take back what's ours."
"We plan to announce this soon," Sanct said, "The Council hasn't decided yet but it will probable be during or after the Vale-Atlas Anniversary celebration. I'm sure we can count on the Schnee Dust Company and Beacon's assistance on that matter."
The silver-haired patrician flashed a smile at Ruby after speaking.
"The Schnee Dust Company will sadly not be participating in such a venture." Weiss declared casually.
"Sadly, the Huntsmen will have to decline as well." Ruby added, "Our members are currently too spread out across the Kingdom and engaged in several difficult endeavors against the Grimm."
The councilors looked momentarily stunned and Ruby smiled internally.
White-Rose combo attack, never fight without it unless you have to.
"But we had an agreement on this." Councilor Amell said, being the first to recover.
"A verbal agreement," Weiss clarified, "The Schnee Dust Company has never, to my knowledge and that of the board, entered into a written agreement with the Vale government on this."
"Do not worry though," the snow haired CEO continued before the two could come up with a reply, "I do not intend to renege on my word. Now is not simply the time. Even if I were to agree, the company is in no shape to help, being the target of several of those dreadful crimes you mentioned earlier."
Ruby fought down the urge to laugh. Weiss could hit you and make it look like an accident, all while pretending to help you up.
"We've already informed the mayor and the authorities on how displeased we are with the way they are handling things," Sanct said, "Maybe we can put up a bit of extra security for your company's workers, or you can hire guards at our cost."
They sounded desperate. While the current situation of the kingdom wasn't that good, it was still manageable from Ruby's point of view. There were historical precedents for this and people have always managed well enough.
"Councilman Winchester," Amell began, turning towards Cardin, "You've been silent this whole time, care to share your thoughts?"
The councilor made it clear in her tone who Cardin ought to support in his answer.
"I'll admit I wasn't the most serious student during my time in Beacon," Cardin said slowly, "However, there were some lessons that even I couldn't overlook. Life isn't cheap, and throwing huntsmen at Grimm is only a temporary solution. We might succeed in pushing the Grimm back temporarily but they'll be back."
"They always come back." Ruby added darkly, swirling the contents of her glass.
"And in greater numbers." Weiss concluded, "That's why most expansions fail, we need a certain number of huntsmen not just in the initial reclamation but defense during construction, and after people settle down. Their initial apprehension at being so close to Grimm territory is, ironically, what wil draw the Grimm to attack the settlement. Those creatures can sense negative feelings no matter how well hidden a person thinks they are."
"We'll revisit this issue once things have died down." Weiss said with a tone of finality, "The Schnee Dust Company have other matters to deal with in the other kingdoms, not just in Vale."
The two council members didn't look happy. Ruby, however, was.
~ Beacon Hallways, Late evening ~
"See?! Told ya it would be an awesome movie!" Aria crowed, as the group walked towards the living quarters.
"It was dumb," Yin muttered, "but fun."
"Yin Xiao Long," Aria whirled around, "Do I detect happiness in your voice? Report immediately for reconditioning!"
Yin could hear Nemo and Gaelle snickering.
"There is nothing wrong with me captain," Yin replied in a serious tone, "However, I will submit myself to examination lest I develop and experience feelings."
"Who are you and what have you done with the real Yin!?" Aria gasped, "She'd never joke around!"
The group laughed at their own jokes as they passed the administrative building.
"Well I happen to like this doppelgänger." A cool voice cut through the mirth.
The startled trainees turned to find Weiss and Ruby standing behind them.
"At least this copy doesn't blow up my warehouses." Weiss said as she walked up to Yin. Professor Rose stood to the side, observing the interaction.
The blond stiffened under the Schnee CEO but met her eyes. She wasn't going to be cowed by her.
Weiss looked up and down Yin, as if appraising one of her employees. Her gaze lingered on Yin's hair, which she had tied into a ponytail and held in place by a small orange cloth.
After a while Yin decided to tie it up more and more despite an inexplicable feeling of discomfort. However, she was a pragmatic person first and she always let her hair down whenever it felt right.
Seemingly finished with her scrutiny Weiss walked by Yin without so much as a gesture to indicate she was done. Professor Rose, almost as if she could read the CEO's thoughts, joined her as they headed into the building.
The wind picked up, seemingly carrying the two's conversation just before they entered the doorway.
"She'd never have tied her hair like that."
"No, she wouldn't."
Author's Note:
Despite the notes in the story outline, this fic is taking way too long to update in my opinion. Life has been busy, and I wish I could write more. However, these delays have an upside and that is to have improvements over the original plan. Sometimes a different synonym for a word gets the idea across better or even a character's way of saying something.
On a side note, RWBY Vol. 3 has simultaneously confirmed several theories of mine on the show and torpedoed several ideas I had on this story that I thought were original such as the Aura-draining device. However, its encouraging that I've been thinking along the lines of Monty Oum in terms of the story. Once again, I don't own RWBY.
Anyway, we're nearing the final chapters of the first arc. I'd estimate there to be
