Chapter 10
POV: Rocket
The next day, we were sitting in history (Jaune was asleep, as per usual), and the lesson was quite boring thanks to doctor Oobleck. It was about the faunas, and the war humans had with them early on.
Oobleck: PriortotheFaunasRightsRevolution,morecommonlyknownastheFaunasWar,humaswerequiteadamantaboutthecentralizationoffaunasintoMenagerie.
He darted around the classroom, only taking breaks in his speak to tae a sip of coffee, and action that was definitely unnecessary, looking at his current energy levels.
Oobleck: WhileI'msurethismustfeellikeancienthistorytomanyofyou,wemustrememberthattheseeventsareprettyrecent! Theeffectsofthisuprisingcanstillbeseentoday! Haveanyofyouallbeendiscriminatedagainstbecauseofyourfaunasheritage?
The only faunas in the room, Scarlet Velveteena, shyly raised her hand. I saw Blake glare at Cardin for a split second, but, other than her, no one reacted.
Oobleck: Thatisterrible! Remember,students. IgnorancelikethisistheexactthingthatleadstowardseventsliketheFaunasWar. Now,whichofyoucantellmewhichfactormostscholarscreditastheturningpointinthewar?
Everyone looked at each other, not exactly picking up what he said. Apparently, only Weiss did, as she raised her hand.
Weiss: It was the battle at Fort Castel.
Oobleck: Precisely! Now,whocantellmetheadvantagethefaunashadoverGeneralLagune'sforces?
Jaune was still asleep, but Cardin was up to something behind him. Finally revealing his creation, he flicked a little paper football at Jaune. It bounced off the top his head, just hard enough to wake him up.
Jaune: Wah?
Unfortunately, his hand instinctively went up to where he was hit, appearing to Oobleck as him raising his hand. He was there in milliseconds.
Oobleck: Ah,finallydecidingtojoinclass,Isee. Excellent! Know,whatistheanswer.
Jaune: Um... I...
He noticed Pyrrha positioned over the teachers' shoulder. She had her hands cupped over her eyes.
Jaune: Um.. binoculars.
The entire class erupted, as Oobleck moved back to his desk. Most of the laughter came from the back of the class room, from Cardin.
Oobleck: Ha ha, very funny-I'msureCardinwouldjustlovetocorrectyou,asitseemestoebesofunnytohim.
Cardin: Um... were they better trained?
Oobleck: How so?
Cardin: All I know is that it's easier to train an animal than a person.
Pyrrha: You're not exactly the most open minded person, are you Cardin?
Cardin: What, you got a problem?
Pyrrha: No, I have an answer. Night vision. Faunas' can see in the dark much better than humans. General Lagune, not knowing this, made the mistake of attacking at night.
Blake: Maybe if he had paid attention in class, he might not have been seen as such a failure.
Cardin stood up in anger, ready to fight.
Oobleck: Mr. Winchester! Please take a seat. You and Mr. Arc can see me after class for additional readings. Now,movingon-
Before he could move on, though he was interrupted by the bell and we were released from the torturous history class. As we left, I noticed Pyrrha waiting outside of the classroom.
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POV: Omniscient
Oobleck: You two have been struggling in my class since day one. I don't know if it's a lack of interest or your stubborn nature, but-
He took another loud sip of his coffee.
Oobleck: Itendsnow! You have worked hard to get into this school, and we only accept the best. So I except both of you to act like it! History is important! If you don't learn it, you're destined to repeat it. Pages51to91! Iexpectanessayonmydesktomarrowmorning!Goodday!
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Jaune walked out of the door and noticed Pyrrha leaning against one of the pillars next to it. Before he could say anything, though, he was pushed from behind. Cardin's laughter echoed in his ears as Pyrrha helped him back up off the floor.
Pyrrha: You know, we really will break his legs.
Jaune sighed, knowing that he could never ask them to do something like th-
Pyrrha: Oh! I have an idea! Come with me.
She ran, dragging Jaune behind her with an iron grip.
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She finally released her grip on Jaune as they stepped out onto the rooftops. Now, she stopped, thinking of how to say what she needed to say.
Jaune: Uh, Pyrrha? I know I'm going through a hard time right now, but I'm not THAT depressed... I could always be... like... a janitor or something-
Realizing what Jaune was talking about, she pulled him back from the edge of the roof.
Pyrrha: That's not why I brought you up here. Something I come up here to think. People never really come up here, meaning we have privacy. I know you aren't the best of fighter right now, but I would like to help! Up here, we can train!
Jaune: What...?
Pyrrha: After class, we can train up here, where no one will bother us.
Jaune: ...So it's obvious I need help, huh...?
Pyrrha: That's not the point. Everyone needs a bit of a push from time to time. Needing help like this doesn't make you weaker or worse than anyone else. You've already made your way into Beacon. That speaks volumes for what you're capable of!
Jaune: ...You're wrong.
He turned away from Pyrrha, looking back out over the campus so far below them.
Jaune: I don't belong here.
Pyrrha: That's the kind of mindset we need to break! Of course you belong here-
Jaune: No, I don't!
He pushed away the hand she had set on his shoulder. Pyrrha could see the beginnings of tears in the corners of his eyes.
Jaune: I... I never made it into Beacon.
Pyrrha: Wh-What do you mean...?
Jaune: I mean I didn't go to combat school, or pass any sort of rigorous test, NOTHING. I never earned my spot at this academy. I... lied. I got my hands on a fake transcript and lied.
Pyrrha: What...? But why?
Jaune: My father... my grandfather... even my great grandfather were all huntsmen! They were all great people... heroes. I just wanted to be like them. But... I guess I'm never good enough.
Pyrrha: Then let me help you.
Jaune: I don't want your help! I don't want to be the damsel in distress! I just want to be the hero! I'm sick and tired of being the loveable idiot who always gets stuck in the tree while his friends fight for their lives! Don't you understand? If I can't fight my way out of this... what good am I?
Pyrrha tried to reach for him again but pulled away again.
Jaune: Just... leave me alone.
Pyrrha: ...If that's what you think is best, leader. Good night.
With that, Pyrrha turned and walked back off the roof, her back straight. Jaune sighed, and looked back out over the rooftops of campus. Out of the croner of his eye, though, he saw a shiny silver figure move up to the roof. He turned to find Cardin.
Jaune: Cardin!?
Cardin: Y'know, I couldn't help but hear you two from my dorm room. So... You snuck into Beacon, huh? I never expected you to be such a rebel.
Jaune: Please... I'm begging you, don't tell anyone!
Cardin: Oh, Jaune, I'd never rat out a friend like that.
Jaune: Um... friend...?
Cardin: Of course! We're real good friends now, Jauney-boy! And, as long as you're there for me when I need you, I think we'll be friends for a while. That being said... I really don't have the time to do that extra essay Dr. Oobleck assigned us. Do you think you could take care of that for me?
