3 years ago
"You fought well."
Automne took in a sharp breath and darted his gaze up off the ground. A single bruise on his left jaw sat like a stain upon his youthful, sweat-drenched face. With a meek expression Automne laid his eyes upon a tall man in a leather trench coat who stood before him like a monument.
The warm sun of late summer, hanging behind the man's broad shoulders, set his black stubble beard ashine as he smiled down at Automne.
Automne cast a quick sweeping glance around himself, scanning the mostly empty wood bleachers to ensure that he wasn't about to respond to someone else's praise. When he confirmed he wasn't, he turned back to the man hesitantly. Nervous he struggled to fold his hands, his thick, oversized leather gloves refusing to work with him. "Th-thank you, sir." Automne's eyes lowered away from the man's face as he spoke.
"It's no trouble." The man replied in a gruff, polite tone. With one hand he brushed his coat open and pulled a handkerchief from within. "Are you training to be a Huntsman, or just a local guard?" He inquired, holding out his handkerchief for Automne.
"Huntsman," The boy sighed as he gently took the man's handkerchief. Lightly dabbing the cloth to his face, he gave a few glances up at the man before turning to the dirt arena behind him. "How much of the fight did you see?"
"The whole thing." The man watched as Automne cringed and hung his head in shame. "Regardless of the outcome, you fought valiantly." The man paused for a few moments examining the young man, his smile unfaltering. "How old are you?"
"I'm thirteen right now, I'll be fourteen in a few months."
The man gave a light hum. Strangely enough, it sounded as if he were satisfied with the response. With a heavily exaggerated gait he sauntered over to the bleachers and sat himself beside Automne. "I've heard it said that this is one of the most defining years for a Huntsman in training. And judging by your attire and the way you fought, this is your first year of training as well, an especially crucial time."
Automne, still sitting with his head hung forward darted his eyes towards the man, his skin lightly crawling beneath his sweat soaked mismatched clothes. His self-esteem made him want to roll up like an armadillo as he ran his eyes over his gaudy clothes. From his autumn camouflage hoodie and hand-me-down gloves he just wanted to cringe for he was certain he looked like a fool. That's probably all he looked like.
"Why do you want to be a Huntsman?" The man asked patiently, watching Automne from the corner of his eyes.
Automne's stomach lurched for a moment. Placing his eyes on the ground he shoved his hands together and took in a shaky breath. "I want to help people." He murmured. Going quiet for a brief moment he stopped to consider his explanation. "And… If I'm a Huntsman I'll be able to help people."
"You want to save lives." For the first time since their encounter, the man averted his gaze from Automne. Breathing a sigh of relief he leaned back in his seat. His eyes directed up into the vast sky he calmly spoke. "I've been around the bend my fair share of times. Seen numerous Huntsmen and Huntresses rise and fall in their efforts to be heroes, in their attempts to honor the ones they love. That said, I feel confident in saying this without watching you fight again: Unless you find a mentor, you won't make it far as a Huntsman." His eyes calmly watched as thin cotton-like clouds drifted by. "You have the spirit, but you're sloppy and your emotions are running hot. Even now I can feel them churning in you."
Automne shook nervously, his stomach sloshing and his mind burning. Anger, remorse, and self-loathing stirred his brain like a thick batter as he tried to determine how much he hated the man for his honesty, but then he continued.
"I'd like to be your mentor." The man warmly offered.
Automne's mouth fell open as he gave a gasp. He swiftly turned to look at the man who was still looking off into the sky. His mouth hanging ajar in disbelief.
"If you haven't already guessed, I myself am a Huntsmen." The man's grin and words piercing Automne and riling his insides. "I work at Beacon Academy as a Professor, so I won't be in this town for long. However, if you say yes to my offer I can make arrangements to stay here for about a month or so. And when Beacon calls me away I can refer you to a colleague who'd be more than willing to train you in my absence. He could even come out here if you're averse to traveling to Vale."
His eyes darting everywhere and his leg bouncing rapidly Automne said, "Y-yes!" He recoiled upon realizing how loud he had just shouted at the man. "I-uh I mean, yes, I'd like you to teach me how to be a Huntsmen."
The man's smile perked into a hearty grin as he gave a soft chuckle and rolled forward into a slouch. With one hand set on his knee he extended the other hand to the boy. "I apologize, but I didn't catch your name earlier. Mine is Baula, but considering you're my pupil now, I'd prefer if you'd call me Professor."
With a weak, but optimistic smile Automne gave Baula his hand and firmly shook it. "Professor, my name is Automne Ombre Noire. T-thank you for taking me on. Thank you."
A Few Weeks Later
"Your mother's death could have been prevented." Baula's voice cutting into Automne's fatigued body like glass.
Drop by drop tears slowly flooded Automne's eyes and scorched them like acid. Short of breath the world around him began to twist, spin and jerk until his knees were left to sway. Overcome he fell to his knees, the dirt jumping around him like smoke as he fell. Kneeling at Baula's feet all he could do was glare at the blurry dirt of the training field.
The full moon hanging in the sky like a lantern Baula stared down at Automne, placid and unmoved. "Hundreds of little cities under Vale's jurisdiction make pleas, just like yours did. The unfortunate truth however is that they don't answer all of them. They weigh the time and the money out and if it doesn't suit their liking they'll do nothing. Just like what they did to your little village."
"Why?" Automne croaked desolately, his gloved hands clawing at the dirt furiously.
"From what I found out, your village was low on funds because they had been forced to renovate buildings vital the survival of your village. Your village was also suffering from a poor harvest, so they were unable to barter with supplies. On top of all that, the bureaucrats running Vale just plain disliked your village and restricted Huntsmen and Huntresses under their jurisdiction from offering their support." Baula's eyes narrowed upon Automne's arched back as the boy's sobbing intensified. "And according to the records I was looking at, your village was denied aid more than a dozen times."
Automne shoved his fingers into the dirt and clawed up a fistful as he held back the urge to scream. All he wanted to do was scream. Furiously scream at the top of his lungs, but he resisted by clenching his teeth and pounding his fists against the ground.
'WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!' He bellowed internally, his teeth ready to break and his fists aching beneath the pressure of the pounding.
"That's just how it is these days." Baula practically reading his mind. "The council members of Vale know nothing of what it's like out here. They've never spent a day outside the walls of Vale." Baula hissed, hate looming in his eyes as he stared down through Automne. "Most have never even seen a single creature of Grimm."
'What?! Those cowards!' Automne thought as Baula's words sank into him. 'Why are they in charge?! Why aren't they helping us?!' Automne's fingers clawed at the dirt again as he tried to suck up air. 'This is their fault!' Tears trickled from Automne's face and landed in the dirt with a small patter. 'They're the reason she died!'
"They're unfit to run Vale." Baula said, a morose tinge in his voice. "For decades their poor leadership has led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people. People like your mother." Baula calmly watched Automne jerk in pain and burst into louder sobs. Stretching his face into a concerned frown he knelt down before Automne.
With a sorrow-filled sigh he placed a hand on Automne's shoulder. "Your mother was taken far too soon, Automne, but I can tell she loved you and cared for you tenderly. Your mother raised you into a strong, caring young man. She raised you into the type of man who can change the world. Improve it for everyone around him. "
Automne's sobbing began to weaken as Baula went on.
Baula paused for a moment, ensuring to himself that Automne was listening. "The council of Vale is a blight upon the people, Automne. If they can be removed Vale can be changed for the better, these cities out here can be liberated from the unending fear of death, and once the Council is gone something can be done about the Grimm. With all the red tape and bureaucracy out of the way we can focus on destroying them. We can amass an army to remove those monsters. No longer will people live in fear of those demons with Huntsmen like yourself leading the charge against them."
Automne's sobbing weakened to a soft cry, his ragged breathing shaken by anger and misery.
"Automne, with your help we can make a change." Baula gently pleaded. "We can ensure that the Grimm never hurt another human being again. Never break apart another family."
Shaking with a mixture of rage and sadness Automne slowly raised his gaze up to Baula. There was a brief pause as he stared up at him, his lips quivering and his face a weak red. Tears poured from Automne's eyes with renewed energy as the man's caring eyes caressed him.
"Automne," Baula's voice gentle upon the boy, his hand lightly massaging his shoulder. "I have plans to abolish the Council, but I can't do this alone. Over time I have found a few like-minded individuals to stand with me, but we need someone like you." Baula slid his face from the boy's shoulder to the back of his head. "Automne, become a servant of the people. Honor those who have lost their lives due to the Council's carelessness. Help us save lives."
Automne turned back to the ground. His tears blinding him and his spirit burning he sucked in air through chokes. Grinding the dirt between his fingers he steadied his breath just enough to whimper. "I want to help you."
About a year and a half later
"I choose Automne Ombre Noire." Baula said dryly as he tossed a manila folder adorned with Automne's picture to the center of a finely carved, bocote-wood dining table.
A hand darted to Arsenic's mouth as he struggled to refrain from spitting out his wine, while Rouge abruptly paused in the middle of cutting her filet mignon.
With an absolutely humorless expression Rouge glared across at Baula. "I'm sorry, did you just suggest that we send Noire into Beacon?" Her voice lightly ringing throughout her lavish wood and gold dining room.
With a heavy sigh Baula leaned back in his cushy dining chair and looked between the two. With both sets of eyes digging into him he propped his elbow on the arm of his chair and tiredly asked. "What's the issue?"
Rouge gave a resigned sigh. "So you're serious." She mumbled just loud enough for Baula to hear as she reached across the table for the wine bottle.
"I really shouldn't be surprised." Arsenic said with a sardonic frown. He quickly pulled his cloth napkin down over his mouth a couple of times to clean himself, and inadvertently ruffle his thin mustache, before tossing the cloth down onto his half-eaten meal.
Baula gave a small sigh and glared between the two of them. "Noire is the ideal operative to be placed inside of Beacon. Slightly above average intelligence, he blends well with a crowd, he follows orders-"
"He's also the weakest operative we have." Arsenic interrupted, leaning forward to place his elbows on the table. "Not to mention the fact that he's downright awkward in social-"
"He's of average strength for his age – slightly above the standard for a first year student – and his awkwardness makes him the perfect person for the job." Baula snapped. "He acts his age. He's genuine and sincere, but better yet, he's obedient."
"Tänzerin is also obedient, but I don't hear either of you pushing to have her apply." Arsenic retorted. His short, black ponytail bobbing slightly as he rapidly looked between Baula and Rouge. "She's the perfect operative. She's intelligent, she's an excellent fighter, and she is absolutely loyal."
Baula paused to stare at Arsenic with a bit of skepticism before he lackadaisically turned to Rouge. "At my request you had your girls monitor both Noire and Tänzerin whenever they left our facilities. So, please remind him of what happened to our 'perfect operative' when we tasked her with going out to buy clothes for herself."
Rouge's eyes never left her plate as she carefully diced her meal into small squares. "Sienaerde Gewehr-Tänzerin, age 14 at the time, was tasked with going to a shopping center in downtown Vale to purchase herself new clothes. Roughly ten minutes after arriving at the shopping center my girls reported that Tänzerin had nearly had a mental breakdown in the middle of a store." With a soft exhale Rouge impaled her fork into a piece of meat. "She then locked herself in a bathroom for an hour before emerging, buying a variety of mismatched clothes that didn't fit her, before proceeding to walk back to base." With a small frown she lifted her meal into her mouth.
The room went silent for a moment while Baula glared down a stifled Arsenic.
"Tänzerin is asocial and has serious PTSD, which makes her a liability." Baula's gruff voice cutting into Arsenic like razor-wire.
"That took place over a year ago." Arsenic said. "Her mental state has improved significantly. She hasn't had a breakdown since then."
"The fact remains that Tänzerin is incapable of blending into a social environment with ease. She'd stick out like a sore thumb in the middle of Beacon." Baula stressed. Leaning forward he set his elbows on the table and crossed his fingers together. "Noire makes up for her inferiority with his authenticity. He is capable of blending in and forming genuine bonds with people."
"We're not sending him to Beacon so he can make friends." Arsenic snapped, leaning forward to stare down Baula.
"He'll be there to collect intel, but the less heads he turns while he's there the less we'll have to worry about him being caught." Baula's glare burning into his associate as he refused to be dogged down.
"The real issue, that neither of you are addressing, is if we can trust Noire." Rouge's voice rising in an attempt to break up the pair's debate.
A sudden, short guffaw rose from Baula as he turned to glare down Rouge. "I suppose we should be placing our trust in you and your mythical deity of a technician? I'm certain they could pass into Beacon with no issue."
"My technician will not be setting foot in Beacon!" Rouge's aloof composure evaporating as she drove her polished fingernail into the laminated surface of the table. "The question is if we can trust Noire. He's selfless and driven by his emotions; I don't like him."
A calmness fell over Baula as he reclined back in his chair. "Rouge, we need not worry about that. Just like Tänzerin, I chose Noire by hand and ever since the day we met I've had him under my thumb." Baula gave the woman a warm smile and contently set his hands in his lap. "He's so naïve that if we told him his suicide would benefit us he'd put a bullet through his head in a heartbeat."
"But what if he turns on us? Has a sudden change of heart and threatens to turn us over to the authorities?" Rouge pressed.
"He won't." Baula replied, his smile etching itself into the minds of his fellow insurgents. "As bold and as heartfelt as Noire can be; he's a naïve child. With little coaxing he has fallen under the impression that our coup will redeem him for some childish delusion he holds. Without even knowing what we seek he has whole-heartedly embraced our cause, and in his broken mental state convinced himself that our victories are his victories. All we need to do is keep him broken; keep fresh in his mind that we can and will right the wrongs of the world."
"What if someone fixes him?" Arsenic's voice slightly distant as he stared down at his gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "Tries to break him from his beliefs?"
Baula stopped to give Arsenic an amused smile. "Then he will have outlived his usefulness." Baula's smile twitched as a thought crossed his mind. "I suppose the same goes for Tänzerin, but considering that fact that she has more psychological issues than a phone-book has names, we can expect a fair amount of mileage from her."
With a satisfied smile resting happily upon Baula's face he scooted his chair backwards and rose to his feet. "All things considered, we will be applying both Noire and Tänzerin for enrollment at Beacon. And, since Ozpin adores sob stories, I have no doubt that both will be accepted without any scrutiny." Pulling back his sleeve he paused to stare at his watch for a moment before turning back to his seated compatriots. "I'll contact you two in a couple of days. Rouge, as usual oversee the collection of information from our favorite politicians. If you find anything we can exploit report it to me through the usual channels. Arsenic, ensure Noire and Tanzerin remain on their usual training regiments."
"My men have been getting restless. They want to know why they're fighting in a street war." Arsenic said, his impatience visible in his expression.
"Then I'll just have to pay them a visit in the next few days." Baula said cheerfully, his eyes now fixated on his watch. "They always throw a party for me whenever I'm in the neighborhood. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way."
"Goodnight, High General." Rouge breathed without a mote of enthusiasm. Picking up her silver cutlery she calmly returned to the act of skewering food and lifting into her mouth. Her ruby eyes absentmindedly dancing atop her plate for a minute before she glanced over at her remaining dining partner. "You shouldn't get attached to them; they're the very definition of expendable."
Arsenic breathed a tired sigh and slouched forward in his chair. Roughly running his fingers over his narrow eyes he responded with a tired, "I know. Tänzerin was starting to grow on me though. It's a shame to see two years of training get thrown away."
"Yes, yes lost time and all that, now finish your meal." Rouge snapped, gesturing her knife toward his half eaten sandwich. "My chef did not go to a culinary school so he could make you some middle-schooler's idea of a five star meal."
"My appetite is gone." Arsenic gave another sigh and set his hands on his knees with a loud slap. "Do you trust Noire? Even after what Baula said."
The sound of Rouge's silverware dinging against glass stopped. Her eyes fixed on her plate she leaned back and pinched the bridge of her nose. "No… No, I don't."
Present Day
Warm mint flavored breath passed from Automne's mouth in short shaky intervals. His heart energetically pounded against his chest as he tried his best to give off a relaxed façade. Sitting up in a large, comfy bed his back practically sank into the large soft pillows as he – for the hundredth time – ran his eyes over the long smooth legs arched above his lap.
'Just be cool, this is going great… I think.' Automne thought to himself as he ran his eyes up the lightly-tanned, flawless thighs of the girl before him. 'You wanted to hang out with her, and she seemed happy to see you again… I think.' His eyes now caressing the girl's short, seafoam booty shorts. Saliva starting to amass in his painfully dry mouth Automne gulped it down, and ran his eyes up the girl's hips and over his own black hoodie which Pumpkin wore with proud smirk.
A small intoxicated smile lifted Automne's lips as soft electronic music washed through his ears. With synthetic drum machines and violins the music wafted through the air like a perfume. Automne could even feel his pulse start to synchronize with rhythm of the bass, or that was the case until Pumpkin rolled her jewel like eyes from her Scroll to his face.
"What do you think?" She asked with a seductive smile, her thumb swiping over her Scroll as the synthetic rhythms softened and ceased.
"I liked it." Automne replied with a weak, earnest smile.
"You're not just saying that, right?" Pumpkin's playful inflection and warm, pearly white smile revealing to Automne that he wasn't doing nearly as bad as he thought he was.
"No, I liked it; it's really good." Automne insisted, struggling to be sincere and light-hearted at the same time. "You said you've made more son- er, smusic."
'Smusic?! What the hell is smusic?!'
"Yes, I have a lot more smusic." Her response setting Automne's ears on fire. "I make all my smusic back at my apartment. The acoustics are great for making smusic." She teased with a cruel little smirk.
'She's making fun of you…'
"That's cool to hear." Automne's spirits sinking a bit as the orange haired girl toyed with him.
"You're cute when you blush." Pumpkin giggled, her eyes devouring Automne's body.
A gentle ping rang through Automne's head disturbing thoughts and whipping away the dust that had gathered around them. Slowly the dust settled and the neglected thoughts began to rise, but then Pumpkin moved her knees to either side of his hips and rose to straddle him. This naturally drove blood from his brain and into regions of the crotch variety.
A large smile twisted the corners of Pumpkins pink lips upwards as she laid her wrists upon his shoulders. "Your hair is soft." She whispered as her thin fingers ran through his dirty-blonde hair. Slowly she lowered herself onto him, her chest pressing against Automne's through his loose, baggy hoodie. With an amused purr she leaned back to look him in the eyes. "I'm never going to give you this hoodie back."
With his heart pounding against him at an insane speed and with his lungs taking in a lot less air then he needed Automne drunkenly whispered. "I… am completely okay with this." Glee coursed through Automne as the girl gave off a seductive, reassuring giggle. With heightened spirits and renewed energy Automne carefully lifted his hands through the thick, warm air and placed them on Pumpkin's hips.
"What are you waiting for?" Her whisper almost inaudible.
Automne's eyes widened in surprise as he turned his focus back to her emeralds.
Without wasting another second Automne shot a hand up to her back, and as he pulled her in to seal their lips she in turn jerked him forward with an equal lust.
Their breath colliding as their mouths met Automne's body disappeared beneath ecstasy. His lungs and his desire for oxygen vanished as the sweet and spicy taste of Pumpkin's lips set his set his tongue on fire. So soft and so succulent her lips made his mind go numb. And when she finally pushed her tongue into his mouth he couldn't help but moan lightly, his hands grasping her clothes and her rear hungrily. An exhilarated moan rolled from her body as she retracted, pulling her lips away from his with a wet pop.
Setting her palms on his chest, Pumpkin sat back in his lap breathing heavily. Sparks of electricity danced in her eyes as she moaned, "You're a good kisser." Her hands tugged at his shirt, pulling and twisting the fabric as she stared into his hazel eyes. "And here I thought you were inexperienced."
"I- I actual- Uhmm-" Automne breathlessly started, eager to correct her before he quickly realized this was one statement better left vague.
An amused giggle rolled from Pumpkin as she loosened her grip upon his shirt. "I guess some people are just naturals." She purred enthusiastically, slowly leaning back in. "I wonder if anything else comes natural."
With that Pumpkin pressed her lips back to his, but this time Automne's mind wandered.
'Her giggle,' he thought, their lips smacking together rapturously. 'The way she giggles…' Pumpkin's hips began to grind back and forth in an effort to make up for their weakening kiss. 'She sounds like Eve.'
With a quiet dissatisfied pop their lips came apart. Pumpkin, still looming over Automne, brushed her short orange locks from her face to reveal concerned eyes. With a curious, worried smile she said, "What's wrong?"
Mixtures of guilt and sorrow forbade Automne from giving Pumpkin a reassuring smile. And before he could respond with a comforting lie his Scroll vibrated loudly. Automne and Pumpkin awkwardly ran their eyes over each other for a few seconds before Automne decided to address the elephant that had just settled itself in the room. "That's- uhm, that's probably… important."
"Yeah, it's probably your boss." Pumpkin said. Her energy clearly dissipating as she dismounted and rolled to the edge of the bed.
With a disappointed exhale Automne plunged his hand into his cargo pants and pulled out his Scroll. Giving the screen life a single message from Sienaerde appeared and laid itself out for him.
"Automne," The message read. "Baula wants to speak to both of us in our room. Return to base ASAP."
Automne slowly raised his gaze to Pumpkin, who was now seated at the edge of the bed, staring at her own Scroll. Breathing a shallow sigh Automne rapidly typed "Copy, eta 30", sent the message, and then carelessly pocketed his Scroll. A somber look on his face he crawled over to the edge of the bed and sat himself beside Pumpkin. "I have to go." He mumbled, struggling to look her in the face.
"It's fine," Her voice clearly hinting that it wasn't fine. "My break ends in about twenty minutes anyways. I'm not sure how much fun we could have even had in that time." A small smile emerging on her face as she brushed her bare foot against Automne's yellow-and-black sock.
"I really wish I could've stayed longer." Sincerity overwhelming Automne's voice.
"Well, if that's the case, how about we do this again?" A bit of energy returning to Pumpkin she suddenly turned and laid her thighs across Automne's lap. And by throwing one arm around his shoulder and scooting in closer, she pushed him into wrapping his arm around her waist to support her. "I'm free this Thursday. We can meet up somewhere, grab a bite, and then, if you're good, we can head back to my place. I really want to show you where I make the smusic happen."
A broad grin crossed Automne's lips as she gently kissed his cheek. "I'm never going to live that down am I?"
"All signs say; 'no'." Pumpkin responded with a cheeky little grin. Spinning on his knee as if he were a barstool, she turned forward and hopped onto the warm dark-wood floor. "Now get out, you have places to be." She lightheartedly demanded, turning away from him and pulling her Scroll from her new hoodie's kangaroo pocket.
Automne's grin still burning bright he calmly rose from the bed and sauntered over to the girl. Purposefully pushing her back against him he wrapped one arm around her waist and delicately took her hand. With her bemused assistance he lifted her hand to his lips and gave it a single kiss.
Pumpkin let out another giggle. "You're sweet… now seriously, get out." She merrily demanded turning to give him a light shove.
"Alright, I'm going!" Automne said with a grin as he made his way for the door, stopping only to pick up his shoes.
"I'll text you once my shift's over." Pumpkin said, stating it as if he should have already known it.
"Don't hate me if I don't reply."
"Then you better reply." Pumpkin jabbed before he slipped out the door.
The very instant he stepped out past the threshold and closed the door he let out a sigh that could've blown away small car.
'OH MY DUST THAT WENT SO WELL!' He internally sighed in a manner that just happened to be a shout. 'I WINGED LIKE NINETY PERCENT OF THAT, OH MY DUST.' His breathing becoming heavier as he pressed his back against the black and red pinstriped walls of The Oasis. 'Oh my Dust, like thing with the hand at the end! What even was that?! Why did I do that?! I think she liked it! She said I was sweet. Do girls like sweet? She's like really pretty and cool so she probably deals with douchebags or something. She probably likes sweet. Not sure how sweet though. I mean, she did giggle and… and she giggled… when she giggles she sounds like Eve…'
Automne breathing slowed to a weak flow as Eve walked through his mind. Her long dark hair wistfully wavering upon the autumn breeze. Her warm smile and her soft voice. Her moon white eyes.
'… I gotta move on.' Automne said to himself, pushing off the wall and starting down the hall. 'I shouldn't have gotten that close to them…'
Images of the night on the landing pad drove air out of his lungs and made him choke up.
'It's okay.' He told himself, Eve's miserable face burned into his eyes. 'It's okay… they're fine… I'm sure they're fine.' His head hanging as he shuffled down the hall of the VIP lounge.
Hey every body, I hoped you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for the support and if you haven't already favorite, follow, recommend, and review (with discretion) if you want to. I love y'all and love to hear from you ( I especially enjoyed the reviews for that last chapter *Teeheehee*) so please don't be shy review and PM.
I know it's been a while since I've given anyone a shout-out, but this time is special. I've been in contact with NinjaMoleRat recently and he has a RWBY based OC story of his own titled "BEAM Vol1". Unfortunately his story isn't exactly good, but he wants to improve the story and his skills as a writer. So, if you have the time please visit his story, give it a read, and help him out by leaving a fair, honest review. He (Or She I'm not exactly certain) is a nice person and I really want to see the community help a fellow writer improve.
Anyways, that's all from me.
Stay tuned, argue over who Automne's real girlfriend is until you go crazy, and then let it all out in the reviews. Until next time, peace out.
-CS