Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

Lucius Smith sat by a window inside the airship. The airship, a bullhead, was en route to Beacon Academy, where Lucius would grow and learn for the next four years. He turned his head to briefly look out over the landscape. It was a lovely view, with forests and green fields as far as the eye could see.

With a sigh, Lucius turned from the window. He was quite a muscular young man, sporting tanned skin, dark brown hair, and sky blue eyes. Swaying back and forth and beginning at his waistline was a white tail with spots. It was the tail of a snow leopard.

"Do you mind if I sit here?"

Lucius looked up and saw a black-haired girl with a bow atop her head that briefly twitched. Obviously, she was a faunus trying to hide her features. It pained Lucius to see some of his people attempt to hide what they were as though they were ashamed of it. He understood why one such as her would do it, of course. She could no longer stand the discrimination, harassment, and subjugation, so she hid beneath a bow. Lucius would never hide his heritage, for he was not ashamed of what he was, but not everyone could endure as much as he could.

Lucius nodded to the girl and gestured to the seat next to him. She was likely seeking the company of a fellow faunus, which he could respect. All beings naturally seek the company of their own kind. Once she was seated, Lucius held his hand out to her. "My name is Lucius," he greeted.

She shook his hand. "Blake," she replied. She opened a book she had been holding and started to read.

While Blake read her book, Lucius looked among the crowd of students he saw inside the bullhead. Many were happily chatting with one another, some were trying to sit in silence, others appeared to have motion sickness. Lucius wondered just how many of these people actually knew what it meant to be a huntsman or a protector of any kind. His mind drifted back as he wondered how he could find worthy allies at this school.

"I don't understand," said Lucius, "I could learn far better with you in the wilds than in a hand-holding school."

"True," conceded Arthur, Lucius' mentor, "But there is more to being a huntsman than combat. A warrior needn't isolate himself. There will be times when you need allies to aid you in battle, friends to speak with you, and perhaps even a family to go home to. If you deny yourself such basic luxuries as friendship and even love, then you become no different from a beast. Remember, that desire you feel to protect stems from compassion, and compassion stems from love. Do you understand?"

"Yes, master."

Lucius pulled himself out of the memory and sat in silence. His eyes briefly turned to Blake. Could the two of them be friends? Yes, they were both faunus, but did Blake understand the great task she was signing up for? If she feared human ridicule, could she stand up to a Grimm? That remained to be seen.

Eventually, a hologram appeared of Professor Glynda Goodwitch. She gave a brief speech that was likely recorded from some time ago, mentioning that the kingdom was experiencing a time of peace. Peace for whom? Certainly not the Faunus, who cried out daily against those who oppressed them. If there was peace, then Blake would not feel the need to hide beneath a bow.

It was not long before the bullhead landed and the students began to file out. Blake remained seated, still reading.

Lucius stood up and tapped her on the shoulder. "Coming?" he asked.

Blake's eyes glanced up from her book. "Not yet," she answered, "I'd rather avoid the crowd."

Lucius nodded. She was trying to avoid attention, perhaps because she was introverted or simply shy. No matter. It was not his business. "I understand," he said, "I will leave you to it."

"Thanks."

Lucius then made his way out of the bullhead, walking at a brisk pace toward Beacon Academy. The Academy could have easily been mistaken for a castle, with its spired towers and majestic appearance. Shining from the tallest tower was a bright green light, earning the academy its name.

Entering the academy, Lucius stepped into the auditorium. The room was rather average, featuring rows of seats facing a stage, where the faculty were seated. Lucius took a seat near the back of the room as more students filed in. Blake soon arrived and took the seat next to him.

Eventually, the students were assembled. Headmaster Ozpin rose from his seat and stepped up to the microphone propped near the front edge of the stage. "I'll keep this brief," he began, "You have all traveled here today in the pursuit of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your lives to the protection of the people..."

Lucius found himself disagreeing with the headmaster. He had seen a number of students, both on the airship and in that very auditorium who did not fit Ozpin's assumptions at all. They were an arrogant lot, every one of them clearly attending Beacon for the sake of their own hubris. They had no interest in "the protection of the people," only money. Unless something happened, they would become agents of injustice and evil, however indirectly. The thought was sickening to Lucius.

"But I look among you today and all I see is wasted energy," Ozpin continued, "In need of purpose, direction. You assume that knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."

Lucius was surprised by the shift in the headmaster's speech but found himself nodding in agreement with the second half. Not all the students present would dedicate themselves to selflessly protecting others, but Ozpin was correct in saying that knowledge could only carry one so far. Knowledge of what to do was meaningless without the will to do it. Lucius suppressed a scoff as murmurs broke out among the students, some of whom were undoubtedly offended by the harshness of their headmaster's words.

Professor Ozpin stepped back from the microphone and Professor Goodwitch moved forward. "You will all gather in the ballroom for tonight," she announced, "Your initiation begins tomorrow. Be ready. You are dismissed."

Lucius and Blake were among the first students to leave the auditorium, both going their separate ways. Lucius decided that it would be good to explore the school before retiring to the ballroom. It would certainly be advantageous to know his way around, especially since it would be unwise to be late for class. As for sleeping in the ballroom, Lucius had shared space with a group of people before. Unfortunately, not every student present was as disciplined as him. Some would undoubtedly cause trouble.

"Hey!"

Speak of the Grimm and they shall appear, thought Lucius. He looked back and saw an armored teenager whose demeanor oozed arrogance, complete with a smug look on his face.

"Nice tail," the boy said mockingly, "Is it real?"

Lucius rolled his eyes at how foolish this boy was to think that his petty words made him look "cool" or some such nonsense. Such childishness did not merit a response. He turned and walked away.

"Hey! I'm talkin' to you!"

Lucius ignored the boy and continued walking.

"What are you? Deaf? Don't walk away from me!"

Mere words from a child, no different from howling wind. Quick footfalls told Lucius that the boy was running toward him, no doubt intent on punching him. How pathetic. A sidestep and the correct foot placement sent the boy tumbling to the ground. A crowd of children must have been watching because Lucius heard laughter. He paid it no mind and simply kept walking.

"This isn't over, freak!" the boy called out, but Lucius ignored the threat. There were better things to do than heed the threats of children.

Lucius spent the rest of the day walking through Beacon's halls and about the grounds, learning where classes were held, where the dorms were, and where one could train. By nightfall, he was walking through the ballroom, a pillow in his right hand and a bedroll tucked under his left arm. While many students wore pajamas or slept barechested, Lucius opted for a simple white t-shirt and light gray shorts. It felt strange to have to leave his weapons in a locker, but at least he could still defend himself. This was a huntsman academy, he reminded himself, not some isolated area where a Grimm could easily come knocking.

Scanning the crowd of students, Lucius soon spotted Blake sitting with her back against the wall and moved over to her. In a room comprised mainly of humans, at least one of whom was out to get him, sleeping near a familiar face seemed a wise course of action. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to the empty space beside her.

Blake, who was yet again reading her book, looked up at Lucius, then to where he had gestured, then back to him. "Alright," she said.

"Thank you," he replied. He unfurled the bedroll and placed his pillow at the head. A few seconds later, he was lying on his back with his head on the pillow.

OC voice cast:

Lucius Smith - Noah Watts

Arthur Askr - Christopher Judge

That wraps up the first chapter. I think it makes perfect sense for Blake to act a little less closed off around Lucius since he's a fellow faunus. After all, she spilled her past to Sun despite barely knowing him. As you might have noticed, I don't have Yang dragging Ruby over to try and socialize with Blake and that's largely due to Lucius' presence. I think perhaps that Ruby would be unwilling to risk disturbing his sleep.

Obviously, I didn't include Ruby at all in this chapter because we already know what went on there. I think perhaps that including it would disrupt the flow of the story and would just be a rehash of the canon, anyway.

I know that most RWBY OC stories just have a team made up of them running with RWBY and JNPR, but I'd like to do something different. For example, I think Blake might actually seek out Lucius as a partner due to being comfortable around him.

Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated. Also, I'm looking for a good beta reader if anyone is willing to volunteer or recommend one.