Disclaimer: I don't own KNY or RWBY
Chapter 10
Weiss Schnee walked along the forest quickly, being conservative with her energy. This way, I'll be able to scout for possible items that will help me get through the night as well. And besides, there's no time limit for us getting a relic, she noted, before inhaling sharply. But I do have to quickly find a good partner.
Her partner would be the person she would be stuck with in Beacon for several years. Finding someone that was compatible with her wasn't just something that was preferable, it was something that was borderline necessary if she wanted to go through her years at Beacon successfully.
"Hm," she hummed, placing a hand on her chin. I recall correctly, the most common grimm species found in this region would be-
Something growled behind her.
Of course!
With a flourish, Weiss thrust her rapier forward with an elegant, coordinated stab that went directly through the beowolf's throat. And obviously since beowolves travel in packs, there are gonna be at least... What was the number? Six? Seven seems more likely.
Twirling Myrtenaster through the air with a twist, Weiss quickly jabbed her rapier into the ground beneath her before quickly flicking a small mechanism on her hilt. At the same time, a snow white glyph appeared beneath her feet, the intricate snowflake emblazoned inside it spinning rapidly.
She quickly gave her dust chambers a sideways flick, making them spin to the right position before flicking the mechanism on her hilt again. Immediately, the glyph beneath her turned into a magnificent mix of purple and red fire that shot out into the forest in all directions.
Weiss grabbed her weapon by the hilt before pulling it out again. From the forest she could hear the sounds of animals growling. But are they dying and in pain, or are they just angry? she wondered, quickly flicking the dirt off the tip of her sword before raising it in a stance poised to strike.
They could come at me from any direction right now. I have to keep my ears open to prepare for any circumstance.
Just then, something reached her ear from her side. A growl, and definitely not a painful one! Turning, Weiss quickly thrust her blade forward just as the beowolf jumped out of the bushes, the tip of her rapier jutting out of the top of its torso like a skewer. Wait, that's a horrible position!
Immediately, Weiss retracted her weapon from the grimm's dying body in a smooth, fluid motion, raising it in a striking position once more. Or maybe I could gain a tactical advantage by leading them towards me! Since the other beowolf jumped out from the southeast, that direction is probably the most likely to be clear.
Keeping her weapon grasped, Weiss quickly ran in the southeast direction, spinning her chambers so that it locked into the fire dust vial. I might have to refill soon, that attack took a lot of dust out of me, she reminded herself. As soon as that thought passed however, another beowolf pounced at her from her front.
Weiss ended the creature's life with a single slash, all the while not bothering to stop running. Alright, that should get them to chase after me, right?
Quickly, she glanced to her back. Just as I expected, she thought with a smirk as she slid to a stop, a glyph already in front of her. Triggering the fire dust in her chambers, she thrust her sword into her newly made propulsion glyph, shattering the floating symbol into tiny shards.
With a mighty roar, a large torrent of red hot flames burst forth from the remains of her glyph, leaving behind a wide line of fire. Inside that line was what looked like half a dozen beowolf corpses, the bodies already starting to dissipate. Did that catch all of them?
Something roared, and Weiss flicked her head slightly to the left to see one final grimm charging straight towards her. Apparently not, it seems. Raising her sword again, it took her a single well placed thrust for the last survivor of the beowolf pack to be instantly killed.
With an exhale, Weiss carefully flicked open her pouch, unlocking Myrtenaster's chambers before refilling the now almost empty fire compartment. After filling it back to maximum capacity, she flicked her sword upwards, locking it once more before hooking it back onto her belt. Alright, now, which way was north again?
She looked upwards, being greeted by the sight of thick foliage. So the trees are blocking the view? I should probably get to a clearing in that case, she noted. Quickly taking a glance from side to side, she decided on a direction before turning and walking onwards.
Just as she began to walk however, a familiar growling noise alerted her ears. Her eyes twitching with an ever so slight flutter, Weiss quickly turned towards its direction. But that part's so thick with foliage! Still, someone may need my help. But then if I make eye contact...
She shook her head. What am I thinking? Of course I should go help. All of this- coming to beacon, everything I've done up till now- would have been for nothing if I become no better than my father in the end!
However, just as the thought passed through her mind, the clear sound of a blade echoed throughout the forest, accompanied by the dull growl that signified a dying grimm. Well at least they seem to have this handled, right? But still there shouldn't be any harm in offering help, and if they really are competent then I could be partnering up with someone skilled!
Nodding to herself, she quickly pressed forward into the foliage, her weapon drawn and slightly raised. As she walked, she could hear more slices and cuts, along with numerous whimpering growls. Whoever this is, they definitely seem to be competent, she noted. So that would mean that-
She exited the bushes, finally stepping onto the clearing. Immediately, she made eye contact with her future partner for four years.
Sharp eyes, dark hair, and a single edged blade, she immediately noted. Well, that's that. At least this person seems to be good at fighting, though the rest I'll have to see for myself later on...
Oh, crap! Gotta find Yang, gotta find Yang! Or Giyuu or Pyrrha or Jaune! Wait actually maybe not Jaune because he looked pretty err... bad at fighting things, but at least he's nice! Better him over any of the other students, like that crabby girl from before! Oh god, what if I get partnered with her accidentally? That would be hoooorrible!
Ruby rushed through the forest as a blur of black and red, her semblance working overtime to fuel her through the woods. Already in scythe form, Crescent Rose cut a large path around her, all the while killing the occasional grimm that strayed into her way. Soon, she found her breathing becoming more and more labored and slid to a stop, a large trail of flowers behind her. Briefly leaning against a rock, she panted, taking a long moment to catch her breath once more and buckling Crescent Rose back to her belt.
Alright, gotta change my strategy here. I could get to the temple quickly, but that wouldn't help me in getting the right partner. I would also probably make eye contact with the first person there, and that probably isn't good, right? Do I trust Yang to be there fastest out of everyone other than me?
She huffed. There really was no getting around this, wasn't there? It's all really nothing but luck in the end.
Suddenly, she froze as a particular mental image made its way to the forefront of her mind. One where she would meet the crabby girl from yesterday, getting scolded by said girl for all four years of Beacon. Ruby's eyes widened before they shut closed tightly once more. Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts!
But what if that was what happened? What if she would really be stuck with a partner through all four years that did nothing but scold her? Jaune doesn't seem too good at fighting, but I would take him any day over someone so mean! she quickly decided, before slumping.
Too bad I can't actually decide Jaune for a partner, or Yang, or Pyrrha or Giyuu or anyone else...
Inhaling deeply, she stood back up. Alright, there's no getting over this, is there? Then I'll just have to play the game like everyone else and hope for the best! she resolved, unbuckling her weapon once more before making her way towards her previous direction.
Immediately, a growl sounded from ahead, although Ruby wasn't sure just how far. Still, it doesn't sound too far off from here! she noted, hardening her expression. Quickly, she dashed forward with her semblance, Crescent Rose already in its signature scythe-form.
As she narrowly dodged the numerous trees that blocked her way, more and more growls started to emanate from ahead, although she couldn't tell whether they were growls of pain or... well, the typical growls that grimm made when they moved around. Idle growls, maybe? Wait, I'm pretty sure dad- gah! This isn't the time to think about that!
Just then, a particularly loud growl reached her ears. Immediately, Ruby's eyes widened as she stretched her arm backwards, extending her scythe behind her. With a slam, Crescent Rose's rounded blade neatly cut into one of the forest's trees, and Ruby's vision began to spin as she spiraled down the wooden bark. I- I really should've thought this through more before I tried to do it! she reprimanded herself as her momentum slowed to a- thankfully- much more manageable level.
Afterwards, she dropped to the ground before pulling out her weapon from the now carved tree and positioning it in a shooting position. Quickly flipping the correct switch, she shifted her weapon into its sniper mode before loading it with a satisfying click.
Alright, any more growls?
Speak of the devil, a distinct sound resonated throughout the forest, a sound Ruby knew as belonging to a specific type of grimm. With a sweep, she turned and fired a single bullet before shifting her weapon back into a scythe and activating her semblance once more, dashing towards the direction of the sound.
However, another, much more distinct sound quickly reached her ears. This time, her eyes widened as she immediately hooked around a tree once more and stopped, dropping down to the ground. That was the sound of bones breaking, wasn't it? Oh god, is someone dead!?
She immediately slapped herself in retaliation before audibly gulping. No! Don't think like that. And they might be in trouble if I don't help!
Without hesitation, she reactivated her semblance before dashing towards the source of the sound once more, silently praying as the cluster of oranges and greens of the forest's trees passed her by. Please please please don't let that sound have been a student's bones breaking... she internally mumbled as she passed through the foliage.
She got a visible view of the clearing fairly quickly, and what she saw made her sigh in relief. Oh! So it wasn't the person's bones breaking, it was just that the grimm got hit in a place where there was lots of... bone, I guess? Either way, thank goodness! was her first immediate thought.
Her second thought came immediately afterwards, as the bone-breaking killer of the grimm in question turned towards her, making eye contact. For a moment, Ruby froze in shock as silver eyes met ocean-blue. Am I supposed to say something right now?
"Well..." her partner for the next four years finally began after a pause, penetrating the all too awkward silence. "hello there."
Ruby's mouth stretched into a wide grin.
"O- Ozpin?"
"Yes Glynda?"
On the wide, thankfully structurally stable cliffs of Beacon Academy, Ozpin took yet another sip from his mug of coffee, his eyes darting from side to side as he observed the screens laid out before him. Really, she's never quite been this jittery. I wonder if it's the weather?
"I must say," Glynda began, pursing her lips as he gave her an acknowledging glance. "I suppose in your defense even the oddest teams in the past have somehow managed to work out. Still, with the last two pairings- don't you think, even for your standards, it seems..."
Ozpin glanced at the screen, and glanced at Glynda again, putting a hand to his chin and stroking his nonexistent beard. "Well Glynda," he said. "I'm not quite sure what you have a problem with. Especially considering the former pairing of Mr. Arc and Mr. Winchester, Mr. Tomioka and Miss-"
"The other pairing, headmaster." Glynda interrupted with a sigh, mumbling afterwards, "Sheesh, sometimes I swear you seem to mess with me intentionally when I ask these things. Did you truly think I was talking about the latter pair of partners?"
Ozpin merely gave her a lopsided smile. "Well they do make up quite the pairing, don't you think? I believe this year will be quite interesting indeed, Glynda. In fact- if things work out, I may be inclined to believe that our most problematic four students may shine out the brightest this year."
In response, Goodwitch only let out a loud exhale. "Well considering this isn't the first time I've made my rather harsh opinions known regarding some of the initial pairings, I suppose I can't say much at this point. Still, you must admit that these two are..."
"...Worrying?" Ozpin suggested.
"I would put it more as problematic, but yes, worrying fits the bill quite well."
Ozpin took another sip of his coffee, taking a brief moment to indulge his tongue in the aromas. Bartholomew truly did always have the best taste. What is it today, I wonder. Slightly strong to the nasal senses, and a touch of grassiness, perhaps. Some strange type of Espresso, perhaps? No, that would be more...
...Bitter.
With a tentative gaze, he looked down at his drink. Pitch black- even more so than usual.
"Glynda?"
"Yes, headmaster?"
"If you don't mind too much, please do fetch some ice for me. I believe this needs just a little diluting." he commented, a sly smile rising on his face.
It took all of his self control to push down the burst of laughter that threatened to arise as his assistant proceeded to give him the most dumbfounded look he had ever seen her make.
Blake cursed whatever gods were up in the sky. Not that they would care, of course. But still...
A Schnee. Out of all possible options for partners, of course she was partnered with the Schnee. Over a hundred students from the cliff and she's the one I make eye contact with, she internally groaned, keeping her twitching hand from slapping her forehead. I swear, someone's probably amused at this right now. Laughing at my-
"Are you quite done?" a shrill voice interrupted, Blake quickly raising her head to see her partner glaring at her. "If you don't mind, I would like to remind you that we are in an Initiation. Beacon's initiation, no less. This is no time to be gazing at the ground and frolicking around like- like a disappointed child!"
Blake opened her mouth to retort, before hesitating and biting her tongue, feeling the urge to pinch her nose. Oh god, she's right, isn't she? I'm getting too worked up over this right now. I came here to have a clean slate- to do something good in the world for a change. If I can't even get over something as petty as this, what in the world am I ever going to-
"And you're doing it again!" Weiss cut in once more, throwing her arms up in the air in what Blake assumed was either spite or frustration. "Phenomenal! Absolutely phenomenal. And here I was glad to have you as a partner after you seemed like you displayed some competency compared to some of the other hooligans in this school."
Wait, what-
"Now listen to what I say very carefully. What you should do is follow my lead! It's clear that the only thing at this point that you can do is cut up Grimm, but at the very least you seem to be combat-ready, and I'll be damned if I can't even assert command over a competent fighter such as you- personality quirks aside, of course." Weiss said before swiftly turning around and walking forward before mumbling something. "At least you aren't as hyperactive as that-"
Blake could only stand dumbfounded. She paused for a moment, even her previous fidgeting now absent. Did- I- She- What just-
"I SAID FOLLOW ME!"
Oh gods what the hell am I doing.
Quickly snapping herself out of her trance, Blake tightly gripped her weapon before marching forwards, darting her eyes around to check for possible threats. It's a bit strange not relying on my ears, but I can't risk them twitching and giving me away. Especially not in front of the Schnee, she reminded herself. Still...
It was odd.
The Schnee was- in some ways- acting completely in line with her expectations, but there was something more than that. Something that Blake couldn't quite put her finger on, but could definitely recognize was there. In the tone of her voice maybe, or in her body gestures... Maybe it's the assertiveness? No, I would expect a Schnee to be assertive. So what's so different about her? Is it that she complimented my fighting abilities? But-
Blake withheld a sigh, wiping the thought from her mind. Her musings could come later. For now, she absolutely needed to pass the initiation, and she had already failed in some regards by letting herself get distracted one too many times. In that case though-
"Do you know where we're going?" Blake questioned the girl in front of her, noting her slight decrease in walking speed. "We're supposed to be headed to the temple, right? I noted down my path when I was landing, and I'm pretty sure we're supposed to head that way."
She pointed towards her left before a distinct sound registered in her ears. Wait, that's-
Gambol Shroud was raised in a split second, the blade of the one-edged sword cutting through the Beowolf as she unsheathed and slashed her weapon upwards in a single practiced movement. The creature smoked as its bisected parts harmlessly passed her from both sides.
"Schnee," she called out, glancing towards her partner and noting the single, firm nod from the white haired girl- a gesture that communicated just about everything that was necessary in that moment in time. With nothing but a split second of hesitation, Blake found herself nodding back, Gambol Shroud already raised and poised for another attack.
"We've yet to maneuver any proper moves to synchronize our capabilities together." Weiss's voice stated from behind her. "So for the sake of being pragmatic with this, we must simply act with minimal interference between ourselves. Is that agreeable?"
"Yeah," Blake agreed. I don't think I quite registered that, but I think I get the gist. "I won't get in your way."
"Excellent. So you can cooperate after all." Weiss replied with a hint of a smirk on her face.
It took everything inside her to not roll her eyes as another beowolf pounced from the bushes. A Schnee is a Schnee after all, I suppose, she noted as she thrust her weapon forward. As the blade pierced through the grimm, she heard the very distinct noise of ice behind her, and almost instinctively glanced back before her eyes widened.
Holy- that's a lot of ice dust.
With a flourish, the Schnee then thrust her rapier forward, a wave of green energy bursting forward and cutting through the previously created ice- as well as the grimm trapped inside it. Lots of dust being used to fight, huh... Blade made a mental note to remember the move for the future, if things got... Don't think of that right now!
With a single quick slice, the last of the grimm was bisected, and Blake sheathed her weapon with a sigh. I really need to get back on my game right now. Still, the prospect of having a Schnee for a partner for the next several years...
"What was your name again?" once more, Weiss's voice cut through her thoughts. "I suppose you already know my name, as you've previously indicated." she said with a small scowl. "But our differences in opinion aside... I don't think I've quite been introduced to you."
Blake hesitated, before sighing and holding out a hand. Might as well. "Blake Belladonna," she said, the white haired girl grabbing her hand and lightly shaking it.
"Well then, I hope our partnership remains amicable, Blake." Weiss said before swirling around and walking away once more.
Blake sighed.
So do I...
"So, we're the first ones here?"
Yang glanced around the temple ruins, her eyes eventually landing on a large chessboard in the center. Her partner followed close behind, her footsteps barely audible even among the dense foliage of the forest's ground. Maybe she's just light on her feet? Or is it just the high heels...
"I don't believe so," Pyrrha echoed, stepping in front of her and pointing towards the chessboard. "The board. I assume these are the relics Professor Ozpin told us to retrieve, and some of them are already gone. That could only mean that some have already retrieved their pieces."
Yang looked at the board a bit more closely. On second look, it does seem a bit... weird. "Well," she began. "What piece ya reckon we should take? I think I'll go with a cute little horse. Wait, does it actually matter which one we take? Besides, both of us have to take the same pieces, right?"
"You're right." Pyrrha said with a nod. "And now that I notice it, the Kings and Queens are notably missing. Same with the pawns. I must've assumed wrongly." she continued, before picking up a horse as well. However, after a moment of pause, she set it down once more.
"Huh?"
"Well, since there are four of each piece if you count separate colors as different pieces, I can only assume that these chess pieces are meant to indicate team combinations, and..." Pyrrha paused, gazing at the board. "Three pairs have already been here, since six pieces are missing."
Yang let out a whistle. "Not sure I noticed that. Quick mind, huh?" she praised, setting down her own horse piece. "Whaddya say we wait it out a bit? Scout things out a bit so we get a better combination and all. Although..." she trailed off. Ruby might've already passed through the area. With her semblance it's all the more likely. But am I willing to bet on that?
"Well I suppose it couldn't hurt," Pyrrha voiced her agreement. "Are you looking for any particular members?"
"My sister, mostly." Yang said. "She's always had kinda crabby luck, so if her partner ends up being an ass or something..." she shuddered, before turning to her partner. "I should probably be in her team just as insurance. If that's fine with you, of course. I don't wanna pressure you into doing any-"
Pyrrha quickly raised her hands, waving them bashfully. "No, no! It's totally fine," she exclaimed. "I don't have any siblings from back home, but it's quite admirable how you care for your sister so much. The red haired one from yesterday, right?"
"Yup, that's good ol' Ruby."
Pyrrha grinned. "If so, I don't think I would mind being in a team with her either."
"Alright, then we scout it out for a while?"
"I think that would be the wisest course of action."
Yang gave her partner a thumbs up before leaning against the pedestal with the board. Actually, what do we do now though? The initiation lasts for a day and the sun hasn't even gone down yet, so there's no telling what's gonna happen. Still... this might be just a little-
"What's your favorite color?" Pyrrha's voice interrupted her thoughts. Raising an eyebrow, Yang glanced at her partner, who had a bashful expression overlaying her face. Huh? she wondered semi-mindlessly as Pyrrha... flinched? "Well you don't have to tell me, but I was informed that this is a decent conversation starter."
"...Oh." Yang eventually managed to reply, somewhat dumbfounded. Is she... socially inexperienced or something? She was a helluva fighter earlier today, I can't really say I expected... whatever this is... "I guess my favorite color would be yellow. Y'know, with my weapons and hair and all,"
"Phenomenal!" Pyrrha exclaimed. "I personally like red."
...
...
...
Yang let out a sheepish chuckle. "You really aren't the best at this, huh?" she threw out, her partner's gaze suddenly directed towards the ground- much to her great amusement. "Don't worry, Momma Yang's got you covered on this. Say what, once we pass initiation, I'll give you a few pointers on how to pep up that social life of yours."
Pyrrha perked up, her eyes slightly widened. "Truly? You would do that for me?"
"I mean, 4 years at Beacon, right?" Yang responded. "Best do it now than later, otherwise you might miss out on some of the best parts of being our age!"
"I'm not sure what you mean, but I agree!" Pyrrha enthused. "Surely you must know better than I in something like this. If it's fine with you, I'll erm," she briefly paused, putting a hand on her chin before perking up again. "entrust the growth of my frolicking skills into your hands!"
Yang laughed. Frolicking, I'll have to remember that one.
Standing up straight once more, she briefly stretched before clasping her arms and activating her weapon. "Well Pyrrha," she called. "There's still some time to kill, and I don't think anyone's coming here soon, so I think I have a decent way to pass some time."
"Oh?"
"Well, that is unless something crazy happens." she joked, before her face scrunched up into a much more thoughtful expression. "Actually, if you wanna hear something funny, some really crazy stuff happens pretty often with my sist-"
Before Yang could finish speaking, a red blur crashed into her face.
Giyuu Tomioka- relatively speaking- considered himself as one of the more quiet individuals in the world. Of course, while he was quite very much aware that his observed sample was somewhat biased in one direction due to the fairly loud and brash nature of both the average demon slayer and the average huntsman, his ability to maintain a level of quiet serenity both in mind and body was a skill that he liked to think of as useful.
That skill apparently went flying out the window- shattering it in the process- when Ruby Rose's insanity managed to manifest itself into equally insane plans. Which in this case, involved riding a giant deadly monster and somehow praying that it would fly them in the right direction.
Note to self: Be more assertive in the face of utter insanity.
Giyuu's eyes darted around from side to side as he gazed down from a bird's eye view, simultaneously feeling a major migraine incoming. This isn't good. I know where we're supposed to go, but how in the world are we supposed to lead it into going there?
Before he could finish his thought, he shielded his face with a single arm as a particularly strong wisp of wind whipped at his face. "Ruby!" he called out. I really should've thought this through more before agreeing with her. "What comes next?!"
"I have no clue!" Ruby yelled back from her position in front of him, Giyuu immediately resisting the urge to smash his face against the floor- or in this case the back of the demonic flying bird. "I think we need to steer it in the direction we wanna go in!"
Well the question is how, right?
Giyuu bit his lips in thought. I can't just stab my sword into the creature and try to steer it. Ninchirin is strong, but it isn't meant to handle that level of brute force, and I don't think I'm physically capable of turning this thing, he noted with a frown. We would need something heavy in terms of force. Something that slams or-
An idea blinked into existence in his mind. An utterly insane idea, but an idea nonetheless. Still, do I wait or do I go forth with it?
Gritting his teeth together, he glanced at Ruby, struggling to hold on to the creature's surface. Below him, his own grip was somewhat beginning to falter. We're on a time limit- Ruby more than I. If we falter any longer, that could risk both of us dying. But still, it's utterly deranged...
He sighed.
If my mind making up ideas like these ends up becoming a reoccurring thing, I'm blaming it on her.
"Ruby!" he called out once again, pausing until the girl glanced back at him in acknowledgement. "How precisely can you aim?" he then asked, quickly losing an edge on his grip before tightening his clenched hands and regaining his stability once more.
"Very!" the girl answered without hesitation. "I can do anything with my baby!"
Good, because otherwise there's a good chance of us dying here today, Giyuu muttered internally before opening his mouth again. "Ruby! Ice dust crystals! Throw them to me!" he yelled, his partner hesitating for a split second before reaching into her pouch and throwing several sky blue crystals in his direction.
They shot towards him with blinding speed, mostly due to the wind and the movement of the grimm.
He caught all of them with one hand.
"Ruby!" he yelled for what felt like the tenth time that day, moving his fingers to slot a single ice dust crystal into a position between his thumb and his index while keeping the rest of the crystals tightly grasped in his palm. "When I throw the crystal, shoot it with a wind bullet!"
"Alright!" Ruby echoed, before reaching behind her and pulling out Crescent Rose. "And by the way, you might wanna grab on tight!" she warned as she brought down the tip of her weapon onto the Grimm's skin. Giyuu barely had time to take the words into mind before the monster wailed out in fury, tossing and turning in the process. Ruby made it through the ordeal rather easily, grasping onto the grip of her weapon.
Giyuu barely managed to grab onto his grip properly, his already clenched hand tightening even further as he scowled. This entire ordeal is going to age me ten entire years by the time it ends...
"Alright, I'm ready to go!" Ruby indicated.
At least she's doing her job well, I suppose.
With a grunt, Giyuu threw his arm forward in an arc, the dust crystal shooting through the air and positioning itself right in front of the beast's eyes. "Now shoot it!" he yelled, a single loud gunshot echoing through the air as a green sniper bullet drilled into the crystal in the air.
Before he could blink, dozens of small, sharp ice shards made impact with the creature's eyes at shattering velocities, Giyuu quickly pocketing the rest of the crystals and adding another grip before the creature wailed in pain once more, trying to shake off its temporary riders.
Alright, it's blinded! Somehow, that worked!
"Now Ruby," he called out, the girl glancing at him with a grin. "Steer!"
Meanwhile on Beacon's cliff, Headmaster Ozpin let out a long, audible chortle.
There truly is something special about throwing children off cliffsides, he mused. After all, they constantly seem to lead to some very entertaining scenarios.
Notes
I'm back! I finally managed to churn out this chapter, after some time where I took a brief hiatus. Next, initiation continues onward!
Somehow, almost none of you last chapter guessed the actual partner combination. It was almost enough to convince me to switch to someone else because I was frankly worried that y'all wanted something different out of this fic, but I've planned this all out in advance and even if you feel disappointed at the choice of partners, I promise this all has a reason! These dynamics will expand in ways you won't expect!
As always, criticism is very welcome. If I have any grammar or spelling errors, or if I mischaracterize a character/do their dialogue wrong, feel free (I welcome you, even) to leave a comment/review!
That's it for now, it's great to be back and I'll see y'all next chapter!
