V1E5 - Inter-Team Drama
Anon slowly chewed his food as Velvet glowered at him. The three other members of team CVFY all sat there like awkward pieces of shit at the scene. Coco leaned into Fox's ear.
"Did they have a lover's quarrel already?" She whispered.
Velvet pivoted her head slowly and glared at a scared Coco.
"No," Fox explained at a normal volume. "He tried skipping breakfast again."
"Oh, so she's just being a worried spouse."
Velvet inhaled sharply.
"Coco?"
"Y-yeah?"
"Shut. The fuck. Up."
Coco shrank in her seat. When Velvet was swearing, you know she's beyond mad. Her wrathful gaze returned to a non-plussed Anon who finished a bowl of porridge.
"I feel bad for him." Fox winced. "The porridge here tastes awful."
Well, good thing I can't taste shit.
"I'm full." Anon said as he was about to leave the table.
"You still have your main course to finish." Velvet's cold and demanding tone made the rest of team CVFY shrink even further in their seats.
"The hell else happened?!" Coco quietly demanded to know.
"I honestly don't know." Yatsuachi, usually so tall, felt minuscule at the sight of Velvet's cold rage.
"There has to have been something else for her to be this pissed!"
Anon let out a drawn-out sigh.
"Vel, I appreciate that you're trying to take care of me. But I'm not going to die if that's what you're worried about."
"Anon," Velvet rubbed her eyes exasperatedly. "It's been over a week since I've met you and I can see that you are not eating properly. Or eating at all for that matter!"
"Velvet, I just have a naturally small appetite."
"I don't care, it's not healthy! Look at you, you're skin and bones!"
To prove her point, she lifted his shirt to his neck. Coco tried to be funny and lighten up the atmosphere but...
"Ooh la la-" She stopped at the sight of his body.
Though not quite skin on bones, Velvet wasn't far off. A couple of pounds off and he could run for a beauty pageant. He had a small scar where his liver is.
"That's..." Fox was speechless after scrying Coco's mind.
Yatsuachi's eyes were actually open he was so shocked, while Coco was positively horrified.
"That boy needs some food ASAP!"
"See?!" Velvet pointed to her team's reaction to prove her point.
Anon sighed again.
"Fine, whatever makes you happy."
He sat back down and quickly, but not voraciously ate the food as to be over and done with it. After finishing his meal, Anon wiped his mouth with a napkin before throwing it on his plate.
"There, are we done here?"
Velvet's eyes softened considerably, her anger replaced by a deep concern for her friend.
"Anon, I know I'm being overbearing-"
"That's putting it very mildly," He pointed with his thumb at Velvet's terrified team.
"Very overbearing... But it's because I'm worried about you." She stated, sheepishly fiddling with her hands. "It's neither normal nor healthy to be this undernourished."
"Vel, I've been like this for fucking years and I'm still alive."
"How long?"
Anon paused.
"five-six years?" Anon wasn't sure either.
Coco balked.
"That long?! Are you sure you're ok?"
"I'm not dead, am I?"
Anon's scroll began to ring, the alarm he set for his first class of the day rang.
"I gotta go."
Velvet tried to reach for him, but he lifted his arm out of her reach.
"It's fine, Velvet," He told her quietly before leaving for class.
She sighed worriedly.
"Clearly not..."
Port's lecture hall reminded Anon of his college days. Though those had less... dangerous connotations, but considering that this is Port's class, it's safe to assume that it will still be vapid and useless as those were. The room was decorated with the many trophies that Port earned throughout his career, with the centrepiece of his collection hanging above the drawing board; his blunderbuss-axe, Blowhard.
That's still a stupid fucking name.
Anon was checking his phone, double-checking some info regarding the show.
Tri-hard's a close second, though. Seriously, Neptune, what the actual fuck were you thinking?
The bell rang and class had officially started. Anon checked the clock and saw that RWBY and JNPR were still late.
"I even fucking texted you, ya rose coloured dimwit." Anon shook his head at Ruby's expense.
Port loudly cleared his throat but before he could start, Anon lifted his hand.
"Wait," He ordered.
"Is something the matter, Mister Hope?"
"RWBY and JNPR aren't here yet."
Port checked the clock.
"Late on their first day?"
"Give 'em like... five seconds?"
As soon as he was done, Anon counted down with his fingers. On the count of zero, both teams crashed through the room's door.
"DID WE MAKE IT?!" Ruby yelled.
"Nope, you a minute late, rosebud."
"I knew we would be late!" Weiss complained, pushing Ruby out of her way.
"Then you're in luck, I stalled so you wouldn't miss a thing." The irony was, Anon knew how ultimately useless Port's class actually was.
Weiss scoffed lightly.
"So you can be useful."
Joke's on you, bitch!
Port guffawed heartily.
"Your prediction abilities are as good as the headmaster claimed!"
"So what, he just bragged about me to everyone like a favoured child or something?"
"Not quite! But he did tell us to keep an eye out for you."
Weiss raised a suspicious eyebrow at this claim.
Don't look at me like that! I didn't ask for any of this shit!
"So what, I'm being watched now? Does he want to toss my salad while he's at it?"
A few in the class cracked a smile or chuckled. Ruby however was confused.
"Why would he toss your salad? Can't you do it yourself?"
Anon held in a snort while some more people laughed in the back, with Nora and Yang being amongst them.
"No, Ruby. For one, I'm not flexible enough and second, I have no syrup on hand."
Ruby was even more confused. Yang and Nora were still laughing while Ren and Blake just shook their heads with a smile. Jaune managed to hold in his laughter. Meanwhile, the entire thing flew over Pyrrha's head and Weiss just couldn't be bothered.
"Why am I stuck with these idiots?" She muttered as she took a seat.
Both teams took a seat and proper up with various levels of interest. Nora was fidgeting in her seat as Ren was ready to take notes. Jaune feigned interest as Pyrrha was paying attention. Yang sat laid back while Blake had smuggled her novel, just in case. Weiss was Weiss, as can be expected and Ruby... Ruby propped her arm to hold her head up while she had immediately fallen asleep. Anon glared enviously at his sleepy neighbour.
Lucky shit...
Port loudly cleared his throat, gathering the class's attention.
"Monsters! Demons! Prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names, but I merely refer to them as prey! Ha-ha!"
Ruby startled awake at Port's "Joke". The sound of crickets filled the room, Anon leaned into Ruby's ear.
"Please tell me I'm not the only one hearing crickets," He whispered.
Ruby looked confused.
"Wha? Crickets? This time of year?" She whispered back.
"Right, never mind."
Port continued as he did in the show, wink and hype man included.
"Now! Let me regale you with a tale!"
Anon smirked sarcastically as he propped his head on his arm.
Oh, this is going to be fucking great.
Anon paid attention for exactly sixty seconds before immediately losing interest. Port's baritone voice faded into an incompressible series of "Blas" and "Yadas". Ruby's scribbling of a crude stickman parody of the portly professor was the only thing keeping him from jumping out of the window. Ruby smiled triumphantly as she finished her comedic masterpiece. Anon smirked with a thumbs up. Ruby's grin widened at the non-verbal praise and showed her art to the rest of her team. Yang poorly suppressed a giggle, Blake half-smiled at the childish drawing and Weiss kept being Weiss.
Port cleared his throat loudly, looking specifically at team RWBY.
"In the end, the Beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity, and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero!"
He took a bow, probably not realizing that no one applauded.
"The moral of the story?" Port purposed. "A true huntsman must be Honorable!"
Ruby impressively balanced an apple on a book, with her pencil and held it only by her finger while making a silly face.
Nice hand-eye coordination.
"Dependable!" Port continued.
Ruby had fallen asleep for the second time in the first class of the year.
Seriously? how the fuck can you fall asleep so fast?!
"A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise!"
Ruby began shamelessly picking her nose. Anon's nose scrunched in disgust.
"That's gross, numbnut." He pulled a tissue out of his breast pocket. "Here."
Anon thought that she would take it and wipe her nose and finger. Instead, she blew into it while he still held it.
"You're not a child, Ruby! You can do that yourself!"
"Teehee!"
Anon felt a bit of nostalgia at her antics.
"So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" Port asked the class.
It reminded him of a simpler, less hopeless time.
"I DO!" Weiss's forehead had turned a shade of red to rival Ruby's cloak.
It reminded him-
Anon slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone in the class. He clenched his eyes shut and let out a shaky breath.
Stop. Don't think about that. Not again...
"Mister Hope?" Port called out. "Is something the matter?"
His eyes shot open and everyone was looking at him, Ruby especially.
"Is something wrong?" She asked worriedly.
Anon stared blankly at her before averting his eyes.
"Nothing." He turned away. "Don't mind me, everyone!"
"What's the matter?" Weiss mocked condescendingly. "Do you think you are a model huntsman?"
"Will you-" Anon sighed. "Don't you have a fight to prepare for?"
"Indeed I do." She rose from her seat. "Unlike you two, I intend to show everyone what a true huntswoman is like!"
Anon leaned back, unconcerned.
"Yeah, whatever. Go plow a boarbatusk."
She humphed and left the room to gather her gear. Anon leaned further into his seat as he felt the rest of Team RWBY's eyes piercing a hole through him.
"It's rude to stare, Y'know."
"The heck was that about?" Yang asked.
"That's none of your business." He was, perhaps, harsher than he meant to be. "Sorry..."
"Hey, as long as you're not a dick, I'll keep to your boundaries."
"That's... surprisingly mature of you."
Yang feigned offence.
"Hey! I'll have you know that I'm an adult!"
Anon smirked.
"Still a teenager. And younger than me, so still a kid."
"Well excuse you, old man!"
"I prefer the term 'Fossil' myself."
Yang pointed finger guns at him with a cheesy smile.
"Righto, ancient fossil man!"
Port moved a large, heavy cage into view. The cage was covered with a blanket but the snorting, oinking and general ruckus coming from it made it evident who the inhabitant was. The cage occasionally tilted as the Boarbatusk charged into the cage's walls.
"Is that safe?" Anon thought aloud.
"It is most certainly not!" Port followed with a guffaw.
Anon left his seat and hid behind Yang while looking at the cage with concern.
"How's my back?" She joked. "Big enough for ya?"
"Yes, and it's very warm..." Anon paused before sniffing. "And it smells like honeysuckle and lavender."
"Damn right it does!"
Weiss chose this moment to return, decked out in her combat skirt and with her Myrtenaster firmly fixed to her waist. Ruby grinned, rummaged through her pockets and pulled out an array RWBY teamed stuff.
Flags, banners... Is that a t-shirt? Wait, I thought that girl pockets were supposed to be the worst!
She passed one of the flags to Blake and gave Yang a t-shirt.
"Wrong size, Ruby."
"It's a work in progress."
Ruby passed Anon a banner, who promptly tossed it back into her lap.
"Please?" She begged as she clutched the banner.
"Nope."
"Pretty please? With a cherry on top?"
"Non."
"Pleeeeeeease?"
"Nada."
Ruby pulled out her secret weapon, the puppy dog eyes. Of which, Anon was completely unfazed.
"Nein."
Ruby sulked and pouted.
"Party pooper."
Anon sat against the study table as Weiss' team began cheering for her.
"Reminder," He called over to Weiss. "Borbatusks have unarmored bellies, so aim there."
She scoffed, as she so often does.
"I didn't need you to tell me that!"
Port removed his weapon from its wall mount and stroked it lovingly. Weiss similarly unsheathed her Myrtenaster and ran her finger across the flat of the blade.
"Combatant ready?" He asked, perhaps more excited than intended.
Weiss nodded her head with a determined look about her. RWBY kept cheering.
"Go Weiss!" Yang hollered excitedly.
"Fight well." Blake waved the flag that Ruby gave her.
"Go represent Team RWBY!" Ruby cheered.
"I'm trying to concentrate, Ruby!" Weiss complained back.
Ruby deflated.
"O-oh... Sorry."
Anon clicked his tongue at this exchange.
And of course, you focus on her.
Port lifted Blowhard high in the air.
"Let the match begin!" He announced as he cleaved the lock off the cage.
The cage's door swung open as the Boarbatusk crashed through it, a strange collar on its neck. The Boarbatusk swung its head around like a belligerent bull until it locked eyes with Weiss. As soon as its eyes landed on the heiress, the Grimm charged at her like a rabid animal. Anticipating this, Weiss ducked and rolled away from the beast charge. The beast stared at her like it was studying her.
"It's smarted than it looks," Anon commented.
"An excellent observation, mister Hope!" Port applauded. "Indeed! whilst the creatures of Grimm are belligerent agents of death and destruction, they are also quite cunning, if not intelligent."
He let out a guffaw as the beast charged at Weiss, who deflected its charge out of the way with her blade.
"A bold new approach. I like it!" Port complemented.
"Hang in there Weiss!" Ruby cheered.
Anon had returned to his seat by this point, he tapped her on the shoulder.
"I get that you're cheering her on but..."
"You think I'm distracting her?" She asked, saddened by the implication.
"Weiss isn't the type for cheering. You heard her earlier."
"Yeah..."
Ruby lost some of her enthusiasm. Anon felt like an asshole for pissing on her parade, so he gave her a light pat on the head.
"Cheer up, rosebud. She may not be the type for encouragement, but I bet Jaune or Yang would appreciate the good vibes."
She lit up slightly as she looked into his hollow eyes.
"You think so?" Her enthusiasm slowly returned.
Yang balanced her seat on two legs, leaning back to see the pair clearly.
"I sure would." She gave Anon a knowing wink. "I love me some passion from the sideline."
"See?" Anon removed his hand from her head. "Someone's rooting for you."
He gave her a sideways glance.
"It'd be rude not to root for them back."
Ruby beamed.
"Will do!"
Anon chuckled internally before his message notification rang.
'thanks for cheering my sis up' followed by three sunglasses emojis
'My pleasure.'
Anon rolled his eyes she began flooding his DMs with emojis.
Oh, she's one of those people... Goddamnit.
Weiss had witnessed the entirety of that exchange and gnashed her teeth, her eyelid twitched in annoyance. This lack of attention would have been Weiss's undoing, the Boarbatusk charged.
"Weiss!" Anon called out. "Dodge!"
In a split second, Attention returned to the fight at hands but it was too late. The Grimm's tusks dug into her stomach and launched her unto her back. If it weren't for her Aura, she would have been gored and the floor would have been tarnished with her entrails. Her sword flew out of her hands and landed by Port.
"I bet you didn't see that coming!" Port shook his head despite the mirth in his voice.
Port used his scroll to activate the Grimm's collar, electrocuting it before it charged at an otherwise defenceless Weiss. Anon groaned in displeasure at her action.
"The hell are you doing?! You're fighting!"
"Well maybe if you two idiots would stop distracting me for a moment, this stupid thing would be dead!" The heiress snapped back venomously as she stood back up.
Ruby shrunk in her seat. Anon gnashed his teeth and slid over the table.
"Mister Hope?/Anon?!" Port and Ruby exclaimed simultaneously.
Something dark sparked in his eyes as he stomped over to Port.
"You do not get to blame me for your own fucking faults, you bratty, arrogant bitch!" He admonished crassly.
He took ahold of Myrtenaster, its lythe frame fitting well in his hands. He whistled at the monstrous boar. It turned its head to face this new opponent, only for Myrtenaster to lodge itself in one of its eye sockets. It squealed and thrashed around in pain.
Huh. Well, that was an unexpectedly good throw. Roll with it.
"Bullseye. Now finish the job!" he ordered to Weiss.
She growled under her breath at being told what to do but did it nonetheless. she rushed in and jerked her weapon out of the Boarbatusk's eye, ripping it out along with the blade. It squealed once more before pulling a Shadow the edge-boar and spin-dashing at the heiress. While commendable for its defiance, its efforts are ultimately futile. As in the show, Weiss used her semblance's glyphs to outmaneuver and ultimately execute the monster with a blade to its unarmored belly.
The beast laid defeated after one last squeal, its lone eye closing. Weiss removed her blade with a flourish from the Grimm's innards. She breathed a sigh of relief.
"It is done..."
Suddenly, its eye reopened and in a flash, it leapt at her. A loud bang reverberated, as Weiss whipped her head back at the noise. The Boarbatusk laid at her feet, its head blown in half by Port's quick draw. He chuckled, before commenting on Weiss's mistake with a soft voice.
"Rookie mistake, miss Schnee. If it isn't dissipating," He paused for emphasis as the Grimm began turning into a cloud of black smoke, leaving behind its white bone-like growths. "It's not dead yet."
His tone turned dark.
"Many before have fallen from such a trick."
He returned to his loud and boisterous demeanour.
"Otherwise, you did splendidly! Your footwork and quick-witted use of your semblance especially!" He put blowhard down before applauding her. "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntswoman-in-training!"
Weiss held her side where the Grimm had hit her, wincing slightly. Anon walked over, a look of worry over his brow.
"Nothing broken?"
She glared furiously at him, something that killed his worry.
"I'm fine, no thanks to you!" She spat.
Well if she can afford to be a bitch, then she's probably fine.
"As for mister Hope," Port commented, confusing Anon. "You have quite the cunning mind and a good throw!"
Weiss and especially Anon tilted their head with confused faces
"Huh?" They peeped simultaneously.
"First, you identified the right weaknesses of the beast!" Port explained. "The common aim is to go for the belly, but going for the eyes is just as effective!"
Port mimicked the way Anon threw Myrtenaster, using his left hand to stabilize and aim while using his right to hold and throw Myrtenaster like a javelin. It's somewhat inaccurate, as Anon actually chucked the thing like an oversized dart.
"It takes a certain technique and skill to make a shot this difficult!"
Port walked over to what remained of the Boarbatusk and picked up its mask.
"As you can see," Port pointed to the eye hole that Anon threw Weiss' blade into. "The hole is quite small and the outward slopping on the rim essentially requires a perfect shot!"
He pointed at the chipping where Myrtenaster bit into the bone mask.
"And as we can see here," he looked at Anon with pride and a big smile hidden under his massive moustache. "It was a perfect shot!"
The bell rang.
"Ah! just in time!" Port nonchalantly chucked the masked over his shoulder like trash. "Be sure to cover the assigned readings, and... stay vigilant!"
Weiss glared at Anon one last time before walking out of the classroom, still holding her side. Anon looked at the ceiling and inhaled sharply through his nose.
"Don't bother..." he muttered. "Her character development starts today anyways. Just be patient."
The day went on after Weiss and Ruby had their confrontation in the hallway and to his surprise, Anon had been invited by Port to join him during dinner. Officially, it was to discuss academic matters but seeing as this is literally the first day, Anon doubted that it was as such. He walked to the balcony where Weiss and Port had their discussion in the show. Port sat at a small garden table, an array of teatime classics set before him.
"Ah! Mister Hope!" The professor greeted cordially. "Come sit with me, young man."
Anon obliged, taking the seat facing the portly huntsman. Port waved his hand at the selection of snacks.
"Please, do dig in. I made them myself!"
"Excuse me then."
To Anon's surprise, Port wasn't going badgering him like he thought. They enjoyed a mostly quiet tea time.
Isn't tea time usually during the early evening though?
Port took a big sip of his tea and let out a satisfied sigh.
"You're probably wondering why I asked you specifically to join me."
"I can think of a few things actually."
"Oh?"
"For one, my circumstance regarding Ozpin."
"It is true that I am curious about Ozpin's... questionable decision, regarding accepting an auraless person into the academy," He admitted. "However, it is not why I asked for you to come."
"Is it about earlier today, during our class?"
Port nodded.
"I find that you are quite cunning... and reckless."
Anon nodded without a word.
"If I may not mince words, it takes a special kind of fool to jump in the fray with no equipment. Especially someone with your condition."
Anon hummed.
"But..." Port smiled warmly. "You also showed me something breathtaking."
Anon raised a curious eyebrow.
"Never in my life have I seen such..." Port tried to find the right word to use. "Drive. When you walked toward me, there was this spark in your eyes."
Anon stared outside blankly.
"That so?"
"Yes!" Port explained before theatrically waving his arms around "This spark of righteous indignation followed by decisive actions, ultimately leading to the death of the dark beast!"
Port pressed his finger against Anon's heart.
"You remind me of a certain person I once knew."
Anon crooked an eyebrow.
"Who-"
A loud stomach rumble and a flash of surprise came across Port's face. He held his stomach and winced in pain.
"Ohhhh. I knew those cucumber sandwiches were odd-tasting! I'll be right back!"
He stood up suddenly, still clenching his gut, and ran out the door. Anon remained seated, his mind stewing on what Port had said.
Drive?
He scoffed to himself.
You think too highly of me, Professor.
Anon frowned.
Who do I remind you of, Port?
The sound of the door opening brought his attention back to reality. He turned in his seat only for him to be met with a white-haired princess.
"Weiss?"
"Oh." She was still sour it seemed. "You're here."
Wait...
"Are you here to see Port perchance?"
She crossed her arms, still unhappy.
"Yes, I wanted to thank him for his enjoyable lecture this morning."
Wait what?! Did... Did the timeline shift? It was sunset when she came to see him.
"He... Had some indigestion. He said he'll be back soon."
She sighed in annoyance.
"Of course..." She turned around to leave. "I'll take my leave then."
Anon felt a bit of panic building.
"You can wait here."
She turned to glare, he felt a cold sweat building.
"I mean..." he bumbled. "He said he'll be back soon, so it shouldn't be a problem to just wait."
She raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME?! I'm trying!
She silently leaned against the balcony's railing. The atmosphere was cold and barren of any levity. Anon took a sip of his cup and could physically feel her staring a hole in the back of his skull. He set his cup down with a loud clank.
"If you have something to say, then say it," He demanded.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She answered coldly.
He flipped his chair around then sat back down, straddling the backrest of his chair. He glared into her eyes.
"Look, you don't like me, I can fucking see that. But can you at least be honest instead of pussyfooting around?"
"How crass, typical."
"Answer the question!"
"Why? Why should I even give you the time of day?"
She left her spot and poked her finger into his chest with every insult.
"You are a crass, boorish, disrespectful cur!" She held her finger up in a scolding manner. "You neither deserve my time nor a place in this prestigious academy!"
"You're not wrong." Anon agreed with a shrug.
Weiss took pause at that.
"You... You agree?"
"I'm fool-mouthed, a loser and a perv. I have no real combat training aside from self-defence," He smirked. "Credit where it's due, you aren't far off."
Weiss blinked, at a loss for word.
"Compared to you, who's graceful, knowledgeable, competent... I'm kinda out of place."
The honest praise brought some red to her cheeks.
"Y-you don't get to try and sweet talk me when you've insulted my family!"
"Can't I? I think it's perfectly fair to make comments on the current state of affairs to the heiress."
Weiss stared bewilderedly at him, it seems she didn't think about it that way.
"I will concede that I may have been perhaps... Judgemental and for that, I genuinely apologize."
He bowed his head to prove his words. Weiss didn't know how to react to this.
"You're going to be in charge of the company. You should know about every fault and when you'll have the means to change them, how to fix them."
He raised his head and gave her a smile. Weiss was put off by this act.
"Are you... mocking me?"
"Wha?"
"Sorry, it's just... I know a fake smile when I see one."
Ah, she noticed.
"Sorry if it looked disingenuous."
"No, no... I've learned to recognize body language. I know you're being honest."
He sighed in relief.
"Good."
Weiss shifted in place, clearly uneasy.
"Something wrong?"
Weiss felt awkward, something that Anon thought was somewhat out of character.
"I just... Why are you nice to me now?"
"Cause every other time you're being mean to Ruby for basically no reason."
She scoffed, now back to herself.
"Oh please! She's so childish and nonchalant!" She vented. "We are training to be Huntsmen and she acts like this is one big adventure!"
Anon nodded, more to signal that he was listening rather than because he agreed.
"That's because she kinda is, Eidelweiss," Anon explained. "She's, what? 15-16? Of course she's childish, she is a child."
"I'm a year older, and I'm not like that!"
"No offence but you aren't the baselines. But then again, I don't think anyone in this school is."
She shook her head, something still nagging at her.
"Even if you say that, I still can't accept her as team leader."
"You think you'd make a better boss?"
She looked straight at him.
"Yes." She declared without hesitation. "I should be the leader of team RWBY!"
Anon paused to find the proper words.
"That's a terrible idea."
Weiss frowned furiously.
"Excuse me!?"
"I know we aren't exactly on the right term but let me put it in the most objective way that I can: Team RWBY lead by Weiss Schnee is not gonna work."
She crossed her arms, her frown turning into cold anger.
"Do explain."
He motioned her to sit with him at the table.
"You can sit if you want, it's gonna take a bit."
She considered the offer before taking the seat next to him, sitting cross-legged.
"Tea or coffee?" He offered as grabbed both kettles.
"Coffee, Black."
"I know." He poured the dark liquid in a cup and set it in front of her. "You're the type who likes all of the unadulterated complexities of a good blend."
"Yes." She took a sip, smiling. "Mmmh, Fruity."
Anon let her enjoy her coffee, seeing as it seemed to calm her nerves slightly. Once she was done savouring her cup, she crossed her hands.
Back to business.
"What exactly would lead a team led by me to failure?" She asked.
Anon laid back in his seat.
"Port would probably say that your attitude would be a problem."
"No, he wouldn't!"
"He would." He glared seriously. "Trust me, I would know. But frankly, that's a stupid argument either way. After all, If someone's an asshole but gets results, the point is kinda moot."
Weiss's surprise didn't shock him anymore, at this point he was used to her expecting him to be against her at every stop. He raised three fingers.
"There are three factors as to why Ruby was chosen instead of you. Pedigree, Legacy and Chemistry."
He lowered his middle finger.
"How many huntsmen are in your family, bar you sister?"
"None," She answered somewhat sheepishly.
"Ruby was born, and raised, by team STRQ."
"Team Stark?"
Anon pulled out his scroll and opened a tab showing all four of their faces, pressing on their face icons showed their individual accomplishments.
"Alumni of Beacon, some of the best huntsmen to ever come out of the academy in fact. That's her legacy, the child of STRQ."
He lowered his ring finger.
"Her pedigree is as follows: she's the child of Summer Rose, the leader of STRQ and Taiyang Xiao-Long. Tai is a teacher at Signal, a huntsman prep school. She was also personally trained by Qrow Branwen."
"Who?"
Anon cringed.
"Another teacher a Signal, and if it weren't for his crippling alcoholism I'd be ready to bet some serious cash that he would be one of the best fighters in the entire world."
Weiss rubbed her chin, deep in thought.
"I will admit that she's a good fighter, she's proven that during the initiation," Weiss admitted, though reluctantly. "But I still don't see how that makes her a better choice than me for being a leader."
He lowered his pinky.
"This is my final point, Chemistry. Tell me, how well do you get along with your team?"
She didn't answer the question, turning away.
"I'll take that as a 'Poorly'." He rubbed his eyes. "You have many good qualities Weiss, but your arrogance and entitlement are your biggest faults. Ruby may be an immature, childish dumbass at times, but all of that can be ironed out as she grows and learns. This is her greatest strength: She's open-minded and malleable."
Parched, Anon drank from his cup, giving her time to digest what he said.
"Ruby obviously clicks with Yang, though if the roles were reversed and Winter was in Yang's position, you'd definitely have an easier time. As for Blake, she seems to play along with her just fine."
"So that's it?" She wondered aloud. "I'm just not fit for this team composition then?"
"Not really." He shrugged verbally. "As I said, people change, they grow and learn to deal with one another."
He put his hand on her shoulder.
"Just give it time. Ruby'll learn in time." he removed his hand. "As for you, instead of focusing on what can't do, focus on what you can."
"What do you mean?"
"As her partner, it's your job to deal with her. If you can't be the queen, then be the queen's advisor."
Weiss leaned forward, interested in the proposition.
"Complement her personality. Be an adult when she's childish, Be mature when she's immature. If she falls, pick her up and show her how to avoid falling in the future. If she needs council, be the one to show her the proper steps. If she messes up, call her out. Be her biggest helper and her greatest critic, and then she'll be the team leader you'd want to have."
He pressed his finger gently against her heart.
"Hone your skills, perfect every technique. Be the best teammate, the best partner, you can be. The rest will follow."
Weiss was lost in thought, taking all that Anon had said seriously. Anon removed his finger off her heart and left his seat.
"Well!" He stretched. "That was all the wisdom I had to offer."
He rubbed his temples, sensing a headache coming.
"I need a fucking nap." he waved Weiss goodbye. "See ya."
"Why?"
He hummed questioningly.
"Why are you helping me? I thought you hated me."
"Honestly I don't. I just don't like arrogant, entitled assholes." he turned and pointed at her. "I know you can change, I know you can be better."
He left the balcony but stopped at the door frame.
"If I'm being honest? I'm rooting for you, I want you and your team to succeed." He left the door frame. "Till tomorrow, Weiss."
Late during the night, Anon laid on his bed with his scroll hanging over his face. He groaned before tossing his scroll on his nightstand.
Fuck me... Why are things changing so much? Is this a butterfly effect thing? Even little interactions can change the course of history?
He sighed, looking at his hands in the dark.
"Why me?" He wondered. "Why am I here? Why am I doing all of this?"
He turned to his side and began rubbing the bracelet on his wrist unconsciously.
"Why does my chest hurt when I see Ruby being sad? Why does it hurt when I insult Weiss?"
He closed his eyes.
Why am I trying to change things?
V1E5: END!
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