Ozpin took his time introducing the newly formed teams and assigning them their names. Each team exited the stage afterward and made their way to Glynda to receive the number of the dorm they would be staying in. Some of the students whispered to each other when they noticed Xanthia's bandages and bloody shirt as she made her way on stage along with her friends.
"Nero Noire, Olivia Aeronwen, Xanthia Jocasta, and Inigo Monty. The four of you retrieved the Black Knight piece. From this day forward you will work together as team ONIX, lead by... Olivia Aeronwen." She looked at him a bit shocked but smiled and nodded. On the inside, the new leader was overjoyed to be given the responsibility, but on the outside kept her composure. Xanthia and Inigo congratulated her while Nero was zoned out in thoughts of how much his life was changing. The new team made their way over to Glynda and then to their new dorm, after grabbing their luggage.
"Beds!" Xanthia exclaimed as she jumped onto one of the four beds in the room, she immediately recoiled and yelped, grabbing her side in pain. Nero glanced over quickly as he leaned the ax-gun he'd picked up, against one of the beds.
"Xanthia!" Olivia rushed over to her, helping her sit up on the bed. "Are you ok? It's not bleeding again is it?" Xanthia lifted up her shirt a bit to examine her bandages then shook her head.
"I'm ok I just got a little excited that's all." She blushed and began fidgeting with her fingers.
"It's alright to be excited sweety," Olivia said, "I jus don't want ya ta hurt yerself." She smiled and put her bags on the bed next to Xanthia's. The squirrel faunus grabbed the blankets and wrapped them around herself so that her face was the only thing exposed.
"I have a real bed." She whispered to herself.
Olivia chuckled as she looked at the boys, or boy since Inigo was the only one there. He sat down on the bed across from Xanthia, grabbing his weapon.
"Where's Nero?" Olivia asked.
"Bathroom," Inigo said without looking up. He had a small bottle in his hand, squirting something into the mechanism of his gun then began sliding the bolt back and forth.
"Whatchya doing," Xanthia asked.
"Oh just lubing the action," he replied, "It felt a bit sticky when we were… well, you know." He glanced up at her and smiled before returning to his weapon. With a satisfied sigh, he leaned it against a small bookshelf in between the beds.
"Oh hey Inigo what's your Semblance," Xanthia asked, popping her head out of the blankets.
"Yeah we never did get ta see it durin' initiation," Olivia said.
"Well I did use it you just didn't see," he said, "I can uh, repel objects or stop them in their tracks by creating an invisible force field type thing. Blades, bullets, even smaller explosions. Kinda like discount telekinesis."
"Sounds pretty impressive," Olivia said.
"It does have a cooldown," he said, "depending on how much force it takes to repel or stop whatever was going to hit me."
"It's like a video game," Xanthia said, "so if I throw a car at you how long would it take to be cool again."
Inigo couldn't help but laugh. "Well depending on the weight and velocity of it maybe… ten minutes. Course I'd also be questioning our friendship if you're throwing cars at me." He leaned back on the bed. "So what about yourself?"
"My Semblance? I control lightning itself," she said as she stood on the bed triumphantly. "Watch this." Olivia watched a bit worried as the squirrel faunus held up her hand and conjured a ball of electricity. Xanthia's eyes then widened. "Uh-oh." She began to look around frantically, opened the window and threw it out. They looked at her confused as she crouched down and plugged her ears until a loud thunder clap came from outside. She peeked outside to see if anything had been damaged and sighed in relief.
"Wot was that," Olivia asked, surprised.
"U-um that was an explosive lightning bomb," Xanthia said as she fidgeted with her fingers. "I'm sorry my big sister said I shouldn't use that, o-or my lightning javelin."
"Ya jus need some practice with it that's all," Olivia said.
"Explosive lightning bomb and lightning javelin kinda sound like bad indie bands," Inigo commented. The girls began to giggle. However, Olivia stopped when Nero walked back into the room, looking at him with disdain as if his mere presence had ruined the moment.
"Don't stop having fun on my account," he said as he walked over and placed his mask on the bed next to Inigo's. She glared at him placing her sword on her bed, staying silent, not wanting to dignify him with a response. Inigo and Xanthia exchanged an awkward glance. "Oh, giving me the silent treatment huh? I would have thought that was beneath you, miss high and mighty." Olivia then walked over to him, grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. The other two looked at her in shock. Inigo got up from the bed rushing over to them.
"Whoa, Olivia what are you doing?!"
"Listen here ya jakey bassa," she hissed, venom dripping from her every word. "I don't know why Ozpin trusts ya, but I don't. I know what ya are. You—" Nero pushed her back causing her to fall back onto the bed. She got up immediately, throwing a punch at his head, which he dodged, causing her to hit the wall. This time he delivered a solid kick to her stomach knocking her passed the bed and onto the floor. Nero moved passed Inigo as she got back up, taking a boxing stance. She launched a quick jab which he deflected, then grabbing her arm he moved his leg behind hers and threw her to the ground. Olivia swept his legs out from under him. She got up and tried to grab him but he activated his Semblance and wisped behind her and grabbed the back of her collar, and launched her to the other side of the room. Xanthia watched timidly as Olivia held her head in pain. She wanted to help her friend but fear kept her firmly in place. All she could do was pull the blankets over her head and try to cover all four of her ears. Nero began to walk towards her but Inigo stepped in front of him.
"Alright that's enough," he said, holding his hands up to the both of them. Olivia ignored him, charging at Nero once again. "I said enough!" Inigo pushed them back using his Semblance, slamming them both against opposite walls. They tried to get up but he kept them down. "Olivia I don't know what the hell your problem is with him, but your gonna have to get over it. Now. And Nero… I don't know, quit being a dick?"
She looked up at him, anger burning in her eyes. "You do not know what he is!"
"And what makes you think you do?!" Nero barked at her. "You keep saying you know me, but you have no fucking clue what you're talking about!"
"I know ya've killed dozens of innocent people, slaughtering 'em jus so ya can get paid." Nero looked at her for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh.
"You may think you know who The Reaper is… but you have no idea who I am."
Olivia looked at him confused for a moment before he continued.
"The media makes me out to be a monster that does nothing but kill people for stacks of lien. None of it's true. I take out criminals."
"That still makes ya a murder," Olivia said, "Yer jus a mercenary with a leash."
"I was never on a leash," Nero said, "I take the contracts I want and the Family helps me do my research to make sure they deserve it."
"How do I know yer not lyin' about that as well?"
"Olivia, I've grown up with people like him," Inigo said, "I don't trust him either, but he's nothing like the mercenaries I've met. I mean he saved Xanthia, that should count for something right?
"W-well…" she said, taking a moment think.
Olivia sighed in frustration, crossing her arms. The situation made her uncomfortable, with all she had heard about him, the news articles, the stories, all painting a very black and white picture of who he was. A remorseless murderer who would kill anyone for the right price, no matter what it took. However, the person she saw still sitting on the other side of the room, the one who had in fact saved Xanthia's life, was not that person.
"Ok, look I'm not about ta trust ya," Olivia said, "but… I'll try to see past wot I thought ya were… if ya give me some answers." Inigo released them from his Semblance allowing Nero to get up and walk over to her, with her eyeing him the whole time.
"Alright... deal," he said as he extended his hand.
"Really," she asked, a bit surprised, "jus like that?"
"The way I see things, you're team leader," he said, "and unless the school explodes I'm stuck with you for the next four years." Olivia stared for a second then shrugged, shaking his hand, she was getting answers. Before beginning her barrage of questions, Nero stopped her.
"Hold on," he said.
She let out a frustrated sigh. "Wot now?" He pointed over to Xanthia, who was under her covers, rocking back and forth. Olivia got a concerned look on her face as she moved closer. The nearer she got she could hear the squirrel faunus whispering something.
"I-it's ok m-mommy and daddy s-still love you," she sobbed, repeating it over and over. Olivia's concern grew when she started to pull back on the blankets.
"Xanthia?" she asked, placing her hand on her shoulder. Xanthia whipped her head around to look at her friend with red puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. At the moment all she could do was stare, letting a small silence fall onto the room. "Wot's wrong sweetheart?"
"A-are you done fighting?" she asked, sniffing a little.
"Yes we're through fightin'," Olivia said, petting her, then hugging her gently. Xanthia wrapped her arms around her tightly. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know it'd make ya feel this way."
"It's just… m-my parents use to fight like that," she sniffled, "I got scared." Olivia stroked her hair a bit, which started to calm her down.
"Tell ya what then," she said, "We promise not ta fight like that evar again, right Nero?" She looked over at him expecting to see the same stoical face, but that's not what she saw. His face was more a mix of concern and sympathy. He walked over and sat on the bed next to her getting a look from Inigo and Olivia.
"Yeah I promise," he said patting her shoulder. After a moment he reluctantly held up his hand, rolled his eyes and sighed. "...pinky promise." Xanthia looked over at him, a big smile crossing her face, as she happily wrapped her pinky around his.
"Th-thanks," she said, then extended her hand towards Olivia, who pinky promised as well.
"Well now I feel a bit left out," Inigo said. With a cute face, Xanthia held out her hand, wiggling her little finger. He chuckled, walked over and grabbed her pinky. Nero cleared his throat and stood up then sat on the bed opposite them.
"So… you gonna ask those questions?"
"Oh, right first who's The Family," Olivia asked, "Ya've mentioned 'em twice now." He sighed, looking down at the ground for a moment before giving his response.
"Have you heard of the Argento Family," he asked.
"You mean like the crime family?"
"Yeah, I'm essentially an enforcer for them. They took me in when I was young, trained me, gave me the tools I needed to survive."
"...Wot happened ta yer—"
"My parents?" He took a long pause, avoiding anyone's eyes. "I'd uh… I'd rather not talk about it."
"Oh ok, I'm sorry," she said apologetically as Nero shifted a bit, "well, second I guess, what are ya doing here? I mean Ozpin didn' exactly explain much."
"I was on a job when this Huntsman got in my way and captured me. After that Oz… 'suggested' that I come to Beacon. I'm here because he wants me here, for whatever reason."
"Really? That's a wee bit odd," she muttered, "anyway, last question fer now, who were those guys who attacked us? They knew who ya were and were willing to kill students to get ta ya."
"They're part of a splinter group of the White Fang, been after us for a while. The one in the mask was a guy named Cole. He's a completely incompetent mercenary. The other two were goons he got off the street."
"Explains how he basically blew himself up," Inigo said chuckling.
"If he's so incompetent, then how'd get into the school," Olivia asked, "that's not somethin' ya can just do on a whim, plus he did almost kill Xanthia."
"He was trying to kill me. Remember? He missed and hit her, bastard can't shoot for shit. As for how he got in…" Nero shrugged. "Must have had help from whoever hired him. There's no way he could have done it by himself."
"Well at least he's gone," Olivia said. She stopped for a moment to think about the new information she'd been given. Her whole life had been spent knowing the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, black and white. Now she was being presented a gray situation. She was still was unsure of what the right choice was but would have plenty of time to think about it in the coming months. Looking at her new teammates, she sighed as she stood, deciding to take charge in her new role as leader.
"Alright, now that we're gonna be a proper team I'm gonna lay down some ground rules before we go ta bed cause I'm bum tired. One, none of us are alone any longer, we have each other, and that means if you have a problem… it's mine as well. Two, if ya have a problem with the way I run things, let me know, I can't be a leader without loyal followers. And three, if any of us if fallin' behind it's the others duty to pull 'em forward. Alright?" Before she could get a response the tired leader let out a rather loud yawn.
"Hey don't do that," Inigo said with a yawn, "damn now you got me doing it."
"Sorry I can't help it," Olivia chuckled.
"Oh no it's infected Inigo," Xanthia said, giggling. After a moment she yawned too, then gasped in surprise. "It got me!" She fell back onto the bed pretending to choke. "Tell my wife… I love her… bleh." She stuck her tongue out, letting it fall to the side. The others couldn't help but chuckle at her antics.
"Come on silly let's get ready fer bed," Olivia said as she stood.
"I can't I'm dead," Xanthia muttered.
"Well then I guess I'll have ta drag ya in there," Olivia said, grabbing Xanthia's ankles. She lifted her legs up and began to pull when the squirrel faunus shot up.
"Hey!" she protested, blushing a bit. Olivia chuckled as she released her legs. "You could've pulled my pants off!"
"Come on then," Olivia said, "Unless ya want ta undress in fronta these two numpties." Xanthia blushed even harder at the mere thought and rushed into the bathroom with her pajamas, slamming the door behind her. Olivia shook her head as she grabbed her nightwear and walked in after her.
Inigo and Nero sat in silence, each tending to their weapons until Nero stood and grabbed the clothes he would be sleeping in, changing into them. An awkward silence filled the room until Xanthia could be heard shouting through the door.
"Oh wow, your birthmark does look weird!"
"Xanthia!"
The boys exchanged a questioning glance before staring at the door turning away the instant it opened. The two girls walked out, both a bit red faced and in their pajamas.
"I didn't mean to look," Xanthia muttered, "your butt was just right there."
Inigo said nothing as he took his turn changing in the restroom. Nero ignored them, putting one of his guns underneath his pillow, and laid down.
"Jus don't tell 'em wot it looks like ok," Olivia whispered to her.
"I won't I promise," Xanthia said as she climbed into bed.
Once Inigo had finished changing and everyone was in bed Xanthia quietly reached into one of her bags and pulled out a small plush anthropomorphic unicorn wearing an armored dress. She cuddled it close and drifted off to sleep, happy that she was safe and sound at Beacon… for now.