The crisp night air slowly melted away in the light of the morning sun. Lotus had arrived far earlier than most, loaded her luggage into one of the larger transports that was preparing for the influx of new students, and now waited in the shade of nearby tree. She wore her new outfit from the day prior with Oath clipped to her lower back, uncertain whether or not the test for initiation would take place today.

Lotus's fingers ran idly over the chess piece she kept in her pocket. Her previous indecision had been washed away in light of recent events. If she could sway the odds and have Ruby, Ren, and Nora on her team, then the faunus would be set for the next four years. Potential roommate agreements aside, Lotus knew she could trust those three to have her back, and more importantly, to not go digging too far into her past.

The new students gathered slowly, many choosing to load their luggage and board immediately. Lotus recognized some of them from the combat school; others that had tried their luck and succeeded in passing on to the greater test. Most were entirely new to her. From her place near the path on to the tarmac, Lotus measured the aura of each and every one.

'Disappointing…'

Lotus was busy feeling out a few that were currently passing by when a vaguely familiar presence appeared at the fringes of her sixth sense's range, drawing nearer slowly and silently from behind. Lotus shifted where she stood, freeing up Oath in case of an attack, as she couldn't quite place where she'd come across this person before.

When the figure was ten feet behind her, Lotus leaned away from the tree and turned back. A pair of amber eyes widened in surprise as a small smile broke out on Lotus's face.

"I was wondering if you were another student."

The cat faunus crossed her arms on her chest, recovering from her momentary shock, "I could say the same. I saw you sitting over here from a distance, watching everyone. What are you doing?"

Lotus shrugged and gestured for the girl to stand with her, turning her eyes back on another group of new students that were making their way up the street, "Measuring the competition."

"Are you worried about making it past initiation?" the cat faunus accepted Lotus's offer and stood a few feet away, casually observing the others with her.

"After what I've seen?" Lotus shook her head, "Not at all. Some of the ones that were trained at the combat schools have potential, but even they're nothing special," the spider faunus turned back to the cat faunus and held out her hand, "Olivia."

"Blake," the cat faunus accepted the short hand shake, "So, what about me? How do I 'measure up'?"

Lotus laughed lightly, "I wouldn't have bothered to introduce myself if you weren't worth knowing," she pointed off at one of the students that had passed them recently; a boy with a green mohawk that was easy to single out, "You and I have twice the aura he does, and are more used to fighting."

Lotus noticed Blake eyeing her, how her gaze traveled along her arm to the now exposed blake veins on her wrists, "You're a spider faunus?"

"Yeah. I felt you approaching from about thirty feet away. It's been awhile though, so I wasn't sure who you were," Lotus looked the black haired girl up and down, "Must have been something important to keep you away. I can't imagine wanting to avoid that cafe, especially if I had a cat faunus's sense of smell."

Blake shifted uncomfortably, gaze locked on a group of passing humans, "Could you keep it down? I'm trying to blend in…" the bow twitched on top of her head.

"Relax…" Lotus dismissed the humans with a wave, "Their hearing isn't even close to yours and they're in the middle of a conversation," with how genuine the girl's reaction had been, though, Lotus decided it would be best to make amends, "I'll be more careful in the future, if it'll make you feel better. I'm not about to out a fellow faunus."

"That's… thank you," Blake replied. There were a few seconds of silence where she seemed uncertain about saying something, but finally turned to Lotus, "...I heard new students get grouped into teams of four... Did you want to partner up?"

Lotus sighed, giving the faunus an apologetic look, "I would… really, I would usually prefer to have another faunus around… but I've already decided on the other three. I'm going to be trying my best to end up on a team with them."

"Oh…"

"Sorry. I've known two of them for a long time, and the other… I wouldn't want her on any other team unless she ended up with her sister."

"Can't she take care of herself?" Blake's face reddened as soon as she said it and took a step back, "I'm sorry, that came out wrong. I just meant that if she's trying to be a huntress…"

Lotus smiled, "I know what you meant. Ruby is good enough at fighting. The last mistake any grimm makes would be to cross her path," Lotus looked up the street, spotting Yang from a distance, and next to her, Ruby. The younger girl appeared to be both excited and crestfallen at the same time, likely realizing only now that she was about to meet so many more new people, "But she's innocent… if that makes sense. Hunters don't just fight mindless grimm, and she'll need someone around that can make tough decisions for her."

Blake seemed to notice that Lotus had locked eyes on something in the distance, and followed her gaze to the pair of girls dragging their luggage. Yang spotted the spider faunus and wave cheerily, bumping Ruby to get her to look up.

"The blond?" Blake tilted her head back at Lotus, a frown on her face.

"Nope. The blond can take care of herself," Lotus nodded her head as Ruby made eye contact, "The younger sister next to her. She made it in two years early."

With the pair of humans rapidly approaching, Blake appeared ready to leave her to it. The cat faunus gave Lotus one final smile as she departed, "Well, best of luck," her eyes roamed back over Yang for a moment, "Is the blond worth having on a team?"

"Yang is strong…" Lotus thought about the prospect of the two getting along and shrugged, "I don't think she'd like sitting in a quiet cafe, though. Raves are more her speed."

"...Pity," Blake took one last look at Yang before heading on to the tarmac, leaving Lotus alone to wait for the two girls to cross the last few dozen feet.

"Who was that?" Yang asked, eyeing Blake as she left.

"Just an acquaintance," Lotus turned to Ruby and placed a hand on her shoulder, "How are you holding up, kid?"

Ruby's eyes roamed across the gathering of new students that had long since filed on to the tarmac, a queasy expression crossing her face, "So many…"

Lotus laughed and patted her on the back, "Don't worry. You won't have to meet all of them. Wait until after the weak ones get culled from initiation."

"Culled?" Ruby's eyes widened.

"I mean most of them won't make it through. I doubt the school is going to let anyone die," Lotus shook her head and turned to Yang, "So, any friends from Signal you're trying to end up on a team with?"

"Nah," Yang placed both hands leisurely up behind her head, "Trying to plan that all out would be boring. I'm just gonna see what happens," her eyes caught on to a group standing on the tarmac, "Speaking of friends, though, I promised I'd meet up with some of them. I'll leave Rubes with you."

Lotus gave a mocking salute as Yang left, luggage in tow. She breathed out a sigh and turned back to Ruby, "Ready to get this started?"

Ruby gave a hesitant nod in response. Lotus placed a hand against her back and ushered her forward, matching pace with the younger girl's tentative steps through the gathered crowd. A few other students seemed to recognize the younger girl, likely others from Signal that were supposed to be here. They saw her luggage, too, but with Lotus narrowing her eyes at any that might approach, they kept their distance.

Once Ruby's things were stowed, Lotus led her a short distance away from everyone else, voice dropping to a whisper despite what she'd told Blake only minutes before, "Do you want to try and get on the same team, Ruby?"

The younger girl nodded fiercely, "I was hoping we would."

Lotus paused, weighing exactly how much she should tell Ruby. After a few seconds of consideration, she slowly pulled the chess piece out of her pocket, making sure to keep it hidden from any prying eyes.

"Teams are going to be decided with these," once Ruby had gotten a look, Lotus slipped it back into her pocket, "There are more chess pieces out in the Emerald Forest, at some old circular ruins. I snagged this one after I followed Ozpin out there and saw him leaving them behind. Figured it couldn't be a coincidence, so close to the start of the new year."

Ruby was wide eyed and glancing back over Lotus's shoulder by the time the faunus finished speaking. Her voice lowered to a whisper, "You stole one of them!?"

"Steal is a harsh word for it. I claimed one early, that's all."

"What if they find out!?"

Lotus waved away the girl's worry, "You really think they'd bother going all the way back out there to check on them? Who else goes for a walk in a grimm infested forest?"

"What if they have cameras?"

Lotus paused, she hadn't considered that possibility, and with Ozpin thoroughly distracting her on the walk in… She shrugged, some slight worry clawing at her stomach, "It's possible. Too late to go back now, though. Would you rather end up on a team with people you don't know?"

Ruby was quiet for a while as she thought it over. Eventually, the girl gave Lotus an uncertain nod, "What were you thinking we do?"

Lotus breathed a sigh of relief and glanced around once more before turning back to Ruby, "Teams are split into four. There were two of each piece at the ruins, so pairs are going to be decided somehow before then. I think our best bet is to give this piece to Ren and Nora. With your speed and my guidance, we have the best chance at getting to the ruins before anyone else. Once we're there we can grab the other piece."

"Can you keep up?"

Lotus smiled, "I might not have a speed semblance, but I'm fast when I need to be. Don't worry about me, kid."

"Okay. I guess all we have to do now is find Ren and Nora?" Ruby's eyes searched across the other students on the tarmac.

"Don't bother. They aren't here yet," Lotus confirmed, "I'd bet they were up later than usual 'celebrating'. It was the last night before we all get packed into dorms with other people."

"Why would that matter? They could just celebrate with their new team!"

Lotus laughed and ruffled Ruby's hair, "Oh you sweet Summer's child."

Ruby huffed and crossed her arms, "Yang would be proud. I don't think she's ever used that one before."

With the ships now boarding passengers and getting ready to depart, Lotus stepped past and waved for Ruby to follow, "Come on. They'll be around soon enough. We should have plenty of time before initiation to get the plan across."

Together they hopped aboard one of the ships. Lotus wasn't sure exactly what they were called, but they were much larger than the usual bullheads. Another thirty or so applicants were packed on to the ship with them. Lotus claimed a spot near the windows for the pair and kept an eye on the ramp, but the Mistralians didn't appear by the time the it sealed and lifted off.

The four larger transport ships would be ferrying students up to Beacon for the next hour or so. While the temptation to wait for them had been there, Lotus also couldn't wait to finally step out into Beacon. It would be the culmination of everything she had worked towards.

"Oh wow!" Ruby pressed her hands up against the window as the city began to grow distant, the ships themselves rising easily past the rooftops and giving a picturesque view of everything from above.

Lotus's eyes were dedicated to Beacon. The large spires and grand buildings were beginning to come into view, the CCT towering above all. The top floor glowed a dim green, it's light still visible despite the sun's best efforts. The plateau was massive, sporting dozens of buildings that could have been mistaken for a small town from a distance, if not for their sheer size.

Their transport floated in midair, a few hundred feet away from the singular dock. Another transport had pulled ahead and was already beginning to unload its students on to the plateau. Lotus could have sworn she could see a speck of golden yellow hair, but it quickly disappeared deeper into the school's grounds.

"Excuse me?" a shrill voice loudly exclaimed from somewhere across the group of students. Lotus frowned over in the direction of the voice, annoyed at the interruption.

A white-haired girl dressed in a frilly white dress, tinged blue near the bottom, and with a small coat with puffed sleeves was angrily shaking her finger at a taller boy, one that Lotus vaguely recognized. It took her a moment to think back on where she'd met him before. When the ginger boy cracked a mocking grin, though, Lotus had her answer.

"I'll be right back," Lotus announced to Ruby, who hadn't yet taken her eyes off the town below. The younger girl gave a very distracted 'Okay', before Lotus left to see what all the ruckus was about. She slowed as she spotted the set of finely dressed butlers that flanked the white-haired girl.

"I asked how much you paid to get into Beacon," the ginger sneered, eyes challenging the much shorter girl.

It was the butlers, and the contents of the carts they held on to, that drew Lotus's attention. The SDC logo was emblazoned on each suitcase, black and blue snowflakes that caused the faunus's blood to boil as she noticed the same symbol on the girl's back.

'A Schnee at Beacon?' Lotus cursed whatever gods might have existed, 'But, this is a perfect opportunity. I could...'

Lotus stopped herself and let out a deep sigh, withdrawing her appendages from the striking position they had been taking, 'No. I'm not a part of that world anymore…' The thought of what the SDC had done to faunus over the years still left a burning pit in her stomach though, no matter how she tried to quench it. Putting an end to a Schnee right then and there was tempting.

"I did not pay to get into Beacon! I earned my place like anyone else!" the girl snapped, still shaking her finger at the taller boy as if he was supposed to find her imposing in the slightest.

"I don't know why you two are fighting," Lotus cut in before the ginger could retort, giving the two a false smile, "I bet a pair of racists like you would be perfect for each other."

"H-How dare-!"

"Save your outrage for someone that cares, princess, and keep it down. Some of us are trying to enjoy our first day, not have our ears blown out by your shrieks," Lotus turned on her heel and left, not trusting herself to speak further with the Schnee. The crowd that had gathered to watch parted so that she could pass.

Lotus could hear the ginger laughing along with a few others, but didn't bother to pay them any mind. She'd take a basic racist over a Schnee any day of the week.

Ruby's eyes had been pulled away from the window finally, as the allure of the view wore off. She frowned at the crowd gathered behind Lotus, "What's going on?"

Lotus shrugged, feeling herself calm down now that she was back with Ruby, "It's nothing. Ignore them."

"But…" Ruby hesitated, then cupped her hand to her mouth to whisper to Lotus, "Your eyes, Olivia. Were you about to fight someone?"

Lotus cursed quietly and placed a hand across her face, willing her emotions to come further into check before slowly lowering it and putting on the best smile she could, "Don't worry about it. It's just… one of the other applicants is a Schnee."

Ruby's brows knit together in confusion before realization came. Her eyes scanned the crowd once more, "Which one?"

"The princess with white hair," Lotus replied, not bothering to turn around, "I guess 'heiress' would be more accurate since it's a family run company… but I'm not about to show her an ounce of respect."

"The one glaring at your back?"

"That would be the one," Lotus confirmed, "Ignore her. Those type feed off attention."

"She doesn't seem too happy about it right now…" Ruby averted her eyes back to Lotus, "Have you met her before?"

The faunus frowned, "No, why would I need to?"

"I mean…" Ruby nervously poked her fingers together, sensing Lotus's mood, but forged ahead, "How do you know she's like the rest of her family?"

Lotus shook her head, having to remember how naive Ruby really could be, "The Schnees use faunus as slaves for their mines, Ruby. I almost could have been one myself, once upon a time. That girl has been around other racists her entire life. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Ruby's eyes widened at Lotus's admission, then shook her head, "But she's coming to school at Beacon. Why would she go so far from Atlas like that?"

Lotus paused, "Spreading their influence, maybe? I doubt the SDC is happy with only ninety percent of all dust trades," she gave Ruby a suspicious glance, "Why do you care so much? Thinking you want to introduce yourself to her?"

Ruby shook her head, "I just think everyone deserves a chance…"

"Not a Schnee."

Their conversation died out as the ship began to turn, its starboard side swinging to face the platform below. The gathered crowd broke apart as many of them got ready to depart. Lotus took some small glee in seeing the Schnee so far back, furthest from the ramp with her servants.

With a slight lurch, the ship came to a stop, the ramp swinging down to allow their exit. The applicants funneled out, back into the warm midmorning air, and dispersed to once again meet up with friends or to just explore. Lotus spotted Blake a ways ahead along the path, sitting on a bench and pretending to read a book while she kept an eye on those that passed.

'Great minds think alike,' Lotus's heart went out to the other faunus. She certainly wouldn't want to run the risk of ending up on a team with the Schnee. Her plan was that much more important now. No way would the ex-assassin and White Fang member last four years with a racist like that.

Lotus led Ruby in a wide arc around the Schnee and her servants, and gave Blake a passing nod on their way to the large building ahead. It seemed like the general influx of students was headed that way. Blake made eye contact but didn't give any outward sign of greeting. Lotus understood. With her spider trait clearly visible as it was, the other faunus didn't want to risk being discovered through association.

"Do you see Yang anywhere?" Ruby asked, her head on a swivel as she swept her eyes around the courtyard.

"Yang was on the first ship," Lotus replied, "She's probably already in the auditorium by now," she smiled, "Why? Missing big sis so soon?"

"There's just so many people…"

Lotus sighed and wrapped an arm around the younger girl, pulling her in close as they walked side by side, "Ignore them, kid. Most people aren't worth getting worked up over."

"What if I make a fool out of myself?" Ruby really did seem to be having trouble with the crowds around them.

"So what? Do their opinions matter to you?" Lotus pointed off to a random boy nearby, "Do you know who that is?"

"No…"

"And he doesn't know you either. Trust me, you're thinking about these people way more than they think about you. People don't bother remembering everyone they meet," Lotus nudged Ruby playfully, "Even if they are adorable little girls."

Her face turned a few shades redder as she gave Lotus a timid smile, "Are you sure…?"

"Definitely. You could blow yourself up with dust right out here in the walkway in front of everyone, and I doubt it would ever get brought up again."

Ruby giggled, "How would I blow myself up like that?"

"I don't know, it was just an example," Lotus smiled and turned back to face the way they were headed, "Looks like we're here."

The building had grown in size as they approached, its full stature now apparent as it towered above them. The pair of wide open doors reached nearly twenty feet high, and revealed a couple dozen applicants that had already made it inside. The auditorium mainly consisted of a wide open marble floor, with a raised platform near the back that had a microphone stand a few feet from the edge.

Ruby's eyes darted about those inside and latched on to a long mane of golden hair. She broke from Lotus's grasp and rushed off to meet her sister, leaving the faunus standing and shaking her head. Her eyes roamed over the others there, knowing that she wouldn't find Ren or Nora. Lotus gave the two sisters a small wave then stepped back out into the courtyard and leaned against the wall.

The last few from their ship were filing in, along with the Schnee. Lotus was glad for the girl's adamant attempts at ignoring her. The less interaction the better. Lotus wouldn't hold herself responsible for what might happen if the Schnee tried her rich girl routine on her.

The third ship had docked not long after their own, and Lotus finally spotted orange and black hair on their way towards the building. Nora made eye contact mid-skip and grabbed Ren's hand, ushering him along.

"I was worried you two got cold feet," Lotus smiled, giving Nora a small welcoming hug.

"Not a chance!" Nora feigned insult and slapped Ren on the back, "This guy wanted to sleep in."

"Because you kept me up all night watching Vale Police reruns."

"Can you blame me? Who would have thought there were so many dumb criminals out there? And some of their new stuff!? That Torchwick guy got stopped by a couple of kids!"

"Right…" Lotus realized she hadn't told the pair the good news yet and laughed, "So... Ruby and I might have been those 'kids' that stopped him."

"What!?" Nora exclaimed, "Tell-me-tell-me!"

Lotus shrugged, "He tried to rob a dust shop we were at. Ruby was there for the beginning of it and took down most of his goons. I scared off the rest."

"Is Ruby okay?" Ren asked calmly, placing a hand on Nora's shoulder. Lotus watched a tiny surge of grey ripple across the excited girl's body, dropping her mood to a more bearable level.

"Yeah, about that…" Lotus pointed over her shoulder through the wall, "She's inside. Turns out some cameras picked up the action. The headmaster was impressed enough to let her in two years early."

"That's amazing," Ren replied genuinely, his eyes widening a fraction of an inch.

It seemed the second revelation had overpowered Ren's semblance, as Nora's energy came back with a vengeance, "No. Way! Oh, I hope we all get on a team together!"

Lotus eyed the passerby and nodded her head to the side, leading the two a little further from the main thoroughfare. They gave her curious and confused glances, but followed regardless. Lotus stopped another dozen feet along the side of the building and motioned for the two to step closer.

"So, since you mentioned it, I might have a way of guaranteeing we end up on a team together."

"How?" the pair replied in unison.

Lotus pulled out the golden knight chess piece and handed it to Ren, garnering further confusion, "The headmaster took a bunch of chess pieces out into the Emerald Forest and left them at some ruins. Each piece had a duplicate. I don't know how we get initial pairs, but I think each full team will be grouped based off what they grabbed."

"Isn't this…" Ren turned the piece over in his hand hesitantly, eyes flicking firmly back up to hers, "This is cheating, Olivia."

"Cheating who? The odds?" Lotus rolled her eyes, "I've got a good sense of what the other applicants are capable of, Ren. There's no way any of us would fail initiation. All we're doing is skewing fate in our favor so the next four years are as enjoyable as possible."

"That's still-" Ren began but was cut off by Nora, who snagged the piece from his hand.

"Don't be a spoil sport, Renny! Do you think Olivia wants to take a chance of getting someone that isn't cool like us?"

"I mean…" Ren's eyes flicked over to Lotus's exposed veins and back up to her eyes, considering. "Okay… I'm in. I don't like it, but… we can do it for you. What's your plan?"

Olivia sighed with relief, "You two hold on to this one. Ruby and I will try to meet up and rush to the ruins as quickly as possible. I still have a good idea on where to go, and with her speed semblance we should be there faster than anyone else. We'll grab the other piece that matches that one."

Ren stroked his chin, "...It's a good enough plan, with what little information we have to go off of."

"You'll still have to get to the ruins to keep up appearances. Are either of you good at sleight of hand?"

Nora smirked and handed the chess piece back to Ren, who made it disappear up his sleeve in a flash of gold and green that was outright confusing to the eye.

"It should stay in place behind my weapon easily enough when I need it to," the piece reappeared, and he pocketed it instead, "But for now, no point risking it."

Lotus nodded in agreement, "If it turns out that the pieces only decide initial pairings, then at least the two of you can get on a team together."

"Thank you, Olivia," Nora smiled, "Let's try our best!"

The sound of tapping on a microphone drew their attention, and Lotus followed the two as they quickly entered the auditorium with the last of the other applicants. Everyone's eyes were on the stage, where Ozpin stood next to a curvaceous blond woman holding a clipboard.

Ozpin cleared his throat and pressed his glasses further up his nose, "I'll… keep this brief. You have traveled here today under a certain assumption... that doing so would allow you a new life. You are mistaken... What you do and how you act from here on out will dictate the experiences you have, and the way others see you. Joining Beacon was merely the first step... I hope to see all of you continuing down the path of becoming valiant huntsmen and huntresses."

Ozpin stepped away from the microphone and was replaced by the blond, "You will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed."

'That was… oddly personal,' Lotus shivered, watching Ozpin leave through a back door that connected to the stage, 'It has to be a coincidence. If he knew who I was then I never would have made it into Beacon in the first place.'

Lotus tried to let it go. She waved for Ren and Nora to follow her, and led them across the marble floor to Ruby and Yang. The Mistralians introduced themselves to the blond, and Lotus was glad to see Nora hitting it off with Yang particularly well. The faunus was content to sit back and watch the group, her mind still caught on Ozpin's words no matter how fervently she told herself to ignore what had been said.

Lotus's attention was pulled away as she felt someone stepping too close for comfort. With a quick sidestep, the tall ginger boy from earlier swept past. Lotus could see a brief look of surprise on his face before he turned to face her, a sneer replacing the momentary confusion.

"Don't think your little joke on the way up here made me forget what you did, freak," his eyes drifted down to Lotus's veins, "Bet you're only at this school so you can join up with the White Fang later on. That's all your kind do these days."

A false smile spread across Lotus's lips that didn't reach her eyes in the slightest. She took a step closer, narrowing the gap so that she was staring straight up into the taller hunter's face, "Watch it, human. Anything could happen in that forest. A weakling like you shouldn't be running his mouth."

"Is this guy giving you problems, Olivia?" Yang interrupted whatever the boy had been about to say next, cracking her knuckles as she did so.

The ginger sized the two of them up, then noticed the other three standing behind and watching as well, "I'll find some time for you to pay me back for the dent in my armor." He walked away, shoulders stiff and back straight.

Lotus watched him go with a sneer of contempt, "Let's see him try. He wouldn't be the first I've… 'buried'... put in their place."

"What a douchebag," Yang shook her head and clapped a hand on Lotus's shoulder, "If he gives you any more trouble, let me know."

'Why? Do you have a gravestone I could borrow?' Lotus let her scowl relax and gave Yang a weak smile, "Sure thing. I think I could take him easily enough, though."

"I believe it. His type think they can throw their weight around and get away with whatever they want. He isn't even worth your time."

"No…" Lotus turned back to the rest of the small group they had and smiled, "He really isn't."

The rest of the day and night went by uneventfully, with Lotus breaking off from the general crowd to find an unused classroom instead. 'Chances of managing to fall asleep in a place like that? Zero.' Her adventure was short lived, since all of the classrooms were currently empty so much later in the day. The spider faunus bedded down for a night of sleep that was at least more restful than it would have been otherwise.

Alright! Finally made it to Initiation!

My original concept for Olivia / Lotus was 'the girl in the black hoodie that doesn't bother using a weapon, or even pull her hands out of her hoodie pockets because she only needs her semblance'. Strayed from that idea by quite a bit, haha. Just goes to show how much a character can change if you give them the time and thought they deserve. So many other characters along the way would have never been thought of, either.

Anyway, thanks for reading. Can't wait to get to the next chapter!