The hallways were silent and empty, devoid of anything other than Olivia's footsteps drumming against the floor as she sprinted past door after door on her way back to her team's dorm. She turned the final corner and spotted Ruby in the distance, nervously waiting outside the door to their room.

"I left your uniform on your bed," Ruby said quickly as Olivia passed. The young team leader had left the door open, saving Olivia from having to pull out her scroll, "Uncle Qrow messaged me that you were on your way."

Olivia paused for a moment, the room having transformed overnight to be nearly unrecognizable. She spotted her school outfit on the bottom bunk on the right side of the room, her belongings piled near the end of it.

"What did you guys do?" Olivia asked in surprise. She moved to her bed and tore off the clothes she was wearing right there in the open. She could feel Ruby averting her eyes behind her.

"Ummm, I hope you don't mind. We decorated, but not everything was going to fit with the beds like they were, so we turned them into bunk beds!" Ruby was holding a hand up to her face to block Olivia from view, "You and Blake are on that side, and Weiss and I are on the other."

Olivia eyed the stacked books holding up the bunk on her side, and the ropes that had been tied to metal hooks in the ceiling on Ruby's, "Are you sure that's safe? It would be a pity for your bed to fall on top of Weiss in the middle of the night."

"Pfft," Ruby waved her free hand dismissively, though whether or not she knew Olivia knew she had done so was dubious at best, "Her aura would protect her if that happens, and I barely weigh anything."

'Not believable. Got it,' Olivia grimaced at the skirt that was part of the school's attire, but slid it on regardless, "These skirts are hideous."

"I kinda like 'em!"

"Because they're red, Ruby," Olivia finished up and stopped to glance in the mirror, "It's safe to turn around, kid. How do I look?"

Ruby lowered her hand and edged her eyes over to make sure Olivia really was fully dressed, "You look good!" she frowned, "We're supposed to button our jackets, though."

"Are we? I didn't read that in the pamphlet."

"There was a pamphlet?"

"Exactly," Olivia smirked, "Now are we going to class, or what?"

"R-Right!" Ruby darted back into the hallway and waited for Olivia, hand on the door. She followed her out and shrouded her limbs.

"Full speed, kid. Leader's can't be late day one."

"Got it!" Ruby dropped into a sprinter's stance, then burst into motion, semblance carrying her through the halls at an incredible speed. Rose petals drifted slowly to the ground in her wake, starkly contrasting their source.

Olivia whistled in appreciation before kicking into gear and following after. She was far faster than most, especially with the strength of two appendages given to both legs, but still nowhere near Ruby levels of fast, 'I was kidding myself thinking I'd keep up with her in the Emerald Forest.'

Olivia followed the petal trail after Ruby disappeared from sight, through the twists and turns of hallways and back down several flights of stairs. It all eventually led to a classroom door on the ground level, situated along the left-most side of the building.

"Welcome to Grimm Studies!" Olivia could hear a voice booming out as she approached. The door had been left slightly ajar, petals stopping right before it. Olivia crept up and peeked inside. She couldn't see much aside from a few students, but her sixth sense gave her a good grasp of how the room was laid out.

Blake sat between Weiss and a heavily breathing Ruby. The cat faunus spotted her looking through the door and held up her hand slightly, cautioning Olivia to wait. With her sense, she could feel that the rotund teacher was currently facing the class. Thankfully, it appeared that team Rainbow had chosen the seats closest to the door.

"My name is Professor Port, and today we will be learning about a few of the many types of grimm that are most commonly found around Vale…"

Olivia felt him turn around to face the board, and at the same time, Blake frantically waved for her to hurry inside. Olivia took the opportunity and pushed through the open door, hoping whatever sound it might make would be lost beneath the teacher's own voice. Olivia scurried over and sat next to Ruby, who gave her a tired thumbs up.

Professor Port finished with whatever he'd been writing on the chalkboard before turning back around. His eyes immediately fell on Olivia, "Ah," he checked a clipboard on his desk, "Miss Mandevilla, was it? So glad you could join us! Thank you for volunteering for the demonstration."

"But I didn't-"

"Now then!" Professor Port cut off her objections and faced the rest of the class, "Can anyone tell me the average size of a beowolf pack?"

Olivia sat back in her seat and crossed her arms, choosing to let it go and get a feel for the rest of the class as well. There were ten teams in all, matching the amount of 'relics' that had been available during initiation. Ren and the others sat a couple teams down, also along the bottom row of seats.

Aside from the students and the teacher, Olivia could feel the boarbatusk locked away in the cage at the edge of the room and figured that was going to be part of the 'demonstration' that she had 'volunteered' for by being late. 'If all the punishment I get is having to fight a stupid grimm then I'll count myself lucky.'

Olivia leaned over to Ruby as she noticed the girl beginning to draw in her notebook, "By the way, Qrow said to pay attention," she eyed the half finished drawing of Port with mild amusement, "But I won't tell if you don't."

Ruby giggled and continued to draw, finishing up the bottom half of the professor with cartoonish flare.

"Ehem," the sound of the Schnee clearing her throat drew Ruby's attention, while Olivia refused to even bother acknowledging it.

'Does she really think we need to pay attention to this?'

"-and there I was. Alone in the wilderness with only my wits, and my blunder-axe. Fifty beowolves howled across the forest, warning me of my impending doom-"

Olivia rolled her eyes and paid the minimum amount of attention she could. His aura was substantial enough, and hands calloused, but she couldn't stand false bravado.

'Weren't you going to try and be better?' a small voice whispered in the back of her head, 'Is this your idea of how to start a new life? You're acting like Lotus…' Olivia sighed and bumped Ruby, who had gone back to doodling, "At least be a little less obvious, kid. Otherwise the Schnee will throw a fit, and I do not want to listen to her squeal about some nonsense like having better manners."

Ruby set the pencil down, accepting Olivia's words where the Schnee's attitude had failed. She spent the majority of the lesson attempting to focus, but on the Professor's fifth story about managing to survive against unbeatable odds, couldn't help but zone out.

Her attention was snapped back into focus many minutes later, when Ruby saw fit to give her a nudge. Olivia raised her eyebrows in a silent question, then followed Ruby's gaze back to the Professor. He stood, waiting expectantly for Olivia to do something.

"Sorry, Professor. What's up?"

Professor Port ruffled his thick mustache in annoyance, "We are ready for the demonstration. If you would like to grab your weapon and change into your combat outfit, please do so now."

Olivia stood up and walked out to the front of the classroom, "No point. Let's get this over with."

"Are you sure? A huntress's equipment is paramount to her survival!"

"In a situation that warrants it? Sure," Olivia shrugged, "Like I said. Bothering for just this would be a waste of time."

"If you're certain…" the Professor waited a few more moments, eyebrow raised to see if Olivia would change her mind. When she continued to stand there, resolute, he huffed, "Well then, have it your way!" He swung his large axe down on the lock, snapping it to pieces.

The boarbatusk crashed out of the metal crate, breathing heavily. It's beady red eyes darted around the classroom before focusing on Olivia who stood casually out in the open. It snarled and charged, beginning to cross the short distance on four stout legs. It leveled its curved tusks in her direction, head covered completely in bony plates.

Olivia shrouded her right arm with a pair of appendages and struck down, meeting the boarbatusk in the middle of its charge. The muscle-bound grimm shrieked in pain as its head plates shattered, giving way to Olivia's hand as it drove straight through into the grimm's skull. It's body dropped at her feet, twitching one final time before black ash began to rise from its corpse.

Olivia withdrew her hand and limply flicked her wrist in an attempt to get some of the blood off, then yawned, "Maybe a beowolf next time? I might have to actually move from where I'm standing to dodge its claws or something," she used her other hand to point at the blood, "Mind if I go clean this off?"

"Y-Yes, very well!" the Professor turned back to the rest of the class as Olivia stepped out, looking for a bathroom with a sink. She stopped in place as the door closed, feeling two souls off to her left.

"Well done, Miss Mandevilla," Ozpin praised her, eyeing the black blood that covered her hand, "I was tuned in over my scroll. Port always does try and challenge one of the new students to fight a grimm each year. I suppose he chose poorly if he wanted to make a point this time around."

"A mistake anyone could make," Olivia replied carefully, unwilling to offend the headmaster, "Choosing Nora would have ended much the same, though she would have used her hammer. The odds were against him with pretty much anyone in that front row, honestly."

"Indeed. All on your team and those on team Lion showed exceptional talent during initiation," Ozpin sipped from the coffee mug he held, "If you don't mind waiting a moment, I wished to have a word with you."

'With me?' panic flashed through Olivia's mind, but was quickly smothered, "Shoot."

"Thank you for your time. While it is allowed for students to visit Vale during the weekdays, it is highly suggested that you return to Beacon before midnight. It is an unofficial curfew of sorts, but I believe you will find it easier to arrive at class on time if you follow it."

"I'll keep that in mind…" Olivia answered with a nod, "Was that all…?"

Ozpin smiled, "Your academy attire fits you well," he leaned forward, voice lowering conspiratorially, "Don't worry. There aren't any rules against leaving your jacket unbuttoned. It is nice to stand out, is it not?"

Olivia narrowed her eyes a fraction before reclaiming her composure, 'Was he listening in on Ruby and me somehow?'

Her fears were all but confirmed with what he said next, "However, bunk beds are not, due to the danger they impose. I won't tell anyone if you don't, though. I don't think any of the teachers have read that far into the school's pamphlet," he got a far off look in his eyes, "Except perhaps Glynda…" Ozpin shook his head, "No, even she is not that diligent. It's quite a boring read."

"A-are we done here?" Olivia held up her blood soaked hand and shook it lightly, "I'd like to take care of this now, if that's alright."

"Quite alright!" Ozpin answered jovially, then took another sip of his coffee, "You'll find the restrooms set into an alcove down the hall. Also, your dorm bathrooms have a special bleach beneath the sink that is especially good at getting the blood out of clothing… in case any of it got on your sleeve, that is."

Olivia nodded numbly and turned to leave.

"I enjoyed our talk, Miss Mandevilla. I hope to do so again soon."

The alcove that Ozpin had mentioned was easy enough to find, a sign jutting out partially into the hallway displayed an arrow along with the word 'Restrooms' across it. Olivia bumped the knobless door open into the girls' side and moved to the sink. Her hands shook as panic set in.

'Okay… okay… let me think about this…' Olivia turned on one of the faucets and stood with the hot water running over her hand, 'What could Ozpin know about me?' Olivia didn't think Qrow would have had time to tell him about her involvement with the White Fang, not so soon after she'd revealed it. Only a minute or two had passed between then and when she'd returned to the room and spoken with Ruby.

'Unless he was recording everything and played it all back afterwards? We have been in class for nearly an hour already…' Olivia shivered, feeling suddenly very self-conscious about undressing in the middle of their room as she had, 'Is it even legal to have cameras set up in our dorms like that?'

Olivia took a moment to think back on what Ozpin had said… 'Ruby mentioned putting the bunk beds together, and we talked about me leaving my jacket unbuttoned… I was also the one to mention the pamphlet. So… there's a chance it's only audio…'

'Is there a camera in the hallway?' Olivia pictured it in her mind, but couldn't recall seeing one after only being there twice, 'Ruby still had the door open. A camera could have easily picked up what we said from out in the hall. I'll have to check the next time we go back to the dorm...'

Olivia hoped that was all it had been. The implications otherwise were disturbing, and in the case of their rooms being bugged with cameras, outright disgusting. She dispensed a bit of soap into her hand and began to wash it more thoroughly, making sure to get beneath her nails as well. It wasn't as easy as making blood disappear when it coated her appendages, but grimm blood came out much easier than human's or faunus.

The door opened and Ruby peeked inside, stepping in further when she saw that Olivia was there at the sink, "Professor Port gave us all assignments to do for homework. I snagged an extra one for you, as any good leader would."

"Thanks, Ruby. What class is next?"

Ruby opened up her binder to the front page, where their class schedule had been set into the laminated pocket, "Ten fifteen, History of Remnant with…" Ruby frowned, squinting at the page slightly, "Doctor Oobleck. It says Professor, but somebody scratched it out and wrote Doctor instead."

Olivia dried her hands off after she was satisfied that the blood had been taken care of, "So we have about fifteen minutes to get there, right?"

Ruby frowned, "Yes… but Weiss was kind of mad that I was almost late to the last class… Did you have something in mind?"

"Oh no," Olivia mocked lightly, "The princess was mad? What ever shall you do!?" she shook her head, "You can go ahead to the next class if you want. I just needed to go check on something back at the dorm. I'll make it to History class on time."

"You sure? A leader shouldn't leave a girl behind!"

"I'm sure, kid. Go on, I'll see you in a few."

Ruby gave her one final look of consideration before nodding, "See ya there!" she left in a burst of rose petals, scattering them to drift down across the tiled floor. Olivia frowned down at them, and kept track of the time from sheer curiosity. After thirty seconds, the petals began to fade away as if they'd never existed in the first place.

'I wonder if it has to do with time, or distance,' Olivia shrugged and left the restroom, seeing the rose petals disappearing in a line ahead of her that quickly outpaced her leisurely walk. She felt Blake's presence around a corner ahead of her, and didn't bother to look her way as the cat faunus fell into step beside her.

"So… where'd you go last night?" Blake asked, lowering her voice slightly so as to not be overheard by the few other stragglers that remained in the hallway with them.

"It isn't really a secret or anything," Olivia replied truthfully, "I went to Junior's club and stayed with a friend overnight," she spared Blake an apologetic smile, "I didn't have time to do anything with the clothes I wore out. They kind of reek from the alcohol. I'd avoid going into the dorm if I were you, at least until lunch. I'll have time to take care of it then."

"Thanks for the warning…" Blake smiled, "I can still kind of smell it on you, though… Among other things. You wouldn't happen to be a bit more than friends with that person, would you?"

'Impressive…' Olivia made a mental note of Blake's keen sense of smell. While it was useful to have, it could prove detrimental if she started falling back into her old ways. Olivia was doubly glad once more that her semblance didn't remained stained, "We did have a bit of fun while I was there."

"Thought so," Blake nodded, seemingly proud that her senses hadn't betrayed her, "I almost wish I had left as well, if only to avoid Weiss… You can't believe what she said after you left…"

Olivia groaned internally, bracing for the worst, "Did she curse my family name?"

"No…" Blake shook her head in disgust, "She tried to say that the SDC doesn't use slaves… the nerve of that girl. I had a tough time keeping myself in check after hearing her out."

Olivia glared at the ground in front of herself, "Technically, she's right, but only because of a loophole that the SDC abuses as much as possible. Everyone that works in the mines was 'hired'. The problem is, many of them are forced to work there as part of their prison sentences… The prisons 'hire out' their faunus inmates, and pay them less than a few lien each day. In exchange, the prisons and police force get price cuts from the SDC on all their dust purchases. That lets them outfit their officers with better equipment, which they then use to catch poor faunus with no alternatives but crime… the cycle continues…"

"That's…" Blake shuddered, "I've never heard it explained that way. It makes so much more sense now how they've been able to get away with it for so long…"

Olivia nodded, "Any time there's an accident in the mines, or grimm get in past the defenses, all they have to do is point towards the faunus's criminal records. They aren't afraid to make up charges in order to sell their side of the story. The humans take it for granted, while the faunus wind up sharing their fate if they try to speak out."

"It's abhorrent," Blake practically growled the words out, eyes narrowed.

'Qrow wanted me to make an effort at peace…' Olivia placed a hand on Blake's shoulder, then hid her surprise well enough when the cat faunus flinched away at her touch, "Let's… at least give her the benefit of the doubt. Her tutors could have left all of that out of her lessons… maybe she just doesn't know the truth?"

"Maybe…" Blake tried to play off the way she'd flinched by holding her shoulder with the opposite hand, and rolling it as if sore, "Do you really think you can stomach trying to teach it to her?"

"If she'll take the time to listen…" Olivia gave an uneasy shrug, "If not, we ignore her and become a three girl team in everything but name."

"I don't think that'll hold up, Olivia."

"Never say never, right?" Olivia shook her head, "I wouldn't hold my breath, either."

Blake was quiet for a while, her eyes distant, until she finally turned back to Olivia. She could tell that Blake almost looked… pleading?

"I really want this team to work out… You aren't going to do anything drastic, are you? Like it or not, Weiss is a part of our lives. You can insult her, ignore her… but please don't hurt her…"

Olivia raised an eyebrow, "What makes you think I'd go that far?"

"I've…" Blake paused, thinking over what she was going to say, "You remind me of someone. Someone that wouldn't have hesitated if he saw a Schnee. I hope you aren't like him…"

"You don't have to worry about that," Olivia gave a small smile to Blake, "I want to stay at Beacon. Doing anything too extreme would be counter-intuitive to that, don't you think?"

Blake's eyes searched deeply into Olivia's own, trying to decipher if she was really telling the truth. Olivia hid nothing, and stared right back, hoping that Blake would come to understand her goal, "Maybe I used to be like that person you know. I'm trying to better myself, though. That life is behind me. I want to be a huntress, not… what I used to be."

"I hope that's the truth, Olivia. I really do."

"Only time will tell," Olivia replied back with fake cheer. As they approached the intersection, Blake moved to take the other hallway while Olivia stepped towards the stairs.

"You aren't coming to class?" Blake frowned.

"I will. I need to check on something back at the dorm and then I'll head right over."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Blake asked uncertainly, but shifted her body as if to follow Olivia.

She held up her hand, "No need, really. I'm sure Ruby and the princess are already waiting. Ruby might need your help keeping her calm after I was late to the first class. I promise it'll just take a second."

"Okay…" Blake flashed a small smile, "See you at class," then began to walk away.

Olivia watched her go for a few seconds longer, considering her words, 'That makes two members of team… Rainbow… that have some small idea to my past. Though, I think Blake's is bound to be more accurate. Ruby probably thinks I was just a thief or something.' She quickly made her way up the stairs, backtracking to the dorm where she found that there was indeed a camera at the end of the hall, mere feet away from both team's doors. It wasn't angled in a way that would allow it to see inside, thankfully.

'Still, I'll need to be more careful about what I say around it. I'll move forward under the assumption that Ozpin knows I'm ex-White Fang. Whether Qrow told him or not doesn't matter. Ozpin is supposedly a big believer in second chances… He must have extended that to me like he did for Qrow.'

Jokes about killing the Schnee would also have to be avoided. The idea of getting along with the princess left a bad taste in her mouth, like the dull acid you'd get moments before puking. 'Or that could be the remnants of a night of drinking…' Olivia had a few minutes to spare and decided to spend them properly brushing her teeth and gargling mouthwash.

Feeling a bit more refreshed, she once again left the dorm and set off for their next class. There were signs posted in the halls, giving directions along with the floorplan to the various classes that Beacon offered. With around five minutes to spare, Olivia stepped into History of Remnant and spotted her team, along with Yang's. A small spot had been left open between the two sisters, and Olivia took it graciously.

Yang leaned on her elbow, giving Olivia a coy grin, "So, Ruby tells me you ran off last night wearing the same clothes that you did to Junior's. What did the world do to deserve being so blessed?"

"I needed a little pick me up after losing to you in initiation. Figured Junior's was as good a place as any to take my mind off things."

"And you didn't invite me," Yang held a hand to her chest, feigning offense, "I would have bought you a few shots!"

"Then literally set fire to the dance floor. It was a busy night, I'm sure Junior would have kicked you out the moment you walked in."

"Whaaat?" Yang smiled, "I can behave when I want to."

"Now that I would pay to see," Olivia smiled and shook her head, "A drunk Yang trying to not lose her temper every time a guy made a pass at her."

Yang scowled, "Let 'em try…"

"You'd be sending half the bar to the hospital before too long."

"Aww," Yang winked, "Was that a compliment?"

"More an observation on how bad a combination it is for men to be that drunk and horny at the same time," Olivia laughed, "But I won't lie, you aren't half bad, Xiao Long."

"Aren't half bad? Please, Shortstack. I'm-"

Yang was cut off by Ruby smacking her head down against the desk and groaning, face beet red, "Yaaaaaang. Pleeeease, no flirting with my teaaaam. I'm right here."

Yang laughed, "Sorry, Rubes. I'll leave her alone for you~"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ruby turned her head to look past Olivia to Yang, leaving it resting against the desk. Her hair covered half her face, cheeks still heated.

Yang held up her hands, "I'm just saying I won't get in my little sister's way~"

"Ew, no," Ruby hid her face once more in embarrassment.

"Gee, thanks kid. Glad to know I'm that unappealing."

"That isn't what I meant," Ruby groaned into the table, "We're friends, that's all."

"Awww," Olivia ruffled Ruby's hair, drawing a glare from the young huntress, "You're my friend too, kid."

"How was your night, Olivia?" Nora leaned around Yang to get an eye on the faunus.

"It was good. They had a surprise waiting for me once they knew I was coming over, then Melanie and I enjoyed ourselves after a few drinks," Olivia confessed, sharing a smug grin with the other two so that they understood the implications.

"Oooh, what was the surprise?" Ruby perked up from the other side, "Was it a cake?"

Olivia laughed, "Sure thing, kid. Best damn cake they could have gotten."

"I hope you're feeling better," Ren interjected calmly, giving a meaningful glance over towards the Schnee. Olivia could feel her head turned slightly their way, listening in on the conversation but not offering any input.

'Fine by me,' Olivia didn't believe she was ready to try and talk to the heiress quite yet, 'Turning over a new leaf is one thing, but being friendly with someone like her is practically a betrayal to my own race. She'll just have to deal with it...'

"I am," Olivia confirmed, "For now. I'd still like to stay over at your dorm tonight," as she said this, Pyrrha turned a questioning frown towards the rest of her team, where before she'd been sitting patiently for class to begin, "If that's alright with you, Pyrrha. I wouldn't want to intrude, and I could always find an empty classroom again."

The rest of team Lion turned to Pyrrha, silently waiting for her decision.

"That… would be alright with me," Pyrrha replied after a few seconds.

Through her sixth sense, Olivia could feel the way Pyrrha shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she said it. The way her hands gripped her skirt, tensed, while she outwardly attempted to appear calm. All signs of a lie, though one made with good intentions.

"Nevermind," Olivia shook her head, "I wouldn't want to intrude if you aren't really onboard," she flashed a smile to show there were no hard feelings, "Maybe once we know each other a little better."

"But-" Pyrrha was cut off as the bell rang.

There was a blur, topped by a mop of green hair, as 'Doctor' Oobleck entered the room to stand in front of his desk. He paused for a moment, eyeing the students, then took a sip from his coffee mug.

"Welcome, welcome!" Oobleck jovially greeted all of them, sweeping his mug filled hand across those gathered, "Today marks your first day as new students of Beacon. For some of you, this class will seem pointless! Let me assure you, all of the information you learn here can be applied to your own lives. I will do my best to help you understand the lessons that history teaches us all!"

There was some small cheering from the back of the class, one overzealous student even going so far as to stand up and pump his fist into the air. Oobleck let the moment pass with another sip before zipping over to stand in front of the chalkboard and beginning a long, rambling rant about events that transpired during the Great War.

Olivia paid attention as well as she could. The subject was interesting enough, and completely devoid of the same ridiculous embellishment as Port's class previously. She took notes of what seemed like the most important bits and glossed over the rest, leaving page numbers with brief descriptions in her notes in case she needed to reference it for homework later.

They were each assigned an essay on their choice of influential figures during the Great War, due at the end of the week, and sent on their way when the class ended. Olivia chose someone that she'd never even heard of before, a Lieutenant that had laid down his life to turn the tide during a critical battle in the later years of the war. It sounded like a good enough read that she wouldn't be too bored reiterating the details in her own words.

"Lunch tiiiiime!" Ruby called out to the rest of her team, darting up to stand in front of them while they gathered their things, "Then we have combat class!"

"Who is that with?" Olivia asked with some disinterest. The only one there that she had any interest in fighting for real was Pyrrha, and she'd just paved the groundwork for trying to get along with her. Something told Olivia that potentially embarrassing the Mistral champion in front of a class full of students that regarded her as a legend wouldn't be the most convincing of moves.

"Miss Goodwitch!"

"Oh, isn't she the one that took us to the police station?"

"What were you doing at the police station?" Blake asked with a suspicious frown, looking between Ruby and Olivia.

"They had to get a statement after Ruby stopped Roman Torchwick," Olivia answered easily, "That was part of the whole reason they let her in so early."

"You make it sound like I did it myself," Ruby waved her hand in the air, "Olivia did most of the work."

"Give yourself some credit, kid. They were so tired after fighting you that they didn't even want to try against me," Olivia passed the praise right back with a smirk, "All I really did was stand there and look threatening. They ran off pretty quick."

"That was reckless to try and take on a known criminal when you weren't even old enough to attend Beacon yet," Weiss spoke to Ruby sternly, "You're lucky you weren't hurt."

Olivia's hackles raised before she could calm herself, bristling at the tone that the Schnee had used. She opened her mouth to argue with the heiress and was interrupted by Ruby.

"They were going to rob a dust shop! I had to stop them."

"You could have called the police and not escalated the situation. Everyone might have gone unharmed if you allowed the thief to have what he wanted and waited for the proper authorities to arrive," the Schnee said it with a high and mighty attitude, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Olivia scoffed, "Criminals aren't satisfied with only getting what you're willing to give them. Just ask your father."

"My father is not a criminal," Weiss fumed, clutching her hands into fists, "I wanted to talk to you about your misconceptions on how the SDC is ran last night, but you ran off instead!"

"Right. Blake was telling me about the lies you were spewing. My words, not hers. I don't know what kind of fancy education your father paid for while you were living in Atlas, but it was clearly lacking in morals. The faunus are mistreated constantly in your family's disgusting mines."

"We do not use slaves!"

"No, you just abuse the system to use faunus inmates as fodder, then slander their names when they die," Olivia sneered.

The heiress gasped, offended, "What kind of baseless-"

Olivia cut her off, "Have you ever been to one of the mines?"

Weiss's mouth moved for a second with no sound coming out before she planted her hands on her hips, "I-I've been to a mine!"

"Let me guess," Olivia shook her head in exasperation, "Everyone you met was nice, and maybe even took the time to thank your father for their jobs as if they were as happy as can be," when the Schnee refused to answer, Olivia laughed, "Honestly, you have to be old enough now to understand that wasn't real. I'm sure they kept all of their atrocities swept under the rubble whenever you were around."

"Why in the world would I believe you instead of my own father!?" Weiss demanded loudly, directing a fierce glare at Olivia.

"Because I don't make billions of lien every year by keeping a lie intact. I have nothing to gain from telling you this. I don't need your money, I don't need your prestige, hell… I don't even need you on my team!"

"Well I didn't ask to be either!" Weiss exclaimed loudly, then stormed off ahead of them, leaving the rest of team Rainbow and Lion standing awkwardly amongst each other in the classroom.

Olivia rolled her eyes where only Blake would see and mouthed, 'It's hopeless' before turning back to Ruby, "So, now that the pest is gone, what did you want to get for lunch?"

Ruby nervously looked after where the Schnee had gone, "I… I'm going to check on Weiss!" She darted off in a burst of rose petals, unwilling to face Olivia's disapproval at showing any empathy for the Schnee.

Pyrrha frowned, "At least you were more civil this time around. You do know you'll be on the same team for four years, right?"

"How could I forget? I'd rather open her eyes to the truth now instead of dealing with a pretentious racist," Olivia answered back bluntly, "The sooner she admits to how poorly the SDC treats faunus, the sooner we can get past all this."

"Are you sure you aren't exaggerating the facts as well?"

Olivia laughed in one quick, short burst, "I'm sure, Pyrrha. I've seen for myself the kind of scars faunus come back with after surviving the mines. I wouldn't bother arguing about it if it wasn't the truth."

"Have you ever been to the mines?" Pyrrha asked Olivia's own question, this time directed at the faunus herself.

"Almost. I stole from a member of the Mistral council when I was twelve. They caught me the next day. He was very delighted to let me know about his contacts in the SDC, and where exactly I'd be headed," Olivia gave a small smile to Ren and Nora, "That was the day after I met you two."

Pyrrha appeared taken aback at the revelation, while Nora wasted no time wrapping Olivia in a hug, "Oh, I'm sorry that happened to you, Olivia! How did you get away?"

A flick of the eyes to Blake before she spoke, "The White Fang attacked the precinct the night I was there," Olivia shrugged as Nora pulled away, "They helped me escape once they were done with the police."

"By 'done', do you mean…?" Ren asked slowly.

Olivia nodded, "Every single one."

Ren shook his head gravely, "I wish we had invited you with us the day we left…"

"Believe me. I've regretted not asking more often than you'd think," Olivia agreed sadly, "Everything would have been different… better."

"Well, we're all here now!" Nora cheered. She stepped past towards the door and took the lead, heading to the dining hall for lunch. The rest followed as they continued to talk.

Pyrrha appeared to be contemplating something for a while before getting Olivia's attention, "You can stay at our dorm whenever you wish. I would hate to deny you at least that small comfort." Her demeanor was firm this time, resolute in her decision.

"As long as you're sure."

At a nod from the Pyrrha, Olivia smiled and threw an arm around her, "I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot. While I won't lie… I am jealous that you're on a team with Ren and Nora. At least I'll know they're in good hands. You're strong, right? You'd have to be to win so many tournaments."

Pyrrha smiled back, "I don't like to boast, but yes, I will do my best to keep them safe."

"Good," Olivia disengaged and put her hands behind her head instead, "That means all I need to worry about is Ruby. I'll be ready to step in if she can't make a tough decision. Kid's decent in a fight, and I wouldn't want anyone else on our team to be the leader, but… I don't see her doing well when someone's life is on the line."

'Or someone's life needs to be taken.'

"Hey! Ruby can handle herself!" Yang jumped in, overhearing their conversation.

Olivia shook her head, "She's naive, Yang. Sorry to say it, but it's the truth. When she fought with Torchwick and his henchmen, she put her own life on the line to spare theirs, and would have paid for it if I hadn't shown up. I didn't tell her… but Torchwick was ready to finish her off while she was unconscious. Not a single one of them had even been cut. If Ruby had used her weapon like it should be instead of making it more difficult for herself, she might have never ended up in the position in the first place."

Yang's eyes had slowly shifted from lilac to crimson red as Olivia gave her recounting of events. Her hands shook, clenched into fists, "If I ever get my hands on him…"

With her eyes as they were, Olivia couldn't help but be reminded of her mother, Raven. Yang was her spitting image, if not many years younger and with different colored hair.

"You'll what, Yang? Kick his ass? Hope he changes his ways and sees the light?"

"I'll catch him, at least!" Yang snapped, turning her fierce gaze on Olivia, "Why'd you just let him go!?"

"Ruby was still right there, and I could already tell she was alive. That might not have been true for much longer if we started fighting less than five feet away from her when she didn't have any aura to protect her."

'I could have killed Torchwick in less time than it would take him to try and retaliate like that, but it wouldn't have looked good right before starting Beacon. That visit to the police station would have involved an actual investigation, and then who knows what they might have dug up looking to closely?'

Yang calmed down a little, her fists no longer shaking. She breathed out a sigh as her eyes flickered back to lilac, "I'm sorry. I know you would have done all you could."

"Damn straight. I like that kid. Random henchmen and 'master thieves' on the other hand?" Olivia made a face to show how little she thought of the latter, 'They're as good as dead if they pull a stunt like that again.'

"You should still do your best to not take someone's life," Ren stated calmly.

Olivia raised her hands defensively, "I'm not saying to go around killing every person that does wrong, but when it's between you and them, you should always choose yourself. Live to fight another day. Your life is worth more than a criminal's."

"That is a very… callous way of looking at it," Pyrrha said slowly, "I believe if you become strong enough, then you won't need to take another person's life."

"If you're strong enough. Ruby wasn't."

"You were. They didn't even fight you, right?"

Olivia laughed, "I can be intimidating when I want to be. Besides, there were only four left with Torchwick after their fight with Ruby. Seeing someone coming to her defense after they'd been trounced so hard was more than they were willing to risk."

"And if they hadn't backed down?" Pyrrha asked.

"Then I would have done my best to protect Ruby anyway," Olivia shrugged her shoulders, "They were too weak to be any real threat to me. I wouldn't have needed to kill them."

'But I still would have on principle. You don't fuck with the Lotus.'

'No,' Olivia chided herself silently, 'I'm not like that anymore. I've changed. I'm Olivia now!'

'Does that really make a difference?'

Olivia shook herself out of it as they arrived at the dining hall. While the room was packed with other students of all ages, the white dressed Schnee was easily spotted off at a corner table, sitting by herself. As they entered, she sent a look their way that cleary said she wanted to be alone. Olivia could see that her scroll was out, her other hand absent-mindedly pushing the food around on her plate without actually eating anything.

Ruby walked up to them as they entered, tray already in hand, "I tried talking to Weiss, but she said she was busy with something."

"Calling Daddy to get a ride home, hopefully," Olivia muttered, then gave Ruby an apologetic smile, "Leave the Schnee alone for now. If she wants to sit by herself then let her."

Ruby stared over at Weiss in concern, but otherwise took Olivia's advice. The rest of them loaded up their trays with an assortment of foods offered and headed over to a table nearer the middle of the hall. Olivia spared a friendly wave with Velvet and her team before sitting down next to Blake. Her partner had grabbed part of her sleeve to steer Olivia a small way further down the bench from the others.

Blake's eyes scanned over anyone nearby before leaning closer to Olivia and speaking in a hushed voice, "Did you… join the White Fang after they saved you?"

'If Ozpin knows the truth then there isn't any harm in it,' Olivia thought to herself before replying with a simple nod of her head.

Blake's eyes narrowed, staring intently into Olivia's, "Do you work for Adam?"

"Is that the guy I remind you of?" Olivia asked back with a frown, "I'm not working for anyone but myself, Blake. Why do you ask?"

"I… deserted... in order to come to Beacon," Blake whispered her secret in an even quieter tone, bow twitching and eyes on alert for anyone else that could have possibly overheard.

"Oh," Olivia could feel her anger rising but forcibly calmed herself, 'It isn't the same as deserting my faction. I don't know anything about this Adam guy or what happened between them. I can't judge her for it.' She placed a hand overtop Blake's, half expecting her to flinch away once more but glad when she didn't, "Your secret is safe with me. I… wouldn't mind talking about it later, if you'd like? We could head up to the roof and swap stories."

"I'd like that," Blake replied quietly, then slowly slipped her hand out from beneath Olivia's to pick up her utensil, "Your hand still smells like your girlfriend, by the way."

Olivia could feel her cheeks heating slightly and laughed, "Sorry! Wild night." Olivia dug in to her own meal, eager to let the moment pass.

'Maybe I misread that flinch from earlier…?'

They enjoyed the rest of their lunch in peace. Once the half an hour allowed had gone by and the bells had rung, both teams set out for Miss Goodwitch's combat class. The Schnee heiress straggled behind, scroll in hand, becoming more and more frustrated by the moment.

(Uploading a few hours early, because why not?)

Some fun conversations here and there, and a little bit of self-doubt shining through the cracks in "Olivia's" new outlook. I was actually so excited to finally be at Beacon that I wrote this directly after finishing the previous chapter.

Will Blake end up trusting Olivia? Or will certain upcoming revelations drive a spike between their budding friendship?

Now to crack down and get the next TLG chapter done before I need to post it Saturday, heh.

Thanks for reading,

- Sybaen