The Big Bad Wolf

Ruby's scroll clicked and another photo is added to a growing album. She had a rough idea of the Academy, but the reality was spectacular. Beautiful gardens perfumed with flowers, butterflies frittering among the petals. Tall statues of severe faced Headmistresses sternly look down from the past. Majestic buildings framed with columns and arches. It was overwhelming for a girl who grew up in a log house with a tin roof.

Ruby felt a pang of homesickness, missing a smaller world. She squashed the feeling down and brighten her smile, remembering the joy on her dad's face when the invitation arrived. She can't waste this opportunity. I'll behave and work hard, Ruby thought, I won't be like Yang.

"Come, this way." Weiss' curt instructions pulled Ruby back to the present. She followed her guide up a short flight of stairs, entering a building through broad, heavy doors. The foyer is expansive with long planters of flowers dotted about, smooth, white pebbles hiding the dirt. Hallways branch off to classrooms.

"Expect for Music and electives, your classes will be held down there." Weiss said, smoothly gesturing to hallway identical to the others.

At least Weiss is warming up to me, Ruby thought.

"Will you remember, or do I need to fetch finger paints so you can make notes?" Weiss asked helpfully.

Warm as an Atlas winter.

"We don't share classes?" Ruby said out loud. Weiss stared at Ruby in disbelief.

"Why would I be in a first year class?" She said, voice strained.

"Because you're a first year?" Ruby tried.

"I'm a third year." Weiss said motioning at her neck ribbon with a flourish. Ruby looked at her in confusion.

"Oh, Brothers save me– The colour, Ruby."

"Um, it's nice?"

"It's red, yours is yellow." Weiss said, as if the answer was obvious. Ruby gave her a helpless look. Weiss sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"The ribbon colour corresponds to the year. First years are yellow, second years blue, third years red." Weiss explained slowly and carefully.

"Good to know." Ruby said, chaffing under her condescending tone.

"Each year is named after a flower, first years are Daisies," Weiss' lecture continued, "Can you guess why?"

"Because they're both yellow?" Ruby replied through gritted teeth.

"Very good! Now, second years are Bluebells while third years are-"

"Roses," Ruby interrupted, "Red like roses. I get it."

"Poppies, actually. And you were doing so well." Weiss said, words dripping with sarcasm. Ruby desperately grasped at her self-control.

"Are all commoners such dunces?" Weiss muttered to herself as she turned away. Ruby let go.

"Do all nobles have a stick up their ass?" Ruby retorted. Weiss spun and glared at Ruby, hands on hips.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me! You stuck-up, prissy little princess!" Ruby clenched her fists and glared back, "You're mean, you treat me like a servant, and... and you're mean!"

"You ungrateful brat! I'm kind enough to show you around!" Weiss shot back.

"So generous of you, acting like a decent person."

"Hmph, I don't have to lower myself to your level." Weiss said, folding her arms.

"You don't need to lower yourself to anything, shortie!"

"I'm taller than you!" Weiss screeched.

"Yeah? Let's measure up then!" Ruby challenged.

"Careful, she uses lifts in her shoes."

Ruby turns to find a group of students clustered at the entrance, three of them giggle behind a tall, smirking girl in a beret. To the rear a faunus girl with prominent rabbit ears stood apart. She wore a plain, grey dress with a white pinafore.

"Picking on a Daisy, Schnee? My, you've sunk low." The beret girl said, causing Weiss to splutter and redden. She walked closer with her entourage in tow. The faunus girl followed, maintaining a respectable distance.

Ruby looked them over as they come to a stop in front of her. The trio of tittering girls wear an identical uniform to Ruby, save for the red ribbons. Poppies, she thought. Their leader's uniform used the same colour palette, but is noticeably different in style. A brown, pleated skirt instead of a tartan kilt, a double breasted jacket replacing the blazer. A pale yellow tie finished off the ensemble. Her chestnut hair is styled in a pixie cut. She addressed Ruby.

"I don't think we've had the pleasure, I'm Coco Adel and you are?"

"Ruby Rose, um nice to meet you." Ruby said, extending a hand hopefully. Amused, Coco lightly took it for a brief handshake.

"Charmed," Coco turned to her companions, "This is Octavia, Dew, and Nebula of the Ball Planning Committee." Each girl politely nodded as they're introduced, Ruby waving in return. Coco doesn't acknowledge the faunus girl.

"I'm a committee alumna myself, they've asked for assistance in planning this years Maidens Dance." Coco said.

"Last years dances were so beautiful, we just had to get her input!" Octavia gushed, the other girls feverishly nodding in agreement. Coco puffed up with pride, ignoring Weiss' dismissive snort in the background.

"I'll look forward to it, I've never been to a dance before." Ruby said, feigning interest.

"Then you're lucky to have Beacon's Maiden Dance as your first." Coco said. She paused to study Ruby, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

"My, you're a pretty little thing." Ruby blushed at the sudden compliment.

"Um thanks, I like what you did with your uniform." Ruby said. Coco gives a throaty laugh, while the other students start giggling again. Even the faunus girl's face twitched with a smile before falling back into a neutral expression.

"You must be new." Coco said, with a warm smile. Ruby's blush deepened.

"It's the University uniform, you dolt." Weiss harshly whispered at Ruby. Coco clicked her tongue at the comment.

"Please excuse the northern delinquent, Schnee doesn't represent the best of us." She said. Weiss stomped up to Coco sending Ruby back a few steps to bump into a planter.

"Oh please, you're hardly a model student."

"I do my best," Coco said humbly, "Unlike a certain brutish heiress."

"I'm not brutish!"

"What else would you call a girl using aura? Maybe that's why you're not very... womanly." Coco sneers, dramatically gesturing at the petite girl. Ruby's eyes widen both at Coco's venom and the aura comment.

"Face it Schnee, you're a lost cause. Why don't you go join your sister? I'm sure you'll look great in trousers." Weiss' shoulders shook with anger at Coco's berating.

"I'm warning you, Adel."

"Oh please, I know about your tussle in Etiquette class today – delightfully ironic by the way. If you can't control yourself this time then the curatives will come out." Coco said smugly. Weiss' face paled.

"She's gone as white as her hair!" Coco crowed gleefully, the other girls laughing.

Ruby glanced at Weiss and frowned. Her usual haughty expression is replaced with dismal look. Weiss' arms hang limply at her sides as Coco continued to insult her. She looks defeated, tired. Lonely. Only stubborn pride keeps her from fleeing the scorn.

Ruby thought about their walk through the campus. No students greeted or called out to Weiss; some went out of their way to avoid her. An uneasy feeling settled on Ruby as she considered why.

"A true lady doesn't debase herself with aura use, Schnee. Do you want to end up like the Wayfinder?" Coco said mockingly.

Ruby's eyes narrowed at the last comment. She reached into the planter behind her, carefully concealing her actions.

"I mean, what man would– Ow!" Coco stumbled back, hand clutching her cheek. Weiss and the other third years stare in surprise.

"You did something!" Coco accused Weiss.

"I didn't touch you!"

"Yes you did– Ow!" This time Coco hopped on one foot, clutching her other shin, "Stop it!"

"I'm not doing anything, you can see that!" Weiss said defensively.

Coco stared intently at Weiss' blazer, before whipping her head towards Ruby. She got an innocent smile in return.

"This is pointless," Coco grumbled, "Let's go girls."

Coco stalked off, the Poppies chasing after her with worried looks. The faunus girl curtsies politely as she passed Weiss and Ruby, before bustling after the group.

"What was that about?" Weiss wondered. Ruby shrugged.

"Maybe mosquitoes?" She said, hazarding a guess. Weiss gave her a suspicious look.

"Did you do something?"

"Me? Not a thing" Ruby said, avoiding eye contract. Before Weiss could question further a bell peals out, the chime echoing around the campus.

'What's that for?" Ruby asked, grateful for the distraction.

"It means dinner service has started."

"Great, I'm starving. I think I remember where the cafeteria is." Ruby said, leading the way.

Weiss started after her but stopped when something crunched underfoot. Reaching down, she picked up a small white pebble. It buzzed in her fingertips, infused with energy. Looking over at the closest planter, Weiss spotted a few rose petals scattered around the base.

Weiss led a happy Ruby through the crowded cafeteria towards the main exit. Students gossip around them over haute cuisine, voices echoing off the high wooden beams overhead. Dinner service went better than expected, once she educated Ruby on table manners. What's a salad fork, indeed, Weiss thought, mentally grimacing at the memory. It's in the name!

Weiss' fingers find the pebble in her blazer's pocket, rolling it between thumb and forefinger. The lingering energy she felt before had long since dissipated. Keeping Ruby from embarrassing herself at dinner stifled any further attempts at questioning her about it. Weiss knew she did something, knew aura was involved. Yet the crest on Ruby's blazer didn't light up...

"Weiss? Hello, Weiss?" Ruby voice cutting into her pondering.

"Hmm? Yes, Ruby?"

"I said, who was that faunus girl?" Ruby asked.

"What faunus girl?" Weiss said, looking around puzzled.

"The one with Coco's squad."

"Oh. Nobody, just a handmaiden." Weiss said dismissively.

"Like a servant?"

"Yes, once you're a Daffodil or higher then you can retain a servant."

"Daffodils being first year university students?" Weiss stopped a sarcastic reply to the question. Instead, she gave Ruby a smile.

"Yes, exactly. Why the interest?"

"Oh, it's nothing," Ruby said with a shrug, "I thought she may have been a student, but I heard faunus are banned from Beacon." Weiss pursed her lips with thought.

"No, not banned. They're not qualified." She said after a moment.

"You mean not rich?" Ruby said wryly.

"Well, yes. I haven't heard of one being sponsored either."

Weiss stepped through open doors into the early evening air. The sun hangs low in the horizon, it's warmth already fading. She eyed the edge of woods close by, and came to a decision.

"We still have some time before curfew, may as well continue the tour." Weiss said, casually moving towards a wide path leading into the forest.

"Sure!" Ruby replied cheerfully.

"Miss Schnee." Weiss winced at an unwelcome voice. She turned to face Headmistress Goodwitch.

"Good evening, Headmistress." Weiss said coolly. Goodwitch ignored her tone and turned to Ruby.

"Miss Rose, how are finding the Academy?"

"Overwhelming, ma'am." Ruby said honestly. Goodwitch gives her a sympathetic smile.

"I imagine so my dear, quite the culture shock. Still, I'm confident you'll become a fine young lady." Weiss tried not to gag at Goodwitch's words.

"Ah, is this the Rose child?"

A tall, thin man with a shock of green hair steps into view. He wore black robes over white vestments. Weiss paled as she dropped into a low curtsy, lowing her head demurely.

"Good evening, Deacon Oobleck." Weiss said.

Glancing sideways, she noticed Ruby standing there with a goofy grin. Weiss hissed to get her attention and gave her a desperate look. Thankfully Ruby got the hint and dropped into a surprisingly graceful curtsy.

"Good evening, Deacon." Ruby said, mimicking Weiss.

"Brothers' blessing on you, my girls." the Deacon said genially, extending his right hand to draw a circle in the air.

Ritual completed, Weiss straightened up with Ruby mirroring her.

"I must say, I was pleased when I heard you were coming to Academy, Miss Rose." Oobleck said.

"Um, you were?"

"Yes, yes. After that whole unpleasantness with your mother, tragic." Weiss watched the smile fade from Ruby.

"But we're not our parent's sins! Here you can show true humility to the gods." Oobleck said joyously.

"I'll try my best, Deacon." Ruby said forcing a smile back.

"That's all we ask, my child." Weiss doesn't miss the look the Deacon sent her way. Oobleck offers an arm to Goodwitch.

"Shall we, Headmistress? I'm quite famished." He asked.

"Yes, Deacon," Goodwitch said, taking his arm, "Good evening, girls."

"Good evening, Headmistress, Deacon." Weiss and Ruby said in unison, dipping back into curtsies. The Deacon nodded a goodbye, leading Goodwitch into the cafeteria. A sigh of relief escaped from Weiss.

"Well, that was a thing." Ruby said.

"Remember to greet the Deacon properly," Weiss warned, "You don't want to be given a penance."

"Noted, that does not sound pleasant."

"No, it isn't," Weiss said with authority, "What's the story about your mother?" She asked, curious. Ruby waved off the question.

"It's nothing, really. So, the tour?"

"Yes, this way." Weiss said, not pressing for details. Passing under a woven trestle marking the entrance, she took Ruby into the forest. There's a few moments of silence until Ruby spoke up.

"Wow, you weren't kidding when you said it's like a park." She said, head swinging around. Trees stand free of under-bush, the occasional wrought iron bench set between them. The yellowing pavers are level making walking easy. Evenly spaced lamps begin to flick on as the sunlight fades.

A small clearing appears to side of the path. Weiss paused, looking around. Satisfied they're alone, Weiss motioned for Ruby to follow as she stepped onto soft, Spring grass. When they reached the centre, Weiss shrugged out of her blazer. Tossing it a good distance away, she turned and faced Ruby.

"Um, you're not challenging me to a duel are you?" Ruby said nervously.

"No, I'm– a duel?"

"Isn't that what rich people do when they're offended?" Ruby questioned.

"Why on remnant– No, I'm not challenging you to a duel. I want to know what you did to Coco." Weiss said. Ruby looked away guiltily.

"I told you, I didn't do anything." Weiss reached for Ruby's hand, pulling it up. She dropped the pebble into Ruby's open palm.

"I know you used aura or a semblance, Ruby." Weiss bluffed. Ruby panicked before her shoulders slump in defeat.

"Please don't tell anyone, Weiss!" She pleaded, "I promise I won't do it again."

Weiss studied her for a moment before stepping back. She closed her eyes, concentrating. A bright, white light appeared between them and a glyph, not unlike a snowflake, spun into existence. Weiss opened her eyes and spinning stopped, the static glyph floating in mid-air.

"I won't tell if you won't." She said.

"You have a semblance!" Ruby gasped.

With a careful boost of aura, Weiss leaped up onto the glyph. Seemly fragile, it actually made for a sturdy platform. Ruby grinned and easily hopped up as well. Weiss gave her a curious look.

"How did you do that?" She asked.

"Eh? The same way you did. I focused my aura into my feet and boom, I'm up." Ruby said.

"But your crest didn't glow." Weiss pointed at the school emblem stitched into Ruby's blazer.

"It glows?" Ruby said, looking down.

"Yes, and signals nearby custodians," Weiss explained, "It has dust crystals woven into the thread, using aura activates them. That's why I took my blazer off." Ruby tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"It's like a circuit then, aura acts like electricity... Well that explains why mine didn't activate." Ruby said brightly.

"I think you missed a step there."

"Before I only activated aura in my hands and feet, so I didn't trip the circuit. Like this." Ruby holds the pebble between her fingers, there's a barely discernible blur and it disappeared. Weiss heard a crack as it hit a tree on the edge of the clearing. A couple of rose petals flutter in the air.

"Amazing." Weiss said impressed, catching a petal. She stared at it lost in thought before suddenly dismissing her glyph, dropping them to the ground.

"A little warning, Weiss!" Ruby said, managing to stay on her feet.

Weiss ignored her as she snatched up her blazer. Pulling it back on, she then held out her hand palm up. Weiss takes a deep breath and focused. A small glyph appeared and hovering over her palm. Weiss peeked at her crest; it remained dull. Satisfied, Weiss closed her hand snuffing out the glyph. She looked back to Ruby.

"Truly amazing. What gave you the idea to control aura this way?" Weiss asked.

"My uncle taught me, mostly." Ruby said.

"A man taught you? Didn't the church intervene?"

"No," Ruby shook her head, "I grew up in Patch, there's only a small parish. Besides, the church overlooks aura use as long you don't draw attention to yourself."

"I find that hard to believe." Weiss said.

"Well, helps if you're not a nob. Dad says women can use aura if someone is quietly profiting off of it."

"I admit, that makes sense." Weiss said. Ruby nodded, and shivered. The sun was low enough to send shadows creeping across the clearing.

"Can we talk about this somewhere warm?" Ruby requested.

"Yes, it's nearing curfew so we should head back." Weiss agreed, filing away a dozen follow up questions.

They begin to walk towards the path when a low growl rumbled across the clearing. Both girls stiffened as it resonated in a primal part of their brains.

"I thought you said there where no wolves here?!" Ruby squealed.

"There isn't! There's nothing for them to hunt!" Weiss exclaimed, as the growling picked up in volume.

"Really Weiss? There's isn't anything for them to hunt?" Ruby said, madly gesturing at herself and Weiss.

"Wolves don't eat people." Weiss said, failing to sound convincing.

"Does the wolf know that?"

A creature slinked out from behind a tree, stalking towards them on all fours. Red eyes gleam in a mask of bone. Spines stick out of black, matted fur. A flash of wicked claws are seen through the long grass.

"I don't think it's a wolf, Weiss." Ruby said.

"Oh, what gave that away?" Weiss replied, mouth suddenly dry.

"Wolves aren't car sized!"

The beast crouched, muscles bunching and drawing skin tight. It moved faster than Weiss could comprehend; from hunched in the grass to before them, covering an impossible amount of ground in a single leap. Ruby reacted first, shoving Weiss hard. She watched in horror as claws engulfed the younger girl. Ruby exploded into rose petals.

"Ruby!" Weiss cried out, hitting the ground. The beast snapped at the cloud of petals, confused. There's a flash of red and two feet drive it's muzzle into the ground. It yelps in surprise as Ruby rolled off it's head, springing to her feet. Relief washed over Weiss.

"Are you alright?" Ruby asked.

"I should be asking you that, you exploded!"

"Semblance, explain later." Ruby curtly replied.

The beast recovered and eyed Ruby warily, head swaying back and forth looking for an advantage. Weiss tried to scramble to her feet, wincing at a sharp poke in her thigh. Her hand groped the kilt pocket, feeling a warm shard of... Dust!

Another lunge is dodged by a shifting Ruby. Delivering a sharp kick to the monster's jaw, her shoe harmlessly bounced off the bone plating as the beast braced itself. A paw wrapped around her lower shin, Ruby's aura shimmering as claws scraped against it. Standing on rear legs, it stretched to its full height. Holding Ruby by her leg, the beast dangled her over it's black maw. Ruby closed her eyes and reinforced her aura, waiting for fangs to clamp down. Nothing happens.

Ruby heard a high pitched ringing sound, like a wet finger running over the rim of a wine glass. Opening her eyes, she is greeted by the sight of snowflake glyph holding the beast's jaws open. Ruby falls as the creature let go to claw at its mouth. A burst of her semblance sent her tumbling away to land at Weiss' feet.

"Are you alright?" Weiss asks, arm extended as she struggled to maintain her glyph.

"Yeah, thanks to you." Rudy popping to her feet.

"You still got some speed in you?"

"Yes, I'm not spent yet. Why?" Weiss opened her free hand in response. Ruby grinned.

This time it's the beast that can't keep up. A red and white blur rocketed past and it felt something hot hitting the back of its throat. The glyph blinked out of existence and it's jaws snapped shut. There's a few seconds of puzzlement before fire erupted out it's nostrils and between the gaps in its teeth. Flesh is scoured away by jets of flame. Finally, the fire dust is spent leaving a smoking skull. The monster fell backwards.

Ruby is still holding Weiss in her arms as pink rose petals float down around them. They watch the body twitch.

"That was... effective." Ruby panted, putting Weiss down.

"I may have overestimated how much aura was required to activate it." Weiss said, shaking a singed hand.

A stiff breeze cooled sweat on exposed skin, sending a collective shiver down their spines.

"Let's get out of here."

"Agreed." Weiss nodded.

They take off running, speeding up once they get back to the path. Both are sprinting as they reach the trestle arc, joyful as they burst out of the woods. The happiness is short lived as the girls almost crash into a waiting throng of custodians. Rough hands grab them, Weiss immediately going limp from prior experience. Ruby struggled for a bit until a curative is shoved in her face. She goes still, barely breathing as arcs of electricity spark before her eyes.

"Miss Schnee, why is it always you?" Goodwitch said, storming out from behind the custodians, the Deacon trailing behind. She took in their dishevelled uniforms stained with grass and mud. Both crests are still glowing with excess aura, missed by the girls in their battle.

"Attacking Miss Rose, I take it?" Goodwitch said, jumping to a conclusion, "Forcing her to use aura to defend herself I'm willing to bet."

Weiss hung limply between two custodians, not seeing the point of responding.

"She saved my life!" Ruby shouted. Weiss lifted her head, surprised at the anger in Ruby's voice.

"There was a monster, some sort of wolf creature. We were attacked, and Weiss saved me. Then we made it eat fire dust and now it's dead out there! We can show you!" Ruby said, rapidly firing the words off. Goodwitch gave her a sceptical look.

"I can forgive aura indiscretions if they're coerced, Miss Rose. I don't forgive liars as easily–" Goodwitch is interrupted by the Deacon's hand on her shoulder.

"Now, now Headmistress. The girls are allowed a chance to prove themselves, are they not?" He said. Goodwitch frowned.

"If you insist, Deacon." Goodwitch nodded and custodians let the students go. Weiss rubbed her arm, feeling hopeful.

Hope is short lived. Arriving at the clearing the evidence of a fight is clear. The beasts body is conspicuously absent though. Only wilted grass remained where the burning skull hit the ground.

"It was here!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Perhaps it wasn't dead?" The Deacon suggested gently.

"Hard to walk away when your brain has boiled out of your ears." Weiss muttered.

"Enough of this nonsense," Goodwitch said "Time for the truth."

Weiss shared a hapless glance with Ruby. The Deacon stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Perhaps it was a different type of beast." He said.

"Deacon, you can't possibly believe–"

"A man," he said giving Goodwitch pause, "He sneaked onto the campus looking for easy targets. In their mind he would appear as a beast." Goodwitch slowly nodded along.

"Yes, young woman are susceptible to hysterics." She said, considering the possibility. Weiss can only gap in amazement.

"That doesn't excuse the excessive use of aura. A sensible lady would run first or use the emergency signal on their scrolls." Goodwitch said.

"We have those?" Ruby asked weakly.

"I'm afraid a punishment is still in order, Deacon." Goodwitch said, resolved.

"I'll bow to your judgement, Headmistress. May I suggest cleaning the chapel after services tomorrow?" Goodwitch looked over the weary girls while taking into account the Deacon's suggestion.

"Very well, after Saturday services I'll leave them in your care." She said finally.

Goodwitch barked orders at the custodians to escort Weiss and Ruby to the dorms. Weiss sighed, not sure if she escaped harsh punishment. It was hard to tell when the Deacon is concerned. She felt a warm hand slip into hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Weiss turned to find Ruby standing at her side, smiling. Weiss surprised herself by squeezing back. Must be the adrenaline, she thought. Still, it feels nice.

As the the girls walk away hand in hand, Oobleck squatted down to examine five long gouges in the earth. Spreading his fingers and holding his hand over top, he barely spanned over the first three. The Deacon frowned.