Entering the amphitheater after her exit from the infirmary, Raven got tackled by Summer. Wrapping her arms around Raven's waist, Summer almost lifted Raven off her feet.
"You're alive!" greeted Summer.
"Why shouldn't I?" replied Raven trying to break Summer's iron hug.
"You passed out and," releasing her hug, "Are you ok?"
"Yes," replied Raven, "just need to drink a lot of fluids," looking around, "Where's Tai and Qrow?"
"Saw Tai talking to Ozpin," pointing to a group of giggling teenage girls, "Qrow's showing off his legs."
Rolling her eyes, Raven walked towards the giggling girls.
"Ladies, like my legs," entered her ears.
"Oh, Qrow," giggling, "You got firm thighs and calves."
"My scythe's pretty firm if you want to try it."
Giggling increased.
"Is it true you're not wearing any underwear?"
"Only way to find out," griping the hem of his skirt.
Grabbing Qrow's arm, "Show and tell is over," pulling him away.
"Another time, ladies!"
"Really, Qrow."
"Sis, you're crapping my style."
"Already, you forgot why we're here."
"No, you forgot. I don't care about the tribe. I'm enjoying myself which you need to learn to do."
Rolling her eyes, she led him back to Summer who happened to be talking to Taiyang.
"Found your wayward brother," said Taiyang.
"Attention students," brought their attention onto Ozpin standing in front of his mic stand, "Time to announce this year's new batch of hunters and huntresses."
Well, Raven and Qrow didn't get cards. Summer held her Queen of hearts to her chest. As for Taiyang, he didn't produce any cards he took.
"Raven Branwen."
"Me?"
"Yes, Step onto the stage with Summer."
"Oh."
She didn't have the Queen of hearts. Wonder who did?
"Taiyang Xiao Long and Qrow Branwen."
They joined beside Raven and Summer. Wonder who had the Queen between them.
"Produce the cards you have."
Summer held the Queen of hearts. Taiyang had the eight of spades. They didn't match.
"Raven Branwen reveal the eight of spades in your possession."
"I don't have it."
"What's that?" said Summer pointing towards Raven's belt.
Sliding her fingers under her belt, Raven pulled the eight of spades out.
"How did that get there?" replied Raven.
"Team STQR will be led by Summer Rose."
Summer hugged the shell shocked Raven while Qrow and Taynag high fived each other.
Really, how did that eight of spades get under her belt?
Checking the wreckage, "How much dust was lost," said the Atlesian soldier into his helmet mic.
"Still calculating. So far, no survivors. Six…Wait," running to a cart wrapped around a tree, "It seems two survivors have been found."
Staring at her school uniform that laid on her bed, Raven noted the red plaid skirt, leg stockings, the brown jacket with a tan vest, and white shirt with a red ribbon to tie around the shirt collar. Three pairs were assigned to her.
Summer hung her uniform by pairs in the closet. Skirt covered by shirt. Then jacket and vest over shirt. Sighing, Raven followed her example. With that done, Raven laid on her back hugging her pillow.
Staring at the ceiling, she reminded herself it was this or the mines of Tartarus then wondered how did Taiyang slid that eight of spades under her belt.
Getting up, she peeked into the hallway finding Taiyang sitting down and reading.
Stepping outside, "Hello," she said.
"Hello," not prying his eyes from his book.
"Anything interesting?"
"If you like reading how two people once in love rediscovering their love."
"You believe in love?"
"I've noticed it's easier to fall in love then stay together."
"Really?"
"Yes. Most romances are about the chase. Yet, few write about how to keep the passion going once one gets caught."
"Seems Summer is trying to catch Qrow."
"Your brother wants me to be his wingman."
"Not with that goatee."
Stroking his goatee, "What's wrong with it?"
"Any girl kissing you with that hairy thing under your nose will laugh."
"My mother liked it."
"I'm not your mother. Do you think you can handle me?"
"Raven, the chase is the easy part. Keeping you caged that's the fun part."
Sitting beside him, "Qrow's with Summer?"
"Yes, planning our weekend in Vale."
Staring the pages of his book, "Where are you at in the story?"
"Part where the woman rant about 'If she was a man'."
"Why's that important?"
"Her way pointing out the injustice of being a woman," flipping the pages back, "You can read the beginning to understand the context."
"Hey nonny, nonny," Raven read, "Sigh no more ladies, sigh no more; men were deceivers ever. There some truth in that."
Staring at the footage of Taiyang slipping eight of spades under the belt of a fainting Raven, Ozpin's ears caught, "Summer show promise skill wise however her lack of self of awareness might get her into trouble."
Doing her normal analyzing then informing him of his bad decisions, Team STQR were Glynda lateness.
Tapping on her scroll, "Branwen Twins are a different matter. Really, letting those bandits into Beacon."
"They only killed those that tried to harm them."
"Finally, Taiyang. Surprised his father let him join Beacon."
"It only means he hates me less than the other headmasters."
"Why did you make Summer the leader?"
Showing her the footage of Tai slipping the card under Raven's belt, "Taiyang just like his father making his own rules according to his view of Remnant."
"So Summer's a compromise?"
Resting his chin on his interlocking fingers, "Yes, she is."
Holding hands, Qrow and Summer walked towards their rooms then stopped when their ears caught, "What, my dear Lady Disdain!" came from Taiyang standing in front of the door to his room, "Are you yet living?"
"Is it possible disdain should die while she hath such meet food to feed it as Signor Taiyang?" replied Raven standing in front of the door to her room, "Courtesy itself must convert to disdain if you come in her presence."
"Then courtesy is a turncoat. But it is certain I am loved of all ladies, only you excepted, and I would I could find in my heart that I had not a hard heart, for I truly love none."
"A dear happiness to women!" clapping her hands together, "They would else have been troubled with a pernicious suitor. I thank the Gods and my cold blood, I am of your humor for that. I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me."
"Gods keep your ladyship still in that mind! So some gentleman or other shall scape a predestinate scratched face."
"Scratching could not make it worse than such a face as yours were."
"Well, you are a rare parrot teacher."
"A bird of my tongue is better than a beast of yours."
"I would if my horse had the speed of your tongue, and so good a continuer," opening the door, "But keep your way," entering his room, "By the Gods' names, I'm done," closing the door.
Opening the door, "You always end with a jade's trick," entering her room, "I know you of old," closing the door.
"What did we just witness?" asked Summer.
"I have no idea," answered Qrow.
Entering his room, Qrow found Taiyang medicating in the lotus position.
"Taiyang? That's kind of stupid name to say. Anyways, Tai. What do you think of Summer?"
"I don't think of her, however I've seen her."
"Isn't she a modest young lady?"
"Do you question me as an honest man for my simple true judgment? Would you have me speak as being a professed son of a tyrant to their gender?"
"No, I would like your sober judgment."
"I think she's too low for high praise. Too brown for fair praise. Only commendation, I can afford her. That being other than she is, she being unhandsome and being no other, but as she is. I don't like her."
"How truly do you like her?"
"Would you buy her after inquiring about her?"
"If she was some jewel, yes."
"Then buy a case to put her in. What kind of key shall a man like you go into song?"
"She's the sweetness lady that I've seen."
"Without spectacles, I see no such matter," standing up, "There's her roommate, not possessed without the fury that exceeds her much beauty from last quarter of Spring to first quarter of Winter."
"Does that mean you do want to be my wingman."
Slipping under cover covers on his bed, "Goodnight, Qrow."
Summer wasn't having easier time with Raven. Entering her room, Summer found Raven in her bed staring at the ceiling hugging her pillow against her chest.
"Qrow enjoying the company of Signor Benedict?" asked Raven.
"He's with Taiyang."
"Oh the Maidens, he will hang upon Qrow like a disease. Qrow is better off catching the pestilence and run off mad. The gods help my brother if he caught the Taiyang. It would cost him thousand lien to be cured."
"Qrow doesn't look sick. You're ok, are you not?"
"Only when my mother cried to chase away a star then I was born."
"I was born an orphan," heading towards the bathroom, "Anyways, we're going spend the weekend in Vale," entering the bathroom.
Placing the pillow over her face, Raven muffled her laughter.
