AN: I want to take a quick moment to say thank you to everyone following. Twenty might not seem like much compared to larger fics, but when you imagine twenty people in the same room as you saying they'd like to read more it's very encouraging to say the least.
The inside of Oobleck's workspace was a library. Shelves upon shelves of books were illuminated by bright lights hanging from the ceiling, and desks covered in more books and papers lay scattered in between the rows of shelves.
Around a final corner was a man with green hair and unkempt clothes pouring over a pile of papers. As soon as they entered his field of view he popped up.
"Pyrrha! I assume this is Ruby Rose, then? It is good to meet you, young lady. I am Doctor Oobleck. If I may, can I have your phone?"
Ruby reached protectively over the pocket her phone was in, "What do you want it for?"
"I apologize for any discomfort," Oobleck said at his breakneck pace, "I only wish to give it an update to the systems we use."
After a nod from Pyrrha, Ruby gave him her phone. Oobleck rushed over to a different desk and plugged it into a computer.
"A few moments and your phone will have access to most of our database. Within it you shall find rudimentary spells, history, a bestiary, and more files regarding the supernatural. That is what I do here by the way, I manage our collective knowledge."
"You keep saying supernatural, and Pyrrha said there were more than just monsters. I've only seen a Grimm. What else is there?" Ruby asked.
Oobleck zipped to one of the shelves, pointing at a section of books, "Dozens upon dozens of different forms of creatures not known to the wider world live among us. Banshees, Shapeshifters, Vampires…"
Oobleck continued to list off creatures that Ruby could not keep track of, pointing at a different book each time. Pyrrha leaned in close to whisper that she didn't need to remember them all and he'd be done eventually. It was still mind boggling to hear so many existed.
"...there are more of course, but you can learn of them later. The one thing I wish for you to understand from this is that there are two groups of supernatural beings we encounter. The bestial and the intelligent. That is not an observation of their intellect however, instead it regards whether or not they are self aware. A Grimm is bestial, relying on animalistic instincts and has no observable form of sentience. Shapeshifters, on the other hand, are exactly the same as you or I, but also have the ability to change their physical appearance instantly and drastically."
When he finished, Oobleck stood staring at her unwaveringly. Eventually she guessed he was waiting for some kind of response.
"I think I understand the difference, but what do we do for either of them?" Ruby took a moment to appreciate her own ability to turn the conversation around.
"What do you believe you should do?"
Ah crap. "Well, I believe that if we find a beast then we can kill it to protect others," Ruby said very slowly as she tried to think at the same time, "But intelligent creatures can be reasoned with. Shouldn't we try talking to them?"
A large smile grew on Oobleck's face, "You are a bright young woman, Ms. Rose. Most of the time, attempting to communicate with the supernatural will be beneficial, even if you cannot come to an agreement. There are exceptions of course, but in doing so you are most likely to save a great deal of effort or even bloodshed. Do you have any more questions for me?"
While the short break had helped, Ruby was still full of questions. She couldn't pick one she actually wanted to ask, so again asked something that didn't matter much, "What's your favorite creature?"
Oobleck's smile grew even larger, "Bright and considerate of what others think. Ozpin has made a good choice. While I am unable to decide which being of the supernatural I prefer the most, I will say a golem at this time would be highly appreciated. A second set of hands would be invaluable."
Ruby didn't know exactly what a golem was, so she simply smiled. Luckily before Oobleck could start again, Pyrrha came to her rescue.
"I think that's all Ruby has to ask at the moment, Doctor."
Ruby quickly took the lifeline Pyrrha gave her, "Yeah. I've learned a lot today, and I'm not sure I can learn anymore."
"Of course, of course," Oobleck agreed going back to his notes, "The pursuit of knowledge can be stopped in its tracks if one takes it in too quickly."
"Thank you for your time, Doctor," Pyrrha said, leading Ruby back out of the room.
Ruby took a deep breath once they were in the cavernous room again, "Is he always that…"
"Energetic?" Pyrrha supplied.
"Yeah, that."
Pyrrha gave a quick laugh. "You'll get used to it. Come on, I'm sure Yang and Ozpin are done by now."
Climbing back up the stairs to Ozpin's office, Ruby could hear muffled voices within. At the door, Pyrrha knocked, and a voice told them to come in.
"Good timing, Miss Nikos. We had just finished a few minutes ago," Ozpin said from his desk.
Ruby followed Pyrrha as she strode into the room, "We would have been here sooner, but Oobleck wanted to start giving Ruby lessons already."
"Bartholomew has his eccentricities, but is good at what he does. You seem to have had a long day already, Miss Rose," Ozpin said, noting her face, "Perhaps it would be best your sister took you home. You can have tomorrow to yourself, then come through the business Glynda set up as your cover job the next day. Does that sound agreeable?"
Ruby nodded silently, grateful for the relief. She also wanted to get Yang alone to talk to her, so a trip home would be perfect.
The two of them left the office and went through a different door on one of the outer walls. This tunnel was thankfully large enough that it would allow an entire semi truck through. But despite its large size, their footsteps echoed off the stone floor, and the lights flickered giving off a slight feeling of dread.
Normally, just being by Yang would quell any fear Ruby had, but after learning she had kept so much from her things were different. There was a distance between the two of them. An unease that refused to go away. It was something Ruby hated and wanted to end, so she took the direct approach.
"Yang why didn't you want me to join Beacon?"
Yang gave a large sigh, but kept walking, "Being a huntress is dangerous Ruby. There's a lot that can go wrong that you don't know about. I didn't want you to live this kind of life. Still don't, but I know if both Ozpin, and more importantly you, want this then the best I can do is be there for you."
"But you've done this for years Yang. You've fought the supernatural yourself. And you didn't tell me," Ruby said the last part quietly, but the echo of the walls made it all too loud.
"That's different. I couldn't get out once I was pulled into this, Ruby. And I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to go racing into danger like I knew you would. You always were like that you know? It's one of the best and worst things about you."
"Yang I'm not going to throw my life away. I just want to help people and do what I feel is right."
Yang wrapped Ruby into a big hug, "You better not. I want you around for a long time. Just try to stick close to me and Pyrrha, ok?"
"I promise, Yang."
AN: Some exposition with Oobleck (who may have name dropped some creatures for later), and sister stuff with Yang. I know that second one is something a few readers had wanted more of earlier so I hope this lives up to expectations. And if you did like that there's more to come. On a final note there's one more chapter before we start our first official supernatural adventure