Oi! How you lot doing? Welcome to the sixth chapter of 'The Darkling Thrush'! The last one doesn't count. That's an interlude silly.
Anyways, before we get this show on the road, as usual I'd like to thank those he left reviews: Baoh joestar, thanks for the review man! And thanks EternalKing for the favorite, I appreciate it.
So this chapter begins the second arc. The Welcome to Beacon arc. Relax, grab a drink and let the fun begin dear reader.
VI
Welcome to Beacon: Part 1
If one were to look Russel dead in the eye upon arriving at Beacon, you could've seen the child-like wonder twinkling in his irises. It was like one of those dreams where the airship rose amongst the clouds. It was tempting to stick a hand out a window and see if he could scoop up a cloud and see if he could eat it like cotton candy.
The airship touched down and out the students walked. There were those, namely a blonde haired fellow in jeans and partial armor running to a trash can to deposit this morning's breakfast and then there were others who shared in Russel's amazement.
Down Main Avenue Russel walked. Occasionally he'd glance over his shoulder to the cliff side. He debated running back over for a better look. Not every day one finds such a great view. But Russel wasn't some tourist or a family member visiting. He was there to stay at Beacon. He could always just take a look some other day.
Russel toted his duffel bag over his shoulder and made his way to the statue at the front of the campus. With any luck there would be a directory off to the side somewhere. To be honest, Russel was half expecting pamphlets of some kind to be handed out on the airship, the kind with maps and other need to know information.
With a casual look around, Russel found he wasn't the only one now suddenly realizing how ill prepared they were. A group of students were congregating at the statue, as it was the foremost notable landmark. Some were asking questions, others were just standing around, hiding the anxiety that was slowly building inside.
"Anyone know where we're supposed to be heading now?" Some tall burnt orange haired schmuck in silver armor with gold trim asked to no one specific. He looked to those around him, only finding murmured answers to inaudible to make out and shrugs of indifference.
The orange haired fellow frowned at what he saw as incompetence. "You're all hopeless." He muttered before walking away. Maybe if he walked around and took in the surroundings and actually saw the campus, he might just find an official he could ask.
"Speak for yourself Annoying Orange." The tall orange haired young man glanced to side, finding Russel approaching him with an unimpressed look on his face. "You're just as lost as the rest of us. Take that stick out of your ass and relax."
"What did you say to me?" The tall young man turned his body fully to face Russel, revealing his family crest that shone proudly on his chest plate.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Russel rolled his eyes. "Welcome to Beacon mate. Enjoy your stay." Russel waved bye and continue to walk off. Just from the sight of things he knew he wouldn't be finding any answers among the rest of the non-useful bodies.
The tall young man with burnt orange hair, a boy named Cardin, just watched as that physically unimposing twig walked off. He didn't know it, but Russel had just made an enemy that day.
And then Main Avenue rocked at a loud thunderous 'bang'. Cardin and many others looked over to see a crater in the floor with two girls, one dressed in red and black and another in white lay in a crater with smoke rising in the air.
"…Did that girl just explode?" Cardin couldn't help but ask.
Russel walked off from there, not looking over to see what happened. If it was anything major there would be a siren going off and someone on the PA system, if there was a PA system, shouting for everyone to abandon all hope. If it was something minor, Russel was sure he'd hear about it tomorrow or something. That's how it always worked after all.
"You just couldn't stop acting like a prick even for a day could you, Russel?" A voice called out, catching Russel's attention. The voice belonged to a young woman. And it was one he knew. He just wasn't expecting to hear it here.
"Marie-Anne Cherri." Russel turned around to see Marie-Anne walking up from behind. "What a very unpleasant surprise."
"You got a lot of balls Thrush." Marie-Anne glared at Russel. "After what you did to me at graduation. You're lucky I don't chop 'em off right not."
"Don't tell me you came all this way out of Oakwood for lil ol' me now." Russel smirked. If anything, it was quite flattering.
"Sorry to burst whatever fantasy you got going in that skull of yours." Marie-Anne flicked Russel the bird. "But nothing revolves around you. No one wants anything to do with you. And if they do, they soon won't."
"Still begs the question why you're here." Russel said, unfazed by Marie-Anne's harsh words.
"You think I was just going to stick around in Oakwood? Farming? Forget that noise." Marie-Anne waved him off and walked right on past Russel. "You're gonna get yours you know that? Your kind always gets yours."
"My kind?" Russel raised a brow, actually taking offense at the comment.
"The dregs of society." Marie-Anne flicked him off once more before the distance grew between the two.
When Russel had first set off to Beacon, he never once thought he'd be seeing anyone he knew. It was supposed to be a fresh start of sorts. What people thought of him didn't really bother Russel. It usually just made things a bit more difficult. One could call him the biggest jerk in the world, but Remnant would keep spinning and he'd still be breathing. But if too many people thought he was an ass, if he ever needed to get pulled out of rubble, none would put it past the other if they all just left him behind.
Marie-Anne's presence didn't exactly make that any easier for Russel. On his own he could do enough damage. With her around, he most certainly would be digging his own grave. But then again, he is Russel. Their opinions and thoughts be damned. He'll act however he pleased.
But back to figuring out where he was supposed to be heading to!
So Russel kept on walking, passing by several buildings. One of which looked like dormitories. Another appeared to be the library. 'Appeared' was the operative word, unless he dipped inside for a look, the building could've been a church.
Now the thought of that got a laugh out of Russel.
But as luck would have it, in the corner of Russel's eye, the young man caught sight of a portly individual with the most astounding moustache he'd ever seen walking out of a neighboring building. He was old, he was greying, he had books under his arms and there was an air of self-importance in how he walked. In other words, the man was a…
"Authority figure!" Russel called out to the man.
"Hm?" The portly gentleman looked around, snapping out of whatever daydream caught his fancy and looked to see a young mind ready to be molded fast approaching him. "Ah, why hello there young man!" He spoke jollily. "What can I help you with?"
"Just trying to find out where us new bloods are supposed to be headed." Russel shrugged. "Mind helping a guy out?"
"Oh, I remember when I was a 'new blood' as you say." The portly man let out a hearty laugh. "There's supposed to be an announcement in the hour. But it wouldn't hurt for you to know ahead of time. All first year students are to report at the amphitheater for information. 'Til then, get acquainted with the campus. It'll be your home for quite some time."
"Thanks for the help Mister…?"
"Professor Peter Port." The admittedly portly man extended a hand. "You?"
"Russel Thrush." Russel shook the man's hand.
"I look forward to seeing you in my classroom, Mr. Thrush." Professor Port said his goodbye before walking off.
"Looking forward to it Professor."
An hour passed and just like every other student, Russel found his way into the school's amphitheater. It was an enormous building, but it could've done with a few chairs.
The eager audience turned their attention to the stage. There stood a silver haired man this glasses and a cane. He also had a coffee mug in hand. That was interesting. Not everyday a man shows those beneath him his addictions.
'Maybe there's alcohol in the mug?' Russel joked. 'A drunken Headmaster would be quite the sight.'
"I'll... keep this brief." Headmaster Ozpin pressed his spectacles closer to his face. "You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills, and when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people."
"But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction."
"You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step." With that, Ozpin turned and walked off the stage, leaving the audience confused and unsure how to interpret his words.
"You will gather in the ballroom tonight; tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed." The blonde woman said before vacating the stage.
The gravity of Headmaster Ozpin's words slowly set in. Some of the students brushed it off. Yep, there was definitely alcohol in that mug. But Russel, among slowly started to take offense to his comments.
"He seemed kind of…off." Russel heard a blonde bombshell say from not too far away.
"It's almost like he wasn't even there."
"I'm a natural blonde you know."
Later that night, in the ballroom, the students were given a shock. "You're all sleeping here tonight." Said the teacher assigned to looking over them.
"Us in a room full of muscular guys? Loving this already."
"Girls in night gowns? Hallelujah."
Russel found himself a corner in the ball room. He'd dressed earlier into his sleep wear, a white shirt and green pajama pants. Many people were taking the opportunity to get acquainted with all the new faces that would surely be popping up in their day to day lives. Others were keeping to themselves, reading books they'd brought with them or just quietly contemplating life.
Sleeping on almost paper thin mats was going to be killer though. On the bright side, they had pillows. With nothing in his bag to keep him occupied, and the fact he really couldn't care to interact with any of his soon to be official fellow classmates. Russel decided to try his luck and catch some Z's. He laid down on the mat, oblivious to the fidgeting of one of his 'neighbors'.
"Name's Dove Bronzewing, you?" The fidgeting victim of modern day social anxiety looked over to Russel.
"Wasn't asking." Russel sneered, not enjoying the forced company.
"Well 'Wasn't asking', how do you do?" Dove laughed at his own joke.
"Buzz off. I'm trying to sleep here."
"Oh." Dove frowned. "..Just trying to make conversation is all. Got initiation tomorrow and I hear we're getting paired up with partners tomorrow and stuff. I'm just trying to sort through the field and see who I might work well with."
"…Are you hitting on me?" Russel raised a brow.
"No, no, no, no, no, no!" Dove waved his hands defensively. His face was turning a bright shade of pink out of sheer embarrassment. "You just seemed like the quiet guy in the back. A loner with no problems with me getting the bottom bunk."
Russel sat up on the mat and turned fully to face Dove. His eyes narrowed, seemingly analyzing Dove to see if he was actually for real. "Dove right?" Dove nodded. "See those nice pretty girls off to the side?" Russel jotted a thumb over to a trio of girls nearby. One of them was the blonde bombshell from earlier. The one standing beside her had black hair with red tinting and as far as Russel could tell, was too young to be at Beacon. And lastly a black haired girl with bow who was calmly laying down reading 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'.
"You think?" Dove asked, rather surprised at the idea.
"With your social skills? There's no way any of them would turn you down." Russel spoke neutrally.
"…You're messing with me, aren't you?" Dove frowned once more.
"Yup." Russel answered before falling back on the mat. And as if on command, sleep overtook him, right just before lights out.
The following morning, Russel and the others made their way to the Dining Hall. It was buffet style, serve yourself. Russel grabbed himself a plate of pancakes with a side of bacon and chowed down. An announcement over the PA system decreed they'd all have to report to the Cliffside overlooking the Emerald Forest within two hours.
So Russel finished his breakfast and headed to the locker room where they all had stashed their belongings the day prior.
Walking through the doorway, Russel couldn't help but ogle the enchanting redhead walking out with some white haired chick. Russel wound up walking face first into an open locker door, causing the sole living Thrush to fall on his butt.
"Oh crap, you okay?" The locker's current resident, a guy with blue shoulder length hair looked down at Russel with concern.
"Dandy how 'bout yourself?" Russel picked himself up off the floor.
He walked off to his own locker after that. It hadn't been too long since the announcement. For the most part everyone was still in the Dining Hall, the only ones present were the early birds. That gave Russel room to figure everything out.
He pulled out the pair of daggers he'd taken from The Iron Nail. They were dust based, but besides that they were still a mystery to him. He had no knowledge what secrets the blades possessed. The daggers had cylinders filled with dust, but why? He hadn't seen The Iron Nail use them in combat and his practicing with them had shown him nothing.
Was it wise of him to walk into battle with weapons he'd barely understood? The answer was that it was very unwise. And Russel recognized that. But after the destruction of his own sword and his Father's, the daggers were the only option at the time.
Call Russel an optimist, but maybe the daggers and whatever clever little secrets they have within might just come in handy one day. Until then, they would be a source of worry and overbearing ominous. As well as his only weapons.
With that, Russel closed his locker, taking the daggers with him. He then headed out of the locker room, just as the crowds began to pour in. He might as well just head out to the meeting spot. He was early, sure, but Russel certainly wouldn't be late.
"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin said as he stood before the first year students.
The blonde woman from earlier step forward, a scroll in hand. "Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of "teams." Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates...today."
"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." Ozpin chimed back in. "That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years."
Russel could've sworn he'd heard glass breaking. Terrified expressions popped up on the faces of less socially inclined individuals. To them, it must've been the worst thing ever. Forced social interaction, no one should have to endure that.
But there were some pros to the idea of teams. Enough to possibly outweigh the cons. Russel glanced around once more, spotting numerous beautiful women any man would be lucky to be paired up with.
"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die." Ozpin said a little over dramatic.
"You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene." Ozpin said after taking a sip out of his mug. "You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?"
Some poor sap further down the row raised his hand, only to get brushed off by Ozpin. Russel recognized him as the guy who'd gone and barfed up his breakfast on a couple of girl's shoes the other day. Russel then glanced down at the metal platforms they all were standing on. He could tell that guy was not going to like what happened next.
One by one the students were launched into the air into the Emerald Forest. Russel could still hear 'Vomit Boy' running his mouth. Russel took a stance, ready to take flight. And then his platform shot him up and over.
It was when he was soaring through the air when Russel could hear feint whispers against his ears. Call him crazy, you'd probably be right, but there was something comforting about it. Putting aside the fear of breaking his legs or dying in the forest. The fear of dying during initiation was calmed.
Welcome to Beacon. The wind said as it slammed against Russel's face. Welcome to the rest of your life. Where you'll grow old and die in the service of mankind against the forces of evil.
Welcome to the life of a Huntsman, Russel Thrush.
And I think that's a good enough place to leave it. We got to see some proto-CRDL interaction, so that'll develop next chapter. We also got to see hints of other stuff with Marie-Anne and Ozpin. Stuff I think will define this story. I'm trying my best with banter and jokes. Specifically with trying to make them organic and not feel forced.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this latest installment. 'til next time.