Why hello there dear reader! Welcome back to the 11th chapter of 'The Darkling Thrush'!A special thanks to those who left a review as always. noone297, jin0uga, Bagration and Baoh joestar, thanks for the reviews. I'm glad you guys enjoyed that interlude. It was just a neat idea of having a flash forward. You can only imagine my devious smile as I read your reviews, seeing you all thinking about who the mother is. It's honestly the best part about writing, getting feedback like that.
Well, anyways, thanks again. Now on with the show!
XI
The Tyger and the Lamb: Part 1
From The Desk of Author X
Shining Beacon Contributor Colum
Who knew language could be so powerful? Yesterday I saw a man cry. All because he was called a word. A simple two syllable word. 'Faunus'.
For the sake of this discussion, my colleague's name will remain undisclosed. But I believe this moment, this specific moment within the halls of Beacon is really telling of our state as people.
Language is the way we express ourselves. Its how we skillfully bring discussions back to the main topic in Professor Port's class, how we get out of homework in Professor Peach's. It's how we express our joy and love for our fellow students and how we tell them we're monsters, worse than those that we fight.
While the Grimm are these atrocious dark beasts, the stuff of nightmares, they can never hurt us the way we do ourselves. Beowulfs cleave us with their claws. An Ursa can crush our skulls with its mighty jaw. A Nevermore just has to snatch us up and drop us, catch us again and drop us once more in the air until we die of fright.
Their methods of killing us range from terrifying to body horror. And what do we do to our fellow man and woman? We just talk to them. We don't need to raise a hand or weapon. Our weapon of choice is far more sophisticated than that. All we have to do is talk to someone and tell them what they desperately wish not to hear.
"You're a Faunus." They said, holding power over that colleague of not only mine but yours.
These words we utter are more dangerous than any killing machine. They have the power to start and end wars. Call out the revelers and run through the town. Chant about your world views in any tone you choose.
They called him a 'Faunus', because that's a word we accepted into our everyday vocabulary. I'm no revisionist, we'll never to step away from the negative connotations associated with the word. But I can offer a solution, because it's a fact.
You're not just a human. You're not just a faunus. You're a person. And there's nothing criminal about that.
So if these words I write possess any weight to them, then I want to tell you not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.
"You're a person. You matter. You're loved. You're doing fine."
It had suddenly occurred to Russel that it had taken him longer to see the inside of Beacon Tower. The monument of human achievement was a sight to behold, but the view was something else entirely. Of course. If only it was under better circumstances.
High above the clouds, with Ozpin's back to the window, the gray haired Headmaster sipped out of his cup. His eyes were neutral, devoid of any feeling. His face calm and unreadable. That put Russel at quite the disadvantage.
It wasn't exactly news what Russel had done. He'd gotten into scrapes all the time, but this was different. There always has to be a self-appointed hero. Some guy just looking for a reason to start trouble and quench his ego.
Russel should've known his actions would've come back to bite him in the ass. In walks Lance whatever the hell his last name is. Russel had never actually spoken to him, but the more he thought about it, the guy had always been around in the background, just watching and waiting.
A member of Team WILL, Lance stepped in Russel's way, mentioning all he'd witnessed Russel do in his time at Beacon. From his antagonism of Velvet and the tubby beaver Faunus guy from Team DNCE. Even trudging up his abandoning Cardin to the mercy of an Ursa.
So he got up in Russel's face with something to prove. That he was better than him? That Russel just wasn't cut out to be a Huntsmen? Who cares what his point was. Russel had knocked him back down a flight of stairs.
Lance is expected to make a full recovery of course. The privileges of aura. Unless you're some senile old shut in, you could pretty much bounce back from anything. Aside from a missing arm. But Russel's actions had landed him a front row seat in front of Beacon's Headmaster.
And so the gears up above turned, round and round. Time ticked and tocked. Russel sat before Ozpin, feeling slightly intimidated. After all, this guy could just eject him without a second thought. And given Russel's track record, who'd blame him?
"Do you believe in good and bad?" Ozpin asked, ending what must've been a half hour of silence.
Russel eyed Ozpin, slightly disarmed by his way of starting a conversation. "I'd say yeah, I do."
"Then what is your understanding of good and bad." Ozpin inquired, not giving up on his walled expressions. "Some of your peers would say you commit yourself to bad efforts rather than good."
"Everyone's entitled to an opinion." Russel shrugged. Look at him, this runt out of Oakwood and this big scary authority figure were just talking. And Russel found that absolutely mind blowing.
"And what do you think, then, Mr. Thrush?" Ozpin inquired. "Are your actions good or bad?"
It was pretty cut and dry, the way Ozpin made it sound. Russel had to remind himself that this was technically him getting reprimanded. He'd seen them all, those disappointed faces on those Headmasters and teachers. The way they'd be cross and how their noses would flare.
For kicks Russel would point out if they had any gold sticking out of those tunnels. It was how Russel tipped the balance of the matter in his favor. Emotional reactions just informed the other party how you operated and what you ultimately intended.
Ozpin wasn't like the others. Russel doubted he'd be pulling one over the old man anytime soon. A faultless stone wall expression like that proved he'd been around the block. He knew the game as well as Russel did. Best to play along for now.
"I'd say they're mine and mine alone." He answered simply.
"Put yourself in your fellow student's shoes, would you if someone was acting the way you did would you yourself not be inclined to speak out against them?" Ozpin said, playing devils advocate.
Trying to appeal to reason Ozpin? Here Russel had him all figured out. Or was this just another curveball thrown his way. "Except I'm not in their shoes, I'm in mine." Russel spoke indifferently.
"You're lucky Mr. Grimsby isn't seeking legal counsel." Ozpin said, playing the good cop.
"Guess we're both lucky then." Russel said, not taking the bait.
The school was also liable for the students. If Lance wanted, he could choose to go after the School. It was doubtful that he'd win of course. This is a school designed to train the next generations Huntsmen. The last thing Ozpin needed was bad publicity.
"So we are." Ozpin spoke neutrally. "You're hereby on probation. Turn in your weapons to Ms. Goodwich by the end of the day." He said sharply in the cool unemotional tone of his. "Anymore upsets like this and you'll never step foot on Beacon again."
That wasn't much of a shock. Technically this was Russel's first offense of any kind. He was bound to be lenient in some capacity. At least Russel was getting sent home. Or whatever constituted as home after he sold his farm.
"Anything else?" Ozpin asked rhetorically, but would soon regret his choice of wording.
"Well now that I have you seated down in front of me. What did you mean by 'all [you] see is wasted energy'?" Russel said, turning the tables on Ozpin. "As you can tell I took offense to that comment."
"Not many people address me in such a manner, Mr. Thrush." Ozpin spoke sternly, his eyes narrowing slowly. Finally, Russel had cracked that iron wall of his.
"Not every day you get to set the record straight." Russel said, playing the good cop like Ozpin had. "So, do you think I'm wasting my time by being here?"
It was Ozpin's turn to be in the hot seat. "If we're being frank. I don't believe a future protector of the people should be acting in such a manner as you do, yes." Ozpin said, unflinching. So the silver haired man knew the game after all.
"You going to hold this against me?" Russel asked.
"You most certainly aren't helping yourself, Mr. Thrush. I would like to see all my students graduate. But I can afford to see those less favorable few ejected from these premises." Ozpin's neutral emotionless tone couldn't hide the harsh sentiment of his choice of words.
"I guess we're done here then?" Russel asked as the game had reached its end.
Just as Russel was about to sit up from his seat, Ozpin raised a hand. "Humor me, Mr. Thrush." The Headmaster spoke, catching Russel off guard. "Do you believe in fairy tales?"
Now that really threw him off. Russel cocked a brow and just asked what was on his mind. "Is this a test?"
"Yes." Ozpin answered simply.
"No." Russel replied in the same manner.
"Why?" Ozpin asked, sounding oddly interested in the subject.
"Because they're stories fathers and mothers tell their children before tucking them into bed." Russel said, having dug deep for an honest answer. "That's what they are. Just stories. Did I pass?"
"We'll see." Ozpin said, before pointing to the door. The game had ended. And Russel wasn't sure who'd won. "Make good choices Mr. Thrush."
And then Russel left, down the elevator he went and the off to the dining hall for breakfast. What a way to kick off your Sunday. Get into a fight, if you could call it that. Get to play mind games with the most influential man in Beacon. Exciting stuff.
"You're still here?" A familiar voice, which Russel now associated with the sound of glass shattering on concrete, called out to the lone Thrush. Russel just glanced over his shoulder, spotting Marie-Anne catching up with him on the way to the dining hall. "Why am I not surprised?" She said, sounding disgusted.
"Good to see you too Marie-Anne." Russel smirked. "Sorry to disappoint you. I survived your Headmaster. My reign over these lands continues." He laughed to himself, doing his best impression of a supervillain. Truth is, Russel never watched too much television. He just went on basing his laugh on one of those crafty villains he read of in the library of Oakwood Academy.
"You're an asshole." Marie-Anne scoffed.
"That why you keep trying to stick it to me?" Russel's smirk grew wider. "Marie-Anne. I never would've thought you were into that sort of thing."
Marie-Anne's face paled at the mental image Russel had seeded in her mind. The sole remaining Thrush couldn't help but laugh at the disgust faces she was making. Her face had gone through several shades of red and an eye was twitching.
And so Russel laughed his way into the dining hall, leaving Marie-Anne behind to reboot her motor functions. Russel found got himself a spot in line and had his pick. He grabbed a plate and filled it with scrambled corn beef hash and eggs. He grabbed a glass of juice and was off.
Russel crossed through a sea of colorfully dressed students. It was Sunday, not a lot of people had classes. It was a day they all could just lighten up and wear whatever they wanted. Take that Jaune fellow for instance.
Russel looked off to the familiar set up of Team RWBY and JNPR seated together. Jaune Arc sat amongst his friends, dressed in his onesie. It was the sort of day when you could just be yourself. Of course he also looked dead tired and probably didn't realize he was still dressed in his pajamas, but that beside the point.
"Hey Russel!" Russel looked over the sea of lunch tables, spotting Dove standing on one and waving him over. "We're over here! I'm glad you didn't get expelled!"
A number of students turned to look at Russel. The Thrush frowned and muttered a curse. "Dove you idiot."
Now walking through a sea of stares and murmurs. Russel found his way to his team's table, taking a seat besides Cardin as usual. "Sup guys." Russel said before digging in.
"I see you're not being carted out by campus security." Sky said, looking up from the school's newspaper, the Shining Beacon. "Unless this is you last meal?"
"Just got slapped with a probationary status. Nothing major I guess." Russel shrugged.
"Dude, you need to watch yourself then. You could get expelled." Dove said before stuffing his face with French toast.
"You guys worry too much." Russel laughed. "So what's good in the paper today Sky?" Russel said, quickly changing the topic away from him and to the Shining Beacon in Sky's hands.
"Nothing major. There's a little mention in here about that stuff down by the docks." Sky said, referring to that mess with the White Fang and Roman Torchwick last week. "Also, another nice article by Author X."
"Sounds like your cup of tea I guess." Russel just looked at his teammate skeptically. He then looked over to Dove who was currently looking off into the distance, eyes squinting and mouthing words. "Okay what's his deal?"
Sky just shrugged. "Dove's trying to learn lip reading. He's hung up on the idea of it being an important skill."
"Well it is!" Dove exclaimed, frightening those seated on the table beside their own. "Imagine. Being able know what others are saying without hearing them." Dove said, not taking his eyes off of whatever he was looking at. "It's a mind blowing idea."
Sky and Russel just shared a look and just nodded slowly. "Sure it is Dove. Sure it is."
"What're you looking at anyways?" Sky asked, setting the newspaper down.
"Looking at that bunny ear girl. She's talkin' with her team." Dove said as if it wasn't a big deal. "She's saying stuff. I'm trying to piece it together." Dove continued to stare. "That? That Fly? That Fly Nose? That Fly Nose Jeeping? That guy's creeping me out?"
All three members of Team CRDL looked to Dove disbelievingly. "Hey guys I got it right!" He exclaimed excitedly.
"Yay, good for you." Cardin said, finally speaking. "Now knock it off." He ordered. "You're creeping her out."
"What do you care?" Russel asked, raising a brow at his partner's uncharacteristic show of concern.
"After that stuff with Jaune I just think I've been going about everything wrong. You know?" Cardin sighed. He reached over and snatched up Russel's glass of juice and took a sip before setting it back down in front of his partner.
"Dude. That was my juice."
"I know." Cardin said with a nod. "I'm going to go and apologize to her."
"Who?" Sky raised a brow in confusion.
"The bunny ear girl. I think her names Velvet." Cardin stood up from his seat and turned to leave. "Thanks for the juice Russel. For my nerves."
So the rest of Team CRDL just watched as their leader marched on over to Team CFVY's table. Just out of earshot, they were forced to just watch as the scene unfolded.
"What're they saying?" Russel asked Dove as Cardin reached the table.
"See. It's a handy skill!" Dove smiled. The youngest of Team CRDL got to work, staring at Cardin as he talked to Velvet, who appeared unsettled by his sudden appearance. "He's apologizing for stuff." Dove simplified.
Over at the CFVY table, the team leader Coco Adel stood up and jabbed a finger in Cardin's chest, causing him to back up slightly. "Oh snap." Dove commented. "She's going ham! She's going ham!"
"Dove, just tell us what she's saying." Sky elbowed his partner.
"Ouch. She's calling him a racist and stuff." Dove said as he rubbed his arm. He then returned his attention back to the commotion over at the CFVY table. "Now she's calling him an entitled pig and stuff."
The giant Yatsushi the stood up from where he was seated. His back was to Dove, but none of them needed to know what the Team CFVY giant had said. Yatsushi pointed one of his arms outward, causing Cardin to walk away with his hands in his pockets.
When Cardin returned to the table, no one said anything. Cardin just reached over and grabbed Russel's glass of juice and downed what remained. He then stood up once more and began to walk away. "I'll catch you guys later."
The trio just watched their leader walk off once more on his lonesome. Russel just stared at the empty glass on the table in front of him. "He drank my juice…"
The rest of breakfast was uneventful. Dove went on testing out his new skill, joking that it was his semblance. Once finished with their meals, Sky offered to take their plates to the washer. After that they just got up and went on their way.
"You guys want to do anything today?" Dove asked as the trio made their way back to their dorm. "I was thinking Webflix binge. Any partakers?"
"I actually gotta head down to the locker room and hand in my weapons." Russel muttered, recalling what Ozpin had said to him earlier. "After that I'm going to head to the library and work on some things."
"But we don't have any assignments for the next two weeks." Dove commented as they reached their room.
"But we will in the next two weeks." Russel pointed out. "I didn't get to where I am today by thinking like that, Dove."
"I'm not particularly in the Webflix mood." Sky shrugged. "I think I might join you Russel. I need to look up a few things in the history department. Some things caught my eye and I just need to figure it out."
"Cool." Russel muttered.
The pair of Russel and Sky said their goodbyes to Dove, leaving the youngest member of their team free reign over their room. They headed down to the locker room, passing by half of Team JNPR on their way.
Pyrrha was currently attempting to flirt with Jaune, commenting on how he filled in his onesie rather well. But the unassuming doofus just took it as a friendly compliment and ran off to go change into his day clothes.
Russel and Sky didn't know whether to laugh at Pyrrha's overtly comedic misfortune, or give her a pat on the back for effort. They decided on just moving on with their day to be the better course of action.
When they reached the locker room, Sky patiently waited as Russel retrieved his daggers. "Remember when you walked into my locker?" Sky asked casually. Russel nodded as he dialed in his lock combination. "That was funny." Sky laughed.
"It was a real riot." Russel joined in Sky's laughter as he retrieved his weapons. It was just a simple matter of tracking down Professor Goodwitch and turning them over. "Alright. Time for a witch hunt."
"She's probably in her office." Sky suggested.
"Oh I know. But how often am I going to be able to say 'witch hunt' without sounding like a bigoted ass?" Russel shrugged. And with that the pair were on their way out the room.
Out from behind the lockers on the other side of the room stepped Blake Belladonna. Team RWBY's resident ninja had at first walked into the locker room in order to clean Gambol Shroud. But the young woman had stuck around long enough to observe Russel and Sky. She had a vested interest in Team CRDL, the likes no other could understand.
You see, Blake had always seen Russel's weapons from afar, never up close. But there was something about them that irked her. Ever since that business with the White Fang last week, Blake just had to act on the feeling in her gut.
So she observed them carefully, meticulously analyzing Russel's weapons. And wouldn't you know it. They had a secret sigil engraved in the handles. A sigil only the likes of Blake and members of the White Fang would recognize.
"Russel Thrush." Blake muttered Russel's name bitterly. "You'll rue the day you infiltrated this school. White Fang."
And there we go. Blake vs. Russel.
When I initially started writing The Darkling Thrush, I didn't know how long I'd keep writing it. So when I began to go over its initial 5 chapter outline, I knew immediately I wanted to do a story where Blake and Russel fought.
The speech writing stuff makes a return in the form of Author X. After the first time I did it in chapter 5, I knew I wanted to use that again but for the school newspaper. Which, I thought would be interesting, if Velvet worked for the newspaper. She seems like the journalist type.
There was actually going to be a lot more in the gutter dialogue between Russel and Marie-Anne. I trimmed it down because I'm not ready to make the rating change yet. Just not yet.
I had an OC show back up. Lance Grimsby. He was mentioned a while back as part of Team WILL. Who we may see show back up later down the line. Say Arc 4. I envisioned him to be a parody of OCs I;ve written before. He's a brooding do gooder self absorbed in his own tragic backstory. Which isn't that tragic. I thought it was funny.
Last but not least. My take on Ozpin, I'm falling in with the idea that he's basically father time. He walks in eternity and he's seen it all. That's something we'll see more of later on in the arc.
Well, anyways. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Later days!