Disclaimer, I do not own RWBY
AN/ I'm back again! So, to answer a review, Ruby does still need a cane. Her 'sight' comes from the use of her aura, and while she can see dust, it's doesn't react the same way as aura, it takes more effort to see, so Ruby generally doesn't focus on dust as much as she does grimm or aura. And grimm reacts similar to aura, only it's more like looking at black on a grey background. I'll explain more once we get into volume 2 and 3. Anyways, onto the chapter!
Ruby was glad that her team was there for her. She didn't want to think what would have happened if she had continued her thoughts. With Ren and Nora by her side though, Ruby was ready to relax during the weekend.
"So Ruby, what exercises do you have to do?" Nora asked as she skipped along.
"Meditation mostly. I never explained how my sight works, did I?" Ruby asked as Ren spoke up.
"I understand that it's your aura, but that's about it." Ren acknowledged.
"Yeah, I push my aura out and I can sense the aura of anything around me, same with grimm or dust, but dust is a lot more annoying to try to see." Ruby explained.
"I imagine that gives you a big advantage. I remember reading about a program in Atlas, I assume you were involved in that?" Ren asked as Nora ran ahead.
"I still am. I'm one of the few participants that are trying to fight, the only one to so far make it into an academy." Ruby explained.
"That's super cool! We're friends with one of the most badass people on Remnant!" Nora exclaimed as she hung upside down from a tree branch.
"Not really. Something we found is that aura is used in everything we do. Ren, when you punch something, your aura spreads out. Nora, when you use your semblance, your aura is everywhere. Whenever Weiss uses her glyphs, I can see each one in full detail. If a lot of aura or dust is discharged, it's comparable to a flashbang to you guys, if not worse." Ruby explained.
"I can understand. Nora, go have fun, Ruby, we'll stay here. Is there anything I can help you with?" Ren asked as Nora cheered and ran off, hammer in hand.
"No, these are solo exercises. Someone will be coming during the Vytal festival to do the bigger ones." Ruby explained.
"Alright, let me know if you need something." Ren spoke before he and Ruby descended into silence, with Nora making a rare noise. Focusing her aura, Ruby pulled her aura back. With her aura pulled in, Ruby pushed out. As her aura spread across the Emerald Forest, grimm and auras alike began lighting up. She could see Nora running across the forest, destroying any grimm she came across. She could see the dust coming from Magnhild.
However, something caught Ruby by surprise. Ren's aura flickered, not by a lot, nor did its shape change. No something about it in the way it looked to her. Pulling her aura back in, Ruby began the exercise again. This time however, Ruby forced her aura to explode outward, trying to get the same effect. What she saw startled her. She could see Nora now, as well as Ren. Focusing on Ren again, Ruby saw the same thing happen. However, Nora's aura reacted the same way, further confusing Ruby. Pulling her aura back one more time, Ruby tried to focus her aura as hard as she could. Feeling satisfied, Ruby let her aura explode outward. Ruby was now on the edges of the forest, however Ren's voice broke her focus.
"Ruby, was that your aura?" Ren asked, having felt a huge rush of aura.
"Y-yeah, sorry, I got a little carried away." Ruby apologized. Filing away the experience for later, Ruby began her stretches.
"It's fine, I just wasn't expecting that."
*The Next Day*
Ruby was feeling refreshed. Her exercises had come a long way since she had first started them. Ruby could now extend her aura from her dorm room to the food hall with little strain. However, the new experience had her both worried and excited.
"So, something happened last night." Yang stated.
"Yeah, I was doing my exercises, and I saw Ren and Nora's aura change." Ruby replied, barely containing her excitement.
"Have you started writing a report? You know that they'll want to know what's going on." Yang asked.
"Yeah, but I want to work on it a bit more. I want to be able to describe it better, so I don't have to waste a break and go all the way to Atlas." Ruby said as she searched for one of her books.
"How often do you go to Atlas?" Weiss asked.
"Once every year, usually during the Summer. Really, I should be there full time, but we didn't want to move, and I didn't want to enroll at Atlas anyways, so they send someone down to us to gather data from me." Ruby explained as she found her book.
"Must be annoying to travel so much." Blake chimed in.
"Not really, I have friends in Atlas, one of which is a student. It's always nice to see them again." Ruby explained further.
"So, we're doing some team training today, right Rubes?" Yang asked as she stretched her arms.
"Yeah, I have a ring in the gym set aside for us. I want to work on team attacks and see what we're all working with." Ruby confirmed.
"Alright, who wants to grab a bite to eat then go down?" Yang asked.
"Sounds good! I heard they had tuna sandwiches today for lunch." Ruby set her book down on her bed before jumping up. With Weiss and Blake standing up, Ruby walked towards the door, only to end up folding herself over Weiss's bed.
"Did you really forget that my bed was right there Ruby?" Weiss asked, sighing.
"I want cookies." Was all Ruby said in response.
"Is this a regular occurrence Yang?" Blake asked as she watched Ruby pick herself up.
"Do you mean the cookie thing or the furniture thing?" Yang asked, only barely containing her giggles.
"Both, I guess?" Was Blake's response.
"Yes." Was all Yang replied with.
"To the lunch room!" Ruby ordered as she brushed herself off. Ensuring that she had her cane collapsed and, on her hip, Ruby followed her team out the door. With small talk about the coming weeks filling the silence, the team walked towards the food hall.
"So, I know it's still a couple of months off, but who else is ready for the Vytal festival?" Yang asked.
"It'll be interesting, that's for sure. Think you'll be up for the fighting Ruby?" Blake asked.
"As long as I don't have a migraine. If I have one I can't fight at all." Ruby said.
"What do you mean? It's as simple as taking some medication, right?" Weiss asked.
"Not really. Aura takes a lot out of you when you use it like I do. Once or twice a month I have to stay in bed because I have no aura. That, and the pain is terrible." Ruby explained.
"That sucks. I can't imagine going through that." Blake offered in response as they entered the food hall.
"Eh, I just sleep a lot on those days, no use in trying to do anything else really." Ruby said nonchalantly.
"Alright, food, and cookies, for the leader. You guys go on ahead, I got this." Yang shooed her other teammates away. Getting food for herself and Ruby, Yang made quick work of the line. Returning to their team, the sisters sat down and began to dig in, throwing jokes and stories around. Suddenly however, a pained cry came from behind the red and white duo, turning around to see what the problem was, they all scowled.
"And there goes Cardin again." Blake grumbled.
"How does Ozpin still allow him to attend?" Weiss asked, disgusted with the young man's actions.
"Probably has access to money, that or he has powerful family." Yang responded. Cardin continued to harass Velvet, now pulling on her ears.
"Stop it, that really hurts!" Velvet cried out in pain. Before anyone could stop her, Ruby was already on top of Cardin, pulling his arm back as he let go of the rabbit faunus.
"Leave her alone." Ruby growled.
"Oh, look at that, the blind kid thinks she's tough. Listen here, the faunus are just animals, and we're just showing this one her place." Cardin sneered.
"No, you're being a piece of shit. Now leave her alone." Ruby growled as Cardin turned to tower over her.
"Just try to see this coming." Was the only warning Ruby got before Carin swung his fist downward. Using her semblance, Ruby dodged the swing with ease before jumping and pulling her legs in. Aiming her feet at Cardin's chest, Ruby let her semblance do most of the work as she kicked, planting her feet squarely on Cardin's chest, sending him flying.
"Try not to be obvious and you might actually win a fight." Ruby shot back as Cardin pulled himself from the floor. As Cardin stood up, the doors slammed open, revealing an angry Goodwitch.
"Mister Winchester. While you are at this establishment, you will treat your fellow students with respect. We do not allow racism on this campus, and if this behavior continues, you will be expelled effective immediately and Beacon will seize all weapons and armor. Is this understood?" Goodwitch lectured on the spot as the color slowly drained from Cardin's face.
"Y-yes ma'am, understood." Cardin replied.
"Good. And for you miss Rose, next time you see something like this, report it to faculty. While it was noble of you to step in, we do not condone violence against another student. Consider this a warning." Glynda turned on her heel and walked off. As soon as she was out the door, team CRDL took off running.
"Are you alright?" Ruby asked, turning her attention to Velvet.
"I am, thank you." Was all Velvet said before running off herself.
"Well, that was a thing." Was all Yang could respond with.
"How can someone treat another so horribly?" Weiss asked.
"It's because she was a faunus. Racism still exists, even though discrimination is illegal." Blake explained.
"If only the Winchester family owned a business, I would have them run out." Weiss said. Blake was surprised to hear this from Weiss.
'Perhaps I was wrong about the Schnee heiress.' Blake thought to herself. Finishing their meals in relative peace, team RWBY found themselves in the training facility.
"Alright team, let's do this!" Ruby shouted enthusiastically.
"So how should we do this? You said you wanted to work as a team, should we demonstrate for each other?" Blake asked as she tightened the ribbon around her arm.
"That's actually not a bad idea, Yang, you're up!"
AN/ And that is done! Just kinda felt like doing a chapter for A Life In Darkness, don't know why. Anyways, until next time, have a great day!