"Alright, one more time!" Ruby exclaimed, while closing her eyes. She stood in her room unmoving for two or three seconds until she raised her left hand. With a matching sound, she gave her sister a blind high-five. "That's incredible." the silver-eyed girl exclaimed, her mind completely focused on the little device in her hand. Her very own Arcus unit.
After she and her teammates had received their own units, Sarah had drilled the usage of them into their minds. They had been forced to form Combat Links with every member of Class VII and they were instructed into the usage of Arts and the importance of Quartz. In the end, all four girls were pretty exhausted after so much information. And yet, Ruby had declared that they would train even more after dinner. Which they had done for another hour or so until now.
While Ruby was gushing about the new possibilities that the Arcus was opening up to them, Weiss was sitting silently on Ruby's bed, her eyes fixated on the device.
"What's up, Ice Queen?" Yang's happy but tired voice pulled the heiress out of her thoughts. The blond brawler sat down next to her.
"I don't get it." the fencer answered. "When we woke up here, everything seemed so ancient. Even Fie's gunswords would make a respectable huntsman laugh." She sighed. "But at the same time, they have this. Not only does it allow people to use what you could describe as magic, but the Combat Link technology is a huge boon on any battlefield." Weiss raised the unit to her face. "I'm wondering, how many lives can be saved if we could bring this technology to Remnant."
"Sorry, but you're asking the wrong person here." Yang replied, while standing up. "I'm only good at punching things. It doesn't matter if I use an Arcus Unit to do it or not." The blond girl raised her hands and gave a short wave. "But if we can use it to save people, then we have to look for a way home even harder." With these last words she left the room.
Blake followed shortly thereafter, saying that she still had material to review. This left Ruby and Weiss alone in the room.
"I think it's a wonderful idea, too."
Weiss looked at her leader.
Ruby continued. "Trying to figure out how it works and try to make these Arcus' accessible for Remnant."
"You don't think it is crazy?" the white-haired girl asked back. "Brining foreign technology, technology from a different dimension even, back with us?"
The scythe using girl just shook her head. "If anyone would have a problem with that, we wouldn't be here in the first place."
Weiss didn't even try to correct Ruby's rather absurd reasoning.
"And even if we return, we bring stuff from this dimension back anyway. Our memories, the training we receive. What difference does technology make then?" Ruby continued, which lead to Weiss chuckling.
"I guess you win this one." the heiress stood up and stretched herself. "But there won't be any more learning for tonight. What about you?"
"There is one thing I want to try out." was her answer.
The heiress nodded, since the fire in Ruby's eyes meant, that the girl wouldn't rest until she had tried out exactly that one thing. Whishing her friend good luck, the girl opened the door.
xXx
Once Yang had left her sister's room, the girl heard the faint sound of music. Intrigued she followed the sound, down the stairs and to a door on her left side. Given her position it was clear, that one of the boys of Class VII was playing the instrument.
The brawler sneaked towards the door of the musician. After confirming that she was alone on the floor, she put her ear on the door. Just to notice that the door was only ajar and with her weight pushing against it, simply swung open. The music stopped and two pairs of eyes were looking at her.
"Um… Hi!" Yang jumped to her feet and waved her hand, trying to overplay her little mishap.
"Seems like I didn't lock the door." came a deadpan answer from Fie, who was sitting on the bed in the room.
This was followed by a "Fieee!" from Elliot, who stood in the middle of the room, a violin in hand.
Yang looked at the curious pair. "What are you doing?" A devilish smile appeared on her face. "A boy and a girl alone in a room with music playing loud…" she turned into a blur and sat down next to Fie."So, gimme the detail."
"There's nothing…" the musician started, but the two girls ignored his pleading words.
"Elliot asked me to listen to him playing. Said that it would hep him getting better if he hears the opinion of someone else."
"Oh? But what about the other guys?"
"Rean already has enough…" Once again, the redhead was ignored.
"Apparently I was the first one he asked." Fie said, her face showing no emotion. "And since I had nothing better to do, I thought I could give it a try."
Yang chuckled. "And you think he had no ulterior motive? Asking a girl to come to his room? To listen to music? It would sound pretty fishy to me."
"Not if 90% of the girls in this dormitory could kick my ass in a fight!" Elliot's final, desperate attempt at getting the girls attention finally worked and the two females turned towards him. "Heck, if I try to do something to Fie against her will, I might as well sign my own death sentence. Because if she does nothing to me, that doesn't save me from the other members of this dormitory, both male and female. I would be dead. So, please, don't bring forth my immediate demise."
The girl from Remnant looked at the redhead. "Aren't guys supposed to act though and manly?" there was still a humourus tone in her voice.
"Really?" Elliot voice got quiet. "Look at me. In a real fight, I'm the weakest link. I'm not as strong as Rean, collected as Jusis or calm like Gaius. While they can stand in the first row and fight, I can only support them from the backrow. Not exactly tough or manly, wouldn't you agree?"
Yang was taken by surprise by the redhead's outburst. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
Elliot shook his head. "No, I'm sorry." He sighed and sat down by his desk. "I know that I'm not like the others in terms of combat abilities." A faint smile appeared on the musician's face. "But the two months since I got here belong to the best I experienced in a long time. I don't really mind my role in combat, but being told by a girl to be tough and manly stung. I have to admit that." The boy laughed.
"You little… And here I even apologized to you." but the joyous undertone in her voice betrayed Yang's played anger.
"And don't sell your role short." Fie added. "Your talent with Arts is amazing and offering support on the battlefield is much more important than taking on an enemy head on. During a fight we have to look out for each other."
Yang nodded. "You really helped the others out in the match against Class I. The water art that you used really gave you the advantage."
Elliot blushed. "Please, it wasn't a big deal."
Fie continued. "I doubt any other guy could have pulled it out just the way you did. So, no more putting yourself down."
"And no more frowning." Yang added. "If you need someone to listen to you to get better, than we," she pointed at Fie and herself, "will listen until you're finished. We are a team after all."
The three students all laughed together, the stress of the day falling of from them.
Finally, the redhead took up his instrument again. "Are you ready?" After he saw both girls nodding. "Because I will give it my all to give you two a special performance." With these words he started playing again.
After hearing the first few notes, Yang had to admit, that Elliot was talented. Even she, who had no real knowledge about how to play an instrument, felt the passion and feeling the boy was putting into his work.
"His music really helps you relax." the small whisper of Fie went under in the sound of the violin, only Yang hearing this sentence.
xXx
Blake's plan had been to return to her room and to study some more until going to sleep. But shortly after she had started her learning session, the faunus girl felt thirsty.
"Maybe I underestimated that kind of training." the black-haired girl sighed. She knew, that trying to learn like this wouldn't help her at all. At least it happened before she really got into the study material, so a quick visit to the kitchen wouldn't hinder her at all.
"Good evening, Lady Belladonna." The melodic voice of Sharon greeted the cat girl once she entered the dormitory dining room right next to the kitchen. Seeing Blake flinching from surprise, the maid bowed deeply "My apology. I didn't mean to scare you."
"No, no. I'm just not used to having someone around doing all the chores." the faunus explained. "I simply didn't expect someone to be here at this time."
"I understand." Sharon kept smiling. "Then may you tell me what brought you here?"
"I just wanted to get something to drink. There is no need for you…"
"Nonsene." The maid interrupted the faunus. "As a caretaker it is my duty to take care of your and your classmates wellbeing. This means, doing everything in my power to make you comfortable. Or are you not happy with my work?"
"No, but…"
"Wonderful." Sharon turned around, opening a sideboard. "Tell me, do you have any plans for after your drink?"
"Plans?" came a confused question.
"Like meeting your special someone and needing a calming drink beforehand? Or going to sleep and needing a sleeping drink?"
Blake nodded and told the maid her plans. With a safe hand Sharon pulled out a glass full of tea leaves. "In this case I recommend these. It's a mixture of lavender and melissa. A great combination to calm down without disturbing your sleep later on. Together with its mild taste this tea is a favourite among nobles." During the explanation she continued preparing hot water to boil the tea. Each and every movement showed Sharon's skill in this regard.
"Are you happy with your life, Sharon?"
The maid just finished her preparation and the water started boiling. "My pardon?"
"I mean, you give your heart and soul for Alisa's family." Blake started. "And I want to know why? Why are you putting yourself in this position?" the girl tried to keep her voice calm. "Why do you serve as a maid?"
Sharon kept her smile while turning around. "Are you suggesting that Lady Alisa is a bad mistress?"
"No." the faunus shook her head. "But for someone with your skills, this seems like a waste. You could do so much, so why settling with such a low position? I just don't understand."
Her answer was a chuckle. "It's because what I possess, I have thanks to the Reinford family. They took me in, allowed me to develop these skills that you praised. Without them, I would be nothing."
"But…"
"You want to know if I could show my gratitude in another way, right?" Sharon intervened before Blake could speak more. The black-haired girl nodded. "Then tell me, how? Money isn't an issue for the Reinford family. That means, that any kind of material gift wouldn't mean that much. But my services? It's something only I can provide. And it's something both Master Irina and Lady Alisa need."
"What does that mean?"
"The Reinford Family has many enemies. And to hire a new maid or butler could become a security breach, if it isn't done right. As such, this process would need time and effort, two thing lady Irina can't spare." Sharon explained.
"But you can't let someone else decide your life." Blake started arguing. "If this Lady Irina tells you to jump from a tower, you wouldn't do it, right?"
Another chuckle. "But I would."
"Why?" Blake's voice became desperate. "Why throw your life away just because someone tells you to do it."
"Because if Lady Irina told me to jump down a tower, then she trusts me to survive the jump. Maybe the hight isn't that dangerous, or there is something that will weaken the impact." Taking a last look at the finished tea in front of her, the woman took a cup and filled it. "You seem under the impression, that Lady Irina and Lady Alisa are bad people, but that is untrue." She didn't seem to notice Blake flinching. "They know what I can and what I can't do. And with this knowledge they can use me to the best of my abilities. Please follow me." She walked past Blake into the dining room and put the tea in front of a seat. "I thank you for your compassion, but there is no reason to feel sorry for me."
With these words Sharon disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving Blake alone with the hot drink. "But when does this change?" the cat girl asked herself quietly, remembering the way her own people were treated back in Remnant.
xXx
Rean had just returned to the dormitory after talking to both Towa and George about the new additions to Class VII and how they would be proceeding with them from now on. Feeling tired, the swordsman only wanted to return a borrowed textbook about Orbal Science and wrap this day up.
Knocking on Alisa's door, the boy waited for a response.
"Who's there?"
"It's me, Rean." He identified himself. He counted two seconds, before the door opened and he came face to face with the blond archer. "I just wanted to return this." He gave her the book. "Thanks for lending me this, it really helped me prepare for the test."
"No problem, we are in the same class after all. And I already memorized the most important bits anyway." The bow woman replied. "But I'm glad that it could help you." There was an awkward silence between the two, until Alisa spoke up again: "By the way, what do you think about Ruby and her friends?"
"What I think of them…" Rean thought out loud, before he came out with an answer. "I admit that they are talented fighters and they bring a fresh wind into our class, but…"
"But…?"
Rean sighed. "I get the feeling, that they aren't serious enough when it comes down to fighting. Ruby's sacrifice during the sparing match earlier is one thing, but Yang completely lost herself to her anger. It didn't change the outcome since she was the last one standing, but depending on future situations, she might pull others down with her."
"But she's strong, isn't she?" Alisa replied. "I mean, given what we all experienced during our last two field studies, I'm happy about any fighter that increases our fighting power. Don't you agree, Mr. 'Let's break into a military holding cell to break out a classmate'?"
"To be honest, Group A decided to rescue Machias, so you can't make me responsible for this." Mr. 'Let's break into a military holding cell to break out a classmate' answered, just to receive a chuckle from the girl.
"To be honest I think that we all can learn from one another."
Before Alisa could say more, the door to Ruby's room was opened and Weiss stepped out.
"Hey Weiss," the boy greeted the girl from Remnant, "Do you have a minute?"
The heiress nodded. "What's the problem?"
"It's about the future of your stay here. Do you know if Ruby, Yang and Blake are available, too?"
"I am here" the first mentioned girl called out of the room, while stepping next to Blake. "And Yang and Blake should be in their rooms." The energetic girl rushed to her sister's room and knocked, but didn't get an answer.
"There is no one up here besides us." Rean spoke up, resulting in Ruby turning around with wide eyes.
"How do you know that? Are you a psychic?" She asker, her voice trembling from excitement. "Or is it a technique like your sword beam and that 'Motivation' ability?"
"No, it's not a Craft. It's… how do I describe it?"
"Just say it." Weiss demanded. "Or else you will have Ruby following you around for the rest of the week asking you this question over and over again."
The swordsman breathed out. "When I concentrate, I can sense people."
"What?" and "That's so cool!" were the two simultaneously reactions from the girls from Remnant.
"You can sense people." and "You really have to teach me that!" they continued, before Ruby turned toward her teammate, jumping up and down from excitement. "Do you know how helpful such a skill can be when we are on rescue missions? Or when we are searching for secret spies in dark caverns?" she turned towards Rean. "Now you really have to teach me this skill!" she exclaimed.
But Weiss' eyes suddenly got small. "Hold on a minute. Does that mean you know exactly where we are at any given time? When we take a shower for example?"
The boy took on a defensive stance. He really didn't like the direction the conversation was heading. "No, no, nothing like that." Rean raised his hand like he would surrender. "I can only sense the presence of a person. I can't say, who that person is or what that person is doing." The black-haired boy explained quickly. "And even if that was possible, I wouldn't use it for something so indecent." Turning to Alisa for help he added a "Right?".
"I don't know." The blond girl began, sending a shiver down Rean's spine. "You seem to get along with a lot of females, so maybe…"
"That's not helping!" the boy cried out. As a result, all girls began laughing loudly.
After the laughter had subsided, the four students moved towards a couch corner standing by the staircase.
"So, what did you want to talk about? And don't worry about Blake and Yang, I will deliver the message to them personally." Weiss reopened the conversation.
"Well, George wants you four to come to the engineering building after school until we leave for our Field Study." The swordsman started. "He wants to try different quartz set ups with you as well as train you in the usage of Arts, so that you can handle your Arcus Units in your sleep until this weekend."
"So, more studying?" Ruby whined.
"Please take this seriously." Alisa scolded the scythe user. "During our last Field Studies one group always got into tight situations. Who knows if we would all be sitting here today if it wasn't for Arts and Combat Links."
"But I want to learn these cool sword beams that you and Pancake used." The leader of Team RWBY spoke up.
"Towa is already looking into it." Rean responded. "She is looking for students who can help you refine your fighting style. Angelica for example has already agreed to teach Yang. And for you Weiss, it may be a member of Class I or II, given that the rapier is a weapon mostly associated with the nobility. Jusis may be a potential teacher, too."
"What about me? Who is going to teach me?" Ruby interrupted.
"They are still looking for students who can teach you and Blake." The swordsman admitted. "Blake's fighting style is pretty unique and your weapon isn't something often used here in the empire." Seeing Ruby's depressed expression, he quickly added "But knowing Towa, she will have someone before this week is over." Ruby thanked him with a small smile. "The last point comes from Instructor Sarah. During the month between this Field Study and the next, all four of you must join a club."
"School club?" Weiss asked surprise. "We already have much more to learn than all of you, so I doubt we would have time for them."
Alisa sighed. "Knowing Instructor Sarah, her reasoning is something like 'You shouldn't waste your youth with studying. You should enjoy it and make new friends, experience stuff you like and hate and so on'."
Rean laughed. "Believe it or not, that were exact her words. Including the 'so on'".
"And in which clubs are you two?" Ruby asked.
Alisa spoke first. "I'm in the Lacrosse club." she told the girls.
"Lacrosse, I see." Ruby muttered. "And you, Rean?"
"Well I don't know if it can be called a club, but our dear Instructor told Towa at the beginning of the school year, that I would help them with miscellaneous tasks all around the academy and Trista."
"And since then he is the council's little lapdog every free day." Alisa added with a snicker, before noticing the stars in Ruby's eyes.
"Then as of today you have your own little helper." The scythe user declared.
"Wait, don't be so hasty." The boy tried to calm the silver eyed girl down. "Maybe you think it over once more. There are many different things you can experience here, like cooking or riding."
"As a huntress my future job will be helping other people anyway." Ruby countered. "In a way, I can gather the best experience when I help you helping others. And I'm going to interact with a lot of different people, meaning I have a high chance to befriend someone. As such, I won't go against the wish of our Professor."
"Knowing her, she would immediately agree with you to 100%." Rean mumbled, before getting louder. "But no withdrawal. No sleeping in and no breaks on free days until all tasks are completed, understood?"
"Yes sir!" Ruby responded and saluted towards Rean.
"With that taken care of, what other clubs does this academy have?" With this question from Weiss the four students talked about possible choices regarding their future.
xXx
Hello and welcome back. It's been a long time and I want to thank everyone who commented and liked this story. This chapter was really hard to write. But after four different settings, a total of 16 different scenarios (the most for Blake) I finally decided to publish it.
Honestly I didn't know what to expect when I started writing this story. But after getting new followers and even comments after more than 6 months of not posting anything shows me, that people not only read this story, but also make their own thoughts about it, both good and bad. It's a really heartwarming feeling and I hope that I don't take too much time to upload the next chapter. But I can't make any promises now, since I don't know if it will be a good chapter or a bad chapter (like this one ;-) ).
However one promise I can make: The next chapter will return to Remnant. Qrow, Ozpin and Winter will give their first reaction to the story right now and maybe learn more about Arts, Crafts and all the other stuff that Team RWBY got to learn while visiting Zemuria.
And so I wish you good luck and goof health until we meet again.
Thanks for everyone who left a like, a follow and/or a comment.
