(Another SUPER early one, I guess I just felt inspired XD Enjoy!)
"Glad we have everyone here. Now we can begin."
Ruby was thankful the teacher didn't do any call outs. It wasn't her fault, Crescent Rose needed some extra maintenance due to a training exercise gone wrong, and she tried to get here as fast she could! Ruby took her seat near the front, next to Cardin Winchester, as Professor Blake Belladonna continued.
"As you know, this is the Faunus History Studies course." The Professor explained. "With special permission from the Menagerie council, I will be teaching facts about the Faunus and their culture, their history up to and including their encounter with the humans."
"An easy A," Cardin smirked. "There probably wouldn't be much of a culture to talk about given who they are."
"Oh?" Blake narrowed her eyes slightly. "You would be wrong. We will begin in pre-Great War period, with the establishment of the first Faunus tribe."
Ruby watched in awe as the Professor presented various images and symbols from the Faunus. Traditional dances, loose government, the Faunus had such a vibrant and energetic culture. They had some surprisingly severe punishments for those who committed crimes, like being stoned to death, but that was common even among human cultures at the time. It was truly fascinating.
Sometimes Ruby would catch glances at the Professor herself. Blake Belladonna wasn't a traditional huntress, having never attended any combat schools, but her work in granting Faunus rights and bringing reparations was commendable enough to be granted an honorary license. Ruby wouldn't lie, Professor Belladonna's courage was one of her inspirations for becoming a huntress. With her raven hair and golden eyes that seemed to glow, Ruby thought she was also... pretty.
"It's so amazing... I wonder what happened to all of them?"
When she realized what she asked out loud, it was too late. The teacher, surprisingly not looking offended, stopped talking and stared at Ruby.
"It was all lost when the humans came. They took their land, made them slaves and scattered them across the four lands that would eventually become the Kingdoms. The old tribe became several tribes and nothing would be the same again."
"Bah, the Faunus had it comin'." Cardin said. "You just pointed out they stoned their own people to death!"
"And tell me, Mr. Winchester," Blake said calmly, "Did they deserve to have their entire culture wiped out and destroyed?"
No response.
"I question why you would even be here Mr. Winchester, considering your attitudes towards the Faunus students. If you expect an easy A you better walk out of here right now."
Cardin looked like he was about to say something, but chose not to. He remained on his chair.
"What about you Miss Rose?" Professor Belladonna continued. "What did you come here for?"
Ruby looked to her left and to her right. The class was on her now. She sighed.
"I became a huntress because I wanted to make the world a better place. For everyone." Ruby said firmly. "How can I do that if I don't know anything about the people I want to save? That's why I picked this as an elective. To have a better understanding."
The Professor, for the first time Ruby had seen her (which was admittedly just half an hour ago when the class started), smiled.
"Very good Miss Rose." She said. "I hope this course brings you the knowledge that you seek."
As the class continued, Blake told herself that she would keep an eye on Ruby Rose. The girl reminded Blake of herself when she was younger. She would ensure Ruby grew up to be a wonderful huntress in time.