Yang Xiao Long was extremely happy to wake up surrounded by friends. Not because she was happy for being popular, or glad that so many people had already asked her if she would like to partner up for Initiation. No, she was extremely happy, because if not for the, she had little doubt in her mind that she would sleep through Initiation in its entirety.
Failing to pass, she could understand. She would be upset, but she could understand it if she did not make the cut. But sleeping through it? Well, there was little hope left for her if she failed by missing it. At that point she would most likely give up her quest to become a huntress altogether in favour of a more boring life. Maybe opening up a bar or something. She could picture it now. Yang standing behind her own bar, spit-shining a glass while loud dance music plays in the background.
Only for some wannabe huntsman or huntress to barge inside, grab her by the groin and break her stuff. Yang flinched. Ya, maybe breaking into Junior's bar and beating up all his people really wasn't the best way to make friends and get information. Next time, it would probably be better to slip him some cash or something. Well, live and learn, she always said. Slipping that future task into her brain's pocket, she stood up stretching.
She still had some time pre-Initiation. Time she was grateful for. She had always enjoyed long showers. But, feeling and hearing the rumbling of her stomach, she knew it would be best to only take a short one. Longer showers would be for after she completed Initiation. She stretched out, feeling the delightful tingles of cracks up her spine to the base of her neck. It was like being back home and sleeping under the stars during camping trips with her father.
Left her sore and aching and in desperate need of a hairbrush. She chuckled at the memories. As she stepped into an empty shower, closing the curtain, she wondered if she could get her partner to join her on any future camping excursions.
As usual, she divided her time in the shower up very well. If Yang had to guess, it would be ten percent on her body, five percent getting used to the water temperature and the rest ensuring her hair was in pristine condition. Definitely the correct order of things. But finally, she was refreshed and changed into her combat uniform, slipping her weapons onto her wrists. The bright yellow wristbands she had named Ember Celica. Her pride and joy weapons she had built while attending Signal Academy back in Patch. With only minimal help from her father and Uncle Qrow, she might add.
Okay, maybe a little more than minimal help, but it's not like she was a weapons expert or anything. She was great during the testing phase. Always going back to her father and uncle to make tiny corrections here and there to work out any of the kinks in its design. But, those years of toil had paid off and left her with what she could only call the best weapons in existence. Yang had been one of the best close-distance fighters at Signal for her year, so it had to be true.
Finishing off the early morning with breakfast; a bowl of noodle of all things, she was ready to head over to Initiation. It was easy, just follow the signs and don't get too lost. On the way, she could only think about what she had just eaten for breakfast. A bowl of noodles. Who in their right mind decided that noodles were a breakfast food? Like, Yang could definitely understand the appeal of eating all that protein, but having it as part of soup? Well, that sounded like something a little kid would come up with.
Yang laughed to herself. Just imagining it was so silly. If the headmaster had a kid or something, who begged to eat soup for breakfast. Was the headmaster crazy enough to give in to the childish demands of… well, a child? If her uncle or dad were correct, based on their time at Beacon, then the answer was a resounding yes. Yang could only wonder what else that kid would have gotten away with, if such a kid even existed.
Almost too lost in thought, Yang bumped into somebody, sending them a step forward. "Oh, I'm sorry about that. I wasn't paying any attention."
The girl turned to look at her, first with a scowl, only to slowly twist into a little frown when she realized Yang had truly not done it on purpose. "That's alright," she said warily. "Try to pay a bit more attention to where you're going next time."
Yang gave her a thumbs up, "definitely. Good luck today."
"You too," she replied slowly, turning back to face forward, when she heard Professor Goodwitch begin to speak.
"We still have thirty minutes until the official start time for Initiation. But that does not mean all of you will be waiting here. As you can see, there are twenty-five platforms. In batches of twenty-five, you will be brought into the forest below. Those who arrived earlier will of course get to begin their Initiation faster. Fortune favours those who arrive early."
Yang grumbled at that. But, she guessed it was the fairest way. First to arrive, first to… be flung off into the forest apparently. Catching just the barest glance of red hair and shining armour, she spotted Pyrrha rocketing off, looking as much a badass as Yang expected her to be. The next batch included a blonde haired guy screaming for dear life and a pretty cute girl with raven black hair.
Slowly, the group of people shrank, with more and more being flung off the platforms. And then it was her turn.
With nay so much as a countdown, she felt her body lift off. Firing off three controlled blasts behind her using her Ember Celica, she sped herself up, flying further and faster. All the while whooping in joy.
It may be an important test, but that was by no means not a reason to enjoy herself.
Here is a short chapter for you guys! I'm so glad so many of you enjoyed my little April Fools joke. Don't worry, it's been renamed for future readers.
The Real Ruby Rose - Gonna be a lot of fun to see!
Midnightwolf64 - I actually don't think I've seen any Irondaddy stories. could be interesting to see how having him as a parent would shape her personality.
Guest - Well, the idea came from me personally finding the idea of sticking with the same 4 people for all 4 years a bit of a nightmare. What if your team just doesn't click? Wouldn't it make more sense to have 4 years of sticking with just a partner and both of you creating new teams with new people (or not, because it could be a choice whether to change). Also gives people the ability to try out different team combos. Also, why not just let the kids decide? Why does the headmaster have to do all the work? Ice breaker for new teams! :D
Darknight2124 - I'm really just planning as I go, so even I am not entirely sure how Initiation is going to play out (but I know it is going to involve everyone having a whole lot of fun)
Dragonqueen1993 - Next chapter! (Unless I find a way to stall. Which is always a possibility)
Zapper Frost - *shrugs* maybe Tai, or Qrow, or Ozpin. Or some guy she went to school with. The dad probably won't have any real significance in the story since I don't want to bring in OCs, and in my mind, it's just not relevant.
merendinoemiliano - Thank you!
JackTheSpades - Thank you so much for the compliment, but truthfully? As a quarantine-fic, this actually is just something to wrist some chapters about with not much thought put into it. ;) I do love lore-building, so that may be sneaking through, but I'm really just writing by the seat of my pants.
Therecklessone - Adopted Ruby stories are great. I loved reading the Mama Salem stories.
C3l3st14 - Who knows?
Psiah - I may end up changing Ilia's backstory a smidge, so the entire tale doesn't turn into a White Fang fiasco fic and stays more on the upbeat fluffy side. And just for that, the next chapter will not be Initiation!