I felt like rewriting it since it didn't really make much sense to me...

[01. An Odd Place...]

This place seems off…

He wasn't sure where he was but it definitely wasn't home. Suddenly waking up in a forest with green leaves was the first sign. Getting roped into a battle with massive black creatures once he found a village was the other. It was a short fight, aided by a rather shabbily dressed man with a Greatsword. There wasn't really much of a celebration afterward, just some people slowly peeking out from their houses and thanking both of them with newfound glee.

The children however were more interested in his sword and kept prodding at it and him, hoping to swipe and see it for just long enough. Even the man himself asked if he 'acquired' it from Atlas, it was a rather awkward conversation. Some more walking from village to village led to more and more discoveries of the new land. Like Dust, their only fuel supply in this land. Or the Grimm, which apparently, he didn't have to worry about since their rare. That wasn't even true, he spent one night just fleeing from a horde of them. He had to be nursed back to health by some very nice farmers, they even wanted him to stay and work for them.

After several days of wandering and accepting the hospitality of strangers, he finally arrived at the closest thing to a destination. Its massive walls stood against the rolling hills and forest behind him, it was rather nice finally seeing some concrete structures, all the previous villages were built out of wood and rocks. He stood in a line along with others, all with their own reasons to enter the city. To return home, to start a new life, or to just see the sights, and he was next in line. The checkpoint itself was rather small with only two people guarding the entrance. There was a fixture above them, and despite it being noon and the sun still out it was on. shining perhaps as a testament to how much a city like this can waste.

"You from Mistral?" One of the guards asked. Dressed in a simple green gambeson and black pants, with a grey rifle by his side.

He nodded his head.

"Really? Most people would take a ship… Well just don't cause a fuss, the city's been on edge since the robberies." The other guard said.

"The people here are tolerant of Faunus, well… most of them. Don't worry too much about it, we hope you enjoy Vale. We hope it's better than Mistral."

The Drifter wasn't sure what Mistral was like, was it his clothes? They were rather light…

And the 'Faunus'… The catch-all term for those with certain traits. There were rabbits, deer's, wolf Faunus. Well, he did have blue skin…

"…Alright… Welcome to Vale." One of the guard's voice snapped him out of their trance. The Drifter quickly apologized and went through.

Walking through a city full of life is something The Drifter never expected to do. Usually, they were all ruins, and the people who remain weren't very nice. It was a nice change of pace, even if most of the buildings were made with stone and had brown shingles. At least some of the larger stores were built with concrete and had nice sharp angles. However, there was a sinking feeling that some people were staring at him.

"Huh, look at him."

"You think he's from Atlas?"

"Him? Of all places?"

"More likely Mistral, who'd wear a cloak in Vacuo?"

"I've Never seen a Faunus with perfectly blue skin."

"Oh? got your eye on someone already?"

"N-No! I-I just mean his skin looks kind of weird, and smooth…"

So, it *was* my clothes…

He constantly got questions about his cloak and his helmet, some calling it very beautiful and wondering where he got it from. And some people saying that his 'ushanka' works with the cloak. Somebody told him that Vale was the 'fashion capital' so he had hoped he didn't stand out as much. The crowd around him thinned out gradually until it was just a few hundred people. Turning left he found a clothes store with… rather tacky cloaks shown in the windows. Next to it was a supermarket…

Supermarket?... What's so 'super' about this place? …Might as well go and see.

Walking inside The Drifter found the store to be much colder. Hiding his arms inside his cloak and rubbing his hands together, he scanned the room. The floor was tiled and polished to an absurd degree, even with his dirty boots nothing stuck to it. The ceiling was also rather high, with lights placed evenly spaced apart. The outer rim of the store had shelves stocked with vegetables, meat, milk, and eggs. All kept frozen with mist oozing out. Usually, you couldn't buy these things in Central Town, most people would just eat at the noodle shop. The inner rim was segmented into 'aisles. Each one with a certain focus. From pasta to cereal. Most of them in cardboard packaging.

Let's hope its better than the food in Central Town.

Walking through the snacks aisle he found it interjected with drinks and a little bit ahead a row of candies forcing people to move to the sides to pass. He began scanning through the drinks

Orange Juice... Tea? Dr. Piper…Soda?

He couldn't imagine something as luxurious as green tea was packaged in small little boxes, but what interested him more was the drink they called 'soda'. The container was cylindrical and all-metal, with white text and a deep red background painted on? It was only 15 'lien' which luckily for him some people gave as thanks for killing Grimm or menial jobs. He currently had 100 on him so it wouldn't be such a hit. And there was a noodle shop nearby with decent prices...

I guess it wouldn't hurt to buy a small can…

Walking to one of the clerks he made his transaction and came out of the shop with a new discovery in hand. Leaning back against the wall he prodded at the top of the can. He knew the odd bit sticking up had something to with it. Eventually, he managed to open the container, It quietly exhaled. Looking at the drink was impossible as it was covered in shadow, even as he tilted it towards the sunlight, he couldn't make out the color. The drink audibly fizzed in his hands, like it was possessed.

Well… Bottoms up.

*glug* *glu-*!

Immediately it jets out of his nose, staining the concrete streets below him. The Drifter was forced onto his haunches, the burning sensation of his nose and mouth making him wish he could curl up tighter. He felt some foamy bile rising out of his mouth, seeking to stain the floor some more.

What is this! it's like drinking SANDPAPER!

Rubbing his nose, he felt eyes stare at him, and when he looked up, he caught some people quickly turning the other way. Still somewhat slouched over he heard giggling to one side.

"*pfft* Seriously? Is this your first time drink a soda?" The voice said. The drifter looked up to his side and saw a girl taller than him, she wore a pair of sunglasses and a beret. As well as a brown sweater with black slacks. She was standing a few steps away from The Drifter, hips cocked to one side. The Drifter slowly rose to his feet, weakly nodding his head. The girl simply smirked at him.

"Not much of a talker, are you?" She asked.

"…" The Drifter darted his eyes from side to side, some people were still standing there, watching the whole ordeal. Some people had simply moved on. He quickly looked back at the girl, and they stared at each other for a few seconds before suddenly she started to laugh and smacked his back. Once again bringing him back to his haunches.

"Hahaha! Oh… well, let me just say. Welcome to Vale! Hope you enjoy your stay!" She finished with a flourish. Before walking towards the clothes shop. The Drifter slowly got back up and stared back at the girl before looking around, some of the people were smiling and giggling. Embarrassed, The Drifter quickly walked in the opposite direction, soda still in hand.

She's really strong for her age… Where did I end up?

Wandering around the city was a nice change of pace from the worried searching he was used to, he wished he could explore more but the sun was already setting. And inevitably the seedier parts of a city would reveal themselves. At least from what he heard about the Eastern City; they did use the same words…

It was rather odd to find civilization on another island with nearly the same language, even if he couldn't speak. At least it was convenient for him. He couldn't imagine how much of a pain it would be trying to understand the natives. But for now, he'd rather not dwell on those thoughts. His wandering had led him to the docks, with massive flying machines hauling containers in and out. and

Surely it would be faster to use the flying machines for both people and cargo?

Well, it was all nice anyways. Vale was nice, at least what he saw was nice. Now the question is Mistral or Atlas. They knew very little about the world, there is a library although it's on the other side of the city. Well, it didn't matter. Taking in the vast blue sea. It was nice to unwind like this, as cliché as it looked. It was almost dusk so most people were heading back home…

100 lien definitely won't cover an inn… and I didn't bring a sleeping bag… What to do…

Then it hit him, right in his spleen. He couldn't stop the blood leaking out of his mouth. No matter how much he coughed out there was always more to take its place, slowly choking him. Spitting it out over the side of the bench, he suddenly lost his grip and collapsed onto the concrete below. Unable to move his body, his eyes flickered around to the people standing close to him. Some were panicked, shouting for 'ambulances' and some people were using holographic tablets. Some putting it up to the side of their face, and some pointing it directly at him. Scanning the scene once more he found something partially hidden by a large container. The diamond halo behind its head shining all the brightly as it looked directly at him.

His eyes were closed, he tried to open them but they wouldn't budge. All he could hear was a constant beeping, the sounds of servos moving ever so slightly, it was annoying but he couldn't move without possibly breaking something. All he could smell was sterilized sick. Slowly eating his nose and body. All he knew was he was possibly in a hospital bed, and there was no one around.

Why… How… Wait a minute… my sword, where is it!?

Any attempt at getting up was quickly shot down by his body simply not moving. An audible thumping noise can be heard from the back of his head. He stayed paralyzed for a while until he heard the squeaking of a sliding door. Somebody came in, although they said nothing and simply walked to one side. They were definitely standing over them, possibly a doctor. However, he wasn't sure what would happen if he moved. The piercing gaze of the person started to make the thumping in The Drifter's head grow more and more.

...Hal? Please...

It was agony, not being able to move and having a stranger nearby. The thumping in his head growing louder and louder, and faster and faster. And then it stopped. The stranger seemingly relaxing his will and with a dull thud, possibly sitting down. They stayed like this for what seemed to be hours, agonizing hours of doing nothing. Who was this man? Were they from Atlas? Whatever other thoughts were lost after a few minutes, The Drifter's mind seemingly wandering away to parts unknown.

Eventually, his consciousness fell back into place. He wrestled control over his eyelids, although the bright light seared his eyes. He had to slowly pry them open, waiting every now and then for the headache to subside. When he could finally see the room, it felt oddly cozy. Despite the white walls with the barest hint of colour and the extremely polished tiled floor, well it definitely is better than many other clinics he visited. Then there was the person sitting on a stool nearby. What stood out the most was the silver hair far too natural for someone so young. And oddly enough he wore a scarf. Or was it a cowl? Small round glasses poorly hid his probing eyes, gauging for something...

"I see you're finally awake. It's only been 45 minutes since I arrived." The man abruptly started looked at the clock hanging by the door, moving over to a stack of paper cups and a water jug. He quickly poured out a cup and brought it to him.

The Drifter forced himself up with a deafened grunt. His body was still sore from the paralysis. Flexing his fingers, then his wrists and then his arm. He slowly took the flimsy cup by both hands, and slowly moved them to his lips inch by inch. The water was refreshing, and there wasn't any gagging as he expected. Though when he actually did swallow it felt like jagged rocks were being pushed down his throat. The only thing he could do is continue drinking to push that feeling aside. Finishing the cup, The Drifter let out a hoarse sigh of relief. His throat was still sore but it would manage.

"You caused quite a scene at the docks." The man said, breaking The Drifter out of his thoughts. "Well. I guess introductions are in order. I am Ozpin, the headmaster of Beacon Academy." He started.

"…"

"Not much of a talker, are you?"

"…" The Drifter looked away.

It was rather embarrassing not to be able to talk. The illness seemed to affect him the worst, at least his pink friend was there to help guide him…

"I apologize for any possible insensitivity on my part," Ozpin said, scanning over the solemn look on The Drifter's face. He then pointed a finger at The Drifter. "But I must cut to the chase. We believe you to be indirectly responsible for several civilians suddenly catching some illness. The symptoms of which are coughing up blood, extreme bouts of pain, occasional paralysis, and night terrors." Ozpin dropped his arm back to his side, and moved away from the bed, now looking out the window from a distance. "But there were a lot of things odd about it." He continued "The times closely match those of your incident. Digging some more we found several stories of a Faunus saving the day with a hard-light sword." He slowly walked around towards the stool. "Some see you as a vigilante who stole Altesian tech to protect settlements outside of Vale, others some ancient guardian recently awoken, or some sort of vagrant. Whatever you are, you are at the center of it." Ozpin's eyes took on a sharper look, a frown now taking form. The Drifter simply stared down at the sheets, his mind crashing to a halt, with one thought.

More people infected?

That was impossible, the illness did not spread. Even if he sneezed in someone's face, they wouldn't catch it. The Drifter slowly turned his head towards Ozpin. His mind finally rebooting. he wasn't sure how powerful he was but he was definitely somewhere at the top. He could have him disposed of quietly. The frown on Ozpin slowly dissipated. The Drifter himself only now realized how stiff he made himself.

"I don't want to harm you, nor any of the infected. However, I cannot simply sweep this all over the rug like that. And I cannot simply let you walk free. Therefore, I would like to offer a solution"

You want me to work for you…

The Drifter glared at the man with the force of a thousand angry Dirks. Ozpin placed his mug on the table and took a step back with both his hands in the air. "I understand your doubts about working with me However I believe despite your illness, you are a powerful warrior. I assure you; you won't have to have much contact with civilians, you'll only be dealing with extermination. Not only that, but you will be given proper accommodation for your troubles. One cannot live off the goodwill of people alone."

The Drifter slowly stared back at the man, his body still somewhat numb. Slowly he lifted his arm up and gave a crooked thumbs up.

"Well, you have a bit of a rest. I'll go ahead and prepare for your new position. Welcome to Beacon, let's strive for excellence together." Ozpin said. The man was delighted at the confirmation. "Ah yes, we would meet up in… 2 hours? Is that ok with you?" The Drifter however was already tucked back in, snoring loudly. Ozpin simply walked out, locking the door behind him.

Let's hope this one makes sense.

I'll go back and rewrite the others at some point.