BLWU
CH.6 Partners
{-Yang-}
Yang stirred from her wistful dreams, her heart hollow from the night prior. Pushing aside a few locks of golden hair from her eyes, Yang checked her scroll… 6:00. Dawn's light barely crept inside their dorm. Click, The dragon glanced towards the bathroom where Blake emerged dressed in her yukata robes. They both turned away from each other, unsure of what to say. Yang's gaze dropped to the bed opposite of her own. He wasn't here.
Blake noticed Yang's concern, "Umber wasn't here when I woke. You don't need to worry. You'll have some time to yourself."
"Yeah… thanks…" Yang sent her leader a faltering smile, "I still need a few minutes…" Blake nodded in understanding. Sitting down on her own bed, the bowed girl grasped a thick, leatherback book labeled Team BLWU. After scanning the first few pages, she closed the book and began unpacking, silently fitting books onto shelves.
Dragging herself from bed, Yang followed her leader's actions and got to unpacking. She smiled brokenly at her corgi pillow and tossed it to her bed. Zwei... At least you're always happy. "Blake?"
Her partner returned a questioning glance, "hm?"
"After last night… do you still want to help?... I mean I realize she might be-"
Blake raised her hand, stopping the blonde mid-sentence. "Yang, ignore him. He's not worth it. What he said was…" Sigh She shook her head, "While it is true that we don't live in a fairy tale, looking out for others isn't wrong." Weiss turned in her sleep, mumbling the word 'stupid' over and over. "And if we're being honest, he could've been a bit more courteous."
Sigh "I don't think he knows what the word courteous means…" Yang joked abysmally. "I'm not giving up on her. Ruby's out there… she just has to be." She retrieved Crescent Rose from her bag and placed it inside a drawer.
Blake frowned, "She means a lot to you, doesn't she."
"More than anything…" Yang admitted as she pushed up her achieve men poster on the wall. The two continued their efforts to unpack their belongings without waking the snow-white princess. "So, why were you up so early?"
Blake looked to her oddly, "I'm a morning person. It's just a habit I developed a while back, nothing more. What about you?" The girl flipped Yang's question on her "You don't give off the early bird impression."
"I'm just a bit restless… especially after last night." Yang sighed, everything just keeps coming back to Ruby… The tight-packed room felt stifling, "There's not enough room for all of this."
"It does feel a bit cramped," Blake commented. "What... if we used bunk beds? It would conserve space." She suggested hesitantly.
Yang agreed, but… "Weiss is still asleep. We can't just wake her up." She looked to Weiss, inclined to let her rest peacefully. She's probably exhausted. Initiation was bad enough for all of us, but switching time zones must have been tough. "Let's let her rest a bit longer…"
"That sounds good." Blake accepted.
Yang grabbed her scroll and walked to the door, "I'm heading to the library. What time does class start?"
Blake tilted her head as if her behavior were peculiar, then shrugged and sat back on her bed. Taking out their team's book, she reviewed its contents. "Period one starts at 8:00, Professor Port's grimm studies. The mess hall opens at 7:00, breakfast at 7:30."
"Right. See ya." With a silent wave, the brawler abandoned her teammates to the silent dorm rooms.
{-Weiss-}
Weiss stepped into the lecture hall alongside Blake and Yang and took their seats. Her blonde teammate was fuming. At the front were sheets of parchment neatly lining the wall showcasing Remnant's very limited anatomical knowledge of the grimm. Above them was a chipped doubladed blunderbuss battleaxe. Among them were the Nevermore, Death Stalker, Beowolf, Ursa, and the Borbatusk.
Beacon's environment felt so alien and distant to what she was familiar with, It's architecture, and color palate defied all she had seen from Atlas. Technology wasn't blown out of proportion and, instead, used minimally. It welcomed her comfortingly with open arms, an unfamiliar feeling. In spite of the colors, the students were anything but cordial to the heiress.
The heiress tapped her foot, looking around impatiently and blocking out the vexing glares surrounding her as she was trained to. Where is he!? "Attention, if you please." Their teacher entered the lecture hall. Professor Port was a hefty man with short, well-combed gray hair, a mustache, and thick brows. Their professor's uniform consisted of a cuffed merlot red suit etched in rich gold. His similarly red pants were tucked into deep olive green cowboy boots.
The students met his voice by taking their seats for role call. Weiss covered her face in embarrassment once they were called. "Hm… odd? Where is Mr. Faere? It's only the first day, and he's truant...
Yang sighed in exasperation. "He's not-" Slam! Her deviant partner strut into the lecture hall, slipping a leather book into his coat's pocket. He's not even uniform! Umber met Yang's eyes with a condescending smirk and took his seat by Weiss.
"Mr. Faere, would you explain why you're late?" Umber leaned to the side, eyes sharpening at the teacher's axe.
He gave a dramatic bow, "My deepest apologies professor, but I was so exhausted that I overslept." WHAT!? Weiss balled her fists. Some students chuckled, leering at the heiress. "last night, I went for a walk in the... Emerald Forest. But my lovely walk was interrupted by the sound of a powerful blunderbuss going off. I couldn't help but check." Blake shook her head in disappointment. YOU LYING SCOUNDREL! Despite her better judgment, Weiss remained silent.
"Oh?" Professor port leaned in intrigued. "Pray, tell young man, what were you doing out so late?"
Umber yawned and stretched his arms, "Well, it wasn't my intention, I assure you, sir. But when I arrived, I saw a professional huntsman. Naturally I had to stick around but could only admire from afar. There must have been over a hundred grimm barreling down on him." The teen exclaimed theatrically, "It was an incredible sight, but some beowulf strayed from the battle, and I had to fight them off personally. By the time I returned to the dorms, well, It was too late. Quite literally."
Port's mustache twitched as he bellowed in laughter, "Ahaha! What a night, eh? How was I?"
"Truly a sight to behold, I can't even begin to describe it." He grinned. "It's a shame you haven't gotten the time for weapon maintenance. Your weapon has my condolences." Umber continued lying through his teeth.
"Ah, and you have my thanks, maybe next time you should join in the fun..." He bought that!? Weiss was beyond shocked. Port leaned into team BLWU, "Oh, but uh, but don't tell Glynda I said that. She'll kill me." He whispered with a wink and resumed his lesson. "Your tardy is excused, Mr. Faere, and you may rest if you like." How- but… he-! what!?
Umber leapt at the opportunity settling down on their desk and shut his eyes, leaving the rest of team BLWU in stunned silence. Weiss was torn between feeling relieved at their team's excuse or revolting over her partner's sickening lies.
"Monsters," the professor began, "Deeeemons, prowlers of the night! Yes, the creatures of grimm have many names. But I merely refer to them as prey- hehaaah!"
"..." The dualist blinked distantly, This can't be the staff employed at such a legendary establishment… Her fellow students looked at the professor, stoically. All except one sleeping, dress code violating, ingrate. She facepalmed.
"Uuuuh… And you shall too upon graduating from this prestigious academy." He bowed honorably. He cleared his throat and began pacing across the empty lecture hall like a clumsy drill seargent. "Now as I was saying… Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world. Outworld is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces." He motioned to the diagrams towards the back.
"And that's where we come in. Huntsmen, Huntresses…" He spared a remorseful glance for Yang. "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who can not protect themselves. From what you ask? Why, the very world!"
"AEEEIYA!" Umber glared murderously towards the kid in the upper rows of the lecture hall, the lights flickered. He scanned the room nervously and reclaimed his seat.
"That is what you are training to become. But first… A story. A tale of a young, handsome man… Me." He said prideful, "When I was a boy, I lived in a rural town not far from the outskirts of Beacon. It was constantly under threat from grimm invaders. Everyone relied upon one another. But one day, a tragedy befell my village. My grandfather suffered a mortal wound while fending off a Beowulf to protect our humble town, like a true huntsman. Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. "Peter," he told me, "You must remain steadfast and protect them in my stead. Remember what I have taught you." And so the following day, I went to the Beowolf's lair and used my emotions to lure the pack out into a trap. Following its pack's death, I engaged in a fierce battle. In the end, the beowolf was no match for my sheer tenacity. And I returned to my village with the beast in captivity, and my head held high, celebrated, as a hero." He bowed elaborately in front of his students.
Weiss glowered at her partner. "The moral of the story. A true huntsman must be honorable." He's a liar! "A true huntsman must be dependable." He sleeps in class! "A true huntsman must be strategic," He's! "well educated," Not! "and wise." WORTHY! She howled internally.
"Now then, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" Professor Port asked, staring directly at her team.
Weiss's hand shot straight up, "I do, sir!"
"Well then," Port said, not at all surprised by such initiative. "Let's find out. Stop forward and face your opponent." Roooooar! The sound bore across the class. Spontaneously, a metal cage had appeared at her professor's side, rattling angrily from its cargo.
{-Umber-}
Weiss stepped through the lecture hall door, dressed in her huntress attire. She flourished her rapier, readying herself. The other members of team BLWU showed their support, though Umber's attention was elsewhere. He focused on the other students in the class. They snickered at his team as if expecting their dust mage to fail. The teen rolled his eyes.
"Aaalright. Let the match BEGIN!" Port hacked the lock off the cage, and the boarbatusk immediately stampeded from its prison directly at Weiss. She reared away and hacked at the boar, sending its charge slightly off course and away from her.
Port looked on amused, "Haha! Wasn't expecting that were you?"
Some students began imitating her derisively. Umber ignored them, turning to the boarbatusk frame in the lecture hall, analyzing it. Weiss sailed across the floor over her glyphs, charging head-on. Twisting its head sharply, the grimm trapped her rapier in its tusks, forcing her to wretch Myrtenaster from its hold. Strength was clearly not her strong suit.
"Look at her. She can't even stick a small pig." A student snickered. Turning, he found Cardin at the top of the lecture hall, looking down on them all.
This wasn't unnoticed by the blonde brawler of team BLWU. "Come on Weiss, show it who's boss!" She turned to Yang angrily. In her brief distraction, the boar wrestled Myrtenaster from her grip and flung it across the classroom. In the blink of an eye, it crashed into Weiss, forcing her away from her rapier advantageously.
"Hoho! Now, what will you do without your weapon?" Port said distractingly.
Weiss looked up and rolled away from the boar's charge. Getting up, she bolted for her weapon. "Come on, heiress, it's just one grimm!" The student mocked again.
Sigh The light's flickered, "Weiss, knock it over and strike its underbelly!"
"What did I say about telling me what to do!?" Weiss yelled gelidly. Roaaaaar! Her attention was drawn back towards the now curled up boar barreling towards her. Shielding herself with a glyph, the boar collided and flipped over dizzily onto it's back. Leaping backward into a gravity enhanced glyph she propelled herself down, lancing Myrtenaster through the grimm's chest.
Umber tossed his hands in the air. "Bravo- Bravo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true huntress in training." Weiss flicked the black blood from her blade and leered at him. "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings."
He motioned to the board. An essay was to be written about the following grimm in chapters 5-8 of the Grimm Records. Due in two nights.
Port continued, "And… stay vigilant. Class dismissed." Weiss huffed coldly and stormed from the class before anyone else could leave.
"Sheesh… what's with her?" Jaune asked himself carelessly.
"Umber." He turned to see his leader staring at him with mirthless sternness from across the table.
He glanced over without turning his head. "Hm?"
"You should talk with her."
He could tell she was forcing herself into this. "About what? About how I was right? How she did exactly as I said, then bitched at me like she always does?"
"Regardless, she didn't appreciate it." Blake countered. "This can't continue. We're a team, and we will be for four years."
Their gazes battled each other periodically until Blake's topaz eyes won out. Something about her messed with him, "... Fine. I'll talk after 6th period." Umber sneered and kicked off his chair, leaving the classroom with his hands in his pockets.
Blake let out a sigh of relief and slumped on the desk, mumbling to herself. "How did he manage…"
{-Weiss-}
Why must he treat me like a pet! I shouldn't be taking orders from anyone, especially not him! I'm the Heiress! The hallway lights flickered, Oh, come on! She surveyed her surroundings and found Umber standing behind her with crossed arms. "Hey snowflake." He said dispassionately.
"What do you want?" She interrogated.
Umber shrugged confusingly, "Well, I don't really know. Leader said I had to come talk things out with you." he emphasized through air quotes. "No clear instructions on how though." he placed his hands atop his head.
"If you don't even know why you're here, then just leave. I haven't the care nor the time to deal with you." Weiss spun and began walking off. What a waste of time.
"Bitch." ...
She could feel her aura chill the air around her. Weiss turned with a sore, darkened expression. "Excuse you?" Her words were glaced with icy hate for his wild grin.
Umber pointed to himself, tilting his head at her in surprise. "O, I'm excused? Oh thank gods." The Faere grinned dumbly and started walking off down the hall. I'll just take my leave then."
"No! What's your problem!?" Weiss hissed. "You've been nothing but a thorn in my side since we arrived! I don't care how talented you are. You're a jerk!"
He placed his hand over his heart. "That's hurtful, you know. I am your partner." he said sarcastically, opening his arms. partner!? You... How dare he!
Her anger only morphed further, numbing her with rage. "At this point, I don't care! You almost got us killed during Initiation! You always tell me what to do! And you have no shame or respect to speak of! As far as I'm concerned, were partners in name only! I've studied, and trained! I deserve better than you! You're a mistake-!."
Umber seized her by the collar, slamming the heiress against the wall as the hall plunged into breathless darkness. "In name only?" He growled belligerently, "I called the nevermore. I got us to the relic. I told you how to kill the boar. You followed my fucking instructions by choice. Is that what 'in name' partners do? Listen to one another? Help one another?" Umber snarled. Weiss's eyes rapidly tried to adapt to the darkness, but her vision remained scattered. She threw a punch randomly, only to be caught. "You're being a spoiled, self-centered, cold-hearted, bitch…" Light flooded her sight again allowing her to see Umber's tired eyes. "You're confused, snowflake." He said as he let her slump to the floor. Confused?
Light returned to her as Umber walked away. She picked herself up, disgusted and furious that he'd lay his hands on her. "Confused… the only thing I'm confused about is how he can be so heartless." Weiss found herself outside at a balcony overlooking the city of Vale. Leaning on a fence was her Grimm Studies teacher. "Professor port?"
He turned to his student and bowed humbly. "Ah, Miss Schnee. And to what do I owe this fine pleasure." Again with the formalities…
"I- I enjoyed your lecture." She started cooly.
He nodded, "Of course you did child, you have the blood of a true huntress in you."
A true huntress? She thought briskly. "You really think so?" Weiss asked hopefully.
"Most surely." Weiss frowned, Why can't others see me that way? Her troubled expression did not go unnoticed by her superior. "Hmmm… something's troubling you." He remarked in concern.
Sigh "Yes… sir." She admitted dismally, clasping her hands together to appear more distressed.
"Dear girl! Confess to me your strife!" he proclaimed enthusiastically.
"Well…" Body language, check. Tone, check. "I think I was given the wrong partner." The heiress blurted.
"... That's preposterous." Professor Port laughed aloud.
"Excuse me?" She nipped, unhappy his response. "My current partner is the worst person at beacon!"
"I have believed in professor Ozpin for many years, the man's never once lead me astray. If you two weren't a good pair, he would have changed it."
"So you would just blindly accept his decision, even after everything he's done? You saw my skill in class, didn't you?"
"Yes, and with all due respect, your exceptional skill on the battlefield is only matched by your poor attitude." He countered bluntly.
Gasp "How dare you!"
"My point eeexactly." He nodded astutely. Weiss stamped her foot bitterly, Drat! "I see a girl before me who has spent her entire life getting exactly what she wanted."
"That's not even remotely true…" She crossed her arms… Her professor raised a brow questioningly. Weiss's eyes swayed to the side in response, "Well... not entirely true." She corrected herself, "But he's one of the most insensitive people I've ever met."
Professor Port shrugged, "So the outcome did not fall in your favor. But do you truly believe that by acting in such a manner will cause those in power to reconsider their decision?" No… She shook her head.
"So instead of fretting about what you don't have. Savor what you do. Hone your skills, perfect every technique, and be not the best leader you can be. But the best person you can be." Weiss gave a satisfied smile upon hearing his wise words. I suppose… I could give it a shot.
{-Umber-}
"Now that didn't go so well, did it?" A voice came from behind him. Umber turned to see the headmaster sipping a cup of thick coffee.
Faere chuckled insidiously, "Well, it's not exactly in my nature for things to roll over well. You know that, sir."
"Hm. Perhaps some common courteous would do you some good." The headmaster's lip curled slightly.
Umber scoffed, "I think that goes for both of us. She's not exactly the most reasonable of people, and neither am I. But I have to agree with Weiss, was this a mistake on your part?"
He smiled assuredly, "Have some patience Umber. It has only been one day of hundreds to come." The headmaster chortled, "Umber, I have made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet." The teen raised an eyebrow questioningly, "But at this moment, I do not consider your pairing to one among them." Ozpin leaned in, leaning on his cane eloquently. "And even then… it would certainly not be the worst mistake Id have made."
Umber looked over the infamous huntsman headmaster, "You sure sound sure of yourself, perhaps old age has gotten to you?" Beacon's headmaster smirked lightly.
"Being partners does not only apply to practical situations Mr. Faere. It is a bond you share even outside of combat. If you do not make an effort to treat her with respect, then what reason does that give Miss Schnee to treat you equally." Ozpin sipped his coffee and turned his back on the student. "Of all the partners this year, yours should be the most... interesting to watch." With that, the headmaster left without another word.
He watched the elder walk away mysteriously. "What a cryptic weirdo…" Faere began the trek back to his dorm.
{-Weiss-}
BLAKE: 19:48 Where are you?
WEISS 19:49 I'm at the dorms, Forgot something.
BLAKE 19:49 ?
WEISS 19:49 It's about Umber.
BLAKE 19:50 Oh.
BLAKE 19:50 Did something happen?
WEISS 19:51 Yeah? He said you wanted him to talk with me. Or did he lie about that too.
BLAKE 19:51 Oh, right.
BLAKE 19:52 How did that go? If you don't mind me asking.
WEISS 19:52 He threw me against a wall.
BLAKE 19:52 … sorry.
BLAKE 19:52 Are you ok?
WEISS 19:52 I'm fine Blake. This is just a follow-up meeting.
BLAKE 19:52 Best of luck.
WEISS 19:53 Thanks Blake. I think you'll be a great leader.
BLAKE 19:55 Are you coming back afterward?
WEISS 19:55 Of course.
Weiss closed her texts, She was bubbling on the inside over her first actual conversation over the phone. She had some small talk with Winter occasionally but everything else was business-related. Always meetings or keep up public appearances. With a content smile, she reached her team's dorm.
Inhale Exhale You've spoken with people you've hated before. You've spoken with worse. Snap out of it Weiss. Weiss slid her scroll across the door's lock and entered. He might not even be here. Stop panicking... He was there, scribbling down notes inside of his notebook. Is he listening to the news? Their eyes met.
"Umber."
"Busy, snowflake." He shooed her away refusing to look up from his work, "leave or be quiet." He flipped another page and scribbling down more notes.
Sigh... "No." She said sternly. "We need to talk. And, why do you keep calling me that?" There was no response, just the sound of pencils on parchment. She walked up to his bed, demanding his attention, "I'm not leaving until we talk."
Umber furrowed his brows, groaned, and shut off his scroll, supplying her with his full attention. Sitting crisscrossed, he spoke, "Well, why do you think I call you snowflake?"
She bit her tongue, keeping herself quiet. "Because it's demeaning and degrading. Mocking both where I come from and turning my noble family crest into a pet name."
Umber whistled, "So, you admit you're a pet?" He jabbed. The heiress glared back frigidly. "Fine," Umber grumbled. "I call you Snowflake for many reasons... but I'm not telling you any one of em.
"What, why!?"
"Did I ever say I'd tell you if you told me? Surely you're aware of loopholes" He snarked.
Weiss huffed, she wasn't satisfied and would have her answer. "No, you'll tell me why! It's the least you could do after blindsiding me and throwing me into a wall. I could have you expelled for..." Be the best person you can be. She stopped and looked down regretfully.
He smirked, unfazed by her threat. "Try it snowflake, Ozpin already knows what I did. He was there. And even if you did I don't particularly care if I get expelled so that's not really a threat."
Weiss shook her head and melted her glare, "Look... You can be really... really difficult. And I know at times, I can be too." He rolled his eyes, "You're an alright fighter and have... certainly... creative, strategies. If you can even call getting eaten a strategy. But if we're going to do this for four years... we're going to need to do this together. We don't have to be nice to one another, but just try acting with a shred of common decency... and I'll meet you halfway... Deal?" They locked eyes, coming to understand one another.
Umber thought for a few brief moments. Does he seriously need time to consider a deal like this? "Tsk, fine. You've got yourself a deal snowflake. Satisfied?"
Weiss nodded promptly, "It'll suffice... Why don't you care if you're expelled? Wouldn't your family be disappointed in you"
Umber laughed coldly covering his fusion colored eyes with an arm, "It's fine to be disappointed with someone." What? "But if their problem is inside you, the qualities that make you, you. That's when it matters. Being frustrated with who someone is is more important than hate for what they do. My family wouldn't care if I was expelled from Beacon."
She frowned, looking over herself. "But... are you just fine with your family not caring? They're your own flesh and blood they should care about you." She grimaced at her own words. The words leaving her mouth were what she wanted.
His smile faded, "Perhaps... but that's enough talking for today. Leave."
"But-" She started.
"The deal was to be slightly nicer snowflake. Not tell you my life story, so leave me alone." He reminded her with a coy grin. This is going to be a long year...
Her eyes twitched, "Hmph! Fine... I'm going to join our team and search for Yang's little sister." Weiss stated and turned to leave. "You can just stay here and-..." Sheets shifted behind her, Umber was out of his bed and passed her. "Are... you helping?" The ice-eyed maiden asked, taken aback. It's fine to be disappointed with someone...
Umber shook his head, "A certain someone royally pissed me off last night. For that we lost our light. It'll be hard to write with you three yapping about not having light. Someone needs to buy some, and currently, only two of us have the money to do so." He replied, unfurling the winnings from their bet. Waving dismissively with his back to her, Umber left the girl behind in their dusk lit room. Weiss's palms fell to her scroll.