"Blake, you okay? Whats wrong?" Yang has her hand on Blake's back and is leaning in close. Blake mutters something that we can't hear. "What was that? I didn't quite catch that one."
"I said I'm glad I am friends with people who aren't bigots." She smiles and wipes her tears away. I am thoroughly confused by this. Looking at the others I see that they are too. I look back to Blake and see her reaching up to her bow. Oh. That would explain it.
'Blake had cat ears. Huh, that is most certainly a revelation. She looks kinda cute with them.' I shake my head of that line of thoughts. "Well that explains a bit." She looks to me. Being the first to talk everyone else does as well. "I mean, the bow already looks like cat ears, and she has really good hearing." I Shrink in on myself as everyone keeps staring at me. My dad and Tai's snickering isn't helping.
Slowly, it sinks in for everyone else, with Nora, Ruby and Yang all wanting to pet Blake's ears, making the girl lean away from them and bat away Yang's hands. Weiss seems to be contemplating the revelation.
"You okay Weiss?" I ask. I don't know of any reason for Weiss to be upset over this, but I also barely know her.
Weiss looks at Blake for a few moments before speaking. "I am okay with the fact that you are a faunus, but I have to ask. Are you a member of the white fang?" She looks at Blake expectantly, but there is some other emotions there too. Hope and fear mostly. Blake looks down for a few moments before steeling herself. Looking back up to Weiss, she answers.
"I was before I came to beacon. I left because they were becoming too violent. I didn't want to be a part of the organization after it started using fear for power instead of equality." Blake deflated a bit after getting that out. She seemed to expect Weiss to start yelling at her, or attacking her.
Weiss looked shocked, and after a moment she looked as though she might run, but then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath in. Calming herself with a deep breath and a long sigh, she looked back to Blake.
"Thank you for telling me, I can tell this wasn't easy for you, and I'm glad you were honest with me. I can't say that I am okay with it, but I will try my best not to let it affect how I see you from now on. I... I hope we can be friends as well as teammates, and being at odds with you over your past wouldn't help that at all." She looked as though she was at a formal dinner with how she was sitting as talking, but the shaking gave away her nervousness.
I guess not all of this could go smoothly. Blake looked thankful that Weiss was willing to try, and Weiss looked thankful that Blake was honest. I smiled a bit at that. At least they didn't have some big fight.
My dad started laughing after a few more tense moments. Looking over I shot him a questioning look.
Seeing most of us staring at him, he calmed after a bit longer and explained himself. "Sorry, it's just, this reminds me a lot of how Willow and Kali first met. But their meeting had a few more claws on Willows end and a few more scathing words on Kali's end." He chuckled a bit more. "They were best friends by the end of the year."
Blake and Weiss looked a bit more contemplative after that, glancing to each other in consideration they had a bit more confidence in their friendship working out. A look of realization came to Weiss's face.
"Wait, your mom is Kali Belladona?" at Blake's confused nod, Weiss continued. "Your mom set fire to my moms library!" Weiss shouted. Blake's reaction was near immediate.
"Prove it." And with those simple words the two adults at the table burst into fits of laughter, startling the rest of us and nearly falling out of their chairs. Taking a minute to calm themselves, Tai spoke first. "She actually went through with that? I thought they were joking when they made that bet." My dad laughed a bit more at Tai's disbelief.
"I thought they were as well, but of any of us, they are the most likely to take those old bets seriously." They laughed a bit more before they both seemed to remember something.
"Wait, you don't think that Juni would..." Tai seemed scared at whatever he had remembered. Turning to look at my dad I saw him even more pale faced and scared.
"She would, and I am sad to say, we remembered too late." They both crossed their hearts and said a silent prayer for whatever this was.
"Um... Dad? What was that for?" Yang asked, a bit worried for whatever it was.
"So, we were drunk. All of us were, on the night before graduation. And we started thinking of the future. We started getting a bit competitive with who would be right, and before long, we made bets. But since we were all drunk we didn't use money. We used challenges, or things the losers had to do. Most of them were small and easy, like Raven being a bitch till she went senile." My dad interrupted there.
"Thank god we bet on that being the case."
"But there was one that only Summer thought would come true. And that one had the worst consequence of all the bets." They both shuddered. "We have to go up to Glynda and Ironwood, and tell them something that will most certainly get our asses kicked."
My dad's scroll started ringing when Tai finished up explaining. Answering, he was met with a shouting old guy.
"You had to tell Juniper that she lost the bet! You had to get your kid in beacon! Do you know how much trouble this will be causing for everyone? We have to get those two in a room together, and then we all have to be in the same room, without exploding at each other. That's nearly impossible. What were you thinking Nicky?"
"Nice to hear from you too Qrow." My dad answered.
"Uncle Qrow? Is that Uncle Qrow you are talking to?" Ruby asked, trying to lean closer to see my dads scroll. The old guy in the call looked panicked and hung up.
"I'm not talking to anyone but you at the moment Ruby." My dad said. Ruby pouted at her questions deflection.
The rest of the day, and part of the night went on like that. Stories being told, enjoying each others company, and getting to know each other. I got to know my new brother and my eighth sister. We all got closer and felt more comfortable with each other knowing our families are friends.
Tai decided it was time to see my family, after having had no contact since I was a kid, and said he would go visit everyone else too. My dad left with a promise of bringing the family for the Vytal festival.
The next morning was slow going. Waking up earlier than we wanted because of classes, and waiting our turns for the shower, we all got finished getting ready in time to hear team RWBY yelling about the time class starts and running down the hallway. Deciding that we shouldn't be late either, we Followed close behind them. Making it just before the bell, we found spots next to our sister team. Sitting next to Ruby, with Pyrrha taking her seat on my left, I settled in for our first lesson with our Grimm Studies professor.
Half an hour into the lecture I am more than ready to fall asleep. While the story itself is interesting and would make for a great lesson, the amount of boasting kills the intrigue. Looking around the room I see most students are either trying to stay awake or are distracting themselves with other things. I take particular interest in a faunus a few rows in front of me with beautiful silver scaled wings. Polished to perfection, even at the base of the wings where it is very hard to reach. I smile as it reminds me of a friend I had growing up in Ansel.
I was running through town. There was a shiny bird flying above town and I wanted to catch it. It had flew to the other side of town and I wanted to bring it home to show Emi and Jade. Passing the edge of town I see a green shine coming from the trees. I follow, pushing my way through the bushes. Coming through to a clearing I see a makeshift shed. I was confused about it because no one was supposed to have anything out of town on this side.
I was tackled to the ground then by a kid about a year older than me. I winced and opened my eyes after a few seconds, looking up to see a pretty girl with beautiful scales on her cheeks. I stared in awe for a few seconds before noticing she was blushing. She pushed me back against the dirt to get my attention and asked why I was there. I remember saying something about a pretty bird and how I wanted to show my sisters.
She blushed again and I saw something moving above her. Looking, I saw beautiful green scaled wings, polished and shiny. Once again I stare in awe. They are captivating and I couldn't help but imagine how smooth they must feel. I start to reach up before she slaps at my hand. She berates me for trying to touch someones body without permission. I blush and mumble about how she is still on me. With both of us being healthy young teens that make us both awkward and she hurries to get up.
She is quick to glare at me again, asking if I came to make fun of her too. Looking at her then, I'll always remember how she looked. She was glaring at me, but she was scared too. She was a little hopeful too. I remember thinking that she needs a moms love. So being my simple minded self, I thought, 'I have a mom, she has love to give.' And I invited her over to my place.
The look of confusion on her face was priceless. I used that moment to grab her hand and start pulling her towards my house. Making my way through town I made sure to avoid all the people that bully me and the stores that kick my friends out. It took a few minutes, but I felt her hand tighten in mine. I smiled, getting the feeling that she was getting comfortable with me.
I walked into my house and called out for mom. But of course, Emi came first. Tackle hugging me with all of her little body and knocking me to the floor. I said hi and pulled us both up. Emi noticed that girl next to me then and asked who she was. Thinking smoother than I ever have before I asked her to introduce herself, remembering that we didn't know each others names. Something she teased me for relentlessly over the next few years.
She introduced herself as Gale Brandr, When my sister said it was a weird name she explained it means firestorm. That got her immediately into my sisters good graces. She was spared further questions when my mom came in. Taking things in stride she introduced herself and ushered us into the living room. Sitting us down she went into the kitchen for snacks and sent Saph in. Mom slowly sent in all of my sisters until it was eight girls and me in the room with Gale relaxed enough to have girl talk with them. She got on amazingly well with Jade, as scary as that thought is, and she adored how cute Emi is. They all absolutely loved her wings and Emi got to feel them. None of the rest of us though. I guess it is a bit personal and Emi is too cute.
Mom came in a bit later and asked how I met Gale. I told them how I thought I was following a really pretty bird and wanted to show Emi and Jade. But when I thought I caught up to the bird I was tackled by a girl with pretty scales. So of course I invited her home to be friends with me and my sisters. My mom and sisters were stunned by that last bit and started laughing at how my mind works.
We ended up getting her to confess to being an orphan and that she was living in a makeshift shed outside of town. My mom and Saph weren't having any of that, so we had her staying with us in the spare room. She lived with us for a few years, and she was my best friend. I was the one who polished her back scales and the base of her wings where she couldn't reach. She loved to fly me up above the trees and race around. The first time she did this I tried my best to scream. It came out as a whimper. But I quickly loved it. Then we were out every morning looking for cool spots in the forest. She took me above the clouds to watch the sunrise once, I was out sick with a cold for a week after that but it was so worth it. She left when I was 15, she wanted to train for a few years and try for a hunter academy. She broke her scroll a few months later and we never could remember numbers, so I haven't heard from her for a while.
I know she is still doing great. And I bet she is in class right now too.
"Jaune, you there?" Ruby poked my side, jolting me out of my thoughts. Focusing back on my surroundings I notice that Pyrrha and Ruby are looking at me worriedly.
"It's nothing, just thinking of an old friend. And a code I have to add when I'm head of the family." I smile fondly at the memory of my best friend. Dragons Make great friends, and vicious enemies. It has a nice ring to it, and it can totally mean something deeper. Probably.
They seem to accept that, turning back to port, who is still talking. Looking at the clock, I see that the bell for class is about to ring. I look over to my team and notice Nora drawing fantastical designs for Magnhild, and Ren staring blankly in the direction of port. I'm gonna assume he is meditating. Pyrrha is taking notes, surprisingly. She looks over at me and catches me looking. She smiles at me and turns back to her notes.
Looking to team RWBY, I see Ruby doodling, Yang trying not to drift off to sleep and Blake reading. Weiss looks irritated that no one is paying attention. I don't think I'll get involved in that. The bell rings and people start getting up and heading out. I catch up to the silver winged faunus as they are leaving.
I tap their shoulder and I am immediately tackled to the ground.
"Well, this is very familiar." I couldn't help but smile a bit at the situation. Their face goes from scowling and cautious to confused and curious almost instantly.
"You get tackled often?" He asks.
"Only by my littlest sister and dragon faunus." I reply. He seems shocked at that. Seeing that I'm not out to hurt or make fun of him he pulls me up.
"Sorry about that, people usually don't take well to the wings. I think they are just jealous." He says.
"No worries. I get it. My best friend has beautiful Green scaled wings. That's kinda why I stopped you." He tilts his head a bit at that. "Your scales are polished really well, even the base of the wings and I'm assuming the center of your back. My friend could never get those spots polished without me. I'm wondering how you manage it."
He looks a bit surprised I know about scale polishing, but shakes his head before speaking. "Your friend let you polish their scales? Were they a guy or girl?"
'Girl, she loved to have shiny scales and said that I was better at polishing than her, but I couldn't see it, she had better hands than mine." I smile as I remember her trying to show me how my polished spots were shinier, nut all I could see were her shiny scaled and her beautiful evergreen eyes.
"You have to be very lucky then, its a very sensitive spot." He smirks knowingly at me. "I Have a kind of brush I use to reach those scales, I'll send you a link to the place I ordered them from. Whats your name so I can add you?" I trade numbers with him, learning his name is Levi, Levi Athens. I say thanks and goodbye, turning to see my team giving me weird looks.
"What?" I ask. They are giving me weird looks.
"Is that how you normally meet friends?" Nora asks.
"It's how I met my best friend." I reply with a smile. "You wanna see how fun it is?" I tease back. She knows I'm wearing chain mail beneath my shirt, she knows how heavy I am right now. I can see the panic in her eyes.
"Sure!" She says with a smile. She has to be calling my bluff. Well, not today Nora, I'm not going down that easy. I sprint over to her and jump on her giving her the biggest hug I could. I prepare to hit the ground, but I never do. Confused I look up, only to see a still smiling, still standing Nora.
"You're right, that is fun. Ren, we have to do this some time." I pout up at her and hear Ren face palm next to us.
"You were supposed to fall over." I mutter into her shoulder.
"Oh, Okay." She says happily. And suddenly I am falling backwards.
I land on my back with Nora on tip of me, knocking the wind out of me and making Nora giggle more.
"This is fun, what next fearless leader?" She looks down at me, still smiling. I hear Yang laughing loudly nearby and I know what to do next.
"Now you tackle hug Yang. And we start the tackle hug tradition. You aren't allowed to hug the person who hugged you though, and it has to be a surprise. Go my loyal follower, Spread the word, spread the traditions of Team JNPR." I whisper conspiratorially into her ear. She grins a mischievous grin and nods determinedly. Getting up we walk towards Ooblecks class. Making sure to stay behind team RWBY. Ren looks at me nervously and Pyrrha seems cautious of Nora. Ren walks over and asks what I told Nora to do.
"Just wait. You will see soon enough. And then the whole school will be in on it." I smile a mischievous smile. Ren backs away a bit.
As we reach the class, we stay a bit back from the door. Yang is about to go in when I call out to her, making her turn around. Nora takes the queue perfectly and tackle hugs Yang into the classroom. Laughing at the scene I follow into the class and help Nora and Yang up.
"Welcome to the tradition Yang, you now have to pick your target. The rules are simple, you have to tackle hug someone when they don't expect it, you cant hug the person who hugged you, and you have to explain the rules to the next person." I smile at her. Daring her to tackle me. She glares at me before it sinks in what this tradition allows. Then she smiles conspiratorially at me.
We all make our way next to our teams. Settling in for another long class. Suddenly, a green man enters the class. Yang and Nora seem shocked to see the person standing in front of us. Then I remember that they aren't used to seeing such high speed people. Gale trained me in that the hard way. No training like trying to tell where your best friend is coming to tackle you from.
Then the man started talking. It was all informational, but I barely kept up with it. Thank you Lilly for making me listen to your high speed readings of your books. I may have not liked the contents but they helped me understand most of what this guy is saying.
I Start taking notes on what I can and listing some words that I catch of what he says too fast for me to catch. Yang and Nora look dazed from the barrage of words from our Professor, so I tell them ill copy my notes for them. They both look grateful and try to focus solely on listening again, knowing they won't need to take notes anymore.
Suddenly, the professor rushes in front of me and points his finger at me.
"You! You seem to be following what I have been teaching so far. Would you be so kind as to summarize it for your classmates? To show that I am, in fact teaching and not muttering incomprehensibly." He said this all at his normal sped so most people are looking between me and him confused and thinking I am in trouble.
"Sure thing professor-"
"Doctor, I didn't get the PhD for fun." He tells me.
"Doctor Oobleck. You are telling the class about the topics we will be covering," I look down at my notes for examples, "Like the faunus revolution, the Great war and resulting color revolution. I am a bit confused at some of these, like the Alexandrian libraries and the Vacuo Jungle incidents, but I think that's why we will be covering them. Right?"
He smiles and nods his head excitedly. "Correct!" He shouts. Everyone could understand that one. "Precisely what we will be going over and why we will be going over those new pieces of material." He says, starting slowly, then building himself back to his fast pace again. I immediately go back to taking notes, but I feel the stares of my classmates as I write. It's a bit distracting, but I force my way through it. Eventually the class ends and I have five pages of notes. I might just let them borrow and copy my notes after classes.
As I'm putting my stuff back I notice Weiss standing in front of my desk. I look up at her and she is indeed waiting to talk with me.
"Yes snow angel?" I ask, making sure to smile at her.
"Please don't call me that. I was hoping that I might be able to borrow your notes later? I couldn't hear Doctor Oobleck very well." She blushes as she says the last part, she must be embarrassed that she needs help.
"Sure thing. I'm gonna give my notes to Yang later for her to copy, you wanna borrow them after? Maybe make a copy yourself?" I suggest. She nods and smiles a bit.
"Thank you Jaune. I'll give them back after I'm done copying them." She smiles at me again and starts towards the door.
I finish packing up my stuff and make my way out the door. I catch up with my team and mentally prepare myself for our next class.
Combat studies with Professor Goodwitch.