(Stella's POV)
I wake up and yawn. Today is the first day of classes, which means we have to be able to make a schedule to make sure each day goes smoothly for us. Seeing as I'm the first one awake, I head into the bathroom to take a shower and get changed. Yeah, a nice warm shower should get me all nice and rested for the day. After I'm finished, I change into my school uniform. Once I leave the bathroom, I am greeted by Chihi and our new leader. "Good morning, Rody! Good morning, Chihi!" They smile back. "Morning, Stella." They say simultaneously. I did notice a distinct lack of an awake Leichter among us. I turned toward his bed and found him still asleep. "Are we going to do something about him?" We start thinking of ways to wake Leichter up. He was always drowsy, sleeping whenever he felt like it. It wasn't easy to wake him up either. "We could pour cold water on his head." Chihi suggests. "I could make it uncomfortable for him." Rody offers. What he means is that he could make it hotter in the room, literally. Heat-Haze + Under blankets = Way too hot, as I've learned before. "We could blow a whistle into his ear." I propose. "Well, we may have to do it fast. What time is it?" Rody asks. "6:30." We hear Leichter behind us. In the short three minutes we talked of ways to get him up, he had already woken up, gotten dressed, and packed his backpack. Needless to say, we were all dumbfounded on how quickly he had gotten ready. "Classes start at 9:00. That gives us about 2 hours to get prepared for the day, eat breakfast, and arrive at class." Roderick speculates. "I'm already washed up. Who's next?" I ask. "I showered before going to bed." Leichter states. "As did I." Roderick says. "I guess I'll go then." Chihi decides. Chihi went in the bathroom with her uniform. The sounds of water running through a showerhead was then heard in our room. Knowing Chihi, it was probably cold.
"Wow. I can't believe we're a team now. It feels so long since we were together last, and now we'll be together forever." It truly was a momentous occasion. We were separated when we were very young and had no way of talking with each other to keep in touch. Now we'll never have that problem, cause we're never getting driven apart again. "My sentiments exactly. You've all changed since the last time I saw all of you." Rody says. "Really? I haven't noticed." Leichter sarcastically remarks. "I'm finished!" Chihi calls out to us. We turn towards the bathroom and saw Chihiro fully prepared. "Well then, shall we go eat? I'm a bit famished." Our new leader says. We all nod and follow him.
(Roderick's POV)
Once we had arrived at the cafeteria, we got our food and sat down to eat. Looking around, I saw a few familiar faces. Teams ECRU was sitting and eating together while the boys of team HYDW and Russel from CRDL were waiting in line for food. We noticed a few other students that looked older than us, presumably our upperclassmen. Most noticeably, a fashionable young woman and as athletic young man stuck out to me. Odd… Observing my surroundings further, I noticed that HYDW's girls, RWBY, JNPR, and the rest of CRDL were not present in the cafeteria. Either they are already at class, or still in their dorms. I checked the time on my scroll. 8:25. "We should probably get going." I suggest. My team nods back and finished their breakfast. We then left to our homeroom.
Once we arrived, I looked around and saw that Midori and Diane were already here. Where CRDL was, I couldn't say. I didn't see them on our way here other than Russel in the cafeteria. It looks like we got here before our teacher, so we decided to talk amongst ourselves for now. "You did what?" Leichter asks bewilderedly. "Yep. Beat the absolute crap out of that bully in the streets. He ran because he thought I was a freak. You guys know it's my semblance of course." Stella had told us a story of how she defended a Faunus kid from a man twice their size. Conveniently, that kid is the one who told her to become a Huntress in the first place. "While I don't condone the violence you used, I do commend you for sticking up for those who cannot protect themselves." I applaud Stella's efforts. "Oh don't lie to me Rody. You and I both know that you're happy to see that guy get what he deserved." Stella badgers me. It was true. I can't stand Faunus discrimination. With the amount of bigotry at Atlas there was, I wasn't going to stay there any longer. "Well, I'm glad you did. If you hadn't, we might not be together right now." Chihiro says.
The teacher had just walked in. I checked the time. 8:55. "Hello there future Huntsmen and Huntresses. I am your homeroom teacher, Professor Port. Congratulations on succeeding your initiation. I look forward to seeing your progress. We still have about 2 more minutes until class begins, so allow me to-" Professor Port gets cut off by the door suddenly slamming open. Teams RWBY and JNPR looked exhausted, as if they ran all the way here from their dorms. Actually, now that I think of it, that's entirely possible. "Ah, there we are. Now our entire class is present. And just in time too. I suppose we should begin class. Now take your seats everyone." Port says, jubilee and confidence resounding in his voice. This should be an interesting class.
(Chihiro's POV)
"Monsters! Demons… Prowlers of the night. Yes, the creatures of Grimm have many names. But I, merely refer to them as prey." Port says, then laughs to himself, out loud for everyone to hear. It doesn't seem like anyone else shares his stance on the matter however. "Uhh, and you shall too, upon graduating from this prestigious academy. Now as I was saying, Vale, as well as the other three kingdoms, are safe havens in an otherwise treacherous world. Out planet is absolutely teeming with creatures that would love nothing more than to tear you to pieces." The creatures of Grimm. "And that's where we come in. Huntsman! Huntresses…" He says the last word a bit seductively. He then clicks his tongue at Yang. That's disturbing, and it seems Yang agrees with me. Port then resumes his lecture. "Individuals who have sworn to protect those who cannot protect themselves. From what you ask? Why… the very world!" One lone student raises his fist in agreement. It has everyone looking at him. He sinks down in his seat in embarrassment. "That is what you are training to become. But first, a story. A tale of a young, handsome, man. Me! When I was a boy I…" His story about himself fell on mostly deaf ears. I looked around and almost nobody was paying attention to him. I looked to where the shouter was, and he was being chastised by his team, presumably on speaking out at unexpected times. I didn't recognize the team from initiation, it wasn't JNPR, ECRU, CRDL, HYDW, or RWBY. Must've been initiated at an earlier date. Beacon does have early initiations over holiday season. Speaking of HYDW, I found them doing idle movements. Herald was doing card tricks, Midori was twirling her antenna-like hair, Diane had electricity emanating from her fingertips, and Kallyn was looking around the room, presumably daydreaming. Behind us, I found ECRU doing just about the same. Emmet was listening to music on his earbuds, Clive had a wind spiral on the palm of his hand, Ruediger looked like he was praying, and Uhai was drawing something. Speaking of drawing, in front of us, Ruby was drawing something as well. She had a giddy look on her face. Whatever she was drawing, it seemed to amuse her a lot. "Despite smelling of cabbages, my grandfather was a wise man. 'Peter', he told me…" Our professor only went on and on. I heard Ruby snicker to herself a little. With nothing else better to do, we turned our heads as Ruby showed us what she was drawing. It was a more-corpulent version of Professor Port with stink-lines coming out of him, eloquently named; Professor Poop. Ruby then made a fart sound with her mouth. Stella, Yang, and Ruby couldn't help but laugh a bit out loud. Blake seemed to smile in amusement and I could feel myself, Roderick, and Leichter try to hold back our laughter. It wasn't just us who saw it though. Team ECRU was snickering as well, seeing as they weren't too far away to be unable to see Ruby's drawing. I heard Kallyn laugh across from us, however. How HE managed to see it is beyond me. I looked over at him, and what surprised me is that his left eye was projecting a picture. Judging by how Midori and Herald were stifling their laughter, I could guess what it was. Diane rolled her eyes but had a smile on her face as well. I looked back at Weiss. She wasn't pleased. Peter then clears his throat to get the classes' attention again. Once everything had quieted down, Port resumed his story. "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." Peter than bows down, expecting applause. Nobody clapped to his story. The moral of this story? A true Huntsman must be honorable." Ruby was balancing her book and an apple on a pencil. How she managed to do that is actually impressive. Weiss didn't see it that way and was starting to get even angrier. "A true Huntsman must be dependable." Ruby proceeded to fall instantly asleep. Weiss getting more and more peeved. "A true Huntsman must be strategic, well-educated, and wise." And Ruby was picking her nose. Weiss's displeasure and irritation was becoming more and more apparent. This couldn't end well. Well, from what I've seen back at Beacon Cliff, Ruby did have a good plan on taking out the Nevermore, so I guess she is strategic. Weiss didn't seem to care about that, however. "So, who among you believes themselves to be the embodiment of these traits?" Roderick was about to stand up, but Weiss's hand shot up faster than he could stand up. "I do sir!" Weiss exclaims. "Well then, let's find out." We then heard gnarling as someone pushes in a cage. Inside, all we could see were two, glowing, blood-red eyes. "Step forward, and face your opponent."
(Leichter's POV)
After Weiss had changed into her combat attire, it was her against whatever it was inside that cage. Naturally, her team was cheering for her. "Go Weiss!" Yang cheered. "Fight well!" Blake called holding a Team RWBY flag- Okay, how on earth did she get that? "Yeah, represent Team RWBY!" Ruby exclaims. "Ruby, I need to focus!" Weiss snaps. Oh dear… What happened now? "Alright. Let the match, begin." Port opens the cage, revealing a Boarbatusk. The Grimm charged head first in Weiss's direction, no doubt attracted to her negative emotions. She sidesteps and slashes at it with her rapier, but the Boarbatusk's armor repelled the attack, rendering it ineffective. The Grimm circled back and glared at Weiss. "Haha, wasn't expecting that were you?" Port commentates. "Hang in there Weiss!" Ruby cheers. This time, it was Weiss's turn to charge into the Grimm. Big mistake. It parried her attack by swinging its tusks to the side, forcing Weiss's back toward its face. She got hit by one of the tusks and her rapier got caught in the other. "Bold, new approach. I like it!" Port compliments. Weiss struggles to get her weapon free. "Come on Weiss, show it who's boss!" Weiss takes one second to glare at Ruby, giving the Boarbatusk the leverage it needed to force Weiss away from her weapon. Her sword clangs to the ground on the opposite side of the Grimm, out of Weiss's immediate reach. "Oho, now what will you do without your weapon?" Port challenges. The Grimm charges at Weiss. She, thankfully, rolls out of the way and sprints for her rapier. "Weiss, go for its belly! There's no armor underneath-" "Can you just stop for one second!?" Weiss barks. Ruby seems a bit guilty. I then notice Weiss be in thought for a second. It's as if she forgot that crucial detail about the Boarbatusks. The one in front of her spins in a wheel, aiming to take Weiss down for the count. Weiss then refocuses on what's in front of her. She immediately summons a glyph to repel the Grimm, which sends in on its back, stomach exposed. Weiss summons another glyph, jumps on it, and propels herself toward the Grimm, skewering it with the rapier. The Grimm's flailing, then going limp signified its death. "Bravo! Bra-vo! It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress in training." Weiss sheathes her weapon, panting in exhaustion. She looks toward her team. Ruby seems a but hurt on the inside. "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings and, stay vigilant. Class dismissed." And with that, our first day of school had concluded. Yeah, not exactly the most exciting day, considering Grimm Studies was about 70% Port regaling us of his stories when he was in his prime. Hmm, I wonder how Weiss is. She seemed a bit, unsettled.
(Weiss's POV)
I needed to clear my head. After today's classes, I need a bit of respite. Leichter was right. I do need to relax every now and then. And now, I REALLY needed it. "Weiss!" Ruby calls. I continue walking. "What's wrong with you? Why are you being-" I cut Ruby off. "Not now, Ruby! I need some time to myself!" I tell her. I continue walking toward the balcony. Ruby's footsteps cannot be heard. She's not following me. In truth, I did want to tell her off for her behavior. She's been acting like a child ever since we met. And quite frankly, I don't believe she's playing the part of our leader. I reach the balcony, and see Leichter and Professor Port, watching the sunset.
(Ruby's POV)
"Hmm, that actually went better than I expected." I hear behind me. I turn around and see Professor Ozpin. "Ozpin, do you think you made a mistake on choosing me to be the leader?" I ask. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I can infer that Weiss isn't proud of me being her leader. "That remains to be seen" Ozpin tells me. What does he mean?
(Leichter's POV)
"Professor Port." Weiss says. Sure, ignore me. I really don't mind. "Ah, Miss Schnee. Here to gaze at the sunset with me and Mister Xandercat?" He asks. "No, not really. But, I enjoyed your lecture." She says. This must be something she wants to ask Port. "Of course you did, child; you have the blood of a true Huntress in you." "You really think so?" "Most surely." I don't feel like prying into, otherwise, private affairs. I get up to leave but… "Mister Xandercat, stay here if you please." Oh great. I slump back into the bench. "Hmm, something's troubling you." Port observes. "Yes, sir." She says with a bit of fault. "Dear girl, confess to us your strife." Wait, what? Why does Port want me to know this? What does he have planned? "Well, I think I should've been the leader of team RWBY." A long silence. I snicker a little. Wiess glares at me, however… "That's preposterous."
(Ruby's POV)
"What do you mean?" I ask Ozpin. "I mean, it's only been one day. Ruby, I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. But at this moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them." He says. I wonder what he meant by 'he's made more mistakes than anyone on this planet.' "Do you?"
(Weiss's POV)
"Is that so?" I ask, a bit skeptical. "Indeed. I have believed in Professor Ozpin for many years, and not once has he led me astray." He proclaims. "But you saw how exceptionally skilled I was. Do you still believe in him?" I ask. I wanted a few more answers. "With all due respect, your exceptional skill is only matched by your poor attitude." That was insulting. Before I could reprimand him… "She is getting better, Professor Port." I turn toward Leichter. He seemed a bit proud. But at who? Me? Or himself? "I couldn't help but overhear you on your way here. You did the right thing by not chewing out Ruby." I guess that answers that question. "Wait, you were eavesdropping!?" Professor Port cleared his throat to get our attention again. "None the less, I see a girl before me who has spent her entire life getting exactly what she wanted." Professor Port pronounces. "That's not even remotely true." I refute. Both Professor Port and Leichter look at me with doubtful looks on their face. "Well, not entirely true." I relent a little.
(Ruby's POV)
"Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly." Ozpin's right. I'm a leader now. Guess I have to act like one now, huh? "If you are not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?"
(Weiss's POV)
"So things didn't end up the way you wanted. Big whoop. But acting like you should always get what you want isn't going to change anyone's minds, now will it?" Leichter asks me. It was a bit rude, but he's right. In the end, acting like I'm on some pompous high-horse isn't going to change anything. "Well said, Mister Xandercat. Though, I would've said so in a bit more of a delicate manner." Port says. I hear Leichter scoff a little. "So, Miss Schnee. 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, but the best person you can be." Professor Port's words ring true in my heart. "Now, I have paperwork to do, so I'll leave the two of you be. Goodbye Miss Schnee. Mister Xandercat." And with that, Professor Port walks away to, presumably, his office. "So." I turn towards Leichter. "Now do you want to watch the sunset?"
(Ruby's POV)
"You've been burdened with a daunting responsibility, Ruby. I advise you to take some time, to think about how you will uphold it." Ozpin leaves it at that and leaves. I do think. I turn to where Weiss is. She and Leichter are on separate benches, watching the sunset. "So what will you do?" I turn around, thinking it's Ozpin. Who I'm greeted with instead is a surprise. "How will you handle what has been given to you?" Roderick presents me with another question. "Hehe, that's a good question."
(Roderick's POV)
"You know, you're not the first person I've asked that question to." I tell her. "Really? Then who was the first?" She asks. "Me." I tell her. She looks a bit confused. "When I was appointed as RSCL's leader, I had to ask myself if I was truly capable of a leadership role. Ultimately, I ended up with no answer." Ruby looks even more confused. "The reason I couldn't come up with the answer, is because there is now answer." Ruby finally speaks up. "But why ask a question if it has no answer?" I look steadily at Ruby. "Another good question. Only, this one DOES have an answer. By asking yourself if you are capable, you put things into perspective. One must be able to discern what they can do, what they cannot do, and what they have not tried. And in both of our situations, we are at option three. Which is…" Hopefully Ruby catches on. "That we haven't tried?" I nod. "Correct. We don't know if we are worth our position yet. But one must be willing to venture into the unknown in order to make it known. So now I ask again; what will you do?" I ask Ruby one last time. She seems a bit more confident now. "I think I know."
(Weiss's POV)
It's late. Watching the sunset with Leichter turned out to be a bigger time-killer than we had thought. I silently enter our dorm and notice my three teammates asleep. Most notably, to me, Ruby's bed was littered with textbooks, worksheets, and she had a pencil in her hand. It looked like Ruby was putting forth an effort after all. I gently nudged her to wake her up. "Weiss! I-I was studying, and I fell asleep. I'm sorry." I cover her mouth and gesture her to be quiet. I don't want Blake or Yang to be waken up in the middle of the night. "How do you take your coffee?" I ask. "Uh, I-I don't." I knew that was a lie since I saw her coffee mug on her bed. "Answer the question." I prod. "Uhh, cream and five sugars." I sigh a little. She almost yelled the answer out loud in panic. "Don't move." I quickly make Ruby a coffee, exactly as she liked it. Cream with five sugars. I give it to Ruby. "Here." Ruby seems a little shook, as if she weren't expecting this. "Um, thanks Weiss." She thanks me. "Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a great leader. Just know, that I'm going to be the best teammate you'll ever have." We both smile at each other. "Good luck studying." I then notice something. "That's wrong by the way." Guess Ruby being sleepy influenced her answers a bit. I grab my pajamas, and head to the washroom to change. "Hey Ruby?" "Uh-huh?" "I always wanted bunk-beds as a kid."
Author's Notes
Roderick and Ruby's Heart-to-Heart, the first day of class, and one of the best mini-character arcs in RWBY, in my opinion. We even get a little preview of what ECRU and HYDW can do. Can you guess what their Semblance is? Some are obvious, some are not, and some have already been shown to be used. Also, thanks to Leichter, Weiss wasn't as harsh to Ruby when ruby asks what was wrong. Like I said, RSCL's presence is already affecting canon. And, also like I said, it is becoming more and more significant, little by little. So now I ask, what will happen next? Well, for those of you expecting the Jaundice Arc next, I have something for you before we het there. Teams RWBY, JNPR, and RSCL are going to get to know ECRU and HYDW a bit better, since those two teams will have more significance later on as well. I'm doing this to fill in a bit of a gap between the first week, and the week the arc actually happens, since it is implied to have been at least a whole month since Jaundice was released. Since the next chapter will delve into these two teams, I'm going on an original tangent here on how the five teams interact. Thus, the next chapter will be between 9/12 and 9/16. That should be it. I do not own RWBY or any of its characters. I only own Teams RSCL, ECRU, and HYDW. And until nextx time, I'll stay Enigmatic.
-UltimateEnigmatic