Nick finally felt himself coming too. He was lying on a stiff bed and greeted by the sight of a white ceiling. He pushed himself up and looked around the room. It appeared to be some sort of doctors office. Its white tile floor and desk almost hurt his eyes to look at, with one of the few things of color in the room was the wooden door. It opened, and the man he recognized as the headmaster walked in.
"Good morning, Mr. Veras" he said, a light smile on his face as his signature spectacles glinted under the light of the room.
"Professor Ozpin." Nick responded. "Where am I?"
"Ah, shortly after you had defeated the nevermore, you passed out from overusing your aura. We brought you to the medical wing to allow your aura to heal itself." Ozpin said.
Nick stood up, he was still slightly sore from the initiation but he didn't show it.
"Well, thanks. So, what's the occasion?" He asked.
"I wanted to congratulate you personally. I found myself impressed by you while reviewing the footage, as well as recovering in time for the ceremony." Ozpin explained.
"Wait, ceremony?"
"I thought I would explain it to you since you were unconscious after the initiation had ended and missed the announcement. You see, we will be paring the partners formed during the initiation together to form four person teams. They are to be assigned a leader and a dormitory room. The ceremony was initially going to take place directly after, however, there were more injured then usual this year due to an increased amount of Grimm. It was quite unfortunate, and I thought it best to delay it until later this evening after everyone has recovered."
Nick sat at this and thought to himself. He cleared hist throat for a minute.
"So, are you going to tell me who I'm getting paired up with?" He asked hopefully. Ozpin smiled and shook his head.
"I am afraid you'll have to wait until the ceremony to find out, Mr. Veras. It will be in the auditorium again, so I'm sure you know your way." He said. His spectacles glinted in the room light again as he turned to leave.
After the headmaster left, he got to his feet and made his way out of the medical room and pulled put his scroll. He pulled it open and checked the school map. Once he was satisfied that he knew where he was going, he pushed it closed and pocketed it. He sighed and made his way to the auditorium.
People were streaming into the auditorium doors. As he walked with the crowd, he spotted his partner. As everyone found a spot to stand inside the room, he moved towards her.
"Hey" He said, walking up behind her.
"So you woke up, nice timing." Amber responded.
"Could've been worse."
"Yeah, but it wasn't. Especially the way you dealt with that Grimm, everyone was worried."
"Wait, even Navy?" Nick asked, smirking slightly.
"No, not him." Amber responded with a sigh. Nick shrugged, unsurprised. The indistinctive chatter died down the moment Ozpin walked onto the stage. The whole room was quiet and tense, until the headmaster cleared his throat, and began his speech.
"Good evening everyone. I would like to congratulate you all on surviving the initiation mission, as well as this. Each set of partners came back with a relic, which is a rare occurrence. You all show much promise, and potential. Potential I have not seen from a new year in quite some time. Yet all of you require improvement if you wish to one day call yourselves huntsmen and huntresses. I've always believed that a major part of this improvement we endow on students is not just in combat or academic skill. Rather in teamwork skills, and in our betterment as people as a whole." Ozpin paused, letting the crowd of students mummer amongst themselves for a moment.
"This is why, based on the results of your initiation, we pair students into four person teams. Once two sets of partners are assigned, your team will also be assigned a leader and a room in our dormitory. Your leader will not only command you in battle, but will also be responsible for his or her team. That includes assisting class schedules for your team, representing your team, and much more along with their standard duties as a student here. It is an important responsibility to have for those who receive it, I warn you not to take it lightly."
More nervous and excited muttering among the crowd interrupted him. Ozpin smiled lightly, as two hologram screens appeared above him. THe crowd silenced again.
"Now, with that out of the way. I would like to start off with forming the new teams with what I feel has the most promise. When you hear your names, and your picture appears on the screen. Please come up with your partner onto the stage with me."
Nick looked over to Amber, who seemed to be biting her lip nervously. He didn't blame her. It was only a matter of time before they were called onto the stage to be assigned.
"Let us begin. Coco Adel, Fox Alstair, Velvet Scarlatina and Yatsuhashi Daichi." Ozpin said, his spectacles glinted slightly as he spoke now. Their pictures appeared on the hologram screens and the first letter of their names appeared under them. A moment later, the four walked onto the stage. "Partners Coco Adel and Fox Altstair retrieved the red fox statue. While partners Velvet Scarlatina and Yatsuhashi Daichi retrieved the blue fox statue. Together, these four shall form team CFVY, led by Coco Adel."
The crowd applauded, and Ozpin joined them. Upon hearing this, Coco smirked and gave a wave to the crowd while Velvets face seemed to grow a nervous expression. When the applause died, the four walked off the stage. Ozpin coughed slightly.
"Nickel Veras, Amber Auburn, Navy Marine, and Indigo Kani." Nicks head filled with multiple different emotions. He already realized what this meant if the four of them were being called. Amber sighed and pulled on his arm.
"Let's go" she said quietly, Nick almost didn't hear her. He snapped out of it and began walking towards the stage. They worked their way through the crowd swiftly until they found themselves at the staircase on the left of the stage. Navy and Indigo emerged from the crowd at the same time as them. Navy had his signature scowl painted on and Indigo didn't look too happy either. Without saying anything to each other, the four walked onto the stage.
Ozpin greeted them with a smile and a nod as they walked up to him.
"Partners Nickel Veras and Amber Auburn retrieved the black lion statue. While partners Navy Marine and Indigo Kani retrieved the white lion statue. Together, these four shall form team NANI, led by Nickel Veras." Ozpin said.
The wave of emotions returned to Nick. He wondered if there was a mistake, but the gleam in Ozpins eyes denied him of that.
"Hmmph. I will not-," Navy began to say, but Indigo stomped on his foot. He grunted in pain and scowled at her. She just gave him her signature death glare in return. Though it faded as the dread of his new responsibility coated him. Indigo tugged at his arm, he realized the other two were already walking off the stage. He nodded and followed them off.
The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur to Nick. He couldn't really focus on the other teams, as he was now lost in thought.
"You okay?" Amber asked him, they had returned to their original spot in the auditorium. Navy and Indigo had joined them in the spot as they were part of the team now.
"Yeah... Why do you ask?"
"Because you were spaced out, more then I've usually seen you."
"I'm okay. Just thinking." Nick sighed,
"If you can not do the job of leader on the first day. You have no business leading me." Navy commented.
"You want me to break that foot?" Indigo grunted.
"I would like to see you try," Navy responded gruffly. Nick glared at the two.
"Save it for another time or place, I can do whatever I need to and I don't need you to question me, or defend me." He said.
"That remains to be seen." Navy grumbled. The crowd applauded again as another team walked off the stage. The hologram screens closed, and Ozpin took the center of the stage again.
"That will be all the new teams forming this year. As I said earlier, you all have potential that I see within you. I urge you all to find it and make it your own. To grow and find your propose, and to trust your new teams. There will be both times of happiness and sorrow for you all, and you should not be afraid to lean on your team in those times. For that is why they are there. I would appreciate it if team leaders meet with me backstage, immediately. For there are more matters that we must attend to. As for everyone else, please enjoy your evenings and take this time to celebrate your accomplishments up until this point. Thank you."
Ozpin turned and walked offstage, walking through a door and closing it after. Indistinct talking erupted the moment the headmaster left. Nick sighed.
"Well, I'll be back then. Try not to kill each other while I'm gone." Nick said dryly.
"We can't promise anything." Indigo responded. With that, Nick began to move away from them towards the backstage door. As he reached for the handle, another hand grabbed it first.
"Funny how we keep running into each other." Coco said as she opened the door.
"Yeah, wonder what Ozpin wants from us." Nick responded.
"Probably nothing too crazy. I mean he dd just shove a big responsibility on us." Coco walked through the door and Nick followed her in.
"True, speaking of which, can we trade teams?" Nick said in a dry tone. Coco chuckled.
"Not a chance."
Nick almost bumped into one of the new leaders as he followed Coco. It was basically a large dressing room. Nothing stood out of the ordinary. Ozpin stood at the center of the room. He smiled when the door closed behind us. Next to him was a table stacked with notebooks.
"Thank you team leaders. I won't take up much of your time. All of you have been burdened with a heavy responsibility... A responsibility you are expected to uphold to your best ability. However, you choose to go about this is entirely up to you. That said, I have on this table your scheduling for you and your team. You are responsible for ensuring that your teammates are informed of their schedules and carry them out. If they are unable to attend a class or session, please be sure that they inform you. In which you will inform us by contacting myself or one of the other professors with your scrolls. Again, however you choose to go about handling this is up to you. Though I ask you all to do your responsibilities as a huntsman in training, and as team leaders. There will be a meeting in a classroom for team leaders every other week to keep everyone informed. The time and classroom should be in the book with your teams name on it. That is all."
Ozpin took in a breath. The team leaders with some hesitation began going through the books on the table next to him, finding the one with their teams name on it and leaving. Nick pushed his way through to the table and began his search. He searched through a few minutes, multiple books passing through his hands before he eventually found what he was looking for. A thin notebook, a black cover with the word 'NANI' on it in white letters. He smiled nervously to himself. He backed away from the table and flipped through it. As promised, he found inside the schedules for classes and times for each member. The team shared most classes together with one or two exceptions. The book also contained the number for their dorm room, as well as the entry code for scrolls.
Satisfied, Nick headed for the exit. Before he could cross through the door, he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. The headmaster stood by the door, a calming smile on his face.
"Apologies if overwhelmed you." He said.
"It's only just single handedly carrying the responsibility for three other people by myself. No pressure at all." Nick responded.
"Now now, if I may offer a little advice. You don't necessarily need to see it that way. Another way of looking at is, that you're merely helping to guide them to be the best they can be along with yourself."
"I'm not sure I follow," the headmasters pushed his spectacles up his nose a little.
"You'll understand soon enough. Though do please stop by some day in my office to chat. I think I would like to know more about you."
Nick nodded and walked out of the dressing room. Most people were already leaving the auditorium. Nick opened his scroll and entered the activation key for his room into it. Now he should be able to open the room if he has it.
"What took you so long?" He heard Indigo ask him from behind. He turned to see her. Her face looked tired.
"I wasn't gone that long. Wait, where are the other two?"
"Oh, they're over there." She pointed a thump over her shoulder towards a wall, where Navy leaned on it and Amber stood a few feet away from him, her eyes closed. "What's with the book?"
"I'll explain later. Anyway, let's go find our dorm room."
"Do you even know where the dorms are?" Nick sighed and opened his scroll again. He opened Beacon's map and found it quickly.
"Yeah, it's nearby. Don't worry about it."
"I'm just checking, plus you're not really looking too good." It was true, Nick felt really nervous about his new position. He took a breath.
"I'm okay, just do me a favor and try to keep your partner in check a little until I can get around to dealing with him."
"You're the boss, though that guy honestly goes from calm to crazy in a minute." she sighed,
"Just do your best." he grumbled. He didn't bring up that 'being the boss' was exactly the problem. He shook his head and made his way over. As he approached, Navy quietly grunted.
"For the record, I think your position is a mistake. Only a real warrior should be in charge." Navy grumbled. Nicks eye twitched slightly.
"Deal with it." He responded, lightly irritated. "We can have that discussion another time, if you feel like being the teams secretary. Be my guest. It saves me a lot of extra paperwork and talking to teachers. If that doesn't suit you, just shut up and we'll talk about it later. For now, just work with me a little."
"Then earn my respect. Let me make this clear, you are no leader, until you prove otherwise." Navy responded. Indigo lowly growled and began to step towards her partner, but Nick put his hand on her shoulder. She looked at him, confused.
"It's fine." He said, She sighed. "That aside. Would you rather we stand here and listen to you complain about how you don't like this or can we go find our dorm room?" Navy said nothing.
"Thank you." Amber muttered. Nick sighed and began walking out of the auditorium, his teammates behind him. They said nothing to each other as they walked through campus, which Nick was thankful for he wasn't sure he could handle it much more if Navy kept pushing his patience.
Their dorm hallway had boring grey walls and a red-carpet floor. The white doors blended with the walls, the only difference was a small brown number on each one. He stopped, spotting the number of their room.
"This should be it." Nick said. Navy pushed him aside and tried to twist the doorknob. Nick smirked when it didn't open. He pulled his scroll open and entered the password. The sound of a lock undoing itself clicked. Navy tried it again, and it swung open.
"You did not tell us there was a lock." Navy grumbled.
"I'll write down the password for everyone to put into their scrolls." Nick responded, pushing past the blue axe user.
The room's lights were already on, revealing the yellow walls and wooden floor. The floor had a circular red and white rug at the center of it, which matched the four red and white beds that lined themselves to the end of the room. There was a desk for each member of the team and a large bookshelf between the pair of beds. The window curtain was pushed aside, which allowed the shattered moon of Remnant to shine in.
"Welcome, to the dorm of team NANI," Nick muttered dramatically, pushing his way into the dorm room. Their backpacks of belongings sat on each desk, Nick sighed and pulled out a chair on the desk with his bag on it.
"So, who's sleeping where?" Amber spoke up as the team trailed into the room.
"Both partner sets will take up each half. Figure it out from there." Nick responded nonchalantly, as he dug through his bag. Indigo wasted no time, she walked over to the farthest bed on the right and practically jumped into it. Navy disappeared to the bathroom, which left only Amber.
Nick pulled out some paper from his bag, and began to flip through the schedule book while writing stuff down.
"Um, Nickel." Amber said.
"It's just Nick please." He didn't look up from writing.
"Sorry, what are you doing?" He sighed. He took one piece of paper and got back up.
"Just getting some things worked out before morning." He pressed the paper to the wall which it stuck too. On it was just labeled 'scroll dorm entry code' followed by the code.
"Put that in your scrolls so I can take it down later." Nick said as he walked back to his desk. She nodded and pulled a scroll out of her pocket and began typing on it. He spaced out as he worked, writing schedule notes down and the location of each class. When he finished, he realized everyone had fallen asleep. He sighed and closed the schedule book. He could figure out in the morning. He walked over to the last empty bed on the far left of the room and climbed into it. He didn't get much sleep that night, not just because of the nightmares, but now also because he was still anxious about running this new team.
