An inevitable darkness - creatures of destruction; the creatures of Grimm - set their sights on man and all of his creations.
Ruben couldn't even hear his own thoughts over the sound of the new students bustling and talking. They spoke of the Hunters who have well since passed, their stories spoke with reverence and awe. They spoke of fabled Beowolves and ye old monsters.
Something along the lines of a cross between a bear, spider, wolf, dragon. Perhaps a Beidolgon. As Yin would probably make up on the spot.
Ruben shook his head, trying to drown out the noise to hear his own thoughts. He felt so enclosed. So trapped. His hands rested in his coats pockets, his eyes scanning the room for Yin. Looking for a rock to hold onto. He passed his eyes over probably a hundred or so people. Teachers, students. He didn't care.
Despite the noise, Ruben couldn't help but be impressed. The orientation room was unbelievable. Truly a sight to behold. The gunmetal aged old gray walls, built to stand and stay strong. The well furbished checkered red floors. The beautiful stain glass windows reminding him of an old cathedral.
The glass windows above the podium was a circle, with four small ones within that. If it meant anything other than just circles, it went above Ruben's head. He blinked, trying to not get sidetracked and focusing on finding Yin once more.
Coincidently, Yin was also looking for Ruben, standing up on the shoulders of a fellow student. Maybe a friend. Maybe a random stranger he coaxed into helping him.
He didn't really care of small details like that.
He saw Ruben, his little brother's graying hair sticking out like a sore thumb. Swinging his arms about, waving his hands in giant circles and grinning widely. He felt his body dip forward, before leaning his body back and steadying himself atop the man below him.
"Ruben! Over here, bro! Ruben! I! Am! Right! He-"" He shouted, before the student under him misplaced his foot and toppled over. Yin yelped, landing atop of the student. Ruben smiled and chuckled, walking towards his brother to help him off of the floor. Jaune watched Ruben walk away, leaving him without so much as a goodbye. Jaune pressed the tips of his fingers together, nodding to himself.
"That's alright...just...I got to meet with someone any...any..." Jaune said, his voice losing luster and confidence. He waved off Ruben, his smile fading when he saw Ruben didn't even care to look back. Didn't even think twice.
Jaune stood there in his silence, losing the closest thing to a friend since he got here. He shifted in his spot, before clearing his throat. He walked away without another word. His shoulders slouched, his heart heavy and a pair of green eyes following him.
"So, making any friends?" Yin asked, smiling a bit. He sat on the floor, the sound of the boy beneath him drowned out by his laughing. Ruben scoffed leaning down to lend him a hand. Yin swatted it away playfully, pulling his arms back. Springing himself up, he hopped onto his feet. His arms shot out for balance and his breath steady.
Yin landed perfectly, before clapping his hands together and pumping his arms. "As I was saying...make any friends?" Ruben crossed his arms and turned away from Yin.
"Plenty." Ruben remarked, rolling his eyes. Yin placed his hands on his hips, leaning in to hear his brother's words. "Met a few after you ditched me for your pack of croons."
"Don't be like that!" Yin said, sighing. Yin couldn't hide it though. As much as he loved his little brother, he had to make friends. Not just for Yin's own sake but for himself. He knew that this Lone wolf thing wasn't healthy.
Yin chuckled at the days they were children. Running around their backyard, playing their little games and playing. He would always see his little brother's smile. Hear his laugh. See him get excited.
As Yin looked over at Ruben's expression, he felt his heart break a bit. Yin didn't see the five year old who wanted to play Pirates with him. He saw a young man who almost never smiled anymore. Who's jokes were snarky, were mean spirited. His aura dark and his demeanor eternally discontent.
Yin lost his smile, upon seeing Ruben's scowl and eyes averted away from him. Ruben looked hurt, angry, and...embarrassed? His eyes were sharp, his teeth were barred. Yet his cheeks were rosy red. Yin dropped his arms, his tone flat and serious. "What happened, buddy?"
"I blew up." Ruben said in a grumble, groaning to himself out of angered disappointment. The image of the explosion popping into his mind and infuriating him once more. How could he be so stupid? So irresponsible?
Yin, however, imagined his little brother throwing a tantrum, his arms flailing and his screams growing into more of a cry. Then he imagine Ruben with a bib, diaper, and a pacifier and started laughing.
"You broke down?" Yin said, chuckling a bit. He pinched Ruben's cheek, his playfully shaking it. "Why? Did da baby spill his milk?"
"No! Like," Ruben's hand swatted away Yin's and he began to shake, his teeth out like a wild animal and his eyes wide. He felt his vision getting hazy, a vain in his neck about to burst. He threw his hands away, let out a grunt of frustration. "Like Literally!"
"You!" Winter walked towards Ruben, a hand resting on his holster and the other pointing at him. Winter poked Ruben, his arms bulging his shirt."You dolt! You could have killed us!"
"Thanks for reminding me, Princess!" Ruben said, smacking the hand away and staring daggers at Winter. Yin grasped Ruben's shoulder, trying to pull him back. Ruben wanted nothing more than to send a cold straight into Winter's chin, bust his lip, and then make him pay for disrespecting him like that.
Winter wanted to send a fist into Ruben's throat, sweep his legs, then kick him while he was down for being so irresponsible and narrow minded. Yin's jaw dropped, looking over at Winter and back to Ruben. The connection was immediately made and Yin stood there dumbstruck.
"Oh God, you actually blew up." He said, his voice deadpan and in shock. The vision of baby Ruben blew up like a box of fireworks. Winter turned to Yin, nodding.
"Yes! He did!" Winter said, before remembering something with a snap of the fingers. He reached into his pocket, shoving a pamphlet into Rubens' face. "Read this, kid. Get familiar with the Frost product before blowing up again."
The parchment said, "Dust and You! Learning what Dust is, how to use it, and how not to use it!" With a picture of a confused stick figure with a small baggie marked 'D'.
"Definitely," Ruben said, cracking a smile towards Winter. He grabbed the paper out of Winter's hand, nodding feverishly. "I'll get started right away." In that moment, he curled his hand into a fist, the paper crumpling in his hand before he dropped it on the floor and stomped on it for good measure. "Wow! Did I learn something new!"
"You annoying child."
"Suck it, Princess."
"OK! Let's not get into the name calling!" Yin said, stepping between the both of them. A hand pressed against both their chests and creating distance between them. Ruben took a step forward, knowing all to well that Yin didn't want to have to break up a fight between the two of them. However, ending it would have been the easiest for everyone involved. Not that Yin would want that. "Let's start over, eh?"
"I'm Ruben!" He started, pointing at Winter. "Cross me again, and I'll put you in the ground!" He ran his thumb across his throat, nodding to himself. "Understand?"
"I'm Winter!" Winter cackled, shaking his head. "If I ever speak to you again, believe me, it will be you in the ground. Understand?"
"Bring it!"
"Already did!"
The sound of the mic turning on pulled them out of their scream battle, a fight that caused all the students around them to back up and attempt to ignore. Yin shoved the two of them back, before staying between them both and crossing his arms.
He looked towards the podium, waiting for the speech. Winter shot a look of hatred towards Ruben, who stuck his tongue out in retaliation.
"I'll..." Ozpin started, the mic coming into focus and the room becoming quiet. He pushed his glasses up, letting out a heavy breath.
"Keep this brief. You have traveled here in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you are finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy. In need of purpose. Direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
He left the podium, walking to the side as Glynda took center stage. She straightened her blouse, moving one of her curled locks out of the way and intertwining her hands.
"You will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready." Glynda said, dismissing everyone to head to the ballroom. She left with Ozpin, taking up her scroll. Ruben turned to Yin, who's eyes surveyed Ozpin's demeanor.
The general feeling of seriousness from Ozpin looked more staged than genuine. Ruben had felt the seriousness and actuality in his voice when they spoke face to face, yet then there was a sense of compassion and understanding interlaced with it.
Up on stage, there was a sense of dictatorship and 'Survival of the Fittest' vibe being given off. A vibe Ruben knew Yin felt.
"Something's off." Yin mumbled, rubbing his chin. Yin looked over at Ruben, nodding to him."I can feel it."
"Me too." Ruben said, nodding softly as well. "Just...a feeling."
"So, how about that speech?" Jaune piped in, leaning in towards Winter. Winter brushed him off and pushed past him, before leaving the three of them in the orientation room.
The ballroom was, quite possibly, rollout bed to rollout bed. The students talking about the monsters of Grimm, the headmaster, Glynda, future classes, the monsters they've already fought, Glydna, the teachers they'll have, Glynda.
And of course, Glynda. And other various things. The Faunus uprising being talked about in hushes and in small packs. Talks of the White Fang are either 'Liberating the lower class' or they are 'Menacing and Mass Murders'. No real middle ground, from what Ruben could hear.
Ruben was laid out on his back, staring into the ceiling. His tight tank top on his body, his arms behind his head. His black and red sweats cuffed off at his knees. He heard the rushing of feet and a grunt. Yin landed beside him, his head landing on his pillow and a smile on his face.
In contrast to his brother, Yin was more...open with his body. His chest was bare, his frame and body type twice as thick and twice as defined as his younger brother. And most of the men in the room as well.
His golden loose shorts tied in a knot and ended just under his knees. Ruben looked over at his older brother, who was running a hand through his golden locks. He pulled on his hair, before letting out a laugh and spreading his arms out.
"This! Is! Awesome!" Yin said, chuckling. He looked at everyone around him, his smile almost lighting up the room. He looked at Ruben out of the corner of his eyes. He shot up, his hands on his knees. "It's like summer camp! I wonder if we'll tell ghost stories and eat s'mores?!"
"Your guess is as good as mine." Ruben commented, turning his eyes back to the ceiling. Yin rolled his eyes, sitting up on his knees.
"Relax, bro. First day skitters are always expected." Yin said, his palms resting on his knees as he turned to his brother. "Especially with you."
"Don't rub it in."
"I'm serious." Yin said, raising both hands defensively. He didn't see so much as a smile from Ruben. "So, any luck with the friendo business?"
"Any luck with being..." Ruben tried to think of a witty comeback. Anything to sting Yin, only to fall short and grumble. "No."
"Cheer up! I saw you with that blonde guy." He looked over to find him, to point out where Ruben's new best friend was. He saw the same boy walking about...in onesie bunny pajamas. With floppy ears on each foot and goggly eyes. Jaune waved at them, Yin waving halfheartedly back. "Yeah...That guy...New best friend!"
"Wouldn't call him a friend." Ruben mumbled. He thought of Jaune's comment then how they interacted with one another, wondering if he really was a 'friend' to him. They didn't hate each other, that was good. They didn't blow up. They didn't threaten to kill each other. Which was good.
"But! You two don't hate each other! That's the first step!" Yin stated, before hearing Ruben groan and turn his back towards him. Yin inched towards Ruben, patting on his ribs like a bongo. "Cheer up bro. It'll work out."
"You don't know that!" Ruben snapped, turning to him. Yin didn't so much as jump, or wince. Yin felt his face lose his smile, letting Ruben lash out. Just let out whatever was on his mind. "I'm not like you, Yin! I'm not-" He growled, letting out a lowly roar.
He tightened his hand, turning around and sent a punch into his pillow. He felt his knuckles buckle against the wood beneath it, falling onto his side and cradling his hurting hand. Yin shut his eyes, and counted to five to himself.
One, Two. Three and Four. Then there is Five. He then let out a slow and steady sigh.
"Ruben..." Yin whispered, moving close to his brother. He poked Ruben's shoulder, not feeling him move away or try to push him back. "It's ok. It'll be ok." He rubbed Ruben's shoulder, smiling. "Remember when we were kids? And we would always get into trouble?"
"I remember you getting into trouble.' Ruben mumbled, feeling a smile breaking through his pain. He looked up towards Yin, his eyes having lost their cold nature and replaced with a sense of warmth and brotherhood. Safety and understanding. "Why bring that up?"
Yin let out a gasp, that voice now sounding like a scared child.
"We've been through worse." Yin nudged him softly with his fist. "And we've come back. You've come back. You'll see. It'll all work out. It's only been one day." Ruben rolled back onto his back, his left hand holding onto his right hand. He softly rubbed his knuckles, shutting his eyes and allowing the muscles and bones to relax.
"One day..."
He then heard a cough, his eyes turning to the source almost immediately. He saw Blair, still in his coat and scarf, sitting against the farthest wall. His focus on a book he's been reading for the past hour with a candle lit beside him.
His shoulders laid back, a leg kicked out in front of him and his book resting against his knee. Ruben narrowed his eyes, Yin noticing. Yin nudged Ruben, leaning in towards him.
"Who's that?" Yin asked, getting onto his knees. Ruben shrugged, his eyes still on Blair.
"Some guy who got into it with Princess. Called him out on some Faunus stuff his dad's company apparently does." Ruben said, feeling Yin's hand grab the back of his neck and lift him off the ground.
"Sounds like a friend to me!" Yin said, proceeding to drag Ruben towards Blair. Blair turned the page of his book, hearing the protests of Ruben grow louder with every letter. His eyes turned away from his book, his eyes meeting Yin's.
"Good evening!" Yin sang, effortlessly pushing Ruben towards Blair. Ruben planted his heels into the floor, avoiding tripping onto Blair. Ruben looked over his shoulder and growled lowly at Yin, before turning to Blair. He opened his mouth to speak, only to have Blair point at him.
"You're the one who had that shout match with Frost." Blair noted, not batting an eyelash. "The one who blew up." Ruben averted his eyes, feeling his nerves getting the better of him.
"Ruben." He said, extending his hand and keeping his face turned away. Blair grabbed ahold of his hand, giving him a firm shake. Ruben eyes shot open. Blair's hands were surprisingly strong. Yet not as rough as he imagined.
"Blair." He said, before letting go of his hand and returning to his book. Yin smiled, stepping between the two of them.
"That's a nice scarf, eh Ruben?" He asked, nudging Ruben's side. Ruben turned to him, seeing Yin's eyes motion towards Blair. And his apparently nice scarf.
"What? Oh...yeah. Nice scarf." Ruben said, knowing how strange that sounds. Yin turned to him, his jaw dropping.
"'Nice scarf?' Are you serious?" Yin mumbled, Ruben throwing his arms in the air and turning to Yin.
"You're the one who brought me over here!" Ruben mumbled back, barring his teeth. Ruben felt his eyes fall onto Blair's. The judgment they held, as if assessing him for any sort of weakness. Vulnerability he can exploit when the time was right. Then his eyes moved towards the book in Blair's hand.
"I'm sure you both have had the most wonderful day..." Blair started, the annoyance in his voice apparent. Not to mention the sound of him trying to withhold from yawning. "I would just like to read-"
"Read what?" Ruben asked, crossing his arms casually and feeling his body relax a bit.
"Before...bed...huh?" Blair asked, turning up towards Ruben. He wondered if he heard Ruben correctly. If he really wanted to hear him talk about some book he picked up an hour or two ago.
"The book. What are you reading about?" Ruben asked, the hostility and anxiety in his voice now gone. Blair turned to the book, opening it back up to find his page again. Page one hundred sixty. At least, that's what he thought he was on.
"Oh...It's about this man who...well...who is cursed to be a monster. Until he can love and be loved in return." Blair explained, his voice easing and feeling his lips curl into a smile under his scarf. He looked up at Ruben, then towards the book.
"That's...interesting." Yin said, rubbing his cheek. Yin could recall the last book he really wanted to read. Baby Fox finds his Momma. It was a fun read. Then again, it was over thirteen years ago. He averted his eyes, letting out an awkward sigh.
"He does find it in the end?" Ruben asked, staring through the darkness under Blair's hood. Blair turned his eyes away, sighing. He wanted the beast to find love, and to be loved in return. After all he's been through, he's at least entitled to that.
"I hope so, kid." Blair admitted, closing his book. He patted the leather bound cover lovingly, nodding his head. "We can hope, eh?"
"Of course." Ruben said, feeling his own smile growing. "We all need to have hope, especially in these times."
"More than you know, kid." Blair said, feeling his muscles relax and his mind at ease. The tension in his shoulders were gone, his demeanor now alot more relaxed than before. He nodded towards Ruben, who nodded back. Yin wrapped an arm around his younger brother's throat, chuckling.
"There we go, bro!" He shouted, giving Ruben a congratulatory nuggie for being normal. For once.
"Get off!" Ruben said, trying to break out of Yin's hold. His hands grasped Yin's forearms, knowing the futility of the attempt but still willing to try."Seriously! That hurts!"
"Will you both shut it?" A voice cried out, sitting up from their rollout and looking up at the both of them. The silk button up partially opened, the Prince's eyes staring daggers at Ruben.
Yin let go of Ruben's throat, sensing the hostility would soon draw blood if he didn't act fast. "We are trying to get some sleep child. Would you rather wait for your big brother to read you a bedtime story and tuck you?"
"I'll tuck you in!" Ruben threatened, feeling Yin wrap around Ruben's waist and begin to pull him back towards their mats. "Better sleep with one eye open!"
"I should tell you the same thing!"
Blair turned his eyes to the burning candle beside him, before pinching it off and heading to bed.