Chapter 3
The Shining Beacon Pt.2
"Hurry up Jaune!" Ruby called back to him as the knight struggled to keep up.
"For…Oum's…sake Ruby! I was meant to soak up damage not to be a high mobility attack unit!" Jaune screamed as he felt his legs burn.
The pair ended up lost due to their own incapability to keep track of where they were going while holding a conversation. Thus when Jaune decided to backtrack and to lead the way, it only made things worse. If it weren't for a bunny eared faunus whom they chanced upon, they would still be circling around the campus. With much effort, the pair finally found themselves in front of the amphitheater. Both took a moment to catch their breaths and to compose themselves, after which, the ripper and the knight walked towards the opened doors.
They were greeted by a buzz of conversations from the freshmen of Beacon Academy. Grey walls and beautifully carved archways could be seen, several seats were placed on the sides that were slightly elevated from the center where the students stood. A stage in front of them with a grandiose design at the background and a large overhead glass ceiling above them, only to be partially blocked by the support beams. Jaune looked at Ruby and saw that she seemed to be searching for someone as she tiptoed to see into the crowd. Before he could ask thought, a rather cheery voice called out to her.
"Ruby! Over here!" Both looked to see the blonde waving at Ruby.
So that's Ruby's sister, Yang if I remember correctly. Jaune took note of the large difference between them.
So far as he could tell, there was absolutely zero resemblance to indicate that the two were biological siblings. But he chose the wise decision and just held it in, knowing that it would be bad to ask of such things unless if the person in question told him personally. In contrast to Ruby's black and red clothing, Yang had an overall yellow, brown and orange color scheme going on.
But her choice of clothing, specifically the top where the lack of fabric showed her bare lower abdomen raised the knight's brow. But it was mostly due to his more traditional outlook at things and as such at clothing.
"I saved you a spot!" Yang added.
"Oh, hey I-I got to go. See you after the ceremony." Jaune watched as Ruby ran to where her sister was.
He sighed as his only companion as of the moment weaved through the crowd.
"Great. Where am I supposed to find a nice quirky girl to talk to." The blonde knight mumbled to himself as he walked to find a good spot to settle in.
As he maneuvered through the crowd of students, he accidentally bumped into a redhead. Her bronze circlet shimmered as she was slightly pushed out of the dark and into the light. Her small gasp of surprise was silenced by the conversation being thrown out all over the room.
"Sorry." Jaune mumbled to the girl as he moved to silently isolate himself from all the chaos, not even looking at the pair of emerald green eyes staring at him.
He chose his location, not too far from where the sisters were. He glanced at them and saw that the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company was once again berating Ruby. Yang stood beside the poor soul, calmly listening to the exchange. Jaune silently wished his friend the best but at the same time, readied himself to intervene if ever comes a need to do so.
"Yeah, great idea sis." Ruby's voice seemed to magically cut through the noise and reached the blonde knight.
He watched from his peripheral vision, not daring to look directly in fear of imposing a rather bad and creepy impression.
"Hello Weiss, I'm Ruby. Wanna hang out?' We could go shopping for school supplies." Jaune silently listened, straining his ear for any indication to intervene.
He knows the reputation of the Schnees and as far as he know, it wasn't a good one.
"Yeah! And we could paint our nails and try on clothes…" The obvious sarcastic response of the Schnee ringed in his ears.
Yep, not the best people to hang with. He silently commented.
"and talk about cute boys like tall, blonde and…" For some reason, Jaune noticed that Weiss's voice trailed off.
His head turned to look at the tree only to find the heiress's light blue eyes stare onto him. Jaune failed to hear what she last said but he knew that she most definitely had said something shown by the faint movement of her lips. Trying not to be rude, he gave a smile towards the group and returned his attention to the stage where a man with a cane was on the microphone flanked by the same woman that he had seen in the airship broadcast.
"I'll…keep this brief." The man in a black suit started.
"You have traveled here today in search of knowledge—to hone your craft and acquire new skills." Jaune was impressed with the professionalism and warm voice that the man had, who he assumed to be the Headmaster Ozpin.
"And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But…" His tone suddenly changed which prompted a few raised brows amongst the students including Jaune's.
"I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose – direction." The knight nodded in agreement even though he already has his own purpose.
He wasn't sure but it was as if he sensed bitterness and hope within his voice.
"You assume that knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
Ozpin stepped away from the microphone and calmly strode to exit the stage. He was then replaced by Glynda Goodwitch with the same confident and professional tone. She explained that all were to gather at the great hall where all freshmen students were to settle in for the night. She also added that the initiation would be held the next day and that all must be prepared. Jaune could've sworn that he heard several murmurs of relief when the golden haired woman said the magical words.
"You are dismissed."
Jaune maintained his gaze onto the individual in question. His gut told him that something was about to happen at the initiation but he was not sure what it was. He just hoped that it does not involve anything that could remove his feet from solid ground even for just a second.
"Hello." He turned to his right only to find the white haired Schnee.
Jaune almost jumped at the sudden appearance of the white garbed girl. Her white hair was tied to an off-center bun tail and with an icicle shaped tiara. She wore a white dress along with a white skirt matched with white boots.
Why are these people so obsessed with white? Jaune almost face palmed if it weren't for his sheer self-control that he had.
"Yes?" He responded all the while chaining the urge to ask a potentially rude question.
"I wish to be your acquaintance if you don't mind." Jaune looked at the heiress, both confused and surprised.
"But of course. I am Jaune Arc, the only heir to the Arc name." He replied, summoning all of his past experiences in the rare formal occasions that his father forced him to go.
Needless to say, he was not fond of such events but when faced with the persuasive parents and his four older sisters while pointing their weapons at him, there was not much choice to make. He saw Weiss smile but for some reason, it unnerved him rather than encouraged him.
"I am Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company." She fixed a lock of her white hair that fell out of place.
"Though I think you already know who I am."
"Yes, it is rather hard to miss a Schnee amongst this crowd. White tends to stand out at times." Jaune took the chance to look to the pair that watched them as Weiss shifted her weight uncertainly.
Her eyes were casted down as if she was thinking something which gave the blonde knight the opportunity to call for help. But as soon as he made eye contact with Ruby and Yang, the prior merely gave him double thumbs up while the latter smirked at his situation.
Oh dear Oum. Please forgive mine transgressions and help me. Jaune silently prayed as he was quickly losing his wits.
Aside from his sisters and the village female population, he had almost zero experience with girls. Aside from Ruby and now Weiss, he had only conversed with a few of the opposite gender whenever he attended tournaments in other settlements or villages. He hanged by a thread as he exchanged small talk with the obviously rich girl. The fact that he was able to hold a conversation made him thankful that his family had forced him to attend all of those boring formal events.
"And as such why not be partners with me?"
The Arc looked baffled onto the Schnee's eyes. He took note of the scar running vertically on her left eye. It most certainly added some character to the petite Schnee. The richer and darker blue stared questioningly at the much lighter blue. He concluded that he was in a bind. To decline a Schnee was tantamount to a lifetime of misery and torment but just as he was about to say 'yes' begrudgingly, the P.A. system called out to all and every student to proceed to the great hall.
"Well I guess, some other time then. I'll just meet you again tomorrow before the initiation for your answer."
Jaune watched as Weiss exited the amphitheater along with several other students. It was as if her boots had springs as she pierced through the crowd. He allowed a sigh of relief once the heiress was out of sight.
"Nice going there vomit boy." The golden curled hair of Ruby's sister greeted him.
"I'm…not that good with conversing with her sort. Too high-class for me." Yang laughed at the remark of an exhausted knight.
"And what's with the vomit boy? I thought we were done with this?" Jaune narrowed his eyes to the probable perpetrator as she approached.
Ruby came along and formally introduced each other. The two blondes then shared a fist bump. With the introductions well taken care of, Yang proposed for them to hit the cafeteria for a quick meal as emphasized by an unruly grumble that originated from the depths of her being. It elicited a few short laughs but nonetheless, Jaune found himself walking towards the cafeteria as he silently followed the two sisters.
