AN: Holy crepe, November was a long time ago... but, new year, new me; hopefully.
I'm going to start trying to find time to upload once a fortnight consistently (possibly quicker, if I can manage) and work hard on making chapters with 2 - 3k words, or more if I can. So, expect higher quality content, higher quantity content and an actual schedule.
Chapter Four: Target Practice and some an innuendo (Somewhere)
Moss walked alongside the faunus, looking over to him every so often to take in another piece of clothing. He couldn't see any of his skin, since he was facing away from him, for whatever reason. What Moss could see though, was black shaggy hair, vaguely similar to his own, a black hoodie, blue jeans and a pair of black sneakers. He pulled up the hood, hiding his ears and hair.
"You know I'm over here, right Wolfie?" Moss asked rhetorically, "You can act like I'm here, if you want." He continued on.
The other boy looked to him again, hood shading his face. He pulled back his hood, brushing against his hair and ears, he was blushing slightly. He started to say something, rather quietly, "They're not wolf ears." Moss was confused now, mainly because he hadn't heard him.
"What was that?" Moss noticed now, his olive skin and orange eyes; canines shaped slightly like a dogs. "Yup, definitely a faunus," Moss thought to himself.
This warranted a sigh from his newest colleague. He cleared his throat, preparing to raise his voice, "They're not wolf ears," he repeated, with a slightly louder tone, "They're jackal ears." He finished, looking back ahead of him and away from Moss.
Moss raised his eyebrow, "Look at me," Moss said, emotionless. He did as he was told and returned his eyes to Moss'. He was slightly unnerved by the dead stare Moss was giving him, "Now tell me; do I look like I care?" Moss kept the blank face and tone, looking more and more dead by the second.
They stopped now, their bodies turning to face each other. Neither was physically imposing on the other, both being fairly similar in height and build. Moss noticed that the other boy looked straight at him, seeming both scared and strong, at the same time. "Ummmmm… no?"
Moss smiled now, "Good, I'm sure me and you will get along just fine." Moss started laughing. "What's your name?"
The other boy weakly laughed along with Moss, clearly unamused by the joke, "Grey."
"Well met Grey. Moss." Moss, rather than shaking Grey's hand, rubbed his hands through Grey's hair. Grey blushed even more than he had before.
Grey slowly pushed Moss' hand away, "We should find the others," Moss simply nodded and started heading in the direction that he thought they were supposed to go. Grey sighed, blushing, and caught up with Moss.
Moss and Grey had managed to eventually find everyone else, both face palming from how easy it should have been. The hall was packed quite tightly, with just enough space to walk in between everybody. Saffron had spotted Moss and caught his attention by waving her alsatian in the air. "What a sight." Moss thought to himself
Something else came to mind, "Either that dog is really light or she is really…" Moss looked to his side, only to see Grey looking right at him, "…strong." Moss finished, sighing, "Are you right, there?" Moss said, kind of disturbed by the slight invasion of his personal space.
Grey backed up a little, "Sorry," was all he managed.
As he tried to find Saffron again, he also looked out for Indie, thinking that he would be able to see the flare of her purple cape; but, in the sea of colours, he was unable. He quickly found Fabre again; now he could see Saffron and Persi. Saffron looked happy to see him again and Persi, well, he simply nodded in acknowledgment of his presence, before facing towards the stage at the front of the hall.
The hall was fairly simplistic, with a hard wooden floor, walls that curved upwards, arching at the top and lights scattered all around the room. At the back of the hall, was a stage, the only part of the hall that had anything on it. It was a simple, raised platform, holding a microphone.
Moss made his way to rejoin Saffron and Persi, noticing Grey following closely behind, "Are you a lost pup or something? I'm not the only person here; you know that right?"
Grey looked around, noticing that there were, indeed, other people in the hall. "Well yeah but…" Grey sighed, as Moss looked on questioningly, "I don't know any of them."
"Well, I wouldn't say you know me…" Moss dragged it out, waiting for Grey to leave. Grey simply blinked in return. "Fine, but don't make too much noise."
Grey smiled and pulled his fingers across his mouth, promising he would stay quiet.
"You're back!" Saffron exclaimed, smiling, "Who's that?" Saffron pointed behind Moss, to Grey.
"That's Grey, I had to show him the way to the hall." Moss looked over to Grey, "Grey, this is Saffron," he then pointed to Persi, "and that's Persi." Grey meekly waved to them.
Persi looked over to Moss again, acknowledging him and Grey with a nod.
"So, any idea what's going on?" Moss asked, curious as to what was going to be said.
Saffron shrugged, Persi also gestured, without turning around; suggesting he was also clueless about the specifics. "It looks like the headmaster is letting everyone settle in and then he's going to give a speech or something." Saffron said calmly, only assuming what this was all about.
Suddenly, microphone static could be heard cutting through the chatter, "Welcome first years," Ozpin had taken his place in front of the microphone. Mug and cane in hand, he took a sip, "I'm sure you are all excited to settle in your new home." He shifted his glasses, taking another sip from his mug, "But, you must know, all candles die. Some quicker than others. Beacon will help keep your candles burning, however, it will be your responsibility to fuel it. Ultimately, some of you will flicker and meet your fate and others will defy theirs, creating a fire much brighter than they could expect. Which candle you will be is important to find out, while you are here."
He took yet another sip from his mug, before nonchalantly leaving the stage. A woman replaced him behind the mic. Dressed in white and purple, with blonde hair, she coughed, clearing her throat. "You will be sleeping in the ballroom tonight, initiation will be tomorrow." A student raised their hand, "What is it?"
"What happens if we're late." They asked, clearly afraid of the response.
"Don't be late." She said, smiling evilly; replacing her usual expression of what could only be assumed as annoyance.
Moss looked around at his fellow first years, "That was… rather dark, actually."
Saffron was very confused, not remembering all of the speech, "Should have gotten some brighter candles then." She said, managing a sardonic laugh, Moss joined in too, while Grey didn't find it funny, at all.
"I see what you did there." Persi said, plainly, "Or rather, I don't." Moss, Saffron and Grey looked over to him, confused as to whether they should laugh or not; they decided not.
Persi had found his own place to rest for the night. Simply meditating, skipping through dinner and conversation. He didn't show any signs of stopping. Saffron had quickly finished dinner, thanks to Fabre's help, and set up camp in the ballroom. Securing a nice spot for her, Moss and her dog to sleep. She had been engaging in conversation with a couple of people. Not caring much for conversation, she barely made it past greetings. Moss had returned to the front path of the complex; that stony walkway that had welcomed him to the next four years of his life.
He took a knee, aiming his musket, he fired a shot at one of the surrounding trees. It hit its mark with pinpoint accuracy, blowing a large chunk of bark into the air. He unholstered his halberd, putting the end, opposite of the blade, into the barrel; cleaning it, making sure there were no faults in the next shot.
He climbed one of the trees, finding a vantage point. As he balanced himself on one of the thinner branches, he steadied his breath, taking a shot at the same point on the tree. The hole in the tree was deepened, as another bullet hit the mark, this time piercing through the other side.
He had cleaned the barrel yet again, climbed down to a lower tree branch and took aim, once again. He steadied his breathing, as he aligned his eye with the sight of the gun. He rested his finger on the trigger, waiting for the lineup.
Suddenly, he heard someone speaking. He assumed it was directed at him, "That's quite the design for a gun. Powerful, single shot, but clunky and lacking in elegance." Moss tried to find the speaker but he couldn't, without taking his glasses off.
"And who has any business speaking about my gun?" Moss wondered aloud.
"Somebody who actually knows something about old pieces of junk. The exact same thing as what you have." They said.
Moss was unable to hear any emotion. What he could hear, though, was that it was a girl. "Probably another first year, thinking it's hilarious to do this."
"I'm sure if I pointed it at you, it wouldn't be quite so funny." Moss dropped down from the tree now, searching for his opponent.
From behind him, he heard someone say, very quietly, "Who's laughing?"
He jumped, turned around and had the barrel of his gun in a girl's face. "Heh, usually I only do this with girls I know."
The new girl looked unimpressed but Moss assumed that's what she always looked like, judging from her tone. "Usually, I don't talk to people who point guns at my face. But you seem to have at least some appreciation for relics."
"What is it with people calling my gun old? I made it!" Moss shouted.
The new girl laughed hysterically, for a few moments, before returning to serious mode, "If you knew anything about single shot rifles, you'd know that the one you're using is an utter piece if garbage. I use a sword and I know that!"
Moss didn't say anything, for a few seconds, before prompting her name, "Moss, absolutely lovely to make you acquaintance." He said, with a sardonic grin, as he extended his hand out and bowed slightly.
The girl did not take his hand and simply started walking back, toward the complex, "Lucerne. Hopefully, you won't ever have the need to say it."
"Wow, that's rude." Moss said, quite simply, as he examined his gun. "You're not old, you're just…" Moss looked for the word… "Damn, you really are old." He sighed, in defeat.
Moss tried to forget what had just happened and continued on with his target practice, but his aim was completely off. After a few minutes passed, he noticed someone else make their way outside. A certain purple cape was the only thing he could see, shining brightly in the moonlight.
As she saw him, Moss could faintly make out her waving her hand, to which he waved back. She started running now, as Moss walked towards her. "Moss, get behind a tree, or something."
Moss looked at her, inquisitively, "Why?"
As Indigo reached him she put out her hand and started pushing him to the side, "Persi said he was going to meet me out here, and I think I know why. If you have any regard for your own life, you'll stay out of sight."
"Well, this brings back memories… not ones I particularly want to relive but if it means I live, than I'm fine with that." He said, rambling, "Though, I'm not really sure what you're talking about. How do you know Persi?"
Indigo's only response was to put her finger to her mouth, and hush him. She then moved back out onto the pathway. As Moss peeked out, to watch her, he could hear a very low breathing; almost right next to him. He didn't dare turn to see who or what it was, as he them start speaking, in a low, muffled voice, "Hello there… I didn't expect to have someone else lurking in my domain." They finished with a very quiet laugh.
AN: What is it with Moss and people coming up behind him? Is Moss comfortable with it; is everybody part of a conspiracy to make Moss uncomfortable; who's domain is behind a tree?
Find out, next time, on... Do I really have to say that?
FMSPVAD (Because even typing the whole thing is a little ridiculous).
Until then, this is Mossman; have a bloody good day, mate.