Praise be to whoever invented backdoors and the abandoned halls that led to them. Rikki grinned to herself. Getting into Beacon, the building at least, had been a cinch. Now for the tricky part…
Securing her hood to cover her face and slipping her shades into place, she meandered through the halls towards the people she wished she could avoid, slid her documents to one of the current students taking forms, and disappeared into the crowd again. Just like a shadow, she told herself, silent, in, out, gone.
A satisfied smile flitted across her lips as she angled herself towards the shade yet again, only to catch something in her peripheral. Focusing intently, she inhaled sharply and annoyed, descending one the group like a vulture.
"OHMYGOSH," she squealed in the best, overly girly voice she could manage as she hugged the girl in the group. "Play along," she whispered in her ear. "Girl," she said in a normal tone, "we just have to catch up." Rikki looked towards the boys, the one eying her like a complete bigot, both with an aire of confusion. "Mind if I steal her away?"
Rikki didn't wait for an answer; she just grabbed one of the girl's bags and guided her towards the main building, various jabber spilling out like two old friend's catching up.
Once a safe distance away, she looked at the girl with a straight face. "You ok?"
"Yes," the girl smiled weakly. "Thank you. The one…"
"Let me guess, ranting about Faunus and how inferior they are to mankind?"
A slight blush crossed the girl's face. "It wasn't that bad. He was poking fun at someone. Thanks for the way out."
"No problem," Rikki said, tone low. "We have to watch out for one another." The girl paled, an impressing feat for her already porcelain skin. "How many generations?"
"I'm the third," she whispered, "on my mom's side. I'm sorry, where are my manners? Adele Ross."
"Bhruna, Rikki Bhruna."
"It's nice to meet you, Rikki." Adele's gaze drifted towards the check-in area. "I'm sorry, but I haven't registered yet." Rikki nodded, noting her unease. "I'll see you around…maybe after the ceremony." Rikki gave a half-hearted nod and watched as the girl waved goodbye before disappearing into the shade again.
Behind her shades, eyes darted from person to person, resting on every Faunus for a short moment to assess, and then move on to the next person. Eventually, everyone was called to the introduction ceremony, and as the masses flowed into the main hall, Rikki snuck off to the safety of her hidden hall.
With darkness encasing her like a cocoon, she removed her glasses and leaned back against the wall. Blessed silence.
Pulling out her scroll, her fingers touched the screen lightly, a soft ring echoing through the earpiece.
"Hello."
"Mama."
"Hi baby; did you get there safely?"
"I'm fine, mama."
"Good girl. Now, remember what I told you."
"Don't attract attention, stay hidden, try to fit in…"
"And make some friends. Rikki, I know this isn't how we thought things…"
"Mama…"
"Ok, how you YOU thought things would go, but I promise, I'm only doing this because I love you and I want the best for you."
"I know, Mama," she said, masking her sarcasm as best as she could. "I'll take to you later, ok?"
"Alright baby. I love you."
"You too."