"Oh damn it," Blake groaned, flopping onto her bed. "I'm here for not even an hour and someone already recognises me."
"Oh my God!" Yang squealed. Ruby looked at her, slightly worried. She'd never seen Yang this excited before.
"Please," Blake hissed as she rolled off her bed. "Be quiet!" She stood in front of Yang, trying to calm her down.
"You are, aren't you?" Yang whispered, barely containing herself. "You're Blake Belladonna!"
"Yes, yes, I am. Now can you please be quiet?"
Yang took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
"But, what are you doing here?" she asked. Her voice was noticeably calmer. Not completely calm, but better.
"I told you," Blake said. "I left White Fang." Yang gaped at her, horrified.
"Why?" she cried, falling to her knees.
"Get up," Blake said, tugging on Yang's arms. "I told you, I didn't like the direction the band was going in. They were too hungry for glory, and they always just pushed me to the back. I was never important. They've probably already replaced me. I never really felt like a member of the band, I just played the bass for them."
"But…" Yang whispered. She sounded heart broken. "Why are you here?"
"At Beacon?" she asked. Yang nodded. "I'm here because White Fang is signed to Grimm Studios." Blake answered with a grin. "Everyone knows that Beacon and Grimm are competitors, and basically arch rivals. Beacon is determined to keep music genuine, to keep artists musically talented. Grimm takes whoever sounds good and happens to be popular off the street and gives them money until the listeners get sick of them." This was common knowledge to most people who wanted to be a musician. Grimm Studios were the people that were filling the music business with nonsense, music that all sounded the same and could barely be classed as music. But because they managed to market it well, it became popular and Grimm made a mint. White Fang was an exception to that rule: they had seemed like a genuine band. That was something that hadn't come from Grimm in a long time, which many people thought contributed to their success.
"I left them because I realised that Grimm wasn't doing anything for us as musicians, they just wanted to make money. The rest of the band was okay with that as long as they got a cut, but I wanted to improve. I know that White Fang really isn't the most technically talented band out there, none of the bands Grimm signs are. But they didn't care enough about the music to improve, so I left. I decided I no longer wanted to use my skills to aid in their quest for profit, and decided to dedicate my life to performing for Beacon."
"But," Yang said. "White Fang is an all Faunus band…" Blake rolled her eyes, reached up to the bow in her hair and yanked it out. Beneath it were two small, adorable cat ears.
"Oh my God that's so cute!" Ruby squealed, earning a bland look from Blake. She shut her mouth with a disappointed snap as her teeth clapped together.
"Look, I know we just met and all. And yes Yang, I know that you're excited. But can we just keep this between us? I don't really want people to know I'm connected to White Fang."
"Why?" Yang asked. "I'm sure you'd be popular."
"Firstly, I don't know if I would be. I was signed to Beacon's competitor, remember? And secondly, I want a fresh start. I don't want to be known as White Fang's bassist anymore. I want to be my own musician, in a band where I'm seen as an equal."
"Well I think bass players are awesome!" Ruby said with a wide grin. "I've tried my hand at the bass before, and it seemed a lot harder than guitar."
"So you've said." Blake said with a small smile.
They all turned to the door as music drifted down the hall. Blake walked over to a button near the door and pressed it. The gap between the door and the doorframe sealed off and the sound from outside was cut off.
"All the rooms can be soundproofed." Blake said to Ruby's confused look. "Didn't they tell you that in orientation?"
"Oh, that's awesome!" Ruby yelled.
"So," Blake said. "What are you guys like? Let's hear you play."
"What?" Yang said, sounding scared. "I couldn't do that."
"Why not?"
"You're the bassist fo–"
"No I'm not. I'm Blake, remember?"
"But…"
"Just play." Blake said, rolling her eyes. "We're roommates, so I'm going to hear you play eventually. We might as well do it now."
Ruby and Yang rushed to their instruments at the same time. Yang sat down at her drum kit, hitting the kick drum a couple of times. Ruby unpacked Crescent Rose and plugged it into the amp that she set on the floor. From her bag she pulled out a microphone stand and the microphone, plugging it into a speaker. Blake rolled her eyes.
"Guitar and a singer?" she asked w. "You really do go for glory, don't you?" Ruby and Yang ignored her, making sure they were set up properly.
"So," Yang said, twirling her drumsticks around. "What song?" Ruby pondered for a few seconds.
"This Will Be the Day?"
"Let's do it."
Ruby slung Crescent Rose's strap over her shoulder, rolled her shoulders and swung her head around, loosening her neck. Her amp let out the high-pitched screech of her fingers sliding on the strings. She looked at Yang, nodding. Ruby was in her zone now; this is where she felt comfortable. Any nervousness at playing for the bassist of White Fang was gone. Closing her eyes, Ruby took a deep breath and began to play.
The fingers of her right hand danced on the neck of the guitar, pressing down the strings while her left hand strummed the chords. Yang joined in, adding her slow drum beat to the mix. Opening her eyes, Ruby stepped up to the microphone. She looked at Blake and Weiss, who were both watching with interest.
"They see you as small and helpless." Blake and Weiss both perked up, looking surprised at Ruby's voice. Ruby couldn't help but grin. "They see you as just a child."
"Surprise when they find out that a warrior will soon run wild." Yang slammed down on her cymbal, bashing at it in time as the drums got heavier. Ruby grinned even wider, this was what she and Yang lived for. She lost herself in the music as it flooded the room, lifting her away.
"In time your heart will open minds! A story will be told and victory is in a simple soul!" Ruby ended the song as she always did, sliding up the neck of the guitar. She looked up at Blake and Weiss, who were both staring at Ruby and Yang, gaping.
"Holy crap…" Blake muttered. "That was awesome!" Ruby blushed, Yang beamed. "Did you guys write that?"
"Uh, yeah…" Ruby answered shyly.
"Oh my God, that's insane." Blake said.
"You really liked it?" Yang asked as she stood up.
"Yeah, that kicked ass!"
"Well…" Yang said thoughtfully. "Ruby and I are looking for band members, and we need a bassist…"
"Is that right?" Blake asked as she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Well then, I wish you both the best of luck. I hope you find a good one."
Yang hung her head, disappointed. Ruby couldn't help but giggle at the look on her sister's face. She just looked so dejected, like a child in a candy store who was told they couldn't have any.
"Oh come on," Blake said as she rolled her eyes. "I only just met you guys. I don't know how we'd mesh. I just left a band that I had a terrible time fitting in with and I don't want to dive straight into another one." Yang looked up thoughtfully, nodding at Blake.
"I guess that makes sense. So we just hang out until you feel like we'd work out?" she asked, hope rising in her voice.
"Well you two are certainly good enough, just give it some time. Then we'll see."
Ruby found herself looking over at Weiss, who was sitting quietly on her bed watching the exchange between Yang and Blake. She had a small smile on her face and was watching them with interesting. Ruby could see her idly pressing the key on her keyboard, though it was switched off. It looked like she didn't even know she was doing it.
"Hey Weiss," Ruby said as she walked over to her. "You okay?"
"Of course," she said, looking up at Ruby. "I'm fine."
"You just seem really quiet, that's all."
"They seemed to be getting on just fine without me so I thought I'd just sit here."
"Come on Weiss, you're our roommate too. Come and join in!"
"No, no. I'm fine here."
"Weiss, we're going to be living together for the next year, at least. You're going to have to talk to us eventually."
"Yeah Weiss," Yang chimed in. "Let us hear you play something. We want a keyboard player too."
Weiss blushed slightly as she stood up.
"I really don't think I'm good enough to play with you guys." She said. Yang threw an arm over Weiss' shoulders.
"Don't be silly, just play something for us."
"O-o-okay," she stuttered. She looked down embarrassedly as she walked back over to keyboard. She switched it on and opened up her laptop.
"Are you sure you want me to play?" she asked, a pleading expression on her face.
"Yes!" they all shouted in unison. Weiss turned to her keyboard, running her fingers over the keys. Ruby watched as Weiss took a deep breath and rested her fingers on the keys. She visibly relaxed as she lightly touched the keyboard, centering herself.
Soft, gentle, yet sad notes filled the room as Weiss played. It was slow and drifted from one note to the next.
"Mirror, tell me something." Weiss' voice joined the piano, quiet and shy. "Tell me who's the loneliest of all." Ruby closed her eyes, letting the melancholy wash over her like a rolling tide. She heard the clacking of a keyboard and realised Weiss was adding other tracks. The music died for a few seconds before a rapidly rising cello burst through the silence, washing over Ruby once more.
"Mirror, tell me something." Weiss sang. "Tell me who's the loneliest of all." Ruby adored the song and she could almost lose herself in it. But Weiss had been right. Her voice didn't quite match the orchestra that backed her vocals. Ruby could tell, just by listening, that it did need to be higher. Weiss had a nice voice—it was lovely—but she just didn't have the range to match the composition.
Ruby listened, paying extra attention to the vocals. She ran the song through in her head, mentally singing it. Weiss' voice couldn't get quite as high as it needed to be but Ruby could hear the song as it should be sung. It was beautiful: uplifting and melancholy at the same time.
Eventually, it came to an end. Weiss looked up as the last notes died with a shy smile on her face.
"So," she said. "What do you think?"
"Wow Weiss," Ruby said with a smile. "That was really, really good."
"You think so?" Weiss' face lit up with joy.
"Of course," Ruby replied. "I loved it."
"Th-thanks," Weiss said as her cheeks turned pink.
"So," Yang said. "What do you think Weiss?"
"What?"
"Do you want to join our band? We need a keyboard player, and you're awesome!"
"No, no." Weiss said with a frown. "I'm nowhere near good enough to join up with you two."
"Of course you are!" Ruby cried, jumping on the spot. "Come on Weiss, join us. Join us, join us, join us, join us, join us! Please?" Weiss looked at Ruby with a frown. She paused for a few seconds as she pondered then looked up with a smile.
"Well," she began. "If you'll have me, I'd love to."
Ruby cried out in joy as she ran across the room and threw her arms around Weiss. Weiss rocked back under Ruby's sudden assault, nearly falling off the bed. She looked at Yang and Blake in surprise, like she had no idea what was going on. Yang shrugged at her.
"She's not going to let go until you hug her back." She said with a crooked smile at Weiss. Weiss hesitantly raised her arms, slowly wrapping them around Ruby in return.
Ruby squeezed Weiss tightly before letting go and jumping back, still bouncing with joy. Blake took a few steps forward, looking at Weiss thoughtfully.
"Hey Weiss," she said. "Have you ever used your set up for electronic sounds? Or do you just use to overdub orchestral tracks?"
"I just use it for the orchestra." Weiss replied. "Why?" She looked at Blake thoughtfully.
"I've got a song I've been working on for a little while, but I want some electronics. If you're as good as I think you are from that, I think you might be able to help me."
Weiss looked at Blake uncertainly.
"I've never done electronics before. They've never really been my thing." She replied.
"Well there's a little bit of piano as well, if that makes you feel more comfortable. And we can always give the electronics a trial run. I think you have might have what it takes, if you're willing to try."
"Sure," Weiss nodded. "I'm happy to give it a try. No promises on how good I'll be though."
"So does this mean you're joining us too?" Yang asked eagerly. Blake gave her an amused smile.
"No," she said. "But there are guitar, drum and vocal parts to it. So, if you'd like, we can collaborate on it. If this works out well enough, I'll join you. I did say if!" She cried as Yang squealed and wrapped her in a hug.
"Oh this is going to awesome!" she cried excitedly.
"Right," Ruby said as Yang let Blake go. "So where do we start?"
As Blake opened her mouth to answer, a voice echoed through the room from the PA mounted on the wall.
"All first year students are to report to the main auditorium immediately. I repeat, all first year student are to report to the main auditorium immediately."
The four of them exchanged glances.
"Anyone know what this is about?" Blake asked. The other three shook their heads. "Well, we'd better go find out." Ruby placed Crescent Rose back in its case before following the other three out the door.
They joined the throng of people that were crowding the corridor and made their way gradually to the auditorium. Ruby looked around as they walked, examining all the other students. It fascinated her that so many people from so many different places would all gather at the same school, and all for the same reason. She couldn't help but wonder what instruments they all played. She also found herself wondering how many played the guitar. Probably a lot, she thought ruefully, Blake wasn't wrong there. A lot of people want the glory of being a lead guitarist.
Eventually they made it into the auditorium, an immense, cavernous room. The grandstand that covered most of the floor space lead down to the stage at the far side of the room. Flashing lights were shining on the stage and musicians were standing on it, wrapping up a sound check.
"I think they're showing us a concert!" Ruby yelled, straining to be heard over the excited students surrounding them.
"What?" Yang yelled back, cupping a hand around her ear.
"I think they're showing us a concert!" Ruby screamed. Yang pulled back and nodded uncertainly.
"I think they're showing us a concert!" She yelled at Ruby. Ruby rolled her eyes and turned away to look for seats.
They found four free seats about halfway down the stair to the stage. None of them knew anyone else at Beacon yet so they all agreed that they might as well sit together. They all settled in their seats, getting comfortable; except Ruby. Ruby was standing up, almost hanging over the seat in front of her. She bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, eagerly watching the stage. The student in the seat in front of Ruby looked back, annoyed. Ruby issued a hurried apology and stood up straight, still bouncing.
"I wonder who's going to play!" she yelled back at Yang. The students around them were still being incredibly loud.
"It'll probably be a group of seniors!" Yang yelled back. "Can you sit down?" Ruby hung her head slightly as she slumped into her seat and crossed her arms grumpily. Yang reached over and ruffled her hair with a laugh. Ruby shook Yang's hand off her head and glared at her for a few seconds before breaking into a laugh of her own. She turned her head back to the stage focussing on the group that were walking onto it, instruments in hand.
"Look!" she squealed. "It's starting!" She bounced back to her feet, clapping her hands and cheering. Yang sat back in her chair, rolling her eyes. Blake and Weiss both watched Ruby with amused smiles before turning their attention to the stage as well.
Ruby closed her eyes as the band's singer introduced himself and his band. She waited with bated breath, listening to the confident voice of the senior front man welcoming the freshmen to Beacon. She opened her eyes as lights flashed over the room, shining through her eyelids. Ruby gaped at the stage in joy as the band on show raised their hands to the crowd. Ruby raised her hand as well, leading the students around her to do the same. Within seconds the entire audience was standing out of their seats, holding up a fist.
The drummer gave a quick count, clicking his sticks together before slamming the cymbals when the guitars joined in. Ruby watched on in awe and rapture as the music hit her with all the force of a charging bull and she lost herself in its charge.