A/N: Good moooooooooooooooooooooorning Remnant! Yes, it is I, He Who Shall Not Post, doing... Exactly that thing I don't do very much: Posting!
I actually finished this one about a week ago, but I couldn't really post it till now, cause my internet's been out. So, I'm actually uploading this from my local library. See kids, libraries ARE good for something!
I'm actually really happy with how this chapter came out, especially with it being the first chapter to not feature any canon moments! So, if ya enjoy, be sure to drop a review and let me know!
Athena stared up at the shattered moon of Remnant as she stood on the balcony of her newly assigned dorm. Only hours before, she'd been forced to face her fears by fighting off an Arachne and watch the pink faunus that had been on her nerves ever since she stepped off the airship be named leader of her team.
Needless to say, the redhead needed some time to process all of this.
The others were inside the room, deciding on beds and unpacking what they could. Athena had simply dropped her bag on the bed in the corner and stepped outside to think and get some fresh air.
Three raps on the balcony door pulled Athena out of her trance. She glanced over her shoulder to see Cynthia. "Hey."
Athena ignored her greeting. "What do you want, Cynthia?"
"I... Just wanted to talk." The goofy demeanor from earlier was now gone from the girl's squeaky voice.
"About what? Shouldn't you be getting some rest? Classes start tomorrow."
"Well, yeah but... Look, I'm not an idiot. Just saying we're starting over and me cracking a few jokes isn't gonna totally clear the air between us. So, I wanna apologize. And..." The girl trailed off for a moment. "And explain myself a bit better."
"...I'm listening."
"Could we maybe... Go for a walk or something? Rather it just be one on one. Afraid Dylan and Ravyn might eavesdrop."
Athena finally turned to look at the girl. "It's almost curfew."
"I know, I know. It won't take long, promise."
Athena remained silent for a moment before standing up straight. "Alright. Lead the way."
"Won't take long, huh?"
"Alright, so I'm a liar, sue me." Cynthia said as she fumbled with a hairpin in the lock of the cafeteria.
"You realize if we get caught, we'll be in deep shit, right?"
"Yep. Look, I just want a midnight snack. I'll take responsibility if we get caught. Besides..." The faunus girl finally heard a click and stood up, popping the door open. "Breaking curfew isn't something they'll expel us for."
The two girls stepped inside, Cynthia making a beeline for the kitchen while Athena took a seat at a nearby table.
"So... Guess I should probably explain myself." Cynthia said, pulling open cabinets and fridges, looking for something or another.
"I'd appreciate it if you did."
The girl carried an armload of fruit and a blender to a counter top, setting them down as she spoke. "Well, I already told you why I'm not exactly a fan of the rich. But, as I'm sure you can guess, it goes deeper than just me living on the streets." She began to put fruits and ice into the blender.
"I figured. And I hope you realize now that I'm not like that. I'm not-"
"You're not some stuck up snob. I get it. I realize that now." Cynthia interrupted, scraping some yogurt into the mixture in the blender. "I made a mistake. And I apologize for that." The blender whirred to life as she turned the machine on. "But not everyone is like you."
"What does that have to do with anything?" Athena asked as she watched the girl work.
Cynthia remained silent for a moment as the blender worked, turning the contents into a bright pink smoothie mixture. "I haven't always been a street rat, y'know. For about the last four years, I actually had a family. My little sister, Clementine and..." Cynthia trailed off as she turned off the blender. "Her."
Athena said nothing as she watched her leader work, pouring two glasses of smoothies and putting a straw in both. She also added extra sugar to one before joining Athena at the table, handing her the one with less sugar.
"About four years ago... I met this little girl." Cynthia began to explain. "To make a long story short, I got into a fight for this girl, against some assholes that stole some money from her. She lived on the streets too." Cynthia took her first sip of her smoothie. "And well... I lost that fight. I probably would have died if it wasn't for one person. The woman who would become my adoptive mother... Kylie Selene."
"OW! That burns, you old bat!" Cynthia cried as the grey-haired cat Faunus applied an alcohol soaked rag to her head wound.
Kylie Selene was an elderly Faunus with dark skin and a head of curled grey hair. Black cat ears with specks of grey poked out of her hair. She wore a pair of dark sunglasses, telling Cynthia she may be blind, and a grey button up decorated with flowers with a black skirt and leggings.
"I'm a cat, dumbass." The woman's words contradicted her pleasant appearance, the look of a cheerful grandma who would be offering fresh baked cookies. "And of course it burns, it's alcohol on an open wound." The woman wrapped some bandages around the girl's arm. "And you're lucky to be alive, takin' on Aura user."
Cynthia had just tried taking on 4 guys to get some stolen money back for a little girl. A girl she had named Clementine, as she had told Cynthia she didn't have a name, as far as she knew.
All went well until only one of the thugs was left. She'd been thoroughly whipped by him and left at his mercy, until this old woman showed up and sent the boy running.
"The hell is an Aur- OOOOW! Dammit, gimme some warning!"
"You're even stupider than I thought if you really just asked me that." Kylie said as she placed the rag on another wound. "I ain't gonna go into to all the mystical mumbo-jumbo about it, but Aura is what separates a real fighter from a common punk. Think of it like a forcefield. If you know how to control your Aura, you can take what would be a fatal blow and still keep on trucking." She wrapped another bandage around the girl's head. "Hence, why you were doing both Jack and Shit to that kid."
"...Are you making that up? Cause it sounds like you're making that up." Cynthia said to the woman.
"You don't have to believe me, but you should." The woman gathered up her medical supplies and stood up, offering a hand to the injured girl. "Now c'mon, let's go."
Cynthia looked at the woman questioningly. "Go where?"
"Home." Kylie said, walking away. "Ain't about to let an injured girl sleep on the streets."
"Wait." Cynthia stopped in her tracks. "Just like that? You're willing to let me into your home? For all you know, I might just rob you."
"Yeah, I'd like to see you try, pinkie." Kylie looked back at Cynthia, a shit-eating grin on her face. "Good luck robbing a former Huntress."
Cynthia's eyes widened. "A-A Huntress? You used to be..."
"Really that surprising? I'm past my prime, yeah, but I can still kick some ass."
"...Would you teach me?" Cynthia asked.
"Boy, my hearing must be worse than I thought." Kylie walked back up to Cynthia. "Sounded like some clueless punk that doesn't even think Aura exists just asked me to teach her how to be a Huntress."
"Please. I... I know I have a lot to learn, but being a Huntress is my dream. What better way to actually make something of my life than by dealing with jerks like those regularly? Please." Cynthia actually got on her knees and begged. "Please teach me."
Kylie looked down at the girl for a moment...
Before delivering a swift kick and sending the girl flying.
"Gaaaaaah!" Cynthia rolled around on the concrete in pain. "I'll... take that as a no."
"First lesson." Kylie said as she walked up to Cynthia and offered her hand again. "Never show your neck to an opponent."
Cynthia was stunned as she she took the woman's hand once more. "Y-You mean-"
"You'll stay with me and we'll start your training tomorrow." Kylie hauled the girl to her feet. "Now grab what's left of those weapons of yours. We'll be rebuilding those with parts NOT scavenged from a dumpster."
Cynthia knelt down, gathering whatever could be salvaged from her self-titled 'Chaos Salamandra' when a thought crossed her mind.
"... I can't."
"What was that?"
"I can't. Stay with you that is. There's... This little girl, Clementine. I just met her today, but I can't leave her alone. Thank you for the offer. But I just-"
"Well Goddamn, just go get her!" Kylie exclaimed.
Cynthia was stunned once again. "Are you-"
"Gods, kid, learn to take an offer when ya get one. A couple more mouths to feed ain't gonna bother me none. I ain't rich, but I got enough from my days a Huntress to sustain a couple brats."
"...Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Heh... Call it nostalgia, kid." The woman grinned at the chameleon Faunus. "You remind me of myself. Scrappy, but with a good heart." She slapped a hand onto Cynthia's back. "Now c'mon. Figure I should meet my new daughter."
"Wow. She sounds amazing, Cynthia." Athena said as she gulped down her own smoothie. Cynthia made a surprisingly good smoothie.
"She really was." Cynthia said. "She was..."
Athena looked concernedly at her leader. "I take it this story doesn't have a happy ending."
"...It doesn't." Cynthia gripped her glass. "Despite what she said, Kylie had to take on missions again to keep me and Clem fed. And one day..." Cracks began to form on the glass, prompting Athena to place a hand on her shoulder in reassurance. "One day... She didn't come back."
Athena sat in silence, her hand still on Cynthia's shoulder, as she watched the Faunus's defenses break down. "It was a simple seek and destroy mission. She went in and cleared out the Grimm. But someone neglected to tell the Schnees." Cynthia stood and began to pace around. "They sent in a bunch of... Novices. With experimental Dust weapons. And those bastards... They just started firing haphazardly at everything that moved. Grimm, each other, animals..." The girl leaned over a counter top and curled her hands into fists. "Faunus."
Athena stood and walked towards the girl. "Cynthia, I-"
"That was 5 months ago. It's just been me and Clem since then." Cynthia continued, ignoring the girl. "That's why I hate the rich... And more specifically, the Schnees. Because they stole my family from me."
Athena was at a loss for words, unsure if she could or even should try to comfort the girl. Nevertheless, she did what she thought was most appropriate in this situation.
She grabbed Cynthia and pulled her into a hug.
No words spoken. No unnecessary apologies. Just the simple act of a hug between... Friends?
Yes. Friends.
Not sure how much time had passed, the two eventually separated, Cynthia being the first to speak.
"Sorry you had to see that. Still kinda new to the whole... Sharing my tragic backstory thing." She said, circling around the counter and pouring herself what was left of the smoothie mixture.
"Don't apologize. I get the feeling you really needed that. And... I'm sorry you had to go through that. I've dealt with the Schnees before, so I know how unethical they can be." Athena said, taking her seat again.
"I know I shouldn't let what happened affect how I see other people. But I'm only hu- er, Faunus. The way I see it, me hating the rich for that is no different than people who hate the Faunus for the actions of the White Fang." She took a seat and smiled at her redheaded partner. "But at least I know that not all the rich are that bad."
Athena smiled back, holding her half empty smoothie up. "To partners?"
"To partners." The two girls clinked glasses together.
After taking a long sip of her drink, Athena pulled the straw from her mouth. "So. Mind if I ask you a couple things?"
"Yes, it's my real ass. And yes, you may touch it." Cynthia joked, forgoing a straw and gulping straight from the glass.
"That's not... Alright, just... I was wondering. You said you're a chameleon. But even so... Why are you pink?" Athena asked.
"Jesus Chri-"
"WITHOUT making the stupid joke, please."
Cynthia groaned. "Spoilsport... Look, it's not really that complicated. I actually like to stick out in a crowd, despite all the harassment the Faunus get. And, well, pink just so happens to be my favorite color. So, it's an all-around win for me."
"So, you could pass for human if you wanted, but you just... Don't? I respect that." Athena took another sip. "I was also wondering... That rumor about you and Ozpin..."
"Totally true."
"How'd that go down?"
Cynthia gulped down the rest of her smoothie. "Well, after... What happened, I had to start working to support me and Clem. But, it just wasn't enough. So, I had to turn back to something I had really hoped to leave behind."
"Stealing." Athena wasn't guessing.
Cynthia nodded. "I never stole from those who barely had enough themselves, and I'm not proud of it. But yeah. So, one day, I decided I had no choice if I wanted me and Clem to stay off the streets. I scoped out my first target and well..."
"You had the misfortune of trying to rob the headmaster of Beacon." Another statement, rather than a guess.
"Yeeeep. I managed to snatch his wallet, but he managed to grab me. And the first thing the guy says to me?"
"Would you care to join me for lunch?" An entirely new voice joined the conversation.
Startled, both girls turned to face the new arrival...
And found themselves staring at Professor Ozpin.
"Shit!" Cynthia exclaimed as the two girl stood up.
"P-Professor! We were just-"
"Now, now, girls." Ozpin gestured for the two to calm down. "No need to worry. I believe we've all suffered from midnight cravings. Would you mind if I joined you?"
"Oh, uh, n-not at all." Athena said as she nervously took a seat, Ozpin joining them shortly, setting a plate of cookies on the table.
"I would certainly be hypocrite if I were to chastise you for doing the same as myself. The kitchen staff make their cookies before leaving at night." He reached out grabbed one off the plate. "And I happen to have a sweet tooth." He took a bite of his cookie and washed it down with the chocolaty smelling liquid in his ever present mug. "I must say, I am glad to see you two getting along after your altercation during initiation."
"Oh... Right. Guess you would have seen that, huh?" Cynthia said as she grabbed a handful of cookies.
"We're... In trouble aren't we?" Athena asked, too nervous to have any herself.
Ozpin merely chuckled at this. "Why would I punish you for merely butting heads?" The headmaster set his mug back down. "I've come to understand in my life, that we will often butt heads with those close to us. Sometimes, this can lead to shattered friendships and hurt feelings." He seemed to emphasize his point by breaking a cookie in half. "However, other times... The stress, the heat of an argument or fight may be exactly what is needed to to us closer. Take this for instance." He held up a cookie. "When making a cookie, one mixing many ingredients together. Eggs, sugar, chocolate chips. And what does throwing all of these into a bowl create?"
"Dough?" Cynthia asked.
"Yes... But not until mixed. Beaten and battered with a whisk or a spoon. And when introduced to prolonged heat..." He took a bite of the cookie in his hand. "It makes something far greater than the sum of its parts."
Athena wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. She got what he was saying, but... What a weird way of saying it.
"Now then..." Ozpin stood and grabbed his plate. "I believe we should all get some rest. You two certainly shouldn't stay up much later. Classes start bright and early tomorrow."
"Y-yeah."Athena stood shortly after him. "Uh... Thanks for not chewing us out, Professor."
"Yeah, thanks, Oz." Cynthia added, Athena taking note of how she was apparently on nickname basis with the headmaster, yet she had still yet to utter her name.
"No thanks needed, ladies." The headmaster turned on his heels. "Have a good night."
The two girls watched the man disappear into the halls of Beacon before Cynthia turned to Athena. "He's right. We should probably head back."
"Right. I'll clean up these dishes. Just wait outside a sec." Athena said to her leader as she gather their glasses and headed into the kitchen.
Cynthia stood outside the exit of the cafeteria for a few minutes until Athena finally joined her. They closed the door and began to head back to their dorm in silence. An awkward silence that hung in the air for several minutes, before Cynthia finally broke it.
"You don't think I'm up for it, do you?"
"Huh?"
"Being leader." Cynthia said, jamming her hands into the pockets of her hoodie. "You think it should've been you."
"I-" Athena had no response to this.
"Honestly, I think you're right. I've never been the one to lead. Hell, I've never had anyone TO lead. It's always just been me... And, well, Clem too." The two entered the dorm building and began to make their way to their dorm on the second floor. "But... I wanna try. If Ozpin thinks I have what it takes... I want to be the best leader I can be!" Cynthia looked to her partner, holding a fist to her chest as they stood outside their dorm.
"...I think you'll be a great leader, Cynthia." Athena said. "Or... I hope, at least. Remains to be seen. But, hoping for you to fail is like hoping the pilot of the airship has a heart attack. So, I'll do everything I can to help you, and be the best teammate you could hope for!" Athena held a fist out to her new friend, which Cynthia met with her own.
"I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship... Athena."