"Is it that simple?" A student asks.
"Yeah, just got to use this to measure the amount of dust." I hold up the measurement.
The measurement was then snatched from my hand. "Ren, I got it!"
I glance behind the student, seeing Nora run off to her team. Ren gave me an apologetic look along with Pyrrha. I smile and shake my head as I hold up another one and give it to the student. She smiled as she left for her team.
Unfortunately, I have something to focus on. I glance into the class of Oobleck. Students just either talking, practicing, or studying. I lock eyes with Blake as she just returns to her own team. I sigh.
"This has been going on for at least a week and a half. I help with a class she's in and she watches me. This happened after our talk at the entrance exam. I should've kept my mouth shut. It's not even just class. I could be in the cafeteria and she would shoot me glances. Talking with professors? She's there. Walking to my dorm? Obviously her dorm isn't that far, but still!
Sometimes I feel like she's watching me. Following me. Is this considered stalking?
'I think you're overreacting.' Maybe.
'Or you two knew each other in Menagerie?' Do we? I don't remember.
Either way, I need to fix this. Maybe. Later.
'You're pathetic…' Lazy is the word.
I continue to help students, some more difficult.
"What's a faunus doing being an assistant?" I hear one of the students.
Great, I knew this would happen sooner or later. "Is there a problem?"
"Yeah," Cardin walked up to me. "Why are you here?"
"Cause I work here." I answer. Oobleck, why are you always gone at the worst times?
"Which makes no sense." He leaned over me. "Why'd they hire a dirty faunus to teach a huntsman?"
Dirty? "Cause you're not a huntsman, yet."
I stood up, but I didn't realize he's taller than me. Damn it.
He sneered, grabbing my collar. "And you are?"
'Let me handle this.' NO, that'll make it worse!
He pulled me close to his face. Oh damn it, why can't you just stay calm?
August's eyes turned red as he sighed, a glare fixing on his face.
"Look," August grabbed his wrist. "If this is what you think a huntsman does, you don't belong here."
"I don't think you have any say on what a huntsman does or does not." Cardin growled. "You're just an animal."
August's glare hardened, the class could feel the tension. August has always had a go lucky attitude. No hostile intentions. So for the first years to see August's attitude turn completely different it was definitely shocking. Especially the combination of his black sclera and red eyes, he practically looks similar to the Grimm they slay.
"If I'm an animal," August growled out. "What does that make you? Mindless?"
August smacked Cardin's hand away, unlatching his fist from his uniform. "Is there a problem here?"
The two turned, seeing Oobleck return. Cardin scoffed as he turned away, but Oobleck wasn't focused on the known bigot, he was focused on Beacon's assistant. His eyes narrowed onto August, who looked away.
The professor sighed, fixing his glasses. "Mr. Fall, can you go to the teacher's lounge? Professor Port has required your assistance."
August watched the professor for a second before nodding. He side eyed Cardin who returned his glare. He left the class, leaving Oobleck to resume and try to fix the atmosphere.
Team RWBY however, they just love to gossip.
"Did you see his eyes?" Ruby suddenly said to her teammates. "They turned red! Like yours Yang! Do you think that's his semblance?"
"But he didn't do anything?" Weiss said, not understanding her leader's logic.
"Yang doesn't have to either!" Ruby protested.
"I mean it's cool. "Yang said. "But honestly it's pretty freaky. Like imagine him staring at you in the dark? Right, Blake?"
Blake wasn't paying attention, too focused on the way the assistant spoke. His attitude toward the comments and insults. Plus the first and only conversation they've ever had at the entrance exam. She furrowed her brows. She stood up as she headed towards the door.
"Blake," Yang said, surprised. "Where ya going?"
"Oh," Blake, now realizing her team was still here, said. "Just going to the bathroom."
Ruby and Yang shared a look, but shrugged. "Don't fall in!"
Blake suppressed a smile, nodding as she left.
Can't you just let me handle things? It's like you want more people to find out. Plus what if you decide to make an example out of him? That'll be a second strike! So please for the love of god just stay calm!
'He was annoying.' So your method is to start some shit?
Look I'm not against it-
'I am!' I'm against it.
Plus really? Mindless? Who says that?
'It's true.'
I sigh. This is going nowhere. I need to head toward Port anyways.
'He lied.' What?
'Can't you tell? He just wanted us to cool off.' Us? Who's us? That was you!
Fine, I'll go train then. I make my way over toward my own training room. Technically it's not mine, but nobody goes there so I consider it my own. After a hefty walk, I made it. Opening the door, I can already tell this place is dusty as shit. Great, clean up.
After some time, it doesn't look as dirty as how I first got here. I move some matts around and make sure my locker isn't broken. Opening it, I see my gem. Content and-
'Someone's here.'
I stop, hearing the door creak open. I close the locker and quickly blink towards the lights, shutting them off. I blink away, hiding.
Blake peaked into the room, now alert. She barely opened the door and the lights shut off. Her eyes scanned the darkness, watching for any movements. She was sure she saw August, but he disappeared leaving autumn leaves. She steeled herself, taking several steps into the room. After a moment of silence.
"August?" She questioned. "I think we need to talk."
The door behind her shut, echoing into the somewhat empty room. Her eyes scanned the door watching to see if there were any movements. Her ears aren't picking up anything, only the sound of the leaves. Her eyes narrowed, taking note of his semblance.
"Why are you here-" He was cut off by Blake swinging her elbow back, frightened.
Blake let out a yelp as she was suddenly thrown onto a rather cushioned floor. "Woah! It's just me!"
Pushing off the floor, Blake turned to the glowing orange eyes in the darkness. She was blinded however when the lights turned on, causing her to wince. After regaining her eyesight, she spotted August was standing by the door, hands held up in a surrendering motion.
"You wanted to talk?" August questioned. "Let's talk then."
I think I'm getting rusty. She almost got me with that hit. Blake's on edge, understandable. Hell, I would be too if I was suddenly thrown over someone's shoulder. Blake slowly stood up, making sure of something. She sighed.
"I just wanted to confirm something." She said, rubbing her arm.
"And what did you confirm?" I push, slowly lowering my arms.
"I," She started, an awkward expression on her face. "Don't know…"
I give her a blank look. "So you attack me?"
"No!" She defended. "I only attacked when you startled me."
"You followed me!" I pointed at her.
"I didn't follow you." She pointed back. "You were making a lot of noise in here."
Oh she got me there. "Aren't you supposed to be in class? Why are you even over here?"
She paused, a wince cutting through her expression. Oh, I got you there. "I had questions?"
"That's a question." I cross my arms.
She sighed. I can tell that whatever's on her mind, it's definitely worrying her. I shake my head, heading over to one of the benches in the room. She looked at me startled again.
"What?" I ask. "I'm not gonna kill ya. Just sit down and talk."
It took her a couple of minutes, most likely weighing her options. She reluctantly walked over, sitting with a decent amount of space between us. Neither of us said a word. Just sitting and, most likely, thinking of a way to start the conversation.
"You know who I am, right?" She asked.
"Of course." I say playing it cool. "You're Blake Belladonna, huntress in training."
"No, I meant," She started, now looking at me. "Before Beacon."
Damn it… "Yeah, I know who you are."
She laughed, although softly. "Then you knew I was in the White Fang."
My eyes widened. She stared at me for a few seconds only for her eyes to widen. We sat in silence, neither saying a word. What do I even say? 'No, not that.' I could see the fear in her eyes. Her flinching when I turned toward the door.
"You didn't know…" She slowly said, slowly sliding away from me.
Think of something! "I mean, if it makes you feel any better. I was in the White Fang."
Her expression broke, confusion and startledness hitting her hard. "I-What?"
"Yeah." I scratch the back of my head. "That was a long time ago."
She watched me, I could see the gears turning. "Wait, you don't care? You're not worried about what I did?"
"Why?" I raise a brow at her. "That chapter of my life is over. Plus you said was. You're not anymore. So why should I care?"
"You were a part of the Fang?" She asked as if confirming something.
"Oh yeah." I smile, staring at the training room. "Like I said, a galaxy far far away or something like that."
The look she gave me was something I didn't expect. Relief, yet worriedness? She slouched, letting off a long sigh while she rubbed her face.
"How are you so calm?" She suddenly asked.
I leaned back, resting on my hands. "I don't know. I guess I accepted that that's not me anymore."
She watched me for a bit. "Wait, since you didn't know I was in the White Fang, what did you know about me?"
"Oh, that." I scratch the back of my neck. "I knew you were the daughter of the chieftain, Ghira Belladonna."
She laughed. "So I basically just revealed everything to you by accident?"
I shake my head, before slowly nodding. "No, no you didn't-Well, actually yeah. Yeah you did."
She laughed a bit more. We talked a bit more. Mainly me asking questions and her, answering them the best she can. This is better than just being awkward. We talked about a lot of things, though I could tell she was keeping things hidden.
"I'm guessing you're still hiding some things?" I ask, standing up.
She flinched a bit. "You could tell?"
"Yeah, you kind of hesitate when answering some things."
She stayed silent. I watched her a bit only to see her look up at me.
"You know? I expected you to kind of act professional. You are an assistant, right?" I smirk.
"Yeah, but I've never really taken being an assistant seriously."
"How old are you anyways?" She suddenly asked, making me gasp.
"Blake!" I say, jaw dropped. "Don't you know it's rude to ask someone's age?"
She rolled her eyes. "Isn't that for women?"
"Don't tell me what I can or can't be." I huff.
She snorts, shaking her head. "Answer the question, please?"
"Hmm," I scratch my non-existent beard. "Eighteen."
"Wow." She said, genuinely surprised. "I expected twenty or something. You're older by a year. You know, if I tell anyone this, you'll lose respect as an assistant."
"You wouldn't dare!" I point at her. "Plus, technically, we both got dirt on each other so, like, no."
She gave a small smile as she agreed. I sat back down just relaxing. I take a peek at my scroll, noticing the time. I glance at her before realizing something.
"Your team doesn't know, do they?" I ask.
A solemn look appeared on her face. She shook her head, avoiding even looking at my direction. I don't blame her. How could I when I'm doing the same thing. We both have our reasons.
"Take your time." I say, patting her shoulder.
She looked up at me surprised. "You're not gonna tell them?"
I snicker, waving my hands. "It's not my secret."
She stared at me, making me uncomfortable. Did I say something wrong? She suddenly stood up, taking a step towards me. She's gonna threaten me-
She suddenly looked like she was gonna give me a hug, stopping with an embarrassed blush. She then held out her hand toward me.
"Thank you, August." I watched her a bit, realizing how differently she looks. Oh god, is this what actually understanding someone does?
I clear my throat, looking anywhere that isn't her. "I just talked. Nothing special."
She suddenly grabbed my hand, shaking it. "You listened and talked. I guess it's nice to talk about something like that. Thank you."
Still looking away, I shook her hand. "No problem. Consider it a part of my job. If you don't, then consider it as what friends are for."
We stayed like that for moments. "You don't handle compliments well, do you?"
"What?" I exclaim, taking back my hand and putting it over my heart. "I do! Just not when it isn't deserved."
"The fact that you think you don't deserve it, strengthens my point."
Suddenly the bell sounded, ending the class and the school day. We both glance toward the door, sharing a few glances. Suddenly, her scroll buzzed. I watched her check it as she winced, sighing.
"My team is wondering where I am." She explained.
"Eh, don't worry about it." I brush it off. "Join them. They're probably worried."
She nodded, turning toward the door. She suddenly stopped, glancing back at me.
"Do you want to join me-us?" She suggested.
'Don't do it. It's a waste of time.'
'Do it! They seem nice enough.'
I can see her watching me while I'm having a personal dilemma. I glance away. I do need more friends. Though who knows what could happen. I sigh, turning away.
"Sure, let me just close up some stuff." I say, putting back some equipment.
"I can wait." Blake said, sitting back down.
Maybe this year won't be so bad.