A/N: Hello everyone. Yes, we are alive. The holidays are a bit busy as I am sure you know. With family visiting and having to prepare for multiple parties, we have finally had time to sit and write. Oh, that wasn't the only thing we had time to do. I, Chilly, have drew team ROSE. Now I am not an artist so please don't laugh, but if someone wants to redraw them...I will have no complaints. On another side note, the holiday extras are not in chronological order with the story so while I have a Christmas short for you, the main story is still at the first week or so of the school year.
-Mr. Ruffles- Hello again, thanks for reviewing. Port is definitely something; he actually reminds me of one of my teachers. Olina and Roman are an interesting pair, but yes that does seem like something Alex would do. And I take that as a challenge. We'll try to make the chapters longer.
Roman sat at the lunch table across from Olina who had an open book beside her plate. Efin had his sketchbook propped against the table, his plate was empty. "I'm going to go to the room," Saturn shouted holding up her tray that was piled high with more food than she could ever eat.
Roman gave the girl an odd look as she didn't say anything more but ran out of the cafeteria. "That's weird," Roman stated out loud.
"Saturn is weird herself," Olina stated flipping a page and writing notes. Her violet eyes looked up once to see Roman's reaction. Roman shrugged not really able to contradict that statement.
"You might have a point, Roman," Efin stated putting down his sketchbook. "All this week she has been taking all her meals in the room."
"Perhaps she just likes the peace and quiet," Olina suggested closing her textbook.
"This is Saturn we are talking about," Roman reminded.
"Touché," Olina conceded.
"Let's follow her," Roman suggested picking up his own empty plate. Efin and Olina followed suite. The orange-haired teen deposited his plate in the correct tray before leaving the cafeteria.
The leader of team ROSE slunk his way though the halls as if to be super sneaky. Olina merely rolled her eyes but continued her march behind the teen. The trio stopped at the door to their joint room.
"I hear voices," Efin stated making the other two look at him. "I have really good hearing," he clarified.
"What if it is a boy?" Olina stated, "She is hiding a relationship from us." Her violet eyes looked like she just found a gem. "I bet it is the guy from history. He's pretty cute."
Roman only needed that bit of information to kick down the door Olina also jumping forward hoping to catch something interesting.
Both students stood blinking at the scene in front of them. Saturn froze stepping in front of another girl. "I could have told you that the voices were both female," Efin said stepping into the room.
"Who is that, Saturn?" Roman asked louder than the ninja teen. He pointed to the girl behind Saturn.
The yellow-haired teen chuckled a little. "Uh, that's an easy explanation, but don't get mad at me." Saturn stepped away from the girl who held onto a roll tightly. "Everyone, this is my sister. Neo, this is my team," Saturn introduced. The girl narrowed her pink and brown eyes at the trio. "I am so sorry that I didn't say anything earlier, but she has no other place to go. I basically take care of her and now that I'm here, she was going to be alone. She's too little to take care of herself. Besides, I don't want to be anywhere without her and I thought why not bring her along."
"Saturn," Roman interrupted the girl's rant. Saturn quieted down waiting for her leader to shout or something. The teen looked at the small girl with brown and pink hair. "This is the sort of thing you tell your team. We could have helped you hid her," he added.
"Roman, can I speak with you...alone?" Olina said pulling his white sleeve causing him to stumble out of the room. "What are you doing? If we are caught, we will get expelled."
"Come on, Olina. You heard Saturn. Neo has no where else to go," Roman pointed out. Olina scowled.
"Fine, but if we are expelled, don't make me tell you that I told you so," the blue-haired huntress said.
"I knew you'll come around," Roman stated reentering the room. Efin, Saturn, and Neo all turned to face the returning duo. "Welcome to Beacon, Neo," Roman stated.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY~
Alex didn't know how he survived the week, but he was glad that it was almost over. It was finally Friday and the last class to boot. He entered Cherri Woods's class and took a seat in the auditorium like seating.
Opal sat at the end of the row looking at her reflection in the mirror that she seemed always to carry around with her. Lapis was speaking softly to Periodot. The green-haired teen tapped Roman's shoulder. The orange-haired teen turn around to face him.
"Hey, stranger. I haven't seen you for a week," Roman greeted.
"The girls have kept me busy," Alex admitted, "We have been doing group exercises."
Roman smirked, "You go man. Being on the same team as three beautiful girls, you sure are lucky." Alex was going to agree until he notice the death glare he was getting from Roman's partner. He didn't have time to warn his friend.
"What do you mean by that, Roman?" Olina asked.
"You're pretty too," Roman responded and Alex had to face-palm. He had to thank his lucky stars that he was picking up on the inner workings of a female mind from his teammates.
"Roman Torchwick, that is not what I meant," the girl stated her normally measured tone becoming angry. "Nevermind, it isn't worth it," she huffed turning away from the huntsmen.
"Miss Hamilton, Mister Torchwick," Professor Woods called out, "thank you for volunteering."
Alex put a hand over his mouth trying to keep from laughing, "Mister Tanzania and Miss Mintabie, you'll be joining them."
All four teens stepped down the stairs onto the stage. "So far this week, we have been concentrating on one-on-one battles. This is the point of the class when I encourage teamwork and the best way to do so is to have team battles. There is no point in knowing how to fight if you can't fight with others. With that in mind, good luck." The red-haired professor stepped down.
Alex's hands hovered over his pistols. Opal held up her fists the rings that lined her fingers shifted to form gloves. Alex looked at his opponents. Olina held her baton-like weapon with the point pointing downward; Roman was just smirking leaning on his cane.
Alex shot first sending a volley of bullets toward the pair. Each bullet was stopped by a wall of ice. Opal punched through the ice sending large pieces through the air. Roman was there with his weapon in hand striking the girl across the head.
Alex shot at his friend who spun his cane to deflect the bullets. The ground beneath Alex's feet became slippery and the teen struggled to keep his feet beneath him. He look at the blue-haired girl who turned the floor to ice.
Opal sensing her partner's distress shot a fire ball from her now glowing gloves. Now distracted, Opal didn't see the two opponents strike. Olina sending a blast of wind that stuck Roman's fire dust. The pearl-haired girl didn't have a chance in the resulting explosion.
Alex shot bullets at the pair knowing that Opal's aura had dropped into the red. The two dove but not without taking a couple of hits.
Alex kept his violet eyes on both training one pistol on each. The two looked at each other before nodding. Olina spun stabbing her baton into the ground. The entire stage iced over causing Alex to almost lose his balance. He shot at the pair, but they seemed to be able to skate over the ice with ease.
Roman held his hand out to his partner who grabbed it and spun the orange-haired teen toward the gunslinger. The two collided knocking Alex off his feet. Roman towered over his striking anywhere with his cane.
"That's enough you two," Cherri Woods stated as she got onto the stage. "Good Job, Roman and Olina." At the praise, Olina seemed to beam and Roman gave her a thumbs-up. "Alex and Opal, I suggest that you two work on your teamwork." The four stepped off the stage.
Alex tried not to be disappointed at the result of the battle. It wasn't a surprise. He heard the professors enough. Team ROSE was the team to beat while OPAL was taking the rear.
"We'll do better next time. We just need to practice more," Opal said. Alex clenched his fist trying not to shout at her. He wasn't able to focus on the rest of the class and when the bell rung, he stomped out of the hall as fast as he could.
"Alex," a calm voice called out. Alex turned to find himself looking up at Peridot. "Are you alright?"
"No, all those trust and team building exercises aren't working. We still are the butt of all the jokes. I'm tired of not getting anywhere," Alex shouted.
Peridot sighed, " Winning every fight isn't everything."
"It is when your life is on the line," Alex countered.
"True, but at the moment. We are learning. We have the opportunity to make mistakes and to lose. We have a chance now to learn about each other and making lasting friendships. While Opal's team exercises are not helpful in fighting, they are definitely good at drawing us closer together."
"I suppose you're right," Alex stated. "Maybe we can alternate between training exercises and team building."
Peridot smiled, "I'm sure Opal will agree with that. Lapis and I are going to study for Port's test." The green-haired girl waved as she joined Lapis.
RWBY~RWBY~RWBY
Roman could almost feel Olina's accusing stare. "I swear if we are expelled.." she trailed off her threat. Roman almost wanted to laugh at how serious she was taking Ozpin's invitation to his office. He really needed to get with Saturn to get the other girl to relax and have fun. He continue to think to himself remembering a club that he had passed one night. Maybe he could convince his team to go next weekend. Although it would probably be best not to tell them where they were going first; the club was in a shady part of town.
"You're such a worry wart. We'll be perfectly fine. I mean it's not like the explosion was that big. I'm sure beacon has had dust explosions all the time," Saturn said blowing off the whole ordeal. Roman chuckled at the memory of the mishap in the courtyard, but he suppose playing keep away with dust wasn't the best idea.
"The explosion destroyed the bench dedicated to the students who have lost their lives during initiation," Olina stated crossing her arms.
"To be honest, it was fixed soon enough. The new teaching assistant used her semblance," Efin stated calmly, "I'm sure we'll be fine."
The elevator dinged before the doors slid open stopping the conversation. Roman stepped out of the elevator first and the rest of the team followed. He could feel Olina shift nervously beside him. Saturn still had her almost constant smile and Efin was still and calm.
"I'm glad that all of you made it," Ozpin stated looking at the students. Roman was surprised that Olina hadn't fainted yet with how long she was holding her breath. "This year I am performing interviews of all the incoming teams. The faculty and I want the best environment for you and to help you transition. Although I will admit, it seems as though you four have had no trouble transitioning; I dare say you have thrived. So I ask you, Team ROSE, how has this school been treating you?"
Roman burst out laughing when Olina's not-so-subtle relieved sigh overtook the ticking of the clocks.
A/N: now a little bit of Christmas fun
Roman looked over his team as they trudged through the snow. Olina seemed to be the only one who seemed comfortable with the ice keeping her footing. Efin seemed to be the one who was most affected his shivers clearly visible. Saturn was bouncing around a bundled Neo pointing out the glittering lights.
"Why don't we just get an artificial tree? It would keep longer," Olina asked pointing to nearby stores.
"Because I am the one buying so I get to choose," Roman replied as the team entered the tree farm.
"Oh we should get this one," Saturn said dancing around a monster of a tree. The rest of the teens looked up at the giant.
"I don't think that would fit in the room, Saturn," Efin stated. The yellow-haired girl hummed to herself before darting to another tree. Roman blew on his cold fingers trying to warm them as he and the rest of the team searched for the perfect tree. Saturn was pointing at the tallest trees bouncing around them. Olina insisted on choosing one of the 'bargain' trees which looked half dead. Efin seemed rather uninterested in the whole process and was trying to remain neutral.
Roman after ten minutes was already frustrated. A small tug at his sleeve drew his attention. He looked down at Neo who pointed at a tree in the corner of the enclosure. "How about this one?" He asked drawing the attention of his team.
Saturn was the first to bounce to it almost tackling the poor tree. She circled the tree twice before shouting, "It's looks tall enough. We need a tall tree for all the ornaments. And the popcorn chains. I love popcorn chains; you can eat them after you are done with them. Neo and I always ate the popcorn chains before Christmas. Speaking about eating, we need to put candy canes on the tree as well."
"I think the tree looks good. It is full enough and will fit in the dorm nicely," Efin provided interrupting Saturn when she paused to take a breath.
"The price seems reasonable as well," Olina added turning over the price tag.
Neo raised her hand. "Neo actually was the one to pick it out," Roman stated putting a hand on the shorter girl's head. The team congratulated Neo for finding the perfect tree. The team bought the tree and carried it back to the dorm room.
Roman and Efin, being the tallest, set the tree in the corner of the room. To conserve space, the beds were pushed to the walls. The five teens stood back before pulling out a small box each. Roman looked at the small amount of ornaments he had brought from home; a small handprint from when he was a kid, an ornament with a picture of his family, and a mask from a play he had seen in Minstral to name a few. Roman hung all of the ornaments taking a long glance at the picture of his parents.
He turned his attention to his teammates as they each put up their own ornaments. Olina hung up several glass ornaments that looked more like art than ornaments. She cradled a single ornament before looking his direction. "Roman, can you put this toward the top," she asked holding out the ornament that she seemed to be protecting. The huntsmen took the glass heart pretending to drop it just to see the stiff girl react. The startle gasp was almost as funny as the unamused glare. "Calm down, Olina," Roman said hanging the glass heart on one of the top branches ensuring that it was secure. He caught the words engraved on it, 'Daisy Hamilton- When she had passed, it seemed like the ceasing of exquisite music.' The leader didn't say anything, but the girl gave him a grateful smile.
Saturn nearly knock the two over as she and Neo spun their strung popcorn around the tree. Efin kept out of the way only hanging up a single pawprint ornament. The star was put on last and the five took a step back to look at their tree. "I think we forgot the lights," Efin stated breaking the proud moment. The four other teens groaned at the realization.