"Oh, Sage, would you hurry the frack up? We are totally, completely late for yet another class! What is the matter with you? We may not enjoy classes but can we please at least try to be punctual?" I wave off the irritated Nicky and keep walking, examining the empty classrooms dotting the hallway. What they were used for, I have no idea. I peer into one of them, seeing a lone cup of coffee sitting on a desk, telling a story of probably a very energetic teacher. I note that there are coffee mugs spread all throughout the classroom, with stray boxes here and there containing more. Someone had a coffee fetish, I see... "Saaage~" Nicky whines, grabbing my arm and dragging me along faster. "At this rate, we'll miss the class entirely!" I let her drag me, because that empty classroom... It... I don't know. Something about it. It seemed... lonely. Like it had a tale to tell, if only it was a few years earlier, and the teacher hadn't retired. It's depressing. It's almost like it's saying that everything comes to an end, sooner or later, as if warning us of our own end... Gah, Sage, pay attention...
"Ah, Team KHNS, I hear you've got QUITE THE REPUTATION to arrive late for your CLASSES. SIT DOWN!" The whole classroom jumps at the Professor's sudden yelling. Sheesh, I'm gonna be deaf before the year's out... "As you can see, this is BATTLE STRATEGIES CLASS! Please get out your scrolls to the APPROPRIATE CLASS SECTION! Now, we'll be studying HOW PARTNERS SHOULD BE completely synced together, despite personal, romantic, or SOCIAL LIFE! PAY ATTENTION! For those of us who have JUST ARRIVED IN THE room, my name is MR. BALLARD!" AGH! MY EARS! MY FUCKING EARS! What is this guy's problem?! I'm gonna die from bleeding out of my ears. My brain is going to escape with the blood, also. Nicky keeps almost falling asleep, but jerking awake every time Mr. Ballard screams. Holy crap, what the hell... Welcome to Beacon, home of the insane teachers! Become a huntress today!
I plop down next to Harmony, who's chatting away with Kale and nibbling at her food in tiny amounts. Nicky is further along down the table, eating alone and pulling her hood closer over her head. It's sad how much effort she puts into hiding from others. I lift up my tray and slide down until I'm beside Nicky. "Hey, Snickers, why are you sitting here all alone?" She only rolls her eyes at me. That's become a regular thing for her, hasn't it? I poke her arm and say, "C'mon, speak. I'm your partner, damn it, we kind of have to talk to each other. Aren't you the one who answered Mr. Ballard's question in class today? What was it you said? 'Teammates should have open communication despite their differences'? Or were you lying?" She glares at me but still stays quiet. "That's funny, Nicky, I thought you said you didn't lie." I offer a teasing smile, but she only mumbles, "I'm going to the library to study. See you in Mr. Olson's class." She gets up and stomps off, the temperature of the room dropping down to like fifty all of a sudden. What the...?
I'm the first one in Sparring Class. It's eerily empty, except for the long-blond haired man with a bushy beard, who calls out "Hello! Sage Crescend, I've heard of your team all day! I figured you'd be late, but you're not. Come sit beside me! The others won't be here for quite some time! I'm quite surprised you found this class, it's very well hidden on the campus!" I shuffle my feet, unexpected nervousness brewing inside me. "Yeah... I'm just... I was wondering around... My partner stormed off and I forgot where the library was." "Ah," He strokes his beard thoughtfully, with kind eyes. "Partner problems? Many teams have had of those. In fact, I'm sure you've heard of the famous Team RWBY?" "Yeah," I answer easily, "They have tons of awesome adventures, even with being married and having kids and stuff. Why?" He chuckles. "Why, I was a custodian here at the time, but as I swept past their dorm room, there weren't many times I didn't hear arguing and fighting coming from their room." My eyes widen. "Team RWBY?! Fighting? No. My team is a sorry bunch of idiots, but Team RWBY is amazing!" He winks and says, "Yes, they're quite skilled, but back in their time at Beacon, they were terribly dysfunctional. In fact, more so than your own team, I'll bet." Wow. That's... insane. Team RWBY gets along so well... them bickering all the time is hard to imagine. He pats my knee and advises, "This partner of yours. Nicky Flere, was it? She probably hasn't gotten used to being in a team yet. Not many adapt easily to the idea of relying on three other people when in times of trouble, and learning to bond with them enough where trust is what connects you. Give her time. Also, give yourself time. You're at fault as much as she is for her running off. Let her do her own thing, and she'll warm up to you eventually. Now, get started on your studies until the rest of the students show up."