A/N : Did someone say 'interaction with Team RWBY'? Well, wait no more - we have interaction here!
If you caught the first version, I'm sorry about the hurriedly written version. Here's the rewritten one.
Before anything else:
DISCLAIMER : I DO NOT OWN RWBY. CREDIT GOES TO (RWBYGOD) MONTY OUM AND ROOSTERTEETH.
With that out of the way... Bring out the popcorn!
Myst stretched her arms, looking out the window. Sirocca had woken up early and offered to go to downtown Vale to purchase some toiletries, leaving Myst and their teammates in Beacon.
It had been a week since Beacon's medical staff gave her clearance to go back to her team. All the time she was confined, her mirror self's words kept on repeating in her head. What she said was true... I have been indecisive and passive. The flaxen-haired girl sighed, gripping the windowsill and leaning outward slightly. Perhaps it is indeed time to stand up and stand my ground. Myst let her eyes wander, and could not help but compare Beacon's livelier atmosphere to the Great Cathedral's quieter, more serious ambience. And methinks 'tis also time that I get a tour of the institution that plays our host.
Myst took a quick shower and put on her regular white uniform, covered by her ceremonial silver-gray cloak as the Order's next High Acolyte.
Libby woke up as Myst was fastening the cloak, a line of drool from the corner of her mouth to her cheek. "Mmh. Mornin' Lady Myst. Where you off to?"
"I was intending to take a tour of the institution hosting our stay," Myst answered without looking. "If thou wishest to join me, then I suggest you start by wiping away that line of drool on thy cheek."
"I... What?" Libby brushed the back of her hand on her cheek, and wore a disgusted look as she slid off of bed. "Ew. I drooled in my sleep again..." The pilebunker-rifle wielder scratched the back of her head, scruffing up the thick mane of chestnut-brown hair further as she made her way to the bathroom.
Moments later a shriek could be heard reverberating from within, and a red-faced Libby dashed out, slamming the bathroom door behind her and leaning against it. "Lady Myst, why didn't you tell me that a naked Rou is dozing off on the toilet?!"
The flaxen haired girl chuckled as she slid on her boots. "Thou didst not ask."
"That... Ooh!" Libby puffed up her cheeks in annoyance. "In that case, he can stay there while I take my bath!" The brown-haired girl promptly pulled the door open, and in a few moments the sound of the shower could be heard. Shortly afterwards, the fox Faunus made his way out, his face red and mouth slightly agape.
"I take it Libby has you speechless with her... Womanly wiles again, eh, Rou?"
After several awkward minutes, Rou and Libby were done bathing and changing. Sirocca, back from her shopping run and munching on a slice of pork pie, noticed the tension between the two, and immediately asked, "What's up with the lovebirds?"
Libby's face lit up, while Rou sighed. "Please don't make it any more unbearable than it already is, Sis Sirocca."
The tiger Faunus' face broke into a grin. "Oho, so something did happen... I wonder what...? Was there a make-out session? Some intimate touching? Or maybe a steamy bathroom scene...?"
This time, even the fox's face lit up. The tigress didn't let the chance slip by. "Aha, I knew it! So, what's about you share some of the details? Not that it needs to be terribly detailed, just enough to get some hot blood flowing... Ow!" Sirocca yelped as the flaxen haired human pulled on one of her feline ears, away from the other two.
Within a few more moments, all four stood in front of Goodwitch's office door. Myst knocked twice, answered promptly with permission to enter.
The door opened, and the four stepped in. The blue-eyed blonde was currently typing on a larger version of the Scroll she normally used. "Miss Ventego. What brings you to my office today?"
Myst bowed slightly. "Good morning. I wish to tour the institution that graciously took us and agreed to host our accommodations for the Vytal Fair. Since it is a weekend, I believe there shalt be ample time to go around. If possible, we wish to have someone who is familiar with the layout of the school."
"Or maybe someone who isn't, that way we can all have fun getting lost," Sirocca mumbled at Myst's side, which earned the tiger Faunus an elbow to her ribs.
A smile formed on Goodwitch's lips after a few moments. "I see. In that case, please wait a few minutes while I call on your guides," she motioned towards the leather couch on one side of the room.
Myst and Libby seated themselves, while Rou blinked repeatedly. Sirocca nudged him with an elbow. "Oi, what's with ya? Never seen a leather couch before?"
"No, it's not that," the fox shook his white head so fast, it seemed it would fall off his shoulders. "It just looks... Similar... To one I've seen before... And not in a good way."
"Bah, you and your alternate memories," Sirocca rolled her eyes as she gently pushed the fox Faunus towards the couch. Rou didn't resist, but he was clearly uncomfortable with being seated between Myst and Sirocca.
A few minutes later, Team RWBY entered. "Team RWBY, reporting for duty, Miss Goodwitch!" Ruby Rose, leader and the youngest of the team, announced as soon as everyone was in.
Goodwitch pointed to the four standing on one side of the room. "Team RWBY, your task today is to escort Miss Ventego around Beacon and serve as their tour guide. How you want that to be done is completely up to you."
Myst stood up, walking over to Ruby with a smile. "Greetings. I am Mystra Ventego, from the Sacred Order of the Six Wards. These are my team mates - Sirocca Feanor, Libeccia Cuwphah, and Rou Gregale." She extended her hand, which the cloaked girl took and gave a firm shake.
"Nice meeting you! I'm Ruby Rose, and this is my sister Yang, that's Weiss, and this is Blake. Where's the Order from? What does your staff do?" Ruby's eyes were showing their curiosity and enthusiasm.
"I... Perhaps we should discuss that outside," Myst started as she glanced towards Goodwitch, who just exhaled. "Thank you Miss Goodwitch. We shall return at the end of the day with our observations."
As the group left the room, Blake eyed Myst. "Weren't you...?"
Myst smiled towards the cat Faunus. "Yes, 'twas me. I am glad thou still remembered." She turned towards everyone else in the group. "I believe making the tour together will be more informative and enjoyable for everyone. Who is still in favor of splitting up?"
There was no answer. Myst turned back towards Ruby. "Alright then. Lead the way for us, Team RWBY."
Weiss stepped ahead of her team. "Allow me to be the tour guide. I'm Weiss Schnee, pleased to meet you all."
Sirocca threw her arms around Yang and Blake as the group started walking. "I just knew I heard a cat 'round here. Oh, and ya seem to be a feisty enough brawler, care to do a spar sometime?"
It took them almost the whole day to tour Beacon. From the heights of the observation tower all the way down to the underground storage vaults, Weiss led the party as expertly as any senior Huntsman or Huntress.
The last area on the trip list was the music hall on the ground level, near the grand entrance. "And here is Beacon's music hall. The auditorium is just on the other side, and the instruments needed for a performance are placed on the revolving stage further back. They are usually scheduled in the auditorium behind the music hall, although on rare occassions it could be done in here, provided that the audience isn't too large." Weiss opened the door, and everyone took a few minutes to gaze at the collection of finely made musical instruments.
Myst's eyes settled on a cello as they looked around. "Shalt the professors allow us use of these instruments?"
Weiss glanced towards Blake and Ruby. "Maybe. I'm not sure-"
Libby bounded past the cat Faunus, squealing with glee at the 16-cymbal drum set. "Omigosh omigosh omigosh, Beacon also has a full concerto drum set! I can do all the transitions I've been working on!" She vaulted over the drums and landed on the seat, whipping out the drum sticks from somewhere and expertly whirling them between her fingers. "This is so cool! Beacon really spared no expense!"
Rou stopped before a slightly larger cello than the one Myst was now admiring. He tentatively twanged one string softly, a smile forming on his face. "I agree with Libby. I would gladly do penance for using such a handsome instrument as this, even for a short time."
Sirocca picked up another cello, and started twanging its strings, slowly at first. She slowly picked up the pace, turning towards her teammates, looking at each one meaningfully.
Myst sighed, a smile on her face. She kicked a stool towards Rou, picked up the bow, and started to draw it across the strings while her other hand pressed on the other end. The fox Faunus caught the stool with his foot and promptly sat on it, matching Myst and keeping in time with Sirocca.
Myst played a short, wide-ranged set of notes, as Rou gently quieted his cello. After several seconds, Rou and Myst started a series of short, quick notes, the tiger Faunus gradually softened the plucking.
Taking her cue, Libby brought the sticks down on the cymbals, picking up on a leisurely beat. Myst and Rou smiled at each other, continuing the set of short, quick notes. The look on Libby's face indicated nothing but sheer pleasure as she kept her rhythm while clashing on the cymbals, her right foot stomping on the bass with regularity. Sirocca grinned at this, joining the other two and serving as the melody. Libby interjected a few times with transitions, but never lost the beat she herself had set.
As the three cellos drew at the same time, Libby softened up the beat, yet still keeping the rhythm. Myst, Sirocca, and Rou glanced at each other, coaxing a harmonic transition while Libby matched them. Myst started plucking on the strings, Sirocca and Rou providing her a harmonic fade-out, as Libby seemed to sign a soft closing beat.
Just as Myst drew out her plucking, Rou and Sirocca started again on short softly-drawn notes, picking up the pace with Libby making a fast-paced re-entry, marking it with another clash of the cymbals.
All four glanced at one another, grins and smiles meeting each other. The brown-haired girl started to let it all loose on the drums, as the cellos harmonized with each other. Rou continued playing the first set of notes, while Sirocca and Myst played off of each other in a melodic counterpoint.
Libby brought her arms down one last time on the cymbals, Myst and Sirocca plucking on the strings as Rou shifted to the higher octaves and drew out the closing notes. All three cellos softened until the fade-out, Myst slightly bowing her head with a smile.
The room was silent for a few more seconds, until applause erupted. Myst gasped in surprise as she raised her head, expecting the room to be empty.
The entire music room was now filled with students and faculty alike, applauding the performance. "I have to say that I have not yet heard of instruments categorized under the 'classical' genre being paired with one undoubtedly suited for modern tastes, and successfully being able to play together," a gray-haired, portly man announced from one of the doors.
"P-P-Professor Port!" Libby stammered, almost tripping over the drums as she tried to move away.
"I have to concur, that is amazing, beautifully amazing!" The hyperactive, green-haired Dr. Oobleck zipped in front of each student, making a quick glance over each instrument in turn. "I should have a report made on this in my class. Appalling, simply appalling! I cannot believe I did not think of it!"
"Now, now, Bartholomew, you don't want to frighten the other students so," Ozpin chuckled as he patted the other professor's shoulder. He turned to Myst and her team as they started putting the instruments away. "Miss Ventego. Your father failed to mention that you had aptitude for music."
Myst merely shrugged. "I shalt neither defend nor refute that. He was well aware of the fact, although most likely he was not aware nor expecting me to play."
Ozpin smiled again. "Will you honor us by playing one more piece?"
Myst glanced towards her team. Sirocca made a thumbs-up sign, Libby started whirling the drum sticks again, and Rou nodded. "Very well. Just one more song."
She glanced back again towards the others, mouthing something unintelligible. Sirocca's face showed surprise at first, then morphed into a grin. "You sure know how to set up an encore, eh, Mud-Eater," she chuckled as she cracked her knuckles. Rou simply sat on the stool again and started plucking on the strings, and after twelve notes, she drew the bow to a lilting melody.
Yang crossed her arms over her chest, a smile on her face as she stood beside Ruby. "Well, I guess we could say we've been played on this one."
Extra A/N:
Inspiration struck in the form of Break of Reality's "Spectrum of the Sky", and Apocalyptica's cover of "Nothing Else Matters".
Also, my initial draft of this episode wasn't a tour of Beacon, but a rooftop performance. In that version, Myst (still) uses a cello, Libby has bongos, Rou has a bamboo flute, and Sirocca has (*gasp!*) a violin. I decided to change it since something felt really off in the rooftop version.
That's it for me right now.
Sanguis out.