The Ballroom was quiet with only a few early risers moving and getting ready for the big challenge. Other than a few students who were keeping their voices down for the other late risers, not much was going on. those who were up where either talking or cleaning up their sleeping area they stayed for the night. One such early riser was Blake who had elected to spend her morning reading her book some more before getting up to take care of her other daily habits. She was about to turn the page when the doors to the ballroom swung open. Blake quickly looked up to see a teenager with white hair and jackal ears ran in "MONSTER, MONSTER IN THE BATHROOM!" she continued to run screaming until several students approached her.
"Hold up, what happened." one of the two students asked her
30 minutes earlier
"Kid."
…
"Hey kid, wake up."
Filia began to budge a little but not much. "Looks like it's the hard way then." A deep voice echoed in the silent chamber as Samson noticed the others stirring in their deep slumber. He expects this from teenagers, he himself had affected a few in his time. He often woke them up early for two reasons: a threat, or hunger. This would be the first time he was doing it for a reason that did not in some way benefit him. It did not help him resist the urge to wake Filia up in more maniacal manner.
He grinned mischievously as the idea came to him. He noticed to a small half full bottle of water nearby. he slowly unwrapped his lochs to grab the bottle and twist it's cap off. he then inserted one of his tendrils into the bottle getting it wet. as he removed the wet hair from the bottle, he looked down at Filia "(this is gonna be great)" is what he thought having a barely able to hold in his laughter at the situation.
He proceeded to jam the wet hair into Filia's left ear causing her to wake up instantly. gasping for air thinking that something was coming to attack her, or worse Samson left her to die. she examined everything in the room to find no monsters or active students anywhere. she looked down at herself no signs of a gunshot wound. she then pulled the hair that was still in her ear. her face curdled in anger. "Samson, why?" She angrily whispered not to waken the others.
"You asked me to." He stated grinning ear to ear thanks to his prank. he was satisfied with his work waking her up while scaring her. to him it was a win-win situation.
Filia sighed annoyed at him as she got up to get her daily routine taken care of before anyone awakens. She walked toward the bathrooms looked left and right before removing the night cap she had covering Samson, undressed and entered the shower. while in there she thought about the two weeks she has been here.
So far, she knows that a device the Anti-Skullgirl Labs made to what she figured is implied by the name of the organization, Stop the Skullgirl should she resurface. So far, the world they sent her two was unusual. Some of the people here reminded her of the bizarre characters Samson had introduced her to back in New Meridian from either being a reliable ally to a random fight he picked at her expense. "(Would a being of such power survive here?)" the question filled her head. She knows the last one was so strong it required three whole nations to defeat her. yet this world has several unusual advances in comparison. where she was from an Airship called, blimps dominate the skyline of New Meridian as cars ruled the streets until the late hours of the night. they had creatures called ferals that were much like any human though more animalistic traits in them. the biggest thing for her comparison is the world's lack of parasites. She began to wonder if the Grimm may likely be what would match parasites but if made little to no sense as aside from pallets, microscopic parasites that would change the color of whoever they infected temporary, most parasites held sentience similar to humans and ferals.
While lost in her deep thought the door to the showers open a female teenager with jackal ears, white hair entered. She was a little taller than Filia and had an air of arrogance about her. unfortunately, Samson was the one to notice the new individual first but remained quiet to ascertain the situation. the woman stared at Samson who was staying completely still to a point that Samson was nothing more than a pair of hair pins and a head band designed to look like teeth. "You left your hair accessories on idiot." she responded trying to be smug.
"Idiot? We're not the ones trying to look like some discount Ms. Fortune, Try cat ears next time you dolt." Samson's response caused her to fall backwards onto the ground. her thud caught Filia's attention who cocked her head to get a view of behind herself to see who fell. she still had a spaced outlook though as if she is only half paying attention.
the Jackal woman pointed her shaky hand at Filia "How d-d-d-did yo-u-u do that" she stammered looking at Filia who's eyes had widened in concern herself.
"I'm sorry." Samson spoke up as he began to wrap Filia up in hair with sinister smile showing his teeth. "She's indisposed of right now. "But that's okay, you will be joining her soon." he shot two tentacles at the woman's feet as she got up and fled the room screaming.
"Samson, that was uncalled for." Filia scolded him for his actions.
"I know but between you and me" he leaned his mouth closer to one of her ears "it was worth it."
Filia rolled her eyes. "We need to dry and leave now before others come." she said scrambling to wrap a towel around her as Samson wrung himself out then covered himself with a towel as well.
Right as she predicted two teachers barged in weapons aimed right at her. Filia did her best on acting scared by their sudden appearance. to appoint that they left confused as to why someone was yelling monster. The two scanned the room concerned only for one of them to eye Filia and nod. Likely someone the headmaster had informed about her and Samson's abnormal situation.
The two hastily left with the one professor turning and looking at her again. "You need to be more observant young one if you wish to hide your friend." She spoke before closing the bathroom.
Filia sighed eyeing the parasite's bangs "We're lucky one of the two was on our side." She hastily got dressed in her clothing again patting Samson down "This could have been avoided you know."
"Yeah, but that face, so worth it." As usual, Samson decided to shrug off his criticism about how he treated the unexpecting student.
Filia rolled her eyes annoyed as she dressed. Samson decided to wrap himself up into a single ponytail for the day as she placed his hiding place a top her head. "Let's get something to eat, it's going to be a long day." Samson just snickered with delight toward the idea of food once again. She left the large washroom staring at the grand ball room mostly everyone as awake thanks to Samson's stunt She really was not happy with his choice to torment the potential student but it was not like she could change it now.
Ruby noticed her as she scanned the room. she began to approach before a woman in white grabbed Filia by the shoulder turning her to her attention. "Hello." she said trying to look diplomatic. Filia recognized her as the woman yesterday who was in the explosion with Ruby. She seemed to be dressed in her "normal clothes" normal meaning Filia may have been able to afford a sleeve if she worked four weeks without food or lodging. her hair was done up in a ponytail bun hybrid that stretched down to her lower back.
"Can I help you?" she asked cautiously.
The white-haired student froze for a second before realizing her lack in formalities. "I'm sorry, I never introduced myself. My name is Weiss Schnee. I am looking to see who I may be working with in the future." she stated blunt, straight, and to the point much like a businesswoman. "It looks like you at least know how to properly act, and well-dressed might I add."
"Um, thanks… I think?" Filia responded as she looked at her again still seemingly trying to keep the friendly façade up. Behind the snobbish student she noted ruby halt for a moment concerned.
The student spoke up again starting her strange businesslike manner "If you don't mind, I have a few things to ask." Weiss explained. Filia went to speak up only for her to cut The amnesiac off. "What do you have for prior training in dust weaponry?" she asked.
"(Am I being interviewed?)" Filia asked herself before answering her question. "I worked at a dust shop for a while." She responded after thinking on it.
"Oh, so you've worked with the Schnee dust company?" she tilted her head surprised by her answer. Filia froze up unsure what the girl was going on about. "How long?"
Filia blushed knowing that her reaction will not be friendly as she answered the teenager's question. "A week and a half."
Weiss' face went from curiosity and interests to a look of under dumbstruck disbelief. "Pardon? A week?"
Filia nodded as she started to explain "I worked for only a week and a half, stocking shelves and managing cross town delivery. I, lost that job after it was attacked by some thieves. I got in on a Scholarship from the headmaster's interests."
Weiss' face froze seemed to contort more as if trying to decide between disappointment or impressed. "I see. So, you are like the champion Pyrrah Nikos then. Well, colored me impressed." She retorted based on how she was acting Filia was guessing that she believed her to be a high value candidate. "Deliveries…" She muttered as if processing what Filia had said "So, your semblance has to do with speed."
Filia tilted her head confused at the word semblance "I'm sorry, but what is a semblance?"
Weiss' tone began to slowly shift into anger "Are you serious?" Filia nodded nervously as if she knew what was coming next. "Where are you from?"
Filia paused again. "Er…" she was hesitant to say anymore. Her mind quickly raced to the day prior when she first talked with Ruby and Jaune. "I'm from a city in Atlas." She blurted out nervous.
"Atlas…" Weiss repeated dumbfounded. Filia nodded again. "Yet you do not know the Schnee Dust company?" Filia nodded again. She rolled her eyes as now the girl in front of her was looking extremely incompetent. "Can you name the city?" she demanded.
"New Meridian…" Filia responded again she could hear Samson snicker slightly under her hat.
At that moment, the businesswoman rolled her eyes and walked off with no further questions. "(Guess that means I failed.)" Filia thought as she stared at the white-haired woman walk off. She looked up into the air a little bit, "She reminds me of her majesty a little bit." She spoke to Samson.
Samson laughed a bit "Only difference is Parasoul tells you she's going to arrest you and nothing else." He remarked humoring his own joke. Filia snickered a little watching her walk away angered.
"I see you meant the Ice Queen, Weiss Schnee." Ruby's voice came from behind "Don't worry there is not many that like her apparently." She stated being mix of melancholic and scared. Filia wouldn't blame her based on what she heard of the rumors about children linked to the Medici Crime family. Often able to get away with mostly minor offenses depending on their standing in the family.
"I'm not too worried." Filia turned with little sign of fear. "If she was where I was from, well I know several people that would clean her clock."
"Really? that sounds so." she paused. a surge of hyperactive energy could be sensed on her "COOL!" she exploded "WHOARETHEY?WHATARETHEYLIKE?DOTHEYFIGHTGRIMM?CANWEHEADTHEREWHENWEGRADUATE?" her questions spammed out of her faster than Filia could track them. she was hoping Yang was around but no actual luck.
Filia took a step back as she tried to calm the hyperactive teen. "Woah, easy you'll tire yourself out before the test." She spoke up as Ruby breath slowed in pace. "I'll answer your questions over breakfast, okay?" She paused for a second "actually, I'll let you meet one and tell you about where I'm from after the exam." Ruby's eyes increased two sizes as Filia started to get worried that she was about to erupt into an even larger energy surge.
"So, I get to see your weapon and meet someone from New Meridian?" She was really trying to hold her energy as the two left to get breakfast. The dining hall was active at the time of their arrival. The two got in line as Yang approached the two of them. She maybe more of a morning person than Filia thought since she seemed less groggy than the people with her personality. The three of them grabbed the food that was being served, the dinning hall seemed to go for fast and easy filling choosing Pancakes. Each of the three grabbed their own amount the total score at the end was Ruby three, Yang four, the two turned to see Filia however had a total of eight pancakes.
"Wow," Yang stated looking at her almost dumbstruck. "and you are going to eat all of that?" She kept eyeing Filia's tray the stack of flapjacks must have weighted about six pounds. even the girl with orange hair that had rushed pass a second ago looked to have about five or six.
Filia nodded while blushing "I didn't always eat this much." she stated looking at the stack "but I just got to a point where I need more calories than most." She sat down then looked at her colossal stack. She noticed yet again she had garnered some unwanted attention.
Yang leaned in impressed. "What has been your record?" She asked amused by the unexpected glutton.
Filia cheeks slowly became flushed as she turned her gaze away from the teasing blond. "I… I'd rather not say." She responded. Yang looked satisfied least for now, odds are she was looking to force her into some form of competitive eating.
The three continued to eat most of them finished. "I don't know about being here." Ruby finally spoke up nervous. "Beacon's tradition has me nervous. Whatever happens I want to try and get put on a team with one of you two." She was not as excited about the news.
Filia in response spat out her water in surprise. Some of it causing her to cough as well. "TEAMS?!" She asked speaking louder than normal. The sisters looked at her confused.
"Weren't you paying attention?" Yang asked still off put by her flabbergast expression "Professor Goodwitch's instructions said tomorrow's test was not only for our initiation it was also for building the teams we will be learning together with for the next few years. I thought you already knew some of this." Filia's eyes widened, hiding Samson may have got a lot more difficult than expected. "Rumor has it is our first partner is selected during the exam." Yang continued.
Filia gulped a fork full of her breakfast having broken into a cold sweat a little. She was still processing the new information before speaking "This stinks." She muttered "I have way too many…" She almost trailed off before noticing the two looking at her both confused holding a slight amount of suspicion. She was in a state hesitate contemplation on how to hide Samson from this conversation. "I suffer from night terrors." She quickly fibbed. Yang shrugged it off but Ruby was nodding in acknowledgement "I hope I get stuck with one of you two however."
Ruby shot her head up excited yet again "we should try to get together during the exam, our team will be unstoppable." Striking a heroic pose on the table. Filia took the moment to slip Samson a full Pancake to tie him down for a few minutes. Yang on the other hand just stared rather amused by her little sister's antics.
"All Students attending the entrance exam, please head to the Cliffside." a speaker broke the noise of the bustling cafeteria. Several students left toward the locker rooms to get their weapons.
"Filia, you coming?" Ruby asked as she left that way with Yang. she shook her head. "Oh, okay I'll see you there then." with that the two left. most students left away from the cafeteria giving Samson a chance to feed.
"So, what you think this exam will be like?" Samson's mouth was muffled from the food, plate, and glass in his mouth. he kept crunching on all of it before swallowing it into who knows where.
Filia sighed as she leaned back in the chair. "I think we have more trouble than tests to worry about Samson." She muttered looking up at the ceiling. "If were caught now it will be embarrassing. I don't like the idea of being the school freak."
"No different than home then." Samson joked as he took a heavy gulp from the junk in his mouth he started to eat some of the leftovers of other students had left in a rush to get ready for the test.
"Yeah, but back home things like you are normal… -ish." She pointed out the major flaw in the argument.
"Look kid, I can be hidden as long as your safety is not the thing at risk." Samson responded at his host's pessimism. "You're my host. Like hell I'll do anything to put you in harm's way. It's not how my kind work." Surprisingly despite his gruff tone he was being somewhat reassuring to Filia.
Filia looked at her bangs then her eyes drifted to her shadow seeing the moving tendrils of hair stuffing a few random things into it. "Thank you, Samson. I-I'm sorry for overthinking this."
Samson let loose a breath in slight relief. "It's good to keep a bit of doubt kid. But don't think I'll jeopardize you for my amusement. This team dorm stuff is not exactly a cakewalk." He looked at a nearby clock his low tones of humming as if in his own thought. "Probably should hoof it to the meeting, see if they accounted for us." He recommended slowly trying to adjust himself for Filia's hat.
Filia nodded as the two approached the start of the trial, a cliffside that overlooked a vast forest. While she was having a tough time eyeing it in the morning sunlight, she made out some shapes on the horizon suggesting that the forest at least in this area was within some sort of valley. off in the distance overlooking the area she saw Ozpin and his assistant Goodwitch. The two looked at her for a second their expressions showing the same stoicism that she encountered in the interrogation room, not unwelcoming but not fully trusting either. Ozpin turned his head a little giving undivided attention to the first to arrive. "Ms. Filia." He greeted impartially, "I presume you and your partner are ready?" he asked looking at the two of them.
He observed the two of them closer; Samson, while hidden, was rather calm. Filia was holding onto the hat she used as a disguise though it was clear her face showed signs of nervousness. "While I normally expect most of our initiates to know about most of the threats you may face in our environment, I think it may be best to answer any questions you have. If you can think of any." Filia just shook her head as she put on the baller hat. Ozpin nodded as he spoke "As requested, any camera feed featuring Samson will not be shown to the student body until you believe you are comfortable enough for the rest of the students to know of him. however, we will record you to understand your relationship with him." He explained the plan to manage the red tape that was starting to surround this particular charity case.
"I'm fine with that." Filia said turning to see some of the students who arrived. Several seemed to be ready or even extremely stoked for this challenge. Jaune however, seemed nervous while a red haired initiate behind him was trying to reassure him. "(Guess I can't blame him for being nervous.)" She thought feeling the butterflies in her stomach to.
After ten or so minutes everyone began eyeing each other seeing who would make a good partner or trying to find who to partner with. all of them were eyeing someone. Ruby her sister. Yang was starring forward. Jaune seemed to being trying to look calm, it was funny to Samson who let out a half-amused chuckle at watching him. Though beside the Blonde haired pretty boy was the same girl that had been comforting him, her eyes looking forward but passing occasional glances at him. It did not take much for Filia and Samson to tell that the girl had some form of feelings for him.
She was broken out of her half-minded stare when a calm but serious toned voice filled the air "For years, you have trained to become warriors." Ozpin spoke giving his speech. "And today your abilities will be evaluated…" he continued his speech non stopped.
Filia's attention was cut short however, when Samson decided to speak up in her ear. "Ha, show's what he knows. Looks like we have an upper edge here I've been fighting since before they were born." He started to boast, Filia began to eye the other's cautiously making sure none had heard him speak.
"Samson." Filia mumbled under her breath "Not now, this is important."
"What they are just asking us to track something down, it's not like they'll-" Middle of Samson's defense Filia was catapulted into the air. "WHAT THE HELL?" Samson yelled as the two were both caught off guard finding themselves flying over the forest at high speeds.
"Oh crap! Oh Crap! Oh crap! oh crap" Filia screamed repeatedly as she was flying in the air at high speeds. many of the treetops still a good distance away from them. "They never told me about this." she looked behind her to see the others trailing at higher speeds. she watched as they flew by her, their arcs a lot lengthier than her's. She turned her head to see Jaune screaming behind her.
"You didn't see it coming?" He asked still mortified. Filia nodded "Yeah me neither. Hey, you by chance know a good landing strategy?" She shook her head. He was about to ask another question when a red javelin came flying past catching him by the hood as he crashed into a tree.
Filia winced at watching the teenage knight crash into the brush below. Returning to her current predicament she saw the canopy of the forest slowly inching closer to her. Her eyes darted around in a panic noting that no one was able to pay her half a mind. Suddenly an idea came to her. "Samson," She spoke getting his attention. "Hairball." He grinned at the idea. She began to go into a fetal position as Her hair began to cover her in a heavy but soft shell of her own parasitic hair. By the time were close to the tree line, she was completely blind to what was going on outside of her cocoon. Samson was finishing a sturdier more weaved layer of hair covered in sharp serrated lochs to protect against ground hazards. Inside the shell, it was too dark for Filia to see only being able to see Samson's glowing yellow pupilless eyes inside the tangled mess that surrounds her body.
They felt the first crash into the forest top. Filia felt the cannonball crash through whatever unfortunate trees were in its path. Bouncing constantly off the branches as it continued its Decent into the woods. The two could hear the splintering cracks of branches and trunks breaking against the serrated hairs as the softer inside absorbed any of the harsher blows on Filia. The rapid strikes through the canopy bouncing in various directions like a boulder rolling along a piece of old fabric widening and cutting holes into the massive blanket. Suddenly they began to feel a loss of gravity and dizziness, the hairball had left the canopy smashing into trunks before colliding with the foliage of the understory. They had hit the ground and still had momentum to keep moving through the densely-forested area. they continued to roll until they lost enough momentum to be stopped by a heavy old growth tree trunk.
The two sat in silence for a moment both catching their breath. Samson shaking himself to lessen the dizziness looks to see Filia, her eyes continuously seem to wander around her cocoon seemingly jumping into states of consciousness; never fully unconscious but looking as though she was having trouble processing her situation.
After a moment of the heavy panting and trying to somewhat recuperating she suddenly began to feel a very peculiar feeling "Samson." Filia spoke up, her voice somewhat weak in tone and skin a slight tone of green.
The parasite groaned tired and uninterested in keeping his usual façade up "Yeah." his voice slightly queasy itself as he responded to his host.
She looked at his as she moved a hand close to her mouth. "I think I'm going to be sick." She remarked as she started to feel queasy.
Samson's behavior changed fast almost as if startled at the news. "Not now, and not in me." He said quickly trying to untangle himself. Since it was a hasty job, it was clearly covered in knots making it very uncomfortable to either of them. they spent close to ten minutes in place trying to let the world stop spinning to little effect.
As she began to resee the world without the twisted angles, Filia looked around checking their surroundings as Samson continued to untangle himself. She could not tell where they were but she could see the trail of carnage the two left in their entry allowing for her to see the blue sky and let some light into the woods, a comforting light amidst the air of uncertainty that has plagued her ever since she agreed to the headmaster's proposition. Then the bigger question she should have asked arose into the back of her head. "How far did they throw us?" was all she could ask looking at the treescape that surrounded them.
"How should I know?" Samson spoke angered at the events that had occurred "let's just find whatever they were wanting us to look for and get back." His tired scorn toward this exam began to bleed through on his speech. He sighed before speaking up however "What are we looking for exactly?" Filia and Samson both stopped in their tracks at the realization they were traveling blind out here. "Just great, were lost, got no damn clue where we are, and have no idea how to get there. Absolutely perfect" was all he could say. His mind had started to begin thinking of a new strategy to their predicament, Filia however gave a slightly comforting smile as she tried to think of the positives of their situation.
Filia looked back at him "It could be worse." she responded in an attempt to comfort the hair monster.
Unfortunately, her words were like a hot knife to him. "If you know what's best for us, DON'T EVER SAY THAT AGAIN!" not only was he angry he was now terrified. Filia looked at him perplexed by his response.
"Why are you concerned about me saying-" a snapping branch could be heard in the woods. both looked in the direction it came from. Slowly approaching the area, the noise came closer. the bush began to shake.
"The reason you never say that kid." Samson spoke concerned for the noise originating from the shaking bush. "Because it can always get worse." As he finished his statement a Black wolf with white boned armor appeared.
Filia and Samson eyed the creature with a mix of concern and dread. This beast snarled and growled much like a hungered creature, though odds are the bloodlust the two sensed from its presence suggested it was not driven by hunger. This was confirmed later when the wolf bellowed out a powerful howl as it charged at the two. Filia moved into a combative stance eyeing the beast cautiously She felt a painful tug on her scalp as if her hair were pulled. "I need time to untangle, keep it busy." Samson screamed at her as she dodged the falling claw.
Her eyes did not leave the beast waiting for the next attack. "How long do I need to keep it up?" Filia asked as she watched scared stiff of this opposing figure.
"About a min- DUCK!" Samson Blurted as she responded a second claw swiped at them as a second wolf came from behind. Filia dodge rolled out of the two wolf creatures and eyed the two of them cautiously.
"I, I'll do what I can." Filia responded though her tone was wavering a little. "Please be quick Samson, I don't know if we have a minute."
Meanwhile
Overwatching the monitors of the new initiates was an experience that in some way may have been a guilty pleasure to Ozpin. The headmaster often watched the new students with some bit of optimism. Despite his somewhat cruel and unforgiving opening day speech he never strayed away from a form of aged optimism. This year however proved to be very unique with many potential students ranging from renegades, aristocrats, legacy holders, prodigies, and most notably dimension hoppers.
He watched without impunity as he turned his head slightly to eye his assistant. "Glynda." He spoke up to catch her attention. "What is the overall status of our initiates?"
Glynda Goodwitch tapped on her tablet a few times pulling up a few individual statuses. "Most students have found their first partners." She responded watching the camera footage. "So far most are doing rather well for themselves." It took Ozpin's well-trained ears to hear the signs of her being impressed with the latest crop.
Ozpin took a sip from his mug as he breathed calmly. "It should be expected from most of them. They have been training for years for a test like this." He overlooked the forest in front of him observing the wind and sounds of combat in the distance. "What about the gamble I decided to take a bet on?"
"Ruby or Filia?" Goodwitch asked making Ozpin smirk a little as he recalled she was younger than most students currently taking the exams.
"Both I suppose." he guessed interested in how the two were doing.
A few taps on her screen could be heard before she responded "Ruby has found her first partner, Weiss Schnee. Almost feels like karma honestly, from what footage I gathered yesterday Weiss was essentially writing her off as a lost cause, still is from what our cameras are seeing." Goodwitch spoke as she then began to read the two's vitals. "Her aura levels suggest the two have not had any serious Grimm encounters." she took a few swipes of her tablet "As for Filia and Samson, the two have engaged two beowolfs upon landing." Her eyes widened in shock "This isn't good." Ozpin turned calmly curious as to her reaction. "The sensors, they are showing signs that Filia and Samson lack any form of aura." She looked back up at the still straight-faced headmaster.
"Well, things certainly have gotten bleak, haven't they?" he spoke calmly "Have a medical team on standby and make sure they are filled in on her condition."
Back to the fight
Filia jump kicked the creature in front of her. It did little in harming the creature but the force of the kick was helping buy time for Samson who was halfway done with straightening himself. "Almost there kid." He shouted moving as quick as he could. "You're doing good keep it up." while they seemed to be calm and collected the two were panicking on the inside the creatures were ferocious and easily a high-level threat on their own. Make it worse Filia could feel her stamina starting to wane a little.
"Please hurry." Filia said gritting her teeth staring at the two creatures charging on all fours. She ran at them as well dodge rolling under the one on the left's swipe. she barely had enough time to jump out of the way of the second Grimm's claws. "They are getting faster." she stated concerned for their wellbeing.
One of the wolves began to approach slowly walking closer to her as the other ran into the woods on his fours. Filia loosened her guard stance in slight confusion "(What are they planning?)" Filia could tell they were clearly observing her for some reason. but for whatever reason they have only been doing what looked like uncoordinated attacks as if they were studying her. She may be lucky that she was not up to full strength since Samson has been distracted. The wolf finally charged at her and began flailing a fury of blows. While only a few landed, the damage was minimal from how they felt. It was like the time she had to fight a hand full of ferals when she went seeking answers to who she was. though this time they were full animals rather than a handful of humans with animal body parts.
Her vision was blurred however from a strong hit to her head. she turned around to see the other wolf standing there. She stood there momently waiting as she blacked out. She collapsed to the ground leaving Samson the only one conscious.
"FILIA!" Samson screamed as she hit the ground. he gritted his own canines as he looked at the two creatures in front of him. "So" he spoke coldly "You want to play monster?" his now unraveled strands began to wrap around Filia. Her arms began to animate as he did it. Filia seemed to remain unconscious as her body stood back up a decent amount of hair wrapped in strong coils. The creatures were confused backing off believing she was conscious until they saw that her eyes closed shut. Samson began to control her like a puppet as his hair continued to cover her, especially around her joints to help improve his ability to move her. her bangs began to cover her face as he transferred both his eyes and mouth to where her face would be as if it were a mask. sharp claws began to form on her hands, the hair that Samson had cascade down her back in general now sported sharp porcupine like needles in it as Samson took a battle stance. "Let's see how you like a real monster."
Both wolves charged at him. he dodged and countered the first one with a violent cut to its face slashing clean through its thick fur. It jumped back as the other one tried to drop both of its arms oh him. Samson caught it and began to lift the two powerful arms back up. "(Anytime Filia)" He said in his mind. He stretched part of his hair down to the ground and let it support the weight. he then proceeded to kick the creature with heavy force. it managed to push it back several feet into a tree. Samson glared at the two as they charged at him. He stood his ground getting his puppeteered hands ready.
The first one jumped onto them to have his arm cut off at the joint. It was still alive so he crouched as it flew over the two. In a moment the spines on the back of Samson's transformation jetted outward impaling the beast in multiple spots. The wolf like Grimm began to disintegrated to Samson's surprise. He suddenly heard Filia groan a little, it seems she was coming back to consciousness. "Easy kid. You got ruffed up real bad." He responded his eyes still on the other Grimm.
"Samson? What happened." She asked weakly before noticing that it's dark. "So dark, how long have I been out?" Samson moved his face to its original position. he opened to holes in her bangs for her to see. Her eyes widened as the creature came slashing managing to cut a few strands of unhardened hair causing Filia and Samson to flinch in pain. Samson reverted to his original state setting up what he has used for a basic defense. The creature snarled as it glared at her. It began to approach running Samson in response dropped his hair downward and got ready for what was coming. The creature went to strike to hit nothing but got a spiked comb to its face. The creature still was trucking. Filia stared baffled by the amount of abuse it could take. As it charged at them Filia crouched downward into an angle giving Samson's Jaw a clear line of sight. When the creature raised both claws, she thrusted off the ground Samson extended his jaw biting a huge chunk out of its back. The creature fell limp as it began to disappear. Samson began to cough up the particles in his mouth. Filia laughed a little "For once we found something you couldn't stomach." she responded amused by this strange detail about the Grimm.
"Hah, hah, hah." he said sarcastically. The two scanned the area "Let's just get we what we're looking for."
"Right." Filia said as she grabbed her hat. "Let's move." The two traversed into a new area still lost but it gave her time to ask a question that was important to her. "How did I do Samson?" she asked as they continued their trek.
"Foot work was sloppy." He responded coldly. "But for an ambush, you did fine."
Filia's face brightened a bit as her usual question came next ever sense she desired to regain her memories "Fine enough to fight the Sku-"
Samson cut her off before she could finish. "NO!" while cold to her. He would never admit Filia reminded her of an old host he once had in the day. Not trained for combat but her optimistic spirit, back then when he still could call that bone head of a dragon parasite a friend. He stayed quiet as Filia walked just lost in thought as she moved onward. "(One day kid, One day.)"
Two hours later
The two had started to follow the signs of destruction. Based on what they saw they guessed the other huntsmen in training have passed through here clearing the path of more threatening Grimm though they did fight a handful of stragglers. The thing they had noticed is Filia struggled with larger entities and likely came from the detail is she was just used to fighting more humanoid like shapes. Samson noted it himself; he remarked early on that there is many things to differ from the street fights he and Filia often were apart of. The Grimm they had dealt with so far required altered tactics almost like fighting a Gigan, a giant race from their home world.
They kept up their pace venturing farther into the woods to a point more and more ruins began to be seen. Just then Filia saw a shadow cast on the ground blackening the ground fast. "Samson look up!" Filia shouted as she pointed upward. Samson looked up to see a giant bird chasing something up a Cliffside. He looked closely to see a familiar red cape flying in the distance.
"Isn't that that energetic kid from breakfast and the day before? Shoot what was her name?" Samson asked curiously staring at the red dot in the sky as it came down at the bird. The two chased after the falling red dot to see that the bird had been decapitated and was falling toward the abyss in the distance. On the remains of the ruins stood seven people all which Filia recognized. Coming through the brush she replaced the hat on her head to hide Samson. She approached them as the red mass which at this rate could be confirmed as Ruby landed on the ground of the ruins.
Ruby noticed the two-approaching unaware of Samson, but excited non the less. "Did you see that?" Ruby was active over the feat she did. Filia nodded at her question looking at the others. Amongst them was A Black haired girl in a bow, Ruby's older sister, Jaune who was next to a red head in impressive armor, and two she did not recognize fully being just individuals who stood out the day prior do to one's hyperactive nature and the other tolerating her erratic behavior.
She noticed the weird shrine with a bunch of chess pieces on them, four to be exact. "is that what we are looking for?" she asked pointing at the four chess pieces. Ruby turned and gave a slightly ambivalent nod suggesting she was not sure herself. "Well it's possible." she wagered approaching the statues before stopping herself "On second thought, you eight deserve it more than me I just got here." It seemed that the others did not mind her reasoning though Ruby was concerned. "don't worry Ruby." she said with care in her voice "I'm not exactly cut out for this kind of thing. I'm surprised how different it is from fighting other people." She was trying to be reassuring though she was guessing that she came off more like a quitter though.
Ruby seemed to be sad at her response "Okay." She started to sulk, slowly she approached the statues before turning to look at Filia. "Can I at least see your weapon or talk to the person from New Meridian before you leave?" Filia Smirked at Ruby she was much like a kid she meant in the suburban town of Maplecrest who toyed with Samson as she tried to do her homework or figure out her next move in figuring out who she was.
"I'll make sure that you do." Filia reassured looking at the mass of people meeting up with them. Wiess to her shock walked up to Ruby.
"Hey partner." she paused reluctantly "Let's get going it's almost dark."
Filia's eyes opened wide in surprise "Partner?" the reaction caught the two in a bit of shock though the two, though it seemed they both were not very keen on the arrangement. "Just how much did I miss?" she asked only to get a mild chuckle from the others in the group.
Ruby laughed a bit as the nine of them made the long hike back to the starting point. Most of them filling in Filia about their own adventure through the Emerald Forest. Filia gave them a more altered events hiding the true nature of her weapons and tactics. The keener minded individuals in the group however noted that she had story inconsistencies though through a bit of luck and distraction Filia was able to make them forget about it or at least shelf the questions for later.
That night
The huge ceremony being held for those who entered the trial was a reason to celebrate with many were sitting watching to see how their teams have been composed. While Jaune never got onto Ruby's team he was capable of getting his own team Under the title of team JNPR, consisting of Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, Pyrrah Nikos, and Lie Ren. Filia only knew Jaune to a degree having talked with him the most, Pyrrah however she had heard of, apparently she is the rising huntress that the rumors were about. As for Lie and Nora, this is the first time she has seen them outside of Nora's antics in the cafeteria and the trial.
The last team was being called up consisting of Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xia Long under the name of Team RWBY. "Sounds like one of your weird radio adventures." Samson mumbled as the Ceremony was concluding. Filia snickered at his response but gave a bit of a longing gaze.
She glanced down at her hands seeing a written note for Ruby. Her plan was to meet at the outside fountain late in the evening to fill her promise to her. But for now, the two need to let them celebrate their achievement. She planned to leave it on her seat and silently make her departure. "We need to get going Samson." She spoke up only to get a gruff noise in agreement from him.
As the teams were announced Ozpin walked up to the stage to give off what she guessed were just more words of wisdom from his time as a Huntsman and a teacher. Filia got out of her seat and was making her way to the door only to be stopped by Goodwitch. She began to get worried. "Ms. Filia" she spoke sternly and to the point. "Even in New Meridian I assume getting up and leaving is rather rude wouldn't you agree?" She nodded and began to walk back to her seat. before being stopped again. "Filia" She spoke up again. "I believe Ozpin wants you to approach the stage." She nodded again to acknowledge what was asked of her. Though in her mind she was wondering if this was a situation where Samson would be exposed. Both her and Samson began mapping escape routes in their heads.
As she got to the curtain Ozpin noticed her and concluded his first lecture. "One more thing I should mention." He spoke up. "It is common knowledge that Beacon Academy divides its students into teams of four. However, this year we have an extra student. Normally, Beacon has rules that would not allow for such. But this person truly offers something unique that could prove to be an exception. That is why Filia Samson will be joining Team RWBY until a new team can be assembled." Filia walked out on stage blushing a little she never liked being the center of attention even in fights back home.
Not much happened as she left to sit with Team RWBY. the ceremony concluded and everyone was told to head to their new dorms.
"It's great that you're on our team Filia." Ruby responded enthusiastically.
Filia smiled "I'm excited to." She responded calmly, though her eyes darted to the other three members. Yang showed the same amount of enthusiasm, albeit more reserved compared to her sister's energetic behavior. Weiss seemed puzzled and suspicious on her joining the four. The only one who showed almost no interests in her grouping was Blake who Filia admitted really was not sure what to make of her.
"There you five are." Goodwitch's voice stopped them in their tracks. "Under the rare occasions, we have teams of five we have a few specialized rooms for this." She gestured to the tablet in her hands presenting a small, isolated section of the dorm wing of the school.
The team looked at the location noting the small offshoot room connected to the primary bunks of the specialized dorms. "So, what is with the second room?" Yang spoke up noticing it before smiling up a bit "Dibs on it before Ice Queen." She spoke up quickly earning a cold glare from Weiss.
Goodwitch looked at the four members of Team RWBY. "Under the normal circumstances your team would not have a fifth member." She repeated herself "As cold as it may seem, it needs to be repeated; Filia is not an official part of your team and just a student who is latched to your team." She looked at the four "Unless there are other objections from the one who is to stay in that room it is nonnegotiable."
Weiss immediately spoke up in frustration at this new information. "So she gets private chambers compared to the rest of us?" She huffed out annoyed only to get the same gaze from Goodwitch causing her to freeze in shock. "Well, Rules are meant to be followed after all." She remarked slightly nervous but it did not take much to notice that she was fuming at the unfair treatment.
Filia hesitated before following she could tell Samson was listening in. "I think we may have to reveal you faster than I'd like." She sighed running the situation in her head. "Just one thing at a time Filia. Ruby first, rest of Beacon, later."
The room
Everyone was exhausted to say the least. they retreated to their beds and Filia to her small side room. It was not much to look at she imagined it was what a college dorm room looked like. She still had a lot of energy to burn however, Samson's Endurance enhancements seem to ensure that she can stay very late with minimal repercussion her wounds she even got had healed mostly at that moment making many believe she had her aura unlocked.
she was reading late into the night when a knock on her door echoed in her room. Filia reacted by getting up and answering it. Ruby was on the other side. She knew what she was going to ask about. "Come in Please." she said gesturing for her to enter. As Ruby entered, she turned to see the other three members were sound asleep or minding their own business at their beds.
As Ruby entered the room she quietly shut the door behind her. When the two's eyes met The amnesiac could tell that Ruby was getting nervous about her paranoid actions. "So" Filia spoke up slowly twisting the door's deadbolt into the locked position trying not to raise the young leader's alarm. "What would you like to see first?" she asked as she approached her chair as Ruby sat on her bed.
Ruby looked at Filia more concerned about her over her own safety often wanting to see the good in those she trusts, however she could tell Filia was planning an escape route for some reason. "Wait" Ruby paused coming to problem in what she was promised. "We had to return our equipment to our lockers how can you have your weapon?" she asked curiously, she may not have followed the rules herself deciding to smuggle it in but the other three members were following the rules some more so than others.
Filia thought on how to word it. "Let's just say, you'll understand once you see it."
Ruby got curious as she focused on Filia who was clearly thinking on what she believed to be the best way to describe it was. Her red eyes lit up as if an idea came to her mind "Ruby, you asked where I was from once, correct?" Ruby recalled this conversation from the day prior, in the gardens where she met her the second time. She nodded her head to give her response noting the way the unofficial member started to fidget in her seat a little. "First it may be best to come clean then." Filia paused as Ruby took interests. "Ruby" She breathed in slowly still clearly nervous "I'm not of this world."
Ruby at first thought she was being treated as a kid expected to fall for a simple joke. "I'm not that young Filia I don't fall for that kind of stuff." She chided disappointed someone was, yet again, making fun of her.
Filia snickered "I can guess why you said that." She mused a little weary. "When I first arrived, I did not believe it myself." She continued to laugh at her first night on Remnant though her tone began to show the same nervous behavior as the rest other body the entire time. "That being said, I am from a world that is far different to this one. one where Grimm do not exist." the more she explained the more Ruby began to eye her in mild disbelief and was about to leave thinking that Filia was just a liar. "We have a more sinister evil where I'm from" she continued "One I fear greatly."
Ruby began to get suspicious again. "Do you have any evidence of this?" she asked not expecting Filia to give substantial proof. Though the moment she asked this Filia began to look away almost concerned. She was uncomfortable with this but was pushing herself to do this.
Filia nodded "Before you see it, I need you to promise one thing." Her tone was extremely serious, Ruby began to stare intensely at her wanting to know what it is. "No matter what, do not scream. He has agreed not to hurt you but even then, he is known to be intimidating in appearance. And rude" She explained calmly though her eyes seemed to be pleading for Ruby to do as she asked.
Ruby hesitated for a moment seeing some form of fear in Filia's eyes, Fear of rejection. She nodded and with a moment of pause Filia inhaled and exhaled, Her hand went upward and removed her mud stained hat. her black hair began cascading down the back of her hair. Ruby did not know she had that long of hair. Then Filia stood up and turned around making Ruby stare at the weird hairband in her hair and two yellow glowing spots above the weird hairband. That was until she realized she was looking at a mouth with a lot of sharp teeth. To make it worse, whatever was attached to Filia's head was alive and breathing. It's bright yellow eyes peering at her. "Uh, Filia" Ruby finally spoke up, doing her best not to scream in fear.
"Don't worry Ruby, Samson will not harm you." Filia spoke with confidence in that statement. Though the fact she never turned to face her did not make it easy for Ruby to believe.
The name of the creature attached to Filia confused her. "Samson? I thought that was your last name." Ruby more confused than she would like to admit. She noticed Samson did not seem t fond of what she said either.
Filia sighed as she continued to face away from the young leader. "Truth be told, I don't know my last name. Samson has been helping me find it for a long time." She then slumped down into her arms a bit. "Ozpin used his name as a coverup. I only just found out about it at the Ceremony." She sounded embarrassed or at least disappointed.
Ruby nodded at this information. "So Mr. Samson" Ruby spoke flinching when Samson tilted a bit in her direction his eyes seemed focused as if on edge. Her mind raced as she ran through the thousands of questions she wanted to ask. She decided to ask what came natural to her. "Do you have a weapon." She wanted to smack herself for a stupid question to ask a mop of hair.
"Weapon?" Samson's low growling voice made Ruby jump a little. "Kid, I am the weapon." as he stated that he moved several strands of hair into a long slanted object that looked like a straight edge razor her uncle would use. She eyed it curiously touching it. It was a weird sensation as it felt like hair but when trying to bend or fold it, it almost felt like she was trying to readjust the blade on Crescent Rose. She looked back up at Samson in shock as she watched Samson form several other items from the tendrils.
Filia just stayed quiet as she listened to Ruby gawk and examine some of her parasite's formations. "So, you have questions for me or what?" Samson spoke up looking at Ruby. Filia had a slight smile on her face seeing that the two were going to get along just fine, likely because of their fondness for violence.
A good two hours went by of her asking questions. Filia passed out before the two could finish so she doesn't know what happened. All She knows is Ruby woke her up and thanked her before heading to bed herself. She thought that they would be in trouble since the first day of school was tomorrow.
Filia as she went to sleep looked up at Samson's bangs. "So, what do you think of her?" She asked concerned.
Samson grumbled a little tired from Ruby's multitude of questions. "She's a handful, but a good kid, I think you can trust her." Samson responded rather laxed compared to his usual over protective nature, It caught Filia off guard. "Just get to sleep." He grumbled falling into his own rest.
Meanwhile Filia's head tilted toward the window looking at the shattered moon. She seemed troubled by the situation. "(Here's to finding a new place… I guess.)" she remarked in her thoughts finding her own eyes growing heavy welcoming her first comfortable slumber in some time.