A/N: Another update, hope all of you reading like what I've churned out here. Also fun fact, the last name Kent comes from the old Welsh word for bright/white so Clark technically fits with the naming scheme of Remnant haha. But I digress, I hope you enjoy what I've done, and be sure to let me know what you think.
The grounds of Beacon Academy were quite the site to see. Clark had never seen anything quite like them. He loved the fields and forests of Smallville but this campus was unlike anything he had ever laid his eyes on back home. As he rotated his head to take in the scenery he could almost feel his eyes actually shine with wonder. He knew he must have looked like a hayseed right now, gawking and the immaculate grounds and towering buildings, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He had rarely ever left Smallville and on the occasions he had, it wasn't to anywhere like this.
Unfortunately for Clark his new surroundings served as a distraction strong enough to ruin his normally extremely good situational awareness and he bumped into some poor unaware individual. On pure instinct Clark forced himself to stumble, fall, and land haphazardly on his back. Quickly re-adjusting his now askew glasses he sat up and scrambled onto his hands and knees as he made frantic effort to pick up everything he had caused the other person to drop.
"Oh geez, I'm so sorry I was distracted and wasn't paying attention and…" his stammered apology was cut off by a soft response.
"It's alright, I wasn't really paying attention either hehe,"a small and timid voice said back.
Looking up from his task Clark saw a rather small girl mimic his motions as she began to help him gather both of their scattered effects. She looked up periodically, giving him unsure and awkward smiles. He noticed that she seemed to favor her left hand, just like him.
To any other person this small detail may seem trivial and inconsequential and would like have gone unnoticed, but not to Clark. He often found himself looking for even the smallest similarities between himself and others. The same color hair, blue eyes, the same crooked bottom teeth. Anything that could draw a link between himself and normal people.
He couldn't help it as a small smile spread across his lips as he stood up holding the collected items haphazardly in his arms. The girl stood up as well and looked up at the young man who had bumped into her.
"Hehe, sorry again, It's my first year and I'm just super excited to be here and I just got distracted I guess," she said awkwardly rubbing the back of her head.
"Yeah, me too," Clark responded readjusting what he was carrying so he could free a hand to fix his glasses, which had been knocked askew in his fall. " I'm Clark by the way," he said extending his hand and inadvertently dropping about half of what he was carrying. "Oh geez," he mumbled as he quickly bent down and picked everything back up as the girl giggled causing him to flush slightly as he handed everything back to her. She stowed her effects in her bag before extending her hand to him.
"I'm Ruby, Ruby Rose," she responded with a smile.
"Nice to meet you Ruby," Clark reached his hand out just a bit too quickly and shook the young girl's hand.
"Sooooo...Clark, is that your first name or last name?" she half joked, causing Clark to let out a small chuckle. It wasn't the first time someone had made the comment.
"My last name is Kent," he told her.
"Well Clark Kent and Ruby Rose, we're a regular alliteration sensation haha...that was stupid," she joked lamely and they both laughed awkwardly before a rather uncomfortable silence fell between them. "Sooo, Clark...where's your weapon?" she ask breaking the silence and looking him over.
"Oh...well," Clark stalled, he hadn't been expecting a question like this and he awkwardly raised his fists and pantomimed a rather clumsy punch. "I just...ya know...punch stuff," he finished lamely.
"No weapon!" Ruby cried in utter shock, actually causing Clark to stumble back.
"Well...yeah," Clark mumbled.
"How are you going to fight!? You can't fight grim with your bare hands...can you?" the tiny girl practically shouted as she got right up in face before zipping around him at astounding speed, giving him the once over.
"Well, ahhh, no I just…" Clark was stopped mid sentence as Ruby lifted up his arm and prodded at him with her index finger. At this Clark pulled his arms from her grip and tightly to his sides. "You see what I meant was I ahhhh...I don't have a weapon right now,the rest of my stuff is being sent along after me," he said thinking quickly and hoping Ozpin would be able to help him out in this regard.
"Oh...right...ehehe, that makes more sense, sorry about that," Ruby said abashedly as she jumped back her face now flush with embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it," Clark responded with a smile that seem to put her at ease.
Just as she seemed to relax however, the school's clock tower chimed causing Ruby to jump before looking at her scroll before a look of panic.
"OH NO! WE'RE LATE! COME ON!" She bellowed as she grabbed his wrist and took off like a shot leading Clark along towards the opening assembly.
Clark was honestly quite surprised at the speed of Ruby Rose, to any other individual the world would have have been a colorful blur as they raced across the school grounds. But to Clark this was little more than a mild jog, but nonetheless it did remind him that he wouldn't have to hide here, at least not as much as back home. Before long they came to the doors of the assembly hall.
"Sorry about that, hope that wasn't too much," she laughed as she opened the door.
"I'm fine, a warning would have been nice though haha," he responded adjusting his glasses once again inadvertently bumbling into the closing door in front of him. He could hear a distant 'Sorry' from Ruby who had darted off, clearly in search of someone.
Clark smirked a little at the energetic little spitfire as he press the door off of himself as he crossed the threshold. He was stopped dead in his tracks however when he felt a small tug on one of his bags strap before he heard the sound of tearing canvas before his own effect were scattered across the floor.
Letting out an exasperated sigh he once again set to work picking up school supplies. He made a mental note to try and actively curb his self induced clumsy tendencies. It was all apart of the lackluster image he created for himself. It was why he stuttered so much, why he wore clothes a size or two too big. It was why he wore glasses he didn't need, anything little thing he could do to keep eyes off of him, to keep him from standing out. But here at Beacon, maybe he could lighten up a little bit, it would be nice to wear clothes that fit properly for once.
"Day one and already having trouble huh?" a voice said from above him.
Looking up quickly, causing his glasses to slide down the bridge of his nose, he saw a young man, roughly his age kneeling down to help him.
"Thanks, I got caught on the handle," Clark said with a smile.
"Hehe, no problem, I've been there before, at least you did tear the seat of your pants out,"he laughed back.
"The day is still young," Clark responded taking this things "Thanks umm…"
"Jaune Arc, nice to meet you," he said extending his hand.
"Clark Kent," Clark responded taking his hand in a firm grip and inadvertently making him wince. "Sorry," he said quickly letting go.
"Don't worry about it," Jaune responded shaking the aches out of his hand.
As the new duo made their way to the main auditorium they heard the beginning of Ozpin's speech and they quickened their pace. There was nothing that Clark hadn't heard before but he didn't want to appear to be a student who didn't care. They entered the auditorium and stood quietly and listened to what their headmaster had to say.
While Jaune listened Clark allowed his mind and eyes to wander. He recalled Ozpin telling him that the vast majority of these students would not make it through the qualifying examination the following day. He had not told Clark exactly what the exam would be but it was sure to be challenging if most of those around him, most of whom who had several years of combat training, would not made the grade. The speech ended and Clark was drawn out of his revery and a thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Um Jaune, do you happen to know where everyone is staying tonight? We haven't been assigned dorms yet," the young man gave him a curious look before answering.
"Uhhh, were you not listening just now? Everyone's supposed to head to the ballroom for tonight, camping style haha," he joked lightly.
"The boys and girls all together?! Is...is that...you know...proper?" Clark asked. Jaune looked at him with a confused look on his face for a moment.
"You do know the dorms are coed right? Chances are you'll be sharing a room with at least one girl if make it through tomorrow."
This caused Clark to flush, the thought hadn't even occurred to him. He had been raised with a certain set of values and the mere thought of sharing a common sleeping area with young ladies made him extremely uncomfortable. Clark was, however, drawn away from this awkward conversation by the buzzing of his scroll. Looking at the screen he saw was that it was Ozpin calling.
"Sorry I have to take this," he apologized to Jaune who simply smiled and waved as Clark made his way to the foyer where he would be relatively isolated.
"Hello?"
"Hello mister Kent did you enjoy my little speech for the second time?"
"Well ahhhh…" Clark started to stammer but was interrupted by a small chuckle on the other end of the line.
"Hehe, don't fret mister Kent I did not call to chastise you for letting your mind wander. I simply thought it would look a tad strange for me to single you out before our school year has even begun."
"Oh, okay, I thought I was in trouble already," Clark said slightly amused though there was a clear tone of relief in his voice.
"Not at all, not at all, I simply wished to speak with you. I was hoping to a word with you face to face tomorrow before initiation. Would you mind terribly coming by my office in the morning so we discuss a few subjects on the matter of your time here?"
"Oh yeah, no problem, no problem at all," Clark agreed.
"Wonderful, I look forward to speaking with you again in person. Oh, and by the way I'm curious, how are you doing about campus? I am aware it is quite different from your hometown how are you adjusting?"
"Fine, fine, everything is wonderful," Clark said just a little too quickly. What he had said was mostly true but there was one small thing that did bother him about Beacon Academy, but he wasn't sure it was something that should really be brought up.
"Mister Kent, what is the matter?" Ozpin's voice said sternly, although there was a distinct kindness in his tone.
"Oh it's nothing...really…" Clark began but was cut off.
"Mister Kent," Ozpin responsed, his voice slightly more demanding.
Clark glance around, making sure he was alone before cupping his hand over the mic of scroll and whispered.
"Well...I'm just a little uncomfortable with the idea of all the boys and girls sleeping together in the ballroom...I just...I don't thinks it's proper is all," Clark finished and all he could hear was silence on the other end of the line. Then there came a small chuckle and an amused voice followed.
"Is that all?" Ozpin's voice sounded almost downright mirth full and this caused the heat to rise in Clark's cheeks in embarrassment.
"Well it's kind of a big deal for me," Clark mumbled back.
"I'm sorry Mister Kent, I am, I didn't mean to make light of your feelings. I'm just surprised is all, everything you can do and have done and this gives you pause. I was merely surprised is all," he explained as the bemusement left his voice.
"Thanks for the apology, maybe I'm just being oversensitive it's just…"
"How you were raised, I understand. But I'm afraid there is nothing to be done about it tonight. Just try and get through it and I can promise it won't be an issue after tonight," Ozpin told him apologetically.
Clark let out a small sigh "Alright, thank you professor."
"I do apologize for you discomfort, but I promise it will only be for one night. Have a good evening Mister Kent, I will speak you tomorrow,"
"Goodnight professor," and with that the call was end.
Letting another sigh escape his lips Clark looked around himself once more and took note of all the Beacon hopefuls making their way towards the ballroom. He noticed that there seemed to be a great deal more girls than boys. Clark found himself forcing himself to learn to deal with the now almost ever present discomfort.
"What would Ma and Pa think?" he mumbled to himself as he made to follow the crowd.
'It'll be alright, just find a spot off in the corner and face the wall' Clark thought to himself as he made his way through the packed room. His eyes were focused resolutely on the floor and he snaked his way between sleeping bags.
He had already changed into his too large flannel pajama and was holding his sleeping back tight to his chest. He tried his hardest not to look up or make eye contact with anyone. Every once in awhile he would look up to make sure he wouldn't bump into anyone. He had nearly reached his goal when he heard a voice call out to him.
"Clark!" he heard a small voice call out. "Clark!" it said again, this time a bit louder but he still did not look up. "CLAAAARK! OVER HERE!"
Finally looking up from the floor Clark saw the ever chipper Ruby Rose jumping up and down excitedly and waving him over.
He found himself slightly conflicted. It would be rude to ignore her, but at the same time he just wanted to lay down and try and get this terribly uncomfortable night over with.
"CLAAAARK!" she shouted again, this time even louder.
Deciding he could not simply ignore one of only two people he had managed to form any semblance of the beginnings of a friendship he turn to face her and gave her a small wave before heading over.
Keeping his eyes training solely on the girl in front of him he still couldn't entirely tune out everything around him. He could feel in ears, neck and face start to grow hot at the idea there were so many young ladies around him, some of which were wearing little more than underwear. But he was also well aware that he seemed to be the only one who thought it was a big deal.
"Hey Ruby," he said awkwardly after finally having made his way over. But before the words had entirely left his mouth Ruby had her hand wrapped around his wrist and was once again pulling him along. They stopped suddenly in front on another young lady with extremely long golden locks.
"Clark meet my sister Yang. Yang this is Clark Kent...see I told you I made a friend," she finished sticking her tounge out at the older girl.
"Whoa calm down Rubes, I never said you didn't make a friend I just know sometimes…," Yang started in an amused tone but Ruby cut her off.
"Well it doesn't matter, I proved you wrong, sooo..." she never finished her sentence and just gestured to Clark, as if that proved her point somehow.
Yang put her hands up in a gesture of admitting defeat, but her amusement was still clearly present. After letting a small chuckle escape her lips she turned her attention towards Clark, who noticed that her cheer seemed to ebb when her eyes feel on him.
Clark knew that look, he had seen it a few times before, however in those times they were the eyes of protective fathers not sisters, but that intensity was unmistakable. He felt rather like a show horse being examined for defects.
"So, Clark, what's your deal?" she asked calmly.
"My, my deal?" he asked confused.
"Yeah, you know, how do you fight, semblance, stuff like that. Who knows we might end up teammates, need to know what we're in for," she said in a very business like tone.
"Oh well…" Clark started to stammer but Ruby cut him off.
"Oh, you'll love this, Clark's a brawler, just like you," she shouted excitedly, throwing a few sloppy shadow punches.
"Really?" Yang said giving Clark a questioning look.
He understood why she look at him like that. His slouched posture, his glasses that didn't seem to quite properly on his face, and to top it all off he must not have looked all that impressive dressed in worn pajamas two sizes too large.
"I find that a little hard to believe, no offense, you have a pretty good semblance to offset well...this," she said gesturing to Clark up and down.
"Yang! You're being rude!" Ruby shouted in near hysterics.
Yang gave her sister a stoney look before the corners of her mouth began to twitch and a massive grin spread across her face before a snort of laughter escaped her.
"Oh my god, chilled out Rubes, I'm just givin' your new friend the business, we cool Kent?" she said with through her laughs and snickers as she offered him her fist to bump.
"Oh...yeah, yeah we're ah...we're cool," Said raising his fist and hesitantly bumped hers, and the moment he did he found himself wrapped in a headlock.
"YANG, STOP, YOU'RE GONNA BREAK MY NEW FRIEND!" he heard Ruby shout.
"Don't worry Rubes, just wanna make sure he'll be able to hang, you know we can play rough sometimes," she responded with a laugh.
Clark was at a loss at what to do, his lifetime of always allowing himself to be pushed around had allowed Yang to lock in a fairly tight headlock and was now driving her knuckles into Clark's scalp. Even though he did feel any pain he could still tell Yang wasn't really trying to hurt him, but it was still plenty embarrassing.
It was at this point Yang yanked him around and as her torso shifted he felt his face brush up against something considerably softer than the hard muscles of under her arms. Realizing what it was Clark, forgetting most of his restraint, quickly and deftly broke Yang grips and removed himself from the headlock before standing up bolt upright, his face beet red.
"Whoa, so he does have a little fight in him," Yang said cheekily.
"Ahhhh I...ahhhh," Clark stammered as he adjusted his glasses his face still red.
"Chill Kent, I'm done screwing with, it's getting too late to stay riled up," and she offered him her hand.
Clarke eyed her wearily before reaching out and quickly shaking it.
"Ahem,are you sure your done beating up my friend?" Ruby's voice cut through.
"Yeah I'm done," she responded cheerily.
"At any rate Clark, I was going tell you, before my sister assaulted you," they heard Yang snicker " I was going to tell…"
"She saved you a spot next to her and wants to to cuddle up to you tonight," Yang cooed in a teasing tone from behind her sister.
"WHAT?! NO! THAT'S NOT TRUE, THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Ruby shouted, her face turning crimson as she began frantically waving her arms before turning to her sister "WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT!" she shouted at her snickering sibling.
Clark watched silently as Ruby berated her sister. He himself was mildly embarrassed by the jab but it was nothing compared to how Ruby was reacting and he decided to intervene before things came to blows.
"Ahem...pardon me...Miss Rose?" he began timidly and for a moment he wasn't sure she had heard him. But she spun around and faced, her face still flush and cheek puffed in irritation.
Letting out a breath she looked up at him. "Sorry about that uhhhh...what was I saying?" she began awkwardly as fiddled with the hem of her night shirt.
"There was something you wanted to tell me?" he offered helpfully.
"Oh Right!" she said her chipper tone returning before she seemed to become suddenly very unsure of herself. "Well I just uhhh ...just wanted to wish you good luck tomorrow," she finished her chipper tone returning, but it could do nothing to hide her heart beat. She was lying.
Clark found it strange but was not about to press the issue. It was late and he just wanted to get the night over with.
"Oh thanks, you too, both of you," he said offering his hand to both of them.
"Thanks, no hard feelings Kent?" Yang said with a small grin.
He hesitated for a moment before he offered her a smile "Sure, no problem Miss Ro…"
"Xiao Long," she interrupted "Different mothers," she offered nonchalantly seeing the slightly confused look on his face.
"Oh, sorry," he apologized.
"Don't worry about it," she said with a shrug.
"Well I'll let you two get some sleep. Goodnight Miss Rose, Miss Xiao Long," he said to each of them in turn and they bid him good night as well.
As Clark left them and continued his search his sensitive ears picked the the sisters continuing their argument.
"You chickened out huh?" he heard Yang tease her little sister.
"It's not like that, you just made everything so weird!" he heard her say in a hushed shriek.
Still not knowing what they were really talking about Clark put it out of his mind and found a corner to bed down in. Setting up his sleeping bag he climbed inside and faced the wall. It was going to be a very long night.