POV - Whitley
"I'll see you in a few months," I said.
"If you make it," Weiss said.
"Why wouldn't I make it," I asked.
"No reason," she answered as she made her way out of the house.
'I'll see her in a few months, hope nothing bad happens'
[Oh you poor naive fool, you never say or think that sentence]
"I don't know what that last sentence was about, but we need to get you packed," Felix said.
"Neither do I," I said as I made my way toward my room.
"Maybe she thinks your team will hold you back," he guessed.
"If they do, I'll show them how to catch up," I said.
"I'm sure you will kid," he said.
We had made our way up the stairs to the quieter part of the Schnee Manor.
"Oum I'm nervous," I said.
"Coming from you that's hilarious," he said.
"I know, but I have to keep going. If I stop for school, Atlas will surely return to its faunus hating ways," I said.
"I highly doubt that," he said.
"Why," I asked.
"Because everyone is scared of you Whitley," he answered.
"No they're not scared of me, they're scared of him," I said.
"Whitley, that mindset is a very dangerous one," he said.
"But I have to have it," I said.
"Or you can be proud of all the people you have saved," he said.
"And look over all the people I have hurt," I said.
"No, the people you hurt are so far gone they can barely be called people. They're more like monsters," he said.
"No, the grimm are monsters Felix," I said.
"Kid, look at it this way, how long would the faunus be able to take the abuse in those mines before fighting back," he asked.
"Not much longer," I answered as we turned into the hall that led to my room.
"Exactly," he said.
"But still," I said.
"But still you need to stop worrying about it," he said.
"Fine," I said.
I opened the door into my room and scanned the room one more time.
"See anything you really need," he asked.
"No," I answered, "Did we get all of my favorite suits?"
"Yup," he answered.
"And that outfit," I asked.
"In the duffle bag," he answered.
"And my picture," I asked.
"You mean the only picture of you, Winter, and Weiss smiling," he asked.
"Yes, that picture," I answered.
"Yes, you have it," he said.
"I guess there's nothing else than," I said.
"Trust me, you have everything," he said.
"You should probably go get yourself ready to go," I said.
"I've been packet since yesterday," he said.
"What about your butler outfit that I know my sister absolutely adores," I teased.
Felix's face flushed a deep shade of red.
"I-I have n-no idea what you're t-talking about," he said.
"I'm sure you don't," I said.
"I'll be on my way," he said as he ran out of my room.
"Oh this is going to be fun," I said.
(Time Skip brought to you in part by, Ruby's Rubies, home to the best gems in all of Remnant)
"Welcome to Atlas Academy," one of the many Academy officers said as I walked up to him.
"Thank you, would you mind pointing me in the direction of the assembly hall," I asked.
"Right over there," he answered, "Would you like me to help with your things?"
"No, I'm fine," I answered.
"Alright," he said.
'Oum help me please, I've already managed to get myself lost'
"Watch out," a voice yelled before someone slammed into my back.
"Ow," I said as I pushed myself up off the floor.
"Wow sorry dude," a female voice apologized, "Shit I didn't close my suitcase."
"Let me help you," I said as I finished brushing myself off.
Extending my hand to the fallen woman, she grabbed it and allowed me to pull her up.
"Thanks, sorry I'm Neon Katt," she said, still not looking at me.
"And I'm Whitley Schnee, but please just call me Whitley," I said as I kneeled down and picked up the items that had fallen out of her case.
"Wait, Schnee," she asked.
"Yes, is there a problem," I asked.
"Uh kind of," she said pointing to her pink tail.
"What of it," I asked.
"You don't have a problem with it," she asked in a bewildered tone.
"Dear Oum, I couldn't care less if you had a second head Miss. Katt," I answered.
"Oh, I just figured with how your father practically enslaves my people you would probably hate me," she said.
"There is no "practically" in my Father's enslavement of your people," I said as I handed her the dropped items.
"Huh, you don't like him much do you," she asked.
"Let's just say if I was given the choice to hug a cactus or talk to him, I would choose the cactus every time," I answered.
"Hehe," she giggled at my attempted joke.
"Thank you," I said.
"Do you know where we're supposed to go," she asked.
"Yes, would you mind accompanying me," I asked.
"Sure," she answered.
"Alright, right this way," I said as I started walking in the direction given to me.
"So any idea what type of team you want to be on," she asked.
"As long as I'm on a team with people who aren't piping racists I'll be happy," I answered.
"Well good luck with that," she said.
"Thanks," I said.
"I was being-
"Sarcastic, I know," I interrupted.
"Just making sure you knew," she said.
"Isn't that Whitley Schnee," a voice whispered.
"Fuck," I said, "Come on."
I grabbed Neon's hand and began pulling her through the crowd.
"It's Whitley," another voice whispered.
"Shit," I said.
"You don't like the attention," she asked.
"Not from these people," I answered.
We finally entered the academy as the crowd that formed around me outside was forced to disperse.
"First day and you're already famous," Neon said.
"Unfortunately," I said.
"You'll get used to it," she said.
"Or I will avoid it," I said.
"Hehe," she giggled.
"Welcome initiates to Atlas Academy, the Headmaster will be here soon, please be silent and wait for his arrival," a female soldier said from the stage.
"Could be a bit more pleasant but it gets to the point," Neon said.
"Well the academy is an extension of the military so keep in mind they are going to be a but more militant," I said.
"I know, I know," she said.
"Already making friends," a familiar male voice said behind me.
"I left you less than ten minutes ago and you're already dressed to impress," I snipped.
"Feisty," Felix said before standing next to me, "So what's her name?"
"Hi I'm Neon, Neon Katt," Neon said.
"It is nice to meet you, Neon, I'm Whitley's butler Felix Steel," Felix said.
"You brought your Butler with you," Neon asked.
"No, he's here because of my older sister," I answered.
"What would your older sister need him for," Neon asked.
"I'll tell you later," I answered.
"Schnee," a male voice said.
"Here we go again," I mumbled.
'Great this one sounds angry'
"Hello sir," I said as I extended my hand to the guy.
"Get your hand away from me, Neon, what are you doing with him," the guy asked as her slapped my hand away.
'Dick'
"Chill out Flynt, Whitley's chill," Neon answered.
"You know this guy," I asked.
"Yeah, is that a problem," Flynt asked, puffing up his chest to make himself bigger.
"No, I was just asking," I answered.
"Enough about my companion, who's this cutie you've dragged in," Neon asked.
Following Neon's eyes, I felt my own grow to the size of frisbees.
"This little one is Ilia," Flynt answered.
"Well hey there Ilia, the name's Neon," Neon said.
"Hello I'm Ilia," Ilia said introducing herself.
[Sidebar, I'm aware that this conflicts with the Chapter AGITF: The Lizard And The Bird, just bare with me as I explain]
"And you probably already know this stranger," Neon said pointing at me.
"Yes, yes I do," Ilia said.
"Hello Ilia," I said, extending my hand.
"Hello," she said, taking my hand and shaking it.
"So why exactly are you mad at me Mr. Flynt," I asked.
"Because you and your family's company forced my dad to close his dust shop," Flynt answered.
"For one, I have absolutely nothing to do with the SDC beyond my name nor do I want to, second, my family didn't do shit, my dad is the one you should be mad at," I said.
"Oh what a load of bull-
"Greetings everyone," James said as he stepped out onto the stage, flanked by Winter and a few teachers I had yet to meet.
'Good timing dad'
"I would first like to congratulate you all for being accepted into this academy," James said as the room stayed silent.
"Looks like we've got a good batch this year," James said, "I'll keep this brief so you can familiarize yourself with the school. What I see before me is unaimed and unrefined talent and skill. At this academy your talents will be refined, and your skills will be expanded. Take this not as a statement, but as a warning, refinement is not something that happens, it is worked for and earned. Your mind, body, and soul will be put to the test every day and you will be expected to bring the same dedication to class every single day. You are all here because you wish to be many things: heroes, legends, martyrs, but that is not what we make in this school. Here we make huntsmen, people who dedicate their lives to eradicating the darkness of the world, people who act as a shield of bravery for the children of the world to hide behind, people who will not hesitate to put down their lives if it means saving the masses. I do not expect all of you to be this ideal huntsman, but I do expect all of you to be the best grimm killers this world has ever seen. Remember this; none of you are the same, some come from lesser standings, some come from the highest peaks of the social ladder, but in the end you have all come here to become huntsmen, and it is our job as your teachers to make sure that happens."
James' speech left much to be desired in terms of… inspiring the newbies, but it got the job done. James stepped away as Winter stepped forward.
"All students please follow the commanding officers to your left," Winter said.
"Well that was-
"Depressing," Neon interrupted.
"Yeah, that," Flynt said.
"But can you say he's lying," I asked.
"No, I guess," Flynt said.
The room quickly emptied as everyone followed the leaders.
"So you were saying something, Flynt," I said.
"Why do you get off scot free," Flynt asked.
"I don't understand," I answered.
"Why should your father be the one to take all the blame," Flynt asked.
"Because he controls the SDC," I answered.
"Your point," Flynt asked.
"My point is, you are pointing your anger at the wrong person," I answered.
"Is there a problem here," Winter asked as she approached us.
"No ma'am, just finishing a conversation," Flynt answered.
"Then get moving," Winter said.
"No need to be rude," I said.
Winter's only response was giving me a mean eye.
"Let's get going before we all get in trouble on the first day," Flynt said.
Flynt began walking away with Neon in tail.
"Come on Whitley," Neon said.
"Let's go," I said to Ilia.
(Time Skip brought to you in part by; Arc Family Construction, home of the best architects and contractors)
"So are we really going to have this problem," I asked.
"No," Flynt answered.
"Great, also what is your last name," I asked.
"Coal," he answered.
"Well I'm glad we could settle this dispute Mr. Coal," I said.
"Same," he said.
"Whitley," Ilia said.
"Yes," I replied.
"How are you here," she asked.
"I was invited to enter early," I answered.
"Cool," she said.
"We probably should try to get some early sleep," Neon said.
"Agreed," Flynt said.
"I need to use the restroom first," Ilia said as she stood up and left.
"I'm gonna go get changed," I said as I stood up and followed her.
I followed Ilia out of the room we were resting in until I couldn't hear the voices anymore.
"Ilia," I called out.
"Whitley, how long have you been following me," she asked.
"Since you left the room, anyway what are you doing here," I asked.
"Sienna has begun to dissolve some of the .more violent parts of the White Fang," she answered.
"Ok," I said.
"You looked worried when you saw me, why," she asked.
"Less worried, more surprised," I answered.
"Just so we're both aware, I want you, Neon, Flynt on my team," she said.
"Well I have a feeling Neon also wants that," I said.
"Yeah, you're probably right," shesaid.
"Ilia, what are you doing here," I asked.
"It's confusing," she answered.
"Well try to explain it please," I said.
"I won't be here the whole time," she said.
"What do you mean," I asked.
"When the Vytal Festival rolls around, I'll be sent to Vale early to start snooping around the Valean White Fang branch for the General," she answered.
"I know better than to think you've dropped all loyalties to the Fang," I said.
"I haven't, not to Sienna at least," she said.
"Are you excited to see more of Vale," I asked.
"A little," she answered.
"Maybe you'll find yourself someone else to freak out when they wake up in bed with you," I said.
"Oh don't give me that, you were the one who said it was fine," she said.
"Still, freaked me out the first time," I said.
"I'm sure it did, so how are things," she asked.
"Been good so far," I answered.
"That's good to hear," she said.
"What about you, how are things in Menagerie," I asked.
"How do I put it, well the tower has helped immensely, Blake ran, and everyone is so much happier," she answered.
"That's good to hear, by any chance can you expand on the whole Vale thing," I asked.
"Well I'll be gone for like two days everyweek. I'll join a focus group of sorts to blend in, and I'll be spying on Adam " she answered.
"Sounds complicated," I said.
"It's not really, especially when you compare it to the shit you juggle" she said.
"Yeah I guess so," I said.
"Is there anything else," she asked.
"No," I answered.
"Well see you in the morning," she said.
"You too," I said before walking back to the sleeping area.