Sleep was something that Wynn valued above all else. Even though he was known for his exceptional efficiency and diligent work ethic, he would love nothing more than to sleep all day if given the chance. Wynn was the type of person who could wake up, tackle his tasks for a few hours, and then happily take a nap outside if the weather permitted.
But alas, his internal alarm clock, as well as the shrill ringing of his actual alarm, kept him from luxuriating in his slumber past seven o'clock in the morning. Today was shaping up to be even more exasperating as he found himself rudely awakened at six o'clock.
"Of course, I can't go back to sleep" Wynn mumbled to himself as he rubbed the last remnants of sleep from his eyes and sat up in bed. He couldn't quite pinpoint whether it was the nervousness that stemmed from his new position or simply one of those days when his body decided to get a head start on the day.
Speaking of his new position, after a big stretch and a resigned sigh, he cast his eyes around his unfamiliar surroundings. His new room was significantly larger than the one he had back home. On the right side of the room, across from the door, sat a comfy bed, currently occupied by himself with a cozy blanket and plump pillows. It was positioned perfectly to catch the warm morning sunlight that streamed through the window to its right.
The window was flanked by a sturdy bookshelf that stretched its length, holding an eclectic collection of books. His shelves were primarily populated with manga and comics, but scattered throughout were a few carefully selected novels and reference texts.
Against the adjacent wall, at the foot of his bed, stood a simple yet elegant dresser. Its drawers were already filled with his neatly folded clothes, organized meticulously to his liking. Just to the left of the dresser, a small hallway led to a private bathroom, complete with modern amenities that he was grateful for, but had yet to fully explore.
Across from his bed, dominating the room's left side, was a sturdy desk with a well-worn leather chair. A lamp within the workspace, creating an inviting nook for reading or late-night studying. The desk itself had several drawers, and Wynn had already set up his laptop and a few personal mementos to make the space feel like his own.
"Might as well go do a workout or something to wake up" Wynn mumbled to himself, his voice a bit groggy from the early hour, before he decisively threw the covers off and swung his legs out of bed. With a brisk stretch to loosen his muscles, he stood up and headed towards the bathroom.
In the bathroom, he went through his usual morning routine: brushing his teeth, splashing cold water on his face, and scrubbing away any lingering traces of sleep. He made a mental note to explore the bathroom's amenities later, as he hadn't had much time to appreciate the details of his new accommodations.
After finishing up in the bathroom, he returned to his room and decided to keep it casual for his morning workout. He slipped back into the comfortable pair of grey workout shorts he had slept in. On top, he donned a black sleeveless shirt with a long neck that had a mask attached to it, a piece of attire that was as much a part of his identity as it was functional. Not to mention stylish.
With a quick glance in the mirror to ensure everything was in place, he grabbed a pair of vibrant red running shoes from a corner of his room, as well as his trusty gym bag. Before leaving, he snatched his scroll from his desk. It was a reminder of the technological tether that connected him to his room, serving as his key to get back in.
As he exited his room and locked the door behind him, he unlocked his scroll and checked the location of the gym. He was relieved to find that it wasn't far from the dorms.
As he traversed the hallways of the dormitory, Wynn couldn't help but look around, taking in the reality that he was finally here at Beacon Academy. Navigating unfamiliar terrain was always a challenge, especially when you knew it would be your home for the next four or so years.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he continued his journey towards the gym. As he rounded a corner, he couldn't help but glance at two doors he was about to pass by—the rooms of his new acquaintances, Team RWBY and JNPR.
Wynn had only briefly interacted with them after the initiation. The conversations were mostly pleasantries and introductory exchanges. During dinner, he had kept to himself, his face hidden by his mask, and only joined in the conversations after he had finished eating. Surprisingly, they hadn't seemed to notice or glance over when he briefly lowered his mask between bites.
For now, he regarded them as acquaintances, familiar with only the basics—names and places of origin. It was clear that he would have plenty of time to get to know them better during their time together at Beacon.
As Wynn was just about to pass the doors leading to Team JNPR's room, he heard a distinct click. His curiosity piqued, he turned his head to the right and saw that it was indeed JNPR's door opening. 'Who else would be up at this hour?' he pondered to himself.
The door swung open fully, revealing a familiar set of fiery red hair and striking green eyes. Pyrrha Nikos stood in the doorway, her initial look of surprise quickly turning into a warm greeting. "Oh, hello" she said with a friendly wave.
"Hello to you too" Wynn replied. Pyrrha closed the door behind her, allowing him to get a better look at her attire. She was dressed in a set of vibrant red running shoes, sleek black leggings, and a matching red tank top. Her long hair was neatly tied up in a ponytail, a style she often favored.
Pyrrha noticed Wynn's gym bag and the conversation flowed naturally. "On your way to the gym?" she inquired.
"Yup. Guessing you are too?" he responded.
"Indeed, I am" she affirmed with a smile. "We can go together then."
The two started walking side by side down the dormitory halls. For a while, they walked in silence, the quiet of the early morning surrounding them. It wasn't until they reached the outdoors that Wynn pulled out his scroll again, checking for the gym's location.
"Says it's to the right of the dorms" he mentioned, tapping the screen to access more details. "Huh. It even has a small indoor track and an outdoor one."
"Perfect!" Pyrrha chimed in, clapping her hands together. "It's a very nice morning for a run."
Wynn, curious about her exercise routine, asked "Do you do a lot of cardio?"
"I try to run every day for at least thirty minutes" Pyrrha explained. "Do you go on runs?"
"I'm more of a short-distance sprinter," Wynn admitted. "But I do try to get decent cardio in."
"Do you lift more weights then?" Pyrrha inquired.
"Yup" Wynn nodded. "I don't lift super heavy, though. Mostly medium weights with a good amount of body weight exercises. And maybe do some work on a heavy bag."
"I see" Pyrrha responded as they reached the gym facility doors.
Inside, they made their way to the back where the outdoor track was located. It was a fairly standard track, but larger than what you'd typically find at a high school. The pavement was in pristine condition, and the middle of the track was adorned with well-maintained grass. At the start of the track sat a set of bleachers, indicating the facility's potential to accommodate a sizable crowd.
Wynn shrugged off his gym bag and retrieved a water bottle from it. Although there was a fountain nearby the bleachers, he hadn't noticed it when he first glimpsed the gym's outdoor track. Pyrrha, already in motion, began a few warm-up exercises. Wynn, following her lead, embarked on his own warm-up routine, comprising simple movements to get his blood pumping and his muscles limber.
Before long, the two were ready to start their run, settling into a brisk jogging pace that would kickstart their day.
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2 and a half hours later
'Ughhhh… I regret waking up so early' Wynn thought to himself as he all but collapsed into his seat for the first period, now wearing his Beacon uniform, minus the blue vest. His ever-present mask was still securely fastened to his face.
The room differed from the traditional classroom setup; it was more of a lecture hall, which was a new experience for Wynn. As the minutes ticked by, more students began to trickle into the room. Team JNPR was among the familiar faces, although they were seated on the other side of the room, so Wynn didn't engage with them.
Pyrrha gave a friendly wave as Wynn's gaze swept across the room. Their earlier workout together had been straightforward, with each of them focusing on their own routines. There wasn't much interaction during or after, which left a lingering sense of awkwardness for Wynn. He had done a bit of research the previous night upon hearing about Pyrrha's fame, realizing she was even more renowned than he'd initially thought. However, he refrained from drawing attention to her celebrity status during their workout, opting to be considerate.
Wynn shook his head, pushing those thoughts aside as he shifted his focus to the impending class.
The lecture was set to begin in less than a minute, and Team RWBY was conspicuously absent.
"Made it!" a high-pitched voice exclaimed as the leader of Team RWBY burst through the doorway, punctuating her arrival with energy.
The remaining three members of the team hustled in right as the final bell rang, ensuring that they weren't late.
"Congratulations then!" a portly voice boomed out, belonging to the professor of their current class, Peter Port.
Port, true to his name, was a rotund man with gray hair and a matching gray mustache. He was dressed in a double-breasted burgundy suit adorned with gold piping and buttons, with his pants neatly tucked into olive-colored boots.
"I would advise you take your seats so that we may begin" he announced.
The members of Team RWBY nodded in acknowledgment before making their way to the available seats. There were four empty seats to Wynn's left, and to his surprise, they all chose to sit right next to him. Yang was the closest, followed by Blake, Weiss, and Ruby.
"Sup" Yang greeted as she plopped into her seat.
"Morning" Wynn replied with a lazy wave.
"Now that everyone is here" Professor Port began with grandiose flair "it is time to begin Grimm studies! With me, Professor Peter Port!" His robust voice filled the lecture hall as he paced energetically around the front of his desk.
"The Grimm are best described as demons!" he proclaimed with enthusiasm, sweeping his arms for emphasis. "They have many names, as I'm sure you aspiring hunters know. Although... I refer to them as prey" he added with a wry grin, eliciting a hearty laugh from himself.
Unfortunately, the room responded with nothing more than crickets, a fact that didn't go unnoticed by the professor. "Hmm... tough crowd" he mumbled, scratching his head. Clearing his throat, he continued, "And as hunters, you will be too."
He began pacing again, refocusing his attention on the task at hand. "Back on topic. All of the kingdoms, including Vale, are safe havens from the creatures of the night. The creatures of negativity would love nothing more than to tear you and innocent lives to pieces."
Wynn stifled a yawn, feeling the weight of the lecture bearing down on him. Glancing around, he noticed that a good portion of the class already looked bored or, in some cases, quite tired.
"You are to become protectors. Of the very world!" Port declared with gusto, managing to elicit a single enthusiastic "whoop!" from one particularly eager student.
"But first… a story of a strapping young lad… Me, of course" Port began, his voice drifting off into the background noise as most of the class started to lose attention.
"Can this guy drawl on any more?" Yang whispered to Wynn as she rested her cheek in her hand.
"Don't tempt him" Wynn mumbled back, causing Yang to chuckle softly.
Port, seemingly undeterred by the waning interest of his students, cleared his throat. "Ahem! As I was saying… Despite the fact he smelled like cabbage-"
Wynn sighed and leaned back in his chair, resigned to the fact that this story was going to be a long one. There was some merit to the techniques Port was discussing, but it was mostly buried within the narrative, likely meant to inspire the students more than anything else.
"So, as you can tell by now from my gallant tale" Port continued with theatrical flourish, "the Grimm are raised in darkness. So, when they die, they dissipate into darkness and do not have a soul." With great dramatic flair, he walked over to a red curtain that had gone mostly unnoticed before.
He tugged on a rope, revealing what lay beneath the curtain, and the sight that greeted the students was enough to stir some murmurs among them. Under the cage was a Boarbatusk, a creature several times larger than a warthog, with massive tusks and a menacing covering of bone plating. Its four glowing red eyes gleamed menacingly, a chilling testament to the danger that these creatures posed to humanity.
"How the hell did they get that thing in here?" Wynn mumbled under his breath, his eyes still locked on the caged Boarbatusk.
"That's what I was gonna say" Yang chimed in, her gaze fixed on the Grimm.
"Pretty big for its own kind too" Wynn remarked, both of them sharing a sense of awe at the creature's imposing size.
"Now… who amongst you would like to use your knowledge to defeat this foe?" Port asked the class, his enthusiasm undiminished.
To everyone's surprise, Weiss Schnee shot up out of her seat with a raised hand, her determination evident in her posture.
"And we have a volunteer!" Port exclaimed, clapping his hands in approval. "Go get your gear, and we will commence." He covered up the cage again to quell the Boarbatusk's frantic movements.
Weiss stormed off towards the locker rooms, her steps brisk and her expression a mixture of determination and irritation. It seemed like she was carrying some unresolved emotions.
"She seems a little moody" Yang observed, leaning back with her arms behind her head. "You say something to her, Rubes?"
"I don't think so" Ruby replied, rubbing her eyes. "I kind of fell asleep."
"Did you guys not sleep last night?" Wynn asked.
"We were unpacking and decorating our room this morning. We even made bunk beds!" Ruby explained.
"You didn't unpack last night?" Wynn inquired.
"Nope" Yang responded cheerfully. "Practically crashed into bed when we got back to the room. We did chat for a little bit though."
"Didn't help that we lost track of time" Blake added, finally joining the conversation.
"Time flies when you're having fun" Yang said with a grin. She then turned her attention back to Wynn. "You look pretty tired yourself."
Wynn shrugged, stretching his arms over his head. "Got up around six in the morning and went to the gym near the dorms to work out a bit."
"All by yourself?" Ruby asked, her curiosity evident.
"No. I ran into Pyrrha on the way."
"Ohhh, I see..." Yang grinned suggestively, waggling her eyebrows. "A private workout session with the champ, eh?"
Wynn couldn't help but roll his eyes at Yang's teasing. "If only life was oh so kind."
Yang chuckled in response to Wynn's comment.
The door to the classroom the opened. Weiss, now adorned in her recognizable 'battle gear,' strode confidently to the front of the room, seemingly unfazed by her team's cheers and the curious gazes of her classmates.
Her aura was unmistakably chilly, pun intended, and it persisted throughout her battle against the caged Boarbatusk. She dominated the fight with practiced ease, a result that was hardly surprising given her skills. Her team cheered her on throughout the skirmish, their enthusiasm reaching a peak. However, Weiss's icy demeanor caused her to snap at Ruby in particular when she shouted out some well-intentioned advice.
"Go for the stomach!" Ruby called out eagerly.
"I know! Shut up!" Weiss snapped in response, her irritation palpable.
Ruby deflated slightly, her eagerness dampened as Weiss swiftly concluded the battle. She used her semblance to knock the boar Grimm onto its back before impaling it from the air after it hit the ground.
The tension in the room eased when the battle ended, and the professor applauded Weiss's performance. "Wonderful! Truly, we have a spectacular huntress in training!" He then signaled the end of the class as the bell rang. "Well! I hope you all learned something today. Now stay vigilant! Class dismissed."
Weiss wasted no time as she stomped out of the classroom, her earlier frosty demeanor still intact.
"That was... fun" Wynn remarked dryly as he stood up from his seat, feeling a mix of exhaustion and curiosity.
"Wonder what's got her all twisted" Yang pondered aloud, standing up as well. She turned her gaze to where Ruby was sitting, only to discover that Ruby had vanished.
"She probably went off to see what's wrong" Wynn reassured Yang, sensing that their teammate's disappearance was likely related to Weiss's unusual behavior. The classroom emptied, leaving them with a sense of curiosity about what exactly Weiss could be so angry about.
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The remainder of the day's classes unfolded in a fairly standard manner. Being the first classes of the year, they primarily revolved around getting to know the teachers and receiving general outlines for the upcoming year. It felt a lot like an orientation day for the new students.
While a few of the classes held interesting prospects, such as Professor Peach and her Botany/Herbalism class, it was, on the whole, a rather mundane day. Even the brief time spent in the combat class failed to deliver any actual combat. However, it was a known fact among Wynn and his peers that today was more about orientation and getting acquainted with the academic structure. Professor Goodwitch did offer a glimmer of excitement by promising that sparring would begin in the next class, which was met with enthusiastic anticipation.
Throughout the day, the palpable tension between Ruby and Weiss remained unmistakable. Ruby maintained her cheerful facade for the most part, but the underlying tension was impossible to ignore. Wynn found himself curiously invested in their dynamics, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why. Regardless of his curiosity, he believed it wouldn't be respectful to ask her about it during class or amid the hustle and bustle of lunch with a crowd of people around.
Wynn also sensed that Yang was quite protective of Ruby, which was evident from their brief interactions. It was apparent that delving into sensitive emotions and personal matters, especially with someone they had just met, could be perceived as intrusive. So, he resolved to wait for a more suitable moment to approach Ruby privately and offer her a listening ear or support if she chose to share her concerns.
But what was Wynn doing right now?
Wynn's philosophy was simple but effective: take a nap whenever there's a chance, especially on a warm and sunny day like this. Classes had concluded a short while ago, and the sun still hung high in the sky, enveloping Beacon Academy's grounds in a comforting warmth.
His destination was clear in his mind—find the perfect spot for a Power Nap before dinner. He strolled around the picturesque academy grounds, searching for that ideal location. Before long, he stumbled upon it, tucked away at the side of the school. A patch of grass beneath a sprawling tree offered just the right balance of sunlight and shade.
"Perfect" he murmured to himself with a satisfied grin as he took a seat near the base of the tree.
With deliberate care, Wynn removed his school jacket, loosened his collar, and rolled up his sleeves. His jacket served as a makeshift blanket to lay on as he settled down on the grass. He rested his head, gazing up at the dappling sunlight filtering through the leaves.
The symphony of nature surrounded him—the melodious chirping of birds, the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze, and the distant hum of school life. Though Wynn wasn't particularly stressed, the simple act of lying down after a day of sitting in classes and wandering the academy grounds had a calming effect on his mind.
As he closed his eyes and started to drift into the embrace of a nap, a voice broke through the tranquility. "Wynn?"
That fleeting moment of peace and relaxation all but vanished as he recognized the voice calling his name.
Slowly cracking open his left eye, Wynn found himself face to face with a familiar visage.
"Ruby?" he murmured, his voice heavy with drowsiness.
"That's me" Ruby replied, a concerned expression on her face. "Are you okay?"
Wynn yawned, stretching his arms above his head. "Yeah, I was just taking a quick rest."
"Oh no, did I wake you? I'm sorry" Ruby apologized, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Wynn waved her off with a sleepy smile. "Don't worry about it. I didn't fall asleep yet."
"Well… just wanted to see if you were okay" Ruby said quietly, her eyes searching his for any signs of discomfort.
"I'm all good. What about you, though?"
Ruby hesitated for a moment, the air between them growing a little awkward. They didn't know each other very well, and personal conversations could be tricky to navigate.
"Why don't you take a seat?" Wynn suggested, patting the grass next to him. "Take a load off. It's doing wonders for me."
"Oh um… okay" Ruby replied, her uncertainty evident. She sat down a few feet away from him, leaving a comfortable gap between them.
Several minutes passed by with Wynn contentedly lying on the grass, his eyes closed. Ruby, on the other hand, hadn't said much beyond spreading her legs, placing her hands behind her, and gazing up at the sky through the filtering leaves. A cool breeze swept through the area, causing her to release a contented sigh as she visibly relaxed. It was a peaceful moment that both of them seemed to cherish.
Breaking the silence, Ruby finally spoke up, her voice soft yet curious. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure" Wynn replied, shifting his head slightly and opening his eyes.
"What do you think makes a good leader?"
"A good leader?" Wynn pondered for a moment as he gazed up at the sky again before closing his eyes. "In my opinion, a good leader is someone who listens."
"Someone who listens?" Ruby echoed, intrigued by his response.
Wynn hummed in agreement. "A leader should be someone who listens to their people or team and leads by example. They don't necessarily have to be the strongest one, depending on the situation. Their role, to me at least, is to support their team and grow along with them."
He shifted his head to look at Ruby. "Do you get what I'm saying?"
"I think so" Ruby responded, absorbing his words. "I just can't help but think Ozpin made the wrong choice making me a leader."
Wynn offered a reassuring smile. "If you're worried about Weiss, don't let it bother you. Just do what you can. No one has all the answers, especially not a kid put in charge of a team."
Ruby pouted playfully. "I'm not a kid. I drink my milk."
Wynn chuckled at her response. "That's the spirit! Drink your milk and show your team who's boss."
Ruby stood up with a smile. "I think I will. Thanks for the talk, Wynn."
"Anytime," he waved her off as she headed back to the school.
'That was a little weird' Wynn thought to himself, watching Ruby's retreating figure. 'Going up to someone you just met for life advice.' He sighed, contemplating the peculiar nature of human interactions. Sometimes people found it easier to confide in strangers rather than close friends, possibly because it provided an outside perspective without any inherent bias. So maybe that was what this had been.
'Meh' he thought to himself. It was still nap time, so a few more minutes laying down wouldn't hurt.
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Been a while since I last updated. But I had a decent spurt of inspiration to update this.