Chapter 20: Teen Yangst

In which Yang is fed up with drama threatening to tear apart her friends.

"–awful, hateful, stupid, little bitch!"

Yang could do nothing but watch awkwardly as Blake ranted. Ruby was trying to calm her down, but Yang wouldn't have touched that situation with a ten foot pole if you paid her.

"You're right, Blake. She was really ignorant. But–"

"Ignorant? Try brain-dead! It's people like her who make Remnant such a difficult place for Faunus to live in."

"Yeah, exactly. Though maybe–"

"And the way she spoke about us, like we were nothing more than filthy animals! I've been compared to animal since I was a kid, but I never expected my own partner to stoop so low!"

"I couldn't agree more. That said, she's still missing and–"

"Good riddance! I can't stand to be in the same room with someone so hateful."

"Blake, I'm not sure she was trying to be mean. Ignorant, sheltered, extraordinarily backwards, but it seemed like she didn't even realize what she was saying was hurtful."

"Because she didn't know I was a Faunus?"

"Because she didn't know she was wrong. When you took off your bow–"

"Is that what this is about? Me being a Faunus? I didn't think that sort of thing mattered to you Ruby." Ruby's face drooped. "I can't believe–"

"Blake, that's enough. You're not even letting her speak," Yang interrupted.

"I see how it is. You humans have each other's backs when the big mean scary Faunus shows up."

It was too much. Yang's eyes flashed red. "Yes, I do have her back! Not because she's a human but because she's my sister, my partner, and my leader! And, newsflash, she's your leader too! Now. Let. Her. Speak." Yang nodded. "Go on, Rubes."

Both seventeen-year-olds turned to the younger girl.

"Ahem. Blake, I wasn't trying to excuse Weiss' behavior. She was horrible. But that's just it – she was horrible. It's possible – maybe even likely – that you taking off your bow might have changed her perspective. When I chased her, she didn't look angry, just…confused."

"Ruby, I hate to break it to you, but people don't change their opinions that fast."

"But it's not Weiss' opinion. She seemed to genuinely believe what she was saying was a fact. People who are hateful and racist rarely ever truly change, but unintentionally ignorant people might if they're faced with evidence that refutes their viewpoint and educates them. She spoke about Faunus like she'd never even spent time with one. How could she know that Faunus and humans are the same if she'd only ever seen Faunus in books or at a distance? I mean, think about it – if you'd never been to Vacuo but always heard it was a rainy swamp, you'd believe it because you'd have no reason to doubt it. But then, when you went to Vacuo and found a sandy desert, you'd change your mind."

"But thinking Vacuo is a swamp doesn't hurt the people who live there."

"Weiss certainly owes you an apology, but I'd bet my bottom lien that you'll be getting one when Weiss returns. Given how she feels about you, there's no way she'll still think of the Faunus as anything less than equal after finding out you are one. And to be fair, she was never cruel to any Faunus like some really racist people can be; she was at worst unknowingly insulting without any malice. She did save Velvet from being bullied, and she helped Sun with those sailors."

"If she apologizes and agrees to never speak of Menagerie like that, then I can – wait, how she feels about me?"

"Yeah, you know, how Weiss loves you."

Ohhhhhhhhhoho, shit.

The silence that followed was so thick you could mistake it for Professor Port's dummy thicc ass. Yang needed a way out. And, just her luck, Ember Celica hadn't been loaded, so suicide was not an option.

"Hey, guys, I think I hear someone calling my name. Gotta go, bye!" Yang kicked down the door and ran out of the room. Anything to get away from the awkwardness that was about to ensue.

…the Blakewardness? Ehhh, that sucked. She'd have to work on it.

Yang ran down the hall to put some distance in between her and the others, just in case. A look out the window confirmed that it was already late into the evening. Guess Weiss wasn't returning to the dorm tonight. And after Ruby's slip-up, neither was Yang. She got to a common area and melted into an armchair. It was so soft, so comfy, so Dove.

So Dove?

"EEEEEK! Dove, what the fuck? Why'd you let me sit on you?"

"I do not believe that any action of mine encouraged you to sit on me, as I was asleep. Prosperity, Xiao-Long."

He spoke as formally as always, but Yang could hear his voice cracking. Uh oh, danger of drama detected – the very things she'd left her room to avoid. Time to turn tail and–

"Would you care to sit beside me?"

Dammit.

"Suuuuuuure, buddy. I'd love to sit, as long as it's not on you. Been a while since we last had a heart to heart chat, eh?"

"By my recollection, the last time we spoke directly to one another was prior to initiation." Dove smiled at the memory fondly. "Back then, you and I briefly entertained the idea of being on the same team."

"Oh, man! I'd forgotten all about that. Well, at least we've both got such great, functional teams now."

Dove and Yang sighed together.

"Misery loves company. Guess I'll go first. Weiss turns out to be a racist. Well, not a real racist – just a dumbass one. She thought Faunus were animals."

Dove's brow rose. "Odd. Schnee's response to Winchester's behavior would suggest she disapproves of–"

"No, she wasn't trying to insult the Faunus. Not a 'you dirty animals' kinda thing. She literally thought they were a species of animals – like, members of the animal kingdom."

"Humans and Faunus are both members of the animal kingdom, but I believe I understand the sentiment you intend to convey. She believes Faunus to be non-sapient?"

"Yeah. Blake took it persona– not well, and Weiss ran off. Now Blake's pissed at Weiss, and Ruby spilled the beans about…well, let's just say I'm not all that interested in being around my team right now."

"I can understand why ignorance such as hers could be enraging. Belladonna is right to be upset. Though, I suppose, if the lesson is learned and not repeated…"

"They just need some time, but it should all work out. As long as Weiss figures out her shit." Yang's head fell back into the seat cushion and scratched the back of her head. "So, why's a handsome feller like you hanging out with boring old me when you could be out there having the Adventure of a lifetime?"

"Because I fucked up. I fucked up so bad."

Dove's bluntness surprised Yang. In the whole time she'd known him, he never swore. Not even when she'd called Jaune vomit boy.

"Care to be more specific, ace?"

"Has Xiao-Long not informed you?"

"What?"

"Did your sister not tell you?"

"No? Ruby hasn't mentioned you. And why're you calling her Xiao-Long?"

"Is she not your sister?"

"Yeah, but – oh! She's my half-sister, so different last names. It's Yang Xiao-Long and Ruby Rose. So, what didn't Rubes tell me?"

"Rose was present when my attempt to supplant Arc as team leader by appealing to the school staff was brought to light. She shares Nikos' opinion that my actions were poor form. As do I."

"Woah, back the flip up. You went to Ozpin and asked him to make you the leader of Team Adventure?"

"Professor Port, actually."

"Dude, that's not okay."

"I am very much aware. Nikos made it clear when she tried to 'rough me up,' as did Rose when she bashed my head in with a shield."

"Damn. You okay?"

"Yeah. Are you not mad? I was expecting to have a gauntlet lodged into my rectal cavity by now."

"To be fair, my first instinct was to chew you out. Weiss may have been stupid, but at least she was nice to all the Faunus she'd been stupid about. You, on the other hand, have torn apart the sacred fraternal bond of hunter teams knowing full well that you were stabbing Jaune in the back. You got what you deserve for pulling a Raven."

"A what?"

"My bad, you'd call it pulling a Branwen. Thing is, everyone knows you messed up. I figure that another person hating on you isn't going to help fix this. And that's what we all wanna do – fix this. Right?"

"I'm not sure I deserve a second chance."

"Forgiveness isn't too much to ask. Not for you when you made one bad call and certainly suffered enough for it. Not for Weiss when she thought Faunus were animals because she didn't know any better and had no one to tell her otherwise. Not for me when I pulled that douchebaggery on day one by calling Jaune vomit boy."

Yang let it soak in. Dove contemplated on her words for a little while.

"Have you at least apologized to Jaune?"

"Arc and I haven't spoken. None of my team will let me into our room. Not even Thrush." Yang would admit, Dove held it together well. She could hear the pain in his words, but his face remained neutral.

"That why you're sleeping in the armchairs of the common area?"

"Correct."

"Would you follow me real quick? This won't take more than a sec."

Yang led Dove to the door of Team Adventure's dorm room. She raised one hand to the door as though to knock, then kicked the door off its hinges. Jaune was noticeably absent, but Pyrrha and Russel sat up.

"'Sup, fuckers? Hey, got a quick favor to ask. Let my boy here sleep in a bed!"

Yang grabbed Dove by the collar and shoved him into his bunk.

For some unfathomable reason, Yang's flawless logic was not so readily accepted by Pyrrha. "Do you know what he–"

"Yeah, I do. And I also know that he's seventeen years old and made a mistake that he's sorry for. None of us are perfect, but if you never give Dove a chance to apologize then you're all gonna be in for a really unpleasant four years. Trust me, I know what happens to a team when one person screws up and the rest of them are too stubborn to try and patch things up. Now, it's not up to me what you choose, but the least you can do is allow him to sleep in his own damn room!"

Yang reached for the door to slam it, but it on the floor where she left it.

"Slam!" she shouted instead, then stormed back to the common area. There was too much drama tonight. People really needed to calm down. Yang sat down in a chair, and it caught fire.

Oh, her semblance was on. No wonder Russel and Pyrrha hadn't put up any argument after Yang's passionately inflamed speech.

First Weiss runs off and Blake loses it, now this? Both teams were about to crumble into pieces. They just didn't understand it like Yang did. Team Stark was Beacon's best until Raven left. Yang could still remember how Mom had cried when Qrow and Dad said they'd never accept Raven back.

Omake

Yang: If you're ever going to make up with your team, you need to apologize. It's up to you to take the first step.

Dove: I understand. I shall try.

Yang: Here you go.

Dove: What is this? A stick?

Yang: Nothing says apology like a Dove holding an olive branch.

Dove: …

Yang: I've been waiting to make that one since I met you.

Next Chapter: Fight Club – In which a long held belief is proven false, and shelter may not be so safe.