Mikael stood in Beacon's courtyard leaning against one of the tree's dawning his Nightingale armor, staring up at the sky. The massive airships holding the new students had begun its descent from above, before docking at the landing zone, he looked over every face that exited the craft most looked like rather capable warriors, then he saw a young blond student empty his stomach in one of the trash cans
'Poor boy' Mikael mused, still one would think the boy would have come prepared if he knew he had a week stomach.
Mikael merely shook his head, his eye's resting on another new arrival a young woman in all white, with white hair and what looked like servants helping her move her baggage that bore a white snowflake emblem.
'A member of the Schnee family' Mikael thought he pulled out his scroll looking at the list of first year students and found her
: Weiss Schnee, Heiress of the Schnee dust company, the largest producers of Dust across remnant. She had been taught privately from a young age, along with being next in line to take over the company the former being her older sister Winter who had declined the claim to the company in favor of joining the Atlas military:
'Interesting' Mikael mused, The Schnee name carried allot of weight across remnant being the leading energy and propellant producer across remnant with a strong grip on each of the four kingdoms, they reminded him of the Silver bloods and just like that family they had their own dark secret. The SDC had multiple shady business dealings, along with being the primary target for the White fang due to the Companies treatment of their Faunus work force.
Moving on Mikael looked over, a few of the other students then his eyes stopped on another student, one far younger than the rest with a red hood and cloak. Looking back down at the scroll he found her file
: Ruby Rose, personal trained by Qrow Branwen, her uncle. previously enrolled in Signal academy, but was skipped ahead two grades by professor Ozpin himself after single handedly thwarting a robbery by the notorious criminal Roman Torchwick so that her skills would be put to greater use.:
'So, your Qrow's nice, looks like he trained you well miss Rose' Mikael mused looking over to the young girl and the rather...buxom blond next to her. Suddenly the older girl dashed off with a group of teens around her age effectively spinning the younger girl dizzy in her state she tripped and fell into the Schnee's luggage causing the Schnee to lash out in anger giving the Rose girl a tongue lashing.
"Oh, great" Mikael said as he made his way towards them hoping to stop the argument before it began. Mikael had just made it into ear shot when the Schnee began to wave one of the vials around in Ruby's face spilling some of the contents.
'If she doesn't stop waving that thing around it could-'
"Achoo!" Ruby sneezed loudly triggering the dust in the air, causing a small explosion of fire, ice and lightning that nearly blew the two girls off their feet. And causing other students around them to jump.
"God's dammit" Mikael muttered
"Unbelievable! this is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about!"
"I'm really, really sorry!" Ruby exclaimed while poking her fingers together timidly
The heiress gnashed her teeth "You complete dolt! What are you even doing here"
"She's here for the same reason you are." Mikael said causing the two girls to jump "show the girl the respect she deserves."
"Excuse me" demanded the heiress
Mikael merely sighed 'Blue bloods always the same'
"That vile of yours was improperly sealed, causing it to seep into the air. Waving it about in her face during your rant is reason the explosion occurred if you are looking for anyone to blame, you need only look to yourself." Mikael said
A small amount of red appeared on her face either from anger or embarrassment, perhaps both, as she glared at the Nightingale "How dare you! who are you to butt into something that doesn't involve you!?."
"Mikael Salmon, but you can refer to me as Professor Miss Schnee" Mikael said gaining the desired reaction
The heiress eye's widened as her anger faded into panic "I..I..Please...forgive my outburst sir, it's just...if she would watch where she was going-"
"Hay! I said I was sorry princess!?" Ruby sniped back sick of being yelled at by the older girl.
"It's heiress actually" Said another female voice this one was calm and collected, as its owner approached Hair as black as midnight with a bow of the same color atop her head and Feline amber eye's dressed in a monochrome outfit. " Weiss Schnee Heiress of the Schnee dust company. One of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world." the girl in black said looking at the Heiress.
"Finally, some recognition" Weiss said Pride present in her tone.
"The same company infamous for its controversial work forces, and questionable businesses partners." shew continued shutting the Heiress down.
The heiress glared at them sputtering vindictively, before snatching the Vile from the girl's hand before spinning on her heels and walking off.
Blake glanced at the man in black next to the Red clad girl, her eyes stopped on his chest and widened as her body stiffened, for the last few weeks roomers had popped up around Vale. A Huntsmen who could stop a Grimm in its tracks by merely speaking, a Huntsmen who almost single-handedly drove off a Grimm invasion in a neighboring village and a Huntsmen who slaughtered an entire white Fang mining operation without batting an eye.
In each one the roomers spoke of an emblem he bore a bird it's wings stretched up curling towards an orb of pure darkness. Many names had been given to this wandering Huntsmen 'Ghost', ' The Shadow' and a name he said to claim himself 'Nightingale'
She silently backed away her eye's remained fixed on the man in front of her in that moment she felt fear well up in her chest.
Mikael could only sigh at the Schnee's reaction although it was one he expected, he turned to face the dark-haired girl who may have just made his job infinitely easier, only to find her walking off with some hast in her step.
Mikael merely shrugged, a gentle buzz emanated from his side, he pulled out his scroll finding a new message from Amber 'Professor Ozpin want the two of us to be present for the opening ceremony and orientation with the students, you better hurry.'
Suddenly, the thought of teaching new students didn't seem as appealing as before by what he just went through with the Schnee girl, the arrogance that girl had could rival the whole silver blood family and that had not ended well for them.
'Let's just get this over with' Mikael thought making his way to the amphitheater
/
The Amphitheater was a packed with multiple students gathered he made his way through the crowd of first years who glanced over to him, whispers erupted from them as he passed.
"Who is that..."
"Whoa, look at that armor"
"Wonder what class he teaches"
"He doesn't look so tuff"
"Bet I could take him"
Ah, yes there it was the over confidence that was always present in teenagers, it would be beaten out of them in time, some humility could do these kid's a world of good.
He approached the stage where Ozpin and Glynda were talking to one another while amber stood of to the side looking over the crowd "I got your message" Mikael said pulling down his hood and cowl.
"Glad you made it," Amber said with a smile one that the Dragonborn returned.
"Ah, Mikael good to see you've arrived" Ozpin said approaching the Dragonborn Glynda on his left.
"You called for me." Mikael said shaking the headmasters hand
"Indeed" The headmaster began "It would be rather beneficial, for you to be here when we begin orientation. I also saw your interaction with Miss Rose and Miss Schnee I'm glad you handled it before thing could get worse."
"Do you make a habit of watching you staff?" Mikael inquired
Ozpin smiled taking a sip from his mug "Only a certain two I know." Glynda rolled her eyes at Ozpins antics.
Once the first-year students had all arrived and found their place, when the students began to settle down as Ozpin walked onto the stage Glynda on his left.
"I'll keep this brief" he said into the microphone set up his voice echoing around the room. " You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you've finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people"
Everyone listening to the speech stood a little straighter, Ozpins next words stopped them cold" But I look among you, and all I see is wasted energy. Wasted energy in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this. But your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only take you so far. It is up to you, to take the first step."
When he was finished Ozpin stepped away from the microphone some murmurs erupted from the student body "If that doesn't lite a fire in any of them nothing will" Amber said
"One can only hope" Mikael said, watching Ozpin as he walked off the stage. The rather emotionless speech would certainly inspire the students seeing this as a challenge. With that he and Amber made their exit, heading off to
/
Later that evening Mikael made his way through Beacons hallways.
Beacon's rooftop was a place of serenity the night air was cool and refreshing, it had taken him some time to transport the necessary ingredients and find a secluded part of the school away from those cameras the breeze gently blew his cloak to the side as he knelt down preparing the ritual a silver bowl was placed before him filled with void salt, nightshade and a daedra heart.
Fire ignited in Mikael's hands a spark of flame ignited the concoction in a vibrant violet flame, he took a knee before beginning " I call upon you Lady Nocturnal queen of Merck and empress of shadows hear my voice." Mikael spoke silence followed, then there it was the flapping of wings the wind picking up then it happened.
a dark void opened above him, pulsing and fluctuating. "Ah, Mikael I was beginning to wonder when I may hear from you again."
Mikael kept his head bowed as he spoke "My lady, I come before you to throw myself at your mercy I have been taken from Nirn by Hermaeus Mora and as such have been unable to fulfill my duty to you and the Twilight sepulcher"
The Empress of shadows was silent before she spoke "Rise, my Nightingale, I am fully aware of Mora's deception and while you may be unable to serve me upon Nirn, there are other matters that you can attend to here."Nocturnal began " follow along with Hermaeus Mora and his trivial matters until the time comes that I call upon you."
"Hmm" Nocturnal's tone was rather humorous "Karliah and Brynjolf will be pleased you are alive, they have come to me many times in an attempt to discover your location."Mikael smiled slightly at the statement, his friends had noticed his absence and where searching for him.
"My lady, if it suits you would you inform them of my situation." Mikael said respectfully
"Very well I will inform them on your behalf, until the time comes that you are needed remain vigilant my Nightingale our conversation tonight will not go unnoticed."
"Your will be done, my Lady" Mikael said and with that Nocturnal vanished from existence. Mikael stood up, gathering his things before returning to his room for the night.
/
Morning came rather quickly the golden sun rose high in the sky casting light through his window. Mikael groaned as he opened his eye's moving into a sitting position before he got out of bed rolling his neck a few pop's sounded, he sighed in relief before making his way over to the dresser where his Nightingale armor lay.
Checking the clock, he was surprised at the time it was still rather early only seven o'clock, it would give him time to prepare for the initiation he wanted to be there and get a good feel of what his future students could do and what they needed to work towards improving. Opening the door, he stepped out into Beacons hallway a subtle click came from behind him he turned to see Amber exiting her room
"Oh, morning" she greeted" I didn't think you would be up this early." Amber shut the door behind her taking a few steps towards the Nightingale
"Good morning Amber" Mikael greeted The Fall Maiden. "Are you ready for today"
"I suppose, still I can't help but be nervous. I mean some of them might not have faced combat like this" Amber said
"I understand your concern but remember they've already trained for some years, also Beacons reputation for only taking the best hunters speaks volumes about their ability's." Mikael assured her, the two made their way along towards the cafeteria, passing by a few students who had just risen and were getting ready for initiation.
There were only a few of the students up at this time making the trip for food allot easier. Mikael and Amber, sat down and began to dig in to their meal Amber had taken a healthier route taking some pieces of fruit and orange juice. While Mikael had settled on four pork chops, three eggs' and a pint of Milk.
"Ah, Miss Amber a pleasure to see you" a middle-aged man in his fifties greeted taking a seat across from them, he wore a double-breasted burgundy suit with gold pipping and buttons his pants were tucked into olive boots.
"Hello professor Port, it's good to see you too" Amber greeted the man now known as Port said
"Likewise, so tell me how are Beacons newest professors handling your first day here so far I trust the students didn't give you any trouble during their arrival?" Port asked
"It's been eventful, so far" Mikael stated, talking a bite out of his food.
"Ah, so this is the young man who will be joining us" Another man zipped up behind Port a thermos in hand. "I recall my first day here so many young scholars journeying to expand their knowledge of the world around them."
"True, to some knowledge can prove to be invaluable, although in the wrong hand it has proved to be dangerous, corruptive even" Mikael stated, his mind drifted to a figure baring a Golden mask resembling a mass of flowing tendrils, robes with gold lining and ornate scale design on the shoulders and gloves. Mikael banished the image from his mind, he did not want to think about...'Him'
"Very true, which is why we must assure that such knowledge remains in the right hands." He held his hand out to Mikael to which he shook "Bartholomew Oobleck, judging by your statement It seems you are quite the scholar young man."
"I dabble" Mikael said shrugging
Amber couldn't help but smile at the display, the three men seemed to get along rather well. Still she couldn't help but feel nervousness, her experience in teaching was rather limited although Aura manipulation was a subject she was very well-versed in.
Port and Mikael were busy exchanging a few stories when he noticed the fall maiden's expression as she looked over to a few of the first years who had begun to leave she rubbed her arm slightly, clear signs of nervousness. "Miss amber you have nothing to fear." Port began
"Umm what?" Amber said in slight confusion
"My dear, I have been here for some time and I have come to recognize when one is nervous you needn't fret. You will do fine I have faith in the both of you." Port said patting her arm. There moment soon came to an end when each of their scrolls began to buzz all receiving the exact same message
Initiation was about to begin.
'To be continued'