(April 1st, Saturday, 12 PM, Beacon)

Nora groaned, dragging her feet as she followed Allen and Ren. The two, by contrast, were in much higher spirits now that the school year was starting to begin and were somewhat looking forward to it. Nora didn't share the sentiment.

Unlike the two of them, Allen was wearing Beacon's uniform with the addition of a pair of black gloves.

"Goodbye my hours on Remnant Battlefield," she mourned as the three of them passed by the game room on their way to Beacon's courtyard.

Ships would be docking and while they knew the layout of Beacon a bit now, or mostly Allen and Ren, the new applicants didn't and would need directions.

Allen and Ren volunteered to help because they wanted to. And, in return, they'd be granted a discount at Beacon's on-campus store for the first two months. Which, considering Dust prices, Ren and Nora badly needed. And the snack prices made Allen's heartbreak, but they were worth it.

"Nora," Ren called out. "Just because the school year is starting doesn't mean you won't ever get the chance to play games when we're not working on assignments."

"Easy for you to say, Renny." She pouted and crossed her arms. "We both know I suck at studying. I won't get the chance to touch a controller until we graduate!"

Allen chuckled. "And here I thought you'd be excited to start your combat classes. It's all you talked about last week."

"Well, I mean, I am! But it's fun to beat you at video games in general, Al."

"I've never touched a controller before till I even met you two!" Allen defended.

"Al." Nora patted his shoulder with a smirk. "It took you three days to figure out how to rotate your character's camera."

Allen crossed his arms and grumbled. "I liked that mining game better than those shooters. Besides, I'm actually excited the lessons are starting."

"Only you, Al."

"Ahem." Ren coughed.

"Only you, and Ren , Al." She corrected.

Allen rolled his eyes playfully. "Honestly, I genuinely thought you'd be a lot more excited today. Or at least making plans to try and get you and Ren on the same team."

…

"Come again/Wait, what?" Ren and Nora spoke simultaneously.

"Well, from what team CFVY told me, or at least Velvet and Yatsu, the Headmaster likes to switch around how the teams are made each year. Granted, they didn't tell me how partners are chosen. Apparently, that's more secretive until they reveal it at the initiation."

Nora's eyes became shadowed while Ren turned slightly paler. She grabbed her friend by the sleeve and then began dragging him. "Renny, we need to start making plans!"

"Nora, we volunteered to help the applicants find their way around!"

She paused for a moment and then began dragging him in the opposite direction. "We'll do both!"

Ren looked tired and then sent a betrayed look to Allen. Once the two were out of sight, Allen chuckled.

"I'm a great friend."

-0-

Blake's fingers drummed on the cover of her book. Nervously, she looked around the airship. Every other applicant was lost in their own world, either chatting with prospective teammates, building bridges, or doing weapon maintenance.

Her thoughts went back to two weeks ago. . .

Tukson's eyes kept wandering to the front of the store. Why he didn't add curtains or blinds, he couldn't figure out for the life of him. To keep her from being spotted by window shoppers or anyone curious, he made it clear to Blake to keep her hood up as he kept a casual smile on his face to avoid any suspicion.

He even made a show to look through different books he had on the shelves as if he were giving her recommendations. And anytime it seemed like someone would walk into the store, he'd change conversations abruptly to the summary of the plot of whatever book he had in his hand at that moment.

"Seriously, why are you still in Vale?!" He almost yelled but kept a smile. "Adam's trying to get as many Fang agents that are in deep cover as he can to keep an eye out for you. Luckily, they're the ones who have been in the White Fang since we were a pacifist movement, so I doubt they'd turn 'you' of all people over."

Blake flipped through some pages idly in some random book Tukson handed her. And as interesting as it seemed, her attention was elsewhere. 'I'm not here fully by choice. Outside of my scroll, I don't have much in funds. I can't get a loan without my name ringing alarms. And I'd rather my parents don't get notified where I am and try to make contact. At least, not yet."

Tukson's calm demeanor fell, if only for a moment. "Do you know how many times Ghira reached out to all of us? Every deep cover Fang in every kingdom. He asked us to keep an eye out but not interfere. But..."

He moved to the back area of the store, out of sight. The only things Blake could make out with her hearing were a few drawers opening, then the rattling of keys, some clicking, and then Tukson was back with an envelope. Only one thing written on it. 'Blake'.

"He told us to give you this without Adam finding out. Only a few of us have a copy of these letters. And we're all fiercely loyal to Ghira and Kali." As Tukson handed her the envelope, Blake couldn't help but feel it was heavier than it looked.

Tukson chuckled. "Heh. You know, we made a pool to see who'd be the lucky one to deliver it to you without tripping Adam."

Blake looked up at him, completely unamused, and placed the envelope inside her jacket. Tukson sighed. "I can get you some Lien, but you need a plan while you're here. How long are you planning on staying?"

The newly 'former' White Fang member bit her lip. "...How long do Beacon students study-"

"No. Bad idea. Think of something else."

"Its teachers are some of the strongest Hunstsmen in the Kingdom. No better security. And I can even cut a deal with the Headmaster! He's known for having an eye for picking up lost causes, diamonds in the rough, or those with some... bad history."

"Yes, and it's in the public eye! Choose something else!"

"Tukson!"

The whole calm demeanor fell off quickly from his face. Tukson went to the back of the shop again and came out with a folder. "I know cafes. I know motels. I can sneak you onboard a ship heading ANYWHERE within a month!"

"Tukson, this is something I need to do! Huntsmen have political pull! When they speak, people listen! They're respected, they're looked up to! If a Huntsman said, 'Don't touch that', people listen!"

"Those Huntsmen are public figures! Glynda Goodwitch made her name by holding back an avalanche heading down on a village in Atlas with her semblance and barely any aura left! Bartholomew Oobleck is one of the leading specialists in history involving former human civilizations before the main four kingdoms. Don't even get me started on the man named Peter Port!"

"Tukson, please, what better protection than in the public eye? The Fang isn't strong enough to attempt an invasion of Beacon just to get to me. If they go after me when I'm off campus, people will investigate it AND they'd piss off the Huntsmen community here in Vale. And by the time I graduate, it'd be too late for them to do anything!"

"You'd be bringing danger to the students there!"

"They'll be jumping into dangerous situations all the time!"

"YOU'D BE BRINGING DANGER TO MY SON!"

Blake flinched at the outburst. Tukson was out of breath and panting. He didn't care if anyone outside heard him.

"...You have a kid?"

"He's... not really mine. I... I picked him up almost a year ago. He's a teenager, a Faunus, who needed to get his footing. Had no identification or anything." Tukson rubbed his eyes. "I got attached. I shouldn't have gotten attached. And Adam's holding it over my head."

"He's threatening him?"

"Not directly. Vale Police Department has had more of a focus on the Faunus population ever since the White Fang settled here. Adam offered to have any Fang in Vale 'look out for him' if I report when I saw you and to have him look out for anyone matching your description."

Blake's hands twitched but Tukson raised his hands. "I'm not turning you in. My loyalty is to Sienna, and her orders are to help him UNLESS there's a risk of me being revealed. But if you go to Beacon, you'd be dragging him into it."

Blake's hands drummed on the counter. "What if I kept an eye on him?"

Tukson rubbed his eyes and groaned.

"I'm serious, Tukson. I can keep myself out of the public eye as much as possible and I can watch out for him in the shadows without him ever noticing me! I can avoid him, and you can deny knowing I'm at Beacon."

Tukson scratched at his sideburns and growled. "...Gods, I knew things were gonna get complicated, I knew I shouldn't have gotten attached." He sighed. "You know, Beacon's no longer accepting applicants. How do you plan on applying as a student? Unless you're thinking of waiting a year."

Blake thought for a moment. "...How often does the Headmaster go into Vale?"

"At least once a day. Why?"

"Any places he frequents?"

"...I don't like where this is going."

...

Blake took a few breaths and calmed herself. Tukson didn't tell his ward anything, which means she's safe now. And she'd keep her promise and keep an eye out for him and avoid any Fang members in Vale connecting him to her.

Stepping off the airship and taking a breath of fresh air, she had one last thought. 'How hard could that be-'

BOOM!

Her ears, hidden under a black bow, twitched with a loud jolt of pain that made her flinch as an explosion echoed across the courtyard, followed by the high-pitched screaming that practically screamed 'spoiled'.

She could already spot a girl younger than any of the other new arrivals being yelled at by...

"Oh, you're kidding me." Her eye twitched in frustration. "Why in the world is Weiss Schnee of all people here?"

Allen's whole body jolted, spine straightened, and the hair on his head practically stood. It took every ounce of willpower for him not to go into every instinct he had as an Exorcist and even more than that not to activate his innocence right then and there.

He took a deep breath and started moving to where the explosion had happened. Or, at least where he heard it going off. At best, this was something normal at these Academies. At worst, it isn't.

Either way, his legs were moving, and he was already out in the courtyard when he spotted two girls covered in soot but no visible injuries, with a girl in white shouting at one wearing black and red. He did what any sane person would do. Avoided that conversation entirely.

Instead, he went to help the two workers dressed in suits who were picking up the cases scattered around. Picking up a stack of four, much to their surprise, Allen smiled. "Here. Let me help you move these out of the way."

Both workers stared at him, mouths agape until one with more gray in his hair nodded. "Yes. If you could put them on the luggage cart, we'd appreciate it."

Allen nodded, placing them down with a smile. "So, you guys don't look like Beacon Staff or Vale's Airship Personnel. Am I to assume you're here to escort a student? Probably someone famous or rich?"

The two looked nervously at each other and back to Allen, the older one answering again. "Your assumption would be... correct."

"You do realize that Beacon doesn't have extra rooms for guests, right? Let alone... employees for the students?"

"We're employed to the SDC. Our current task was simply to help escort the heiress and her belongings safely."

"...Heiress?"

The two deadpanned at Allen, the younger employee speaking for the first time. "You're... not one for any form of media, are you?"

"I mean, I read newspapers." Allen defended.

"But what about any social media platform? Insta-grimm? KingdomBook? Anything?"

The more the man talked, the more it went over Allen's head. The older employee shook his head and patted Allen's shoulder. "Don't worry. I don't understand that stuff much either."

"Wow, Hanz. We've met someone as outdated as you, and he's not even half your age! I swear, if I hadn't had that trip to Vacuo, I'd say that Vale was the Kingdom's version of the sticks."

"We're not THAT outdated." Allen crossed his arms. "It's just, I don't really subscribe to all that stuff. Grimm are attracted to negativity, and yet, a lot of it seems to stem from this social media stuff."

While the older SDC employee looked smug, the other looked downright horrified and offended. As if Allen insulted him, his family, and his cow or something. But something hit Allen at that moment.

"Wait, so, you both traveled across the world to escort some random girl and her luggage here and then go back home? That must have been the easiest pay."

Both of their right eyes twitched. At first, they chuckled, then started giggling, then full-blown laughter, and then devolved into crying as they dropped to their knees. The whole situation shocked, and somewhat terrified, Allen that he didn't even hear the clicking of heels behind him until it was too late.

"What is going on here!"

"I didn't do it!" Allen yelled out as he quickly turned and raised his arms in defense. Instead, he looked down slightly only to be met with the same girl in white from earlier who was screaming at another.

She gave him a deadpan look, then yelled out without breaking eye contact. "Hanz! Michael! Pull yourselves together!"

The two employees quickly did a 180 in personality, almost giving Allen whiplash as they both stood at attention and yelled out, "Yes, Miss Schnee!"

'Miss Schnee' huffed and gave Allen a look over. "You seem somewhat short for a second-year."

"First off, I'm still growing." Allen nearly growled out. "Second, I'm a first-year, general studies student. We're given the offer to move in early to Beacon's dorms, and I was part of the group that took that offer."

"I see." She looked up at Allen, more specifically at his hair. "Natural hair color?"

"Yes and no. Originally, it was brown, but I had a very stressful moment in my life which caused enough stress to change it to white." Allen quickly explained. "And before you ask, yes, I have tried dying it back. It doesn't work, let alone for long."

"Hm. Well, at least you're not trying to pass yourself off as part of the Schnee family like most would." She huffed and looked up at Allen, tracing a scar from his cheek up, the rest being covered by his bangs. Reaching up with her hand, she tried to brush some hair back. "And if you were, the scar isn't helping."

Allen smacked her hand away, much to her surprise, and her employees, who began to choke on air. He gave her an unamused glare. "I'd appreciate you learning some boundaries. I am no employee of yours, and I doubt you have any sway here. Otherwise, you wouldn't be coming in with the other Huntsmen and Huntresses-in-training, servants or not."

She looked at Allen, then at the hand he smacked away, then back at him before walking away with another huff. Once she was out of sight, Allen rubbed his closed eyes in frustration, before yelping as two pairs of hands turned him around.

Both the SDC employees looked at him in horror. The youngest one, Michael, spoke first. "Dude, you got to apologize to her!"

"An apology!? I say the boy must keep his head down around her now!" Hanz countered.

"Wait, what?"

"Do you got aura, kid?!" Michael asked

"No, I-"

"He said he was general studies to Miss Schnee, Micael. Pay attention!"

"Right. He should invest in puncture-proof clothing! Maybe Kevlar? No, wait. That's bulletproof."

Allen wrestled himself out of their grips. "What the hell?! You make it sound like she's going to assassinate me! Don't tell me she's that petty?!"

The two looked at each other for a moment. "We... actually don't know."

"Don't you two work for her?" Allen asked, confusion slowly setting in.

"Well, I, work for her father. Usually, carrying luggage in and out the manor." Hanz explained.

"And I just pick up whatever crap her little brother asks for," Michael added. "Kid doesn't know he's over-tipping me, but I'm not complaining."

Allen's eyes darted between both of them. "So, what was that whole mental breakdown you two had earlier?!"

"Give us a break, man! Only a few employees EVER interact directly with the Schnee family for long periods of time! It's usually the butlers and maids!" Michael explained. "This was a first for both of us! One of those suitcases wasn't even with us when we left! We managed to fit whatever shopping she had when we had to take a connecting Air Ship flight from Mistral to here!"

Hanz shivered. "Truly, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Miss Schnee was anything BUT amused on that delay."

"I wouldn't be surprised if that airline's stock PLUMMETED!"

Allen shrugged. "Well, I doubt she could do anything to me. I don't have much to my name anyway. Besides, think of it like this. She's an heiress to what I assume is a big company?"

"Try the biggest," Michael added.

"Right. 'This Biggest'." Allen rolled his eyes. "At best, I annoyed her. But she's both a huntress-in-training AND some noble from... you guys said you were from Atlas?"

The two workers nodded.

"Okay. Now tell me this. I barely have anything to lose financially. But if she goes after me, she'll take a hit to her reputation. Rumors will start, and she'll barely have the trust of her peers either. There's more to lose than to gain by going after me."

Hanz and Michael stayed silent.

"Young man," Hanz started. "You... are much more cunning than you look."

Allen crossed his arms. "Better to be underestimated so no one knows what you're really capable of. Then again, I don't go looking for trouble so I'm usually docile.:

"Right." Michael made a mental note to watch his back around Allen. "Well, we just need to figure out where to drop this luggage off, get dismissed by Miss Schnee, and then enjoy two weeks off to mentally recover from our entire experience around her."

"She doesn't seem that bad," Allen commented. "Maybe a little... snobbish? But not THAT bad."

"Spend longer than two minutes in her company. See if you'll say the same thing." Michael countered. "Anyways, where can we take this luggage?"

"Lecture Hall A4. Closest to the Amphitheater, where they'll have the 'Welcome' speech being done. Afterward, they'll be camping in the ballroom for the night, so I hope 'Miss Schnee' brought a sleeping bag."

The two SDC workers winced and the reason was clear. She did not bring a sleeping bag.

"She won't like that," Hanz commented.

"No. No, she will not," Michael added. "Welp let's hurry this up. Maybe she can dismiss us, and we'll be gone before she finds out and takes her rage out on somebody."

Allen looked between the two. "I feel like you're just making stuff up now."

"No, that part is true." Hanz reinforced with a pale face. "Granted, I've mostly seen the aftermaths when cleaning the training room, so I'm not interested in seeing firsthand what she does to a human target. Thank you again for your help, young man."

Allen didn't even care to comment on the mention of a 'training room'. Instead, he waved the two off and noticed something. The courtyard was empty.

'Oh. I really spent way too much time talking there.' He winced for a moment as a thought occurred. 'Shoot, I'm not gonna get that discount, am I?'

Sighing, Allen was about to make his way to the Amphitheater to see if there was any other volunteer work he could do for that discount when something poked his back.

"Excuse me, Miss?"

-0-

Eight Minutes Earlier...

Ruby Rose gave a deadpan look. "...You were following me?"

Jaune Arc scratched the back of his head. "Well, you started walking so I just went with it. Do you not know where you're going?"

"Of course I don't! I've never been here before! I've only seen videos and the stupid pamphlet!"

"W-well why were you walking in a random direction then?"

"I like to walk and talk! People walk and talk! It's not that weird!" Ruby defended.

"I never said it was!" Jaune defended. "Uh, how about we ask for directions!"

"From who?" Ruby waved her arms across the empty garden.

"Well, let's circle back to the courtyard!" Jaune offered. "There's bound to be some other students we can follow."

And so, they did. But by the time they made it back, said courtyard was now empty. Ruby covered her face with both hands.

"We're gonna miss the ceremony." She moaned out.

Jaune looked around before a head of white hair and a long ponytail stuck out. Pointing at them, he shook Ruby by the shoulder. "Hey, that looks like a second-year student! Maybe she can help."

Ruby peaked out between her fingers and followed Jaune's hand to the student. "Phew! I thought we'd end up late or miss the ceremony completely. I'll go ask her if she can show us where the Amphitheater is."

And just like that, she ran off. Jaune began to follow her when he quickly paused. "Wait, didn't the pamphlet show the female uniform had skirts- Oh God, Ruby wa-"

Unfortunately, whatever Jaune was about to say came too late as the figure turned around. And while their hair was certainly long, he was by no means a she. And Ruby was caught in the more awkward moments in social life.

-0-

"Miss ...ster?"

Allen looked over his shoulder and down at the girl who got his attention. "Yes, how can I help?"

Said girl was blinking. Rapidly in fact. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. And her face was taking on an increasing tint of red that matched her cloak with each passing second. "I-...You-...We-..."

Chuckling and with a shake of his head, Allen turned toward her fully. "You thought I was a girl just now, didn't you?"

Ruby Rose thought it would then be better to nod her head than try and respond verbally when her mouth wasn't listening.

Allen laughed softly, then brought a hand behind his head as he gently took the ponytail he styled his hair as in his hand, the length long enough where he could bring it over his shoulder and in front of the girl.

"Yeah, I really do need to get a haircut. It's funny. I keep planning on doing so, but I also keep putting it off." He explained, before tossing his hair back over his shoulder. "I'm guessing you need someone to help guide you around this maze of a school?"

Finally, Ruby's mouth was listening to her. Whether that was because the initial embarrassment died down or if it reached levels that she couldn't register with her conscious mind, she didn't know or want to know. "Y-yeah. We kinda wandered off from the others."

Thankfully for her, Allen didn't question that. Instead, he waved Jaune over. "Ah, I thought you two might have been in the same boat but didn't want to assume. So, is he a friend of yours?"

Ruby pouted and sent a small glare Jaune's way, who at least looked embarrassed for the mix-up too. "Would it help if I said I was sorry?"

"It'd be a start," Ruby grumbled.

"Let me guess. You both thought I was a girl?" Allen guessed with a grin before outright laughing as neither denied it. "Man, it is fun teasing people! Now I see why Mel and Mil enjoyed doing it so much."

"Mel and Mil/Who and who?" Ruby and Jaune spoke simultaneously, both tilting their heads.

"Just some... well, not 'friends'. Acquaintances, I guess?" Allen shrugged. "Anyways, follow me. I'll take you to the Amphitheater."

"Wait. How'd you know that's where we're heading?" Ruby asked.

"I was one of the volunteers to help the new students find their way around. Non-combatants go to the Lecture Hall and Huntsmen and Huntresses in training go to the Amphitheater."

"Wait, 'Non-Combatants'?" Jaune repeated.

"I thought Beacon was mainly a combat school," Ruby added.

"If that was true, why are Huntsmen not in larger quantity? Where do normal citizens go for higher education?" Allen brought up a few points as the three of them started walking under a large arc between buildings.

"Okay, those are some good points," Ruby admitted. "But-"

"Also, have you seen the size of this place?" Allen extended his arms and did a complete spin on his heels. "This school is almost the size of a small town!"

"Huh." Jaune blinked a few times and looked up at the large, towering structures that surrounded them. "Now that he mentions it, why is it this big? I mean, not all of this can be for classes, right?"

"Oh, I know this-" Ruby called out, before being cut off again.

"It's because all the CCTS were originally supposed to have military installations built around them," Allen explained with an excited smile. "The installation around Vale's tower had already begun construction till they decided to instead convert the already constructed buildings as a part of the school!"

"Some of the buildings are used as rooms for visiting Huntsmen teams from other kingdoms and others are used as temporary lodgings for Huntsmen and teams that have homes outside the city but are stationed here for some time!"

Allen finished the impromptu drop of facts with a smile, that slowly withered to a grin when he noticed the girl in black and red pouting and the blond's eyes spinning.

"Is... is this gonna be on a test?" Jaune asked.

Allen scratched the back of his head nervously. "N-no. Sorry, I kinda get excited when someone asks a question like that. I spent a lot of time studying the history of the Kingdoms, and the founding of the academies was the second biggest event, right after the Great War. Anyways, here we are!"

Ruby and Jaune both paused and looked at the large building in front of them, doors wide open to where they could see the other students inside. ""How!? When!?""

"Yeah, it's amazing how quickly people move when they talk at the same time." Allen commented as Ruby gave a look of 'I told you so' to Jaune. Turning around, he held a hand out. "I forgot to introduce myself. Allen Walker."

"Ruby Rose." The newly introduced girl shook Allen's with a soft smile.

"Jaune Arc. Short. Sweet. Rolls of the tongue. Ladies love it." He took Allen's hand in both of his and shook. Allen raised an eyebrow.

"Do they?"

"Nope," Ruby answered with a smirk.

Jaune groaned. "Both of you are mean."

"It's just some light teasing, my friend." Allen patted his shoulder. "Huh. I just realized something."

"What's that?"

"You're the second blond huntsman in training I've met. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird it happened twice."

"If you ever meet my sister, it'd be three," Ruby added before going slightly paler. "Actually, please don't. I don't think I can handle extra teasing if she found out about it earlier."

"You mean when you thought I was a girl because I had long hair?"

"Yes. That."

"I mean, you do look like effeminate from the back." Jaune defended.

"Yeah, I prefer the lean, fast body type more than bulking up. Doesn't help that this uniform is a slight bit tight on the waist." Allen straightened up his shoulders. "Besides, like I said before, you two aren't the first to make that mistake. I got some second-year huntsmen and huntress friends that are teasing their team leader for it."

Ruby sighed. "Maybe I am making a big deal out of nothing- Wait." She looked up at Allen for a moment. "...How do you feel about puns?"

"Oh. Um." He thought for a moment. "While I suck at making puns, I do find them kinda funny. Why?"

"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Ruby yelled. She then began to blink rapidly, her face slowly turning red. "Shoot! I didn't mean for it to come out like that! It's just I've dealt her and my dad doingthosejokesandI'vehadtogothroughyearsofthemmakingsomeofthesameonesandI'drathernotaddanotherpersontothatlist!"

Allen and Jaune looked at Ruby, then at each other, then at Ruby. ""Huh?""

Ruby froze. And in a moment of ideas that seemed brilliant at the time, she disappeared in a burst of rose petals right in front of the two.

"Ah. Oh, man." Jaune slouched. "Where am I supposed to find another nice, quirky girl to talk to?"

Allen placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled. "...Can't help you there. But if they ask you who showed you the way here, can you tell them my name?"

Jaune gave him a deadpan look.

-0-

(April 1st, Saturday, 7:30 PM, Beacon's On-Campus Shop)

Allen was walking to the self-checkout area of the store, now that the staff that usually man the registers left earlier at six. Wearing grey pajama pants, a black, long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of black gloves.

With him was a basket full of snacks, from sweets to nuts and even carrots and celery just to munch on. And the best party? Twenty percent off with his discount! Turns out, those SDC employees gave his description to some of the staff when they dropped off that luggage.

Probably helped that he got Ruby and Jaune to the Amphitheater in time too. Now he got to reap the rewards with a smile on his face. AND he got some Danish pastries for Ren and Nora before they went to the initiation in the morning. Sue him, he's gotten attached to those two.

Everything was going great, except for the yelling.

"What do you mean my card wasn't accepted, you stupid machine!"

"Ugh. I recognize that voice." He groaned out. Turning the corner out of an aisle, he could already see that 'Heiress' girl from earlier. Granted, she was now wearing a faded blue nightgown, her white hair was down, and, ' Snrk', fuzzy slippers.

Unfortunately for him, it seemed like she heard him as she turned around with a frustrated expression before letting out a groan. "Ugh. Not you again."

'Deep breaths.' "Well, nice to see you too." Allen walked over to the checkout beside hers, placing his basket on the side. "I didn't catch your name before. Mine's Allen. Allen Walker."

She looked at him up and down, incredulously. Her eyes lingered on his gloves for a moment before going back to his eyes. "You're kidding, right?"

"I know it's a weird name, but it's kinda rude to comment on someone's identity like that."

Her eye twitched, and Allen had to hold in a chuckle from how much that amused him. "Weiss. Weiss Schnee."

"A pleasure to meet you." Allen took out his academy-issued Scroll and placed it against the blacked-out screen of checkout. The screen lit up with a bright 'Welcome' in black, bold letters which were quickly replaced by 'Scan now' on the screen.

What he failed to notice was Weiss looking over his shoulder, now glaring at the screen. "WHAT?!"

Flinching, Allen turned to her. "Please don't scream that loud in my ears."

She promptly ignored him. "How did you get that stupid thing to work?!"

"My scroll is connected to my student ID. It's the only way to access purchases in the on-campus store. It's also connected to our Bank Accounts for easy payments." Allen informed her as he started to scan his items.

"That's idiotic! What if someone forgot their scroll in their room or it's been damaged?"

"Well, it has to do with a pair of students a few years back stealing Lien cards off of other students," Allen explained. "The academy added this system two years after because a few others followed in their footsteps."

"That's... that's..."

"Idiotic? Rude? Horrible? Apparently, that's not the worst thing this duo ever did." He sighed. "You won't be able to access it because your digital ID hasn't been made yet."

"How long does that take?"

"From what I've heard, right after your Initiation."

"That's a little redundant. I was accepted weeks ago. Why would they wait till the day after we arrive?"

"Two reasons. The first, from what I've heard, is that you'll be assigned your teams and partners tomorrow. The second is that there are plenty of combat students who lose their drive and transfer to the non-combat course. Not that many, but still."

Weiss gripped the edge of her nightgown. "I'm not quitting."

Allen shook his head. "I never said you were." He looked at her items. Two blankets, two sheets, a pillow, and a pillowcase. He walked over to them and picked them up in a bundle.

"Hey! What are you doing with those."

He began scanning the new items. "The only reason you're trying to buy these is because you didn't bring a sleeping bag or anything like that, right?"

She didn't answer him verbally, instead deciding a nod would be the best. As if saying it out loud would be to admit she made a mistake.

'Stubborn,' Allen thought. "I'll pay for these just this once, okay?"

"I don't need pity."

"It's not pity, it's being kind." He corrected. "And if it feels off for you, just buy me some snacks at a later date to pay me back or something."

She didn't say anything back. Once he scanned all the items, he tapped on the screen to purchase. The quiet atmosphere was broken by Weiss. "Do you really think I'll quit tomorrow?"

"Odd question for someone you've known for barely ten minutes."

"Just answer it."

Allen sighed. "From what I've seen from you, you're stubborn. That's a good and a bad thing. It means you won't quit easily, but it's gonna be a nightmare for you to interact positively with whoever you partner with. Honestly, I have no thoughts on if you quit tomorrow. Heck, I'm not even a combat student, so I'm the wrong person to ask. Whether you do or not rests solely on you."

Weiss looked lost in her thoughts when Allen shoved her items in her hands. "What the heck?!"

"What, did you think I'd help you carry it all the way to the Ballroom all of you are sleeping in? Ha! I'm kind, but not THAT kind." Allen chuckled, lifting an overfilled plastic bag full of his own snacks, and began walking away from a shocked Heiress. "Remember what I said about being stubborn!"

Weiss stood there, frozen for a few moments as she watched Allen disappear. She looked at where he left from down to the blankets and sheets he paid for and pouted.

...

"Jerk."