Content Warning for bullying and faunus discrimination

Chapter Five
Fangs of the Faunus

Blake is the first one awake again and is pleasantly surprised to find she's still, in fact, alive. She continues to marvel at the unexpected tensile strength of her books as she stares at the underside of Yang's bunk, enjoying the relative quiet while it lasts.

For a few minutes she just lays there and relaxes, then sits up with a stretch, tail curling and ears swivelling in their full range of motion. The dull ache that had started to form on the second day is now proper sore after a week, and she needs to pulse her aura every day to just relieve herself of the pain.

That done, she grabs her headscarf to put on and curls her tail under her sleeping gown, checking that everyone is still asleep before heading into the bathroom. Like the dorm, it's rather small and a bit cramped, but she appreciates it just for the warm water and privacy alone.

As she heats up the bath, she laments the loss of her earmuffs. She's always preferred showers, but isn't about to let water get into her ears. It's such a silly thing to miss, but it just reminds her that she's hiding herself, something she never saw herself doing.

She understands how hard it must have been for Ilia now. And it's only been a week of properly hiding, her friend had to do it for years, with a far more cumbersome tail. Blake's own tail whips the air, and she forces the melancholic thoughts aside.

Bathed and pulling on her uniform, she carefully weaves her tail into the rings on her belt and pulls the blazer down over it. Laying her ears down among her curls, she takes her time on her hair and makeup until she gives her reflection a satisfied nod. Double checking the security of her headscarf, she exits the bathroom.

And pauses when an icy blue eye cuts through the dim dorm to meet hers, the morning sunlight from the window casting a shadow over it and making it gleam. Blake blinks and the moment ends, her shoulders sagging as she scolds herself. It's just Weiss, squinting at her outline from her open curtain as she gets out of bed. Blake needs to stop her mind from playing tricks.

Turning away, Blake sits on her bed and takes out Born of Malice to finish it before breakfast today. Despite expecting the worst from the heiress, Weiss has proven to just be like any ordinary sheltered rich kid, snobbish and self-centred, but keeping to herself except when she's annoyed at others talking to her. Primarily Ruby. Even when she stares at faunus students, she doesn't outwardly say whatever is on her mind and just avoids them.

It's refreshing.

And very, very odd.

Blake remembers the reports she'd get about the Schnee family, about how outspoken their members were and that their heiress was often heard speaking the same words as her father. And unlike many other instances of her past, Blake can trust the one who gave those reports. Then again, the last one had been a year ago. The chances are slim, but perhaps the heiress learned when and where to keep from speaking her mind.

Well, aside from jumping on every opportunity to one-up every other student in class, but that's really no different from anyone else. So while she certainly can't like Weiss, at least Blake doesn't have to constantly be on guard around her as she'd feared.

"Alright, team!" Ruby announces, fully dressed and pointing at the ceiling, when Blake is almost done her book. "To breakfast! Do you want to eat with us, Bella? Weiss?"

Blake has to admire Ruby's tenacity; she's asked every morning despite being declined every time. It makes sense in theory, she's a team leader who wants her team to work, but unfortunately she's met the most aloof pair of teammates at Beacon. A stubborn part of Blake wants to join the sisters for a sense of camaraderie, but her more logical part knows it's too dangerous to get attached.

"No, thank you," Blake says. Ruby nods and turns to give Weiss a hopeful smile, but the heiress is already in the bathroom and won't be out for a while.

"Do you wanna walk with us to the hall, though?" Yang asks, her voice muffled behind her bed curtain.

"I'm getting hungry."

"Okay! See ya when we get there!"

Blake wishes the sisters would leave her alone. A part of her misses eating alongside others, but she isn't going to risk getting attached. The sisters are too friendly and she knows it will only make it harder for her when she eventually leaves.

(she always runs away)

When Blake enters the mess hall, the smell from the Floran buffet sends a delightful shiver up her spine. The seafood, noodles, spices, all of it is enough to make her homesick and it takes every ounce of willpower to keep her tail from quivering. But indulging in nostalgia is the worst mistake she can make, so begrudgingly she takes some plain boring cereal and fruit and sits herself in a corner. From here she can see all entrances and every student, and with her back to the wall it will be difficult to be snuck up on.

She people-watches as she eats. Ruby and Yang arrive a few minutes later, talking with their PNNR friends, and from Yang and Nora's extravagant hand motions they're discussing their spar planned for today. Weiss isn't here yet. Various other teams are mostly eating quietly, many of the students still sluggish in the morning.

Interestingly, Velvet from team CFVY is also here, without her teammates. While Blake's curious, she turns back to her book as it isn't her business-

"Ow!"

An ear-piercing shriek has Blake standing from her bench so fast she almost trips. Winchester has surrounded Velvet with his team, the four of them jeering and taunting her as he pulls roughly at her ears. Velvet curls herself in a ball, holding the base, and grits her teeth as they continue with the assault.

Blake stalks over, rage overwhelming her senses. Her tail tugs around her waste and she barely contains a hiss as she grabs Winchester's wrist hard enough to make him let go, then uses the palm of her hand to strike him in the face. He stumbles back with a grunt, and she lets his arm go to reach for Gambol.

"Back off," she warns, stopping herself from snarling just barely. CRDL surround her, weapons drawn as Winchester recovers, standing at his full height to look down on her. He flicks his hand at his team, telling them to leave it to him. If he thinks he can scare her off with a mean look, he has another thing coming. Preferably, another broken nose as his aura heals the damage.

"Barren Hills!" he holds his nose, flicking his other hand at his team who back off to let him handle it. "Don't think I won't tell the headmaster you did this!"

"Then I can tell him you started it by pulling a faunus' ears," she counters.

"Oh come off it, I was just messing around. If I'm to be the best future team at Beacon, I gotta size up the current best," he nods over Blake's shoulder. She blocks his line of sight of Velvet. "And gotta say, not impressed. A coward like that isn't fit for the wider world."

"You'd get yourself killed in the wider world."

He clicks his tongue, eye twitching, and throws a punch at her head. She ducks to the side at the last moment, unfurling Gambol's ribbon and wrapping it around the crook of his elbow. With a harsh tug, she brings him down to her level so she can headbutt him in the chin, hooking her foot around the back of his ankle at the same time. He stumbles back and lands on his ass, head nearly hitting the nearby bench.

Blake shoots a glare at the other three boys, before crouching and resting her elbows on her knees. She fixes Winchester with a carefully blank stare as he snarls back. "I see why you don't fight fair. You'd only embarrass yourself and show the world what a real coward looks like. I suggest you leave before you make even more of an ass of yourself."

Winchester does the single smart thing of actually listening to Blake, marching off with his lackeys in tow. He nearly shoulder checks Weiss as he leaves the hall, who had been hovering in the doorway.

Only when he's gone from sight does Blake turn to Velvet. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, I'll be okay, thank you," Velvet says, pleasantly surprised as her ears swivel back and forth. "He mostly caught me by surprise, so I didn't have time to call up my aura. It didn't hurt that badly."

"Does this happens a lot?" Blake asks gently, already aware of the answer.

"Not as much as it used to. My team's reputation tends to scare most away, and it's only the bold ones like Cardin who make a fuss," Velvet shrugs lightly.

"Where is your team?"

"Oh," she blushes, shuffling on her feet, "I have to retake first year history this semester. But don't worry about me, okay? Thank you for the help, but I can take whatever people like him dish out. He'll find out in time why my team is the best at Beacon," she smiles, standing up and thumping her chest proudly.

"Hey, you okay?" Blake turns to Yang, Ruby hovering at her elbow. They both look really concerned, and red slowly bleeds out from around Yang's pupils.

"I'll be fine!" Velvet says, again.

"What about you, Bella?" Ruby asks, knocking her knuckles together and bouncing on her heels.

They're...worried about me?

That doesn't make much sense. Blake hadn't been hurt by the encounter. So why ask her at all?

(they care silly)

"I'm fine."

"Good!" Yang beams. "Was about to lay into the asshole myself, but you looked like you had it handled. Can you report him?" she asks Velvet.

She sadly shakes her head. "It won't accomplish anything. Thank you for checking on me though!"

"If you're sure," Yang rubs the back of her neck. "Lemme know if he keeps botherin' ya. He may or may not break an arm," she punches into her palm, grinning.

Velvet giggles, standing up and giving the three of them a short bow. "I appreciate it. I'll see you all in history!"

"Can I go with you?" Blake asks. She doesn't want Winchester to corner her on the way.

"Oh, are you done eating?"

Blake's stomach growls. "Yes," she says.

"Then, thank you!"

"We're not done yet," Ruby says, smiling timidly. "Yang kinda knocked over her food tray, so we gotta clean that up. See you in class!"

Blake watches them return to their table, head slightly tilted. The members of PNNR had also stood up, with the exception of Neo who was watching with detached disinterest, and only appear to relax when the sisters get back and explain it's under control.

They were really ready to defend Velvet. And Blake. It was smart of them to let her deal with it alone, less the situation escalate, but just the thought they were willing to fight for her...

("They only want to deceive us.")

Blake swiftly turns away, forcing down the small burst of warmth in her heart before retrieving her books and walking out of the hall beside Velvet. They pass Weiss, who wears a deep scowl as she glares at Velvet, foot tapping away. Normally, Weiss keeps her thoughts to herself, but it seems she can't help herself today.

"Just fight back," she mutters under her breath. "Don't just be a passive coward, fight back."

Blake growls, opening her mouth to argue, but Velvet shakes her head. "Let it go. A lot of people think the same. It doesn't bother me."

It still doesn't make it right to blame her. But Blake, begrudgingly, lets it go.

Velvet turns out to be a bit of a chatterbox as they walk to class, although her voice remains reserved and quiet. She has a slight hop in her step, ears standing tall and proud. Seeing that is enough to ease the rest of Blake's anger, and by the time they make it to history Velvet has finished the story of team CFVY's initiation.

"...and Coco was just flirting with me the entire time," she giggles, bashfully squeezing her eyes shut, face red. "But I got the last laugh when I asked her out a few weeks later and binkied I was so happy."

Blake lets herself wear a small smile, delighted in hearing such unbridled happiness. It isn't often faunus can talk about their instincts so openly without being ridiculed, but she must have earned herself high in Velvet's books if she's willing to share that with a 'human'.

Brother's Grimm, Blake misses the casual chats of faunus culture. When the training or planning or fighting was done for the day, her and her brethren would sit around the fire and share their most embarrassing moments of their instincts cropping up. Like a crocodile death rolling their pillow, or a goat headbutting a relative, or the times Ilia would change colour to showcase her emotions.

(is her friend okay is she safe)

Velvet skips into the class, Blake following behind, and they take a seat near the middle. She doesn't like leaving her back exposed, but she wishes to continue her chat with her fellow faunus. Even if said faunus is oblivious to her true nature.

"Faunus and humans have lived on Remnant for as long as per-recorded history," Oobleck says, taking a sip from his coffee mug as he zips across the classroom at a speed that might outmatch Ruby's, "yet it was only a short time ago that faunus gained their freedoms during the Faunus Rights Rebellion. It had been a war brewing for centuries, and such as the Great War began with just a spark, so too did the Rebellion."

"The pivotal point of the Rebellion, where it began to gain traction in the faunus' favour, happened in the third year under the command of General Lagune. Lagune had been an experienced veteran and held the power of thousands of soldiers, yet he was so easily defeated by a few dozen faunus warriors. Can anyone tell me why?" he zips and sips. "Yes, Miss Nikos?"

"General Lagune had staged his attack on an important fort during the night, hoping to catch the faunus by surprise," she explains, "but he didn't account for the faunus' night vision. All faunus have it, and so they were able to counterattack under the cover of darkness to take out his army."

"Yes! Yes, yes! The fear and distrust humans had for faunus left them at the disadvantage of underestimating them!" Oobleck smacks a world map with a meter stick, and takes a sip. "Can anyone tell me what other mistakes humans made underestimating faunus?"

"They didn't think our instincts and senses were stronger than theirs in general," a mouse faunus says, swaying her tail. "They had to be sharp to protect ourselves from the Grimm. They're not as strong as some humans like to think they are, but those instincts are what help us fly, swim or run with little training."

"And fight," Velvet adds helpfully, for the humans' benefit. "While it is possible to train in other styles, faunus Huntsmen typically fight the way that best suits their subspecies. You'll often find rhinos as front line tanks or birds who use hit and run tactics."

"Thank you, Miss Storm, Miss Scarlatina!" he sips gleefully. "As you see, the war was won because of this advantage. But sadly, that same fear and distrust that lead to victory has continued to this day, making it seem painful and hollow to many. Tell me, how many students here have been discriminated against for being faunus?"

Every one. Blake clasps her hands together under the desk and squeezes, disgusted by the pain her people have gone through.

Oobleck seems to agree, as he shakes his head in disappointment. "Despicable. Absolutely unforgivable. It is such hatred that has spurred the White Fang to violence, and who can rightfully blame them? Those who cannot stand the pain have resigned to live on Floran, and are never given the same opportunities as the rest of Remnant."

"Maybe if they kept their heads down and stayed in their lane, they wouldn't get hurt." The hairs on Blake's neck rise and she looks over her shoulder at Winchester, who appears to be addressing at the room at large, but his eyes are locked onto her specifically. She furrows her brow, caution rising.

"Mister Winchester," Oobleck is at his side so fast the warrior flinches, "wait outside of this classroom at once. I will not tolerate such words in my classroom."

A palpable wave of surprises passes over the faunus students. A human had stood up for them? Winchester also appears stunned, as it takes him a moment before he stands up and storms out. Oobleck zips back to the front, bowing his head slightly. "Apologies on Mister Winchester's behalf. Now, onto our next topic- Yes, Miss Schnee?"

"Excuse me, sir, but the textbook says the continent is 'Menagerie'."

Blake instinctively bristles at the mention of that name, but kicks down her reaction to a simple curious head tilt. Weiss appears startled when she earns the ire of the faunus students, and genuinely confused

"Ah, yes. That book is outdated," Oobleck sips. "The former White Fang Leader, Chief Belladonna," the longing from breakfast is nothing compared to the agonizing ache upon hearing Dad's name, "had placed the bill forward to change it as his final act as leader."

"Oh."

Blake lets her irritation go. Clearly that hadn't been taught up in Atlas, and honestly she isn't surprised. She's more surprised Weiss accepted it so quickly and moved on, her head now down as the other irate students relax. Blake can't remember a time where she hadn't gotten ridiculed or yelled at for correcting humans on Floran's name.

"Um," Ruby raises her hand, her usual timidness coming forth once all eyes are on her, "is it okay if I ask why it hasn't been updated?"

"The bill has not passed, I'm afraid," Oobleck shakes his head, takes another sip. "Despite the White Fang's best efforts, any attempts at an official change has been blocked. But Floran has been unofficially renamed for decades now, and is universally called such by most schools."

"You see, students?" he moves to the world map on his blackboard, where its old name has been whited out and replaced. "Once again, every attempt faunus make to earn their rights is met by resistance. And there is only so much resistance one can take before something breaks."

0o0o0

She may have fumbled in history, be she will thrive in Dust Studies. This is where she will pull ahead to the top, as she doubts even Pyrrha Nikos knows as much about Dust as she does.

It helps that she also likes Professor Peach, who has proven to be the most sane professor here. Weiss has to wonder if every Huntsmen is eccentric or if the ones at Beacon are just a special case. Even Professor Fall, proper and articulate as she is, has enough melodrama to fuel an entire theatrical play.

"Now, an aspect of Dust is that it can be used in medical emergencies as a final resort," Weiss perks up at this, as Professor Peach places several Crystals on her desk. "Can anyone tell me what is the best kind to use if someone is bleeding out?"

Weiss raises her hand quickly, and notices a blur beside her indicating Ruby has also raised hers. Frustratingly, the professor nods at Ruby this time. "Fire, right? Because it can cauterize the wound."

"A good guess, and one that will also work, but not correct. Fire is the hardest Dust to control at all times and has a larger risk of exploding if handled incorrectly."

Ruby noticeably blushes and Weiss huffs at the reminder of the first day. But instead of being disappointed at being wrong, Ruby nods and writes down the information with a beaming smile. How she can be glad at being wrong eludes Weiss, but at least she's conducting herself properly now.

Weiss raises her hand again, this time being addressed. "Lighting Dust, as it can be used to stimulate natural healing and has enough heat to also cauterize. It is easier to control and handle, and has less of a chance of backfiring on the individual using it."

"Correct. And remember, never use ground Dust. All it will do is cause Dust Poising," Professor Peach emphasizes with lightly tapping a jar of earth Dust. "Now, I have your first assignments ready, to be due in a week. I want you to theory craft a new use of any kind of Dust. It can be as tame or as wild as you like, but you need to explain why it would work this way and how."

"That's due the same day as Tales of Remnant," Ruby laments under her breath. Weiss simply rolls her eyes and ignores her. Seriously, how did she get into Beacon early if she didn't understand the course work?

Weiss opens up a fresh page in her binder, ready to start her theory, when the end of day bell rings. She sighs, opting to do her project in the dorm where it should be quiet. Ruby and Yang will be with PNNR at the gym, and as much as Weiss would love to see Pyrrha Nikos fight in person, she must dedicate any free time to study. It's the only chance she has of pulling ahead.

So, what kind of Dust should she find a use for?

Obviously you should work with gravity Dust for this project, as it has the least new advances. You can use it to make something heavier, but would it be possible to make something lighter instea-

Weiss walks around the corner of the dorm, nearly bumping into Velvet. She's alone again, and lets out a startled yelp and apology.

Part of the best team at Beacon, and she can't even speak up for herself. Weiss had frankly been amazed by her performance, and now any amazement has turned into bitter resentment.

"Why don't you fight back?" Weiss taps her foot. It's been on her mind all day and she refuses to leave before she gets a real answer.

"I can't, really."

And that isn't it.

"You've proven to be one of the strongest Huntsmen at Beacon," Weiss narrows her eyes. "Why can't you show that to Cardin to make him stop?"

The older student shakes her head, sad and resigned. "It isn't about strength. It's about power, and who has it. And I don't have it. No faunus does, not when faced against people like Cardin."

"Does he really have more power here than any other Huntsmen? Professor Oobleck was quick to reprimand him, so why not tell him or another professor?" Why not do anything but sit there and take it? Why hold back?

"You don't understand," she says it softly, far more so than Weiss would expect. "That's where he holds the power, in the authority figures. Maybe there's a chance they would side with me, but what if they don't? That 'what if' is the whole reason I don't bother reporting any of the bullying. Why I don't just fight back. I can't risk it. It's enough that my team, and your teammate Bella, are willing to stand up for me when I can't do it for myself."

"If you're so scared of 'what ifs', then you'll always be a target," Weiss snaps, walking briskly around Velvet.

"And when you've only ever been burned," she hears Velvet say behind her, still calm and soft, "it's hard to believe the fire won't hurt you."

Weiss feels her scar itch and burn, remembers the feeling of blood pouring down her face like it was yesterday. Remembers the disorientation that followed having half her vision gone. Remembers the elation at finally proving she does have the power to achieve her dreams and the power to fight for it. To look father in the eye.

She will fight tooth and nail every day, if it means she gets to hold onto that power.

0o0o0

Blake lightly taps the desk top, stuck on her Dust Studies assignment, when footsteps approach. She looks up, displeased to see Winchester making his way over with a smug face. She was surprised when she hadn't been reported for breaking his nose, so it looks like his pride won't let him do anything but take revenge himself. She stands with a sigh, hand on Gambol's hilt as she searches for his lackeys.

But they aren't in sight. Nobody is, so late at night. Her hand tightens in anticipation, wondering what his goal is in coming alone.

"You really had me fooled. I never expected any of your kind to hide yourselves," he starts, crossing his arms and tilting his chin up with a smirk. She tenses, eyes narrowing. "I thought you faunus were proud of what you are."

(idiot you exposed yourself already)

Outwardly, Blake manages to keep a calm facade, but she feels her tail puff up in her pant leg and has to fight from reacting. "Excuse me?" she'd be proud of her voice remaining stoic if not for her pounding heart.

Winchester rolls his eyes. "I figured out what you are," he raises his arm, pulling the sleeve back to reveal deep claw marks in his skin. "I didn't have this this morning, and I saw your feral eyes," he uses his marred hand to tap his temple knowingly. Blake freezes in terror at the thought that he's told somebody already. He detects that and shakes his head, chuckling. "Don't look so scared. Nobody else knows your little secret," he walks around her, she follows him closely waiting for an attack. "And it will stay that way, if you do everything I tell you."

Blake's skin crawls at his smile as he stops in front of her. She remains quiet, fear and fury keeping her stunned for a moment, and she takes that moment to inhale a deep, subtle breath. Her emotions have gotten her into this mess (like always), and his admittance of keeping it a secret ironically helps her calm down and think rationally. If he had spread the word right away, it would hold more weight and maybe more people would question her.

But no, he was confident enough that he just needed to blackmail her and he would get his way. However, he didn't account for one thing;

Blake is well aware how well scare tactics work in getting a confession out of someone. It's enough of a cliche in novels that a character will record a conversation to get the target to admit their secret, and she isn't about to fall for that kind of trick.

"That seems like an odd thing to lie about," she says, voice and face carefully neutral. She takes great pleasure in seeing his cocky smirk fall.

"You know I'm not lying," he scowls, once again showing off his injury. "I have proof right here."

She raises an eyebrow. "The gym closed hours ago, why do you still have an injury? I thought your aura was on the stronger side."

Winchester's face burns bright red. He'd really thought he held all the cards, didn't he? How many people has he intimidated and coerced in the past to be so confident this would work? This must be the first time anyone's called him out on it, since he's so flustered.

This is the kind of person Blake had expected from Weiss. Not just a haughty rich kid, but a cruel and arrogant bully who actively seeks out the chance to make peoples lives miserable purely out of malice. The kind of person who just decides they're above consequences and frustratingly is because of a system that protects them.

Yet another reason she shouldn't trust her own judgment, it seems. But this once, she's confident she knows exactly who Winchester is. He was kind enough to show her, after all.

Her heartbeat slows, she straightens her posture and she lets go of Gambol. She looks him in the eye, crossing her own arms calmly. Not a single human will believe his claim at this point, not without looking like he's holding a grudge all from a broken nose. He's also shot himself in the foot with his persistent bullying, which he doesn't even seem to realize.

On the off chance that a human does suspect her, she'll be more careful so they'll psyche themselves out of it. She remembers Ilia's stories of her time among humans, has heard of the lengths they would go to just to convince themselves that there isn't a faunus hiding in front of them.

And while other faunus may realize it or figure it out, they won't say a word. Despite what He may think, it is widely understood and accepted that any faunus hiding their traits has a very good reason for doing so. Their choice is to be respected, as it is better to live safely than to expose yourself in a hostile environment. It isn't right, but simply for the reason they have to hide in the first place to protect themselves. It's never the fault of the faunus in question.

He may threaten her, but Blake has met far scarier people than Winchester.

"You should get some rest," she advises, packing away her books with an air of indifference. She keeps a sharp eye on him, watching as he composes himself with a blank frown. "Others may think you're spouting nonsense if you carry on like that."

"You can't hide what you are forever," he warns. "I'll get you to reveal yourself."

"Strange. I have nothing to hide," she pulls her bag strap over her shoulder, walking away without looking back, knowing it will hurt his bruised ego more this way.

Whatever Winchester does to try and expose her, she'll outsmart. He may have more power than her, but that's nothing when compared to her experience and skill. So long as she keeps her composure and strengthens her stoic facade, she'll win this battle. Honestly, she should thank Winchester for giving her a chance to perfect her disguise.

And if he wants Blake to bare her fangs so badly, she'll gladly show him.

A/N: "Menagerie as a continent name is a microaggression at best": My friend after I told her I was changing the name to Floran. I also just thought it would be cute for the fauna(s) to name their home Flora(n)

I honestly got so excited writing the Blake and Cardin interaction at the end, and now I get to have fun with their mind games