Here we go again. Once again, shout out to my friends in An Average RWBY Server, and to my friend Mike for giving me the inspiration for this chapter. This one is the very first introduction of some very, very important characters. Going forward I plan on posting more than once every few months, god permitting. Truthfully I am rather nervous to post much of anything, but my desire for my work to be seen overrides that fear. Anyhow, on with the story.
"She walked along with silvered eyes, her cloak was white as snow,
Followed was she upon her wings by an unlucky crow,
And behind it still, its cry was shrill, a raven did portend
The dragon of sun would be the one to hold her in the end."
Qrow Branwen looked out upon the gathered students in the auditorium alongside him and his sister. A frown came across his face. Truthfully, he didn't want to be here. Beacon. It was far too crowded and far too civilized for his tastes. That being said he had come here for a reason. Him and Raven needed to learn how to be Huntsmen. The tribe needed that kind of strength to secure their future, and being the only talented children of age, they had to come and learn.
Not that he wouldn't still complain. These people were all soft, loud and annoying. He glared over at where his sister was hiding. She had taken his spot in the dark corner of the room, and here he was, stuck in the middle of the crowd like a chump. Hopefully he could get through without-
"Uhm, Hi there..." A meek feminine voice called from his other side, clearly addressing him. Qrow didn't even hear them approach, and yet... When he whipped around to face the girl, he came face to face with...
'The most beautiful girl I've ever seen...' He thought to himself, momentarily stunned by the silver eyed beauty looking up at him. Her pale skin blemish free, her body shrouded in a pure white cloak. She barely peeked out from underneath it, her eyes meeting Qrow's red.
"Uh, hello?..." She spoke, her voice quiet and squeaky. It was... Less annoying than the average person's.
"Uh... Hey..." He responded, awkwardly. He collected himself as best he could, putting back on his stoic face with some difficulty. And failing, of course. "What do you want?.." He asked.
"Oh, uhm, I uh... Just wanted to talk. You looked kinda... Grumpy, standing there, I was wondering if something was wrong?"
Qrow shifted uncomfortably under the unexpected attention, unused to someone taking notice of his demeanor, let alone approaching him about it. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes on Raven to see if she would intervene and pull him out of the conversation, but she remained hidden in the shadows.
"Nothing's wrong," he replied gruffly, his gaze flickering back to the girl. "Just not my kinda place."
She nodded, her silver eyes seeming to search his face for something. "Yeah, I get that. It can be overwhelming, especially at first."
Qrow raised an eyebrow, surprised by her understanding.
She smiled up at him, seeing his surprise. "My name's Summer, by the way! Summer Rose!"
Qrow grunted in response, not bothering to offer his own name. He wasn't here to make friends, especially not with some girl who seemed too innocent for her own good.
Summer didn't seem deterred by his standoffish nature. Instead, she continued to talk, her voice growing more animated as she shared anecdotes about her journey to Beacon and her excitement at finally becoming a Huntress.
As Summer spoke, Qrow found himself reluctantly intrigued by her enthusiasm and warmth. Despite his initial resistance, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration for her unwavering determination and optimism.
Eventually, the facade cracked just enough for something new to shine through, he muttered quietly, finally giving up his name. "Qrow Branwen."
"Nice to meet you, Qrow!" Summer beamed, her smile lighting up her face.
Qrow grunted in acknowledgment, but a small smirk played at the corner of his lips, a rare expression for him. Maybe, just maybe, Beacon wouldn't be as unbearable as he initially thought. Perhaps, amidst all the chaos and noise, there was something worthwhile to be found.
Suddenly, the sound of a microphone being switched on silenced the chatter of the auditorium. The bright and hopeful eyes of the prospective Huntsmen and Huntresses all looked up to the stage and saw there the Headmistress, Thorne Rouge. She was accompanied close behind by her deputy, Ozpin Verde.
"I shall... Keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new skills. After which, you will go on to pursue your own goals, be they the protection of the people, or anything else. I look out among you and I see limitless potential. The only thing you lack is direction. You assume that the knowledge you seek will give you that direction, but in truth you will learn that knowledge can only provide you with so much. It falls to you all to take the first step, and become what you truly desire." The headmistress, old as she was, spoke with a warmth an energy that demonstrated she was far from some defenseless elder. She was a Huntress, and a trainer of future Huntsmen. She looked out at the crowd, but her eyes lingered on Qrow in particular, seeming to glance between him and Summer.
Qrow himself had no idea what this meant for him, but it most certainly put him on edge. He didn't stay that way for long, though... "Wooow... Headmistress Thorne is so cool! Don't you think, Qrow!?" Summer reached out, tugging on his sleeve as she bounced on her heels, excitedly. Her jubilation snapping him out of the alertness the Headmistress had put him in.
Qrow couldn't help but roll his eyes at Summer's enthusiasm, but a small smirk danced across his lips. "Sure, whatever you say."
As Headmistress Thorne finished her speech, Qrow's mind wandered, contemplating her words about direction and potential. He glanced over at Raven again, who remained stoic and unmoved by the proceedings. Many thoughts danced though his mind, but now more than ever Qrow began to imagine his own future. After all of this, he and Raven would not stay and become defenders. They would return home, they would protect and lead their tribe. Raven had long planned to kill their father and take his place. He would follow her lead. He never was much of a leader...
Lost in thought, he barely noticed when Summer leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hey, do you think we'll be on the same team?" she asked, her silver eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Qrow's brow furrowed at the question, caught off guard by her sudden interest in team assignments. "Who knows?" he replied dismissively, not wanting to entertain the idea of teaming up with anyone, let alone someone as bright and bubbly as Summer. He would be better off partnering up with Raven...
But deep down, a small part of him couldn't deny the allure of the possibility. Maybe having someone like her on his team wouldn't be so bad after all. He shook his head, banishing the thought. For now, he had to focus on initiation. They still hadn't been given any details about what it would be. All the Deputy had said was that they would go through it in the morning and that they should rest early, to be ready for it.
As the assembly came to an end and the students began to disperse, Qrow glanced at Summer one last time. "See you around, Summer," he muttered before disappearing into the crowd, leaving behind the girl who had managed to break through his tough exterior, if only for a moment.
Summer watched him go, a wistful smile playing on her lips. She knew that earning his trust wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to try. After all, as her childhood friend Juniper had always said: "Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet". And Summer could make a friend out of anyone, even someone as guarded as Qrow Branwen. With that thought in mind, she set off to rest, eager to begin her journey at Beacon Academy, and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, including the enigmatic boy with the red eyes and the hardened heart.
Raven scoffed silently from the corner of the room, watching her idiot brother fumble over the first girl to give him the time of day. Truly, it annoyed her to no end to be stuck in the presence of so many weaklings. Not physically, but mentally. They all were weak, and not even her brother was any better. She was a woman on a mission. As much as she disliked the people, and the school, and most of all; the people, she still needed to learn above everything else how to be a Huntress. Her tribe needed that strength, Her strength, to survive. Her father was a bloodthirsty fool in many regards, but even he was right to see the value in his two offspring going out in search of greater power.
She had sacrificed quite a lot to earn the right to leave the tribe with Qrow. Many sleepless nights, beatings, and the occasional fight with whichever bastard her father thought could beat her into submission in his of it led to this moment-
"Well Hello there, hot stuff~." A voice cut through her thoughts. Raven looked to her side, only to be met by radiant blue eyes, scruffy blonde hair, and the most punchable face she had ever seen. The annoying intruder upon her solitude leaned against the wall, blocking Raven's view of Qrow's misfortune. "I couldn't help but notice you're standing over here all alone. Mind if I keep you company?" The boy spoke in a tone he likely thought was suave, brushing back his hair with a hand. It made Raven roll her eyes.
"No." She replied simply, wanting to end this conversation at that. She pushed off the wall and made to walk away, only to be stopped as the boy once again got in her way.
"Whoa there! C'mon, can't you at least give me your name? I'll start." He said, putting on his best attractive smile. "Taiyang Xiao Long, Dragon of Patch, it's an honor to meet you, gorgeous."
Raven's eye twitched, this guy was seriously getting on her nerves... She resisted the urge to scoff audibly, her irritation simmering beneath her composed exterior. Taiyang's attempts at charm were as transparent as glass, and his persistence grated on her nerves like sandpaper against stone.
"Raven," she responded curtly, her tone conveying her disinterest in further conversation. "Now, move, I've got better things to do." With a pointed glance and a subtle shift of her body, Raven attempted to sidestep Taiyang once more, only to find him doggedly blocking her path yet again.
"Whoa, Raven, don't be like that," Taiyang persisted, a cocky grin tugging at the corners of his lips. "You can't blame a guy for trying, can you? Besides, it's not every day I meet someone as... Enigmatic as you."
Raven's patience wore thin, her red eyes narrowing as she regarded Taiyang with thinly veiled disdain. She had little tolerance for those who couldn't take a hint, even less for those she considered beneath her, and this boy was nothing more than beneath her. "Listen closely, Taiyang," she began, her voice low and laced with warning. "I have no interest in you, at all. Now, step aside before I make you."
Taiyang's grin faltered for a fraction of a second, a flicker of uncertainty passing through his blue eyes before he quickly masked it with false bravado.
"Feisty, huh? I like that," he remarked, taking a step closer to Raven rather than backing away as she had hoped. "But trust me, you haven't seen the last of me, Raven. I have a feeling we're going to get along just fine."
Before Raven could issue another retort, Taiyang finally relented, allowing her to slip past him with a muttered curse under her breath. As she made her escape from his persistent presence, she couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was only the beginning of a troublesome acquaintance she would soon come to regret.
"Not even ten minutes and you've gone local." An even more annoying voice called out to her. She looked to her side and was approached by her ever unpleasant brother. "Claimed a man and everything. You work fast."
"Shut the fuck up, Qrow, before I put you down." Raven hissed out. Her brash and brutal nature as a bandit resurfacing. Yes, Qrow and Raven were bandits, born and raised. Though they had been drilled by some of their elders in how to act normal around the other students, they were still bandits. Anger and threats were their normal conversation.
"As if, I'd kick your ass if we weren't surrounded by dipshits." Qrow scoffed.
"Like that little shit you were tripping over yourself for?" Raven replied with a smug, satisfied grin.
"Fuck you, it ain't like that." Qrow's eyes hardened, looking back to Raven. "I just played along so she would leave me alone."
"Yeah right. I watched you and little white cloak chatting it up. You're into her."
Qrow rolled his eyes, shaking his head in exasperation. "You always have to stick your nose where it doesn't belong, don't you, Raven?"
Raven crossed her arms defiantly, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Someone has to keep you in check, little brother. Can't have you getting too cozy with the weaklings."
Qrow let out an exasperated sigh, knowing all too well that arguing with Raven was often a futile endeavor. She was as stubborn as she was fierce, and once she set her mind to something, there was little anyone could do to sway her. Despite their constant bickering, there was an unspoken bond between them, forged through years of surviving in the harsh world outside the confines of their tribe.
"Whatever you say, Raven," Qrow muttered, casting a sidelong glance at his sister as they navigated their way to the hall the initiates would be sleeping in the night before initiation. The two siblings would have to stick together through this, they both knew it. Qrow asked a simple question. "We both gonna sleep though the night, or are we gonna do watch?"
"No point." Raven answered as the two stepped into the large hall filled with students settling in and preparing to go to sleep so that they would wake early enough. Raven led Qrow along as the pair took to the corner of the large room, by the windows. "None of these goody two-shoes 'trainees' look like they've got the guts to be stealing anything. And there's a teacher watching." Raven flicked her eyes over, eyes which Qrow followed. Indeed, the whole assembly was being watched by the Deputy Headmaster himself. The man looked utterly bored, sipping on a mug of something as his eyes scanned everyone.
"Guess we're settling in then." Qrow sat down. The pair would be sleeping in the same outfit they'd be wearing tomorrow for the Initiation. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but comfort wasn't something they were accustomed to anyway. They settled against the wall, their backs pressed firmly against the cold stone, and watched as the other students chattered amongst themselves, excitement and nerves evident in their voices.
Raven's gaze lingered on the group of students closest to them, her sharp eyes analyzing each one with intensity. She couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority wash over her as she observed their interactions. They were soft, sheltered, oblivious to the harsh realities of the world outside the academy's walls. In her eyes, they were little more than naive children playing at being warriors.
"Hey again." An unfamiliar voice came from nearby. Raven and Qrow's attention were drawn to the person. It was someone Raven had recognized from before, the girl that her brother had been talking to earlier.
"Summer." Qrow addressed her, trying to not appear as if he were too excited to see her. "What do ya want?"
"I was wondering if... I could sleep over here? I don't exactly have any other friends to stay with, sooo..." The girl, Summer apparently, was lying through her teeth. Raven could see it in her eyes, and it very much annoyed her. This girl knew people, she knew how to talk to them to get them on her side, and here she was, playing her brother like a fiddle.
"No space, buzz off." Raven answered for him, but she was immediately undercut by her brother.
"Yeah you can stay here. Don't listen to my Sister, she's snappy when she's tired."
'You stupid piece of-' Raven huffed, acquiescing. If Qrow wanted to get worked over by some little shrimp, then she had no reason to help him out of whatever crap she inevitably would drag him into. Raven scooted away from her brother, putting some distance between herself, him, and their unwanted companion. Said companion was chatting with Qrow, talking on and on about things Raven didn't care to listen to, but Qrow certainly did. A fact that was steadily getting on her nerves. She looked away from the pair, over to the Deputy and at that point, for the first time, she met his eyes.
She didn't understand why they filled her with unease, even as he gave her a wry smirk, as if picking up on her annoyance at the antics of her Brother and his hanger on.
'What the hell is his deal?' She wondered to herself late into the night. It was a thought that consumed her even as the lights were shut off, and she drifted off into the oblivion of a dreamless sleep.
And that's it for now. Expect another chapter or two in the coming days as I tackle the Initiation of Team STRQ and the start of their infamous legacy.