A/N: Team PASM is finally formed, and now we arrive at their time as First Year students of Beacon. Let's see how well Patrick's gonna handle that. Also, I did a little change to Earnest's character. Read back on the Emerald Forest chapters.

Chapter 8: First Year

Three weeks have passed since the teams have been made. After the teams have been made, each of them has been assigned to their specific dorms. Much to Selena's irony, the dorm Team PASM is staying in is the one she took on the first night in Beacon. Almost as if Ozpin knew of her sneaking off for a private room.

Every other night whenever he gets the chance, Patrick goes down to the Vault with Ozpin to see Amber. He tells her everyone that's going on since his last visit. Most of the time he isn't too pleased with being here. But despite that, he begins to grow a little fond of his team. He finds himself impressed with Akira's swordsmanship, even finds her to be a worthy opponent when she asked him to help spar with her. Marlene might be a little cheerful for his taste but she did help him out with some of his studies, and even when he was making the adjustments to the Dust Leg Bracers. As for Selena, he doesn't see many benefits with her around. What he has noticed is she has grown close to him. In some ways, he finds it annoying, but can't blame her giving he already knows of her true identity. One thing's for certain, his days are only worse whenever Peter comes around. Patrick can't go a single encounterment without picking a fight every time Peter plays one of his Perv 'jokes' with him.

Over the past three weeks, Patrick wonders if being here in Beacon is even a good idea. The only thing that's worth coming here is watching over his sister Amber. But he's fully aware he has more important duties at hand, like hunting down her assailant or the Organization he's trying to find. He feels the need to get them down since he knows the Schnee Sisters are their next target.

Right now, Patrick is having class with Professor Port. He is having a boring time. He mostly does throughout classes, but the time with Professor Port seems to be the worst, especially since the old man is constantly talking about heroic Huntsman stories about himself.

'Remind me again why I agreed to all of this.' He says in his thoughts. He looks around the other classmates, searching for his own team. He finds Akira on the front row on the opposite side of his direction. She seems focused on listening to Professor Ports' story. Meanwhile, Marlene who's two seats to the right of Akira is taking notes. 'Hmm...Akira doesn't seem uninterested...And of course, Marlene's taking classes seriously.'

He then sighs tiresome. As the story goes on, Patrick can't help but take notice of what some of the guys behind him are talking about.

"Say, who's that blonde chick over there?"

"I'm not sure, but she is good-looking."

"In a nerdy sort of way."

"I think her name was Sherry."

"Say, doesn't she look familiar?"

"Maybe a little?"

Patrick turns his attention to Selena. Due to the school uniform, she can't go all out with her Tomboy disguise. In fact, the only thing she's wearing from it is a pair of glasses. From a distance, she seems fine, but then he uses his Scope Vision to get a better look. Selena is shown to be looking really nervous. Hands shaking, sweating nervously, eyes darting side by side as she slides down slowly hiding her face behind the book she's holding.

'Well, this is certainly troublesome for Selena. It's gonna be hard for her when everyone's figuring out her identity.' Patrick lets out a tiresome sigh. He still remembers how protective Selena was when he discovered her identity. If the whole school found out, it'll be chaos. 'Whatever. If she gets discovered, I can't help her there.'

Soon enough, the bell rings. Right. in the middle of Professor Ports' story. Professor Port dismisses his class, as well as reminds everyone to study up for this Friday's test.

It's lunch break. Everyone heads over to the cafeteria. Selena moves at a rather quick pace, keeping her head down whenever she gets too close to other people. The rest of her team just stands back and watches Selena make her getaway.

"She sure is in a hurry," Akira says.

"I can't say I blame her. There are eyes on her from over half the students." Marlene says. She holds her hands together and sighs dreamily. "This is just like Miss Selena Akimura. She is such a talented idol."

Akira gets frustrated and grabs and pulls Marlene by the ear. Akira says, as Marlene repeatedly says 'Ow.' "We're supposed to keep her identity a secret." Patrick rolls his eyes while shaking his head. Akira releases Marlene from her grab. "Still, I must admit it is rather surprising she just told us on the first day."

Patrick crosses his arms. 'Probably because she took my advice very suddenly.'

[Flashback]

Team PASM is in their dorm room. It's already nighttime and they have just set up their bedroom. Akira and Patrick don't have a lot of belongings in their profession, so the room is mostly filled up with Selena's posters and a plush cat and Marlene's books, Dust storage, and study desk.

"This is gonna be great. We're gonna be roommates! Together!" Marlene says.

Selena, on the other hand, is feeling nervous as she turns her attention to me. "I-I don't think cohabitation...but doesn't anyone feel worried it's a room for 3 girls and a boy?"

Patrick feels pretty frustrated, a vein pops on his forehead, as he thinks of one reason he would state that. And it displeases him. "You got a death wish, sweetheart?" Selena feels the fear.

"I personally do not mind," Akira says calmly. "I can tell just by looking at him that Patrick is not the kind of person to do anything scandalous to anyone."

"You really shouldn't judge a book by its cover. But I'm with Akira. He may be cold, but he doesn't seem like a bad guy." Marlene says.

Patrick just crosses his arms and looks away. "Hmph. Whatever."

While everyone adjusts to their new dorm, Selena makes her announcement. "Everyone. I have something to tell you." Marlene, Akira, and Patrick turn their attentions to hear. "Well...I just thought...I should let you guys know something about me."

Patrick raises his eyebrows in surprise. "She's seriously doing it, isn't she?" He whispered to himself.

"Oh? What it is, Sherry?" Marlene asks.

Selena nervously rubs her arm and she slightly looks away. "W-well...That's the thing. My name isn't really Sherry Farron...A-and this isn't who I am." After a moment's hesitation, Selena finally builds the courage to remove her glasses, and then her hat. And Marlene becomes surprised, while Akira is still maintaining her calm expression, to see her long blonde hair and familiar face. "I am...My name is Selena Akimura."

Akira and Marlene just stand there, frozen like statues. Patrick eyes at them as he takes notice of their silence. 'Seems like they're taking it better than I thought.'

But he thought too soon.

Marlene's eyes light up and she sequels with excitement. This offers a worried expression. This is exactly what she's worried about. "I can't believe it! The Daughter of my favorite idol Selena Akimura is HERE!" Marlene gasps loudly. "Wait! ...I'm on the same team as her! AH! I could just die!"

Patrick facepalms in annoyance. Selena begs Marlene. "Shush. Keep it down."

Marlene just kept squealing and yelling. Just doesn't listen to what Selena's trying to warn her. Until finally Patrick as had it, and pressure points Marlene right in the neck. Marlene freezes and groans in agony as she's forced onto her knees.

"Would you shut it already!?" Patrick yells at her. "Can't you understand that she's trying to tell you to keep quiet about her secret? Geez!"

Patrick removes his pressure point. Marlene looks at him, surprised. "Wait. You knew it was really her?"

Patrick nods. "His Semblance is being able to see through my disguise. He discovered me just last night."

"I told you X-Ray is just one of my Semblance Visions," Patrick says. "As for you, you need to keep quiet about it. Selena is very sensitive about people knowing who she is."

Marlene nods and bows towards Selena. "Of course! Of course! I swear as Elizabeth's fan I will protect your identity with my life, Ms. Selena Akimura."

Selena sighs depressively. "I feel like this must have been a mistake."

"And yet, you finally manage to tell us who you really are, Ms. Akimura," Akira says.

Everyone looks at Akira with surprised expressions. "Wait! Hold on! You knew all along who I was?" Selena asks.

Akira crosses her arms. "At first, I didn't know. When I saw you, I noticed you had a very familiar appearance. Your facial features, the blonde hair, your age, the fact you behave in a shy distance matter with everyone. I put my theory to the fact you could be Selena Akimura in disguise. Then came the moment when you charmed the Grimm with Siren, the very same Semblance Elizabeth Akimura has."

Hearing all that leaves everyone speechless. "You got all that just from looking at her?" Marlene says.

"I'll admit, that's impressive," Patrick says.

Akira turns her attention to Patrick. "In the battlefield, you must have an instinct as sharp as your blade. No matter how skilled and powerful you are, an unsharpened mind can let you to your downfall."

"I suppose that's true...Still, I didn't think you'd be the kind of person to know about idols." Patrick says.

"I could say the same about you." Akira turns to Selena. "But yes, I am a listener to a few idols, and your mother did happen to be one of them. I usually listen to some of their songs while training with my blade." Akira gives a respectful bow. "However, I do apologize for not saying anything. I knew seeing as how you were in disguise that you were keeping your identity hidden."

Selena feels awkward, waving her hands. "N-n-no. That's okay...It's fine really. Uh...You will keep this a secret, right?"

Akira proudly plants her right fist onto her left shoulder. "By my honor, I shall keep your identity as Selena Akimura a secret."

[End of Flashback]

While Selena didn't feel comfortable about Marlene knowing, she's glad that Akira knows. Even though she's a somewhat fan of her mother, Akira still treated Selena like any other person. That's something she had always hoped. Of course, she knows that Patrick treats her the same, though he often acts like he doesn't want to get along with her. There are just some things nobody on team PASM seems to understand about Patrick.

Team PASM has gathered in the cafeteria. The place is crowded, much to Patrick and Selena's discomfort. But under different reasons.

Selena kept her head down as she eats. "I just don't feel comfortable being in a big crowd."

"Even though it's cause you're trying to stay disguised, it feels ironic for an Idol to be uncomfortable being in a big crowd," Akira says.

"Well, I did use to have stage fright once. I guess old habits die hardest." Selena says. "Still, being in this school uniform makes for a hard disguise. Could I at least wear some pants?"

"I'm not sure how that's gonna help with keeping your appearance hidden," Patrick says.

Selena blushes while rolls her eyes to the side as if trying to looking away. "It really doesn't...I just feel more comfortable in them."

"A Tomboy Idol, huh? Never heard of that one before." Patrick says.

"Guilty," Selena says.

"Everyone has their own sense of comfort, no matter what they are," Akira says.

While dining on their lunch, Team COPR came in and joins them at the table. "Hey! It's our Fur-ends of Team PASM." Clawdia says as they take their seats on the table. The second Peter takes his sit, Patrick gives him an aggressive look. "How is everyone doing?"

"We're doing great. Being here in Beacon is amazing." Marlene says.

"It is indeed a place to sharpen my knowledge and skills, yes," Akira says.

Patrick doesn't bother to say anything. Earnest speaks and Rayla translates. "'I agree with Marlene. I was able to make some human friends, starting with my team.'" Rayla smiles. "Oh, Master Earnest. You are making me blush."

Patrick looks away quietly speaking to himself. "I get she's a maid, but does she have to call everybody Master or Mistress?"

"I may not be a human, but I am glad to have Earnest on the team. He's real paw-some when it comes to fighting." Clawdia says.

"I think you would be even more 'paw-some' if you can be over with this cat pun phase of yours," Peter says.

Clawdia's ears perk up from hearing that. "It is not a phase! What about mew and mew-r pur-vert phase?"

"I don't have any phase!" Peter says.

Earnest looks annoyed at their argument, then speaks to Rayla. 'HARD TO BELIEVE THEY'RE RELATED.'

Rayla smiles. "Oh don't be like that. It's normal for siblings to argue."

"We're actually cousins." Clawdia says.

"But we were raised together like brother and sister," Peter admits.

Marlene and Rayla both laughed. Akira only offers her calm expression, even though on the inside she finds this story amusing. She turns her attention to Patrick, takes notice of his aggressive presence.

After the bell rises, lunch is dismissed and everyone starts heading back to classes. As usual, Selena gets a head start making to her next class while trying to avoid being crowded. While Patrick is making his leave, Akira walks beside him.

Patrick can tell Akira has something to say, only the two of them remain silent. "If you have something to say, just say it." He says.

"I cannot help but notice how you behave towards Peter." Patrick doesn't say anything. Just feels more provoked, and Akira can tell. "I understand finding his behavior towards girls rather inferior, but he really isn't a bad person. Yet you seem to treat him like he's some kind of criminal."

"I know his kind more than you might think, Akira. Heck, more than you can even imagine." Patrick says. "They can't be trusted."

"What you choose is your decision to make, but you mustn't trust one person the same as everyone," Akira says. "Even most of my life, I've known humans to see Faunus like me to be of no equal. And yet, I never saw humans like you or Marlene to be like the humans I've known."

"That's your opinion. Not mine." Patrick says.

Akira stands in place while she watches Patrick still walking to the next class. She sighs in disappointment. "Just what are we gonna do with you?" Then continues walking.

Classes for the rest of the day went by. By the end of the day, everyone is dismissed and returned to their dorms. Selena certainly returned in a hurry and quickly changed into her full disguise. She remains in the dorm room while waiting for everyone else to return.

While waiting, she looks at herself in a mirror. She looks exactly like a tomboy, in nothing but a pair of jeans with a plain shirt where the left side of the collar reveals her shoulder, glasses, and a simple cap. While she does feel most comfortable in this, disguise or no, she wonders about the conversation she had with Patrick. She may have told her own team on the first night, but she still struggles to trust anyone else in this school. In some ways, she can't be blamed, but it still burdens her.

Just then, everyone else returns to the dorms. "Oh, you're still here," Marlene says. "Now that class is over, what do you think we should do?"

"Shouldn't we study for Professor Ports' test?" Selena asks.

"We'll have plenty of time to study," Marlene says.

"That's unexpected coming from you," Patrick says.

"I'll admit that I do take my studies seriously, but a break once and a while is needed," Marlene says. Everyone goes outside of the dorms, wondering the school hallways. Eventually, they all came across the school's bulletin board. On it, they see posters for a ton of things. Events, job requests, tournaments. Even club activities. "Oh! I've got an idea! How about we join club activities?"

Hearing this surprises Selena. "That's a sound idea." Akira looks over the board. "The Kendo Club appears in need of members."

"And I could join the Academic's Club." Marlene turns to Selena and I. "What about you two?"

"M-Me? In a club?" Selena asks.

"Yep." Marlene looks back at the board. "You could join the Drama Club. It seems to fit you pretty well."

"D-Drama? N-no. I can't! I can't risk revealing my secret." Selena says.

"I believe you'll do just fine as long as you don't sing," Akira says.

"Yeah, as long as you don't, everyone will see you as Sherry Farron," Marlene says with a smile. Then turns her attention to Patrick. "What about you, fearless leader?"

"I'm not interested," Patrick says.

"Oh? You're not interested in any clubs? But if you try one out, I'm sure you'll like it." Marlene looks back at the board. "Oh, here's one that's right up your alley. The Archery Club. You're pretty skilled with a bow."

Patrick crossed his arms, giving Marlene an aggressive look. "I said: I'm! Not! Interested!"

Nobody said anything. Probably too afraid after the grim he gave them. Even Akira. "Why are you being so upset? It's only a simple club." Marlene asks.

"Well, if he's not interested, then he's not interested," Selena says.

"Agreed. One should not be forced to a fight if they aren't willing." Akira says.

While the three of them sign up on the board, Patrick just stands back and watches them. He just offers a small sneer as he turns and walks away.

"I am only here for Amber's sake," Patrick says to himself. "And nothing else."