This. Was. Riveting.
Weiss was on the edge of her seat as she took in every word of the lecture being presented to her. Hands, which should have been holding her pen to take more notes, were instead gripping the edge of the desk in front of her. She could hardly believe it. How could she have gone this long in her life being so ignorant? How could she have mistaken herself for wise and knowledgeable when there was so much she didn't know about her own kind? How could a mere human be as strong and potent as the one who stood before her?
Professor Peter Port was a genius. Not just a genius, but a powerful huntsman. One whose very name would strike fear into the hearts of Grimm had they possessed the intelligence and consciousness that she did.
Icy-blue eyes were laser focused on the man as he paced back and forth lecturing his class. She didn't want to miss a word. Not a single subtle action. Yes, with Professor Port his actions were just as important as his words. Every twitch of his mustache. Every small hand gesture. All part of weaving a grand tale that had her, as well as every other mind in the classroom, absolutely enthralled.
"So there I was," the portly but no less dangerous huntsman continued with his story. "After singlehandedly slaying the pack of Beowolves which had assailed the settlement, the fairest maiden among them came forward with, let's just say, a most indecent proposal as a reward for my services. The town had just been ravaged prior to my arrival, you see, and they no longer had much of monetary worth to offer up as compensation for my services."
Weiss nodded furiously, grasping her pen in her left hand and scribbling down this tidbit of information. So it was common in human culture to offer oneself and their services as a reward to others. She would do well to remember that. It would be especially useful as an excuse to get some alone time with Jaune in the future. No one would bat an eye if she feigned injury or danger to herself only to be saved by her mate, and then offering up sexual favors as his reward. Yes. Standard human practice, as it turned out.
"But being the noble and chivalrous young huntsman I was, I naturally declined her offer. For you see, service to the people is not about the rewards you may reap from it. And trust me, there are many, many rewards that come with the territory of saving those in need."
Noble and chivalrous. Weiss frowned as she digested the words. Those described Jaune to a tee. She hoped that didn't meant he would turn down her advances as well, should she set up the proper scenario to indulge in.
"And it was a good thing that I did, you see," Port went on. "For no sooner than the voluptuous and busty maiden offer herself to me, did a second Grimm attack commence! More than mere Beowolves this time, but a mighty Ursa Major and its cohorts!"
Port let the words linger in the air, adding to the suspense of the story. Despite the fact that the man stood before them this day, Weiss could not help but wonder how he escaped the mortal danger that he faced that fateful day. Seconds ticked by and the anticipation was killing her.
Her arm thrust into the air to earn the man's attention, but did not wait for him to call on her before she spoke. "Then what happened!"
The rest of the class collectively groaned around her. Weiss' head moved, eyes darting around to see a host of tired faces and weary eyes. What was wrong with these children? How were they not enraptured by this stunning tale of bravery and sexuality?
"Why, I'm so happy you asked, Miss Slate," the professor undoubtedly smiled beneath his impressive mustache. "For you see, I had just run out of ammunition for my trusty blunderbuss," he said, reaching over and grabbing his axe-bladed gun. "And that meant only one thing."
Again his words hung in the air, as if daring for someone to speak up to answer the unasked question of 'how did he manage to slay the Ursa'. Her peers may have been nitwits, but Weiss was anything but!
"You did it with your axe!" she exclaimed, hurrying to make sure that no one else got the correct answer before her.
"Righty-o, Miss Slate," Port nodded. "Well done."
Weiss preened under the praise of the impressive human. And what an impressive specimen he was. It didn't matter if Port was surrounded by creatures of Grimm by the dozen. This man, no, this huntsman, was a truly gifted and remarkable warrior. Someone worthy of writing songs and carving statures for.
"The beast was as powerful a Grimm as I had ever seen. Ten, no fifteen feet tall. Even in my youth, strong and rippling with muscle as I was, the creature towered over me. It came charging at me, this dumb, elder Grimm, thinking it could take me down with a single swipe of its claw. I knocked it down with my axe. Gods, I was strong then! Caved in its carapace. Probably shattered every rib it had. Stood over it, axe in the air. Right before I brought it down, it roared. Its last roar before I chopped its head off with one swift blow." Port laughed, shaking his head. "Oh those were the days."
Weiss hurried to scribble down the last details of the story. He left no stone unturned when it came to fleshing out the tales of his youth. For example, when he was a young huntsman Professor Port wore an onion on his belt, which was the style at the time. They didn't have white onions because of the war. The only thing they could get were large, yellow onions as a result. She could picture it now. A young and probably handsome Peter Port swinging his axe around in mighty arcs, large yellow onions swaying from his belt like severed heads taken as trophies. It was an impressive picture to paint in her mind's eye. One that gave her... ideas.
The next time she was alone with Jaune she would force him to play the role of the huntsman, and she would play the Grimm. He would knock her down onto her back with a swing of his sword, forcing her to be at his mercy as he hovered above her with another mighty weapon in his hands. And then he would plunge it into her over and over again as he saved the village from the rampaging Grimm.
She grinned stupidly at the thought. As it turned out Professor Port's lecture was more than just entertaining and educational. It had given her the most perfect idea for her and Jaune's private activities. Coming to Beacon was truly a wonderful experience.
Port looked up to the clock mounted on the wall, and his mustache noticeably twitched. "This will sadly have to wrap up today's class. As you all know, I will be heading outside of the kingdom for an extended training exercise with one of the second year teams. I expect you to treat the substitute teacher with the same amount of dignity and respect as you show me."
Hearing those words gutted Weiss. Not literally, of course. She'd done her fair share of gutting back in Salem's academy. She was not keen on seeing this amazing specimen of a human leaving so shortly after she had gotten to know him. If he could be turned to Salem's cause like her other human professors then he would make a powerful addition to her forces. Weiss would love to see a duel between Port and Tyrian. Truly it would be a battle for the ages.
The bell rang, sadly signaling the end of class. Most of the students around her, including those on her team, were quick to get to their feet an hurry out of the classroom. It was sad how they didn't appreciate a good teacher. Maybe if they had to put up with the likes of Professor Callows they would be more appreciative of the wonderful teaching method of Professor Port. She very much doubted most of these humans would survive a single session with the maniacal scorpion faunus.
Weiss followed out with her teammates until they reached the hall. Only then did her friends begin to speak.
"Ugh, I thought that would never end," Yang griped. "Can you believe how ridiculous that was?"
Weiss frowned. "What are you talking about? That was the most fun I've had since arriving in Vale."
Yang shook her head softly, shooting a glare at the other hybrid. "You're nuts, Weiss."
"Wren," she whispered pointedly. "You would do well to remember that, Yara."
Yang snorted dismissively, rolling her shoulders with disinterest. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. It's not like there's anyone around who's listening in on us or anything."
That wasn't the point. They were on a mission and they had to take it seriously. And that meant playing their roles to perfection, as well as being alert at all times.
"Anyway, it'll be great to get a new teacher who isn't that blowhard."
"Blowhard?" Weiss protested. "Excuse me, Yara. I think you would be wise to learn as much as you can from a professional huntsman. After all." Weiss looked around to confirm no one was within earshot of her next words. She leaned in closer and spoke in a hushed tone. "Your life may depend on it one day."
Yang snorted dismissively. "And where do you think I got this baby," she said as she patted the looted shotgun she had indeed taken off of a slain huntsman.
Icy eyes narrowed. It was just like Yang to lord that little achievement over the rest of them. Like it made her better than her peers. Well... well Yang didn't have a strong mate like she did! And in the end that was what truly mattered.
"So, day's over," Jaune spoke up, changing the subject. Probably for the best, as Weiss didn't want to get bogged down in an argument with the blonde hybrid. "Anyone have anything they wanna do today?"
Weiss licked her lips. Later today, or rather tonight, perhaps.
"I really need to get rid of all this pent up frustration after that boring lecture," Yang said first. "So I'm gonna go hit up the training rooms. Wreck a bunch of stuff. Hopefully run into a dumb little huntsman who wants to test me."
"Remember what Cinder said," Jaune said. "No killing."
Yang smirked. "Killing, sure." Her lips curled into a deeper smile as she continued. "Didn't say anything about breaking them though."
"Yan-ara..." he warned.
"What? They have Aura. They'll be better in like an hour or whatever."
"Not the point. We don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves."
Weiss nodded in agreement. At least someone here understood the value of infiltration. This was undoubtedly why Professor Fall had chosen him and herself for practical demonstrations in her infiltration and espionage class. It was also why she had chosen him as her mate. He was both strong and intelligence. Their offspring would inherit the world.
Offspring. Strong and intelligent. Weiss was struck with sudden inspiration.
"Jaune," she said, tugging on his sleeve to earn his attention.
He looked down on her, giving his undivided attention. "Yeah?"
"You must breed with Professor Port. I give you my permission to do so."
The boy's face twisted in a look of utter revulsion. "What?"
"What!" Ruby echoed.
Weiss' face held firm despite their protests, however. "Yes. Imagine the powerful offspring the two of you would produce. A warrior as mighty as him with your own strong hybrid genes would produce incredibly potent children."
Yang was covering her mouth, holding back laughter as she eyed her companions. Ruby meanwhile looked as horrified as Jaune did. These fools simply didn't understand her vision. Though it was true that Jaune was her and Ruby's mate, their ultimate goal was to secure the world for Salem and the glorious future she would bring. If that meant having to share her mate with others in order to produce more strong hybrids, then so be it.
"I don't know if you've managed to get your hands on Mistrali pornography, but it does not work that way," Jaune argued. "Guys can't mate with other guys."
"That's intolerant!" Weiss protested.
"No not like that! I mean they can't have children!"
Weiss harrumphed, crossing her arms across her chest. The snipe did not discriminate. It didn't matter if it was male on male or female on female. The snipe always delivered. And to Jaune and Professor Port it would deliver bundles of muscular, mustached offspring.
"Gods, we need to give you a proper sex ed class," the boy sighed.
The invitation perked Weiss up. "You mean right now? I mean I had been planning on tonight, but if you're ready and willing..."
He shook his head. "No, not that sort of... never mind. I really need to go to the library and get you a book to explain just how the, uh... reproductive process for humans works."
The library, he says...
More inspiration struck the white-haired hybrid. Why hadn't she thought of that sooner?
"As it turns out I do have plans for today," she said suddenly.
"And what's that?"
"I will be traveling to the library in order to find material that has been sorely lacking since arriving in the kingdom of Vale," she explained. "Professor Callows has not been here to provide me with what I seek, but I will be able to find it here in Vale without need of his aid."
A pair of blue eyes stared down at her confusedly, but Jaune nodded nonetheless. "Okay. Well, I hope you find what you're looking for."
Weiss smiled bashfully. "I shall. And hopefully it will provide further inspiration for us later in the evening."
Again Jaune simply gave her a confused stare, but agreed nonetheless. "Right. Well, uh, I guess that leaves just Ruby and me to go explore around the campus." He produced the scroll from his pocket. "Call or message me if you get lost or need anything. Got it?"
She nodded in agreement. "Yes. Now if you'll excuse me, educational documentaries await."
Weiss broke off from the main group, heading over to the library building. Yang would soon depart as well, leaving Jaune and Ruby alone together. That didn't bother Weiss at all. Jaune and Ruby may have been close, mates in their own right, but Weiss was his first mate. She knew she held a special place in his heart, and that he loved her just as much as Ruby. She felt no threat to her position in the slightest by the two of them being alone without her.
Strolling along Beacon's campus alone was a new thing for Weiss, but she could not help but be impressed by the world of humans. They constructed tall buildings. They prepared delicious meals. They produced excellent documentary movies. Perhaps humanity was not a lost cause after all. Perhaps all they needed was a push in the right direction.
Left to their own devices they waged wars against each other. They discriminated against one another for things like faunus genetics and arbitrary borders they drew in the dirt. What they needed was Salem in their lives. Only the supreme mother of all Grimmkind would be able to bring peace and order to a world filled with chaos and strife. Only then would humanity truly be able to prosper. The hybrid was happy to be able to play a role in that future. With her and her brother and sister hybrids, a new order would be implemented on the world.
However, until that day came... there was no reason she could not indulge in one of her new favorite past times. A dainty tongue came out to run across her lips as she neared the library. Home of what would undoubtedly be the greatest collection of documentaries the world had ever seen!
Stepping into the building, Weiss was greeted with a waft of aromas. Paper and ink, if she had to make a guess. However, libraries were well known to carry documentary movies as well, and she was sure that she would find something that she and her teammates would be able to enjoy tonight. It had been far too long since they experienced a movie night, after all.
The question then became where? Where did she find them? Wall after all, shelf after shelf of books surrounded her, and to be truthful with herself, Weiss felt the slightest bit intimidated by the sights all around her. There was so much knowledge crammed into one building, and simply not enough time to learn it all! Perhaps this was the biggest tragedy of all when it came to the failings of humanity. For all their knowledge, they were so very ignorant.
As she slowly walked, her head on a swivel as she looked all around her, a familiar face appeared when a particularly tall woman turned around. One of the human teachers! A truly intimidating woman, at that. Professor Callows' counterpart here at Beacon, Glynda Goodwitch.
Weiss pursed her lips. If Professor Callows had been the combat professor, and he had been the one to provide her with documentaries back in Salem's school, then it stood to reason that Professor Goodwitch would do the same. She nodded her head confidently at the plan in her mind.
With newfound assurance flowing through her, Weiss stepped forward on a direct collision course with Professor Goodwitch. The older woman noticed the attention being given to her, and returned it in kind to Weiss.
"Miss... Slate, was it?" the professor asked.
Weiss nodded, agreeing with the lie. "Yes. Professor Goodwitch, I have a request."
She did not smile, but Weiss could tell that the woman did not find the words disagreeable. "How may I help you?"
"I wish to know where in Beacon's library the pornography documentaries are located."
Light green eyes widened for a split second, and lips parted. It took a moment before Miss Goodwitch replied. "Excuse me?"
"Pornography," Weiss explained. Honestly, were even human professors this dense? Was that wonderful man Professor Port simply the exception? "Documentaries of human mating on display. Fornication. Beacon Academy does offer such material in its library, does it not?"
By now a few of the nearby students sitting at tables had focused their attention on the ongoing conversation. Clearly they were quite interested about this topic as well. If those in charge of Beacon were withholding their pornography from the rest of them, they were right to be upset.
Perhaps that was indeed the case, as Miss Goodwitch appeared to be quite angry. Angry because Weiss had called her out about her pornography hoarding?
"Miss. Slate," she stated evenly. "Please come with me to my office to speak in private."
Weiss swallowed hard. She had seen this scene play out all too many times before...
Ruby was ecstatic, laughing as she ran down the hall of the school. Jaune was struggling to keep pace, but that was nothing new. She didn't want to admit it but Beacon felt so wonderful compared to Salem's castle. Bright lights, open areas, humans and all of their myriad of emotions everywhere, it was wonderful! Maybe it could use some more blood drenched tapestries, but no place was perfect.
The human food wasn't quite as good as the personalized meals Jaune would make but that didn't stop her from tearing it apart. Ruby was on cloud nine. Clinging to Jaune's arm she looked him over. The boy had definitely gotten bigger since she first met him. Broader shoulders, maybe even an inch taller, and powerful, defined muscles. It made her think certain things, like how she could one up Weiss taking him in the kitchen back at Grimm Academy. Or back to the night spent with the two of them, fighting with Weiss over...
"You okay Ruby?"
Ruby blinked. She realized idly she was drooling. Smiling, she nodded. "Of course! I was just thinking, you know. We haven't really, since the dance..."
Jaune grimaced. "Ruby, that was just a little while ago."
"Yeah well..."
"I'm still sore."
A small amount of guilt washed over her. "We apologized for that!"
"You have two, Ruby. Two."
"Weiss did it harder!"
"Weiss always does it harder. I let my guard down around you and paid the price for it."
Ruby giggled. "Well I am a deadly Cookie Monster, Jaune. You should know better than to drop your guard."
Jaune smiled. "Yeah, won't make that mistake again."
Ruby looked across the wide sea of people. People who were blissfully, completely at ease with her in their school. It made her feel special, important. No longer was she shunned for being who she was. Hated for not being like the rest. Here she could be herself. Her true self.
Who was what, exactly?
Ruby frowned. She didn't have any memories before Salem saved her. Her mother was so kind and beautiful, wise and strong. She told Ruby herself that she was special. Ruby knew she was her mother's favorite. But, if she had a mother, surely she had a father?
"Jaune, do I have a dad?"
Jaune looked back at her confused. "I guess so? I haven't really thought about that."
Ruby hummed to herself. He must have been powerful if Salem would have his kids. Ruby crossed her arms, nodding to herself. That made sense. A father had to be powerful, strong and caring. Looking at Jaune she grinned.
"Maybe I should call you daddy."
Jaune choked a little, coming to a dead stop. "Please, please don't."
Ruby laughed, Jaune laughing with her eventually. Then his face turned deadly serious.
"Please, seriously don't. Ever."
Ruby rolled her eyes, stepping away from Jaune. Just in time for another redhead to come crashing into him, Jaune's Aura flashed briefly as he stumbled back a step. The redhead bounced back off of him, landing hard on the ground.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Came the cries from the ground. Green eyes locked with silver as Ruby watched her suddenly become confused. "Why am I on the floor?"
Ruby looked over at Jaune who seemed none the worse for wear. Looking back she offered the young woman a hand up.
"Well you ran into this big guy and bounced off. Hi there! My name's Ruuu-osalyn!"
The redhead blinked, looking Jaune over. "He knocked me down? By just standing there?" The energetic woman jumped up, taking Ruby's hand in a furious handshake. Ruby's eyes widened, the girl's strength surprising her. "That's amazing! He must be really strong!"
Jaune rubbed the back of his head, muttering to himself. Ruby shook her head.
"The strongest! Maybe. So um...what's your name?"
"Name? Oh, right! You already gave me yours! I'm sorry, I'm Penny! A totally normal human!" The redhead hiccupped after that, Ruby tilting her head.
"I am also a totally normal human, Rosalyn..." Ruby trailed off, looking over at Jaune.
"Rouge."
"That's right! Rosalyn Rogue!"
Penny squinted at her. "I thought it was Rouge?"
Ruby could feel sweat begin to gather. "The u is... variable?"
"That's fantastic! I always wanted to be Penni or Peneye, but father won't hear of it! He says that names must be set in stone and never altered which is absolute... sorry!" Penny laughed. "So, you are pretty strong, Mr-?"
"Jaune Arc. And I don't know about that. I just had my Aura up is all."
Penny nodded. "Smart. Father advises me to do the same. I always do what father tells me." Hiccup. "Mostly!"
"It must be nice having a father," Ruby said, a dour mood taking over her.
"He is very nice, yes. Maybe too cautious though. Always afraid I'll get a virus or something silly," Penny laughed.
"You have a weak immune system?" Jaune spoke up again, Ruby confused. What was an immune system?
"No!" Penny cheerfully exclaimed.
"Do you have a strong one?"
"I don't need one. Why would I? I'll never get sick." Penny was still just as cheerful.
Ruby slung an arm around her neck. "Want to be friends? I hear that's something totally normal not hiding anything humans do!"
"You're right, Rosalyn Rogue Rouge! Totally normal not hiding anything completely human humans are always looking to make friends!" She leaned in, motioning the two to get closer. "I made a human friend a few days ago. He's a man named Kevin who lives in the alleys of Vale. He sells people soda!"
"Soda." Jaune didn't seem impressed.
"Coke!"
Ruby blinked. Coke? Like that syrupy drink she tried before? That stuff was good...
"We should go to Kevin and buy the Coke, Jaune!" Ruby insisted.
Jaune closed his eyes, rocking back and forth slightly. Penny stared after him confused.
"Is he all right?"
"He will be. Jaune just needs some alone time, once in a while." Ruby looked around before leaning in to talk in Penny's ear. "That's what he called it when he went to the bathroom by himself for long periods of time."
"Bathroom visits are also something totally normal humans do!"
Ruby nodded. "He hasn't had to take alone time since me and, um, Wren started officially dating him though."
"Two of you?" Penny eyed Jaune. "Are you sure? He doesn't look big enough for two people to share. But then again Ren is a very small boy."
Ruby didn't know what the boy they met the other day had to do with anything. "I assure you he's plenty big enough!" Ruby held her arms out wide. "Look how big his shoulders are!"
Penny nodded. "Smart, smart Rosalyn Rogue Rouge. Maybe the larger a person is, the more potential partners they need?"
"Maybe! Though he does have Blake, she's more of a part time thing." Ruby pouted. "I wanted him and my sister Yara to get together too, but she's a weirdo."
Penny shook her head. "Sisters are the worst. I would know!" She hiccupped again.
Ruby crossed her arms. "Maybe we could share him with you? I'm sure Jaune wouldn't mind. He'll just need to find time to treat all three of us equally special."
"Really and truly, Rosalyn Rogue Rouge? I would adore that!"
Jaune's shout nearly cracked the glass around them, is what Ruby would have thought. "No!"
"No what?"
"No! No more sharing! You two are enough!"
"And Blake."
Jaune glared at her, the hybrid withering under his ire. "Do not encourage that."
"But she called dibs on the first child!"
"We do not do dibs on who I get pregnant!"
Ruby thought about that for a moment. She had technically lost the horn duel to Weiss over first baby rights, maybe that wasn't such a bad rule.
"But we did promise her, Jaune."
"And promises are meant to be kept!" Penny added. "I always keep my promises!" Again, she hiccupped.
Jaune stared at the girl. "You need something to drink?"
Penny looked almost scared for a moment. "Oh, please, no. Thank you! But no. I got enough water in my last waterproofing test."
Jaune sighed. "I'm not going to-"
"What is that!" Ruby interrupted.
"It is what it says it is. My father wanted to make sure that the weather wouldn't harm me too much. So I was put through all kinds of training and tests!"
Jaune grimaced again. "I can relate."
Ruby poked him in the side. "You got better than you deserved and you know it."
Penny grabbed Ruby's hands, the smaller girl's grip almost frightening. "So do you mean it that I can borrow Jaune?"
Ruby nodded. "I don't see why not. Wren is only jealous of me because my chest is better. But you're even less chesty than she is!"
"Ren's a girl?"
"She sure is!"
"That makes sense. As far as I am aware I have no chests." Penny smiled. "What does Ren do in her free time with Jaune?"
Ruby thought about it. Mostly she would nuzzle him with her horn or jab him if needed. "Mostly she just tries to penetrate him I guess."
Penny nodded. "Then, Jaune, we should get to the penetration!"
Jaune's eyes closed. He took Ruby by the hand and dragged her away, Ruby deciding not to fight back. "No thank you, don't be a stranger, we're leaving, come on, Roz!"
Roz? Was that another nickname?
"Best friend!" Penny shouted after them.
"Best human friend!" Ruby shouted back, reaching for her halfheartedly. "Let's go for tea tomorrow at noon!"
"I don't know where-!" Penny's voice was cut off as Jaune dragged Ruby halfway across the school.
Finally they arrived outside of the dorm halls, where they were supposed to wait for their friends.
Jaune sighed. "You realize something is wrong with her right?"
Ruby tilted her head. "What do you mean? She's a totally normal, not at all suspicious human! Jaune, you worry too much."
Jaune's eye twitched. "You're unbelievable."
"You know it!"
Jaune seemed to swallow something, she wasn't sure what. All she knew was that she felt a deep pit of dark emotions strengthen within him until he quietly counted to three and put on his best smile.
"You really are a good girl, Ruby."
She beamed under the praise. She tried her hardest to be the best girl. Still, it was always nice to hear it from someone else. Especially when that someone else was Jaune.
The beeping of one of the scrolls provided by Hazel sounded, and Jaune fished the device out of his pocket before opening it and reading the message. Eyelids closed dramatically, and a heavy sigh slipped through his lips.
Ruby frowned, reaching up and tugging on Jaune's sleeve. "Jaune? What's wrong?"
"It's... Weiss. She's in trouble."
A cold chill ran down the hybrid's spine. She immediately feared the worst. "In trouble? Oh no! Did she get found out?"
Thankfully Jaune shook his head. He really wasn't showing too much concern over the other hybrid's plight. If anything it was mild annoyance.
"No. But she's apparently going to the headmaster's office right now. She said something about..." he trailed off, glancing down at the scroll again. "All the documentaries being true, and that she's about to face stiff disciplinary action from those who need to teach her a lesson."
Silver eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"
The boy shook his head, closing the scroll before stuffing it back in his pocket. He sighed again before he started walking. "I don't know, but we should go over there and try to smooth things out as much as possible."
Ruby nodded, hurrying to catch up and walk beside him. She could only wonder what it was that Weiss had gotten in trouble for.
Glynda Goodwitch thought she had seen it all in her years of teaching at Beacon Academy. Teenagers, especially those with incredible powers, were always difficult to deal with. Some used their powers for harmless, teenage fun. Others felt they needed to lord their strength and skills over others, and bullied those who they perceived as weaker as a result. Still others became overconfident and lazy due to their natural gifts, and needed extra motivation to put forth the same effort as their peers.
Wren Slate was none of these things. Wren Slate was a menace the likes of which she had never seen.
Stepping into Headmaster Ozpin's office, the white-haired girl looked around. "Is this where the pornography is kept? Or are we living one in this very moment?"
Glynda's eye twitched. Pornography this. Pornography that. This girl may have been a hormonal teenager, but she had never seen this level of brazenness from any student in her life. Not even the male ones.
She had attempted to speak to the girl in the privacy of her own office, but that apparently hadn't been good enough. Glynda was simply unable to get through to this young woman, and so had ultimately decided to pass her off to Ozpin. Maybe the man with all his wealth of knowledge and experience would be able to talk some sense to her.
The man they had come to see looked up from his paperwork, brown eyes staring at the pair of new arrivals curiously. "Glynda, this is an unexpected surprise. And this is..."
"Wren Slate," the Haven Academy student offered with a slight dip of her head.
"Miss Slate," Ozpin echoed, standing from his desk. "Glynda, is she a..."
"No," the professor said hurriedly. No. Never. Not in this lifetime or any other. Wren Slate would never be an appropriate candidate for that. "I just... I can't..."
Ozpin's head tilted slightly with concern. Well-placed concern, if Glynda was being honest. "Glynda?"
"Just... deal with this."
"With...?" He let the word linger in the air.
Wren's body seemed to stiffen at the question. She stood up as tall and straight as she could for someone of her stature. "I'm flattered you wish to engage in fornication with me, Headmaster Ozpin. However, I already have a m- partner. I have not been a naughty student who needs to be spanked, nor do I wish to exchange a favor with you so that I may improve my grades."
The sheer audacity of this girl... to speak to Headmaster Ozpin in such a manner...
Glynda reached down for her riding crop, not at all intending to actually strike the student in response to her disrespectful words. It was all just for show. Or perhaps simply instinct at this point.
Apparently it was the wrong move for a mind as perverted as Wren's. "Or perhaps it is Miss Goodwitch here who intends to punish me while I am busy servicing you?" she asked. "Regardless, I am simply not interested. Jaune is my one and only partner, and though you may possess experience which would teach me more on the subject of intimacy, I must ask that this scenario end before it goes any further."
The blonde woman was ready to explode. This little nymphomaniac seriously thought that she intended to use her huntress weapon as a bondage toy? The nerve of that little...
"What have you been learning over at Haven Academy?" Ozpin genuinely asked.
"How to seduce weaker minds."
The man sighed, shaking his head softly. "I need to speak to Leo about this..."
"Perhaps later," Glynda stated through gritted teeth. "For now, however, what do you intend to do about this girl and her mouth?"
"My mouth is for Jaune only!"
"And her inappropriate language," Glynda snarled. She hated the fact that she had to clarify such an obvious choice of words.
"Now, now, Glynda," Ozpin somehow said coolly. "Not all kingdoms are as conservative about intimacy as we are. Look at Vacuo, for example."
"She's from Mistral!"
"Regardless, it is hardly our place to judge those who grew up with different customs and life experiences than us. If Miss Slate has... a healthy curiosity for the natural parts of life then it is hardly our place to judge her. We simply must provide a nurturing and non-judgmental environment where she may grow as both a huntress and a human being."
Glynda was irate. He was actually taking Wren's side on this?
"And I am a human being," the girl stated pointedly.
"Precisely," Ozpin agreed happily. "However, there are times and places for intimacy, and a public setting with your professor is not one of them. Do you understand why?"
Please, please let her understand why.
Wren nodded, her face seemingly showing no disagreement or confusion. "Yes."
"What you do behind closed doors is your business, and we cannot police what students do in their own dorms. Sex is a healthy and natural part of life, and right now you are experiencing changes to your body and hormones which will only make these urges stronger. We only ask that you please exercise caution in whatever actions you take."
Was Ozpin seriously giving her the talk right now? Better him than her, Glynda supposed...
"Yes. One pregnancy scare is enough for me," Wren agreed. Glynda's eyes nearly bulged out of her head at the admission. "Jaune and I are very safe. Rosalyn as well."
Ozpin smiled. "Good. Then I believe there is nothing left to say here."
That was it? No disciplinary action? No detention? Just... that? Choose your words more carefully in public? Honestly sometimes Glynda wondered if James was somewhat right about Ozpin. If maybe he was just a little too passive...
Or maybe it was just her anger talking right now. After all, Ozpin hadn't been the one caught in the public library while Wren went on and on about pornography...
Another dip of her head indicated her gratitude, as did the small curtsy. For all of her lewd and crude language, Wren Slate seemed to be a dignified and polite girl. "Thank you, Headmaster. I assure you that any further extracurricular activities will indeed be kept behind closed doors. Speaking of which, does Beacon Academy happen to possess beds large enough for three people?"
Glynda's eye twitched again. Three people. Herself, Jaune, and Rosalyn apparently. Things sure have changed since her time at Beacon...
"I'm afraid not. You must make do with the beds that the school provides."
Wren seemed to sigh disappointedly. "Oh well. It simply means tighter cuddling, I suppose."
This Jaune fellow was a very lucky boy to have women in his life who were so... open.
The buzzing of a scroll went off, and Wren pulled hers out to read a message. "Oh, speaking of which, my teammates have come for me. Though I suppose now that I know there will be no extracurricular activities that I don't require their assistance anymore."
"I promise you that no professor here at my academy would ever proposition a student in such a manner," Ozpin reassured her.
"Splendid. Then if there is nothing further to discuss then I will be on my way."
Glynda frowned. Ozpin smiled. "Yes, you may see yourself out, Miss Slate. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your day."
"Thank you," Wren replied gratefully. "And you as well."
Without another word the young woman turned and strode out of the office, leaving Glynda alone with Ozpin. The silence in the room was deafening, and it took all of her will not to explode at the behavior and language the girl had shown to her authority figures.
In the end all Glynda could do was speak honestly. "What a strange girl."
Ozpin said nothing, but the smile remained on his lips.
"You said what?"
Jaune could hardly believe what he was hearing. He knew Weiss was a little bit off. Too honest. Too forward. Unbelievably naive in certain fields. But to hear that she had actually assumed and announced that she believed Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch wanted to have sex with her was on a whole different level.
"Can you honestly blame them?" Weiss retorted. "I happen to be a stunningly attractive young woman, thank you very much. It's only natural to wish to mate with me."
She wasn't exactly wrong there, Jaune had to admit. He supposed it was only natural that someone with Weiss' looks would think rather highly of herself. Even if she was a know-nothing know-it-all.
Jaune was just happy to be heading back to their dorm. After picking up Weiss they had gone and found Yang, who bragged about having destroyed at least twenty of the training robots Beacon possessed for practice. He didn't know how many they had, but twenty seemed like a high body count.
He supposed it was better than an actual body count.
The sun was dipping down over the horizon, showering the sky with an array of pink and orange colors that swirled with the normal bright blue. He never realized how beautiful sunsets were until he was deprived of their sight for months. In a way the colors reminded him of the perpetual red and purple darkness of Salem's realm. Only here he knew that the colors would change in time. Night would fall, and then morning would come again.
"Though I am sad that I was unable to find any documentaries for us to indulge in," Weiss lamented. "I was looking forward to another movie night."
"What, looking for some inspiration to spice up your love life?" Yang quipped.
"Perhaps."
Jaune swallowed. The last thing they needed was inspiration. Ruby and Weiss were a handful by themselves without the aid of any weird porno movies giving them ideas.
Wait. Now that Yang shared a dorm with them, would she expect to participate ? Or would she be content to just watch?
And what about Blake...? That really was always a question in the back of his mind. What about Blake? Where was she? He hadn't seen the girl since she ran off from Sun the other day. But as he very well knew, just because he couldn't see her didn't mean she couldn't see him. Or taste his delicious fear...
Jaune felt an arm grasp onto his, and he glanced over to see that Ruby had pulled herself close to him. Leaning her head against his shoulder, Jaune felt the warmth and love of the hybrid pressing against him. It left his other side awkwardly cold.
At least until Weiss went and mimicked Ruby's own actions. Never content to be in second place or allow Ruby to have something she did not, Weiss similarly grabbed hold of his arm and made herself at home against his side.
If Yang had wanted to participate, the only place left would be his back. The thought of her pressing her ample bust against him in such a manner wasn't exactly unpleasant...
So concerned had he been being sandwiched between the two amorous hybrids that he failed to see the man stumbling toward them. One who they would have surely walked straight into had Jaune not put on the brakes and guided his teammates to step around.
Jaune had never seen this man before. Far too old to be a student, but not one of the teachers he was familiar with. Could he be some civilian? Someone who had somehow gotten lost and wound up at Beacon?
A whiff of the air around him almost supported that theory. The stench of alcohol combined with his stumbling steps told Jaune the man was drunk. Perhaps he should inform someone at Beacon of the trespasser.
"Hey, close call there, little man," the stranger slurred, standing eye to eye with Jaune. Maybe he was even a little taller than the boy, had he not been slouched over in his drunken stupor.
"Oh, uh, right," Jaune agreed. "Sorry about that."
The man waved off the apology with an exaggerated motion. "Naaah, it's fine. Gotta watch out for the kids. Especially little Winter here."
The stranger's red eyes were boring into Weiss now. She tensed up, clutching Jaune's arm tighter under the intoxicated glare of the man.
"Winter?" Jaune asked.
A grunt and a groan slipped from his lips. Undoubtedly due to his drunkenness. "It's nothing. Winter wouldn't show that kinda love in public." Those red eyes narrowed, as if trying to see straight as they looked over Jaune and the rest of his friends. "Wouldn't share either. Man, this takes me back. Look just like him."
Jaune couldn't make sense of the man's drunken antics, but he supposed that was normal. He wasn't in the right frame of mind, and Jaune shouldn't try to decipher the words as a result.
"Uh, right," he agreed. "Well we need to get back to our dorm. It was nice meeting you, uh..."
"Qrow," the man answered. "And starting tomorrow I'll be your new Grimm Studies professor. Port may be going away for a while, but I've got plenty of port with me..."
This man was going to be their new professor? A man stumbling around drunk on Beacon's campus? This did not bode well for the young blond...
Qrow's eyes narrowed again, this time focusing on Ruby. Much like Weiss, she found herself clinging tighter to Jaune, going as far as to even use his body to shield her face when she brought it down low and behind his shoulder.
This was his cue to leave. Maybe Qrow would be less creepy when he was sober.
"Anyway, yeah. Gotta go. See you tomorrow for class."
Jaune hurriedly led his friends away from the new teacher and toward the doors. After a few seconds of walking he turned back around to see what Qrow was doing. Hopefully he would continue stumbling on his way to wherever his destination was.
To his disappointment he found those drunken red eyes staring after them. He made no move to follow. He merely watched.
The look sent a shiver down Jaune's spine. The sooner they got back to their room the better.
Author's Note: Weiss is still an absolute joy to write. Penny is a totally normal human girl just like the hybrids. Qrow has entered the picture. And I never realized just how much fun I could have by naming Weiss' alias Wren. Poor Ren. They're the same name when spoken. I'm sure it won't lead to anything awkward...
My thanks go out to Burkion, Lightningstrxu, and the entire Work in Progress Discord server as always. Whether it's writing a scene or just helping with ideas, the help the people from this wonderful community provides makes this story the best it can be.
I also found out that another friend from the server made a TVTropes page about this story. So my heartfelt thanks goes out to Knightsong7 for making the page, as well as everyone else who has contributed to it. It's such a massive honor, I really can't say enough about how cool it is that the page exists. So thank you. Thank you all so very much.
As always I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thanks for reading.