Chapter 6 – Why Contact

"Eye contact once again, sir?" asked Glynda. "Doesn't it seem rather…er…" She paused. "I struggle to put my qualms with your method of deciding partnerships into words, but I think you might understand my disagreement."

Ozpin nodded. He did understand the naysayers, but it was his choice how to conduct Beacon Academy, and eye contact was how teammates would select one another. A whole slew of other issues could arise if other methods were employed. He knew Ironwood personally selected pairs based on compatible weaponry, fighting styles, and semblances, but such action could breed contempt towards the headmaster if their personalities, the most important aspect that required compatibility, did not merge well, and there was no way Ironwood could know those from his applicants' files. Lionheart, on the other hand, allowed students to choose their own teams, but such a hands-off approach was equally flawed. Beacon was a school, and students would learn nothing if not forced to exit their comfort zone.

No, it was final. While eye contact itself was arbitrary, randomly assigned partnerships were the only method Ozpin would employ.

"I gotta find Yang," Ruby said to herself. Locating her sister before someone else did within this dense jungle was of paramount important to the young lass. There were far too many things that could go wrong otherwise.

Like…what if she got pair up with the crabby girl who sought her out at night just to yell at her ever more than she already had during the day? Or that black-haired bookworm who clearly had just tolerated Ruby's presence while all the while wishing to go back to her book? Jaune was nice, but he was also a bit of a goof, and Ruby didn't want to partner up with a guy who got airsick every time he flew.

"It has to be Yang," she mumbled, pushing aside a patch of shrubbery.

As she pushed through, a dark color caught the corner of her eyes. It wasn't the green of the grass nor the brown of a tree, which mean it was either a person or…

"Grimm!" she cursed, readying Crescent Rose.

A Beowolf had its back turned to her. Ruby aimed her sniper rifle at the back of its head, ready to take the shot and destroy the monster, when it abruptly turned around and growled at her. Two blood-red eyes met Ruby's silver ones.

"Oh," she said quietly. "I guess this means were partners."

The Beowolf roared loudly at her and lunged claws first, but Ruby was faster. Dodging out of the way, she grabbed hold of its outstretched paw and started pulling it along with her through the forest towards the temple.

Slightly confused, the monster shook it off and tried to snap its jaws at Ruby, but she flicked its nose and softly chided it.

"Come on, none of that. If you're going to be my partner for the next four years, the least you could do is put some effort into being friends. If I wanted someone who would just try to bite my head off, I could've chosen Weiss."

The heiress in question was still busy seeking her own partner, as well as one of the precious relics that would cement her status as a student of the prestigious Beacon Academy.

"I must look a mess," she complained to no one in particular. "I may have stopped my momentum using my Glyphs during the launch, but falling through all those tree branches and leaves must've utterly ruined my makeup."

Fortunately, a Schnee was always prepared. After securing a small perimeter to make sure no people, animals, or Grimm snuck up on her, Weiss broke open her emergency supply kit. While it certainly had the essentials, like rations, drinking water, and some spare Dust for Myrtenaster, it had also contained just enough space for Weiss to pack some extra supplies like make-up, a hairbrush, and a mirror.

"It may seem like a waste of time, but this is something I must do. If I do find my partner in these forests, it's imperative I make a good first impression." She gave her hair a good brushing, removing some of the foliage that had gotten stuck within. "And I certainly wouldn't do that if I appeared as a ragamuffin with unkempt hair and smudged cosmetics."

When she could no longer feel any leaves or sticks in her ponytail, Weiss opened up the mirror and prepared to apply some of her makeup. Her reflection, eyes wide, stared back.

"Oh," she said quietly. "I guess this means were partners."

Weiss nodded as a means of confirmation, and her reflection in the mirror did the same.

"Excellent. I'm glad to have a companion suitable for my exacting standards. It's a pleasure to make your partnerly acquaintance, me."

And thus began the heroic tale of Team Ruby-Beowolf-Weiss-Weiss, or Team RBWW.

But as one team's epic beginning took place, the formation of another's had not yet begun.

Blake Belladonna was prepared for any sort of partner at this noisy, bizarre school, but she'd prefer to not have the boisterous blonde who'd gone out of her way to interrupt her reading last night. Even her quieter sister would've been preferable.

And so, when the familiar voice of the woman in question called out, Blake resisted her instincts and didn't turn around.

"Yo! Little Miss Moody? You hear me?"

"I did, and my name is Blake" answered Blake. "But I just…I'm not sure…I…uh…"

"Ol' Yang a bit too much to handle?" asked the blonde.

Blake was fortunate she was still turned away from the woman, Yang apparently, for her awkward blush at being called out was hidden.

"It's cool. Not everyone can handle the fiery heat of this burning star."

You saying things like that is why I don't want you as a partner, thought Blake.

"But we will need partners," said Yang, scratching her chin. "Hey, I've got an idea. You any good at climbing trees?"

"HEY!"

"What was that?" asked the headmaster, as his and his deputy's head turned in the direction of the loud shout. It had come from one of the higher up trees close to the cliff where he and Glynda stood.

"YO!"

Ozpin shifted his gaze once more and locked eyes with the person who was shouting. He found that it was none other than Yang Xiao-Long, niece of his trusted huntsman Qrow. She was looking directly at him from the treetop, standing atop a particularly sturdy branch.

"Damn it," he cursed. "Glynda, did you –"

"Yes, with young Miss Belladonna, who was on a nearby treetop. Still believe first eye contact is the best way to determine partnerships?"

"Come to think of it, the system may actually not be foolproof…"

Glynda rolled her eyes. "Well, you'll have the next four years to tell me all about it. I suppose I shall go prepare a dormitory room for us."

Author's Notes

Ozpin might not be a smart individual, but at least he's not a serial arsonist.

Yet.

Happy rats, and don't do crime!