Chapter 5: Short Skirts and Wounded Egos
Chatter filled the air in one of Beacon's many classrooms as the assembled students waited for class to begin. Unlike her peers however, Raven was sitting quietly in her chair. Unfortunately, her outward calm was only skin deep. Inside she was a mess of nerves and anxiety. She recalled how uncomfortable she'd felt when she'd first walked onto Beacon's campus and had been made painfully aware of how much she'd stood out. But her discomfort then paled in comparison to what she was feeling now. There she was, dressed in the same uniform as everyone else, here for the same reason as everyone else, and sitting with her teammates. To any outside observer it would've looked like she belonged, but Raven knew that was all a lie. She would never, ever truly belong at this school. She was there under false pretenses. She was a fox in the henhouse. And for some inexplicable reason, she did not feel good about it.
Summer and Taiyang were sitting next to Raven. Summer was on Raven's right, and Taiyang was on her left. Taiyang glanced around the classroom and asked, "Has anyone seen Qrow?"
Summer said, "He must still be changing into his uniform."
"Why's it taking him so long?" Taiyang asked.
"He kind of got a late start," Summer said.
Under ordinary circumstances, Raven would've chuckled to herself, but she was too distracted by her own inner turmoil to laugh at her brother's misfortune.
A cheerful-looking man suddenly entered the room. He walked right up to the front of the class and said in a loud voice, "Alright students, quiet down please! Class has begun. I am Associate Professor Peter Port. It's a great pleasure to make your acquaintances."
Raven looked Professor Port over. He had dark hair which was parted down the center and a pencil mustache above his lip, and he was dressed in a double-breasted jacket that was the same maroon color as his students' uniforms. He wasn't especially tall, but his shoulders were broad and his figure was trim. Raven could also tell by the way the professor carried himself that he had a muscular build hidden under his jacket. He was clearly in top physical shape, and Raven imagined he could throw some pretty spectacular punches. He'd be troublesome in a fight.
"My future huntsmen and huntresses!" Professor Port said, addressing the class in an over-the-top fashion. "You are here today to learn about our enemy! The Creatures of Grimm. The foul beasts that nip at humanity's heels in the vain hope that they…."
Professor Port trailed off as murmurs started rippling through the crowd of students. A few fingers pointed toward the classroom's door. Raven looked and saw that Qrow had finally made it to class. He was dressed in his uniform now with the same style of blazer and skirt on that Raven was wearing.
Raven was about to turn her attention back to Professor Port when laughter erupted from the students which perplexed her. She was always in favor of mocking her brother, but she couldn't figure out what he'd done that was so funny.
Summer hissed, "Raven, why is your brother wearing a skirt?!"
Raven finally had enough context clues to piece together what was going on, but rather than answer Summer—or join in with the laughter—she stayed silent. She hadn't known that there were specific uniforms for men and women; she'd just taken what the school's student quartermaster had offered her when she'd gone to pick everything up. She quickly realized that it very easily could have been her standing in Qrow's place, being ridiculed and humiliated. Just the thought of it made her guts churn. What was even wrong with a man wearing a skirt? It was yet one more example of all the ridiculous rules that "civilized" people had invented for themselves. It was also a stark reminder to Raven how ill-equipped she was to survive at Beacon. Maybe having the outward appearance of conformity wasn't such a bad thing after all.
"Now, now, everyone. Calm down," Professor Port said. He turned to address Qrow. "Young man, I do applaud the boldness of your fashion choices! Such fearlessness will be necessary as you defend humanity from the darkness that threatens to consume it! However…you are in violation of the school's dress code, and I am still but a humble associate professor. I'm afraid that the ability to, ahem, skirt the rules is not yet a privilege I enjoy."
Some of the students snickered at the professor's pun. Qrow, for his part, looked like he was rooted to the floor, unsure of whether he should run away or shrivel up and die from embarrassment.
"You will have to go change into a proper uniform," Professor Port said. "But never fear! Your boldness will be rewarded! You shall receive full credit for participating in today's class."
Qrow must have taken Professor Port's statement as his cue because he immediately bolted back out the door, vanishing through it.
Taiyang said, "Oh man…."
Summer said, "I know."
"I should have thought of that!" Taiyang said.
"You…what?" Summer asked.
"Full credit without having to actually go to class?" Taiyang said. "Qrow's some kind of genius!"
Raven was still too unnerved from seeing what could have happened to her to even roll her eyes at Taiyang's statement.
Summer asked, "Aren't you here to learn though?"
"Well yeah," Taiyang said. "But I already know how to beat up grimm. I'm here to learn all the other stuff about being a huntsman."
"Well that's…good. I guess?" Summer said.
Raven continued to not join in on the conversation. She was silently cursing Qrow's name now. Because of him she was suddenly second-guessing every step she'd taken since she'd set foot on campus. Had she unknowingly done or said something that marked her out as a weakling or a fool? How would she even know if she had?
Up at the front of the class, Professor Port said, "Well now that that little excitement is over with, it's time for your education to begin. And today we will start with a practical demonstration. But first! Allow me to introduce my teaching assistant for this semester."
A student who had been sitting in the first row of seats stood. She walked over to join Professor Port at the front of the room. She was over a head taller than the professor, and she made him look even shorter than he was just by standing next to him.
Raven's lips twisted into a scowl. Professor Port's assistant may have been wearing a uniform instead of her own clothes this time, but Raven still recognized her. She was the upperclassman who she'd met on her first day on campus. To say that they hadn't gotten along would've been an understatement. This had to be the fault of Qrow's semblance, Raven told herself.
"Class," Professor Port said. He gestured to his assistant. "This is Glynda Goodwitch, a fourth-year student here at Beacon. She will be helping you, alongside myself, to become the best huntsmen and huntresses that you can be!"
Port continued to blather on, but Raven had stopped listening. Her gaze was laser-focused on Glynda. It was a pity she couldn't somehow set her on fire with her mind. Unfortunately, the universe hadn't seen fit to grant her magical power.
Glynda was idly scanning the classroom as Professor Port talked, but then her eyes landed on Raven. A frown instantly crossed her face. There was no doubt that she recognized who she was looking at.
Raven didn't look away. She held Glydna's gaze with an intense look of her own. In the back of her mind she knew the little staring contest she'd gotten herself into was childish, but she refused to be intimidated by such a pompous buffoon.
Glynda continued to stare. Then her lips twisted into a wicked smile. Raven's eyes narrowed. In spite of herself, she was suddenly concerned.
"Now then!" Professor Port said. "Onto the practical demonstration! Do we perhaps have a volunteer?"
Glynda said, "I believe we do, Professor."
"Oh?" Professor Port asked.
"Yes," Glynda said. She pointed at Raven. "Miss Branwen over there seems very eager to show the class what she can do."
"Fantastic!" Professor Port said. "Miss Branwen! Go retrieve your weapon! Miss Goodwitch, fetch us a subject for today."
"With pleasure," Glynda said.
Summer quietly asked, "Raven, what's going on?"
Raven didn't answer. She stood and started marching toward the classroom's door. She didn't even stop to consider the possibility that she could refuse to participate in whatever was about to happen. She was confident that she was ready for whatever Glynda had in store.
Summer was simultaneously confused and excited. She was confused by how Miss Goodwitch had singled Raven out of the crowd to "volunteer" for Professor Port's demonstration. Glynda's expression and tone of voice had almost made it seen malicious in a way. Summer wondered if Raven and Glynda somehow knew each other already, although that didn't seem very likely to her. But regardless, Summer was excited that she was finally going to get to see her partner in action. She'd caught a glimpse of Raven fighting in the Emerald Forest, but she'd been far too busy fending off the grimm herself to really take anything in.
Raven was waiting down at the front of the classroom with her arms crossed. She was dressed in her kimono again with her bokken tucked into her belt. However, Glynda hadn't returned yet.
Just as impatience was about to get the better of Summer, the door to the classroom swung open. Glynda stepped back inside, dragging in a wheeled cage behind her. The cage was not small or lightly built. It was a metal cube about three meters to a side, and it had only a few tiny slits for openings, making it impossible to see what was inside. However, Summer's semblance had already given away the surprise. Her stomach started to feel queasy, telling her that the cage held a grimm. It must have been an angry grimm too, judging by the way the cage was violently shaking.
Professor Port asked, "Erm…. Miss Goodwitch, what kind of grimm did you bring?"
"A beringel," Glynda said as she finished rolling the cage into place at the front of the classroom.
Summer's eyes went wide, and she felt her enthusiasm for what was about to happen begin to fade. Beringels were gorilla-like grimm that were exceptionally dangerous. The big ones usually required a whole team of huntsmen to take down. And even the small ones could be a challenge one-on-one.
Professor Port asked, "Are you certain that's an…appropriate selection?"
"I'm sure a student worthy of Beacon Academy will be able to take on the challenge," Glynda said. Then she looked directly at Raven. "Unless Miss Branwen feels she can't handle it."
Raven had already been glaring at Glynda, and her glare only intensified. She said, "I can handle it."
"Very well then," Professor Port said. "Prepare to defend yourself!"
Raven uncrossed her arms and drew her wooden sword. She settled into a fighting stance.
Back in her seat, Summer nervously watched the beringel's cage tremble as it struggled to contain its occupant. However, Raven had sounded confident, so Summer chose to believe that nothing would go wrong.
"Begin!" Professor Port shouted.
Glynda hit the latch on the cage and ducked out of the way. The cage's door was immediately smashed open from inside and knocked clean off its hinges. A beringel burst into the classroom. It let out an earsplitting roar, and it charged for Raven with terrifying speed.
Raven held her ground as the beringel closed in. Then, at the last possible moment, she rolled out of the way. The beringel galloped past her as she popped back onto her feet, and she whacked the beast with her bokken as it sailed by.
The beringel skidded to a halt and wheeled around, seemingly unfazed by Raven's attack. It pounded its chest, frothing at the mouth with rage. Then it loped toward Raven again.
Several of the students in the front row scrambled out of their seats and fled to the sides of the classroom as the hulking grimm thundered by dangerously close to them. Summer could feel both the thumping of the beringel's footsteps vibrating the floor and her heart pounding in her chest.
Raven pulled her sword back. Then, as the grimm drew in close again, she swung hard, striking the beast right across its jaw. The blow didn't stop the beringel's charge, but it did manage to derail it. The creature teetered off-balance, although Raven still had to dive out of the way to avoid being trampled.
The beringel continued forward and blindly smashed into the cage that had held it only a few seconds ago. There was a terrible sound of rending metal as the creature's weight alone reduced the cage to so much scrap. Raven, however, wasn't deterred by the display. She immediately sprinted toward her foe.
The beringel had ended up with its back to Raven, and the moment Raven reached it, she clambered up the creature's body like it was a boulder to climb. She briefly perched on the beast's shoulders. Then she leaped into the air with a spin. She went plunging back down, and her blunt blade slammed into the beringel's skull, hitting all the harder thanks to gravity's assistance. There was a sharp, audible crack as the savage blow landed. Summer was a little surprised that the attack hadn't snapped Raven's sword in two.
Raven still wasn't done. The beringel looked dazed, and Raven took advantage of the situation. She planted her feet, readying her sword, and swung it as hard as she possibly could at the grimm. Her blade collided with the side of the creature's head, causing it to lurch and slump. At a glance it wasn't all that impressive of a result, but for the grimm's excessive mass to have moved as much as it had meant that Raven had delivered a colossal blow.
The beringel shook its head and tried to take a step forward, but it ended up collapsing onto all fours.
Next to Summer, Taiyang said, "Wow! Nice!"
Summer felt a great wave of relief wash over her. She almost couldn't believe it, but Raven had just about won. Now all she needed to do was deliver some kind of finishing blow. Summer wasn't sure how Raven was going to do that with just a blunt sword, but she trusted that her partner knew what she was doing. She shouted, "Go Raven!"
Raven took a second to catch her breath. Then she marched up closer to the beringel. But rather than doing something clever like Summer had expected, she just started smacking the creature over and over again with her sword. A wild look quickly filled her eyes.
For the second time today, Summer felt her excitement wane. The more she watched Raven, the more concerned she became. It looked like a terrible rage had taken control of Raven, and she was doing her level best to beat the beringel into a pulpy mess. It was a little terrifying if Summer was honest, but it also made her want to know where this rage was coming from. If only she could get Raven to open up to her more, then maybe she could help soothe her anger.
Raven lifted her sword to strike the beringel yet again when the creature's massive fist suddenly whipped out and backhanded her directly in the chest. She was knocked off her feet like she didn't weigh a thing and was launched sideways across the classroom. Her brief flight abruptly ended a second later when she smashed into a wall. Her body punched a sizable hole into the plaster and even snapped some of the wall's thick wooden studs.
Summer's eyes opened wide in alarm. Her hands slammed onto the desk in front of her, and she leaned forward, resisting the urge to stand.
Raven was being held semi-upright by the wall she was embedded in. She pulled her arms loose and used them to push herself free. Then she took an unsteady step forward, causing bits of drywall to rain down onto the floor behind her. Her expression was defiant, but the moment she tried to take a second step forward, she went tumbling to the floor, landing on her hands and knees. A flash of energy washed over her body as her aura collapsed.
The beringel was already on its feet again. It reared back and roared mightily. Then it charged for Raven with bloodlust in its soulless eyes.
"Raven!" Summer shouted, shooting to her feet. She watched helplessly as the hulking beast closed in on its prey.
There were gasps of alarm and shouts of fear from the students. Summer's eyes slammed shut. Then, nothing happened. Silence overtook the classroom.
Summer slowly opened her eyes again. She didn't understand what she was seeing at first. The beringel was helplessly floating in midair, flailing its arms and legs about in a futile effort to free itself from whatever invisible force had it trapped. Glynda had stepped forward and was standing with a riding crop in her right hand. Her left arm was extended, and her open palm was pointing toward the beast that had been a second away from killing Raven.
"I hope…this demonstrates…" Glynda said. She let out a grunt of exertion, and her body trembled from strain. It was clearly taking a great deal of effort for her to keep the beringel contained with what Summer assumed was her semblance.
Glynda continued, "…the importance of…knowing your own…capability. As well as…that of your foe's. And…of using…every tool…in your arsenal…such as…Dust!"
Glynda's riding crop suddenly glowed a cyan color. She swung it in an arc and several razor-sharp ice crystals materialized out of nowhere. They immediately flung themselves toward the beringel and effortlessly pierced its body. The grimm let out an agonized howl. Then it went limp. Its body started to evaporate.
Glynda lowered her hand and slumped for a moment before straightening up again. What was left of the beringel crashed to the floor. Seconds later it vanished completely.
Professor Port chimed in, jovial as always, "Well said, Miss Goodwitch. Although after class we should have a discussion on how to teach lessons less…destructively."
"Of course, Professor," Glynda said. She walked over to Raven who was still down on the ground and offered her a hand up.
Raven glanced at Glynda's hand. Then she looked up at Glynda herself. For a brief moment, Summer foolishly believed that Raven would find some grace in defeat. Instead, Raven slapped Glynda's hand away and pushed herself to her feet on her own. She stomped toward the classroom's door.
"Miss Branwen!" Professor Port said. "Class isn't over yet!"
Raven stormed out of the room.
Summer was still on her feet. She started hastily making her way toward the same door that Raven had left through.
"Young lady!" Professor Port said.
"It's okay! I'm her team leader!" Summer said by way of explanation.
"Ah!" Professor Port said. "So heartening to see you embrace the role so readily! Go! See to your teammate! You too shall have full credit for today's class."
Summer didn't need any more prompting. Within seconds, she was out the door. She jogged down the hallway outside to catch up with Raven and said, "Hey! Wait!"
Surprisingly, Raven did stop, although she didn't turn around.
Summer finally caught up to her partner. She stood there for a moment. Then she said, "So…."
"Go back to class, Sunshine," Raven said. Summer couldn't decide if she sounded more angry or upset.
"Not without you," Summer said.
Raven spun around. There was a scowl on her face, but there were also trails of tears running down her cheeks. She said, "You belong in there. Unlike me."
"Raven…" Summer said. "I don't think Miss Goodwitch was supposed to get a beringel. It wasn't exactly a fair fight."
"That doesn't matter!" Raven said. "Life isn't fair! You always have to be ready for anything."
Summer's lips pressed together. She thought about the situation for a moment. She was starting to figure Raven out, and she doubted that her partner was the kind of person who would accept sympathy. However, she wondered if there was some other way she could make Raven feel better. Maybe if she approached it from the right angle.
Summer said, "You know, you almost won. If you'd had some Dust you would've. The school gives all its students an allowance of Dust each month. We should go pick yours up right away. That way the next time Miss Goodwitch, uh, cheats, you'll be ready."
Raven looked a little surprised for a moment. Summer had suspected that Raven hadn't known about the Dust allowance, just like she hadn't known about needing to pick up her uniform.
Raven said, "It doesn't matter if the school is handing out Dust or not."
"Why not?" Summer asked. "Do you…not know how to use it?"
"I know how to use Dust! I just don't have…!" Raven shouted before trailing off. She visibly calmed herself down somewhat. Then she glanced at the wooden sword tucked into her belt and said, "I don't have a good way to use it in battle."
Summer saw Raven's point. Neither loose Dust nor Dust crystals were very convenient in a fight. That was why most weapons either had compartments to hold Dust or were designed to use Dust-enhanced ammunition. However, an idea was already forming in Summer's head. An impish smile crossed her face.
Raven eyed Summer suspiciously. She asked, "What are you scheming?"
"Nothing!" Summer said innocently.
Raven stared at Summer for a moment. Then she shook her head. She asked, "Why are you trying to help me? You don't know me."
"You're right. I don't know you," Summer said. "But I'd like to."
"Why?" Raven asked.
"You mean besides us being partners? Just because I want to," Summer said. Then her eyes lit up. "We should have an official Team STRQ get-to-know-you party!"
"No," Raven said flatly.
Suddenly, Taiyang's voice chimed in. "A team party? That's a great idea!"
Summer and Raven both turned to see Taiyang walking up.
"Yang?" Summer asked. "Did Professor Port give you permission to leave class too?"
"Nope!" Taiyang said. "I just left."
"Yang!" Summer said.
"It's alright. I've already got punching grimm down," Taiyang said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Now about that party. I know the perfect spot! I've heard about this nightclub that's just off the beaten path."
"A nightclub?" Summer said. "I don't know."
Taiyang flashed his winning smile and pointed his thumb at himself. He asked, "How about if drinks are on me?"
Raven said, "The answer's still no."
"Ah come on. It'll be fun," Taiyang said. Then he looked at someone who was apparently standing behind Summer and Raven and asked, "What do you say, Qrow? Team party at a nightclub? Drinks on me?"
Summer and Raven both turned around. Sure enough, Qrow was standing there with his hands shoved into his pockets. He was finally dressed in an appropriate uniform with a maroon jacket and slacks on. He even had the uniform's red tie, although it was loosely draped around his shoulders instead of tied around his neck. Summer was a little concerned that Qrow looked mostly dead inside, but after the incident in class today, she couldn't say she blamed him. In fact, now that she thought about it, she was impressed that he had the courage to show his face again so soon.
Taiyang said, "Oh! Let me get that for you, Qrow."
Taiyang stepped past Summer and Raven. Then he reached for Qrow's tie and started tying it for him. "So? Drinks at a nightclub? Yes? No?"
Qrow looked a little stunned. His eyes seemed to come alive somewhat, and they glued themselves onto Taiyang's hands. He sheepishly said, "Yeah. Sounds good."
Summer, seeing the positive effect Taiyang was having on Qrow, quickly set aside her reservations about the choice of venue for her proposed party. She said to Raven, "Sounds like you're outvoted."
"This isn't a democracy," Raven said.
Summer grinned. She said, "If it's not a democracy then it's a dictatorship. And I'm the leader!"
Raven stared at Summer. For a moment she looked angry, but then her mouth twitched into something resembling a smile. She said, "Alright, Sunshine. But be careful. Dictators have a habit of getting overthrown."
"I'll keep that in mind," Summer said dryly. Then she announced, "It's official! Team STRQ party tonight at…that nightclub Yang mentioned! Drinks on him!"
"Yes!" Taiyang said. He finished tying Qrow's tie and held up his hand to offer his partner a high-five.
Qrow hesitated. Then he hesitated a little more. But he finally raised his hand and slapped it against Taiyang's. Summer considered that to be progress. She was hopeful that between Taiyang and herself they could get the Branwen siblings to start coming out of their shells. She couldn't wait for tonight.
Author's Note: If any of you remember Volume 4 then you probably knew the skirt incident was coming. Poor Qrow. Although if your memory is really sharp, you might also have noticed that this chapter contains the first (that I'm aware of) contradiction with canon. In the clip where Port talks about Qrow wearing a skirt, he also says he was just a TA. I've given him a promotion because, well, it just works better for the story. I'm sure Port won't complain.
As always, I welcome constructive criticism. Please feel free to leave a review. And if you like what you've read, taking the time to favorite and/or follow really helps me out. You can also find me on tumblr (electronicyarn) if you want to send me a message or be notified of updates.
