-West Dorm-
Tide was reading a book in the living room. Awaiting for the next day's opening ceremony. Tristan was walking downstairs, this time he is sporting a grey top and black jogging pants. And dark-blue goggles.
Tide notices as his eyes turned to his younger brother. "Where do you think you're going?" He interrogated, like a hawk setting sights. Tristan turned to his older brother and said, "I'm going out for a jog. It's a nice night out."
"You better not do what I think you are doing." Tide sighed. For as long as Tide can remember, their parents are not some regular stay-at-home parents. Their father is a detective for the Vale Police, while their mother is a CEO of a tech company. Tide had to act as some parental figure since they have busy scheduels.
"What?! I am not doing anything stupid if that's what you're thinking. If anything, I am already armed if some Grimm come out in the night. Later!" Tristan then shuts the door behind him. Tide closes the book in frustration. "This isn't a game, Tristan. Oh, well, might as well check with the rest of the team."
A female faunus with blonde hair, cat ears, and amber eyes, wearing a green top and black pants with small ninja armory from her left shoulder and right knee appeared, before Tide. "Have you got any word from your father?"
"Yeah, looks like we got another Black Viper run going on near a night club. He's got an informant looking out." Tide said.
"I'll inform Professor Goodwitch while we're at it." Said the girl. "Let's hope that the younger ones don't get involved. The same can be said about Kai and Tristan as well."
Suddenly, Tide gets a call from his mother. And takes it, holding his scroll to his ear. "Hello?" He spoke. Tide listens for what his mother had to say before responding. "Yes, Mother. I got Tristan's stuff in his dorm room. I got the supply set ready." He continues to listen before finishing the call. "Yes, I'll check on Tristan when I got the chance. I'll tell Dad you said hi. Oh, he wants me to let you know he'll be visiting you next weekend." What comes next was just a sigh.
"Mom, stop. I am just doing my job." He said. "Okay, I'm sorry. I know you mean well. I love you, too. I'll call you back tomorrow." He ended the call before getting up to head for his gear for tonight's mission.
-Noir Café-
Sunsprite and Leon went with Kai to the cafe. They are sitting in a table near a window. Where they can take a view from inside. "Wow, this looks very cozy for a cafe." Sunsprite began.
"Look at this menu, it's got cold coffee too." Leon said, reading a menu. Usually they would only have hot coffee in La Lune, as it's the only thing on the menu, especially in ramen restaurants.
"Check it out! Vanilla latte, caramel macchioto, mocha, cappucino. All iced and hot! Ah ha ha!" Sunsprite squealed looking at the menu she was handed.
"I hope you guys like it. It's been around for 20 years." Kai said. Then a waitress in a maid outfit came to their table to bring out their order and take their menus. "Enjoy." She bowed and left.
Sunsprite ordered an ice caramel latte. For Leon, he ordered a cappucino. Kai got a macchioto.
"Say, how long you have known Tristan and Li for?" Asked Leon. Sunsprite takes a sip of her coffee while listening. "Well, we were just tiny kids. Of course, there is also this one girl, Dana Coal. If you ask me, she's a tough gal comapred to us guys. But I think you can get along with her in no time when you neet her. She's now living in the same dorn building as us."
"Really? I think at this rate, you four might be able to become a team in no time." Sunsprite stated. "Who do you think will be the leader if that happens?"
"Maybe Li. To be, he knows about strategy out of the four of us. Tristan? Maybe. Why? Cause he's a good marksman, and he can analyze perimeters to watch out for enemy parties." Kai explains. "But the only problem with him, he's stubborn. Wanting to do things his way."
"That reminds me, what's the big deal with him and his big bro?" Leon asked.
"Oh, Tide? He's not just a third-year, but a student council president. Tristan is not the only one who's got the ladies surrounding him."
"We get that. But not to intrude some of the details, but they don't seem to get along." Sunsprite said. She never has any brothers. She was the only girl around the boys her age in La Lune. And one of those boys can somehow relate to having elder siblings.
"For starters, Tristan always saw his big bro, as if he was a rival. Something about surpassing him. Even my sister makes sure I study every night." Kai sighs. "Sorry, you guys seen this."
"You never told us you have a sister." Said Sunsprite.
"Oh, right. I might've left that part out. My sister is also a third-year of Beacon too. She is in the same team as Tide. Only she's the leader from what I heard." Kai said.
"Wow, I bet they both sound cool. Are all third-years very mature? I mean, I know Li is as a first-year. But still..."
"When you think about it. They seemed to have their hands full, even after school ends." Kai said.
"That reminds me. The first-years are going to gather in the Ballroom inside the main building. That includes us too." Leon reminds them.
"Oh, man! I thought we won't have to worry about hearing another boring speech. It's even worse than graduation in Sanctum!" Kai groaned.
"Hey, did you guys get new uniforms in your rooms?" Sunsprite asked. Having received her own uniforn earlier after arrival.
"Yeah, those things. I swear they were a cloth trap." One thing Kai hates about school uniforms, is that they can be hot when wearing it.
"Like it or not, it's only for classes. Unless we are in combat classes." Said Leon.
Then the bell was rang by the entrance door. "Welcome!" Said the cashier who is greeting a customer. It was a man in a police uniform. "I'll take a matcha to go, please? Also I'll take a box of 2 dozen donuts please. It's for my kids."
"Of, course." The Cashier then takes a couple of donuts into 2 boxes. And the other employee took care of the matcha drink and gave it to the customer.
After the payment, the officer payed for the order. "Thank you for coming, sir."
Kai saw the officer and recognized him. Then the officer approached him. "Kai, what are you doing here?"
"Mr. Vasilias. I didn't know you'd be working in Vale?" Kai greeted.
"Well, I got transferred 4 days ago. It was a surprise to me. This city was full of memories when I was a student in Haven. But going to Vale felt like it changes everything. It gave me a chance to meet my Snow Angel, that's a nickname I called my wife. No matter how old we are, all I can see are memories."
"Yeah, I remembered Dad told me this one time – you have food splattered all over your clothes getting caught in a food fight!" Kai laughed, the detective was taken aback. Kai did inherit his humorous personality from his father.
Detective Vasilias frowned. Kai's father must've told him that. Considering that he was there when they were teenagers at the time.
Then Detective Vasilias turns to the two other teens. Then he looks at Sunsprite. For some reason. He was confused as if he remembers somebody from the past. "Hmm?"
"Um, Detective?" Leon asked. Confused for why the detective is looking at Sunsprite, like he knew her. The derective shook his head after hearing Leon. "Sorry, I was remembering some things. Anyway, you kids be safe when you head back to Beacon. That reminds me, my younger son is starting his first year with you guys in Beacon. Let him know I said hi."
"Will do." Kai saluted. The detecive left. Leaving the three alone to discuss about their plans for the rest of the year.
-Ever Forest-
Tristan was using his sniper rifle to practice his shooting skills in the Ever Forest. Placing a target board on a tree. His right eye staring through the lense, aiming from afar.
As he makes the shot, it landed on the target. Tristan then walks closer to the target and it has a hole on the center. "Hmph." He nodded to himself.
Then he walks back to the same position to aim for the target again. And this time, he puts on a blindfold. Aiming for the target, but cannot see.
His hands sweating. His neck being drenched in sweat. His grip tightned on his weapon. Then pulls the trigger. The bullet hits. Tristan removes the blindfold and sees that it only hit the right upper corner. Near the center.
Tristan gritted his teeth as he felt failure. "What, again?! Argh!" He three his sniper gun in a rage. Then runs up to the bullseye that was placed onto a tree, and punches it repeatedly. "Stupid! Useless! Training! When can I get it right?!"
He was only practicing his blindfold technique so that he can surpass his older brother. Neither of his parents compare him to Tide, since they loved their sons equally. But it was just his classmates and teachers would lecture him. Only Tide can intervene to not let him feel worse.
As a result, Tristan felt the need to catch up to his own brother. Making sure nothing is amiss. "What's it going to take for everyone to see me as Tide's equal?" Then Tristan's scroll rang, it was his father calling him.
Tristan was upset that his parents would be bottled up in work. And still, he will be today. Though he thought they were always busy. And it does not help that they have weekend offs. Especially when his father was called for a case. And his mother was also getting called for to her office for any projects coming up.
-The West Dorm-
The next morning. Sunsprite feels relaxed enough to get up early for the first day. She rose her head and stretched up her arms. She then looks at her new uniform. She smiled seeing the design.
After she puts on the uniform, Sunsprite comes out of the room. Next to her room is another one where another girl also came out, wearing the same uniform. She is also wearing cat-ear headphones around her neck.
The girl then turned to Sunsprite. "Oh, hey. You live in this dorm too? Sorry, I didn't see you yesterday." The girl said.
"No need. I'm sorry we never met yet. But I'm Sunsprite. I like your headphones." She introduced herself. The other girl shook her hand. "Thanks, I'm Dana Coal. I think you already met Kai, Tristan, and Li."
"Oh, Kai told us about you. Heard you guys are in a band together." Sunsprite said.
"Yeah, hunting down monsters isn't the only thing we have in mind. There used to be a band club in Sanctum. So you and your guy friend came from an island?" Dana asked. Sunsorite blinked before answering the question. "Um, yeah. I get this is weird and all..."
"You kidding me? I bet it was relaxing and quiet here. In Mistral, the streets are always busy and crowded." Dana explains.
"Really?"
"Totally. Here I thought I was the..." Dana paused when they were interrupted by another girl wearing the school uniform. "So, I am not the only one."
The third girl is wearing a golden tiara and her raven hair is long. "I thought I was the only one. I saw mostly boys inside the dorm."
"Um..." Sunsprite tried to process what the girl is saying. And was intimidated by her glare. Dana was just as confused as she is. "My name is Sunsprite." She greeted the girl, as she didn't want to upset her.
"Rina Otrera. I have come a long way to Beacon in order to test my skills among many. Enrolling here will bring honor to my people." Said Rina.
"Really? Do you grow up on an island?" Asked Sunsprite? Judging by the way Rina mentions her people, it gave Sunsprite a theory she can be from an island.
"Correct, my mother and my sisters trained me to be a huntress. It is an honor to finally gain sisterhood in this school." To Sunsprite and Dana's surprise, Rina engulfed them in a hug.
"I felt like we are now sisters-in-arms!" Rina said. They were still dumbfounded by this action. "Thanks." Dana said. Patting her back as a sign of friendship."So, Rina. Which island are you from?" Asked Sunsprite.
"Classified. I wish I can tell my story. But some things have to remain classified. It's the rules on my island." Said Rina. "The only thing I will talk are the smallest of details. Some things must remain hidden."
Dana and Sunsprite looked at each other and then back to Rina. "Oh, okay, we're cool with that. Say, since you say we are sisters-in-arms. I think us girls have to stick together."
"Yup, totally!" Sunsprite agrees with Dana. "I can't wait till lunch!"
The three girls head downstairs. They were bisy laughing together before Sunsprite bumps onto someone else's shoulder. "Whoa! Sorry!"
"Hey, watch it, weirdo!" It was a muscular teenage boy their age with Ginger hair, wearing the boy's uniform. And he has a scar on his right cheek.
"Hey, I said I was sorry!" Sunsprite shot back.
"You're in the way, pipsqueak!" He taunted.
"Pipsqueak?!" But before Sunsprite can shout back, Rina gets in front of her new friends and pushes the boy. Causing him to fall to the floor. "Listen, you brute. I have beaten men bigger than you, even a King Taijitu. If anyone is in the way, it is you."
"What did you say?!" The boy demanded. "You wanna go?! We can do this, right here, right now!" The two get into a fighting position. But were stopped by Li, who was letting the other students know that they have no time, as the opening gathering is today.
Li is also living in the West Dorm as well. "That's enough! We don't have time for a banter." Then Li turned to Carter. "And you, Carter, you better not be picking fights on this important day. Otherwise you will not be participating in the Inaguration tests." Li warned.
Carter glared at Rina, and then Sunsprite. Seeing her silver eyes felt like fire burning too bright for his own eyes. He squinted them for a second before scoffing off, and walking away.
"What the heck is up with this guy?" Dana sighed.
"Sorry, about this. Carter Winchester is assigned to our dorm as we speak." Li said. "It was the last minute decision from the headmistress. Since there was no rooms left in the other dorms."
"Seriously? We are stuck with this guy for the rest of the school years?" Dana ran her hand over her forehead in dismay. Sunsprite remains silent as she listens to Li.
"Is he always this angry?" Asked Sunsprite.
"You will have to at least keep your distance. Maybe in due time he will calm down. Just let me know if anything happens." Li assured them. Rina coughed a bit as she looks at Li.
"Well, at least you're the first reasonable boy I met. Thank you." Rina said in a professional tone of voice, as if she was a soldier. Sunsprite and Dana looked at Rina again, and saw her face looking away from Li. As it turned red at the sight of him.
"Rina, you okay?" Rina shook her head as she turned to the two girls. "U-um, yes! That's right. The ceremony. We should be off then."
"Hey, Sunny! You ready?" Leon called. He came downstairs. "Leon, good morning! You look great with the uniform. What do you think of mine." Asked Sunsprite.
Leon stared at her as she smiles at him to wait for an answer. He didn't say anything as he cannot help but see her in a nice different light. "You...You look amazing..." He paused as his face turned red.
"Thanks!" Sunsprite perked.
"Come on, let's get this ceremony over it." Tristan yawned, having been tired from training last night. Kai was walking next to him.
"Yo! Kai, Triatan!" Dana hi-fived them.
"Man, it feels great seeing familiar faces!" Kai said.
"Cool, the gang's all here! Now we can get bored together!" Tristan joked, sarcastically.
-Beacon Academy Ballroom-
The first-year students arrived at the ballroom for the opening ceremony. Glynda will start the welcoming assembly since Tide will begin the speech – since he is the Student Council President.
Sunsprite and Leon stand next to each other, since everywhere they go, they stick together. Some of the students looked at them in a strange matter.
"Hey, check out those two. I saw them with Li the other day." One female student said.
"Kinda heard they came from an island."
"Dude, there are some students that came from an island. Who cares?"
"Oh, nothing. Just curious. I cannot help but see how close those two are. They seem adorable together."
"Hey, they can hear you!" Sunsprite and Leon turned around to the students talking.
"What do you think they are talking about?" Sunsprite asked. Curious about what kind of conversation they are going on about.
"Um, I don't know. But I don't want to find out." Leon replied.
"I was wondering. You think we'll be in the same class? Cause that be great." Sunsprite asked. She be more than happy to be in the same class as her best friend of 14 years.
"Well, it depends. We might be placed in different homerooms and classes. I know we have been friends for years, but let's try to get to know others too." Leon said.
"You're right. Maybe things will be different by the time we get to the inagurations." Sunsprite sighs. Even in the same school, the two might part ways once they get into teams and classes.
"And now, may I have your attention please?!" All the first-year students stopped talking and turned their attention to the headmistress. "Good evening, I am Glynda Goodwitch, the headmistress of Beacon Academy. And I welcome all First-Year Students who enrolled to our school. This year will be the start of your new lives before you become huntsmen and huntresses. And now, we will have word from our Student Council President — Tide Vasilias. Mr. Vasilias, if you may?"
Tide then came on stage to take the mic. The first-year girls then stared at him in awe to see how handsome he looks. Tristan is not too glad to see his older brother having the spotlight.
"Oh, my gosh. He's so hot."
"His last name is Vasilias, right? Does that mean he's related to Tristan?"
"Now that you mentioned it, I see the resemblance."
"I heard his father is a detective."
"Ahem. Good morning. It is an honor to take this position as the Student Council President to welcome you to Beacon Academy. There is a more of importance than just fighting in the battlefield. Or to defeat the creatures of Grimm. Long ago during the 2nd Great War, our lands' been united to defeat the darkness hidden in plain sight. But no matter how much we fought, here will always be shadows among us. With greatest bonds, there is trust. But with trust, it also comes with risk. With success, it also comes with failure. Whatever we plan, we cannot see what can happen unless we try. I wish you all the best of luck for the next three years. For now, we will begin the inagurations to place the students into teams of four." Tide steps back from the mic and the ceremony ended with no problem.
The students muttered either to themselves, or their friends. The speech left Sunsprite wondering about what Tide mentioned about trust. That aside, she wonders what her mother and aunt been through before the 2nd Great War began.
Pondering what will come next, Sunsprite feels nervous. Her palms sweaty. Leon placed a hand on her shoulder. "You alright?" He said, in concern for her wellbeing.
Sunsprite snaps back to reality. As if a spark of hope came back to her. She remembers now that she has made a goal. To find the answers she was seeking. "Sorry. It's just like you said. Things will be different."
"Hey, no matter what. You're still my best friend. Who knows, we can end up in the same team, or no. Besides, this way you can find out what you want to do in the future." Leon assured her.
"Yeah, we should look at the draft to see what class we will end up. It might be in the hallway." Said Sunsprite. She then takes his hand and the two walk together to see which homeroom they will go to.
Author's note: Sorry if it's too many characters we introduced too early. But we might need a little bit more to complete the main cast. Also we have familiar characters in this chapter and the next.
Characters:
Dana Coal – A girl who is best friends with Tristan, Kai and Li at a young age. Her father is Flynt Coal, who is now a music producer at Coal Records. And and her friend had a band called Night Warriors. Her semblance allows her to create prisms at will. Her main weapon is a Mic-saber (similar to the light sabers in the anime AKB0048).
Rina Otrera – A warrior teenage girl who came from a warrior tribe (based on amazons) who befriends Sunsprite and Dana. Though she is wary of men and boys, such as Carter Winchester given his aggression. And would criticize them for their arrogance. She is a proud first-year student who wants to bring honor to her family. Her last name is a reference to Queen Otrera from Greek Mythology. Her semblance is Oro, meaning her skin can turn to gold to become strong against attacks. Her main weapon is a sword that also becomes and archery bow.
Carter Winchester – Cardin Winchester's son, and a first-year student at Beacon. He never works well with others. He only boasts about becoming stronger than anyone else. He hopes to become a leader once he gets his own team. His semblance remains a mystery. His own weapon is a battle axe that is also a shotgun. He is also known for picking fights, not just in Signal Academy, but also in the streets, and seemed to enjoy the violence. Although, there is more going on for his reasons other than just being a troublemaker.