AN: Hey, everyone. We're back! Time to get the semester at Beacon truly started!
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Chapter 9
Weiss felt herself gently being coaxed awake by the morning sun shining through the dorm room window. She was well-rested, ready to start the day, and—
FWEEEEP!
Weiss yelped and fell out of her bed, searching frantically for the source of the loud noise. She looked up and saw Ruby already wearing her uniform along with her red cloak, and holding a whistle.
"Good morning, Team RWST!" Ruby shouted cheerily.
"What in the world is wrong with you?!" Weiss screeched.
"Now that everyone is up, we can officially begin our first order of business," Ruby said, ignoring Weiss's outrage.
"Excuse me?" Weiss asked.
"Decorating!" Tifa declared, she and Cloud also already dressed in their uniforms. Tifa held up a box filled with decorative items, while Cloud held his suitcase.
"What?" Weiss asked.
"We still need to finish unpacking," Cloud said.
"And you couldn't have waited for me to wake because…?"
"I didn't want you to miss out on all the fun," Ruby said.
"Plus, it was kind of funny," Tifa chuckled.
Weiss looked at them unamused before Ruby blew the whistle again, causing her to fall over once more.
"Alright!" Ruby declared. "Weiss, Cloud, Tifa, and their fearless leader Ruby have begun their first mission! Bonzai!"
"Bonzai!" Tifa shouted, matching Ruby's enthusiasm.
"Bonzai," Cloud said with far less enthusiasm.
Weiss just stared at the trio and sighed.
The team set to work right away unpacking and decorating their dorm as soon as Weiss put her uniform on. Tifa hung up a poster on the wall and set a picture of her uncle and the twins on her nightstand. Weiss hung a painting of the Forever Fall forest from the wall. Cloud hung four identical sleeveless turtlenecks in the closet, and Ruby hung a curtain before accidentally cutting it in half with her scythe.
Once they were finished, the team stopped to check their progress, and realized that the room was nowhere near as spacious as it once was. In fact, in order to fit all their belongings, they had to move the beds out of way and bunch them together.
"This isn't going to work," Weiss said.
"It does look a little cramped now," Tifa said.
"Maybe we could pack up some of our stuff?" Cloud offered.
Ruby gasped in excitement. "Or we could turn the beds into bunk beds!"
"That doesn't sound safe," Weiss said.
"It sounds alright to me," Tifa said. "What do you think, Cloud?"
"I don't see why not," he said.
"W-wait, maybe we should put it to a vote," Weiss protested.
"I think we just did," Ruby said.
"Alright, let's get to work," Tifa said. "I brought some things from home that can help us out."
Ruby, Cloud, and Tifa set to work on the bunk beds. Weiss stayed behind for a second and let out an irritated growl before joining her team.
"I still don't get why I have to get dressed in the bathroom," Reno questioned, having been locked in almost as soon as the girls woke up so they could get changed in the dorm room, while he was forced to change in the bathroom.
"Cuz we don't want you peeking at us," Yang said.
"I wouldn't do that!" Reno protested. "Sure, I flirt with girls, but I wouldn't peep on them. Besides, I'm more focused on Weiss than you girls. No offense."
"Oh, so you'll peep on Weiss, but not us?" Yuffie asked through the door.
"Yes—NO! No, I wouldn't!"
"Too late, you admitted it!" Yuffie said, before she and Yang laughed.
"Guys, leave Reno alone," Blake said, before Reno heard the lock click. "And Reno, you can come out now. We're all dressed."
Reno stepped out of the bathroom in his new uniform, seeing the girls wearing theirs, with Red curled up in the corner. He also noticed that Yuffie still didn't have her headband on after Blake confiscated it, and looked kind of pissed off about it.
"So, what do you guys think?" Reno asked, showing off his uniform.
"To be honest, it doesn't look all that different from your usual outfit," Yang said.
"I know. I just wanted to see if I made it look better," Reno said. "But I could do without the tie, yo."
"Maybe if you're lucky, your evil sister will come and take if from you," Yuffie said, glaring at Blake.
"For the hundredth time, you'll get your headband back after class," Blake said with a sigh. Yuffie growled at her.
"Well, since we got time, how about we decorate our dorm?" Yang suggested. "Make this place look awesome."
"Actually, I think we should do that later," Blake said. "Let's go to the cafeteria for breakfast first, and then head to Creature Studies."
"Alright. You're the boss, B," Reno said. "Let's go get some breakfast."
"While you four are gone, is it alright if I leave the dorm?" Red asked. "I'd rather not be stuck here for hours."
"I don't think that would be a good idea, Red," Yang said. "I doubt the teachers would like you walking down the halls."
"Plus, you have cute little paws," Yuffie said. "How are you gonna open the door?"
"Who said anything about the door?" Red asked, walking up to the dorm's window and opening it.
"I guess that could work," Blake said. "But try to get back before curfew."
"You have my word," Red said, before jumping out the window and leaving Team BRYK behind.
"Man, Red is one clever pooch, yo," Reno said.
Ren put a notebook in Marlene's backpack before handing it to the young girl. "There," he said. "That should be everything you need for your class."
"Thank you, Ren," Marlene said.
"And don't forget your lunch," Nora said, holding up a plate of pancakes.
"I don't think pancakes would be a good lunch, Nora," Pyrrha said.
"Nonsense! Pancakes are perfect to eat at any time, trust me on this."
"Uh, sorry, Nora, but I already made Marlene a lunch," Jaune said, holding up a paper bag.
"Oh well, more for me!" Nora said before devouring the pancakes.
Jaune handed the bag to Marlene. "Here you go. I didn't know what you liked so I went with apple slices, carrot sticks, a juice box, and a peanut butter sandwich. The classic lunch combo. Uh, you're not allergic to peanuts or anything, are you?"
Marlene shook her head. "No. Thank you, Jaune." Everyone noticed that Marlene seemed to lack enthusiasm.
"Is something wrong, Marlene?" Ren asked.
"I'm fine," she said. "It's just… what if I'm not that good in Mrs. Wallace's class and mess up?"
"Everyone makes mistakes," Pyrrha said. "It's how we learn and grow to be better."
"Yeah, plus, we've all been in the same boat as you," Jaune said. "Going to a new school is always scary, but after a while it won't be as bad as you thought."
"Really?" Marlene asked.
"Really," Nora said. "I mean, what's the worst that can happen?"
Tifa finished hammering some nails into the beds, finishing construction on the bunk beds. "There, all done." Team RWST stepped back to admire their handiwork. Ruby had initially wanted to suspend her bed from the ceiling with some rope, but everyone else was strictly against that idea. Thankfully, Tifa knew some actual carpentry and built them a sturdy frame for their beds.
"Not bad," Cloud said.
"Better than using ropes," Weiss said.
"Alright, our second order of business is…" Ruby said, pulling out a book. "Classes. Now, we have a few classes together today. At nine o'clock we've got—"
"Did you say nine o'clock?!" Weiss asked.
"Uh, yeah?"
"It's eight fifty-five, you dunce!" Weiss shouted, running out of the dorm and down the hall before the rest of the team could say a word.
"Uh, t-to class!" Ruby shouted. She and Cloud chased after Weiss, while Tifa knocked on Team JNPR's door.
"Hey, JNPR, get your butts out here!" Tifa called to them. "We're late!"
"WHAT!" four voices shouted simultaneously from behind the door. The door was thrown open and Team JNPR rushed out, nearly knocking Tifa over.
"Okay, Ren and Nora, you take Marlene to her class, while Pyrrha and I head to our class and try to buy you some time."
"Got it," Ren said.
Nora picked up Marlene and put her on her shoulders. "Come on, Marls, we got a clock to beat.
With that, Team JNPR, Marlene, and Tifa made a mad dash down the hall.
"Where's Ruby and the others?" Yang asked, she and the rest of Team BRYK sitting at their desk waiting for class to begin. "It's almost time for class."
"They're probably just running a little late," Yuffie said. "It happens to everyone once in a while. No big deal."
The sound of the door drew their attention. Team BRYK looked and saw a large white-haired man in a red suit and bushy moustache. They immediately assumed that the man was their teacher.
"Good morning, class," he said, his voice boisterous and booming. "I am Professor Port and welcome to Creature Studies. For the next four years, I'll be teaching you about—"
The professor's opening speech was interrupted by the door bursting open, and Teams RWST and JNPR collapsed onto the floor of the classroom, Ren and Nora having already dropped off Marlene at her class on the way over.
"Present!" Ruby shouted.
"Well, this is a surprise," Professor Port said. "I've never had to give this many tardies on the first day of a new semester. I hope you eight have a good explanation for this."
The students in question quickly got to their feet. "W-Well," Ruby said.
"It was my fault," Aerith suddenly said, walking through the door to the classroom in her uniform.
"What do you mean, Aeirth?"
"Well, my alarm didn't go off and I overslept," Aerith said. "I needed help getting ready so I asked RWST and JNPR if they could lend me a hand."
"We're sorry, sir," Ren said, bowing his head politely, and putting his hand behind Nora's head to do the same. "We were just trying to help our friend."
"Please don't mark us as tardy, Uncle Port," Aerith said. "We promise it won't happen again." She clasped her hands together and gave a pair of puppy dog eyes that could give Ruby a run for her money.
"Hmmm, very well," Professor Port said. "I'll let it slide this time, but I expect you all to arrive on time from now on. Understood?"
Aerith quickly gave the professor a hug. "Oh, thank you, Uncle Port!" From behind his back, Aerith flashed a wink to the other late students. "You can count on us."
"You're very welcome. Now, all of you take your seats."
Teams RWST and JNPR, along with Aerith started making their way towards the lecture-style seats, whispering to each other along the way.
"Thanks, Aerith," Ruby said.
"Yeah, you're a real lifesaver," Jaune said.
"Hey, what are friends for?" Aerith asked. "And Weiss, you know this means you owe me one, right?"
"Drop dead," Weiss said.
Eventually, the group found their way to their seats, with Team RWST and Aerith sitting in front of Team BRYK, while JNPR sat a few benches up.
"Now, as I was saying, I'll be teaching you all about three of the greatest threats to Hunters everywhere: The Grimm, Monster, and the Hy-Grimm," Professor Port said, doing his best to get his lecture started again. "These threats go by many names: Fiends, Beasts, demons, but I merely refer to them as prey. Ha ha!" He gave a hearty chuckle, though he cleared his throat awkwardly when he realized no one else laughed. "Uh, and you shall, too, once you graduate from this prestigious academy. You will become individuals who will not only protect those who can not protect themselves, but the very world itself!"
"Yeah!" some guy shouted, but quickly sat back down when he realized that no one else was cheering.
"That is what you're training to become," Professor Port continued. "But first, a story. A tale of a young, handsome man. Me."
As the professor droned on, Weiss glanced to her side and noticed Ruby doodling on a piece of paper. When she finished, she held it up for her team to see, revealing a poorly-drawn picture of Professor Port labeled "Professor Poop" with stinks lines coming off of him. Cloud chuckled, Tifa and Aerith had to stifle their laughter, and Weiss simply glared at her.
Professor Port cleared his throat, getting Team RWST's attention before continuing his story. "In the end, the Hy-Grimm Hound was no match for my sheer tenacity and I returned to my village with the beast in captivity and my head held high, celebrated as a hero." As the professor kept talking, Weiss continued glaring at Ruby as she goofed through the rest of Port's story, growing angrier by the second. "The moral of the story: A true Hunter must be honorable, dependable, strategic, well-educated, and wise. So, who among you believe yourself to be the embodiment of these traits?"
Weiss immediately stood up with her hand raised. "I do, sir!"
Professor Port chuckled. "Well then, let's find out. Go get changed and face your opponent."
He pulled out a controller and pushed a button. A cage holding a very agitated creature lowered from the ceiling to the ground in the center of the classroom.
Several minutes later, Weiss returned to the classroom in her combat gear. She stepped into the center of the room across from the cage, drew her sword, and assumed a combat pose.
"Go Weiss!" Tifa cheered, waving a small Team RWST flag. Weiss had no idea where she had gotten it from.
"Take that thing down, yo!" Reno cheered, showing his support despite not being on the same team.
"Yeah, represent Team RWST!" Ruby cheered.
"Ruby, I'm trying to focus!" Weiss shouted.
"Oh, uh, sorry," Ruby said timidly.
"Alright, let the match begin!" Professor Port declared, bringing his axe down and breaking the cage lock. The door fell to reveal a Boarbatusk, which immediately charged at Weiss. She used her sword to deflect the attack and rolled to the side, getting herself back into a fighting stance and trying to analyze its movements. The Boarbatusk stood at a distance, seeming to do the same.
"Ha-ha!" Port laughed. "Wasn't expecting that, were you?"
"Hang in there, Weiss!" Ruby said.
Weiss used a glyph to launch herself towards the Boarbatusk, holding her sword straight out in front of her to stab it in the head. Instead her sword got caught in the Grimm's tusks. She held on for dear life as the Boarbatusk flailed its head around.
"Bold, new approach!" Port said. "I like it!"
"Come on, Weiss!" Ruby shouted. "Show it who's boss!"
Weiss briefly turned to glare at Ruby, allowing the Boarbatusk to rip Myrtenaster out of her hand and throw it across the room, before using its tusk to knock Weiss away.
"Oh-ho!" Port said. "Now what will you without your weapon?"
Weiss looked up to see the Boarbatusk charge again, and rolled out of the way at the last second, causing the Grimm to crash into Port's desk. She rushed to retrieve her sword, sliding to pick it up and quickly getting back into a fighting stance.
"Weiss! Go for its belly!" Ruby called out. "There's no armor underneath—"
"Stop telling me what to do!" Weiss yelled, glaring at her leader for a second and doing her best to ignore the girl's hurt expression. The Boarbatusk leaped into the air and rolled into a ball, spinning to gain momentum before launching itself at Weiss. She summoned a glyph to block the attack and knock the Grimm onto its back, before using the same glyph to thrust herself forward and drive her blade into the Boarbatusk's stomach. It squealed, and finally fell silent. Weiss took a deep breath after a hard-fought battle.
"Bravo! Bravo!" Port cheered. "It appears we are indeed in the presence of a true Huntress in the making!" The bell rang, signaling the end of class. "I'm afraid that's all the time we have for today. Be sure to cover the assigned readings and remember, stay vigilant. Class dismissed."
As everyone gathered their belongings, Teams RWST, BRYK, and JNPR spotted Weiss leaving the class, and saw that she wasn't happy.
"What's up with Weiss?" Jaune asked.
"Who knows," Yuffie said. "She's probably just mad she got knocked around by an evil piece of bacon."
Ruby didn't listen to them, instead chasing after Weiss, following her into the hallway. "Weiss!" she called.
"What?" Weiss snapped, turning to look at her.
"What's wrong? Why are you upset?"
"I…" Weiss said, looking like she wanted to say something, before deciding not to. "I don't want to talk about it."
"But maybe I can help with what's bug—"
"I said I don't want to talk about it! Just leave me alone!" The anger on Weiss's face turned into quiet realization as she saw the saddened look on Ruby's face.
"Uh, s-sure, Weiss," Ruby said. "Whatever you need."
Weiss hesitated, but turned away and continued walking down the hallway. Ruby sat against the wall, getting lost in her thoughts.
What did I do? She thought. Why's Weiss mad at me? I was cheering her on and helped her defeat the Boarbatusk. Isn't that what a leader is supposed to do. Maybe she's not mad at what I did, but… what I am. She slowly touched her eye.
"Why do you care what she thinks?" a voice asked in her head.
"Huh?"
"You're far superior to that Schnee and everyone else in the Academy, and she knows that. That's why you infuriate her."
That's not true, Ruby thought. I'm not better than Weiss. I'm not better than anyone. I'm just a normal girl. Nothing more.
"Don't try to deny it. You've slaughtered packs of Beowolves and Wrath Hounds singlehandedly in a few short minutes. You are the superior being of this planet and soon all will know."
"No, I'm not!" Ruby shouted, punching the wall.
"Something troubling you, Miss Rose?"
Ruby looked up and saw Professor Ozpin looking down at her and quickly got to her feet. "O-oh, Professor. I didn't see you there. I was just having an argument with… uh, myself. It… got a little heated.
"I could tell," he said. "Perhaps I could lend you an ear, if you'll accept it."
"W-well, in Creature Studies, I tried to help Weiss beat a Grimm, but she just got mad at me. I tried to talk to her, but…" she sighed. "Professor Ozpin, did you make a mistake by making me leader?"
"That remains to be seen."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean it's only been one day," Professor Ozpin said as if it was obvious. "You can't doubt your leadership skills when you haven't even been put into the field yet."
"B-but what if I make a mistake? Leaders aren't supposed to make mistakes, right?" Ruby asked.
"Ruby, I've made more mistake than any man, woman, or child on this planet. But appointing you as team leader wasn't one of them," Professor Ozpin said. "Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you're not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you? Sure, there will be times where you'll stumble and fall, but don't let it be a burden on you. Let it motivate you to improve and refine your capabilities. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, I think I do," Ruby said. "Thank you, Professor."
"You're very welcome, Ruby. Now, I do believe you should start heading to your next class."
"Oh, right! I gotta go! See you later, professor!"
Ruby quickly ran past Professor Ozpin to go get her stuff from Port's class.
Weiss found herself pacing back and forth outside in the academy's courtyard, lost in thought.
I tried to follow Cloud's advice, she thought. I tried to not see Ruby as a child, but as a Huntress. But she's just so frustrating! She blared a whistle at me, she made us late for class, and she didn't even bother paying attention! And then there's… those… eyes… No! Don't focus on those, they're not the issue. The issue is… why was she made leader?
"Ah, Miss, Schnee," Professor Port said as he stepped out into the courtyard and snapped Weiss out of her thoughts. "Come to calm your senses?"
"Oh, Professor," Weiss said. "No, I just need some air. But I would like to say that I enjoyed your lecture."
"Of course you did, child. You have the blood of a true Huntress in your veins."
"You really think so?" Weiss asked,
"Most surely," Professor Port said, but instead of cheering her up, Weiss seemed to grow more somber. "Hmm, it appears something is troubling you."
"Yes, sir, there is," Weiss said.
"Dear child, confess to me your strife."
"Well, I think I should have been made the leader of Team RWST."
"…That's preposterous."
"Excuse me?!" Weiss exclaimed.
"I've trusted Ozpin's judgment for many years and the man has never once led me astray."
"So you'd just blindly accept his decision even after seeing how exceptional I am?" Weiss asked.
"With all due respect, your exceptional skill on the battlefield is matched only by your poor attitude."
"How dare you!"
"My point exactly."
"But Ruby acts like a child," Weiss protested. "She doesn't show the traits that a leader should have."
"I thought the same of my leader when I was your age."
"What?" Weiss asked. "But from your story I assumed you were a leader."
"You'd think that, but no, I was not," Professor Port said. "I was merely his partner, and just like you I thought I should have been made leader. I questioned every decision and every plan he made, whether it be in combat class or out in the field. I would even ignore his orders entirely and follow my own plan. But one day, my stubbornness nearly cost the lives of myself and my team. From that day onward, I knew I wasn't fit to be leader." Weiss stared at him in disbelief. "The outcome may not have fallen in your favor, but do you think acting in such a manner will cause those in power to reconsider their decision? So instead of fretting about what you don't have, cherish what you do. Hone your skills, perfect every technique, and be not the best leader, but the best person you can be." Weiss was silent, contemplating what the professor had said. "Now, I believe you should start heading to your next class."
"Right, of course," Weiss said. "And, thank you, professor."
"You're welcome, Miss Schnee."
Ruby kept her head on a swivel as she looked at the labels above the classrooms as she walked down the hallway.
"Ah, there it is," she said as she spotted the room labeled "Leadership" and walked in. She briefly looked around, surveying all the other young leaders until she spotted Jaune and Blake sitting next to each other.
"Hey, guys," she said, getting their attention.
"Ruby, I wondered when you were gonna get here," Jaune said. "How'd it go with Weiss?"
"Oh, uh, fine," Ruby said. "I-it went okay. She just needed some space, that's all."
"Did she say anything to you?" Blake asked.
"No, no. She just said she needed to be alone. Well, actually, she yelled at me to leave her alone, but that's it, really."
Blake looked at her for a few seconds. "…Okay. But if she ever says anything to you, let me know. Alright?"
"Uh, sure?" Ruby said, before sitting down next to Blake. Jaune pulled out a pencil from his pocket and reached down to grab it. Unfortunately, at that exact moment Cardin was walking up the steps and tripped over Jaune, prompting laughs from some of the students.
"Oh, sorry," Jaune said. "Are you alright?" Cardin quickly stood up with a snarl on his face and grabbed Jaune by the collar of his shirt. "I-I'll take that a-as a yes?"
"You think that was funny, blondie?" Cardin asked.
"Oh no, no. T-that was just an accident."
"No, me breaking your teeth? That's the accident."
"Hey, leave him alone!" Ruby shouted, standing up.
"Piss off, pip—" Cardin stopped when he made eye contact with the young Huntress and a grin appeared on his face. "Well, well, I didn't know Beacon allowed animals in class."
Ruby's face fell for a second, but she quickly shook it off. "J-Just put him down you jerk!"
Cardin tossed Jaune aside and stepped closer to Ruby, towering over her and making her slightly recoil. "Or what, freak?"
"O-or I'll—"
Blake stood up and glared at Cardin, getting his attention. "Leave her alone."
"Oh, an animal lover," Cardin said. "What, is she your pet or something?"
"Keep talking like that and you'll regret it," Blake said.
"That's some pretty big talk, girly."
"It's not talk, it's a promise."
Blake and Cardin glared at each other for a moment before a girl with brown hair, sunglasses, and a beret stepped between the two.
"Woah, you two, settle down," the newcomer said. "You don't want to get detention on your first day, do ya?"
"Beat it," Cardin said. "This isn't any of your business."
The new girl chuckled. "Well, unfortunately for you…" She quickly grabbed Cardin's arm, spun him around, and put him in a chicken wing. "I'm making it my business. So unless you what to know what it's like to get beaten by a second year, you better go sit down!" She shoved Cardin away. He turned around and briefly glared at the four students.
"This isn't over," he said, before slinking away to find a spot to sit.
The older girl scoffed at Cardin's threat and walked over to Jaune, helping him to his feet. "You okay, rookie?"
"Yeah, it's nothing I haven't been through before," Jaune said. "I'm Jaune, from team—"
"Juniper, right?"
"Uh, yeah," Jaune said in confusion.
"That means you must be Ruby, and you're Blake," the girl said, pointing to the girls in question.
"How do you know our names?" Blake asked.
"It's kind of hard to forget about the group of newbies who took down a mutant Zolom."
"You know about that?" Ruby asked. "How?"
"My team was called in to save your butts," the girl said. "Until we heard you took out the Hy-Grimm yourselves."
"Oh, uh, sorry for stealing your thunder?" Jaune said.
"It's all good. Just try not to get yourselves killed again, alright?" the girl said with a chuckle.
"Right," Blake said. "Well, you know who we are, but who are you?"
"Coco, Coco Adel," she said. "Leader of Team CVFY."
"Coffee?!" Ruby exclaimed. "Oh my gods, you're one of the strongest teams at Beacon!"
"Aw, stop," Coco said. "You're making me blush, kid." She looked up at the clock. "Well, as much as I like talking to you guys, I better sit down before teach arrives. And trust me, you don't want him to bite your head off." She turned to leave, but stopped. "Oh, and Ruby…"
"Yeah?"
"That cloak goes great with your uniform. Same goes for the cutie's bow." Coco walked back up to the top of the steps, leaving Jaune, Ruby, and a blushing Blake behind.
"Oh, thanks," Ruby said. "Uh, your sunglasses are cool."
"You got that right."
For a few minutes, Ruby heard the students talk among themselves for the remaining free time, before the teacher burst into the classroom. She recognized him as the large man from initiation with the gatling gun where his right hand should have been (as awesome as that was, she knew it would be best to fangirl over it later).
"Alright everyone, shut the hell up and sit your asses down!" he shouted, causing the classroom to fall silent as he approached his desk. "Thank you. Now professionally, I'm Professor Barret Wallace, and you're supposed to address me as such, but I'd prefer if you addressed me as Mister Wallace. In this class, I'll be teaching you how to be the best leaders you can be when you eventually enter the field. Whether it be coming up with strategies for battle, dealing with uncooperative team members, and most importantly how not to f# k up. Understand?"
"Yes, Mr. Wallace," the class said in unison
"Good. Now, pop quiz." The students groaned. "SHUT THE HELL UP!" he shouted, causing everyone to immediately stop groaning. "Good. Now let's say your team is cornered by a pack of Wrath Hounds, you're low on ammo, and one of your teammates is injured. What do you do?" Ruby hesitantly raised her hand. "Yeah, what ya got?"
"Well, I would try to scare of the Wrath Hounds so we'd have time to be rescued," she said.
"And how exactly would you scare them off?"
"I'd throw a vial of both Combustion and Fire Dust into the air and shoot 'em to cause an explosion. Most dogs usually run from fireworks, so maybe something similar could work on Wrath Hounds."
"…What's your name?" Mr. Wallace asked.
"Ruby."
"Well, Ruby, I gotta say, not a bad idea. Though a plan like that would probably be a last resort due to the risk of combining those Dust variants together. But overall, not bad. Now, let's get to our first assignment."
Ruby smiled, beginning to think that maybe she might be cut out to be a leader after all. But that smile quickly fell when she remembered Weiss's attitude earlier. She really hoped that she and Weiss could patch things up, maybe even become friends one day.
Weiss quietly opened the door and entered the dorm room. Night had fallen, so she could see Cloud and Tifa sleeping in their bunks. It only highlighted how long Weiss had been thinking, since she was still in her uniform while everyone else had changed into their pajamas. Weiss looked up at her and Ruby's bunk, and saw that the top bunk was covered with a blanket that had a light emanating from beneath it.
She climbed up the bunk and looked underneath the blanket to find Ruby sleeping with a piece of paper and books on her pillow, with a small reading lamp having been left on. The sight of Ruby having actually studied until she passed out shocked Weiss, who reached out and gently shook Ruby's shoulder. Ruby's eyes fluttered open, bursting wide open upon seeing Weiss.
"W-Weiss! I-I was studying and then I fell asleep," Ruby said. "I'm sorry, it's just that Mister Wallace gave—"
Weiss covered Ruby's mouth with her hand to silence her, and spotted a coffee cup on Ruby's bed.
"How do you take your coffee?" she asked.
"I-I don't—"
"Answer the question!"
"Cream and five sugars!" Ruby said.
Weiss rolled her eyes. Of course she took that many sugars. "Don't move." She ducked down for a few seconds, before popping back up with a fresh cup of coffee for Ruby. "Here."
"Um, thanks, Weiss," Ruby said, accepting the cup.
"…Ruby, I think you have what it takes to be a good leader," Weiss finally said, surprising the redhead. "And just know that I will be the best teammate you'll ever have."
"Second only to me," Tifa said groggily from her bed.
"Quiet you, and go back to sleep," Weiss said.
Tifa yawned. "Just saying." Ruby smiled at Weiss.
"Good night, Ruby, and good luck studying," Weiss said, before pointing at Ruby's paper. "That's wrong, by the way." Weiss climbed down and headed towards the bathroom to change, but stopped before closing the door. "Oh, and Ruby?"
"Yeah, Weiss?"
"I always wanted bunk beds as a kid."
Weiss closed the bathroom door. Ruby went back to her homework with a smile on her face.
AN: We wanted to give a more complete picture of what the first day looked like compared to what we got in the original show. I think it turned out nicely.
As always, thank you very much for reading, and I'll see you all next time!