Another day arrives in Beacon Academy. Dust and Chemistry class was about to begin soon when Team CJVR arrived. They approach the desk beside RWBY and behind JNPR until they notice the Professor hasn't arrived yet.
"Uh, where's Professor Peach?" Crimson asks, scanning the room with his eyes.
"Dunno, she wasn't here when we arrived." Yang answers. "Maybe she's out sick?"
"I doubt it...Professor Peach is available no matter what condition she is in." Jotaro answers, earning questionable looks from the others. "That's what I heard."
"Maybe it's some kind of test?" Fenrir says, about to sit down until the chair's legs fold from the weight and drop, making Fenrir fall. "Ow!"
Fenrir climbs up to his feet, recovering from the fall. Most of the students look at Fenrir with a mix of surprise and concern. He was equally confused as to why the chair folded like that.
"Be careful with those chairs, Fenrir." Pyrrha represses a chuckle, looking at him from behind. "Their screws weren't built like they used to."
Fenrir tilts his head, confused until Pyrrha holds up a single screw in her fingers. He can already connect the dots about what happened. Smirking, Fenrir takes the screw off Pyrrha's hand and lifts the chair to fix it
Suddenly, the class door slams open by a woman with blonde hair wrapped in a bun, cyan eyes, wearing a lab coat, lab goggles, rubber gloves, pink shirt and a blue skirt. This is the Dust and Chemistry teacher, Professor Peach
"Hello, fellow students!!!! So glad you all could make it to class!!" Peach greets with joy.
Professor Peach approaches her desk and places several Dust vials on it, each has different color
"I'm Professor Peach and I'll be your teacher for Dust and Chemistry. As you can see, Dust has become the turning point in human and Faunus evolution. With this, you can run cars, make bullets and can even cast elemental powers from these things!" Peach begins.
To prove her point, she opens up a case she was carrying, pulling out a Red Fire Dust Crystal and a Yellow Electric Dust Crystal
"As you notice by different colors, each Dust has its own ability! Red equals fire and yellow equals electricity! Not much else is known about its origin, only that it's really important in our society! You already learned the basics in Combat Schools, so this will be more advanced learning"
Weiss, noticing the two Dust Crystals are painfully close to each other, raises her hand.
"Yes! Miss Schnee!" Peach calls.
"Professor Peach, it's not a good idea to hold the two crystals together. Shouldn't you carry them separately?" Weiss suggests
"Missy, I've been studying about Dust since your mommy read you a bedtime story!" Peach scoffs, not noticing the two Dust Crystals are reacting to each other from proximity
Noticing the crystals' reaction, River puts on his headphones and quickly ducks under the desk.
"But, Professor-,"
"Trust me, kiddo! I am a woman of science, and I know exactly what I am doing."
Then, the two crystals explode, knocking the Professor out while the students quickly duck under their desks to avoid the shockwave from the explosion. As the smoke began to clear, River and the rest of the students look from their desks to see if Professor Peach was ok
"Uh...Professor? You still alive?" Crimson asks.
A loud coughing fit was the only response Crimson could get from the Professor as she carefully picks her up. Peach stands up on her feet, her face covered in soot and her hair frizzed up from the electricity
"As you can see students." Peach coughs. "Miss Schnee was uh...correct about the two Dust Crystals getting too close to each other. It triggers a serious reaction to which it could go...BOOM! Ha ha..."
"If you knew it could do that...why did you pick them both up?" Jotaro asks.
"Because...that was a test, Mr Kurozaki, to see how knowledgeable you are with Dust! Speaking of which, A for Team RWBY!" Peach coughs out smoke
"Uh...thanks Professor." Yang shrugs
"Just...don't tell Ozpin about this, please. Anyway, let's continue with the lecture!"
*
The morning classes finished up; it's time for lunch. Teams CJVR, RWBY, and JNPR were exiting Professor Port's classroom, equally exhausted.
"Ok, what's the point of Oobleck teaching us History if he's speaking too damn fast for us to keep track?!" Crimson complains, hunched over tiredly.
"Yeah, someone should be telling him to cut back on the coffee during his lectures." Yang mutters, exhaustion written on her face.
"Let's just be glad it's over..." Blake sighs.
Crimson notices Pyrrha chatting with her teammates; he smirks, thinking he has a chance.
"Hey, beautiful." Crimson walks beside Pyrrha with a smile. "It's Nikos, right? We never got a chance to get to know each other better, what do ya say we have a chat over lunch today? Just the two of us?"
"Oh, your offer is nice." Pyrrha chuckles nervously. She looks at her team then back to Crimson with a smile. "But I already promised to eat with my teammates, so maybe another time!"
Without an answer from Crimson, she runs off to catch up with her team. Leaving him a bit surprised.
"Uh...sure, another time." Crimson chuckles, losing his confident groove. He looks at RWBY and his teammates, noticing the mix of teasing smirks and disapproving frowns. "What? I had a shot, wanted to take it."
"Do you know who that is?" Weiss asks.
"Pyrrha Nikos, Champion of Mistral Tournament running in four years, top of her class in Sanctum Academy." Crimson answers, earning surprised looks from RWBY and his teammates. "What? I did my research..."
"And did you ever consider, maybe she's out of your league?" Fenrir asks, tilting his head with a smile.
"How can she be out of my league?" Crimson chuckles. "She's strong, independent, skilled, and has such a beautiful bod!"
"How barbaric." Blake points out with a judgmental glare.
"Hey, you're as much of a perv as I am, don't think I didn't notice the books you read." Crimson points out, making Blake blush and hide her face behind the PG-friendly book in her hands.
"Look, pal. You may be interested in her...but a connection like that's gotta go both ways, and I'm pretty sure Pyrrha doesn't have any interests in you." Yang says, smirking
"And you're not attractive enough." River bluntly adds.
"No one asked you." Crimson snaps, pointing at River.
Ruby just giggles at the light banter her friends are having and Jotaro couldn't help but smile
*
At the cafeteria, Team CJVR were able to gather their food, each of their own preference. Fenrir acquired a plate mixed with meat and vegetables, Jotaro acquired the same meal only with a fruit added as his dessert, Crimson holds a plate of nothing but protein, and River's plate...is a mixture of junk, veggie, meat, fruit and sweets mixed into one...literally mixed into one. The four leave to find their table, noticing there are only a few empty seats.
"So...where should we sit?" Crimson asks, looking around.
"I'd prefer the darkest corner in the room, it makes me comfortable." River replies.
"That wouldn't be beneficial to the rest of us." Jotaro says nonchalantly.
"Can we at least sit WITH a group?" Crimson shrugs.
"Why? I already get headaches dealing with you three." River comments, narrowing his eyes
"You're having trouble dealing with us? Now that's funny." Fenrir chuckles.
"Ok, ignoring the hermit." Crimson starts, pointing at River, who scoffs in response. "Where do you think we should sit, Boss?"
Fenrir scans the cafeteria with his eye, searching for the right table that would work for everyone. He spots Ruby standing up and waving at the team
"Hey, Fenrir! Over here!!" Ruby shouts excitedly.
"Team RWBY's offering, let's sit with them!" Fenrir looks at his team with a smile
"No thanks, I'm gonna go find a corner to sit in." River says, about to walk away.
Crimson stops River from walking further by grabbing his ponytail and pulling him along
"Oh no, you don't! You're coming with us!" Crimson says, pulling River by his ponytail
"Ow! Ow!!" River expresses as he's getting pulled away.
The three members of CJVR approach RWBY, with Crimson dragging River along, and sit across them.
"Hey there! Happy to see a friendly face!" Fenrir greets, smiling
"Happy to see you too!" Ruby smiles back.
"So, Fenrir, care to introduce us to your team? I don't think I caught their names." Yang says, looking at Fenrir's teammates.
"Sure! The boy in blue is Jotaro Kurozaki, heir to the family that owns Kurozaki Armaments and Technology. Next is Crimson Vernados, the Nomad with a heart of gold."
"Damn straight!" Crimson cheers, pumping his fist.
"And last but not least, the anti-social hermit is River Strife." Fenrir points at River who continues to eat. "Aren't you gonna say anything, River?"
"Lunch isn't a time to talk, it's a time to eat." River replies and resumes eating.
"Well, at least River's got his priorities straight..." Fenrir comments.
"What in the world is he eating?" Weiss asks, slightly disgusted.
"Everything on the menu?" Crimson says, shrugging his shoulders. "At this point it's best to leave him be."
"So, you gonna introduce us to your team?" Fenrir asks.
"Oh! Uh, right! Ahem, my name is Ruby Rose! And my teammates are Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and my sister, Yang Xiao Long"
When Yang's introduction was made, River stops eating for a moment and glances at her direction, then continues eating.
"Well, Weiss and I need no introduction" Jotaro comments
"Agreed, we've been friends for years." Weiss nods with a smile
"Wait...really?" Fenrir asks, smirking at Jotaro
"Yes, our families and the companies we own have a close relationship with each other." Jotaro explains.
"In that case, mind telling Weiss that she needs to eat more? Just look at what she brought with her." Yang points at Weiss' plate which holds only a single apple.
"Yeah, Weiss, you really need a more balanced meal." Ruby laughs, pointing at the apple
"I really don't need to hear that from you, Miss Plate-of-cookies." Weiss retorts, pointing at Ruby's plate full of cookies, now making the owner chuckle nervously.
"You're not seriously gonna eat an entire apple, are you, Ice Queen?" Fenrir asks, lightly chuckling. "Personally, I'd prefer to cut it in slices."
"That's where simple commoners like yourselves don't understand. For you see, Jotaro and I have been personally trained to eat a whole apple." Weiss admits proudly.
"Seriously?! Even you've been trained, Jotaro?!" Crimson asks in disbelief. Jotaro answers with a simple nod. "But, why?! Being taught just to eat an entire apple sounds so ridiculous."
"It's called having good table manners." Jotaro replies. "Having the skill to eat whatever's served is a sign you're well mannered and respectful to either the guests, hosts or even your own family. All you have to do is eat it cleanly without any interference such as cutting it into slices."
"Thank you, Jotaro!" Weiss nods with a smile.
"That sounds like a pain to me." Yang sighs.
"Agreed, it's easier to just eat it." River butts in.
"I thought you preferred eating than talking, River." Fenrir mocks with a smile.
"I'm done eating, now I'm talking." River replies
"So, how exactly would you eat an entire apple cleanly?" Ruby asks, wanting to return to the important topic.
"Simple, I'll bite into it elegantly." Weiss answers, winking at Ruby.
"That still counts as biting into it!" Ruby and Crimson shout in unison.
"Actually, it's quite different from eating it ordinarily." Jotaro replies. "I've seen Weiss practice eating apples elegantly from under a tree and...there's a difference, trust in my word."
"Ok, show us, Ice Queen." Fenrir smirks, Blake also looks up from her book, equally interested in this elegant bite Weiss will undertake. "How will the young lady bite elegantly into an apple?"
"Yeah! Show us! Show us!" Ruby excitedly requests bouncing up and down in her seat.
"Fine, fine, if it will satisfy your curiosity, I'll show you exactly how to elegantly bite into this apple." Weiss says. The Heiress clears her throat and picks up the apple from her plate.
The group, besides River who's just staring off into space, watch closely as Weiss pulls the apple closer to her mouth until...CRUNCH. Weiss bites into the apple, displaying her elegance.
"Ok, was that really supposed to be elegant?" Crimson asks, slightly confused.
"Are you kidding?! That really IS different! Did you not notice the politeness as her teeth connected the apple's surface?!" Ruby asks, praising Weiss.
"I guess the Ice Queen truly is elegant after all." Fenrir chuckles.
"Honestly, I don't think I'd ever pull it off!" Yang laughs in admiration.
"I still don't see the difference, all she did was bite into it!" Crimson says, raising a confused eyebrow.
"I can eat elegantly too! I'm gonna get more apples!" Ruby says, dashing off.
"What do you say, boys? Wanna practice eating apples elegantly?" Fenrir asks, grinning at his teammates.
"I see no problem with it." Jotaro nods, smiling.
"What the hell, I'm down!" Crimson pumps his fist in excitement.
"No thanks, we still have classes after lunch and I'd rather not waste whatever free time we have on this...pointless activity. I'll meet you guys later." River says, leaving the table with his empty plate.
The others watch as River leaves, most are a bit hurt by how he called it a pointless activity.
"That was just rude, what's his problem?" Yang asks.
"We've been trying to figure it out ourselves." Jotaro sighs. "His mind is like an enigma, one moment he's comfortable around us, the next he prefers to be alone."
"I'm more comfortable without him!" Crimson scoffs. "River used my toothbrush to clean out his EARS! Do you know how disgusting that is?"
"And he used my credentials to buy his own books. Without my permission." Jotaro adds.
"Let's not forget, he spends most of his time at the desk in our dorm without letting us study on it. River won't tell us what he's working on because it's a 'secret project'" Fenrir sighs.
"Maybe he's not used to being on a team." Blake says, earning the group's attention, this is the first time she's spoken in a while. "I can understand how he feels...in a way. When someone acts like they live in their own world, it's only because they have to rely on themselves to survive. I don't know River that well...but sometimes you don't need to know someone when you notice how isolated they act."
The boys look at one another, considering Blake's words until Ruby comes back and drops every single apple on the table.
"I'm right back! Let the elegance begin!!" Ruby exclaims excitedly.
*
At the academy hallways, River's walking to his next class with the required books he needs for studying until he notices Professor Goodwitch approaching.
"Hello, Professor Goodwitch." River nods to Goodwitch in greeting.
"Mr. Strife, would you come with me, please?" Goodwitch formerly asks.
"W-Why?" River nervously asks. "I have to get to my classes before I'm late."
"You have plenty of time left, the Headmaster wishes to personally speak with you." Goodwitch answers.
"Am I in trouble?" River asks.
"No, he just wants a few words with you. I'll take you to his office." Goodwitch informs, taking the lead while River follows, scratching his arm nervously.
*
River and Goodwitch arrive in Ozpin's office, the owner facing the window on his seat, a mug of hot chocolate in hand.
"Mr. Strife, happy to see you've made it without any trouble. I apologize for asking you during your class schedule." Ozpin apologizes, a warm smile on his face. "Thank you, Glynda, you may return to your students."
Goodwitch looks at River, then nods at Ozpin, taking her leave in the elevator. River slowly approaches Ozpin's desk as the headmaster turns his chair around to look at the student.
"Please, have a seat." Ozpin kindly requests, motioning the chair across him.
River sits down as requested, scratching his arm repeatedly to help make himself comfortable.
"It's ok, River. There's no need to stress yourself out, you're not in trouble." Ozpin assures, River starts feeling a little relaxed enough, he stops scratching his arm. Ozpin pours an empty mug of hot chocolate and slides it to River's side. "Here, this should help you a little. Hot cocoa is much more relaxing than coffee, if only Barty could understand that, ha ha."
River smiles a little at Ozpin's jab towards Doctor Oobleck, River frowns when he picks up his mug, looking at the hot cocoa inside.
"Professor, if I may ask. Why did you ask me here if I'm not in trouble?" River asks, looking at Ozpin.
"Before I answer your question, River, I'd like you to answer mine." Ozpin says, taking a sip from his mug. "Why do you wish to become a Huntsman?"
River takes a moment to think of the right answer...it's a topic he's always struggled with, thinking ahead on whatever future he desires, there's a personal reason for why he's becoming a Huntsman...but he feels that would be too selfish. Right now, he gives the only answer River can think of.
"Because I wanted to make a difference. I've seen what the real world is like out there, more than any teenager should...I wanted to become a Huntsman so nobody else has to go through what I did...what I had to fight for. I wanted to make a better future." River answers, taking a sip from his mug afterwards.
"That's a very noble thought, River." Ozpin nods, smiling. "It sounds like you belong here. Though, Glynda and many of the staff may disagree."
"What...do you mean?" River asks, concerned.
"Back to your question: why did I ask you up here? The answer's simple." Ozpin places his scroll on the desk, bringing up River's file. "In my position as Beacon's headmaster, I'd like to present myself as someone who's willing to accept anyone in my academy, whether they're human or faunus, whether male or female, anyone with the skills of a Huntsman is welcome...except those considered...Neurodiverse."
Ozpin enhances River's files, going to his medical records, focusing his medical survey showing he's suffering from no disability.
"The only reason me and the other three academies don't accept Neurodiverse individuals is because the Council feared sending them on life threatening missions would put too much pressure and stress on them. Which is why we go through a medical diagnosis on each student to see if they suffer from any disabilities. Of course, there's only so much you can tell from a simple piece of paper...but if you're observant enough like I am...you'll notice the signs." Ozpin pulls up a few camera recordings to show River struggling to interact with other people.
"With respect, Professor, what does that have to do with me?" River asks, though he fears in knowing the answer already.
"So far, I've seen top marks on your classes in the past four weeks. History, Grimm Study, Dust and Chemistry, Combat Training. Yet, I've noticed you struggling to cooperate with your teammates...and I have an idea as to why." Ozpin says, sipping his mug. River can tell Ozpin knows, and it worries him.
"Does this mean I'm expelled?" River asks.
"Of course not, I already said you're not in trouble. Besides, it'd be a waste to expel a student of your skills...I'll keep this secret between us. But there's something you should understand, River, you can't do everything on your own. The point in teammates is for huntsmen to develop empathy, and I'm sure someone like you is incapable of developing such a trait...but what's the harm in giving it a try?"
River takes a moment to consider Ozpin's words, understanding the weight they give off.
*
"Ruby, no! You're doing it all wrong!" Weiss scolds as Ruby bites into the apple.
"Wha-but I'm doing it elegantly like you!" Ruby says, waving her arm in a defensive manner.
"That's not elegant at all, you're just biting into it!" Weiss scolds
"But isn't that the whole point?!"
The boys, Blake, and Yang simply watch as Ruby and her partner continue screaming at each other.
"I'm starting to see River's point in this activity." Jotaro sighs.
"Maybe we should switch to something simple...like...sushi?" Fenrir suggests.
"Unfortunately, they don't serve sushi here, Fenrir." Blake informs them, but Jotaro, Crimson and Yang look at Blake and Fenrir funny. "What?"
"Uh, what's sushi?" Yang asks.
"Yeah, that some type of Mistralian restaurant?" Crimson asks, raising an eyebrow.
"You guys don't know what sushi is?! Not even you, Jotaro?! How?! Your family's the definition of fancy!" Fenrir exaggerates.
"I don't spend as much time at the buffet table as others." Jotaro answers.
Both Fenrir and Blake lean closer to each other, so they can whisper their own strategy.
"What do we do?! How are we supposed to explain sushi?" Fenrir whispers
"Shouldn't we just say it's sliced fish with rice and vinegar?" Blake whispers back.
"Not that simple, details are important and if we skim too much, they'll think it's something else." Fenrir whispers, glancing at Jotaro. "Knowing my partner, he'll think it's something too fancy and over complicated."
"You got a point...and Yang..." Blake glances at Yang. "She'll think it's just a fish dunked in a bowl of rice."
"Screw it, I say we bite the bullet and tell them just as it is. We can take them to a sushi shop afterwards." Fenrir whispers.
"What if they still don't get it?" Blake asks.
"What's there not to get?! They're uncultured, not brain dead!"
"You know we can still hear you, right?" Crimson asks, smirking.
Both Fenrir and Blake back away, trying and failing to think of a good explanation until something crashes onto the table where CJV_ and RWBY were sitting
"What in the sam hell?!!" Crimson screams, falling back.
The others look down to see it's Jaune who crashed on their table
"Jaune!" Ruby exclaims in worry, kneeling down to check on him
Yang and Jotaro help Jaune up, each lifting him up by his shoulders and hands on his back
"Jaune, are you ok?" Yang asks, concerned. Jaune only groans in response.
"What happened? How did you get thrown onto our table like that?" Jotaro asks.
"Oops...my bad, didn't mean to kick the ball this way"
The teams look to the speaker's direction and see Cardin Winchester, leader of Team CRDL
"Cardin Winchester..." Blake mutters in spite
"Hey! What the hell's your problem, asshole?!" Crimson shouts, standing up next to Cardin.
"Relax, I ain't got any beef with you, foreign boy." Cardin pushes Crimson aside
"So why did you hurt Jaune?" Jotaro asks with an unpleasant tone
"Why do you think? He got accepted into Beacon, yet he can hardly use his weapon correctly! He doesn't know proper guarding stances, and his team always has to save him when he's in danger! He's more of a liability."
"Even if he isn't good in a fight, he's earned a position at the academy somehow!" Ruby stands up against Cardin.
"You keep quiet, little girl! You're lucky you got here through skill, but what has Jaune here ever done? Besides being decoy for his teammates."
"Back off Winchester..." Fenrir stands between Jaune and Cardin, as the latter towers over Fenrir. But his feelings and resolve aren't second guessed as Fenrir looks up at Cardin with a piercing glare in his eye.
"Oh? Or what? You wanna throw down or something?" Cardin laughs
"No...because a fight in a cafeteria would be embarrassing...you'd practically have to clean all the dirty food goo off your face." Fenrir mocks.
Cardin just chuckles at Fenrir's intimidation attempt, then he grabs Fenrir by his uniform jacket
"Now listen here you little punk-,"
"Cardin Winchester!"
Cardin looks behind him to see Glynda Goodwitch, glaring suspiciously at him. "Care to explain what you're doing?"
Nervously chuckling, Cardin releases Fenrir and puts his arm over the boy's shoulders; a friendly grin on his face.
"Ha ha, Professor! Uh, our buddy Jaune took a tumble and spilled some food on Calavera, so I thought I'd give him a helping hand!" Cardin lies, brushing Fenrir off to make it look convincing
"...Is this true Mister Calavera?" Glynda asks, casting a suspicious goance towards Cardin. Fenrir takes a moment to measure his words, glancing between Cardin and his friends. A fight in the cafeteria wouldn't look good for anyone; he sighs and nods yes. "Very well, Lunch Break is almost offer so I'd suggest you all head to your next class as soon as possible. I'll clean this mess up."
As Glynda goes to the broken table for repairs, the others follow Glynda's suggestion, while helping Jaune out of the cafeteria. Before Fenrir could leave Cardin's grip, the bully tightens his grip on Fenrir's shoulder and whispers in his ear.
"Better watch your back, Calavera...this isn't over." With Cardin's warning, he pushes Fenrir aside and walks away with his team. The One-Eyed Huntsman watches Cardin walk away with an irritated glare.
*
In the afternoon, Team CJVR are forced to endure another boring tale of how Port took down a Death Stalker with just one arm
"And so...once I ensnared the Stalker's tail with my arm, I simply-,"
The bell rings out the entire school, signaling that class is over, surprising the professor/
"Oh...it seems I've lost track of time again...oh well! We shall continue the story another time, but I would like you all to write a simple report on Grimm behavior and how each one reacts by next week. Class dismissed!"
Team CJVR desperately recover from the boredom the class gave them and stand up from their desk
"Finally...it's over." Crimson sighs, stretching his arms. "I swear, if the Grimm won't kill me...Port's stories certainly will..."
As they gather their stuff, Jotaro noticed River's more quiet than usual, and he has this look which says something's bothering him. A few minutes pass by as the boys walk across the courtyard to the Dorm Building
"Seriously...does the Headmaster pay him to gloat? How do we know if half his stories are true?!" Crimson complains. "Half the time, I have difficulty believing them!"
"You're overreacting, Crimson." Jotaro says. "Yes, they sound bombastic but there are some good moral lessons within them. Wouldn't you agree, Leader?"
Jotaro turns to Fenrir, who glances at him with his hands behind his head
"I wouldn't know, I wasn't listening." Fenrir shrugs
"Because you were sleeping in class." Jotaro sighs, rolling his eyes.
"Hey, I need the rest until we go on a real mission!"
"We've only been enrolled into Beacon for a whole month, Fenrir. There's still a lot we must learn before we go on a real mission." Jotaro advises, then turns to River. "Isn't that right, River?"
"Right..." River nods nonchalantly.
The others look at each other, noticing the dismissive attitude River has. He's been out of it since he left for class early. On a gut feeling, Fenrir checks his person and realizes he lost his book
"Ah crap! I forgot my textbook!" Fenrir exclaims.
"Was wondering when you'd realized that..." Crimson chuckles.
"I must've left it back in Port's class, you guys go on without me! I'll see you at the dorms!"
"Are you sure you don't need any help?" River asks, surprising Crimson and Jotaro
"It's just a book, not like looking for my keys! I'll be right back!"
As Fenrir runs back to Professor Port's classroom, he makes it, exhausted from the running, and sees his book, still lying on the Team's desk. Fenrir walks to the desk and picks textbook up from its surface and smiles, accomplished in recovering it. Fenrir turns and leaves the classroom but just when he was three feet out the door, he turns to the right and sees Cardin blocking Fenrir's path.
"...Cardin" Fenrir sighs
"Hey punk, you owe me a beatdown for making me look like a fool in the cafeteria." Cardin says, cracking his knuckles.
"If I remember correctly, you're doing a bang up job of that yourself. Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get going..." Fenrir tries walking past him but Cardin pushes Fenrir back as he takes notice of Cardin's Team surrounding him.
"You're not meeting with your team...not when we're done with you, Calavera."
"Cardin...this is a bad idea." Fenrir warns.
"What? You gonna fight back?"
"No...not unless you strike first. But let me warn you...that's a bad idea."
"Heh...I think I'll take my chances." Cardin chuckles
The tall Winchester swings a right hook, which connected straight to Fenrir's jaw, causing him to fall to his knees and caress his hurt jaw.
"Ha! You guys see that?! One good punch to the face! Ha ha ha!" Cardin laughs, looking at his team who laughs with him
"Ha ha! Good one Cardin!"
"Yeah! Hit him again! Teach him a lesson!"
Throughout the commotion, River turns a corner down the hall, decided to see if Fenrir's ok until he sees Fenrir getting hit by Cardin and being surrounded by his team
"Fenrir?" River whispers, wondering why Cardin's beating his leader up.
Cardin and his team continued laughing as Fenrir slowly stands up to his feet
"...I warned you..." Fenrir growls.
"Oooh! I'm shaking in my shoes!" Cardin mockingly shakes
Fenrir growls at Cardin's mocking tone, seeing him so fearless of what Fenrir's about to do to him just pisses him off. Cardin swings another right hook at Fenrir but he dodges to the left swiftly and without difficulty, then Fenrir grabs Cardin's arm and push him away, causing Russel and Sky to quickly catch him by the arms
"Whoa! Careful, Cardin!"
Cardin quickly turns his front back to Fenrir as he swings both his fists at him, Fenrir parries Cardin's right fist, then his left, then right again as Fenrir ducks from Cardin's left swing and then lunge back up, head butting him on the chin
"Agh!!!" Cardin steps back a bit to caress his hurt chin, and then glare daggers at you
"Had enough?"
"That's it! You're dead meat!" Cardin shouts, throwing a left hook
As Fenrir readies for Cardin's fist, River jumps in, grabs Cardin's arm and kicks him in the crotch, causing him to yelp in pain and fall to his knees.
"Cardin!" Winchester's team run to their leader to help him up. They look at River to see the intimidating glare he gives them; any anger they have to River's interference vanishes.
"T-this...isn't over!" Cardin squeals in pain.
"Get out of here! While you punks can still walk!" Fenrir shouts.
Cardin stands up and runs away with his team, but not before glaring at Fenrir and River one more time. As they left, Fenrir looks at River again, deciding to address the Goliath in the room.
"Not that I didn't appreciate it but...why did you help me?" Fenrir asks.
"I've...noticed I've been difficult to you guys. I only wanted to get through these four years of Beacon just so I'm an eligible Huntsman to go alone, and a team is just a group of people. I realize it's more...elegant than that, we're a group of people who rely on each other; to watch each others' backs and their trust in one another. Knowing this...I'd like to apologize." River says.
"Ok, that's weird...but I'll accept it. Now come on, let's get to our dorm before the others get worried." Fenrir says, patting River's shoulder.
River smiling, he and Fenrir head back to their dorm.
End of Chapter 7