BEACON GARDENS

Birds chirp in the distance, and sunlight filters through the trees. In the center of the gardens, a neatly arranged podcast setup is placed on a patch of flat land. A round table, two microphones, and a recording device sit between two chairs. Yang adjusts her mic, wearing her signature grin as she looks at the camera.

Yang: "Welcome back, folks, to another episode of The Beacon Podcast! I'm your host, Yang Xiao Long, and today, we're coming to you live from one of the best chill spots in the whole academy—the Beacon Gardens! It's where students come to unwind, enjoy nature, and occasionally nap between classes. And let's be real, naps are an essential part of student life."

She leans back, gesturing to the scenic view behind her.

Yang: "Now, the gardens are also home to some of Beacon's finest students, and I happen to have one of them right here with me today. She's fast, she's creative, she's got the coolest Semblance around—give it up for Velvet Scarlatina!"

The camera pans to Velvet, sitting across from Yang. The rabbit Faunus smiles warmly and waves at the audience.

Velvet: "Hello, everyone! It's really nice to be here."

Yang: "And we're super happy to have you! Now, I should mention that while Team CFVY is full of absolute legends, only Velvet and Coco agreed to be on the podcast. So, for all the Fox and Yatsuhashi fans out there—sorry, folks, they're staying in the shadows."

Velvet: "Yeah, Fox isn't really into public speaking, and Yatsu… well, he's just more of a 'quiet strength' kind of guy."

Yang: "Understandable. But hey, Coco's coming on next episode, so we'll be getting that high-fashion combat queen perspective soon enough. But today, it's all about you, Velvet! So let's start with the basics—what's life like as one of Beacon's most talented fighters?"

Velvet chuckles, ears twitching slightly as she leans in.

Velvet: "Oh, I don't know about 'most talented'—I just do my best! But, um, life here has been… a mix of exciting, challenging, and honestly, really rewarding. Beacon has given me opportunities I never thought I'd have, especially as a Faunus."

Yang: "I hear that. And speaking of, let's get into it—being a Faunus at Beacon. The good, the bad, the 'ugh, not this again' moments. What's your experience been like?"

Velvet: "Oof. Okay, real talk?"

Yang: "Real talk."

Velvet: "It hasn't always been easy. When I first got here, there were definitely some… unkind people. Nothing outright violent, but, you know, the usual whispers, the looks, the 'oh, does she really belong here?' kind of attitude."

Yang: "That sucks. But you've got an awesome team, so I'm guessing you weren't alone in dealing with it?"

Velvet: "Definitely not. Coco, Fox, and Yatsu had my back from day one. And honestly, so did a lot of other students. It wasn't like I was an outcast or anything—it's just… some people still have that old prejudice, you know?"

Yang: "Unfortunately, yeah. But if anyone gives you trouble now, I'm guessing you can handle it?"

Velvet: "Oh, absolutely. Coco taught me how to stand my ground, and let's just say that after a few 'training sessions' with her, I learned how to shut down ignorance real fast."

Yang: "I need to hear more about that later. But let's get into the fun stuff—your Semblance."

Velvet: "Ah, right! My Semblance is called Photographic Reflexes. It lets me copy any weapon and fighting style I've seen before, as long as I've had a chance to study it."

Yang: "And that, my friends, is what makes Velvet one of the coolest fighters at Beacon. I mean, imagine facing someone who can literally become any other fighter on the battlefield. That's some next-level strategy."

Velvet: "It does have its limits! I need time to analyze a weapon properly, and I can only recreate it temporarily. Plus, if I don't know the technique behind the weapon, it's not as effective."

Yang: "Okay, but let's be real—you still wreck in a fight. What's been your favorite weapon to copy so far?"

Velvet thinks for a moment, then grins mischievously.

Velvet: "Honestly? Yours."

Yang: "Wait—Ember Celica?! You copied my gauntlets?"

Velvet: "Yeah! Coco had me train with recorded footage of you fighting so I could get a feel for your style. I have to say, punching with explosions? Super fun."

Yang: "Okay, I have to see this. Next sparring session, we're throwing down."

Velvet: "You're on."

Yang: "Alright, before we wrap up, last question—what's something you wish more people knew about you, beyond just 'Velvet the badass fighter'?"

Velvet pauses, then smiles softly.

Velvet: "That I love photography. A lot of people know me for my combat skills, but my real passion? Capturing moments. Whether it's my friends, nature, or just the little things that make life beautiful. I think sometimes, we get so caught up in training and missions that we forget to stop and appreciate the world around us."

Yang: "That's actually really awesome. And kinda poetic."

Velvet: "Thanks. If you ever want a professional photo, let me know!"

Yang: "Oh, you know I'm gonna take you up on that."

Yang: "Alright, Velvet, if you're comfortable with it, I'd love to talk a little about your personal life. Nothing too invasive, just some insight into the person behind the awesome combat skills. You cool with that?"

Velvet: "Depends on the questions, but I'll do my best!"

Yang: "Fair enough! Let's start with something simple—tell me about your parents."

Velvet: "Oh! Well, my mom's name is Meg, and she's a rabbit Faunus, like me. She's honestly the kindest, most patient person I know. She raised me in Vale and always made sure I felt loved and supported. She owns a little bookshop, so I spent a lot of my childhood around stories."

Yang: "That's actually adorable. A little Velvet, curled up in a bookshop with a pile of books? That's a wholesome mental image."

Velvet: laughs "Yeah, I read a lot growing up. It's probably why I love photography—capturing moments kind of feels like storytelling in a different way."

Yang: "That makes so much sense. Okay, and what about your dad?"

Velvet: "His name is Will, and he's actually an engineer for Atlas."

Yang: stunned "Wait. What?"

Velvet: grinning "Yeah, I get that reaction a lot. My dad's a brilliant engineer—he works on all sorts of advanced tech. That's actually how I got access to all the Hard-Light Dust for my weapon."

Yang: "Hold up, hold up—so you've been getting a steady supply of Hard-Light Dust from Atlas this whole time?!"

Velvet: "Not from Atlas itself—from my dad. He buys it himself, legally, at the cost of a lot of Lien. He says it's his way of making sure I have everything I need to be safe out here."

Yang: relieved "Okay, phew, for a second there I thought we were about to uncover some kind of black-market weapons deal!"

Velvet: laughs "No, no, it's all above board! My dad might have… strong opinions, but he's not a criminal."

Yang: "Strong opinions, huh? So, what's the deal with that?"

Velvet: "Well… my parents separated when I was little. Not because they didn't care about each other, but because my dad had very different views on how the world works. He always believed that Atlas was the best place for progress, while my mom was more of an idealist. She believed that people, no matter where they were from, could come together and make things better. My dad… wasn't so sure about that."

Yang: "Oof. That sounds rough."

Velvet: "It was, but it never stopped me from seeing him. I still visit Atlas every now and then. He's not a bad person—he's just very… Atlas about things. Strict, logical, and not very warm. But in his own way, he still supports me."

Yang: "That's gotta be a weird balance. One parent running a cozy bookshop in Vale, the other working on high-tech stuff in Atlas."

Velvet: chuckles "It definitely is. But honestly? I think it's helped me see the world from different perspectives. I don't agree with everything my dad believes, but I respect him. And my mom? She's the reason I'm so determined to make a difference."

Yang: "Man, I love hearing stuff like this. It's always cool to see where people come from and how it shapes them. You've got a really unique background, Velvet."

Velvet: smiles "Thanks, Yang. I don't talk about it much, but I appreciate the chance to share it."

Yang nods, clearly appreciating the moment as the warm sunlight filters through the trees, casting a gentle glow over the Beacon Gardens.

Yang: "Alright, Velvet, let's go back a bit—what were you up to before coming to Beacon? Like, what was Velvet the civilian doing before she became Velvet the badass Huntress?"

Velvet: laughs "Honestly? A lot of quiet, normal stuff. Like I mentioned earlier, I grew up in Vale with my mom, helping out in her bookshop when I wasn't studying or training. I spent a lot of my time reading, sketching, and taking pictures. I actually got into photography way before I ever considered becoming a Huntress. There was something about capturing moments that made me feel... connected, I guess. Like I was preserving something important."

Yang: "Okay, I can totally see that. You still take pictures all the time now, don't you?"

Velvet: "Yeah! It's a habit at this point. But back then, it was more than just a hobby. I think part of it was that, as a Faunus, I was really aware of how the world treated us. People saw what they wanted to see, not necessarily the truth. So, in my own way, I wanted to show the world how I saw things. The beauty in small moments, in people who don't always get noticed, in things most overlook."

Yang: nods "That's deep. And honestly, really cool. But wait—you said you helped out at your mom's bookshop. Did you ever think about just running that instead of, you know, fighting Grimm for a living?"

Velvet: "It crossed my mind, actually. I loved the bookshop. I loved talking to people who came in, helping them find the right book, and watching kids get excited over stories the way I used to. But… as much as I loved it, it never felt like it was my path. My mom encouraged me to follow what I wanted, not just what was convenient. And that led me here."

Yang: "Sounds like your mom's pretty awesome."

Velvet: smiling "She is. She never let me feel like I had to stay in one place. She wanted me to be safe, sure, but she also wanted me to be happy."

Yang: "So, before Beacon, you trained somewhere else, right?"

Velvet: "Yeah! I attended Pharos Academy before I came here. That's actually where I met Coco. Back then, I wasn't exactly the most confident fighter—I had the skills, but not the self-assurance. Coco was one of the first people to really push me, to make me believe I could be something more than just a student going through the motions. She helped me train, encouraged me to take risks, and, well… you know Coco, she doesn't take 'I can't' as an answer."

Yang: grinning "That sounds very on-brand for her."

Velvet: laughs "Yeah, she really helped me grow. I think if I hadn't met her at Pharos, I might not have even considered applying to Beacon. But with her pushing me, I started to believe in myself more. And, well, here I am."

Yang: "That's actually really cool. Alright, so let's flip this—if you hadn't come to Beacon, if being a Huntress just didn't work out for some reason, what would you be doing instead?"

Velvet: pauses, thinking "That's a tough one. I think… if I couldn't be a Huntress, I'd want to do something that still let me help people. Maybe something related to journalism or photography. Not just taking pretty pictures, but using photography as a way to tell stories. Exposing the truth, showing what life is really like for Faunus, for people in the smaller villages, for those who don't have a voice."

Yang: grinning "So, Photojournalist Velvet—documenting the world, uncovering injustices, snapping pictures of corrupt officials. I can see it."

Velvet: laughs "Something like that! I always admired those who used their skills to make a difference. Being a Huntress lets me do that in a physical way, but if I didn't have that option, I'd want to do it through my art."

Yang: "That's actually really inspiring. Like, not everyone thinks about the other ways to help people. Most people hear 'hero' and think 'fighter,' but you're out here proving there's more than one way to make a difference."

Velvet: smiling softly "I think everyone has a way to help the world, even if it's not through combat. We just have to figure out what it is."

Yang: "Man, now I'm kinda picturing an alternate universe where you're out there with a camera instead of a weapon, chasing down stories instead of Grimm."

Velvet: grinning "You know, I actually think I'd still end up in dangerous situations somehow. Journalists do tend to get caught up in a lot of trouble!"

Yang: laughs "Yeah, something tells me you'd still be knee-deep in some big conspiracy, running from goons, and using a camera flash as a distraction or something."

Velvet: chuckling "Probably! I think no matter what, I'd find myself drawn to where I'm needed most."

Yang: "That's the Huntress spirit right there. Even if you never picked up a weapon, I think you'd still be out there fighting the good fight—just in your own way."

Velvet nods, her expression thoughtful. The atmosphere is warm, not just because of the sun shining down on them, but because of the genuine appreciation in Yang's voice.

Yang: "Alright, Velvet, we've talked about your past, your training, and all that good stuff. Now, I gotta ask—what's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you? Like, full-on, wildest moment of your life."

Velvet: chuckling "Oh, I definitely have one. It was back at Pharos Academy, during one of our off-campus training exercises. We were sent to a remote village to help reinforce the defenses against Grimm incursions—pretty routine, right? Well, things didn't stay routine for long."

Yang: grinning "Oh, I like where this is going."

Velvet: "So, we're there for a few days, helping repair barriers, setting up early-warning systems, stuff like that. And then, one night, we get word that a massive Grimm—a Goliath, one of the really old ones—was spotted moving through the nearby forest. Now, our instructors tell us to stay put, not to engage, because a full-scale hunt is way out of our league at that point. But then we hear that some of the village kids had wandered off toward the forest earlier that day, and they hadn't come back yet."

Yang: serious now "Oh, damn. That's bad."

Velvet: "Exactly. So, before anyone can stop us, Coco and I just bolt into the forest. We're tracking their footprints, trying to stay quiet, hoping we're not too late. And sure enough, we find them—three kids, stuck halfway up a tree, with this massive Goliath sniffing around below them. The thing is ancient, scars all over its body, eyes glowing red like it knows it has all the time in the world. Coco and I both freeze for a second because what are we even supposed to do here?"

Yang: "I don't know, run?"

Velvet: laughs "That was definitely one option, but we couldn't just leave the kids. So, Coco being Coco, she pulls out Gianduja, loads up a full magazine of high-powered Dust rounds, and just starts laying into it. Full-auto, full power, drawing its attention while I climb up the tree to get the kids. Now, the plan was to get them down quietly, but of course one of them slips, and suddenly I've got a screaming child in my arms while this enormous, battle-hardened Grimm locks eyes with me."

Yang: wide-eyed "Oh. Oh, no."

Velvet: "Oh, yes. The thing charges. Coco tries to cover me, but it's too fast, and I barely get out of the way before it smashes through the tree we were on. So now we're running—kids in my arms, Coco unloading everything she's got, and the Goliath just won't stop coming. We're dodging trees, jumping over roots, barely keeping ahead of this thing, and I'm thinking, 'This is it. This is where we die.'"

Yang: leaning forward "Holy crap, how did you even get out of that?!"

Velvet: "Pure, dumb luck. See, we're sprinting full-speed toward the village when suddenly, the ground just drops out from under us. Turns out, there was this old, abandoned Faunus burrow—like, a network of tunnels—right between the forest and the village. Coco and I fall straight into it. The kids land safely because I managed to cushion them, but the Goliath? It tries to follow, and the ground completely collapses beneath it. Next thing we know, it's just gone. Buried under tons of rock and dirt."

Yang: stunned "No. Way."

Velvet: grinning "Yep. We climbed out, covered in dirt, barely able to stand, and the village elders just stared at us like we'd single-handedly slayed a legendary beast. They called us heroes. Even the instructors were too shocked to be mad at us."

Yang: "Okay, that is insane. I can't believe you—wait, hold on. You said this was the craziest moment of your life, right?"

Velvet: nodding "Oh, definitely."

Yang: "Alright, so how did it really end?"

Velvet: pauses for dramatic effect, then deadpan "About five minutes later, I got chased by an angry chicken."

Yang: blinking "…What?"

Velvet: "Yeah. A really aggressive rooster. Apparently, I fell into its nesting spot in all the chaos. I was too exhausted to fight back, so I just ran. Right after I survived one of the most terrifying moments of my life, I was screaming and running through the village, being terrorized by this tiny ball of feathers."

Yang: bursts out laughing, nearly falling off her chair "Are you—Velvet! That's—pfft—that's the best setup I have ever heard!"

Velvet: smirking as she watches Yang completely lose it "I've been holding onto that since the first episode of your podcast."

Yang: crying with laughter "Oh my god—I thought this was gonna end with some big heroic moment, and instead, you got bullied by a chicken!"

Velvet: calmly sipping her drink "The true apex predator."

Yang is still laughing, barely able to breathe, while Velvet just sits back, quietly chuckling, clearly pleased with herself. The students listening nearby are also cracking up, and it takes Yang a full minute to recover before she wipes her eyes and points at Velvet.

Yang: "Alright. That? That was gold. Best story yet. Hands down."

Velvet: grinning "Glad to be of service."

Yang takes a deep breath, still wiping a stray tear from her eye. "Okay, okay… I think I've finally recovered. Velvet, you got me good with that one."

Velvet smiles, resting her hands in her lap. "Happy to entertain."

Yang exhales sharply and leans forward. "Alright, let's get back on track. I gotta ask—what do you think your future looks like? Do you see yourself continuing as a Huntress? Or maybe… would you still consider being a photojournalist?"

Velvet hums in thought, her ears twitching slightly as she tilts her head toward the sky. "That's a good question. Being a Huntress is something I've worked toward for years, and I do love it. I love helping people, protecting those who can't protect themselves. There's something incredibly fulfilling about it, knowing that I can make a real difference in someone's life, even if they never know my name or see my face. The idea that someone out there will get to live another day because of something I did… it makes all the training, all the risks, worth it."

Yang nods in understanding, leaning forward slightly as Velvet continues.

"But at the same time," Velvet says, smiling softly, "I've always had this other side of me that's drawn to something different. Photography, storytelling—it's not just a hobby, it's a passion. I think it comes from wanting to show the world the truth of things. Being a Faunus, I grew up knowing that the world doesn't always see things the way they are. It sees things the way people want to see them. The way they're told to see them. And sometimes, that means important stories are ignored, or twisted, or buried. But a picture… a picture doesn't lie. A picture captures a moment exactly as it is. It doesn't come with bias, or excuses, or justifications. It just is."

Yang folds her arms, nodding along. "Yeah, I totally get that. A picture can hit harder than a thousand words sometimes."

"Exactly," Velvet agrees. "I've always thought that if I ever stepped away from being a Huntress, I'd want to use that same drive, that same instinct, but in a different way. There's so much of the world that people never get to see. The beauty of it, the struggles, the victories, the real lives people live every day. And I think… I think I'd love to tell those stories. To show people things they might never have known otherwise. Whether it's the conditions in struggling Faunus communities, the sacrifices Huntresses and Huntsmen make every day, or even just the simple joys of everyday life, I want to capture that. To make sure those moments, those lives, aren't forgotten."

Yang whistles. "Damn, Velvet. That's deep."

Velvet chuckles. "It's something I think about a lot. Especially when I realize that being a Huntress won't be forever. No matter how skilled we are, there's always a time when we have to slow down, or move on. And I think if that day ever comes for me, I'd want to be doing something just as meaningful. I'd want to make sure that even if I wasn't out there fighting, I was still making an impact. Still making the world a better place, even in a small way."

Yang smirks. "So, Huntress by day, photographer by night?"

Velvet grins. "Maybe. Or maybe I'll find a way to combine the two. Imagine a firsthand account of what it's really like to be a Huntress—capturing the action, the danger, the moments that no one else gets to see. A true, unfiltered look into our world. And, let's be honest, maybe finally having some solid evidence to back up the crazier stories."

Yang laughs. "Oh, that needs to be your first exposé. 'The Day a Huntress Fell to a Chicken.'"

Velvet bursts into laughter. "I'll keep that in mind."

Yang stretches her arms above her head, a satisfied grin on her face. "Alright, I think we're gonna wrap things up in a couple minutes, but man, I gotta say… I'm really impressed with today's episode." She turns to Velvet with a warm smile. "You seemed way more confident than usual, and I think that's awesome."

Velvet's ears twitch slightly as she smiles back. "Thank you, Yang. Honestly, a big part of that is Coco… and this podcast."

Yang raises an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?"

Velvet nods. "Yeah. Coco's been pushing me to be more assertive since day one, and I'll admit, I used to think she was too pushy about it. But over time, I realized she just saw the confidence in me that I couldn't see in myself yet. And this podcast? It's different from fighting in a battle or working as a team—it's just talking. And sometimes, saying things out loud makes you realize just how much you've grown."

Yang smirks. "Well, I'd say you've grown a lot. And since you've got this new, confident energy going, I wanna ask one last thing before we sign off."

Velvet tilts her head. "Oh?"

Yang leans forward. "What advice would you give to those out there who might be listening? Especially to the potential Faunus students who'll be coming to Beacon next fall? Anything you'd wanna say to them?"

Velvet's expression softens, and she takes a moment before answering. "To any Faunus newcomers… first, welcome. You belong here. No matter what anyone says, no matter what experiences you might have had before coming here—this is your place just as much as it is anyone else's. I know it can be intimidating. I know it can feel like you have to prove something just to be seen as an equal. But you don't. You're already enough."

She takes a deep breath before continuing. "That being said, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. If someone tries to put you down, don't let them. And if it ever feels like too much, you don't have to face it alone. There are so many people here who will stand by you, who want to support you. Don't shut them out. Find your friends, your team, your people—because when you do, you'll realize that you're never really alone."

Yang smiles at her words. "That's really well said."

Velvet smiles back. "It's something I wish someone had told me before I started."

Yang nods. "Well, I hope someone out there hears that and takes it to heart." She looks at the camera and gives a thumbs-up. Yang leans back in her chair, giving Velvet one last smile before turning to the camera. "Alright, that's a wrap for today's episode, folks! Velvet, you were amazing, as always. Thanks again for being on here and sharing your thoughts."

Velvet grins, waving to the camera. "Thank you for having me, Yang. It was a blast!"

Yang chuckles and shifts in her seat, glancing around at the beautiful Beacon Gardens. "So, before we sign off, I've got one last thing to say… I thought I had a permanent spot for this podcast, but it looks like that's not happening anytime soon. So, I'm gonna be moving around every one or two episodes. For those of you who've been tuning in, you might notice that I've been setting up shop in different spots around Beacon. One episode, it's the gardens, another, it's the courtyard, and who knows where we'll be next?" She smirks playfully. "It's a little chaotic, but hey, it keeps things interesting, right?"

She leans toward the microphone, speaking directly to the viewers. "But don't worry, I'm definitely making sure each episode is just as fun, if not more. So, stay tuned, and I'll see you all in the next one! Thanks for hanging out, everyone."

She gives a wink to Velvet and then turns back to the mic. "And, as always, stay awesome!"

The podcast outro music starts playing, and Yang waves to the camera, signaling the end of the episode as it fades out.