After wandering around Beacon and talking to a few second-year students, I managed to find my way to the courtyard where all the new students were, along with Ozpin and Miss Goodwitch. I just made it in time for his speech.
"Ahem..." He cleared his throat. "I'll keep this brief. You have travelled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."
I then heard Miss Goodwitch speak. "You will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed!"
Well that was weird. Ozpin didn't seem like himself. He felt... off. I couldn't think long about it though, because I heard two people amongst the horde of Students talk about me.
"Hey look Ruby, that girl over there has a cloak like yours."
"Yang... please no."
What are they talking about me? Seconds later my question was answered as I heard the two approach me. One was rather tall, while the other was slightly smaller than me.
"Helloooo!" One of them bellowed out as I sensed her dragging another girl behind her.
"Umm. Hello." I said to the two girls. Thankfully the crowd had dispersed, so it was only the three of us.
"I want you to meet my little sister, Ruby. You see, she hasn't got many friends as she has been moved up two years early to attend Beacon Academy. Isn't that cool or what." One of the girls said.
I picked up on where the other girl was and gave her a warming smile. "Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you." I said. I then heard a little scuffle and thanks to my Faunus ears, I could pick up a whisper from in front of me.
"Hey... Ruby, say something to her. You were earlier saying that you needed friends. Well now's your chance."
"Ummm... Nice cloak." A small voice said.
"Oh, my god!" I heard one of the girls slap her forehead. I get that the smaller girl is trying to be friendly, but does she have to be so skittish. Thankfully, I heard more footsteps behind me.
"Miss Scarlet... a word." Miss Goodwitch said from behind me.
"Yeah, sure. Did I do something wrong?" I asked as I sensed that the two other girls were standing next to me.
"Yes. I have received a complaint that 'The girl with the pink hood attacked us!' Is he referring to you? I believe his name was Cardin Winchester." Miss Goodwitch said as she swatted her whip onto her hand.
"Yes, but I was only defending another girl. The four in question were bullying Velvet Scarlatina, because of her Faunus heritage. They backed her into a corner so I had to stand up for her."
"You mean that this Cardin is bullying Faunus? This jerk and his friends are going down!" The tall girl on my right said.
"That won't be necessary Miss Xiao Long, the situation is now under control. I just wanted to clarify with Miss Scarlet about what happened. I suggest that you all make your way to the Ballroom." Miss Goodwitch said as she walked away from the three of us. As Miss Goodwitch walked away from us, the taller girl next to me let out a small grunt.
"Assholes! Who would gang up on a girl? A Faunus girl at that."
"How low can you go?" The smaller girl said. "I bet you kicked butt." She said as I heard her bounce up on her heels.
I laughed a little. "Well I did leave three of them unconscious, leaving a warning to not bully the Faunus."
"Good!" The taller girl said as we headed to the ballroom.
I introduced myself, as did the two girls. The taller girl is called Yang Xiao Long, while the smaller girl is called Ruby Rose. They are apparently half-sisters. I told them about my Faunus heritage. I felt like I could trust them after they were set against what Cardin and his friends did to Velvet. They were surprised at first when they found out that I couldn't see and a Vampire bat Faunus, especially Ruby. She must not have met someone that couldn't see before. Yang, on the other hand, took it in her stride. She gave off a carefree attitude, like she wanted to be friendly to everyone. The three of us naturally became friends.
As it became night, more and more students flooded into the ballroom. Ruby, Yang and I had changed into our pajamas. I took off my cloak and unbound my wings, with the help from Ruby and Yang, and remained in my combat gear, as they were soft and comfortable to act as pajamas. As I unbound my wings, Ruby and Yang both let out a small 'Wow', which caused me to giggle a little. Miss Goodwitch entered the ballroom to lock the doors for the evening, I was lying down next to Ruby and Yang in my make-shift bed. I could hear the constant scribbling from Ruby next to me.
"It's like a big slumber party!" Yang said as she leaped to her bed.
"I don't think Dad would approve of the boys, though." Ruby said as she continued to write.
"I know, I do." Yang said as she let out a small purr.
"What are you writing, Ruby?" I asked.
"A letter to the gang back at Signal. I promised to tell them all about Beacon and how things are going."
"Aww, that's so cuuuuute!" Yang said as she teased her sister and I laughed a little. Yang was interrupted from continued as I sensed Ruby pick up her pillow and threw it at Yang.
"Shut up! I didn't get to take my friends with me to school. It's weird not knowing anyone here."
"What about Jaune? He's nice! And there's Fran" Yang asked. Who's Jaune? "There you go! Plus, two friends! That's a 200 percent increase!"
Ruby let out a small sigh. "I'm pretty sure Weiss counts as a negative friend. Back to one."
"There's no such thing as negative friends. You've just made two friends and one enemy!" Yang said as Ruby threw my pillow at Yang. "Look, it's only been one day. Trust me, you've got friends all around you. You just haven't met them yet." We stayed in an uncomforting silence as Ruby continued to write to her friends.
"Say Fran, what combat school do you go to?" Yang asked to break the silence.
"I didn't. Mama and Papa trained me." I said as I tried not to give away that I was lying to them. It's not like I want to say that I'm one of the four Maidens, but it's for their safety that they don't know. Thankfully, Yang and Ruby fell for my excuse.
"Really?! That's awesome!" Yang exclaimed.
I then heard someone gasp from one end of the ballroom. "F-Fran... Is that you?"
I turned to the direction where the voice originated. No way... It can't be? "B-Blake... Is that you?"
"Oh, my god... It is you Fran." Blake voice quivered as I felt her rush into my chest, enveloping me into a crushing embrace. "I t-thought y-you'd died w-with y-your f-family." Blake said through her waterfall of tears. I just held her close and patted her head whispering to her.
"It's okay Blake, I'm fine. I'm not going anywhere." I said, which caught the attention of Ruby and Yang.
"Awww! That is just so cute."
"Yang, not now."
***
Ten minutes's pass and Blake had finally calmed down. I explained to Yang and Ruby how I know Blake. Well I told them that Blake and I have been friends for a while, I didn't tell them the reason how we met. I don't know if I can tell them we were in the White Fang. I especially can't tell them what... What I did.
"So... are you two like, together?" Yang said, which earned her a quick punch to her arm by Ruby. Blake and I both giggled at them.
"No. Besides we're childhood friends we've grown up together, she's like the big sister that I never had. You see Mama and Papa are best friends with her parents, so we routinely visited each other." I said.
"Sorry for that Fran, but when I was told that everyone from your family was killed, I thought that included you. I'm sorry for what happened to your parents. I promise, we'll get whoever does this." Blake said as she wiped away her tears and gave me a triumphant smile.
"Yeah." I replied weakly. I don't know if I should bring up that it was Adam who killed Mama and Papa considering their... intimate relationship. No, it's probably for the best if she doesn't know.
"You don't have parents?! They were killed!?" A small, quiet voice came out from Ruby.
"Yes Ruby. A year ago, in fact, but don't worry I will find whoever did it and bring them to justice. Then Mama and Papa can finally rest in peace." I said as I gave Ruby a warming smile.
"Yeah, and when the time comes, we get the bastard with you." Yang declared.
"What in the world is going on over here!? Don't you realise some of us are trying to sleep!" A harsh and stern voice growled out from next to Yang.
"Oh, not you again!" Both the new girl and Yang shouted at the same time. The high shout was too much for my sensitive ears, because that I recoiled in pain and I was biting back tears. Grabbing them in the process. None of them seemed to notice, except for Blake, who I felt her arms around my shoulders, trying to comfort me.
"Guys can you be quiet!" Blake said sternly to the three girls, they must have taken notice and saw me in pain as they spoke quieter.
"Shh! Guys, she's right! People are trying to sleep." I heard Ruby say, as I moved my hands from my ears. I thanked Blake for lowering the noise.
"Oh, now you're on my side." The new girl growled out quietly.
"I was always on your side." Ruby retorted.
"Yeah, what's your problem with my sister? She's only trying to be nice!" Yang said, defending Ruby.
"She's a hazard to my health!"
Oh, my god! How long is this going to go on for?
"This could go on for a while, why don't you try and get some sleep, Fran?" Blake said as my sensitive ears had stopped hurting.
I gave her a small smile. "Hopefully, they stop arguing soon." I said as I heard Blake laugh.
Hearing Blake laugh like that brought back memories of our time in the White Fang. Before... Before the White Fang changed. Hopefully, my time at Beacon will be a lot different.