In Memorial of the Fallen: a RWBY RP [IC Thread]

[Charlia]

She didn't even seem to care.

"Think about what I said," she called. "Everybody knows that everybody dies... I'm just going to die sooner than I should." She didn't show it with her sarcastic bantering, but she felt...

Sad.

I don't want to go. I really don't. But... I don't have a choice...

Theriam... If I leave you... When I leave you...

I don't want to go!

Heamet looked back with an angry look.

"Then stop forcing your own end.
Everybody dies, I know that better than anyone as a medic.
But something you don't get is the value of your own life before others's.
Everybody's mad here, but this is no reason to be stupid."

"Oh, really? As a medic, if you had a patient who was going to die slowly and painfully and there was no way to stop it, and they wanted to be able to die quickly, would you let them die quickly and painlessly? Or would you make them live an agonizing life until they finally found peace in darkness?" She laughed. "And one other thing..."

She paused, and her eyes were cold and... almost sadistic.

"What value?"

[Serah]

Heamet looked back with an angry look.

"Then stop forcing your own end.
Everybody dies, I know that better than anyone as a medic.
But something you don't get is the value of your own life before others's.
Everybody's mad here, but this is no reason to be stupid."

"Oh, really? As a medic, if you had a patient who was going to die slowly and painfully and there was no way to stop it, and they wanted to be able to die quickly, would you let them die quickly and painlessly? Or would you make them live an agonizing life until they finally found peace in darkness?" She laughed. "And one other thing..."

She paused, and her eyes were cold and... almost sadistic.

"What value?"

Heamet simply laughed back.

"Alright, so you're telling me that I'm some kind of monster that would let a patient doomed to die live because my medic's honor doesn't permit me that?
Oh please, like I'd be this stupid, everyone is doomed to die any way.
I just push them faster.
However, I must agree about your statement upon your life's value.
It means nothing.
But my brother thinks the other way around, so as I've said before, I'm not letting you die yet.
If he stops feeling romantic about you, then I'll personally end you.
You're one of the worst patients I've ever had." His smile became ominous, much like a monster's, in fact it was almost as he radiated evil intent.

Some people think that Heamet is pure.

'They were all wrong.'

[Charlia]

"Oh, really? As a medic, if you had a patient who was going to die slowly and painfully and there was no way to stop it, and they wanted to be able to die quickly, would you let them die quickly and painlessly? Or would you make them live an agonizing life until they finally found peace in darkness?" She laughed. "And one other thing..."

She paused, and her eyes were cold and... almost sadistic.

"What value?"

Heamet simply laughed back.

"Alright, so you're telling me that I'm some kind of monster that would let a patient doomed to die live because my medic's honor doesn't permit me that?
Oh please, like I'd be this stupid, everyone is doomed to die any way.
I just push them faster.
However, I must agree about your statement upon your life's value.
It means nothing.
But my brother thinks the other way around, so as I've said before, I'm not letting you die yet.
If he stops feeling romantic about you, then I'll personally end you.
You're one of the worst patients I've ever had." His smile became ominous, much like a monster's, in fact it was almost as he radiated evil intent.

Some people think that Heamet is pure.

'They were all wrong.'

"I'm glad we can agree on something. Oh, and you're quite welcome to, by the way. They say the first law of nature is self-preservation but it's hardly myself I'm preserving, so if you want to try you can go ahead, I don't care. And if you're trying to frighten me with that smile, it's no use. I've seen worse than you and survived worse. If you can call it survival."

[Serah]

Heamet simply laughed back.

"Alright, so you're telling me that I'm some kind of monster that would let a patient doomed to die live because my medic's honor doesn't permit me that?
Oh please, like I'd be this stupid, everyone is doomed to die any way.
I just push them faster.
However, I must agree about your statement upon your life's value.
It means nothing.
But my brother thinks the other way around, so as I've said before, I'm not letting you die yet.
If he stops feeling romantic about you, then I'll personally end you.
You're one of the worst patients I've ever had." His smile became ominous, much like a monster's, in fact it was almost as he radiated evil intent.

Some people think that Heamet is pure.

'They were all wrong.'

"I'm glad we can agree on something. Oh, and you're quite welcome to, by the way. They say the first law of nature is self-preservation but it's hardly myself I'm preserving, so if you want to try you can go ahead, I don't care. And if you're trying to frighten me with that smile, it's no use. I've seen worse than you and survived worse. If you can call it survival."

Heamet shrugged and turned around to leave.

"Your problem right now wouldn't be me.
It'd be him.
I know he frightens you in ways you had never experienced before.
I can see it.
But right now is not the time for me to stress the tensions already between us.
Consider this conversation like nothing." He waved and left promptly afterwards.

'Sigh, I have no one to annoy anymore.
They're all inactive, either because of one's inability to cope with the fact that my semblance changed and the others are all just inactive or in lack of interaction.
Funny how this whole thing made me aware of all this.' He sighed and started singing.

"People are strange, when you're stranger~"

[Stormwrath]

Jackson Silver

"Who are you?"

How the heck did she exactly slip into the academy? Well, she did look like a teacher, as she's around Adelaide's age—or maybe perhaps a recently-graduated Huntress that stopped by at Beacon to visit her alma mater once in a while, if Vale Huntsmen still do that—but she didn't look like she came from around Beacon, much less from Vale at all. All that Jackson knew was that she wasn't exactly the kind of person to be stuck between two bookshelves with. Her smile—bewitching as it was—made him unsettled, and her eyes screamed a subtle hint of future malicious intent. Oh god, she gives me the creeps, he thought. His mind began to think up scenario after scenario—this was no ordinary stranger who ended up lost in a far-off section of the library.

His breathing rate gradually increased, and his heart throbbed faster and kicked in his chest. Sweat began to form on his head, which slowly went on his brow and down his cheek. He had been uneasy before, but he had never been this uneasy with strangers. What was she going to do with him? Was she going to kill him quietly, or at least knock him out in order to abduct him without any hitches? No way was he going to ever be stuck with her in an isolation chamber, even if his life depended on it. After a few seconds of uneasy silence, the woman finally spoke up.

"Sorry," she replied nicely, trying to ease the tension in the air about the two. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Malidia, I was hoping to speak to students on a survey on regards to 'certain' reading material, their views on those said works and in my case specifically where would be my best chance to unload them. You in fact seem to me to be an ideal candidate, would you be willing to lend me a little of your time?"

He squinted for a few seconds at Malidia—while she did her part in relieving his nerves, he wasn't going to forget that ambivalent smile. He had qualms in entertaining her with a response, especially that her intention may not just be trying to find out what books Beacon students read. Let's hope she actually has good intentions. Might as well give her the benefit of the doubt.

"Sure," he shrugged. "What are you going to do with that information?"

[North Arkana]

hYuki positively froze as she listened to Avenas final words, when it came to her right arm it was something of a trigger, a hot potato, a fork in the road, whatever one wanted to call it was something of a taboo subject. But of course that was only for the three teammates who had seen Yuki fight within the forest during the initiation. As Yuki looked at Avena with her emotionless expression, watching the silly unknowing smile she felt a small ignition of anger well up for a moment and then a dead calm.

As Yuki spoke, her voice still in it's monotone, dead as if it was someone else's problem explained without hesitation the story of her missing arm.

"you want to know how i lost my arm...do you... well its a simple story.
We suffered from a grim attack, specifically several beowolves emerged at the edge our town. Unfortunately for my family we lived at the edge of that town. The grim broke through the walls into my house on my eleventh birthday killed my mother, father and brother in front of me, and made me a cripple.
That's the plain and simple... Would you like to see the scar?... or would you like a more... finer detailed history?"

---

It wasn't hard for Erde to move around, all the kingdoms were her unfortunate playground, but Vale was still her home.
As Erde walked within the shadows silently, or atop the rooftops observing the fool's below. She slowly made her way towards her intended target which was Beacon academy. As she entered the airport the employ who had served her last time was once again working. Of course her proceedings was smoother then last time as she gave her document's over and then soon headed to her awaiting aircraft.

Her trip itself was quiet and as her airship landed near the main walkway, she simply got off while holding a simple black briefcase.
Of course for today she had gone to a lot of work in her appearance wearing a professional looking black suit, ironed pants and black shoes and leather gloves and covering her eyes simple but sharp sunglass's, their lens akin to obsidian. As Erde walked quietly towards the academy, she could hear the commotions rippling through the air. Gun shots in the distance, killing intent rolling like waves which told her the estimate position of where they were.
It made her smile, a small cruel and innocent smile which looked no different then a child's.
As Erde closed her eyes she lightly held her free fingers to the air and then lightly snapped. In an instant her aura ignited and hundreds of simple swords appeared for a moment around her and turned their blades silently skywards on a light angle, and then like a flash fired like barrage of bullets from an anti aircraft gun into the sky. Those swords which flew like an arrow climbed for a few hundred feet and then like physics demanded... dropped from the sky with the intent to skewer everything in its path in a rain of steel with a large radius of AOE.

With that small smile Erde had continue walking even after releasing several hundred arrows and silently entered through the doors of Beacon. She didn't need to worry much as her ears picked up the sounds of her steel shattering and slamming into the ground in the distance. Her actions and it's hidden message were simple when she fired her swords.
Stop playing around... or a real "monster" would come and play...

As Erde walked the halls, her shoes lightly clicking on tile and then wood, Somehow or another she had found herself unconsciously in the library. As she watched the students study she found herself a little lost and yet a small smirk fell on the corner of her lips... so many birds... so many precious baby birds to pick from indeed...

Erde was about to look more closely upon the students when a voice reached her ears.
"Who are you?"
She couldn't help herself as her vision naturally fell upon the "bird" which had chirped so sweetly upon her. Her eyes instantly taking in every piece of relevant information within a second. The condition of his uniform, the health of his skin, the tone and health of the hair, weather or not there were animalistic traits accompanying the voice... Her vision which was focused upon the boy was one of utter pressure as if crushing him as she made her initial observations.

And then after a few seconds she replied, her smirk leaving her face as a bewitching smile replaced it. Slowly she removed her eyewear and looked at the "bird".

"Ahhh, Sorry allow me to introduce myself, My name is Malidia, I was hoping to speak to students on a survey on regards to "certain" reading material, their views on those said works and in my case specifically where would be my best chance to unload them.
You in fact seem to me to be an ideal candidate, would you be willing to lend me a little of your time?"

Among the things Reina learned during wild years, some very important things which helped with self-preservation were learned. One of those things was that the sound of metal objects screaming through the air at top speed generally means it's time to get the hell out of the way. She responded appropriately.

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck! Where the hell are these co- Scratch that... Only Erde would be this over the top!

Ducking dodging and weaving, Reina makes her way for the edge of the splash zone.

Screw fighting that girl! Not getting skewered is far more important!

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Sirina Zezili

Sirina managed to slip away unknown. Red hair.... I wonder what red looks like... Then again I wonder what all colours look like. she thought as she walked, heading back for the dorm.

Ning Kohkuhycumest

"Nor do I plan to. I'm not the kind of person who goes around starting fights." Ning said to Dara with a smirk.

It was then that Ning's uncle returned with a large tray of tea. He put it down on the central table and picking up one cup he sat down. Ning handed a cup of tea to Togami and then to each of his cousins.

"Ning. You really are to nice." Drefan said as almost a taunt.

"Drefan if you really want to go at it, then we can later." Ning said back with a taunting smile.

"Anyways. Togami..." Ning's uncle said as he looked at him, "I swear I recognize that name... Murasaki....who are your parents?"

[Aidannadia]

Ning Kohkuhycumest

"Nor do I plan to. I'm not the kind of person who goes around starting fights." Ning said to Dara with a smirk.

It was then that Ning's uncle returned with a large tray of tea. He put it down on the central table and picking up one cup he sat down. Ning handed a cup of tea to Togami and then to each of his cousins.

"Ning. You really are to nice." Drefan said as almost a taunt.

"Drefan if you really want to go at it, then we can later." Ning said back with a taunting smile.

"Anyways. Togami..." Ning's uncle said as he looked at him, "I swear I recognize that name... Murasaki....who are your parents?"

Back at the cottage, a day before...

"Well, as I said, my father owns stock in numerous different competing businesses. The Murasaki's used to be a noble family in the old times of Remnant before the war, so you may know them from that..." Togami sipped his tea, "I didn't know my mother. Supposedly, I lived with her for the first few years of my life, but I don't seem to remember most of my time with her. Only a few smiles here and there." Togami said before finishing with a thought.

And that horrible memory from earlier today after my fight with Charlotte. The teen tried to wave that thought away. Bad memories made for an unpleasant person, and he did pride himself in being pleasant to be around after all.

[Serah]

And as Heamet wandered around the school, Theriam suddenly burst out of his team's dorm room, and where his usual jacket once stood, a simple brown-ish paint covered his whole right arm as only his red shirt stayed, albeit shredded.
It didn't look mechanic, but it sure as hell didn't look normal.
If someone were to actually touch it, they would feel that it was way different, it was oddly cold to the touch and if one examined it, they could notice little slits that held the whole contraption together and let one or the other out.

However, noticing it quickly, he modified his look to cover his right arm with his cape.
'I need to stop getting into fights with the white fang while being so untrained, it's not viable.
I need to get Heamet to tell me how to defend myself, then again, now that I have my new thing...'

What, are you going to be a murakumo unit now?
Sorry to break it to you, but if you go according to the lore, only females have had the possibility.
I'd see Aria doing that.

'Oh shut up Jugo.'

What? I'm just telling the truth here.

'I already knew Aria was going to be the murakumo unit.
You know what she can do with those blades.
Then again...'

Ether?

'Ether. Both?'

Yeah, both.

'Both it is.'

So when are you going to use that evolved version of Rust?

'I can't. Plus, you know how much of a toll it puts on the both of us.
I'll use it in a life or death situation where I can't afford to lose.'

Boooooring.

Theriam simply sighed and continued on his way, he was headed for the library to work on a new project of his.
And it was, yet again, a new weapon.
Although it was often thought that Theriam didn't like new weapons as he often said it messed with his 'original style', he loved to conceive them and use them in battle.
It was a common thing to know after one had fought Theriam once, should people fight him again, they should forget everything about the first time.
His style actually focused on tricking the opponent in making them believe that nothing ever worked on him two times.
That everything with him would always be brand new.

Yet, when he entered the library, he noticed a face he hadn't seen in a while.
Yuki.

Oh shit.
Shit that's bad.

'Don't worry, I mostly think of her as like a little sister, not as a love interest.
Plus, seriously, how could people see us as such? Look at how bloody gigantic I am compared to her.'

I dunno man, seems fishy.
I hear spoons rattling.

[Neo ORB]

He was cautious... good, it at least proved his mantle as a "Baby bird", but she had noticed it the way his pores had perspired at her initial presence.
Although his squinting was justified she couldn't help but feel internally hurt... so little trust these days. however after a moment he finally relented with a somewhat unfeeling shrug or at least that's what it seemed like to Erde as he responded.

Erde lightly smiled and then quickly with a light movement of her hand while bringing lightly her suitcase onto the floor so she wouldn't have to hold it while making various gentle hand gestures, she begun to explain.

"Right, any collected information is kept confidential and is also deleted after the study after a period of six months. Of course during the six months prior to deletion we contact the recipients in response to the surveys completion. In requesting if they would like partaking in other later surveys should they come up, if so we add them to our data bank, if not the data is promptly deleted.
The information of the survey which will be compiled with the other three kingdoms to analyze which current direction young huntsmen and huntresses are focusing in their study's at which seasons, which is then given and sold to the four main huntsmen training academy and or subsequent prerequisite combat schools to study and improve overall curriculum's in order to make it more student engaging."

Erde paused to see if the "Bird" was still listening. She flashed a small comforting smile and then mercilessly continued for several more minutes outlying the various questions while pulling out a form and envelope and quickly rolled it and placed it gently and with a merciless quickness that prevented any hope of refusing into the "birds" uniform for later browsing.
With her business seemingly done Erde lightly sighed and then looked at her briefcase and then quickly looked around the library for the hope of a empty table... her hopes were dashed as she sighed more aggressively and then looked at the "bird" and noticed finally his reading material and then lightly smiled in a innocent way in wonderment.

"Oh I know that one..."

Quickly, Erde bent down and then quietly realigned her briefcase and then opened the two combination locks and then pulled out a small key from a hidden pocket in her suit and then opened up a small lock and opened the birefcase. Of course to the "Bird" in front of her she skillfully hid the contents of her briefcase from his view but within a moment pulled out a recognizable item from its depths.
Sealed in a plastic sleeve Erde pulled the very same comic that the Bird had cradled along with his own books, but a noticeable difference was that in bright silver fancy lettering was the authors autograph scrolled across its front.

"i've read that one myself, oh not this copy however, this one I had gotten for my little sister... I had intended to give it to her but she...
Passed away quite a few years ago... of course by then I had amassed quite a sought collection. But with the one I wanted to give it too gone, they've kind of just been gathering dust in my home... so I wanted to sell them but time is never on my side so they just been sitting around being unread and gathering dust... ha ha ha... you wouldn't happen to be interested in a maybe lucrative contract would you?"

As Erde put the comic back town the depths of her briefcase she then skillfully revealed its contents as various comics stacked in a count of fifteen from three built in columns while the forth held the familiar survey sheets and envelopes. Of course as Erde let the bird browse one could see that every issue happened to have been signed and were in mint condition if one discounted the slight dust on the protective sleeves coverings.

"Would you like to hear more?"

---

Yuki was once more force to be made silent as she listened to Avena's words, the smile that while had dissipated for a moment which quickly resurfaced like the waves caressing the beach face. Yuki was shocked as she stared with her vacant eyes towards the girl... It wasn't like Yuki wanted pity, such an emotion and state had long since left her heart. But the girl couldn't understand how this girl hadn't seen her as a cripple when everyone else had...
for a moment, a sliver of a moment something of life rippled into Yuki's vacant eyes and then just as quickly died. This girl... was far too optimistic...

Yuki saw this so she was once more dumbfounded, how could she be so... positive? she didn't understand.... no... she couldn't understand but internally something silently snapped. As Yuki looked at Avena she saw something she could never fully be... that life, that hope... the simple ability to raise that hand and give a thumbs up... made her envious... but this girl hadn't known how hard she had to struggle to get to be able to stand even for a second more at this accursed academy. How many hours of pain, sweat and tears, how many days and weeks where she vomited blood just to try and prove she had what it took to be a huntress only to be repeatedly shot down...

It.
Was.
All.
So.
very...
ENVIOUS!...

And then finally, Yuki found her vision going white like snow. Like a stumbling doll being controlled but a unknown puppet master, slowly Yuki rose from her chair and raised her crippled right arm. That stubby arm which was hidden underneath while her blazer's empty sleeve which fell down like rags swung lightly from side to side.
For a moment Yuki froze as her vacant eyes stared at Avena and then once more the surrounding air around Yuki started to drop. The pooled water laying on the table or soaked into the rug started to rise and then collected around Yuki's crippled arm and then enveloped it and rapidly started to freeze.
As the atom bonds solidified the water turned to solid ice as dense as steel and took from of a oversize hand. No to call the new appendage a hand was wrong... it was with no doubt a claw like gauntlet. As Yuki opened her new fingers which resembled large over sized claws she was intent to mindlessly swing them down to grab onto Avena and freeze her body entirely.

And yet like a cold wind blowing onto warm uncovered flesh which one tries to hide from old man winter. Yuki spoke her voice showing a hint of emotion as her body lightly shook, However what came first from her lips was not a voice but an eerie cackle until finally words as cold as winter itself leaked out.
"Hye hehehehehehehehe. "

"No one ever says the "right" thing... Why... Why AM I always PITIED...."
Then mercilessly Yuki swung her hand down in blind anger!.

[Serah]

Yuki was once more force to be made silent as she listened to Avena's words, the smile that while had dissipated for a moment which quickly resurfaced like the waves caressing the beach face. Yuki was shocked as she stared with her vacant eyes towards the girl... It wasn't like Yuki wanted pity, such an emotion and state had long since left her heart. But the girl couldn't understand how this girl hadn't seen her as a cripple when everyone else had...
for a moment, a sliver of a moment something of life rippled into Yuki's vacant eyes and then just as quickly died. This girl... was far too optimistic...

Yuki saw this so she was once more dumbfounded, how could she be so... positive? she didn't understand.... no... she couldn't understand but internally something silently snapped. As Yuki looked at Avena she saw something she could never fully be... that life, that hope... the simple ability to raise that hand and give a thumbs up... made her envious... but this girl hadn't known how hard she had to struggle to get to be able to stand even for a second more at this accursed academy. How many hours of pain, sweat and tears, how many days and weeks where she vomited blood just to try and prove she had what it took to be a huntress only to be repeatedly shot down...

It.
Was.
All.
So.
very...
ENVIOUS!...

And then finally, Yuki found her vision going white like snow. Like a stumbling doll being controlled but a unknown puppet master, slowly Yuki rose from her chair and raised her crippled right arm. That stubby arm which was hidden underneath while her blazer's empty sleeve which fell down like rags swung lightly from side to side.
For a moment Yuki froze as her vacant eyes stared at Avena and then once more the surrounding air around Yuki started to drop. The pooled water laying on the table or soaked into the rug started to rise and then collected around Yuki's crippled arm and then enveloped it and rapidly started to freeze.
As the atom bonds solidified the water turned to solid ice as dense as steel and took from of a oversize hand. No to call the new appendage a hand was wrong... it was with no doubt a claw like gauntlet. As Yuki opened her new fingers which resembled large over sized claws she was intent to mindlessly swing them down to grab onto Avena and freeze her body entirely.

And yet like a cold wind blowing onto warm uncovered flesh which one tries to hide from old man winter. Yuki spoke her voice showing a hint of emotion as her body lightly shook, However what came first from her lips was not a voice but an eerie cackle until finally words as cold as winter itself leaked out.
"Hye hehehehehehehehe. "

"No one ever says the "right" thing... Why... Why AM I always PITIED...."
Then mercilessly Yuki swung her hand down in blind anger!.

Then Theriam stepped in, he didn't pull out his weapon, he simply closed his book in an unnerved fashion and gently put it on the side of the small study table.

"Yuki please, this is a library, you can't just go around freezing people or yelling.
If you do want to fight, then I'd advise you at least leave the library.
We don't want to have to fight again do we?" Only a small bit of emotion could be seen resting upon Theriam's face as he pulled out a fire dust knife and held it with his left arm, it felt just as natural, but to people that already knew him, it felt somewhat odd.

"I know what just happened, don't tell me I don't know how you feel.
I would get quite ticked at you, should you have the nerve to do so.
Plus, I'm not in the mood to fight right now.
And I'm not sure some people would appreciate it if you started fighting random people.
I hope you do realize that this girl's team is right next to her, right?
And as far as I know, they have their weapons." His lightly annoyed state slowly became replaced by a small smirk.

"Hello again, it's been a long while, hasn't it?"

[North Arkana]

He was cautious... good, it at least proved his mantle as a "Baby bird", but she had noticed it the way his pores had perspired at her initial presence.
Although his squinting was justified she couldn't help but feel internally hurt... so little trust these days. however after a moment he finally relented with a somewhat unfeeling shrug or at least that's what it seemed like to Erde as he responded.

Erde lightly smiled and then quickly with a light movement of her hand while bringing lightly her suitcase onto the floor so she wouldn't have to hold it while making various gentle hand gestures, she begun to explain.

"Right, any collected information is kept confidential and is also deleted after the study after a period of six months. Of course during the six months prior to deletion we contact the recipients in response to the surveys completion. In requesting if they would like partaking in other later surveys should they come up, if so we add them to our data bank, if not the data is promptly deleted.
The information of the survey which will be compiled with the other three kingdoms to analyze which current direction young huntsmen and huntresses are focusing in their study's at which seasons, which is then given and sold to the four main huntsmen training academy and or subsequent prerequisite combat schools to study and improve overall curriculum's in order to make it more student engaging."

Erde paused to see if the "Bird" was still listening. She flashed a small comforting smile and then mercilessly continued for several more minutes outlying the various questions while pulling out a form and envelope and quickly rolled it and placed it gently and with a merciless quickness that prevented any hope of refusing into the "birds" uniform for later browsing.
With her business seemingly done Erde lightly sighed and then looked at her briefcase and then quickly looked around the library for the hope of a empty table... her hopes were dashed as she sighed more aggressively and then looked at the "bird" and noticed finally his reading material and then lightly smiled in a innocent way in wonderment.

"Oh I know that one..."

Quickly, Erde bent down and then quietly realigned her briefcase and then opened the two combination locks and then pulled out a small key from a hidden pocket in her suit and then opened up a small lock and opened the birefcase. Of course to the "Bird" in front of her she skillfully hid the contents of her briefcase from his view but within a moment pulled out a recognizable item from its depths.
Sealed in a plastic sleeve Erde pulled the very same comic that the Bird had cradled along with his own books, but a noticeable difference was that in bright silver fancy lettering was the authors autograph scrolled across its front.

"i've read that one myself, oh not this copy however, this one I had gotten for my little sister... I had intended to give it to her but she...
Passed away quite a few years ago... of course by then I had amassed quite a sought collection. But with the one I wanted to give it too gone, they've kind of just been gathering dust in my home... so I wanted to sell them but time is never on my side so they just been sitting around being unread and gathering dust... ha ha ha... you wouldn't happen to be interested in a maybe lucrative contract would you?"

As Erde put the comic back town the depths of her briefcase she then skillfully revealed its contents as various comics stacked in a count of fifteen from three built in columns while the forth held the familiar survey sheets and envelopes. Of course as Erde let the bird browse one could see that every issue happened to have been signed and were in mint condition if one discounted the slight dust on the protective sleeves coverings.

"Would you like to hear more?"

Getting out of the splash zone of the sudden storm of swords was one thing. Almost running directly into the person responsible from behind after deciding a full withdrawal from the area was advisable while still invisible was another. Not to say Reina was surprised when she saw that, yes, it was Erde, and yes, she had been completely over the top about her interference, nor was she surprised to see Erde was currently in the process of manipulating a student. No, Reina was surprised because for some reason seeing Erde on her turf was setting her on edge in a way she didn't understand. Then again, when the person you work for is someone like Erde, having them personally appear at the school you're supposedly a teacher at might result in a conflict of interests. Especially when you've recently had a bit of a mental breakdown and partial reformation. Partial the key word here.

At the moment, Reina satisfied herself with watching from behind a corner, still stealthed, but fully aware that all her instincts were screaming at her to run away.

What is she trying to do here? If she wanted more information on students she could have simply asked me. And she's trying to pull off something big, why wouldn't she tell me something?
... Wait... This IS Erde we're talking about... For all I know she might be here looking for a new maid... Boy... Person... Shit... She might be here looking for me...

[Nachfolgia]

Yuki was once more force to be made silent as she listened to Avena's words, the smile that while had dissipated for a moment which quickly resurfaced like the waves caressing the beach face. Yuki was shocked as she stared with her vacant eyes towards the girl... It wasn't like Yuki wanted pity, such an emotion and state had long since left her heart. But the girl couldn't understand how this girl hadn't seen her as a cripple when everyone else had...
for a moment, a sliver of a moment something of life rippled into Yuki's vacant eyes and then just as quickly died. This girl... was far too optimistic...

Yuki saw this so she was once more dumbfounded, how could she be so... positive? she didn't understand.... no... she couldn't understand but internally something silently snapped. As Yuki looked at Avena she saw something she could never fully be... that life, that hope... the simple ability to raise that hand and give a thumbs up... made her envious... but this girl hadn't known how hard she had to struggle to get to be able to stand even for a second more at this accursed academy. How many hours of pain, sweat and tears, how many days and weeks where she vomited blood just to try and prove she had what it took to be a huntress only to be repeatedly shot down...

It.
Was.
All.
So.
very...
ENVIOUS!...

And then finally, Yuki found her vision going white like snow. Like a stumbling doll being controlled but a unknown puppet master, slowly Yuki rose from her chair and raised her crippled right arm. That stubby arm which was hidden underneath while her blazer's empty sleeve which fell down like rags swung lightly from side to side.
For a moment Yuki froze as her vacant eyes stared at Avena and then once more the surrounding air around Yuki started to drop. The pooled water laying on the table or soaked into the rug started to rise and then collected around Yuki's crippled arm and then enveloped it and rapidly started to freeze.
As the atom bonds solidified the water turned to solid ice as dense as steel and took from of a oversize hand. No to call the new appendage a hand was wrong... it was with no doubt a claw like gauntlet. As Yuki opened her new fingers which resembled large over sized claws she was intent to mindlessly swing them down to grab onto Avena and freeze her body entirely.

And yet like a cold wind blowing onto warm uncovered flesh which one tries to hide from old man winter. Yuki spoke her voice showing a hint of emotion as her body lightly shook, However what came first from her lips was not a voice but an eerie cackle until finally words as cold as winter itself leaked out.
"Hye hehehehehehehehe. "

"No one ever says the "right" thing... Why... Why AM I always PITIED...."
Then mercilessly Yuki swung her hand down in blind anger!.

Then Theriam stepped in, he didn't pull out his weapon, he simply closed his book in an unnerved fashion and gently put it on the side of the small study table.

"Yuki please, this is a library, you can't just go around freezing people or yelling.
If you do want to fight, then I'd advise you at least leave the library.
We don't want to have to fight again do we?" Only a small bit of emotion could be seen resting upon Theriam's face as he pulled out a fire dust knife and held it with his left arm, it felt just as natural, but to people that already knew him, it felt somewhat odd.

"I know what just happened, don't tell me I don't know how you feel.
I would get quite ticked at you, should you have the nerve to do so.
Plus, I'm not in the mood to fight right now.
And I'm not sure some people would appreciate it if you started fighting random people.
I hope you do realize that this girl's team is right next to her, right?
And as far as I know, they have their weapons." His lightly annoyed state slowly became replaced by a small smirk.

"Hello again, it's been a long while, hasn't it?"

Avena watched in confusion as Yuki held out her stump arm. She wasn't sure what was up with that gesture, but it made Avena smile. Maybe Yuki was going to take what Avena said to heart. Unfortunately, things took an unexpected turn. " That's a really cool power." Avena said with a grin as Yuki created a claw made of ice. Suddenly, she yelled and slashed at Avena's chest.

Avena jumped back to dodge the attack, barely avoiding serious damage. The claws still cut through her shirt and skin, leaving four cuts though not deep enough to be life threatening. She put her hand to her chest and felt the blood. She removed it and saw that her palm and fingers were covered in red blood. " Ugh...What's going on Yuki?" Avena said, looking a little concerned.

Before anything else happened, Theriam stepped in to intervene. Avena stayed still while Theriam talked to Yuki. She had no idea what has gotten into Yuki or why she attacked, but she was going to help her on in the only way she knew how. " It has been awhile, Therry. Still trying to tame the male me? Listen... thanks for helping out, but I can handle this." Avena said with a smile before turning her attention back to Yuki.

" I don't know what I did to cause this attack, but I'm not taking pity on you. My words are sincere, trust me, I would never lie to a friend. You are strong, crazy strong to be a huntress, and I should know. If you want to blow off some steam, I'll be glad to fight you...as long as it will help you understand what I'm talking about." Avena said in a serious tone, still not losing her smile.

[Charlia]

Adrian wasn't doing much, just wandering, as he was wont to do when bored. He was keeping his wings tightly folded against his back, due to the size of them they weren't exactly good to unfurl inside. Pity that--

He heard something, then. That sounded like... an Ursa... Oh, no. A Grimm? Here?! In Beacon? Oh, Monty... If it's hurt anyone... He started running, and although it might have seemed odd to see a formal-looking boy like him dashing through Beacon, he was running with a purpose. His sword was always secured at his side, and he kept a tight hold on it now, getting ready to use his semblance if he had to.

When he reached the place the sound came from, he skidded to a halt, his sword pointing threateningly at--

WHAT?!

He was dumbfounded at what he saw.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Ning Kohkuhycumest

"Wait!" Drefan said as she looked at Togami then to Ning, "You're friends with a rich kid? Wow Ning, going up in the world are you. Also..." He glared at Togami, "You better not be using your money to buy Sirina's affection...."

"If you want to punch him, I won't stop you, but..." Ning whispered to Togami then motioning to Dara, who was giving Drefan what could be best described as a death stare.

"Ning... Is big sis going to snap?" Lilybet asked.

Ning smiled, "Maybe. But we do have a guest here."

Ning's uncle during this time was stroking his beard concentrating, "Togami. If it isn't too much of a bother, what was your mothers name?"

Sirina Zezili

Sirina finally arrived at the dorm. It was quiet, and the lights where off, but she didn't know there was no light. She could not sense anyone else in the room. They must have gone somewhere... They've gotten quite close.... I wish I could be that close to Togami...

Sirina sighed as she laid on her bed and dozed off.

[Aidannadia]

Ning Kohkuhycumest

"Wait!" Drefan said as she looked at Togami then to Ning, "You're friends with a rich kid? Wow Ning, going up in the world are you. Also..." He glared at Togami, "You better not be using your money to buy Sirina's affection...."

"If you want to punch him, I won't stop you, but..." Ning whispered to Togami then motioning to Dara, who was giving Drefan what could be best described as a death stare.

"Ning... Is big sis going to snap?" Lilybet asked.

Ning smiled, "Maybe. But we do have a guest here."

Ning's uncle during this time was stroking his beard concentrating, "Togami. If it isn't too much of a bother, what was your mothers name?"

Togami's patience was being testing by this buffoon, Drefan. Maybe I'll go a little harder than usual if we end up practicing our fighting later. He grit his teeth before looking back at Uncle calmly.

"Her name was Holly, I know that much. My father didn't enjoy talking about her very much. I don't think they got along very well after she gave birth to me." Togami sipped his tea again, obviously leaving out most of the scathing details of his family dynamic.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Ning Kohkahycumest

Ning's uncle looked at Togami with a neutral expression. The expression changed slowly to surprise with a mix of joy.

"You're Holly's kid?!" He exclaimed, "Of course. I should have seen it..."

Ning and his cousins where speechless as they looked from Togami to Ning's uncle. "Wait. Uncle you know Togami's mother?" Ning asked in surprise.

"Knew would probably be the better choice of words... But yes, I knew her. She was a good person, not at all like the man she married... No offence to your father." Ning's uncle said, "I can't help but wonder what happened to her after she got married... Never heard from her after she got married."

[Aidannadia]

Ning Kohkahycumest

Ning's uncle looked at Togami with a neutral expression. The expression changed slowly to surprise with a mix of joy.

"You're Holly's kid?!" He exclaimed, "Of course. I should have seen it..."

Ning and his cousins where speechless as they looked from Togami to Ning's uncle. "Wait. Uncle you know Togami's mother?" Ning asked in surprise.

"Knew would probably be the better choice of words... But yes, I knew her. She was a good person, not at all like the man she married... No offence to your father." Ning's uncle said, "I can't help but wonder what happened to her after she got married... Never heard from her after she got married."

Togami's mouth hung from his jaw as his eyes spread wide open. "You knew my mother, Mister Kohkahycumest?" The teen stood up, his teacup being knocked being narrowly saved by a well-timed construct of a bowl to catch it softly before hitting the ground. "My bad. I'll clean this up. It's the least I can do for such a gracious host." Togami replied before going into the kitchen to drain the liquid from the bowl and procuring a paper towel to wipe up the tea that he wasn't able to catch.

"How did you know her?" Togami asked.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Ning Kohkahycumest

Ning looked to his uncle, interested in what his uncle was going to respond with. What are the odds... Slim. The odds that our family's knew each other before know, very slim... he thought to himself.

"Yep, you are most definitely Holly's child. You share a semblance. I never thought I'd see that again." Ning's uncle said with a slight smile, "As for how I knew her... We were coworkers. But not just that, we were very close friends. She had my back, and I had hers. Back in the glory days we were nearly unstoppable, no Grimm could stand against us."

[Aidannadia]

Ning Kohkahycumest

Ning looked to his uncle, interested in what his uncle was going to respond with. What are the odds... Slim. The odds that our family's knew each other before know, very slim... he thought to himself.

"Yep, you are most definitely Holly's child. You share a semblance. I never thought I'd see that again." Ning's uncle said with a slight smile, "As for how I knew her... We were coworkers. But not just that, we were very close friends. She had my back, and I had hers. Back in the glory days we were nearly unstoppable, no Grimm could stand against us."

"We shared a semblance" Togami was flooded with memories of his mother creating tiny miniatures of birds, horses, rabbits, etc with her semblance. The visions flashed before his eyes with torrential power as his irises flashed a violet color before going back to their normal shade. The quaint wooden cottage filled with love and laughter with his caring and patient mother whom filled his every day with wonder and laughter. This was a Togami that didn't have the muscles required to frown. This was a Togami that still had a heart that flutters and soared, not held down and in place with the weight of the world.

Togami could see before him his mother through the eyes of a toddler, with childlike wonder towards the tail from her backside which she gently tickled his tummy with. The stories with powerful heroes and villains filled his mind with a desire to protect.

Then, finally, that day came back to him. A man, many years older than his mother, came to visit. Togami now realized this man to be his father. The inside of a closet seemed like a refuge from the loud shouts that sullied the child's perfect world. Tears streamed down his rosy cheeks after a clatter shocked the poor toddler from his dark hiding place. Silence overtook the cottage. Footsteps slid across the floor to the closet and light was shined on the huddled form of Togami. The boy's sight was blurred by the rays of the covering the face of the one who revealed him.

"It's okay. Sweetheart, we need to do something. I need you to be a big boy, okay?" The figure came into focus. It was his mother with a cut along her face. Togami nodded, and Holly lifted him. She put him on the table, closed her eyes with her hand on his cheek, and recited a prayer.

For it is in passing that we achieve immortality.
Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all.
Infinite in distance and unbound by death,
I release your soul,
and by my shoulder, protect thee

The young Togami felt something within him start to flow from his forehead to the rest of his body. Pressure began to build up from just behind the toddler's skin, and he began to cry for fear of what was to come. His body glowed with a violet haze, and soon, the boy felt that pressure just below the surface of his skin pop. Violet waves shot out from the boy. They sent his mother to the wall of the cottage whom crumple from the blow, no doubt weakened from the encounter with Hedera. They shattered the windows and the plates. They even broke the table and sent the chairs flying, one even noticeably breaking on Holly.

The cottage was silent, but it was not long before a soul-wrenching howl sounded from the forests nearby. The Grimm, attracted to pain like sharks to blood, were closing in on the wooden hut. The boy rushed to his mother, trying to shake her awake. She shot up just in time to throw a giant, glowing fist at a Beowulf that was sniffing at the entrance. "Get down, sweetie. Hide. Live. Most importantly, don't be afraid." Holly kissed her son before rushing him to the closet and closing the door behind him. From his hiding place, Togami was subjected to every scream, holler, crush, splat, slice, and howl. When dawn broke and the mailman arrived in the morning, not much of was left of Holly.

It wasn't long before her son was found in the closet and moved to Vale in an orphanage. Hedera Murasaki then secretly arranged to adopt him, away from the light of the press, and the true world of hurt began.

"She died of a Grimm attack when I was young." Togami said simply, noticeably shaken by the visions, but still seemingly calm. "She's dead."

[Icrum]

This is later than it needs to be. Sorry.
Who knows when? Like a week ago? Maybe two. I dunno.

Blake Belladonna

"W-what are you doing?" Blake got more concerned. "Don't push yourself!"

Even if she was the one telling him this, Aiden wouldn't listen. Was he that stubborn? Didn't he get roughed up by Ulfric yesterday? She watched as he attempted to stand up while bearing the pain that was surging through his body. His face was disfigured by the stinging aches from his broken bones and his bruises, and supported himself up with his weapon. He then explained to her that there was a certain someone that he wanted to ask out on a date, and that was partly why the fight was public. Even after the fight happened, he still didn't have the courage to ask that mystery girl out, and asked Blake what he should do about it.

His Claymore sounded a little from the light shaking as Aiden tried to keep himself standing up. Blake then stood in front of him and assisted him back into his bed. "You don't have to stand up," she told him. "Just lie down. Don't push yourself."

After getting him to sit, she placed her left hand on his back and slowly laid him on his bed. Blake then said to him, "You know, you don't have to be beaten up by someone to get noticed. You don't have to be hurt. If you want to ask that girl out, just ask her. No pick-up lines, no shows of attention, just ask her."

A pause followed as Aiden seemed to catch sight of someone. He shook his head and looked at him with an earnest gaze. "You know what, I can't hide it anymore," he confessed. "Blake, the person I like is you." A rosy blush appeared on Blake's face. He… likes me? That was pretty straightforward of him, since the two were more like acquaintances than close friends. "Blake," he finally got the courage to say it as he stood up again to face her. The pain made no difference to him—this was his opportunity.

"Will you go out with me?"

She had no idea what to say. After all, there he was, on a hospital bed in the infirmary—covered in bandages, bruises and wounds—and all he thought about was how to ask her out on a date. Was that fight from yesterday for her? How he fought Ulfric, how he sustained a hell of a beating—was all that for her? He was willing to go through all that just to go out with her? That… to be honest, that was pretty reckless of Aiden to do, but he did it anyway.

She exhaled deeply, looked at him in the eyes and smiled. "Maybe when you're all better."

Aiden smiled at Blake's words, he had a chance.And he wasn't going to let it slip from his grips. But first he had to wait for his condition to improve. He sighed as Blake left, he had to get better. Aiden stood up, letting the pain roam free, and walked towards the window in front of his bed. He looked outside and saw Beacon in it's glory. With a smile he grabbed his claymore and hobbled out of the hospital wing. When he opened the door he was greeted by the unfriendly face of Ulfric's chest.

"Hi there. What do you want Ulfric?" Aiden asked, stepping back a couple of paces.

"I came to talk to you. About the duel." Ulfric said, walking in anyways and sitting on a chair.

"Well, if you want to know why I did it, it was for another reason. A personal reason" Aiden explained. He sat on his bed and took some painkillers. His head had been throbbing with pain when he got up, and he was hoping to try and use his semblance to make him not as injured, but he decided against it.

"I know your reasons. You were to scared to ask a girl out, so you felt that challenging some far superior to you was the only way to garnish courage. You were going to ask someone like Adelaide or Adam knowing you had a better chance at victory than fighting me, but when you ran into me, you figured it was now or never. So you made up a lie about your reason for being outside of class, knowing full well that I would know that wasn't what you were doing. Then when I said we'll duel in private, you said you wanted it to be public. While I first believed that you were being stubborn, I realized what it was." Ulfric explained, looking Aiden straight in the eyes. Aiden was taken back in shock. How could Ulfric know that? That seemed to ridiculous to Aiden, and just as he was about to pipe up, Ulfric stopped him.

"I know you're wondering how I knew, well I saw Blake walk out. I also over heard yours and hers conversation. So I put two and two together. Now, I'm not one to judge, but your execution was poor. What you should've done is made it a single round duel so you wouldn't be in the hospital, but that's just me. Anyways, I got to head back, I'll see you soon. And remember, who needs luck when you can make your own." Ulfric said, getting up and leaving.

---

Present time (How long ago was the duel? A month? A YEAR?!)
Aiden checked his cast. It was fine, save for the little stick person his little sister drew on it. Aiden smiled and looked through the window. Aiden went to his home the day after the duel to get the medical attention he needed quickly. He was healed from everything, save for his damaged aura, which he cursed himself for letting it get damaged in the first place. After that, he had some trouble using his semblance, but sometimes it came through for him. He just sighed it off. As the transport landed at Beacon, Aiden stepped off with his luggage. He breathed in the fresh air and cursed under his breath.

I fucking hate the outside. Especially the day-star. Fuck that piece of shit. It burns my skin, eyes, and gives me a raging headache. I just can't wait to see Blake though. Maybe now we can start dating. I'll be so ecstatic if that happens. But how will I ask. Damn it, why am I so scared. I already told her I like her, but what if she says no? Aiden panicked, with a smile on his face, as he walked into the building. As he panicked he remembered what Ulfric said to him 'Who needs luck when you can make your own.' and smiled even more. He was going to see Blake and ask her out, whether he failed or not.

After walking through the halls for a bit, he knocked on team RWBY's door, hoping to get to talk to Blake.

I'll make my own luck. Aiden thought, as he stood at the door.

---

Adrian wasn't doing much, just wandering, as he was wont to do when bored. He was keeping his wings tightly folded against his back, due to the size of them they weren't exactly good to unfurl inside. Pity that--

He heard something, then. That sounded like... an Ursa... Oh, no. A Grimm? Here?! In Beacon? Oh, Monty... If it's hurt anyone... He started running, and although it might have seemed odd to see a formal-looking boy like him dashing through Beacon, he was running with a purpose. His sword was always secured at his side, and he kept a tight hold on it now, getting ready to use his semblance if he had to.

When he reached the place the sound came from, he skidded to a halt, his sword pointing threateningly at--

WHAT?!

He was dumbfounded at what he saw.

Leika stared at Adrian with a dumbfounded face as Squeaks ran around her playfully. She was visibly sweating and and frozen, whilst Sqeuaks just ran about, nudging her every so often.

"Umm, hello? Who are you?" Leika said, still shocked.

---

Meanwhile, in Ulfric's room
Ulfric sat on his chair in the middle of his room. It was empty and he was shirtless. He took a deep breath, for he needed to do something he didn't want anyone to see. Steam hissed from his chest, and it opened up. Inside was metal cage, similar to ribs, but not as many, with a pair of lungs in a containment-chassis. His heart was connected to many tubes that kept it in place and brought blood from marrow points in his body. As much as he hated it, he was mostly robot. It was caused after a Beowulf pack attacked him when he was just 27, and the tore him apart. He lay, dying from blood loss, but he was found just in time by another hunter, his cousin Adelaide. She brought him to a hospital where they proceeded to salvage his heart, head, and lungs. He had other body parts that were intact, but they were useless by themselves. That's when he decided to become like Ironwood. He accepted the procedure to make him like he was, but cyborg. They kept his body shape and color, but they still had obvious dust cells on the body, primarily his sides and along were his spine was. He took a pained breath as he felt inside to remove any gunk or stray dust that made it in. His decision to make it an open body was so he always remembered what pain felt like, lest he go insane. He finished cleaning his chest and let his chest cavity close. He looked up and forward. He had come far from where he began and was proud. He just wished there was someone he could teach his wisdom and skills to, as Aiden seemed to preoccupied with girls and everyone else preferred Adelaide or Victoria. He then just sighed, and closed his eyes, letting rest come to him.

---

Aria in the mean time was just whistling the theme of an old game the boys had made her play, at first, she thought it was extremely bad, and it was.
But in the end, she just started to like the main character and the game at the same time, even with all the quirks and idiocies of it all.

For now, she was looking to socialize, unlike Ether, although the bloke had reasons and Theriam finally had to put on his garb that shrouded his arm, it was called the cyber guard by his mother, but Aria herself didn't know much about it, she only knew that it had about the same defense potential as Miriel with the ability to hide Theriam's newfound cybernetic implants.
Almost everything on the right side of his body had changed, much to Aria's liking, she had more time to look at the abs of the man she was once interested into.

She had heard of a team called team FATE, with one of their members having fought the power bloke god Ulfric.
Merely having the guts to even show up, much less even hold his own against him was a miracle and something that was highly renowned for in the academy.
After all, it had been a few weeks.

And today, Aria had decided to go and meet them, at least one of them, in their dorm room.
She had vaguely heard of the others defeating opponents, especially one that wore a helmet that apparently defeated Victoria, one of the teachers.
That alone made her feel respect for them.

When she got to the door, she took a great inspiration and knocked, shortly after doing so, something hit her.
She didn't know what to say at all.

Eardwulf opened the door with a grimace. He hated visitors, and he hated strangers. How he managed to get to like Aiden and the rest was beyond most people, but some assumed it was because they proved there worth to him when the fought the Grimm.

"Yeah, who are you? If you're looking for Aiden, he's not here. He left to Atlas to get better. If you're looking for 'Mr. Right-Guy' he's here." Eardwulf said with apathy in his voice.

"I prefer 'Mr. Bushido'; brute. If it's for me, let me talk to her. I have some tact." Taro said, still wearing his mask. He never took it off, and Aiden's team began to question. He never gave an answer, he just said that it was a Bushido thing, and they accepted it for the most part.

"Yes, who are you?" Taro asked, more kindness in his voice.

---

In a forest somewhere.
The bushes near the edge of the forest rustled. Something was coming through, and it was moving fast. Suddenly, a woman appeared out of the bushes, scarred and wearing tattered clothes. She looked around and smiled.

"Finally I'm out of there. Now to find my sister." The woman said, immediately heading to Beacon.

[Serah]

Aria in the mean time was just whistling the theme of an old game the boys had made her play, at first, she thought it was extremely bad, and it was.
But in the end, she just started to like the main character and the game at the same time, even with all the quirks and idiocies of it all.

For now, she was looking to socialize, unlike Ether, although the bloke had reasons and Theriam finally had to put on his garb that shrouded his arm, it was called the cyber guard by his mother, but Aria herself didn't know much about it, she only knew that it had about the same defense potential as Miriel with the ability to hide Theriam's newfound cybernetic implants.
Almost everything on the right side of his body had changed, much to Aria's liking, she had more time to look at the abs of the man she was once interested into.

She had heard of a team called team FATE, with one of their members having fought the power bloke god Ulfric.
Merely having the guts to even show up, much less even hold his own against him was a miracle and something that was highly renowned for in the academy.
After all, it had been a few weeks.

And today, Aria had decided to go and meet them, at least one of them, in their dorm room.
She had vaguely heard of the others defeating opponents, especially one that wore a helmet that apparently defeated Victoria, one of the teachers.
That alone made her feel respect for them.

When she got to the door, she took a great inspiration and knocked, shortly after doing so, something hit her.
She didn't know what to say at all.

Eardwulf opened the door with a grimace. He hated visitors, and he hated strangers. How he managed to get to like Aiden and the rest was beyond most people, but some assumed it was because they proved there worth to him when the fought the Grimm.

"Yeah, who are you? If you're looking for Aiden, he's not here. He left to Atlas to get better. If you're looking for 'Mr. Right-Guy' he's here." Eardwulf said with apathy in his voice.

"I prefer 'Mr. Bushido'; brute. If it's for me, let me talk to her. I have some tact." Taro said, still wearing his mask. He never took it off, and Aiden's team began to question. He never gave an answer, he just said that it was a Bushido thing, and they accepted it for the most part.

"Yes, who are you?" Taro asked, more kindness in his voice.

---

In a forest somewhere.
The bushes near the edge of the forest rustled. Something was coming through, and it was moving fast. Suddenly, a woman appeared out of the bushes, scarred and wearing tattered clothes. She looked around and smiled.

"Finally I'm out of there. Now to find my sister." The woman said, immediately heading to Beacon.

Aria almost jumped back several meters when Eardwulf suddenly opened the door.

'Absolutely huge. Scary, scary, scary! This one is scary!'

"Well I was thinking I would've checked on the person that fought Ulfric, but since he's not here...
I guess the only reason I do have is that I wanted to get a look at one of the teams I knew next to nothing about.
But as far as to know what I wanted to ask you, well I'm afraid to say I don't even remember..." She giggled in embarrassment then looked at the two people again.

"And I'm already being kicked out, am I not?" However, despite what she had just said, her smile didn't fade, it was honest and bright.

[Charlia]

Adrian wasn't doing much, just wandering, as he was wont to do when bored. He was keeping his wings tightly folded against his back, due to the size of them they weren't exactly good to unfurl inside. Pity that--

He heard something, then. That sounded like... an Ursa... Oh, no. A Grimm? Here?! In Beacon? Oh, Monty... If it's hurt anyone... He started running, and although it might have seemed odd to see a formal-looking boy like him dashing through Beacon, he was running with a purpose. His sword was always secured at his side, and he kept a tight hold on it now, getting ready to use his semblance if he had to.

When he reached the place the sound came from, he skidded to a halt, his sword pointing threateningly at--

WHAT?!

He was dumbfounded at what he saw.

Leika stared at Adrian with a dumbfounded face as Squeaks ran around her playfully. She was visibly sweating and and frozen, whilst Sqeuaks just ran about, nudging her every so often.

"Umm, hello? Who are you?" Leika said, still shocked.

He just stared. A... baby Ursa? Someone's keeping a baby Ursa? Wha--but that's dangerous! At least... it seems to be harmless for now... Holy Monty, this just got a lot more complicated.

He sheathed his sword, bowing formally.

"Adrian Lockwood. I heard the Grimm and mistook it for danger. My apologies, Miss--" He straightened up and quirked an eyebrow, inquiring as to her identity.

[Icrum]

Leika stared at Adrian with a dumbfounded face as Squeaks ran around her playfully. She was visibly sweating and and frozen, whilst Sqeuaks just ran about, nudging her every so often.

"Umm, hello? Who are you?" Leika said, still shocked.

He just stared. A... baby Ursa? Someone's keeping a baby Ursa? Wha--but that's dangerous! At least... it seems to be harmless for now... Holy Monty, this just got a lot more complicated.

He sheathed his sword, bowing formally.

"Adrian Lockwood. I heard the Grimm and mistook it for danger. My apologies, Miss--" He straightened up and quirked an eyebrow, inquiring as to her identity.

"Oh, my name is Leika. I'm the Grimm Identifications teacher here. And this here is Squeaks, my little adopted baby Ursa." Leika said, holding up Squeaks. Squeaks just squeaked and kind of squirmed around, causing Leika to giggle. She then set the baby Ursa down, who returned to running about. She then sighed.

"Poor thing is going to die soon. I can't be negative enough to keep it alive. And soon it will turn to killing, like all Grimm do. I just wish I could keep him longer, I love him. He's so cute and sweet." Leika said, tears filling her eyes. She then wiped her eyes and walked towards Adrian.

"Well, it's nice to meet you anyways. I also see you're a winged faunus too. I was hoping to meet someone like that soon; I didn't want to feel left out." Leika said, opening her wings slightly.

[Charlia]

He just stared. A... baby Ursa? Someone's keeping a baby Ursa? Wha--but that's dangerous! At least... it seems to be harmless for now... Holy Monty, this just got a lot more complicated.

He sheathed his sword, bowing formally.

"Adrian Lockwood. I heard the Grimm and mistook it for danger. My apologies, Miss--" He straightened up and quirked an eyebrow, inquiring as to her identity.

"Oh, my name is Leika. I'm the Grimm Identifications teacher here. And this here is Squeaks, my little adopted baby Ursa." Leika said, holding up Squeaks. Squeaks just squeaked and kind of squirmed around, causing Leika to giggle. She then set the baby Ursa down, who returned to running about. She then sighed.

"Poor thing is going to die soon. I can't be negative enough to keep it alive. And soon it will turn to killing, like all Grimm do. I just wish I could keep him longer, I love him. He's so cute and sweet." Leika said, tears filling her eyes. She then wiped her eyes and walked towards Adrian.

"Well, it's nice to meet you anyways. I also see you're a winged faunus too. I was hoping to meet someone like that soon; I didn't want to feel left out." Leika said, opening her wings slightly.

"I see," he said, bowing again. "I am pleased to meet you, Professor Leika." He spread his own wings, allowing the hints of glossy purple and blue to shimmer in the black feathers.

"If you don't wish to... ah... dispose of the creature when its time comes, I would be willing to take care of it, unless you would prefer to do it yourself, which I suppose I can also understand. It doesn't know me, and having you by its side would make its passing easier. It doesn't need to be painful, though..."