Gideon gaped in awe as he saw Beacon Academy up close. The academy reminded him of those fantasy castles in the stories his mother would tell him. A projection of Professor Glynda Goodwitch played but Gideon barely paid attention. He had heard the speech many times over. Tearing his eyes away from the view, Gideon scanned the group of people. Few seemed to catch his interest. A fashionably clad girl chattered with a girl with silver hair and a boy with blue eyes. They were obviously siblings. He noticed a few Faunus roaming around and smiled. He, unlike most others, loved Faunus and found them intriguing. It wasn't fair how they were treated.

The ship jolted as it docked and Gideon stumbled. Before he could faceplant, someone had caught him. Ruby red eyes met sapphire blue eyes. The winged Faunus pulled Gideon back to his feet and the Faunus nervously avoided his gaze. "Thanks," Gideon smiled. "I'm Gideon Jasper, what's your name?" He extended his hand to shake the Faunus's.

"D–Derek Crocus," Derek replied in shock, shaking Gideon's hand. He went silent and looked back at Velvet. "It was no problem." Derek seemed to be in shock that Gideon didn't lash out at him.

"Are you excited?" Gideon asked, attempting to lessen the tension. "Beacon was my dream school. What about you? From the looks of you, I'm guessing you are from Menagerie?" Gideon winced. Did he come off as creepy or weird?

"Oh," Derek balked. He wasn't expecting this human to want to interact with him. "Yeah, I'm from Menagerie, but I wanted to branch out and explore, so I came here. Plus, it's safer out here." There it was again. The safety. Derek needed to feel safe, but would he really be safe here?

"Safer? I bet," Gideon nodded, grabbing his backpack and walking off the airship. Derek followed him as Velvet had wandered off. "With a lot of the White Fang out there, it's dangerous. Not that I don't like the White Fang. I understand where they are coming from, but there is just too much useless bloodshed."

"Ye–yeah," Derek agreed, gripping his own bag tightly. "A lot of avoidable deaths." He and Gideon fell into a comfortable silence. His wings fluffed up against the cool breeze. It was a lot warmer where he grew up.

"Are you okay?" Gideon spoke up after a short period of silence. "You're really tense. Is it something I did?" He switched shoulders with his bag and cast a glance toward the smaller Faunus.

"Huh?" Derek looked up at Gideon. "Yeah, I'm fine...well, I'm tired and on edge," Derek sighed, tired of lying. "Being a Faunus is hard enough, especially in a place where we're still the minority. I don't even know why I am telling you this. I don't want your pity because I can take care of myself!" he defensively finished, headfeathers bristling.

"Hey." Gideon raised his hands in mock surrender. "I get it. I don't pity you. In fact, I respect you. All of you Faunus. It takes courage to stand up and be the one to go out into a world that rejects you." The taller man glared at the ground, angry for the Faunus.

Derek remained silent in shock. "Thanks," he responded, internally happy. "It was nice to meet you, Gideon Jasper." He waved goodbye to him and walked into the large auditorium looking for Velvet. He found her with the fashionable girl.

"Coco Adel," Coco introduced herself, eyeing Derek. She took off her shades and smirked. "Nice to see another Faunus here. If I remember correctly, winged ones are on the rarer side?" Derek nodded sheepishly and settled in with Velvet and her new friend Coco.

—

Orion gaped at the beauty of Beacon and its grounds. He didn't miss the farm, and he wanted to soak up everything Beacon had to offer. His smile radiated light and it seemed like nothing could dim it. Layla, on the other hand, stayed more alert and cautious about everything. It was nothing like the farm, and she didn't know anyone. The safety of familiarity was gone. She gripped her bow even tighter.

"Wow! It looks even more beautiful in person, Lay!" Orion gushed, running a few steps ahead. He spun around, laughing. Beacon was truly his beacon of hope that life could be better. No, that life will be better. "Isn't it?"

"It is," Layla reluctantly agreed, gulping as she took her first step off the airship. Groups of other students passed her by and seemed to ignore her, which she didn't mind at all. She grit her teeth and took another step. She wouldn't let her fear hold her back. "It looks even better in person," she spoke softly, in awe of the beauty.

"I know!" Orion gushed, trying not to bump into the others while running around taking everything in. He bumped one or two people, but they were cool about it. "Oof!" Orion grunted as he ran into a redheaded, dark skinned male. "I am so sorry!" he apologized, dusting himself off as he got to his feet.

"It's fine," the teen muttered, getting to his feet. "I should have been more careful." He rubbed the back of his neck and angled his ears to listen to the sounds around him.

"No, it's my fau–" Orion trailed off once he saw the cloudy eyes. "You're blind?" he asked in a soft, concerned voice.

"Orion!" Layla snapped, walking over to the two. "Don't be rude!" She turned to the blind man. "I am so sorry for my brother. I'm Layla Hyacinth and this is my brother, Orion. May I ask your name?"

"Fox Alistair," Fox introduced himself, body tense and he shuffled his weight from foot to foot. "And, so what if I am blind? I passed the test and made it here, didn't I?" he retorted, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, you did," Orion nervously responded. "I apologize for sounding rude. I was just caught by surprise."

"Yeah, I can see that," Fox snarked with a smirk.

"Did you just?" Orion bit back a laugh.

"I am allowed to make blind jokes. You are not," Fox shrugged, walking toward the enormous academy. Orion chased after him, and Layla let him go. She did not wish to ruin his mood with her fears and insecurities.

Layla walked alone, going over her mantra of 'you got this, you are a natural born hunter, you got this' over and over again. She needed time alone, but she didn't want to be lonely, and she was feeling very, very lonely.

"Are you okay?" Layla, startled, jerked her head to the left to see a large man with a concerned expression. He had a broadsword strapped to his back.

"Oh, umm, I don't know?" Layla winced at her voice crack. "This is all...so, so different from home."

"I understand that," the man nodded. "I am Yatsuhashi, what is your name?"

"Layla," Layla smiled at him, yet still seemed on edge. "I'm just adjusting, is all. I don't need someone telling me I am weak or emotional because I am a woman," she snapped, trying to push her fears down.

"Hey, I get that, and I never said a word," Yatsuhashi calmly replied. "You just looked down. I wanted to help. I can tell you are a strong woman, but it's okay to show emotions and ask for help." Yatsuhashi smiled and walked down the stone path.

"I am sorry for snapping," Layla sighed, falling into place next to him.

"It's okay. Everyone has a story," Yatsuhashi spoke softly, and Layla began to get curious. Yet his tone and body language said he didn't want to talk about it, so she wouldn't ask. She could respect his wishes. Layla and Yatsuhashi made it to the auditorium and Layla waved goodbye to him as she found her brother standing alone.

"Fox and I got separated," Orion explained, looking up at the stage. Layla gave an understanding nod. She noticed the boy with red eyes nearby, but she didn't say anything. Gideon found himself with the twins he saw on the airship earlier. Before he could introduce himself, Professor Ozpin stepped onto the stage and tapped the microphone to see if it was working. The screeching feedback gave the professor his answer and multiple students covered their ears, earning a chuckle from the Headmaster.

"I'll...," Ozpin pushed his glasses up and scanned the crowd, "keep this brief. You have traveled 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." Ozpin's eyes took in every student in the room. "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."

Silence filled the auditorium as his words sunk in. Ozpin's eyes found multiple determined looks and the Headmaster smiled. Glynda walked up and explained where everyone would sleep for the night and gave instructions for the Initiation the next day. The Headmaster's gaze followed four specific individuals. Something about them seemed ancient, like the magic from Ozma's time.

"It seems you are indeed back," he mumbled into his cup of hot chocolate. "Welcome back," he smirked, eyes gleaming with hidden interest.

---

Yes, yes I added Team CFVY, Fight me. I love them, your honor.

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Comments and votes are appreciated! I love hearing from you all!

Have a wonderful day!

~Kat