Welcome to Beacon: Next, Rondo Finale!

Breakfast.

James sighed with a small nod. At least the professor agreed to wait and see what was going on was the smartest option...although he knew that Emi and Roga were going to be pretty smug and more insufferable if they were right with the latter leaving and the former still going on about her family name. He'd honestly had enough.

"...you d-do realize you that b-being a noble means n-nothing at Beacon, r-right? You're n-not getting a-any special treatment and i-if you want recognition f-for being an i-individual and not care a-about 'all' your team-mates, maybe y-you should've gone to a more posh A-Academy rather t-than one that encourages teamwork..." The young man remarked at Emi's attitude, his disdain rather apparent despite his stuttering and nervous voice.

Of course, with the matter being 'settled' with Auolish being more...blunt and Duncan being a voice of reason, James stopped himself from saying anything else as he grabbed a block of chocolate from his backpack and nodded at Dia.

"I-I'm ready, yes. Sunset's all t-tuned up and I got some snacks...lunch s-sorted and organized before I started w-working on breakfast so..."

Edited by TheRealWren on Aug 24th 2018 at 11:29:11 PM

Auolish snorted and adjusted her goggles.

"What this guy said," Auolish said, pointing to James. "I ain't tryna be rude, but that attitude really is annoying to us 'commoners.'"

Auolish made airquotes at that word.

"There's nothing common 'bout you or me. We're all very different, you get me? Everyone is unique and therefo' equal, so I ain't givin' no-one special treatment, unless it's earned."

"That's all I wanna add to this matter."

Hunter's Camp - Bickering with the family team

Putting an arm around Lis' shoulder, Duncan smiled and said "I'm just tryin' my best, just like you are. We're goin' t' make this work, it's just that we're goin' t'butt heads on occasion, which isn't fun, but it's part o' gettin' to bein' a right proper team." With that, Duncan let go of Lis' shoulder and wandered over to his bike, kicked its stand back, tossed his jacket on and pulled his gloves on before walking his motorcycle over to his team.

With his bike ready to roll out, Duncan simply stated, "Right, ready to go. Lis, you good to walk or you wantin' t' hitch a ride?"

Wednesday, Tempestas 19, Gareth's Bay, Far Eastern Region, Vale - 7:26 AM

Peach didn't comment on the scrum that had just happened under her eyes. "Good to hear, Emi. Preparation and spirit are key to-" But then her eyes caught Duncan and Rogaedyn mounted on their rides. "Oh, we can't have this. Gentlemen, return your rides. We're doing it the way the former occupants of this outpost did; Standard Issue Mark I Legs. Off and at 'em, gentlemen~!" A bit of her cheer was returning.

Anyone on the ground could have noticed that their professor wore hiking shoes to match her outfit and not her usual strappy high heels. Pollo scampered up to ride on his mistress' shoulder while Tsune padded at her feet. "We're leaving in three, ELDR, so get your breath, tie on your boots, and let's go!"

"As for the rest of you, best be ready by 7:45," said Port to the rest of Dorm Sakura. "Enjoy this breezy morning and this fine breakfast! For we shall be busy! Even you, Mr. Gage." Student in question was watching the proceedings, leaning on a broom and drinking his tea straight from the kettle. He was watching the sun rise over Gareth's Bay. The day had truly begun.

Wednesday, Tempestas 19, Far Eastern Region, Vale - 7:40 AM

For all of Peach's reputation for flightiness and laziness, she was still a Beacon professor and one of the fittest people in the faculty. Rather than taking the road directly, the purple-haired professor watched them as they practiced their woodlands stealth, communicating almost exclusively in hand signs.

Halfway point in 10 minutes, Peach signaled to them. Maintain silence, but pick up the pace! This last was signed with an encouraging smile.

Edited by KR_Vandal on Aug 29th 2018 at 12:59:53 AM

Kitchen

Marvin grimaced as he found himself at sword point, the snake faunus gently pushing Azure's sword away from his neck with a finger before he gave her an apologetic grin. "Don't think we did, Azure. Sorry either way, noted for next time." He nodded as he slinked slightly away from her, eager to actually get to the meal part of the morning, at the same time casting an ear over to the conversation.

Kitchen

Azure glared through the helmet at Marvin, the blade flaring into fire for a moment more before angrily shoving it away.

"I will hurt him if he does it again." She growled at Scarlet, sheathing her sword before looking at Auolish then shaking her head. She didn't have that much to say, so wolfing down the slice of bread, she walked out.

There was no grimmm, but she still needed to hunt. The hunt always made her feel calm...It made her feel free, and it let her know that she was an apex predator like her mother had told her. So, feeling the vibrations of those walking away from camp, she went out on her own.

She pressed the button on her helmet, deafening herself from any words shouted back from the camp. If they wished to follow her, they would follow her.

Edited by TroyandHawk on Aug 24th 2018 at 10:00:56 AM

Breakfast

Scarlet continued glaring at Azure. "No. You leave team punishments to myself or the teachers. If you hurt anyone on the team you better have the best explanation of your life or hell itself won't hide you from me." She said in a clipped, firm tone. She took her hand off her weapon.

Then her glare shifted to Marvin. "Maybe in the future you should check to make sure whose okay with that kind of joke first. Regardless, you're at least doing dishes and hopefully we can move past this little spot of drama."

Auolish sighed, glad that the situation had been resolved. That included the dispute between Azure and Marvin.

Glancing at Azure as she made her leave, Auolish returned to her breakfast in silence. Stuffing the last few pieces of bacon and eggs into her mouth, she chewed slowly and thoughtfully.

Hopefully she had cemented her reputation as someone headstrong and helpful, but a little loud. Goodness knew she needed to speak up more, because she was sick and tired of being labeled "the quiet, studious one always hanging around in the background."

She was secretly very, very jealous of Emi and Dia. They had a spotlight trained on them since they were born. They didn't have to deal with shootouts on their doorstep. The fact that they had the privilege to attend a "better" school than Beacon but decided not to was frankly more than a little insulting. Auolish didn't have a choice, and the more she thought about it, the more resentment stirred within her.

While mulling over her jealousy, Auolish did not realize that she was now staring off into the distance, the sunlight glinting off her goggles almost sinisterly.

Shaking herself out of her stupor, she decided to go the way Azure had gone. Some head-clearing was in order.

Edited by JumpingFruit on Aug 24th 2018 at 10:07:42 AM

Dia was already quite prepared for the day.

Her weapon Corona was always with her and was generally safe to be nearby — until Dia put on the crystal blades. Her clothes and shoes had her crystals tucked within that she could manipulate in case she needed a greater boost. Her own vest was filled with her crystal blades should anything dangerous happen during the training rounds — she could spend Aura to create more, but it was better to use the pre-made ones.

Preparation was key for Miss Rayfer — if any bad people wanted to kidnap her, she would be ready for them. Unbeknownst to Auolish, Dia's background as a noble wasn't a fun one and the Rayfer girl was a frequent kidnap target thanks to her Semblance. Suffice to say, the trauma of the past still haunts Dia, and her reason for being in Beacon was to protect herself and find others who were capable of protecting her.

Gage would notice his partner right next to him. Seeing that he was less sleep-deprived, Dia had gently sauntered up to him to greet him properly. Her previous greeting had fell short earlier, after all.

There was a noticeable smile on her face and her green eyes meant well.

"Good Morning, Gage. The sunrise is beautiful, isn't it?" she greeted in a friendly yet formal tone.

Either way, she was not a fan of that beverage he was drinking. That tea Gage brewed was some way too strong stuff judging from the smell alone.

Edited by ironcommando on Aug 25th 2018 at 1:53:39 AM

Camp, 7:26 AM

The disgruntled noble got back into her feet, seething and fists clenched, glaring at Auolish, Liselle and Duncan.

"You think I'm motivated by something so simple and base as bloodlust and a desire for conflict? Rather than the noble goal of caring about helping those in need? How dare you insult me, and House Han's honour, like that! And you seem to think I'm here by choice, when I was getting prepared to go to Haven until I was informed of a change of plans at the last possible moment. But I still need to become a Huntress to prove myself worthy of one day becoming the head of House Han, as all those before me had to."

She drew one of her katanas in her boiling temper, the cape whipping from the force of it.

"Now, if we're all ready and finally intent on doing something rather than idling about wasting what could be precious time, let's depart."

Woods 7:40 AM

Emi was barely making any attempt at stealthy movement, often just walking plainly, behind some trees on the odd occasion at most. The expression on her face was decidedly unenthused about their current course of action.

Sneaking around does not become a Han. I will not give up my honour and disappoint my family or become the laughingstock of my rivals back home in Mistral.

Edited by UndyingPhoenix on Aug 25th 2018 at 10:45:35 AM

Pre-Stealth Mission

Staring at the professor from atop his mighty steed, Rogaedyn slowly, slowly shuffled off Thundersteel. All that time, his glare - hidden it might have been behind his goggles - was nothing short of murderous. "Ophan 5-12: And the queen's decision broughteth misfortune and misery for the small ones." He drawled slowly. If Duncan's attempt merely irked him, this woman's insistence on actively crippling himself while there were Grimm about and people they were supposed to fucking save sent him this close to snarling rage. Rogaedyn didn't get that animated outside of battle frequently.

If this was what "Huntsmen" were like, he would let Ozpin know that he did not take kindly to being lied to. "Finest protectors of Remnant", his ass.

Like Emi, Rogaedyn didn't deign to attempt a slightest amount of stealth. His idea of keeping quiet was to simply not speak, but even as he moved in complete silence, eyes fixated on where they were supposed to be, his outfit simply made noise with each movement. Much more used to deserts where there was nothing to cower behind, the forest of Vale was simply a challenge he had to overcome.

This was where he would start making a guttural growl from the pit of his throat, a garbled sound imitating a Beowulf's. Sometimes it was used to surprise his quarry, sometimes it was used for mockery. Still, if this was a stealth mission, he could at least do that much. Apollyon - the right revolver - drawn, he advanced towards the goalpost.

AZURE AND AUOLISH

Azure took a moment and quietly removed her helmet, her eyes still covered by the black blindfold and her ears still deafened by the earmuffs as she slowly walked away from the camp.

That said, a familiar excited cadence followed her. She turned, running a hand to help get her long blue locks to flatten as she turned to face Auolish, still trying to feel for any sense of Grimm, no matter how far away it may be.

"Stop following me." She said flatly, "I didn't run off for some tryst." She reached over her shoulder, grabbing the hilt of Surtr once more, as if trying to scare off her...partner, that's what they were. Pathetic. She'd spent her whole life proving she didn't need help

"Leave me."

Edited by TroyandHawk on Aug 25th 2018 at 1:43:53 AM

Before Leaving

"I think you have good intentions." Lis told Emi quietly, as she gave Dies Dolorem a couple of practice swings.

She glared right back at her so called "leader".

"I also think you're a dustdamn idiot."

She turned to look at Duncan. "Team? We're a ticking time bomb. One of these days, we'll be in real trouble. Ugh, we need to fix things, and we need to fix them quick. Bruna, especially! He's a danger not only to himself, but to everyone around him!"

She sighed. "Duncan, from now on, I'll take orders from you. Use me as you see fit. Let's try to make this work."

Stealth Mission

Liselle hovered above the ground silently, the flare of her greaves's boosters low.

.....And she was resisting the urge to strangle two of her team. Sulking like overgrown children! Refusing to cooperate!

She couldn't very well run off to them to scold them, because that'll make even more noise, but she did keep her eyes focused on the rear, making sure those imbeciles hadn't lured anything nasty towards them.

She had to protect them.

They were still her responsibility, after all, no matter how much she disliked them.

Breakfast

Scarlet dropped back into her seat and began skewering her food with more force than was strictly necessary. "Just once, I'd like to have a nice, quiet morning. Just one day without threats of violence. I mean in the afternoon is one thing, but I only had my coffee five minutes ago and I've already had to threaten a teammate and I'm tempted to go after ELDR just to beat some sense into them." She grumbled loudly before letting her forehead thump against the table.

"Gage, Marvin, what sins did I commit in a past life to have to deal with this shit?" Scarlet whined.

Breakfast.

Picking up his plate along with the ones belonging to those who were leaving so they could be washed, James did his best to ignore Emi's retort and meekly telling those about to leave to stay safe before he quickly disappeared back into the kitchen before returning pick up his backpack and glance at who was still there.

"...w-well, hopefully t-they'll learn to g-get along s-sooner rather than later...although i-if Miss Han and Roga are r-right...w-well, w-we'll probably be h-hearing about it..." He quietly commented, partially in response to Scarlet as well as that none of the people he mentioned were in earshot.

Been busy, going to try to stay caught up now.

Hunter's Camp

I'd like to keep this plot point in place, even if the actual events of the cultural festival didn't happen. Maybe something else similar happened.

In the last month, Cerise had come to show more respect for her leader—she did, after all, stop calling him Jimmy (in lockstep with what Gage called him) and start calling him by his actual name. This didn't completely end the teasing, of course, but it wasn't hard to notice that Cerise followed James's orders more readily.

Cerise ate quietly. With her eyes gazing off into the distance, her face flushed from the morning cold with a fairly innocent looking smile on her face, it was clear Cerise was letting her guard down more than before.

She sat, she listened, and she shook her head as after several unnecessary minutes of arguing, ELDR was starting to make a move. Cerise pushed her empty tray aside and, so full and lazy, she splayed out with her chin resting on the table and arms stretched forward. Her mouth formed a thin, cat-like smile and she closed her eyes.

"I wish I could go," she said. "If there's even a minute chance I get some action, I wanna be there. My bloodlust and base desire for conflict calls, you know."

Edited by opnerf on Aug 26th 2018 at 8:38:03 PM

Auolish and Azure

Auolish snorted, a bit obnoxiously.

"I ain't following you for a tryst. No need to get all hostile on me. I just need t' clear my head after all that noise back at camp."

Shuffling her feet, she added, "Getting to know each other better would be a nice bonus, yeah? Though I'd get it if you want some peace an' quiet. I'll be as quiet as can be, but imma be right behind you if you wanna chat."

AUOLISH AND AZURE

"All you need to know about me is that I want you far away from me." Azure snapped at her partner.

"I didn't need you at initiation and I definitely don't need you now." She began to walk away, trying to find the end of this 'safe zone'. "You won't grow any stronger by stealing the strength from others."

Wednesday, Tempestas 19, Far Eastern Region, Vale - 7:40 AM

Peach kept her encouraging face up, but as they closed on her, Emi and Liselle could see how still her expression was. That didn't bode well for the usually-cheerful professor. She remained in place and looked up to the sky before trilling that pheasant cry from earlier. Peach raised her fist, the universal sign of 'hold position.'

All they could hear was the ambient sounds of nature. Peach's eyes scanned the skies, the treeline, never missing any minor details. Peach twirled her finger in a counterclockwise motion, the sign for 'ware the surroundings'. She reached for her Scroll and keyed in its comm function along with a code.

"Beacon Actual to Crawler," she murmured into the receiver. "Beacon Actual to Crawler, are you receiving?" The professor shifted in her stance and trying again. Peach looked around and signalled ELDR to advance once again, this time at the double. Peach herself exploded from her crouch and ran at their head.

And as they ran, they began to realize that there was no more ambient nature. Just silence.

Wednesday, Tempestas 19, Gareth's Bay, Far Eastern Region, Vale - 7:27 AM

Gage sipped at his tea. "It ain't bad," he finally replied to Dia. "Still not so fond of nature." It was true. His foul mood was partly explained that by how out of sorts he felt in unfamiliar surroundings, even if he still kept up with the professor's punishing pace.

When Scarlet bemoaned her circumstances, Gage took another swig of his drink. "Look on the bright side, Red. At least you ain't Dunc. He's the one with that crew." He chuckled. "Though I'm pretty sure the Pinhead thought you was tough enough for Marv , bowlhead, and the Owl." Marvin, Azure, and Aoulish respectively.

Having lived a sheltered life at her home for the most part, Dia wasn't that attuned to nature. However, her training regimes with her mentor took place in the wilderness. She only felt safe because her mentor was around to protect her.

And over here, her own team as well as the other teams (well, except bickering ELDR) was quite capable of doing so.

Dia smiled a bit as she shrugged, before speaking in a polite tone.

"I'm not too adjusted to nature either since I grew up quite sheltered. At least I can feel safe with the rest of us around."

She was scowling internally when her thoughts headed over to three of ELDR's people. Hearing Gage's dialogue to Scarlet, Dia sighed.

(Except those three. My gosh. I've got high standards but I don't actively go imposing them on everyone, and I'm not risking my safety by being reckless! At least Duncan is cool.)

Miss Rayfer then thought about herself and her own team as she adjusted the hairband keeping her ponytail together. She replied to Gage in a rather hopeful manner and a small smile, but her inner thoughts were quite different.

"I think it'll just take some time for that team to adjust to each other, really. I sincerely hope that Peach's decision will help them to get closer, no matter how small."

(Honestly? I've already had to tolerate teaming up with two delinquents and their low-class habits. Good thing they're nice people unlike those three.)

Hunter's Camp.

"W-Well, i-it could've end up with y-you getting all w-worked up to find n-nothing there. I-I mean, if it wasn't...t-too late and y-you really w-wanted to, I-I was h-honestly expecting and w-would've been fine if you a-and Dia went a-along going with t-them..."

James hesitated. It was still a little hard to not focus on those fluffy ears as the young man adjusted his glasses and tried to compose himself.

"...W-Well, I-I suppose if today's j-just a patrol w-with no Grimm or anything out of t-the ordinary, we c-could just s-spar when we g-get back. D-Don't know if it'll help...b-but a fight m-might d-do something, even if it's only a little bit, right?"

The young man gave a small smile. While he was still getting used to being a leader, James was at least trying to support and getting to know his team as best he could, even if it was only a little bit at a time...although in Gage's case, that'd probably take a considerable while.

Edited by TheRealWren on Aug 27th 2018 at 12:59:20 AM

Breakfast

Scarlet lifted her head from the table. "I mean, I think Lis is alright too, she kinda reminds me of me in a way." She replied. "Emi is one of those idiots who thinks that honor and fairplay exist in a real fight and the temptation to beat that out of her rises every time she talks."

She speared another egg, glaring like she was trying to light it on fire. "The worst one of that group is the gunslinger. I can't put my finger on exactly what but something about him bothers me, feels like my damn nerves are on edge every time I see him."

Azure And Auolish

Auolish almost face-faulted, but caught herself.

"Steal strength? Steal strength?" She shook her head, even though Azure most likely couldn't see her anyways. "Strength isn't somethin' that you can just walk up to someone and pickpocket! It comes from inside and all that."

"Whatever. I can take a hint," Auolish grumbled, then spun on her heels and left, purposely stepping on every stick she could feasibly step on to let Azure know she was leaving.

"Yeah, I agree with you," Auolish said idly from behind Scarlet.

Walking back to her seat, Auolish grabbed some sausages and gnawed angrily on one of them. "What is up with these stick-up-the-ass people?" she growled angrily to herself, not only referring to Emi and Rogaedyn, but Azure as well.

Are We Fighting Grimm Yet?, Peach's Team

To Rogaedyn's credit, he stopped when ordered to. He felt no stealth was necessary, but if a woman with experience far longer than his felt they needed to stop, he was willing to indulge her. When the next gesture came, he simply drew Abaddon as well, briefly looking around as he raised both revolvers close, ready to unleash them upon the Foulbeasts.

His step resumed with conviction when she set off. Just barely, he held himself from intoning a canticle. The smell of Grimm was in the air, and he could not wait. While it seemed like he was only walking briskly, somehow he was keeping up with the rest just fine. "May your gods shine upon thee, and grant thee mercy, for I am devoid of it." He muttered under his breath, almost as if pitying the Grimm that were to face him. Or perhaps it was a simple mockery. Regardless, he was trembling with excitement, a fact barely hidden by his concealing clothing.

AZURE, ALONE

Azure sighed, "I don't mean literal you stupid..." She cringed as each and every stick cracked underfoot, deafening herself once more as she continued elsewhere.

Part of her felt strange...She didn't expect to be listened to. Usually, they would whine and winge and yet continue onward. 'Oh, poor little Azzy. I can't leave you alone.'

She couldn't fight the smile as she realized Auolish had listened to her. Well, she was that much closer to surpassing him then. She just needed to find some sort of prey first...