The other half of New Horizons, this time on the other two members of Team Brass. (2.2k words in length.)
New Horizons Part 2
Roy Rivers
Motioning towards his various students, the class's teacher motioned towards one particular student whose hand was raised only for the end of the day, final bell to ring. Almost immediately the odd two dozen students stood up, turned to their fellows or merely packed up their bags.
Seated in the back row on the side of the room nearest to the door leading out of the classroom, one such student who fell into the latter group grasped his textbook before stuffing it into his bag. Having secured his bag's top flap he shrugged his unzipped hoodie from where it had been hanging on his chair before standing up slowly.
Watching with keen eyes and more importantly ears as the rest of the class gradually left the room he zipped up his jacket and pulled up his hood, making sure to keep his ears covered and as flat against his head as he could manage.
For the teen it had been his practice, no ritual for leaving his school no matter where for as long as he could really care to consider. It wasn't as if he had many friends anyways; he was the odd one out within the class. Perhaps not the year itself but the individuals who were like him here were few and far between. Enough so that he tried to keep his distance in the almost entirely human highschool he had been attending for all of a week so far.
Being a faunus made life rather difficult especially while those who were here forming a clique of their own, Roy Rivers thought as he rolled his shoulders
At least where his siblings went to school there were more faunus children whose parents would be able to drive then home from school, unlike him.
Letting out a sigh as he walked down the high school's hallways on his way to one of the several exits that he normally used to exit the well off indoor school his eyes caught a poster, one that he'd pass by frequently but hardly paid attention to any more. No Aura for him, nothing like the fabled Semblances of the Knights of the various Orders of Remnant.
As if his parents would let him risk his life doing something important anyways either.
Hurrying down the hall he paused as his ears; all four of them caught the sounds of something going off near by. Shrugging he moved to continue on his way when someone from where the noise was originating from spoke up.
"Hey stop that, no-" His eyes widened as he recognized; Rick? But who- Oh, he realized as he grinded to halt. His eyes narrowed as he clenched his teeth; the others, it had to be who else would try and target the one human student here who reached out to him or at least tried to. The self-same student who was all but a loner amongst the student body and someone who was easier for them to target.
He'd told his parents that he wouldn't get in trouble but for Rick…
One of the few people he trusted? He was sprinting before his mind caught up with his legs.
XXXXXXXX
"Disrespecting Campus rules, starting a fight in the hallway, assaulting another student-" The School's Principal announced as he stared down the various occupants in the room.
"Perhaps; but if you had been actually doing you job then perhaps this could have been avoided." A lean purple haired man snapped back as he rested a hand on his son's shoulder. Rick for his part was slouched in his chair staring into his lap absently.
Damn it, Roy thought to himself as he tried and failed to catch the eye of the other boy as he tuned out the conversation between his and Rick's parents as well as the Principal and campus security. He'd heard it all already from the Principal himself not an hour earlier and now his parents were less than pleased; whether with the school or him he wasn't sure.
It wasn't as if he was paying much attention with the Goliath in the room being studiously ignored by everyone. Frowning as he glared at his hand he thought through what had happened and the thing that had eventually come into existence.
Was it…. Was it his aura perhaps; he'd only heard stories, never having been close enough to a Hunter to ask or cared enough to find out either.
Years Later…..
Pressing the send button on his Scroll he let out a quiet yawn as his extra set of ears on his head; black bear's ears twitched. Hopefully Rick would be able to send a text back whenever he was able; with his friend off at university while he himself was at Beacon Academy it seemed to be odd that they'd decide to stay in touch and hang out whenever possible rather than part ways.
But he wasn't about to part ways with his closest friend. Especially since it was someone who took him for who he was rather than what he was. His mind having drifted back to the event that had caused them to bond and yet get separated as Rick went off to a different High School while he went off to Combat School, that hadn't mattered to them and it didn't matter now.
He was damn loyal to Rick even if he did get himself in trouble more often than not. Shaking his head as glanced about the rest of the room where the rest of the team were scattered about. Their leader; an oddly open and accepting girl was busy tinkering with something on a fully expanded black Scroll her face morphed into concentration. Her partner on the opposite side of the room however looked just as if not more focused as he seemed to glare into the shield he was swiping down with a cloth.
Then there was- he blinked as a shadow fell over him, glancing up be raised an eyebrow as Shayna Meadows; his very curious if stubborn partner almost loomed over him.
"Got a moment?" The girl asked with a twinkle in her eye, resisting an urge to sigh in regards to whatever it was that was now on his partner's mind. Sitting up he spoke up. "What is Shayna?"
"I've got a theory-" The girl began with a smile.
This at least ought to be interesting he mused as Shayna continued to speak.
Shayna Meadows
The Past…
"Please Grandma; another story please." The girl asked; begged from where she laid, cocooned within layers of sheets. The older women whom the child was addressing let out a soft sigh as she smiled gently down towards the girl. "You should get some sleep little one; it's late and you have a big day tomorrow; your aunts, uncles and cousins are coming over remember."
"But-." The black haired and violet eyed girl tried to pipe up in protest before yawning gently. The grandmother for her part shook her head and reached down to push several loose strands of dark hair from the girl's face before pecking the her forehead with gentle kiss. "Good night Shayna."
Standing up the women smiled once more towards the girl before turning her head and walking out the small bedroom. The closing the door behind her, Shayna never saw her Grandmother's face fall.
XXXXXXXX
"She's going to need to know-" A familiar older male voice retorted.
"I know Irrigo; but also need to figure out who will take her too." A second voice; just as familiar replied gently.
"By the Brother Gods, Damn it all." The man muttered after a moment tiredly.
Blinking her eyes open Shayna let out a soft yawn as she frowned as the voices continued in a more hushed tone. Grandma and Grandpa were arguing but they didn't ever get mad at each other. Her curiosity piqued the girl shimmied out her bed before padding softly against the room's wooden floor towards the door and the voices. Reaching over towards the doorknob she gently pulled the door open before slipping through and into the hallway beyond.
Glancing back and down the hallway as her tired mind gradually caught up with her she spotted the doorway that led into her Grandparent's room and walked towards it softly.
"-So we'll take her in then." Her grandpa Irrigo murmured as she got closer to the door.
"Agreed but knowing her she'll want to be trained as well; follow their footsteps."
"She is a Meadows, yes." Her grandfather replied gently. Frowning Shayna paused as she reached the door before leaning against it gently; what were her grandparents talking about; was it about her but what about Mom and Dad?
"We'll also need to schedule a funeral in the morning with the morgue for Jess and Dustin." Grandma murmured.
What, Shayna thought as her eyes widened as she gasped; mommy and daddy but why would? What was happening? Before she could fully react let alone comprehend what she was hearing the door opened to her grandparents who looking down towards her.
"Mommy... Daddy?" The girl managed confused as she her eyes water.
"Oh child…" Her grandfather replied as he knelt down and reached out towards her.
….The Present
Pushing her braided hair off of her neck so as to allow the purple dyed clustered hair to swing freely on her back Shayna smiled as she and her new friends made their way out of the freshmen dorms. Team Brass the teen thought to herself as mused of the conversation she had had with her partner of the name and the collection of their talents. Glancing about her friends as they walked she smiled.
Leading their little band towards the location of the meeting location was Brass's leader. Bethany Rosenthal; a rather conversation shy teen who dressed in the most opposite way of herself; dark colors and practical clothe for the heavy outdoor work. Then again she thought as the girl in question was glancing about every now and then, Bethany did come from the frontier itself which said something about how she dressed.
Then there was the older teen following her; a rather tall boy who was likewise to the girl dressed practically for field work. She didn't know Samson all that well yet but that hardly meant that it wasn't for a lack of trying. She'd spent the past few days trying to talk to them all and he and Bethany were successful at resisting her curiosity. It was only a matter of time before she got them to open up after all.
Her partner at least was accommodating to her questions and theories, which was good she thought as she turned to look at the broad shouldered bear faunus that walked in step besides her in their little cluster. Roy wasn't the first faunus she had known; far from it, he was however the first one she'd ever be able to fight besides which would be interesting, especially at night with their night vision.
"So everyone." Shayna began as the group made their way past clusters of students in and out of uniform along the path they were on. ""Whatcha thinking for making once they start letting us forge stuff?"
It was a legitimate question and considering that while they were only going over the basics in class at the moment it was only a matter of time before they got to forge for real. "Because I've got an idea for a Dust Staff; it'll give me some reach, don't know what Dust types though."
"Wait for Chemistry next year, Shayna when we go in depth into Dust effects." Her partner replied as he shrugged his shoulders and twisted so as to avoid a pair of walking students. "Personally I was thinking about different heads for my weapon's close quarters mode; maybe a spear tip, mace head or a cleaver."
"Mace head as a bayonet?" Samson countered. "Seems a bit redundant and what about when the weapon collapses into the shotgun mode?"
"Hey; I said it was just an idea, nothing concrete yet." With that said the faunus boy's extra ears twitched defensively.
"So I'm your voice of reason then?" Samson returned with a raise of his eyebrow as he turned to face Roy, walking backwards. "Anyways I was thinking about eventually getting a device inserted into my shield to channel Aura; I've been thinking about for a while and it's the only piece that doesn't have it yet."
"Sounds practical; launching a flash-bang towards an attacker while blocking their blows." Bethany murmured softly finally interjecting herself into the conversation as she bit her and looked off as if in thought. Never changing her tone she added her own input. "I was thinking of a pistol-knife as a backup weapon for Fox-Fang and armor upgrades… well everywhere really."
"What about your Aura?" Shayna asked gently towards the rather timid girl; after having realized the other girl either didn't seem comfortable with speaking those she didn't know or was uncertain about herself. "And Fox-Fang?"
"I- I just like having insurance." Bethany murmured before her tips of her mouth curled into a the beginning of a smile as she continued softly. "Named my weapon after my mentor; he's a fox faunus."
"Huh, cool." Shayna replied with a smile. Progress made, she thought to herself satisfied as the group came into view of Beacon Academy's smithy.
Club time? She mused, still smiling; club time.
Roy Rivers
Motioning towards his various students, the class's teacher motioned towards one particular student whose hand was raised only for the end of the day, final bell to ring. Almost immediately the odd two dozen students stood up, turned to their fellows or merely packed up their bags.
Seated in the back row on the side of the room nearest to the door leading out of the classroom, one such student who fell into the latter group grasped his textbook before stuffing it into his bag. Having secured his bag's top flap he shrugged his unzipped hoodie from where it had been hanging on his chair before standing up slowly.
Watching with keen eyes and more importantly ears as the rest of the class gradually left the room he zipped up his jacket and pulled up his hood, making sure to keep his ears covered and as flat against his head as he could manage.
For the teen it had been his practice, no ritual for leaving his school no matter where for as long as he could really care to consider. It wasn't as if he had many friends anyways; he was the odd one out within the class. Perhaps not the year itself but the individuals who were like him here were few and far between. Enough so that he tried to keep his distance in the almost entirely human highschool he had been attending for all of a week so far.
Being a faunus made life rather difficult especially while those who were here forming a clique of their own, Roy Rivers thought as he rolled his shoulders
At least where his siblings went to school there were more faunus children whose parents would be able to drive then home from school, unlike him.
Letting out a sigh as he walked down the high school's hallways on his way to one of the several exits that he normally used to exit the well off indoor school his eyes caught a poster, one that he'd pass by frequently but hardly paid attention to any more. No Aura for him, nothing like the fabled Semblances of the Knights of the various Orders of Remnant.
As if his parents would let him risk his life doing something important anyways either.
Hurrying down the hall he paused as his ears; all four of them caught the sounds of something going off near by. Shrugging he moved to continue on his way when someone from where the noise was originating from spoke up.
"Hey stop that, no-" His eyes widened as he recognized; Rick? But who- Oh, he realized as he grinded to halt. His eyes narrowed as he clenched his teeth; the others, it had to be who else would try and target the one human student here who reached out to him or at least tried to. The self-same student who was all but a loner amongst the student body and someone who was easier for them to target.
He'd told his parents that he wouldn't get in trouble but for Rick…
One of the few people he trusted? He was sprinting before his mind caught up with his legs.
XXXXXXXX
"Disrespecting Campus rules, starting a fight in the hallway, assaulting another student-" The School's Principal announced as he stared down the various occupants in the room.
"Perhaps; but if you had been actually doing you job then perhaps this could have been avoided." A lean purple haired man snapped back as he rested a hand on his son's shoulder. Rick for his part was slouched in his chair staring into his lap absently.
Damn it, Roy thought to himself as he tried and failed to catch the eye of the other boy as he tuned out the conversation between his and Rick's parents as well as the Principal and campus security. He'd heard it all already from the Principal himself not an hour earlier and now his parents were less than pleased; whether with the school or him he wasn't sure.
It wasn't as if he was paying much attention with the Goliath in the room being studiously ignored by everyone. Frowning as he glared at his hand he thought through what had happened and the thing that had eventually come into existence.
Was it…. Was it his aura perhaps; he'd only heard stories, never having been close enough to a Hunter to ask or cared enough to find out either.
Years Later…..
Pressing the send button on his Scroll he let out a quiet yawn as his extra set of ears on his head; black bear's ears twitched. Hopefully Rick would be able to send a text back whenever he was able; with his friend off at university while he himself was at Beacon Academy it seemed to be odd that they'd decide to stay in touch and hang out whenever possible rather than part ways.
But he wasn't about to part ways with his closest friend. Especially since it was someone who took him for who he was rather than what he was. His mind having drifted back to the event that had caused them to bond and yet get separated as Rick went off to a different High School while he went off to Combat School, that hadn't mattered to them and it didn't matter now.
He was damn loyal to Rick even if he did get himself in trouble more often than not. Shaking his head as glanced about the rest of the room where the rest of the team were scattered about. Their leader; an oddly open and accepting girl was busy tinkering with something on a fully expanded black Scroll her face morphed into concentration. Her partner on the opposite side of the room however looked just as if not more focused as he seemed to glare into the shield he was swiping down with a cloth.
Then there was- he blinked as a shadow fell over him, glancing up be raised an eyebrow as Shayna Meadows; his very curious if stubborn partner almost loomed over him.
"Got a moment?" The girl asked with a twinkle in her eye, resisting an urge to sigh in regards to whatever it was that was now on his partner's mind. Sitting up he spoke up. "What is Shayna?"
"I've got a theory-" The girl began with a smile.
This at least ought to be interesting he mused as Shayna continued to speak.
Shayna Meadows
The Past…
"Please Grandma; another story please." The girl asked; begged from where she laid, cocooned within layers of sheets. The older women whom the child was addressing let out a soft sigh as she smiled gently down towards the girl. "You should get some sleep little one; it's late and you have a big day tomorrow; your aunts, uncles and cousins are coming over remember."
"But-." The black haired and violet eyed girl tried to pipe up in protest before yawning gently. The grandmother for her part shook her head and reached down to push several loose strands of dark hair from the girl's face before pecking the her forehead with gentle kiss. "Good night Shayna."
Standing up the women smiled once more towards the girl before turning her head and walking out the small bedroom. The closing the door behind her, Shayna never saw her Grandmother's face fall.
XXXXXXXX
"She's going to need to know-" A familiar older male voice retorted.
"I know Irrigo; but also need to figure out who will take her too." A second voice; just as familiar replied gently.
"By the Brother Gods, Damn it all." The man muttered after a moment tiredly.
Blinking her eyes open Shayna let out a soft yawn as she frowned as the voices continued in a more hushed tone. Grandma and Grandpa were arguing but they didn't ever get mad at each other. Her curiosity piqued the girl shimmied out her bed before padding softly against the room's wooden floor towards the door and the voices. Reaching over towards the doorknob she gently pulled the door open before slipping through and into the hallway beyond.
Glancing back and down the hallway as her tired mind gradually caught up with her she spotted the doorway that led into her Grandparent's room and walked towards it softly.
"-So we'll take her in then." Her grandpa Irrigo murmured as she got closer to the door.
"Agreed but knowing her she'll want to be trained as well; follow their footsteps."
"She is a Meadows, yes." Her grandfather replied gently. Frowning Shayna paused as she reached the door before leaning against it gently; what were her grandparents talking about; was it about her but what about Mom and Dad?
"We'll also need to schedule a funeral in the morning with the morgue for Jess and Dustin." Grandma murmured.
What, Shayna thought as her eyes widened as she gasped; mommy and daddy but why would? What was happening? Before she could fully react let alone comprehend what she was hearing the door opened to her grandparents who looking down towards her.
"Mommy... Daddy?" The girl managed confused as she her eyes water.
"Oh child…" Her grandfather replied as he knelt down and reached out towards her.
….The Present
Pushing her braided hair off of her neck so as to allow the purple dyed clustered hair to swing freely on her back Shayna smiled as she and her new friends made their way out of the freshmen dorms. Team Brass the teen thought to herself as mused of the conversation she had had with her partner of the name and the collection of their talents. Glancing about her friends as they walked she smiled.
Leading their little band towards the location of the meeting location was Brass's leader. Bethany Rosenthal; a rather conversation shy teen who dressed in the most opposite way of herself; dark colors and practical clothe for the heavy outdoor work. Then again she thought as the girl in question was glancing about every now and then, Bethany did come from the frontier itself which said something about how she dressed.
Then there was the older teen following her; a rather tall boy who was likewise to the girl dressed practically for field work. She didn't know Samson all that well yet but that hardly meant that it wasn't for a lack of trying. She'd spent the past few days trying to talk to them all and he and Bethany were successful at resisting her curiosity. It was only a matter of time before she got them to open up after all.
Her partner at least was accommodating to her questions and theories, which was good she thought as she turned to look at the broad shouldered bear faunus that walked in step besides her in their little cluster. Roy wasn't the first faunus she had known; far from it, he was however the first one she'd ever be able to fight besides which would be interesting, especially at night with their night vision.
"So everyone." Shayna began as the group made their way past clusters of students in and out of uniform along the path they were on. ""Whatcha thinking for making once they start letting us forge stuff?"
It was a legitimate question and considering that while they were only going over the basics in class at the moment it was only a matter of time before they got to forge for real. "Because I've got an idea for a Dust Staff; it'll give me some reach, don't know what Dust types though."
"Wait for Chemistry next year, Shayna when we go in depth into Dust effects." Her partner replied as he shrugged his shoulders and twisted so as to avoid a pair of walking students. "Personally I was thinking about different heads for my weapon's close quarters mode; maybe a spear tip, mace head or a cleaver."
"Mace head as a bayonet?" Samson countered. "Seems a bit redundant and what about when the weapon collapses into the shotgun mode?"
"Hey; I said it was just an idea, nothing concrete yet." With that said the faunus boy's extra ears twitched defensively.
"So I'm your voice of reason then?" Samson returned with a raise of his eyebrow as he turned to face Roy, walking backwards. "Anyways I was thinking about eventually getting a device inserted into my shield to channel Aura; I've been thinking about for a while and it's the only piece that doesn't have it yet."
"Sounds practical; launching a flash-bang towards an attacker while blocking their blows." Bethany murmured softly finally interjecting herself into the conversation as she bit her and looked off as if in thought. Never changing her tone she added her own input. "I was thinking of a pistol-knife as a backup weapon for Fox-Fang and armor upgrades… well everywhere really."
"What about your Aura?" Shayna asked gently towards the rather timid girl; after having realized the other girl either didn't seem comfortable with speaking those she didn't know or was uncertain about herself. "And Fox-Fang?"
"I- I just like having insurance." Bethany murmured before her tips of her mouth curled into a the beginning of a smile as she continued softly. "Named my weapon after my mentor; he's a fox faunus."
"Huh, cool." Shayna replied with a smile. Progress made, she thought to herself satisfied as the group came into view of Beacon Academy's smithy.
Club time? She mused, still smiling; club time.
