Chapter 143: Dance Night (5)
Chapter 143: Dance Night (5)
~Third POV~
Some of the random students schmoozing at the dance. Bartholomew Oobleck is shown to be listening intently as Peter Port laughs over some unheard anecdote.
Ozpin is standing off to the side with Glynda Goodwitch until General James Ironwood offers his hand for her to dance with him.
Finally, being released from the dance with Pyrrha Jack approaches the refreshments tables feeling parched, "Man… doing so many dances with them certainly takes the stamina out of me… or is it the crippling fear of failing them. But…"
While heading towards his destination Jack glanced at his hand with a smile of contentment on his face thinking about the future ahead, "Maybe it won't be as bad as I thought it will be. I just need to be ready is all. And hopefully braver than I let on."
Jack soon sees at the distance of the refreshments tables Ruby Ruby Rose, who is standing pensively near the refreshments tables decided to go ahead to approach her, "Hey little rose. I see you're hiding at the punch bowl?"
Ruby made an audible pop can be heard as Ruby emphasizes the 'p', "Yep."
Jack raises his glass to Ruby's as she does the same beginning with small talk, "To the socially awkward eh?"
Ruby giggles and they clink glasses with the two of them both watching the dance floors with her speaking out to him with the obvious, "Heh. Yeah… guess we are socially awkward, but I want to know. Why? Why do you have you know eye what's?"
At this Jack chuckles lightly at this taking a swig of the glass cup filled with a punch that Ruby was referring to his
Ruby shivered at that as she jabbed Jack on the side causing him to flinch pouting and returning herself to normal, "Rude. But… I'm thankful that I'm not the only one in this but I would rather you didn't –"
Laughing a bit interrupting Ruby's own clinking their glasses with a smile braving through hard times, "But I would in a heartbeat. And… not like I have much of a choice now considering what I plan for the future. You think she would leave me alone."
Pausing at this Ruby could only agree to be the first to really witness his technology back on his island a shiver ran down her spine thinking of what if Salem could get it and worse have someone capable to create massive weapons of destruction.
Suddenly the thought of Jack's own Arc Reactors being widespread suddenly became more dangerous than helpful.
Holding her hand tightly Jack's presence made Ruby's heart calm again as he spoke to her finishing his glass cup, "Now come little flower. How about we enjoy the good times we do have then worry about the future that's yet to come?"
At this, the terrifying thoughts of Salem suddenly subsided in Ruby's head as she could only smile at Jack with a nod reminding him as a Beacon of hope that smiles down the worst of times, "Yeah. I think I could use some pointers."
/////
Elsewhere listening intently to the conversation glancing merely observing the two Ozpin casually oversees the two dancing around taking a sip from his mug, "That boy… he certainly an interesting one. To know of the 'Queen' and yet have a smile on his face to brave it off. Certainly, an interesting future member along with miss Rose."
"Ha! I like his spunk!"
"Oh hush you muscle head."
The ones to talk next to Headmaster Ozpin were the other two Headmasters of Mistral and Vacuo Academies.
Professor Theodore is the Headmaster of Shade Academy.
Theodore is described as "putting everything out there," has worked hard to get his body into peak physical condition, and wants to show it off. He has dark, close-cut hair which is almost shaved off, and a checkered vest shows off his wiry frame thin but with sharp lines of muscle like he had been chiseled from stone.
Theodore wears an ankle-length, grey-blue cape likened to the color of a stormy sky which is clasped onto his shoulders with a silver chain, a silver belt with a round buckle, matching boots, and bright white slacks with deep side pockets. Theodore also wears red gloves which are decorated in Dust crystals; his weapon of choice.
This outfit is designed to draw attention to himself, which he manages to make work despite being conceptually ridiculous for a man in his forties to pull off.
And the other person next to Ozpin is Professor Leonardo Lionheart the Headmaster of Haven Academy and a member of the Mistral Council. He is referred to by Salem as an informant for her organization.
Lionheart was a middle-aged man with a mane of tan/gray hair and a beard. He had a tanned complexion with brown eyebrows and dark brown eyes.
He wore a brown greatcoat with a matching mantle, which had cross emblems on each side. He also wore a white dress shirt under his coat, and a western necktie and carried a pocket watch with a lion head on it as an emblem. Lionheart also wore dark brown slacks and dress shoes.
However, contrary to Lionheart's eyes glanced at Ruby and Jack dancing with surprise on his face with only them talking, "He… he also has Silver Eyes? A boy and girl Silver Eyes… last I heard from your old friend was that he didn't have any?"
Ozpin glances at Lionheart when he heard that escaping a sigh from the Headmaster's face seeing the lack of Council Members from their sides, "Sigh… let me guess? Those members of the Council asked you to represent you two for the same thing happening later tonight?"
At this Theodore merely chuckles at this making Ozpin cast down in a sigh getting it right with Theo speaking out, "Ha! Yup! Those old coots were too busy since the rise of the big one Grimm to handle this. Though I would smack them around myself I can't help but question them myself of the event."
Lionheart and Ozpin could only sigh at the antics of the Headmaster of Vacuo at his attitude but returning to the topic soon enough James ends the dance with Glynda as he saw his fellow Headmasters and decided to greet them.
When he soon approaches them he soon greets them all accordingly with a tint of excitement in his voice catching Theodore and Lionheart's attention, "Hello fellow Headmasters. It's a pleasure to meet again in person for a nice change of pace."
At this Theodore was the first to immediately call bullshit on Ironwood and act sus him hard as if he was an imposter, "Hmm… are you sure you're the same James I know? You seem… not a stick up your ass."
Lionheart sighs at this counting his fingers before the moment is ruined by his fellow collogues, "Sigh… three… two… one…"
Ironwood soon turns his glance with a twitch on his mouth meeting Theodore explaining his excitement of the day, "Nice to meet you too Theo. Well, I for one can't wait when the interview begins. I'm very curious about how Ozpin students managed to fight off against Starro and how well armed they did."
Now it was Theodore being calm patting Ironwood on the back causing him to twitch his lip at this making the other two Headmaster sigh at his antics, "Ah! So, you are the same prick in the mud I know you are! Good to know you are you, old friend."
Lionheart could only roll his eyes already expecting this as he mumbles to himself, "Sigh… it's just like my Huntsman-in-training years all over again."
Ozpin could only chuckle seeing the rest of the Headmaster antics meeting always causing the reincarnator to chuckle a bit talking to his fellow allies with a smug expression, "Now. Now everyone. The interview is going to happen in the next hour. With each of us representing our Kingdoms and the Council especially Vale being the best with our Savior of Remnant, there is no need for the competition of asking my students some questions now is there?"
At that, all three of them clicked their tongues knowing who won the fucking Gacha fucking lottery of best students to possibly win Vytal Festival this year as well as Headmasters betting with each other who won and has the best students.
At the moment that Ozpin spoke his words out of his mouth, all three Headmasters collectively replied in their heads, 'Tch. Fucking show-off.'
/////
Menagerie is a landmass in the southeast of Remnant where most of the Faunus population resides. Kuo Kuana is the largest settlement and the home of the chieftain, Ghira Belladonna.
Menagerie is a continent located south of Anima and is the smallest continent on Remnant.
Two-thirds of the landmass is comprised of the desert, forcing the resident Faunus to congregate in smaller areas resulting in small and dense settlements such as those with palm trees. The biggest settlement of Menagerie and its capital is Kuo Kuana.
Menagerie is considered a safe haven for Faunus. However, this is usually due to the Faunus living there wanting to be left alone from the rest of Humanity. The island is later revealed to also be inhabited by Grimm in its deserts.
*BOOM*
A loud boom was heard getting the Faunus' attention on the island as soon enough the Chieftain soon comes out along with his wife during the night.
Other members of the White Fang took notice of this when they all saw an airship unrecognizable soon come upon the docks of their island. When they did Ghira was the first to respond seeing the group of strangers docks on their land.
Stepping out from the ship Ghira soon gets close to other members of the Faunus community soon coming close ready to attack or defend as he spoke out with a peaceful talk first, "Now tell me, stranger… why have you human docked in our island?"
At this A2 the person they spoke to laughs at Ghira's words of her being human as she makes her point stand out, "Human? Good one Faunus. But I'm 100% android created by my master with one purpose here today."
Hearing the news of the android Ghira lightly narrows his eyes at A2 but soon 2B comes out from the ship with a respectful bow with some documents embedded inside a folder, "A2 please be more respectful. I apologize for the way she treated you Chief Ghira Belladonna, but we have come to be the first business partners. We are the Future Foundation, and we are requested by my master to help make, a trade business with you all first. As a gift and apology please accept this."
Before Ghira could respond or anything else a small ship containing a box soon lands nearby with it opening up making the Faunus eyes widen seeing what it contained… CCT.
A means for Menagerie to finally have connections to the outside world of the Kingdoms with footsteps being heard, as Jack's clone began to announce to them getting their attention now with him here, "Now with the gift of finally able to communicate with the Kingdoms… it's almost time for the Kingdom worldwide interview with the Heroes of Remnant people!"