[centre][H1]Initiations End[/H1][/centre]

The climb back to the clifftop was tough for all applicants who had to take the long way round, though it wasn’t unmanageable. With that said though, the trek was not made easier by jogging to the top, especially when carrying a full set of gear, something two messy haired applicants realised rather quickly.  

Cereza and Viola reached the top as the sun was just starting to hang low in the sky, and were greeted by the waiting faces of Professor Goodwitch and Headmaster Ozpin, along with an unknown copper-haired woman and a pair of older students standing slightly apart from the rest. There was no sign of their teammates, however, despite the rather large head start the headstrong pair had.

Cereza glanced about in concern, sharing a puzzled glance with her violet-haired companion. She muttered to the shorter girl, [colour=2c75ff]“Where are they? They had a huge head start on us, they should have been here ages ago.”[/colour]

[colour=00aeef]“They couldn’t have gotten lost, could they? The cliff [i]is[/i] a rather noticeable landmark.”[/colour]

[colour=2c75ff]“I doubt it. Tierra seemed to have a pretty decent sense of direction. She led us to the ruins earlier, after all.”[/colour] Cereza shrugged.

Viola’s mouth set in a thin line, one more directed at herself than her companion, [colour=00aeef]“Only one way I can think of to find out,”[/colour] she said, as she sprinted the remaining distance between them and the teachers, leaving Cereza behind. 

[colour=00aeef]“Pardon me,”[/colour] she said a little more forcefully than intended, [colour=00aeef]“Have a pair comprised of a silver knight and a...overly energetic girl come here recently? They’re named Argent Roan and Tierra Blerta.” [/colour] 

Professor Goodwitch looked down at the young lady, seeming to tower over the girl who refused to look away, Viola's eyes showing nothing but concern. With a sigh, Glynda double checked the scroll in her hands, flicking between screens as the stern-looking woman searched through the various pages of student information. [colour=b18fdf]“I’m afraid they haven’t-”[/colour]

[colour=2c75ff]“Viola!”[/colour] called out Cereza as she cut off the other blonde. Cereza gestured behind her as a loud thump was heard. Another professor along with two more older students had just arrived back on the clifftop with the students Viola had asked after in tow. Argent was slung over a giant of a man’s shoulder, looking like nothing more than a ragdoll in the nine foot talls man’s arms, while Tierra was alert but being carried on the girl’s back. The brown haired man stepped away to watch over the clifftop, his eyes scanning the forest.

Cereza gestured for the girl to join her beside their errant partners. The extremely large young man carefully sat Argent against a nearby tree, with his partner carefully putting Tierra down as well.

Viola was almost ready to dash towards her unconscious friend but manners won her over, so she turned to Goodwitch and gave a quick bow, [colour=00aeef]“Sorry to have troubled you and thank you for the help.”[/colour] With that out of the way she promptly did what her body wanted and ran towards the other group of teachers. By the time she got there, Viola could just make out the second half of a diagnostic.
 
[colour=b87333]“-A broken ankle, so you’ll want to stay off it for a while as it heals. Should be good to go in a couple of weeks, if your aura is up to snuff. Might be a bit tender for a while though.”[/colour] The girl was saying as the pair drew closer. Argent chose this moment to stir as well, slowly coming back to consciousness. The older girl turned to him, her prosthetic leg glinting in the sunlight with the movement. [colour=b87333]“You; you’ve got nothing but a bump of the head, but if you start feeling nauseous or dizzy I want you to go straight to the infirmary. Got it?”[/colour]

She directed her last statement at the three applicants with situational awareness, and as two nodded and one gave a bow, she stepped back to allow the quartet to catch up. She and the hulking man joined the other pair of older students standing off to one side, out of the way.

[colour=2c75ff]“This is why you don’t just run off into the Grimm infested forest with no plan, and abandon your partner.”[/colour] Cereza berated the noirette. [colour=2c75ff]“What the hell happened?”[/colour]

[color=forestgreen] “I-I-There was just too many - things, human-like with razor maws, always reaching and grasping.”[/color] The memories came screaming back and almost overpowered her, but Tierra forced them down and brought herself back into reality. Then she turned to the silver knight, [color=forestgreen] “Argent, please. If I’m about to die because of something I’ve done, please don’t waste your life trying to save me again. I-I couldn’t live again with the responsibility of another death.”[/color] 

As Tierra tried to get up Cereza put a hand on her shoulder, keeping the shorter woman down. [colour=2c75ff]“Don’t try to stand on a broken ankle, you silly girl.”[/colour] The blonde sighed and glanced around at the other two. She wasn’t exactly sure on how to deal with someone begging to be allowed to die - hell, this whole ‘working together’ thing was brand new to Cereza. [colour=2c75ff]“Look, no one is going to die, no one is going to let anyone else die, and Tierra, I am your partner. I thought we were supposed to work together on this stuff? We need to [i]actually[/i] stick together. Next time you want a race, let everyone else speak before you start it.”[/colour]  

[color=8493ca]“I’m sorry to have worried you Tierra, but I’m afraid that what you’re asking for is impossible. I came here to become a fully certified Huntsman and help people, and that certification is, to me, just permission to legally save lives from the Grimm. Saving lives is my first priority here; I’m telling you this so you know that asking me not to help if we ever get into a similar situation again is a waste of breath. I would do all of that over again without hesitating in the slightest.”[/color] Said Argent, purposefully not commenting on her implication of having witnessed death before; that could wait for another time.

[colour=00aeef]“It’s a rather unreasonable request to make regardless, Miss Blerta,”[/colour] Viola’s voice was heated, but it was only noticeable due to the force of her words rather than the pitch, [colour=00aeef]“Are you suggesting, should I have actually managed to keep up with you, I should have let you [i]die[/i] despite the fact it was [i]I[/i] who suggested we run in the first place? I did [i]not[/i] come to Beacon just to watch people get eaten by Grimm! If you wish Sir Argent, or really anyone here, to not interfere when your life is forfeit, you’ll simply have to make it so you don’t get in a situation like that again!”[/colour] She ended with a huff, looking away from them and directing her gaze to the forest in order to calm herself down.

The Cheetah Faunus just sighed and sat back. There was no way she was going to convince them to not throw themselves in harm’s way for her sake. And as Tierra calmed down, she saw that really it’s not what a hunter would do. The tawny-clothed had just had this grand illusion where she was one of those grand loner heroes with friends that helped, preferably Faunus. Now here she was, broken and nearly killed along with a human teammate and being fussed over by other human teammates. 

The noirette sighed again, [color=forestgreen] “I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t quite grasp what being on a team was like. I thought-I didn’t take into account the possibility of a teammate’s blood being on your hands. I was imagining some coalition where they loosely worked together, but mostly handled themselves and only fell by their own miscalculations. It would have been breaking your vows as hunters to make that promise. I’ll make a promise though, I’ll strive from now on to be more cautious and to not throw myself into the most dangerous situations possible.[/color] Tierra turned towards the water witch and smiled, [color=forestgreen] “Though it might help if you just call me Tierra, Viola. Seriously, I feel like some fancy noble whenever you use my last name.[/color]

[colour=00aeef]“I’ll keep that in mi-”[/colour] Viola paused, as she noticed a set of hands emerging at the edge of the cliff. The other quartet took this moment to appear over the lip of the cliff face, faces dirty and obviously tired but all alive. 

[colour=00aeef]“I’ll keep that in mind Miss Tierra,”[/colour] Viola absentmindedly repeated herself as she waved to the familiar team in order to get their attention. [colour=00aeef]“Over here!”[/colour]

A certain redheaded faunus waved back enthusiastically, making her way over to greet the other team the moment she crested the cliff face.

They had an extra tagalong, a muscular young teen with dirty blonde hair and a large smile. The brown haired Professor who had arrived with Argent and Tierra’s rescuers stepped forward to meet the group before they could join the quartet talking beneath the trees, speaking in a low voice to Nor. He carefully drew the mask-wearing Faunus aside, away from the rest of the group.

[colour=0047ab]“I have some news from home,”[/colour] He started softly, dropping his voice so the curious octet couldn’t hear the conversation.

[color=crimson]”Hey, where’s Lis?”[/color] Lan asked, tail swishing lazily behind her.

[colour=00aeef]“Resting at the base of the cliff. We were both beginning to run low so I thought it was best it stayed there while i climbed,”[/colour] Viola explained, while unsubtly circling the loony lemur, [colour=00aeef]“I take it nothing bad befell the rest of you? Nothing broken, bruised, mangled, eviscerated or dirtied beyond a chance of cleaning?”[/colour] 

[color=crimson]”Ah, aura running low. Got it.”[/color] the tailed faunus replied, turning slowly as Viola circled her, [color=crimson]”No more stained or injured than a day in the garden, maybe less.”[/color]

[colour=00aeef]“Oh thank heavens,”[/colour] said Viola, as she stopped checking her friend. [colour=00aeef]“I was a tad concerned given all the...species of Grimm that litter the place. I hope you did not have anymore trouble to deal with other than the Nightmare.”[/colour] 

[color=crimson]”Nah, killed it pretty easy. I THINK the herd was after us when we left, though.”[/color]

[colour=00aeef]“Beg your pardon but...I imagine a pack would have made quite the commotion. How can you not be certain?”[/colour] A look of disbelief could be noticed on her face.

Lan simply shrugged. [color=crimson]”I try not to assume things”[/color] she added, slowly tilting her head to look past Viola and stare at the somewhat dazed boy propped up by a tree.

[colour=00aeef]“They’ll be fine. They had a run in with...something, but the teachers assured for their well being.”[/colour]

[color=crimson]”That’s not good, I wonder what it was.”[/color] the lemur responded, [color=crimson]”I think a couple of teachers turned up when we were leaving too, but I’m not sure.”[/color]

Viola could only shrug as the corner of her lips turned up, [colour=00aeef]“One can only assume, but I try not to.”[/colour]

Russ was too glad to be done with initiation to worry when Jaws got pulled aside. In fact she was just glad it wasn’t her, whatever the teachers were talking to him about was likely just more hassle on top of what they’d all already gone through. Best of luck Jaws, with whatever the hell he’d gotten himself into.

Lan scurried off, and Russ figured she might as well find a way to pass the time until whatever came next. Hopefully a decent amount of rest. Sitting away she saw perhaps the only other familiar face she knew of from before the test: the other faunus girl from the airship. What was her name? Tianna? No, [i]Tierra[/i]. Russ wasn’t sure about a last name, but half wasn’t bad. 

[color=a0410d]”Ay,”[/color] she said, going over to the cheetah faunus, only realizing as she drew closer that the girl seemed to be hurt. [color=a0410d]”Yikes, what happened to you?”[/color]

Cereza looked up as a pale girl with rust-coloured hair joined the small group and offered her a quick smile. [colour=2c75ff]“Silly girl decided to run off without her team and got ambushed by a pack of Grimm along with Argent. I think she’s learnt her lesson now, though.”[/colour]

The feline faunus nodded, the visions still dancing in her head. Then she looked up to see the girl from the ship,[color=forestgreen]” Oh, hi Russ. How was your battle? Sorry that I can’t stand for the moment.”[/color]

Russ offered a smile to the other girl, waving off her apology. [color=a0410d]”Don’t worry about it, I’m sure you’ve all had a damn rough day. If it makes you feel any better, we’ve spent the better part of it getting thrown around like ragdolls. Guess it’s just good to see everyone alive.”[/color]

[color=forestgreen] “Yeah, to see everyone alive.”[/color] Argent being flung against the tree crossed Tierra’s mind but she shook it out again, determined to focus on the present. [color=forestgreen] “So, you get along well with your partner?”[/color]

Tossing a glance over her shoulder at Lan, Russ couldn’t help the slight smirk on her lips. She shrugged. [color=a0410d]”Nice girl, bit on the odd side, but I’m starting to find out that’s more common than not here. In any case she knows how to handle herself in a fight, so yeah, works out great.[/color] Her focus turned to the other girl, with the bright eyes and nifty haircut. She looked to Tierra. [color=a0410d]”How ‘bout you? Snag yourself someone good?”[/color]

The feline faunus then looked at Cereza, smiled, then responded, [color=forestgreen] “ Well, she doesn’t properly appreciate the magnificence of the outdoors, but has a good head on her shoulders. As long as we don’t keep bounding into each other, we should be fine.”[/color]

Cereza looked away, pouting as she steadily avoided actually looking up at the sky. She mumbled to herself slightly childishly, though the blonde would never admit it to anyone who asked, [colour=2c75ff]“Computers are much better.”[/colour]

[color=a0410d]”Well, best to you guys. Let’s hope you can keep those good heads on your shoulders, yeah?”[/color] she said, offering a slight wave as she started off back for her team. She guessed they wouldn’t be standing around outside forever.

After climbing up the cliff, Tsuki saw most of the initiates gathered together. The exhausted female assumed that they have already met based on the way they interacted with each other. Not wanting to interact with people, the excluded faunus sat at the edge of the cliff and looked around. Her ears swiveled around listening to the sounds around her. Having some time to herself was nice.

[colour=d44c11]“That’s the last of them,”[/colour] The copper-haired woman jumped in, finally joining the rest of the gathering as another pair of teachers stepped off a rather elaborate floral elevator. She offered Professor Waldgrun a cheeky salute as she departed, and Professor Goodwitch nodded in agreement.

[colour=b18fdf]“The team naming ceremony will be held at six this evening, which leaves you with just enough time to get treatment for any wounds you may have and make your way to the auditorium.”[/colour] The business-like woman explained to the students gathered before her. 

Cereza turned to Tierra and Argent, [colour=2c75ff]“Argent, you grab that arm and I’ll grab this one, Tierra, you just lean on us and hop to the infirmary. Viola, can you carry Llaw Du?”[/colour]

[colour=00aeef]“Is there a trigger I should be aware off so I don’t unlock it by accident?”[/colour] asked Viola, as she gingerly took the offered weapon that seemed to be doing it’s best imitation of a briefcase.

[colour=2c75ff]“No, it’s all semblance activated. You have nothing to worry about,”[/colour] Cereza reassured the girl, [colour=2c75ff]“Unless you hold it by the blades, but that would be ridiculous.”[/colour]

Teirra sighed and leant on her teammates. [color=forestgreen][i] “Well this is a fine sight. A Faunus, having to be carried by humans. This is humiliating. Surely I could just hop over to the infirmary. No Tierra, you’re on a team now. Let the team help you, it’s perfect bonding time.[/i][/color]