[center][h2][color=crimson]Lan[/color] and [color=a0410d]Russ[/color][/h2][/center]
[center]In the cafeteria[/center]
A short time later, after a bit of wandering, the black haired Human and red haired Faunus arrived at the cafeteria, it was early in the morning and few other students were around, along one wall were several counters between the cafeteria and kitchen, offering a selection of breakfast foods.
Lan made her way for the first window, scouting for fresh produce and picking up a tray at the start of the line.

Russ stepped in behind Lan in line, tray in hand as well. [color=a0410d]So, you always up this early?”[/color] she asked, taking an apple for herself.

[color=crimson]“Depends what you mean by up. I wasn’t kidding when I said I can’t sleep.”[/color] the lemur answered, piling several peaches onto her tray,

[color=a0410d]”I mean, everyone has trouble sleeping now and then. What’ve you got, like, insom...the uhh, the sleep thing?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“That’s what I call it at the very least, seemed fitting. Insomnia, the inability to sleep. Worst. Semblance. Ever.”[/color] she complained, grabbing a few slices of toast as she passed by

Russ blinked, snatching up a cup of cereal. [color=a0410d]”Wait like, you don’t mean all the time, do you? You get [i]some[/i] sleep.”[/color]

[color=crimson]“If my aura bottoms I tend to pass out, but it doesn’t really count as sleep since I wake up the minute it recharges.”[/color] she informed, grabbing a carton of milk and turning to scan for a free table 

[color=a0410d]”That’s...fucking awful.[/color] Russ cleared her throat and followed along once again. [color=a0410d]”N-not to like, shit on your semblance or anything. Just, damn that sounds rough.”[/color]
[color=crimson]“No it sucks, hard. Has advantage though.”[/color] she slides in at the far end of an empty table [color=crimson]“May not have noticed but I reorganized the room last night, got my garden set up,”[/color] she starts counting off tasks on her fingers [color=crimson]“Was counting out the closets and marking how much space each person gets when you left.”[/color]

Russ plopped down next to her, still trying to process the fact that Lan was basically awake twenty-four-seven. Loaned a bit more to her “robot” thoughts on the girl earlier, only now she felt a bit bad about them. Part of her wanted to ask if she knew what dreams were, or if she’d ever had them, but that felt rude, or at least a little ruder than she wanted to be. 

[color=a0410d]”Well, I guess it’s good to have at least one productive person on the team,”[/color] she said.

[color=crimson]”I used to go out and explore at night but I almost got mugged once, decided to play it safe.”[/color] Lan mentioned  [color=crimson]“Then cabin fever sets in and i need to do something, so I clean, I organize, I read…”[/color] she trailed off once more

[color=a0410d]”Damn, I bet you know a shit ton of stories,”[/color] Russ said, digging unceremoniously into the food she’d gathered. [color=a0410d]”Never could get into the classics myself.”[/color]

She felt it an overstep to clarify, given that she knew none of the classics, or if there even were “classic” stories. 

[color=crimson]“I tend to read more recent books myself,” the lemur tailed faunus admitted  “Actually not as many stories as you might think, tend to read about plants or whatever random thing I’m doing to pass the time.”[/color] she added, biting into a peach 

Russ pulled a face, was that a joke? She’d never heard of anyone reading informational shit for fun. Then again, she’d never heard of anyone who wasn’t able to sleep, either, so maybe that was it. 

[color=a0410d]”So, like, do you get tired ever? How do you recoup and stuff?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“Physically exhausted, yeah. I pretty much lie down for an hour or so every night and read, let my body rest,”[/color] Lan replied [color=crimson]“I also tend to get a little bit foggy early in the morning for whatever reason, you may have noticed I got a little weird when my aura was getting low during initiation? Side effects of the drain I guess.”[/color] she finished off the peach and dropped the pit on her tray, replacing it in her hand with some toast

[color=a0410d]”Shit, I just kinda thought that was the jitters. I wasn’t exactly the pinnacle of attentiveness either,”[/color] she said with a shrug. Good Russ, work in some bigger words, try not to come off as a [i]total[/i] bum. 

[color=crimson]“Nah, we had some live exercises at Signal, learning weak points for some of the smaller species. Beowulves and such. Knew more or less what to expect.”[/color] she boasted [color=crimson]“So, how about you? Based on the fact you lost your cool during the landing you don’t have much field experience.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]”Okay well, I wouldn’t exactly call ‘getting launched into the air by a giant springboard’ field experience,”[/color] she said, dry but not biting. [color=a0410d]”And hey I wasn’t the only one kinda stressing about that whole thing, shit, some people weren’t lucky enough to smack into a living buoy. Thanks by the way.”[/color]

[color=crimson]“No problem, just luck I guess. Still, surprising what kind of stuff you can prepare for in combat school, or when you have too much free time like me.”[/color]

Russ scoffed and took up her drink. [color=a0410d]”Spend a lot of time flying?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“I threw myself of an apartment building once to practice.”[/color] the girl joked, opening her own carton of milk 

And then she was choking on it. Russ patted her own chest to clear up her lungs, wide eyes on Lan. [color=a0410d]”Why do I actually believe you did that?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“Because I have too much free time and have a history of unpredictable behaviour?”[/color] the redhead guessed innocently, setting her milk down and having another slice of toast

[color=a0410d]”Just don’t go getting yourself killed, Grimm would be real disappointed I’m sure,”[/color] she said, regaining her composure.

[color=crimson]“For the record, I was joking. We did drills on it back at Signal, pretty standard procedure.”[/color] she informed, tail swishing behind her as she bit into another peach

Russ let out a sigh and slumped in her chair. [color=a0410d]”You know, the more you tell me about that place, the less I regret not going.”[/color]

[color=crimson]“Not everyone does go, some people are from outside the kingdom and learn trial by fire style.”[/color] Lan pointed out [color=crimson]“I’m guessing you were not so fortunate, based on what happened this morning.”[/color]

She blinked, for a moment the levity in her eyes faded and Russ became immediately aware that she may not have been as sneaky as she thought. She gave Lan a solemn look. [color=a0410d]”What happened this morning?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“You left the room looking freaked out and were already on edge when you ran into me.”[/color] Lan lied, [color=crimson]“Not meaning to pry, just worried. Although I already admitted I was following you because you looked freaked out.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]”No no, I get that,”[/color] Russ said, and relaxed. [color=a0410d]”I uhh, guess I spaced there. My morning memory isn’t so great. Yeah Just got a letter from home. There was a fire, everything’s fine.”[/color]

[i][color=crimson]”hmm”[/color][/i] Lan thought [color=crimson]“I’m not expecting a whole lot of news from home myself, parents not thrilled with my choice of career. Mom more-so than Dad.”[/color] she shifted the topic away, noting Russ’ discomfort.

[color=a0410d]”Yikes, that can’t be easy. Is it just the danger, or…?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“Among other things. Danger is the biggest issue though.”[/color] she responded, taking a sip of milk 

She tried her best to give her voice an understanding tone. Whatever Lan’s relationship with her parents was, having someone so close lack faith must have been hard. [color=a0410d]”Well, guess you’re just gonna have to show’em you’ve got what it takes. No danger when you’re a pro right?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“I think it’s more that they’re scared of losing me, neither of them is a huntsman and we don’t have any in the family so it’s not a risk they’re used to.”[/color] she said, uncertainty in her voice “What sort of situation are you coming from?” she inquired. [i][color=crimson]”Gotta get to know the team.[/color][/i] she reminded herself [color=crimson][i]”Especially the cute one.”[/i][/color] she added mentally, blushing for a moment, suddenly glad they weren’t face to face
Perhaps it was a combination of their positioning with Russ’s failure to pick up on Lan’s distressed tone, but she couldn’t quite let it go at that. [color=a0410d]”Hold on, wait,”[/color] she said, turning to the other girl. [color=a0410d]”Look, it’s a scary-ass world out there, there are fucking monsters and all sorts of other shit, I get it. But hey, that’s why we’re here, absolutely no one else in the world is better suited to make it out there than us, so listen, they’re [i]not[/i] gonna...lose...uh, hey, you alright?”[/color] 

She got a glimpse of the red in Lan’s cheeks and felt a twinge of guilt. [color=a0410d]”I mean, y’know, just optimistically and all. Not that your folks don’t have a right to be worried or anything. They care about you, that’s like…[i]really[/i] fucking important.”[/color]

[color=crimson]“It’s a constant risk but I don’t think it’s too severe, no worse than public transportation.”[/color] she jested [color=crimson]“I’m fine, why do you ask?”[/color] the girl feigned ignorance

[color=a0410d]”No--yeah I just, nevermind,”[/color] she said, remembering Lan had asked a question before she’d gone off on her mini-tirade. Russ’s hand found its way to the back of her neck, where it usually went when she had trouble thinking up answers. [color=a0410d]”And uh, nothing flashy, just kinda felt that obligation to help people, y’know?”[/color] she asked. There, not entirely a lie.

[color=crimson]“As solid a reason as any.”[/color] the lemur admitted [color=crimson]“I’m in it for the self control or something. At least that’s why I started, now? I dunno, seems interesting. I like exploring, gives me an excuse to carry a deadly weapon.”[/color] she listed off [color=crimson]“Out of curiosity, what exactly is your semblance?”[/color]

Russ couldn’t help but smile. The girl was motivated, she’d give her that, and besides most of those reasons didn’t sound half-bad to herself.

[color=a0410d]”My semblance? Ehh...sorry I’m really not great at explaining it. I guess the best way would be to say it’s like...I don’t fall down a lot? No no uh, I can move pretty easily? I’ve got good balance?”[/color] Russ continued to fumble for a bit, each explanation more desperate than the last. She’d never had to really describe what she did, even to herself it felt more like second nature than something attached. 

[color=crimson]“Not all of them are as simple as mine I guess. A lot of them are more interesting or useful, though.”[/color] Lan said, [color=crimson]“Hey, where are your swords? back at the dorm?”[/color] she asked, reaching down to confirm the placement of her own spade before taking a drink of milk

Russ was at least a bit ready for that question, she’d have to have expected it at some point. Offering a shrug, but trying to sound as earnest as possible, she went with the first thing that came to mind. [color=a0410d]”Did you see’em after that fight? Dinged up, bent, dented. Dust compartments were shot, one couldn’t hold a flame, the other would’ve blown apart if I tried to use it. Suffice it say, they’re gone. It’s my fault, I’ve gotta take a...uhm...radial course to make a new one, but yeah.”[/color]

[color=crimson]“Remedial?”[/color] the redhead let slip

Russ cleared her throat, pale face doing little to hide the embarrassment. [color=a0410d]”Y-yeah, s’what I said, right?”[/color]

[color=crimson]“You said radial.”[/color] Lan pointed out, finishing another peach [color=crimson]“That reminds me, I wanted to see about upgrading Shu Dao. Wonder if I can get into one of those classes...”[/color] she trailed off once more

[color=a0410d]”Dunno, worth asking though. Can’t imagine they don’t want us upgrading our weapons,”[/color] she said. [color=a0410d]”Shu Dao, huh. Nice name.”[/color]

[color=crimson]”Seemed fitting, if a bit misleading.”[/color] the girl said [color=crimson]”So, any idea what you’re going to do for a replacement? Or just going to use the same thing as before?”[/color]

Russ didn’t even have to think to know that if she never saw a pair of swords like the Son and Daughter again, it would be too soon. She just shook her head. [color=a0410d]”Not too sure, I’ll think of something though. Figure I’ve got a bit of experience taking care of weapons, shouldn’t take me too long.”[/color]

[color=crimson]“The old ones seemed pretty simple come to think of it.”[/color] Lan observed [color=crimson]“You could probably recreate them if you wanted.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]”Now where’s the fun in that?”[/color] she asked. 

[color=crimson]”Familiarity with a weapon doesn’t hurt, but I suppose learning a new one wouldn’t hurt.”[/color] the redhead noted to her partner [color=crimson]“Lot of options, it took me forever to settle on what I was going to use.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]”Well for what it’s worth you definitely know how to use it,”[/color] Russ said with a smile.

[color=crimson]“I went with something simple on purpose, so even if my aura drops and I get loopy it won’t take too much thought to use right.”[/color] the faunus boasted [color=crimson]”Probably one of my better choices come to think of it, amazing how versatile razor wire is.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]”Yeah, always thought simple was better. Don’t get me wrong, the complex weapons are cool and all just, damn I don’t have the head for’em, I guess. How long have you been training with it?”[/color]

[color=crimson]”We made our prototypes about 6 months into the first year at Signal, so i guess around four years.”[/color] Lan recalled

Russ let out a low whistle. [color=a0410d]”No wonder then, thing must be like a third arm by now.”[/color]

[color=crimson]”Something like that,”[/color] the lemur tailed girl agreed before biting into her last peach [color=crimson]”Hey, what’s your first class today?”[/color] she asked, drawing out her own scroll to check the schedule

Russ plucked up her scroll as well, sifting slowly through to find her own schedule. Her smile flickered for a moment when she saw that one of the first classes was an analytical course. Not because she didn’t like analytics, but because she had little idea what the word meant. However, it seemed that first things first was the newly added “remedial course”, as Lan had put it. 

[color=a0410d]”Looks like I’ll have to think of something sooner than I thought,”[/color] she said. [color=a0410d]”How about yours?”[/color]

[color=crimson]”Looks like… Grimm studies, then medicinal botany for me. Then boring stuff like math. Ooh, sparring class.”[/color] Lan skimmed through the schedule, noting the first few [color=crimson]“That medical botany sounds fun, already know a bit about healing herbs.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]”There’s a sparring class?”[/color] Russ asked, scrolling through again to, sure enough, find it on her schedule as well. [color=a0410d]”That’s...kinda weird, actually. Aren’t we fighting Grimm?”[/color]

Lan chuckled, [color=crimson]”Not just grimm, anything that threatens the safety of the four kingdoms, human or grimm. Not to mention the Vytal festival for those lucky enough to qualify, and other tournaments.”[/color]

[color=a0410d]”Oh,”[/color] Russ tried to hide her grave surprise, and cleared her throat. [color=a0410d]”Do we usually, like, [i]kill[/i] these people?”[/color]

[color=crimson]Not that I know of, I can only name one instance in recent times that a huntman had to kill a criminal, and that was apparently a special circumstance.”[/color] the girl informed

Russ sighed, relieved. [color=a0410d]”Well that’s good to hear. Joined up to kill grimm, not people.”[/color]

Lan shrugged and finished her last piece of toast, quickly downing the milk [color=crimson]”Sometimes we might have to make hard decisions, grimm aren’t the only monsters. People can be pretty shitty too. I mentioned someone tried to mug me? Pretty sure he’s in physical therapy right now, slashed his achilles tendon on the right leg.”[/color] she informed solemnly 

That surprised Russ, if she was being honest. Looking at Lan, she wouldn’t have guessed the girl had it in her, but then, she also hadn’t guessed she was as good a thief as she was either, and Russ had plenty of experience with the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover”. Still, she didn’t feel put-off by it, if someone tried to mug her she would have put up a fight for sure. 

[color=a0410d]”Yeah, well, you’re different. Anyone dumb enough to try and mug a huntress-- huntress in training-- deserves a bit of justice.”[/color]

[color=crimson]“It feels different though, not like grimm, you can feel the blade going in, it’s pretty gross, leaves a nasty feeling in the pit of your stomach. And that’s just hurting someone, honestly not sure I could do it again even if I had to,”[/color] she sulked a bit before noticing the clock on her scroll [color=crimson]”Others should be waking up soon if they’re not already, we should probably get to the dorm and switch into our uniforms before classes start.”[/color] perking back up a bit

Russ wanted to say something, but she couldn’t come up with anything that didn’t sound too cliched or rambling. She could understand Lan’s hesitation, and it was a kick to the gut to see someone beating themselves up over mercy. But she was right, class was starting, and Russ’s dry tongue offered nothing but an affirmative noise. She grabbed her tray and got up, offering another smile to Lan.

[color=a0410d]”Sounds good, I think I even remember the way back. Maybe.”[/color]

[color=crimson]”Oh, I can show you my garden when we get back!”[/color] Lan remembered excitedly

[color=a0410d]”Sure thing, glad to see someone is working on making our room look nice,”[/color] Russ said, and despite her previous comment, waited again for Lan to lead the way.

With that, the faunus picked up her tray and headed for the door, dumping the empty carton and peach pits in a garbage can on the way out, leaving the dish on a small shelf before stepping out of the long hall