[h3][color=598527]Sage Burnet[/color][/h3][hr]

[i]Sage,

I heard you were accepted into Beacon - you're probably heading there as I'm writing this letter. You're probably wondering how I know about that. I have my ways, and even though I've left Vale, I've got some of my friends looking out for you. I know letters are a second-rate surrogate for a brother, but they'll have to do for now. They're harder to trace, and I'm trying to stay off the grid if you get me.

I've gotta say, you never struck me as a Hunter. I sort of saw you as owning a florist's shop and spritzing bonzai all day to be honest. You're a bit scrawny and you're still awkward as hell, like a fawn learning how to walk. But you'll do, I suppose. You have an edge to you that can't be denied, now you've just gotta sharpen it. I have to go now - they've been keeping me busy here. But it's nice not to be the only Faunus. I feel like I belong here and that I finally have a purpose. Sorry for being vague, I hope you understand...  

Anyways, good luck Sage. Don't get a big head - if you can manage. (Actually, maybe you should focus on growing those antlers, they're a bit scraggly as I recall.) Remember where you came from. You may be a Hunter in Training now, but you're still a Faunus and that will [u]always[/u] precede you in the eyes of others. You have a lot to prove.

No pressure,
Forrest

[/i]

~

Sage rolled his eyes, but couldn't suppress a faint smile. Sage's older brother was never one to mince words, and this was as close to a vote of confidence that Sage would ever get from him. He was sitting in the grass outside of Beacon, and the early morning sun was finally beginning to break through the clouds. Hailing from Vale, Sage had arrived early to Beacon, and had been using his spare time to explore the grounds. 

The school was still magnificent, but signs of conflict, hard times and war could be seen - cracks in the institution's otherwise stately veneer. Being a hunter was already hard, but now that public opinion towards hunters was tepid at the very best, it had been even harder to convince his Aunt and Uncle to allow him to attend Beacon. They worried a lot, but he hoped to prove to them that he had made the right decision. However, something about the place made him feel like he belonged. Maybe he was feeling the same way Forrest was feeling - wherever he was. 

Sage's phone buzzed in his pocket, and when he read the message, his stomach turned. He was being summoned to the Emerald Forest. Though he was sure he would feel at home in the Emerald Forest, he was certain some kind of trial awaited him and the thought of one afternoon defining his entire future at Beacon was daunting to say the least. He was uniformed for battle, his bow was well strung, and his quiver was full. He was as ready as he'd ever be. 

As he approached the cliff looking over the forest, he noticed a gathering of students. Inwardly he breathed a sigh of relief that he had made it to the right place. He spotted a girl with fins protruding from her the sides of her head. Another Faunus! His remaining misgivings dropped away and he felt comfortable. He was used to being the only Faunus in a crowd of humans and thus was acclimated to the pointed stares many gave him as they glanced at his antlers. Here he would not be the only one. However, looking at her closer, he realized she looked familiar. He wracked his brain, and remembered a time long ago when his parent's fishing boat was confiscated by Vale's government. Some bullshit about Faunus's not being allowed to hold permits. The very next day, the boat had reappeared in the dock with a note, sealed with a skull and crossbones, telling his family that they didn't need to worry about permits. In the distance a ship was sailing away, and a blonde girl with the distinctive fins was standing at the helm. Was it the same girl? Not wanting to bring it up in public, he made a note to himself to ask her later - maybe he'd get a chance to thank her for what she'd done for his family those many years ago.

The other student that was there was a tall, dark haired human with startlingly red eyes. He was conversing with Glynda and Ozpin. The way he held himself, and the confidence emanating from his voice implied that he was not one to be trifled with. Sage counted himself fortunate that they were on the same side.

Instead of engaging with any of the other students, Sage opted instead to gaze out over the forest. It was vividly green and signs of life were everywhere. He took out his bow, the gold glinting in the sun, and he began checking the tautness of the bow string. It was compulsive behaviour and it revealed his impatience. He hoped the other students would arrive soon so that the trials ahead of them could finally commence.

~

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