CACE: A RWBY Story

Volume 0: Chapter 9

Ze and Charley leave only a few minutes after Alex and Cat. Ze has taken the time to walk with Charley, rather following his other teammates. The broken moon looms overhead as they walk to their dorm.

"If you don't mind me asking, would you mind explaining your semblance?" Ze asks.

Charley doesn't respond immediately, causing Ze to turn and study his teammate. Charley takes a few seconds in thought before responding.

"I haven't unlocked it fully." He admits. "My only real idea is that it relates to when I'm fighting. I can almost see what an opponent is going to do before they do it."

"Like foresight?"

"No, like I can see the movement of their body. The alignment of their sword or how they hold their staff can give it away too."

Ze ponders this, he can't help but remember the time he saw Charley take down an oversized Beowolf. He seemed to move with such confidence toward an unknown. As Charley had described and the way Ze saw it, this is possibly what Charley is referring to.

"When do you see it most often happen?" Ze presses.

"During training, when I fight the grim, and even today. I felt the movements before they could fully be enacted."

"There are times when we can perceive another's actions without using a semblance." Ze offers.

"It happens too often for me to ignore it." Charley counters. "I would have thought the same if it only happens sometimes. Every fight, I can see each move as it happens. Like you move your thumb and tighten your fist before you punch." Charley relays to Ze. Ze's eyes widen. "Alex's dominant eye squints the second she pulls the trigger on her crossbow. When I tried to attack Cat, her hood would move ever so slightly before she would react to my attack."

"I've never seen any of that." His mouth open. "Can you really see that during a fight?"

"It's how a remember the fight. Everything happens so quickly, so I don't really think about it." Charley looks down at the ground. "I've never really tried explaining this before, but somehow I know."

Ze studies his teammate as Charley continues to ponder this.

"Not sure if this will help you, but my semblance is confidence." Ze pauses. "I can inspire those around me."

"How did you figure that one out?"

"I've encouraged friends. After finishing a fights, they can recall their enhanced confidence in their abilities."

"I've never heard of confidence as a semblance."

"Neither did I but that's not to say it isn't one."

"Surely there is more to it."

"While in a fight, I personally radiate a confidence that inspires teammates and possibly intimidate foes. The especially weak minded persons are most susceptible, when fighting against me."

"I don't recall any signs of this ability in our fights."

"I don't particularly like that part of my semblance." Ze grimaces. "Forcing someone to conform to you is something I don't like."

Charley nods but makes no further comments. They continue to walk in silence though the courtyard. Rather than going toward their dorm, they take the scenic route. Each wanting more time to ponder the day's events.

Above the two teammates, in the tower of Beacon, sits Professor Ozpin. He is seated at his desk and Professor Goodwitch is seated across the table from him. A screen showing the two boys in the courtyard plays on one of Professor Ozpin's displays.

"I think those two can work together." Professor Goodwitch starts.

"Mmmm." Professor Ozpin responds. "I wonder what will happen? Now to business."

He pulls up a screen of current school rankings. Teams are listed in orders of performance and grades. Blocks separate each year of students. A note on the side shows a list of names, these are students who are not enrolled at Beacon.

"First, the next year of students." Ozpin points to the separate list. "All great candidates, but I think a few more stragglers may wish to join."

"As always, you want to keep applications coming in, even into the school year." Professor Goodwitch comments.

"For good reason." Ozpin waves his hand. "Next, those who will qualify for the Vital tournament next year. Obviously some of our new students could perform well enough to make it in."

"I fear team CACE will be excluded from this tournament, at least until they have proven their capabilities." Professor Goodwitch shares. "I think team CFVY will qualify."

"It is my experience that until they are in the arena, no one can truly predict how a team may do."

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