The Iron Lotus of Remnant

Ch 7: Dance, Flames & Infiltration

Oh how out of place he was. A person who has lived for over a thousand years is expected to know how to act around teens, know how to socialize with them, know how to blend in. That was not the case for the poor Headmaster. He was standing near a pillar, cup half-filled with what should be punch, but smelt and tasted more like 'Pinga', an alcoholic beverage from Vacuo, known for its unholy amounts of alcohol and its absurdly low price. But he cared not for such details, so long as no one got hurt, he would be satisfied. Plus, what's a dance without someone spiking the punch?

Although, he was starting to feel a little too lonely. All students that tried to approach him would be instantly intimidated by the fact that he was the Headmaster and subconsciously, walk away. Glynda was busy with other things, Oobleck and Port were trying to figure out what happened to Yan, Ironwood had yet to arrive, and even then he wasn't looking forward to their meeting. Then there was...

"Ozpin." And there it is! All that he needed. Someone to bring him out of his loneliness on this 'dance' meant for the youth of his academy. Even if his newfound company was the strangest person he's ever met, it was company nonetheless!

There she was, wearing the same old suit she wore once she got here, and the same red coat as well. "Xiao." He said, trying to ignore the very unpleasant look his new associate was giving one of the students.

She pointed at one girl, not caring about what the other students might think "What, in the wings name is that?" Her expression worsened as if she was looking at a cockroach, holding back to not squash it under her shoe.

But the headmaster failed to see what was so disgusting about the young lady. Strange choice of attire, sure, but nothing his students haven't bested (As if that would make it better) in terms of strange clothing. "I fail to see what you are referring to." He said, taking a sip from his plastic cup, and immediately recoiling, forcing himself to not spit his drink from the sheer amount of alcohol inside.

She got closer to Ozpin "That thing, in front of the pillar, by those two guards." Pointing once again at the girl, this time, making sure he wouldn't mistake where she was pointing.

(She was indeed talking about the girl... Why would Xiao of all people refer to the girl as a 'Thing' and 'That', that's just plain rude! Now, who was she again?) He remembered her from one of Ironwood's messages. She was a prodigy for her age, but that's all there was to it. "Ms, Polendina? She's a student from Atlas and the favorite of Headmaster Ironwood as well." 

She squinted her eyes and furrowed her eyebrows, which made the headmaster recoil a bit "Cut the bullshit headmaster. You know what I'm talking about. Why is that thing amongst your students?" Her tone rose, earning some looks from some of the unoccupied guests.

(Again with 'thing' huh) She couldn't have made an enemy this early, right? Something was up something that he didn't have a clue about. "I fail to see your point... To me, she's just another student, just another huntress in training." He said, trying to extend the conversation, trying to open this can of worms.

She pulled him closer, noticing a few looks "Can't you see, headmaster? That thing in human's clothing... It's... Nauseating." He could feel ire irradiating from her words. Was Xiao such a spiteful person? Did Penny do something to provoke such comments?

This isn't funny. She's from another world, surely, this must be the kind of thing that is found risible in her world. "'Thing', huh? Is this an attempt at humor Xiao?" If it was, he would have an even bigger can of worms to open, and if it wasn't... Well... That wouldn't help the situation.

She got ahold of Ozpin's tie "I doubt I'm the only one in this building that can put two and two together and realize that; Polendina, was it? She isn't human." She spoke. Ozpin could feel the heat surging from her hands through his suit.