Professor Arc

Chapter 57

Ruby glared at the people who dared dismiss her sister.

None of them knew the truth, nor did they care to. They judged and condemned her based on what they'd seen, and continued to level their scowls upon her, along with their muttered words and disgusted eyes.

Yang took it well, better than Ruby thought she would have. Her sister had always been strong – stronger than most – and this was just another example. She kept her head high, walked with purpose, and didn't even react when some idiot muttered something unkind about Beacon students and what they did to foes who surrendered.

Ruby didn't have her sister's poise, though. Her hands clenched into fists and she glared with all her anger at the man. A hand touched hers.

"It's fine," Yang whispered. "Don't worry about it."

"I don't know how you can say that, Yang. It's not fine. They're... they're..."

"Unimportant compared to you guys." Yang smiled and gripped her hand tightly. "I'm just glad you're here with me... that you all believe me. I wouldn't want to be alone right now."

"We wouldn't let you," Weiss snorted. She flicked her white hair behind herself and affixed the earlier civilian with one of her patented glares. She was better at it than Ruby, and the young man looked away immediately.

"Let's just get to the competitor stands," Blake said. "It should be easier there. I think they'll be more understanding."

Yang muttered something about not being so sure under her breath, but Ruby ignored it. She knew the others, especially those from Haven, wouldn't understand. They'd seen one of their own hurt and hated the one who did it. Atlas would be no better, what with the animosity between Atlas and Vale over the arrest of Professor Arc. There would be allies among them all, though. That was all that mattered.

The stands gave way from civilian to competitors and students with little fanfare. The seats suddenly became less crowded, people had space to move, and the noise was lower. No one here cried for violence, nor seemed quite so enamoured with the whole spectacle. People huddled in small groups, teams and friends chatting. Some paused to look towards them with wary eyes, but many didn't notice their presence at all.

Ruby pushed Yang down into a seat by the front, and then sat on her right – between her sister and Nora, who grinned in greeting. Blake and Weiss took Yang's left, keeping her locked between them so that no one would get close.

"Ready to see Pyrrha kick some butt?" Nora asked. She waved to Yang to show there were no hard feelings, and Yang smiled back.

"Penny's quite strong," Ruby said, her words lacking energy. She hadn't spoken to her friend since Jaune's arrest. She knew Penny wasn't involved, but she just couldn't bring herself to talk to anyone other than her team and close friends.

"Pyrrha has this," Velvet said. Her eyes were locked on her partner, down in the arena. The fight had yet to start, but the opponents were sizing one another up as the arena was cleared. "I've never seen here more focused than she is now. She isn't going to lose this. Won't let herself."

"It's personal," Ren agreed. His eyes flickered to the left, and he frowned as he saw something.

Ruby thought it herself for a second, but turned around when she heard Yang sigh. Something fell down the back of her hair, and Ruby caught the kernel of popcorn that struck her. Was someone throwing things at her sister!?

"Ignore it," Yang said. "It'll stop when they realise there's no reaction."

Or they would stop when she and Weiss cornered them. Ruby strained around to search the seats behind them, and her eyes narrowed as she saw a pair of students from Vale – their own school no less – sniggering down on them. One flicked another piece at Yang, but a meaty fist caught it before Ruby could.