Embers of a Gentle Flame[Mixed Updates]

Chapter 2: Kindling

I remember... I remember the day I got my Semblance. Ma came in and told me about Pa... I didn't take it well. I sobbed and sobbed for hours on end. Why did he have to die? But then... I saw a warm glow. Briefly, I thought that it was him trying to comfort me--to try and tell me that he'll be okay. But I was sorely mistaken. I went back to Signal and had sparring sessions with the teachers... I couldn't control it. It was my Semblance. From that day, my classmates were scared of me. I was scared of myself; I still am, in a way. Yet she wasn't. She made me still feel... Like I was still a kid, like her. I will never forget or not be thankful for her for that. She was more outgoing while I... I didn't like to be a nuisance.

...

It had been a long time since Finn actually rode on a Bullhead. The hum was overshadowed by the conversing and gossiping of those in the vehicle. And even with diverse outfits and people, Finn stood out. He was tall at 6'4 and had a swallowtail coat; the exterior was a wrought iron black with the interior being a taupe brown, khakis of a light brown shade that, around his left calf, lay a wrought iron cover thicker than what it should be as if it was weighted. And on his knees were metallic kneepads of a faint Auburn hue. His shirt was a simple long-sleeved button-up of a silver satin white while on his left hand, a gray glove. His right arm, however, had a fused piece of armor. The gauntlets, vambrace, couter, rerebrance, and pauldron were all connected and had the same Auburn hue as the kneepads had.

His helm continued to follow the color of his armor, but it was paradoxical. It's smoother towards the bottom and only masks half of his face--the philtrum and below being visible. Yet going upward was more aggressive; wavy spikes like flames were present. His pauldron, too, sticks beyond the normal, rising to the right cheek and being a plate of bent metal. His shoes were black hard leather.

He tried his best to blend with the background and not be seen. He was content with being unseen, but plans do change. "I can't believe my baby sister is coming to Beacon with me! This is the best day ever!" That voice... That cheery voice. Precisely, Finn knew who it was. Beyond the sea of people was Yang. Would she remember him? Would she feel betrayed? Ultimately, Finn decided once more that he didn't want to be a bother.

Yet he couldn't help but notice the young girl Yang was hugging. This must be the sister that she talked about before... Ruby Rose. Curious, Finn amplifies his senses to listen to them.

"Pwesh shtahp." "But I'm so proud of you!" "Really, sis, it was nothing." "What do you mean?! That was incredible! Everyone at Beacon's going to think you're the bee's knees." "I don't wanna be the 'bee's knees,' okay? I don't wanna have any kind of knees--I just wanna be a normal girl with normal knees."

At least she hasn't changed. But soon, the news grabs the attention of many.

"Over the past several weeks, robberies have been led by the nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick. While both attempts to stop him were unsuccessful and the identity of one hero goes unnamed as requested by Headmaster Ozpin, one hero has stood out: Finn Taupe." Uh oh. "The report from sole witness Anvid Latte states that mister Taupe had valiantly run to the checkout counter of Pixie Dust and shot at Roman with his Huntsman-grade weapon. Despite being a civilian, he was legally able to carry this weapon. Thanks to him, nobody but himself was harmed, and public damage was kept at a minimum. Roman Tochwick continues to evade authorities. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact the Vale Police Department."

Yang had zoned out. Finn never told anyone where he was going and just... Disappeared out of the blue. And he is getting recognition when her baby sister, who should be credited, is not? But what is he even doing now? Yang's eyes turn red. "Why aren't you getting praise?" "Yang, didn't dad tell-?!"