falling fates [a rwby fanfic]

episode ii: the beginning

Rannaska couldn't believe this day had finally come.

From the moment she had woken up, only a few hours ago now, she was in a state of disbelief. Her, attending Beacon, becoming a huntress. Becoming a huntress at Beacon. It was all- bizarre, if she could put a word on it.

And now there it was- right in front of her, towering so high into the blue sky that the clouds covered the topmost point of the tower in between. It was a beautiful day, the most perfect day. Everything was exactly as it should be. She could only stare in awe for a moment, letting herself indulge in her first ever sight of Beacon Academy, before she returned her attention to the four others gawking like children.

"This is insane," she heard Gustin whisper, noticing that his arm was tightly locked with Gavin's.

"No, it's awesome," Nirvana uttered, her eyes wide. She then turned her head to Rannaska, raising up her hand as a thumbs up. "You good?"

"Yeah," Rannaska said as she found her place beside the faunus, her height plus the heels she was wearing causing her to be almost a head taller than her friend.

Ah, Rannaska thought to herself. I shouldn't have worn heels today. Now I'm the tallest of everyone.

She shook her thoughts away, closing her eyes for a moment to catch herself. Okay.

The five began their way towards the school, walking among the many taking their first steps up the pathway. Rannaska tried not to stare at everyone they passed, taking heed of the way everyone presented themselves- their outfit, their stance, their face. Their weapon. The weapons were the most impressive, Rannaska spying things she had never seen before and combinations she'd never imagined. She began to feel self conscious of her mere shield strapped to her back, something so starkly traditional compared to everyone else's.

But, she did have her own secrets.

"What are you smiling about?" Rannaska felt a jab at her arm, turning to see Nirvana glancing at her with a grin on her face.

"Oh, nothing," Rannaska pursed her lips as she spoke. She was about to open her mouth to say more when she was abruptly cut off by the twins, both crying out in unison.

"Eve!"

Eve? Rannaska looked ahead to the girl who turned around once they called her name, her blonde hair brought up out of her eyes atop her head in a bun, with the rest falling down behind her. Their friend from Vale? It certainly was, with the way the girl's eyes lit up in recognition and how she abandoned her belongings to run towards the boys, who had done the same.

Rannaska watched as the three collided in the middle of the pathway, all their faces plastered with laugher and joy. She could only stand awkwardly with Nirvana and Fawn, who were both awwing at the three as they rapidly began to converse with each other, catching up on the time they had missed.

She wished she could see one she missed so.

"Rannaska, Rannaska!"

Rannaska blinked, snapping back into reality. The twins were dragging the poor girl over, seemingly eager to introduce her. Eve, however, she quickly learned, was used to dealing with the twins' antics- she slashed both of them in the stomach, leaving them both tumbling to the ground as she walked up to Rannaska and the others herself.

"Hello," she introduced herself, holding out her hand to each of them. "I'm Eve, if you couldn't tell. It's great to finally meet you all."

She shook Rannaska's hand last, and Rannaska noticed how she held eye contact with her sharp blue eyes. Rannaska guessed Gavin wasn't lying when he said she was much prettier in person.