Chapter Fourteen: Teams

Hospitals always perturbed Pyrrha. The uniformly white walls, the doctors who seemed to never change their tone of voice, the almost inhumanly clean rooms that seemed devoid of habitation... it agitated her. She'd seen her fair share of them; Pyrrha Nikos had attended a hunter's school before Beacon after all, she had been in the tournament circuit for a number of years. It was only natural that she'd been in a few of them; admittedly usually she wasn't the one being admitted into them, in most cases, but the point stood that she had seen a lot of them.

In this particular instance Pyrrha was occupying a room at Beacon Academy's infirmary. Perhaps not a hospital, but the similarities are startlingly, she idly noted as she stared at the uniformly white walls. In truth, Pyrrha was not particularly injured, her dislocated arm being healed by her Aura before even reaching the Academy proper. However being swallowed by a Grimm for a few hours meant she was going to be stuck in the infirmary regardless, for 'observation'.

Could be worse; I didn't lose anything, and I even got Milo back… Pyrrha's eyes started to roam the mostly featureless room for the twentieth time. I just wonder when they are going to let me out of the observation room…

There had been cases in the past of a human or Faunus being swallowed by a Grimm and surviving. Usually their stay was brief and did not include passing out in the beast's stomach, unlike Pyrrha. While the doctors had deemed her 'fit', they had still asked her to stay in the observation room for a few hours.

By Pyrrha's count it had been nearly four hours since she had emerged from the cave and been saved by Ruby, Weiss and Nora. After the rescue, and Weiss' stomach emptying itself, the four of them had trekked off to the cliffs, meeting up with Ren, Yang, Jaune and Blake along the way. Comments aside on how Pyrrha smelled, the return trip to the academy was far less eventful then the venture out of it, only encountering a few beowolves along the way. She even was able to regenerate enough aura to fix her shoulder without further straining herself.

Pyrrha glanced at one of the few features in the room, a wall mounted analog clock. 7:42

I wonder when someone is going to bring some food... as much as I'm glad for not eating much in the morning, I'm getting hungry. Pyrrha sighed at the impatient thought as her stomach rumbled. At the very least I wish they'd let me get out of this room to shower. I must still smell awful-it even made Weiss puke.

15 + 9 Perception Skill modifier + 3 WIS modifier = 27. Successful Perception check! You have beaten the DC 10 check!

Turning her head to glance at the door, Pyrrha nearly jumped as it opened to reveal a white clad doctor walking towards her with discharge papers. As the doctor handed Pyrrha the papers to sign, she couldn't help but notice a red clad figure peeking through the open doorway.

Signing for her release, Pyrrha gave a small wave as she walked towards her partner, exiting the observation room. "Hello again Ruby!" Pyrrha said cheerily; glad to be finally out of the featureless room.

Instead of a greeting, Ruby forced a plate into Pyrrha's hands, a plate of…cookies? "I got you get-well cookies!"

Pyrrha cocked an eyebrow in amusement, "I think I am better now, shoulder feels fine and the doctors just discharged m-" Pyrrha felt a soft impact as she was pulled into a hug. Not a bone crushing, soul rending, mortal breaking hug that Nora gave out, but a decidedly less bone crushing hug. Pyrrha returned the hug as best as she could, given she was still holding a plate full of cookies.

However the hug did not last long as Ruby pulled away, giving the older girl a odd stare. Pyrrha's head tilted as her partner just stared at her. "Um…I'm sorry?"

Party member succeeded their Constitution check!



"I…um….um…you sorta…smell…umm…."

Realization dawned on Pyrrha, after all she still hadn't gotten the smell of Grimm guts off her. Giving a soft chuckle, "I must smell awful."

"Yea kinda…" Ruby's eyes opened wide as she backpedaled, "I mean it's not like you smell that bad, its not that awful, it just sorta smells like dead things, it's not that bad! I mean you only caused Weiss to puk-"

"EXCUSE ME!" A high pitch voice called from around a corner, a white figure stalking around it, "I'll have you know that it was because I had food poisoning not some," Weiss waved her hands as if dismissing the very notion, "some… some smel-!"

Party member has partially failed their Constitution check!

Weiss stopped in her tracks as her hand went over her nose, her voice stopping mid-word as she tried to hold in her stomach contents. A blonde mass of hair popped around the corner, "Is vomit girl making a reappearance? I got my scroll ready this time!" The white haired girl gave an ice cold glare at her.

As Pyrrha watched Yang tease Weiss, it became prudent that perhaps she really should take a shower sooner than later? As hungry as I am, it'd be inconsiderate to keep smelling like…this. A new thought occurred to Pyrrha as she looked around the small waiting room. Where is my armour anyway? The moment I got here they had me change into a hospital gown. Turning to Ruby, "Where did they put my armour? I'm afraid I can't recall what happened to them… "

"Oh! Um they put your clothes in a locker uh… over there!" Ruby pointed to small changing room. Taking a quick peek at it, Pyrrha noticed an unexpected boon; a shower in the changing room!

o0o0o0o0o

"All I'm saying is that airship food is of somewhat…lesser quality and in a moment of…weakness, I ate some of it." Weiss defended her reactions to the others. Not that anyone was really buying it. Even Nora didn't think what Weiss was saying was the truth.

"Suurrrrreeee, and the food poisoning only appears when you are around Pyrrha I take it?" Yang egged her on.

As the two nosily bickered, a newly cleaned Pyrrha chatted with her partner.

"So what all have you been up to since they put me in the room? Did they give out team assignments yet?"

Ruby shook her head, "Nope!" popping the p, "I think we are waiting until the last pair come back? I think?" Pyrrha nodded for to continue, "Um, Yang dragged me to the cafeteria, that's where I got the cookies!" Ruby held up the plate of them for emphasis. Pyrrha blinked in surprise for a moment. Oh right that was a thing that Ruby got for me… where did it go?

A party member has succeeded their Sleight of Hand check!

The sound of someone eating nosily behind the two redheads made it obvious, as Nora nosily consumed the baked goods. Ruby stared despondently at the display of gluttony, "B-b-but those were for Pyrrha…."

Pyrrha barely notice the sudden silence from the front of the group before Yang pulled Ruby's hood over the startled girl's head. "Ruby y'kno-"

Tear

Pyrrha watched as a expression of horror dawned on Yang's face as a small hole in the hood turned into a massive one; the hood tearing open. Not enough to tear it in half but enough to cause a large hole in the middle of it. Isn't that where Milo pinned the Ruby…oh…oh shit, Pyrrha realized guiltily.

One of the saddest expressions Pyrrha had ever seen was being personified by Ruby as she looked at Yang.

A party member has succeeded their Charisma check!



A party member has failed a Charisma check!



"Yanggg!"Ruby drawled as her arms pinwheeled in almost comical anger.

The girl in question started to back up as the shorter sister seemed to tower over her. "i-i-it was an accident I swe-"

A brief burst of static filled the hallways of the academy followed by the intercom system turning on, "Team assignments will begin in ten minutes, please make your way to the auditorium."

Ruby gave a quick menace filled glare at her sister before dragging Pyrrha off to the auditorium.

o0o0o0o0o

The eight teens walked into the auditorium, joining the mass of people who were already there, as more people flowed into the room from behind them. By no means was the room packed, but it was more crowded than it had been during the headmaster's arrival speech. As Pyrrha glanced around, she could see older students mixed in amongst the crowd, most of them staying to the rear of the room or on the upper level.

Pyrrha was pulled out of her musings by the sound of coughing and the idle chatter that had prevailed throughout the students dimming suddenly. Headmaster Ozpin had taken the stage. Oddly enough with professor Goodwitch nowhere in sight, the first time Pyrrha had seen him without her.

"Those who stand in front of me have retrieved the relics thereby surviving initiation. By passing initiation they have received the right to enter Beacon formally as students and not just applicants." Giving a soft tap with his cane, two large projection screens flared to life above the stage behind him lit up, both of them blank white.

"That being said, as you all are aware, you have received a partner but not a team assignment yet. Let me rectify that." Another tap of his cane and the dual screens change, with four blank portrait images filling it.

"Russel Thrush. Cardin Winchester. Dove Bronzewing. Sky Lark." Scattering amounts of applause as four teen boys slowly make their way to the stage. "The four of you retrieved the black bishop pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team CRDL, led by... Cardin Winchester!"

Wait a second… As the first four students walked down from the stage, Pyrrha started to eye her new friends. If groups of partners were being paired with those who had matching chess pieces, it'd mean which ever partnership had a White Knight would be Ruby and Pyrrha's other half of the team. It really can't be THAT simple… can it?

It seemed to be as Pyrrha watched the ceremony continue. Every group that was called up had collected matched pieces. The number of uncalled freshmen thinned until it was just a handful left.

"Lie Ren. Weiss Schnee. Nora Valkyrie. Yang Xiao Long." The two partner groups looked at each other, one of the biggest smiles Pyrrha had ever seen stretched Nora's face as she skipped to the front of the stage, while her partner took the development with a more expressionless face. Ren however, had a grin on his face. Perhaps not a big one, but considering how much he seems to show expressions, he must be pretty happy. Yang's face held interest as she looked over Nora and Weiss with renewed curiosity.

Waiting for the four of them to take the stage, Ozpin continued. "The four of you retrieved the White Rook pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team Winter." On the overhead screen the initials flashed to WYNR. "Led by…" Ozpin paused for a moment, as if to let it sink in, "Weiss Schnee!"

Weiss barely got time to react to the announcement before being pulled into Nora's arms along with Ren, in what Pyrrha could only assume was a double Nora hug, which was joined by Yang yelling "team hug!" and joining the hug. Ozpin raised an eyebrow before Nora and Yang let go and the other two got to breathe. It was amusing to watch Weiss go tomato red with anger yet not scold her partner or new teammate as they left the stage.

Looking around, Pyrrha knew that her and Ruby's turn had to be next. There weren't many un-teamed freshmen left. Besides us, Blake and Jaune, there really aren't that many le-

"And finally; Jaune Arc. Blake Belladonna." Pyrrha watched as the awkward blond teen walked towards the stage, followed by his partner. "Pyrrha Nikos. Ruby Rose." Pyrrha's eyes widened as she realized her and Ruby were being called up. It looks like we're going to be on the same team then? Pyrrha mulled over the thought as she hurried forward. Both Jaune and Blake seem like good people. Blake is pretty skilled from what I saw and Jaune doesn't seem too shabby either.

A new thought occurred to Pyrrha as walked towards the headmaster, hands clasped behind her; who will be the team leader? She gave a brief glance at her new teammates. Blake seems quiet but maybe she is really good with people? Jaune seems to be easy to get along with, perhaps easier then Blake? In truth Pyrrha couldn't remember a single time Blake had actually talked directly at Pyrrha.

Ruby on the other hand seemed to be the most take charge of the group, albeit reckless if Pyrrha was being honest. She seems… inexperienced. While having a lot of skill sure, Pyrrha had witnessed her skill with her absurdly huge weapon, but she still seemed to lack practical experience.

That would leave…me? Pyrrha started to panic at the thought. From what little she had gathered about her new teammates, she seemed to be the logical choice; she was experienced, and already of some note before coming here. It would be natural to pick me. The thought of being a team leader did not set well with Pyrrha.

"The four of you retrieved the White Knight pieces. From this day forward, you will work together as Team Raspberry." Above them, the screens showed the four letters 'RAPB'. "Led by…"

"Ruby Rose!"

It wasn't me? Pyrrha couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought.

A fury of activity erupted.

The quest alert pinged twice. An elated Pyrrha gave Ruby a playful punch to the shoulder. A punch meant to signal 'good job'. In her excitement, Pyrrha may, if she was being honest with herself, put a bit too much power into it. The consequence was Ruby being knocked not just off her feet, but into Yang. Yang had jumped up on stage to presumably hug Ruby, instead found herself nearly bowled over as her younger sister flew into her.

1 + 9 skill modifier + 3 STR modifier = 13. Critical Failure! You have critically failed at this action with an automatic failure. You have failed the DC 10 Check!

"I'm sorry!"

Mortified, Pyrrha rushed after her partner to help her up, despite Ruby repeating, "I'm fine I'm fi-!", before Yang pulled her into a huge hug. Awkwardly stepping back, Pyrrha notice her new teammates observe with a mixture of amusement on Blake's part and...relief for Jaune. Huh, that's weird. Still, despite several near death experiences, this turned out to be a good day, Pyrrha idly thought as she looked at her new quest alerts.

Quest: Return to Beacon Completed! You have gained 300 Experience, Increased closeness with two fellow students (Jaune Arc, Blake Belladonna), placed on team RAPB and have finished the Initiation Quest chain!

o0o0o0o0o

Quest Chain Alert: Beacon Academy

Quest Sub-chain Alert: First Semester

Having been formally accepted into Beacon Academy, found a partner, Ruby Rose, retrieved a relic, survived Initiation and be made part of Team RAPB (Raspberry). Now

Time Limit: 16 weeks.

Completion Reward: 5,000 experience, Continuation of the 'Beacon Academy' quest chain, Increased ties with Beacon Academy.

Completion Failure: Expulsion, Decreased ties with Beacon Academy, Decreased closeness with team.

Omake IX

"Cereal box!" Yang yelled in greeting, "You live! Ho-" her nose scrunched up as she stopped in mid sentence. "What in Oum's name is that smell?!"

Pyrrha guilty looked down at the comment, while Weiss gave a slight glance at her, Ruby sheepishly held her arms out in a clear gesture of 'I don't know?'

Nora was lest tactful; "That's Pyrrha, duhhh! It was so bad that even Weiss barfed!"

Three pairs of eyes turn to Weiss, as she stutters in anger at her partner. One pair however looks at Jaune and then Weiss and back to Jaune.

"So your telling me that there is a vomit girl for vomit boy over here?"

Omake X

By ASouthernRussian

Signing for her release, Pyrrha gave a small wave as she walked towards her partner, exiting the observation room. "Hello again Ruby!" Pyrrha said cheerily; glad to be finally out of the featureless room.

Ruby scanning her up and down, trying to find a single scratch to indicate the massive damage she had sustained in that fight

"...are you even real?"

Barely contained fangirling happens

Ruby continues thinking Pyrrha is the coolest thing since milk and cookies

Omake XI

"EXCUSE ME!" A high pitch voice called from around a corner, a white figure stalking around it, "I'll have you know that it was because I had food poisoning not some," Weiss waved her hands as if dismissing the very notion, "some… some smell!"

Ruby however wasn't paying attention to any of this. Rather she had jumped up and into Pyrrha's arms, and kept repeating "Oh god its happening again, make it stopppp"

Beta: Super Saiyan Cyndaquil

AU: With that the first major story arc is over. Sorry for taking something like a month to get it done, but real life got in the way, followed by me feeling so out of touch with how to write this story. Throw in nearly having to go to the hospital and I've been lacking time.

The next story arc to start shall be within a week; if my schedule sticks anywhere near what I want it to be. Truthfully I've been rather lax on writing this story which irritates me on a personal level.

Quick reminder but a 1 is a instant failure regardless of the outcome of the roll. 20 is instant success. Unless disadvantage and advantage come into play.

With the team names finally HAPPENING, I will probably pick up more on writing the Tabletop adventures story. I've only done one chapter and really need to get my ass on to it.

A special thanks to ASouthernRussian and LittleMissKrahka for help on this chapter!

Next time on Skyros: The Peerless, Pyrrha and Team RAPB get their first day of class! Someone does something stupid! So the usual, SSDD.

AU1: As of May 16th, 2015 Skyros: The Peerless has reached 200 followers.. Thank you everyone!