Beacon Academy – Dormitory, early morning.

“It seems our team is still lacking in the teamwork department.” Said Weiss to Ruby as they got ready in the bathroom for their vacation trip. “I kept reflecting on the battle yesterday and there isn’t any other way you can look at it, we have a serious problem with coordination. I want to believe you understand that this is your problem as team leader Ruby, but sometimes I wonder. Be that as it may, I haven’t forgotten when we took down that Nevermore during our entrance exam. I think we should do some training so that we can draw out that kind of team syncing more easily. As it happens Sapang Island has training facilities so I propose that in our spare time we have training camp activities at those facilities. Of course Ruby you get the final say in this. Also Ruby … You’re using my toothpaste.”

Weiss was wondering why Ruby had not said a word during this. As it turned out Ruby’s mouth was full of bubbles from brushing her teeth.

Vale Harbour – Late morning.

“This will be the first time us four will be traveling together.”

As the ship set sail, leaning against the handrails on the deck of the ship and gazing out to the sea. Yang speaks with her sister Ruby.

“Ruby, as it’s our first trip together we need to make sure to make some great memories! As such, I made sure to check up on some pamphlets before we left, look at this picture! The beach looks so beautiful! And the ocean is so blue it’s almost scary! We have to go here first. We are going here, right? I worked hard picking this swimsuit, also there are so many activities written here. There’s … snorkeling, diving, glass floor boat ride and a super jet ski banana boat …. super jet ski banana boat? What kind of weird activity is that? Anyway, at the hotel, everything is pretty much automated. Does that mean room service will have a machine deliver it to us? Well, I guess that doesn’t matter.”

“It wasn’t that Ruby wasn’t listening to her sister Yang, but from the top deck of the ship, Ruby’s attention was stolen by the view she had of the ocean.”

“Look Sis, over there! A dolphin!”

“Really? Where? OMG, it’s so cute.”

PART 2

“…..Huh?”

After making a racket on the decks with her sister, Ruby returned back into the ship and while washing her hands in the washroom, she came to the realization of a problem.

When thinking of what to do once they arrive, she remembered Yang’s talk of the variety of activities at the Beach. But Weiss also had plans for their team from this morning.

When thinking about this logically it comes down to this.

1. Weiss wants everyone to train.

2. Yang wants everyone to enjoy and play around.

3. And the two probably won’t be receptive to each other’s ideas.

Ya, they’ll definitely argue with each other.

In fact, Ruby just realized she hasn’t really talked about what their activities were once they arrived. Yesterday, she got caught up in the excitement of receiving these tickets from the man who said he was in charge of the SIC exhibition event, and just came along without thinking much about it.

What to do. If I make this trip into a training camp will Yang go along with it? On the other hand, if I shut down the idea of training will Weiss agree with that? Both decisions are troublesome, Yang doesn’t compromise when it comes to enjoying herself, and Weiss is a rigid and studious ice queen.

Groaning as she walked along the corridors, Ruby eventually ended up back at the lounge.

The lounge held many people that wanted to avoid the strong winds and blazing sun of the decks. Originally thinking they were the only people invited to Sapang Island, it turns out the ship was full of guests also heading there.

Standing there Ruby saw the figure of Blake sitting at a table by the window, her black hair fluttering in the wind looking out at the ocean with a quiet expression.

“Blake”

Hearing Ruby beside her, Blake turned her silent gaze to her leader.

There were no signs of joy in those beautiful amber eyes, no signs of excitement at their upcoming resort trip. Ruby, wanting to draw out a little bit of happiness from her teammate, starts cheerfully talking to Blake.

“Wouldn’t it be better to look at the ocean on deck? Yang’s practically stuck to the handrails outside.”

“It’s ok.”

It was short and blunt, but not all unexpected from Blake. It was perhaps not the ocean Blake was looking out at, but what was inside herself.

Unable to hold it off any longer, Ruby finally asked the question that she has been thinking about ever since the start of their vacation.

“I’m sorry if I’m wrong, but … you’re worried about the White Fang aren’t you?”

Blake didn’t immediately respond.

Blake Belladonna, she had just recently revealed to her teammates her secret and her past. She is a Faunus, an outsider, she hides her cat ears behind the bow on her head. Not only that, she had been part of an extremist group known as the “White Fang.” A radical group that took up arms in their fight to achieve Faunus rights.

The incident that the White Fang was behind, the incident that revealed Blake’s secret to her teammates, Ruby had thought that the problem had been resolved.

After a long silence finally, Blake calmly said these words.

“Everything’s ok, team leader.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“Then you should start enjoying yourself!”

Ruby had come to a decision regarding their activities when they arrive at the island. Like Yang said this trip was about having fun, to make their comrades forget their troubles.

“Yang told me that the beach is beautiful! There’s also going to be diving and a banana boat, a really cool banana boat and ….. uh, what else did she say.”

“I hate getting wet.”

Blake strikes back with words that ring coldly through the air. Yet afterward Blake held an expression that seemed surprised she had said such things. Ruby, however, looked like she wanted to run away in tears.

Breaking her gaze away, Blake takes up the same posture as before staring out into the ocean.

“… Weiss was looking for you, something about what we plan on doing on the island.”

“Ok …. got it.”

Ruby not knowing what else to say decides to leave the lounge and Blake behind.

Just as she was about to leave, she takes one hopeful glance back, but Blake stayed there, continuing to look out at the expansive ocean.

PART 3

The ferry to Sapang Island was a far larger ship than Weiss had initially imagined it being. The ship was full of guests and the corridors were filled with both humans and Faunus.

Weiss took this opportunity to not only look for Ruby but also take a tour of this large ship. Since SIC seemed like it had a different philosophy towards business, Weiss, being the heiress of the Schnee Dust Company, was quite curious.

When one talks about technology and industrial advances, especially in the areas of drones, one name comes to mind, Atlas. Of the four kingdoms, Atlas truly stands above the rest in this regard, at least this is what Weiss wholeheartedly believes in regarding her homeland.

However the many kinds animal-type drones at the exhibition yesterday had caught Weiss’s attention. While drones that simulated animal behaviour exists in Atlas, Atlas did not have nearly as much variety as what she saw yesterday.

‘While they are still quite ways from overtaking Atlas in technology, this company in Vale actually might stand a chance to do so. I really should report this to Winter.’ Thought Weiss.

While Weiss was evaluating SIC in a not very student like fashion, someone taps her shoulder from behind.

Turning around Weiss couldn’t help but raise her voice a little.

“Pyrrha!? You’re here?” Standing before her was the red-haired Amazon with her hair in her famous ponytail. Surprised yet also excited, Weiss grasps the hand of the redhead in front of her.

“Are you going to Sapang Island too?”

“Yes, team JNPR are all going.”

“Wow! What a coincidence that we’re both going!”

Pyrrha could only put up a strained smile at the excited Weiss who never stopped squeezing her hands.

“Ah, Weiss … does that mean you were at the SIC exhibition yesterday?”

“Yes, our entire team was … Oh, that reminds me Jaune was there as well. Does that mean you guys got the same kind of invitation we did? That’s it isn’t it!”

Having deducted how this ‘coincidence’ happened Weiss gives a nod to herself but then notices that Pyrrha had put on a sad smile, one that she seems to have much practice doing.

“Pyrrha? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing ….”

It was then while Weiss was trying to understand Pyrrha’s look that a loud boisterous “Ahhhhhhh” came from behind her. Of all the people that Weiss knew, there could only be one person that could make such an insane sound.

“Pyrrha!? Why are you here? Is Jaune here also? How about Ren and Nora?” Shouted Ruby as she came running down the hallway.

“They’re also here.”

“Wow! What are the chances!?”

“…. I have to go, Jaune kinda got sick once he the ship started moving.”

Pyrrha turned to leave and Ruby looked like she was about to follow but Weiss then grabs her arm to stop her.

“Perfect, I was just looking for you. I wanted to talk to you about some plans I came up for the training that we’ll be doing.”

From out of nowhere Weiss pulls out a stack of papers and gives it to Ruby.

“Here is a list of problems that our team have in terms of coordination. Over here is a training schedule that I came up with, also here is are some formations that I thought might be nice to try out. Also here …”

“Ok, ok, Weiss stop! How much did you make!?”

Hearing the loud complaint from Ruby, Weiss brings her face close to her leader’s.

“Have you forgotten? The Vytal Festival is happening at the end of the year, the world’s largest, toughest, and most important tournament, it’s obvious that we need to prepare for it. As team leader, you should start thinking of some ideas to improve our teamwork before the summer vacation’s end. Got it?”

Ruby steps back from the menacing aura that Weiss extruded, she never thought her teammate would be so serious when it came to summer homework. Frantically Ruby tries to change the subject.

“First … First of all, we should go ask what Blake and Yang think about this training …”

“I’ve already talked to Blake,” responded Weiss triumphantly. “She happily agreed to my plan, I’m sure Yang will understand as well.”

Faced with the complete confidence that Weiss had, Ruby couldn’t say anything back.

‘…. Who knows, maybe if Weiss and Yang talk to each other, it’ll make it easier to change one of their opinions.’ Thought Ruby optimistically as she and Weiss returned back to the ship deck where Yang was.