Woo, time for a new chapter! Sorry for not updating earlier, had a plot bunny I needed to get rid of – go give "Past is Present" a read if you haven't already!

Chapter the Second: In which Speeches are delivered, a good Night's Sleep is had, and Students are sent flying.

The two freshmen were awestruck as they stepped into the great auditorium of Beacon Academy. They hurried to their seats as a lanky, bespectacled, and grey-haired man walked up to a microphone onstage.

"Oh! Hold on, please don't start talking yet…" Xander whispered to himself as he started to search for his scroll frantically.

"What're you doing?" asked Flora, looking at her new friend quizzically. Xander had finally found his scroll, aimed it towards the Headmaster of Beacon as he began his speech.

"My brother and I have a theory that Ozpin's speech is the same every year, without alterations. I'm just gonna make a recording to send him so we can confirm it."

"…in search of knowledge, to hone your craft and acquire new…"

"… Wouldn't that be rather obvious?" Flora looked around at the people gathered. Xander smiled back at her.

"Well, times change, so it'd be only logical to have his speeches reflect that change."

"…to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. But I look amongst you, and all I see is wasted…"

"… True. But I still see no real reason for them to change the content of his speeches."

As Professor Ozpin finished his speech, Glynda Goodwitch stepped up to the microphone.

"You will gather in the ballroom tonight; tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed."

They had continued their discussion as they made their way to the ballroom, and were now unpacking their sleeping gear.

"They need to keep the same speeches to show that while most things change, some things will always stay the same. It's metaphorical. They're providing us with an unchanging ground to build ourselves up on, without risking that foundation being yanked away from under our feet."

"Hmm… good point. But I still think some changes are good. You know, to spice thing up a bit."

"Glad to see we've sort of come to an agreement." Flora smiled. Just as she was about to pull her hooded tunic over her head to change into her nightie, she saw Xander space out with his face a distinct reddish hue.

"… Would you mind looking the other way, please? Don't think we're quite that buddy-buddy yet…" Xander blinked as he realised what he'd done.

"Oh, uh, of course…" he turned around and started to fidget with his sleeping bag. When he had dressed down to his underwear and slipped into his bag, he felt it was safe enough to glance back towards Flora.

"Goodnight Flora."

"'Night Xander." The last thing Xander saw before sleep finally overtook his consciousness was a brunette Faunus girl sleeping besides a large sword in its scabbard.

The sun shone brightly as they gathered at Beacon cliffs facing the Emerald Forest. As they took their designated spots on their respective springboards, Professors Ozpin and Glynda Goodwitch started to explain.

"For years, you have trained to become warriors, and today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest." Ozpin began, punctuated with a sip on his ever-present coffee.

"Now, I'm sure many of you have heard rumors about the assignment of 'teams.' Well, allow us to put an end to your confusion. Each of you will be given teammates... today." The gathered students looked each other over at Glynda's words.

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon. So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well." It seemed as if Professor Ozpin couldn't finish one sentence without taking another sip from his cup, a fact Glynda appeared to be well-aware of, judging by the stares she was giving him as he continued their two-man announcement.

"That being said, the first person you make eye contact with after landing will be your partner for the next four years." Once again the students looked around to gauge the others' reactions – the general consensus seemed to be 'what.'

"After you've partnered up, make your way to the northern end of the forest. You will meet opposition along the way. Do not hesitate to destroy everything in your path... or you will die. You will be monitored and graded through the duration of your initiation, but our instructors will not intervene. You will find an abandoned temple at the end of the path containing several relics. Each pair must choose one and return to the top of the cliff. You will guard that item, as well as your standing, and grade you appropriately. Are there any questions?" No answer. Ozpin smiled in approval.

"Good! Now, take your positions." After the students crouched onto their respective springboard, they were launched into the forest one by one, excited shouts and laughs echoed in the air. As Yasmin Meški was launched her ears were pressed down flat against her head by the air pressure, and she scanned the treetops below to get an estimate of her general landing zone. As a particularly large tree trunk got closer and closer she stretched out a hand, crackling with electricity. Piece of cake.

AN: Favour to ask guys – anyone see a noun in the chapter titles for this story that isn't Capitalized, let me know so I can correct that, okay?

Not entirely satisfied with how well I wrote the "Ozpin's-speech-in-the-background" bit… Anyone got ideas on how to better convey that, please share in the review section.

I do not own RWBY, that's RoosterTeeth and Monty Oum.