Adam was having trouble staying awake. He kept nodding as Professor Port droned on about some adventure he'd had in his youth. The man had an almost hypnotic effect, but it would occasionally be spoiled by a sudden exclamation. If he hadn't known any better, he'd have thought the man was doing it on purpose. Adam glanced around the room from time to time and was not surprised to see many of the other students were having the same problem. He glanced at his syllabus and flipped to the pages it indicated for assigned reading. Grimm Studies was something he'd learned from experience more than anything else, and he was rather disappointed with the material. He even skipped ahead, hoping that the early chapters were merely a beginner's primer. Apart from some variants he'd never personally encountered, most of the book covered creatures and strategies that he was already familiar with.

He closed the book with a quiet thump and noted that while this might be the dullest classroom he would find himself in, it would also be the easiest. Professor Port disabused him of that notion somewhat when he called on the class to 'demonstrate' the traits of a huntsman. Several hands went up, including his, but Weiss felt the need to voice her confidence in a grating voice. For some reason she sounded more irritated than usual, though Adam wasn't sure how that was even possible. The professor quirked an eyebrow, and waved a hand to his right, inviting her to show them exactly that. A section of the floor opened up, and a large cage rose up from below. Many of the students made startled noises, and even Adam was taken aback at the bestial noises that came from within.

The man was clearly unbothered in the least, and launched into an explanation as Weiss left to retrieve her weapon and equipment. This was not only to be a theoretical class, but also a practical one as well. By the semester's end, everyone in the class would be facing all of the common Grimm. Furthermore, the time would not be spent exclusively in the school. Field trips would be part of the semester final, the goal of which would be to scout for and destroy Grimm in the nearby forest. Adam could not decide if the man was a genius or merely insane. Of course, the idea didn't bother him all that much, but he looked around at the other kids in the room. Some of them looked like they could handle it, but more than a few definitely did not, at least not individually. It was a good thing they were organized into teams.

By the time Weiss had returned, Professor Port had finished going over the particulars. Adam noticed that Ruby had switched from doodling to taking notes, which she placed in front of her partner's vacant seat. The heiress stepped down onto the lecture floor, and the professor took his weapon down from the wall. It was a wicked looking battle-axe, but had a blunderbuss instead of a simple handle. He and his other teammates cheered Weiss on as the madman released a Boarbatustk from its sturdy confines. The fight didn't last long – the creature wasn't nearly as large as some of the specimens he'd fought. He didn't fail to notice the definite tension between Weiss and their leader.

The pale girl left the classroom in a huff, and Ruby rushed after her. Yang looked at him and shook her head before getting up to follow the rest of the students out. Adam reached over and took the papers and books that Weiss had left behind in her rush to leave, and waited for everyone else to clear out. He made his way to the blackboard where the portly man was hanging up his weapon above.

He gave the axe blade a little pat and turned to leave. "Ah, Mr. Taurus! Is there something I can help you with?"

Adam squared his shoulders and said, "There is, sir. I was wondering if there might be some more advanced training for the class." He held up the book to illustrate his point. "Is there more to it than what's in here?"

"Hmmm," the man mused. "Are you suggesting that you're bored already?" he asked the question with raised eyebrows. Adam froze upon hearing the question; he realized that he might have just insulted a seasoned huntsman.

"Oh, uh, no sir," he stammered. "It's just that I spent a lot of time in the wilderness the last year and…" He trailed off, wondering how to phrase what he wanted to say without coming off as arrogant. Talking to people was never really his strong suit, unless they were Blake or people he was giving orders to. "I've encountered almost every type of Grimm in the book, and a few that aren't." Despite his intent, Professor Port's serious face did not diminish. He gave it one last shot. "I didn't mean to suggest I didn't have anything to learn, Professor."

"Mister Taurus, I appreciate that you went to such lengths to prepare for your time here. It also pleases me that you are eager to learn, but, it's only been one day. Patience is a virtue, after all, and will serve you well if you graduate from these hallowed halls. It would behoove you to learn a little of that. Demonstrate that you can do this, tend to your studies, and perhaps we can revisit your desire for more challenging fare."

The rebuff took Adam by surprise, but he recovered well enough. "Of course, sir, I'll do my best."

The man nodded. "I'm certain that you will indeed, Mister Taurus. Now, if I'm not mistaken, you have somewhere to be, do you not?" he asked, striding past without waiting for a reply. Adam frowned, but nodded and excused himself. The brusque demeanor of the Professor was quite unlike it was during class. Had he been that offended by the question? He shook his head and tried to put it out of his mind as he climbed the stairs between the desks. When he passed through the doorway, Yang was leaned up against the column next to it.

"Hey there, partner! What was that all about?"

Adam smirked and shook his head. "Looking for some extra credit, I guess he doesn't really do that." He looked up and down the hall. "Ruby and Weiss?" he asked, trying to change the subject. If Yang had any grief for his 'teacher's pet' attempt, she didn't rib him for it. Instead she shook her head and jerked it down the hall, and then started walking in that direction.

"Those two," she grumbled. "Weiss is a prickly one, and Ruby is all too eager. I hope they figure it out." So did he: The prospect of having to listen to the two girls bicker did not infuse him with any enthusiasm. Maybe it might seem amusing from the outside, but it wouldn't when he had to live with it day after day. "I guess we'll hafta wait and see if their ears need boxing." She shrugged and kept walking. "What about you? You think we might have to step in and get them to play nice?"

He shook his head and moved his hand around in a circle, palm facing down. "This is something they both need to figure out. Weiss has already shown herself to be a little less typical than I'd expect from a Schnee. Ruby, on the other hand…" He looked over at his partner, trying to decide where the line between family and honesty lay for her. He had no personal reference. "I know she's your sister, Yang, but she's got some growing up to do. You would know better than me, though."

Yang considered his words and conceded the point. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I just don't want to listen to it for too long. Dorm room drama is the worst." She looked at him sideways. "Come on, Adam, you're thinking it." She emphasized her point by bumping her shoulder into his arm, causing him to sway.

"Maybe we can come up with some kind of rules, like take arguments outside or do a separate corners kind of thing." Ruby would probably agree with it, but Weiss might take some convincing. Yang let him know what she thought by rolling her eyes. "What?"

"Don't take all the fun out of it, man." She looked like she had an alternative suggestion when his scroll chimed. He drew it from his pocket and pulled it open to find a message from Professor Goodwitch. Yang leaned over to see what it was. At first he was annoyed by her pushing into his personal space and almost said something, then decided to give her a playful shove instead. She laughed, and he held it out so they could both see.

"Wow, you're already getting called to the carpet? We haven't even had a class with her yet." She gave him a mischievous leer. "Unless it's something else, eh, partner?" He scoffed at her lewd suggestion and put the scroll away.

"I doubt that. Even if in some whacko universe that were the case, she's not really my type."

"Oh really? What's wrong with her, is she too old? Too tall?"

"Too blonde," he said with a hint of humor.

His golden-haired partner raised a hand toward her face. "Hey, you take that back! What have you got against blondes?" Her tone dripped with mockery. "Or do you just prefer your girls dark and stormy." The image of Blake in one of her rages came unbidden, forcing a bitter laugh between his lips. "Did I say something wrong?"

"I really don't want to talk about it, and I need to discuss my semblance with Goodwitch. I'll catch up with you guys later." He held up a fist and she bumped it, her face inscrutable.

"Alright, see ya!" She made a right turn and he stopped for a moment and reversed direction. As he turned, he caught Yang looking over her shoulder at him. He pretended not to notice the calculating look and gave her a final wave, which she returned. As he made his way back to the combat wing, he hoped she would respect his privacy, but he doubted it. As he walked down the hall, he passed Professor Ozpin, who gave him a polite nod, but kept moving in the opposite direction. Adam returned the nod, and came upon Ruby a few steps later. His team leader seemed lost in thought, but she brightened at his approach.

"Hey, Adam! Where are you headed off to? Don't you have a free period now?" Her enthusiasm at the prospect showed, and he grinned as she fell in step next to him. Given the snooze-inducing hour they'd just left behind, he didn't blame her.

"Goodwitch wants to see me about my semblance, so not anymore." At that response, Ruby frowned. "It isn't a big deal. I'm sure she just wants to make sure that I won't hurt anyone else on accident." He doubted that it would be a problem. He and Master Skrin had worked long and hard to ensure that he had complete control when it came to overrun strikes. Nobody had ever gotten hurt, though there had been one or two close calls with Blake.

"I suppose that makes sense," Ruby replied, sounding dubious. Adam couldn't help but feel like she was distracted. "You want some backup? I hear she can be scary."

Considering where he'd come from, the thought made him laugh a little. "Nah, that's okay, boss. I'm sure it will be fine." Ruby opened her mouth, and he went on before she could protest. "What about you? Do you think you'll be able to work things out with Weiss?" They drew up to Professor Goodwitch's classroom and stopped in front of the open double-doors. The question caused the girl to pause and consider briefly.

"I don't know, Adam. She isn't happy that I was made team leader. I'm not sure why, though." She looked up at him and hugged her arms around herself. "Do you think Ozpin made the right decision?" He felt a twinge of pity for the girl. Being put in charge of anything could be a daunting responsibility, one that he'd experienced himself numerous times. He thought back to conversations he'd had with Blake on the matter. She may have turned to darkness, but that didn't mean it invalidated her experience. He didn't see the harm in passing some of that advice along.

"Ruby," he said, placing a gloved hand on her shoulder, "I think you'll do fine. The important thing to remember is that there's more to leadership than telling people what to do or hatching plans on the fly. Knowing your teammates and what they're capable is only part of it." He smiled in order to soften the blow that he was about to deliver. "You were admitted two years early, so you will have to work extra hard. Take it seriously, apply yourself, and I'm sure Weiss will come around." They had better be able to settle their differences, anyway. They were all going to be in for a long four years, if not.

He dropped his hand and Ruby smiled up at him. "Thanks, Adam. I'll do my best not to let you guys down. Any advice on how to stay awake during Professor Port's class?" She waggled her eyebrows at him, and he chuckled. He was about to say something when Professor Goodwitch startled them both. She had come to the doorway without either of them noticing.

"Miss Rose, you're holding up your teammate. If you wouldn't mind, he and I need to discuss an important matter."

"Oh, of course, professor - sorry! I'll catch up with you later, Adam." Ruby gave them both a wave and dashed off in a flurry of rose petals. The blonde teacher looked around at the mess in annoyance and pulled out her crop. She gave it a casual wave and a wind blew them all into a nearby trashcan. Adam decided that it wasn't worth telling her that they'd disappear on their own. When she had finished cleaning up the mess, she motioned for him to follow her inside.

A/N - Hey guys! Sorry this took so long to get posted! New job, new schedule, but on the plus side, now I'll have more time to write! Some of you have been asking to see more original story and less retread. This chapter is an attempt to do that, and the next chapter promises to do the same. You'll notice there are still bits of the show, but I did my best to shift focus away from it. Does it need to go farther, or did I find a good balance? Let me know, and as always, thanks for reading!