Chapter 1: Grumpier than a Grimm

Ruby hopped off her perch and elegantly landed on the carpeted floor below. As silently as she could Ruby dug out the small whistle hidden in her pocket, then cautiously raised it to her mouth. With a mischievous glint in her eye and a grin across her lips she leisurely drew in enough air to fill her lungs. She closed her eyes then counted down inwardly.

'One... Two... THREE!'

With all the vigour she could muster Ruby blew into the cold metal opening of the whistle, producing an ear piercing shriek. Almost simultaneously team RWBY leaped out of their beds, Weiss tumbling to the floor in shock and disorientation. "Not the whistle again..." Muttered Blake.

"What is your problem Ruby? It's the last day of school!" Complained Weiss as she struggled to her feet. Ruby began bouncing up and down excitedly. "Exactly! That's why we should make the most out of the day!" Weiss glanced at the old fashioned analogue clock hanging above the door to their room. Leaving a deliberate pause between each word, Weiss sputtered, "It's half five Ruby."

The ice cold glare from Weiss unnerved the younger girl; she looked down towards her feet unable to think of what to say. Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped themselves around Ruby's waist from behind and she was hoisted into the air. "I'm so proud of you sis! Always working hard and making sure we're all at our best!" Yang had noticed Ruby's momentary discomfort with Weiss and was determined to make sure Ruby didn't feel bad about waking everyone up at stupid o'clock in the morning, even if she did currently feel like a walking corpse.

Ruby struggled helplessly until Yang put her down. Ruby regained her composure and smiled thankfully at her older sister. She reached upwards and grabbed her scroll from her bed and read from it. "Today is business like normal until five where we will be attending a special winter solstice dinner. It will be a traditional dinner prepared and masterfully cooked by the finest gourmet chefs in the whole of vale." Ruby's face lit up with the thought of such an exquisite meal, the meat and sauces were sure to be superb, her thoughts were however quickly interrupted. "Thanks for telling us what we already know." Weiss said as she rolled her eyes and folded her arms. Ruby noted that her partner is even more grumpy that usual without her usual beauty sleep.

"What's that?" Exclaimed Blake from over Ruby's shoulder, pointing at an unopened message from Professor Ozpin. The message was addressed to all students in the school.

Good morning to you all,

Today during second period there will be some very special guest speakers coming to Beacon Academy to talk about their experiences and about themselves. The assembly will be in the amphitheatre. Those of you with lessons will of-course be allowed to miss class in order to attend this talk. Make the most of the last day of term, and I hope to see you all for dinner at five tonight.

Ozpin

"I wonder who could be coming." Wondered Blake out loud.

Yang shrugged. "Meh, probably some old war veterans if they're coming here. Nobody interesting."

Weiss seemed to perk up upon hearing this and stomped towards the taller Yang. "What did you say!? Those old war veterans you disregard are heroes and deserve nothing but our utmost respect and admiration. Without them we would be living under Vacuole rule, or perhaps even torn apart and overrun by Grimm. What do you have to say for yourself!?" Weiss pouted and shoved a finger right into Yang's face. In response Yang smiled awkwardly and raised her hands in defence. "Umm, sorry I guess."

Weiss held her glare for a few moments longer then stomped off towards the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. "What's her problem?" Asked Yang.

"I don't think she's an early morning person." Replied Blake jokingly. "Besides, I think we should go. It could be a good learning experience."

Ruby grumbled. "Ugh, I've got a geography lesson second lesson today and I'll take ANY opportunity to skip that." She said whilst simultaneously over exaggerating her facial expressions and arm movements. Yang nodded her approval remembering she was in the same class. Ruby then placed her hands on her hips. "Okay team, let's take thirty minutes to get ready then we'll do some exercises, and then we'll spar a bit before the start of first lesson. I'll fill in Weiss when she eventually gets out the bathroom." Her team mates smiled, and with a sense of purpose Ruby launched her fist into the air. "Go team RWBY!"

Team RWBY spent the early morning running laps around Beacon's stunning and well maintained gardens, and then proceeded to spar with one another. They had already retrieved their weapons and combat attire from their lockers and paired off. Yang against Blake, and Ruby against Weiss. After her typical lukewarm shower Weiss was in a much better mood, reverting back to her standard calm but irate demeanour. After their melee the girls hurriedly returned to their dorms to retrieve and change into their uniforms, then made their way to the cafeteria. Team JNPR were already sitting in their usual seats and team RWBY joined them. "Good morning!" Bellowed Nora. "Morning." Replied the members of team RWBY with differing levels of enthusiasm. "Did you guys get the message about the special speakers?" Asked Jaune with a quizzical look on his face.

"Of-course we did!" Declared Ruby.

"Are you guys going?" Jaune asked again.

"Yes," Said Blake. "We figured it would be a good learning experience."

Pyrrha looked amused. "That doesn't sound like Ruby or Yang to me." She smiled as she cupped both hands around her mug and sipped her coffee, Pyrrha's emerald green eyes shifting between the two sisters. "No, unfortunately it doesn't." Weiss remarked.

Nora sprung to her feet and grabbed both Ruby and Yang by the collar. "Who are you and what have you done with our friends!?" Nora's eyes bolted between the two waiting for a reply.

"Calm down girlfriend." Replied Yang with another awkward smile on her face, ungrappling Nora's hand and slowly pushing it away. "It's us. We're just going so we can get out of lesson."

"Ohhhh." Exclaimed Nora, pushing a finger to her lips. "That makes sense!" She plonked herself back on her chair and continued devouring her bread roll.

Ren piped up. "I'm personally eager to see who professor Ozpin invited to come speak. If he requested them personally they must be worth our time." The group pondered for a second then nodded in agreement. "Gee Ren, I think that's the most I've ever heard you talk."Ruby said bursting into laughter; Ren just chuckled quietly and continued eating his sandwich.