Adam stood apart from the other students when the airship took off. He took a place by the window and observed them in the reflection as he appeared to stare out across the city. Tukson had warned him that Beacon trained their students in teams of four, which he dimly remembered hearing about a long time ago. He hadn't expected that the teams would share quarters, and that it was potentially co-ed. The thought did not appeal; he was used to a certain amount of personal space. It wasn't too late, he supposed. He could always dive out of the compartment and swim back to Vale. The flight was uneventful, though he did take note of a blonde kid suffering from a bout of air sickness. Hopefully he wouldn't be paired up with that one.

The flight wasn't a long one. Adam snorted at Professor Goodwitch's speech about an 'incredible' time of peace. He hadn't experience much of that so-called peace in the last several years. Then again, he was partially to blame for it, so maybe that wasn't much of an argument after all. He waited for everyone else to disembark after docking before exiting the craft himself. The grounds were well manicured and clean. People milled about the walkways, but most were making their way to the concert hall. He was about to join his fellow students when a pair of girls started arguing. Well, one of them was arguing, anyway. He slowed his steps and stopped short.

Adam recognized Weiss Schnee immediately. The Schnee Dust company was a frequent target for the White Fang. He was certain that the heiress was safe enough here at Beacon, but was surprised that her family had allowed her to come in the first place. He didn't recognize the other girl. She was clad in a red and black combat skirt, matching boots, and wore a bright red cape. He knew the look of embarrassment that came with the scolding, which she was currently on the receiving end of. The Schnee girl had taken a bottle from one of the many cases strewn about the ground. She was shaking it to emphasize her point, causing a cloud of red dust spread. He took a step back when the dark-haired girl ignited it with a sneeze.

The Fire Dust bottle came sailing out of the cloud of smoke. He couldn't get clear in time, so he leaned forward caught it. The snow-haired girl continued to berate the other girl, who tried to apologize. The tongue lashing continued, and the more Adam listened, the more convinced he became that she was little more than a spoiled brat. The dark-haired girl finally stood up for herself as he approached.

"Hey, I said I was sorry, princess!" Schnee opened her mouth to continue her tirade, but Adam had heard quite enough.

"Actually, she's not a princess. I can understand your confusion, though." They both turned to look at him. "Weiss Schnee, heiress-apparent to the Schnee Dust Company."

"Finally, some recognition!" she said with a haughty flip of her hair. Oh, he might be here to repay a debt, but her family had just as much – probably more – to answer for.

"I wouldn't be so proud of that. Your family's wealth has been built on the backs of virtual slave labor, hand in hand with some rather… questionable partners." Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed as they drifted up to his horns. If she had a retort, she wisely kept it to herself. She chose instead to hold out her hand.

"My Dust, if you please." He looked down at the bottle, then tossed it up into the air a couple of times. Her eyes widened slightly as they followed it up and down. Good – at least she had some sense.

"Finders keepers, Ice Queen," he said. She grunted in disgust. "If you can't manage to hold on to your things, then you shouldn't be surprised when someone else comes along and takes them." Her eyes had narrowed again, but her jaw had dropped open in utter shock. He doubted anyone had ever spoken to her like that in her entire pampered life. "I'll tell you what, though: If you apologize to…" he looked at the young girl. She had been staring at him, but gave herself a shake.

"Oh! Ruby, Ruby Rose!" She stuck her hand out. He looked at it for a moment before returning his gaze to the Schnee girl. Ruby's face reddened as she curled her fingers and shoved it behind her back.

"If you apologize to Ruby for losing your temper over a simple misunderstanding, I might be inclined to return your property." She looked between him and Ruby twice, suspicion written all over her face.

"Of all the nerve!" she spat, spinning on her heel and walking away. Adam shrugged and pocketed the bottle. Ruby turned to shout after her, promising to make it up to the heiress somehow. She started to say something to him, but he had already turned to walk away. That pride was unsurprising, coming from the Schnee girl. The popular rumor was that the whole family were all bigots, and completely unrepentant ones at that. He needed some time to cool off before joining the auditorium, so he made his way down a garden path. He felt a little bad, leaving Ruby hanging like that, but she seemed like a tough kid. She'd get over it.

The orientation meeting had gone about like he had expected it would. Brief and dull, though the Headmaster did try to impress on the student the importance of knowing the difference between knowing something and putting it into practice. Some probably found it insulting to be referred to as wasted energy, but Adam understood what the man had been trying to say.

They were released with the suggestion that they familiarize themselves with the campus, which he full took advantage of. There were quite a few buildings. He located the dormitories, but did not go inside, and did the same with the classrooms. The library was a massive affair, and he spent most of the morning inside. This would have been a favorite place for Blake, he was certain. In addition to the seemingly endless rows of bookshelves, there were also Link terminals, but he had no way to access them until he was issued a scroll.

Adam ate his midday meal alone, and found his way to the orientation hall afterward. Several tables with staff members sitting at them were spread out in a line. Professor Port was a boisterous man, and kept a running story going as students came up to get schedules. He seemed completely unperturbed by the fact that none of them stuck around to listen to his tale of heroism. Adam followed everyone else's example and found the schedule with his name, giving the professor a polite nod before moving on. Professor Port returned the gesture without interrupting his story – not that he needed to. His voice carried across the hall loud enough for everyone to hear.

The next table held notebooks containing the collected syllabi for each of the classes, as well as the required reading and textbooks. Professor Peach took the time to patiently explain how to cross-reference the lists to each group of students that gathered in front of her. He went through the process when it was his turn and found a few books that he would need to acquire, but everything he needed could be found in the school library.

Professor Oobleck was at the following table, though fewer students went to it. When Adam stepped up, the doctor let loose a rapid fire barrage of words that he was barely able to follow as he slid a scroll forward, explaining in quick succession that it would allow him access the terminals in the library, as well as his dormitory room once it was assigned. He also cautioned the young man that scrolls were not allowed along during the initiation. That last part surprised him, but he gave an inward shrug and moved on to the last table.

Glynda Goodwitch sat beside Headmaster Ozpin, both of whom spoke with each student individually. The line was considerably longer than the others, and the queue was marked several dozen feet away. By the time Adam had his turn, the afternoon had come and gone. He soon discovered the reason for the added privacy.

"Ah, Mister Taurus, a pleasure to meet you, at last," Professor Ozpin said while reaching out his hand. Adam grasped it firmly and pumped his hand once. "Glynda will just check over your paperwork and make sure that everything is in order. How do you find the school?" He was a pleasant man, but Adam wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. The less he stood out, the happier he would be.

"It's very tidy, sir, and impressive. The library is particularly interesting. I have a friend back home who could get lost in there for days." He put on a brief smile and hoped that would be enough to satisfy their curiosity. Professor Goodwitch flipped through her tablet and marked off items as she got his confirmation for each.

"And how is Vacuo these days? I have so little time for travel." Adam had rehearsed his cover story with Tukson for several days once he'd returned with it. He'd hoped that it wouldn't be necessary, but this would be good practice for anyone else who pressed him about his so-called past.

"It's pretty hot, and things are always a little crazy, sir – but nothing we can't handle. I spent most of the last year in the wilderness, preparing to attend Beacon, so recent news isn't something I have much of." The headmaster nodded and took a sip from his mug while Adam spoke.

"Indeed. I notice that you don't look as though you come from the desert kingdom. In fact, you look more Mistrali. Were you a transplant?" Adam didn't manage to hide the grimace, but his false identity would explain that.

"I'm an orphan, sir. I could be from there as far anyone knows," he said, shrugging a shoulder uncomfortably. He'd been pleased to find that this was part of the story. The closer a lie was to truth the easier it was to wear it. He was prepared to give the headmaster more details, but thankfully Professor Goodwitch stalled the conversation with a light touch on his forearm.

"Everything seems to be in order, Mister Taurus. However, I see that you didn't fill out the Semblance entry. Are you unaware of what it is?" Adam shook his head. He had been reluctant to tell anyone, but now that he was standing in front of them, it seemed like a bad idea to lie about something so important.

"I wanted to tell you directly, rather than write it down. It's damage empowerment." The two professors looked at one another briefly.

"I see. What does it empower you to do?" This was the part that worried him. Blake had been the only one willing to spar with him once they had figured out what made him special. Her clones could take the damage, but few enough of the White Fang members even had an active aura, let alone the abilities or skills that would keep them from getting hurt.

"It's external aura negation – it allows me to overwhelm other peoples' defenses. I know it's dangerous, but I've been very careful with it." He raised a gloved hand, palm up. If either of them were shocked, they hid it well. Most people gave him fearful looks when they found out. Had it not been for Blake's total disregard for the danger, his semblance would have isolated him completely. Professor Goodwitch typed out a note on her pad and gave him a serious look as she pushed her glasses up.

"Whether you've been careful in the past or not, we will need to discuss this at length before you'll be allowed to participate in combat training with other students." He indicated that he understood without saying anything. He also noted that while she had mentioned other students, she had said nothing at all about the staff. Headmaster Ozpin had no comment to make, but was peering over his glasses at him thoughtfully. She finished up her paperwork and wished him luck on the initiation. Professor Ozpin gave him a reassuring nod.

"Welcome to Beacon, young man." Adam thanked them both, relieved that the exchange was finally over. He chose to take a simple meal of meats and cheeses from the cafeteria and have at least some peace and quiet in one of the gardens. Occasionally other students would pass, but they all left him alone.

He wondered what Blake would think of all this as he ate. For all the inequality they had seen and fought against together, none was in evidence here at Beacon. He had seen fewer of his own kind, perhaps, but there had been enough of them. More importantly, everyone mingled – himself notwithstanding. Humans and Faunus seemed to get along at the school just fine. It had only been one day, of course, but it was hard to deny that, at least here prejudice seemed nonexistent.

When the evening waned into darkness, he found his things and went into the ballroom to settle down for the night. He tried reading the book again to pass the time before lights out. It was interrupted by a singsong 'hello' that came from a blonde bombshell of a girl. She had Ruby in tow.

"I believe you two may know each other." Adam still wasn't really appreciating the book, but he would rather keep trying than face the prospect of talking to two teenage girls. He didn't want to be rude, though. If he kept his answers short, maybe they would go away.

"Indeed we do," he glanced over at the girl. "Ruby," he said, inclining his head. He looked down at the pages. The blonde and Ruby muttered something to one another before the blonde turned back to him, smile plastered on her face.

"So, what's your name?" she asked. She was entirely too cheerful. He glanced up with a short puff of air.

"Adam." He knew that this conversation wasn't going to be over any time soon, so he turned the book over and laid it across his knee. The blonde introduced herself, pointing a thumb at her chest.

"Well, Adam, I'm Yang – Ruby's older sister!" She paused, momentarily uncertain of what to say next. "I like your gloves!" This was going to get old fast. Correction: This had just gotten old and needed a cane. Adam decided that a different tactic would probably work better. He put on a giant grin and raised his eyebrows.

"You really think so? Thanks!" He sent a silent prayer upward. How on Remnant did they do this? It made him feel dirty. Yang interpreted it as sarcasm, and cast it right back in his teeth.

"Yeah! It really completes the whole edgy look you're going for. Black and red are Ruby's colors too. Maybe you can give her some pointers later." Ruby glared at Yang and then elbowed her in the ribs.

"Shut up, Yang!" Adam couldn't help but laugh a little. These two were trouble, but he could see Yang as fun to hang out with if she didn't act like a complete sprig all the time.

"That's more like it." Yang took Ruby's jab like it happened often. "Do you like it here so far?" There was that cheer again. How the hell did she do it? He put the fake happiness back into his reply, letting it slide into monotone.

"It's fantastic! Almost as much as this book."

"Is your book really that good?"

"No, Yang, not really, but it's important that I finish it before class work takes over my life." He lifted the book and turned it back over, hoping it would signal the end of the conversation. Ruby wasn't quite ready to go.

"What's it about?" The question caught him off guard and he looked up from it. There was no fake smile, and her interest sounded honest. When he didn't answer, she elaborated. "Your book – does it have a name?" he closed it around a finger to keep his place and held it up for her to see. "The Man with Two Souls? Like he's a crazy person or something?" She had a look of confusion on her face.

"That's probably closer to the truth than the author intended. It seems to be about him struggling with the nature of duality, light and dark, each fighting for dominance over his body." He looked at it in frustration. "It also seems a little racist." He really didn't like it, but he wanted finish it. Darius Gray was being confronted with a choice forced upon him, in a situation he didn't want to be involved in, but was helpless to avoid. Did Blake feel that way?

"Oh yeah, that's… real fantastic," Yang said, doubt coloring her tone. Ruby took a step forward.

"I love books. Yang used to read to me every night before bed." Adam lifted an eyebrow, but smiled just a little. He'd never had anyone do that for him as a child, but found the idea… appealing. The orphanage didn't do that kind of thing, but their caretakers had made sure they all learned their letters and words. "Stories of heroes and monsters – they're one of the reasons I wanna be a Huntress."

"Oh? Why is that?" he asked. "Are you looking for some kind of happy ending?" There were plenty of monsters out there, but not many happy endings.

"Well I'm hoping we all will," she replied. "As a girl, I always wanted to be just like those heroes in the books: As someone who fought for what was right, and protected people who couldn't defend themselves." It wasn't a sentiment he had shared in his own childhood; he had been too concerned with survival. Still, Ruby spoke in earnest, and he believed her resolve.

"Admirable. But this is the real world – it's rarely like the books your sister read to you."

"Well that's why we're here – to make it better." She smiled, and Yang gushed excitement.

"Oh I'm so proud of my baby sister!" She bent down and picked Ruby up by the waist, hugging her fiercely and making cooing noises. Ruby grunted as her sister swung her around like a rag doll.

"Ack! Cut it out, Yang!" she yelled. She struggled and the two began rough-housing and making a lot of noise. Adam closed the book and set it aside. Their antics were funny, but he doubted he was going to get any more reading done.

"Well, Ruby, Yang, it was nice mee-"

"What in the world is going on over here?" the Schnee girl said loudly as she stalked up, ramrod straight and fists clenched. The sisters stopped their fighting, Ruby clutching Yang by one ankle as her sister flailed her arms to keep her balance. "Don't you realize some of us are trying to sleep?" Her eyes settled on Yang and widened. Ruby dropped her sister's foot.

"Oh not you again!" they shouted at one another. Ruby raised a finger to her lips.

"Shh! Guys, she's right, people are trying to sleep," she said, looking around at the other students. Most hadn't bothered moving, but a few had propped themselves up. Expressions ranged from annoyance to mild amusement. Adam saw Lien changing hands between a pair of boys. These people were all insane. Compared to the all-business-all-the-time nature of the White Fang camps, it was a little more fun.

"Oh, now you're on my side," Weiss said with sarcasm. Oh, so the girl has more emotional repertoire than snob and frostbite? Adam pinched one of the candle wicks.

"I was always on your side!" Ruby retorted in annoyance. He snuffed out another flame as he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, what's your problem with my sister?!" Yang groused. "She's only trying to be nice!" Weiss stuck out her arms and stamped a bare foot.

"She's a hazard to my health!" He leaned down and blew out the last candle.

A/N - Okay, okay, I lied. This chapter was a lot easier to write than I thought it would be. Easier than the next chapter of Dust and Motes, anyway. I've decided that unlike that story, this one will follow canon as much as you can expect for a character swap. There will be some mirroring of dialogue, but I expect that will decrease over the life of the story. I'll be releasing chapters based on the episodes, and once I catch up, we'll all have to wait for new chapters. As always, thanks for reading, and please feel free to leave a message - I do like hearing from you guys (even if it's constructive criticism).