Preparing for Initiation

I hear Summer's voice growing closer beyond the curtain, Ruby's excited tones mingling with Yang's deeper laugh. The reunion is happening somewhere in this ballroom maze— emotional, important, completely theirs to have without my interference.

Kali remains pressed against my side, amber eyes half-closed as she listens to the muffled conversations throughout the space. Her cat ears twitch toward various sounds, but she makes no move to investigate or leave.

"Thank you," she whispers. "For staying."

I stroke her long black hair and say, "Always."

Around eight o'clock, students begin settling in for the night. Conversations fade to whispers, lights dim to emergency illumination only. The ballroom transforms into a patchwork of soft breathing and occasional rustling.

Kali shifts closer until she's practically lying atop me, face buried against my neck. "I'm scared," she admits quietly. "About tomorrow. About Blake. About everything."

"Initiation will be fine," I assure her. "And afterward, we'll approach Blake together. You won't be alone."

She nods against my skin, pressing a kiss to my throat. "I don't know what I'd do without you now."

The words carry weight beyond simple gratitude. The 'Corruption' power has sunk deep hooks over these past twelve hours— she genuinely cannot imagine functioning without my presence anymore. I've become her anchor, her stability, her everything.

"Please," she breathes. "I need... I need you."

I consider taking her fully here and now, but the ballroom remains occupied by dozens of sleeping students. All I need to cement my grasp on her is to have sex with her, but…

Shaking my head, I instead settle for intimate touches that leave her gasping quietly, body arching against mine.

When she finally settles, exhausted and satisfied in ways that don't require full consummation, I hold her close. Her breathing evens out quickly, emotional exhaustion claiming her.

I remain awake longer, listening to the ballroom's nighttime symphony. Somewhere beyond the curtain, Summer sleeps near Ruby and Yang, processing her miraculous return. Salem rests in her Selene Grimwald disguise, probably still amused by the day's developments. Cinder maintains her Haven transfer cover, likely aware of my presence but unable to approach.

Blake sleeps thirty feet away, completely unaware her mother lies in my arms.

Eventually I allow yourself to drift off, Kali warm and trusting against me. Tomorrow brings Initiation— the Emerald Forest, the relics, the team formations that will lock in my guaranteed Team CUGR.

But tonight, I simply hold one of my four lovers while others sleep nearby, all the pieces arranging themselves exactly as planned.

I wake to Ruby's voice cutting through the morning dimness: "Everyone up! Initiation starts in an hour!"

Kali stirs against me with a soft sound, amber eyes blinking open slowly. Around us, the ballroom erupts into activity— students scrambling from sleeping bags, excited chatter rising, the organized chaos of preparation.

You release Kali gently and stand, stretching muscles still warm from sleep. "Time to get ready."

Kali watches as I begin shedding my dress, purple and black fabric pooling at my feet. The ballroom beyond our curtain hums with similar activity— fabric rustling, weapons clicking, excited voices discussing strategy. I pull my battle leather from my pack, the familiar weight reassuring in my hands.

The armor slides on like a second skin. Skin-tight battle leather in deep purple and black, reinforced at vital points but flexible enough for my acrobatic style. Silver engravings catch the morning light filtering through gaps in the curtain— decorative but functional, channels for dust integration if needed. I adjust the fit around my chest, ensuring my C-cup breasts sit comfortably without restricting movement.

Shadow and Requiem come next. I check each pistol methodically— ammunition loaded, dust chambers empty but ready, transformation mechanisms smooth. The weight feels perfect in my hands. I holster them at my hips where they rest within easy reach, then slide my glasses back on. My reflection in Shadow's polished surface shows someone ready for war.

"You look dangerous," Kali says softly. She's still sitting on the sleeping bag in her rumpled cream blouse and blue skirt, amber eyes tracking my movements with something like awe. "I should... I should change too."

She stands and begins pulling clothing from her own pack— practical Huntress attire in blacks and deep blues that complement her Faunus features. I watch as she strips unselfconsciously, long black hair falling forward to partially obscure her breasts. Her transformed eighteen-year-old body still carries the grace of her original years, movements economical and precise.

"How do I look?" she asks once dressed, adjusting twin daggers at her belt. The anxiety hasn't left her amber eyes despite the capable appearance.

"Ready," I tell her, and pull her into a brief kiss that makes her melt against me.

Together we slip through the curtain into organized chaos. Students rush in every direction— some still struggling into armor, others already fully equipped and heading for the exits. Ruby zips past in a blur of red cloak and rose petals, Crescent Rose strapped to her back, calling something enthusiastic about "getting to the cliff!" Yang follows at a more reasonable pace, Ember Celica gleaming gold on her forearms.

Weiss stands near the ballroom entrance with perfect posture, white combat dress immaculate and Myrtenaster at her side. She's reviewing something on her Scroll with intense focus. Blake moves through the crowd with typical Faunus grace, Gambol Shroud secured across her back, black bow still concealing her cat ears.

I spot Summer near the western exit with Ruby and Yang, her youthful appearance still drawing surprised glances from students who weren't at dinner last night. She catches my eye across the space and offers a small wave, silver eyes warm. Ruby bounces excitedly beside her, clearly still processing having her mother back.

Salem— Selene Grimwald now— leans against a pillar near the main doors, already in combat attire that somehow manages to look both practical and subtly elegant. Her disguised amber eyes find mine, and she smirks knowingly before turning toward the exit.

"The locker rooms are that way," Kali says, pointing toward the eastern corridor. "We'll need to grab our assigned lockers before heading to the cliffs."

Her hand finds mine again, that familiar need for contact and reassurance.

I guide Kali through the eastern corridor toward the locker rooms, her hand still clasped in mine. The hallway bustles with students claiming numbered lockers, the metallic clang of doors opening and closing echoing off stone walls. I locate my assigned locker— 347— and retrieve the equipment already stored there: extra dust crystals for Shadow's chamber, maintenance tools, a compact first-aid kit.

Kali claims the locker beside mine, organizing her supplies with practiced efficiency despite the tremor in her fingers. I catch her stealing glances at me between movements, seeking reassurance.

"Ready?" I ask once she's finished.

She nods, though anxiety still shadows her amber eyes. "As I'll ever be."

Together we join the stream of students heading toward the launch cliffs. The path winds through Beacon's grounds, past manicured lawns and ancient stone architecture. Morning sunlight bathes everything in golden warmth, and I can see the vast expanse of Emerald Forest stretching endlessly beyond the cliff edge ahead.

The launch area comes into view— a series of metallic platforms arranged in a line along the cliff's edge, each positioned above mechanisms designed to catapult students into the forest below. Professor Ozpin stands near the center with Glynda beside him, both observing as students gather.

I spot my two other future teammates immediately. Summer stands with Ruby and Yang near the left side, her youthful face animated as she discusses something with her daughters. Salem— Selene now— leans against the stone railing further right, disguised amber eyes scanning the assembled students with that familiar calculating patience.

As I approach with Kali, I reach out with your Psionic Mind. The familiar sensation of my consciousness extending beyond my physical form flows outward like invisible threads. I brush against Summer's mind first— a light touch against her thoughts, sending warmth and reassurance through the connection. Her silver eyes flick toward me across the distance, and she offers a small smile of recognition.

Next I reach toward Salem. Her mental presence feels different than the others— ancient, vast, layered with centuries of experience. But I touch it anyway, offering the same comfort. I sense her amusement rippling through the contact before she deliberately softens, accepting the gesture with something like affection.

Finally I extend toward Kali beside me. Her thoughts are turbulent— anxiety about Blake, fear about Initiation, **** need for my presence. I flood the connection with calm reassurance, and feel her physically relax against my side.

"Thank you," she whispers, somehow knowing what I've done without needing explanation.

More students continue arriving. I spot Blake moving through the crowd with typical Faunus grace. She's perhaps twenty feet away, completely unaware her mother stands beside me. Weiss takes position on one of the launch platforms with perfect posture, reviewing her Scroll one final time. Ruby bounces excitedly near Summer while Yang stretches, preparing for the coming chaos.

Professor Ozpin steps forward, his voice carrying across the assembled students with surprising clarity despite its measured tone. "For years, you have trained to become warriors. Today, your abilities will be evaluated in the Emerald Forest."

Glynda continues, her stern expression brooking no argument. "You will be given teammates. Today."

"These teammates will be with you for the rest of your time here at Beacon," Ozpin adds, taking another sip from his ever-present coffee mug. "So it is in your best interest to be paired with someone with whom you can work well."

Kali's hand tightens around mine one more time before we both move toward empty launch platforms.