To The Clocktower

History was a bizarre lesson.

To be more accurate, the lesson itself was perfectly fine. The expectations for the year were explained, the course work outlined and the various time periods that would be explored were told to the class.

No, it was the professor himself that made the lesson bizarre.

Doctor Bartholomew Oobleck was an unkempt man. With green messy hair, an untucked white shirt with a popped collar, a yellow tie pulled away from his neck and a coffee mug almost always at his lips, the man zipped around the room at a speed that rivaled Ruby.

“...and there will be a brief mention of the Valley Lakes Treatises, though that does deserve its own set of lessons, then on to the Lords Assemblage at Heimdal and first contact with the people of Anima leading to the colony dispute over the land on the eastern side of Sanus, then comes the battle at Tintagel Castle and the construction of Horwendil Castle at the top of Mount Coelhen...”

The man spoke rapidly, pointing to his slideshow of lesson plans and sipping from his coffee. One moment he’ll be standing by his desk droning on about a particular moment in history, the next he’ll be standing by one of the student desks directly recounting something interesting to the students sitting there. The next moment he’ll zip all the way around the class to the other side and do the same thing there.

There was no movement from him in between those moments. Just a blur in the colors of his clothes.

Gray could only assume that this was related to the man's Semblance in some way. Super speed was actually quite a common Semblance. It was just that the image of the coffee mug and the way Doctor Oobleck spoke made the whole thing kind of funny to Gray. It all just seemed like an amusing spectacle as he sat there next to Blake.

At first everyone in the class was surprised by the man’s behavior. Incredulous looks and whispered exclamations went around the class for the first quarter of the lesson. After a while though, everyone just decided to take it in stride. It was now generally accepted that, after spending a full day at the academy by now, there were quite a number of interesting characters running the place. What was one more?

So, now everyone sat there and tried their best to keep up with the caffeinated man. With each zip of the disheveled doctor the students' eyes also zipped from point to point.

This was the man that Gray’s dad wanted him to say hi to?

He did seem like he knew his stuff concerning history, but did Dad really respect him that much? Gray thought to himself.

Whatever, it couldn’t hurt to introduce himself after class.

In the meanwhile, Gray had activated his power again and sat there half listening. The rest of his attention was on the bare thigh beneath his hand. He silently stroked the warm flesh as the Faunus girl made notes.

Gray leaned over to get a glimpse.

‘Find reading materials for:

• The warring clans of Sanus
• The surge of Grimm that pushed the southern clans north
• The Valley Lakes Treatises
• The Lords Assemblage
• First contact with Anima
• Tintagel and Horwendil Castles’

What a good little student. Gray supposed that he really should do the same but he was feeling lazy and just wanted to sit there and stroke the kitty. Her leg was so soft and squishy too.

Gray could always have a study date with Blake and the other girls to catch up on anything for class. Right now, he just wanted to slide his hand back and forth along her thigh, getting closer and closer to her panties. Her skirt was already pushed back a little by his attentions and he could feel her delicious inner thigh.

He would have gone further had it not been for the sudden reminder from his brain that he might encounter someone that could see through his Semblance. The thought came out of nowhere, but he supposed that it was a good thing it did. There was a chance that Prof–Doctor Oobleck might notice something. Gray couldn’t see why he would, but that didn’t stop him from wondering at the possibility.

But what could Gray do to find out for certain?

If the teacher noticed Gray having sex in class, then that would be trouble. It would have to be something small. Something innocent, yet notable. And what better way to get a teacher's attention than to raise your hand to ask a question? And considering all of Gray’s previous experiments required his voice to be noticed, that begged the question, could he get someone's attention by body language alone?

If he raised his hand while his Semblance was active, would the Doctor notice? And if he did notice, would it be because Gray’s Semblance allowed for that, or would it be because the Doctor could see through the Semblance?

That would be something worth knowing. And Gray had a great question to use in case he was noticed.

He raised his hand, the other one still resting on Blake’s thigh, and waited.

“...there will be a lot more focus on the Great War considering that the effects of that are still felt to this day. There were a great many mistakes and tragedies that took place that I ask that you all learn from in the hopes that future generations never repeat those horrors again. However, there were also a great many achievements and advancements that are worthy of your interest. Like, the invention of airships using gravity dust and other, cleaner, fuel types...”

The Doctor continued on, either not noticing Gray’s raised hand, or he was the type to ignore a student's question until after a lecture. Which didn’t seem likely. Not if he was a respectable professor at one of the four great Huntsmen academies.

Gray lowered his hand, removed his other from Blake's leg, and deactivated his Semblance. Then he raised his hand again and waited.

“...the events leading up to the first skirmish are mired in speculation and theories–yes? What is it?” The Doctors gears shifted immediately from lecture mode to attentive teacher.

“Sorry to interrupt, but will we be exploring ancient history too?” Gray asked out loud. The class and his team glanced at him, wondering at the interruption.

“That is a wonderful question! However, the current curriculum demands a more focused look at more recent history in the last five to eight hundred years, and even then, it would be a more cursory glance of events as far back as that. But if you are interested in learning more, even outside of lessons, I do hold after school classes in the second semester.”

Doctor Oobleck actually stopped speaking then. A mild shock to many. Gray half expected the man to continue for another five minutes at least. Instead, the Doctor seemed to have simply answered the question. Gray hurried to thank him.

“Thank you, Doctor. That helps a lot.”

“I’m glad I could help. And it is great to know that there is at least one avid student of history in my class.” The Professor replied with a small bit of pride in his voice.

The Professor then carried on with his explanation of the expectations for the year. Gray settled back and only lent half an ear again, noticing Blake beside him eyeing him questioningly. He shrugged at her and murmured, “I like ancient history.”

She slowly nodded and turned back to the lesson. Gray wondered why she felt that it was odd enough to slow-nod at him like that, but promptly stopped caring and put his Semblance back in place.

Now that he knew that this teacher was also affected by Gray’s powers, he thought that he might be able to have some fun with Blake for the rest of the lesson. So, he scooted closer to her, so that they were hip to hip, then he put one arm around her waist and sat with her like they were a couple. His other hand started to feel her thigh again, getting under her skirt and caressing her inner thigh, very close to her panties.

A thought stopped him from going any further. Gray’s head scanned the walls and found the one camera watching the room.

Theoretically, after his experiments with his own camera, there should be no issue there. His Semblance’s effect should work through the device. But Gray was feeling paranoid.

With a sigh Gray resigned himself to just sitting there, enjoying the warmth Blake provided.

---

“That will be all for today. I hope you all understand what is expected of you from now on. And remember History is a subject as important as any other so be sure to give it as much attention as you would in combat class. And now that you have finished the last period of your first real day at this academy, I hope that you all see a bright future ahead of you. Study hard and you will do well. Class is dismissed.”

The introductory lesson had come to an end. The Professor/Doctor gave a few words of encouragement to study diligently, before packing some of his things and zipping out of the room. He was so fast that everyone was left a little speechless as the bell started to ring once he left the room.

Gray didn’t even have the chance to give his dads regards to the Doctor.

He shrugged and guessed that it would just have to be left for tomorrow.

The students began packing their things and getting up to leave. Gray had an aisle seat and was the first of his team to stand up. Ruby was at the other end of their desk and was the second. Blake and Weiss moved over to Gray’s side and stood up in the aisle next to him. Yang got up with Ruby at the other end.

With his Semblance deactivated, Gray walked with the monochrome pair up the stairs. Team JNPR was further up and was near the door.

“So, you like ancient history huh?” Came the sound of Blake from behind Gray.

He glanced back at the dark-haired girl. Both she and Weiss were looking at him. It seemed like they were both intrigued by his question in the middle of class. The answer came pretty easy to him though.

“Yeah, I think stuff like that is pretty cool. All the old unrecorded parts of history and how we all came to be here.” Gray told them. “That stuff has always piqued my interest. Why?”

Blake just shrugged. “I was just curious.”

“Will you be attending those extra classes Oobleck mentioned?” Weiss asked next.

“I might do.” Gray admitted. “What about the two of you? Interested?”

Blake tilted her head to think about it while Weiss answered. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt to try. Maybe it will give extra credit.”

“I’d have to think about it.” Blake finally said.

That was about what Gray had expected.

They got to the top of the stairs and met up with Ruby and Yang. JNPR was already out the door and Team RWBY met them in the hallway. They all grouped up to the side so as to not get in anyone's way.

“Well, that’s one day of classes done.” Yang said cheerfully. “Just fourteen hundred or so more to go.”

“Fourteen hundred?” Ruby asked, likely not knowing the math.

“There’s about that many days in four years.” Yang told her.

“When you say it like that it makes it feel like a really long time.” Jeanne said. Gray could hear the energy leaving her at the thought of a large number like that.

“Generally, four years IS considered to be a long time.” Blake said bluntly.

“I know, I know. It’s just been a long day, no need to slap us with reality.”

“I’m sure those four years will go by quickly if we enjoy them.” Pyrrha chimed in with optimism.

“So, what do we do now?” Yang asked. “Do we just head back to the dorm? And what about dinner?”

“I believe I read somewhere in the school timetable that dinner will be served from six till eight.” Pyrrha offered helpfully.

“Now that you mention it, I’m hungry!” Nora spoke up in her usual volume. Gray wondered if that was her default. “Do you think we can get something sooner than six?”

“Nora...” Ren sighed. She gave her friend a sideways look of disappointment.

“We could always head down to the cafeteria and ask.” Jeanne said, trying to accommodate the hyperactive ginger.

“While you girls do that, I have to go and talk to the headmaster about my room key.” Gray interjected before they could keep going.

“Ah yeah, that’s right.” Yang remembered. “We splitting up here then?”

“Wait, what's wrong with your room key?” Jeanne asked Gray curiously.

“He didn’t get one because of the mix up with his team placement.” Yang answered for him.

“Oh. That sucks.” Jeanne replied.

“Yeah. So, I’ll catch up to all of you later.” Gray told them. “I’ll message when I’m done.”

“Wait, that reminds me.” Yang interrupted him. She pulled out her scroll. “We haven’t exchanged numbers yet.”

Gray blinked at her. Now that he thought about it, he really didn’t get any of their numbers. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t even done that yet. He pulled his own scroll out too. “I guess I can’t send a message if I don’t even have your number.”

“And since we’re all here, we may as well get everyone's number.” Yang suggested, indicating their two teams. She looked at all the other girls. “Yeah?”

“I’m in!” Nora yelled excitedly. Her own scroll magically appeared in hand.

Yang nudged Ruby next to her, encouraging her to bring her scroll out too. Everyone else followed suit, while Weiss and Blake were the slowest, seeming ****. Weiss did acquiesce, saying, “Communication is important.”

In the end, nine people held their scrolls in a loose circle after activating their wireless scanning function. The message, ‘Searching for contact info...’ was displayed on each screen. A moment later a ding sound came from all devices as a list of each person's contact info was displayed. Then it was up to each student to accept or deny any or all of the numbers listed.

All nine numbers were exchanged and accepted.

“Cool.” Yang said, happy that was dealt with. “You off then?”

“Yeah. See you guys in a bit.”

“Hey, you're not gonna kiss your girlfriend goodbye?” Nora said with a shit-eating grin.

“Nora! What the heck?” Jeanne exclaimed. Her face turned bright red. Nora giggled at her team leader's expense, even as the rest of the girl’s grinned or smirked.

Gray couldn’t help but smile too. “What if I kiss her when I get back? Would that be fine Ms. Valkyrie?”

Jeanne’s head whipped to him in disbelief. Her mouth had trouble working.

“I suppose that will have to do.” Nora said in a faux-snooty voice.

“...G–Gray...” Jeanne’s voice was small. It was the voice of someone who wasn’t enjoying being teased, but couldn’t bring themselves to actually protest. Since it was about potentially kissing her new boyfriend and all that.

“Alright, I’ll do that when I get back. Later.” Gray waved, turned around and left.

““Bye!”” Gray heard Yang and Nora call out.

Gray walked away and down the hallway towards the clocktower. It had said in a map that the headmaster's office was located there. He rounded a corner and walked on.

---

Gray had to walk across campus for a bit. The clocktower had a wide-open area around it for students to walk around or sit and enjoy good weather. It actually looked like a nice park area where one could have a picnic. There were students and staff here and there, walking to where ever they were headed. Others sat on benches or the greenery to talk after school.

At the center of this impressive town square-like place was the tower Gray had seen when they first arrived in that airship. It rose high up and ended with a top with gears and mechanisms, and a pointy spire above that. The green light could be seen, even with the sun still up, coming from large green orbs hanging or suspended in a segment near the top. The orbs were difficult to see fully from where Gray was walking. The size of the tower and the angle from his position meant craning his neck to only see a portion of what would look majestic from further away.

Closer to the ground Gray could see four pillars surrounding the tower, each connected to keep the tower stable presumably. In front of the tower were walkways leading back towards the main parts of the school. Intricate stonework was interspersed with fountains and flower beds. Each pillar had a large plot of grass and trees.

It was honestly the most impressive part about this academy, Gray felt. He could see himself just spending time here with his girls on a nice sunny day.

But that wasn’t why he was there. At least, not for today.

No. Gray had to meet with the headmaster and Glynda to receive his room key, and to possibly get JNPR’s room key too. Oh, and also to “requisition” some bunk beds. All while wondering if his Semblance would work flawlessly on the two authority figures. Granted, his power had worked on them before, but what if it was a matter of two strong and experienced individuals becoming desensitized to Gray’s power.

There was a possibility, no matter how small, that someone could shake themselves out of the weird effects from Gray’s ability. He had no proof of it yet. In fact, he had more proof to the contrary. But he couldn’t take it for granted until he knew for certain. Which meant he needed to push through with this experiment. Without getting caught and expelled. Or possibly imprisoned.

Gray stopped about thirty meters away from the entrance to the tower lobby. The thought of being locked away gave him a shiver down his spine. How would they keep him there? Would they invent something to counter his abilities? Would they find guards that were immune to him? What kind of life could he live like that?

Gray began to get nervous. How would he go about handling this? Should he just walk in with his Semblance active? Does the headmaster’s office have mechanisms to detect when someone was using their Semblance? Would it notice if he turned it on during their talk?

Gray gulped, wet his suddenly dry lips, and tried to calm himself down.

He needed a plan for a number of these outcomes.

The best-case scenario was: his power worked flawlessly on the two trained teachers and everything went fine. Gray would be able to get everything he wanted from them and they would simply go along with it.

The worst-case scenario was: the teachers noticed something was off and investigated, or a device noticed for them. They might then find something suspicious about Gray and keep him for questioning.

Gray had to breathe evenly with that thought.

For the best-case scenario, no plan would be necessary. It was the worst-case that needed a plan to fall back on.

One plan was to deactivate his Semblance if they noticed something off, then play dumb and hope they didn’t suspect him.

If it was a device that noticed his Semblance, but the teachers didn’t, he would quickly ask them what it was and how it worked, then try and get them to deactivate it or ignore it.

If there was another individual present beside Ozpin and Glynda, then there would be the added possibility of that someone having the ability to see through a Semblance in some way. Gray would have to keep an eye on them to check for any change in behavior in response to Gray’s words or actions. If they did notice, he would have to deactivate and play dumb.

Students continued to walk by as he stood there with his arms crossed.

Gray sighed. He was hoping that he was just overthinking things.

Before he could think himself into a circle of indecision, Gray activated his Semblance and resolved to be quick-witted enough to deal with whatever happened. He took a steadying breath and stepped forward.