The Cobalt Blues – Ch. 1

I giggled as I ran through the train station excitedly, my tail wagging happily behind me. I was like any normal ten year old child would be their first time riding on a train. I could barely contain my enthusiasm as I ran through the crowd, pushing my way through them all to get to the platform where I was to wait expectantly for my train that would take me to my mother just north of the city of Vale. As I stood at the edge looking down the long tunnel giddily, a shift in the crowd bumped me, causing me to fall into the tracks. Immediately I attempted to clamber out of the tracks, but before I could, the rails shifted, locking my foot in the metal rail as a distant whistle signaled the train.

I desperately reached for the people standing on the platform, all of their eyes staring at me as though I were some sort of side show attraction, or a character in a movie. I begged to them, tears pouring from my eyes for them to help me, begging desperately. But they just stood there, staring at me as the light of the train slowly became bigger and brighter as it approached. I turned to sit on my back, desperately pulling at my leg trying to get it free as I waited for somebody, anybody to get me out of the rails. Looking up the large metal locomotive raced towards me, and soon my eyes were blinded by its light.

I woke up drenched in a cold sweat as pain raced through my leg. Rolling it up I looked at the metal prosthetic that I had created long ago to serve as my replacement from the accident that faithful day. I gently stroked its smooth surface. Despite not having any nerves it surprisingly helped to ease the pain that coursed through me any time I had the nightmare.

387. That was what the newspapers declared on my story on the third page. 387 people stood and watched as the train sliced off the leg of a ten year old boy, no one moving an inch to help him, all because he was born with the tail of a fox. Such is the life of a Faunis in the city of Vale. People look away when the bad happens, and they look away even faster when the good does. But I'd show them soon enough, I'd prove to them that even as a Faunis I was still capable of being ten times the hunter of any human, and I'd do it even without the leg that had been taken from me all those years ago.

My name is Calyx, and I am a fox-type Faunis. As I've explained, I lost my leg up to my thigh in a train accident ten years ago, but I've refused to let that slow me down in the slightest. Ever since the months I stayed in the hospital, when I wasn't going through physical therapy, I was studying my eyes out to become as skilled as I could be in just about everything I got my hands on. Engineering was my specialty, and when it came time to choose a style of prosthesis, I went with making my own. Soon I was out an about on my new tungsten carbide leg, able to run, duck, and jump just as fast as any other kid my age, and eventually even faster.

Truth be told, in the hospital you don't get much to do. Nothing but time to think as it were. And so think I did. I came to the conclusion that the way things worked in this world were unfair, and that it were up to someone to make them fair. I'd often seen news bulletins about the terrorist organization the White Fang and I knew it was only a matter of time before they too succumbed to their imperfections and greed. But I couldn't have that, not me. I decided quickly that I'd make it my mission to become a Hunter, and where better to go to become one than Beacon Academy? But not just anyone goes to Beacon, to be specific, one has to be invited to go to the academy, and I was determined to prove myself.

I began immediately to set to preparing myself for the challenge ahead. My weakness would become my weapon; my flaws to be my strength. Designing strong greaves that fit both my real foot and my prosthetic I created a propulsion system within my soles that would allow me to strike out with kicks more powerful than a jack hammer, and should I need to fire from a distance, I took the liberty of adding a few forms of artillery that would give the creatures of Grimm something to run from.

It wasn't until a few months ago that Beacon finally caught wind of my accomplishments, ranging from my above average grades in school to my moonlight runs across the rooftops of the city. Eagerly I accepted, and despite having managed to find a way to fall asleep last night, my luck caused the same stupid nightmare to interrupt my peaceful slumber the day before my journey to the prestigious academy.

Disconnecting the metal limb, I examined it closely, ensuring all of the gears were aligned and that every small mechanical piece fit together perfectly. They did of course; I only maintained the thing every single day. This practice was honestly more for my benefit rather than the benefit of the prosthetic, as every time I worked to adjust it I felt myself getting lost in its bits and pieces, allowing me to become relaxed and calm again after such a startling terror. Satisfied I reconnected the leg to its socket, giving the neural controls a quick diagnostic test that too proved satisfactory. Now thoroughly pacified, I let my head fall back on to my pillow with a plop, and soon again I fell back to sleep eager for the next morning to arrive so that I could claim my destiny.

I stood in awe of the great zeppelin as it approached the platform where I and so many others of the new students were awaiting. As they all chattered amongst themselves, most of them already acquainted or more, I found myself intimidated by it all as the gigantic airship came to a halt before opening its doors to us.

"Nerve-wracking isn't it?" A voice asked beside me. I turned to see a young girl about my age dressed in an elegant silky blue gown, her midriff exposed like that of a danger. Around her arms and shoulders was a long gossamer shawl that (like the scarf wrapped around her hip) seemed to trail behind her like a beautiful ghost in her wake.

I looked around me to see that I was the only one in proximity to her before looking back. "I'm sorry…were you talking to me?" I asked puzzled.

"Of course." She beamed. "Who else would I be talking to?"

I blushed a bit before looking at the ship. "Sorry, just not used to people noticing me. And you're right…it is nerve-wracking. It's like it's exciting and scary all at the same time. But I've come too far to turn back now." The girl brightened even more, something I wouldn't have thought possible.

"That's the spirit!" She cheered before offering me her hand. I looked at it confused as she just held it there for a moment. Her smile dimmed the longer she stood there like that. "You shake it…" she said after a moment before I gently reached out and shook her hand.

"Sorry…most don't like it when I touch them." I explained.

"Why's that?" She asked curiously. Now it was my turn to be dumbstruck. Just as I was about to speak a larger male with a spiked mace shoved past us.

"Move it Faunis trash." He growled as he stepped aboard.

"That…" I explained, "that would be why." But as I turned to look at her again she was already gone after the guy with the mace.

"Hey! That was rude!" She shouted at him as I quickly chased after her.

Taking her arm I tried to pull her away but she wouldn't budge. "What are you doing?" I hissed at her.

"He was rude, so he needs to apologize." She replied simply before glaring at the man again. "You hear that buddy? You'd better say you're sorry." The boy with the mace turned towards her with a low animal-like growl.

"What did you say to me?" He asked as he stared down the girl.

"I said apologize! You pushed my friend and were very rude, so say you're sorry to him."

"Look…I really appreciate this but you don't need to…"

"Hmmph, so the Faunis has his girlfriend fight his battles for him, is that it?" My tail twitched slightly as he mentioned others fighting my battles.

"She's not…"

"Well come on then…fight your own fight. Be a man why don't you?" He said before shoving me hard. I barely moved as I stepped closer.

"You want me to show you the fight I have?" I asked coldly, sliding my prosthetic leg forward. The guy just laughed and kicked my shin hard. A metallic clang revealed that things about me were not as I seemed, and as an answer to the bewildered expression on his stupid face I lifted up my pants leg causing the people who were watching to gasp in surprise. "You want to try to hurt me…?" I asked before lashing out quickly and sweeping his legs out from under him. I placed my foot on his chest as a solid 'ka-thunk' rang out from my leg. "That sound you just heard is the sound of half a pound of grapeshot being loaded into the cannon installed in my leg. Now that I've got your attention, allow me to explain something to you." I glared down at him baring my teeth. "In the animal kingdom there is something called dominance. There is a pecking order amongst males where the strongest are on top and the weakest are on bottom. So let me ask you…do you want to treat me like a beast some more? Because I've no qualms about filling your chest with lead to prove that I'm stronger than you. Or would you rather behave like a person and I let you go under the agreement that you never, ever, speak to me again." He just stayed there with fear in his eyes and pulling my foot from his chest I reached down to help him back up.

Nervously he took my hand and I helped him to his feet. "Now get out of my sight." I growled, causing him to glare at me before shrugging.

"You're not even worth my time." He retorted attempting to save face. "I don't have time to associate with criminal scum." He turned away leaving me alone with the girl. I sighed softly turning back to her with an apologetic frown.

"Sorry you had to see that."

"That…was…amazing!" She cheered excitedly. "That was so cool! How did you do that? Is your leg really fake? Did you cut it off in some sort of fit of madness from being treated poorly? Are you really a criminal? If not, why did that guy call you one?"

"Whoa there." I said holding up my hand. "Calm down. It's not something I enjoyed doing, believe me. But I know his type…they only respond to fear. And if you want to hear the story of my leg, I'm afraid you'll have to know me a bit more first. It's not a tale I enjoy regaling." She frowned softly before sighing.

"Alright…well, I suppose I should give you my name before asking yours. I'm Lyn. It's a pleasure to meet you." She offered her hand again and smiling I took it, shaking it as before.

"Calyx." I said, introducing myself. "So…are you hoping to be a Huntress too?" I asked. She nodded brightly.

"Mmhm. That's why I'm so excited to be going to Beacon. I can't wait to see who the other students in my bracket will be."

I looked her up and down before clearing my throat. "Please don't take offense to this…but, I don't really see any weapons on your person…how do you intend to fight, if I may ask." She giggled softly.

"It's not as fancy as a cannon leg but I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve." Lowering her arm, a small black rod fell from her sleeve into her hand and with a snap of her wrist, a sharp metal fan expanded as she held it in front of her face with a wink. "These are my weapons. Sharp enough to easily cut through the hide of any Grimm I may come across. And should they be a tad too far…" She held the fan sideways, causing it to split apart more to reveal that it also had a built in hand cannon. "Not bad huh?"

I nodded thoroughly impressed. "I can't wait to see you in action Lyn." I replied genuinely causing her to grin before tucking the fan back into her shawl.

"There you are!" Another voice called out as a girl in a similar garb to Lyn called out grabbing her by the wrist. For a moment I thought I was seeing double.

"Oh, hey Bakulah, I've been wondering where you were." Lyn giggled.

"Looking for you air-head. You can't just run off like that! You may have run into some sort of unsavory character or something." She began to tug her away by Lyn just giggled more.

"Sis you always worry too much. Besides I've made a new friend see?" She said pointing at me causing her sister to whirl on me suspiciously. Her eyes scanned me up and down, as though expecting to find a big sign on my chest that said 'I'm trouble'.

"Uh-huh. I'm sure he wants to be 'friends', don't you buddy. Well you can just back off, my sister is not that kind of woman."

"I…ummm…what?" I stammered confused.

"You heard me loud and clear pal." The girl stormed closer poking me in my chest. "You'd better keep your paws off my sister, she may be innocent and naieve, but I know exactly what you're after. And you won't be getting it from her you pervert."

"What are you talking about?" I asked incredibly confused. Surely she wasn't insinuating what I thought she was. "She just struck up a conversation with me outside, honest. I wasn't after anything."

"A likely story." Bakulah snapped back before pulling out a strange blade that went over her fist and waving it in front of my face. "Listen up pal, if you even so much as look at my sister funny, I'll cut off your nuts and feed them to you, ya feel me?" Lyn stood in front of her sister and pushed her away blushing nervously.

"I'm really sorry about her." Lyn explained. "She's my twin and she's super protective of me. Really, I don't think she's being like this because your…"

"Say…" Bakulah asked, "why do you have a fox tail?"

"Because I'm a Faunis…?" I suggested causing her to look at me suspiciously.

"A Faunis…? Are those people the weird ones who dress up like animals and sleep with each other."

"I'm not 'dressing up' like anything." I retorted. "It's real, honest." I turned and waved the tail around to prove it. "See?"

"Sis…you're thinking of furries…and you shouldn't judge people like that." Bakulah looked at her twin insulted.

"Lyn! You know as well as I do that people can't be trusted. What have I told you about talking to strangers huh? He could have dragged you away and raped you for all you know!"

"But…I didn't…"

"You shut up buddy, this doesn't concern you." Bakulah snapped before turning back to Lyn. "You're supposed to be an adult now that we're on our own Lyn! You can't just go running off all willy nilly anymore. You've got to be more mature and responsible, like your big sister."

"We're the same age!" Lyn replied. "And I was born before you were!"

"Doesn't matter! You've still got to be more careful around…" she shot a glance at me, "those types."

"But…you didn't even know what a Faunis was until like five minutes ago." I shot back but she just rolled her eyes.

"I don't care if you dress up like an animal or not weirdo. I meant people with dangly bits between your legs. You're always thinking with your lower head, don't try to deny it."

I looked at Lyn. "Is she always like this?" I asked.

She nodded. "Only when she's awake." She muttered before Bakulah glared at her.

"Don't just cut me out of the conversation like that. I've got an opinion too you know."

"Yes I'm sure you do." I sighed softly. "Listen, I've no interest in attempting to take advantage of your sister in any way shape or form. I'm not trying to obtain some secret hidden agenda. I just want to go to Beacon Academy and become a Hunter. End of story."

Bakulah stopped for a moment. "You're going to Beacon?"

"We're standing on a Beacon airship." I pointed out causing her to look around before giving a slight hmmph.

"Yeah, I suppose we are. So what? You may be like us, but don't think for a moment that I won't have my eye on you. I know what you're after and you're not getting it from either of us buddy."

"Urgh…I just told you I'm not after anything." I pointed out.

"Oh so we're not good enough for you is that it?" She snapped.

"Will you just make up your mind? Look, you're both very attractive, don't get me wrong, but I've got other things that I'm focused on, like not getting killed by a Grimm. Does that work for you?" I asked.

"Well you don't have to be so rude." She snorted before turning away with her sister in tow. As the ship landed and the doors opened Lyn turned back and waved to me.

"Bye Calyx, I'll see you later!" She giggled before I watched as her flaxen hair trailed behind her.

"Women huh?" A man beside me said. I looked up to see a hulking figure in plate armor with a giant axe on his back. "Sorry, didn't mean to eavesdrop, but hard not to when she was making a scene like that."

"What is with people wanting to talk to me today?" I wondered out loud as the man trailed behind me on the way inside of the building.

"Not much else to do around here other than talk to people. I saw what you did to that other guy too, way to put him in his place."

"Don't tell me you intend to try to prove how macho you are to me or something stupid like that."

"Nah, nothing like that. I just wanted to say, that guy was the exception, not the rule. Most of us really don't care if you're Faunis or Human, we're all people right?"

"That's very mature of you." I muttered, as I walked along the stone path, trying to find out where I was supposed to go for orientation. "Any idea where we're supposed to go?"

The man just smirked and pointed towards the large crowd that was flooding into the ball room. "I'd guess that way."

"Yeah…that's what I was afraid of." I sighed.

"Not a crowd person I take it?"

I shook my head. "I always feel like they're just staring at my tail…or worse, my leg."

"What happened to your leg anyway?" He asked. I just looked down at my feet. "Sorry, didn't mean to invade your privacy there. It's cool if you don't want to talk about it. Anyway, my name is Traiko. Your name is Calyx right? That's what you told the girls anyway."

"Yeah, Calyx Delsune. It's a pleasure to meet you Traiko." He smiled at me.

"The feeling is mutual. If it helps, I'll tag along with you in orientation. Sometimes it helps to have a friend in the crowd you know?" I shrugged. Friend was a strong word, even for someone as polite and kind as Traiko. As we filed in to the hall, I immediately felt the suffocating presence of all of the students that were standing around me as the Headmaster stepped on to the stage with his assistant.

"I'll keep this brief…you've traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you've finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people." I swallowed as I felt my heart swell slightly in my chest. It was like he was reading my soul out loud to me as I watched him carefully, eagerly waiting for him to continue. But when he did, my heart immediately sank to the pit of my stomach. "But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy, in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this. But your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step." As he stepped off the stage I turned to Traiko to see he looked just as nervous as I felt.

"That was rather…disheartening…" I muttered as the Headmaster's assistant took the stage. Traiko nodded in agreement, his eyes focused on the woman carefully.

"You will gather in the ballroom tonight, tomorrow your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed." An awkward silence settled over the crowd as people began to mutter amongst themselves, causing me and Traiko to look at one another in a concerned look.

"That…was possibly the worse orientation speech I've ever heard." He whispered to me. I couldn't help but to agree with him there. The Headmaster's job at orientation should have been to inspire us, but all I felt was despair and disappointment. Surely this was some sort of trick. He couldn't possibly believe us to take that speech to heart. I could feel in my gut that something was very, very wrong here. But before I could vocalize my concerns to Traiko he nodded towards the exit. "Come on, let's go get our gear in the lockers before we hit the sack."

Following him he and I remained silent as we changed into our sleeping clothes. Mine were pretty simple: a pair of shorts that showed off most of my metal leg, and a simple cotton tank top that was both cool and comfortable.

"Is it uncomfortable?" He asked.

"I'm sorry what?"

"Your leg. Is it uncomfortable to you?" I took a deep breath. I supposed I should get used to hearing these sort of questions considering I'd be getting many strange looks tonight. It was hard to understand why they forced us to all sleep in the same room. They didn't even bother to separate the girls from the boys.

"More or less." I replied. "It's got self automated nerve control…meaning that it moves as easily as my real leg does. It wasn't always that easy setting it up though. I used to have to hobble around like I had a cinderblock for a shoe."

"It must have hurt a lot…when you lost it."

"How did you know I lost it?" I asked. "I could have been born without it."

Traiko just shook his head. "Nah, if you were born without it you wouldn't have that look on your face when you're walking around."

"What look?"

"Like you miss it." I fell silent.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked finally.

He shrugged. "To me maybe, but I don't think anyone else can even tell it's gone…well not until tonight anyway." I nodded shutting the locker.

"Listen Traiko…sorry if I seemed cold earlier today…it's just…"

"Life isn't easy being a Faunis. I know." He interjected. "And relax, I know you didn't mean anything personal by it. But still, it's nice to know I have at least one friend here."

I thought about it for a moment. "Yeah…I guess you're right." Traiko had been friendly with me, and the way he was so understanding simply proved further that he was the sort of person I could become a friend to. That at least made my friend list go up to two. "Shall we?" I asked, once we had both finished changing. He nodded and the two of us went to seek out a bunk. Just as I thought, the soft metallic whirs and clinks as my footsteps fell attracted the attention of the rest of the student populace. Every step I took caused another one to stare and another to look away to pretend they hadn't been.

That's when a pillow came flying from nowhere to smack me upside the head. As it fell to the ground I saw the cute blonde from earlier waving to the two of us. "Hi Calyx!" She called out with a grin. "I see you made a friend that's good." The two of us approached much to her twin's disdain as she frowned at the both of us.

"Hey Lyn." I replied waving politely as we took two empty cots nearby. "Hello Bakulah."

"Un-uh, you ain't getting in these flannel pants pretty boy. Sorry." Her twin muttered.

"Good to see you again too." I chuckled before folding my legs beneath me in a criss-cross pattern. I felt Bakulah's eyes immediately flow to the metal appendage. "This is Traiko by the way." I said gesturing to the rather large man who sat beside me.

"Hello ladies." He waved.

Bakulah said nothing, continuing to stare at my leg. "You know…" she finally spoke up, "they told us we had to pack our armor and weapons away into the lockers."

Immediately Lyn turned a bright red. "No sis! You don't get it he's…"

I raised a hand to stop her. "No, no. She's right, my mistake." I smirked as I leaned down to my thigh, carefully flipping open the protective cover and with a quick unscrew of the mechanism removed my leg much to Bakulah's shock.

"It's…it's a fake…"

"That's what I was trying to tell you sis! You can be so rude at times." Lyn muttered poking her cheek. Satisfied with her reaction I reconnected my leg moving it around to ensure it had connected right.

Bakulah wordlessly ran her hand across my shin curiously, examining it carefully. "This is incredible…" she whispered, the first compliment she'd ever paid me. "Did you make this?" I nodded. "It's beautiful."

"Ah so you're the techy type huh?" Traiko commented causing Bakulah to blush. "Sh-shut up! I'm just impressed that a perv like him can do something right."

"But I haven't done anything perverted." I countered causing her to roll her eyes.

"Oh yeah? You kidnapped my sister this morning to have your way with her, don't deny it."

"You have a weird memory of events…Lyn started the conversation, and the only chasing I did with her was to make sure some big dude with a mace didn't try to hurt her when she demanded he apologize for bumping into us. Which you'd have known had you not lost her in the first place." I pointed out causing her to grimace that I'd found a flaw in her accusation.

"Whatever! I know you were thinking it, because all men like you are after my little sister's pure heart, but you won't get it you hear me!" She shouted causing her long blond curls to flounce all around her.

"Will you four shut up?!" A girl in all white called from the side. "First Ruby, now some crazy girl who can't stop shouting out obscenities, this is getting ridiculous." I frowned softly before laying back on my cot placing my head on the pillow with a sigh.

"What's-her-name's right, we should get some sleep." I said softly. "Who knows how the initiation will go tomorrow?" No sooner had the lights gone out that I heard a rustling sound nearby. Opening my eyes, I saw Lyn checking to ensure her sister was asleep before slowly crawling to my bunk.

"Hey…Calyx. Are you awake?"

"Yeah Lyn, I'm awake." She gasped biting her lip.

"H-how did you know it was me?" She whispered and I just chuckled.

"Faunis have good night-vision. Anyway what's wrong?" Lyn blushed slightly before leaning closer and placing a gentle kiss on my cheek much to my shock.

"I just wanted to say thanks for stepping between me and the mace guy earlier. It's not often that you meet a guy so…heroic? I know tomorrow will be pretty dangerous…so I really hope you do okay. No matter what happens, promise me you won't do anything too reckless."

She was concerned for me? "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm sure of it." I whispered. "You be careful too okay?" She smiled softly and nodded.

"Oh and Calyx…"

"Yes?"

"Good luck." She whispered, showing me her cute smile.

"Thanks Lyn…good luck to you too. Who knows…maybe we'll end up on the same team."

Her smile became even brighter as she went back to her bed. "Yeah…that'd be nice." She agreed as she let out a yawn. I couldn't help but watch her as she rolled over and fell asleep. Sheesh, what was most likely my first crush and it had to be on a girl whose psychopath sister was as vigilant as a watch dog. My tail curled around my hips, and I found myself grateful that Bakulah couldn't read minds. If she did, chances are she'd have my hide to wear like a coat.

"Good night everyone." I whispered softly to no one in particular. Perhaps tomorrow things would finally begin to shake loose.

To be continued…