Another World Again

With practiced ease, Rio flew through the air at fast speeds, the land beneath him speeding by, treetops blurring together into a single strip of green. 

And yet, it was just him.

It was just his own paranoia, but Rio had asked Aisha to retreat back into her spirit form.

He didn't want to show her off so casually in a place he knew nothing about.

Thus, Rio continued to soar through the air by his lonesome, trying to look for any sign of settlement.

I need to find people. And with that, comes information.

After realizing that he wasn't anywhere close to 'home', Rio didn't become torn with the despair.

In fact, it was almost concerning how quick his mind started to adapt to his new situation.

Though, he supposed through various brushes with his own mortality, Rio had long since become accustomed to not panicking when faced with the unexpected.

No, that was a lie.

He had just gotten extremely good and pretending he didn't panic.

Regardless, Rio just had to take things one step at a time.

Wallow in his own regret?

There was absolutely no time for that.

Thinking this, Rio's amber orbs continued to scan the far reaches of the forest, even as the wind beat at his face. 

That's when he saw it.

That's…

Still about a mile off, existed a grand spectacle of architecture.

And it was huge, encompassing several acres of land.

But more than that, Rio found the layout familiar, even if he couldn't remember ever setting foot here.

No, but he had been to a place very similar. 

The structure; it greatly resembled Beltram's Noble Academy, a school that caused him no shortage of strife, even in spite of the few short years he had attended there when he was younger. 

But, why would a school be all the way out here?

Although skeptical, Rio brushed such worries aside for now.

A school was a place of learning.

And that in turn meant it was likely to be populated. 

Rio decided to get closer.

Although, first...

Muttering a single word under his breath, a change began to envelop Rio's body.

He completely disappeared.

At least, that's how it must have looked to the naked eye. By putting his hands in front of his face, however, he could still see the vestiges of his own form.

Like that, and still high up in the hair, Rio meticulously began to make his descent, careful not to loudly announce his presence to the several dozen figures his own age currently maneuvering the grounds about with purpose. 

Students, he assumed. 

After a while, closest to him, Rio took notice of four such figures, all much too engrossed in casual conversation to notice him even if they could.

"..."

A beat passed, and he spent it eyeing them from afar, his face of silent contemplation.

Then, after one more moment of brief hesitation, Rio finally arrived at a decision.

'Aisha, I'm going to see if I can't get us some answers to our strange circumstances. ...I know it's selfish, but can I ask that you continue to remain hidden?'

'Hn? Aah? What... did you say, Haruto? I, mhm, fell back asleep...'

Rio paused for beat, before shaking his head.

'It's nothing.' Faced with that all too familiar rampant sleepiness from his precious companion, Rio tried very hard not to chuckle. Instead, he just smiled his usual small but warm smile, one he always seemed to have for Aisha's antics.

Then, with a softer tone, he added, 'Sleep well.'

'Hm...'

Rio's smile remained, but ever so slightly, he layered it with a different one.

Although, calling the new one fake wouldn't accurate.

It was just so worn with endless practice that it might as well have been.

It was with such an expression that Rio undid the visual distortion and made his way forward. 

…

…

…

As he thought, the four were all girls.

Whether this fact was the cause for the sudden twitch Rio's posture took, even he wasn't sure. But what he did know was that social interaction was unpredictable and difficult no matter the gender.

Still, the white haired boy's steps were soft as he approached, and he tried his best to appear nonthreatening. 

On a side note, however, Rio noticed that all four were very eye-catching, each seeming to have some semblance of color belonging to their ensemble, whether that be their clothes or hair.

There was a girl with short black hair with crimson red tints here and there.

Next to her, a beauty, sporting long unruly blonde locks.

Then, one with long onyx hair, as well as a girl with contrasting white hair adorned in a ponytail right beside her.

It was clearly Red, Yellow, Black, and White.

Hopefully, this doesn't backfire.

Rio cleared his throat.

"Ah, excuse me?"

All four girls paused, chatter ceasing as they turned around.

This was expected though.

That said, it was a little curious when the girl with the long black hair had the mind to make the smallest of movements for the hilt of her weapon.

It was caution, Rio knew, but it was interesting that she was the only one among them to display it so outwardly.

And not just that...

"..."

Rio's eyes very briefly darted to the girl's bow.

What a strange coincidence...

In any case, realizing that his pause lasted longer than necessary, Rio tried to mask it with what he hoped was a nervous look followed by a light wave. And, well, he knew he managed, because nervousness was practically all he was feeling at the moment. 

"I'm... deeply sorry to bother you all, but I seem to have run into some trouble. If it's not too much to ask, would it be possible for one of you to point me in the direction of a professor?"

Rio kept it simple and concise, but even more importantly, vague.

Still, it should have been enough to get things moving.

However, as the seconds ticked by, and when all the girls did was continue to stare at him in complete silence, Rio couldn't help but think he had already somehow made an error somewhere. 

But that's when one of them finally replied. 

"A-... Are you talking to us?" Red asked that, pointing at herself. 

Rio blinked.

And whether it was because of confusion or surprise; that didn't matter. Either way, after such a response, he was, if only momentarily, rendered at a complete loss for words.

There was good news, however.

His confused reaction didn't seem to belong to just him.

In fact, the blonde girl, Yellow, very clearly tilted her head back and sighed.

"...Ruby, please tell me you're joking. We are LITERALLY the only ones standing in front of him."

"W-... Whaa... I-I know that! B-But I just wanted to make sure! You might be all 'making friends is easy, Ruby,' or, 'You should come out of your shell more, Ruby', b-but I'll never forget the day someone waved at me but it turned out they were just calling out to someone behind me! And guess, Yang! Guess what I did!"

"Um. Y-... You wa—"

"I waved, Yang! I waved like an idiot!"

Huh...

Faced with the sight in front of him, Rio was very much at a loss. 

Red, or was her name Ruby?

Well, having to be awkwardly consoled by the one called Yang, she looked on the verge of tears.

That combined with the way her cheeks unashamedly glowed red, he was reminded anew she really couldn't be any older than fifteen, just little bit older than Latifa...

No, personality-wise, she might as well have been his sister. 

Well, all the girl was missing was brown hair. 

Animal ears too. 

Regardless, Rio's eyes slid to Black, either with intent or accidentally, then to White, then to Black again. And in doing so, he was really hoping the silent question in his eyes didn't need to be voiced.

No, the way his smile seemed to be both ineffably confused and on the verge of disappearing from his face altogether probably said it all. 

Fortunately, this was around the time someone took pity on him. 

"...Can you two not even hold a normal conversation without regressing into toddlers?"

Pinching the bridge of her nose, White, who Rio had to admit would look right at home as a princess in his world surrounded by nobles and royalty, summarily glared at both Ruby and Yang.

"This person asked us a question."

Ruby and Yang both froze.

The blonde then coughed, before her gaze, rigidly, returned to him, Ruby's too. "Er, sorry. Anyway, what's the deal? You want to talk with one of the Prof's? Yeah, we can help, but, uh...?"

Yang suddenly tilted her head, but it wasn't to give him a strange look per-say. Rather, it was to look past him with such an expression. 

That is, at the green forest he had come from. 

"Did you really just come straight out the Emerald Forest?" she asked, looking him up and down with what he assumed was appraisal. Although, the way she lingered below his face... Regardless, the blonde girl continued. "Huh... To come and go without your team, you must be one talented third year."

Rio blinked, for a moment not understanding her meaning.

Then.

She's… mistaking me for a student.

For one, he was kind of taken aback that they assumed he was a part of their roster so swiftly. But more than than, what had she said? A third year? He assumed that was an upperclassman.

Did Rio really look that much older than them?

Yes, he was about a half a head taller than the one called Yang, but still...

This body is only sixteen...

"I... wouldn't praise my modest strength as that much, Miss," Rio replied after a bit, and with a bit of an uncertain smile. 

For now, he would neither affirm nor deny the assumption.

"Hm… right. Uh, it's Yang by the way, not Miss." The words came out slow, almost distracted as she gazed at him with curious eyes. Still, it seemed she dispelled it all with a simple shrug to her shoulders.

"Anyway, enough chatter. Let's down to business."

Rio barely withheld a sigh of relief. 

That relief evaporated into nothingness once the Yang's eyes sparked with mischievousness.

"The real question is what is going on in the 'royal' Schnee household. Psst, Weiss, where were you hiding this handsome guy? Who is he, a brother, a cousin? Uncle maybe? I've certainly seen younger..."

The blonde's expression was jovial and unabashed as she began to elbow the white haired girl in the side.

White, or rather, Weiss, pushed Yang away from her with a small blush. "G-Get off. And we're not related, you dolt." Even though she said that though, she began to look at him more closely.

Royal. She said royal.

Rio, on the other hand, began to ponder very seriously.

Perhaps, after all, white hair is synonymous with a specific bloodline...

With that in mind, he instantly lowered his head.

Then, after a moment of hesitation, he sank to one knee as well. 

"...Apologies. I didn't realize I was disrespecting someone of such renown, nor was I trying to make any kind of pass at impersonation. If my appearance is too unsightly, I do possess the means to change it. It... wouldn't do for someone as lovely as yourself to have their esteemed family name sullied because of someone unimportant like me."

Honestly, even Rio thought he was overdoing it. 

But since he knew first hand how depraved and cruel nobles could be at just the slightest provocation, this level of cautiousness was a given. 

Or, that's what he thought. 

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

Um...

But Rio started to doubt this as all four girls looked at him, utterly bewildered. Even the black haired one, who had resorted to quietly reading a book at some point, looked up in surprise.

Then.

"Love...ly…?"

The young girl with the red ensemble, Ruby, echoed that in confusion. She looked to and from Rio and Weiss, as if processing what she had just heard.

Then an odd noise came from her mouth. 

No, she started laughing. 

"Pfttttt!"

Both Ruby and Yang did, the former overcome with giggles, with the latter gasping out breathy guffaws.

Additionally, Black was also looking on with a bemused smile, especially towards Weiss, who with unblinking eyes, wore a face that was ever so slowly being dyed her face crimson.

Then.

"...Careful there, Weiss-cream, blushing that hard will make it permanent," the blonde girl said with a floating tone. 

"N-N-No it won't—! I mean I'm not! I'm not blushing! Argh! You always do this Yang!" Weiss yelled indignantly, glaring pointedly at her. 

And the banter continued. 

Again.

Rio started to sweat slightly. 

Then he had a simple thought. 

Right... I suppose they really are just kids.

To his older mental age, anyway.

Well, even if that was the case, Rio still decided to clear his throat, if only to regain their attention.

Although, the fact that they truly looked at him like they forgot he was there did something incredibly strange to the smile he just tried to put on. 

Still, he struggled through it.

Also, even though unsure, Rio slowly rose to full height.

"While I admit I've lost track of the conversation, I hope I haven't made any of you uncomfortable…?"

They blinked in confusion for a second.

"Ha!" Yang laughed. "Uncomfortable...? Far from it, dude. You just made my day. It's not often someone manages to trip up our 'lovely' Weiss Schnee. Heh."

"I... see."

Yeah, Rio really didn't know how to respond to that.

"I resent that."

Weiss was quick to jump back into the conversation, tone snappish. "And don't any of you dare spread that name around. Ice Queen is bad enough as it is. I don't need any more people thinking I'm some sheltered princess."

"I'm not hearing a denial that you liked it, though," a soft but dry sounding voice suddenly echoed from the side.

It was the black haired girl, the one who hadn't spoken a word until now. But betraying her calm exterior was the slightest hint of an amused lilt in her voice.

"Yeah, yeah, you liked it, didn't you?" Yang grinned, Ruby matching her with an upbeat smile of her own. 

"Ugh..." But seemingly exasperated by all their antics was Weiss, sighing. However, she turned to look at Rio. "Back to the point, your appearance doesn't bother me at all. Quite frankly, it might be better this way."

Rio paused. "...I'm sorry, I don't understand."

Weiss blinked, coughing awkwardly.

"Er, I mean, you're polite. Politer than most anyway. What I'm trying to say... is that I wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if someone like you were to be mistaken for a Schnee."

The smile she suddenly put on was as vague as it was small.

And even though she continued staring at him, it was almost as if those pale blue eyes were looking at something else entirely. If nothing else, it seemed to surprise her companions slightly. 

"If more of us acted like that, maybe then... we could be seen as actual upstanding citizens… rather than cutthroat businessman who only know how to make money off of the misfortune of others…"

Weiss' face turned somber, to which her friends took with expressions that Rio found a bit hard to gather. Though he noticed the reserved black-haired girl giving her a smile that contained warmth. 

When Weiss locked eyes with him again, it was with some lingering awkwardness. Awkwardness, and self-deprecation. "I'm sorry, that makes it sound like I'm using you. Please ignore what I just said."

"..."

Rio didn't say anything, not at first.

Though, it seemed, it was just as likely that even in this world, there were those who sought to take advantage of others for their own self-interest.

It was clear just by looking at Weiss' face that much was true, and she had seen or even experienced some semblance of that.

But, despite that...

Rio sighed quietly.

When he spoke again, his tone was conversational.

"Well, I don't think you have to worry about that."

Weiss blinked, staring at him. 

"A word like cutthroat," Rio clarified, face relaxed. "I didn't get that impression at all, so don't worry."

Yes; as someone who had seen monsters in human skin, pieces of garbage that paraded around with thin smiles aplenty, Rio could definitely make such a statement.

Ah...

"Then again..." As if realizing something, Rio's grin turned somewhat nervous. "As a stranger, I'm not sure my opinion even matters in the first place, haha... Sorry."

Or so Rio decided to say, but really, he considering cutting his losses, turning around, and walking away.

His goal was information, but at this point, he was just wasting time.

More than that, he was wasting the time of those in front of him. 

Thus, an excuse was just about ready to leave his lips.

Of course, when he was promptly punched in the shoulder with a surprising amount of force, Rio kind of forgot to do that. 

The white haired boy just blinked.

Then he looked at the aggressor with a strange smile.

"Um, Miss Yang? What did I do to deserve such hostility?" 

It was indeed Yang who punched him.

Either way, Rio felt his question had merit. 

There was also the fact that everyone else was was just looking at him with wide-eyed, ambiguous expressions. No, wait. Why did the white haired girl look slightly flustered?

"...Hm. If you don't know why that's fine, and it makes me feel kinda guilty if that's the case, but still…" Yang eyed him closely, a hand on her chin.

Then she gave him an impish smile.

"Your kinda dangerous, aren't you?"

Rio initially thought she was talking about the sword at his hip, the one that, for some reason, not a single one of them had decided to question him on, but she never even looked at it.

Instead... she was staring at his chest, forearms, and face.

The white haired boy's brow furrowed.

(What exactly does she mean by—)

"Team RWBY, I'd advise you to step away from the intruder at once…!"

Suddenly, a commanding voice reached them, along with the repetitious sound of heels clicking upon the pavement. Rio turned almost instantly, and when he did, he was a little bit surprised at what he saw.

It was a woman, one far older than the teenage girls in the vicinity.

Blonde hair was crafted into a braid that was pleasant to the eyes.

Glasses adorned almost doll-like skin, skin that didn't look aged at all despite what her clothing suggested her profession was.

But, oddly, with traditional looking stockings that showed off long legs, she added to this slightly immodest image with a white dress shirt that left a disturbing amount of cleavage exposed.

Regardless, the cape fastened around her shoulders fluttered against the wind as she took measured steps towards them.

"M-Miss Glynda—er, I mean, Goodwitch…!? Wait, intruder…?"

Ruby's words initially came out in a tumble, but it only lasted for a moment. Because all of a sudden, and for the first time, she was casting Rio a serious glance.

And given her child like nature, he had to say it caught him slightly off-guard. 

The others suddenly looked cautious as well, even Weiss who had been in an odd state where she hadn't been able to meet his eyes for some reason. 

In any case, this "Glynda" or "Goodwitch" did not comment any further, instead choosing to pull out a peculiar object from—

Rio blinked.

—From between her breasts.

Although, he was practically forced to tilt his head.

Why a riding crop…?

Sure enough, it was a riding crop, and it was being pointed threateningly in his direction.

If Rio was hurt by the sudden change of the situation, which was, quite frankly, weirdly lighthearted until now, he certainly didn't show it.

Not when it was the kind of reaction he had been expecting from the beginning. 

Although, this isn't the type hostility I wanted from the first professor I saw...

Rio withheld the urge to sigh. 

Either way, it was exactly like the woman said.

He was an intruder.

That much was true.

So naturally, Rio put his hands up in the air.

"Well, that's not very nice to hear. I hope not all newcomers are treated like this?" Rio asked, smiling slightly.

Her response was swift.

"Only the ones who were seen flying through the air, armed, and making a beeline for this location."

"What?"

"Flew? Who flew? Him?!"

"You flew here!? That's so fricking cool!"

Surprised voices were heard in stereo, though Rio couldn't say he expected that last one from the girl decked out in red, certainly not when it was accompanied by such unmitigated excitement...

"Well... nothing you said so far is wrong, but is being armed really grounds for suspicion? That young lady is as well."

With the kind of calm that was almost irrational, Rio gestured towards the girl with the black-haired bow wearing girl. 

"Miss Belladona is a student of this Academy; therefore, she is permitted to carry a weapon. You, young man, are not."

"I see... so there's no avoiding this," Rio said in a low tone, causing the older woman to tense slightly.

Glynda looked ready to spring into action at any moment, and she even assumed the unknown boy would draw his sword, in which she would send him spiraling off balance the moment he attempted to do so.

But what happened next shattered her expectations.

"I surrender."

Rio suddenly held his wrists in front of him, looking at Glynda with that same polite little smile.

If a little awkward.

"Take me into custody, Miss. Unless you plan to execute me, then I'll have to politely refuse?"

Glynda just blinked, any formality and professionalism vanishing completely from her mind.

Huh?