Andy's Point of View

For the rest of the month, the four of us helped with the movie whenever we had free time.

What started as Alex simply lending his gear for authenticity somehow turned into him becoming the film's lead actor, military consultant, co-writer, soundtrack advisor, and occasional assistant director.

None of us were particularly surprised anymore.

Thanks to the second years' Semblances, and Blake's Shadow Clones proving invaluable for scenes that required multiple soldiers or civilians on screen, the production moved far faster than anyone had expected.

Before long...

The final scene had been filmed.

The director looked over the set one last time before breaking into a broad smile.

"And..."

He clapped his hands together.

"That's a wrap!"

Cheers erupted across the set.

Students hugged one another, high fived, or simply collapsed into the nearest chair after nearly a month of filming.

The director held up a portable hard drive.

"With tonight's editing, I should be able to submit the final cut for review."

He grinned.

"If everything goes well, we should have an answer by tomorrow."

"I can't wait." Alex said, smiling as he slung his rifle over his shoulder.

He chuckled to himself.

"Even though I'm in the movie..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"...I still want to watch it just to see how everything came together."

Yang nodded enthusiastically.

"Same."

She glanced down at the experimental soldier armor she was still wearing.

"Though..."

She looked hopefully toward the director.

"...Any chance we get to keep the costumes?"

The director laughed.

"You may."

Yang pumped a fist into the air.

"Yes!"

"They're yours. They fit the characters so well that I couldn't imagine anyone else wearing them now."

Blake looked down at her own tactical gear.

"...Thank you."

The director smiled.

"You earned them."

I looked over at him.

"So..." I folded my arms. "Have you finally settled on a title?"

The director's grin somehow widened.

"I have."

He looked toward Alex.

"...Though I can't take all the credit."

Alex blinked.

"Huh?"

"You accidentally inspired it."

Alex immediately looked suspicious.

"...That's either a compliment, or a problem."

The crew burst into laughter.

Alex looked around at everyone.

"...I'm not sure I like that reaction."

"Oh, you'll like this one." The director assured him.

He held up the script. The pages now so covered in notes and revisions that it barely resembled the one we'd started with a month ago.

"When we first started this project..."

He flipped to the cover.

"...our working title was Crash Site."

Yang grimaced.

"...That's pretty generic."

"It was."

The director nodded.

"Then it became Unknown World."

Blake tilted her head.

"Better."

"Still not quite right."

The director looked at Alex.

"Then you gave us that line during the interrogation scene."

Alex frowned.

"...Which one?"

The director smiled.

"We're both trying to figure out if the other one's about to start a war."

Alex scratched the back of his neck.

"I don't remember saying that."

"You improvised it."

"Oh."

"Well..."

He shrugged.

"...It seemed fitting."

The director nodded.

"It was."

He tapped the cover of the script.

"But it wasn't the title."

He looked toward the rest of the crew.

"So we kept thinking."

"Then..."

He smiled.

"...someone pointed out what this story was actually about."

He looked directly at Alex.

"A soldier. Alone. On a world he doesn't understand. Trying to decide who he can trust, while everyone around him is asking the exact same question."

The set had gone quiet.

The director slowly turned the script around so everyone could read the cover.

FIRST CONTACT

Nobody spoke for a few seconds.

Then Yang smiled.

"...I like it."

Blake nodded.

"It fits."

The director looked toward Alex.

"Well?"

Alex stared at the title for a long moment.

Then a smile slowly crossed his face.

"...Yeah."

He nodded once.

"I like it."

The director let out a relieved breath.

"Good."

"Because after everything you've contributed..."

He laughed.

"...it would've felt wrong not getting your opinion."

Alex chuckled.

"I'm just glad it isn't Planet X Versus the Bad Guys anymore."

The entire crew groaned.

"Oh, don't remind us!"

"That title was awful."

"I still can't believe we almost went with it."

Alex grinned.

"You're welcome."

The director pointed a finger at him.

"You know..."

"What?"

"You're getting a special thanks in the credits."

Alex blinked.

"...Seriously?"

"You practically helped build this movie."

Another crew member chimed in.

"Military consultant. Co-writer. Worldbuilding consultant. Music consultant. Lead actor. Dialogue advisor."

Someone from the back laughed.

"Professional pain in the neck."

The set erupted into laughter again.

Alex sighed dramatically.

"...I'll accept all of those except the last one."

The director smirked.

"That's the most accurate one."

Alex placed a hand over his heart in mock offense.

"I have been nothing but helpful."

Yang immediately raised her hand.

"I'd like to dispute that statement. So should Blake."

Blake looked up.

"I would."

Alex looked around at all of us before letting out a defeated sigh.

"...Traitors."

That only made everyone laugh harder.

As the laughter echoed through the soundstage, I couldn't help but smile.

"Well..." I said, gesturing toward the exit. "...we should probably go tell the others."

For the entire month we'd kept the movie under wraps.

Only the people directly involved knew anything about it.

When it finally released...

The rest of Beacon was going to be completely blindsided.

"I suppose you're right." Alex said as we started walking. "Though..."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"...this does mean we'll have to explain our last names to Alexa and Francine."

I winced.

"That, might be awkward."

Since we've arrived, we'd gone out of our way to avoid using our full names.

Now that the credits were finished...

That little secret was about to disappear.

Blake glanced between us.

"I don't see why that's a problem."

She shrugged.

"People are already going to find out I'm a Faunus."

Alex nodded.

"...Right."

He paused for a second.

"...Only we know about that."

He shook himself from the thought.

"Anyway, the reason we're worried is because Alexa and I are related."

He pointed toward me.

"And so are Francine and Andy."

Yang and Blake exchanged puzzled looks.

Neither of them seemed quite sure what he'd meant.

Yang was the first to ask.

"...Related how?"

Alex answered without hesitation.

"My full name is Alexander Deforrest Orr."

He nodded toward me.

"His is Francis Andre Buencamino Yan."

Then he held up two fingers.

"Alexa's full name is Alexandria Deforrest Orr. And Francine's is Francine Andre Buencamino Yan."

Silence.

Yang blinked once.

Then twice.

"So..."

She looked back and forth between Alex and me.

"...You're saying..."

She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Alex smiled faintly.

"That Alexa and I are the same person."

He pointed toward me.

"And Francine and Andy are the same person. The only real difference is gender."

He shrugged.

"And age."

"Andy's a year older than Francine."

He tapped his own chest.

"I'm three years older than Alexa."

For several long seconds, neither Yang nor Blake said a word.

"...Whoa."

That was all Yang managed.

Alex nodded.

"Yeah."

He smiled.

"...Whoa."

Blake folded her arms, trying to process what she'd just heard.

"So..."

"...There are female versions of both of you."

"Pretty much."

Yang looked at Alex.

"And you've known this the whole time?"

"Since we met them."

"And you never told anyone?"

Alex laughed.

"How exactly was I supposed to bring that up?"

He cleared his throat dramatically.

"'Hey everyone, funny story. The girls from another team are basically gender swapped versions of us.'"

He shook his head.

"I figured that conversation could wait."

Yang covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

"...Fair."

Alex's expression became just a little more serious.

"One favor."

The two girls looked at him.

"Keep it between us for now. At least until Andy and I have a chance to explain it ourselves."

Blake nodded immediately.

"You have my word."

Yang raised two fingers in a mock salute.

"My lips are sealed."

Alex smiled appreciatively.

"Thanks."

He glanced at me.

"Well... Ready to have one very confusing conversation?"

I sighed.

"...Not even remotely."

Alex laughed.

"Good. Neither am I."

"You'll both live." Yang said confidently.

Alex tilted his head.

"There's about a fifty-fifty chance of that."

Yang smirked.

"Chicken."

Alex didn't miss a beat.

"Rooster, actually."

Yang blinked.

"...What?"

Alex waved a dismissive hand.

"Nothing."

A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"It's got something to do with the year I was born."

Yang stared at him for a second before shaking her head.

"You know, I never know when you're joking."

Alex shrugged.

"Neither do I."

That earned a laugh from all of us.

Yang pointed toward the path leading back to the dorms.

"Come on."

"Let's go find the others."

I gave a quick nod.

"Wilco."

Yang looked at me.

"...Wilco?"

"Means 'will comply.'"

Alex answered before I could.

"Old radio terminology."

Yang folded her arms.

"You two really are walking history books."

Alex smiled.

"We prefer the term..."

He glanced at me.

"...well-read."

I snorted.

"You're insufferable."

"I've been called worse."

"By Professor Goodwitch?"

"She was far more creative than that."

Yang laughed as the four of us started back toward Beacon.

"So..."

She looked at Alex.

"How long before you accidentally end up directing another project?"

Alex thought about it.

"...Statistically?"

"Yes."

He looked toward the sky as if doing the math.

"...Probably by next Tuesday."

Blake sighed.

"...He's probably right."

We all laughed as we disappeared down the path, leaving the now quiet film set behind us.

The walk back toward the dorms was a peaceful one.

For the first time in weeks...

None of us had a filming schedule to worry about.

No scripts.

No costume fittings.

No prop adjustments.

Just the four of us strolling through Beacon's courtyard as the evening sun painted the academy in shades of gold.

Yang stretched with a content sigh.

"...I'm actually going to miss it."

"The movie?" Blake asked.

"Yeah."

She smiled to herself.

"It was fun pretending to be somebody else for a while."

Alex glanced over.

"You weren't pretending all that much."

Yang looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged.

"The confidence? That was you. The protective streak? Definitely you."

He pointed at her armor.

"The only difference was the armor."

Yang laughed.

"...Fair."

Blake looked over at Alex.

"And me?"

"You?"

Alex thought for a moment.

"You weren't pretending either."

She raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't?"

"No. You were still quiet. Still observant. Still preferred watching before speaking."

He smiled.

"We just gave you military gear."

Blake blinked.

"...When you put it that way..."

"...He's right."

Yang nudged Blake with her elbow.

"See? You're already mysterious. You just became professionally mysterious."

Blake rolled her eyes.

"I don't think that's a thing."

"It is now." Alex replied.

Yang grinned.

"He's making up professions again."

"I absolutely am."

I chuckled.

"One day somebody's going to believe you."

Alex looked at me.

"Andy."

"Yeah?"

"Confidence is key."

"That doesn't answer my concern."

"It answers mine."

I sighed.

"Why do I even try?"

"Because deep down..." Alex smiled. "...you enjoy enabling me."

"I really don't."

Yang laughed.

"Oh, you absolutely do."

Before I could defend myself, a familiar voice called out from farther down the path.

"There you guys are!"

We looked up.

Ruby was jogging toward us, Weiss, Nora, Ren, Pyrrha, Jaune, Francine, and Alexa following behind at a more reasonable pace.

Ruby skidded to a stop.

"Whoa..." Ruby said, her silver eyes widening as she looked the four of us over. "Where'd you get those outfits?"

Yang smirked.

"Classified."

She let Ruby wonder for a second before spreading her arms with a grin.

"What do you think?"

Ruby walked a slow circle around her, taking in the armored plates, tactical webbing, and desert camouflage.

"...I think..."

She pointed dramatically.

"...you look awesome!"

Yang beamed.

"I know, right?"

"They're like Alex's gear..."

Ruby tilted her head, looking between the four of us.

"...if somebody gave it a makeover."

Alex rolled his eyes with a faint smile.

"I'll have you know..."

He tugged lightly at the vest he was wearing.

"...my armor isn't even finished yet."

Ruby blinked.

"It isn't?"

"Nope."

He shrugged.

"Still making changes."

He nodded toward Yang and Blake.

"But..."

A small hint of pride crept into his voice.

"...I did help design theirs."

Yang rested a hand on one of the armored plates.

"He's underselling it."

Blake nodded.

"He designed most of it."

Alex immediately shook his head.

"I refined it."

"You redesigned it." Yang corrected.

"I made suggestions."

"You replaced half the original concept."

Alex thought about it for a moment.

"...Fair."

Yang laughed.

"I knew it."

Alex gave an innocent shrug.

"They asked."

"What are you talking about?" Weiss asked, her gaze shifting between the four of us.

I exchanged a quick glance with Alex.

He gave the slightest shake of his head.

I understood immediately.

"...Something we can't talk about."

Weiss folded her arms.

"That only makes me more curious."

"I know."

I offered an apologetic smile.

"And I'm sorry."

"But we promised to keep it quiet."

Yang grinned.

"Trust us."

She adjusted one of the armored shoulder plates.

"It'll make sense soon enough."

Ruby narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"...You all planned that answer, didn't you?"

Alex smiled innocently.

"No."

He paused.

"...But it would've been smart if we had."

Yang snorted.

"There he goes again."

Alex shrugged.

"What?"

"The sarcasm."

"I prefer 'carefully selected honesty.'"

Weiss let out a quiet sigh.

"You're impossible."

"I've been told."

"Frequently."

"Usually by Professor Goodwitch."

That earned a few chuckles from the group.

Even Weiss couldn't quite hide the faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"Blake's outfit looks awesome too." Alexa said, looking her up and down. "It's a lot more stealth-oriented than Yang's."

Blake glanced down at herself.

"I suppose that was the idea."

Weiss studied the two outfits with a critical eye, taking in every detail from the armor placement to the webbing and equipment.

"...Actually..."

She nodded thoughtfully.

"It makes sense."

Everyone looked at her.

"Yang's equipment emphasizes protection and direct combat."

She gestured toward Yang's reinforced chest plate and armored shoulders.

"She looks like someone meant to take the fight head-on."

Then her attention shifted to Blake.

"Blake's gear is lighter, less restrictive, and designed to avoid unnecessary bulk."

She motioned toward the tactical vest and darker equipment.

"It favors mobility over protection."

Weiss folded her arms.

"In other words, Yang is the heavy hitter. She draws attention. She breaks through the front."

Her gaze settled on Blake.

"Blake is the stealth operator. She avoids being seen. She strikes where the enemy isn't expecting her."

She gave a small nod of approval.

"Their equipment reflects exactly that."

Yang smiled.

"I like the sound of 'heavy hitter.'"

Blake glanced sideways at her.

"And I'm apparently a stealth operator."

Alex smiled.

"That was the idea."

He looked between the two of them.

"You don't design equipment around appearances. You design it around the person wearing it."

Blake's expression softened ever so slightly.

"...That explains why they both feel natural."

Alex nodded.

"Good. Then I did my job."

Yang rested her hands on her hips.

"So..."

She looked toward Alex with a smug grin.

"I take it you designed yours the same way?"

Alex looked down at his own gear.

"...More or less."

Ruby tilted her head.

"What's yours designed for?"

Alex didn't even hesitate.

"Staying alive."

The group laughed.

"...Seriously?" Jaune asked.

"I am serious."

Alex shrugged.

"Everything on my gear has a purpose."

He tapped his helmet.

"Head protection."

Then his vest.

"Carries ammunition, medical supplies, food, water, and anything else I might need."

Then his gloves.

"Protect my hands."

Then his boots.

"Protect my feet."

He looked back up.

"If something doesn't have a purpose, I don't carry it."

Ren nodded thoughtfully.

"Efficient."

Alex smiled.

"That's the goal."

Francine folded her arms.

"So..."

She smirked.

"...How many pockets do you actually have?"

Alex looked down.

"...I've honestly lost count."

Yang burst out laughing.

"You're kidding."

"I wish."

He started patting himself down.

"...I genuinely don't know anymore."

Nora's eyes sparkled.

"Treasure hunt!"

Before anyone could stop her, she darted over and started pointing at random pouches.

"Ooh!"

"What's in this one?"

Alex answered without looking.

"Medical kit."

"This one?"

"Batteries."

"This one?"

"Multi-tool."

"That one?"

"Spare gloves."

"This one?"

"Jerky."

Nora froze.

"...You carry snacks?"

Alex looked at her as though she'd asked if the sky was blue.

"Of course."

"Why?"

He blinked.

"Because eventually, someone gets hungry."

Nora stared at him for exactly two seconds before throwing her arms around him.

"You're a genius!"

Alex laughed awkwardly.

"I just carry food."

"No!"

She pointed dramatically at him.

"You plan ahead!"

Ren quietly nodded.

"She does appreciate that."

Yang looked at Alex with an amused smile.

"You really think of everything."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck.

"I try."

Ruby looked between the three tactical outfits one last time.

"...You know..."

She smiled brightly.

"You all kind of look like a team."

The four of us exchanged glances.

Alex smiled.

"...Yeah."

None of us mentioned how naturally we'd fallen into those roles over the past month.

"Miss Xiao Long. Miss Belladonna."

Professor Goodwitch's voice came from behind us.

"What, precisely, are you two wearing?"

The conversation came to an immediate halt.

We all turned.

Professor Goodwitch stood a few paces away, her riding crop tucked beneath one arm as she regarded Yang and Blake with the practiced eye of an instructor evaluating equipment rather than fashion.

Yang grinned.

"Our new combat outfits."

She spread her arms slightly.

"What do you think?"

Professor Goodwitch didn't answer immediately.

Instead, she slowly circled the two of them.

Her eyes lingered on the placement of the armor.

The load-bearing equipment.

The balance of protection versus mobility.

The weight distribution.

Nothing escaped her notice.

After nearly a minute of silent inspection, she came to a stop.

"I think..."

She looked first at Yang.

"...your armor complements your fighting style well. It provides protection where you're most likely to receive incoming blows without excessively restricting your movement."

Her gaze shifted to Blake.

"And yours sacrifices unnecessary bulk in favor of mobility and stealth, while still protecting your vital areas."

She gave a single approving nod.

"I believe they will serve you both very well."

Yang's grin widened.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should."

Professor Goodwitch replied without missing a beat.

"It was intended as one."

Yang looked positively delighted.

"Well..."

She rested her hands on her hips.

"I wasn't expecting a compliment from you today."

Professor Goodwitch raised an eyebrow.

"I compliment good work when I see it, Miss Xiao Long."

Yang blinked.

"...Huh."

Alex folded his arms with a satisfied smile.

"I'll consider that mission accomplished."

Professor Goodwitch's attention immediately shifted to him.

"You designed these."

It wasn't a question.

Alex nodded.

"With some input from them."

Yang pointed at him.

"He's underselling it again."

Blake nodded once.

"He designed almost all of it."

Alex gave a helpless shrug.

"They knew what they wanted. I just translated it into equipment."

Professor Goodwitch regarded him for a long moment before looking back at the two girls.

"The placement of the armor is deliberate."

Alex nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

"You've left their shoulders and hips with enough freedom of movement to avoid hindering their fighting styles."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You've reinforced the forearms and shins."

"Yes, ma'am."

"You've also distributed the weight evenly instead of concentrating it on the torso."

Alex smiled slightly.

"Didn't want them fatiguing faster than necessary."

Professor Goodwitch looked genuinely impressed.

"...Most first year students wouldn't even consider that."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck.

"I've had too much time to think about equipment."

"That much is evident."

Her eyes drifted over his own unfinished gear.

"I assume your own equipment is still a work in progress."

"It is."

"You've already identified changes?"

Alex nodded.

"A few."

Professor Goodwitch waited.

"Well?"

Alex hesitated for a moment.

"The shoulder straps need adjusting."

He tapped the front of his vest.

"I want to redistribute some weight toward my hips."

Then he pointed toward one of his magazine pouches.

"And I need to move this."

Professor Goodwitch glanced at it.

"Why?"

"It interferes with drawing my sidearm if I'm lying prone."

There was a brief silence.

Professor Goodwitch looked at him.

Then at the vest again.

"...I hadn't noticed that."

Alex shrugged.

"I only figured it out after crawling around on it for a while."

Yang smiled.

"He's always tinkering with something."

Professor Goodwitch gave a small nod.

"A good habit."

She looked back at Yang and Blake.

"Equipment should evolve with its user."

Then, to everyone's surprise, she looked at Alex again.

"When you've finished refining your own design..."

She paused.

"...I'd like to see it."

Alex blinked.

"...Really?"

"Yes."

Her expression remained as composed as ever.

"I may have a few suggestions."

A grin slowly spread across Alex's face.

"I'd appreciate that."

Yang looked between the two of them.

"...Did Professor Goodwitch just ask to collaborate with you?"

Alex smiled.

"...I think she did."

Goodwitch cleared her throat.

"Do not misunderstand."

She turned crisply toward the academy.

"I simply have a professional interest in seeing competent equipment become even more competent."

Yang waited until the professor had walked several paces away before leaning toward Alex.

"...That's the closest thing you're ever getting to 'good job.'"

Alex chuckled.

"I'll take it."

We watched Professor Goodwitch disappear down the path.

None of us spoke for a few moments.

Finally, Yang broke the silence.

"Well..."

She looked over at Alex.

"I don't think I've ever seen her inspect something that closely."

Alex shrugged.

"She knows what she's doing."

"She does." Weiss agreed.

"She wasn't looking at the appearance."

"She was evaluating function."

Alex nodded.

"As she should."

He looked toward Yang.

"A combat outfit isn't supposed to look good."

Yang glanced down at herself.

"...I mean, looking good is a nice bonus."

Alex laughed.

"I'll give you that. But if your gear's more fashionable than functional, it's failed its first job."

Blake adjusted one of the straps on her vest.

"I actually forgot I was wearing this."

Alex smiled.

"That's intentional."

Everyone looked at him.

"If you're constantly noticing your equipment, it's distracting you."

He pointed toward Blake's shoulder straps.

"If you're adjusting those every five minutes, they're fitted wrong."

Then toward Yang's chest plate.

"If your armor keeps catching when you throw a punch, it's shaped wrong."

Finally, he tapped the side of his own vest.

"The best equipment disappears."

Ruby tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"You stop thinking about it."

He shrugged.

"It becomes part of you."

Ren nodded thoughtfully.

"That philosophy applies to more than equipment."

Alex smiled.

"It usually does."

Nora looked at Yang's armor with sparkling eyes.

"So..."

She reached toward one of the pouches.

"What're these for?"

Yang laughed.

"Ammo, food, water..." Yang replied, patting one of the pouches on her vest. "Medical supplies, tools... stuff like that."

Nora blinked.

"...That's it?"

Yang raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah."

She spread her arms.

"What else would I put in them?"

Nora tapped her chin thoughtfully.

"I dunno... Candy?"

Yang looked at Alex.

Alex looked back at her.

Then, without a word, he reached over, opened one of Yang's utility pouches, and pulled out a chocolate bar.

Nora gasped.

"I knew it!"

Yang stared at the chocolate.

"...When did you put that in there?"

Alex calmly slid it back into the pouch.

"Emergency rations."

Yang folded her arms.

"That's not an emergency ration."

"It is if morale's low."

Ren nodded.

"...He's not wrong."

Yang sighed dramatically.

"...I don't know whether to thank you or be concerned."

"Both." Alex answered.

Ruby laughed.

"I like his version better."

Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Because you're not." Alex replied with a grin. "Now come on."

He turned toward the path leading to the cafeteria.

"Let's get moving."

He patted one of the pouches on his vest.

"I'm hungry."

"He's right." I agreed, falling in beside him. "I'm starving too."

Blake glanced toward the academy clock tower.

"Well..."

She smiled faintly.

"Lunch is about to start."

She looked at the two of us.

"So I'd say your timing is perfect."

Yang laughed.

"Good."

"Because if we wait any longer..."

She looked at Alex.

"...I have a feeling you're going to start eating those emergency rations."

Alex looked genuinely thoughtful for a moment.

"...That is an option."

Yang groaned.

"Alex."

"What?"

"They're called emergency rations."

He shrugged.

"Being hungry feels like a minor emergency."

Even Weiss couldn't suppress a small smile.

"I somehow doubt that's what they were intended for."

Alex grinned.

"Probably not. But they taste surprisingly decent."

Together, we started toward the cafeteria.

The halls were noticeably busier now.

Students poured out of classrooms as lunch began, conversations filling the corridors with a steady hum.

A few glanced our way.

Then glanced back.

Then did a double take.

"...Are they looking at us?" Yang asked quietly.

Alex looked around once.

"They're looking at your armor."

Yang grinned.

"Jealous?"

"Curious."

He shrugged.

"There's a difference."

As if to prove his point, a pair of first-years walked past.

One whispered something to the other before looking back at Yang and Blake.

"...See?"

Alex said.

"Curious."

Yang looked far too pleased with herself.

"I'll take it."

Ruby walked alongside Blake.

"So..."

She poked one of Blake's shoulder plates.

"Does all this actually stop bullets?"

Alex nodded before Blake could answer.

"To a point."

Ruby blinked.

"To a point?"

"No armor's invincible."

He tapped the reinforced plate.

"It buys you time."

Then he tapped his own chest.

"It gives you another chance."

He looked around at everyone.

"But the best way to survive getting shot, is not getting shot."

Jaune nodded.

"That... actually makes a lot of sense."

"It usually does."

Alex replied.

"Armor isn't there because you expect it to save you. It's there because eventually, everyone makes a mistake."

The group grew a little quieter.

Even Yang's smile softened.

Ren looked thoughtfully at Alex.

"You seem to think in probabilities."

Alex smiled.

"I hunt. Hunted long before I came here. You learn pretty quickly that luck eventually runs out."

He shrugged.

"So, you prepare for when it does."

Blake nodded.

"That explains a lot."

Before anyone could continue the conversation, the unmistakable smell of lunch drifted out from the cafeteria doors.

Alex stopped mid-sentence.

His stomach let out an audible growl.

Yang burst into laughter.

"...Well."

She pointed toward him.

"I think your stomach just voted."

Alex looked mildly offended.

"It has excellent judgment."

Ruby giggled.

"So..."

She reached for the cafeteria door.

"Race you to the line?"

Alex smiled.

"You're on."

The moment the doors opened, Ruby disappeared inside like a red blur.

Alex watched her go.

"...I'm not competing with that."

Yang laughed as we all followed Ruby into the crowded cafeteria, the smell of fresh food quickly overpowering every other thought we'd had.

The cafeteria was already packed.

Students filled nearly every table, conversations blending into one constant wall of noise.

The moment we stepped through the doors, dozens of heads turned.

Not toward Alex.

Toward Yang and Blake.

"...Called it." Alex muttered.

Yang looked around.

"Really?"

"You're wearing combat armor to lunch."

He gestured toward the room.

"You're naturally going to attract attention."

Several students whispered to one another.

One second year nudged his friend before pointing toward Yang's armored gauntlets.

Another seemed more interested in Blake's tactical vest.

Ruby smiled, as we neared her.

"I feel underdressed."

"You are." Yang replied proudly.

Weiss sighed.

"You're encouraging her."

"Absolutely."

Alex looked toward the serving line.

"Let's get food before everybody decides to ask questions."

"A wise decision." Ren agreed.

We joined the line.

The cafeteria staff looked up as we approached.

One of the cooks blinked at Yang and Blake.

"...New uniforms?"

Yang smiled.

"Something like that."

The cook slowly nodded.

"They look good."

"Thanks."

Alex stepped forward.

"Can I get two chicken breasts..."

He pointed down the line.

"...mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, three dinner rolls, and a salad."

The cook looked at him.

"...Hungry?"

Alex smiled sheepishly.

"I've been on my feet all morning."

I stepped beside him.

"I'll have about the same."

Yang leaned toward Blake.

"I think they eat enough for four people."

Blake watched as Alex accepted his tray.

"...I think you're right."

Nora looked between their plates.

"...Can I have one of your rolls?"

Alex didn't even look up.

"No."

"What if I ask nicely?"

"You did."

"...Pretty please?"

Alex picked up one of the rolls.

Nora's eyes lit up.

Then he moved it onto the opposite side of his tray.

"No."

Yang laughed so hard she nearly dropped her drink.

"You're evil."

"No."

Alex replied calmly.

"I've just learned from experience."

Nora pouted dramatically.

"You never share."

"I cooked for you three nights this week."

"...That's different."

"How?"

"It already belonged to me then."

Alex blinked.

"...I'm not even going to try unpacking that logic."

Ren sighed.

"She has her own unique philosophy."

"So I've noticed."

With trays finally loaded, we turned toward the dining area.

Only to find nearly every table occupied.

Jaune scanned the room.

"...Uh... Where are we sitting?"

Alex looked around once.

Then pointed toward an empty table tucked against the far wall.

"There."

It wasn't in the center of the cafeteria.

It wasn't near the windows.

It wasn't even close to the serving line.

It simply gave everyone a clear view of the room.

Yang noticed immediately.

"...You picked that on purpose."

Alex looked at her.

"Yep."

"Why?"

He shrugged.

"I like knowing what's going on."

Yang smiled knowingly.

"Old habits?"

Alex returned the smile.

"...Old habits."

Without another word, we carried our trays over and claimed the table before anyone else could.

The table filled quickly.

Trays were set down.

Chairs scraped against the floor.

Nora immediately eyed Alex's rolls again.

Alex noticed without even looking.

"No."

"I didn't say anything."

"You were thinking it loudly."

Nora gasped.

"He can read minds."

Ren calmly took a sip of water.

"No. You are simply predictable."

Nora placed a hand over her heart.

"Betrayed."

"Frequently." Blake said, sitting beside Yang.

Nora pointed at her.

"You're supposed to be quiet and mysterious."

"I am."

"That was neither."

"It was quiet."

Alex snorted into his drink.

Yang dropped into the seat beside him, still looking far too pleased with the attention her new armor had drawn.

Ruby sat across from her, eyes still roaming over every plate and pouch like she was trying to solve a puzzle.

"So..." Ruby started.

Alex immediately sighed.

"No."

Ruby blinked.

"I didn't even ask yet."

"You were going to ask about the outfits."

"...Maybe."

"Then no."

Ruby pouted.

"That's unfair."

"That's operational security."

Weiss raised an eyebrow.

"You are taking this far too seriously."

Alex picked up his fork.

"I take food and secrets very seriously."

"You just admitted you have a secret." Alexa said.

Alex froze for half a second.

I saw it.

So did Francine.

Alexa's eyes narrowed.

"...Wait."

Alex slowly took a bite of chicken.

Chewed.

Swallowed.

Then pointed at her with his fork.

"Nice try."

Alexa leaned forward.

"What secret?"

"The one I'm not telling you."

"That isn't an answer."

"It is. Just not a helpful one."

Francine looked between us.

"You two have been acting weird all month."

"No we haven't." I said.

"Yes, you have."

"Nope."

"Andy."

I took a bite of mashed potatoes.

"Can't hear you. Eating."

Francine stared at me.

"That's not how hearing works."

"It is today."

Alex nodded approvingly.

"Good answer."

"Don't encourage him." Francine said.

"I'm morally obligated."

"No, you're not."

"Spiritually, then."

Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You two are impossible."

"Thank you." Alex and I said at the same time.

That earned a round of groans from the table.

Yang laughed and bumped Alex's shoulder with her own.

"You know, for people supposedly keeping a secret, you're both terrible at not sounding suspicious."

Alex shrugged.

"We've kept it this long."

"That does not make you good at it." Blake said.

"It means no one caught us."

"That also does not make you good at it."

Alex paused.

Then nodded.

"...Fair."

Ruby's eyes suddenly lit up.

"So there is a secret!"

Alex looked at me.

I looked at him.

Then both of us looked back at Ruby.

"No." We said together.

Ruby pointed at us.

"You answered too fast!"

Nora slammed both hands on the table.

"I knew it!"

"You know nothing." Alex said.

"I know there's a secret!"

"There are many secrets."

"That's worse!"

Jaune looked increasingly lost.

"Are we supposed to know what's happening?"

"No." Ren answered.

"Good. Because I don't."

Pyrrha smiled faintly.

"I believe that is the point."

Alexa didn't laugh.

Neither did Francine.

They were both watching us now.

Really watching us.

Alex noticed.

So did I.

The easy joking stayed on his face, but his eyes shifted for just a second.

A silent question.

I glanced at the crowded cafeteria.

Students everywhere.

Too many ears.

Too many eyes.

I gave the smallest shake of my head.

Alex's expression didn't change, but he understood.

He leaned back in his chair and took another bite like nothing had happened.

"Anyway..." He said, voice casual. "...food first. Existential crises later."

Ruby blinked.

"...Why would there be an existential crisis?"

Alex smiled.

"No reason."

That somehow made everyone more suspicious.

I sighed and focused on my lunch.

This was going to be a long day.
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A/N: And done. kuwebby2, what do you think?