"A individual's semblance is an expression of their soul, their aura. Its type and uses are determined by who you are at your core. What this means is that fundamentally your semblance is in essence, you, and as such, is only as strong as you are, only as useful as you make it, and... can change as you yourself do." Prof. Goodwitch instructed.

"I didn't know my semblance could change..."Ruby whispered to Yang, worried.

"I didn't either..."Yang whispered back.

"Difficult at least, cataclysmic more often." Weiss leaned in and whispered to Ruby.

The young girl's eyes widened in shock, as they met Weiss's earnest ones.

"It takes extremes to change your semblance." Prof. Goodwitch continued, hearing the murmurs and tones of shock.

"Not just anything can change a semblance, as not anything can change the core of you. To clarify further, I am not talking about changing ice to fire. Your core, even after intense trauma, is still you, altered, intensified, refocused or repurposed. Its the difference between a match and a flamethrower, an ember and an inferno, a breeze and a hurricane, a magnet and a black hole. An intense trauma, an overwhelming irreversible emotional reaction, a focused intense drive of your will towards a goal, each can change, augment, or alter your semblance. But remember, your semblance IS you, so as you focus your intentions now, and as you go through the struggles of your life here and after, keep who you are and who you want to be focused in your heart. Strive for mastery of yourself and mastery of your semblance will follow."

"Now, I have organized you all into working pairs. These were created based on observations of you all as you have studied, fought, eaten, relaxed, and worked. If any pair is less than satisfied with the grouping, see me after class. You will be working extremely close with your partner. Trust is essential and must, in the end, be absolute. You will have 3 weeks to decide. After that, your progress will be limited without a partner, so choose wisely. Our suggested pairings are posted to your scrolls."

Every one pulled out their scrolls. Then Weiss and Ruby's eyes met, and at the same time, Blake's and Yang's.

"Our next 3 successive classes will meet to discuss semblance basics and development methods, then your choices will be final. You and your partner will work together one on one to help each other to develop. A final caution to all, your semblance can be your greatest weapon, guard it, its uses, and its limitation, as it may mean your life. Dismissed."

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"So, we're partners..." Blake said as she and Yang walked slowly from the class.

The students filing from the classroom were in relative silent contemplation.

"Yeah, I know. We more or less just met, but other than my sister, I can't think of anyone else that I have an interest in knowing better." Yang blushed lightly at these words, looking down at the floor and then glancing up to meet Blake's eyes.

Blake's gaze was probing, searching the blonde's face and eyes. She wanted to know this girl, frightened because Yang seemed to want the same, and unsure if it would be a mistake to.

Blake's ears twitched under the black and purple plaid hat she was wearing today.

Yang's eyes caught the movement, but the question only came to her face.

Suddenly, Blake grabbed Yang's hand, dragging her down the hall to the side exit leading to a terrace.

"Hey! Where are we...?" Yang called forward to her.

There was no one else there on the terrace, Blake scanned around 3 times making absolutely sure they were alone, and then, looking straight into Yang's eyes, she took off her hat.

Yang's eyes drifted upward as Blake's ears twitched in the breeze.

"You're a...faunus!?!" Yang loudly whispered.

Blake was suddenly not sure she has done the right thing, her eyes began to fill, but she would not cry, not here in front of this girl.

"I just thought ...you should know,... in case ...it had any bearing ...on your decision." Blake started to turn, needing suddenly to bolt.

Yang caught her arm before she had taken 2 steps, pulling her close, whispering in her ear, "It absolutely has bearing on my decision, I definitely want to be your partner. If you feel the same, of course."

Yang pulled back to probe Blake's eyes this time.

"I thought...but I hoped...yes, I do."

——————————————————————————

"So wait, why are you in the semblance studies class? Shouldn't you already have a partner?" Ruby asked.

"Its complicated, but in the end, my partner died, 4 months ago. Everyone else in my class had a partner, so when I felt reasonably recovered, Ozpin put me back in class."

"Died...?" Ruby's eyes concerned and empathetic.

"Yes. Her name was Gretchen."