@small-red-rose
Ash was one of those students. Everyone knows the type: the type that stands out but tries their damndest to blend in. While his grades in Beacon were quite good—not “prodigious”, but definitely good—he rarely ever spoke in classes, be it to ask questions or even whisper to other students. He just sat in the back, away from everyone else, even his own Team. This was evident even during lunch periods and between class hours. Any chance he got, he would slink away to a secluded spot in the courtyard with several trees, sit beneath one or climb up into one, and just read for a while. In some ways, he was like Blake, as Ruby might have observed. However, unlike Blake, he made next to no effort to interact with others unless absolutely necessary, whereas she at least made an effort. He had heard the whispers among the nastier students that circulated—phrases like “what a creep”, “I heard he put some kid in the hospital...” “don’t get too close, I think he likes to carry knives,” and “why the hell are we letting him stay here? How do we know he’s not with the White Fang?” were among his personal favorites. The last one, he was often tempted to actually attack people for; if they knew how much he hated the White Fang, they’d know just how damn wrong they were.
Ash never expected to hear anyone approach his “sanctuary.” Hardly anyone ever came here, and when they did, they usually left rather quickly. So, deciding to adopt his more snarky persona, he said from his place in the branches, “Freak show’s closed, I’m afraid. Come back tomorrow, kiddo.” This had been his standard go-to phrase to tell potential bullies to piss off, but with Ruby, the odds were pretty good she wouldn’t get it.
