Acceptance Letter - Volume: 0

"Bell, we need to talk," Raven asked sternly, and Bell quickly took a seat at the table. With a puzzled look on his face, he asked, "Sooooo, what's this serious meeting about? And why is Qrow here?"

Raven explained, her tone laced with frustration. "The reason why my damn brother is here is that this idiot decided to tell Ozpin about you, and that jeopardized the tribe's existence here."

Qrow, sitting nearby, responded sarcastically, "Wow, so I'm the idiot here, just reporting to my boss, that's my job"

Raven, her anger simmering beneath the surface, didn't hold back as she shot back, "Yes you're an idiot, because the family and the tribe come first, and you sold the tribe and your family out, you ass."

Qrow retorted with a hint of sarcasm, "Yeah, sure, family comes first."

I observe what's going on between them, also whatever information Qrow told Ozpin about me, must have got Raven pretty angry.

"Anyways here," Raven tossed a letter to Bell, her expression still marked with a hint of frustration. "Ozpin personally invited you to Beacon," she informed him, her tone more neutral now. Bell took the letter and quickly scanned its contents.

"Yup, and recommendations by yours truly," Qrow chimed in, trying to lighten the mood.

I couldn't believe my eyes. This is a golden opportunity, a chance to truly hone my skills, and get access to technology and resources at Beacon that I needed to upgrade my weapons.

Bell was taken aback by this. "Wait, recommendations as in multiple? Who else recommended me?" he asked.

Qrow, with a smug grin, replied, "Well, your mom here also recommended you." Bell turned to Raven, eyes wide with surprise. "Really?" he asked.

Raven nodded, though her expression remained stern. "Yes, only after Qrow was begging me on the floor to give you a recommendation," she revealed, her tone laced with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. Then she couldn't help but smack the back of Qrow's head.

Raven quickly retorted, "Also, don't call me his mom." Her tone was stern, and her eyes bore into Qrow, making it clear that the nickname did not amuse her.

Qrow rubbed his head where he had been smacked and chuckled, saying, "See, Bell, even the great Raven knows you've got potential."

Qrow then stretched his arms, "Webs, start packing," Qrow declared as he got up from his seat. With a perplexed look, Bell asked, "Wait, why?"

Qrow flashed a grin and replied, "You're leaving for Beacon."

Bell's eyes widened in surprise as he struggled to process the sudden turn of events. "Wait, right now?" he asked, clearly caught off guard.

Qrow's grin widened, and he added, "Yeah, right now. Oh, yeah, forgot to mention you were accepted into Beacon a year early, since your sixteen." He spoke with a casual nonchalance that didn't quite match the momentous news he had just dropped on Bell.

Qrow left the tent, and Raven and Bell were left alone, absorbing the significance of his sudden departure. Bell broke the silence, his voice reflecting a mix of excitement and uncertainty. "So, Beacon, huh?" he mused.

Raven nodded, her expression revealing a hint of pride and concern. She stood up and walked over to her wardrobe, rummaging through its contents, seemingly searching for something. As she continued her search, she offered some words of advice to her basically adopted son. "Words of advice, Bell. Keep your secrets to yourself, don't bring trouble to the tribe, beware of who you trust, and watch out for those who seek your eyes."

I understand what she is saying, but how does she know about silver eyes? maybe Summer told her about them.

Raven then found what she was looking for – a black necklace with a symbol of a bird hanging from it. She explained the necklace's significance. "This necklace belonged to my father, Corvin, and then he passed it on to me when I attended Beacon. Now, I pass it on to you."

With great care, Raven placed the necklace around Bell's neck.

"Uh, thank you, Mo—Raven," he said, correcting himself. He appreciated the significance of the necklace and the trust she had placed in him.

Raven's advice was offered with a seriousness that mirrored her concern for her Bell's journey. "Learn as much as you can and prove to them that you are the strongest," she said. Her words emphasized the importance of his education and the need to excel at Beacon. "And know where you came from," she added.

Wow, this is very un-Raven-like, I have never seen her this sentimental. 

"That's what my father told me before I left for Beacon," Raven revealed, her expression unwavering and strong. With her final words, Raven gave Bell her blessing. "Now go," she said, staring into my silver eyes.

As I left her tent, a sense of confusion lingered in my mind, and I made my way outside. There, I encountered Qrow, who had been discreetly listening to our conversation.

Walking beside Qrow, he chimed in, "I would have never thought she would get sentimental and give you that necklace, that's a first," Qrow remarked, taking a sip from his flask. The gesture seemed unusual coming from Raven, and it left me feeling a mix of surprise and gratitude.

Curious, I couldn't help but wonder if Qrow had received a similar speech from his father. "So, did your father give you the same speech?" I asked Qrow.

Qrow's response was straightforward, "Nope, he never cared for me that way." Another sip from his flask followed.

"I must say I would have never thought Raven to care for you so much," Qrow added, breaking the silence. Bell, his thoughts drifting to the necklace he now held, replied, "Really, she usually doesn't show it."

Qrow offered a reassuring perspective. "Trust me, she cares about you a lot. I think she got too attached to you from the start, and now she gives you a piece to remember her by," he said. I contemplated Qrow's words, realizing that maybe Raven was a softie, Raven had her way of showing her affection and concern. The necklace now hung as a symbol of that care, and I held it close, appreciating it.

I wonder if there is another reason she gave me this necklace, is it because she got too attached to me, or she cared I was born strong and was perfect for the tribe, or is it because of my silver eyes? perhaps it has to do something with Summer, I mean we both have silver eyes, and she did talk about some people wanting my eyes, I remember in volume 9 that Raven left with Summer through her portal, perhaps the guilt of whatever happened to Summer, there are some unanswered questions. 

After some time, with all of my belongings packed, I left my tree house behind and made my way out of the bandit fort with Qrow. The two of us headed toward a bullhead aircraft waiting outside the fort, and after settling in, we took our seats opposite each other.

As they prepared for take-off, My spider sense suddenly kicked in and I swiftly caught a piece of metal with a glowing blue and yellow dust core. "Here is the power core you asked for," Qrow said, having tossed it to Bell.

"Thanks," Bell replied, appreciating Qrow's assistance. With the last piece I needed to complete the robotic spider legs, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation about finally using them. I carefully stowed the power core in my bag, now ready to leave for Beacon.

I idly played with the necklace, my thoughts drifting through the array of plans I had for my time at Beacon. Stopping the fall of Beacon, rescuing Pyrrha, and bringing a touch of Spiderman-inspired flair to my new life.

I think about Raven and the tribe, maybe growing up as a bandit wasn't so bad.