assignment one draft 1

8/11/2019 Assignment One Draft 1

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assignment-one-draft-1 1/15

Dakota Carmer

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Figured World: a social envir onment wi th mul tiple communities of practice each with ru les

and conventions for social i nteraction

The figured world I’m observing is the online show RWBY. The world in which RWBY take place is called Remnant, and more specifically the kingdom of Vale. The premise of the show isthat in humanity’s early days, we were nearly wiped out by the creatures of grimm. Mankindthen harnessed the power of a substance which came to be know as Dust, to repel the darkness,and progress to a state of sheltered civilization the characters find themselves in now. Ourcharacters specifically are enrolled in a school whose purpose is to train the defenders ofmankind. Because of this it is common and expected for everyone on campus to be equippedwith a weapon at all times, and to have combat experience. These people are just as likely to be

found studying, for their academic courses, or socializing with friends. Those residing in themain city of Vale however are common people, who go about their business much like any of usdo. These people are nonplussed at seeing students of these prestigious combat schools walkingaround with weapons, however those seen with a weapon who are not easily identified as

students or staff cause panic. The students, teachers and common populace of vale all representcommunities of practice, with the students being motivated to gain the knowledge to defend theirkingdom, teachers gathered to spread their knowledge, and the overarching sense of communitythat is fostered by a common enemy constantly threatening to return mankind to the darkness. A particular area of interest is in Faunus the collective term for those that are part human partanimal. This race is often mistreated by humans, creating several sub communities of practicethat share different views about the equality. The White Fang in particular is a community of practice that believe violence is the only way to achieve equality for their Faunus brethren.

Actors: the people in a fi gured world, who are all fulf il li ng roles

● Ruby Rose - Ruby is one, and the most prominent, of the shows four main protagonists.Ruby was formally appointed to, and fulfills, the role of leader within her team, puttingher in a position of responsibility to make sure the team cooperates and strengthens. Ruby being the youngest, also brings youthful enthusiasm and optimism to the group, beingvery naive of the world she lives in.

● Weiss Schnee - Weiss is the tsundere of the four main characters. She serves to counterRuby’s unbridled enthusiasm, with constant put downs, all the while secretly taking great

comfort from Ruby’s comradery. Weiss, also being the Heir ess to one of the largestcompanies of the world, represents sophistication and refinement and is unhappily putupon by expectations of her status. These expectations cause her to be very diligent in herwork and through this the betterment of her team and teammates.

● Blake Belladonna - Blake is the quiet and antisocial one of the four main characters. Herintroverted book worm personality is derived from her abuse at being a Fauns causing herto stop relying on others. In this way her role is a counter to R uby’s niavety, having

experience lifes pain, Blake is the voice of reason that puts situations in perspective forthe group.

● Yang Xiao Long - Of the four main characters, Yang is the most confident and jovial.Yang is typically seen to be carefree and socially popular, however when angered thelighthearted attitude is replaced by unequaled rage. Even though Yang and Ruby are

stepsisters, they have a loving relationship and Yang often tries fill the role of Big Sisterfor Ruby and the team as a whole. She is deeply caring and at times overprotective ofthose she sees as her friends, especially Ruby. With Yangs strength far surpassing anyone

Commented [Ma1]: The description of your fworld is awesome. I have no prior knowledgeshow but you made it relatively easy to undershow that seems quite complex from an outsiperspective. You really did a great job telling tnecessary information without overloading sowith no prior knowledge of the show.

Commented [Ma2]: Your actors section is grdescriptions you provide for the characters pr

both useful information and show how they fuspecific roles. However, I would recommend ryour definition of actors. From you definition afollowing descriptions it is clear that you havegrasp on the definition of actors. Make this cledefinition as well. I would start with changing torder to something like “the people who fulfill figured world”. Then go on to clarify that therepeople in the figured world who do not fit the tbecause they do not fulfill an explicit role.



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elses in the group she sees it as her job to defend the group from threats external andinternal, blaming herself whenever harm befalls them.

● Ozpin - Ozpin is the headmaster at Beacon and as such is responsible for his students.While not interacting with his students on a day to day basis, he often shows up to provided much needed guidance or support. As headmaster he provides his teachers andstudents direction and insight on how to become better huntsman and huntresses. Heworks to make his school an environment that accepts people from all walks of life,including Faunus, this is one of the many reasons he accepts Ruby two years early.

● Roman Torchwick - Torchwick is the main antagonist in the show. He continually breaks the law and this leads him into conflict with the RWBY and the populace of Vale

at large. Most of his actions are in response to direction from Cinder, his apparent boss.Despite this pecking order it is Torchwick that carries out most of the misdeeds and herepresents the corruption of the human populace and conflicts other than the Grimm.

● Adam Taurus - Adam is one of the few personally Identified members of the White

Fang. In contrast to Blake, Adam not only supports the White Fang’s actions, but is a perfect member. Adam shows little concern for human lives he might take, as his fulfillshis role as a White Fang zealot.

● Cardin Winchester - Cardin is a side character and a student at beacon. Cardin is theleader of his own team, but often acts disreputably. He fill the role of bully at beacon andhis team follows suit. They pick on Jaun and other students for the shear enjoyment of it.They also target Faunus and are very discriminatory. These people, and Cardin in particular, provide a social conflict for many students at beacon and separate those who

stand up for justice, or cower in fear

Artifacts: physical objects or emotions that are shared by a communi ty of practi ce, that have

special meaning and impor tance

● Dust - Dust is the substance that empowers mankind to stand against the darkness. It’s anatural energy propellent and powers all aspects of daily life, from transportation, tocommunication, to defence. Man relies on dust thoroughly and the ever expanding need

and consumption of dust keeps the world dependent on several key dust miningcompanies.

● Aura - Auras are the manifestation of ones soul. All living creatures have them, animalshumans, and Faunus alike. Grimm however lack a soul. They are the epitome ofanonymity. Aura can be used to, gain extra sensory input, bond with someone orsomething at a deeper level, or by bearing the soul outward a barrier to deflect harm. Thisis essential to all Hunters and Huntresses as it allows them to take otherwise lifethreatening strikes, and continue fighting.

● Weapons - With a world full of danger weapons are a necessity, especially for Huntersand Huntresses. Each student hand crafts their own weapon and imparts some of their

soul into it, as to better link themselves. Their weapons are expression of their innerselves and act as conduits for their aura and dust to combat enemies. Many students go sofar as to name their weapons, such as Ruby’s Crescent Rose, and Yang’s Ember Cecilia.

● Semblances - Semblances are unique abilities of each person trained in the use of Aura.These are often significant manipulations of ones surroundings or self through the

signature use of their Soul. Ruby’s Semblance is speed, Pyrah's’ is polarity. Each personsSemblance is part of their identity and unlocking it is a right of passage culturally.

Commented [Ma3]: The vocabulary you usecharacter descriptions is very vivid and descrThis helps make what could be a very boring describing characters, interesting and intriguindefinitely interested in reading your observatioI even got down to them due to the very descword usage.

Commented [Ma4]: I like your descriptions a

thought out. you have done a good job by incenough about the charter but not too much infon them. you have also given the reader a lotknowledge about the roles that they play



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● Experiences of Loss - Team RWBY and many other students have personal tales ofhardship and loss. These experiences each influence their owner in different ways, oftenowing to the motivation behind becoming a Hunter or Huntress. Sharing these trials alsoserves to create deeper bonds with others and humanise people that have seemed distant.

● Fear - Humanity is currently experience an unprecedented period of peace. This showsthat peace it not the norm, and even amidst this peace, is a chronic fear of theoverwhelming number and strength of the grimm, just outside the kingdom. No matterthe fragmentation within human communities, the fear of the Grimm has no barriers, theGrimm don’t care if your Faunus or Human, good or Evil. They kill withoutindiscriminately, and are just waiting for the defences to falter long enough to return

mankind to the darkness. It is with this fear that humanity goes about its daily life, andmotivate people like Ruby to take up the fight.

● Strong morals - Team RWBY is often seen deliberating on what is right, as do manystudent at Beacon, with the exception of a few like Cardin. Being Hunters and Huntresses

inspires a sense of responsibility that comes with their training, to do what is right. Theymight not all agree on details, but as a group they all strive to protect the weak andendangered. To protect mankind and uphold justice are the strongest ideals of a Hunter orHuntress.

Communities of Practice: a gr oup of people that have shared trai ts, such as goals, in terests

and communication

● The Faunus - The populace of Remnant who are part animal, part Human. Individualsare usually discriminated toward and ostracized, typically leading them to rely on each

other for support. They have a habit of sticking to the shadows, as humans avoid the dark,while most Faunus have exception smell hearing and most of all night vision. They areusually able to detect their own kind with these traits, even if the other is hiding theirvisible signs of being a Fauns, such as Blake’s ribbon.

● The White Fang - A particular subculture of the proportionately small Faunus population. In order to achieve equality the White Fang once stood as a peaceful

organization, which when met with little results became violent. This new White Fanguses whatever means necessary, often violent and illegal, to promote Faunus rights. The

White Fang all wear grimm masks to hide their identity and have secret meetings inshifting locations, to plan their next action and gather recruits. More recently a shift hasoccurred leading the White Fang not to just fight for their equality, but their supremacy toHumans.

● Beacon Students - The students at beacon may have their individual reasons forattending, but their collective goal is to become Hunters and Huntresses. The school isisolated from the rest of the city, and all students live on site. They learn, study, practice,similar courses and are faced with the social challenges of Dust supply and demand,

criminal influence and White Fang activity. They are grouped into teams of four andcommunicate through personal school assigned Scrolls(holographic smart phones).

● Cinder’s Faction - This includes Cinder, Torchwick, Mercury, and Emerald. WhileRoman is clearly left out of the other three’s master plan, he’s an integral part of theiroperation. They all follow Cinder’s direction and are completing nefarious illegal

activities toward a yet unknown end. They have no reservations at killing and seem totake enjoyment out of the pain they cause.



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● Team RWBY - Our four main characters in particular are seen as distinct from therabble. They all have deeply personal reasons for being at Beacon, and themselves as aseparate entity from the rest of the students. They also continue to have encounters withCinder’s Faction and The White Fang unlike other teams, leading them to makeindependent efforts from the other Hunters, Huntresses, and police, in stopping them.

● Beacon Staff - The staff at Beacon are or have been Hunters and Huntresses. Because ofthis they share past experiences and wars that were fought. They are now linked in theirgoal to train the next generation. While each of the teachers want to see their students become great Hunters, they do it with a sense of melancholy from their own past, and arevery concerned with their students well being.

● The Grimm - The Grimm come in many shapes sizes and species but they are set apartfrom the whole of creation because they lack a soul. Most seem to be created from theshadows themselves, with bone white protrusions serving as the weapons and armor.They don’t requir e food or exhibit any protective instinct for their own kind, seeking only

to extinguish the light of the soul from Remnant. Domain: how the communi ty learns and grows, what they use to do this, and what the

community’s goals are

● Dust - Dust is such a normal part of everyday life that many take its presence for granted, but the students at beacon, have entire classes devoted to its study. Dust is the tool thatturned the table against the Grimm and it is through this conduit that aura is fully takenadvantage of. Each student is carefully aware of how much they use and how to use Dust.Without Dust mankind would have long died out and it’s use and understanding are still

imperative.

● Experiences of Loss - Because many students become Hunters or Huntresses for personal reasons, many of them due to loss, pain, or suffering, sharing the experiencehelps everyone cope a little better. By sharing your burden it becomes lighter, shared byall, and serves to unify the student body against the criminals and grimm that have causedtheir grievances.

● Combat Training - Combat experience is essential to becoming a Hunter or Huntress.Part of the curriculum is tournament style matches in which students spar with each other

and are given observations by the teachers. For many the combat portion of training is themost exciting, being able to practice and let off steam.

● Lessons - In addition to combat, there are formal lessons in the use of Aura Dust andtactics, as well as Grimm studies and History. For those who don’t revel in combat thisacademic vantage to learn suits them well. These classes often leave students with largamounts of studying and team building activities.

● Fighting Grimm - The most practical way to learn is first hand experience, because ofthis Beacon student often have excursions into Grimm infested territory to practice.

Killing Grimm is the mark of proficiency among Hunters and Huntresses, not to mentionthe hands on experience it provides them. Without the Grim Humanity wouldn’t beunited against a common threat and would likely be even more fractured, nonethelessGrimm are an enemy and must be dealt with.

● Fighting Criminals - Unlike fighting grimm, challenging criminals is not directly part of

the Hunters job. All the same, Hunters and Huntresses are to uphold justice and thereforestop criminals. Team RWBY is especially involved in this, as they have had personal

Commented [Ma5]: Also relating to the Grimcommunity of practice; I noticed that there isnanything about their domain or practices. Whaby this is that if you include the Grimm under community of practice then also include what practices are under practices of the communitinclude how they learn and grow under Doma

Commented [Ma6]: I have a question about the Grimm actually communicate with each otpart of the definition of a community of practicshared, common form of communication. Whmentioned that the Grimm, “(dont)exhibit any instinct for their own kind” it made me wondercommunicate at all. If they do make it clear hodo. For example, if you look at the Sherlock Enotes for each community the way that commcommunicates is clearly described. This revisapply to all your communities of practice but I

noticed it while reading the Grimm’s descriptio



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dealings with multiple criminals that the police are unable to stop. As Huntresses they aremotivated to keep their city safe, even from internal threats.

Practices of the Community: the habits and common activi ties of a communi ty that are

toward a shared goal , these can include physical , as well as mental activi ties

● Fighting Grimm - Grimm are an overwhelming threat to Humanity and because of thisHunters and Huntresses are constantly training to better kill them. In man’s early years itwas struggle enough to merely live, and now its a struggle to keep them at bay, howeverits mankinds goal to expand and to exterminate the grimm world over.

● Studying - In addition to being good in the field, beacon students must also be proficientacademically. Studying is a common practice among students and is often done

collaboratively. Students feel compelled to study to be better Hunters and Huntresses aswell as to simply pass their classes.

● Socializing - Being a Hunter or Huntress isn’t a solo job, often involving team work.This in conjunction with the fact that the students are also just teenagers, socialization

occurs naturally and through encouragement by Beacon staff. Coming to trust and rely onfriends and teammates is essential if you are to make a successful graduate.

● Vigilantism - At the insistence of Blake team RWBY in particular began taking steps tohandle torchwick and his ilk. While not strictly encouraged, Hunters and Huntresses oftenwork with police to apprehend criminals, and RWBY is especially motivated.

● Protecting People - Hunters and Huntresses might focus on Grimm, but their large goalis to protect people. Its almost second nature when Ruby endangers herself to protectthose around her, just as it is for the other teammates. Helping people is the reason that

they’re there.

● Fighting The White Fang - Team RWBY because of Blake in particular have had aseries of encounters with the White Fang. While RWBY wants equality for Faunus, themeans the White Fang have resorted to have left even Faunus ashamed. The White Fanghas become more of a Terrorist group, and to protect the peace RWBY has stepped inmultiple times.

Literary Practices: how the community of practice communicates, including oral and wri ttenmethods

● Scrolls - Scrolls are portable smartphone like devices. They allow the transmission ofvoice, video, messages, and documents from person to person. This is the primary meansof contacting one another when separated and it is uncommon not to own one. They alsocome in large tablet versions as well, mostly for those of administrative positions.

● Holograms - Throughout town and on larger passenger transportation are Television likehologram stations. These holograms are often used as signs or advertisements, with somelike the one on Beacons airships, displaying local news. These stations can also beappropriated to deliver public messages as seen performed by Glynda to the freshman

students.● Terminals - These are computer like stations that have holographic display and keyboard

they are collectively connected to the kingdoms network and are able to transmit datafrom terminal to terminal. This is utilised by students to perform research and study.These terminals also work in conjunction with scrolls, taking them in like a USB drive.

While less mobile than scrolls the terminals provide a deeper level of communication anddata storage, allowing published work by a student or professor as well as newsreels to be

accessed by anyone.

Commented [Ma7]: In your practices of thecommunity the part where you say that socialdoesn't quite fit i believe. i see where you werwith the social side of it ; however, I think thabe a better in the literacy practices part. you cadd some thing about the communication of t



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● Aura - In personal encounters, as much as can be gleaned from the spoken words and body language, Aura allows the communication of deeper emotions. Using aura providesextra sensory input, and it becomes clearer when someone is experiencing pain happinessor fear. This direct mode of expression reduces miscommunication and the need toexpress oneself in words. However this directness, can often express emotions meant to be kept secret leading to unexpected social encounters. While the state of your aura isopen, only those with training in aura manipulation are able to discern changes, leadingthis form of communication mostly practiced by Hunter and Huntress partners.

● Lectures - The teachers at Beacon mostly hold lecture style class, as they give instructionabout various subjects. This is primarily how Hunters and Huntresses learn about their

duties when they cannot experience them first hand. All the staff being or having once been Hunters and Huntresses, their lectures impart their own experiences as well.Occasionally informal lectures from peers when they become impassioned aboutsomething and even The White Fang a lecture their new recruits.

● Cross-Continental Transmit System - The CCTS are a set of towers in each Kingdomthat allow long distance communication. This is the only method of instantaneouscommunication between kingdoms, and as such it heavily guarded. It was set-up after along war, as a ‘gift to the world’. This network interfaces with select terminals and actsmuch like our internet, allowing the collective knowledge of mankind to be available toall.

Observation 1

Episode 1: Ruby Rose

2:00 - A female voice begins to recount the history of mankind, as a stylized rendition of theevents play on screen. She goes on to explain how man, “Born from Dust” had been pushed tothe brink of extinction, by creatures of darkness, “The creatures of Grimm”. The screen fades to

black, but is then illuminated by a glowing light, as the narrator explains that mankind was ableto fashion tools and weapons to stave off the darkness. “This power was appropriately namedDust”. The stylized men are then seen to acquire swords and weapons, while the Grimm retreat,and a kingdom is established. The voice trails off with a final foreboding comment, “but takeheed, there will be no victory in strength”. This is rebuffed by a new, male, voice, who propositions that victory can instead be found within the innocent.

6:30 - A man(Torchwick) walks down an alleyway, accompanied by many other men dressed infull black suits and shades, as the pedestrians panickedly leave the area. The gang enters a theDust shop and the shopkeeper offers his money(Lien) in exchange for their immediate departure, but Torchwick replies that they aren’t there for Lien, they just want the Dust. The clerk is held atgunpoint as the gang disperses throughout the store looting. One of the men notices a red hoodedgirl(Ruby) with headphones blaring music at the back of the store completely oblivious to therobbery. The man threatens the girl so she takes off the headphones and realises the situation.

The man is next seen thrown through a window, quickly followed by Ruby, with her snyper-

scythe (Crescent Rose) fully deployed. A fight between the suited men and Ruby ensues, withRuby easily achieving victory. Torchwick himself then uses a gun hidden in his cane to shoot atRuby. In the commotion Torchwick gains a headstart on his escape, and Ruby persuse after

Commented [Ma8]: Not sure if this counts asrevision because technically it would be consgoing above and beyond, but perhaps at the eevery observation you could add some personreflection in there to help show what you thinkthe episode or how certain norms were followbroken in that specific episode. That could bemake connections between the episodes andreason you made the definitions the way you

Commented [Ma10]: The only other thing I cof, and i don't know if its actually fixable, is wnew character comes up I always have to scrothe top to see exactly who they are when theyintroduced. The only thing i could think of is toput new characters descriptions of them in thethe episode where they appear so it is helpfulreader to keep track of them all.

Commented [Ma9]: i feel somewhat lost in yobservations. the reason that i feelthis way is really understand what's going on. you are a gwriter but i feel that it would help to add a cohbackground paragraph so that you dont hangreaded out to dry.

Commented [Ma11]: Overall you’ve done a rgreat job on this assignment. You’re writing this clear and detailed. I became a little confusethroughout your observations, not necessarilyof your writing but because its a complicated haven’t seen...

Commented [Ma12]: good detailed observatyou part. it is great to and all the info you haveprovided.for have never seeing the show i couout quick what its all about.

Commented [Ma13]: i dont see any kind of pin your observations. it would help give a bettof what is going on. i feel that some of the emneed to be in their so that its not so dry.

Commented [Ma14]: The detail in each indivepisode, even if its not that long of an episodegood. The fact that you did multiple episodes make up for the fact that they are shorter is smnot confusing. The way you broke up the diffeobservations still flows really well and seems natural break points between each one.



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making sure the shop keeper was alright. Ruby quickly catches up to Torchwick only for him to board a small cargo air ship. From out of nowhere a woman (Glinda) appears and uses herabilities to keep the ship from leaving, Torchwick informs his partner (Cinder) of the Huntress’arrival, to which they switch positions. Glinda then proceeds to combat Cinder, being equallymatched, Cinder and Torchwick are able to escape. Ruby then asks Glinda for her autograph.

8:50 - Ruby is next seen getting a lecture from Glinda in an interrogation room. Glinda believes

Ruby should be encouraged for doing the right thing, but also punished for her vigilante behavior. Nevertheless Glinda introduces Professor Ozpin, who brings in a plate of cookies forRuby. Ozpin proceeds to question Ruby about how she came to have such skill and why shewants to become a slayer of Grimm (Hunter/Huntress). She responds after having finished all ofthe cookies, by informing Ozpin of her Uncle Qrow who teaches at Ruby’s school(Signal) andher desire inspired by her parents to uphold justice. After all this Ozpin invites Ruby to attend,his school(Beacon), the next school up. Ruby accepts.

11:10 - The scene transitions to a larger airship heading out of the city, where Ruby’s oldersister(Yang), is exclaiming loudly about how great Ruby is for getting into Beacon early. Rubyexpresses concern that she doesn't want to stick out or be treated differently because of her twoyear advancement. The girls both then turn to a holographic news feed displaying Torchwick isstill at large, the feed transitions to a story about how a recent civil rights protest by the Faunus(arace of part animal, part human) turned dark as a collection of Radical Faunus (The White Fang)

became violent. The feed is replaced by Glinda congratulating them on their acceptance intosuch a prestigious combat school, as the children admire the view. Motion sickness gets to one boy(Jaune), and he ends up vomiting onto Ruby’s shoes, as the ship descends to land.

Episode 2: The Shining Beacon

3:55 - The students pour out of the ship and join a stream of other disembarking students atstaring in awe of the school as they walk to the auditorium. Ruby however is admiring the other

students’ weapons, and becomes very excited at seeing so many, untill Yang reminds her that sheneeds to meet new people not just weapons. Ruby expresses an interest in tagging along withYang, but not wanting to be weighed down by her sister, Yang accompanies her own friends andleaves Ruby to fend for herself. Ruby then accidently bumps into a girl’s(Weiss) luggage. Weisscompletely overreacts and begins beating Ruby for her clumsiness. The split Dust from Weiss’

luggage causes Ruby to sneeze a fireball into Wiess only infuriating hermore, all the while Rubyis apologizing. Ruby is finally saved by a girl(Blake) who informs Ruby that Weiss is the heiressto the largest Dust company in the world. Blake then criticizes the company for its controversialtreatment of Faunus labor. Ruby laughs at Weiss now worse mood, as both Blake and Weissleave.

6:00 - Ruby, alone again, falls to the ground, only to be helped up by Jaune. She and Jaune beginchatting and Ruby proudly displays Crescent Rose. Jaune is shocked at the weapon, andimpressed at Ruby having crafted it herself. Ruby explains her overblown weapons obsession

and in turn, Jaune displays his sword and collapsible shield, which leaves Ruby less enthusiastic.Jaune becomes embarrassed at his hand-me-down equipment, and Ruby consoles him saying

Commented [Ma15]: I’m assuming that the eepisode is too short to be considered a full obso you have done three epsiode for each obsIf this is the case just give a brief comment abbefore your observations. This will help reade

better sense of what is going on when you swepisode 2. At first glance I thought you were ato your second observation.



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“not many people have an appreciation for the classics”. Ruby then questions where they aregoing, only to find Jaune has just been following her.

Episode 3: The Shining Beacon pt. 2

2:10 - Ruby separates from Jaun once they reach the auditorium to rejoin with Yang, who hassaved Ruby a spot. Ruby begins complaining about Yang ditching her, bumping into Weiss, andthe subsequent explosive sneeze. Yang thinks Ruby is being sarcastic until Weiss arrives and begins yelling at Ruby about it all over again. In order for Ruby to make it up to her, Weiss givesRuby a informational Dust pamphlet and instructions to read it and never speak to her again.Yang tries to help smooth things over, only to be sarcastically rebuffed by Weiss.

3:05 - With everyone in place at the auditorium, Ozpin begins his welcoming speech byacknowledging everyone’s shared drive to become a Hunter/Huntress. The speech becomes more

somber, as he intones that “knowledge can only carry you so far, it is up to you to take the firststep”. Once Ozpin’s speech concludes, Glinda takes over and begins informing the first yearsthat they will spend the night in the hall together and be tested the next morning.

6:20 - The students are seen collectively setting up their sleeping bags, and other arrangements inthe hall, and Yang equates the experience to a large slumber party. Ruby replies that their fatherwouldn’t approve of all the boys. Yang isn’t deterred by this, as she stares at several topless malestudents, until her view is ruined by Jaune in a onesie pajama. Yang turns back to Ruby and asksher about the letter shes writing.Ruby explains that shes keeping in touch with her friends back atSignal,and complains about having to leave them behind. Yang patronizes her sister and they begin arguing, until they become distracted by Blake in the corner reading. Ruby mentions toYang that she met Blake this morning, so Yang drags Ruby over and introduces themselves. The

pair struggles to engage Blake in conversation, and their attempts serve only to annoy Blake because of the distraction it is causing from her book. Ruby saves the situation, when sheinquires about the book, and reminisces about Yang reading her fairytale stories as a kid. Blake

is tone is much lighter after finding a common interest with Ruby, but claims she is naive all thesame, because real life doesn't have a happy ending. Ruby responds, “that's why we’re here, tomake it better”. Yang once again patronizes Ruby and the two get into a scuffle, amusing Blake,untill Weiss complains about the noise. Ruby apologises, while Yang gets only louder, trying todefend Ruby. The group continues to bicker until they are cut short by Blake turning off the

lights.

Observation 2

Episode 5: The First Step, pt. 2

4:15 - The students begin landing throughout the forest. Everyone drops rather quickly exceptfor Yang who, using her weapon for boosts, flys much farther out than the rest. Phyra lands asquickly as possible and begins surveying the area, quickly spotting the falling figure of Jaun. Shethen launches her weapon at him and pinned him to a tree, saving him from falling flat on hisface. He shouts thanks to Pyrah and she apologizes. As soon as Ruby drops, she takes offrunning looking for Yang. While running ruby thinks about potential other partners, dismissing



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all of them until she comes to a stop to prevent nearly running into Weiss. Ruby pauses, waitingfor a cue on how to proceed, but Weiss just begins walking in the opposite direction leaving adejected Ruby behind. Weiss then happens across Jaun, pinned to a tree, and promptly returns toa now elated Ruby saying “ by no means does this make us friends”. Pyrah then walks in on Jaunand the two exchange snark remarks. Meanwhile Weiss is complaining about Ruby slowing herdown, in response Ruby demonstrates exception speed proclaiming that after today Weiss willsee a new side of Ruby and will think she “is really really cool, and I wanna be your friend”.Ruby disappears in another burst of speed and Weiss complains further still, until she suddenly becomes surrounded by Beowolves as she cries out Ruby’s name.

Episode 6: The Emerald Forest

3:40 - Blake is calling out for someone anyone, claiming boredom. Then two Ursi appear andattack Yang. Yange easily outmatches them and claims they couldn't hit a bus, until shes stopped

short by a strand of hair falling to the ground. She becomes furious and slams one Ursa throughseveral trees, before she can do the same to the other, Blake appears and stabs it. MeanwhileWeiss reminds herself of her training and prepares to attack the surrounding beowolves. Whenshe begins to strike, ruby reappears right in her path. Panicked, Weiss causes her shot to go wide,setting a portion of the forest on fire. Now with the forest ablaze, they are forced to retreat, as dothe Beowolves. Ruby complains at having to leave saying “that should have been easy”, andWeiss in turn argues that Ruby was at fault. Weiss makes one last comment about ruby not

deserving to get into beacon early, and storms off. Ruby screams and fells a tree as she follows.As they leave a man sized feather falls from the tree.

7:00 - Jaun and Pyrah are walking in the woods, when Pyrah accidentally slaps Jaun with a tree branch. It creates a cut and Pyrah asks why Jaun hasn’t activated his Aura. Jauns replies make itclear he doesn’t know, so Phyra begins to explain about Aura being a manifestation of the Soul.As she explains about Aura’s uses Rein is seen fighting two King Tigistu. Rein becomes

disarmed and subsequently relies on Aura to win the fight. Returning to Phyra as she wraps up,Jaun relates it to a force field, Pyrah indulges him and brings her hands up to Jaun’s head. She begins reciting a Mantra as their bodies glow from Pyrah unlocking Jauns Aura. With Jauns Auraunlocked his cheek heals instantly and Pyrah comments that Jaun has a significant amount ofAura. Back to Rein, he is seen dusting himself off as an odd sound rings out and Nora appearshanging from a tree. Rein jokes about how that wasn’t what a sloth sounds like, to which Nora pokes him in the nose and says “Boop”.

Episode 7: The Emerald Forest, pt. 2

2:10 - Ozpin and Glynda are seen standing at the top of the original clif each with a scroll tabletin hand. Glynda comments how she can't see Nora or Rein getting along and similarly about Jaun

and Pyrah. Ozpin hums at this, and Glynda continues to remark on Jauns poor performance. She begins leaving but before she does she asks Ozpin what he used for relics this year. He doesn'treply, being totally focused on his own scroll tracking the progress of Ruby. Weiss has become

completely lost and won’t admit it until Ruby confronts her about it. This leads to anotherargument, Ruby calls Weiss bossy and Weiss calls Ruby a child. Ruby says Weiss needs to stop pretending shes perfect, to which Weiss replies “I’m not perfect, at least not yet, but I’m still



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leagues better than you”. Ruby becomes dejected at this and mutters that Weiss doesn't evenknow her.

4:30 - Blake and Yang finally find the temple in a clearing, Yang asks if she thinks this is it, andBlake replies only with a sarcastic stare, as the pair heads toward it. Pyrah and Jaun are seenstanding outside a large cave, as Jaun asks Pyrah if she thinks this is it. Once inside the cavePyrah tentatively suggests that this is not it, to which Jaun says she should humor him for 10

more feet considering he already made a torch, until he drops it in a puddle and only their eyescan be seen. Yang selects a chess piece, one of several serving as this years relics, and Blakecomments how the temple wasn’t very hard to find. Going back to Jaun, a light is glowing in thetunnel and he grabs hold of it to find out it’s the Stinger on a Deathstalker. Blake and Yang heara scream and think one of the girls are in trouble. Jaun still holding on, and the Deathstalkeremerge from the cave right after Pyrah. Phyra tells Jaun to just not let go, just in time for him to be flung far into the distance. Returning to Blake and Yang, Blake points above them and Yang

looks up to see Ruby falling, shouting “Heads Up”.

Episode 8: The Players and the Pieces

5:55 - Ruby and Weiss are on the back of a giant Nevermore, as Weiss complains about thesituation. Ruby suggests jumping, which wiess doesn't appreciate only, to find that Ruby actuallyhas jump. As Ruby is falling she collides with Jaun and they both end up sprawled in a tree

dazed. An Ursa suddenly appears and soon collapses with Nora and Rein sliding off its backafter riding then killing it here. Nora begins singing and dancing as she selects a relic much toReins annoyance. Then Pyrah comes into view, with the Deathstalker close on her heels. Rubyhas finally climbed down from the tree and goes to embrace Yang, but Nora gets right in theirway. Yang becomes frustrated at all the events happening, and explodes into a miniature fireball,as she asks everyone to chill out for ten seconds before something crazy happens again. There isa short pause then Ruby points above her to a flailing Weiss falling from the Nevermore. Jaun

leaps from the tree, catches Weiss and the pair are momentarily suspended as Jaun hits on her.Gravity then takes hold and the two fall with Weiss landing heavily on Jauns back. Pyrah is thenstruck by the Deathstalker and ends up amidst the group as yang jokes “Great the gangs all here,now we can die together”. Ruby takes it as a challenge and rushes the approaching deathstalker,much to her sisters horror. Ruby’s failed attack gets her to acknowledge her mistake as she begins retreating only to be trapped and cut off from the group by the nevermore’s shot quills.Yang tries to reach Ruby but cannot as the Deathstalker strikes. Weiss manages to step in and

trap the deathstalkers stinger just before it hits ruby in a solid wall of ice. Weiss takes thismoment to admonish Ruby’s outlandish behavior and to apologize for her own, coming to a faircompromise between the two of them. Yang finally joins the pair and hugs her sister thankful forher well being. As a group they decide not to stay and fight, but to grab a relic and return to thecliffs as was their assignment. Ruby leads the group over the hill and Yang takes a thoughtfulmoment to be proud of her little sister.

11:11 - The group splits up amongst the ruins at the base of the cliff to take cover from the still

attacking Nevermore. As they try to come up with a plan, the now free Deathstalker reapersforcing them into action. Nora provide cover fire as the rest advance, and bring Nora with them.They are crossing a bridge when the nevermore takes it out leaving half the group fighting the



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deathstalker on the otherside. Jaun says they need to get over there, so Nora uses her weapon tolaunch her and Jaun across the gap. Nora is repealed b the deathstalker and knocks blake off.Blake manages to save herself and in the process attacks the Nevermore. The nevermore showsno signs of Damage so Yang decides that their group should hit it with everything they’ve got.The nevermore is unaffected and destroys the structure the group is standing on. RecoveringRuby comes up with a plan and asks Weiss to cover her. Back to Jauns group, the bridge their onis about to collapse, so he gets the group to make a push forward. Rein weakens the grimm, andthis allows Pyrah to cut off its stinger, Nora then delivers the deathblow and the group collapsesin exhaustion and watch the other group. Yang manages to leap into the nevermore’s mouth andfires her weapon straight down its throat causing it to smash into the cliff. Weiss than traps it

there with ice, as blake sets up the slingshot launching Ruby on the other side. Ruby asks Weissif she can make the shot, Weiss is indignant that such a question should need to be asked and shelaunches ruby. With help from Weiss, and her weapon fully deployed ruby is able to propelherself up the cliff decapitating the nevermore in the process. Everyone else is staring in awe at

Ruby at the top of the cliff.

12:30 - Back at Beacon, Ozpin begins assigning teams base off the relics chosen, as well as teamleaders. Jaun is made team leader of JNPR(Jaun Nora Pyrah Rein) to which he is completelysurprised, but Pyrah is not. Ruby is appointed leader of team RWBY(Ruby Weiss Blake Yang)and while Yang is very proud of her sister Weiss is livid that she was not picked to be leader.

13:25 - Torchwick is seen in front of a map of vale depicting different police jurisdictions, whena White Fang member comes in with suitcases full of Dust, smiling, Torchwick says they'regoing to need more men.

Observation 3

Episode 15: The Stray

4:00 - Team RWBY is making its way through Vale, as a welcome sign is put up and Weiss becomes exuberant at the prospect of the coming festival. Ruby comment that she’s never seenWeiss happy before, and it's kind of weird-ing her out. Yang complains about wasting their

weekend as they reach their destination at the docks, and Ruby agrees plugging her nose at thefishy smell. Weiss says that its their duty as citizens of Vale to welcome the students coming in by boat for the upcoming tournament. Blake translates by calling Weiss out on her desire to spyon the competition. While waiting they see a nearby crime scene in front of a Dust shop. Thecops are confused because all the money was left in the register, and they begin speculating thatit was White Fang. This comment sets Weiss of and she begins criticizing the White Fang andtheir members. Blake begins arguing her about it, and Ruby proposes that it could have beenTorchwick since he still hasn't been caught. Weiss and Blake begin arguing again, but are cut

short by calls from the dock. Rushing back they see a stowaway Faunus(Sun) leaving the ship.The cops try to arrest him, but he throws a banana at them and begins running, with the cops in pursuit. As he runs by team RWBY he winks at blake without pausing and disappears around the

corner. Yang jokes that “there goes the competition”, but Weiss insists on following so RWBY begins the pursuit as well. As Weiss rounds the corner she bumps into a girl(Penny) and the police and Sun get out of sight.



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7:00 - Penny greets RWBY but makes no move to get up, causing Yang to ask if she was okayand if she wanted to get up. Penny responds affirmatively to both and team RWBY introducesthemselves. Weiss apologises for running into her and Ruby says “take care friend” before theteam turns around, heading back to the docks. Walking back, Yang comments how weird Pennywas and Weiss expresses desires to begin searching for Sun. Panny suddenly appears before thegroup again and asks “what did you call me?” Concerned that she overheard yang apologies, but

Penny waves her off moving to face Ruby. Penny asks if she really was Ruby’s friend. Theothers make violent gestures for no, but Ruby says yes anyway, leaving Penny very ecstatic.Realising her mistake, Ruby asks weiss if it was this bad when they first met. Weiss says that penny is far more coordinated. Yang asks Panny why shes here and she replies for thetournament. Weiss claims she doesn't look the part, and Blake directs back at weiss with “saysthe girl in a dress”. Weiss claims its a combat skirt and Ruby backs her up.Weiss then asks pennyif she knows Sun to which blake becomes hostile again. the argument from earlier begins anew,

with added intensity. Blake ends up calling Weiss an “insolent little brat”, only further ing todeepen the divide.

9:30 - Now back at the dorm room, Blake and Weiss are still arguing, with Yang and Ruby off tothe side. Weiss claims that the White Fang is pure evil. Blake denounces her saying theres nosuch thing as pure evil and that the reason the white Fang acts the way it does is because ofdiscriminatory people like her. Weiss explains that she's the victim, that her father's company has

had a target painted on its back for years and she watched as family friends and board memberswere killed. Blake becomes sympathetic, but Weiss goes on to state that she hates the white fang“because they’re liars thieves and murders” . Blake angrily retorts “Maybe we were just tired of being pushed around.” Everyone goes quiet and Weiss backs away in fear. Blake, realising whatshe said, fleas from the room as fast as she can, leaving Ruby calling after her. Blake stopsoutside Beacon and removes the bow on her head covering her cat ears, while crying, then Sunappears behind her and says he knew she would look better without the bow.

10:20 - Ruby wakes up the next morning and sighs at Blakes empty bunk. What's left of RWBYhit the streets of Vale and discuss how to find Blake. Weiss is unconcerned, but Ruby is worriedabout her. Switching back to Blake, she’s seen drinking tea with Sun and says “So, you want toknow more about me?”

Episode 16: Black and White

2:30 - With Blake finally speaking Sun’s put into a good mood. Blake asks Sun if he knowsabout the White Fang, he says yes and calls them “holier than thou creeps who use force to getwhatever they want”. He chokes on his tea and is surprised when Blake confirms that she used to be a member. She explains that she was born into the organization, which in the aftermath of war

was ment for peace. When it didn’t happen she helped in every rally and boycott. Having gottenthem nowhere a new leader took the White Fang in a more violent direction, and it beganworking, but not out of respect, out of fear. This is when she decided to leave and instead

dedicated her life to becoming a Huntress, hiding from her past with the help of small bow. Afterall this Sun asks if she told her friends.



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5:20 - Ruby Weiss and Yang are walking down the streets of Vale calling out Blakes name,except for Weiss who remains silent. Ruby asks her to help, but Weiss just suggests the police,only further annoying Ruby. Yang says that they should hear Blakes side first, but Weiss remainsskeptical. Then Penny appears and inquires about their activities. When shes told there searchingfor Blake Penny replies “oh, you mean the Faunus girl” Ruby’s confused by this and asks howshe knows, Penny says it’s the cat ears. Yang begins to say, “she doesn't have cat ears she wearsa bow” but trails off toward the end realising the truth. Penny proclaims that she will help, Rubytries to say no but Yang and Weiss take the opportunity to desert, so Ruby consents. The sceneshifts to Blake and Sun walking the streets and discussing how to determine the White Fangs rolein the Dust robberies. Sun suggests that they go to where the White Fang would most likely be if

they were behind it and see if they show up. He mentions a huge shipment of Dust coming in onthe docks, and they agree to the plan. Back to Weiss, Yang has become depressed at the outlookof finding Blake, as Weiss is still infuriated and is still refusing to help, claiming that the“innocent never run”. Once again on Ruby, Penny is asking question after question and Ruby is

doing her best to answer. Ruby explains that blake might not be who they thought she was, towhich penny asks if she is a man. Penny says that she doesn't have many friends but if she didshe'd want them to talk to her, Ruby agrees and they continue to search.

10:40 - Blake is staking out the docks, as Sun returns, offering her some food he stole, sheadmonishes him for breaking the law so easily to which he quips back “weren't you in acult...okay too soon”. Airships appear and begin unloading White Fang members who beginsecuring the Dust. She admits that deep down she must have know, she just didn’t want to beright, but then Torchwick appears from one of the ships and begins ordering them to hurry up.

Confused as to why the White Fange would work with a human especially one like torchwick,she gets closer. She ends up using Torchwick as a hostage and reveals her ears as she asks whythe white fang is aiding a human. Torchwick ex plains that they’re “going in on a joint businessventure” to which two more aircraft appear. Torchwick uses her momentary surprise to escapeand begin attacking Blake. From the streets of town Ruby sees the explosions and begins headingtoward the dock. Meanwhile Blake is forced to retreat, but Sun comes to her rescue and beginsfighting off White Fang. Blake takes on Torchwick herself and is soon joined by Sun. Torchwickmanages to separate the two and is about to shoot Sun when Ruby appears. Torchwick greets her

saying “Well hello red, isn’t it past your bedtime?” Penny arrives and accidentally distracts Rubyleaving her open to one of Torchwicks attacks. Angered at the sight of her injured friend Pennylaunches into the fight, easily taking out all of the White Fang. The airships begin to attack, butPenny destroys two and pulls a third to the ground leaving Ruby speechless with awe. Howeverin all the chaos Torchwick manages to escape again exiting with “These kids just keep gettingweirder”.

12:20 - Blake, Sun, Ruby and Penny are all sitting in a circle amidst the police force inspectingthe area, when Yang and Weiss arrive. Ruby rushes to weiss explaining that blake isn’t part ofthe White fang and that she has “kitty ears which are actually kind of cute”. Weiss ignores all ofthis and faces Blake detailing the long hours spent searching for her. Weiss claims that in thattime she has decided that as long as she isn’t a White Fang anymore then she doesn't care, just

that in the future she come to her team first, not someone else, gesturing toward Sun. Blake tearsup, but appreciates it, While Ruby becomes elated that the teams back together. Weiss then statesthat she is still unsure about Sun, and Ruby wonders where Penny went. The scene changes to



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Penny being driven off in a car with a mysterious man, admonishing Penny for her actions.Ozpin is then seen in his office receiving a message from Qrow saying “The queen has pawns”

15:15 - Cinder Emerald and Mercury, steps out of the shadows and confront Torchwick about hisfailures to obtain Dust. He claims that it was the White Fang who failed, but Cinder, whileigniting a small flame in one hand, tells him he will continue to work with them. Cinder says that“we have big plans for you Roman all we ask is a little... cooperation.”

Interview: Ruby Rose

1. Explain to me why you want to become a Huntress?

Well, my parents always raised me to be good and to help others, plus I love fighting

monsters. The police are okay, but being a Huntress is so much more romantic, and exciting andcool,.. yah know..? My father was actually a Hunter himself, my mom and stepmom were alsoHuntresses even my sister is currently training to become a Huntress. I’ve always loved to help people and the world isn’t calm and peaceful like it is in the stories I used to make my sister readto me before bed. People in real life don’t always get a happy ending, but thats why Hunters and

Huntresses are here. To try and make it a little better. Thats why I want to be a Huntress, so I cangrant as many happy endings as possible.

2. Tell me about your roommates, what are their reasons for being at Beacon?

I can only speak for the others in so much as they've told me, but my sister Yang hassimilar reasons for being here as i do. However, ever since my stepmom, my Yang’s mom, leftfor a mission and never came back, Yang has been chasing every lead she can find to locate her.She’s partly becoming a Huntress just so she can protect me more, and become stronger to findout what happened to our mom. As for my partner Weiss, and Yang’s partner Blake, I know less

about their reasons. Blake’s here to help fight monsters, because she believes she needs to atonefor the misdeeds she committed while still part of the White Fang, not to mention that Vale, isone of the least discriminatory kingdom toward Faunus. Wiess, being the airiss to one of thelargest Dust companies in the world, has the least clear reason for attending beacon. So far all Ican figure out is that it might be a way to train her to prevent assassins’ attacks on her life, as theWhite Fang would love to, or to prove herself worthy of the industrial empire she will one dayinherit.

3. Describe the experience, and how you feel, about being pushed two years ahead inschool.

The opportunity was a dream come true, and even now I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but at first I was really nervous and concerned about how the other students would treat me,since I was so much younger. I didn’t want to be seen as special, I just wanted to be normal andfit in. My sister was overjoyed though, and she kept me from having a meltdown the first day.

Then we had are initiation and Weiss called me a child, that and other things she said, not tomention I was made leader of our team, made me feel like it was a mistake and that I didn’tdeserve to be here. Then I had a talk with the headmaster and a fellow team leader. They got me



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back on track, me and my team bonded, made friends, and eventually I did just fit in, peoplestopped seeing me as a little kid. They saw I could do this.

4. How do you feel about the White Fang and the Faunus in general, and what do you thinkshould be done if anything about their situation?

Well, my sister and I grew up in Vale which has the lowest White Fang presence of thefour kingdoms, so I don’t have much firsthand experience with them, only what people and thenews tell me. I sympathize with the Faunus, Blake is no different than any of us, she just has cutelittle kitty ears, but she’s forced to hide them, because she’s afraid of the discrimination they’ll bring. I’ve heard from her and others about how the White Fang started off as organised peaceful protests, but things only got worse for the Faunus and they soon began using violence to meet

their ends. While I think that Faunus are just as equal as Humans, and should be treated as such,robbery and killing isn’t the way to go about achieving it. Actions like these only widen the

divide and prove that the’re no better than the oppressive humans they fight.

5. Give an example of a challenge you faced as the leader of team RWBY, and how youlearned and improved because of it.

The first challenge I had, was just being a leader. I’d never been a leader before, becauseI prefer to go solo, and I’m usually anti-social. I had to learn how to motivate and organize myteam despite my being younger than all of them. Weiss in particular had trouble accepting thatshe had been passed over for the position and I became sure it was a mistake. After somemotivation from friends Weiss and I patched things up and I realised I could have self doubtanymore, because if I’m not working at my best, what reason do I give for those who follow meto give their best. With this knowledge I was able to help Jaun with his own leadership struggles,

but right after that, I had my second challenge. Blake had accidentally revealed she was a Faunusand had connections to the White Fang. This caused instant friction between her and Weiss andBlake ran away because of it. We spent forever searching for Blake, and just as long as we were

searching I spent convincing Weiss of Blake’s and to a larger extend Faunus’ innocence. It wasequally challenging to convince Blake to stop running after we found her. I thought for sure theteam was going to be shattered time and time again, but because of these events our team isstronger and we know that we’ll come to each other first when we have a problem, before doinganything else.

assignment one draft 1

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