Nikos Estate, Mistral.
Two weeks later.
The sound of blades clashing echoed from the training circle behind the Nikos estate, a ringing tone of metal striking metal, shouts and growls of dueling partners, and a surprised yelp as a figure in training armor suddenly went flying out of the ring to land with a THUD! in the grass.
"Again"
Pyrrha, in full armor, stood in the center of the ring, four young men in training armor scattered around her, slowly regaining their senses and standing on shaky legs. The men, all teens her age or maybe a year older, were training assistants from Sanctum who worked for her father, and had volunteered their time to help her keep in shape for the upcoming festival. Such people were, typically, Huntsmen Academy pre-graduates who had, for reasons untold, either fallen out with their teams or, less commonly, lost team members on missions. This did not necessarily call into question their personal skills, and those who met a series of requirements could still earn their final scores via volunteer service at combat schools.
Outside the ring, several more young men and women were sitting, recovering from their bouts. They were not much older than Pyrrha, and were a mix of human and Faunus. Several of the Nikos house staff moved among them, providing drinks in the hot sun and, when needed, tending to injuries. The youths were taking their trouncing in stride: it was all for their own personal goals of becoming Huntsmen and Huntresses.
Besides, even in defeat they could still brag that they'd fought Pyrrha Nikos.
In a chair shielded by an Umbrella near the edge of the ring, Kokkino watched the matches with a practiced eye: while her frail condition kept her from participating directly, her mind and tacticians eye were as sharp as ever when it came to the upkeep of Pyrrha's abilities. She scowled as Pyrrha briefly paused to clean sand from Milo's blade. The weapon was in sword mode at the moment, though all three of its forms had gotten a workout that day: the aide who had just flown through the air with the greatest of ease stared down at his armor's chest piece, where a perfectly round dent had been formed, courtesy of Milo's Rifle Mode.
True to form, Pyrrha had used her semblance to subtly manipulate her opponents weapons: not one had come close to striking her all morning.
And Kokkino had noticed.
"No, no, NO!" her mother said in a scolding tone as she stood and stepped into the ring. Taking Milo from Pyrrha's hand, she held the blade up, looking down its edge like a rifle for a moment, before twirling it in her hands and jabbing it into the dirt.
"What did you do wrong?" she asked as she turned to her daughter, her voice cool and academic. Pyrrha met her gaze, all business, as she tended to be in battle situations.
"My grip was loose." She replied, standing with her hands at her sides, legs spread slightly as though she were being inspected, "I drove too much power into my fists instead of the blade, weakening the effect of my cross-cut, and-"
"Your SEMBLANCE." Kokkino cut her off, her gaze piercing, "You're relying too much on your SEMBLANCE."
Pyrrha looked at her mother, her expression clouding in confusion. Kokkino immediately broke into a lecture, addressing not just her daughter but the training aides as well, who looked upon her with the same respect they would show a teacher at the academy.
"While Your Semblance is important, and learning to master it is a vital skill for a Huntsman or Huntress, coming to rely on it can put you in a compromising position. It is tied to your aura, and once that is depleted the power behind your semblance will be reduced as well."
Raising her hand, she snapped her fingers, and the crowd of teens watched in awe as a fireball sprang to life from thin air. Cupping it in her palm, Kokkino continued speaking, her gaze locked on her daughter.
"But YOU use your semblance like a security blanket, not as the offensive force it is meant to be!"
Lashing out with her fist, the ball of fire rocketed across the ring into a training dummy that stood nearby, immolating it instantly. As the wood and wicker figurine collapsed into the sand, Kokkino, repeated the action on the remaining five dummies, incinerating them in turn. She lowered her hand: she hadn't taken her eyes off Pyrrha once during the display. Her eyes bore disappointment, anger, frustration and confusion in equal amounts, all of it radiating from her like the heat from the burning dummies.
"I've seen you flip cars and send training robots flying like Mistral Day rockets, and yet you refuse to make full use of your power where it really matters!"
[=]
Pyrrha stood, stoic and silent, with only a brisk nod indicating she had heard her mother's words.
Inside, however, a small voice at the back of her mind-one that she always tried to ignore- was screaming.
For goodness' sake, mom, do you want me to KILL somebody?
She knew full well the scope of her powers….and how dangerous they were if she didn't control them completely…the many, many Sanctum students she'd injured in training sessions were just a few of the traumas that tugged at the back of her mind in those ethereal hours of the early morning, in that state between asleep and awake….
…where Jaden's face always was…
[=]
At the edge of the training area, Spartacus, in a loose shirt, khakis and a sun hat, kept a close eye on his great-niece. Ever since the news of the Vacuo CCTS attack had come down like a hammerblow, Pyrrha had…folded in on herself. Any thoughts of taking a break had vanished from her mind, and she'd thrown herself full-force into her training. The very next morning after the news had come, he'd gotten up at his usual early hour to find her already doing calisthenics in the back yard. And it seemed like she hadn't stopped once in the two weeks since, save for collapsing into her bed at the end of each day, utterly exhausted. He'd come in time and again to wish her goodnight, only to find her already asleep, sometimes not even having bothered to take off her armor or get under the sheets.
And, more often than not, her outstretched fingers were caressing the photo of Jaden that he had given her...and there was a slight wetness on her cheeks.
The only sign of hope he could see for her emotional state was that her scroll was at her side at all times, awaiting the minute, the second, the INSTANT the CCTS would come back online.
Spartacus could see, even if Pyrrha's parents did not, just how much pain Pyrrha was in. She went to bed late and woke up early. She ate sparingly and barely seemed to register the taste of what she was consuming. He could see her slight limp at the end of each day, how she favored one arm or the other, how actions such as climbing the stairs left her breathless for a moment. And, most worryingly, she barely spoke. She was worse than she'd been before she left for Beacon.
It was as though she believed the universe had determined to cut her off from her friends, so why fight it?
The old Huntsman remained silent as Kokkino finally shook her head with a huff of exasperation before she continued.
"Now dear" Kokkino said, as she turned to the assembled group of trainees, "We'll need to practice your fencing. Who's up for it?"
Spartacus' eyes brightened conspiratorially as the training aides fidgeted. A few that had blades tried to hide them behind their backs.
"Come on…" Kokkino drew out as the old man disappeared back into the house, "You're all here to fight, so you might as well take your drubbings where they come."
Pyrrha, her expression mortified, facepalmed behind her mother, casting an expression at the trainees that said "I'm so sorry" as though she'd screamed it aloud. Kokkino's words seemed to have the opposite effect of her intent, as the aides looked away, fidgeting uncomfortably. The older woman scowled.
"If this is the best the next generation of Huntsmen can offer, we're really doom-"
"I'll take her"
[=]
Both Kokkino and Pyrrha spun in surprise as Spartacus reappeared, leaning his eagle-headed cane on one of the benches that surrounded the ring and sliding the decorated belt and sheathe for his own sword, Dicere, around his waist. With a deft motion honed through years of experience, the gleaming silver sword sprang free of its housing into his hand: neither Rapier nor Broadsword, the long, well-honed blade shone like ancient treasure in the morning sun. Pyrrha stared nervously at her great-Uncle as he stepped into the ring.
"Gus…" She said "I don't think I should-"
"Oh come now, child." He said, cutting her off, "If I can't match a whippersnapper like you, then I really have gotten old."
Kokkino pondered the old man with a raised eyebrow, but said nothing.
"Besides" he went on, taking a few practice swings, Dicere cutting a shining arc through the morning sun, "I need the practice."
He followed up with a few basic thrusts and swings that seemed to imply otherwise. Pyrrha looked into Gus' face with narrowed eyes as he came up to her.
"You're up to something" she said quietly.
Gus cocked an eyebrow as a 'who, me?' smirk came onto his face.
"You'd best raise your sword, little Firesprite, lest you get cut." He replied, as he stood, blade at "en guard", his free hand behind his back. The hilt of the sword was specifically molded so that he could use it one or two-handed. The reasons for that were ones Pyrrha knew all too well…
For a long moment, Pyrrha stared at her Great Uncle, letting his intent tumble about in her mind. Behind her, her mother huffed.
"Well, Pyrrha" Kokkino said, an eyebrow still cocked at her uncle-in-law as she stepped back to her chair, "If the old man is looking for a fight, I suggest you let him have it."
The redhead spun to affix her mother with a shocked expression.
"Mom, I can't fight-!" she began to say, but was cut off with a surprised yelp as Dicere suddenly flashed in front of her eyes, Spartacus stabbing out but deliberately missing her.
"Never take your eyes off your opponent." Spartacus' deep voice echoed in her ears, "Come now, Pyrrha, that was a rookie mistake."
Stepping back, Pyrrha turned her gaze back to Spartacus, her eyes still pondering, still trying to guess his motive. The old man stood, legs slightly apart in a practiced battle stance, both hands on the sword…for the moment. His rakish face and silver hair only added to the mental image of a knight of old that always came to the teenagers mind when she saw him with his sword. Indeed, it was due in no small part to Gus that she had made a sword part of Milo's optional forms, and many nights had been spent practicing basic fencing moves with him in this very same training ring.
But today…something was…different.
"Raise your blade, Pyrrha." Spartacus said, the smile slowly sliding from his face as his Green eyes slid into a hawk-like gaze, one that made Pyrrha shiver internally.
It was the same one he used on challengers who were about to get a severe trouncing.
Sighing and holding out a hand, Pyrrha summoned Milo to her grip, mimicking Spartacus' battle stance as she fixed her green eyes on his own.
Outside the ring Kokkino stared at the two, before sighing herself and barking out.
"Begin!"
[=]
The old man scowled as Pyrrha lunged forward and opened with a standard cross-cut swipe, which he easily deflected. His scowl deepened as she continued with a series of standard-and wholly predictable-cuts and jabs.
"Stop using the standard attacks, use the unorthodox!"he commanded, as though they were back in the early days of her training.
Stepping back, the redhead then dashed forwards, Milo whirling in her hands as she stabbed at Spartacus' shoulders. Dicere *CLANGED* as the silver blade deflected the blow. Puffs of sand and dust billowed into the air as the two danced around each other, looking for an opening.
"You're telegraphing your movements, THINK, don't just FEEL!"
He delivered a sudden knee to her midsection, causing Pyrrha to *oof!* in surprise before she stabbed up without missing a beat, driving towards Spartacus' left shoulder this time. The old man tut-tutted at her.
"How often must I tell you…control my centerline!"
Milo seemed to change direction mid-blow, suddenly driving into the center of Spartacus' chest. Dicere flashed in the sun, driving the red weapon clear as Spartacus leapt deftly aside. The training aides gasped in awe at the deceptively ancient man's maneuvers. Gus smirked as he steadied his footing.
"Good!"
As Pyrrha charged again, he suddenly freed one hand from the hilt and sent a pulse into the sand beneath her left foot with his semblance: telekinesis had had so many uses over the years.
Pyrrha stumbled, toppling onto her side with a yelp, only to roll and spring back to her feet with a flurry of cuts and jabs without slowing down.
"Faster, destroy my focus!' he barked as he deftly deflected each blow, the red and silver swords flashing through the air, glaring spots of sunlight reflected off their blades creating a glittering effect. Pyrrha's face was locked in a determined expression as she slipped out of "training mode" and into her mental 'challenge mode." Spartacus caught a quick glimpse of her tight hands where they gripped Milo's hilt.
"You're holding the sword too tightly!"
There! The minute loosening of her fingers. Just the opening he needed to end all this.
Pyrrha's expression morphed from determination to shock as Gus swung Dicere in between her arms and deftly flicked Milo out of her hands while simultaneously using a leg to kick Pyrrha in the back of her shin, forcing her to her knees. He saw the briefest blink of energy course over her body as her Aura flickered…ever so slightly.
Summoning her blade to his free hand, with a flip of his wrist, he switched it to gun mode and aimed it directly at her face.
"Now too lightly."
The crowd of aides was silent in awe, and even Kokkino's eyes widened at the scene: none of the students had seen Pyrrha Nikos go down before, certainly not to an ancient opponent like this.
And certainly not so quickly…the fight had lasted less than a minute.
Pyrrha stared over the barrel of her weapon directly into Spartacus' forest green eyes, which were locked on her jade orbs with an expression of 'told you so' mixed with disappointment.
"If this were a real fight, in the real world…" he said slowly, as he depressed Milo's trigger with a *click* of an empty magazine, "…You would be dead right now, Pyrrha."
From her position on her knees, one hand frozen in mid-air where she'd attempted to reclaim her weapon via her semblance, her head raised and looking directly at his eyes…Spartacus could see his quick "lesson" had snapped Pyrrha out of whatever mental state she'd put herself in. Or at the very least weakened the barriers holding it up.
"I-I was trying not to hurt you-" she stammered, only to be met with a scolding shake of Spartacus' head.
"And therein lies the problem." He said, as he flipped Milo back into sword mode and held it out to her. She took it with slightly shaking hands as he spoke, directly to her rather than the crowd of awed training aides.
"Pyrrha, your goal in battle is-or at least should be-to win, or at the very least make sure your opponent doesn't win. You can't do that without running the risk of hurting them."
"But this is training-" Pyrrha stammered defensively. Gus silenced her with a raised finger.
"Training, yes. But that doesn't mean you should treat it any less than actual combat. I've seen you fight: you don't hesitate to use your full power against Grimm or training targets."
Holding out a hand as his other sheathed Dicere with a sliding "click" he let Pyrrha take it and gently pulled her to her feet.
"It's HUMAN targets you seem to have a problem with."
There. The slight widening of her eyes. a light of recognition…or a desperate effort to not recognize it. He'd comforted Pyrrha in the aftermath of training sessions and contests where her control over her powers had faltered…and she herself had gone too far. While she'd never outright killed anyone…it didn't take a genius to see that she had ended a few otherwise prospective Huntsman careers for her fellow classmates. While the incidents, few that they were, were accidents…
He scowled internally as he recalled how her parents had stood dumbly by, perplexed as Pyrrha briefly broke down sobbing at a celebration party for her first contest win at Sanctum…neither of them caring that her win had been the result of her inadvertently breaking a classmate's arm in the final duel.
Nor could they register the significance that not a single one of her invited classmates had come to the party…
His eyes remained fixed on Pyrrha, a tense yet consoling gaze, as he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"What's say we take a break for a bit? I'm sure your Aura is getting low after all this."
Unhitching his belt as he turned away from her, he motioned to some of the house staff, who trotted towards the ring with trays of water and towels. Ignoring the scathing look Kokkino was giving him and stepping out of the ring, he froze as Pyrrha's voice, husky and tired, came to his ears.
"Again."
Spartacus turned back to his great niece, concern mixing with a scowl on his face as she stood in the center of the ring, seemingly unaffected by strain or exhaustion...to say nothing of what he had just lectured her about. He wasn't sure he'd ever seen someone look simultaneously resolute and forlorn before. He could sense rather than see approval move across Kokkino's features as she turned her head back to her daughter.
Well, he hadn't gone through all this to let Pyrrha continue driving herself into the ground.
"Pyrrha, it would be best if-"
The redhead's eyes suddenly flashed like lightning, and he felt Dicere jiggle on his belt, to say nothing of the other metal objects on his person. Glancing around, he could see the others reacting in surprise, hands going to weapons, belt buckles, anything metal they were wearing.
Blowing out a breath through her nose, Pyrrha fixed her mother with an expression of angered determination as she set her feet apart and held Milo at the ready.
"Agai-AAAHH!" she began to demand, when her eyes widened and she cried out in sudden pain.
[=]
"Pyrrha!" Kokkino cried, maternal concern replacing her teacher's indifference as the teenager collapsed to her knees, a hand grasping her left calve as Akouo and Milo fell to the ground. Spartacus, her mother and the training aides rushed to her side as she grimaced in pain.
"Dear, what is it?" Kokkino asked as she knelt beside her daughter. The redhead's eyes were squeezed shut and her lips were a fixed line as she grasped her leg.
"…Leg cramp…" she muttered. Kokkino tutted sympathetically, the first time she'd made such a sound all day.
"Alright, alright, hold on." Kokkino said, her maternal nature mixing with her training as she gently eased Pyrrha over until she was sitting on her backside. The teenager's face was pinched in discomfort.
Stretching the offending leg out straight, Kokkino applied pressure to the bottom of Pyrrha's foot, forcing the toes to point up and forcibly stretching out the tightened muscles. Her daughter bit her lower lip as her hands flew to her leg. An almost inaudible whimper came from her mouth.
"I know it hurts, I know" Kokkino said, "But this is the best way to-"
"Stop!" Spartacus suddenly commanded, his deep, booming voice filling the backyard of the house, causing the assembled training aides to jump in surprise. Stepping past them, he knelt before Pyrrha, who was gritting her teeth in pain as her mother worked on her leg.
"Stop it, stop it" he said, brushing the woman's hands aside before taking one of Pyrrha's arms over his shoulder and pulling her to her feet.
He turned to regard the training aides, who looked at him with worried expressions.
"We're done for the day. Return to your dormitories, I'll make sure you get our full points for today's session." He said to them, dismissing them with a nod of his head. Kokkino squawked behind him, as she marched around to Pyrrha's other side, glaring at Gus.
"We are most certainly not done! Here, just let me-"
"I Said…" Spartacus growled, turning to regard her with cold green eyes which stopped her in her tracks, his voice brokering no argument,
"…We. Are. DONE. For the day."
"Gus…" Pyrrha winced as she tried to put pressure on her bad leg, "I just need a minute…"
"Rubbish." He replied.
Pulling her from the crowd of teens, Spartacus helped her limp to the bench, before getting down on one knee and, swiftly removing the boot and greaves from the offending appendage, began to vigorously massage the cramped area. Pyrrha's whole body clenched for a moment, before sighing as the twisted muscle began to relax.
Spartacus motioned to the mingling house staff, beckoning one holding a tray of water glasses while another placed a towel on the bench beside Pyrrha.
"Here" he said, directing the staff with the water to Pyrrha, "Stay hydrated, you've been driving yourself all morning without a break. No wonder you cramped up."
Accepting the beverage with a nod of thanks, Pyrrha drank thirstily before pressing the cool, condensation-dripping glass it to her forehead, rolling it across her sweat-matted hair. Spartacus looked up at her in concern as she took several deep breaths, as though trying to calm herself. This close, he could see the sweat streaming down her face, the cuts and scratches from the few tumbles she'd taken, and what looked like the beginning of sunburn on her pale shoulders.
Letting her un-cramping leg fall, he grabbed the towel that was sitting on the bench and, using a few more of the glasses to liberally soak it with cool liquid, draped it over Pyrrha's bare shoulders. She looked at him at last, a small smile of thanks coming to her lips.
"Here, just rest now." Gus said, taking off his sunhat and perching it on her head. Her gloved hand flew to the brim of the hat as she looked at him in affectionate surprise: she'd loved wearing hats as a child, with fond memories of Gus coming to the house when she was young and greeting her with his favorite Fedora plopped onto her head. The pleasant memory of the action triggered an endorphin release in her, further calming her racing nerves.
Standing, Spartacus twisted his back for a moment, before his eyes fell on the group of training aides, who stood, still milling about, their eyes on him.
"I believe I said we were done for the day?" Spartacus growled at the assembled teens.
"Excuse me" Kokkino said with a scowl as she emerged from the group, "But I believe we're far from done."
Spartacus fixed her with a pointed glare as he replied.
"Koko, she's in no condition to carry on-"
"Nonsense! She needs a few minutes to rest, that's all, she's put up with far worse than-"
Spartacus' eyes flashed, and, reaching down to where Pyrrha was sitting, yanked her Scroll from her belt pouch. Snapping it open and keying in a command, he held the device to Kokkino's face, his own clouded in anger.
On the screen, Pyrrha's Aura level was displayed, flashing red and dangerously low. Her mother's face softened immediately, and she looked down at her daughter, her eyes widening in concern.
"Pyrrha, why didn't you say something?" she asked, the maternal concern in her voice a sharp contrast to her domineering personality of a few seconds before.
The Teenager cast a saddened expression up at her mother, then at her great uncle, before pulling the brim of the hat down to hide her face from their view. Her mother could have sworn she saw the faintest embarrassed blush on her daughter's cheeks.
Sighing, Kokkino idly waved off the training aides, who shuffled out of the yard with concerned expressions: few could say they'd seen Pyrrha Nikos go from utter victory to shut down in the space of a few minutes.
Spartacus kept his eyes trained on the departing group as he folded Pyrrha's scroll up and placed it gently beside her. The teen took it in her hands immediately, holding it in both hands like it was something precious. With a sigh Kokkino placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, still shielded from the sun by the wet towel.
"Alright, take a few minutes." Kokkino said "We'll practice your basics for the rest of the day."
"Yes mother." Pyrrha replied, her voice quiet, almost emotionless. Spartacus noticed that her grip tightened on her scroll every time she replied to her mother.
"And later tonight we'll review your attack theory: even if you did pass your courses you can't let your academics slip. This will be a good opportunity to brush up on your reading."
"Yes mother."
"And goodness me, have you eaten anything today? Here' I'll have one of the staff make you a protein shake, you need to get some vitamins in you."
"Yes mother."
"Make sure you're stretching out that leg: I'll call my masseuse, she'll get you all limbered out-"
"Pardon me, Mistress."
Kokkino paused, looking up in annoyance as Slately, the Main butler of the household and de facto head of the house staff, approached, his white summer coat shining in the sunlight. He looked distressed as he approached the three: Pyrrha's Mother was not the easiest person to work for.
"What, what is it?" Kokkino snapped: she didn't need to be bothered when trying to help Pyrrha prepare for the upcoming semester. Slately stopped as he came up to her and bowed respectfully before speaking.
"A pair of guests who wish to speak to Mistress Pyrrha, ma'am" the man said. Kokkino scowled and shook her head, groaning in frustration.
"Ugh, tell them to come back later, we've got far too much to do for her fans or some of Zelan's Minions to be-"
"Actually" the Butler replied nervously, his fingers fidgeting, "They claim they are schoolmates of the mistress…"
"Aw, come on" a familiar voice said, as Pyrrha's eyes sprang open and a look of shock came to her face, "Schoolmates? Is that all the introduction we merit?"
That voice…
"Neptune!" Pyrrha said in delight, catching the two elder Nikos by surprise as she sprang to her feet, forgetting her leg as she spotted two figures standing behind the butler, "Sun!"
The blue-haired Mistralian and Faunus Vacuean smiled broadly at her as they stepped past Slately, waving at her as she tried to hobble towards them on her still-awkward leg-not helped by the fact that she was still wearing one high-heeled boot while the other foot dangled in its protective black stocking-and they dashed forward to catch her before she fell. She looked between them with a delighted expression as she half-hugged-half-supported herself around their shoulders, their relaxed smiles filling her with sudden energy. She almost laughed as she spoke.
"I can't believe it! What are you guys doing here?"
"Ah well" Neptune said, his "cool-guy" demeanor as strong as ever as he shrugged, "We were just passing by, heading into Rivienne, thought we'd stop in and say hello!"
"And maybe ask you to join us?" Sun added as he patted her on the shoulder. Pyrrha's eyes widened in surprise at the invitation.
"R-Really?"
They want to hang out…with me?
"Pyrrha?" Gus' voice came to her ears, snapping her out of her thoughts, "Some…introductions, perhaps, are in order?"
Pyrrha turned back to her mother and Great uncle, the former with her arms crossed and an annoyed expression on her face while Gus bore a cordial, more welcoming gaze.
The redhead turned to her family members with a slight embarrassed blush as, using Neptune for support, she slipped her other boot off so she could stand, albeit still favoring her bad leg as Spartacus and Kokkino came up to the three teens, a welcoming smile on the former's face while the latter regarded the two boys with an icy expression.
"It's not every day YOU have company, dear." The old man said as he looked the two guests over. Both boys struck poses as casual as they dared, hiding the shiver Kokkino's gaze sent up their spines: it was clear where Pyrrha got her fearlessness in battle from.
Pyrrha matched her great uncle's expression as, tossing the boot aside, she placed a hand on each of the boy's shoulders. Neptune was made that much taller than her by the loss of her high heels (and he was still half a head taller than her with them) while she and Sun were roughly the same height.
"Mom, Gus, this is Neptune Vasilias and Sun Wukong. They're friends of mine. Guys, this is my mother and my Great Uncle Spartacus."
"Pleasure." Kokkino said, her voice as cool as Neptune's hair. Gus, however, stepped forward with an extended hand.
"Welcome, boys, welcome." He said jovially as he vigorously shook each of their hands hard enough to blur the outlines of their arms, "It's a pleasure to meet some of Pyrrha's friends at last!"
The two smiled sheepishly at the old man as they reclaimed their hands, shaking them idly to regain some of the feeling in their fingers. Despite his advanced age, Gus was surprisingly strong.
"You go to Beacon, then?" Spartacus went on as he directed the teens to the benches around the training ring: with the training aides gone, the area was much more open and welcoming. Still leaning on Neptune, Pyrrha eased herself into a sitting position.
"We're from Haven, actually" Neptune replied as he sat beside Pyrrha, who was still favoring her bad leg. Kokkino cocked an eyebrow at that, and her expression softened…slightly.
"Huntsmen in training? Ah, splendid, splendid!" Gus said as he reclaimed his hat from where Pyrrha's sudden stand had blown it off her head, "Always a pleasure to meet the next generation!"
"Gus was one of the top three members of the first Class of Huntsmen to be formed from Haven Academy." Pyrrha explained to her friends, "He was actually born during the Great War, and his father was a Mistral Skirmisher."
Both boys looked at the old man with expressions of newfound respect, as Neptune whistled a low whistle: everyone knew well the heady days in the early aftermath of the war, when the system was new and the elements were still being worked out. Many family histories were full of tales of militant holdouts, self-styled warlords that had to be put down, threats to the system from without and within, and of course the Grimm…in the aftermath of the dark times, the Grimm had seemed…stronger, fiercer…deadlier.
"So, just what brings you boys to our humble estate?" Spartacus said as he sat down on one of the benches himself. Sun and Neptune glanced at each other, before, with a slick grin, Neptune slid an arm around Pyrrha's shoulder.
"Well, like I was telling Pyrrha, Sun and I were wondering if she'd like to come into town with us? You know, just chill, kick back?"
Pyrrha fidgeted slightly, but a hopeful expression came onto her face: the thought of spending an afternoon with friendly faces was filling her with a happiness she hadn't felt since the day she'd left Beacon. In her pocket, her aura meter slowly beeped as it began to recharge.
Her face fell, however, as she saw Kokkino's scowl deepen. Her mother shook her head as she spoke.
"I'm afraid Pyrrha is in no condition to-"
" I think it's a splendid idea!" Gus suddenly interjected. Kokkino whirled to look at him with a scathing look, but Gus ignored her and continued speaking.
"She's been devoting all of her time to training for the Vytal festival. While I admire her dedication, I believe she could use a break. Don't you agree, Koko?" he asked, turning to Pyrrha's Mother, an eyebrow raised so high it looked like it was about to fly off his head.
Kokkino, anger clear on her face, opened her mouth as though she were about to reply, when her gaze fell on the figure of her daughter.
It seemed to Gus that, for the first time, Kokkino noticed how…bedraggled, Pyrrha looked. Her sweat-matted hair clung to her forehead, her chest still rose and fell with deeper breaths than normal, her cramped leg still seemed tender…and the bags under her eyes were stark on her pale skin.
And despite herself, Kokkino couldn't help but notice the…hopeful expression in Pyrrha's eyes.
A long-worn part of her, flickering from the days of her old vitality, pushed past the boundaries her breakdowns and medicines had built up, and she spoke almost before she could catch herself.
"Oh...Very well…" She groaned at last, "I suppose…an afternoon off can't hurt."
The way Pyrrha's face lit up in delight, her Mother would think someone had just plugged her into a Dust Power cell. Her mouth split in the widest smile Gus had seen on her face in…recent memory, and her tired eyes suddenly glowed with energy.
"Thank you, mom!" Pyrrha said, leaping up to wrap her surprised mother in a hug. Kokkino's shocked expression brought a smile to Spartacus' face as she hesitantly returned the hug. Pyrrha seemed to suddenly resonate with energy.
The two boys smiled at Pyrrha as she turned to face them, before looking down at her armor. She looked back up at the pair, an embarrassed blush coming to her cheeks at her disheveled state.
"Um…may I have a few minutes to get cleaned up, before we go?"she asked hesitantly.
"Sure thing." Neptune said with a smile.
Her delighted smile returning to her face, Pyrrha hastily gathered up her discarded armor and boots and raced towards the back door, summoning Akouo and Milo to her hands as she dashed (still limping a bit) across the porch and into the house.
Spartacus watched her go, before turning back to Pyrrha's mother, who had a hand pressed to her chest, her eyes wide in incomprehension. He smirked at the sight: Kokkino was rarely caught off guard.
Though that it was Pyrrha's affection that caught her off guard…worried him.
Neither of them noticed the look the two teens shot one another, as Neptune kept his eyes on the house where Pyrrha had gone while Sun watched the two elder Nikos.
"So" Spartacus said, turning to the two boys, "Tell me about Haven! It's been a while since I walked its hallowed halls."
[=]
Pyrrha reappeared a few minutes later, freshly scrubbed from a quick shower, still limping slightly, her armor exchanged for a yellow sundress that came just below her thighs and accented her athletic build. Suntan pantyhose sheathed her legs (and provided support for her still aching calve,) and her feet were clad in a pair of decorative ballet flats that matched her dress. She smiled and blushed as both boys clapped approvingly, ignoring Kokkino's flaming expression as she glared at them.
"I hope this isn't…too fancy" Pyrrha said sheepishly as she stepped down from the porch and walked over to her friends. Neptune shook his head, waving dismissively.
"You look STUNNING, Dahling" he said with an exaggerated accent, as he posed like a fashion designer looking over a model. Sun clapped a hand to his face as flames seemed to shoot from Kokkino's eyes.
Spartacus stepped forward, reaching for his pocket, but Pyrrha waved him off as she produced a purse that matched her dress.
"I've got it covered, Gus." She said, smirking at her friends, "Goodness knows I've got the spare lien."
Neptune gasped, placing a hand to his chest in mock dismay.
"My Fair Pyrrha." He said dramatically " You do not mean to tell me YOU would offer we humble two the mercy of your monetary advantage? Oh, you humble us, Pyrrha, HUMBLE US I say!"
Sun casually whacked his partner on the back of the head, smirking at Pyrrha as he produced a wallet of his own.
"Don't your worry about it. We're good, P." he said with a chuckle.
Pyrrha cocked an eyebrow at Sun as she regarded the plain leather billfold in his hands: she knew from Blake that the Vacuean Faunus had a slight penchant for..."sticky fingers" as the saying went. Not so much that she wouldn't spend time with him, though.
And it didn't seem prudent to mention the Vacuean native's tendencies in front of her mother...
None of the three teens noticed the scowl that came to Kokkino's face when her daughter had so casually offered her money to the two as the group walked around the house to the front door, the early summer flowers filling the air with a sweet perfume as birds chirped overhead.
"So…Rivienne?" Pyrrha said, a touch of awe in her voice as she smiled at her companions "I haven't been there in so long…"
"Yep." Sun said, crossing his arms behind his head as he stretched out his back, "We were thinking about checking out the new Movie Theater they just installed."
"Perfect way to while away a summer afternoon" Neptune added. Pyrrha cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Surely, the beach would be-" she began, but Sun cut her off with a sudden slashing motion across his throat as Neptune paled.
"Ah….heheh…..yeah…no. No beach." The blue-haired teen said as he shivered, "Nooooooo beach."
Pyrrha looked at her friend, confused, even as she heard her mother scoff disgustingly behind her.
"Well…okay…then." She said, uncertainty in her voice as she watched Neptune take a deep breath to calm himself.
"So, yeah. Maybe a movie, some lunch, a walk along the coast-providing we stay WELL clear of the water-take in some of the shops, etcetera?" Neptune continued, whisking his hair back with a hand flowed across his head as his disarming smile returned. Though still confused-and concerned-about his reaction to her suggestion, Pyrrha nodded amicably as she smiled.
"That sounds wonderful." She replied.
"I hope you're up for the walk, dear." Spartacus said as he opened the vine-bedecked gate that separated the front yard from the back. Pyrrha looked up at her great uncle, confusion on her face, as the group stopped at the front of the house.
"Where's Rosa?" she asked. Her mother sighed, closing her eyes and shaking her head in exasperation.
"Poor girl had some family matters: a brother of hers is in trouble with the police, apparently, and she asked if she could take a few days to straighten things out."
A disgusted expression on her face both gave Pyrrha no illusions about the family Chauffer's future employment…and put her entirely off further conversation with her mother this morning. Idly, she rubbed the back of her still-aching calve with the top of her other foot as she looked down, pondering her legs.
"Ah, it's fine, P!" Sun said as he clapped her on the back "We can walk, it isn't that far!"
"You sure?" Neptune said, casting an eye to Pyrrha's long legs where they descended from her dress, "You looked like you were limping a bit, Pyrrha."
"Oh, Just getting over a leg cramp, I'm fine." Pyrrha replied, causing Kokkino to cock a frustrated eyebrow at Spartacus, who looked away, whistling innocently.
"I'd like the walk." She went on, "Besides, it will give us more time to chat!"
Both boys smiled at that, and Kokkino sighed as she looked at her daughter with an expression of mild concern.
"There's supposed to be a chill coming off the sea, dear." she said, "You'd better bring a sweater."
Pyrrha pondered her mother for a moment, before her face brightened.
"I've got just the thing!" she replied, before she turned and dashed back into the house.
She reappeared a moment later, sliding a black and orange Hoodie over her shoulders. Both boys eyes widened in recognition of the garment as she walked up to them, fluffing out her hair with a smile on her face.
"Isn't that-?" Neptune began to ask, but Pyrrha cut him off with a nod as she hunched her shoulders, letting the sweater fluff against her face, eliciting a contented smile as a familiar smell filled her nostrils.
"He let me borrow it for the summer." She said with a happy lilt to her voice.
Turning back to her mother, she stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug, which again seemed to take the woman by surprise, combined with the wide smile on her daughter's face.
"I promise I'll train extra hard tomorrow." Pyrrha whispered into her ear before she released her. Kokkino managed to return the hug without any awkwardness this time, though she seemed...reluctant.
"You make sure you're home by Ten, then." her mother replied, "You're going to get an early start in the morning."
Pyrrha nodded in affirmation, even as a frustrated feeling began to nibble at the back of her perceptions as she released her mother...
"Well, come on then!" Sun said, sliding an arm around Pyrrha's shoulders as he led her away from the house, Neptune following, "We're burnin' daylight!"
Pyrrha chuckled jovially, turning her head to wave back at her Mother and Uncle.
"I'll see you guys later!" she called as she headed up the driveway at the two boy's urging.
"Have a good time, Dear!" Spartacus called. Her mother managed to force a small smile, which vanished as soon as her daughter turned her back.
The pair watched her go, as she laughed at some unheard joke Sun whispered into her ear and smiled at something Neptune said.
"She needs this." Spartacus said, a wistful smile on his face as he watched them go. Beside him, Kokkino scoffed. He turned to his niece-in-law with a shocked look on his face, meeting her scowl as she glared at him.
"She's too tired and worn out to keep training…but by all means, let her go off and waste the afternoon lollygagging with two boys you just met!" Kokkino snapped at her elder uncle. He scowled at her himself.
"Then why did you let her go…?" he began to ask, before Kokkino sighed angrily.
"I know, I KNOW, I'm being overprotective. But I don't need her being distracted by…friends." She said as she looked away, "Especially...boys."
Spartacus' scowl softened as he placed a hand on Kokkino's shoulder, but she shrugged him off.
"The last thing she should want or need is something like that…Especially now." She concluded. Spartacus mentally shook his head in exasperation: Kokkino didn't know her daughter at all.
And he'd long since grown tired of trying to explain to her that Pyrrha needed friends more than anything…sometimes even her parents.
As Kokkino turned and strode back into the house, Spartacus sighed , turning his gaze to the retreating forms of the three teens, Pyrrha's ponytail clearly defining her.
"Have a good day, dear." He whispered, "Make the most of it…because I fear there's going to be fallout from this..."
He kept his eyes on the three figures until they were out of sight.
[=]
Pyrrha gasped in alarm as, without warning, both boys suddenly grabbed her and pulled her into the bushes that ringed the property.
"Guys?" she yelped, "What? What is it?"
"Shh!" Sun hissed, putting a finger to his lips as he dragged her into the bushes out of sight of the road, "Just hold on!"
Pyrrha stared at them with a perplexed expression as they finally paused, standing in the middle of a small clearing surrounded by flower bushes. A few worn stone benches sat in a ring around the space: it had once been a pleasant spot, one Pyrrha used to sneak off to frequently in her younger years. As the two released her, Sun scrambled up the side of one of the bushes, looking back towards the Nikos house.
"Alright" he whispered, "Coast looks clear. No one's following us."
"Following us?" Pyrrha said, worry coming to her voice, "Guys, what is it? What's going on?"
As Sun leapt back down from the bush, he and Neptune cast grim looks at each other before Sun spoke.
"Alright, in all seriousness, are you okay?" the Faunus asked her, his face deadly serious. Neptune mimicked his expression, looking around to make sure they weren't being eavesdropped upon.
Pyrrha looked between them, confused.
"Am I…Okay?" she repeated, completely lost. Neptune sighed, reaching into his belt pouch and pulling out his scroll. He flipped it open as he continued speaking, the pale sunlight that filtered through the bushes glinting off his hair.
"I got this voicemail from Jaune, just as the Vacuo tower went down: he said you were in some kind of trouble, and asked us to come over and check on you."
"Jaune?" Pyrrha asked in amazement as a surge of warmth filled her, as she unconsciously placed a hand to her chest: he'd heard her? He'd heard her cry for help?
The Blue-haired teen nodded, as, pressing the "play" button, a familiar panicked voice came to Pyrrha's ears.
"-eptune! Neptune listen, you gotta find Pyrrha! She's at her house, I think she's in trouble, she said she needed help! Gah I'm so stupid, why didn't I-a-anyway, please, Neptune, I know you live in Mistral, I wouldn't ask this if I wasn't desperate, but please! Find her, make sure she's okay! She was calling for help just as we left, Nora, Ren and I are worried sick! Please, you gotta fin-!"
The message abruptly cut off with a fizzle of static, and Neptune sighed, closing the phone and putting it away.
"That must have been when the tower went offline. It's lucky the whole thing wasn't garbled, but anyway, we looked up where you lived and came over as soon as we could."
"So" he concluded, fixing his gaze directly on the redhead, "Are you okay?"
Pyrrha stared at both boys in amazement for a long moment, still as a statue, before, to their surprise, her hands flew to her mouth and her eyes filled with sudden tears.
"Pyrrha?" Sun said as he stepped forwards, "Ah, shit I knew it, you are in-!"
"No, no!" Pyrrha suddenly cried, as she staggered away from the two, hiding her face in her hands.
The two Haven students looked on in confused awe as the resolute figure of Pyrrha, who they had seen dominate dueling rings in their time at Beacon, hunched her shoulders and hiccupped a few quiet sobs as she sank to a sitting position on one of the benches.
"He…he heard me…" she whispered, her voice muffled by the sweater, before she suddenly sucked a deep breath in through her nose, letting her hands drop from her face and looking up at the sky. To Sun and Neptune's growing perplexity, her smile was wide despite her tear-filled eyes, as though she were thanking the universe in some way…
"He heard me…" she said, overjoyed, lowering her head to meet their worried expressions, "...And he sent you guys…"
She met their gaze, noticing their mix of confusion and worry, and her smile dropped away.
"I'm sorry…" Pyrrha sighed as she wiped at her puffy eyes, looking away from the two shamefully,"I got you all worried just because I was melodramatic…"
"Melodramatic?" Neptune parroted, and scoffed as he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him in surprise, as though she weren't used to such an intimate gesture, which, for such a laid-back character, was surprisingly welcoming and open.
"Pyrrha, you asking for help isn't melodramatic. That's…very very worrying, because I know you aren't the type to ask for help lightly." The Mistralian teen said as he turned and sat beside her, his smile unwavering. Pyrrha shook her head.
"No, it's just…" she said, hanging her head as Sun sat down on her opposite side, placing a hand over hers where they sat in her redhead clutched at her skirt as she spoke again.
"You met my Mom…" she said quietly.
Both boys looked at each other for a moment, before turning their full attention to their friend. She played with her fingers for a moment, before she continued speaking.
"I'm so sorry about her rudeness...it's just that...I was going to go with Jaune, Nora and Ren to spend the summer at his place…get ready for the festival, train and all that…but my Parents hit the roof as soon as I suggested it…"
She sniffled for a moment, wiping at her eye with a finger before continuing.
"I don't think I've ever heard mom so mad…and then…"
[=]
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Pyrrha jerked the scroll away from her ear, staring at it in shock as her mother continued shouting.
"Do you hear me, young lady? Absolutely not! How could you even suggest such a thing, the very idea! Going off to waste your summer with your team of tagalongs! You're coming home young lady, and that is the final word!"
"But Mom, we're going to be train-"
"I…said…NO! end of discussi- AAAugh!"
Pyrrha gasped in horror as her mother's scream cut off with a ragged cry of pain.
"Mom? MOM!"
Pyrrha leapt to her feet, as though her standing up could somehow assist her mother in some way. She heard the scroll clatter to the floor on the opposite end of the line, heard agonized groans and cries, before the sound of running feet came through the connection.
"Koko! Koko, what is it?"
"Dad?"Pyrrha cried "Dad, what is it? What's wrong with mom?!"
"Pyrrha?!" her father's voice came through the line as he scooped up the Scroll on the opposite end before he seemed to shout at someone in the room with him "Take her into the living room!"
"DAD!" Pyrrha cried, fighting back the tears that came to her eyes. Her father's voice came back to her ears with a heavy sigh.
"Sweetie, I'm gonna have to call you back, your mother just collapsed."
"What? B-but-"
"Sweetie, I'm sorry, I have to go!"
"Dad-!" Pyrrha cried, but the scroll beeped, indicating the call was terminated at the other end.
Holding the device away from her face, Pyrrha stared at the screen for a long minute, as a few of the unshed tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Mom…"
[=]
"Ah, jeez, P." Sun said, flinching as he looked away. Neptune squeezed Pyrrha's shoulder supportingy as she sighed.
"After that, I couldn't even think about going with them…" Pyrrha sighed despairingly, "…That's why I've been pushing myself so hard…I don't need mom worrying about me."
She moaned in despair as she leaned forward, elbows on her knees and face in her hands, as she trembled for a moment.
"but…I…I thought I could handle the loneliness, like I have before…but…"
She drew in a deep breath, a hiccup escaping her throat as more tears came to her eyes. She blurted out her next words, her voice choked with emotion.
"…But it hurts! It hurts like it never has before a-and…I just…I can't stand it anymore…"
She leaned back, letting her hands drop to her lap as he hung her head.
"I'm sorry…"
Sun and Neptune both regarded their acquaintance with sympathetic expressions as Neptune squeezed her shoulder consolingly.
"I'm sorry, Pyrrha." the Blue-haired teen said consolingly.
Pyrrha shook her head, frustrated further at her lack of control over her feelings.
"Guess I'm just a magnet for bad times and bad moods…I'm sorry if I brought you guys down...just me and my sob stories..." she said mutely.
Sun scoffed at her words while Neptune waved dismissively.
"Pyrrha, everyone gets upset!" the blue-haired teen replied, "We're not gonna start treating you like a crybaby just because you broke down for a second!"
"And we're your friends." Sun added, placing his hand back on hers, causing her to look at him in surprise, her wet eyes glinting in the sunlight, "We're here for you. If you've ever got a problem, we're here to listen."
"And YOU" Neptune concluded, turning the redhead's attention to him, "You sound like someone who needs a day of de-stressing, courtesy of Vasilias and Wukong relief services, 100% satasfaction, 90% of the time."
Pyrrha wasn't sure if it was Neptune's disarming grin or the ridiculousness of his statement, but, even with the dregs of her tears in her eyes, she broke into helpless giggling, pressing her face into Jaune's hood as Sun and Neptune chuckled around her. For a brief moment the small, long abandoned alcove formed by the bushes sang with amusement as the summer sun streamed through the bushes.
"Sooo…" Sun drew out, not caring he was repeating something he'd already said, "We were thinking we might go into town to, just, you know, hang out for a while? Stroll around the shops, get something to eat, maybe catch a movie?"
Her mirth subsiding, Pyrrha regarded the Faunus with a surprised, almost wistful look.
"A movie? Good gracious, I haven't been to a movie since I was twelve…" she said, her face falling as both boys stared at her with stunned expressions.
"What?"
"Sheesh, P, do you do ANYTHING besides training and magazines?" Sun asked her, his voice disbelieving, "I thought you were just a dedicated student, but SHEESH!"
"Also, good gracious?" Neptune echoed, "what are you, sixty? Hey, I'm kidding, kidding!" he said as she scowled at him. Then her face fell, distraught, as something occurred to her.
"But…wait…" Pyrrha said, as her face fell, "We can't go into town! I'll get mobbed by my fans as soon as I show my face!"
"Your fans?" Sun said as he cocked an eyebrow. Neptune, however, mimicked Pyrrha's expression.
"As much as I wouldn't mind the local ladies knowing I'm friends with Pyrrha Nikos…" he said, "She's right. You saw her face all over that Dust goods store we walked past, man. We'll be dodging her adoring mobs all day."
"So what should we do?" Pyrrha asked, feeling disappointment creeping up on her…all this, and now at the last moment it would all be spoiled…!
Then, Sun brightened up.
"I've got an idea." He said "if the mobs are looking for Pyrrha Nikos…"
He stood before Pyrrha, examining her hair as he walked around her, looking thoughtful. He smiled as an idea came to him and held out a hand to his blue-haired partner.
"Neptune, you got one of those Bandannas's you carry?"
the Mistral native 'huffed' at his partner as he crossed his arms.
"They're not Bandanna's, they're ascots!"
"Whatever! Just gimme one!" Sun groaned, rolling his eyes.
Sighing, Neptune reached into his jacket and withdrew a large square of Yellow fabric, a few shades darker than Pyrrha's dress. Handing it to Sun, the Faunus turned back to Pyrrha, a conspiratorial smile on his face.
"if the mobs are looking for Pyrrha Nikos… here, take off your headband..."
confused but willing to hear him out, Pyrrha slid her bronze headpiece out of her hair, letting her scarlet locks fall about her head and trail over her shoulders. Sun immediately started coursing his fingers through her long mane, fluffing out her locks and fiddling with her bangs. Pyrrha tensed as he worked, but didn't object. As Sun continued, Neptune slowly regained his smile.
"Yeah, yeah, I see what you're doing…" he said, a finger on his chin as he looked thoughtfully at the redhead. Turning his eyes to the bushes, he smiled.
"These are yours, right?" he said as he stepped over to one of the shrubs, fingering a flowering vine.
"Y-yes" Pyrrha replied as she fidgeted slightly under Sun's fingers, "Goodness knows we haven't had this area worked on in years though."
Neptune smiled at that.
"Then I hope your folks don't mind if I borrow a few buds."
"I suppose not…" Pyrrha said "They don't even come out here anymore…I doubt they'd notice."
With a shining smile on his face, she watched him start to carefully strip one of the vines from the bush, making sure none of the buds fell off. As he did so, Sun began doing something with the bandanna, artfully tying it about the top of Pyrrha's head.
"Here, let me" he said to Neptune, as the teen finished removing the vine from the bush, the small yellow flowers within it undisturbed. Taking the vines from his partner and stepping back behind Pyrrha, she felt him working it into her hair where it trailed down her back. With a slight fluffing and some quick finger-combing, he swished her long mane over her shoulder and let it trail down her front.
"Like I said" Sun concluded as he held a hand out to Neptune, who produced a Mirror he used to check his hair and handed it to his partner, "If the Mobs are looking for Pyrrha Nikos…" he paused, opening the mirror and holding it up to Pyrrha's face
"…You simply need to stop being Pyrrha Nikos."
Pyrrha looked at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes widening as she took in her altered appearance.
Her usual ponytail and bangs had given way to a tasteful weave that descended across her shoulders, held in place by the stems of the flowers Neptune had carefully stripped from the hedges. The yellow scarf held her hair tastefully back from her face while still hiding her eyes somewhat, giving her an almost homely look and accenting her dress perfectly. She put a hand to her mouth in surprise: she barely recognized herself.
"It's truly amazing what a simple change in hairstyle can do to a person." Neptune said as he smiled at Sun's handiwork.
"I-Indeed…" Pyrrha said in awe, her fingers going to her lips, "...Is that really…me?"
Her hands trailed through the weave of her scarlet hair, brushing over the flowers, feeling the loosened locks catch the breeze. Her shock gave way to a bright smile.
"I-I…I like it!"
She looked up at Sun in surprise.
"Where did you learn to do this?"
The Faunus examined his fingernails casually as he replied.
"Ah well. Personal grooming combined with old Vacuo traditional decoration teaches you a few things."
"It looks good on you, P." Neptune added, before he smiled wider.
"Yeah…"P" how about we just stick with that." He said as he reached out and flicked a stray leaf from Pyrrha's hair, "No need to tip our hand after we've gone to all this effort."
"P…" Pyrrha said thoughtfully.
She smiled a wide smile as she nodded at the two, the smell of the flowers mingling with the scent of Jaune's sweater to drive away her despairing mood.
"Yes…I like that…"P."
In her purse, deactivated but still running, her Aura meter suddenly charged up full, and a surge of energy filled Pyrrha's body as she deftly sprang to her feet before the two boys, real delight filling her down to the depths of her soul.
"Come on!" she said with a laugh, "Like you said, we're burning daylight!"
Her two companions smiled broadly at her, even as silent conspiracy to help maintain Pyrrha's good mood filled both of their minds.
Along with thoughts of another message they had yet to share with her…
"Well, lets go!" Sun said as he took Pyrrha's hand and guided her out of the bushes, "Rivienne awaits!"
