"Mai, I'm fine," Alo said as Mai picked him off the ground and placed him on her shoulder. "No you're not," Mai argued. Alo knew better than to argue with Mai, so he hushed himself and allowed Mai to carry him. The two wondered the base alone. Several faunus and soldiers looked at the two in a curious manner but left the two alone.

Eventually the duo found their way into a room of worship where several soldiers and several faunus were sitting in the pews. Mai found a spot that was away from the rest of the people in the room and took a seat. She closed her eyes and put her head down as she muttered words no one but her and her god were suppose to hear.

"Kinda young to be in a place like this," a man said pulling Mai out of her prayer. Mai quickly finished, said so be it, and looked towards the man.

"This is a place for prayers to be heard isn't it," Mai shot back causing the man to laugh. His green eyes were welcoming, and his smile made him see friendly. Alo, although cautious of the man, didn't feel like he would hurt Mai, and allowed him to take a seat next to Mai.

"You're a smart one," the man said, his welcoming smile still on his face. "I meant that you're kinda young to be here alone kid." Mai shrugged and looked towards the statue of the woman with her arms extended out.

"Alo's here with me, so I'm not alone," Mai said, her eyes on the statue still. The man understood what she didn't say and looked towards the statue as well.

"Can I ask what you were praying for?" the man asked gently. His green eyes meeting Mai's. Mai looked towards the floor and began playing with her thumbs. Alo, knowing that Mai was having a moment, snuggled close to her. Mai looked towards Alo and rubbed his head with a small smile.

"I was asking if my mom and dad are okay," Mai said softly. "They're with Her now, and I want to know if they're happy." The man looked over the Mai and nodded.

"I lost my parents too," the man said leaning forward, his hands together as he balanced his arms on his knees. "I know She takes good care of them there, and I'm sure She takes care of your parents too." Mai smiled and the man ruffled her hair. "What's your name kid?"

"Valmai," Mai answered. "Alo calls me Mai though."

"Well it's nice to meet you Mai, I'm Bernlak," Bernlak said with a smile. "Do you want to go get some ice cream, this place seems awful gloomy for someone as lively as you."

Mai looked towards the statue again and nodded. Bernlak got to his feet, Mai followed his lead and took his hand. Bernlak was surprised by this gesture, but decided that the kid had gone through a lot, and allowed it. Alo jumped onto Mai's shoulder and the trio set off towards the mess hall.

Bernlak treated Mai to a large dish of ice cream hoping the large amount would greatly cheer her up. "You're really nice," Mai said softly as she ate the chocolate covered ice cream. "Not a lot of people are nice anymore."

"Maybe you just couldn't find the right people," Bernlak smiled as he took a bite out of his fudge bar. "But I know what you mean. The only good people I've ever really been around was my boss, General Weiss Schnee."

"You're friends with a general," Mai said in awe. Bernlak nodded and looked across the mess hall to see Weiss and Ruby sitting and drinking some sort of drink.

"That white haired lady over there," Bernlak said. Mai put her spoon down and looked over to see two of her saviors. "Is my boss."

"Those two people found me in the forest, the one in red is really nice," Mai said, she returned to her ice cream and happily kicked her small feet. "Bernlak, why are your parents with Her," Mai asked putting her spoon down once more showing she was done eating. Bernlak eyed the young girl for several moments before taking a deep breath.

"They were killed when I was younger," Bernlak answered.

"Why?" Bernlak didn't know if telling this little girl why his parents died was appropriate but a nod from Alo told him it was okay.

"My mother was a faunus, she worked for the White Fang. My father was a regular human. The leader of the White Fang at the time I was born was a horrible person, couldn't stand the thought of humans and faunus living side by side in life or marriage. Couldn't stand the thought of children being half breeds."

"Half breed?" Mai asked turning her head to the side to show her confusion.

"It's someone who's half faunus half human. My parents spent a lot of time ensuring their relationship and my existence were secret. But when I was thirteen the man controlling the White Fang found out, had my father killed, and later my mother."

"That's sad," Mai said looking down towards her melting ice cream.

"I guess it is, isn't it," Bernlak answered.

"My mom and dad were killed during an attack on our village. I don't really remember them, Alo says they were nice though," Mai said softly. "I wish I could have gotten to know them."

"Don't we all," Ruby said sliding into a seat next to Mai. Weiss took a seat next to Bernlak and gave him a look that said he needed to either stay quiet or go away. "My mom also died when I was really little, don't have many memories of her, but my sister, Yang, says she was a Super Mom."

Onirun jumped onto the table and took a seat in front of Ruby. "Mai can I ask Alo a few questions?" Ruby asked simply, her silver eyes showing good intention. Mai nodded and told Alo to answer any questions Ruby had. "Thank you Mai, Alo if you could come with me," Ruby said getting to her feet. Alo, Ruby, and Onirun took a seat at a different table across the mess hall.

"So is Bernlak treating you nicely Mai?" Weiss asked. Mai whose eyes was glued to Ruby and Alo snapped her eyes back to Weiss and Bernlak. Mai nodded and suddenly became the shyest person on Remnant. "That's good, Bernlak's a good man, known him for four years now. Nicest person I know."

"You're being awfully nice General," Bernlak said. Weiss glanced towards Bernlak and gave him a glare telling him he still needed to keep his mouth shut. Bernlak knew it wasn't out of spite, but merely that she was here on work, not recreation.

"How's Alo doing, he was in pretty bad shape when you showed up?" Weiss asked.

"He's a lot better, still sore I think," Mai said in a soft voice. Ruby walked back over and gave Weiss a nod as Alo retook his spot next to Mai.

"Well that's good to know, Ruby and I have some work we have to go do. Bernlak treat the girl well, I'll know if you didn't," Weiss' eyes told Bernlak to come talk to her later in the evening. "Have a good day."

"Bye," Ruby said with a wave as the two walked away.

"She seemed kinda mean," Mai said causing Bernlak to chuckle lightly.

"She can be pretty mean at times, but she means well. Usually she's only mean when she has a lot on her mind or a lot at stake. She's has a pretty stressful couple of weeks," Bernlak answered.

"What happened?"

"I don't really know, just that she stabbed her girlfriend," Bernlak answered, his own confusion over the conflict that ensued weeks before showing.

"You mean the red haired woman?"

"Yep, pretty sure those two are a thing, Weiss says they're just partners but I've never seen her look at someone the way she looks at that Ruby," Bernlak added. Mai smiled and laughed a little. "Come on Mai, let's go play a game of pool."

"What's pool?"

"Don't worry, I'll teach you."

Cute times with minor character.

It's always nice to find someone you can relate to, even if there's a large age difference.

And sorry if Mai is a little too smart for her young age, tried writing her like a kid would talk but it's kinda hard...

- Nerdz :3