The team was at lunch, as usual. Reed and Crimson were chatting, occasionally turning to another classmate or friend. Melanie was keeping to herself as usual, when she noticed that Nina was also keeping to herself...and wasn't eating.

"Something wrong?" Melanie asked.

Nina's head popped up with a squeak. "Huh? What? Nothing, I'll just, uh..."

She quickly got up and left, leaving Melanie confused. "Did I...do something?"

Reed raised an eyebrow. "She's been like that since you questioned her about Lizzie. You haven't noticed?"

"I...no..." Melanie blinked. "I'm...going to go talk to her."

She rushed after Nina, following her into the dorm hallways. The cat Faunus was fumbling with her scroll, trying to unlock the door.

"Nina..." Melanie began.

Nina immediately jumped in surprise. "Eep! Uh...Melanie...hey..."

Melanie hesitated. "Did I...scare you?"

"Uh..." Nina gulped. "...yeah..."

"I..." Melanie sighed. "I'm sorry."

Nina paused. "You were...trying to look out for Crimson."

"I was." Melanie admitted. "But I went too far. I'm...not used to having...friends. Growing up, if I wanted someone to help me, I had to make them...they had to be scared of me...and as a malnourished homeless girl, that took a lot of work. This environment is so different, and...I'm still adjusting."

"I know how that feels." Nina confessed. "I've spent my whole life scared. At the first sign of aggression, I just...try to curl up and hide...that's all I was ever able to do."

Melanie waved the lock open for Nina. "Maybe we should...talk. I think we have more in common than we know."

Nina gave a weak smile. "Alright...as long as it's...nice."

"I..." Melanie winced. "I'll try my best."

They stepped in and sat down. There was an awkward moment of silence, neither one knowing how to begin.

"So..." Melanie started "Um...do you have a last name? I've never really heard anyone say it, so..."

Nina shook her head. "That man...the one with Crimson...he..."

Melanie thought back to their brief encounter with him. "He said...he was like your father-"

"NO!" Nina shouted. "No, he's not."

Melanie paused. "My dad...he looks at this photo on his scroll a lot. He's never told me who it is, but...I have a good guess...in the photo, she's wearing this necklace." Melanie held up the claw necklace dangling from her throat. "It's my mom's...Sarah Jomin."

Nina's ears flattened. "So...you've never met her?"

"No." Melanie admitted. "Supposedly, she died in childbirth...do you want to know what she looked like?" Nina nodded. "She had silver hair, and red eyes." Nina's ears perked up. "And she was a Cat Faunus...just like you."

"She...looked like me?" Nina muttered.

Melanie gave a small smile. "Well, her hair was straight, and she didn't have freckles. Less of a round face too. So, not your spitting image, but...the passing resemblance is still..."

Nina sighed. "I just wish I knew something about my real family."

Melanie thought for a moment. "You know...Nina Jomin has a nice ring to it."

"Jomin? Your mom's last name?" Nina asked. "Melanie, I couldn't-"

"You couldn't pass as a relative?" Melanie questioned. "Who's to say you're not my cousin or something?"

Nina hesitated. "Melanie, it's your mom's name."

"I know." Melanie stated. "But she's gone...and you're not...you deserve a family, Nina. That starts with a name."

Nina smiled. "Thanks...it means a lot."

Melanie smiled back. "I should be thanking you...I saw how scared of me you were, and it made me realize...I don't want to be an outsider here...at least not with you guys. If I'm going to have friends, it should at least be the people I have to trust my life with."

"Does this mean you're dropping the tough girl act?" Nina asked.

Melanie chuckled. "No way. I may be nice to you guys, but I still need to let everyone else know not to mess with me."

Nina pulled Melanie into a hug, shocking the auburn-haired girl. After a few seconds, she hugged back. They both closed their eyes...having a family was nice.